Gelukkig Nieuwjaar

Hey, are we already a week into 2015? I've been so busy scraping off wallpaper I didn't even notice!

The Dutch kicked off the new year with quite a bang--actually, a whole day of nearly non-stop bangs. I have never seen so many fireworks! Once my nerves adjusted to the constant noise, I could begin to appreciate the show.

Oliebol

Those who weren't busy satisfying their inner pyromaniac were standing in line waiting for oliebollen, a traditional New Year's treat of deep fried bread balls with raisins and some powdered sugar sprinkled on top. I made a New Year's Eve run to the market down the street for non-oliebollen related matters and was surprised to discover the normally quiet shopping center blocked by a sea of customers crammed in front of the small bakery. The special olibollen cart set up outside was also doing brisk business. I didn't get a good photo, but fellow blog Life in the Hague shows one of the undoubtedly many lines winding around the city.

As we approached midnight, I thought that surely the Dutch must be running out of fireworks. I couldn't have been more wrong! At the stroke of midnight everyone doubled, or even tripled, their efforts until the sky was lit up in all directions by flashes of color. Neighbors joined each on the streets to watch the show, while others found an upper story window to share a glass of champagne with a loved one.

Multiply this view by 360 degrees...

Red lanterns lazily drifted above the fireworks.

The first hours of 2015 were full of celebration and wonder (if not much sleep). I hope we can keep a little of this spirit with us during whatever this next year brings.

What Does It Say?

A letter--but is it good news or bad? Watercolor pencil, acrylic, Sharpie, gold gel pen. 14 x 20 cm.

Herfst en 's-Gravenhage

The Hague has the most beautiful trees of any city I've visited. There are many parks and lanes where you can step out of the bustle of city life into a different world. Autumn (Dutch herfst) brings a whole new aspect of color and light as the sun sinks towards winter and the leaves blaze with shades of orange.

The city has a long association with forest. It's modern name, which is officially 's-Gravenhage but the Dutch usually shorten to Den Haag, is derived from "Des Graven Hage." This means something like The Count's Wood or Hedge, and it was used as a hunting ground for nobility.

A couple weeks ago I took a short-cut through the Haags Bos. These woods used to be part of a much larger forest which may have been the origin of the name Holland. That forest was referred to as the "Houtland" (wood land), or "Holtland" in old Dutch. (An alternate explanation is the name comes from the "hollow" land in this low-lying country, but I like the idea that Holland is an homage to these beautiful trees!)

Over the years the trees were cut and the forests shrank into small enclaves, until the "Act of Redemption" was enacted in 1576 to protect the remaining woodland.

As I walked through the Bos, it was just beginning to show the first signs of Fall. Golden sunrays cut through still green leaves.

 Looking behind a tree, I discovered I was not alone.
 

In fact, the woods were full of tiny life easily overlooked by those of us living on a human scale. I stopped to examine this miniature forest within a forest.

Shortly after my walk the leaves abruptly changed color and drifted off on the not-so-gentle breeze. This photo from a previous year shows how amazing an autumn stroll through the city can be. This lane isn't part of the Bos--it borders the Binnenhof in the center of the city, but views like this can be found all over.

Ma'at Silk

I'd like to wish a happy anniversary to Maisie of Ma'at Silk who is celebrating her first year on Etsy! Ma'at Silk features artwork made with colorful patterns. Her work on silk is particularly striking and bright. I became acquainted with Maisie through an ACEO trade, where I received this lovely "Mid-winter" pattern (it makes me think of snowberries):

...in exchange for my "Marilyn" card:

You can see more Ma'at Silk over at her blog, where she is holding a special giveaway, or visit her Etsy shop and congratulate her on her first year!

Fort Union Trading Post

Tour the US: North Dakota / Montana

Google Williston, ND, and you will find plenty of headlines about the oil field that has made the area into one big boomtown. Seemingly gone is the quiet life enjoyed on the (formerly) sparsely populated northern plains. However, go 30 miles south-west of Williston and you will find an outpost hanging on to the days of isolated frontier life.

Fort Union. NPS Photo

1950s in a Box

Someone gave me a Marilyn Monroe tin for inspiration, and it was sitting on my shelf for several months before I realized it could be used as a 3-D canvas. Considering Ms. Monroe on the front, it was only fitting that anyone who peeks in the box should see a glimpse into her world.

I don't know what her vanity specifically looked like, but this design is a composite of period bedrooms I studied, adjusted for the materials I had on hand. Those materials include patterned papers, aluminum recycled from a beer can, fabric, thread, ink, and pencil.

See it on Etsy.

Ann

Here's a collage inspired by a 1930s photo booth snapshot. The woman, who is identified as "Ann," looks like she ducked inside to get out of the cold. I gave her a coat made from felt and velvet, and a decorative button for the lapel.

I also used a paper-like fabric with green and gold, various patterned papers, a feather I found, thread, gel pen, acrylic, and ink. Her face is done with watercolor pencil and prismacolor.