How is it already middle of December?! It feels like I was just writing the November newsletter.

December always flies by too fast for me, holiday decorations (our huge Lego winter village takes ages to put together, but it’s been our tradition for many years now), Elf for the kids, calendars packing (a lot more packing this year, since I made those orders extra special with personal notes and small drawings).

But it already feels like Christmas, and I love this magical feeling ✨

After sketching a lot in November, I feel pretty lazy this month 😅 In my defense, it’s getting dark very early, and I can’t sketch in the car while waiting for the kids..

At least I managed to make several traditional pieces with Yens and Spinny, and even two gouache sketches! The Coascard challenge is going on right now, and I hope to squeeze in another picture or two 💪

Sadly, I made only two pictures for Advent with Yens and Spinny, but at least I recorded the process 😅

I also finished the very first episode of the Yens and Spinny tales, I hope you enjoyed it! If you haven’t seen it yet, you can find it in my Instagram or YouTube (the quality is much better 😅)

January is usually a slow month, so I’m planning to start another animated episode of the Yens and Spinny tales then.

❄️ This Month’s Tale

Spinny's First Snow
Spinny discovers snow and makes peace with the socks.
Read here

There are still some calendars and small gifts left, and some of them may even arrive in time for Christmas!

This is also the last chance to get the special edition Yens, I’ll be retiring him around December 21.

In January I’m planning to restock some prints and postcards, so stay tuned!I’m also thinking about designing some pin sets, though for now those are just thoughts.

But guess what - Spinny the plushie is finally starting to take shape! I have a prototype, and I hope that after a couple of tweaks it will be ready for production!

• The first snow has settled into the corners of the garden now. Yens listens to how it changes the quiet. Spinny has been carefully testing which footprints last the longest.

• The toad has disappeared from under the watering can. Yens says he’s resting somewhere warm. Spinny checks the porch anyway, just to be sure his apple is safe.

• In the evenings, Spinny practices holiday tunes on his flute while Yens strings lights along the window. Yens doesn’t pretend not to notice anymore.

• The chimney smoke rises straight into the cold air these days. The kitchen smells of citrus peel, cloves, and fresh bread. Yens is preparing for the holidays. Spinny is preparing a crumb collection “for later.”

• Holiday Cards are being written at the table each evening. Yens chooses his words slowly. Spinny adds tiny marks of his own and insists they count as signatures.

This quote from Moominpappa’s Memoirs made me laugh 😅

"She'll be starting educational games again," the Joxter prophesied. "Perhaps she'll even keep us from hibernating when winter comes, and make us ski!"
"What's that?" the Mymble's daughter asked.
"Slithering on atmospheric precipitation," Hodgkins explained.
"Dear me!" cried the Mymble. "How fearful!"
"We'll die of it," said Little My.

This month was so busy that even during my morning walks I felt anxious, rushing back home to get to all the chores. And then one morning I suddenly noticed those tiny beads of water on the moss, and I remembered what those morning walks are really for. To slow down, embrace nature, hear birds and notice the plants. Thank you, little moss, for reminding me.

The days are short now, but the evenings feel full. There’s a softness to the light, a pause in the air. Yens has started planning for slower days, and Spinny has been choosing a winter spot to nap between adventures. Wherever this season finds you, I hope you get a moment of quiet and warmth to carry into the new year.

Wishing you warm mugs, gentle evenings, and just enough holiday mischief to make you smile.

With warmth,

Nina

(And also Yens, and Spinny, who is currently trying to play his flute inside a teacup.)