The Hans Christian Andersen moment

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The Hans Christian Andersen Moment

- Page 17 of my new sketchbook project: 

The Secret Garden

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly,

"one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."

This beloved line comes from his 1861 fairy tale titled simply "The Butterfly". It explores the idea that simply existing isn't fulfilling; true life requires joy (sunshine), independence (freedom), and beauty (a little flower). You can read the full, original text of this classic tale on the Hans Christian Andersen Center website.

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Lotus Fountain

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Lotus Fountain

- Page 16 of my new sketchbook project: 

The Secret Garden

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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This year is a water year in my garden. I have created two mini ponds, which work really well. We have had a few small fountains for years. Birds, hedgehogs, and small and bigger frogs have enjoyed them. Surely not the best page in the project, but I like to show the whole sketchbook. I learned a lot from it.

Lawn Fungi

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Lawn Fungi

- Page 15 of my new sketchbook project: 

The Secret Garden

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER

Find me on INSTAGRAM.

The unwelcome visitors in our garden. Our lawn was always a problem area, since the tall, old oaks—combined with the intense sunlight—made it almost impossible to grow a healthy lawn.

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The little King

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The little King

- Page 14 of my new sketchbook project: 

The Secret Garden

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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In German, we call this bird a "Zaunkönig" 

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Life is just a bowl of cherries

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Life is just a Bowl of Cherries

- Page 13 of my new sketchbook project: 

The Secret Garden

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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Whenever I eat cherries, I think of my grandfather. I surely inherited my fondness for cherries from him. He had an incredible variety of cherry cultivars in his magnificent garden, and I associate these memories with the carefree summers of my childhood.

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a special visitor

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A special Visitor

- Page 12 of my new sketchbook project: 

The Secret Garden

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER

Find me on INSTAGRAM.

Since we live near the woods and have a few sun-warmed walls in our garden, we sometimes get visits from lizards. I haven't painted a lizard yet, but I'm sure there will be more in the future. 

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