Majali - Design & Illustration

Delivery - Leverans

2012-01-26T12:11:00.001+01:00

Summer breeze - Sommarvind

2012-01-23T15:49:00.003+01:00

Bear - Woodland animals

2012-01-19T10:58:00.001+01:00

Broken heart

2012-01-17T15:15:00.002+01:00

Necklaces

2012-01-13T13:53:00.006+01:00

I've been terrible on updating the blog lately. December was a hectic month, filled with markets and preparations for christmas. So I haven't had any time to make new illustrations. Hopefully next week I'll come up with some new ideas. Meanwhile you can check out these necklaces that I just listed on Etsy. I started out selling them on Christmas fairs, and they turned out to be a hit, so now it's time to see if they will work online too.

Perhaps a christmas card?

2011-11-09T15:46:00.002+01:00

It's been a while since I updated the blog last time. I've been busy preparing for the christmas season, making christmas cards, calendars and other things that I can sell on all the fairs that I will be at next month. Here's my latest drawing, perhaps it will be a card I haven't decided yet. What do you think?

Woodland animals - Skogens djur

2011-10-07T11:19:00.004+02:00

Angel - Ängel

2011-10-03T15:30:00.001+02:00

IF -Boundaries

2011-09-15T14:26:00.002+02:00

Thumbelina - Tummelisa

2011-09-08T15:00:00.002+02:00

Snow White - Snövit

2011-09-02T14:49:00.001+02:00

The twins- Tvillingar

2011-09-01T10:54:00.002+02:00

Fishing for stars

2011-08-23T17:08:00.002+02:00

Autumn storm

2011-08-16T09:57:00.002+02:00

After a long break, I'm back behind the desk. It feels good to start working again, but I can't say I look forward to the fall and the stormy, cold weather that is ahead of us. I'm definitely a spring and summer person!

Midsummer eve - Midsommarafton

2011-06-17T14:30:00.002+02:00

Next friday it's Midsummer Eve. It's one of the biggest holidays here in Sweden.

I took some text from Wikipedia explaining what we are doing, it might explain my illustration for those who don't know our tradition:

"It is one of the most important holidays of the year in Sweden, and probably the most uniquely Swedish in the way it is celebrated. The main celebrations take place on the Friday, and the traditional events include raising and dancing around a huge maypole. Before the maypole is raised, greens and flowers are collected and used to cover the entire pole.

Raising and dancing around a maypole (majstång or midsommarstång) is an activity that attracts families and many others. People dancing around the pole listen to traditional music and some even wear traditional folk costumes. In addition, many wear crowns made of wild springs and wildflowers on their heads. The year's first potatoes, Soused herring, Chives, Sour Cream, Beer, Snaps and the first strawberries of the season are on the menu."

One of the songs, that you dance and sing around the Maypole is called "7 beautiful girls in a ring" ("sju vackra flickor i en ring") and that's my illustration for this week!

Mr strong - Herr stark

2011-06-09T14:33:00.001+02:00

Fairy - Älva

2011-05-31T09:46:00.002+02:00

Counting sheeps - Räkna får

2011-05-26T14:59:00.001+02:00

And the winner is....

2011-05-23T09:21:00.004+02:00

From Sweden:

Linnea Regnlund, who wins a postcardsset, plus the print "Dragonride". I hope this one will match your newly painted wall.

From the rest of the world:

Agnese, who also gets a postcardsset and the print "Early morning". Perhaps it will take you back to your childhood summers.

Congratulations! Please give me your addresses at majal@mac.com and I'll send you the prize as fast as I can.

Climbing tree - Klätterträd

2011-05-20T12:00:00.002+02:00

I've been working on this illustration the whole week. The leaves on the tree took a long time to make!!!! But now it's finished and I think I'll sell it in different sizes. Every child has it's own expression, so in a bigger size you'll see it better.

There is still a chance to be in the contest , where you have the opportunity to win a set of postcards and a print of any of my illustrations! Perhaps you'll chose this one?

Contest! Tävling!

2011-05-16T14:56:00.004+02:00

Now you have the chance to win a set of 8 postcards, plus one of my illustrations (size 5" by 7" or 4,7" by 4,7" inches). You choose which one!

All you have to do is to become a fan on my Facebookpage (click on the “Like-button” in the menu to the right) share the post with your friends, and then write a comment in this post or on Facebook, of which illustration you would like to win and why.

I’ll announce the winner on this blog, monday May 23. There will be one winner from Sweden and one winner from the rest of the world.

IF - Beginner

2011-05-11T10:07:00.002+02:00

Joker

2011-05-05T09:28:00.002+02:00

Dragonride - Drakåk

2011-05-03T19:47:00.001+02:00

Elephant on a bike - Elefant på cykel

2011-04-27T11:57:00.002+02:00

Easter is coming up!

2011-04-15T13:29:00.003+02:00

Fairy Tale - Sagovärld

2011-04-14T14:22:00.002+02:00

Little red riding hood - Rödluvan

2011-03-29T15:11:00.001+02:00

Illustration Friday - Cultivating

2011-03-21T12:28:00.005+01:00

This week at Illustration Friday the topic is "cultivating". I did this little girl a couple of weeks ago. Her coat is now red and I added some background.

The sad clown

2011-03-20T08:41:00.001+01:00

The little mermaid - Den lilla sjöjungfrun

2011-03-17T15:21:00.002+01:00

Marionette

2011-03-15T22:44:00.001+01:00

Warning - Varning

2011-03-08T20:45:00.001+01:00

Growing - Växer

2011-03-04T14:30:00.003+01:00

Under the tree - Under trädet

2011-03-03T14:47:00.002+01:00

The sweater - Tröjan

2011-02-17T10:32:00.002+01:00

It's been a while since I made a picture for Illustration Friday, this week the topic was "Sweater" so this is what turned out.

Mom Story on B-kids

2011-02-17T10:20:00.004+01:00

This week Bloesom kids has a Momstory about me and my family, welcome to read it if you want to know more about me, my family and our life in Sweden.

On the sea - På havet

2011-02-10T12:23:00.001+01:00

Balloon - ballong

2011-01-28T10:30:00.001+01:00

Field of flowers - Sommaräng

2011-01-20T23:10:00.001+01:00

Birthday party - Kalas i det gröna

2011-01-17T15:48:00.002+01:00

Big Love - Stor Kärlek

2011-01-13T09:17:00.004+01:00

It's all about Valentine on Etsy now, so I made a picture that perhaps can illustrate love a little!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T09:21:00.002+01:00

Endast tomten är vaken

2010-12-21T22:15:00.002+01:00

Fly me to the moon - Månfärd

2010-12-10T15:06:00.002+01:00

Have you been wondering what the girl in "Beneath the stars" are thinking about? Maybe this is one of her thought?

Calm water - Stilla vatten

2010-12-02T16:03:00.001+01:00

Hide and seek -Kurragömma

2010-11-24T13:52:00.003+01:00

The swing - Gungan

2010-11-22T10:12:00.002+01:00

Burning - Illustration Friday

2010-11-16T08:36:00.004+01:00

I believe it's a little bit early to start with Christmas now. I did this one last week, planning on making some Christmas cards. But this week the theme on Illustration Friday is "Burning", and I thought Saint Lucia with her candles in her hair is a good interpretation of that.

For you who never have experienced a "Saint Lucia train" here's some facts from Wikipedia.

"In Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, and Finland, Lucy (called Lucia) it is venerated on December 13 in a ceremony where a girl is elected to portray Lucia. Wearing a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head, she walks at the head of a procession of women, each holding a candle. The candles symbolize the fire that refused to take St. Lucia's life when she was sentenced to be burned. The women sing a Lucia song while entering the room, to the melody of the traditional Neapolitan song Santa Lucia; the Italian lyrics describe the view from Santa Lucia in Naples, the various Scandinavian lyrics are fashioned for the occasion, describing the light with which Lucia overcomes the darkness. Each Scandinavian country has lyrics in their native tongues. After finishing this song, the procession sings Christmas carols or more songs about Lucia. A similar version occurs in Scandinavian communities and churches in the United States."

The snowman - Snögubben

2010-11-11T08:43:00.004+01:00

Winter night

2010-11-04T23:13:00.000+01:00

Spooky - Illustration Friday

2010-10-19T12:03:00.001+02:00

Rainy day

2010-10-18T20:29:00.001+02:00

The reader

2010-10-11T23:03:00.001+02:00

Buy my prints on Etsy

2010-10-08T10:43:00.006+02:00

Now I've opened an Etsyshop! So welcome to visit my shop, where I sell my prints for a resonable price.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/majalin

Beneath the stars

2010-10-05T14:27:00.001+02:00

Mushroom pattern

2010-10-01T09:08:00.001+02:00

old-fashioned

2010-09-29T16:01:00.002+02:00

Citypattern

2010-09-29T08:46:00.001+02:00

Waves pattern

2010-09-28T09:40:00.002+02:00

Clouds pattern

2010-09-28T09:04:00.001+02:00

Forest pattern

2010-09-27T08:08:00.001+02:00

Daddy longlegs - Pappa långben

2010-09-24T13:38:00.001+02:00

Acrobat

2010-09-23T14:04:00.001+02:00

Immovable

2010-09-02T21:28:00.002+02:00

More Flowerpatterns

2010-09-01T08:17:00.002+02:00

http://www.oaffi.com

More patterns

2010-08-20T09:30:00.008+02:00

http://www.oaffi.com

Washing up

2010-08-19T10:05:00.006+02:00

http://www.oaffi.com

Flowerpatterns

2010-08-19T09:49:00.002+02:00

http://www.oaffi.com

Back to work

2010-08-19T09:26:00.006+02:00

I'm back to work after a very long summer holliday, almost too long. So now it's time to be creative again, and keep on doing patterns and illustrations. I've been making patterns for a couple of months now, and I'm finally getting it to work. I'll give you some examples of my work. All the patterns can be bought at http://www.oaffi.com

Tidig morgon - Early morning

2010-05-25T12:57:00.002+02:00

Kokong - Cocoon

2010-05-07T10:36:00.002+02:00

Spacepattern

2010-04-30T14:57:00.003+02:00

Right now I'm focusing on making patterns. I'm still learning, but today I finished an e-book about repeating patterns. This is the pattern that turned out after doing all the steps.

Vänner

2010-04-16T15:14:00.002+02:00

Länkade - Linked

2010-04-12T11:58:00.001+02:00

Tådopp - Dip

2010-04-08T11:08:00.001+02:00

Prinsessan på ärten - The princess and the pea

2010-04-07T11:36:00.002+02:00

Looking down

2010-03-23T10:52:00.003+01:00

This will probably be the only post this week, in a couple of hours I'm off to Bologna, Italy and visit Bologna Children's book fair. I'm so excited! Have a nice week!

Underjordisk - Subterranean

2010-03-16T09:06:00.003+01:00

This week's topic at Illustration Friday is "Subterranean". I immediately thought of Alice falling down under the earth. Last week I saw the movie, and I loved the colors and the imaginary environment. I got so inspired that I had to try to make my own Alice.

Growing

2010-03-15T20:09:00.000+01:00

Fågel - Bird

2010-03-05T13:55:00.001+01:00

Cirkus - Circus

2010-03-04T11:03:00.002+01:00

Perspektiv - Perspective

2010-03-02T14:35:00.002+01:00

Grattis - Congratulations

2010-02-19T17:38:00.002+01:00

February is the month where a lot of people in my family have their birthday. When I'm at the store to buy a giftcard I always change my mind, first of all I think it's to expensive and then I plan that I can make it by myself instead. But there is never time to do it, and it ends up that I write the greetings directly on the wrappingpaper instead. So my plan from now on is to make a couple of different cards, which I can print whenever it's needed.

On sunday we're going to Sälen for a ski holliday! So I will not make any posts next week!

Fe - Fairy

2010-02-18T20:59:00.001+01:00

Se upp - Look out

2010-02-17T14:18:00.001+01:00

Blyg - Shy

2010-02-16T09:43:00.001+01:00

På drift - Adrift

2010-02-15T14:43:00.004+01:00

Grimaser - Funny faces

2010-02-11T15:00:00.001+01:00

Trött - Tired

2010-02-10T15:48:00.002+01:00

Lerigt - Muddy

2010-02-09T11:54:00.002+01:00

Fiske - Fishing

2010-02-04T13:23:00.002+01:00

Vinter - Winter

2010-02-04T00:02:00.001+01:00

Mycket snö har fallit över Skåne det senaste dygnet. Blev inspirerad av allt det vita och var tvungen och göra en bild. Nyfallen snö är vackert, eller hur?

A lot of snow has fallen over Sweden lately. I got inspired by all the white and had to make a picture. Newly fallen snow is beautiful, isn't it?

Äng - Field

2010-02-03T00:02:00.000+01:00

Ansikten - Faces

2010-02-02T13:53:00.001+01:00

Ibland går det inte som man vill

2010-01-27T15:32:00.000+01:00

Misslyckat tryck

Första trycket som åtminstone blev ok

Ibland går det bara inte och man försöker hitta olika teorier om varför. Nu har jag försökt i två dagar med att trycka mitt växtmotiv, men det går inte som jag vill. Färgen vill inte komma ut ordentligt, så trycket blir suddigt och på vissa ställen dubbelt. Den första teorin var att jag inte hade tvättat tyget innan jag tryckte och att det var därför det inte ville fästa. Men jag tvättade det och samma sak hände igen. Första, andra och tredje trycket blir ok, men sedan blir det bara värre och värre. Så mina nuvarande teorier är att linjerna är för tunna och den lilla färgen som är kvar i ramen hinner torka. Men jag tycker att jag har haft tunna linjer förr, och då har det fungerat. En orsak är kanske att jag har för varmt i verkstaden nu (har nämligen satt in ett element) och att luften är för torr. Kanske är det extra svårt att trycka på linnetyg? Tja, jag vet ärligt talat inte, men det är väl bara att experimentera vidare och inte ge upp. Är det någon som har något tips tar jag gärna emot det?

In English:

Sometimes things doesn’t work out as you want it to. Now, I have tried in two days printing my plant motifs. The paint would not come out properly, so the print becomes blurry. The first theory was that I had not washed the fabric before I printed it and that was why it did not want to fix. But I washed it and the same thing happened again. First, second and third pressure is ok, but then it becomes worse and worse. So my current theory is that the lines are too thin and the little color remaining in the frame dries. But I think I have had thin lines before, and then it worked. One reason is perhaps that it has been too hot in the studio (I recently put in an element) and the air is too dry. Well, I honestly do not know, but I’ll just keep on experimenting and not give up. Perhaps someone has a clue and would help me out?

Löpare - Runner

2010-01-25T10:53:00.000+01:00

This week I'll start screenprinting again. Today I made some sketches for some runners that I started to make before christmas. So let's see how it turns out, maybe it won't look like the sketch that I made.

Titta noga - Look close

2010-01-22T09:08:00.000+01:00

Flugsvamp - Fly agaric

2010-01-21T09:18:00.000+01:00

Stad - City

2010-01-20T09:15:00.000+01:00