Leather bag searching

In a little over 2 weeks I will be turning 29 ...again...

Though I never throw a party. besides asking my family over for dinner, I loooooove getting spoiled with presents. Where most people have no idea what to ask if someone asks their birthday wishes..

..I do not really have that problem. Books, candles, DVD's, notebooks, art supply, it all makes me happy. But when J. asks me what I would like for my birthday this year, I always try to come up with something special.

Last year when I turned 29 for the second time, he gave me something to never forget. My EOS 1000D camera. How I love that camera! This year I came up with something else.

Two years ago I bought a leather bag in New York for 20 dollars. Yep, only 20 dollars. It is lasting for 2 years already and is still good to go, but frankly I am getting bored with it. So, I am asking for a new leather handbag. But what to choose?


That's where you come in. My bag needs to be special. Not one you can buy everywhere. So I started looking on Etsy in the handmade section. But there's too much to choose from. So, why don't you hop over to www.etsy.com and let me know what leather handbag you would choose from Etsy. Help me find the needle in the haystack. And don't forget to enjoy the Etsy ride. Try not to get too distracted...

Oh I can't wait to read your comments!

Celtic knot in a mandala

End September my second season in giving courses on how to draw a mandala starts. Last year was my first year and then I limited myself to only teaching people the basics in 11 lessons. Since that all went well and course members were enthousiastic - and myself as well not to forget!- I am now writing a new course. Celtic knots in a mandala. The drawing I made here is just 1 example of what is possible when you know how to draw a Celtic knot. Let's say I was in a pink mood when I drew this.

People always ask me how long it takes to draw something like this. Well, this one I made on A4 size paper only. Normally I make a mandala on A3 size. But this smaller one (9 cm diameter) took me about 5 hours. Setting up the drawig takes most time, but then the next fun part starts and that is the coloring. I am still trying to improve myself there with the shades and all.

This Saturday I attend an art fair in the city I was born, Roosendaal, which is in the South of Holland, near Belgium. For the Dutchies, if you wish to visit, it is from 10am to 4 pm on the Nieuwe Markt in Roosendaal and my stand number is 8.
Hope to see you there! I will have a nice gift for every visitor.

Wolf and the 7 goats

A little while ago, I laid my hands on 6 beautiful vintage prints of the fairy-tale the Wolf and the 7 goats. I have the original prints for sale in my Etsy shop, but I also created a freebie for you to download and print. I am sure you can find a use for them in your craft. Of course I would love to know your plan with these 6 pretty pictures. Or even see the result maybe!

You can download the free printable by clicking here.

Being a DJ's girl

It is almost 8 years ago since we met. He should have introduced himself as: Hi, I am J. and I make a lot of noise. No, he is not a talking type. Actually, I do most of the talking. But then again, who beats me at talking? See, that's how easy I drift off.

When I met J. we were 20 something and he was playing bass guitar in a band with 2 high school friends. As he had no license, no car, I drove him around the country. Him and his guitar.

The band split up years ago already and for the past few years J. has begun a new hobby. Still music though. He now DJ's at clubs. No longer as a hobby, but as part of his profession. That's one thing I am jealous of. He worked to make his living out of his hobby. I am happy that he decided to go for his drivers license 6 years ago so now I do not have to come with him all the time. I am telling you, the hours of a DJ are not good for my skin. Or health. Or mood swings.

First it was being a club DJ, but now he stitched it up to mixing music. See, a lot of noise even though he does not talk much. Currently J. is working on a mixing project that I will be secretive about. The band's name is Bep if you use only the first letters of the words in the name and the lyrics are about a feeling. As is every other song. It is that same song that is driving me insane. I used to love it. Now I know there is a thin line between love and hate. Hearing parts of it over and over and over again. And over again. Know that his working space is the attic and that I am 1 floor down in my office. With the door closed.

Should we ever have kids, I will give up this room and we will start sharing the attic. Maybe I should invest in ear plugs. And buy stocks of the ear plug producing company. Definitely I will be needing a lot of plugs then.

But, I am also proud of him. Whenever a song is ready, a mix is done, I love him again. And the song. Here's one tribute mix to Michael Jackson where J. really knew what he was doing. It was broadcasted several times on the radio.

Only 3 more days until I am proud and loving again. That's when the deadline for this new mix is. Thank God for deadlines.

Custom made touch phone case

Since this week I am the proud owner of the Android phone HTC Hero. A beautiful touch smart phone. While I am still getting to know my new friend and what it can do for me, I ordered it a pretty new home.

All the standard pouches, sleeves and cases are SO boring! So I turned to the always surprising Etsy store where I searched through handmade cases for touch phones. The choice there is surprising and far from black and men orientated. I was even hard to make up my mind on which one I wanted my new friend to be safe in.

Then I found the store of Manila; thameowdesigns.etsy.com and was attracted to the fabric with the mandala's. I convod her because the article was made for fitting an iPhone and the HTC Hero measurements are slightly off. She replied same day that she could make it fit my gadget, so I purchased this gorgeous case. Now all I have to do is try to be patient until I receive it. I will of course let you know and show off how darn good my friend Hero fits it's new jacket.

By the way. Today is the last day before I have a whole week off from work. And since we choose not to go anywhere this time, I will make time to fill up my Etsy store and finally get around some crafting. I am aiming to get at least 1, maybe 2 of my ideas worked out.