Block Printing Play & New Collection Development

We’re halfway through March which is usually when I check-in on my goals. But honestly, I kind of ghosted my goals for the month. I had to go back to my February review to even remind myself what I had planned.

Originally, I wanted to create some new designs for my Spoonflower shop, but I haven’t really done any pattern design or even thought about my shop all month. I’ve been so locked into my creative flow and making things with my hands.

I shared before that I’ve gotten into block printing and it’s starting to take over my life. Here are some of the blocks I carved and prints I made from those blocks.

This has become one of my favorite ways to start the day. I find the carving and printing process to be fun and meditative.

I don’t know what I’m even going to do with these. Almost all of the art I’ve been creating over the years has served a specific purpose, but with this I’m just making things and collecting them in a box next to my desk. Every time I make a new print I add it to my growing stack and the accumulation of all this beautiful, tangible, real-life art fills me with joy.

It feels a little weird to be hoarding it all, but I feel like I needed a creative hobby that I get to keep all to myself. I love sharing what I’m working on, but since I’m not creating for any specific reason, there’s zero pressure for any of the things I make to be good in any way. That’s been really freeing.

So this has been taking up the majority of my time, and for now I’m just letting it be that way. I could feel my inner child needing the space to play and have some fun.

That said, I am working on a new pattern collection. I wanted to create a collection inspired by all my travels this winter. Being out in nature in the cold and snow and experiencing other cultures was such a cozy and fulfilling experience for me. So I want to capture some of those memories in patterns.

I’m moving slowly and taking my time with it, but here’s a small mood board I created to get me started.

This is the first time I’ve ever made a physical mood board. It was fun and sensory and I love having a physical visual reminder of the vibe I’m trying to capture with the collection. Again, I’m really leaning into my analog era. I’ve just been desperately craving all things real and tangible that I can build and touch with my own hands.

That’s all for now. I can’t wait to share more of my block printing work and this new collection as it develops.