Bloesem weekend read, at home, conducted by Irene Hoofs, 10 September 2008
"When I (= Marieke) moved in with my boyfriend, now husband, I didn't have much beautiful furniture, only old worn IKEA student stuff that I didn't even want to move out of super small student studio. Time for a fresh start I thought! Strangely enough I never really felt at home until I got some pieces from our old home, that my parents moved out of. I set them up as my "studio", a corner of our lower floor. The big cabinet holds almost everything I need for my work, such as tools, paint, office supplies, fabric, my administration. It's as full as can be!
This easel is my mother's and to me one of most valuable objects in our house. Unfortunately my mother cannot use it anymore, but it does bring happy memories - as a little girl I always used to hang around in my mom's studio looking at her working. I don't work standing behind it but I always put stuff on it, work in progress, to look at and comtemplate what needs improvement.
In a way, the cabinet, the table and the easel form my own private childhood museum, wherever it will stand, I can bring upon myself the mood to make things and think how extremely lucky I am to do what I love best."
Bloesem weekend read, wish gifts, conducted by Irene Hoofs, 31 August 2007
"...for anybody: A gift that is perfect for anybody really is the Annotated Grimm. I bought it as a gift for myself and I just to browse through it in the evening, and enter the magical fairytale world. Great collection of illustrations too.
...for...: Last year I stumbled across one of the most charming shops in Paris, Le Petit Atelier de Paris. I bought a ceramic plate, a small vase and a porcelain leaf charm for a necklace. I am so very pleased with all three. They make excellent, precious and not so expensive gifts.
...for...: Though I love everything Sarah of The Small Object makes, the wooden needle case is especially cute and practicle too. I used to always lose needles between all the pins but not anymore.
...for...: Lomolitos are single use lomo cameras and are definitely on my wishlist but I think every (amateur) photographer (who isn’t one?) will have fun with these.
...for...: Some time ago the local supermarket in Holland gave away four leaf clover bulbs. I planted them and they just continue to make me happy. Even suitable for the person who has everything.
...for...: A mixtape, I had to put these on the list because they are my favorite wishgifts. Anything that is made/compiled especially for you got to be the best present you could get. At least for me! I have fond memories of the first mixtape I got, anxiously listening for special meaning and hidden messages. Ok, we’re no teenagers anymore but still. Illustrated ones are even better."
Bloesem weekend read, knitting spree, by Irene Hoofs, 5 January 2007
"I am sure you remember Marieke’s beautiful work from Treats and Treasures. She is also a passionate knitter. Marieke makes her own patterns and some of them are posted on her blog. I especially like the hat that can hold of your hair but still lets you flash those curly locks. It is great to see that knitting is spreading in the Netherlands. For long the Dutch associated knitting with their grandma’s grandma, but no longer, contemporary knitting is catching on fast!"
