pens and paper

Update 2023

Hello there! it has been A WHILE! Things have been busy around these parts. My family and I moved continents earlier this year. We traded in the warm tropical weather of Singapore for the windy maritime weather of The Netherlands. We are all adjusting, although summers here are proving to be amazing! I hadn’t realized how much I had missed seasons while living in Singapore. It’s always summer in Singapore. Oftentimes, people describe Singapore weather as hot, hotter, and hottest. Anyways, enough about the weather!

Settling into a new country takes some time. So much to learn all at once learning a new language, grocery shopping in a foreign country, and bicycle riding rules and etiquette. The Dutch language is proving to be challenging to learn, but I am enjoying the process and reminding myself that it will take time. I am learning to just go for it, to speak out loud, and learn from my many many mistakes. One thing I have learned from living overseas these last 5 years is how much it challenges me and helps me to grow and learn. Here’s to personal growth!

While we have been settling in, I have been continuing my creative practice. Inspired by a new environment, new climate, and new customs, has led me to rediscover my sketchbook. For the last few years, I have been creating mostly with Procreate (which I love!), but since the move, I have reconnected with real pens and pencils on real paper and I find the whole process extremely satisfying. I have also adjusted my mindset while sketching. I no longer berate myself for terrible drawings, instead, I laugh at myself and wonder how I could do better, and then I try and do better! I also no longer let myself be afraid to draw something. If it scares me (I’m talking to you people and faces), I must draw it. I desperately want to get better at my craft and I can’t improve if I am avoiding what scares me. I am just enjoying the process and feeling happy to be making.

Thanks for reading this far! Below are some photos from my first couple of sketchbooks while living in The Netherlands. At first, I chose a small sketchbook as it felt less intimidating and precious, but as I drew more and more I took the plunge and got a larger one.

Take a look. Hope you enjoy.

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The hero print from the Floral Medley Collection brings such a lovely pop of charm and warmth to this simple chair. If you love it, you can shop it now on Spoonflower.com—available as fabric, bedding, and even finished decor items like this cu
This one’s my personal favorite from the Floral Medley Collection! 🌸
There’s just something so playful and uplifting about these simple, organic shapes and earthy tones. It’s a design that feels both modern and timeless, and I can
I wanted this collection to have variety and versatility in its patterns, so while each design can stand on its own, they also work nicely together as a collection. It’s so much fun to make small pairings like these three designs—they fee
When I started the Floral Medley Collection, I naturally gravitated toward my usual cream background (left). But something about it didn’t quite feel right for this collection. After playing around with options, I landed on this rich dark brown
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process for the Floral Medley Collection! 🌼 These are the beginning sketches, all drawn by hand on my iPad. This is honestly the most fun part of the design process for me! I always aim to sketch
This floral print feels like the heart of the collection. 🌼 It’s inspired by those little wildflowers you find growing in unexpected places—like on a quiet walk in the countryside or in a crevice of a sidewalk. Drawing flowers is a way o
Hi friends! Hola amigos! After a whirlwind of big life changes (hello, Spain!), I finally had time to pull together some scattered sketches and ideas into something I’m so excited to share: the Floral Medley Collection! 🌸 This collection is in
This pretty floral print is my Camilla design, part of the Gathering in the Garden collection with @cottonandsteel. Screen printed in Japan on high quality cotton, these cute florals are just one of several other prints with a sweet vintage vibe.
Having fun with color and pattern for the @spoonflower Refined Bohemian Wallpaper Design Challenge! 🎨🌼 This pattern of a field of flowers in warm earth tones is my take on a sophisticated look with a nod towards the unconventional bohemian lifestyl