Tuesday mode

Trying to start into the new week full of motivation and with a veeeery long to-do list. So in order to tackle the new year I am trying to be more organized (my main job is being a professional organizer that needs to meet deadlines aka project manager).

As if I don’t have enough things on my to-do list, step one was to make the to-do list look nice, which then turned into the creation of a whole set of weekly planners and a year calendar in the making. I suppose that this is a whole new level of procrastination.
Anyhow, you can also get your own printable weekly planner here on my Etsy. I’ll be uploading a few more online this week.

Use promo code PLAN2026 and get a 50% discount on all weekly planners 🙂

Hello darkness my old friend

Actually it is not that bad, now that the days are getting longer again in Iceland. But the coffee maker was broken! A minor disaster. It got replaced today.
Good to be back on my drawing desk! First drawing of the year. Have a great weekend.

Everything is fine, I think

Happy New Year! New resolutions there are plenty. Number one is to get better on my time management and to start and finish projects more efficiently.

Number 2 – take a pottery class.

Number 3 – to become fluent in French until the end of the year…. that’s a 25 year mission in the making.

The idea came a little late, but I am currently working on a 2026 calender. Anyone interested in a specific theme? Motivational honey badgers, black humour and aerial foxes are on top of my list.

Merry Christmas & a last Minute Christmas Card

After Inktober it got rather quiet here again. Time flies when you are having fun. I have been sketching a bit and exploring Italy.

New children book ideas are in the making and I am looking forward to get working on them once back home in January.

Until then, happy holidays! And as last year, if you are in need of a last minute Christmas card, get your free printable download below.

Inktober 2025 Wrap up

Inktober! I made it! After missing out on it last year, it was great to have done it again. I got a bit delayed there in the and due to travel preparations, but hey, the journey is the goal.

So what did I learn? Don’t worry so much about the outcome and let loose and have fun with it. I also got a lot faster in sketching maybe 10 min, inking 10-20 min. All in all, great practice as always. Now I am ready to tackle more of my other projects. How about you? What are you working on?

Have a wonderful day!

Inktober Day 31 – Award

Last but not least, the best award of all, the Golden Plover or Lóa as it is called in Icelandic.

Winter is coming so it is time for the Lóa to fly south. The birds will stay south until late spring. They will return to Iceland when summer starts. There is even a song about: Lóan er komin (The Golden Pover has arrived)

The crown turned out rather awkward I have to admit.

Inktober Day 30 – Vacant

Slowed down and went blank just before the finishing line. I eventually ended up having fun with this one and added coloured ink to it.
Gone south, that will be the theme soon.

Inktober Day 29 – Lesson

I am on a reading mission to read at least one book a month. So far so good. Just finished Jean-Paul Sartre’s Nausea last night.
What are you reading right now?

What’s next?

I have been in a drawing mood lately and thought it is about time to add some new prints to my Etsy shop.

But what should I add?

Let me know in the poll below.

Inktober 2025 Melanie Franz

Here is a best off (at least my favourites) of Inktober so far. There are a few more to come.

Inktober Day 18 – Deal

I didn’t know which one to draw, so I did two. Deal?

Weekend is almost upon us. I will use the time to draw some more. Maybe add a few new drawings to my Etsy shop too.

Penguin dog deal Inktober 2025 Melanie Franz

Pinguins are fun to draw and perfect subject for ink.

Penguin dog deal Inktober 2025 Melanie Franz