Happy Ash Wednesday!

Today is a day for fasting, so here I am actively ignoring my kitchen. Right now, on my dining table is a bag of chocolates from Christmastime. They were recently dropped off at our home by a neighbor, who couldn’t pass up a good deal. He had no idea that my plans for Lent this year involve cutting out sweets. I think I ate so much sweets yesterday on Mardi Gras that I gave myself a headache. Ug.

I made it through Victoria Johnson’s Create Christmas course. I have to admit that I wasn’t too impressed with the course as a whole, but the creative briefs were interesting and the color palettes she provided were spot on. The community was really nice and engaging, but her presence throughout the three weeks was barely noticeable unless you provided really great work. It took me 2 weeks to figure out where I was supposed to turn in my work. I wound-up turning in my first and second week assignments late, but my 3rd week was on-time and I haven’t received any feedback. I did sign-up for her Explore Florals, which will start on March 6th. Now that I know how to turn in my assignments, I hope to receive more direct feedback from Mrs. Johnson.

I had an early start with fasting this year, I began intermittent fasting about a week ago using an app called Simple. So far so good, I like that it has a fasting timer, so I know when to eat and when not to eat. Today I’ll be fasting through breakfast. Have an Awesome Lent this year, with lots of prayer, fasting, and giving.

Hygge Inspired Design for Create Christmas with Victoria Johnson, 2023.

Hygge Inspired Design for Create Christmas with Victoria Johnson, 2023

Merry Kitschmas Inspired Design for Create Christmas with Victoria Johnson, 2023

Going All In

At the end of the 2022, just before the holidays, I left the tiny quiltshop in Rockwall. I felt more driven to make money with my art. It was for this reason alone that I said goodbye. It was really hard for me to balance my creativity with working outside the home, and repairing sewing machines.

Since transitioning back home, I’ve been improving my work space little by little. I still need to work on planning my year, organizing projects, finishing my surface design and branding courses, and work on my website. I am also a homeschool mom, so I’ve also been tackling homeschool projects, transcript up-keeping, future planning with my kids, and being available for their homework needs. Lastly, I’ve never really been good at budgeting, so I am giving myself permission to start over, to change my bad habits of over spending by retaking Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace, and give meal planning a try. I found this amazing website called bloomplanners.com, they have this amazing weekly meal planning pad, with magnets on the back side and a perforated shopping list. I just know it’ll be handy when I finally get to use it. At the moment, my mom has been staying with us, so I haven’t had a need to do any meal planning yet, but I’ll be ready when that day arrives.

Happy New Year, I have a feeling this is going to be a good year. .

Winter Solstice

What was so magical about when winter solstice began in North Texas, 2022? It was seeing all the beautiful leaves blowing erratically everywhere and the occasional snowflake drifting along in the breeze. It was amazing!!

Portfolio in the Works

I’m cracking that whip and getting myself mentally ready to share my portfolio to art directors far and wide. This has been a long time coming and I’m excited to be at this milestone when I set out on this journey in 2020. I know I’m ready for this, I have the desire, I have the passion. All I need is for someone to say, Yes!! 🤞

Some of y’all have already my favorite pieces on my website. I have a lot of ideas and I need to make more. I have officially made a large pattern collection, but I hope to change that within the next few months. Designing a new pattern can be challenging but I find it is more rewarding once it’s finished and I am able to upload the new design on Spoonflower to have it printed on fabric.

Now Accepting Embroidery Work

I started working for Texas Quiltworks in 2020. Prior to working at the quiltshop, I had very little experience in sewing. I tell the customers all the time, I wasn’t hired for my ability to sew. I get questions all the time about what needles to use for … or what stabilizers to use for …

When I received my first sewing machine from the shop it was a Bernina Artist's 170 with an embroidery unit. It was fun stitching the names of my children onto their own bath towels. I told them this is your towel, it’s your job to keep it clean (I’m still washing their towels.). I love seeing their names on their towels. It’s so cute against the bathroom door.

Fast forward to today, I upgraded my sewing machine to a Bernina Special Edition B765 (770) with embroidery Unit. It’s a little finicky at the moment, the thread cutter is very inconsistent, and the bobbin winder winds unevenly. Now that I am a Bernina Certified Technician, I’m pretty sure I can fix both issues, when I get the chance. I’ll have to make the repairs at home, because I’m too busy with other sewing machines at work. I told myself I just need to start accepting embroidery work while at work. Thankfully my boss was on board with the idea. A few people have trickled in asking about embroidery, but the customers leave, never to return. Finally, a customer came in looking for someone to stitch some fabric on a set of towels she had in her hand. It was so simple I was thinking appliqué, I’ve never done it but I know I can make it happen. I upsold the customer to add her nieces’ initials. The finished product looked great and customer was just as happy as I was. Studio Garza is now doing machine embroidery.

It's that time of the year! Join Me For A FREE Workshop in Surface Pattern Design

Full disclosure, I am affiliate for Bonnie Christine’s Immersion Course. Her workshop is completely FREE, but taking her workshop may lead you to purchase her course, just like I did in 2021. I would receive a small percentage if you purchase her course through my affiliate link.

FREE WORKSHOP

Secrets to Success in Surface Pattern Design

February 7th - 14th

I just joined a FREE workshop hosted by one of my favorite designers, Bonnie Christine.

This is not the first time I mentioned Bonnie’s name in my blog, instagram, Facebook, church or dinner table. I was introduced to Bonnie in 2018 while I was subscribed to Skillshare. I then took her FREE workshop in 2020, and ultimately took the plunge into her in-depth course in 2021. Bonnie not only teaches how to create a career from your artwork, but also changes your mindset into believing that the goals you create are attainable. Her philosophy is simple: “Do one thing a day.”

In her own words, on achieving her dream career:

“I was able to really focus on my dream of becoming a surface pattern designer. I began doing one thing every single day that helped move me toward my dream. For awhile, it was just researching where I needed to begin: I asked questions, read books, and took online classes to learn Adobe Illustrator. After 11 months of ‘daily things,’ I made my first repeating pattern!”

Did you start the new year wanting to reach your goals, make art your career, or finish projects? How much momentum do you think we could build if we all followed Bonnie’s philosophy of just doing one thing a day. The potential for what we can accomplish feels unlimited!

That’s why I would love for you to join me in this upcoming (and did I mention totally FREE!) workshop:  Secrets to Success in Surface Pattern Design.

In this 4-part video series, Bonnie will be sharing: 

• How to craft a career (and life!) you love in surface pattern design

• The essential stages to becoming a designer

• Mapping out your personalized road to success

• Creating income as an artist and adding multiple streams of revenue

If you'd like to register for the FREE Workshop, you can do so right here:

LEARN MORE + REGISTER HERE

Keep an eye on your inbox for Lesson #1 to arrive on Monday February 7th. It’s only available for a limited time, so be sure to sign up, watch the lessons... and get excited!

I'll meet you there!

P.S. Know someone who might enjoy this free workshop? Share this blog with them so they can join us, too!