From Doodles to Dollars® Workbook — Your First Repeating Pattern, One Baby Step at a Time

Turn a simple black and white doodle into a real repeating pattern in Adobe Illustrator — with every single click written out for you. I learned this at 58 with zero design training, and I've broken the whole process into baby steps with screenshots so you can check your work at every stage. If you love clear, step-by-step written instructions, this workbook was made for you.

What's inside your 44-page workbook:

  • Lesson 1: Sketch & Import — doodle-friendly sketching and photography tips (with real do's and don'ts), plus how to get your doodles into Illustrator
  • Lesson 2: Image Trace & Color — turn doodles into crisp digital artwork, with 3 ways to add color (including one that colors outside the lines!)
  • Lesson 3: Create Your Pattern — my 3 Golden Rules that make your pattern repeat seamlessly, every time
  • Lesson 4: Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them — troubleshoot the black line, the checkerboard, and the cut-off motif like a pro
  • Plus: Adobe Illustrator keyboard shortcuts chart and a 34-step quick-reference checklist

No experience needed — don't have Illustrator yet? The workbook includes instructions for how to get a free 7-day trial.