Our living room

English below
Ik realiseerde me onlangs dat ik eigenlijk niet veel recente foto's van ons huis op dit blog heb geplaatst, met uitzondering van de babykamer. Dat komt omdat ons huis nog steeds niet helemaal klaar is. maar ik realiseer me inmiddels wel dat als ik wacht tot echt alles af is, ik kan wachten tot ik een ons weeg. Dus bij deze een paar foto's van de zithoek.


I realized I haven't showed many photos of our home here recently, except for the nursery. he reason is that it's still not finished. But I don't know if it ever will be, so for now some pictures of our living room as it is now.


BTW: the smaller font is due to new Blogger interface

The prettiest book

A couple of weeks ago it was my mums birthday and I bought her a book, 'Tikken tegen de maan'. Before I wrapped it, I read it myself and I found out how amazing this book is. I knew I had to show you because I'm sure most of you will love it, so I quickly took some pictures.

It is a collection of Dutch and Flemish poetry for children selected by Joke van Leeuwen (Dutch author, illustrator and performer). The poems are written by (relatively) well-known poets, and great on their own, but what I love about this book is that the publisher has asked starting talented -but not so well known- Dutch and Belgium illustrators to illustrate this book. When I see a book like this I'm so glad there are still small independent publishers like Ons Erfdeel.

Each spread is definitely worth framing, and there are 50! Needless to say, I had a hard time, giving this beauty away...

The risks and joys of buying online (2)

So, one more post about the risks of buying online and than back to something more positive.
First of all, the shop which never delivers my purchases apparently read my post and decided to refund after all, and send me some nice items and apologies. Of course I'm glad that that's over now, although that wasn't the reason for my post. The reason truly was that I couldn't get this experience out of my head and that I was really curious how you guys deal with situations like this.
Well, that question is answered too, because I've got a lot of reactions on my previous post, in the comments, e-mail, Twitter and IRL. It's clear that I'm not the only one with an experience like this. Luckily most of you say that it has happened only once, while they made many online purchases and that's the same for me. It is striking to me though that most of you say they have  never made that experience public, and the one person who did regets it. Only one person said we should make it public because it increases customer services at webshops in general.
The reasons for not telling about negative experiences are "not liking a negative athmosphere on your blog", "a negative comment on the internet is permanent" but also "because the seller might be popular among bloggers and a negative comment might shine back on you". You are the sweetest people really! I guess I had the same thoughts and that's why I never posted or tweeted about this before. But if it happens to me again I might tweet about it (in a constructive way if that's possible), that's less permanent than posting on a blog and it seems only fair since I also tweet about positive experiences.
Anyway, I'm glad it's over and out of my head now. Thanks for all your comments, here and elsewhere. I'll be back with a post about some beautiful stuff -a pretty children's book- soon!

The picture shows and old screenprint design by me

The risks and joys of buying online

You all know I love to buy from independent sellers online. I'm always looking for unique items to decorate my house. I've bought numerous prints on Etsy, and many handmade, vintage or other products in mostly Dutch webshops. Usually I recieved nice packages, really quick and more often than not nicely wrapped and with great extras.
I've always tried to spread the word about these shops and their amazing service on my blog and Twitter because I know shops like that can use all support.

However, I also once had a really bad experience which I can't get out of my head. I was still relatively new in online (indy) shopping when my friends gave me some money for my 30th birthday to buy something pretty for  my home. I bought a cushion and a towel at a Dutch online shop I had read about in Dutch magazines. It felt ok, since I also 'knew' the owner via our blogs (and now also Twitter). So I thought it was safe. Then, I never received my items. I have send a couple of emails, and the answer was always: ' I am waiting for a delivery from my agent'. After a couple of months I din't believe I would ever get it and asked for a refund. I never got my money, although I've kept asking.
This person is still active in the blogging community. I could meet her in person if I would go to meet-ups of Dutch bloggers, so it feels like someone I know has stolen my money. Now every time I buy something I feel hesitant.

The thing is, although I always tweet or post about good service, I've never done so about this bad experience. I've thought about it a hundred times, because I know some of you are still buying at this shop and are taking a risk of loosing their money.
Still it feels like it's 'not done' to do so, I don't know why. I guess one of the reasons is that I don't want to discourage anyone buying from Indie sellers, because in the end usually it is a great experience. I do know I wish someone had warned me.

So guys, whats, your opinion on this? Ever hesitated buying online? Ever had a bad experience? And did you share that experience online? Did you go to the police? I'm so curious for your thoughts!

Pretty books

I love beautifully designed books so when I run into these two books by Annette Tamarkin I had to take some pictures to show you.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

On the road (1)

Now I can post on this blog from my IPhone, I figured it would be so easy to make a series of things I see when I'm on the road. So this is part one, graffiti in Delft, where I live.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Smile!

Wooden nesting dolls by Ingela P Arrhenius via Kidsdinge, wooden bird via Sissy Boy, softie via HEMA, vintage chair and blanket.

Last week I found a great surprise in the mail. Kerry from The Seventy Tree send me one of her beautiful 'Smile!' prints and two Dala horse cards. She wanted to thank me for sending her a little package with amongst others a VTwonen magazine in which her work was featured but which she never received from the publisher.

Top: Artwork by Hollie Chastain, Stanley Donwood, Sandra Juto. Number nine via VTwonen. Left chair via Yvestown. Below: Yellow balloon via PSikhouvanjou, postcards by Vincent van Gogh, Fiep Westendorp en Sanna Annukka. Tiny label by Bombina Studios. Framed bird card by Rural Pearl.

This gift really made my day and I immediately started to look for a nice place for the print. I first tried a spot on the chimney, but I thought there was enough artwork already. So I ended up making a whole arrangement in a nice corner of the living room, in stead of cleaning the house like I had planned. Know that feeling?

Actually I had intended to put up some small shelves there, but I like this so much, I'm not sure what to do with the shelves. I might still do that and frame Kerry's print later on, but for now I'm really happy with this corner.

Jeu de Paumes books via Yvestown and Juffrouw zonder Zorgen, vintage crocheting (haken) book via Ingthings, yellow notebook 'Smile' via Studio Stationary, white cup via Ikea.

Stamping away

I meant to make some hand stamped wrapping paper for a while, but it took some time to find white ink and Kraftpaper. The ink I found a year ago in Stockholm and I recently run into the paper. So when I was making a package for Kerry from The seventy tree, I had a good reason to finally try it. At first, the stamps weren't very visible, but when I added some water to the ink pad, this was the result. I think it looks quite good. 

White ink from Versacolor by Tsukineko, also available via PSikhouvanjou.

And since I had the stamping tools out anyway, I thought I could give another idea a try as well and so I made this stamped notebook. The idea was to make a symmetrical pattern, but I didn't have the time to draw lines first, so I just stamped away...And now I actually quite like the random pattern. I'm not sure what would be better. What do you think? Next time I'll make both, so I can compare. 

Notebook via Dille & Kamille, red ink Colorbox by Clearsnap

Nursery (2)

Daan is exactly like me (besides he cries much more than I do). He never wants to go to bed, he is always hungry and needs lots of attention. Which I love to give of course. But because of this, I can never find time to make some more pictures of his room, as I promised to some of you. So when there is the tiniest possibility of quickly taking some pictures, you have to take advantage of that, even if the weather is cloudy (little natural light), your baby is crying and the floor is dusty. Right?

So, this is it. The room still isn't 100% finished, but someday it will be. For sure. I'm so happy with the little cabinets and the hospital closet. And with the dresser, which I bought for nearly nothing on Marktplaats (Dutch Ebay). The colour is even better in real, it's painted in Soft Jade by Abbondanza Paint.

Lamp, medicine cabinet and yellow tin via Retroloekie, all other cupboards and rocking chair via Marktplaats, pillow via Lagerhaus, circus box (which is holding a very cute breakfast set) via MadebyGUP,  yellow fish via Een nieuw avontuur, blue fish (next to curtain) via Juffrouw zonder zorgen, yellow bin via Ikea, basket and stool via HEMA.  Miami green wall paint via Abbondanza Paint.

Nursery (1)

I received some great links and advise in reaction to my Twitter and blog requests on nursery decoration advice. However, I hadn't finished decorating the room when Daan was born. The bed wasn't assembled, the curtains were somewhere in a bag, the dresser missed its door knobs and the wardrobe missed its doors. Daan didn't mind of course, but I realised it wouldn't be easy to find some time to finish it with him around. So in fact, it still isn't finished, but we are getting close. So I wanted to show you some previews, but what I hadn't realised is that it is not easy to take pictures too. You have to wait for some good light, and when its there, he was sleeping and I didn't want to wake him, or I had to feed him or something like that. Anyway, last week I finally made some pictures, hopefully some more will follow soon!

Wall decal by 41Orchard via Bloesem Kids, paint for bed via Abbondanza Paint (color Brigth Ocean), blanket and wooden train by Hema, Ikea Beckvam spice racks (inspiration from Ohdeedoh via Doorkyra on Pinterest). Claudettes postcards by Darling Clementine via Een nieuw avontuur.

Birth announcement cards

Daan was three weeks early, and hadn't decide on a birthday announcement card yet, even though I wasn't surprised that he came early. We couldn't easily find a nice card that we both liked, so I decided to make one myself. It took me more than a week to draw some designs, cut the stamp, decide on the text, find the right cards, ink and corner cutter and make the cards while taking care of a baby, but we managed to send the cards in the week after the due date, not unreasonable don't you think? it was the first craft project since his birth and since then I haven't found time to make something else, so I'm very happy that we managed to make these.

Ink by Versacolor via PSikhouvanjou, rubber and cutting tools by Speedball via Stampeaz.

Daan is born

The 7th of May our son Daan is born, three weeks early. He had to stay in the hospital for a week, due to some minor problems, but he is totally fine now. Since then, my whole life is filled with taking care of him (never new breastfeeding would take so  much time!), and I couldn't find any time to make a proper blogpost about this great news. However, after a whole week in which he hardly slept, it seems like he is starting to like his bed, and if found my Macbook patiently waiting for me :).

Daan is of course the cutest baby I've ever seen, we are a very happy little family now, so I doubt if I will be able to write about other things in the near future. Hopefully in a few weeks I ....until then, if I've any readers left, I hope you will stay with me!

Nursery decoration advise needed

I know it has been quite here, and even on Twitter you won’t hear me as often anymore, because my Iphone is stolen. However, of course I’m still busy renovating the nursery and the guestroom/workspace. In fact, the nursery is almost finished, all walls and the ceiling are freshly painted and looking really fresh and cute. I bought a vintage dresser, baby bed and rocking chair online, those need some paint soon and I hope to start with it this weekend.

Than I need a wall rack to hang above the dresser and a wardrobe. I’m thinking about some white lockers, but if you have better ideas for those two?

Beside the renovation and decoration work I’m also shopping for lots of babystuff. And I actually have a hard time finding cute blankets, sleeping bags, a diaper bag, stuff like that. And I also need some nice lamps. Usually I have a long list of things I would like to have for the home, and the same goes for clothes. That’s because I read so many blogs and magazines. But I hardly read any kidsblog, so I’m really behind on that kind of stuff. I just don’t really like the stuff they sell in the large babystores, so if anyone has great tips on nice brands or online stores, please let me know in the comments below.

I’m really looking forward to your ideas!

To show you what I like, some screenprints of my Pinterest page

See more of me...

Life has been pretty busy lately with all the preparations for the baby who is expected at the end of May. We have been painting the nursery, looking for nice vintage furniture online, visiting day care centers, making lists of things to buy and so on. I never expected it would take so much time. But on the other hand, we are also both working (almost) full time and renovating our home, so I guess altogether it is quite a lot.

Luckily I'm still feeling quite good and the baby is doing great. But the downside is that I hardly can't find time to make regular blogposts. However, i do find time for one or two tweets a day. Apparently I'm so much more critical when it comes to blogposts. I want the photos to be perfect and write a nice little something to go with them. For tweets, I just take a picture with my Iphone and that's that.

So for those of you who want to see what I'm up to but who don't use Twitter, it's possible to pollow me on Twitpics. You can see al the (crappy) pictures that I post on Twitter there, together with the original Tweet. it's even possible to subscribe to the RSS feed. The most recent pictures are also shown on this blog at the bottom of the right sidebar.

I hope this will help to stay in touch with you all.

In four weeks my maternity leave will start and I hope I will find some time to blog by then.

All pictures in this post are also shown on Twitpic and are taken with my Iphone and not edited.

Portugal

Last week we went to Portugal to celebrate one last holiday together before our baby will be born. It was so nice to relax and think about all the exiting things that are coming. We had a lot of fun, although the weather wasn't great. Because it was raining a lot, I didn't take a lot of pictures, but here are some nice ones...

I did make some drawings though, of which I showed some on Twitter and maybe here later.

The weeks before Portugal were very hectic. We got new doors, windows and window stills, but lots of things when wrong and need to be redone. we also bought some baby furniture and got new white linen curtains for our living room in summer. I really hope to take some pictures soon, but it's such a mess in here because of all the construction work, it will have to wait.

BTW, I still don't like what blogger does to my pictures, the look less bright and sharp, any advise on that?

Stockholm

I'm making room in my house and in my head to prepare for the little boy that we are expecting in May. This also means that my old PC has to move out and therefore I'm browsing through my holiday pictures and that reminded me of a promise I made to you, namely that I would publish some pictures of our visit to Stockholm last July.
So here they are, if you like them, I might publish some more pictures of other holidays here as well. Perhaps London, Sicily, Berlin or Maroc?

BTW, what does Blogger to my pictures? They somehow look less sharp and less soft at the same time....Anyone ideas what to do about that?