Feature Friday: Patterned Olive

Okay, typically I read my friends submissions waaay ahead of time, but I didn't this time and OMG. I just read through it as I copied everything over from my email, and everything in today's post is pretty dang awesome! I'm so happy to be sharing about Alaina Newhouse today, from @patternedolive. I met Alaina through instagram (haha i know, surprise surprise!) We originally started talking after being in the same Spoonflower challenge back in 2022...and we've just kept the conversation going since then! It really is one of the neatest things to have a friend who lives on the other side of the country get you and what you're all about!

Watching Alaina consistently show up in this online space, reach out to companies, and homeschool her kids, inspires me to do the same and KEEP GOING! You're going to love her southern charm and hearing about some of her background!

Hey there! I’m Alaina Newhouse, the creative behind Patterned Olive, based in sunny South Carolina. I’ve always had a passion for sewing and textiles, but when I discovered Surface Pattern Design and realized I could create my own fabrics—well, I was completely hooked! My work is often inspired by beautiful botanicals and my deep love for the ocean. You can usually find me in my cozy home studio or outside playing in the garden with my littles.

How did you fall into art?

Creativity has been in my life for as long as I can remember, and I definitely got that from my mom. She was always painting, crafting, and making our home beautiful—our friends even used to call her Martha Stewart! Naturally, that artistic spirit rubbed off on me.

I started sewing around age 9 or 10, and I was absolutely in love with it. After high school, I was accepted into SCAD’s Fashion Design program. But when I visited and heard a professor talk about how the fashion world often means little time for family, it didn’t sit right with me. So, I pivoted into the medical field. My two passions have always been art and science, but after I had kids, the pull to return to art was too strong to ignore. When I found fabric design, I knew I’d come full circle—and I couldn’t be happier with the journey that led me back here.

What’s your favorite medium to work in?

I don’t really have one! But I do love to watercolor. Honestly, if I can get my hands on art supplies—whether it’s clay, fabric, or yarn—I’m down!

Favorite tool?

For art, it’s got to be my iPad and Procreate. But for my small business, I couldn’t live without my large acrylic wall calendar. I’m a big fan of annual planning, and I love being able to erase and move things around—because let’s be real, life happens, haha!

Any fun projects you’re working on?

I’m currently working on some new prints for LainSnow (Insta here)! If you haven’t heard of her, you’re missing out! I’ve been a fan for years, and now I get to design prints for them, which is so fun. Becca, the founder, is an absolute gem, and she makes the best swimsuits—especially for moms. One of the coolest moments this year was seeing a print I designed for her walk down the Sports Illustrated runway at Miami Swim Week! I had to pinch myself when I saw it on TV!

Another exciting project is the launch of Envision, a membership for Small Business Mamas. It’s a space where we can come together, get unstuck in our work and home lives, and support one another. We’ll have workshops, hot seats, live Q&As, and guest speakers—who are all amazing business-owning mamas that have found balance between work and family. I’m so excited to kick things off in October!

What’s something you’d tell your younger self, that you wish you would’ve known sooner?

I’d tell myself to embrace the season of life you’re in. There’s no way I could have run my business the way I do now when my kids were newborns. When they were babies, I took tiny baby steps toward my dreams, but I never stopped. Those little steps, year after year, really add up. If you’re thinking about giving up—don’t! Pivot if you need to, but keep going. You never know what’s just around the corner.

What do you love to do when you’re not creating art?

My daily non-negotiable is working out. Even if it’s just a 20-minute walk in the neighborhood, it clears my head. I love getting to the gym early, at 5:00 am, because once I get home, the rest of my day is dedicated to my family and business.

I also homeschool my kids, which gives us the freedom and flexibility in our schedules. It’s not for everyone, but it works for our family. Some of the best advice I can give is to do what’s best for your family. There’s always going to be someone who thinks you’re doing it wrong—whether you’re a working mom or a stay-at-home mom, homeschooling or sending your kids to school. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to do what feels right for you. 

What’s your favorite social media platform?

Definitely Instagram! I’m super visual, so I love all the photos and videos. I’ve met some incredible people through the platform that I never would have connected with otherwise. It’s been such a blessing personally and professionally.

Where can people find you?

Instagram: @patternedolive

Website: Patternedolive.com

Facebook: Patternedolive

Fabric Suppliers: Hopland Fabrics, Spoonflower, Raspberry Creek

30 Day Declutter Challenge: HERE! 

Envision waitlist: HERE!

Okay WOW. I knew I really liked Alaina, and I knew she was relatable, but I feel like we'd be best friends if she was my neighbor! Morning workouts are my jam too and definitely make me feel sane for the rest of the day (iykyk!). And she has such great feedback/tips splashed all throughout-like keep moving forward even if it's baby steps and feels like you aren't going anywhere! Learning how and when to pivot. Doing what's best for YOUR family...100% i feel these things to my core you guys!

Also, how insanely cool to have her work be on the Sports Illustrated Runway at Miami Swim Week! eeeek. I die. That would be the raddest thing to see my work on tv! Better go show Alaina some love and tell her I said hiiiii! :)

Have the best weekend!! If you want to read about more of my art friends, you can find those HERE. xo