Thank you so much, Emy, and fijne feestdagen to you as well 😊
I've loved getting to know Belgium over the past year and a half, and I'm delighted to hear you enjoy reading what I share here about your lovely country :) have a wonderful start to the new year this week! 🤍
What a lovely post. What I love most is what you mentioned about the candles being stars... love that and will, from now on, look at these candles differently. 🥰
I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed these stories, Rebecca, and especially that the image of the candles being stars resonated with you -- you and I both will be looking at Christmas trees differently :) ✨
This is gorgeous. I am curious how you made all of the illustrations connect in the long panel. It looks beautiful, as does all of your work. Happy December holidays!
Thank you so much for your comment and kind words, Jane -- I so appreciate them, and I especially loved hearing that you enjoy the long panels. I make them all in Photoshop, just extending the length of each panel to be as long as a particular story needs to be :)
PS -- I also shared a process post last year about how I create my illustrated essays -- here's the link, in case you'd like to read more!
You are so very welcome, Jane! I so hope you enjoy reading the post, and please let me know if there's anything else you're curious about with my process -- I'm always happy to share more 🤍
I love the story of Sinterklaus. This year my partner and I (we live in the US) have been craving different stories—older stories—that can be told this time of year. I feel pulled toward winter solstice and Yule traditions. There’s something much more wholesome about these kind of stories that fills the void that over-consumption can create in me.
Samantha, I loved reading this comment and your beautiful thoughts about being pulled towards different stories this time of year. Although I didn't come out and say it directly in this collection, that's exactly what I've been feeling as well -- that these traditions we're now learning in Belgium really do offer a different way of being and celebrating the holidays, one that doesn't feel so connected to consumerism.
Again, I was so glad to hear these stories resonated with you, and I hope you have a wonderful start to the new year this week 🤍✨
Thank you so much for your lovely words, Marlee, and for your well wishes for our time in Uruguay as well -- you're absolutely right about seeing it through new eyes, and I'm excited to hopefully share some stories from our time here in the new year.
Wishing you a wonderful start to 2025 this week! 🤍
Merry Christmas, Candace. Enjoy your children's sparkling eyes and sweet anticipation. Cuddle up in the love of husband and family and, for you this year, the warm sunshine of the southern hemisphere.
Thank you so much for your lovely words, Sue -- I hope you had a wonderful Christmas last week, and that 2025 gets off to a great start for you as well. All the best from sunny Uruguay! 🌞
Thank you so much for your kind words here, Susan, and I'm so glad you loved the idea of bringing the stars home -- it's been something of a mantra for me this season now ✨
It is special to me to learn how different countries or cultures celebrate this special time of year. Even though we may have different beliefs, we make time to travel to see loved ones or friends. This time of year, sometimes can make a cease fire happen in a war. A soldier might offer a piece of bread to his enemy. Some how the message of the season breaks barriers, and can cause a truce between nations or simply break down the prejudices in our hearts. Thanks for sharing customs I am not aware of. Dad
Dad, thank you so much for your comment, and for sharing these beautiful thoughts -- I especially loved what you wrote here: "Some how the message of the season breaks barriers." That's been very much on my mind this past month as well.
I'm so glad you enjoyed reading these stories, and I can't wait to keep celebrating with you next week! 🎉🎉🎉
Merry Christmas Candace, Have a wonderful time returning to Uruguay with babes in tow and with your in laws and extended family. Look forward to your in future insights from the trip. Blessings.
Thank you so much for your comment, Gayle, and for your well wishes for our trip! It's been wonderful to be back in Uruguay so far, but as you said, also a very thought-provoking experience to return with both girls now. I definitely have a feeling there will be a story or two to share about our time here, and I look forward to sharing them with you.
I hope you had a lovely Christmas last week, and that 2025 gets off to a great start for you as well -- sending a big hug (and sunshine!) your way from Montevideo 🌞
Merry Christmas in Belgium 🥰🎄
Always a pleasure to see my little country through your eyes ✨☺️
Thank you so much, Emy, and fijne feestdagen to you as well 😊
I've loved getting to know Belgium over the past year and a half, and I'm delighted to hear you enjoy reading what I share here about your lovely country :) have a wonderful start to the new year this week! 🤍
What a lovely post. What I love most is what you mentioned about the candles being stars... love that and will, from now on, look at these candles differently. 🥰
I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed these stories, Rebecca, and especially that the image of the candles being stars resonated with you -- you and I both will be looking at Christmas trees differently :) ✨
This is gorgeous. I am curious how you made all of the illustrations connect in the long panel. It looks beautiful, as does all of your work. Happy December holidays!
Thank you so much for your comment and kind words, Jane -- I so appreciate them, and I especially loved hearing that you enjoy the long panels. I make them all in Photoshop, just extending the length of each panel to be as long as a particular story needs to be :)
PS -- I also shared a process post last year about how I create my illustrated essays -- here's the link, in case you'd like to read more!
https://dandelionseeds.substack.com/p/the-process
Ohhhh!! Thank you, Candace! I will dive in to this now. Thank you for sharing your process AND your gorgeous products, too.
You are so very welcome, Jane! I so hope you enjoy reading the post, and please let me know if there's anything else you're curious about with my process -- I'm always happy to share more 🤍
I love the story of Sinterklaus. This year my partner and I (we live in the US) have been craving different stories—older stories—that can be told this time of year. I feel pulled toward winter solstice and Yule traditions. There’s something much more wholesome about these kind of stories that fills the void that over-consumption can create in me.
Samantha, I loved reading this comment and your beautiful thoughts about being pulled towards different stories this time of year. Although I didn't come out and say it directly in this collection, that's exactly what I've been feeling as well -- that these traditions we're now learning in Belgium really do offer a different way of being and celebrating the holidays, one that doesn't feel so connected to consumerism.
Again, I was so glad to hear these stories resonated with you, and I hope you have a wonderful start to the new year this week 🤍✨
Thank you, Candice, and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thank you so much, Switter, and I'm wishing you a wonderful start to the new year this week! 🎉
What a lovely compilation! Thanks, Candace.
You will most likely see Uruguay through new eyes after your time in Belgium. Your children will help you. Enjoy revisiting your past life.
Thank you so much for your lovely words, Marlee, and for your well wishes for our time in Uruguay as well -- you're absolutely right about seeing it through new eyes, and I'm excited to hopefully share some stories from our time here in the new year.
Wishing you a wonderful start to 2025 this week! 🤍
Looking forward to the new stories!
What a great introduction to Belgium Christmas, thank you Candace!
Merry Christmas from mostly dry Southern California! Safe journey to Uruguay.
Thank you so much for your well wishes, Gary, and I hope you have a great start to the new year this week! 🎉
Merry Christmas, Candace. Enjoy your children's sparkling eyes and sweet anticipation. Cuddle up in the love of husband and family and, for you this year, the warm sunshine of the southern hemisphere.
Thank you so much for your lovely words, Sue -- I hope you had a wonderful Christmas last week, and that 2025 gets off to a great start for you as well. All the best from sunny Uruguay! 🌞
💞
Love this
Thank you, Amber!
Many thanks, Candace. I'll never see Christmas trees the same way!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Kat -- I'm so glad you enjoyed these stories! 🌲
Happy New Year and looking forward to more in '25!
Let’s bring the stars home…congratulations on your adventure to Uruguay, safe travels, safe return…
Thank you so much for your kind words here, Susan, and I'm so glad you loved the idea of bringing the stars home -- it's been something of a mantra for me this season now ✨
Merry Christmas Candace,
It is special to me to learn how different countries or cultures celebrate this special time of year. Even though we may have different beliefs, we make time to travel to see loved ones or friends. This time of year, sometimes can make a cease fire happen in a war. A soldier might offer a piece of bread to his enemy. Some how the message of the season breaks barriers, and can cause a truce between nations or simply break down the prejudices in our hearts. Thanks for sharing customs I am not aware of. Dad
Dad, thank you so much for your comment, and for sharing these beautiful thoughts -- I especially loved what you wrote here: "Some how the message of the season breaks barriers." That's been very much on my mind this past month as well.
I'm so glad you enjoyed reading these stories, and I can't wait to keep celebrating with you next week! 🎉🎉🎉
have a great trip!
Thank you so much, Elizabeth 😊
Merry Christmas Candace, Have a wonderful time returning to Uruguay with babes in tow and with your in laws and extended family. Look forward to your in future insights from the trip. Blessings.
Thank you so much for your comment, Gayle, and for your well wishes for our trip! It's been wonderful to be back in Uruguay so far, but as you said, also a very thought-provoking experience to return with both girls now. I definitely have a feeling there will be a story or two to share about our time here, and I look forward to sharing them with you.
I hope you had a lovely Christmas last week, and that 2025 gets off to a great start for you as well -- sending a big hug (and sunshine!) your way from Montevideo 🌞