It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas // Kaartje2Go

It is that time of the year again. Time to send your friends and family a little sweet message for the holidays and wish them an awesome new year. This year I have added some cute woodland themed illustrations and Christmas song hand lettering postcards to my Kaartje2Go shop.

Last year around 170 million Christmas cards were sent out in the Netherlands only. Nothing can beat a personal message coming through your mailbox. So check out all Christmas cards and pick your fave. Looking forward to see this years designs on my doormat. I have been working for Kaartje2Go for a few years now and every year I add a couple of new winter, Christmas and December holiday designs. This years series of seasonal postcard designs were inspired by the top 10 all time favorite Christmas songs. Like Michael Bublé's version of It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and Frank Sinatra's Let it snow. Ofcourse Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You is included. The cards are a mix of hand lettering and woodland animals. Cute geometric shaped owls, foxes and grizzly bears in trendy pastel colors all in Scandinavian style. Take a look in the Kaartje2Go shop and take a look at all new designs.

New winter collection of phone cases // Daily Objects

Another season, another batch of gorgeous Indian designs. For Daily objects India we just finished a new series of surface pattern designs just in time for the holidays. Browse through more that 200 designs and pick your fav gift!

The winter season is coming, so for this series of designs we have been making some cold woodland inspired design. Organic shapes and raw garden themes in soft colors. There are also some new Indian themes: of course some new peacock designs and some retro American inspired art will be part of the new collection too. Take a look on the Daily Objects website and order your favorite design.

Open Monument Day // Top 5 historical places to visit in The Hague

As you may know already: nothing is more terrifying to me than doing the same thing day every day. Living in the same city for over 7 years now is quite the challenge too. So thank god for Open Monument day. One day in the year all Dutch Monuments are open to public. Amazing old buildings and historical landmarks open their doors for the public. A great day enjoy some new things in the city.

Usually I miss these kind of events that take place and only ready about it afterwards but this year, although it said Sunday on my calendar, I made it this Saturday! I love to explore new things and Open Monument Day is a great way to get to know your own city. The Hague has a lot of impressive architecture and a great history of politics and of course traces of the Royal Family. I think over the years I have gotten to know The Hague quite a bit. I try every new lunchroom that opens in town. Go to the galleries, museums and try to enjoy it to the fullest. This is a great day to explore the city without spending a crazy amount of money. So here is a little top 5 of places to visit while staying in The Hague.



1 Pulchri Studio // Art Gallery
This Art Gallery is my all time favorite in town. This well known art society dates back to 1847. Run by artists and art lovers this place keeps buzzing. The gallery is located in the beautiful historical district of The Hague and doesn't look too bad itself. Downstairs you can find some original interiors and upstairs the large glass panel roof brings in the daylight. You can see and purchase paintings, sculptures, photographs and, well, everything that meets 'Art' you can find here. Pulchri Studio has new shows every few weeks, is free of charge and is open for public 6 days a week. If you are passionate about art this is a great place to look around, find some new inspiration and enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace. If you would like to know what's going on check their calendar on the website.

2 Paleis Kneuterdijk // The Council of State
The Council is one of the High Councils of State regulated by the Constitution, which carry out their tasks independently of the government. The Council is situated in Paleis Kneuterdijk that was build in 1730. The palace was the home of several generations of Royal Family and changed into government offices around 1937. So the building itself is like a patchwork of architectural diversity. A must see is the gothic hall that was built around 1840. A room with stained glass windows and a dramatic arched roof.

3 Hotel Des Indes // Luxerious grandeur
This elegant hotel in the heart of The Hague was built in 1858 and first in use as city palace before becoming a hotel in 1881. The luxurious hotel has welcomed royalty and celebrities from Dalai Lama to Rolling Stones. The hotel is like a story book where great ball room dances took place and history was written.
The ground interior, lounge and restaurant is an extravagant place filled with colorful patterns and golden detailing, with vaulted ceilings and elegant draperies. If you want to experience the one of a kind atmosphere make sure you book a high tea or sit down for a glass of bubbles in the salon. You can also watch the Dutch documentary that was made about this iconic hotel.



4 Regentes // Art Deco swimming pool transformed into theater
This Art Deco building was built in 1920 and was the first indoor swimming pool in Europe at the time. Nowadays it is the home of Theater De Regentes. The interior still has typical swimming pool elements. Little signs with typography, the large pool is transformed into a lounge that still shows the original pool tiles and in the main theater you can still see the little dressing rooms on the side of the hall. I am a big fan of theater and performing arts and love to see what happens behind the scenes. The building is a fun mix of Art deco and creative energy. If you want to look inside, go see a play.

5 Kloosterkerk // Protestant church and concert hall
I am not religious but I enjoy seeing churches and temples where ever i go. The Kloosterkerk is a protestant church members of the royal family like Princess Beatrix visit frequently. The church has a dramatic exterior and the original foundations of the building date back to 1540. If you are curious to look inside you can attend a sunday service or visit one of their musical concerts.

Bebè Casa Fabrics | Original Little Smilemakers designs for Kids fashion and home decor

So happy to show this new collection! I have been working for a new fabric company in Poland. A new start up with a collection of new fresh designs for kids fabrics. Jan, head of the company was looking for colorful prints after the birth of his new born. He saw my work via Shutterstock and approached me for the fabric license.

"From newborns to parents, we are set on a journey to help create an environment of joy through colourful, vivid fresh design that each will fall in love with. Original patterns curated by young, skilled, world-class designers." - Jan, Bebè Casa

As a start up there is so much to do, I know all about the complexity of starting your own company and how exhausting taking care of all those little details can be. But the first designs are now available. And there will be more to come in the months to come. So if you are looking for a genuine manufacturer of Little Smilemakers fabric in Europe. Stay with us for more and follow us here and via the new & fresh Bebe Casa Facebook page.

Awesome new designs available & jersey fabric back in stock

Finally, after months of waiting the jersey is back! Perfect to make cute kids fashion items, leggings, shirts and onsies and comfy clothes for yourself. 40 new designs are also added to the Little Smilemakers fabric shop. new kids themes, little mermaids for girls, contructions workers and transportation themes for boys. Fun geometric designs and summer & fall seasonal prints. Check all designs here and don't forget to show your final creations when you're done.

> New York | London | Food & Summer designs | Exclusive work | Surtex 2014

In a week New York will be hosting Surtex 2014. I am very excited to let you know we have been working on a large new exclusive series of images. Here you can see a little sneak peek. New vintage series with crafty themes and icons of the road illustrations. But also travel inspired designs with new themes like New York City & London. And ofcourse for all foodies: some sweet fruit designs and popsicles. Yes, all set for this new warm summer season!

> Merry christmas to you all

Those days before christmas. Shopping presents for friend or family, finishing the last projects of 2013. Busy days. Just two more to go before closing up for christmas. I hope you will all have an amazing holiday filled with love and cheer. Thank you all for your kinds wishes and postcards.

Best of luck to you all,
Maaike Boot

> Travel typography & typography designs | only for one of the best...

Some new typography designs are coming. I have been working on a new project for which I was able to make more typography related designs. Also I was able to include some of my travel images. One of my passions: photography. I would love to see my travel series in shops. I can not say much about the entire thing yet but it will be an amazing road ahead with the company for.

> Organic retro wallpaper | surface pattern series | Pastels | Neon | Bright retro colors

This year i have been making kids themes mainly. Illustrated surface pattern designs in vibrant colors. But the next few weeks i will be working on more 'hand' drawn surface patterns. Organic shapes with a retro color touch for home decoration like fabrics and wallpaper. To be continued...