Grateful - Happy Summer !

Yesterday the school year came to an end and finally the summer holidays are here. 

Dealing with exhaustion but also with withdrawal...we are deeply grateful for a fabulous school year with inspiring teachers and new friends. 

"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." 

I love his quote by Aristotle because this is the way I feel about my children's education this year...and it makes me so happy !

With the latest, sad events from Nice and Istanbul, I feel strongly we need to work hard to educate the hearts of our children knowing they are our future.

I am wishing everyone a very happy and relaxing summer !

Enjoy ! xx

Illustration with Aristotle quote
 copyright © Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2016

World Lupus Day 2016

I am super happy to be part of the World Lupus Day showcase for the fourth year. 

"Before we begin a little word about Lupus. It is a chronic disease which can affect anyone at any age, it is hard to diagnose and the exact causes of the condition are still unknown. Lupus, considered to be a rare disease is becoming more and more common. The butterfly is universally accepted as the symbol which represents the disease." 

My friend Dawn Clarkson from "Nice and Fancy" is starting this project every year to celebrate World Lupus Day and raise awareness for this disease. 

There are four showcases in total over at the "Nice and Fancy" blog; kids design's as well as designs from adults. 

I am very impressed by the variety of designs, created in many different mediums.

Please hop over to Dawn's blog for the full showcase.

Butterfly design copyright © pattern jots by Maike Thoma 2016

Please feel free to make a small donation to Lupus UK through Dawn's Paypal account dawnclarkson@libero.it !

Thank you and Happy Wednesday !

Follow Your Bliss - Always !

Today my post is a bit more personal than usual... 

Quote by Joseph Campbell - you can find it here.

"Follow Your Bliss"... a quote by Joseph Campbell.  

With all hurdles in life, more than ever, I try to implement this quote into my life on a daily basis. 

Campbell said "I don't know whether my consciousness is proper consciousness or not; I don't know whether what I know of my being is my proper being or not; but I do know where my rapture ( or bliss ) is. So let me hang on to rapture, and that will bring me both consciousness and my being"

Something to think of...

Campbell told his students "...to go where your body and soul want to go...". From my own experience I know, it is very easy to ignore it and find millions of excuses why you can not follow your bliss and your ego even confirms it is fine doing so. Until...life changing events are happening...at least in my case. 

His assumption was that if you can stay true to your bliss, you will find truth and consciousness ( thank you Mastin Kipp to put it perfectly )...and isn't this what we are all seeking ?

So follow your bliss; sing, dance, paint, draw, love, read, write, volunteer, etc....

And if you feel you like to hang this quote into your home, you can find it here.

I enjoyed meditating this morning and now I will grab my favourite pencils and draw !

Happy Tuesday !

Happy Easter !

With a quick doodle I am wishing everyone a very Happy Easter ! Enjoy the chocolate eggs !

Happy Sunday !

Happy Easter !

Teacher Appreciation Gift

Inspired by the many fabulous teachers my children were - and still are - lucky to be taught by, I made an other version of my family tree. 

This time it is a class tree with the name of the teacher and all students, including details like school year, grade and a personal note. 

This teacher appreciation tree could also be easily converted into a boss appreciation tree, if you like to give a personal gift to your boss from all people working in his/her department.

You can find this wall art over at my Etsy store.

Happy Wednesday !

Teacher Appreciation Gift

Happy !

Happy Tuesday everyone ! 

I just received my first copy of Uppercase magazine in 2016. 

You most likely know Uppercase magazine from Canada...it is a beautiful magazine for the creative and curious with so much inspiration in each issue. 

If you hold it in your hands, you instantly love feeling the paper in your hands and the smell of a freshly printed magazine. 

Issue 28 includes a beautiful black and white calendar for 2016 with literally over 365 beautiful illustrations, patterns or quotes from illustrators and designers from all over the world. 

I am one of the lucky ones who got chosen to contribute. You can find my pattern in the month of November ( my birthday month ) on the 13th .

Uppercase Magazine issue 28 calendar 2016

Happy New Year !

I am wishing everyone a very Happy New Year, peace, health, creativity and happiness ! 

I am very excited for 2016 and all opportunities ahead of me.

Time to get organized and follow up with projects.

Did you get a new calendar already for 2016 ? 

If not...here you can find some in my Etsy store for easy, instant download.

"Floating Drops" wall calendar

"Floating Circles" wall calendar 

"Vases" wall calendar

Happy Monday !