This designing thing, and how happy it makes me

So I’ve got a series of fives, and a series of nines, and the original that started it all, the dozens.

Thinking of doing a new series that just have lots and lots of something.

Thinking of calling it the ‘so manies.’

I’m loving having the time to have lots of new ideas on the go.  I try to have a range spread across designs pretty much done and just needing the finishing steps, and ones with pretty good sketches to size that I can sit down and putter over, delighting in playing with colours and borders and then crossing my fingers as they make the jump to canvas.  Sometimes that doesn’t go as well as I hope.  And I always have a ton of drawings of ‘maybe’ ideas for the future.  A wait of any type can turn into a nice time sketching and doodling away.

With so many things on the go I can try to work around different types of creativity.  I so love the designing stage but I’ve found out that if I do too many in a row I get a little squirrelly.

And if I spend too many days or weeks on the less creative stuff, painting production copies and some computer stuff, then I also get a little squirrelly.  Although sometimes sitting and painting something I’ve already figured out, or making my paper pattern is just what is needed.  I can sit and listen to podcasts and let my mind wander a little.

And if I spend too much time on the ‘glimmer in my head, what if I tried this, isn’t doodling great’ stuff… well, I don’t think I’d get squirrelly but I wouldn’t get many new ideas off my desk and out the door.  And it is a wonderful feeling when I can package up a few new designs and mail them off.  Right now I’m working on things that will be new for September.  I am feeling very grown up and spiffy working so far ahead.

Aren’t I a lucky girl that I get to try and figure out the balance between these things?  People are often kind enough to tell me that Pippin designs feel happy, or even better make them feel happy.  I love that.  I hope it’s because I am truly so grateful and … happy… to be doing this.

And in another month or two… beach work.  Yay!