Merry Christmas // Enjoy the holidays!

It is that time of the year again when half of the world gathers and celebrates Christmas. Christmas time is always a time to look back and reflect on the past year. We have so much to be thankful about!

The past year I have registered my new company, to take a step into a different direction. Together with a partner we are setting up a brand new shiny studio and a shop. So many things are happening! And what a great fruitful year it has been for the studio. We have worked for companies all over the world. Have seen our designs pop up in Canada, Australia, and we added South Africa and Brazil to our list of countries we do business with. 2016 was a fun year but also had some bumps in the road. We discovered a crazy lot of misuse of our designs, and struggled with a representing company not fighting on our behalf. We said goodbye to a 10 year business collaboration but in the end it will only give me and my business the freedom to stay close to the heart, create and make other people happy with our designs.

So we hope you can look back to a great and successful and most of all joyful year. Go enjoy the holidays! And take some time to reflect on where you are. Merry Christmas!

Happy // Print & Pattern // 2015

First of all a happy New Year to all you readers. I hope you all had an amazing christmas. We are all back in business. Already working on some new projects, some new exciting design series are in the making and we already finished some awesome things in this first week of the new year.

But January is also a time to reflect on an awesome 2014. With new clients and great finished projects and collections. The first year in which we started working for Africa, and added numerous new clients from Australia, Canada, Poland, Denmark and UK to our list of licensees. We made our annual trip to Heimtextil in Frankfurt where we met with new clients flying in from all over the world. We worked on a new collection of little babies and toddler shoes. In May there was a very exciting visit to the Empire State Building where we had a meet up with the great peeps of Shutterstock. It just kept on going.

The Spoonflower portfolio grew into a great online fabric shop with more than 700 trendy designs, quirky kids textiles and fun geometric abstracts. The design featured with this blogpost was 2014 best selling fabric. Keep sending in those finished projects. We love to see what you create!

At the end of 2014 another Little Smilemakers Studio collection was released in Veritas shops. Homewear, fabric and accessories with new retro prints inspired by an amazing overwhelming trip to India. A lot has happened! Hopefully 2015 will be as fruitful as the year we now say goodbye to.

November news // Veritas new wonderful winter collection

For Veritas I have been working on a new series of print designs for this years winter collection. The developing process from design to product can take a while and after months of patiently waiting I saw a sneak peek of the collection in September during Veritas Blogger event. Now has November has come and the entire collection is now available in all Veritas stores and in their online webshop.

From ink drawing to surface pattern
For this new winter collection home wear and accessories I wanted to create something which was in line with designs I made last year. A clear follow up. I wanted to create a series of prints with the same look and feel. When I started the designing process for this collection I just came back from India. The little illustrations and repetitive prints have a raw edge to them. I decided to use raw brushes and Indian ink to shape my whimsical illustrations, the first step to a surface pattern. The imperfect shapes of raw nature reflect the emotions with the change of the seasons. During this time of year nature transforms from soft and colorful into clear and raw. The new shapes were a direct conversion to this raw emotion. If you look closely to the little shapes that built the pattern you can see these spontaneous curves.




After this first drawing phase I will sit down and convert my drawings into vector files. When I have them on my computer I first start with a composition. It can be a simple repeat or a combination of shapes together. I will move the illustrations around until they find the right balance and then add color. For this collection I wanted to use cold winter season colors in soft tones and combine those with a warmer orange. Just using the second color as a little pop. The small scaled illustrations give the pattern a romantic touch. The entire home wear series is made from soft pastel repeats and the pyjama's have a contrasting t-shirt with a enlarged details and patchwork on the front and little detailing.

Cuddle up in cosy homewear
For the accessories, the bags and scarfs, I wanted to make a stronger series in color. They are a bit more winterly and darker than the series of prints I made for home wear. All designs are also available as fabric. And there is an entire series of sewing supplies that are very handy in your DIY home. The home wear series also includes undies, warm winter socks and matching negliges to go with the feather, flowers and apple prints. Take a look at the entire Maaike Boot collection online and mix and match! Don't be shy and tag your items in your Instagram feed of post your selfie wearing one of the items on the Little Smilemakers Facebook page. Looking forward to see how you mix and match this winter.

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.

> Happy spring & a quirky easter | Free printable poster and wrapping paper

We have been working on some seasonal themes. Easter is around the corner so we have decided to to put up these two cute free* printables on the blog for your easter home. You can frame, print your own little postcard, or make some cute little wrapping paper with it. Click on the image and download these cute sprint poster print designs for your own wall. Don't forget to send post a picture on our Little Smilemakers Studio facebook page when they are up!

artwork is prohibited for commercial use

> Little Smilemakers & Maxomorra

I have always been a fan of the cute Maxomorra clothing line for kids. They produce adorable clothes for babies, toddles and young kids. I remember seeing their first collection in Kopenhagen years ago. I fell in love with the cute quirky retro style patterns right away.

A few weeks ago a I stumbled upon their new collection in a shop in Antwerp and was happy to see my very own retro apples in their new spring collection. So run to the shop for new t-shirts, onsies, leggings and cute little undies.

> Little Smilemakers Studio fabric | Project DIY Pillow Case

It's lovely to see what people create from my designs. Lately I have been receiving lot's of projects made with my Veritas collection of Sew-be-do fabric. Skirts, dresses, little girls onsies and pillow cases. So much fun to see all these creative peoples finished projects.

If you are looking for some inspiration. This is one of my favorite projects. Made by a Belgian blogger Eline: Pluto Meisje. Look at that cute little illustration! If you want some more of where this came from, visit her blog and enjoy!

> New designs baby nursery textiles

New designs are up in the La Millou webshop. Have you seen the new Paris hipster design already? I love the combination of crisp black illustrations and silhouettes with pastel detailing and little pieces of typography. Who doesn't love this pearl of love? Which of these three designs do you prefer?

> New Veritas fall collection | available in all stores & in the webshop

Designing an entire collection always takes some time from start to production and to finish. But after months of eagerly waiting on the result, the collection will be available in the Veritas shops from tomorrow on. Fashion accessories, bags, scarfs and en entire Veritas Sewbedo collection, it's all there. If you haven't got time to visit a store location, check their online shop and let them deliver your favorite items on your doorstep.

This project for me has been very fun to work at. My 'creative career' started with a brief study in Belgium. Wen I was fifteen I started my Visual Design studies in Antwerp and there i discovered the Veritas shop. I fell in love with there very 'different from Dutch market' collection. Now almost 15 years later I hope someone will feel the same way looking at my collection. I still visit the shop every fall for new warm winter items.

The Veritas collection contains very wearable cozy fall items. But also some more crafty items like fabric by the yard and stitched patches and sewing boxes. So hopefully you can find something suitable for yourself.



Fan of the Little Smilemakers prints? Check our facebook page about upcoming projects, new fabric and paper goods.

> New retro fabric & wallpaper collection for kids | Spoonflower fall / winter collection

This past month we have been working on a new collection fabric and wallpaper. Over a hundered Little Smilemaker Studio designs are now for sale on fabric, wallpaper and gift wrapping paper. A large series of abstract retro designs, christmas and holiday themes, hipster illustrations and of course new stuff for little peeps, so crafty mommy, be aware! What do you think of the new kids and baby nursery collection?

CHECK OUT ALL FABRIC & WALLPAPER HERE!

> Condoleance voor kinderen | condolance postcards for kids | Girls & Boys

Een vrolijk onderwerp is het niet maar al een aantal mensen hebben me gevraagd of ik ook condoleance kaarten in mijn collectie had. Niet een algemene kaart voor een oma of tante, maar bij overlijden van een baby of jonge kinderen. Toen ik pas geleden helaas zelf op zoek was naar een gepast kaartje bij overlijden van een kindje uit mijn eigen omgeving ontdekte ik dat er niet veel ontwerpen te vinden waren.

De bestaande designs waren ontzettend deprimerend en bij het bekijken van de kaart alleen barst je in snikken uit. De condoleance kaartjes zijn veelal niet gericht op kinderen maar oudere mensen. Daarom besloot ik dat het tijd was voor wat meer keuze. Ik heb een aantal kaartjes ontworpen voor mijn online Kaartje2Go portfolio. Deze worden deze week aan mijn kaartjes webshop toegevoegd. Nee, niet leuk om even door te struinen maar wel ontwerpen die passend zijn voor een hele trieste situatie als overlijden van een kind of baby. Mocht je op zoek zijn naar een vrolijker thema, die zijn er gelukkig volop.

> Little Smilemakers Studio designs on Wallpaper & Gift wrapping paper

Spoonflower has added some new products to their online shop. Now you can not only shop for high quality fabrics (silk, cotton, jersey) Spoonflower has also put wallpaper, gift wrapping paper en decals to their list of products. It was about time to give our Little Smilemakers shop a little smiley update. So I added some new prints for all new products. Now you can also purchase all surface pattern designs to use for your living room wall and to wrap your cute presents for your kids, friends and family. Enjoy!

> Print & Party: Cute illustrated cupcake tags for your kids birthday

Dutch winter seems to be never ending. It is snowing again. A good time to spend some creative hours in your kitchen making some delicious food!
Make your own home-made party accessories for birthdays or special kids days! There is nothing better that sharing a few minutes of baking with your kids in your own kitchen. Give them each a nice different flavour and mark them with your kiddies favorite animal. Click on the image and save the full sized printable tags on your computer.

> Colorful Toucan retro kids pattern and other surface pattern news

Bright colors and odd shaped creatures. All inspired by nature. Cute colorful retro patterns. All new & now available at shutterstock. Take a look now in our new updated portfolio and check out all colorful bird surface patterns and illustrations for kids and home deco products.

The colerful retro toucan print was inspired by a trip to Costa Rica and Brazil. This print is also available on iphone, ipad, laptop sleeve and more. Take a look at all presents and gifts with this print at Zazzle.

> Spoonflower DIY project | new fabric and inspiration

This cute make-up bag was made by a Little Smilemakers customer. How do you like this colorful retro pattern? Are you a crafty one and a fan of diy projects and are you one with your sewing machine? Then the Spoonflower website might be a nice place for you to get some new fabric and some nice inspiration.

This websites sells amazing fabric in all sorts of styles, designs and types of textile. Make sure you check out the finished projects section on the website too and take a look at what other peeps do with their cotton. Don't forget to post your own final results as well! Enjoy!

> Retro owl illustrated storage boxes at Woonexpress by Little Smilemakers Studio

It's always a joy to see a finished home deco project. If you are a big fan of the retro owl collection you can run to the Woonexpress store now. Little Smilemakers illustrations are now available on cute kids storage boxes.

So brighten up your little girls bedroom and put away toys in these adorable boxes. Or surprise your friend with this cute baby shower present. The boxes are available in three different sizes. The boxes are also available in the Woonexpress online shop. Happy nesting!

> Little Smilemakers abstract leaf | Rituals scented candle packaging

Abstract colorful leaf illustration artwork by Little Smilemakers Studio for Rituals home products. Scented candles available at Ritual shops and also online at www.rituals.com Lovely to see how Little Smilemakers patterns and illustrations are everwhere.

> Enjoy the holidays!

We will be closing up the studio in a few hours for some really last-minute christmas shopping. Enjoy your christmas! Have fun unwrapping presents and eating too much delicious food!

> Little Smilemakers iphone case for How I met your mother | Good taste Lily Aldrin!

As a graphic designer you get used to seeing your designs out there after working for years and years in the business. But some just pop up where you would not expect it. During the final december episode from the How I Met Your Mother series there was a sudden glance of what seemed to be a Little Smilemakers design. Have you ever seen the 'coca cola' flash movie? Where they hide a crazy short cut of the logo and then you suddenly want to have a good Cuba Libre? Well, it took a while for me to realize why i found her iphone case so familiar. You can see How I Met Your Mothers actress Alyson Hannigan making a Little Smilemakers phonecall to Jason Segel.

Look what I saw in a Little Smilemakers flash during How I Met Your Mother's last episode. Good taste Lilly! Available at my Zazzle shop!

> Madam & monsieur moustache patterns | new brand | new project | free Paris Lovers 2013 calendar download

by Maaike Boot

Busy making some new wedding stationary for a new wedding stationary supply brand. Cute surface pattern designs for romantic Paris lovers. This piece of design above did not make the new selection for new stationary series but this surface pattern will be available at shutterstock, spoonflower and Zazzle. Would you like to purchase this design for commercial purpose please contact our Little Smilemakers Studio.

Get your own free Little Smilemakers Paris Lovers 2013 Calendar for your own personal use. Download your calendar by clicking on the visual below and print your own Little Smilemaker design.