<![CDATA[UnBlink Studio by Jackie Tahara

<![CDATA[UnBlink Studio by Jackie Tahara - BLOG]]>Fri, 09 Oct 2026 18:32:31 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[My Entry for the Spoonflower "Patchwork Revival" Design Challenge!]]>Thu, 08 Oct 2026 17:31:44 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/my-entry-for-the-spoonflower-patchwork-revival-design-challengeThe design and colours of my "Mari" surface pattern design were inspired by geometric Modernist textiles and Bauhaus weavings, and I've just entered it in the current Spoonflower "Patchwork Revival" Design Challenge! It's a bit different than many of the other entries, but...maybe that's the point!
You can link to the Voting Page HERE and I'd love your vote for this one! Voting closes Tuesday Oct 20 2026.

]]><![CDATA[My Entry for the Spoonflower "Modern Toile" Wallpaper Design Challenge: "Tropical Garden Toile"!]]>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:11:49 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/my-entry-for-the-spoonflower-modern-toile-wallpaper-design-challenge-tropical-garden-toileI thought I would first show you an extra “closeup” of my brand new “Tropical Garden Toile” surface pattern design just so you could see all the little details and delicate colours that went into creating what I think is a rather charming fantasy tropical floral print! I invite you to swipe so you can see the “zoom out” and more of how the full repeat pattern looks!
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I’ve entered this new “Tropical Garden Toile” pattern design in the upcoming Spoonflower “Modern Toile” Wallpaper Design Challenge. Public voting opens tomorrow Thursday Sept 24 and I’d love your vote for this one! You can link to the Voting Page HERE!

If you'd like to SHOP my "Tropical Garden Toile" design in my Spoonflower Shop on Fabrics, Wallpaper and Home Decor in several scales, click below!
LARGE-Scale
MEDIUM-Scale
SMALL-Scale

My new "Tropical Garden Toile" pattern design is available on Fabrics, Wallpaper and Home Decor in my Spoonflower Shop in several scales (click below)!
LARGE-Scale
MEDIUM-Scale
SMALL-Scale

]]><![CDATA[My New Collaboration with Redflag Swimwear!]]>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:43:38 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/my-new-collaboration-with-redflag-swimwearI have collaborated with lovely Colombia-based swimwear company Redflag Swimwear many times over the last few years, and it’s always such a pleasure to see my pattern designs as part of their gorgeous Swimwear Collections for Men and Boys. And I’m so pleased to show you the “Holbox” swim trunks featuring one of my geometric pattern designs that is part of their newest “Between Places” Swimwear Collection which is “designed for those who wake up early in the city, and spend the afternoon on the beach”! Love that!

]]><![CDATA[WGSN Has Just Released Their "Prints & Graphics Sourcing Guide: Kidswear A/W 27/28"! Here's a Sneak Peek...]]>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:23:47 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/wgsn-has-just-released-their-prints-graphics-sourcing-guide-kidswear-aw-2627-heres-a-sneak-peekIf you are a licensee or manufacturer who would like to know the latest in upcoming print trends for kidswear, the brand new "Prints & Graphics Sourcing Guide: Kidswear A/W 27/28" has just been released by WGSN, the world's leading consumer trend forecaster. This Guide includes several of my pattern designs in its identification of the key trends for Autumn/Winter 2027/2028 Kidswear! Here's a sneak peek!
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Please NOTE: You must be a WGSN subscriber to access this Guide.

]]><![CDATA[My New Collab With Vancouver-Based Company NoMiNoU Designs!]]>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 18:36:41 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/my-new-collab-with-vancouver-based-company-nominou-designsVery honoured to announce my newest collab with Vancouver-based apparel company NoMiNoU Designs is now live! Up first is the Sakura Collection featuring my original Japan-inspired Sakura flower design.
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Keep scrolling to read the NoMiNoU Designs' announcement of the new Sakura Collection!

Here's NoMiNoU Design's announcement of the new Sakura Collection!

You believed fashion could be more than clothing.

That artists should be celebrated.
That culture should be respected.
That what we wear can carry meaning.

Today, we invite you into our next chapter.

✨ Introducing the NoMiNoU World Collection ✨

A new series celebrating artists, cultures, and stories from around the world.

Our journey begins in Japan with the beautiful artwork of Canadian-Japanese artist Jackie Tahara.

Inspired by Sakura, the fleeting beauty of Japan’s cherry blossoms, this First Edition celebrates the beauty of appreciating the moment.

🌸 CREATED TO COLLECT

Each First Edition is produced in carefully planned quantities through preorder.

Every garment includes a Collector’s Story Card featuring the artist, artwork, collection details, and the story behind the design.

Not just something to wear.
Something to remember. Something to collect.

💫 SUBSCRIBE NOW! VIP COLLECTORS RECEIVE 15% OFF AT CHECKOUT.

No code required.

The first chapter is here.

One artist.
One culture.
One story.
One collection at a time.

🌸 Discover World Collection Volume I: The Sakura Collection.

NoMiNoU x Jackie Tahara

Original artwork by Canadian-Japanese artist Jackie Tahara
Garment design, print development & art placement by NoMiNoU
100% Made in Canada

You can SHOP all the pieces in the NoMiNoU Designs Sakura Collection in their Online Shop HERE!
All NoMiNoU Designs are 100% Made In Canada!

]]><![CDATA[My Entry for the Spoonflower "Hydrangeas" Design Challenge: "Lacecap Hydrangeas"!]]>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:55:00 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/my-entry-for-the-spoonflower-hydrangeas-design-challenge-lacecap-hydrangeasI've had to miss the last few Spoonflower Design Challenges because I've just been too busy, either with client projects (more on these coming very soon!) or travelling, so all good! But when I saw the next Challenge was "Hydrangea Wallpaper", well, I had to try to enter a new design! I have several fantastically blue Lacecap Hydrangeas in my studio garden, so I snapped a whole bunch of pics and started drawing...So here is my entry for the Spoonflower "Hydrangea" Design Challenge: my brand new "Lacecap Hydrangeas" floral pattern design in Lavender Purple (first pic). I also had to try it out in a Hot Pink colourway too...of course!
You can link to the Voting Page HERE! Voting closes Tuesday September 8 2026. And if you miss voting in this Challenge, be assured I'll try to keep entering future Challenges on a more regular basis!
And if you'd like to find my "Lacecap Hydrangeas" in my Spoonflower Shop, just click the images below. They will link to the Large-Scale versions, but Medium- and Small-Scales are also available.
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TIP: If you're located in Europe and would like to find my "Lacecap Hydrangeas" Wallpaper closer to home, you can also check out my Happywall Shop. All walllpapers from my Happywall Shop are printed in and ship from Sweden, AND they offer Free Shipping! Keep scrolling down to find direct links to these designs in my Happywall Shop!

Below is just one of the pics I used as inspiration from my studio garden!

Happywall Shop
If you're located in Europe and would like to find my "Lacecap Hydrangeas" Wallpaper closer to home, you can also find them in my Happywall Shop (click the images below). All walllpapers from my Happywall Shop are printed in and ship from Sweden, AND they offer Free Shipping!

]]><![CDATA[My Graphic Tee Design for the 2026 Flowering 5K Race in Washington DC...Cherry Blossoms!]]>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 23:45:27 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/my-graphic-tee-design-for-the-2026-flowering-5k-race-in-washington-dccherry-blossomsHappy to show you some pics from the 2026 Flowering 5K Race organized by The Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) in Washington DC (race day was March 22 2026)! I've designed several Graphic Tees for FONA over the last few years for both their Spring and Fall 5K races. It's been a fun ongoing collab!
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AND: What's the story behind the Flowering 5K design? The 2026 Flowering 5K t-shirt showcases two flowering cherry tree cultivars the National Arboretum has bred and released into the American nursery industry:
🌸 Prunus 'Helen Taft' was introduced in 2012 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the cherry tree plantings in D.C.'s Tidal Basin. It's named after First Lady Helen Taft who championed this planting.
🌸 Prunus 'First Lady' was introduced in 2003, and has vibrant, dark rose-pink flowers that hang downward — a vibrant contrast to the soft colors of other flowering cherries.

All photos courtesy of FONA.

]]><![CDATA[Illustrators For Hire Feature Today!]]>Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:18:10 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/illustrators-for-hire-feature-todaySo wonderful to be featured by ILLUSTRATORS FOR HIRE today! With thanks to Salli and Nate!
Have a look at the feature HERE!

]]><![CDATA[CREATIVEHOWL's "12 Swimwear Print Designers to Hire for Your Next Collection"]]>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:36:18 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/creativehowls-12-swimwear-print-designers-to-hire-for-your-next-collectionI've been featured (along with 11 other fantastic pattern designers!) in Creativehowl's list of their "favourite" swimwear print designers!
Have a look for some swimwear and resort wear inspiration and the full feature HERE!

]]><![CDATA[The Next Spoonflower Design Challenge is: "Beachy Boho"!]]>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:53:41 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/the-next-spoonflower-design-challenge-is-beachy-bohoYou might ask how I came up with the name for my brand new bohemian floral surface pattern design, which I’m calling “Ophelia Boho Blossoms”. Well, I created it for the upcoming Spoonflower "Beachy Boho” Design Challenge which suggested intricate florals and “calming hues in watery, denim blues and sandy beiges”, so that’s the Boho Blossoms part of the name. And I happened to be listening to the 1970s song “Ophelia” by The Band when I was thinking about a name, and I thought, hmmm, somehow “Ophelia” fits this floral design! So there, the truth behind how I come up with names for (some) of my pattern designs!
Public voting for this Challenge opens Thursday March 26 and you can link to the VOTING PAGE here!

]]><![CDATA[I've Entered My "Mediterranean Sea Fish" Pattern Design in the Spoonflower "Mediterranean Hues" Design Challenge!]]>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 20:48:12 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/ive-entered-my-mediterranean-sea-fish-pattern-design-in-the-spoonflower-mediterranean-hues-design-challengeEDIT: My "Mediterranean Sea Fish" was voted 33rd out of 1735 entries in this Challenge, placing it in the Top 100! With thanks to all who voted!
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The current Spoonflower Design Challenge is “Mediterranean Hues”, and I’ve just entered my brand new “Mediterranean Sea Fish” surface pattern design in the Challenge! I had a hard time, OF COURSE, choosing just one or even a few colours, so I just used a whole bunch...Shades of Blue (Sky Blue! Cobalt! Teal!), Green (Olive! Leafy Kale!), Yellow (Sunny! Ochre!), Warm Tones (Clay Pink! Tuscan Red!) and some Neutrals (Sand! Limestone!) How much fun was this one? ALOT.
Public voting for this Challenge opens today Thursday March 12 and you can link to the Voting Page HERE. I'd love your vote for this one!
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And if you'd like to SHOP this design in my Spoonflower Shop on Fabrics, Wallpaper and Home Decor, here are direct links for each SCALE now available...
Large-Scale: Click HERE!
Medium-Scale: Click HERE!
Small-Scale: Click HERE!

My "Mediterranean Sea Fish" surface pattern design is now also available on Wallpaper in my Happywall Shop too!

]]><![CDATA[Bold "Heirloom Tomatoes" for the Spoonflower "Farmers Market" Design Challenge!]]>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:42:45 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/bold-heirloom-tomatoes-for-the-spoonflower-farmers-market-design-challengeFor the current Spoonflower “Farmers Market” Design Challenge, I was playing with ideas around the kinds of fruits and vegetables you might find in a typical Summer weekend farmers market, like tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, greens and carrots. I started with sketching a “typical” tomato with a smooth round shape which frankly I was finding a bit uninteresting. But then I found some pictures of heirloom tomatoes in lots of different colours from red, orange, yellow, green to purple-ish, with striped variegations and much more interesting puffy irregular shapes, and kinda got stuck on drawing a bunch of these! So the brand new vegetable surface pattern design I created for the Challenge ended up being just “Heirloom Tomatoes”! But I must create more pattern designs like this featuring fun visually interesting foods, maybe artichokes or green leafy veggies or tropical fruits or fish...)!
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Public voting for this Challenge opened Thursday Feb 26 and closes Tuesday March 10. You can link to the Voting Page HERE!
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OH, and then I thought my new “Heirloom Tomatoes” pattern design would make fun and very challenging Puzzle Art! But I digress...

]]><![CDATA[I've Entered My New "Wildflower Collage" Print Design in Spoonflower's "Wildflower Collage" Design Challenge!]]>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 23:00:30 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/ive-entered-my-new-wildflower-collage-print-design-in-spoonflowers-wildflower-collage-design-challengeI’ve just entered my brand new “Wildflower Collage” surface pattern design in the Spoonflower (ahem) “Wildflower Collage” Design Challenge! I know, I know, I could have come up with a more “unique” name, but I thought it suited this new floral print design just fine! Voting is now open until Tuesday Feb 24, and you can link to the Voting Page HERE!

]]><![CDATA[My Entry for the Spoonflower "Country Retro" Design Challenge Was"Flower Apples"!]]>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 22:51:36 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/my-entry-for-the-spoonflower-country-retro-design-challenge-wasflower-applesSorry for the late notice but...I’ve been meaning to add to my “Lemon Slices” and “Ripe Strawberries” print designs to create a fun series of fruit-themed repeat patterns for a long time, but never had time to get back to it. But I thought the Spoonflower “Country Retro” Design Challenge (voting now closed) was a good excuse to get to it. So here’s my brand new bouncy “Flower Apples” print design! I think these 3 designs together would make a pretty fun set of kitchen linens!
BUT then I thought I needed to pair each of these bouncy fruits with some coordinating country decor checkerboard designs too...See below to see them all! AND you can find them all in one place in my "Bouncy Fruits Series" Collection in my Spoonflower Shop!

]]><![CDATA[My Entry for the Spoonflower "Craft Maximalism" Design Challenge!]]>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:06:30 GMThttps://www.unblinkstudio.com/blog/my-entry-for-the-spoonflower-craft-maximalism-design-challengeMy brand new folk art-inspired “Circle Craft” surface pattern design is full of sketchy hand-drawn abstract circles in a Maximalist Red palette! Although I finished it before Christmas, I just entered it in the next Spoonflower “Craft Maximalism” Design Challenge! It did take a LONG time to get the colours just right, but heck! I love the process!
If you'd like to vote in this Challenge, you can link to the Voting Page HERE! Public voting closes Tuesday Jan 20 2026. I'd love your vote for this one as always! AND Happy New Year!!

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