Almost TwentyTen

Hi! I hope you have had a very nice Christmas. I have been—still am—very relaxed. Regularly bored silly, at the same time, can't be bothered to do anything. I believe I need it.
Slowly surfacing, I need to do some stuff before going back to work on the 4th.
New Year near. It is the time to do The Think.
What do you wish for 2010? For you, and for the big picture?

Olive Dear
Matte Stephens

of Waves and Wishes

In my mind there are lists. Lists of groceries for xmas. Lists of wanting to dos on Sunday. Lists of books I wish to read. Of items I wish to knit. Lists of ambitions for 2010. Of foods I'd like to taste. Places I wish to go. People I'd like to see. Projects I wish to start. And finish. Of what I wish to do more. And what I want to do less.
I'm aware that mind-lists can be ones you desperately write down so they wont clutter. These list are nothing like that. These recurrent lists are lists of anticipation. Looking forward. Of Joy, and of endless possibilities ...
I read a quote the other day that stuck; it was by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, and read

A goal without a plan is just a wish

It stuck, I quess, because I have a lot of wishes. There's nothing wrong with having wishes. But having indefinate wishes sometimes stand in the way of carrying them out.
Last year, around this time, I ventured out on a wonderful journey—going into business on my own. I happily went out to sea, having thrown all my baggage in the cabin, a big mess, and set sail.
The year has truely been great. I'm not sailing for shore. But I will use this break to go below deck. And find the compass.
...
As you can see above, I received Estis gorgeous Calendar
And Camillas wonderful book. Thank you both.

Tak

Thank you Fideli, for the wonderful ornaments I received today. They are absolutely gorgeous - I love them. Two of the three are presents. I won't tell which, or for whom;)
...
I have had this image from Anne Bundgaard on my list of faves for a while, and this month it is on the cover of BoligLiv.

so quiet ...

Do you know that sound the snow makes, when it takes away all the other sounds, just to sound quiet?
This morning I didn't hear the alarm clock. Maybe it was because I only slept four hours. Or maybe it looked at me at six, tilted its head and whispered "ahow--she looks so peaceful-- I should let her sleep a little bit longer". Two hours later, all the morning stuff done with, I'm back in my place, the best coffee in the city in a cardboard cup by my side, silence quietly tucks itself around my shoulders. On the other side of the glass, snow waves hello, as it flows by. Some pause, quietly, others seem to be in a bit of a rush. I wave back. Not making a sound.
Snow and Northern Lights. A set (the doll at the bottom is by Cathy Cullis)

"Room for Silence"

Yves Klein Fire Paintings
Luc Besson Subway

On review

Weekend greetings to all. I hope you are well, and not at all stressed out over forecoming holiday :)

The cover I did for a book on Danish climate politics was chosen as "book cover of the week" by Politiken's book section last Saturday. Sabine was kind to tell me about it -- thank you :)
The review is very nice. I'm so honored.

I hope you will bear with me for a flick more; I can't wait for this to premiere; The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. WOAH! I mean ... what's not to simply love here: Terry Gilliam instructing! Tom Waits as the Devil himself! Heath Ledger (last of his films btw)! Jude Law, Christopher Plummer, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell! All whipped together in Gilliamsque wonderous eye candy. YUM!

of links and likes

I love this track (found via dear oly).
I am working much and sketching, inbetween, in my diary (we have been disacquianted -- need to find each other again). Cancelled my television; in a few days, there will be only the movies I rent. I will have to remind myself to listen more to the radio. In order not to be completely disconnected. Listening to Murakami. Reading fortysixthatgrace's dream of travel. I dream of this too. On my wish list: Esti's calendar, Camilla's book
I hope your Wednesday be warm and soothing.
✶

Joy

This morning I went walking for a couple of hours, and I ended up in a public garden. In sunlight. The first frost gently biting my nose. I felt utterly thankful.

i.Anton's beautiful photostream. Via Anahata Katkin.
Did you know that Eric Carle—father of The Very Hungry Caterpillar—has a blog?? This made me so happy :-)
Lark made an interview with Elsebeth and me. You can read it here.

Thank you for entering :-) ·*Contest now closed*·

Thank you so much for celebrating the international release of Scraps with me, for all your kind, wonderful comments, and for sharing your places—it has been sush a treat to be handed all these wonderful links to all you guys' awesome creative spaces. Thank you for that.
I will find the two winners using Random.org, and let you know who you are asap:-)
In the meantime, this little muse (also from the book) is here to keep you company.
Thank you again. Have a wonderful 1st of December.
xo

*update ·· the winners are: Elizabeth and Dianne. Congratulations :-)*

I Miss You

...
Remember; you can still participate in the big Scraps give-away.
*Monday will be last chance to enter*.
Thanks to all who have entered so far :)
...
On October 8th, Herta Müller received this year's Nobel Prize in Literature. I am reading her 1986 novel Der Mensch ist ein groβer Fasan auf der Welt (»Man is a great pheasant in the world«), in English published as The Passport, and I have a feeling I'll be reading it many times and again ...
I am overthrown by this poetic, quiet, amazing, frightening little book, so unlike anything I have read. An excerpt and a photo.

Last of the Three Siblings

No more gloomy photos for now :)
... ♫ I hear listening to Wagner is difficult for the untrained opera ear (do you have any views on this? do you have opera ears?). I have only made it to Lohengrin Vorspiel. It's beautiful and quiet and always make me stop what I'm doing. (Good thing I'm selfemployed — no boss to go: »cut that darn musiccrap off'n get to work«. Nope! Boss-lady lets me listen.
My dear friend at Berivippen has posted awesome book altering projects.

I hope your Sunday will be peaceful. A year ago I helped a dear friend bring a wonderful little person into the world, tomorrow I will go celebrate ♥ her

Strong!

Thank you for views on sibling. Next up. (It's a withered artichoke:).
I have been Knit-blogging last few days, and found equally strong links. Is it the season perhaps? The intensity of earthy autumn is a favourite, and we have had quite the storm today, with rain and tumbled trees. Things we cook -- broths and slowly simmering flavoury stews. In this pot of ever ruling synchronicity, intensity seems to strike the note around these parts.

Completely utterly in love! Must! Knit! This Pucci! (Have nooo idea how!) But oh -- deep sigh!

A piece of ♪, perhaps? why not. Blogger's chocolate. Today, I think Anita O'Day. I love the way she moves, performing Sweet Georgia Brown at Jazz on a Summer's Night in '58.
(if you are anything like me, and one piece isn't enough—here's one more ;-)
Have a savoury Thursday!

Self Centered

A bunch of pictures; the idea was to assemble into blue-light afternoon photo collage. They wouldn't fit! Each of the four pictures were too strong to collage. Brusque. Four only children, resisting to share. What can one do, but to let them have their way ...
I will show siblings later.

A little DIY project for those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving :)
Sandra Evertson, Mansuetude, Kelly Kilmer, Alexandra Hedberg, and Cecilia have linket to this page and our book and contest recently. Thank you so much for that :)
♫ Lisa Nilsson and NHØP

Please remember Scraps-contest runs throughout November :)

Book cover design

I did the cover for this, just out. "Climate Politics in Denmark"

Tamar Mogendorff (love the bird houses). She also has a blog.
Cutie from Bossies Feltwork on Etsy.
Have a delicious weekend :)

Looking back, over my shoulder

Before Elsebeth and I began creating illustrations for Scraps, we had ourselves a book altering adventure :) These are a few pages from one I did. In a way a bit like Dear Diary.
...
I adore this photo. Has an authentic feel to it. It is part of a set: Eyewear, which is ... no words for this. Please see it! :-)
...
*if you haven't entered the Scraps November Draw - please do. Runs straight through all of November*
Thanks to all of you who have already left comments :-)

Thank you

Thank you SO much for the overwhelming response to the book and the contest. And for all the sweet comments. This has made me so happy. Thank you so so much.

Meantime, I haven't been blogging in almost a week, all because I have been covered in work (still am, really shouldn't be here—can't help myself :-)
I rely on Florence here, to nurse me if it gets too hard ;o) She's wearing a part of one of the projects I'm working on as a hat, btw -- I figured that was the least I could offer in return.

A delightful side effect of being visited by all you sweet people, has been the chance to visit you back. Wonderful places—beautiful blogs. Thank you for that too.
Please feel free to dive into all the great links.

♪ Sea of Love by Cat Power
And a dreamy, chunky blanket at light locations. Yum.

Remember; you can still enter the Scraps' November Contest

*NOVEMBER CONTEST*

To celebrate the publication of Scraps, I’ll be hosting a contest here on my blog for the entire month of November. Please enter for a chance to win:

*· One original, framed collage featured in the book
*· A collection of collage materials
*· One complimentary copy of the book

Two lucky winners will be selected from the valid entries.

How to enter: Simply leave a comment to this specific post. Please link your comment to your blog or web site (and therefore to your contact information) or include your e-mail address (otherwise, I won’t be able to get in touch with you if you win).

Deadline: Midnight (EST) Monday, November 30, 2009.

How it works: Each contestant will be assigned a sequential number. The winning two numbers will be selected from a random number generator (random.org), so there’ll be no favorites, simply a game of chance.

I will contact the two winners by e-mail. The prize packages will be mailed directly to each winner once I get your mailing address. Selection of prize materials (who receives will which collage) is at my discretion. Odds of winning are dependant upon the number of entrants. No purchase is necessary to enter. The contest will begin November 1, 2009 and run until the end of day November 30, 2009.
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update · contest now closed. Thank you so much for participating ·*·.·
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Please visit my dear co-creator Elsebeth Gynther here.

Welcome, Friday

Must share newly found soft spot Irish singer Lisa Hannigan. She did the cover for her album herself - as she said in an interview: »I'm quite the crafter«. Made me smile. She's so sweet.
There are so many lovely tunes on YouTube, but this version of I Don't Know pushed me over the edge. (although one shouldn't deprive oneself of the official video). Need I say I ordered the album? Sorry, I·Tunes - this crafty cover I gotta have :-) (via lovely all buttoned up).

Scraps is released Sunday ... I feel a give-away coming up ... :-)
I wish you warm and soothing weekend days.

Building from Scraps Part IV: Finishing

Finishing the collage, I started with glueing a piece of watercolor paper onto the cardboard, and letting it dry. Knowing I was going for blue-ish, I watercolored the surface a light blue shade, then found it somewhat dull, with no real texture. Painted it over with Ecoline, Prussian Blue – which was too dark for the transfers to stand out. (I realize now, I should have documented this, but I quess I was was completely caught up in the process—it never occured to me that taking pictures of this might be a swell idea).
I kept working the surface with layers of white acryllic paint, mixing it with leftover blue tones from my watercolor box. Once I found the background apropriate, with different tones in game, but not-too-contrasty, I let it dry and stamped the chinese "rain" at the top. Gave the Lady's frock a makeover, and was ready to glue the elements on.
In this collage, I pretty much stuck to the layout plan. But as a little bonus :-), I found a small metal circle on the sidewalk, that made a fine break for all the square elements at the bottom.
The wooden stick across, below the lady, changed appearance a few times. From thicker, to stamped on (with flower stamp), to this without the broad stripes, to this.
The knots were added last minute, and after having slept on it, I darkened the corner fans with some blue pastel on a cotton ball.

So—there we are. A-Z, skipping a few letters.

It ended up a lovestory. Of the two gentle people - Eileen, a matron of plain origin, an often misundestood woman, due to her fierce apperance, and her sweet Frederick (who was actually a king). Alas, a relationship doomed from the very beginning. Fredrick had, since boyhood, been promised to Princess Fleur of Monaco, but since that fleeting affair with Eileen in Edinbourough, the two lovers' hearts were bound. For all eternity.

(Hey - if you are still here, I wanna thank you for your patience :·)
Building from Scraps part I, part II, part IIb, part III.

I like le belle collage.

I_____you

I have a GoCard out this week. (GoCards are free postcards, on stands in cafés and bars all over town). This says (in Danish): I _____ you, and on the back there's a cloud of suggestions; miss, bring, see, text, admire, help, love, choose, dare, hold, and many more :-) Feel free to fill in the blank.

This add from VW made me smile.
I am SO going to watch Yann Arthus-Bertrand's HOME in HD, when Danish Television airs it on November 1st. (you can see the whole film with the link on YouTube. And the guys at YT have been kind to make the screen xtra large). (Link via Elsebeth).
On a more ... delicious level, please visit Ritzy Bee. Boy! She makes yumminess.
Have a delightful weekend :-)

The Facts of Sunday blogging

Hi :) I hope you had a great weekend. And for you Danish guys who had efterårsferie (an autumn holiday here), I hope you have enjoyed that too.
So!
Sunday fact #1) My left pinky finger hurts from extensive week + weekend knitting. (I use it to hold the string so it won't flobber). I made a vest :-) (above)
Sunday Fact #2) Went to TIVOLI and took 104 pictures I would have sworn were all orange and had pumpkins in them, but my little collage turned out ... purple-ish :) How wonderfully surprising!
Sunday Fact #3) (I don't have any more). Feel free to add a Sunday fact!

♫ Bon Iver: Re:Stack?
My Funny Eye posts The Ends.
And Grainne Morton makes the most beautiful brooches, ear rings, necklaces -- pure yumminess. She also has a blog. (via She Draws)

Taste of Tuesday

Thank you for your sweet comments on the illo in progress :-)

Recipe graphics at Recipe Look, via Emilie Boudet.
Lovely: Tas-ka, and Tas-ka shop.

Great, inspiring Alexandra Hedberg gave this hilarious lego-link.
Don't miss Alexandra's Art as business! Great stuff.

Building from Scraps Part III: Placing the elements

I pretty much knew how the basic layout—the arches and the placing of the Lady should be—so now I needed to find the rest of the elements, the details, and with them, the story. Who is she? What does she do? Why is she sitting here, and is she alone? What's her story?

I found a stamp, and in it was the Danish King Frederik the ninth. There was my story. I'm not going to tell yet -- but she's not royal, that's for sure, and then I shall say no more. Until next time, when the background will be painted on the grey cardboard, the elements will be glued on, stamped and transferred. And probably something else, I no nothing of now.

I haven't had much time to visit, so no links today. I plan to make up for this in the weekend :-)
Have a good one. And take care.

Building from Scraps Part I, Part IIa, Part IIb

Fiona Finished

(more Fiona here) Recipe and yarn from Helga Isager.

Sarajo Frieden - genious hats and hairdos - wonderful!
Speaking of hats ... found this Ingemar Stenmark-hat at Purl Bee :-))
Sweet autum mood and fabulous light at forty-sixth at grace.
Wish you a pleasant Wednesday :)

Coffee Owls

These woolies are for a Christmas fair. Actually, I haven't found one yet, but I'm thinking it will come. Do you know of any? (in Copenhagen, preferably ;-).

Gabrielle Raaff makes awesome watercolors.
Via Skinny Laminx.

Building from Scraps Part II.b: More backgrounds

I think I'll be able to use top r and bottom l. I have an idea of the base-background, and the composition is starting to form as well. Something like this

this.
The little Lady here made her entrance as well. Dunno'f she'll stick around.

Building from scraps part I, and part II.a
Imgfave (-- careful—I spend hours there the other night. Endless wonders).

Building from Scraps Part II: Backgrounds

The light was in a hurry this afternoon, there really wasn't enough to make the shots :-) I think fall is here—the ouverture at least, is in midst play. It's beautiful. I'm ready to exhale.
I did a little work on some backgrounds for the "walk-along-collage". I'm not satisfied; I will continue tomorrow.

Great collages at Señorita Leona

Little shop of hand-mades

I have wanted to make a new shop for a while, and now it's here—with bright, happy colors for launch. I'd be happy to hear your opinion :-) Thanks.

Tomorrow I will post Part II of the Building from Scraps.
On Min Hjelm (My Helmet) you can design your very own biking helmet (in Danish only)
+ you can check out yummy eye-candies at Keetra's.

Building from Scraps Part I: Elements

In my life as graphic designer, I usually have rules to obey. Assignments where text should be readable (!), pictures be decodable, page no. 12 should follow 11, and so on.
I like this—but I also really like making stuff where I have to follow NO RULES. The Dear Diary-project is like this, and the collages too. Sometimes telling a little story, sometimes just a color, or emphera gathering. I love how I know nothing about the little piece before I begin (I rarely plan a collage). We just sort of take each other for a walk.
So today I thought about asking you to stroll along (if you'd like, and have the time?). I have no idea how it's gonna turn out, or if it'll be any good/pretty/interesting? (woup, felt the sligt sting of fear of not doing good for a sec there :) Anyhoo—stage one for this is some elements (which of course might be replaced, partly or alltogether—time will tell.
:-)Let's walk ...

A few links: I love this pair from Mrs. Eliot Books.
and four beautiful photo-collages from Fine Little Day: 1 2 3 4

Pre-order available now

Our book on collages, Scraps, from Lark Books is now available for pre-orders on Amazon.
I'm excited, happy and grateful, and I'm thinking a little giveaway, come release in November, might be the perfect way to share this grattitude :-)



In the meantime I will show you the cover, (the lady on the cover is my late aunt Ella), and tell you what Claudine Hellmuth from collageartist.com and Jenny Doh, editor-in-chief at Somerset Studio think about the book. (Thank you guys so much :-)) ThankyouThankyouThankyou :-)

»Scraps is overflowing with visual eye candy, inspiration, tips and tricks you can use in your collages right away! A perfect addition to any paper artists' library.«
Claudine Hellmuth, Collage Artist, Author and Illustrator

»Scraps is an enchanting book that illustrates the transformative nature of collage.«
Jenny Doh, Editor-in-Chief, Somerset Studio and Director of Publishing, Stampington & Company

You can see some of the images from the book in my portfolio, and more collages here.

Yellow Sponge Philosophy (in NaturesOwnColours™)

1. Dear Diary


2. Reminiscence of July


3. Everlasting Love of Hama. (Considering a little shop—this might make its way there)

This entire post was kindda inspired by an episode of Spongebob Squarepants.
The Idiot Box. Spongebob and Patrick buy a huge TV, only so they can use the giant cardboard box to play in, using their Imaginaaaation. Eleven minutes to be appreciated on many levels :)
Happy Monday. Please remember to enjoy it in Colour.

Take charts!

I hope you are well. I am working a lot these days—feeling very thankful.


A card I made earlier this summer. Do you remember the peacock?
Making the gif in Photoshop, the chart (below) appeared. Oh joy! More charts :)


If you have seen the movie Carne Tremula, you might know this track: Sufre como yo. It made such an impression on me. I hope you will like it too.
Lovely Cecilia Levy's: Constellations
and a cooool book jacket, via Things I Like About Today

One should defintately make more charts!

Wouldn't that be cool. "Mood-chart of the day". "Efficiency-chart of monthly dairy intake". Ok. Maybe not.
Did you ever play The Sims? The characters' "plumbob" turn green when he or she is happy (and red when they're upset). I sometimes think "if I was a Sim—my plumbob'd be completely green right now" :-D . Not a bad idea, though—could be helpful in numerous situations. (why did-I...? Oh yeah -- mood charts).

So. Ok. Charts. And doodles.
Please meet Fiona (trust the chart—not the photo).

Fell in love with enchanting ceramist le petit atelier de paris. She also has a blog. (via dear oly). ummnm. so beautiful. Have a great day :)

a Moment

(a little holiday sketch)


Friday. Wonderful, Sunny, Soothing Friday.
Will you take a moment with me? Five minutes (well 5:25 to be exact). To lean back, listen, and let the world around you -- simply be!
I hope you will join me. And have a wonderful weekend.
F/style via HunterGatherer.

♥

Yesterday at the gym, I all of a sudden sensed the smell of Autumn. Do you get that too? Sometimes it's the earthy smell of outside, sometimes the rain, sometimes that hard-to-put-your-finger-on smell, when you instantaneously think: Sweaters. Knitting. Tea. Forestwalks. Soup. Candles. Bam! All at once, in a smell.
I love the Autumn. Love-love-love. If I was to choose a favourite season, Autumn would be it.
Which one is yours?
Loveliness for both eye and ear at Par3rgon.
Have a sweet Tuesday :)

Working days—knitty nights

Finished a little neckwarmer. Modified Cherry by Helga Isager.
Have you seen The Pearce Sisters? You can watch it here. Very beautiful. And a little scary :-)
Great blog Dear Oly. Via Eddy and Edwina (who, luckily for us, is posting again after a break)