I'm blocking off my calendar from February 17 through February 24. Again. I'm dedicating these days to support Bonnie Christine's annual Surface Design Immersion open enrollment. And honestly? I don’t want you to miss it.

Eight years ago, I typed "surface pattern design classes" into Google. I'd just learned how to create repeating patterns by hand but I knew I needed to learn the digital side of things.

It's a beautiful morning here, and I've been thinking about what it really takes to build something from nothing. 🎨

It was 2018, and I was sitting at my kitchen table, completely mesmerized by what I was watching on my computer screen. What came next changed everything…

Last week I wrote about not feeling ready for January's hype. About being tired. About questioning whether I had the energy for another fresh start when what I really needed was rest.

I thought I’d be writing an inspiring blog this week about surface pattern design. Something motivational. Something that makes you want to leap into action. Not so much…

I need to tell you something that might shock you, especially coming from someone who teaches surface pattern design for a living. My first pattern was absolutely terrible.

I need to confess something embarrassing about my younger self. When I was a kid, I was absolutely convinced that having a December 30th birthday was the universe's cruel joke.

My sister called from Massachusetts recently after their first snowfall. "Anne, it's snowing! The whole world looks like it's been painted white!" And then she laughed. "Have you seen Pantone's color announcement? They basically picked snow!"

Here I am, on a Sunday, working on this blog post. I tell myself I'm just "getting ahead" for the week, and my blog doesn't really count as work-work. But if I'm honest, this is exactly the pattern I need to talk to you about today…

Last week, we dug into your 2025 wins (even if your tracking was less than perfect), and I hope you discovered some surprises in that review process. Maybe you realized you created way more than you thought.

There's a moment at the end of every year when you sit down with good intentions to review what happened over the past twelve months, and suddenly you're hit with a wave of frustration. You didn't track things as well as you meant to.

My mother and I used to be the family party organizers, the ones who would coordinate all the big holiday gatherings for our extended family. She had this beautiful house in San Francisco with a spacious living room and dining room…

There's a moment in every creative journey when the vision in your head feels impossibly large compared to where you're actually standing. Maybe you're imagining yourself as a successful surface pattern designer, but you're staring at a blank screen not even sure how to open Adobe Illustrator.

When I lost my fancy corporate job with its six-figure salary, comprehensive benefits, and paid vacation weeks, I fell into a depression that felt all encompassing. I put on a brave face and applied for jobs but the rejections kept coming…

There's something magical about this time of year. As November settles around us with its crisp air and golden light, I find myself naturally turning inward, taking stock of what I've created, what I've learned, and what I want to cultivate in the months ahead.

When I got laid off from my fancy corporate job, I was at a complete loss. I tried to get another J.O.B., but I would always come up short in the final round and they’d hire someone else. After months of rejection, my husband finally suggested something that changed everything…

I have a confession to make, and it might surprise you. I collect sketchbooks. Beautiful ones with creamy pages and inspiring covers that practically beg me to fill them with ideas. They sit on my shelves like promises waiting to be kept, and yet...