Sharks and other water animals

It has been so hot in Munich lately that I am surprised to wake up to an all cloudy morning. A good moment to share some summer sharks and a splashing moment with you.

The big shark has ended up in Ludwigs (my son) bed and is mainly used for hitting his sister while fighting.
The little ones are now arranged as a mobile in his room. And for you to finally see what Ludwig looks and is like I am attaching a picture which pretty much says it all.

This summer was very rewarding so far as I can just go to the lake, let the kids run around and think about all my projects. Last year I was busy watching that nobody drowns. Those days are not really gone, but it is so much easier. So for all you Moms that think this will never end and you will never be able to just lie down: It does end, and sooner than you think you will be stretched out on a blanket, a book in your hands. Just keep the faith!

Fairy tale all over

Well, if I wouldn't love life this much I would probably like to be a fairy. A pair of wings come in handy from time to time, I guess. I will post more tomorrow, I found some girl sketches and had a crazy bunting and birds session today I have to fill you in on. Now, as my little ones are finally asleep I will try to read some more pages of a movie script I've been trying to finish since Friday. Movies and writing being another one of my creative obsessions this seems way too long. See , again the wings would come in handy. I could fly to a different timezone and have another day there. Well, sleep will get me soon, as always. Still hoping for quieter times at the sleepfront here. No nonsense.
Love Svenja

All my little girls

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Friendship

I am one of those moms who always wanted a girl. Good for me my first child was a girl, so I could relax with the second - the most incredible little boy in the world. Did I say I only wanted girls? Neeeeeeh! With painting it is different. Maybe it is because little girls wear dresses, I have no idea, just love to paint them. Here are some of the girls I have painted this year - and I think there will be more to come.

6 months later

Six months ago I started to paint an ABC picture for my sons' bedroom. The idea was to paint an ABC and some animal outlines. The more I got going the more I knew that it couldn't be only outlines, but it had to be real animals. As I got all creative I started some other nice projects and suddenly there was no more progress. The picture came to an halt. But then, one Monday I said to myself: This is what got you all started, you better finish your very first project now. And I did. It took all of my discipline to start again, but I was rewarded with some wonderful painting time with my son, who was painting right next to me. Today I went to a professional photographer who turned this picture into a tif for me to be able to do reprints. Now I will soon be able to sell it on etsy and dawanda. I am excited - again.

Shops are open!

Pictures had to be taken, words to be found - let alone all the sewing prior to that - the result is, what counts. YES, I DID IT. My shops at etsy

and the German equivalent dawanda

are open. I can't believe I even kept my self-set deadline, which was today. I am so excited about this new beginning, especially as I am now starting to be part of a community including so many creative people and artists I much admire. I couldn't have done this without the help of Phuong (graphic design), Alex (pictures) and Julia (everything, from researching, having an opinion, serving coffee and helping me all the way), Megan (for encouraging me all the time and always being there) and my husband (who always believes in me. Period.) I cannot believe how much enthusiasm you guys put into lilukids, that once started as a little project and now is finally going somewhere. I hope you'll all be there to see what's happening next. Thanks. A lot.

Getting ready for etsy and dawanda

How exciting the next week is going to be. I set my own deadline: My etsy and dawanda shops will open on Juli the 31st. Meanwhile I am busy sewing, writing profiles and product descriptions and taking pictures. Figuring out everything from shipping costs to pricing takes some time as well. I guess some of you went through this a long time ago and probably know exactly what I am talking about. I have to say that I haven't been looking forward to something as much since the birth of my children and maybe some lovebird weekends with no kids and just my fabulous husband. Here are some sneak previews of what to expect:

Holidays are over

Wow, that was nice. My husband Uwe and I went on a family holiday with our two kids and our Irish friends Ger and Grett and their 4 children. So all in all it was 6 children under 6 - and you wouldn't believe the fun we had. Uwe and I spent some time in Ireland on a short Valentines Day vacation and knew just then that we HAD TO show the kids. It was very inspiring - I just love Irish landscape and houses. Ger took us to see a house a friend is building right now. He is almost done and it looks really great - especially the views out of each single window are amazing.

We took the children to see Muckross House and the traditional farms and they loved it. There is something about traditional places and buildings children and animals seem to understand lots better than grown ups. They were falling for the myths and you could tell that they were amazed by the spirit as well as loving the unbelievable parks surrounding everything.

Although Ireland is said not to have any sun we had some beach days and my daughter started surfing. I took like a hundred pictures in case she is going to be world champion one day. You never know.

Here we go

I spent the last few weeks coming up with new designs and product ideas and this has been extremely fun and satisfying. Today I'll show you two of my latest pieces, a hand & machine stitched fairy and two animal cushions.

which are not cushions yet but only cushion fronts. Next to sewing and painting my time has been consumed with my studio which is finally next to ready - HOOORAY!
A room just for myself and no one to bother me. Best of all - my brother made a thread holder for me and it is the best thread holder one could wish for. Next to my reedition of Vitras Uten.Silo I by Dorothee Becker (originally from 1969) it looks quite stylish, doesn't it?
Any comments on how to improve any aspect of my craft room are more then welcome! I will be back with more to show soon. It's just - the weather has been perfect lately and I spent a lot of time with my kids near and in the water. There is this amazing lake nearby and they just love to jump in - which gives me lots of time to think about fabric, colours and designs. I just LOVE the summer. Hope yours is just as beautiful so far.

Talk to you soon
Svenja

Today is the day

Today is the day: I am starting my blog. Which actually means I am putting my way to live and to see things out there for you to read, enjoy and comment on. Most importantly I will show you how I am trying to live a creatively fulfilled life as an artist, crafter, mother and loving wife. To make this not too cheesy - there'll be some gossip and girls stuff, too. Anyway, I hope you enjoy as I am stumbling along. I promise, I'll show you everything I adore, learn and have big feelings for. In the end, that is what stays, isn't it? To start, I post this picture of one of my very happy moments in my life. I am on holiday with my husband in NYC, sitting in the restaurant of the Whitney Museum of Art and enjoy this moment of life at its best. See me smiling?

Love
Svenja