Screenprinting

I got this beautiful book for my birthday last year. It explains all kinds of methods of printing techniques by hand. Like stamping, linoleum printing, freezer paper techniques and screenprinting in different ways. It also contains patterns that you can use for printing and they are very inspiring as well.
I thought to give it a go with screenprinting and this is my first trial (guess what inspired me...).

The method I used is quite easy (you don't need hard to find or expensive materials) and I am very pleased with the result. You can use the screens to print on paper, fabrics, wood and so on. I am working on some more screens and I am really eager to make the prints (I'll keep you posted of course!)

Reunion

We had a little reunion last weekend. My childhood friend Jose, who now lives in Australia, is in Holland for a month. At the moment she stays on a campsite with her husband and kids and we joined them this weekend together with some other friends.
We really had a good time. 6 grown-ups, 6 kids, swimming, playing, cooking, snacking, BBQing, wine, beer, sunshine, rain, chatting, lauching, oh, how I would love her to live more close to me.... (the picture is from the BBQ, preparing some hamburgers with bread for the kids).

Colourful Garden

We really like sitting in the garden until late under the shed in the back of our garden. To decorate the shed I made (much too much) cushions from all kinds of fabric remnants and crocheted flowers.

Together with a fabric garland and some laterns it looks really cosy and summery, also when the weather is not good.

Cooling Down in Style

With this hot weather, the boys are really having a good time in their inflatable pool in the garden.

But when I saw this cupcake pool, I'd whished they were a still bit smaller to fit in it. It is sooo cute! It is designed by Beerd van Stokkum and can also be used as a garden pot or a basket for a dog or cat.

I won!

I joined a give away on the blog of Nicole. And I won!!!
I received these three cute matchbooks and a little notebook as well, all beautifully stamped and packed (she sells those cute stamps and packaging in her shop too).
Thanks Nicole!

New Old Skirt

I had this plain light blue skirt in my closet for a while and I thought it would be nice if I dressed it up a little bit. So I drew some flowers, cutted them out of double sided vliesofix, ironed them on one of my favourite fabrics, cutted these out as well, ironed the flowers onto my skirt and used a small zig-zag stich (stitch length of just above zero) to attach the flowers nicely to my skirt. Easy, right? I have uploaded the flower templates (in Dutch and in English) onto my website if you are interested in making your own flower appliques too.

Coffee swap

A little while ago, I agreed with Margy to do a coffee themed swap. Last Monday, this package arrived and how I love it all!

We decided that the colours should be pink and red and white and that there should be at least one handmade item in the swap. I really adore the crocheted cup and the little quilt and yum, there are some Belgian chocolates and cookies too!
This is the package that I sent to Margy (I hope she will post a picture when she has opened it...)

Thanks Margy, I really enjoyed this swap!