My first 100 stack of pattern designs started when I wanted to create something special for my son to do in his origami folding. The following year I started my Studio Art Degree Program at St. Edward's University and was told by my painting teacher that I could paint whatever I wanted. I was so used to the corporate world and non-creative coursework that it took me a minute to even think about what I would want to do. My assumption was, like every other paint class I'd been in that I "should" do a still life. I put together an interesting one, but I never DID finish that still life or really had an interest in it.
When I saw I could truly do what I wanted to do, I decided to take some of those unused origami patterns I made and paint those. Thus started a long foray of pattern designing. I'd do all my required assignments, but in my free time I'd check out as many art books as I could from the library (usually about 14 at a time).
I got a stack of xerox or computer copy paper and opened one of the books to the first page that interested me. As I examined the shapes and colors that attracted me I began designing. I drew until I exhausted all the possibilities from that one page, producing many individual designs. Once I felt I couldn't think of any more - my reward was to turn the page and start again.
Throughout my schooling there as time allowed, I repeated the process. I continued to check out books and spent most of my weekend time drawing in that manner. In this way I drew up 4000 rough designs. I went back and completed those I felt were worth finishing (and I only know because I decided to count them/I knew there were a lot!) and there were at that time 2000 completed designs until I got to clay class and that is another story!