Tuesday, March 21, 2017

The Name Game (a special edition) and a giveaway: Tokodots

One of the things I love most about social media is the unexpected connections you make.
This one started years ago when I started following Rita of Red Pepper Quilts. I have been a huge fan of hers and over this time, we have had several great email conversations. When she started posting her work on Instagram, of course I followed her there as well, along with countless other fans.
Some time last year, she posted pictures of a quilt she had made, and cited her inspiration as Jan Burgwinkle. Rita inspires so many of us, so naturally when she gave the name of someone who had inspired one of her quilts, I wanted to check out this person!
Jan has a fabulous Instagram account (as well as a blog), and I have had such fun going back through her feed. Being a grandmother myself, with uber adorable grandchildren, I noticed this cute little boy who popped up frequently in her feed. Somehow, Jan's pictures finally led me to her daughter, Molly Lam.
Molly sells her designs in her Etsy shop, Tokodots. If you are a quilter, you will fall in love with her designs. If you are not a quilter, you will fall in love with her bright images and clean lines. Don't be surprised if you want to buy one of everything!!

In addition to introducing Molly and her work, I thought it would be fun to have a special edition of the Name Game.

1. How did you choose the name, Tokodots?

Tokodots came out of a play on words in Japanese.  I came across a really rare word in my days as a Japanese interpreter (tokowaka) and my Japanese co-workers told me that I must have misheard it because it wasn't a word that any of them knew.  It was a proud moment when I found someone who could explain its real meaning, and I was reminded that I should trust my instinct.  The toko- part basically means "always" so paired with dots it made a lot of sense for me, and reminded me of a proud moment in my previous professional life. 
2. Were there other names you considered, and can you share them with us?

I wish I remembered more of the names I had thrown around, but one that sticks out is Dot Days.  I'm definitely glad that I didn't pick that! 
 
3. Now that you are known by Tokodots, are you happy with it, or do you wish you could change it to something else?

I couldn't be more happy with the name.  I'm sure it's confusing to some people, but I love that Tokodots is unique and often starts an interesting conversation about Japan and the world when I meet customers in person. 

After placing my first order, an idea started percolating. I contacted Molly, asking whether she would consider allowing me to use her designs to make a series of mini quilts. I was thrilled when she said yes. I have the fabric already chosen, so look for my part of the collaboration to start unfolding over the coming months.
However, the thrill of interpreting Molly's designs into fabric didn't come close to matching my excitement when she asked if she could turn one of my quilts into a design for note cards.

She chose Delta Breeze, one of my most favorite designs. Ever.
Here is Molly's interpretation. Aren't they fabulous??
Individually:



I might have ordered over a dozen sets myself. :)

And now you have a chance to win a set for yourself! Molly and I are hosting a giveaway on Instagram beginning tomorrow, March 22, and you have two chances to win--leave a comment on Molly's account, @tokodots, and also on mine, @liveacolorfullife. The giveaway will be open until Friday, March 24, at 11:59 p.m. CST.

I hope you will have a look at all of Molly's fabulous designs in her Etsy shop (you can read about the Delta Breeze notecards here). Not only does she have sets of note cards available, she also has individual cards and art prints suitable for framing. Her series of origami prints has really captured my heart--wouldn't those make great mini quilts? Hmmmm....

I hope Molly and I have many more collaborations in the future.

14 comments:

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Nancy said... #

Wow! I think Molly's work and colors are so cheerful. And congratulations that she chose your lovely quilt to translate into cards. This was a great post to read. One never knows where the people we meet in our lives will take us.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said... #

Congratulations on a great collaboration Cindy!!

OPQuilt said... #

So fun to hear about some new artist that inspires. Congratulations on a successful collaboration!

lkhomework said... #

Brilliant pairing! Molly's use of color and graphic design is delightful. I want to get all her cards, and make all her designs into quilts!

GranChris said... #

I don't have an IG account but they are wonderful designs. Great job.

Susan said... #

Aren't your cards just delightful!? What a wonderful collaboration this was!

Lucy | Charm About You said... #

Such a great story! The wonderful thing about social media is how it brings us together ❤ The cards look amazing, as is your beautiful quilt!

Joan said... #

What great colorful designs from both of you.

Terri said... #

What a waondefful post! Love reading about molly and how her name and shop came to be. So fun to see her design cards based on your quilt!

The Colorful Fabriholic said... #

What a lovely collaboration! Thank you for introducing Molly and Tokodots. I have ordered a set of Delta Breeze notecards. So cute, and so appropriate for a quilter!

mumbird3 said... #

Lovely!!! Really cute cards and I love the Delta Breezee quilt!!!

Anne / Springleaf Studios said... #

So so cool to have such a wonderful collaboration with your Delta Breeze quilt. Also fun to learn about something new. Molly's work is lovely.

Swedish Scrapper said... #

I can´t help but see how nicely the Tokodot aesthetic goes with your logo! What a lovely interpretation of the Delta Breeze Bear Paw. I love the Baby Mobile design as well :)

Needled Mom said... #

What fun! I love her interpretation of your quilt and her work is beautiful.