Hello design stars! If you’re here again this week reading my blog, it’s likely that you’ve taken my From Doodles to Dollars® program and/or my Pattern Design Academy® course. It's wonderful watching you hone your skills and share your surface pattern design work. Are you ready to create a professional portfolio? I think you are so let’s talk about it.

Summer is a season of warm weather and time spent out in the beautiful outdoors. It's also the perfect time to dive into exciting projects to enhance your surface pattern design and illustration skills. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, these 10 creative prompts provide ample opportunities to explore new techniques, experiment with different styles, and make significant progress on your portfolio.

Are you passionate about pattern design and eager to unlock your creative potential? Look no further than my Pattern Design Academy® online course and coaching program. This exceptional program offers a comprehensive curriculum and personalized guidance, making it an outstanding investment for anyone aspiring to excel in the field of pattern design.

In this week’s blog, let’s delve into the topic of sourcing your own inspiration by exploring what truly inspires you, leaning into your personal experiences, and stepping outside to observe the world around you. This is the perfect topic since I’m just back from two weeks in Europe (Paris and Copenhagen) which filled me with new ideas and creative inspiration.

Paris, the city of light, love, and inspiration. I’m still in Paris, writing this the night before I return home. I love spending time in this beautiful city, reconnecting with my childhood neighborhood. A trip to Paris never disappoints.

If you’ve been following along during Stu McLaren’s free workshop, you know that his signature program, The Membership Experience, is now open for enrollment. Let’s talk about it since it’s only open for a few more days. And won’t be offered again until 2024.

This week, I want to focus on creative memberships specifically. Sometimes as creatives we can think: “That sounds great but it won’t work for me.” Here are three examples of creative memberships that work. There are many more but let’s get started with these so that you see the possibilities.

Are you curious about how to start a membership site or improve the one you already have? Then you need to know about Stu McLaren, the membership guru who has helped thousands of entrepreneurs create successful membership sites. Once a year, he offers a free workshop and if this topic is even remotely interesting to you, don’t miss it.

If you're running a business, any kind of business including a creative business, having an email list is crucial. Why? Because it allows you to have a direct conversation with your ideal customers. Email marketing is still one of the most effective ways to reach and engage with your audience.

It’s never been more important than it is now to start building your email list. Why you ask? Because you don’t have any control over social media and the algorithms those platforms use to show your content to potential customers. You do control your email list which is the best way to engage, support and eventually sell your programs and services to your ideal customers.

Are you a fan of podcasts? Do you have a favorite that you listen to every week? If you're anything like me, you probably love discovering new podcasts and sharing your favorites with others. And since you’re in my creative community, you’re likely looking for podcasts that will help you expand your reach so that you can get your art into the hands of more customers. 

I’m excited to share one of my favorite books with you. It’s Beth Kempton’s Wabi Sabi, Japanese Wisdom for a Perfecly Imperfect Life. I love this book and enjoy listening to Beth read the audible version when I’m out and about walking in the hillside behind our house.

I’m curious. Do you have a bucket list? For my Australian and European friends, do you have bucket lists too? A bucket list is often a collection of things you want to achieve or experience before you "kick the bucket," or pass away. They can include anything from skydiving to visiting a new country, to starting a business or hobby and more.

I bet this won’t come as a surprise to you when I say that more often than not, I find myself comparing my business to others and fall into that dreaded “impostor syndrome” trap. Tell me, have you ever felt like a fraud, even when you’ve accomplished great things? Yep, and here’s the thing… It happens to everyone.

I’m just back from two weeks in New York City. My husband’s main objective in going was to attend Elvis Costello’s 100 Songs in 10 Nights concert series at the Gramercy Theater. What an incredible experience! It made me realize and acknowledge something I’d forgotten: the power of music to boost your creativity.

It’s here! Bonnie Christine’s fabulous online course called Surface Design Immersion is open for enrollment. Bonnie only offers this incredibly program once a year so listen up. I want to share my personal story about taking Immersion with you and what it’s made possible for me.

Let me start by saying: Happy Valentine’s Day! This week is fondly called: Surface Design Week because Bonnie Christine, an internationally renowned artist, offers a 7-day FREE workshop where she shares all of her secrets for achieving success in this growing industry.

Are you currently in a Mastermind group or is this the first time you’ve heard of this concept? Either way, let’s talk about the power of joining a Mastermind. I just got back from a 2-day Mastermind led by Jeff Walker, the author of the NY Times best selling book: Launch: How to Sell Almost Anything Online, Build a Business You Love, and Live the Life of Your Dreams.