Buttercup



{image source: flickr user law_keven at www.creativecommons.org }
 
I remember the buttercups that used to dot my elementary school playground. 
 I went there for nine years so I knew the field well.  The buttercups would shoot up faster than the blades of grass between mowings.  
 
{image from wikipedia}
 
When we were younger, we'd hold them up under eachother's chins & it was, " Do you like butter?" 
  
A little older and it was, "he loves me, he loves me not"
 
{He loves me!}
 
 You never really knew if he was going to love you or not with buttercups because some types have 5 petals and others have 6.
 
 
 
I loved making flower chains & never really grew out of it.  I remember doing them in the Spring as I waited for my turn at long jump in high school track.  One day I remember making necklaces for the other sprinters & somehow convincing even the guys to wear them as crowns...  (My coach must have loooved that ;)
ahahahaha   (It really still makes me laugh out loud.) 
 
More than anything, I just remember always picking them up & playing with them when I see them.  Long talks on the field with my best friend, scooping down to pick a buttercup, subconsciously.  Crumbling the old flower centers into little pieces between my fingers & rolling them around. 
 
 



 

 
I love these pics of the plants from NC State...  (above & below) 
 





 


 

 
It's for pretty much all of these reasons that I've known for a while I wanted to do a buttercup design for my textile line.  When the power went out for days this Summer & we needed to get out of town, we made an impromput visit to see my dad in Illinois & have him meet the baby...  The car ride is 13 hours and it was the first time after Luke was born (in May) that I'd had some time to sketch.  I  worked on "buttercup" in my lap...


{The beginnings of it...  as you can see, drawing doesn't come easily to me & there are lots of erase marks & mess ups}
 
The design (like all of them) is just an interpretation... not a botanical study.  I add my own little things here & there and I'm sure I leave out pretty important parts, but it's the feeling that I'm after...



{One of my first strike-offs}

I'm working on the final colorways now but I'm really happy with the light earthiness of this first one...

 
A few more options are on their way & I hope you enjoyed a peek into the process.
 
...
 
Do you have any buttercup memories?
 



If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

28 comments:

alg said...

I love this design!! It would go great in my kitchen. when will it be available??

Christina Marie Interiors said...

Love the fabric! That's a great addition to your collection!

Anonymous said...

beautiful fabric. I would use that in my daughter's bedroom

ashley @ the handmade home said...

UM, LOVE!!!! Beautiful, as always, girl!!!

eLIZabeth Floyd said...

These are some of my favorite flowers also! I especially love how the insides of the yellow petals have an iridescent sheen to them...

Your fabric pattern is lovely, how the leaves, roots, and flowers seem to intertwine and grow together. Lovely!

Liz

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

I love it!

Tawna said...

Love it! I'm dying to use some of your fabrics in a design....it hasn't happened yet, but I know it will someday.

Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns said...

Beautiful! I love your drawing!

Anonymous said...

LOVE it! How do you dye the fabric btw? Not sure if that's top secret, but I've always been into textiles.
love, love, love,
Amanda. (moodie665@hotmail.com)

Rachael said...

Oh, I love it! So beautiful, and who can resist something called Buttercup? Not I.

Anonymous said...

Hah!! My husband has declared a full out war on the buttercup in our lawn. We don't use many pesticides so we pull large patches out by hand - complete with little roots exactly like your fabric. I think I have to make him a pillow just like that. I love it. And I also like buttercups - just not in the lawn :)

Maria Matiopoulou said...

The design process is the most amazing thing that a designer can share with clients. Love the final result, really fresh and inspirational ;)

Maria

Cailan said...

It's beautiful - I love it!

Cailan said...

Any chance you could just sell pillows in it? : )

Unknown said...

I have the same memories of this little flower as you do, especially holding it under your chin. That wisdom was passed down to me by my grandfather and I remember standing there while he held it...it really does reflect yellow! I am in the process of my empty nest remodel and the master is being done in shades of yellow, green and cream. I just recovered a luscious green velvet bench for the foot of the bed. This fabric will be perfect for some spring time decorating so hope it is ready by then. You are very talented!

cotedetexas said...

i love this!!!!!!! darling!!!!

tanyaj said...

that is really beautiful! i love it

Unknown said...

This is beautiful Lauren! I love it.
Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com

Anonymous said...

Hello...Beautiful! ;D

http://www.fenixdesign-decoracao.blogspot.pt/

Megan said...

BEAUTIFUL textile design, and I love the personal significance behind this very creative and earthy pattern! Well done, Lauren!!!

Anonymous said...

Buttercups are lovely, I love the bright yellow colour of them. http://www.ukhomeinteriors.co.uk/

A Flippen Life said...

Lauren -

I just picked up the October edition of Virginia Living magazine and saw your picture and profile. Congratulations from Richmond!

Kathleen Sams Flippen
http://aflippenlife.blogspot.com

Amber Steel said...

I LOVE this pattern! Buttercups will forever remind me of my grandma who passed away when I was 10.

Your drawing is really beautiful!

Unknown said...

Beautiful flower! Great design..

Pam said...

Love it!

Pam said...

Love it!

Angie said...

Love the buttercup fabric - thanks for sharing your process- Reminds me of "Chin Up Buttercup" - something we say to our daughter :)

Brilho Services said...

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