Category: azulejo

Who knew (I didn’t) that these sketches I’ve been filling my sketchbook with would become a series? I didn’t see it coming, but I’m glad I noticed a trend in my embroidery projects and decided to act on it.

Last January at the air Embroidery Club we stitched a sketch I made (and adapted for embroidery) just outside my studio. It’s not a fancy monument, or one of our beautiful city’s ex-libris. Quite the contrary: it’s a simple, everyday life scene, one depicting what makes living here such a pleasure. It was made right outside of my studio: we have a little square with a garden, two kiosks (I know, we’re spoiled!) with a few tables and chairs for people to have their “bica” (espresso) and read the paper. Read more

8 Mar ’13

Changes! Issue 33 is here

Issue 33 of “We’re in Panama!” is here. This will be the last number of the zine under that name, because, as you may already know if you follow my instagram or flickr feeds (or my life blog, in portuguese), we are currently relocating to Lisbon.

Part of our islamic heritage, azulejos (ceramic tiles) are a beautiful, decorative and story telling technique, with a very broad usage throughout Portugal. This issue’s illustrations are inspired by its visual language, and I hope you enjoy reading it.

On a more personal note, February was a very busy month lifewise – house hunting, packing and moving all happened in just a couple of weeks. We are now slowly settling in our hometown of Lisbon.

I am now faced with the fact that the zine can no longer be titled “We’re in Panama!”. So, my dear reader, I ask for your help finding a new name for it. Please read this issue and leave me your suggestions below.

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Hope you enjoy International Women’s Day and have a wonderful weekend.

Also, visit “We’re in Panama!”‘s Facebook Page and read back issues.

4 Dec ’12

Lotaria à Portuguesa: Portugal ponto a ponto

This is probably one of my favorite projects last month. It is for a call for entries by the Portuguese Lottery, Santa Casa, and I decided to make an embroidered illustration. The main theme was “Portugality” and I decided to work on a series of natural and cultural symbols of our national identity.

A shortlist of 20 finalists will be published on December 15th, so until then, please help me spread the word about my design by clicking on the link, liking it, tweeting and pinning it on pinterest. Thank you!

As a sidenote: I will be sending out a special edition of my newsletter with a detailed, step by step account of the process behind this project. Please sign up to receive my free newsletter here.

9 Nov ’10

A first: azulejos!

Sometime ago my friend A. asked me to design a panel of portuguese traditional, hand-painted tiles (“azulejos”) to match the coat-hanger she wanted to have by the main door in her new flat.

I was thrilled with this project! Not only it was the first time I ever designed an azulejo – I studied lots and lots of designs when I was in university, but unfortunately never got to design my own -, but also because I love, love patterns and that chemistry that happens when you put modules side by side and repeat them.

The brief was to design something that was based in traditional patterns, but with a modern twist. I came up with a design and crossed my fingers. The tiles were brilliantly executed at Azulejaria Santiago, where they were brilliantly hand-painted and later installed in their spot.

I´m thrilled with the result and looking forward to working again with patterns and azulejo!

(Not so much a) sidenote: if you´ve ever been to Lisbon and rode the subway or just wandered around the streets, you´ll know how much azulejo tiles are used in public spaces. One of the greatest panel designers is the living legend Maria Keil, a huge inspiration to me. Check out some of her work by clicking here.

All images by Christophe Sauvage.