Exclusive fabric range // Hemmers Itex Germany // Scandinavian style designs and animal themes

This month our new fabric collection was launched at Hemmer Itex. After Robert Kaufman and Joann fabrics, both based in the USA, we now have a German wholeseller for our designs in Europe that sells exclusive Little Smilemakers designs only.

We know ordering from the USA and shipping to Europe can be costly. So we are very excited to work together with this German fabric producer so all you European peeps can purchase Little Smilemakers fabric without worrying about the extra import taxes and fees.

This spring our new designs will be released. We have some cool kids themes: Baby animals & origami art themes. But we are not only targeting on kids this spring also some more neutral themes are added to the Inky Texture collection that can be used for your own creative fashion projects or home decoration textiles. Hot air balloons, clouds, apples, spring tulips, feathers and arrows all trending themes are included.

This week we have finished up some new themes. So if you are interested in ordering wholesale fabric, follow us via Instagram and Facebook and stay up to day about all new available fabric. And if you would like to work with exclusive Little Smilemakers designs, send us a message and we will give you more info about pricing and available licenses.

A new year // A new collection // Japanese Paper Art // Origami surface patterns and fabric

When I was born my mom and dad sent our personal handmade birth announcements with little paper boats. Boot is Dutch for boat, with a surname like that it is easy to find a suitable theme for those announcement cards. My mom and dad folded hundreds of little tiny paper boats that were glued on the cover of the postcards.

When I was a little kid i loved my arts and crafts class. Of course, I turned out running my own crafty business, but while I was traveling through Japan and visiting a local museum in Tokyo I was reminded of our origami projects back in school. We made all sorts of animals and flowers. Paper was my favorite material to work with, and still is. That is why I have been working on a new series of designs, all origami animals.

I bet you have made a paper crane or two back when you were little. We are still expanding the design collection of origami animals but of course we started out with some boats first. Together with some geometric shapes and detailing they turned out to be beautiful fabrics. And it is such a simple and easy way to have a nice afternoon out with the kids, just make your own paper boats and visit the lake. It will be a memorable day out.

Safari Animals and Scandinavian Pastels // New Children's fashion // Naturkind Biomode // Grand opening

We are very excited Naturkind Biomode will open it's little kids paradise in Germany later this week. For this colorful new brand we created over 15 designs that will be available on kids fashion. Giuliana is the big brain behind it all, she approached me during spring this year with her story about how she wanted to offer parent eco-friendly clothing with a good price tag and fun modern designs convinced us we would be a good match.

Working for children's fashion is not new for us. We have worked with companies in Australia, UK, Canada, South Africa Sweden and the list goes on. But up until now we have never created a series of designs for a German company, we have designed fabric of course, but Naturkind is our first retailer in Germany in toddler and kids fashion. And what a great brand to start with!

We have worked on different themes for girls, boys and also some gender neutral prints are included in her collection. We especially love how our Safari Animal print turned out. Soft beige with fun pink and blue color pops. Giuliana is not afraid of colors and our colorful prints have been featured in numerous magazines in Germany, they sure like a bold statement! So we are convinced she will be doing great with her pick of African Animals and Scandinavian pastels.

After finalizing all designs for her range of children's clothes she also asked us to work on some signage, posters, stickers and wrapping paper for her shop. It has been a fun process all together of which we can now show our final results.

October 31th will be the day of the grand opening of her shop in Bad Harzburg, Germany. So good news for all German parents but how about the rest of Europe then? No worries Giuliana also has a webshop, she originally started selling online, where you can order all here colorful, fun kids fashion.

Happy Holi // Spring is on it's way!

It has been one year. One year ago I came back from an amazing trip through the Backwaters of Kerala India and I just missed out on celebrating Holi in this amazing colorful country. But luckily I live in a neighborhood where a lot of Hindu people live. The Hague is THE city to celebrate Holi when you live in the Netherlands. I am very excited to be part of this amazing celebration again this year.

Of course you might all know that I adore India. So I had to post a little something about this celebration of spring and India's most crazy festival of the year. A few snaps I took on my trip last year when I traveled through the beautiful lush Backwaters of Southern India. Where I met some amazing inspiring people. Where a Holy man told me to never wait for a man while visiting the temples of Madurai. Where a another woman at the temple told me I would be having 6 kids. Where I visit a little village where some never saw white men before. Where I spotted some amazing wild elephants. Where I spend the night on a little island, listening to the animals until I fell asleep. Where I encountered some strange looking yellow cows, they were cleansed with turmeric. Where I enjoyed an amazing train ride through the foggy mountains of Ooty. And there was so much more...

But back to the reason I am typing this. Tomorrow the Holi festival will be celebrated. A festival without borders. Hindi people all over the world will play with colors, sing, dance, light bonfires and celebrate the victory of good over evil. It is a way to bring people together, it still binds them in their roots. I love the Holi tradition and wish you all a happy Holi festival this year!

// Brand new baby elephant designs // New series for boys & girls nursery textiles, invitations and wallpaper

With over 3500 downloads the colorful kids elephant patterns are still our all time bestsellers in Little Smilemakers Studio stock portfolio. I have seen the design on bags, postcards, an entire stationary range, wall art for kids. From China to Brazil, in giant shops like Wallmart and on little tiny markets in India. These little elephants have reached the entire globe in retail by now. So yes, after all these years and after only making some small updated versions of the original design I thought it was about time to make some new elephant designs. Some seamless patterns for print and fabric, and some cute designs including typography. What do you think?

All elephant designs can be purchased via Shutterstock. Check the license agreement before downloading. For commercial use, please contact the Studio.

> Happy Holi | Subh Holi | Welcome spring!

We are celebrating the early signs of spring today. Cherry blossom is popping, the birds are singing, and the sun is getting warmer every day. Spring has definitely arrived! So I have been working on some new spring themes these past few days. Inspired by my trip to India last month.

Happy Holi to all of you celebrating this colorful indian holiday. I am happy to be able to celebrate in my hometown.

> New illustrations & patterns | Phone accessories | Daily Objects India

For a few months now I have been working together with a rapidly growing Indian company. I know I have some Indians following my work, i hope you will be as excited about the entire Daily Object designer series as I am. It was great to make some new Indian designs. Elephants, rickshaws, peacocks. Everything India is not a problem for me. I have not only been making India inspired designs but also some fun modern designs: fashion items, music icons, hipster themes, trendy illustrations and retro patterns. Today the samples arrived in the mail and they look gorgeous. what do you think? All cases can be purchased via Daily Objects.

> New kids surface pattern series | Wild western cowboy | Zebra | Girly dreams | Circus fun fair

Some new kids adventure and fantasy themes in surface patterns are now up for sale at Shutterstock. Cute boys themes like Cowboy and Indian illustrations and adorable designs for girls with Unicorns, Princess and castle, Zebra's and Rainbow Dreams. Browse through a collection of nearly 1500 illustrations and patterns by Little Smilemakers Studio and download the artwork for your business. Commercial license is also available via Shutterstock. Please read the license agreement for more information about the usage of these images.

> Dress up your new iphone 5 in a cute Little Smilemaker pattern!

by Maaike Boot

Are you still excited about the new iphone 5 release? Well, i am much more excited about designing new cases for that same new iphone! Browse through my Zazzle Store and check all new available cases. Retro owl, elephant, flower patterns and vintage icons on cases are on the way aswell! More stuff is on the way. Want to keep in touch and be the first one to know? Like the Little Smilemakers Facebook page!

> Holi indian elephant pattern

by Maaike Boot