happy new year!

2009 was an amazing year for me, many good things happened and through this blog i got to both meet and e-meet some of the most talented and inspiring people from around the globe. you have all inspired me through your meaningful feedback and the beautiful artwork and thoughts you post on your blogs. it's been an ongoing journey of wonderful discovery and i thank every single one of you for all your kindness and constant support. may i take this opportunity to wish us all the most fantastic 2010, after all we all love new beginnings, don't we? happy new year!!!

three favorites

just a quick post to share those beauties before i dash off to work. Beegu by Alexis Deacon, Lost and found by Oliver Jeffers and Emily Gravett's Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears been having so much fun reading them. courtesy of Santa :) have a nice day, whatever you're doing :)

quiet, lovely, purrrfect...

still loving every minute of this holiday. cocktail time, announces Mr. Rowe, 'el diablo, coming up!' just purrrfect, says me. hope you're having it just as nice :)

orla kiely's tablecloth, the nicest present from Aimee, thanks again dear!

in a great pre-xmas mood

then again, who wouldn't be when one is as lucky as me to receive all this goodness from such amazing artist friends?! thank you, dears and it's not even xmas day yet! i happily printed my gift from Gracia & Louise //you can have one too//, got beautiful cards from Lesley //do watch her animation work, it's ace!// and an envelope full of wonderful prints from my superhero Alexandra, including one of my absolute favorite of her paintings, the one with the mc donalds french fries for a hat :) oh my, am totally overwhelmed! felines are fighting over who gets to wear the wee scarf i got them a couple of years ago. it's too funny. right now, time to go back to my jellybeans // courtesy of my other half// and moleskine fun :) have a great day, lovelies!

london xmas shots

all very nice out there, but it's freezing too and i'm so happy not to have to leave home (apart from the odd walkabout) for the next couple of days. just looking forward to enjoying a quiet and happy time with my dearest. whatever your plans are, i wish you all the best of times :)

Lesley Barnes's interview

happy xmas week

hello monday! it's xmas week and funnily enough i'm feeling great, which is unusual this time of year. just been printing some mini print/cards to give to friends :) still have to go out and do a spot of shopping for my love, the only one who gets xmas presents. seven years ago we decided to quit buying presents for friends and family and instead we use the funds that would get spent on them and donate to one selected charity. we figured our nearest and dearest don't really need anything and all this consumerism concentrated on this period can be far too stressful...
next year, i shall make an advent calendar as i have been deeply moved and inspired by Hanna's beautiful Joulukalenteri. and also Sandra's magpies kiss photo. just magic... enjoy!

dear london

even with all the xmas consumerist madness and cold, dark mornings, i do love this city so much... those are pictures from two other cameras i sometimes take out with me and often forget to load them... these are mostly from yesterday though... really enjoyed photographing the sunrise on my way to work ::: i hope your sunday is a radiant one :)

tiny red dream houses

so, this is how all my paper box is getting used :) and the pile is slowly going down. so much fun! i've listed 4 little houses in my shop now, more soon. so this is your chance to get a one of a kind, unique tiny red dream house. if you like better any of the ones you spot in the pictures, please email me and i can invoice you directly. you might not be able to move in, even if you're tiny like me, but it will nicely move in with you and can be hung on your wall or live on your shelf, or you might prefer to frame it... it's really up to where your imagination takes you.

also::: i was notified that for some reason the shipping in my shop was doubling the value for more than one item. apologies. the technical issue is now resolved. happy friday and have a fantastic weekend!

update ::: Pikaland, my very favorite illustration site, is giving away one of my Fox Ride print as part of their holiday special, so be sure to enter and good luck!!

a quiet morning

i don't know about you guys, but i find it really tough to get started in those cold and dark winter mornings... today i decided to take it easy and have a quiet one. this usually makes me feel quite guilty with so much workload awaiting. but after just enjoying a few shots of hot chocolate from my beautiful cup // a gift from d'lovely Marie-Louise// and revisiting this book with my feline for companion... it's now lunchtime and what have i done? well, not a lot but i feel great now and ready to make a fresh start. conclusion ::: quiet mornings can do you a world of good :) i must remind myself of this more often...

getting into the spirit

right now i'm working whilst watching the snow fall outside my window. i guess that's what finally got me into the xmas spirit as this is not my favorite time of the year... so lunchtime was the perfect time to start playing with a xmas theme for our home decorations. this year, those little fellows are not going to end up hanging from the cheese plant. i think i'll just carry on playing for a bit longer and i might end up with a xmas little magic town!
update::: i've added the top/first picture of the 'almost final' arrangement, even pinocchio invited himself to live there :)