Getting Started

Let’s go back to the beginning. I love paper and patterns. I have a great collection of scrapbook paper, vintage paper, vellum, and bits of paper from everyday life (Have you ever noticed the patterns inside junk mail envelopes?). I love how patterns transport me to other places. I can almost smell the fresh flowers blooming in the springtime, or feel the hot sand under my feet at the beach, or even hear the crunch of snow in the middle of a winter wonderland. My desire to create my own patterns developed some years ago, but it was only a few months ago when I decided to pursue it with my whole heart.

At the beginning of the year, I had no idea how to use Adobe Illustrator. I had always wanted to learn the program, but it seemed too hard and I didn’t know where to start. So, I took a few classes on Skillshare, and once I knew I truly loved designing patterns, I decided to take Bonnie Christine’s Surface Pattern Design Immersion Course. I learned to take things slow and go at my own pace, and eventually I designed my first collection, Winding Roads.

It’s amazing to see a simple drawing transform into a full pattern. And even more exciting to see that pattern printed on paper. Of course, it took a while to get to this point. After all, getting started is the hardest part. But, I chose to begin. I chose to step outside of my comfort zone. I chose to show up for myself over and over, again and again.

Tell me, what’s one thing you want to start? What’s holding you back, and how can you choose to begin?