Creativity has always been woven into my life—quite literally. As a kid, I grew up surrounded by fabric, thread, and the steady hum of a sewing machine. My grandmother, mom, and aunt were always sewing something, whether it was a quilt, a dress, or a little handmade gift. I was fascinated by the way they could take simple pieces of fabric and turn them into something beautiful, something with a story. By the time I was 10, I was sewing right alongside them, completely in love with the process of making.

   But like so many childhood passions, my love for creating faded into the background as I got older. Life got busy, and between college, work, and everything in between, I stopped making time for it. It wasn’t until I had kids of my own that I felt that creative spark reignite.

  Suddenly, I found myself drawn back to fabric, sewing little outfits for my children and rediscovering the joy of working with my hands. But something else was stirring in me too—a curiosity about the designs on the fabrics themselves. Who created them? How did those patterns come to life? Could I do that?

   At first, it felt like an impossible dream. I had always loved painting and drawing, but turning my ideas into actual fabric designs? That felt like something reserved for "real artists." Then, in 2020, I stumbled upon Bonnie Christine’s Immersion Course, and everything changed.

   I dove in headfirst, learning how to take my hand-drawn sketches and transform them into seamless, repeating patterns. It was challenging at first—learning Adobe Illustrator, figuring out the technical side of things—but I was completely hooked. There was something magical about seeing an idea go from a simple doodle on paper to a fully realized design that could be printed on fabric, wallpaper, or even home goods.

   But beyond the skills I gained, surface pattern design has impacted me in ways I never expected. First and foremost, it’s given me a creative outlet that feels completely mine. As a mom, so much of my day revolves around taking care of others—helping, teaching, supporting. But designing? That’s something I do just because I love it. It’s my space to dream, explore, and create without limits.

   It’s also given me confidence. In the beginning, I struggled with putting my work out there. What if no one liked it? What if I wasn’t "good enough"? But over time, I learned to trust my instincts and embrace my unique style. The first time I saw one of my designs printed on fabric, it felt surreal—like proof that this dream wasn’t just something far-fetched, but something real and possible.

   And then there’s the balance it has brought to my life. Before discovering surface pattern design, I wasn’t sure how I could blend my creative passions with the kind of flexible lifestyle I wanted for my family. Now, I get to do work that lights me up while still being present for my kids. I design for brands and create patterns that bring joy to people’s everyday lives.

   Looking back, I realize that surface pattern design didn’t just bring me back to my love of creating—it completely reshaped the way I see myself and what’s possible. It showed me that passions aren’t just hobbies; they can be pathways to something bigger. And for that, I’m endlessly grateful.