Notice anything familiar when you made your first trek on over to Google this morning? The Google Doodle celebrating the spring equinox (which is today) was created by none other than Marimekko!

Marimekko Google Doodle

“We are thrilled about this creative collaboration that got started when Google Vice President Marissa Mayer visited our textile printing factory in Helsinki. Marimekko design is all about understanding the beauty of life just as we encounter it every day – celebrating everyday moments and the special characteristics and nuances of the different seasons. Thus, with the First Day of Spring and Fall doodles, we want to inspire people to free their own creativity and have fun with it – every day and each season,” says Mika Ihamuotila, President and CEO of Marimekko.

Based on the work of Marimekko designers like Maija Isola, Kristina Isola, Maija Louekari, Aino-Maija Metsola, Theresa Moorhouse, and Katsuji Wakisaka, I’m sure you’ll find something in the doodle you already love, and maybe something new to cherish. And if you see something that you’ve just need to, want to, got to own – check out AlwaysMod for your Marimekko needs. I’m sure we’ve got what you’re looking for. And if not, just ask!

Here are a few gems already picked out, so get clicking. (The image below is interactive !)

Spring is for mixing and matching bright prints and bold patterns. It’s for slowly retreating from the Netflix-and-hibernation haze and re-emerging into the world to become active again. It’s for new beginnings, and new additions to the wardrobe. Barbeques, and picnics, reading in the hammock, afternoon rain showers and Sundays spent gardening and lying in the grass. Spring is about finally being able to enjoy being outside again.

It seems as if Marimekko has always known this, and is always prepared when spring rolls around to supply us with our everyday needs for fun and active lifestyles. From the latest color trends for fashionable accessories, to the best and brightest additions to our kitchen rotations for outdoor dinner parties—Marimekko prints and patterns are the perfect addition to start the season out right.

I’ve scoured the AlwaysMod for some of my favorite spring trends and must haves, just for you! But hurry, some of them are on sale and going rather quickly.

Spring into Summer

Featured products (clockwise from upper left):

Marimekko Silkkikuikka Yellow / Fuchsia Umbrella $40.00
Marimekko Unikko Orange/Red Mini Coin Purse $18.00
Marimekko Mansikka Blue/Red Bag $68.00 (on sale!)
Marimekko Pilvi Yellow/Red Tote Bag $67.50 (on sale!)
Assorted Marimekko “Socks Rolled Down” Tumblers $35.00 (for a set of 2)
Marimekko Vihkiruusu Green/Blue Tea Towel (Set of 2) $36.00
Marimekko Kesätori Tea Towel (Set of 2) $29.00
Marimekko Yellow/Lime Unikko Large Tray $49.00

What are your favorite things about spring—Or Marimekko for that matter? Are there some prints or pieces that you’rereally loving, or some that you’d like to see us get? Let us know! Your feedback is important to us. (And I’m not just saying that.)

Finnish for Echo, the Kaiku print was designed by Maija Louekari in 2005 and has been one of the more popular prints for Marimekko since. Used often for cabin décor, and for bringing a bit of the outdoors in—this calming pattern was recently used in a big way for a school project of an AlwaysMod enthusiast.

Arianna and her sauna.

Using Kaiku Lunch Napkins as a base for inspiration, mini-Marimekko fan Arianna got to work creating a Finnish sauna for a school project (with a little help from Mom). Complete with working switch for the sauna “heat”, a bench, and bucket for water, lush grass atop the roof, and a calming Kaiku view – this little sauna puts many full-sized ones to shame.

The full sauna diorama.

A peek inside.

Heating things up.

A fully loaded sauna.

Calming Kaiku background.

If you’re feeling crafty yourself, or just inspired by this sauna diorama to get some Kaiku of your own, you can check out our Kaiku collection over at AlwaysMod.

Dress up your desktop with dreams of outdoors. Towering trees stretch out across pink cobblestones in this stylized version of a “parkway” or park. Much like a frequently walked path populated with well-known trees and familiar twists and turns in the road, the comforting colors of the Marimekko Puistotie print in pink will make you feel right at home, even if you’re not. So march on this month to new adventures with a Hanna-Kaisa Korolainen and Paavo Halonen designed pattern to help you make it through the day. And, if you fall in love with this month’s colorful calendar, the print is now available in our fabric section on AlwaysMod, or you can just click here.

March Desktop Calendar - Puistotie

With spring coming up, I often find myself wanting to redecorate, even if I already love absolutely everything I own. Maybe it’s the anticipation of a change in the weather, or the constant marathons about redoing and redesigning things on a dime on home improvement channels—but I just want a change. Unfortunately, a complete overhaul isn’t always feasible. Little changes can be made, however, to make an impact. One of the easiest ways to update a room is to change out or add new throw pillows. New pillows can add a fun pop of color in an unexpected place, or alter the color scheme just enough to satisfy my redecorating needs without totally breaking the bank.

Marimekko’s patterns and prints are so bold and fun that when placed on a throw pillow they offer just the right amount of “oomph” to get the desired effect of a makeover. And you don’t  have to put much effort or work in either, which is always a bonus.

Here’s a Flickr round up a few of my favorite ways that Marimekko throw pillows have helped redo a room.

Purnukka living Room re-do

Lumimarja chair update

Samovaari bedroom revamp

Kaivo couch refresh

AlwaysMod has a great selection of throw pillows for all of your room redecoration needs (some of which are on sale!). Of course, if your absolute favorite Marimekko print isn’t available on a throw pillow, we might just have it in our fabric section—there’s nothing stopping you from getting creative and making a pillow of your very own. If you do, post a picture and let us know how it turns out!

[Photos: 1-visual notes 2- lanuitduhusky 3 -pjen 4- lanuitduhusky ]

With New York Fashion Week in full swing, it is easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of what is to come in the following seasons of fashion. But Marimekko is one company that has always been ahead of the curve, marching to their own drum when it comes to fashion – often times setting and predicting trends long before other design houses do. In light of all that is fashion week, we’ve got some excerpts of interviews with current Marimekko fashion designers about what influences them and how Marimekko design impacts their lives.

With Noora Niinikoski, Head of Fashion Design

Noora-Niinikoski, Head of Fashion Design

Colourful Impact-

“I tell everyone that Marimekko is about prints and colours. Each season we come out with different styles and patterns in big or small motifs. And often the prints influence what we make. It comes down to how the print relates to the body and the person’s silhouette because the prints are unique and have special character. Some people don’t relate with certain prints, and other people love them. And once you find the print you love, it highlights something about your character and how you express yourself. I feel it has the chance to make your daily life a little bit more fun and even fancy.

Marimekko also reflects the times we live in, though there’s always an element of Marimekko in the design. It’s difficult to explain what this element is, but it’s easy to spot it. It’s either there or it isn’t. Over the decades, Marimekko has come out with an incredible variety of prints, cuts, fits and new design approaches. Yet there’s always something that makes it feel like Marimekko such as a hand-made feeling, boldness, using the limits of textile printing techniques, and a sense of humour and positivity.

For instance, Marimekko print colours from the 60s and 70s were extremely intense. In the 80s, the Marimekko palette was more faded or washed. Today we use deeper shades of colours, including vibrant yellows, orange, and primary colours such as red and white. For our spring 2013 collection we’re looking at bringing a slightly white washed or milky tonality to new Marimekko prints.”

Balancing Act-

“I’m always looking for new design approaches. I want to achieve a feeling of effortlessness by getting a balance between control and out-of-control. Looseness and fun should be in the design. You never want to be too strict or rigid in your thinking. At the same time I’ve always designed textile patterns. It probably comes from my mother who was a textile designer. Since I was twenty years old, white as a colour hasn’t existed for me. I’ve always used colour in my design work, so working for Marimekko is a natural extension of what I do.

I enjoy the work of folklore and outsider artists. They design based on necessity. It’s part of their culture and personal life. They’re working with a limited set of materials and colours.  Yet these limitations allow them to create artworks that are close to perfect. These artworks reflect their life at the moment and their use of colours is just right. It’s not planned. It’s more in the moment – never too organized or perfect.

In fact, Marimekko has a lot in common with folklore or outsider artists. We’re always looking for a relaxed human feeling and high artistic values.  Our designs are never overly planned or constructed. Instead, they can be even sketchy and rough at times. I think this attitude makes us bold and distinct.”

With Mika Piirainen, Fashion Designer

Mika Piirainen, Fashion Designer

Here and Now-

“I’m always exploring the here and now. When I’m working on a collection, I build up a series of images that communicate the present and, to a certain degree, the future as well. These images have elements of colour, but I’m more interested in their atmosphere. I want them to comment on how seasonal change affects our everyday life.

When I choose patterns, I want the textile prints to communicate a unique feeling. You also need to respect the original print pattern. They are like human beings – you can’t cut them to pieces. So when I design a piece to showcase a certain print, I avoid changing the print too much.

I also feel that not all Marimekko clothing needs to have prints. I love working with solid colours or muted tones, because they help calm down the collection. The shape of the dress also makes my designs distinctly Marimekko.”

Proud to Wear Marimekko-

“Over the years, I’ve met people who enjoy owning and wearing pieces from my Marimekko collections. Not long ago, I was travelling in a remote part of Australia, where I bumped into someone with a bag I’d designed. It was one of those peculiar moments when you realize Marimekko is a small Finnish company that touches people’s lives around the world.

I especially enjoy when people wear a Marimekko piece almost down to the last thread. It means that you have a special relationship with the item. You cherish it.  I’ve also heard that Marimekko designs are considered humorous. I agree. Marimekko never takes itself too seriously – especially when it comes to prints.

I really don’t have a favourite piece. It’s like being a father – each of my designs for Marimekko is my favourite. I’ve also noticed that it takes years to appreciate your own work – especially your latest collection.  I need time away from my own work to see it in a new light again. This “stepping back” is an essential part of being a designer. It also lets you explore new elements in your design work. If you fell in love with your own design, you’d stop designing.”

Don’t forget, can  find the creations of Marimekko’s fashion designers and more at AlwaysMod.com

What are your thoughts on Marimekko’s impact on the fashion world?

[ Excerpts and photo of Noora from Marimekko newsletter, photo of Mika from http://suomenkuvalehti.fi/]

I’ve made another craft this week, I’ve upped the difficulty level just a hair but you’ll find that just a little extra time will make a beautiful bag. Created from the remnant bin once again, you’ll need only 1 yard of fabric! Eco-friendly and beautiful, I made this lunch bag from Marimekko’s Bo Boo fabric. Designed by Katsuji Wakisaka in 1975, primary colored cars, trucks and busses zoom across the white fabric adding childlike exuberance to your afternoon meal.

Step 1: Cut the fabric. You should be cutting 3 different pieces:

-One front & bottom piece: 20” L x 8” W (cut on the fold)

-Two side pieces: 12” L x 6” W

-Two handle pieces: 20” L x 4-1/4” W

Step 1 - Cut your fabric

Step 2: Sewing the sides. First, cut one of the side pieces in half lengthwise. This will allow the bag to easily fold in half when it’s not in use. Once its cut, sew (right sides together) the halves to create a whole piece again. Press seams. After pressing, sew the seams down. Use the seam as your guide and sew ¼” from the seam…not only will this re-enforce the seam but it gives the bag a finished look. Repeat with the other side piece.

Step 2 - Cut side pieces in half

Step 2 - Lining up/sewing the seams

Step 3: Sewing the sides to the bottom. First, press the front/bottom piece in half widthwise. With the right sides together, unfold the front/bottom piece and match the center seams of the side pieces with the center crease you just made and pin. See picture for clarification. Once pinned, sew the sides to the bottom of the bag.

Step 3 - Pinning the Sides

Step 3 - Sewing the sides to the bottom

Step 4: Sewing the four walls of the bag. Now that the sides are already attached to the bottom, pin the edges of the bag together (right sides together).After sewing each of the four sides you’ll end up with a rectangular shaped bag like this (see photo).

Step 4 - Rectangular Bag

Step 5: Reinforcing the seams. Lunch can get heavy so to ensure that the seams don’t rip you’ll need to sew the seams down. Flip the bag right side out. Sewing as close to the seam as you possibly can, stitch the side seams and bottoms together. Attention: this can get tricky so pay extra attention when sewing this part.
Step 6: Sewing the handles. You’re almost done. Take the two handle pieces you’ve cut and fold them lengthwise and press. Unfold them; now fold each side (lengthwise) to the center crease you’ve just pressed. Fold once more lengthwise to enclose the raw edges inside. Press. Bring the ends together and sew to create a circle. Press flat. Now that you’ve created a reinforced handle, simply sew the side lengths together.

Step 6- Making handles

Step 6- Sewing the handles

Step 7: Finishing the top of the bag: With the wrong side up, press a ½” seam around the entire top of the bag. Once complete fold the bag down 2 inches and press again to encase the top edge of the bag. Pin the handles to the inside of the bag. Now sew ¼” seam around the top of the bag. This will attach the handles. Sew another seam, but this time about 1-1/2 inches from the top. This will secure the top hem of the bag.

Step 7 - Pin the handles

Step 7 - You're done!

Whew, now you’re done and you can finally pack a lunch in your environmentally friendly and visually appetizing Marimekko Bo Boo Print lunch bag!

Marimekko Maalairuusu by Maija and Kristina Isola

February isn’t quite spring, but with this bright floral Marimekko desktop calendar we can all pretend it’s a little cheerier outside until the weather plays along, too. This month’s desktop treat features the sister print of Vihkiruusu– Maalairuusu, or “country rose“, a print by Maija and Kristina Isola.  These desktop calendars and wallpaper are sure to get a little spring on your screen, if not in your step.

Marimekko and Tangerine Tango go way back.

The world renowned color experts at Pantone have released their hand-picked “it color” for 2012, and the vibrant Tangerine Tango certainly doesn’t disappoint. Its official color name is PANTONE® 17-1463, but the worlds of fashion and design are going to be seeing it as so much more than that as the year unfolds.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Of course, this bold color has been around a lot longer than just the first of January, 2012. And Marimekko has been making use of its glowing aesthetic for years. Available on fabrics (specifically these two) and throw pillows, plates, and coin purses, Marimekko has loads of products that can help you incorporate this “it color” into your everyday life. Their spring line of clothing has Tangerine Tango peeking in and out of anything from women’s dresses to little boy’s t-shirts. Look hard enough and you’re sure to find a pop of Tangerine in any number of Marimekko items.

Marimekko's spring line has plenty of tangerine to go around.

So, what are you waiting for? Happy hunting.