Planning is super exciting to me, but not everyone has that list-making, left-brain energy. That’s where mood boards can help. They’re like a list… but pretty—a more creative, aesthetic way of laying out your goals.

In the first module of the Quilt Pattern Writing Course, our objective for the week was to make a mood board for our brand. I struggled with mine at first. I’d been using pink and green in my brand, Alli B Creative (I even painted my shed those colors!), but I didn’t really want my actual name to be part of my brand brand. A little separation is a good thing.

When I started thinking more about the style of quilts I have in mind, pink and green just weren’t enough. I needed either different colors (which I didn’t want to do because… I really didn’t want to repaint my shed) or more colors (which is what I ended up doing). After lots of thought about color, I finally landed on my palette—and then my new name came quickly after! Once those were in place, gathering images to represent my brand was easy. I knew I wanted gummy bears and all things fun and funky.

The Kitschy Creative Mood Board

In my brand mood board, I used some Ruby Star Society swatches; fun (and very kitschy) objects like the Betsey Johnson iron purse; and an Elizabeth Hartman quilt to show the vibe of The Kitschy Creative. When I finally figured out my mood board… I literally showed everyone. I was so excited and absolutely loved what I had come up with!

While I have plenty of ideas for more niche quilts (so many ideas), my skill level isn’t quite there yet. I need to practice, practice, practice with some less complex ideas first (don’t get me wrong, they’re still fun!). For now, my mood board will influence color choices more than quilt design—but there will be so many projects beyond just quilts that are shaped by this spunky, funky mood board.

2026 Project Mood Board

For 2026 specifically, I decided to create a separate mood board that represents the plans I have for this year!

I won’t go into too many details, but here is a visual sneak peek of what you can look forward to on my blog this year (along with other things… there was only so much room!)

I also created one for my upcoming wedding!

 

How to Create Your Own Mood Board

Mood boards can be created in a variety of ways. You can go fully digital, like I did, using Illustrator (or Canva if you want a free option). Pinterest is also great for collecting ideas, though it doesn’t allow you to design a board you can print or use as a desktop wallpaper.

You can also go back to the “Ye Olden Days” of physical media and make a collage! Grab some old Better Homes & Gardens or Vogue magazines from a thrift store and cut and paste anything that catches your eye. Physical mood boards are a wonderful way to take a break from screens and do a little creative digital detox.

Mood boards can serve many purposes: planning a wishlist, setting goals, or gathering general inspiration. They’re also a fun creative exercise that helps you explore how different images, textures, and colors work together—even if they don’t seem to belong together at first.

5 Tips to Get Started

1. Start with a clear intention
Decide what your mood board will represent—your brand, a quilt pattern, room inspiration, or something else. Write down 3–5 words that capture the feeling you want to convey and use them as a guide.

2. Limit your colors and styles
Less is more! Stick to 3–5 core colors plus neutrals and pick a style direction (minimal vs. maximal, vintage vs. modern). If an image looks good but doesn’t fit the vibe, remove it.

3. Mix different types of inspiration
Include more than just photos. Think textures, typography, fabric swatches, color chips, and words or phrases that fit the mood. This makes your board more useful and visually dynamic.

4. Gather freely, then curate
Collect as many images as you like at first. Then edit ruthlessly: remove anything repetitive or that doesn’t support your chosen mood. Aim for a cohesive, focused collection.

5. Set limits so you actually finish
Mood boards can easily turn into endless collections. Limit your time, sources, or final image count so you end up with a finished board you can actually use.

Final Thoughts

Creating my brand, 2026, and wedding mood boards were definitely a playful time in my creativity! I enjoy the process quite a bit (and it honestly doesn’t take a whole lot of time if your focus is clear!) I would love to see the mood boards you come up with!

Follow along to get further insight into the projects on my 2026 mood board by signing up for my newsletter below!