New Articles for Spoonflower

I love Spoonflower.com and their amazing products! I have been using them for years to print my own fabric. They also print wallpaper and giftwrap and their sister company, Roostery has print-on-demand home decor products too that you can make from your own designs! I am excited to be a part their blog and help share my design tips. I have written three articles to help you with your design process on Spoonflower.

Article 1: Everything you Need to Know about Designing for Products

In this article you will learn the importance of scale and how to use it properly when designing for products. I will walk you through designing for wallpaper, fabric and home decor and things to consider while designing.

Article 2: Designing on Spoonflower? Don’t miss these 5 tips!


In this article you will learn the technical tips to ensure your designs are perfect. I walk you through the proper ways to format your fies for printing, work with color and use tools such as the color map.

Article 3: The Secret to Designing Surface Designs


Do you need tips to perfect your patterns? Look no further. In this article I have the pattern tips to make stronger pattern designs. Learn the process to plan your design, ways to improve your layout and select color palettes!

I enjoyed sharing my tips and tricks with tne Spoonflower community and wish you continued success with your art and patterns! Also check out my store on Spoonflower.com and see my fabric and home decor items for sale!

45 things that make me happy at 45

Another year around the sun - February 7th is my 45th birthday! I have to say that my 40’s has been quite the ride - it’s a time where I have done a lot of growing, maturing, feeling more and more comfortable with myself and seeing things differently. I’ve been feeling quite nostalgic and reflective and want to share some things that I have learned to appreciate and make me happy (and a few things about me you didn’t know).

1. Having a good office chair May sound a bit old lady-ish but I as I’ve gotten older I’ve noticed that the more I sit the more I need a better chair to support me. I invested in a used Aeron chair last year. I normally would’ve been sick spending several hundred dollars on an office chair but not anymore! My back and butt are thanking me for it daily. I am so happy I bought it.

2. Spending time in nature: I love going outside – always have. I didn’t realize it until the last few years how being outdoors really energizes me. I love going on hikes and walks, working out outside and hitting the beach. It is essential for my mental state and soul and being near water is the best! I have always lived near water on a coast.

3. 80’s and 90’s jams: Puts me back in my younger years instantly and in a great mood
4. Fresh, clean sheets: YAAASSS! Nothing like getting into a clean bed
5. A sweaty night out dancing hard: always a good time. I LOVE to dance
6. Sharing my knowledge and helping others: I love to share and be of help in any way I can
7. Traveling and exploring new places and things: can’t get enough
8. Spirituality and personal growth: always working on being a better person in and out
9. Good health: especially since I fractured my leg I really appreciate this now
10. Cute animal videos – who doesn’t love these?
11. Sunshine: I live in Cali and it’s a huge part of life here. I’ve become addicted to sunshine I think.
12. Plants: duh
13. Making art, being creative: I love exploring and developing my abilities
14. Patterns and illustration: OBSESSED!
15. Social Media: My Pinterest and Instagram addiction - I love eye candy!
16. Working late at night in the “flow”: ahhh sooo good getting lost in your work
17. The ability to bindge watch: who doesn’t love binge watching?
18. Hot yoga: my new favorite workout. Can’t wait to get back once my fractured leg heals
19. Girl time: the BEST!
20. Alone time: this has become more important as I get older
21. Feeling more and more confident and in control: also something that happens as you get older
22. Family and family time: I lost both parents in the last few years and family time is essential
23. Being more comfortable with change: I feel good about this
24. Biking on the beach trail: the breeze in your face is exhilarating!
25. Learning new skills: love notching up my game
26. Cooking (not baking – no good at it)
27. Chocolate – need I say more?
28. Farmer’s markets: Love seeing all the fresh fruits and veggies I can bring home with me
29. Sleeping in: I have a new schedule lately and sleep is a new priority
30. Driving stick: It feels like I’m in control of the car but it’s not fun in traffic though. I drove a 5 speed pick-up truck for 10 years in my 20’s
31. A good kickboxing class: as a former aerobic instructor from the 90’s I appreciate a challenging class from a really good instructor
32. Beach vacations (or any vacation)
33. Laughing and hanging out with my guy: he’s such a goofball and makes me laugh a lot
34. Discovering yummy, new gluten free foods (I’ve been celiac since 2006 - before gluten free was cool)
35. Karaoke: those private rooms are so much fun
36. 80’s cartoons from my childhood: like Jem, Smurfs and Muppet Babies
37. Synchronicities: love it when it happens!
38. Checking things off my to do list and/or goal list
39. Anthropologie: I call it my “Design Church”. I go just for inspiration and to just exhale
40. Cheesy 80’s movies like Xanadu and Revenge of the Nerds: I’ll watch them if they are on cable.
41. Finding out something I am purchasing at the register is actually on sale (score!)
42. Random acts of kindness
43. Mentos commercials make me laugh
44. Nice hotel rooms with good design, robes and big, comfy beds makes me never want to leave
45. Freedom (all kinds)

There are so many more too. I hope you can relate to these (and I am not a big weirdo). I am looking forward to this new year and hope that it is very different than past years - in the best ways ever!

Designing for products with Spoonflower

I’m excited to partner with Spoonflower.com to write an article on the importance of scale in your patterns when designing. In the products I design such as apparel and home decor, I often have to adjust the scale of the pattern to convey a specific look and feel and make it appropriate for the product and end use. Using Spoonflower’s fabulous products such as wallpaper, giftwrap and placemats I show you how scaling the pattern up and down can create a different mood and tone and even compliment a room.

Read my article here to learn more and learn about tips to remember when designing for products.

New EXCITING ART for sale!

I couldn’t be more excited to share these new illustrations with you!
I have been creating them for the last couple of weeks in a flurry to get them out into the world. I knew once I saw the first one emerge it was something special. I couldn’t wait to get to the next one to see how it would come out.

They started with an idea for creating illustrations of women. I love all the illustrations I see now and wanted to see how I could put my spin on it. I had a few musts:

• they had to be women of color

• they had to have freckles (like me). I don’t often see freckles on women illustrations

• they had to be wearing patterned outfits

• they had to have dynamic hair

Here is the first one I created. She is near and dear to me and I see a bit of myself in all of them. I love making them and creating their looks. They even get original outfits I design from my patterns!

I call her “Lady B”

Meet Lady D

Meet Lady T

and finally Meet Lady C

Grab one or get all 4 ladies in the shop. I am selling them on fine art paper in 3 sizes and a 5x7 set of 4.

Get them here in the “Art Print” section of the shop! Hope they bring you as much joy as I get from them.

Happy New Year! Let's do this!

2019 is here! We made it. It was a year of ups and downs for me - some grief and healing from the loss of my mom in 2018 and the sale of my childhood home in the spring, lots of self care and quiet time, a rejuvenating trip to Miami and Orlando and a reemergence of energy and passion to paint and create. I created some new work I am very proud of and opened my online store - something I’ve wanted to do for some time. I think it ended strong and I am riding the momentum I created in the last part of the year into 2019.

This year for me is about “expansion” - expanding on my ideas, expanding my portfolio with new, exciting work, expanding my career to pursue my dreams wholeheartedly, expanding my life, my mind, my confidence, my strength, my view of the world through more travel and inner joy. It’s about living my best life this year and not looking back. I feel that it is my time to focus on my happiness and all the things I have been itching to do and see. Stay tuned. I think this year is going to be fire!

December Desktop Wallpaper

I realized two things recently
1.) this month that I wanted to create a wallpaper for you (it’s been so long)
2.) I wanted it to be more neutral and not so “holiday-esque”.

I made this “Partridge” art for you and added a touch of gold to help make it a more festive.

I know when the holidays are over looking at red and green or anything with a holiday vibe goes first. This is a screensaver you can continue to look at even if the holidays are in the rear view. Enjoy!

Download for your devices: Large Desktop Screen / Smaller Screen / Tablet / Phone

I broke my leg

This is me right now in my new temporary life hobbling around with a fractured fibula from a freak roller skating accident. It’s day 4 and ya know it’s getting easier. I had great news from the orthopedic surgeon today and it looks like there’s no ligament damage and there’s no surgery necessary. I’m so relieved. I will be out of the boot in 3 weeks and almost like new in 6.

I only had one breakdown and overall been in good spirits. I am chronically clumsy (people who know me are shaking their heads yes now) and have a high threshold for pain (not necessarily something to be proud of). I made it to 44 years and never broke a bone until now (does a dislocated pinky finger that healed crooked count?). 

This experience has made me feel incredibly grateful for the people who have been there for me, that I work from home and can rest easier and that it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. I’m also learning patience, doing more self care and slowing down. I was working late nights and had a couple of all-nighters prior to this getting my online shop ready. I felt a bit rushed and things seemed a bit chaotic. Looks like this happened for a reason and I’m totally ok with it.

CYBER Monday SALE & NEW ITEMS in the STORE!

New calendars in the shop! A generous 11”x14” size. $30!

CYBER MONDAY SALE! 20% off!

Use code CYBER20

from 8am PST-midnight on Monday the 26th!

Everything is on sale for 20% off one day only! One per customer. Come by and browse the shop!
Place your orders by the 9th to arrive in time for the holidays!

Check out our new too! Comes in two designs and in 2 fun colors each! See you on MONDAY!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing all of you a fabulous Thanksgiving filled with lots of food, family and festivities. I am so grateful for all of you and your support. Big hugs!

STORE LAUNCH NOVEMBER 12th!!!

I’ve been working away for the last couple of months making art (I love) and sampling fun products to sell for the holidays. I’m happy to announce the store will be open on MONDAY! Come back here to the shop at 12PM PST for the launch. Here are some images of what you can purchase - great gifts for the holidays!

Time to Vote!

This is a very important election and I will be on pins and needles. Let’s all make sure we vote! It’s our duty to make sure our voices are heard!

New normal

Been spending a lot of time here lately and really enjoying it for the first time in a long time. 

It’s been quite a journey in the last few years - a disappointing tradeshow, the loss of my elderly mother (both parents actually) and the sale of my childhood home all felt like my world was upside down. When would I feel motivated, inspired and excited about life and work again?

I emerged from this funk over time and felt ready to empower myself to do the work to finally feel a sense of fulfillment and inner joy. I began experimenting with art supplies, taking online art classes, seeking guidance from friends and coaches and developing work I could be proud of. 
I turned a corner and through creating I have started feeling the life come back into me. I could see things clearly and am excited to sit at this desk and paint daily. 

This new normal is a great place to be and makes me look forward to seeing what I can do from here. I highly recommend spending time creating for the fun of it. It works wonders. 

***Keep an eye out here for announcements in the upcoming days. I can't wait to show you what I've been working on and will have exciting items for sale for the holidays! xo

I'm on the Badass Creatives Podcast!

I'm so happy to announce that I did my very first podcast! Mallory of Badass Creatives and I chat about branding, some mistakes I have learned from in my creative journey, how I got into the world of Art Licensing and what I pretty much do everyday. We have a candid and honest talk that I think you will enjoy! I highly recommend adding Badass Creatives to our list of podcasts for all things creative - business discussions, great interviews and inspiration, resources and more. Thanks so much for having me on the show! I'm honored to be considered a "badass". Go here and check it out! 

June Donut Desktop Wallpaper

The first of June is National Donut Day! What a perfect prompt to inspire month's desktop wallpaper design! Since summer is around the corner I designed donuts with summer fruit flavors blueberry, strawberry and lemon! Enjoy!

Download:   Computer / Cellphone / Tablet

A Special Mother's Day for Me

This is a day to honor your Mom and the life she gave you. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! xo

Related post: 2017 the Year of Loss, Love and Lessons

Mother's Day Printable Gift Cards

If you are anything like me, you are in need of a last minute card or gift card for Mother's Day. I am great in a pinch and made you (us) a couple of fun cards for the moms in your life! Download my gift cards, print on card stock, cut out and add to your gift! You can also use them for general gifts or for a birthday gift for your mom! Need an envelope and have a Michaels nearby? Get these!

DOWNLOAD the card file HERE!

Live Painting at Sezane Pop-Up Shop

I recently had the pleasure of working with the Parisian fashion brand, Sezane. Their classic, feminine, polished and beautiful aesthetic was brought to life at their recent Los Angeles pop-up shop.

For several days in March and April I worked in an amazing, floral setting outside the store painting French phrases for their customers. C'est tres jolie!

As the customers chose from a list of popular French phrases of endearment, I used watercolors, Tombow brush marker pens and watercolor paper to create their art pieces. I painted brightly-colored florals to match Sezane's spring collection brand aesthetic.

I couldn't wait to ask the customer's what they purchased. Stepping into the shop makes your heart leap. There's so many beautiful pieces to choose from! (I love the striped top I wore from their collection)

In the first few days after opening, customers received one of these incredible flowers from Farm Girl.

I was incredibly inspired by the flowers I was surrounded in. It was a dreamy place to work for the day.

Thanks, Sezane, for a truly enjoyable and memorable experience!

May Desktop Wallpaper

It's back! I will be creating monthly desktop wallpapers for your devices. This month is May flowers!
Download it here:
Desktop Computer (with month) / Desktop Computer (without month) / Cellphone / Tablet

New Art in the Etsy Shop!

I have a confession to make - I haven't updated my Etsy shop in awhile. My site was hacked late last year and since building this new site it was on my to-do list. Well it is done now! I will be updating it quarterly (or sooner) with new products and art! Here's two of the new, available art prints!

SHOP the STORE!
Check out my Etsy shop for art prints (and personalized ones too), custom rubber stamps, calligraphy services, paintings and more!

Interested in a commission or want to inquire about a product? Contact me here and let's discuss!

JOIN the MAILING LIST for UPDATES! GET A FREE DOWNLOAD!!!
Find out about sales, new product peeks and updates on my monthly newsletter! When you sign up GET THIS FREE wallpaper DOWNLOAD for your phone!  Sign up HERE!

Find me at Altitude Summit Conference!

Next week I will be attending Altitude Summit, or "Alt Summit", as it is called. Alt Summit is a unique conference for creative bloggers and creative businesses that packs on the fun, top-knotch speakers, great sponsors, and lots of inspiration.

This is the second year they are holding it in Palm Springs - lucky me - it's a short 2 hour drive from LA! In the past it was in snowy Utah but Palm Springs provides the perfect backdrop for this spirited event. I have attended several years as a speaker. Last year I held a roundtable discussion on "How to tap into your authentic self and overcome your creative blocks". 

It was a great talk and I met so many passionate and creative women who were interested in hearing the importance of being themselves and putting their message into the world. Here are some highlights from the event...

Listened to a powerful talk from author, speaker and influencer, Luvvie Ajayi and joyfully received a signed copy of her popular and hilarious book!

Another incredible guest, designer, Todd Oldham, spoke about his career and design.

Dancing with my girls at the party! (image by Justin Hackworth)

Hanging out at the brightly colored Saguaro hotel.

I will be at the conference from Feb. 26-28th. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter to see the festivities!