(oh by the way, some credits here: Shari has started the Five Senses Friday. Which is a great way to become more aware of the things you, well, feel, hear, see, smell and taste... Check her blog, with links to more participants!)

Yesterday was definitely swap day. Not only did I receive the tea set from Judith, I also sent out a big thick envelope to the lovely Trudi of Double Hapiness. I am so curious, especially now her post yesterday already showed me a glimpse of her package...

Ellia organized this paper+ribbon swap.

 

 

Today I received my tea cup from Judith. Uhm, tea cup, no actually I received a complete tea set! PLUS delicious white tea from Levelt (a local shop with tea and coffee delicacies) and a delightful green tea chocolate bar. I feel totally spoilt - thanks Judith!

This tea cup swap, organized by Beth and Joy is such great fun. Look forward to the third round. This is by the way what I sent to Abigail in round 2. (I am also showing this to underline the difference in tea cup photography skills, ahum...)

On Port2Port Maria asked to show our favorite art. A great opportunity to see everyone's favorite works and get to know colleague bloggers better. But also a great way to take another look at your own favorites... And, as in my case with artist parents, to show how thankful and proud you are of their work!

The first is made by my father, who is just the greatest photographer around (check his work at the SOLV website - the exhibition is to end soon!). I got a beautiful silverprint of this dreamy and tasteful work some time ago and it sure is a favorite!

The second is made by my mother, who, suprisingly enough, happens to be the greatest artist around. Years and years ago in art school, she made this supercool work. Swans with neon pink. I mean, just how cool does it get?!?

Then, there is my first ever bought work of art. This graphic by the Chinese/Dutch artist Ma Hui just always keeps intriguing me.

Hurray, my logo stamp arrived today! I love stamps so much, I could just keep designing and ordering...

(I ordered it at onlinestempels.nl for you European stamp lovers - not expensive and incredibly fast).

Saturday was, like last week, mono-printing day. But this time, I stuck to a theme: birds. There are endless possibilities and the graphic effects can be so diverse, that I was glad I limited the scope a bit.

Today, J and I went house searching and I am so convinced now that I want to live in the center of Amsterdam (instead of the more peaceful yet less vibrant south where I live now). Preferably a canal house, with my own working space of course ;-) To look out over the canals, while I take a sip of my coffee. That would just be so cool - and inspiring!

The creative collaboration of J and me today is this mirror.

Me: finding the vintage frame, finding a glass atelier that would cut a mirror, glueing the mirror in the frame.

J: buying a shaving mirror at Ikea, deconstructing it, attaching the vintage framed mirror to some of the Ikea parts.

Tadaa, just how handy, yet stylish, is this movable make-up mirror!

Sad news, I missed my cupcake day. Good news, I did not know of it until today and am very much looking forward to the 4th of February!

Yesterday, I have been monoprinting like crazy (as you can see)! I was so stunned by the effects of a feather or a ribbon under a press, but also very aware that there is so much more possible. So next Saturday, the monoprinting adventure continues. I will have a whole week to think of (and find) all kinds of "flat and soft things" that work under a press.

Simultaeously, I will collect paper and ribbons for the paper+ribbon swap, organized by Ellia of Green Bean Baby. Trudi of Double Hapiness is my partner in swap, so I am sure to make a great package for this nice lady!

How I wish I was a ballet dancer. I know I should be happy I am not, because it is such a hard life and so on... But come on, who is not jealous of those dancers and what they can do when you see a ballet?

Check this, because we do can wear those lovely clothes.

After an idea in the new Marie Claire idees, I made this plate. In fact, there was not much to make. Just cut out a picture you like, glue it on the plate and put a film of adhesive plastic (what is the English word for this?) over it. Et voila!

My beloved, recently purchased All Stars (or Chuck Taylors as they are called in other countries I found out) where the object of some "tuning". Snail or (stuffed) bird, was the question of the afterno0n (see also my post below). How I wish every day was so simple as my free Tuesday afternoon!

I ended up choosing the bird - as you can see.

Meanwhile, the sweet and very talented Abigail received my Tea Cup Swap package. You know when you were a kid at a birthday party and you were so I excited you could not wait to give your friend your present? That's how I felt when I sent out the package ;-) Can't wait to receive mine...

Today I found the greatest things. I went on a treasure hunting expedition with my sister and found not only the prettiest china, a colorful stamp collection, a necklace but also the most beautiful vintage cards. In addition, some (new!) Petit Bateau shirts were scored... AND, I organized my bathroom (meaning, throwing a zillion beauty products out). Organizing does feel so good. I would say this is a great Sunday.