Hello King

King's Day, Netherlands

Today is the first Dutch Koningsdag (King's Day) in 122 years. After last year's affectionate send off of the former Queen on her last Queen's Day, and the much anticipated coronation ceremony of King Willem-Alexander, this year doesn't have the same weightiness of witnessing an historic moment. However, the Dutch are still excited for this annual chance to show off their national pride and get outside to enjoy the pleasant spring weather. Google even joined in with this graphic for google.nl.

Graphic from google.nl

Fan

I had a conversation about collages with a friend a couple weeks ago, and I was inspired to try one. This is what I came up with, and I even found a way to include some knitting! The same friend was nice enough to loan me her watercolor pencils to try out, which is what I used to shade the face. Other materials include ink, acrylic, various types of paper, embroidery floss, feathers, and a vintage button.

Witlof

- Small chicory heads (about 2 per person)
- Thinly sliced ham (one slice for each head of chicory)
- Thinly cut cheese of your preference (I like sweeter cheeses with this)




1. Heat the oven to 200°C/400°F. Bring a pot of salted water to boil and boil chicory heads for about 10 minutes or until slightly tender.

2. Drain the chicory well. Wrap each head with ham slices and place side by side in a baking dish. Drape cheese slices over the top of each head.

3. Bake in oven for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Put it under the broiler for a few minutes to brown the cheese.

Rat Stationary

Since I need more rat-related stuff in my life, I spent yesterday designing rat stationary. My new stationary mascot is based on my younger black and white hooded male, Distel. He seems the reflective type with deep thoughts to write-- if only his vocabulary extended beyond "squeek!"

Available on Etsy in North American or ISO paper sizes.

There is also a listing for personalized  stationary with a name added.

An Amsterdam Movie Palace

I was walking around Amsterdam when I passed this spectacular Art Deco theater! When I later told my Dutchman about it he knew right away which one I was talking about. The Tuschinski opened in 1921 and was owned by Polish immigrant Abraham Icek Tuschinski. Sadly, Tuschinski and his family perished in the Nazi concentration camps, but the theater has continued as a movie palace right up to modern day. It is now a Pathé cinema. The Tuschinski is located near Rembrandtplein, so after you visit the three-dimenstional version of Rembrandt's Nightwatch, don't forget to swing by the theater as well!

Read more about the history here.

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!