Famille Summerbelle

New! Tokyo Map Paper Cut

As the Olympic Games begin today in Tokyo, I am pleased to introduce you to this wonderful city through my cut-out illustrations!

On my last trip to Tokyo I had in mind to design a map of it on my return. On the spot I made many sketches of people walking in the street like a group of school kids wearing their randoseru bags or landmark buildings such as the Asakusa temple or some of the typical Tokyo houses with plants in pots growing on the front.
I also took lots of photos of the city, people crossing the famous pedestrian pathway or a young man listening to music while waiting for a friend by the Hachikō statue at Shibuya station.

The idea was to come back at my studio with lots of visual references. I needed to capture the many contrasts of this vibrant capital to create this intricate cut out map of one of my favourite city.

I invite you to view a short video of the making of the map of Tokyo by clicking here.

The paper cut map of Tokyo is available in 2 colours: black and deep blue.
It is laser cut from an original paper cut map.
The map measures 42cm x 56cm and is sold unframed.

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!

Miró in Majorca

It was my birthday treat during our week in Majorca. I really wanted to visit the Fundació Pilar i Juan Miró in Palma and it was really special: not only it was sunny, it was my birthday (42 eeek!), I was with my favourite people (my husband and my 3 kids) and in a place so inspiring and full of history.

If you ever come to Palma de Mallorca, go and visit this place. You won't be disappointed!

Juan Miró relationship with Majorca lasted his whole life. He was born in Barcelona but his mum and later his wife were from Mallorca. He spent his Summer there as a child and later in 1956 Miró settled permanently in Majorca where for the first time he had a stunning studio built by his friend Josep Lluis Sert.

By this time Miró was already an acclaimed painter but he needed a quiet place where he could retreat and work in silence.
A few years later he needed more space so he bought the adjoining land and San Boter, a typical Majorcan house from the XVIIIth century.Initially it was intended to be a sculpture studio but it actually became his second painting studio for large scale painting. Miró left some beautiful charcoal drawings on the walls of the villa.

Mallorca in March

This year we decided to do something a bit different. We usually go to the mountains skiing for the Winter holidays but instead this year we decided to head further South to the island of Mallorca. We needed some sun and blue sky after weeks of clouds and cold weather here in Germany.
It was our first time travelling to the Balearic Islands. From Bonn-Cologne airport it was very easy to fly to in only a couple of hours.

Simon was really happy to discover the island on his bike. Mallorca is THE place to go for professional and amateur cyclists. The mild weather and the diversity of landscapes makes it a great place to practice during the Winter months. I later discovered that a lot of triathletes, hikers and runners also come here to train (our hotel seemed popular amongst sportsmen).

Once thing i'd like to mention: I am not sure I would visit the island in Summer as it must be incredibly busy, we were really lucky to experience it in Winter, it was very quiet, no traffic and the beaches were empty.

For the first time we stayed in a hotel with a half-board service and it was amazing! Normally we stay with family or rent during our holidays but I have to say it was really relaxing to stay in a hotel and not worry about cooking food!
We stayed in the PortBlue hotel in the North of the island (only 45mn drive from the Palma airport) near the port of Pollenca. It's a great place to stay for families as they have really nice Family rooms, indoor and outdoor (heated) pools and a kids club. Our children didn't go to the kids club as there wasn't much to do at this time of the year. For the parents/adults there is a really nice spa overlooking the bay of Pollenca and a well equipped gym.
We had two interconnecting rooms, one for the 3 kids and one for us :-) large buffets for breakfasts and dinners with food freshly cooked. The kids were so excited!
On the first night and despite the variety of available food, Lucien came back to the table with a huge plate of fries and a couple of slices of tomatoes (because I told him to get some veg) and on the side his chocolate ice cream melting while he was eating his fries!! He later understood that you can choose more than fries and that desert can wait until the end of dinner!

The old Palma has a lot of charm with colourful facades and a maze of narrow, quiet streets. Our daughter Ophelia had written down two addresses for eating out so on our arrival we had a delicious lunch La Molienda (great coffee) and on another day we had lunch at Rosevelvet Café (another place where you can enjoy great coffee with delicious cake!)

La Molienda

Café du Cycliste This place was for Simon (cyclist fan) Facing this shop you also have Rapha, another great shop/café for cyclist fans :-)

We went to visit the stunning Drach caves on a cloudy day. The kids loved it and after we went for a picnic on the beach.

View of the Cala Figuera from the car. The drive to the lighthouse at the far end of Cap Formentor is breathtaking. The narrow and winding roads are very popular with cyclists.

Photo with the kids at the Cap Formentor while Simon was having a great time on his bike.

We found this dreamy beach - Playa de Formentor - were we had picnics on few occasions. It felt like we were lost in the Caribbean as the beach was empty (in Summer it must be hell!)

Unwind in l'ile de Ré

We arrived in l'île de Ré exhausted after busy weeks in June and July preparing our move to Germany, but so happy to finally switch off for a couple of weeks. We've planned nothing apart from going to the market, make jam, cycle around the island, draw and read book by the pool :-)

A visit to Popham Design in Marrakech

If you think of cement tiles, no doubt you'll have one of Popham Design image saved in your Pinterest board (like mine on Floors) or in your Inspiration folder. Every single interior mag has been featuring stunning homes decorated with the highly colourful and bold patterns of Caitlin and Samuel Down-Sandes, the owners of the brand. They have revolutionised cement tile designs thanks to their vision and collaborative projects with international designers such as Claesson Koivisto Rune who designed the iconic Dandelion tile.

ZigZag and Do You tiles:

So when I knew we were going to Marrakech this Winter I immediately contacted their Head Office which is located at about 10mn car drive from the city center.

We were greeted by the lovely Mariam who proudly showed us around their beautiful showroom, with floor to ceiling examples of their most iconic designs.

Here is Lucien in his djellaba in front of the blue and white wall panel featuring the ZigZag pattern.

Pentagone design:


Splinter asymmetrical design:

Mariam offered to give us a tour of their nearby factory and ask the kids if they wanted to make their own tile. The answer was a cheerful YES! OUI!
Our first impression beyond the amazement of the fine craftsmanship was the smile and the warm welcome we received from the artisans. They were so happy to share their skills and knowledge of their craft with us. It felt like entering into a large friendly family.
The children were fascinated by the process of layering the pigments, marble powder and cement into the different sections of the moulds. Each tile is entirely made by hand by these skilled artisans.

ZigZag design with a different pattern layout.


Check out their Pinterest, Instagram and website for an overview of their huge collection and colours.

Eating in the Medina

Like in any City it's a bit of a gamble to eat in a restaurant unless you have a recommendation or done some little research.
Nomad was highly rated on many travel blogs. We went there twice for lunch during our stay. Both times we had an amazing time.
Nomad is set atop the Place des Epices (see the post below for more images). The entrance is only a discreet door set on the corner of the market so ask around if you cannot find it. As you walk you can smell the spices and flavours of the Moroccan dishes. The food was amazing, from starters to desserts!

On the first floor you'll find different rooms with confortable seatings and plenty of cushions to relax in while enjoying your meal. On a sunny day (like most days!) head straight upstairs to the rooftop for stunning views of the Medina and the Place des Epices. Straw hats with the name of the restaurant are at your disposal if the sun is too hot.

I had the most delicious shaved fennel and cauliflower salad, a vegetarian pastilla with roasted almonds and for dessert the hibiscus infused Panna Cotta. The Moroccan Affogato with expresso, cinnamon, cardamom over vanilla ice cream and toasted almonds was also a hit!
They also offer a very nice kids menu.

Family portrait while we were waiting for our lunch to be served!

Ophelia waiting for her fresh orange juice at the bar.

I would advice to book a table at Nomad as it can be very busy during the holidays.
Nomad - 1, Derb Aarjan. Marrakech Medina
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One the other side of the Place des Epices, is a nice little café and restaurant called Café des Epices. Owned by the same entrepreneur Kamal Laftimi who started Nomad and Le Jardin. This café is a great place to have a break for a morning coffee before exploring the Medina.
Café des Epices - 75 Rahba Lakdima, Marrakech Medina

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La Famille is such a nice place to relax and eat fresh food after walking the busy streets of the Medina.

The restaurant is located in an enclosed courtyard with lush banana, palm and olive trees. The vegetarian menu is quite small but very fresh and so tasty. I recommend the salads and the wonderful hand made cakes for dessert.
There is also a very cute shop selling ceramics, mirrors and cushions. Ophelia came back with a couple of ceramic vases to display on her desk at home.
If you are a big group there is a long table set under the palm trees and a large black board for the kids to draw.

The restaurant is not easy to find, only a very small signboard on an unassuming door indicates the entrance.
Book in advance!
La Famille - 42 Riad Zitoun Jdid, Marrakech

Marrakech in Winter with kids

It's never too late to wish you all a very Happy New Year! I would have liked to post this earlier but I was struck by the January blues and a bad cold on our return to Amsterdam!
We travelled to the beautiful city of Marrakech after Christmas to escape the harsh Winter weather.
It was 10 days of pure magic! We rented a house 30mn away from Marrakech with my cousin, her husband and their 2 children.
In retrospect it was a really good idea to be immersed in the Moroccan countryside with locals instead of staying in the crowded center of Marrakech. We would drive to Marrakech for the day and come back to our peaceful and spacious villa in the afternoon to relax by the pool in the leafy garden. A lovely Moroccan lady from the nearby village was here every day to prepare the most delicious tagines and couscous. It is very common to have a cook when you rent a house in Marrakech. I have to say it was a real treat to be looked after by such a pleasant lady.

Last time Simon and I came to Marrakech was about 15 years ago. We were back packing around Morocco for several weeks by buses, trains and taxis. We travelled to pretty much all the major Cities: Casablanca, Rabat, Fès, Ouarzazate, Marrakech and Essaouira and a long journey to see the desert. I was blown away by the beauty of the country and the friendliness if its inhabitants.

I was really happy to come back with our 3 children and rediscover Marrakech 15 years later. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised how much it has changed. First you land in a brand new airport and everything from customs to picking up your luggages was really smooth and easy.

Thanks to Google map we didn't get lost in the Medina this time! The children were so impressed to walk in the tiny alleys and to see so many stalls.
I had the souvenir of being constantly interpellate by sellers but this is no more the case. From time to time a smiling seller calls you but in a friendly way. Lucien had bought a brown djellaba to look like Luke Skywalker in Star Wars (his hero!). He had a lot of success walking in the souk!

Marché aux Epices:
a colourful square with many sellers of woven baskets, spices and rugs. Be prepared with a smile. Buying even the smallest thing in Morocco requires a lot of patience and negotiation. It's part of the game!

One of the many stalls selling dry fruits and nuts. I am amazed how they use space to a maximum. There is just one small hole for the man to stand. From there he can reach it all!

Lucien and Ophelia walking the streets of the Medina. They were in deep discussion about what they would become in the future ;-)

Hand made leather camels and hanging rugs at the Marché des Epices.

The famous Babouche, the Moroccan leather slippers in many shapes and colours. Some have hard soles to wear as day shoes.

Two men were playing chess on a bench on this hand drawn board. There is something beautiful about the pink of the plastic lids, the black of the board the this aged turquoise bench.

A little sunshine in 2016!

So, this is the last post of 2016. I thought it might be a good moment to share something I wanted to show you a little earlier but couldn't find the right moment.

Here's some images from a wonderful trip we took en famille at the end of October. We were invited to Mexico to celebrate the wedding of my step brother and his Mexican fiancée. We spent 10 beautiful days in the stunning Yukatan with my family before flying to Mexico City (where the wedding took place) and where we were joined by more members of the family.

This trip was the highlight of our year. Hope it brings you a little cheer. We wish you all the very best for 2017.

The Mayan temple of Tulum overlooking the turquoise sea:

Xpu-ha beach on the Riviera Maya:

Swimming with tortoise at Xcaret:

A watercolour sketch I did on the 1st November during the day of the deads:

Walking the leafy streets of Mexico City:

and eating colourful ice cream cones and delicious churros!

At the Museo National de Antropologica with the children.

The wedding was held in a 16th century hacienda in the South of Mexico City. We were all dressed up with touches of colours for the occasion!