In this post, I am going to share the prep to my first mini greeting card collection. I have four floral and leaf patterns. Somehow, I am going to turn them into an all-occasion card box set of 8 cards. There will be two of each design in the box. Do I know how to do that? I don’t, but I will figure it out!

I hope that my project encourages you. I will include my process and the resources that helped me create my collection. The world needs art. Plus; painting and art are always mindful.

Here is my process.

The Big Idea

I paint flowers. CatCoq sent out a newsletter with a four-week create your mini card collection challenge. It’s summer and I have an, I want to create a product to sell dream. I have two product ideas!

A set of all occasion cards that you can send to someone to say thank you, happy birthday or simple hello sounds lovely. What better way to do that than with colorful flowers. Plus, wouldn’t it be nice to get a card that doesn’t involve money or a to-do list? Yes!

Paint Flowers

How about the colors of friendship and summer? My palette is warm and bright. The flowers are easy to paint. I wanted a pattern that was easy to help me build confidence. I want proof that I can do it and I am an artist. I totally am!

Create Patterns

There are two steps to creating patterns. The first is scan your artwork. The second step is to use a program like Photoshop or Affinity Photo to create your pattern.

I am no pro. I am learning but CatCoq and Jenny Venguilla are wonderful teachers. Cat teachers using Photoshop and Jenny uses Affinity. No, I am not an affiliate but simply passing along information that I know others need. Oh, and giving credit to where credit is due. If you have tips post them below.

Test Out Patterns

You can test patterns in two ways. The first is to get mock-ups from a place like creatsy and test out your pattern. Then you can share your patterns on Instagram or your website. I should do that! Oh, my I just found out that creatsy has free mockups! That’s another task for my to-do list!

Or you can sign up for a free account with POD sites like Redbubble and upload your pattern to multiple products. You can download pictures like I have here.

Paint Textures and Lettering

My mini collection will have a total of four designs.

The third is this lovely texture. I was thinking Anthropologie shopping bag.

The fourth design is the word hello on it.

The first two words are finger-painted. The third was painted with a flat brush. What option do you like? My creative spirit says yes on the finger painting one. I just have to work on the spacing and maybe combine letters. Then there is the brush version. Maybe it’s best for this collection?

Reflect On Your Collection

Here is what I have so far.

This is the first time I’ve looked at the collection together. I’ll look at the painitngs off screen too. I have, and we are on our way! My collection is simple. Are any of these cards what I want to receive in the mail? Yes! I’ll play around with my patterns. I still have to scan and get the two files ready.

Full matching colors for the backgrounds of the cards? For example, the leaf card could have a blue or green background color. Would I have to paint this? For the texture, yes! My goal is to have my card collection done by the end of July. All the pieces will be done. Then I can set everything aside, work on another project, and then come back to finalize everything.

If you have any ideas on a POD, where I can print up my card collection to fulfill orders through my site, please comment below.

Thanks for reading. Working on a project is doable. All you have to do is start!

I hope you are motivated to work on your project. If you do, let me know. Let me know what you think of my hello and the collection. Oh, if you want to see my designs, click here.

Interested in more painting ideas and talk? Subscribe to my blog and be part of a garden where wildflowers grow. I do like the sound of that!

With Love, Mireya