Photo by @iraville ?I like the idea that we can do things by ourselves and don?t have to buy everything,? says illustrator, designer and #DIY enthusiast Ira Sluyterman van Langeweyde (@iraville). ?Self-made things are more special and valuable. For me, it?s much more fulfilling to paint into a sketchbook I have bound myself, with watercolors I have made myself.? Ira finds inspiration for her watercolor illustrations in a number of things: picture books, animated films, small towns, idyllic scenes of everyday life. This month, she is participating in Flow Germany?s (@flow_magazin) #DIYnachten project. Every day in December, Flow will reveal a new tutorial for a DIY gift ? just like a Christmas advent calendar. Spoiler alert: Ira?s self-made gift is a watercolor bookmark. ?I like to read myself,? she says. ?Also, I thought it would be a good idea for making book presents more unique.?