Cindy Backstrom 2025-06-03 Cindy Backstrom 2025-06-03

Restarting...Again

Patio cushions featuring the Spring Unfolded fabric collection

Wow…how many times does it take to get going you ask?

Well, I guess until I get it right.

At the start of 2025 I finally gained traction with all things related to this small business. Right now I am operating it as a side gig as I still have full time employment five days a week. Instead of making all the excuses or even recounting, yet again, the proclamations and declarations of restarting, I am simply picking up where I currently find myself.

It is June and I have made more progress than ever before (patting myself on the back over here). I have designed two complete pattern collections, started a Spoonflower shop, rebranded my existing Etsy shop for home decor items (previously paper items - journals, notebooks, cards, etc.), began creating Reels for my Instagram account, updated my pattern collections to my Portfolio on my website, and started a Pinterest business account.

The learning curve has been steep. My goals are small and spread apart so that I cannot fail or will not abandon ship. I have kept it all manageable & in bite-sized pieces. I do not want to restart for the fourth (or is it the fifth) time.

So here we are in June and I am smiling…

Cindy Backstrom 2023-05-01 Cindy Backstrom 2023-05-01

Next Steps

Last week I took this mini course offered through Indy Bloom on IG and it was the motivation that I needed.

After the happenings in my life over the past 2 years I have had a few false starts at getting back into surface pattern design. My heart is there. But my creativity isn’t. I’ve tried creating again and it just falls flat. So I have been giving myself some grace to get myself going creatively again.

Mindy, from Indy Bloom is a superstar at selling her patterns on Spoonflower. She has figured it out! And she is making a nice profit from her designs. She offered this mini course as a hook for her more in-depth course on designing and selling on Spoonflower and it began to stir something in me again. As I thought about it I realized that even though I may not be ready to jump right in with creating a new pattern collection, I can upload my previous designs to Spoonflower and offer them for sale!

I started repaperedshop already on Spoonflower, before my life spiraled, by uploading two different pattern collections and making them available for sale. But I didn’t really know what I was doing. Now, having taken this little inspirational course, I have new thoughts and a renewed fervour for moving forward.

So, with a little motivation in my pocket, I will take the next step…

Cindy Backstrom 2023-01-15 Cindy Backstrom 2023-01-15

Welcome Back

It has been a minute (or several years) since I have added to this blog, but it surely is time.

This past year has brought several life changes for me. As such, my time and creativity were limited. However, I am back and ready to share with you again!

The biggest news I have to share is that I have been working on developing my signature style within surface pattern design. After taking the Immersion course by Bonnie Christine I spent time making over one hundred patterns, as she suggested. In doing this, I feel like I have explored various ways to design my patterns and have fallen into a bit of a groove with what makes me happy.

Additionally, you may notice some changes to my website. Because I am going in a new direction with my creativity, I have redesigned my website to include a Portfolio in order to share my work with the world. I still have so much to learn about building and tweaking this website, but this is a start for me.

So welcome back! Thank you for being on this creative journey with me…

Cindy Backstrom 2020-06-18 Cindy Backstrom 2020-06-18

New Collection: Strong & Sweet

I have been busy. Making patterns. And collections.

And it makes my heart sing…

This is the second collection that I have designed. It was created around an outdoor/hunting theme and inspired by my youngest daughter. She is my tomboy, my outdoors girlie and so very independent. There is a strong, tough side to her, but at the same time she is so soft and sweet. All of the designs for this collection were made with her in mind.

After designing this collection I realized that it would make a sweet theme for baby products. Can you imagine a onesie covered in flower camo? Or a swaddling blanket in the mountain landscape? Perhaps a diaper bag lining with the X and Os? And the mix of deer, arrows and flowers on a nursery wall would sure cozy up the room, don’t you think?

I would love your feedback on this collection.

Which prints are your fave?

Cindy Backstrom 2020-05-26 Cindy Backstrom 2020-05-26

First Pattern Collection

So…I made my first pattern collection!

While taking the Immersion course with Bonnie Christine, I was creating the motifs for a collection. By the end of the course I was able to put all of my newly acquired skills together to complete an entire pattern collection. This is a big deal for me!

During the past year I have been creating my own patterns using my original watercolour motifs and then trying to put them together using my skills in Photoshop. But Photoshop does not hold a candle to Illustrator when it comes to creating a pattern. So it was high time to learn Adobe Illustrator and that is what I did.

I named my collection Leaping Forward as we were on the verge of spring as I took the Immersion course and it was a nod to my decision to leap into a new adventure.

A collection consists of two hero prints…

Then there are a variety of blender prints and coordinates…

Looking back I have so much to learn, but looking forward…I am ready to leap!