My Etsy shop!

I finally did it! I opened up my Etsy shop. I only sell my screen prints and postcards for now. But in the near future I'll also be selling original drawings. AND... vintage items from my collection!

I'll keep you posted.

Visit my shop here.

Valentines - Marian Bantjes

Marian Bantjes is one of my favorite designers. On her website I came across these Valentine cards (2012) which she made: 

'Because I travel a lot, I decided to use old postcards for my Valentines this year. I sent about 480, and the cards range over about 90 years: from 1901 to the late '80s, I think. They are from all over the world and they went all over the world. About 100 of them had writing on the back and had been posted before.
Then, they're all overprinted in silver with my image, which says "From me wherever I am / To you wherever you are."'

The Valentine Cards below are from 2010:

'I solicited my friends to send me all their used Christmas cards, and I started getting exciting envelopes of cards in the mail. I created the design of the heart for laser cutting. I wanted most of the card image to be cut away, but there to be enough left that some semblance of image remained; that you could tell it came from a christmas card. The final result exceeded my most hopeful expectations. How these cards (most of which were, in their original state, nothing special, or even downright ugly) gained so much more from the process.'

What Jane Housham gave away

A few weeks ago Jane Housham organized a fantastic giveaway on her blog. I joined in and was one of the lucky winners! I had won Cactus Candy and some of Jane's handmade cards. So, I send her my details and much to my surprise a rather big box was delivered to me last Thursday. When my daughter and I started unwrapping we discovered the most fantastic giveaway! Jane did not only send me the candy but gave me a ready made collection of tin boxes!! I was amazed, I was thrilled, I was overwhelmed, I was astonished and, to be frank, I was a bit embarrassed... So I mailed her to thank her and to ask if there was anything I could make her happy with. This is what she replied:

'Oh goody! I'm glad the box arrived safely. Please don't be embarrassed! The giveaway was just the cards and the weird candy. But I had those little tins and I knew you would like them more than I do. I have so much accumulated stuff and it just occurred to me that you would enjoy opening up some little packages. I honestly don't want anything in return -- seriously. It's just a case of, I don't know, 'pay it forward' -- the same way I always let people out in traffic and smile at old ladies in the street! I'm really glad you liked it.'

Isn't she the best?? A big cheer for Jane!! Thanks again Jane! I've given the tin cans a spot in my printer's tray.

some of these tin boxes are already favorites of mine.

Great card design, absolutely love them!

The card which accompanied the package. And you're absolutely right, Jane, my house is rather chaotic. I'm often embarrassed when people drop by unannounced... I'll make a few pics and turn it into a post someday soon. 

Thanks again, Ellen X

Vintage Valentine

Holiday greetings!

My personal wish for you:

And for all the vintage lovers one more:

Birthday boy

Our son turned 6 last week, but eveyone was still on holiday. So we decided to have his party in September. This is the invitation I made for his party. (Click on the image to enlarge)

Tribute to society

I pay my small tribute to society next week: I go door to door to collect money for lung diseases such as astma or COPD. Hopefully you will all give generously!
The Oilily cards were a small token of their appreciation, for the time and effeort that goes into it.

Vintage postcards for kids

A few cards from my small collection.

Anja Brunt - 365 faces

Last year I follow Lisa Congdons' wonderful blog 'a collection a day'. I was often envious of her collections...

This year a few new 365-days-projects started. A great one to follow is 365 face by Anja Brunt. I got to know Anja Brunt through Twitter. She has two blogs, her Creative Works blog and her 365 face project blog. Here's what she says about this project:

Last year I made several handmade faces from vintage fabrics. I discovered how many possibilities there are to create a face (expression). This year I am going make 365 faces! I will post an overview from 7 faces at the end of every week.

For each week I will print a postcard which you'll be able to order for € 2,- (including postage)

Needless to say, I'm envious of Anja's creativity as well! 

Wishing you...

Early wishes

Too early but I couldn't wait to post these cute vintage cards!
Bonne Année, Happy New Year, or Gelukkig nieuwjaar as we say in Dutch.
I found these at a flea market in Ghent, Belgium.