I am a lover of abstract art. I just love to play around with colors, textures, shapes ... to capture a moment, a fleeting feeling. Here is a paper collage I created some time ago. It's covered in salt and tons of glue for shine and texture. And as I often do, I used sections of this art piece to create textile patterns. Look at how different they are! It's fascinating to see how many prints can be created from one initial idea. 

I love me some lace. As a textile designer, I always look to incorporate what I love into my patterns so lace was top of mind for some time. Lace is delicate, classy and classic. Yet, it can make a huge visual statement and be modern. In order to recreate all of these aspects of lace, I turned to ... yes, spray-paint! Oh, what a bit of lace remnant can do. 

I found lace textures of which I liked and got to work. Spray-painting is one of my favorites; I love the speed of it, the textures one can achieve, the layering effect. As I covered the lace bits in paint, I took photos of the process and then used these photos as pattern elements. I adjusted them on the computer and played around with different colors. 

So, here we go with a collection of textiles I called "Vision in Lace." The collection has a green, red, and blue version. While the idea is similar, the fabrics have such different feel to them. The green is vibrant; you will make a statement in this neon hue. The red is almost solid with the most delicate print. The blue has a nice depth between the blue background the almost silver pattern. Colors can do wonders for our spirits. 

Like what you see? Hop over to the shop and wrap yourself in these joyous prints. I promise you will indeed feel like a vision. 

It's been a total pleasure participating in the Femme Fatale DC pop-up shop at 100 Florida Ave in Washington, DC. The shop is open for one more week - hop over there before December 24! Oh, these lovely ladies - creators and kind souls. In this week's Monday Dose of RADOST, I wish you encounter lovely people throughout your week, people who will inspire you to follow your dreams. 

#femmefataledc #popupshop #washingtondc #coolideas #womeninbusiness #unique #holiday #shopping #experience

Fall may be my favorite time of the year? Is it yours too? Then, this textile pattern may be just for you. I took a photo of these lovely colorful leaves on a road trip in Maine. Such intense colors! So much texture and so many interesting shapes! And it's apparent that all of these elements lend themselves to stunning option in print design. I enjoy the pops of color and the repeat of this lovely theme. 

Ooh, there is just so much tenderness in this little photo. I took it over the summer when the sun was warming up the days and coloring everything gold. This bee took a moment of rest - or worked hard, who knows ... - on this blooming dandelion. I love the pause, the quiet of this moment. And yet, what colorful boost of energy with this intense yellow against the wall of green! May this week bring to you both moments of rest and wonderful activity! 

Photo credit: Martina Sestakova. All rights reserved. 

Do you love to watch birds in flight? I do. It's so lovely to see them float effortlessly through the sky, to land, to go up again to follow invisible routes up above. I painted a few birds in watercolor and then use one of them as a basis for a textile pattern. There are so many possibilities! And now back to looking up at the beautiful creatures ... 

Do you like what you see? Contact me so we can make a custom #scarf or another item for you from one of these #textile prints. ​​​​​​​This particular print is available here. ​

I think being alive is one of the coolest things. And being alive on Earth is just the best. I often ponder my good fortunes - family and friends, health, prosperity - and in this week's blog I am introducing you to a textile that honors all of that but most of all, our great Mother Earth.

I paint pretty much every day and find great joy in the activity. I enjoy painting within circles - there is something rather meditative and calming about them. So, it's no surprise that when thinking about Earth as a planet and a home, I drew in a circle. I filled up the sections (as you can see below) with colors I see around me daily: in sunrises, in bright sunshine, in a cloudy sky, in land, in water, in stunning sunsets ... 

The painting is really an ode to connectedness to togetherness between people and Mother Earth. I photographed my painting and used a section as basis for the lovely textile pattern below. There are browns, oranges, greens, pinks, whites, blacks, purples ... So many colors! Just like Earth has intended. 

All of my textiles have names and come with short stories of inspiration. Here is the story for "Back to Mother Earth": This abstract watercolor pattern honors my fascination with Earth and its exquisite marriage of land and sky and everything in between. It’s so lovely to be alive and to soak up the beauty of the world around us. Enjoy these colors filled with power of renewal and connectedness. Mother Earth indeed paints the best picture. Enjoy!

Like what you see? Hop over to the shop and treat yourself to this earthy goodness. 

One of my favorite aspects of what I do is that I get to meet so many lovely and interesting people. A lot of them are fellow artists, creators of pretty things. My friend Ruth of Ruthie Line Jewelry Designs is showcasing her exquisite craftsmanship at the Downtown Holiday Market in Washington, DC, and I am so proud to share her work with you. So, for this week's Monday Dose of RADOST, enjoy her creations and stop by her booth. And may there be lovely encounters in your week - with people who inspire you. 

I was flipping through my sketchbook and came across a painting that is now a pattern in one of my scarves. I fondly recalled the story of this painting ... I used a glue to create shapes on white paper - which is not very interesting in itself - and then I spray-painted the shapes - which is when this all gets interesting. The glue repelled the paint and I ended up with a lovely texture on paper that lent itself to a bold textile pattern later. This is why sketchbooks are good for us - to capture the stories we tell in our creative endeavors. Happy Friday!

Do you like what you see? Contact me so we can make a custom #scarf or another item for you from one of these #textile prints. ​​​​​​​This particular print is available here.