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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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
This sweet print is part of my collection with @cottonandsteel fabrics. It’s available in several color ways and part of my Gathering in the Garden collection. It’s cute and modern and available in local fabric stores and online as well (
Who is ready for autumn? Not me! I feel like I’ve barely had a summer. It’s been a cool summer here in the Netherlands, and I am craving more sun and heat! But I think a lot of the northern hemisphere is already turning towards fall. I&rs
I just dropped my oldest off at college. My heart is breaking, but I’m trying to find the good parts about her moving out of the nest. One really fun thing we’ve done together this week is thrifting for housewares and setting up a home.
This coordinate pattern is inspired by corn on the cob. Can you see it? 🤣 🌽 One of my favorite summer treats is freshly grilled corn on the cob slathered in butter and salt and pepper. Yum. : #surfacepatterndesign #PatternMagic #SurfacePatternDes
From the garden to the kitchen. I drew these cute little kitchen things in a reductive matter. I filled the page with red and then started to erase and make the wonky shapes. Sometimes I find it easier to draw this way. It allows me to draw the gener
Banana anyone? Here’s another fruit for my fruits and veggies collection. Fabrics and home decor items are available in my #spoonflower shop. : #bananapattern #bananaillustration #goingbananas #spoonflowerfabric #spoonflowerdesigner #patternpl