epic fall

Around this time last year three of my school mates and I went to Madeira Portugal to compete in the design competition at the annual TEI Conference. We ended up winning in the category ‘quality of execution’. We were ecstatic and honored to receive such positive recognition for our work. After the conference, our incredibly gracious host rented a car to take us to some of his favourite spots around his unique and beautiful island. We came to this spot where the ocean crashed against the ledge and shot upward creating a wall of water perfect for a photo backdrop. Augusto agreed to be photographer so the rest of us stood at the edge waiting for the next big wave.

Here’s how the photo shoot played out… 

5 things I like in my home

I will share five things I look at and use daily that continually make me smile and feel cozy here in my apartment in Eindhoven. 

(1) A few summers ago, I painted this mural to add a little whimsical fun to the living room wall.

(2) I love getting mail. I celebrate the kind messages that I’ve received over the years by framing them around my door.

(3) Instagram. I was inspired by Elise’s blog post to finally do something with my iphone photos.

(4) Have I mentioned that I have a thing for bears? So majestic and powerful. I’m actually afraid of them but this little guy is pretty sweet (a gift from my mother).

(5) Finally the yellow chair. I got it second hand and it’s that perfect chair to lounge in when pondering, drinking tea or reading.

Have a good day!

watercolour bear

Last week, I picked up my first ever watercolour paint set! I really enjoy painting and I was looking forward to experimenting with this medium to create a softer look. Blending colours and playing with textures has been a joy. One thing I absolutely love about working with watercolour paint is that I can use my fingers on my left hand for mixing colours. It’s convenient and fun too!

sunrise in eindhoven

I have never paid so much attention to the weather until I moved to The Netherlands. Clear and sunny days are few and far between this time of year, so I get really happy when the sun shines! This was the first sunshine all week so I jumped on the opportunity for an early morning bike/walk through the fields just around the corner from my apartment. 

rainbow love

Today I’m working on my portfolio so that one day I can actually get a job in design. As a break from that, I would like to share my two most beautiful rainbow experiences, just because rainbows are awesome.

The first: an incredibly vivid double rainbow from one end of the Blue Mountain valley to the other. I reacted much like the double rainbow guy from youtube, I now understand his enthusiasm. 

The second: this beautiful little rainbow gave us a private show. On a canoe, on a secluded lake in Algonquin Park we sat in the mist of a recent rainfall as the rainbow literally formed around us. Both ends were visible coming out of the water. I found the gold that day and it was pure magic.

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a market stroll

I was walking through the morning market in the city yesterday when I found this booth selling all kinds of pretty lace.

For those of you who know how shy I am when it comes to using the little bit of Dutch that I do know, you should be happy to hear that I conversed about and purchased this bit of lace ribbon completely in Dutch! A small feat but I must start somewhere. 

I used it by:

a rainy sunday afternoon

I took some time on Sunday afternoon to try out stippling. It’s quite tedious so I started with something small. Check out the process in the video below, I think the result is rather neat.