AROUND THE WEB

The studio of Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake keeps on drawing (93 now). The new adaptation of The Twits (Roald Dahl's story, that he illustrated) is available on Netflix now. No drawings there, but a nice moment to remember his great style and to take a peek into his studio and the materials he uses.

Also: made me think of the company where I had my internship for my master thesis. One of the colleages had an office with a cluttered desk and a quote of Einstein on the door "If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, then what are we to think of an empty desk?"

How to touch base? 

Rhys Kentish launched an iOS app called Touch Grass, which locks distracting apps until you literally walk outside and take a photo of grass. Via Techcrunch 
An alternative is Brick. A little box you place in your home and need to touch to unlock your device/apps. Pricy though. Via Swiss Miss Blog. 

Nostalgia Channel

Loved this one: Inside the wee shed of a DIY miniature artist in Scotland. Might also be because I love making and admiring miniatures - but the hometours are lovely too. Find it on Youtube. 

Happiness for the inbox

The newsletters of Rebecca Green are a delight. She is an illustrator, maker of picture books and writes about her drawing process. The newsletters are seasonal and free of charge. Find it here. 

Everwood

Currently on Netflix (The Netherlands): Everwood. My teenage favorite. In short: a widowed doctor moves his two kids (15 and 5) to Everwood, Colorado. Sounds sad, but totally isn't. It's a lot of conflict, of love. It is about appreciating the small things in life. I'm hooked again (even though some dilemma's are a little old fashioned) and was wondering why. Mainly because they deal with conflict in a way that inspires. 

[Photo: Hello Magazine]

This invention makes even pitched roofs turn green

Netherland's based Groendakpan has developed a green overgrown roof tile. The same installation, shape, size and weight, but then covered with sedum plants. Via brightvibes.

[Images Groendakpan]

Living the dream: stay and run a bookshop for a week in Scotland

My sister sent me this, and the idea is so tempting!  

Nestled in the pristine surroundings of Galloway, The Open Book is a charming bookshop and apartment, situated on the main street of Wigtown. A holiday home with a difference, it presents a unique opportunity for visitors to run a real bookshop at the heart of the town’s vibrant community. The Open Book's aim is to celebrate books, independent bookshops and welcome people from around the world to Scotland's National Book Town.

Booked through Airbnb, paying guests live in the self-catering apartment upstairs and run the bookshop below it for the duration of their stay. During their stay, guests are free to change displays, price books, re-categorise them, and make inventive use of the blackboard that entices visitors in to browse or chat. Some guests are happy to quietly run the bookshop, while others come with firmer plans and creative ideas! (Source)

It's so popular: it's fully booked until 2028! Find The Open Book on AirBNB here. 

[Images: AirBnB]