photo candy

I love BBC day in pictures. I saw this today and just loved the photo. Wish I could do a little shopping in this mans shop.

happy birthday magnet sale

It is birthday week over here :) and to celebrate I am offering $1 shipping on all magnet orders bought from my Etsy shop!

Click here for more info: happy birthday magnet sale

Offer ends on Sunday, April 25!

Dotty Floral

Art Nouveau

Signature Floral

Folk Floral

Hungarian Floral

life without the web?

I was at my computer this morning doing my morning ritual of checking the news and diving into blogs. (Yes, I am a blog addict.) I came across an interesting story on decor8. I clicked on the link and over to this article I went: Life without the Web. My (probably crazy) plan to give up the internet. A man living without the computer and internet for 4 months.

First thought, I envy him. I sit in front of my computer more than I'd like to. I work from my computer, I get my news from my computer, I stay connected with family and friends through Skype on my computer, I even watch movies on my computer. (At least I can proudly say we do not own a television.) And, because many of my clients are in the USA, I end up checking my email right before I head to bed. I like to make sure I have taken care of last minute client needs before heading to bed-it is a sacrifice I am willing to make to be self employed and living in Europe.

I got to thinking, how can I manage my computer time so that this machine isn't open and staring at me for 15 hours a day? Lets face it, I get a ton of work done when my computer is absent. Remember that weekend escape I took last month? I left the computer at home and I ended up drawing more that weekend than I had in a long time. I actually created a whole fabric collection while I was off in the country side. (By the way, I have big news to share in a few weeks regarding this collection!) So, although I cannot give up my computer like James Sturm, I can manage my computer time a bit better. I am not sure how I will do this but maybe a good start is to not open my computer until after noon. That would give me all morning to draw and organize. That could actually work as most of my clients (and family) are 6-9 hours behind me.

I think this could actually work. Any thoughts? Do you feel you have too close a relationship with your computer?

PS. Ironically, I commented on a friends blog the other day....my comment, "what I like best about your desk, no computer". Check it out: SistersGuassa.

a studio obsession

I love messy studios, watching an artist at work and looking closely at a painting that is half finished. I love the smell of turpentine, the colors of dried paint on an old artist palette, the messy apron with paint strokes all over it. It reminds me of my mom, painting in the evenings while my sister and I tried to give her peace and quiet while she worked on her dream as an artist. That is why I love the smell of turpentine. The smell I associate with my mom being busy doing what she loved.

Over the past few years I have become obsessed with artist studios. You can learn so much about a person by being in their studio. You can truly feel their energy, their personally, their being.

A few days ago I bought the new Hungarian Elle Decor. It is a fantastic issue full of color print and pattern. But the pages that I can not stop looking at are the ones about Claire Basler. The photos of her in her studio/home painting are mesmerizing. I love how she has brought the outdoors in. I love the tree branches in the large vases. I imagine she feels like she is painting in a forest while she is working.
Her paintings are wonderful. They have an Asian feel to them. I like the colors, the mystical feeling I get when I look at them. I imagine running through fields before a storm. Check out her website for images of her artwork. Click here.A confession: I actually have looked at these photos for so long that last night I had a dream that we bought a warehouse and converted it into my studio and our home. It was HUGE with high ceiling and lots of rustic feel. One big room cleverly divided into small living spaces.

kis alma haz (little apple house)

I often write about this adorable place in a small town outside of Budapest called Csákberény. I love this place. It is comfortable, cozy and inspiring. And it belongs to my dear friend Catherine. Well, Catherine and her husband have decided to start renting these cottages. So, now you too can spend a weekend in what I think is a little piece of heaven.

a short walk from the cottages

Click here to go to Catherine's Vineyard Cottages. You can see photos and prices on the site.

cozy up next to the fireplace

morning view
folk life
swimming pool to cool off

Most of the photos above were taken by Barnabas Imre.
You can see more of his work at www.barnabaas.hu

A little secret....I just designed collection called "folk life" (I will tell you more later). The collection was designed while Steven and I spent a long weekend at the Kis Alma Haz (little apple house). I just wrote up a little description of the collection...this is the feeling I get while at Kis Alma Haz.

• Warm breeze. Sun on my face. Fresh laundry hanging on the line. Flowers in bloom. Bees buzzing. The call of distance birds. Resting on a gingham blanket. Eating fresh strawberries and sipping sweet tea. The country calls and I crave the folk life.

Someday I will have my own Kis Alma Haz:)

prints prints and more prints

It has been a hectic week. I am preparing as much work as possible for Printsource. Printsource New York is the premier market for surface and textile design in the USA. They are the hub for the world’s top creative talent, Printsource showcases hundreds of collections by international surface and textile design studios and agents. England, France, Italy, Spain, Australia and the USA are just some of the countries featured each season at the Show.

I have been working with Group Four Design Studio since last fall. It is a perfect fit for me and I love working with them. So if you are in New York check out my work at the Group Four booth F17-19. For more info on Group Four click on the logo below.

on a personal note

I don't talk much in this blog about being an expat overseas. I guess I envision this blog to be focused on design and creating. Well, a very good friend of mine is s freelance writer for the Budapest times and wrote an article about friendship as an expat. It it a fantastic explanation of friendships abroad. I wanted to share as he can say it better than I can. Enjoy the article.

Budapest - our current home