I flipped through the pages that I marked up during a very different time in my life—I was in college trying to figure out what my own creativity meant, and this book was a huge influence on me then.

Sitting there re-reading different chapters, I came across an exercise Twyla calls “Chaos and Coins”.

She uses coins as a creative warm up, tossing them across a surface and arranging them into harmonious patterns, chasing what’s pleasing to her in that moment.

She goes on to say how this little mental warm up is the essence of creativity. There’s a number of possibilities, but only one solution that looks inevitable. She uses coins to feel more optimistic about resolving disorder (yes!)

That’s exactly what I’ve created with my work! When I’m moving colorful shapes, I’m engaging in the act of creating, knowing I’ll eventually turn the chaos of colors into something I find delight in and that lifts my spirits 🤗

It’s not uncommon for me to question what I’m doing and why I’m so obsessed with these moveable shapes. But finding this page in the book (and knowing I read it years ago!) has given me some needed encouragement— you’re not the only one that finds this helpful, Allie! Keep going!

Yesterday, as I was daydreaming, I started to reflect on my own schedule of work and creation. In the winter months, with less sunlight, I’m often working and creating less. I find myself reflecting and turning inward. Whereas now, in the heart of summer, I’m full of energy to make, spending late evenings in the garage tinkering around or painting something.

I started to wonder: could the seasons guide the cadence at which I create? Which, I imagine, isn’t a new concept (please share if you have found others speaking about this!). But it is new to me, and to how I typically work.

Here’s what I’m thinking:

One thing I love about this cycle is how it gives me permission to explore something new each year! Each cycle brings new threads to unwind and make a mess with 🤗 (how cool!).

Threads for 2026

So far this year I’ve got three threads unraveling. My plan is to start using this space to document what I make and how things evolve. I hope you’ll join me on this experiment!

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🛝 Thread 1: The fabrication of shape puzzle boards.

It all started as a gift for my dear friend 's daughter, Lola, for her 2nd birthday. On one side, you'd place the shapes into their respective homes. The other side was a blank magnetic canvas you could use like a fridge to arrange the shapes (which were magnetic) any way you like. I've refined the design through a few iterations, and key user feedback from Lola, and even started designing mini boards that I keep next to my desk or travel with and use when I want to unplug and play with color and compositions. Next is getting these out to those who want their own!

🛝 Thread 2: The meditation of arranging shapes

One thing I love about moving shapes is its calming effect on me. Literally how I feel in the moment of choosing different colors and moving them around one another. This March, during my birthday party, I had a little shape-arranging station. Using simple pre-cut paper shapes, people could create their own arrangements, gluing them down on paper canvases. But, I felt I could have provided more guidance, and questioned if glueing them down was necessary. So later that spring, at a work retreat, I led a small group through the practice of arranging those same paper shapes around different prompts, like “Comfort” or “Fizzy.” This time you wouldn’t glue the shapes down. It was all about being in the moment, not the finished product. I’ve also been using the paper shapes as a solo practice for myself in the mornings as I sip coffee to tap into how I’m feeling.

🛝 Thread 3: Interactive Grid

My latest thread, which is still in the works, explores movable squares— instead of my original noodle like curves. Imagine a colorful tapestry of colored tiles on your wall that you can move and re-arrange when ever you like. Cool right!

For the rest of this summer, I want to create the space to fully expand and explore these ideas. Similar to the experience we had as kids in summer, with no classes or homework. Just long days of playing. For now, this creative practice isn’t full-time. I still spend most of my days on a computer working with product teams designing software. But who knows, maybe one day that will change ✨