Those Who Live in Stone Houses

Dutch City Houses Stationary available on Etsy

I really enjoy simple line drawings, and all the funky building shapes you find around here lend themselves well to being outlined in ink. Earlier this week I was thinking about how I've written so many letters to friends that I am running out of my fancy stationary, and then I was struck by the inspiration to design my own writing paper with some Dutch city sketches. One of my friends is always asking me to send her drawings of what I see here, so I will! I went through my photos and picked out some distinctive looking buildings from Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Dordrecht, and put together a set of letterhead and envelopes.

Collecting

My new collection of artwork--and the tulips my boyfriend surprised me with!

While I enjoy making ACEOs, I haven't previously collected any. I figured I had enough artwork laying around here and I should be selling that, not buying more! But...I have recently ended up with some awesome minituare work from some talented Etsy artists. I love that these pieces come from all over the world, and I think the collecting bug may have finally struck. Take a look at the humble beginnings of my new obsession!

Ratten

I've been busy with two new rats I got last month! The first is Karel de Grote (the Dutch name for Charlemagne), a 5 month old male. I call him Karl for short. Karl has big attitude and a love for adventure. He's not much for petting, he'd rather be on the move.

Karel de Grote

 
The other is Distle (Dutch for Thistle), a 3 month old male. Distle is shy and likes to sit in a hoodie, though Karl is helping him learn to be curious about new places. Distle is a home-body who likes to keep his place cozy and clean and often tosses out Karl's dirty bedding.

Distle

I've had rats in the past, but this is a first for my Dutchman. Though he isn't much of a pet person, I think these two are slowly bringing him around!