see you next year!

Everything is ready for tonight:
movies, yummy food and a boyfriend :D

Happy new year everyone!

two diaries?!

Yes, I'm aware that you don't need two diaries for 2010, but I really, really couldn't resist this diary with drawings from Russian children's book. I tried, but I just couldn't! At first I saw it at a bookstore, but didn't buy it. Then I saw it again at another store, but didn't buy it. A couple of weeks later I stumbled upon it again at the Hermitage in Amsterdam.... and this time I was weak. And now I'm thinking what to do with two diaries :D This one is almost too beautiful to use!

snow white

must-see-monday : design blogs

Maybe you have more free time to spend this time of the year, maybe you'll need some inspiration for next year, maybe you just want to lose yourself and forget about time while browsing through lovely blogs (this happens to me every now and then!) ....

There are a lot of reasons to check the UK Times Online list of 50 of the world's best design blogs!

You'll find some well-known blogs like Modish, Sweet Paul and Poppytalk, but there were also lots of blogs I never heard of. Enjoy :)

weekly happy stats

Ooh where to start with happy things? Needless to say I love my time off from work! I enjoy the slow start of these days, spend my time mostly inside and only go outside when necessary (groceries!), and just do whatever I want to.

I still have lots of projects on my mind like working on my mamutopia layout (already did a lot, the apple is finally gone!), updating my etsy, trying to work with Illustrator and visiting family. So lucky me, there's another week like this ahead of me! :)

it's christmas!

A nice and warm christmas to you all!

display your favourite cards

Usually I don't buy much stuff for my home, but this rack was on my mind for months. I finally decided to buy it and now I'm totally in love with it! At first I used it to display all my favourite cards, but it didn't satisfy me. There were just too many different colours and designs.

I thought about making cards myself but couldn't find the energy to take out all my paper scraps and actually make them. But last sunday I was on a roll and made all 21 cards! I like it much better this way, it's so peaceful :)

christmas cards

This year I decided to make my own Christmas Cards. They don't have the traditional colours, but I like it that way. I hope everyone who receives one likes it as much as I do :)

knock knock : secret santa!

A while ago I took part in a Secret Santa swap played by the European Etsy Team and last week I received my gift: three lovely pears made by Apol from La Pomme. Yay! I already knew her store and her pears were my favourite! The letters spell love of course, but at first I thought it was velo as in French bike, hihi. I like them both :) Thanks Apol for your cute gift and thanks ArtMind for organizing everything!

weekly happy stats : only one!

  

This week I felt a bit lost: it was really busy at work and home, I wasn't feeling too well and seemed to be behind with everything. I spent my free time mostly sleeping and staring out of the window. I'm happy to say I'm doing much better now. Hmm, maybe it has something to do with the start of my holiday? :D I have two weeks off from work! Two whole weeks! I already made lots of plans. Today I'll start by putting my home in a christmas mood and I'll go to a birthday later this afternoon. A good start I'd say! :)

Have a nice weekend!

some colour inspiration

sweet song

I'm sticking with you

Listen here!

must-see-monday : missy kulik

While browsing through my Etsy favourites I rediscovered Missy Kulik, a graphic designer with a super cute shop. She's extremely versatile: from zines to badges and from jewelry to softies, she creates it all! And don't forget Tofu baby :)

weekly happy stats

It was hard to find some things this week, but here they are!

an ode to me and you

Cutest print in the world!

And it's on my desk!

Designed by The Small Object

apple rain

must-see-monday : miki sato

Ooh, you have to see these beautiful designs by Miki Sato!

Check her blog for more designs.

weekly happy stats

in search for the red

happy mail day

Look what I received!

Two comics from Sam Spina.

A while ago I stumbled upon this blog called Spina doodles where Sam Spina posts really short comics about his life. I immediately browsed through the whole blog to read them all, because they're so fun to read! He reminds me of one of my favourites, Jeffrey Brown. Of course I had to buy his little books. Too bad I already finished them :)

The envelope made me laugh (why aren't envelopes always like that?) and then there was this note which made me smile even more:

Thanks Sam, this package made my day!

must-see-monday : o-check design graphics

Is it strange to fall in love with notebooks, envelopes and paper?

Every once in a while I discover something beautiful, something that inspires me and makes me feel good. It can be anything, but right now I've fallen in love with O-Check Design Graphics, a Korean brand. Their collection of stationery is so simple and beautiful, but also functional. Even the photography is oh so inspiring; everything looks so lovely and somewhat peaceful.

Take a look at the catalogue to see more!

Sometimes I wish my home was on the other side of the world...

weekly happy stats

yay for homework?!

My decision to go to a graphic design class was a good one! I'm learning a lot and even enjoying my homework... well, most of the time that is :) The photoshop part has just ended, but I'm still struggling to visualize exactly what's in my head. And since I'm such a perfectionist this is sometimes really annoying! It's all about practice, practice and even some more practice. So guess what I'll be doing these days?

It's a Dutch saying,

and I don't believe there's a proper English translation.

some happiness in the morning

Hooray, my pictures were used in the Storque, Etsy's handmade blog!!

a decorated notebook

Lately I haven't spend much time on crafting. My days were filled with other things, but also I didn't feel much like making my regular things. I don't know why but they don't satisfy me anymore at the moment. Maybe my taste has changed? Anyway, after a couple of weeks without craft but with ideas buzzing in my head, I suddenly felt the need to make something. I took a plain notebook and started to decorate it. And it was fun, just doing something you like without any pressure. And my notebook is a lot nicer :)

must-see-monday : camilla engman : the suitcase series

Oooh I want!

weekly happy stats

Hey, it's already time for a new list!

Oh and now my secret santa package has arrived, go see it at Babongo's blog!

oh no!

My favourite bag is falling apart, so sad.

is it christmas already?

The European Etsy Street Team plays Secret Santa!

So much fun! My sneak peek:

She likes to sew, loves anything cute,

red is a favourite colour and chocolate... well, that's obvious :)

I was planning to make just one thing,

but I couldn't choose so I ended up with several presents.

But I don't think that's a bad thing, right?

See the flickr group for more pictures!

must-see-monday : world's smallest postal service

Isn't this the best?!

The World's Smallest Postal Service, what an idea :D

a great way to start your day

Give me something to eat, a cup of coffee and Uppercase Magazine

and I'm pretty much satisfied!

weekly happy stats

Happy thoughts!