Pattern Mixing with Spring Unfolded
Pattern mixing with Spring Unfolded
Each of my pattern collections begins with a story.
Spring is a favourite time of year for me as we finally emerge from a seemingly never-ending winter. I was anticipating an early spring by working on this collection, so the story goes like this…
After a long season of closed windows and quiet indoors, Spring Unfolded captures the joy of stepping back into the open air. This collection is inspired by best friends gathering for a cheerful picnic - a blanket laid across fresh grass, the gentle hum of conversation, and the unmistakable feeling that life is blooming again…it’s a celebration of friendship, fresh air and the simple joy of spring arriving once more.
While working on this collection (mostly on days when the snow was still swirling outside my window) I was envisioning all my favourite things about spring. But foremost, I attempted to capture the feeling of being free of the indoors. For me, this meant walking my acreage and discovering new blooms daily and so this collection features an array of florals. Longing for floral patterns everywhere, I created a variety of designs that would compliment one another, excited by the opportunity to intermix these florals. Tiny simple blooms, large busy clusters, and trailing florals speak to one another without becoming overwhelming.
So go ahead…mix and match those flowers, and release the joy that it brings!
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…
Next Steps
A mini course I recently took
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…
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.
Strong & Sweet Collection by rePapered
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?
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…
Bird in Paradise
Royal Lotus
Then there are a variety of blender prints and coordinates…
Dripping Down & Backyard Bunnies
Field Flowers & Scratchy Grass
Little Minis & Picnic in the Park
Sketchy Blooms & Budding Blooms
Looking back I have so much to learn, but looking forward…I am ready to leap!
Keeping A Sketchbook
Wow.
The start of 2020 has not been what I expected.
The world is in turmoil over the COVID-19 pandemic and life is not as we formerly knew it.
But life does go on - right?
We just have to establish a new normal. And we can do that by continuing with the things we love and letting go of the things we cannot control.
So that is what I have been doing during this time of social distancing and isolation. I have been doing what I love and that is learning and creating.
In early spring I signed up for a course from Bonnie Christine, who is a well-known surface pattern designer. Her course taught me, not only the tools of Adobe Illustrator, but the business of pattern design. And I am all in! I will have more to share over the coming weeks on this, but for now, I want to simply share what is making me happy…
Inspired in the Immersion course, I am now keeping a daily sketchbook.
Sticker courtesy of the Immersion course by Bonnie Christine
It is not perfected drawings and I scribble things out a lot. But it is becoming a collection whatever comes to mind. Sometimes I see something inspiring on TV, or Pinterest, or IG, or in a magazine (like my new fave Uppercase) and it just needs to be captured.
Keeping a running sketchbook has not been a part of my creative practice in the past. But with the intent to make patterns, everything is now an idea to be captured as I do not know where it could possibly lead. This sketchbook is becoming my favourite thing to do while being holed up at home. And I am loving it.
Sometimes I simply write words or ideas that inspire me…
Words from Elisabeth Olwen
Sometimes I have ideas for a collection and sometimes it is just motifs that I want to explore and play with more. At any rate, the pages of this sketchbook are quickly filling and I cannot believe that I have never taken on this practice before!
How about you?
What are you inspired by in these crazy times?
What are you dedicating your time to that makes you happy?