Testing. 1. 2. 3.

So this is not a 30-days-of-this and definitely not a 365-days-of-that project. But I do like series and I feel like drawing and testing out materials. So you might find a couple of experiments here. A drawing, a little painting or just a handwritten word or a sentence I like... it could be anything and it could be anytime.

Experiment one of the day was a topinambour (or sunroot) soup. Experiment two was this drawing I made of it. First I sketched with a pencil, then colored it in with watercolor and finally drew the outlines with a fineliner. 

Voila. The start of a series. What it will be a serie of, only time can tell...

#1 - Sunroot, basil and onion

It's nice, that.

About a month ago I got an email from Gezond Eten magazine. They had seen my illustrated recipes and were wondering if I would like to be in their magazine. Would I? Uh... let me think....uh, hell yeah! So I sent them a little info about what I do and selected some nice illustrations and then the waiting began... Last day of the year I found the magazine in my mailbox. *jumps up and down, grinning like a mad person* They had written the nicest thing about my work.

About 2 days later I got my first Dutch custom recipe order. As much as I love to make the illustrations for US customers, it feels really nice to finally make some Dutch ones as well! What a lovely start of the new year...

The recipes are all hand drawn and custom made, in any language you like. You can order yours here.

Dinner decorations

It's a fact that people have a better time and food tastes better when things are looking nice at the dinner table. Apparently you can make crappy food, place it on a pretty plate and add some extra visual treats and you can get away with it. 

Luckily we really had some pretty good food for Christmas, though... I think... 

I made a special menu 'recipe poster style' for everyone and cute little twig-things to make sure everyone knew where to sit (okay, that wasn't really necessary, but it looked nice anyway).

I didn't want to spoil the surprise for everyone at our Christmas dinner, so I am posting this after Christmas. Sorry. But maybe it's a nice idea for another occasion. Or keep it in mind for next year. 

2014 has been an amazing year for me. Thanks to all who have been a part of it. See you in 2015!

PS. Stoffer + Blik's custom recipes are featured in 'GEZOND eten' magazine. In stores this Wednesday! Will be posting some photos on that soon!

A Map of the World according to Illustrators and Storytellers

That title alone made me pick up this book at a small bookshop in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin.

It was a wonderful way too short citytrip I was on a few weeks ago and a big book like this wasn't going to fit in my hand luggage. But it took me no longer than 2 seconds of flipping through the colorful pages to decide I wanted this. I mean, I needed this. Seriously. And thank the universe for the internet, postal services and stuff. Short story even shorter: I have it and I love it. And I want to show you how cool this is.

I have drawn my own share of little maps and this book made me want to start drawing new ones immediately. So if you're looking for me, I'm on my couch with a big pot of tea and this book.

'A Map of the World is a compelling collection of work by a new generation of original and sought-after designers, illustrators and mapmakers [....] the featured projects from around the world range from maps and atlases inspired by classic forms of cartographic experiments and editorial illustrations.' 

A Map of the World according to Illustrators and Storytellers
Gestalten / ISBN 978-3-89955-469-4

The perfect Christmas gift

While it's still 20 degrees outside with blue summer skies, I've been getting ready for Christmas. As strange as it feels, it is already November and that means that Santa needs some help with illustrating recipes and stuff like that. And that's my job, apparently. And I love it.

The first request for a Christmas recipe card came in a week ago and it kind of took me by surprise. I'd almost forgotten how much fun that is. It is a wonderful and very personal, one of a kind gift! I've got my pen and inks out and am ready for all your custom illustrated recipe requests. Bring it on! You can order yours right here.

The Christmas card collection is online again as well. Check 'm out here.

Did you win?!

If you entered the competition and your name is Brenda, you did! Congratulations! They're on their way!

Stamp Arrow

Having an unexpected day off is great every now and then. Especially when it's Monday morning. Also I still have a to do list that seems to get longer every time I think of it. After shortening the list by doing (almost) all the very necessary things, I thought I could add one more thing to it: draw and carve this arrow stamp, sawing & sanding the wood and putting everything together for a new addition to the shop. It was about time...

It makes a lovely pattern if you stamp a whole row of them in different colors.

You can find it in the shop right here. As always it's one of a kind, all handmade and glued onto a piece of reclaimed wood. And of course shipping world wide!