Creative Currents 〰️ by Alyssa-Ninja
Diving into all things creative flow—sharing fresh patterns, design tools, tips for unlocking your creativity, and inspiration to fuel your work. Get ready for a dose of pure, minimalistic beauty designed to spark your imagination.
🌟 What Sparks Your Curiosity? 〰️ Creative Currents
Hi Reader, One of my main drivers this year is curiosity. It keeps us exploring, experimenting, and enjoying the creative process. It means we're embracing questions over answers and letting wonder shape our path. When curiosity takes the lead, creating becomes an adventure rather than a task. It’s not just about producing patterns—it’s about discovering which lines, shapes, textures, and colors ignite your joy, make you smile, represent the mood you're going for, or truly move you. The more...
〰️ Creative Currents: Goals Hiding in Your Cave?
Hi Reader, As we're starting the new year, I approached goal setting differently. Somehow, annual goals seem too abstract for me. A year seems long, but ends up flying by too fast given all of the ambitions that I have. Know the feeling? This time, I defined quarterly quests and landed on four ambitious annual goals. Some of them are loud and obvious, like neon signs. Others feel hidden, waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves. During a recent visit to the Cave of Saint John the...
〰️ Creative Currents: 🎆 New Year's Gift for you
Hi Reader, I hope you had a good start to the year. The past couple of days, I spent reflecting on 2024, and what a year it was. There has been a lot of change for me and getting used to new things. However, I finally feel like I have arrived. And I have a gift for you. One of my intentions for 2025 is to spend more time with hands-on creativity: painting, drawing, photography. You name it. Since this is probably every surface pattern designer's plan, I created a FREE eBook called "A Year of...
〰️ Creative Currents: Find Calm in the Festive Hustle
Hi Reader, The holidays are around the corner and I know how easy it is to get swept up in the festive rush—but it doesn't have to be a hustle. Running around for presents, coordinating celebrations and preparations, Christmas party here, mulled wine meetup there. Secret Santa—it’s exhausting! This time of the year, I’m focusing on what truly matters: savoring moments with loved ones and carving out time for myself. Because amidst all the busyness, a little calm goes a long way. 💡 INSPIRATION...
〰️ Creative Currents: When ambition goes too far
Hi Reader, Recently, I’ve been pouring my energy into something truly special—something I believe will transform how surface pattern designers approach their creative lives. I’m so excited about it, but I’ll admit my ambition got the best of me. I found myself chasing perfection, unable to fully step away when I wasn’t working. The pressure I put on myself dulled the joy I usually feel while creating. It’s a good reminder: ambition can drive us forward, but trying too hard can hold us back....
〰️ Creative Currents: Making Space for More Me-Time
Hi Reader, Last week, I said yes to lots of things. Wonderful things. Surprise events, dates, hikes. And even though I truly enjoyed all of them, I was left feeling overwhelmed. I realized that I just didn't take enough time for myself. There is work, family, love, friends..., but Me on the individual level was left hanging. Can you relate? That's why I made a promise to myself: to clearly define me-time and prioritize it for balance. 💡 INSPIRATION STATION Sheep and Goats During a recent...
〰️ Creative Currents: 🎁 A Gift for You & Trust in Progress
Hi Reader, Returning home reminded me of how vital it is to pause, recharge, and trust the process. Now, I feel more grounded, more productive, and more at ease. Progress isn’t always a straight path—it’s full of detours, doubts, and moments where you may feel like you're standing still. And even when you feel insecure and vulnerable, pinch yourself to remember that this is not your nature, but just a temporary feeling. Every small step forward builds confidence, and even steps back teach us...
〰️ Creative Currents: Priorities
Hi Reader, Last week, I packed my social life into one whirlwind visit home. My plan was ambitious—squeeze in family time while using any quiet moments to work on designs, writing, and a landing page for something exciting I’ll share soon. But life had other plans. My mom fell ill, and instead of working, I spent my days with her. At first, I tried juggling both, but it soon felt absurd. I remembered what truly mattered to me and chose to be fully present with her. Prioritizing our bond...
〰️ Creative Currents: What Makes a Home?
Hi Reader, Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what it really means to feel at home. Is it a place? The people? Maybe a collection of memories tied to a certain space? Having just moved somewhere new, I’m realizing that “home” can take time to build, and it’s more about the feelings we nurture than the physical space itself. What does it take to truly feel at home? Home sweet home. Welcome back home. Driving home... Even when I don't quite feel homey, I know I'm going to get there. 💡 INSPIRATION...
〰️ Creative Currents: The Joy of Simple Things
Hi Reader, Look here, click there, buy this, subscribe to that — the digital world pulls us in a thousand directions. Since moving into a cozy 1900s country house in Greece, I’ve been reminded of the beauty of simple joys. I’m convinced that happiness often comes from the smallest things we take for granted. We actually need very little. Want to join me? Try finishing this sentence: In order to be happy, I DON'T need... 💡 INSPIRATION STATION When Life Gives You Oranges... ... you squeeze...
Diving into all things creative flow—sharing fresh patterns, design tools, tips for unlocking your creativity, and inspiration to fuel your work. Get ready for a dose of pure, minimalistic beauty designed to spark your imagination.