The Mino sequence is growing. Mino is a miniature ghost living in Lugano. His adventures are inspiration for short illustrated stories. These stories come with some games and simple paper models. This month, the fourth edition was printed and distributed.
You can download the paper models from diFRED
You can now download from Apple’s iBookstore the first Mino story for free. Simply follow this link.
Mino is a short illustrated children’s story about a miniature ghost in a small adventure around lake Lugano. The printed version comes with two simple papercraft models.
Enjoy!
All diFred publications you find here
Sometimes I have the pleasure of seeing my paper models come to life. Over the past weeks a class of eight year olds have been working on small models of typical Amsterdam houses. Each creating their own house. Today I had the pleasure of taking part in the final step; building a city. But first, I explained a bit about the origin of these houses. I am quite proud of this. Not because of having some knowledge about this topic, but because my Italian language skills are almost non-existing. This becomes quite critical when the native language of the children in the class in fact is Italian. But it worked out well. After having explained a bit, we placed the houses on a grid re-creating a tiny proportion of the city. All models in black and white almost the same, but painted to each individual likings. The result (the houses on the grid as well as the class-room experience) is magnificent.
If you happen to be in Vieux Vichy (France), remember to visit KECK’s Nature shop, and pick-up one of the custom-made postcards of a 2CV AK250.
The paper models of the 2CV you find on this site form an excellent basis for creative classroom exercises. They are all similar in complexity, yet sufficiently different. Especially, if you take uncolored models, then the children in the class can do their own decoration.
Postcards supporting a touristic route around UithoornPublished on December 20, 2011To accompany the opening of a new information centrum, a set of postcards was developed to present a tourist route around Uithoorn, and to highlight the most characteristic and beautiful sights.
via diFRED « Publications & Illustrations diFRED.
Dont be afraid to try something new. An amateur built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic. – unknown
via Exploring the simple life, some of the favorite quotes.
My son also started to create paper models. Not yet with the computer (he is only eight) but very inventive and creative. Rebuilding McFinn with moving windows and popping-up guns etc. Beautiful.
When you enter Switzerland from Chaisso, you will pass corridors of sound reflection shields, followed by tunnels, followed again by more corridors of sound reflection shields.
Living in Switzerland there are two things I came to appreciate and respect. First, the disruptive force of weather. Born in Holland, I obviously have some natural respect for Continue reading
The first 2CV Charleston came on the market in the period 1979/1981. It was inspired by Art-Deco two colour styles 1920s Citroën model colour schemes. Initially introduced as a limited edition (red-black) it became a standard model in 1981. For about EUR 4500, with front disc brakes and nicer seats.
In 1982 the Charleston series was extended by the yellow-and-black color scheme, which wasn’t a success, and ceased production in 1983, and replaced by the more decently-colored cormorangrey-nightgrey combination. Download a paper model here: 2cv_1980s_AC446
The yellow Charleston (download a paper model here: 2cv_1980s_AC336, however, differs from the other two versions by the color of the A pillar and windscreen frame. Contrary to the other color schemes it was painted in the main color – yellow and not black as with the red model (or the grey one).
click to download
Is the 2CV making a return? There are rumours circulating about a retro 2CV, following the retro MINI and the retro Fiat 500. You can downlod a – maybe too simple – paper model here.
As any parent, I simply want the kids to be careful when they go playing outside. So, trying not to sound too boring, I used to say something like; “watch out for the elephants”, upon which our daughter firmly replied; “but dad, there are no elephants here”. Very firmly. Well, normally, yes. You do not find any elephant walking downtown small cities in Ticino. But sometimes you do. Et voilá, a nice cartoon.
In my enthusiasm, I am quite flexible in lending out books. Sharing writings that I have enjoyed. The good thing about this is that this may have contributed positively to the book industry. No. I do not dare implying that my contribution can be noticed on a global scale. But still… Continue reading
The 2CV Pickup. Maninly used by the Royal Navy, aboard HMS Bulwark and Albion in the late 1950s and early 1960s,and transported on and off the ships by helicopter. The pick-up truck version was used for pioneering Royal Marine helicopter carrier amphibious operations because of the payload limitations of their first large helicoptersOriginally, without front door (Wiki).
Download: 2cvPickUp_1955s_AC513
Well, obviously this did not happen exactly how it is displayed. Not exactly. But at the time I was doing a project for a somewhat temperament person. He would tell you what he wanted and when he wanted to have it, in very, very clear terms. And even if you knew that what he actually was looking for was something different, any attempts to discuss were lost efforts simply eating away the scarce time you had left to complete the task assigned. – Yes, sir. And of you went. Well, one day he was asking for customer feedback. Since I was also involved in another project looking at customized shoes, things started to blur, resulting in the following cartoon.
Siebren (our son, at the time I write this almost 5) sometimes – well, often actually – just takes a pair of scissors, tape and start building.
One time his ‘assilo’ (pre-school) teacher told us that he does not like to ‘build stuff’. I looked at her blankly, not able to say anything. Was she talking about our son? Continue reading
Still one of my all-time favorites. Any change has hidden dangers and possible risks. ‘Is it really an opportunity or your next major mistake?’ and even when it is a mistake, is it at least an originally new one? Anyhow, at the time I was in the process of changing jobs, and had the pleasure of spending some time at a beach in Italy. Dangerous combination? Maybe. The beach was beautiful, but although a excellent day for swimming, hardly anybody was in the water. Initially I though this simply was in their genes. The experience of driving in Italy when it rains can only result in the conclusion that there is a natural and deeply rooted dislike for water. Possibly due to the heat, it inspired the following cartoon.
Or download in PDF: NewOpportunity.pdf
The prototype of the 2CV, the Tres Petite Vehicle, also known as the TPV. Completely build from aluminium and with a water cooled engine, only one head lamp.
The Dolly versions were released in 1985, with two-tone paintwork in original colour combinations, such as vanilla and grey, green and black, and red and grey. Victims of their success, the èDolliesî also became standard production Citroens. Continue reading
The 2 CV production line in France closed in February 1989. With lifetime sales of 3,868,633 units, the last 2 CV came out of the Mangualde plant in Portugal on 27 July 1990 – at 4 oçclock. This marked the end of the production history of this legendary vehicle, and the beginning of a new story, that of the 2 CV and its fans through Citroën clubs. Continue reading
The mistery of the sunken island Bosch 
Another ‘true story’, illustrated with a cartoon. Bosch was an island that lay between Schiermonnikoog and Rottumeroog, on the north coast of the Netherlands. Inhabited up untill 1570, the island was practically washed away by the All Saints Flood of 1570, and then completely disappeared during the Christmas Flood of 1717. Continue reading
