Sinterklaas // Dutch Holiday season start // Kleurplaat & Kijkdoos

So yes, for non-Dutchies this might be a little bit of a strange post. Each year we celebrate Sinterklaas the first week of December. It is quite similar to the well know Santa tradition but our old white bearded man comes from a typical Dutch heritage. He arrives on a boat with a dozen of helpers and turn the dark November month into a sweet candy filled mayhem.

Each year we try to create a cool freebie around this traditional Dutch holiday. This year we have a fun project to work on. A Sinterklaas and Zwarte Pier themed set of drawings your kids can color, cut and paste into their Sinterklaas paper Peepshow. Click on the image and save the file to your desktop. Don't forget to send us your results!

This crafting set was originally made around 10 years ago for H&M Holland when I was still working for a design company that was hired to do H&M's graphic design in The Netherlands.

Yay it's May // Studio filled with new energy

This post is dedicated to a person that is very dear to me. May always starts with a little knot in my stomach, a trip down memory lane. This year it has been six years ever since my stepfather past away, on the same day as Dutch Momorial day. Right after memorial day the country turns into one big party: Liberation Day.

For me Memorial day will always be a day to remember my stepdad. And every year I buy myself some flowers, he used to bring me those whenever he came over to visit. These flowers remind me to fill my days with joy. Do what I love and bring a fresh energy into the studio. So let's start May by enjoying life to the fullest. Remembering moments we spent with our loved ones and create new ones in this breezy spring air.

> Happy Holi | Subh Holi | Welcome spring!

We are celebrating the early signs of spring today. Cherry blossom is popping, the birds are singing, and the sun is getting warmer every day. Spring has definitely arrived! So I have been working on some new spring themes these past few days. Inspired by my trip to India last month.

Happy Holi to all of you celebrating this colorful indian holiday. I am happy to be able to celebrate in my hometown.

> Jimi Hendrix | Music icon wallpaper & fabric | hand drawn art | surface pattern design

As a fan of music I must adore this man. I love Jimi Hendrix. I have been stroling around shops and the internet to find a nice print to make a t-shirt of this guitar playing icon. But no luck. So a while ago I started making a large portrait drawing. Not thinking this would end up on fabric. But as you might already know. I can make a cute pattern out of almost every shape or form so, yes... I decided it was about time to add this pattern to my new fabric collection. The large portrait and print are also available for your couch on a cute throw pillow. But, for real Jimi Hendrix fans, the patterned print will also be available on wallpaper. What? Yes, wallpaper! I love this job!

> Byebye September | Last chance to watch & vote for the Shutterstock Stories contest

After being listed for two weeks in the Shutterstock Stories contest. We have arrived at the final day. The last day to watch and vote in this contest. Watch the Little Smilemakers Studio video on vimeo. If you would like to show your support please place your vote. September is coming to an end. Temperature is dropping. Yes time to finalize and start new projects, new designs, new video's, new collections and adventures. See you in October!

> A little inspirational video | Behind the scenes at Little Smilemakers Studio | Drawing on camera

For the Shutterstock Stories entry I have made several shots that did not make the final cut. But what to do with all this material. I do not like clutter on my computer so it was either throwing all these pieces of film out or do something with it. I decided to upload them as a little source of inspiration. Hopefully these short clips can inspire you to start drawing as well. Enjoy and feel free to leave a comment.

WATCH LITTLE SMILEMAKERS VIDEO AT WORK

> Finished project | New iphone case collection online | FREE shipping thru April 14 | Little Smilemakers Studio on Society 6

A whole bunch of new surface pattern designs by Little Smilemakers Studio are now also available as iphone case or laptop or ipad cover. Working hard to get all cute illustrated patterns online before the 14th. To be a bit more clear: Some cute green dinosaurs and palmtrees, butterflies with floral patchwork, owl and flower patchwork and a cute China themed icons and illustrations typography pattern.

Free shipping thru April 14! So go to the Little Smilemakers store and shop online at Society 6. Let me know which one you like most! And if you would like to get updated about new designs and prints: check the Little Smilemakers Studio facebook page, like & share!

> Seasonal allergies | welcome spring | hello hay fever | new illustrations series

Yes, i am one of those people that is blessed with seasonal allergies. This year the start of the season was in january. While discussing my red nose with a friend she reminded me of my allergies. Could it be hay fever already? And yes it was. It is. No mascara for me these upcoming months. But on the bright side: this week i will be working on some hay fever and seasonal allergies illustrations. So i will be safe working inside the studio. And i get to wear my awesome designer (fake plastic) glasses.

Are you also having seasonal allergies? Then check how bad the itching and dripping will be. Download a free app: pollennieuws (for dutchies) so you will be prepared when you go out.

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by Maaike Boot

> Finished project | New collection of illustrations | spring & easter 2013

I have been designing quite a few themes for Kaartje2Go already. For party invitations, christmas, new years and Valentines Day for instance. This week I have finished some new illustrations and photo frames and borders for Kaartje2Go for spring and easter. Cute spring animals, easter eggs, typography badges, fruit and garden illustrations in both bright colors and pastels. All illustrations and frames are now available online for Kaartje2Go customers.

by Maaike Boot - Little Smilemakers Studio

> New surface retro apple and pear pattern design | spring 2013 home deco kitchen series

by Maaike Boot

After designing the holiday illustration series for Kaartje2Go it is time to work on new spring graphics! Time to design some new kitchen fabric surface patterns. Adding a retro touch in the ink, drawing and adding some small pencil strokes in contrast of the big dark shapes of the ink. This is a sample of a new food home deco series. This apple and pear and other organic shapes are the new base for a tea towel series. Let me know what your think!

> Sinterklaas, zwarte piet and christmas patterns are up!

For most graphic designers that work for commercial products and companies the holiday season starts in the summer. Little Smilemakers Studio is always working six months ahead. To post my new christmas home deco projects and patterns here on the Little Smilemakers blog during the summer feels kinda strange so i always wait till i see a first sign in the shops. I was amazed to see the first signs of our typical Dutch holiday 'Sinterklaas' and 'pepernoten' in my local grocery this week already!

I have been working on several holiday patterns as you can see above. The top pattern was made for a Sinterklaas wrapping paper collection but you can also order this print as online postcard. Could be an invitation for friends to celebrate this holiday together or just a cute note for a Dutch friend or family member overseas. I love the Sinterklaas tradition.

If you would like to send one of those christmas patterns and designs as a merry christmas card to you friends or family just check out my online cards at Kaartje2Go.

all images by Maaike Boot

Catch of the day

All images by Maaike Boot

Catch of the day

Catch of the day

Catch of the day

Robosto

Logo design for Robosto Theater Group.

Catch of the day

Catch of the day

All images by Maaike Boot