Studio Van San

Monday give away

2012-02-13T10:29:00.001+01:00

Monday= Moonday....the best day of the week for women.

I give ALL (6) Happy Period Purses* and (2) pencil cases from previous handmade Van San collections away so you're chances are high of getting one.

What do you have to do?
> Sign in on my blog (become follower of this blog, just push the "join this site"-button) AND leave a reaction at this blog post so I'll know you're there.
> Those who already are (registered) follower of this blog may leave a reaction

I will randomly pick 8 names at noon on Moonday March 5.
The HPPs and pencil cases will also be given away randomly.

Spread the word!

* HPP= a purse just big enough to store a couple of sanitary pads and tampons clean and discretely in your bag. Of course you can use the HPP for any other purpose. Most purses have different front and back fabrics and some of them have a hand-cut print.

ps. haha I just noticed the blue bookcover next to the vase, it says "We and Nature". Matches perfectly with the topic (HPP/moonday)!

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+

2012-02-10T17:31:00.001+01:00

It was great fun and so nice to be in the company of fellow worker Marjolein. We are

planning to create a co-collection and are asking ourselves it we need a name for this cooperation.
We have not decide yet but we think it's going to be something simple like + because it's such an asset and a value to work together.

1+1=plus.
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awarded twice

2012-02-06T13:41:00.003+01:00

Last week my blog was rewarded the Liebster Blog (favorite blog) Award TWICE!
One award was given by Nelleke of Langius Design and the second by Stephanie of Interieur-Coosje. I'm happy and grateful for it, thank you ladies!

Now I may pass The Liebster Blog Award to 5 other blogs.
I found it a difficult job to select five (and sometimes you don't know how much followers it has*) so I decided to select merely on Inspiration: on their Work, Techniques and used Colours, Subjects and Compostions, the Way they look at things shown in their pictures etc.
(in random order):

My top 5 blogs:

Joanna Rutter
Tsk Tsk
Anja Mulder
Marjolein Perin
Puppychick

You may pay the tribute forward, girls!

*The award is given to blogs with less than 200 followers.

If you receive such an award:

- you thank the one who gave you the award by posting a link

- you give the award on to five other blogs (and you let tim know by a comment on their blog)

- you hope that the award will be passed by to other ones

clouds

2012-02-01T12:37:00.001+01:00

Clouds are gathering in my studio. I've used the pattern so frequently since 2009 I had to strengthen the thumbed edges with tape. ~~These cloud cushions~~ the yellow one's already sold but can be made again - are called WOL(k) and are for sale.

One WOL(k) cushion measures aprox. 30 x 50 cm and costs €69 (shipping within the Netherlands is included).

new stuff

2012-01-23T14:47:00.001+01:00

hand screenprinted cushion 40x40 cm

with matching blue piping

smartphone holders with fluorescent 'darning'

details of 'darning'

hand screenprinted cushions 30x50 cm

Here are some of my newest products. I'm happy to show them finally. I hope you like it!

I've been taking it easy and slow lately merely because of two facts: I was in a creative rut, I had no pleasure in sewing and being in my tiny workspace (i.e. the attic which is also our bedroom) where I have to work on the floor most of the time and my back's started to protest. I would like to share a workspace with several people like I had before (see Werkpost).
Secondly and honestly because I do not like to have a business All by Myself anymore. I do like to be my own boss! but I much more would like to work with a creative person who is a bit more skilled in business (advertisement, communication, finances etc) than me. Meetings might not be needed everyday but once a week or so. Anyone?
So that'll determine my next activities: networking, finding a new workspace and opening a new tiny shop.
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DIY small lampshade

2012-01-19T14:33:00.001+01:00

I thought it was about time to give the poor bare lightbulb a new nice but simple lampshade for the sake of some wordly atmosphere.

Ever since and before my Geography study I have been inspired by the graphics of maps. My attention was caught when I came across this (detail of) picture in the latest edition of Dutch magazine vtwonen; it shows a little paper bag made of a map....

picture taken from magazine vtwonen

the poor bare lightbulb in our living

So I decided to experiment on a simple lampshade out of a map of my favorite continent (being South East Asia). I'm happy to share it with you. Of course you can use any sturdy paper you like.
I have been succinctly so please read all descriptions and look closely at all pictures before you start. Have fun!

1. Here are the things I thought I might be needing. You can skip the 2 round frames, I didn't use those.

So there are:

sturdy paper, scissors, (sunflower) oil, skewers, double sided tape, colourful sewing thread and needle.

2. Put on one side of the long end of the paper one strip of double sided tape. Peal the protective strip off and fold the paper to a long tube by putting the long ends together. If you wish a smaller lampshade you can choose to cut or tear -like I did- some of length.

3. Cut out triangles all around the opening but first you measure the distance from centerpoint of the tube to the edge so you know how pointy the triangels have to be to close the whole top end of the tube.

4. Put small pieces of double sides tape on each triangle tip.

5. And put all tips together to close the top end of the tube. Leave one or two slots open for the assemblage to the lightbulb.

6. Make the paper translucent: Apply sunflower (or olive) oil to the paper by brushing carefully all over it. Give some time to let the paper suck most of the oil - check if all parts are covered by holding against the light. Then you wipe all the remaining and glossy oil with toilet paper.

7. Put the paper tube to the lightbulb. and continue with the most difficult part: you take some double sewing thread and cross stitch the open slots together. The lampshade is hanging!

8. You can stick 3 or 4 skewers through the paper very close to the fitting for a better fixation to the fitting. In my case the skewers even go great with the Asian continent.

Good luck and have fun!

By the way, I found the poster (piece of wallpaper?) during our last vacation in Danmark, in Copenhagen at Grønlykke shop. Lovely isn't it? I've seen this before but don't remember the designer; does anybody know who designed it? And the little paper doll was made by my friend Megan from Frank&Gertrude.

She's hurt

2012-01-17T14:07:00.000+01:00

With fear in her voice her friend called me to say She had fallen of her bike and that a nasty looking wound was in her leg and an ambulance was already on its way. What horror went through my head in those minutes of rush before I arrived at the scene!
Five stiches were needed to close the wound... and she's doing reasonably well now.

While she amuses herself with modern equipment during the day, I tend to crochet something like between a shawl and a stole to finish all the pieces of wool I've been saving.

opulence

2012-01-10T11:03:00.002+01:00

Turkse tortel i.e. collared dove

It's sheer happiness for me to see we now have 4 (!!) collared doves who consider our beech as their home. Day in day out, they are there. And the little birdhouse is occupied by tits (=koolmezen), again!

Danmark

2012-01-09T12:16:00.002+01:00

favorite beach activity

just out of bed: making breakfast for our birthday girl

Stevns Klint

midwinter light therapy

We had such a wonderful holiday in Rødvig, Danmark.

What I enjoyed most was the connection with my girls, without the disturbing intervention of computer and television; many games were played and we created the paper garlands and cup cakes for Eva's birthday. And we celebrated New Year with Dutch friends who stayed in a house very near by.

The weather was frighting some days, but the fire inside was so delightful...

Happy New Year!

Christmas interior

2011-12-22T10:22:00.001+01:00

handmade lightballs

in the kitchen

decoration with masking tape

(fimo clay) Nativity by Eva when she was 6

DIY angel

2011-12-19T22:25:00.000+01:00

Today at Hikjes in Huis I bought a fantastic vintage book full of Christmas do it yourself (DIY) paper crafts. I cannot NOT share them with you. So here is my favourite one, the angel.

Click on the pictures with the angel parts and save them in your computer.
Print the 2 pictures with the angel parts, preferably on somewhat thicker paper so the angel will get a bit more solid.
You can read the instructions when you click on each picture, as it will pop up and the descriptions become larger.
Remember you can print as many angels you like.
Send it to someone you love and tell him/her that he/she is your angel.
Enjoy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY !

Collégien

2011-12-16T17:17:00.001+01:00

It's funny, some months ago I discovered a shop with lovely slippers. And I don't know how it works but suddenly I notice there's much to do about Collégien lately. (The same when you're pregnant, everybody seems to be pregnant.) I've seen it here and here and now here at Mikodesign. There's a give away at Mikodesign blog of Collégien slippers and if you send in a drawing or collage as well you'll have double chance of winning!
I've send this....

I did some photo editing and sketching on one of my own pictures from here.
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And have you noticed the additional options for comments given below each post?
En heb je de extra opties onderaan elk bericht gezien om commentaar te geven?
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practice for fun

2011-12-13T22:50:00.000+01:00

Although I'm almost completely fed up with those retro vintage prints I used to work with when I started my business, there's one I still like. I bought a piece of turquoise curtain years and years ago in a thriftstore in Belgium or Maastricht, I can't remember exactly. In it was a rather goofy looking dog, but the rest of the animals looked so sweet; a goat, a cat and my favorite this lovely little deer.
Last night I was fooling around in Photoshop (read: practice, practice, practice) and I created this birthday card just for fun. Even the pattern background I designed myself.

I'll soon post some pictures of new fabric stuff (prints and products) I designed last week.

handmade birthday party inviation for my girl

new cabinet from the thriftstore

a stranger in the kitchen

wall paper

2011-12-08T11:36:00.001+01:00

How I love this wallpaper from Minakani.
But the fact is that I much too cowardice to apply this in my house as I tend to get bored quite quickly. I like to to repaint my wall every two years or so and doing so over this precious wallpaper is a bit like throwing money down the drain.
My living room wall has had many colours already; starting with ordinary white, then mustard, dusty pink and the present dark greenish grey lasts the longest time. The 2nd picture is from Dos Family (nice blog!)

my favorite color

featured

2011-12-07T20:04:00.001+01:00

Thank you 101woonideeën (magazine) for posting my cards in your Christmas card countdown!
read more here

X-mas fair

2011-12-07T09:26:00.001+01:00

I will be at a Christmas fair next Saturday in Winsum. I'm happy to show my newest stuff VanSan-new-style, with cushions and purses with my latest printwork.

Hopefully many visitors will find the way to our market, so that my charity fundraising is going to be a success.

friends, collegues and mothers

2011-12-02T10:20:00.001+01:00

Annet, one of my colleagues, gave birth to a beautiful boy! Marjolein and I visited the newborn and brand new first time mother.

Megan also brought a lovely boy into this world recently, but I fotgot to take out my camera, so no pictures of that beauty.

Afterwards Marjolein and me spended some time in her freshly transformed workspace at her house, and we spoke and discussed her woolen lampshades with which she'll have a

breakthrough in the media; she will be featured in magazine Happinez in January and she recently did a huge interview for Seasons magazine which will be out in March.
Pay attention to Marjolein Perin, she's a rising star!

Essie and Bill

2011-12-02T09:57:00.001+01:00

Essie Jain

nostalgic, delicate and feminine

This one's my favorite drive-the-car-music : Bill Frisell

And I picked up Spotify, nice!

DIY: a wee decoration

2011-11-28T12:16:00.001+01:00

DO iT YOURSeLF

A wee paper decoration for bare indoor branches:

1. Assemble several nice pictures from the internet and turn them into black/white pictures in Photoshop. Crop the pictures if necessary. It is not necessary to photoshop/cut the shapes from its background as I did in the first picture, as you will cut along the edges later.

2. Flip/rotate each picture horizontally - so you'll have a back and front - and save each separately naming them birdA and birdB for instance.

3. Drag the black and white pictures into one new file. Be carefull not to overlap.

4. Then print

5. Cut the shapes roughly loose and put one front and back together, hold against the light to precise the lines. Put two or three small pieces of double sided tape between the front and back.

6. Finally you carefully cut along the edges and pinch a hole with a needle somewhere in the top of each shape to attach a piece of fishing line.

If you have difficulties with Photoshop, you may ask me to mail you a file with pictures as shown above (1st pic)

Enjoy!

plates

2011-11-28T09:32:00.001+01:00

small fair

2011-11-23T16:30:00.001+01:00

On the 10th of December I will be at a small Christmas fair* in Winsum.

I've come up with another charity event (do you remember this?).

This time I'll be collecting money for a volunteer organization de Helpende Hand (Helping Hand) which provides all kinds of support for the eldery, needy or invalid people of our hometown.

This organisation did a tremedous deal for a friend who was recovering from brain surgery as a remedy to Parkinson's in March. Six weeks later she fell down the stairs, she survived the fall but had her neck broken and she is still rehabilitaing. People of The Helping Hand are now doing her groceries, mowing the grass, are taking care of some financial issues etc.

So... in order to support this wonderfull organization I made several nice 'warm hearts' out of vintage Dutch woolen blankets which I'll be selling at the fair! The fair visitors themselves can set the price for their warm hearts.

Of course if you are willing to support my charity event to obtain one or more of the lovely hearts, please leave a reaction so we can get in touch. I'll be happy to send you a warm heart before Christmas time. The hearts will look great in your Christmas tree!

* van 10-17uur in Het Jacobijnenhuis ligt op het hoogste punt van de Winsumer wierde.
Hoek Hoofdstraat 27 W / Havenstraat 2, Winsum Gn

free Christmas cards

2011-11-17T20:40:00.001+01:00

I've been working hard (but with pleasure) creating these Christmas cards and I'm happy to share these with you as a free download. And please forward the message.
So if you could use some greetings cards for the coming holidays, click on the PDF button (pink square) to download a printable PDF.

If you prefer ready-made printed cards for which you pay €1,95 for two (shipping included till 6 cards, for more than 6 you'll pay actual shipping costs by TNT), please contact me by mail.

I'm going to switch gears now... Merry Christmas everybody!

alphabet

in the stars

Deze kaarten zijn gratis te downloaden. Ik heb ze met plezier en noeste arbeid voor je gemaakt. En zegt het voort!
Druk op het roze vierkantje om de PDF van de kaarten te downloaden.
Als je deze kaarten liever kant-en-klaar wilt ontvangen, mail me gerust, dan stuur ik je ze. Ze kosten €1,95 per twee en tot 6 kaarten zijn de verzendkosten gratis. Bij meer dan 6 betaal je het TNT tarief.
Fijne kerstdagen!

Please respect my copyrights and use the cards for private use only.
Deze kaarten zijn alleen voor privegebruik bedoeld, niet voor (door)verkoop, dank!

in the net

2011-11-16T12:32:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I printed on a fabulously coloured linen-cotton blend....so beautiful that I hesitate to make something out of it. Thus...in admiration I'll leave them on the table in front of me for a while :-)

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early

2011-11-14T20:46:00.001+01:00

I love Photoshop and every day I'm improving and I find out new trics to accomplish what I have in mind. What do you think of this Christmas card? Maybe this is something for 101Woonideeën?
Or something like this?

preview

2011-11-07T19:11:00.000+01:00

Here's a preview (a part of) of my newest design for the next screen print which I will be preparing in school tomorrow.
The design was partially drawn by hand, then scanned and edited in Photoshop. My husband is proud of me and he likes to call me an autodidactic nerd :-)
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paint

2011-11-07T14:50:00.000+01:00

Do you remember this ? (the very last picture)
Now it's finally done! A subtle pattern of red dots on my favorite shoes....

And I painted something else ... a vintage glass vase seems to turn into ceramic....

I found a small spool of thread in the thriftstore

autumn

2011-11-06T13:38:00.000+01:00

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any thing

2011-11-03T09:48:00.003+01:00

lantern making

Studio Job

Inspirational forms, textures and patterns.
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By the way, the plastic cup things are excellent waterresistant Sintmaarten lanterns which have an atmospheric lighting. Attach the cups with staples and experiment a bit on the symmetry and the heights. You can decorate it with permanent markers if you like and punch a whole in one of the middle cups to lead through the little (electric !!) light. Success guaranteed!

moved

2011-11-02T07:53:00.004+01:00

One of the most touching, original and renewing blogs I've seen in long while is the Minsterie van Ontroerende zaken of Auk Russchen (this Ministry of Moving Moments is part of the Ministery of Marvel founded by Yvette van der Aa).
Auk is very unrestricted and creative in her images and language. (Unfortunately google gives a horrid translation of all this beauty, but maybe you can get a glimpse).

In a while I may call myself Executive Minister of Imprints, Image and Elaboration, or something like that... :-)
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alphabet

2011-10-29T10:37:00.001+02:00

'Geeske'

Here's my newest prototype; a personal alphabet with the letters of your name - or any name or word you like - in colour. I really appreciate your frank opinion on this: what do you think of the alphabet poster, do you like or not? And do you like the thing that you can decide what name or word you want?

Secondly I need some help on the decision whether I should produce the wide or the more dense alphabet poster, see the last 2 pictures (with the word 'bird').

here is mine - 'Sandra'

'bird' wide

'bird' more dense

So please express your choises and opinions frankly... I appreciate your help. Thank you!
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(not) nice

2011-10-28T11:23:00.004+02:00

Some things turn out nice and some things do not.
My happypippilongstocking-legging is nice, my 20-minutes-handmade little rucksack for citytrips is nice but the last prints with another kind of paint turned out not so nice...the print has been washed out :-(

dutch design week 2011

2011-10-27T10:38:00.001+02:00

Among many designers there were a couple of whom we shall hear more of.

Elke van der Berg's work was wonderful by color and expression, but she did not even show her most beautiful work, look here for more...

Jack Brandsma's seemingly simplicity is simply perfect...

Rick Tegelaar with 'Meshmatics', lampshades of squared chicken wire and paper maché.

And of course we went to see Piet Hein Eek's new 'factory-castle' (shop, showroom, workplace and restaurant)

In this last picture Eek shows what I advise everyone to do (check my other posts for inspiring home pics): many cushions in different (non)matching patterns and colors. It brightens up your room and mood!

You can order my cushions handprinted or of marketbought fabrics but always custom made, by sending me an email. I'm an expert in pattern and color combinations fully put together to your liking :-) But you can also buy my cushions at Noordelijk Talent in Groningen, who participate at the Dutch Design Week too!

daily doodle

2011-10-24T18:00:00.004+02:00

Since I want to improve my drawing skills, I frequently will post a drawing in this blog. The subjects will come from daily life: shoppings, stuff from the home, details of anything, that kind of things.
As kick off I post three today.
For later Daily Doodle posts, please click on the Daily Doodle-picture in the menu on the right.

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ik verlang naar

2011-10-24T16:49:00.001+02:00

Waar ik naar verlang vandaag
een frisse zomerjurk te dragen
met blote schouders, een uitgesneden
hals en rug en vooral goed
los om de heupen

waarmee ik dan de tuin in loop
de zon schijnt warm, maar de wind
houdt het draaglijk en brengt
de jurk in beweging en dan

ben jij er natuurlijk ook die
de jurk al even mooi vindt en samen
trekken we hem uit en hangen hem
aan een tak

en liggen te kijken in het gras naar
zo'n frisse zomerjurk in een boom, daar
verlang ik het meest naar vandaag.

(dichter: Jo Govaerts)

first draft

2011-10-24T15:26:00.001+02:00


the substrate is also nice now

the actual print on dotted fabric

on paper the print becomes too 'bold'

shared workspace... always a mess

I still need some practice of course and the fact that I do not have the right equipment at home for screenprinting makes it a bit difficult to make immaculate prints...but I'm content (again) with these first drafts.
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apron

2011-10-13T13:33:00.000+02:00

oops!! an accidental incision, so a cover-up was needed here

I made an apron to enjoy further messing with screenprints...
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I love...

2011-10-12T10:22:00.000+02:00

...the cushion covers from Thirtyfive Flowers ...

...the corny chrysanthemum which stays fresh for weeks...

...my kid who loves someone else...

...my breakfast, the mega muesli container with Dorset cereals and the self-decorated bowl...

screens

2011-10-11T15:33:00.000+02:00

washing out the screen filler

I had to hold up the screen for the others to see and teacher Hennie explains :-)

in the arts center

My very first real screens were made with a huge exposure apparatus... I'm happy and proud. I can't wait to see the print results, can you?

house spotting

2011-10-09T22:23:00.001+02:00

There is one couple so enthusiastic about our house, so it might be sold before we know it....
Today we went for a walk in the woods near Groningen and afterwards we drove through several city neighbourhoods. Where are we going to move? Also I'm leafing through design and interior magazines and surfing the internet with whole different eyes and fantasizing (romanticizing) about our new but unknown place. I would love to have one of these rugs from Loom.

new cards

2011-09-29T13:15:00.002+02:00

whoeiii

Kitty

Back home

Yippee! Three different cards were made of my small works in which I used mixed techniques and materials. I'm so content with them!

I will send them to you after you've send me an email. Please mention which one and/or how many you like (Whoeiii, Kitty or Back home). They cost €1,25 each or as a set of three for €3,25 (+ shipping). The cards measure 10,5 x 15 cm and the backsides are left blank.

Needless to say that the big 'vansan' in the pictures is not in the actual cards :-)

agenda

2011-09-22T12:16:00.000+02:00

A new agenda with a new handmade customized cover.

And nice tapes from 'good old' plastic. Why is everyone so into the washi masking tape? I must admit the Japanese tapes look great, but no cart or even the thinnest shred of paper lasts on the wall for a day!

brown/grey

2011-09-20T16:32:00.001+02:00

I'm back at 'school' again...I'm following a design class in textiles and screenprinting. But today's lesson- well it's not really a lesson because you can work independently on whatever you like - started with an exercise in observation and abstraction and convert materials into shape (first 2 pictures).

short vacation Rügen

2011-09-07T13:50:00.001+02:00

traditional vacation breakfast spread; notice the greedy hand and look :)

planking

ovary

George and the Dragon

cheerful

2011-09-06T22:32:00.001+02:00

A successful festival with great co-workers, a nice looking face at work and at the breakfast table and my embellished wool cardigan make me smile.

we're open!

2011-08-20T12:40:00.002+02:00

We are in the park! Our cafe, shop and shadowbox are open every day from 16.00 - 22.30 h until Sunday August 28.

It looks great, again, like last year! Come and visit and taste the atmosphere!

vacation for some

2011-08-13T11:26:00.003+02:00

While some have vacation, some work hard.
Here are some preview shots of my new work for the Noorderzonfestival shop... there will be a couple of DIY (do it yourself) products, an attempt to stimulate creativity and encourage handicrafts.
And did you see the Grun(n) Gemaakt blog?

Wander Wasbeer : a diy cuddle

het mooiste zit vanbinnen-bags

A couple of weeks ago a woman emailed me to ask if I still had some of the "het Mooiste zit vanbinnen" bags (a handmade charity bag with the handprinted text meaning 'beauty is only skin deep' Look here). Since I had only a couple of bags left, she offered to help me with the production of some more. We'd never reallly met before, but I was so surprised and enthousiastic about her offer. I feel so grateful and supported. So, there she was, last Wednesday and she even brought flowers from her garden...
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no rest

2011-08-03T11:54:00.001+02:00

Dry the river
August 22 also at the Noorderzonfestival Groningen! I want to attend, I'm in the neighbourhood anyway.

orange and black

2011-08-02T13:14:00.001+02:00

Adolescent blackbird found in the garden...

close

2011-07-11T08:43:00.002+02:00

Because my husband's leg is still not healed after Disaster day, we cannot do the things we planned; renovating the house for sale and go on vacation! So my work continues - and I enjoy it - for the Noorderzon festival (18- 28 August) and then my small and exclusive new collection will first be presented.

homo ludens

2011-07-05T12:04:00.001+02:00

Magic mushrooms have landed in our garden...

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camilla

2011-07-01T16:20:00.005+02:00

Tomorrow we'll go to a an amusement park thanks to the supermarket campaign. Actually not my kind of fun but the girls love it. We'll bring girlfriends and a decent amount of healthy (and not so healthy) food supplies...and a good book (!), for I will not be in the rollercoaster all the time (Engman!)...

talent

2011-06-29T15:46:00.001+02:00

newest work by me

other talented girl

and funny too!

hot

2011-06-28T16:53:00.000+02:00

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moved

2011-06-27T11:04:00.008+02:00

I was moved to tears ... last Friday at the small but great livingroom concert by Bird in Winsum's synagogue. Their sound refers to a nostalgic longing.

bird op Myspace Music

Daan Kleijn trio

and the Daan Kleijn trio at "te gast in Garnwerd" last Sunday made me smile ... young guys and so incredibly talented!
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nice day

2011-06-23T20:30:00.001+02:00

work

2011-06-21T15:52:00.005+02:00

Finished just in time...tomorrow an unexpected fotoshoot in my home...

square

2011-06-21T15:47:00.001+02:00

Right after our quarrel and trying him to square with me, in a split second my husband fell of the ladder and hurt his leg badly...eight stiches in a 6 cm square (hook) and a huge bruise.....poor A....!
Making it up by playing nurse....

inspirograph?

2011-06-17T08:42:00.000+02:00

Richard Sarson merely uses colored pens and a compass to create these things. None of those fancy art sets or anything like that.
But I recently did buy myself one of those... it needs only a little practice, but a childhood dream come true :-)

More inspiration from a new book! You can buy it here.

weekend activity

2011-06-16T23:12:00.001+02:00

I'm preparing a Indonesian lunch (nasi goreng) with force 6 haha!

The girls poke fun at me while I'm prepraring lunch

We rented a sailboat from acquaintances so we had a cheerful family weekend at Whit Sunday (Dutch: Pinksteren) on the 'Lauwersmeer', which is so very near our hometown and so beautiful but there are never enough visits. (I have good intentions for really more visits to master sailing - my Love is the real sail Master here- and make sailtrips even to the Dutch isles!). No photos of the lake due to force 6 ...whahooo!

Maru

2011-06-09T20:44:00.013+02:00

LOL!

Maru even has her own blog!

travels II

2011-06-09T09:28:00.000+02:00

Other things I saw in Spain and Portugal...

paperworks

2011-06-08T09:53:00.002+02:00

I know it's quite simple - and I like to keep it simple, there's no fun in hard work for me now- but it gives me so much joy working with these colorful paper dots.

Claudy Jongstra

2011-06-05T20:51:00.002+02:00

We met Claudy Jongstra in her Frisian studio last Friday. A small group of designers were invited.
Claudy is an internationally acclaimed artist working with wool, silk and other natural fibers. Her work has high tactility and special color qualities by means of the use of natural dyes of plants and herbs which they grow themselves.
It was great to see her work but even more inspiring is her gets inspiration from nature and the high respect and care for Mother Earth fully integrated in her growing company.

dressing up

2011-06-01T17:12:00.002+02:00

It's great fun to dress up!
This was leading up for a picture we need for the announcement of our presence on coming Noorderzon festival in August. Read more here as Annet did some nice work already.

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family

2011-05-30T08:49:00.003+02:00

A nice weekend with brother and sister and the kids in a wooden castle at wooded and wonderful campsite 'de Roos'. I enjoyed the company and scenery. It's great strolling through these woods and slightly hilly area. Even the toilet visits for the wide wide open window - the latter not only due to my inbalanced stomach and intestines - were enjoyable: a woodpecker at the base of the nearest tree only 2 m away...

the key

2011-05-25T12:54:00.005+02:00

In life there are two basic motives from which you can act: Fear and Love. Most people in western society act upon fear. Often we are brought up in fear and were told never to stick out your head above the parapet - or you should never sing too loud or the neighbours will hear (so what?) is just a small example of Fear.
You can choose the other way.
To remind me day in day out that Love is the key I like (and need) to keep mine very close...

Tuck & Patti and Lee Ritenour

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mantra clipping

2011-05-23T14:47:00.001+02:00

I spent hours and hours of clipping these dots.... a meditative project, sitting quietly at my desk in front of the garden window.
The first breed of great tits (koolmezen) in my garden have unwittingly left the nest...

exhibition

2011-05-19T14:20:00.000+02:00

The exhibition of my work has been prol_____onged at the shop of Sarah Zoutewelle-Morris untill the start of the Summer vacation!
The litlle craft shop is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 13.00 till 16.30 h.
Baron van Asbeckweg 7, Warfhuizen
If you pay a visit - look here for the location- you'll probably end up in a inspiring conversation with Sarah and have a nice cup of attention tea from Annet's teapot.

You can read more here (Spoonful) and here (Art calling) about the shop and Sarah's inspiring (and reassuring and soothing for me) ideas on art and actions of the heart!

travels

2011-05-17T18:46:00.001+02:00

Guggenheim museum, Bilbao (Spain)

in the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao (Spain)

I had a GREAT time ....
My sister and I made magnificent hikes in the mountains of Picos de Europa and we met lovely people, like Carlos in Santillana and Graça (in Northern Portugal) and her family and friends. She invited me to celebrate my birthday - a homecooked dinner and chocolate cake dessert - at her amazingly bubblegum pink painted house!

...but some things were a bit awkward for I missed my kids tremendously (especially during the first 1,5 week) and our lovely vintage mini van broke down the 4th day. So the rest of our journey we drove (aprox. 3000 km in total) in a luxurious white (yeach!) rental car and we had to stay in hotels and pensions instead of campingsites.

Now... I landed, but I cannot seem to find my niche...

faces in Comillas, Spain

Santillana del Mar, Spain

Cucayo in the Picos de Europa, Spain

Fuente De in the Picos de Europa, Spain

picknick at Pico Jano, Picos de Europa

Pico Jano in Picos de Europa

National Parc Peneda-Geres, Portugal

Graça and 15 year old son Sebastian, lunch together

Graça's place called Casa do Castello

bye bye

2011-04-16T09:07:00.001+02:00

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I'll be away for 3 weeks on a vacation in the Picos de Europa (Spain) and in Portugal (north)...
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Have a nice Springtime too; try to get away from your computer, catch some sun...see you later !

...

2011-04-14T22:07:00.000+02:00

I am looking forward to meeting one of my blog followers in Portugal within two weeks, Graça Paz!
I just emailed her and she wrote back enthusiastically...
that simple...
global village...

attention 2

2011-04-13T14:46:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I got a present from Marjolein with the nicest cover :-)... a cd from Devotchka.
Thank you so much, dear.

attention

2011-04-13T14:31:00.000+02:00

I just got mail.

Super, touching...

truly a wonderful gift.

You sure know how to pay attention...

past perfect

2011-04-12T11:07:00.004+02:00

I've sewn:

193 bags (totes, handbags, slings)
104 skirts (for women and little girls)
59 happy period purses
42 pencils cases/purses
10 birthday buntings
57 cushions
8 small children bags
6 marbles sack
65 flowers (brooch or hair clip)
25 composite and/or printed shirts
24 iPhone/camera holders
37 baskets
14 clothes pins hanging baskets
25 cuddles/softies

approx. 3 dozen of shopping bags 'Het Mooiste zit Vanbinnen' (yielded €130,50) goes to charity, to the Yasap Foundation!!

I am grateful for what I learned the past few years, for the kind words, cheers and critical remarks from customers, friends, colleagues and family, for my successes and the mistakes I made.

Continous tense

And the best thing is ... it ain't over yet!

Now the remaining stuff from my shop is at the gallery/shop of artist Sarah Zoutewelle in Warfhuizen.
Open:

22 april t/m 7 mei on Friday and Saturday 13.00 -16.30,

and on Monday (1e Paasdag/Easter) till 16.00.

On week days it can also be opened after you call/mail her.

Next August we will be at the Noorderzon Perfoming Arts Festival for the second year.

and somewhere in between I'll launch an tiny Etsyshop or so...maybe...perhaps...or something...eh...yes.

ahead

2011-04-12T10:40:00.001+02:00

The first preparations to the next performing arts Festival Noorderzon 2011. A shop and shadow box co-production between Megan, Annet, Marjolein and me. Marieke deals with the children's workshops this year.

notes

2011-04-06T14:45:00.004+02:00

I like notebooks and have quite a collection. But I use only 3 for sketches and ideas for future projects so I won't forget them and to put them out of my mind.
These are my favorites. One with red squared carbonated and numbered paper (excite!!) and a inspiring triangular pattern. And one with a fine illustration by la Marelle en papier.
(By the way, who wants one of the carbonated notebooks? Let me know! I was over enthousiastic last Summer in France...who needs a dozen of the same? :-) I have three books of size 10x15 cm for €4 and only one which measures 21x15 cm for €6, including shipping in EU).

light

2011-04-05T08:23:00.001+02:00

The shop is closed. I enjoy the light - literally and figuratively.
Now I'm wrapping up the old stuff that belong to having a business and after that the sheer joy of holiday preparations can start!
My website is still online but with a totally different face and a small portfolio of last year's (or two) work. Have a look!

April 16th I'll join my sister in Amsterdam and then head to the South!
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up-and-up

2011-04-02T18:45:00.001+02:00

Watching a tomtit paying a visit to our birdhouse I was dreaming of a new place to live closer and amongst the feathered pals I came across this one... I love it!
This beauty is from Baumraum.

What great summer temperatures today!

mi casa es tu casa v.v.

2011-04-01T11:48:00.000+02:00

With some people you feel at home... I love Ingrid and her place.
It's lovely to see that my work and my dear friend's work are used extensively.

*'table of content' by Jack Brandsma (hanging basket on the radiator by me :-)

*wool lampshade by Marjolein Perin

*custom made basket by me.

lines dots

2011-03-30T18:07:00.000+02:00

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old and new

2011-03-26T10:48:00.000+01:00

Being fascinated by the (knitted plastic) package material of onions (or potatoes?), I made a pencil case out of it. (I stamped a ribbon with some black dots). It's big enough for several notebooks for writing and sketches during my next journey. I hope I get 'Wreck this Journal" by Keri Smith for my birthday. So I'll bring along glue and color pens as well.

The postcards on the small medicine cabinets I got them from a friend. They're too nice to use or send! From Jessica Nielsen.

tryouts

2011-03-25T15:12:00.003+01:00

plans

2011-03-22T17:56:00.000+01:00

This is where I'll be going within a couple of weeks. I'm leaving on April 18 with my sister in her tiny (old) camper.
We'll be away for 3 weeks of which the last couple of days I'll be fully on my own.
In those days I imagine myself with a herd of goats in the Portugese mountains...hmmmm. I've been searching the internet for a goat farmer (vrouw zoekt boer :-) ....

If anyone has tips on any subject - places to stay, to see, to do and don't - please let me know!

her way

2011-03-21T21:59:00.001+01:00

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StyleCookie

2011-03-17T22:04:00.004+01:00

My cloud cushions WOL(k) are featured at the StyleCookie!

I'm very happy about that! Nice picture, thanks!

birth

2011-03-17T09:40:00.004+01:00

Wiesje Wasbeer (racoon) was born and Spring was born. You see the tiny young fresh green leaves?
I am still at work! Since the decision was taken to close the shop, I start with the things I have long wanted to do for myself. Sowing a cardigan, and Wiesje, a new bag for myself, stamping a lot etc.... I enjoy it! And I also enjoy the garden view when I'm at my high working table in the living (I bought a lovely secondhand vintage high stool from a woman who recognized me from a magazine publication, can you image? !) while I'm working in the sun!
And the deliveries from the shop continue...thank you all!

something old, something new

2011-03-10T13:17:00.003+01:00

sale

2011-03-07T11:15:00.001+01:00

Sale is going fast! There are still some products left in my shop.
Please be sure to order them this month. The shop will be closed at April 1.

The reactions of people who have received their packages are heartwarming. Thank you all for your kind words.
Deep down I sense a little eagerness to carry on the whole business... maybe later...

Did you notice the sun is out?
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SALE

2011-03-01T16:44:00.000+01:00

SALE in my Van San online shop during the month of March.
The shop will be closed from April 1.

I go on a Journey
Inwards
and abroad,
to See what's in me
and to Sort out what needs to go

Thanks for your confidence and interest. My creativity is unstopable and endless so I'll probably find some (other) way expression.
I will continue blogging!

nice

2011-02-27T10:59:00.000+01:00

Colleague Marjolein and I are featured at StyleCookie which is a nice and fresh online magazine. See here.... and here

I found...

2011-02-26T14:17:00.001+01:00

...fabulous flowers in my favorite colour. They're called 'Craspedia'.

... a lovely summer dress in a fifties print and fine cotton by White Stuff.

... and a new place to live. Is this going to be our new home?
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2011-02-15T11:59:00.001+01:00

My very first selfmade screenprint!

I attend an 8x evening course in 'het Grafisch Museum' in Groningen.

And some sketches for a new print. Sometimes I really can't make up my mind what to choose.
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support

2011-02-12T11:15:00.002+01:00

smoothie by Janneke

in good company

attentively and slowly chew your homemade hummus on toasted bread in the morning (10.30 am)

enjoy the little things


create a (work)space for yourself in the living although it gets a litlle crowded over there

In daily life it's easy to slip into routines and habits that don't really support you. It makes me ill and dissatisfied....

How do you support yourself?
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Dutch design

2011-02-12T10:42:00.001+01:00

I bought this book about Hella Jongerius. And since I have a terrible cold for 2 weeks now and feeling a bit weak, I find myself some time to read this very much inspiring book! Only after turning a few pages I can't keep sitting still: I have to create something!
It contains beautiful graphic design ( by Irma Boom) and many detailed pictures. I love the colours Hella uses and her ideas on design and her work are represented in interviews with Louise Schouwenberg(sculptor and design critic).

After seeing the picture (first, above) I've decided to decorate my own shoes.... I don't know how yet...but I'll find out and show you the results when it's done.

stamp it

2011-02-10T14:51:00.001+01:00

I made some new stamps and after hesitating for a while - there's no way back once you've stamped one! - I finally decided to stamp my scarf too.
Don't you just love the squared fabric? It's a remnant of my husband's shirt, which I cut into pieces (after asking permission, it' wasn't yet worn out you see :-) when I absolutely needed that particular grey colour!

SWAP

2011-01-31T08:44:00.001+01:00

Being this my first Swap and all I still have to find out some things...
so girl-swappers, would you all be so kind to send me an email (info at van san dot nl) with your name and address?! Everyone gets something!

and if you'd like some hints on 'I like/unlike' just read on a bit...

I like.... pieces of patterned paper, brown paper with white prints, notebooks and stationery, red robin, blue tit and swallow, stamps and other handmade things, hollyhocks and cornflower, colours: ochre, coffee latte brown (the brown paper sort of colour), white, greyblue, greygreen, pink, letters and numbers, hand knit or crochet softies/cuddles, (books on interior- ) design, furniture and arts, Uppercase, Camilla Engman, abstract or geometric vintage fabrics from the 50s and 60s (Lucienne Day, Marion Mahler e.g.), walking in meadows and woods, Joni Mitchell, Elle Wonen magazine, mango and apple....

I dislike... glossy magazines, blingbling, socker, loud and unexpected noises, the Lief! and Blond Amsterdam brand stuff, Ariadne at Home style, artificial flavouring and colorants, injustice and intolerance, pork...
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BSW-1

2011-01-28T14:44:00.003+01:00

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business

2011-01-27T17:47:00.002+01:00

I delivered one of my stools yesterday in a nice home of a sweet woman and an affectionate deaf (loud screaming) cat. I was allowed to take some pictures with the attention to use them for press photography. But the stools are difficult to photograph, the legs always look weird in perspective.... and I am looking for a concrete floor for the shoot...Anyone in the neighborhood with such a floor?

I made me a business card holder yesterday. It is a big improvement on my old one which was a small plastic envelope...

My favorite drinking glass. I only have one and I hunt down every thrift store or flea market for more of these.

swap

2011-01-25T07:31:00.007+01:00

* untill next Tuesday March 1.

Of somethings you can't get enough, but of somethings you have too much. Fabrics for instance. I am a fabric junkie.. or at least I was. Some fabrics I use, some I love, some I have just for having, some I dislike now but loved it when I bought it. But most of them just lie there and do nothing...and I do nothing too lately.

I'd like to swap the fabrics from the first picture, if there's one or two you like please leave a message here. Maybe you have something you'd like to trade? If you don't, that's fine too. Maybe some other time...or not, that's all right.

I hope I can make you happy!

And I also have tons of nice decorative trims and laces and stuff...that'll be for some other swap later.

Did you miss last year's issue of 101 Woonideeen in which my house, my work and family is portrayed and do you want to learn more about my domesticity...well...click here to Bloesem blog...

patterns

2011-01-20T10:21:00.003+01:00

My new stools are in my shop now.