3 Myths That Stop Moms from Becoming Surface Designers—And Why They’re Not True
“I’m Not an Artist”—And Other Myths Holding Creative Moms Back (That We’re Busting Today)
🌸What If Creativity Isn’t Gone—Just Buried Under the Chaos?
If you're a mom with a creative spark (even a tiny one), you might've caught yourself dreaming about surface design. Maybe you've imagined turning a simple sketch into fabric or seeing your patterns on kids' clothes, prints, or even wallpaper.
But then, the doubts creep in:
“I’m not really an artist.”
“I don’t have time.”
“I need all these fancy tools to even get started.”
Sound familiar?
Let’s bust those myths together. Because surface pattern design isn’t reserved for full-time artists or people with studios and loads of time. It’s for anyone with a bit of heart, curiosity, and the willingness to begin—even if that beginning happens during nap time.
Here are the 3 biggest myths I hear from creative moms—and what’s actually true.
“I’m Not an Artist”
You don’t need to claim the title to live the truth.
Creativity is expression—not a label or a paycheck
Growing up, I loved to draw. But I never called myself an artist. My family told me art wasn’t a “real” career and that my work wouldn’t have an audience. I carried that belief for years. Even when I started earning from commissions, it took time to realize—being an artist isn’t about money. It’s about how you express your vision.
If you’re doodling, color-picking, daydreaming about patterns—you’re already engaging in the creative process.
The artist in you is still here—just under the surface
I remember opening Procreate during a rare nap overlap. I was sleep-deprived, unsure, and afraid I had lost my creative voice. I told myself, “Just one line.”
I sketched a flower. And just like that, something softened inside me. I remembered that I could still make things that felt like home.
You’re not selfish for wanting to create
Let’s name the deeper belief: “Am I being selfish for wanting something just for me?”
No, you’re not. You’re showing your kids what it looks like to follow curiosity, to reclaim joy, to be whole.
“An artist is not defined by how much they sell, but by their ability to share their vision.”
“I Don’t Have Time”
Start small. Keep showing up. That’s how creative rhythm builds.
Small moments can still build a big creative life
Nap time is magic time. Most of my art happens then. Sometimes that’s 30 minutes. Sometimes it’s just 15. But even five minutes with a sketchbook counts. It adds up.
Tiny wins build up to big wins.
Batching = fewer decisions, more momentum
When I batch, I give myself permission to simplify:
If I’m sketching, I only sketch.
If I’m coloring, I just block in shapes.
I keep a short prompt list so I never have to ask, “What should I draw today?”
These little tweaks protect my energy—and keep my creativity flowing.
What if you swapped scrolling for sketching?
The average person scrolls over 2 hours a day. What if just 15 minutes of that became art time?
Scroll vs. Sketch”—15 minutes/day = 7 hours/month of creative time
“I Need Fancy Tools”
You can make pro-quality patterns with what you already have.
Your tools don’t define your creativity—your courage does
I bought my first iPad Air in university. My stylus didn’t even have pressure sensitivity. But I loved it. When Procreate came out, it opened up a whole world for me—no messy paints, no expensive setup, just freedom.
Here’s my real starter kit:
✅ iPad (any model that works with Apple Pencil)
✅ Procreate (one-time purchase, lifetime updates)
✅ A sketchbook + colored pencils (yes, that counts!)
That’s it. No studio, no shelves of supplies. Just the willingness to begin.
Progress comes from showing up, not upgrading
The best tool you have is the one you’ll actually use. Start with what’s in your hands today.
“You don’t need a studio. You need a starting point.”
You’re Not Behind—You’re Just Beginning
You don’t need to wait until life calms down. You don’t need permission. And you definitely don’t need to have it all figured out.
You need:
A moment
A pencil (or stylus)
And a spark of willingness
That’s why I created my free Seamless Pattern Mini-Course—specifically for moms like you.
✨ Ready to Make Art Between Nap Times?
This free course is your gentle guide to turn tiny creative moments into finished artwork. No overwhelm. Just joyful progress.
Inside, you’ll:
🎨 Use provided color palette + themed brief (no decision fatigue!)
✏️ Follow a simple step-by-step (we start with drawing a flower together!)
🧩 Learn to tile your first seamless repeat in Procreate—even if you’re brand new
You don’t have to do this alone. And you don’t have to wait for perfect timing.
Your creativity is ready now. Let’s make something beautiful.
