• Lily of the Valley – The leaves, roots and flowers contain cardiac glycosides. These gastrointestinal irritants may be responsible for a variety of cardiac arrhythmias and can be fatal.
• Fly Agaric Mushrooms – One of the most common mushrooms seen in art due to its colorful spotted cap. It’s poisonous, but purportedly can be consumed for its hallucinogenic effects if properly prepared. From what I read, I don’t recommend trying it at home.
• Belladonna – Also known as “Deadly Nightshade.” All parts of the plant are toxic, but the sweet, black berries pose the highest danger.
• Rosary Peas – So named because the seeds are often used to make beaded jewelry. All parts of the plant contain Abrin, a poison causing many, many unpleasant symptoms that may result in death.
• English Yew – Also know as Common Yew, or European Yew. These ornamental shrubs contain numerous toxic compounds that are extremely harmful to humans and animals.

With this lineup of unpleasant flora and fungi determined, I filled in the design. Since I envisioned this as a rather large-scale pattern, I set it up as a half-drop repeat to keep if from being too lineal.

Once I was happy with the result, I printed it in a few different scales and decided I liked them all. For the purpose of the design challenge I opted for a 12″ repeat in the hopes the fine details – such as the eyes on on the yew berries – could be seen when previewed as a fat quarter.

At the onset of this project I visualized reusing some of these elements for Halloween fabrics, but after showing a few friends and colleagues I knew that this was destined to become it’s own collection. I’m busily developing a few ideas to expand on these designs, and I’ve already ordered a swatch printed on performance linen for very talented local designer to reupholster an antique settee. I will be sure to update you with her finished project!