Feeling Creative? Why not make something...

Lena Corwin's blog, is full of great images and heaps of links to millions of wonderful artisic treasures. And her book is simply stunning, and wonderful, you can get it at Amazon or a billion other places I am sure!

There are soooo many tutorials out there It' sometimes a bit overwhelming. But I have found so lovely ones here. Some for you and some for the kids.....
Fabric Bird - Living Creatively
Felt Jungle - Plum Pudding
Revisable Apron - Living Creatively
Felt Bears - Canadian Living

some new prints

i have been playing around with this idea for ages. and finally I have finished 3 pieces I am happy enough with to put up. One is already for sale on my etsy shop. the other two will be up shortly. I think they look cute as a set. We call our little guy who is almost 5 months old - wow how time flies - little one. I know I know, the little one in the illustration is a girl. but so what? So I am in the midst of creating a whole wide world for this little one, and lots of prints will hopefully follow. I have been wanting to add in a bit of collage into my work for ages, and now I have - hooray! (tick that off my extremely long list of things to do.)

e.g. etal ... oooooh ahhhhhh

e.g. etal is the place we got our engagement / wedding rings (nearly 8 years ago) and the jewlery here is spectacular. Not in a in your face kinda way, but in a beautiful, unique subtle and splendid way. Everything is like a little precious piece of art so delicate and bold at the same time. I'm not really a jewelry person either, I wear my engagement & wedding rings and my watch everyday and them I have 2 necklaces that I alternate wearing on special occassions.... but I do appreciate fine art and I could definately add to my very small but most loved collection!!!!

my obsession : homewares - timber!

I love homewares.... show me a cushion, a lamp a throw and I will swoon and ooh and ahh for hours. I spend afternoons dreaming of the colours I will eventually paint my house (when we build it....but that's another post for another day.) the Porter's Paints Swatch book is pure heaven.....

And even things that are just made to bring happiness such as these stunning timber treasures from Millicent & Frank.




What about this for all those mags lying around the house- Offi Magazine Stand- is a beauty !

This Oak smoke small bird by Kristian Vedel is another thing that is just lovely and would make me rather smiley if he lived in my home. You can buy them from great dane (which is my favourite shop in the whole wide world)

The perfect Sofa : Bosko by Jardan

Is this not the most perfect sofa you ever did see?

Bosko by Jardan Australia
Design by N Garnham/ R Carlson

What a lush place to lie back and relax..... and in the most delicious grey you can imagine... I know I know how can grey be delicious? Shouldn't delicious by reserved for colours like rich reds or apple greens? Well, for some.... but that grey that isn't too blue or too brown, that works with absolutely any colour is just bliss.....

Fashion find: Souk Lifestyle

So, it was birthday yesterday and besides getting to sleep in until 9am (my lovely husband minded the kiddies!! yay) I found my new favourite shop. This only helps you if you are in Melbourne however.... but the brands are found across Australia and in some cases around the world. This little store has fabulous things... I could have bought the store.

A gorgeous mix of fashion and lifestyle things such as Pantone mugs and Skin and Threads fashion.
The best brand for pants ever ....Obus
and also the ever gorgeous Morrison.

Thats all for now. x

Top Ten : Etsy sites for kids stuff

1. the gang celebrates LARGE print - creativethursday

2. Bamboo Mobile--Bird Trio - petitcollage
3. Biscuit Bunnies - Oatmeal Cream - flyingstartoys
4. yellow vw tee - jackapotamus
5. Crafty Owl (Limited Edition Print) - barkingbirdart
6. Reversible Baby Bib in Groovy Guitar - blossom baby
7. elephant pillow - jamtartbaby
8. Baby/Toddler Quilt - Orange Bird/Chocolate Burst - quiltbaby
9. Mushrooms and Birds Note Card / Greeting Card - sosofties
10. felted snowman limited edition 2008 - mosey

Etsy Seller of the Week : Ashley G

An oldie but a goodie. This seller has been around since 2005, but Ashley G is a fantastic artist.

Blog of the week : capture create and some ramblings

My loveliest blog this week is by ali edwards. And its rather gorgeous. If you are into scrappbooking, which is something I haven't really done myself, then this is th site for you. Some beautiful ideas....... and we get a menion indirectly through the link to Bloesem Kids blog. (which is also very lovely.)

I am a bit tired tonight. Trying to stay focused. I have been working on a bigish design project for a client of ours (my husband and my graphic design business) and it's tiring. Plus I want to spend time on my art at the moment and there just isn't enough time in the day. BUT..... I am getting a bi tof time back, my lovely boy (no2) is now going to bed at around 7:30pm (drowsy but awake....aas all you mums and dads have probably read before!!!!) and staying asleep until 11pm ish. This is a far cry from a couple of weeks ago when we have a very upset 4 month old, who liked to stay awake until the late evening. To all parents out there wondering if their tiny little loves will ever get to sleep, the answer is yes... just hang in there. Now if someone could just tell me how I get my gorgeous 2 years to detach himself from my leg, and fall asleep in under an hour I would be most grateful.......... (ah separation anxiety!)

For the Home : Tea towels by Skinny Laminx

I am always looking out for lovely things for my home. These teatowels by skinny laminx are amazing. Love the colours and design. I am a huge fan of screenprint and the teatowel - but not so much of washing dishes. These are too pretty to use, they could just sit happily in the kitchen.....

Inspired design : Sukie

talk about all things cute and wonderful..... sukie is super cool. Gorgeous note books, journals, cushions, teatowels and much more....

Fashion finds: gorman plus apple & bee

So my very most favourite label is a fabulous Melbourne one by the name of Gorman. Aussies would be most familar with this gorgeous fashion range. The pic shows part of their organic range.... what a cute owl too! (I love owls).
Have a read at what this one brand has done to help our environment..... It just highlights what true commitment can achieve. What an inspiration.



Another lovely brand I've just discovered is apple and bee. If you are looking for a new make up bag, bowl bag, travel or kids bags this label uses environmentally friendly fabrics in stunning prints. Another Aussie brand I love.

Top Ten : Chairs (modern & lovely)

Sunday night is top ten night. Top ten what you may ask? Well, anything really. This week I am looking at my favourite chairs. Yes, I am a mad fan of the modernist chair... if I could own all the these I would be one happy camper.

1. The Plank Chair - Hans Wegner
2. Lounge Chair - Charles and Ray Eames
3. Egg Chair - Arne Jacobsen
4. PP503 The Chair - Hans Wegner
5. Swan Chair - Arne Jacobsen
6. LCW (Lounge Chair Wood) - Charles Eames
7. Barcelona Chair - Mies van der Rohe
8. Chaise longue - Le Corbusier
9. AA chair - Bonet, Ferrari & Hardoy
10. LCM chair - Charles Eames

Etsy shop I'm loving : Olive

My love affair with etsy never ends. I am always finding wonderful shops to wander through... the latest is a lovely shop called olive These pillows are especially gorgeous. there are so many ugly cushions out there in the world of retail homewares it's such a relief to find a cute store like this one. Nothing beats a unique, handmade piece for your home. I am still trying to decorate my home in the way that I want, and hopefully I will get one of these little lovelies... x

Blog of the Week: Pikaland

Hello there. So this is Friday's task.... review a blog I love. Today's Blog is called:
pikaland
It's a beautiful blog all about illustration, Amy the blogs owner, finds the most lovely illustrators and artists online and puts them all in one place for all to enjoy. Full of brilliant ideas, Amy has come up with the PikaPackage project. A collection of artwork from various artists available from her shop. A great way for up and coming illustrators and artists to promote themselves. And a great way to find new and unique art!

Ramblings...

Start rambling now.
Ah time... that's where I was. So it's 12.30am on a friday.... yes AM. What am I doing writing on my blog? Well, you do stuff when you can and today this is the time. I am all a muddle with sorting out my day (and night.) This may have something to do with 2 little boys in my life (one is two and a half, the other four months old. how can 2 little people cause such a sensation? man, I never thought having kids would be this life changing or consuming, sure I thought I'd be busier, tired etc but I didn't expect the mental exhaustion that goes with it! Lucky they are beautiful and funny and the best thing my husband and I ever did.

So I am attempting to structure my unstructurable life. So first things first, my blogging and etsy - ing. One little article every day ( I have categories now, which means I won't struggle with coming up with things to say... there sare so many things that inspire me, and I am completely design obsessed, so why not share my love of design / product / art / homewares / interiors with everyone? my first one was PRODUCT OF THE WEEK.) and hopefully one new listing on etsy each day... hopefully....

Oh, one more thing, my little 4 month old has for the last 3 nights started sleeping in the early evenings... rather than hanging out with Mum and Dad. Thanks Archie xxx
Must go to bed.
End rambling now.

New illustration : Birdie Garden

I am trying a slightly different style at the moment and some new product ideas (more on those later - they are in my shop but I need to work through them and some others too.) This one is more organic in style and composition. I enjoyed making this one, and am trying to find time to do some more illustrating. Ahh time...... more on that later too.

product of the week: yearly planner

I love this wall planner by Miriam Bereson. It's beautifully designed and a great size.
I remember her stuff when I was at Uni. Cute diaries and note pads....raw cut out style illustrations...now she's back which is great to see, I feel all nostalgic...
It would look great in anyone's kitchen too. Am going to order one for me, and at $15 you can't go wrong! Miriam Bereson has a super cute site too!