Seasonal Moodboard: Spring into Creativity

Summer color palette and sardine can sketches in a spiral-bound sketchbook, surrounded by Caran d’Ache pencils, gouache swatches, and Dr. Ph. Martin’s watercolor.

There’s something sacred about watching spring turn into summer—the light feels different, the air shifts, and suddenly color takes center stage.

This season, I’ve been feeling inspired by vibrant warmth and refreshing coolness—those first sips of lemonade, a splash in the pool, the feeling of being barefoot in the grass after a long day.

My Summer-Inspired Color Palette

My swatch and mixing card that I keep for reference.

The colors calling to me right now are full of joy and boldness:

• French Ultramarine, Vermillion, and Coral Red

• Shell Pink, Leaf & Olive Greens, Ochre, and of course, my forever favorite: Aqua

• Pops of fluorescents—just enough to wake things up and bring the whole palette to life

I’ve found myself rewatching Luca and dreaming of the Amalfi Coast—where citrus tones meet turquoise water and stone walls glow in the sun. It’s that contrast of hot and cool that’s fueling my creative flow.

Creative Rituals in Bloom

My current ritual? Just being outside. Watering my plants barefoot in the grass has become a way to release the weight of the world. Clearing out closets, shelves, and even thoughts has helped me reconnect with myself.

In many ways, this moodboard reflects that desire to feel refreshed—creatively and emotionally.

A Peek into What I’m Creating

I’m still working out this month’s Patreon postcard and sticker, and I’ve been playing with the vintage sardine packaging trend—trying to find my unique take on it. This post marks my first attempt at documenting that process. I usually just share the finished result, but I want to get better about bringing you into the journey.

I’ll be sharing the final piece with my patrons later this month—and if you want to receive art like this in your mailbox each month, I’d love for you to join us. 💌

👉 Become a Patron

A Final Thought for June

“Let it be light.”
Not empty. Not weightless. But free. Unburdened.
Let your art—and your life—feel just a little lighter this season.

How to Start an Art & Soul Journal

Join the Starthistle & Quartz community and receive my 365 Art & Soul Journal with Prompts

Somewhere between your to-do lists and big dreams, your creative soul is whispering: “Can we play now?”
That’s where the Art & Soul Journal comes in.

This isn’t your typical journal. It’s a gentle, creative, meditative practice—a space to stay present with yourself while expressing what's in your heart, through simple, soulful drawing prompts. Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting out, this journal will meet you right where you are.

What Makes This Journal So Special?

The Art & Soul Journal includes 365 creative prompts designed to help you:

• Relax and de-stress

• Reignite your imagination

• Nurture your inner artist

• Explore your emotions gently and playfully

It's beautifully designed, filled with inspiring quotes, and encourages you to show up as you are. Use your favorite supplies or just a simple pencil—this is your space to create, connect, and reflect.

How I Use My Journal

I journal in the evenings, usually with a cup of magnesium cocoa and a cozy playlist or podcast in the background. I lay out my art supplies (I love making it feel like “playtime”) and flip open to a prompt that sparks something in me.

One of my favorites? “Draw your soul.”
It changes every time I revisit it—and I love that.

How to Begin Your Practice

There are no rules—only invitations. You can:

• Start at the beginning and move through day by day

• Flip through and find a prompt that speaks to you

• Match your journal entry to today’s date (for example, June 3rd is Day 155—try responding to prompt #155!)

The journal is here to guide you, not pressure you. Begin anywhere, and let the journey unfold.

Share Your Journey with Us

We’d love to see how your journal evolves! Tag me on Instagram at @starthistle.and.quartz and use the hashtag #ArtAndSoulSQ to share your pages, rituals, and reflections.

Let’s build a creative community—one page at a time.

Making Magic at the Dining Room Table

Limited space doesn’t mean limited creativity.

I used to dream of the perfect art studio.

In my mind, I pictured big windows spilling natural light over an open floor plan, where I could move effortlessly from painting to jewelry-making to admin tasks. I saw tall walls holding in-progress pieces, a cozy corner with vintage chairs and a hand-painted coffee table. A spot for my husband to care for his bonsai. A nook for my kids to work on their art beside me.

And while that space still lives in my heart, the truth is—I create from my dining room table. And honestly? It’s kind of magical.

A Real Life Creative Setup

My dining room has quietly become the beating heart of Starthistle & Quartz. During the day, it’s where we eat and share time as a family. In the evenings, I roll over my art carts, rearrange a few bins, and light my favorite brass lamp.

Suddenly, the ordinary becomes sacred.

I place my crystals—rose quartz, citrine, labradorite—next to my sketchbook. I pull out my Neocolors and Holbein gouache. I put on a podcast or soft music, sip on my magnesium hot chocolate, and just... begin.

It’s not glamorous. I shuffle things around constantly. I lose brushes. My kids sometimes wander in to ask for snacks. But when I sit down and start to draw, I remember that creative practice doesn’t need perfection—it just needs presence.

The Reality Behind the Dream

Sometimes I do feel sad or frustrated. I thought I’d have a studio by now. I see the dreamy Pinterest setups and feel a pang of envy.

But I also remind myself of something I believe deeply:

Limitation is magic.
When we’re constrained by space, time, or resources, we often become more creative. We adapt. We experiment. We lean into intuition and learn to work with what’s in front of us.

And that’s where the magic lives.

How I Stay Inspired in an Imperfect Space

To keep the spark alive, I turn my sketchbook into a space of encouragement. I use stickers I’ve made for past collections to decorate the covers and pages—little reminders that what starts small can grow into something beautiful.

Some of my best ideas have come from these late-night sessions. Many of the pieces I work on at this table become mini collections for my Patreon, where I share them with my community. Some never see the light of day. But all of them matter—because they represent a moment where I chose to show up.

For the Creative Woman Without a Studio

If you’re waiting for the “perfect setup” to begin, I want to gently offer this:

Let your dream space be your North Star, not your starting line. Let it inspire you to create, not stop you from starting.

Creativity isn’t about waiting until everything is organized, clean, or Instagram-ready. It’s about showing up in the midst of life’s mess. It’s about making art with your elbows on the dining table, crystals beside your coffee, and your heart open to whatever wants to emerge.

The most powerful thing you can do is begin—right here, right now, just as you are.

Because I promise:
Magic can happen at the dining room table.

I’m living proof.

Rituals for Creative Women: A Nightly Practice I Cherish

What makes an ordinary task a ritual? When it feels like it feeds your soul on every level.

There’s something deeply grounding about ending the day with a ritual that feeds your soul. For me, that ritual is art. Every night, no matter how the day has gone, I return to my sketchbook, my soft cardigan, and a quiet, cozy corner of my home—and I let the magic begin.

I call it my creative anchor. It begins with my art supplies—my favorite sketchbooks, Neocolor pastels, and Holbein gouache. With a warm cup of magnesium hot chocolate in hand and music or a beloved podcast playing, I let myself just play. There’s no pressure here—only joy.

Fresh flowers sit nearby. My crystals—labradorite, citrine, rose quartz—are placed with intention. And my favorite candle, Night Garden by Blythe Starlight, fills the space with gentle scent, setting the tone for a slow descent into creativity and calm.

Some of the pieces I create during these sessions turn into exclusive mini collections for my Patreon community. Others are just for me—to explore, to express, to stay connected to the joy of making.

After art, I dry brush, enjoy a salt bath, and unwind with a soothing skincare ritual. This is how I end my day—with intention, presence, and artful self-care.

Tips for Building Your Own Creative Ritual

If you’re looking to create a ritual of your own, here are a few gentle prompts to get you started:

1. Start Small

Begin with 10–15 minutes in your day that’s just for you. Light a candle, open a sketchbook, or simply write a few lines in a journal.

2. Make It Sensory

Incorporate scents, textures, and sounds that calm or inspire you—music, incense, your favorite tea, or a cozy sweater can all become part of your ritual.

3. Keep It Sacred

Even if it’s short, treat this time as sacred. Turn off notifications. Let it be a quiet, soul-nourishing space.

4. Use Visual Cues

Surround yourself with beauty—fresh flowers, inspiring art prints, or a sticker that reminds you of your creative intention.

5. Let Go of Outcomes

Your ritual doesn’t need to produce anything. The goal is connection, not perfection. Let yourself play and explore.

This post is a love letter to all creative women who crave more meaning in their day. Your ritual doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to feel like you.

Welcome to the Magic

Hello and welcome! I’m Therese Tucker—artist, dreamer, and the hands behind Starthistle & Quartz. I’m so glad you’ve landed here.

color studies from my sketchbook

This little corner of the internet is where art, story, and soul meet. Starthistle & Quartz is my love letter to women who crave both beauty and meaning in the everyday. It's for those who wake early to journal under soft light, who light candles while planning their week, and who know that self-expression is a sacred act.

The name was born during a magical family trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where the words “Starthistle” and “Quartz” leapt from a shelf of imaginary potions and instantly felt like home—whimsical, natural, and utterly enchanting. That’s what I want this brand to feel like: a place of wonder grounded in intention.

Right now, you’ll find exclusive postcard-style prints and stickers in my Patreon shop, but behind the scenes, I’m building something much bigger—prints, accessories, stationery (my love!), and even home goods are on the way.

My biggest dream? To see Starthistle & Quartz in the windows of Anthropologie, sitting right next to that dreamy sardine can styling I’m completely obsessed with.

I hope this blog becomes a gentle pause in your day—a place for stories, creativity, and soulful inspiration. You’re always welcome here.