Famille Summerbelle

Free printable LOVE Pop Up card to make at home!

You loved the first pop up card I had made during the lockdown in 2021 so I am delighted to share with you this new illustrated pop up to make at home and to gift to your loved ones!

Here are the 3 steps to receive your free printable:

A. Sign up to Famille Summerbelle newsletter
 on the home page (a pop up window will appear or you can also sign up at the bottom of the home page)
B. You will receive an email from Famille Summerbelle with the free printable
C. Download and print the .pdf document.

1. Before you start prepare the following items:

- 2 x white A4 size sheets (A4= 21 x 29.7cm) Make sure the paper weight is a minimum of 150 or 200 gsm (if the paper is too light it won't hold the cut out shapes)

- 1 x coloured A4 sheet for the back cover of the card

- A pair of scissors and a scalpel with sharp blades (I use Swann Morton A10 blades)
No need to mention to keep this sharp tool out of reach of children!

- A cutting board if you use the scalpel

- Paper glue

2. Print in colour the 2 illustrated sheets. We will start by folding the main card with the heart:

Fold the A4 sheet in half.
Follow the indication written on the triangle: the dots are to be cut, the straight line, to fold.
Fold in half the sheet (with the illustrated side in front of you)
With scissors cut the two long dotted lines on the bottom of the two large triangles.

3 + 4. Fold the 2 large triangles towards the middle of the sheet. Repeat on both sides, press hard on the fold. Unfold the triangles.

5+6. Cut the small dotted lines of the small triangles and fold as seen on the photo.
Unfold them and open the A4 sheet flat.

7. This is the trickiest part!
Open flat the A4 sheet and then gently close the sheet and pull towards you the folds in the middle of the large triangles and at the same time the small triangles. Press them folded while you close the sheet in half.

You should now open and close the A4 sheet with the large and small triangles opening up in 3 dimensions (see photo)

Open again and do the same with the small triangles. Now, you should be able to open and close the A4 sheet and see the large and small triangles folding on the inside as you close the A4 sheet.

8. Make yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee, it's time to use the other illustrated sheet and start cutting the leaves, flowers and birds.

9+ 10. Once all the illustrations are cut, start to glue the different elements on the folded triangles. Start to glue on the large triangles.
Have fun composing your page with the leaves and flowers as seen on the photo.
Open and close the A4 sheet as you add each elements to make sure they fold nicely together.

11. Once all the elements are glued and dried it's time to make the cover of your card. You can use a coloured A4 sheet and add to the front a fun title or some cut outs. Make sure to only glue the parts that are not folded.

Take your favourite pen and write a message full of love to the person you cherish!

I hope you have enjoyed making your own pop up card :-)

It would make me so happy to see the cards you have made! Please share your creations and link it to Instagram @famillesummerbelle #famillesummerbelle

Or leave me a comment below, i'd love to hear your thoughts about this printable and tutorial.

If it is something you'd like me to do more often, let me know!

Happy Valentine's, Galentine's & Malentine's Day! Or just share your LOVE all year round with this pop up card!

Julie x

Visual Magazine, Spain

What an honour to be featured in 3 double spreads (!!) in the beautiful Spanish graphic design magazine Visual. Thank you Eduardo Bravo for the interview!

Valentine's Day Pop Up Card - DIY!

Since most of us are in lockdown and cannot hug our dearest friends and family, I thought it would be nice to make something for them to show our appreciation and love.

I illustrated this pop up card for you to print and make at home. It’s a fun activity to make in the evening (instead of watching Netflix!) or during the day with your children.
I made a card with my son Téo (aged 5) and we sent it to his grandmother. She has already received it and I can’t tell you how happy she was to receive this colourful pop up card in the mail!

To receive your free download, you just need to sign up to our newsletter on Famille Summerbelle homepage. A pop up window will appear for you to sign in. You can also sign in to our newsletter on the bottom of our homepage.
Not only you will receive this free printable in your inbox, but also a 10% off discount code to use on your first Famille Summerbelle purchase!

A video tutorial is also available in Stories of our Instagram @famillesummerbelle

A. Sign up to our newsletter
B. Check your email
C. Download and print the .pdf document. It includes 3 pages: one with the colourful illustrations to cut, two with triangles to cut and fold.

To start you will need:

- 2 x white A4 sheets. Make sure the paper weight is a minimum of 120 gsm (I recommend 150gsm)
- 1 x coloured A4 sheet for the card cover
- A pair of scissors and/or a scalpel with sharp blades (recommended)
- A cutting board if you will cut the illustrations with a scalpel
- Glue

1. Print the documents. We will start by folding the pop up card with the triangles:
Fold the A4 sheet in half, with scissors cut the two long dotted lines on the bottom of the two large triangles.

2.As seen on the photo, fold the large triangles towards the middle of the sheet. Repeat on both sides, press hard on the fold. Unfold the triangles.

3.Open the A4 sheet and pull towards you from the middle of the bottom of the large triangles. Leave them folded on the inside of the sheet.

4.Cut the small dotted lines of the small triangles and fold as seen on the photo.
Unfold them and open the A4 sheet flat.

5. This is the trickiest part! Gently close the A4 sheet and pull towards you the folds in the middle of the large triangles and at the same time of the small triangles. Press them folded while your close the A4 sheet.
You should now open and close the A4 sheet with the large and small triangles opening up in 3 dimensions!
Leave on the side while we are cutting the illustrations.
Open again and do the same with the small triangles. Now, you should be able to open and close the A4 sheet and see the large and small triangles folding on the inside as you close the A4 sheet

6. Make yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee, grab a sharp scalpel or scissors and start cutting the leaves, flowers and bird. Little ones will need help cutting these shapes!

7.Once all the illustrations are cut, start to glue the different parts on the folds.
You can glue the word LOVE on the top triangle.
Have fun composing your page with the leaves and flowers.
Open and close the A4 sheet as you add each elements to make sure they fold nicely together.

8.

9.Once all the flowers and leaves are glued and dried it's time to make the cover of your card. You can use a coloured A4 sheet and add to the front a fun title or some cut outs. Make sure to only glue the parts that are not folded.

10.Now choose a pretty envelop and send it to someone that you haven't seen for a while to show them your love and how much you miss them!

I hope you have enjoyed making your pop up card!
It would make me so happy to see your cards. Please share your creations on Instagram @famillesummerbelle #famillesummerbelle
Or leave me a comment below, i'd love to hear your thoughts about this printable and tutorial.
If it is something you'd like me to do more often, let me know!

Happy Valentines and Galentines!

Julie x

Valentine's Day Illustrations for The House That Lars Built

I am so happy about this latest collaboration designing for The House That Lars Built.
Last year I designed for them three large painted flowers cut outs that you can print yourself or have them framed on their Print Shop.
This year I really enjoyed designing three cards and a home cookie box for Valentine's Day. Numerous international illustrators have also designed beautiful printable for this occasion. Have a look at the variety of great work available for you to download on The House That Lars Built Shop!

Foldable Valentine Cookie Box House:

Arlos Cookies baked these stunning cookies inspired by my illustrations. Look at the details on the little house, the hearts! I love them all!!

"My Home is Your Home Valentine" card printable:

"I'm Lucky to Know You" Card:

"Heart Tile Valentine Cards"

Drawings on windows

Have you ever tried drawing on windows? I encourage you as I find it very pleasurable!
When I was in Tokyo in 2019, I was lucky to illustrate a large drawing on the windows at the Galerie Doux Dimanche and another one on the wide windows of the Bonton shop in Takashimaya department store in Shinbuya.

In my studio, I am very lucky to have natural light thanks to these large windows. I had fun drawing directly on the glass with a large Posca. It is a water-based paint marker that washes off easily with hot water and a sponge.
If you want to try it on at home, remember to draw the design from inside otherwise it may fade in the rain!

Famille Summerbelle exhibition in Tokyo at Galerie Doux Dimanche

I have just returned from an amazing week in Tokyo where we celebrated the 11th anniversary of Famille Summerbelle with a colorful exhibition of new paper cut works, original watercolors and our city maps.

It was an honor to celebrate our 11 years in Tokyo at Galerie Doux Dimanche since it is also 11 years that we have been collaborating with the creative couple Hisashi Tokuyoshi and Fumie Shimoji, founders of the Edition Paumes.
Together we made the book "Be Creative with Famille Summerbelle”. I was warmly welcomed by the team for my second exhibition in this charming gallery, located in the beautiful district of Jingumae in Shibuya.

For the occasion I made a large drawing on the window of the shop adjacent to the gallery to entertain visitors and passers-by!

It was such a pleasure to spend time again with the charming team of the Galerie Doux Dimanche who have also welcomed my mother and I for an exhibition 7 years ago. My mum who's a ceramic artist exhibited with me which was really amazing. You can read and see images on the blog, it was back in 2012!

Paper cut City maps:

London paper cut map:

Famille Summerbelle tea-towels:

Be Creative with Famille Summerbelle by Edition Paumes. The books is a peak inside our home and family life back in 2012. It includes tips and inspiration for handmade ideas and inspiring home decor. It, of course, includes plenty of paper cutting and fun activities to do with your children.

Thank you all at the Galerie Doux Dimanche for your warm welcome!

Julie Marabelle (yes that's me!) and Hisashi Tokuyoshi, DA, photographer, co-founder of Doux Dimanche and Edition Paumes!

The exhibition of Famille Summerbelle runs until Sunday 23rd June 2019:
Galerie Doux Dimanche
3-5-6 Jingu-mae
Shibuya-ku
Tokyo - Japan

Famille Summerbelle x Bonton Japan

During this trip to Tokyo I was also lucky enough to be invited by the Kids Concept Store Bonton for the opening of their new shop in Takashimaya department store in Shinbuya.

I made an installation of about sixty paper cut illustrations on the theme of their collection Little Italy that were displayed in 3 areas of the shop. I also had a lot of fun drawing across their ever so long shop window. I love drawing on a large format, is it very satisfying and rewarding!

The Saturday before my departure I organised a paper cut garland workshop that the children happily coloured and cut to leave with a pretty decoration to hang in their room!

Thank you Bonton for your warm welcome and for this fun collaboration!

Famille Summerbelle celebrates 11 years!

11 years already! I never thought 11 years ago that I will go to Japan to make an exhibition to celebrate Famille Summerbelle 11 years in business!
Tokyo was our first destination while Family Summerbelle was only 6 months old. We met there with Hisashi and Fumie, the founders of Editions Paumes and Galerie Doux Dimanche, with whom we have collaborated many times since our first meeting.
I am very happy to return to Tokyo in a few weeks to celebrate these years of creative work with them.
I can not wait to share this trip with you!

If you live in Tokyo, come and visit me at ">Galerie Doux Dimanche on Wednesday, June 12th.
From 14h-16h I organise a workshop where we will cut a wreath of flowers, it will be followed by a small party to celebrate the 11 years of Family Summerbelle

The Famille Summerbelle exhibition at Galerie Doux Dimanche starts on Tuesday 11th June, ends on 23rd June!

World Illustration Awards - Somerset House

I wanted to share with you some images of the World Illustration Awards exhibition that was held on 7th June at Somerset House in London. I was very happy to be there for the opening ceremony and to see my paper cut map of Copenhagen as part of the 200 shortlisted illustrations on display.

We all cheered the winners who were announced on that evening. The talented Stevie Gee won two awards. One as Professional Overall Winner for designing a range colourful and interactive boxes for Stella McCartney Kids underwear, and another one in the Advertising Category for his Here to Create campaign for Adidas.
One of my favourite was also the work of Swedish-based illustrator Monika Vaicenaviciene who designed a stunning book 'What is a River' who won an award for the Overall New Talent category.

A small description of the show by the Association of Illustrators who is the organiser of this wonderful event:
The exhibition, held in Somerset House’s Embankment Galleries, is the largest World Illustration Awards show to date, showcasing the full shortlist of 200 works. It explores what illustration means today, how it shapes our world and charts how the art form itself is changing. At once global and personal, visitors can expect to be inspired by this diverse, engaging exhibition. This annual survey of the best illustration globally will explore where illustration is now, and where it is heading in the future. As WIA judge Rob Alderson of WeTransfer says “in a visual culture dominated by photography, illustration provides a deliciously different way to see the world.”

Photo Credit Josh Redman.

Photo Credit Josh Redman.

Photo Credit Josh Redman.

My paper cut map of Copenhagen was shortlisted under the Design Category:

The WIA exhibition ends on 20th June but will go on tour in different venues in the UK and will also travel to Seoul Illustration Fair

World Illustration Awards 2018

SO HAPPY to hear the news that my paper cut map of Copenhagen has been shortlisted for the World Illustration Awards 2018!! The 200 shortlisted work (out of 3300 entries) will be exhibited at Somerset House in London during the month of June and a ceremony will take place on 7th at the same address to announce the winners! A very good excuse to come to London ;-)

Winter Tableware collection, a collaboration with ENGEL.

Following the success of the CIRCUS bamboo tableware collection, I am delighted to show you this latest WINTER tableware collection I designed for ENGEL.
This beautiful collection includes a range of Large, Medium and Small size plates with 3 Winter scene paper cut illustrations, a beautiful range of colours, a large cake plate, candle boxes and an assortment of 12 mini wooden icons to decorate the Christmas pudding!
This new collection will add a touch of magic to your festive dinner table!

The Winter collection is available now at ENGEL.

The plates are made of 100% biodegradable bamboo and are dishwasher safe.

These are the original paper cuts that were the inspiration for the Winter collection.

Love of plants

Wildernis in Amsterdam:

Stunning embroidery by Sarah Benning:

Delightful paintings by Elizabeth Barnett:

Jonas Wood

Beautiful plants studies and large scale paintings by American artist Jonas Wood. I wish we could see more buildings painted like this one on the David Kordansky Gallery in LA:

Shelf Still Life, next to the High Line at 18th Street and 10th Avenue, NYC 2014.

Pattern of the day

Triangles and more triangles from my Pinterest Patterns board.


From top left:
Mike Perry.
Pattern found on Artssake
Fabric from the Geffrye Museum.
Leak Duncan.

Top left:
Marisa Hopkins.
Bottom Left:
Hannah Waldron.
Marimekko.

Mizuki Goto

Adorable painted images by Japanese collage artist Mizuki Goto.

Studio Tipi

I discovered these beautiful illustrations while browsing on Lagom Design blog. Studio Tipi is the Canadian duo Keith-yin Sun & Judi Chan. Their folk and vintage inspired style has won them several awards including D&AD In-Book Illustration for Design award.

I love the cards they created exclusively for the Art Gallery of Alberta to celebrate the exhibition "The Art of Animation". This series is inspired by some of the most recognised characters in modern cartoon history and behind the scenes of traditional animation production. You can see more and purchase the cards here.

Enjoy your weekend. It's sunny today in Amsterdam :-)