Great news! My fabric designs are now available on Polartec® fleece!
I have 30+ ski and snowsports themed designs to choose from in my growing Spoonflower shop. These can be printed on demand and shipped direct to you.
Amy wearing the Ski Goggle Reflections – Smaller design
I’ve enjoyed the cosiness of Polartec® fleece for ski/ snowsport neckwarmers for years, so I’m excited that my designs are now available to be enjoyed by skiers, snowboarders and those who want to keep out the cold weather.
With greater resiliency, lightweight warmth and fast dry times, Polartec® fleece remains the industry standard for outerwear performance.
Select the design you wish to be printed onto fabric, choose from a huge range of fabric types including from Belgian Linen for home decor, Sport Lycra for functional activewear, to denim for durable outerwear, even cotton for craft project and accessories.
Select the fabric size from an 8 x 8 inch samples or fat quarters, metres and yards.
Place the order.
Spoonflower will print the fabric and ship it to you.
You sew or get a friend/ pro to sew.
Then enjoy your unique product featuring a ski/ snowsports themed design by me (Kim).
The three designs Amy is wearing are printed on Cosy Fleece, which is one of dozens of types of fabric to choose from. Since the photo shoot took place Spoonflower have added Polartec® fleece to their options.
Head to this link more information about the benefits of Polartec® fleece
Thanks so much to Amy for modelling, time spent together is magic.
Thanks to Spoonflower for the fabric printing service. It’s wonderful to be creating in a time when it is so easy to have designs printed on to fabric and to make these available to those who want them, wherever in the world they are.
Ski Fun fabric on my overlocker/ serger machine
You can select a design, decide the fabric that you could like the design on, from cotton to velvet, choose how much fabric you would like and then Spoonflower print the fabric on demand and ship it to you.
With just three lines of stitching you’ll have a lovely cosy neck warmer. I’d love to see what you make. Please tag @inspirebykim in social media posts or email pictures to me.
View all my designs at my Spoonflower shop. If you are a skiwear or ski decor manufacturer then get in touch to license my designs.
Thanks so much for being here. See more at the links below.
Fall-Line magazine have created a goggle wipe using my ‘Get The Right Kit’ design.
Following the success of the t-shirt design that I created for the magazine, the publishers have licensed the design for a goggle cloth for skiers and snowboarders.
The cloth has my ‘Get The Right Kit’ ski/snowsports icons design on one side and has a handy check list on the reverse side. The cloth looks and feels great with a slight hombre in the blue fabric. It’s designed for ski and snowsports goggles but I am finding that also works for sunglasses, glasses and even tech screens.
The cloth is going out as a gift to the magazine subscribers with the February magazine, those buying the February magazine will also receive the cloth. To order the magazine head here.
See the goggle cloth in this Tik Tok filmed high up on the glacier in Saas-Fee, Switzerland. See the ice in the background. It was -24 so gloves stayed on!
If you’re in the UK it is also possible to order the goggle wipes in the Fall-Line magazine shop at this link. Those ordering, do let me know how you get on and please share any pics with the tags @inspirebykim and @falllinemag
The wipe is made by Wipeout who also offer ski piste maps on wipes, and even underwear – which could get chilly if you were trying to check a ski route on a cold day!
If you don’t already have the t-shirt, I highly recommend the product, its organic cotton and plastic free packaging, and the service from Teemill is swift, you can order this here in men’s cut, women’s cut in a range of sizes and colours. Ideal for Apres-ski, keeping up the ski vibe, or connecting with other skiers as it’s such a talking point.
Check out my ski wear concepts at these links, these designs are available for licensing at the time of writing.
I’m keen to hear your stories about the people that have made all the difference to your skiing and snowsports. Those gems who took, or take, the time to help you, and have really contributed to your enjoyment of the sport.
I’m hoping to collect stories to inspire a body of work for exhibition later in the year.
This illustration was sketched for a commission that didn’t come off, but it felt important to complete this illustration.
Whether it be an instructor, coach, teacher of relative if you are happy to share your story please either comment, or alternatively email your story to inspirebykim@outlook.com
Thanks for each story, watch this space for how the stories will be illustrated and/ or inform my work.
How The Work Was Made
I’ve been sketching a lot recently so I chose which from the pencil sketches. I picked the star character, which I originally created as a Christmas sketch, whilst trying to get ahead for Christmas 2023.
Once happy with the pencil sketches, characters and proportions I got set up for a painting session.
The painting in progress along with the original sketch and fingers to show the scale of the piece.
The paints and gel pens are the key materials that I used to create the illustrations for Ski A to Z. I’m exploring some of the colours not used for the book art, and am enjoying the different hues whilst still hoping to communicate the joy and emotion of skiing.
Many thanks for your support. Please follow or subscribe to see my work as it is created. If you like Ski A to Z please share a review where you bought it, or review it on Google Books as this helps more people to know about, and be helped by the book.
Thanks in advance for any stories that you are happy to share.
Keen for my fabric designs to be used on ski apparel I am mocking up how the designs look on different items, in order to suggest my designs for ski companies.
I have applied 8 of my 20+ fabric designs onto mock-ups to show the fabrics patterns and how these would look on the skier or snowboarder. All of my 20+ designs can be seen at my Spoonflower Inspire by Kim print on demand shop.
The first clothing application of my designs is for neck buffs/ neck warmers for skiing. These would be on stretchy fleece for cold days or on lighter fabrics for use on days that aren’t quite as cold.
Neck buffs are important for staying cosy and comfortable on the mountain and they are a relatively straightforward product to create and so this felt like a good place to start. As they come up around the face to protect from the elements, whether that be snow or sun they are a key item. As they are breathed through skiers may have more than one buff with them on a trip.
The fabric designs use ski and snowsport icons to create colourful, bold, modern prints. Some of the art used in the designs can also be seen in Ski A to Z – An Illustrated Introduction To Skiing. More information about Ski A to Z is here.
If you have a particular favourite, please let me know in the comments. Contact me on email to discuss licensing of designs inspirebykim@outlook.com
I’m delighted that Ski A to Z is now on sale in the beautiful Ski Paradise Shop in Les 3 Vallees, in the Savoie region of the French Alps.
The shop in Meribel Mottaret has a limited number of signed first editions of Ski A to Z, so those in the area can get them in time for Christmas. Just five minutes walk from the piste its possible to pop in whilst navigating through the ski area.
Ski A to Z at Ski Paradise
Les 3 Vallees is where the first painting of Ski A to Z were created. So its fitting that the book is now for sale where it first began.
These were paintings of ski equipment which were used for the ‘K is or Kit’, and ‘S for Skis’ pages of the book. I did not have the intention or plan for the book at that stage, I just decided to paint something that I know a lot about.
I decided to use a warm colour palette to contrast with the icy blue colours of the mountain environment. A colour range that was used throughout the book project.
Photo Caption: Painting whilst icing my knee after skiing in January 2020.
After following Ski Paradise on Instagram and loving their product range, I went to the store in March to show Ski A to Z, so I’m delighted that they are stocking the book. I was skiing between Courchevel and Val Thorens with my Dad that day.
The shop has the best range of ski themed gifts and ski art that I have seen anywhere, so it feels like a lovely fit with my work and its a dream come true to have my book stocked there. The shop also has a great range of clothing and offers ski equipment hire.
Thank you to Dorothee at Ski Paradise for the enthusiasm for my work. Dorothee is a talented artist who also has her artwork in the shop. Thank you to Andrea for getting the books on their way.
If you are a retailer and are interested in stocking Ski A to Z, my art prints, fabrics and greeting cards please email inspirebykim@outlook.com, it will be great to talk about opportunities.
Please subscribe to my blog to see the updates, news and fresh ski art as it is posted.
It’s that time of year when gingerbread tastes its best and spending time on a baked creation doesn’t feel indulgent, and there are plenty of visitors to eat it afterwards. Here is the story of my gingerbread work, as seen in Ski A to Z.
My final creation of 2020 was a two-storey chalet with balcony constructed in gingerbread. This was continuing the ski theme which was key for my work in 2020, and with the publishing of my Ski A to Z has continued to be.
The chalet had an overhanging roof, shutters, chimney, a log pile, and sugar windows in warm hues – including a window in the roof. I cut skis, bindings and poles from patterned papers and placed these at the front of the chalet.
I experimented with green screen technology to put the baked chalet into a mountain setting.
The chalet was lit from within its fairy lights added before the roof went on, with access to the switch through a space in the side wall.
I didn’t have chance to paint the chalet as still life before it was eaten, so I painted it from a photograph, with some additional details to the balcony. I added a depth of snow and removed some of the snow icing for the painted version.
The Art Applied
The gingerbread chalet features in Ski A to Z as a painting, and also in photo form.
The chalet features in Ski A to Z as a watercolour painting for ‘A is for Alpine’, the first entry in the book. Image Copyright Kim
A photograph of the chalet is in the map design for ‘M is for Map’, representing a cosy mountain restaurant.
I then placed and warped the map design to demonstrate folds in the piste map, for the spread in Ski A to Z. Pictured here on our mid-century teak table, which is a kind of gingerbread colour itself.
The chalet is also in my ‘Ski Goggle Reflections’ fabric and wallpaper design, in the yellow edge to edge lens. This design is available for print on demand fabrics and wallpapers in my Spoonflower shop. Here is the design mocked up as wallpaper for a ski house or chalet setting along with my favourite G-Plan Astro table. More about the designs here.
The Design and Construction Process
Here’s how I created the gingerbread chalet…
1. I drew the chalet design and then determined the pieces required before cutting card templates for each piece.
2. There were lots of parts to the design as it had a balcony, shutters, chimney and to look like a chalet it needed a considerable overhang on the roof. I find ceramics hand building techniques useful when constructing in gingerbread.
3. Once all the panels and components were baked, and beautifully golden brown, with boiled sweet windows, the construction could begin, with edible glue and royal icing, and some cocktail sticks and kebab skewers to hold in place.
For the following artwork I added a painted mountainscape background with falling snow in Procreate app. I used a might scene to accentuate the interior lighting and inviting atmosphere, a warm shelter after a chilly, but fun, day on the mountain.
Gingerbread construction is a lovely thing to do, Although my family can’t wait to smash my creations and eat the gingerbread. It’s delicious but always a little painful for the work to be undone so quickly, although that’s why it’s nice that this gingerbread chalet is now all around the world in my Ski A to Z book.
I completed the house on New Year’s Eve, and so the year closed. A challenging but creative 2020 ended.
I used the Mary Berry recipe for the dough, I’ve used this before to make two gingerbread houses, and a gingerbread car, each time using my own templates.
Earlier Gingerbread Creations
Gingerbread House 1 – 2013
My first gingerbread house was a three storey townhouse using Mary Berry’s recipe when she did a Christmas cooking programme with Paul Hollywood, during her Great British Bake Off years. Quite ambitious as a first attempt and my own templates, alway taking the easy options, not!
Gingerbread House 2 – 2018
My largest gingerbread creation was this huge house. It stood 13 inches tall. I Intended into have turrets on the corners but I struggled with the bend in the bake. Features I particularly liked were the scalloped roof and large windows.
See the real estate type ‘virtual viewing tour’ video, which was fun to make.
I painted a picture of the house in a simplified way in acrylic paints. painting from something you’ve crated can be a good day to get a fresh looking subject.
The following year I used this for my Christmas card and gift tag design (below). Each of the houses in the picture are the same hous but photographed from different angles. Christmas often feels to me like it comes round again really quickly.
Santa’s Car 2019
My Christmas card design for 2019 (above) then became the theme of my gingerbread bake that Christmas.
gingerbread Gift Box (2021) and Top Tips
This was a cake in a gingerbread box that I made for my husband’s birthday. Ceramic hand building techniques were applied to create this. Making the box was easier for me than decorating the cake.
Gingerbread Tips
Here are my top gingerbread tips.
Draw out your design and think about what parts make up the structure or design.
Bake more than you think you need, it will all get eaten.
Note that gingerbread expands during cooking, so trim with your templates part way through the bake.
As you make your templates for each piece of the bake decide whether your panels will overlap or meet at the corners, as this will affect the dimensions.
If a panel will be load bearing, such as for a wall to hold a roof, adjust the thickness of the gingerbread. Adjust your bake time accordingly.
Crushed boiled sweets work great for windows – Mary Berry is right! But if the windows are too large they will weaken your structure and may not fill the space. The boiled sweets are added mid way through the oven baking time.
It is important to text/ taste the bake 😉
Enjoy, it’s meant to be fun.
This video shows the stages of the the gingerbread house creation.
Now to make this year’s gingerbread Christmas bake. Watch the space. Please subscribe to follow and see updates as they go live.
To Own The Art
To own a piece of my work and support my art practice please visit my shop. Your purchases are greatly appreciated.
For more information and links to buy Ski A to Z head here, The book has info, tips and advice for skiers, with over 100 illustrations. Ski A to Z is published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK).
I hope you have sweet time this Christmas. If this inspires you I’d love to see what you make.
Here’s my collage of favourite work from 2022 for the annual #artvsartist – This is a post created for Instagram.
It’s been a busy year of promotion and live events.
Developing my fabrics range and interior schemes has been a key area of work development this year. I look forward to more time sewing in 2023 working with my fabrics.
It’s been wonderful going out and meeting so many people at my book signing and stall holding events, seeing the reactions to my work in UK and US has been a magic that I wish I could bottle. Watching people’s faces as they turn the pages of my book, making them laugh, or as they stand taking in my art prints is life enriching.
Thank you to Tim and my parents for their support and assistance, thank you my publisher @meyer_meyer_sport, to Dan Egan for support and encouragement Stateside. And thank you to everyone who this year has taken the time to stop, look, comment, share ideas of what they might make with the fabrics, review, and ‘like’. ♥️
Post Updated with pictures from the Book Signing event.
Post Updated With Pictures From the Books Signing.
Instagrm Post
Wonderful to share ski joy and sign Ski A to Z books at Snozone Yorkshire.
Lovely to chat about skiing and to hear people’s ski stories, ski holiday plans and always extra special when it is people’s first time ever skiing. I’m so pleased they can have the information and advice from Ski A to Z right from day one, and nice that people will be unwrapping Ski A to Z books on Christmas Day.
Thank you to everyone, it was so great to meet you. Enjoy the books, prints and cards; and have a wonderful season.
Thank you to Snozone Yorkshire, it’s magic that so many people can ski, slide and sled on real snow in Yorkshire.
See my Shop for gifts and books in time for Christmas.
Here’s the official announcement about my live event this coming Saturday… a great chance to buy ski and snowsport themed Christmas gifts for the skier in your life.
Ski Art Pop-up Shop This Saturday at Snozone Yorkshire
Get Christmas gifts for the skiers in your life at the Inspire by Kim Pop-up Shop at Snozone Yorkshire this Saturday (3rd December).
Kim has packed over 40 years of ski tips and advice in to Ski A to Z – to help make it easier to get into and to get on in the sport. Ski A to Z is a fun guide to skiing, for all ages.
Kim created over 100 ski and snowsport illustrations for the Ski A to Z book. The favourite illustrations from the book are now available as stunning wall art prints. You can also send the joy of skiing to ski buddies with Kim’s ski and snowsport themed greeting cards.
“Located at the Xscape centre Snozone Yorkshire is the UK’s leading snow centre for indoor skiing and snowboarding on real snow. Whether it’s your first time on skis or you’re an experienced snowboarder, Snozone has a range of indoor activities to suit all ages and abilities and you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience.”
Snozone.com
Come along to meet Kim from 9:15 this Saturday (3rd December) at SnozoneYorkshire, Colorado Way, Castleford, WF10 4TA.
I thoroughly enjoyed Snowbound Expo in Boston USA. It was wonderful to see the reactions to Ski A to Zbook, my ski art prints and fabric designs. Lovely to chat about the work and hear about the friends and relatives that they hoped the book would help to get into, and get on, in skiing and snowsports. I signed books for many people, including school libraries, newborns and those helping friends into the sport.
“Please sign the book for all the children in our school, they will love it.”
Snowbound Expo Visitor
Boston you’re beautiful, love the architecture and how it’s juxtaposed so strikingly in this historic city. I also thoroughly enjoyed the live music at the Be Bop Bar, ideally placed next to Berklee College of Music. Had a great time and hope to visit again in the future.
“I wish I’d had this book when I was learning to ski.”
Snowbound Expo Visitor
Display poster used at the event.
“I love your work. I have 350 ski books, this book will be added to my collection.”
Snowbound Expo Visitor
I hope that everyone enjoys their Ski A to Z books, the demand was huge, so much that we sold out on day 2. We hope that the additional online orders can be fulfilled in time for Christmas, and recommend ordering as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. For the links to buy the book head to the Ski A to Z page.
The book is also an ebook so you can enjoy it right now! Get the ebook here.
Please could you sign the book for our granddaughter, she was born this week. All our family ski.”
Snowbound Expo Visitor
It was exciting to show and chat about the range of fabric designs, pictured above as table coverings, a swatch book and brought together on the bunny character. Had some interesting conversations about commercial use and licensing the designs.
There are 25 designs in my Spoonflower print on demand shop, and I enjoyed seeing people inspired by the designs, we chatted about what project they may use the fabrics for. I and can’t wait to see what is made in the fabrics. More about my ski and snowsport inspired fabric designs here.
“My Mum is an interior designer and is ski mad, I’ll show her your fabric designs.”
Snowbound Expo Visitor
Having had great times chatting with Tim Meyer on his Ski Rex Media podcast it was fun to meet him in person and sign a Ski A to Z for him. Listen to our 2022 chat here.
Thank you to Kathy Brennan, CEO of CEO PSIA-AASI Eastern Division (Professional Ski Instructors of America) for including Ski A to Z in the talk on the Snow Skills Stage. Kathy is pictured here is with Snow Skills Stage hosts Brian and Mario of Ski Bum Podcast, who are as great in person as on their podcast. Listen to our latest chat on the podcast here.
As I previously created 22 illustrations for living legend Dan Egan‘s book 30 Years In A White Haze, Dan suggested that I attend attend Snowbound Expo in Boston.
Dan invited me to sign Ski A to Z books at his stall at the screening of the new Warren Miller film Daymaker at Berklee Performance Centre, and at the three day Snowbound Expo at Hynes Convention Centre. By the way, Daymaker is a great film, I highly recommend it.
After working on the White Haze project it was great to hear Dan share his extreme skiing stories on the Inspiration Stage at the Expo.
30 Years In A White Haze is now available as a hardback book. It’s a thing of beauty. It was good to chat to Dan’s ski clinic clients, friends from school, early ski instructors and one of his school teachers. Nice to meet you all.
Dan’s endorsement for Ski A to Z is on the back cover.
Thank you to Dan for his support for my work and for his stand hospitality.
So a grateful , “hello” to all the new followers from the show. Great to have you here. Do have a look around at the posts about the Ski A to Z journey and enjoy the sporty art.
It was a pleasure to meet so many people who are passionate about snowsports on the stands and see new products, ski resorts and ways to enjoy snow.
Inspire by Kim 