love is in the air....

Welcome to Monday, the first day in this 'in-between-alphabets' week... there is lots below so I suggest you jump right in! - enjoy!


I ♥ New Zealand

For those of you who haven't been to NZ (yet :), I can confirm that this wee southern land of ours is as beautiful as you can imagine. Some say our isolation here makes us into the free thinking, super creative and ingenious breed that we are today. There is no doubting that there is talent in these islands of ours.

I created these 'mood boards' (below) about this time last year. I never got around to posting them, and I thought, (while we are in between alphabets), that now would be a great time! They are a fantastic resource of New Zealand design, and I know the links will provide you with a fabulous journey around some of my favourite NZ creators...

Indulge.... (NB:click on the images to see them larger : )

ABOVE Clockwise from top left: Tio Chair by Conscious Design, Aroha Brooch by Jane Vile, Sol de la Flor Kitset Shades by Jelle Nijdam, Striped Bird in Tree by Sugarloop, Quilts by Wallace Cotton, Dresser by Kovacs, Ceramic Dishes by Steiner Ceramics, Cushions by Esther Diamond, Embroidered Fabric Bird Patch and Embroidered Fabric Bird Brooch both by In My Back Yard, and center – Blanket by Rona Ngahuia Osborne, Bunny Pillows by Esther Diamond.

ABOVE Clockwise from top left: Fabric Bird Brooch by In My Backyard, Sprout Bags by Ooid, Taapa Shelving Solution by Hold, Faceted Bowl by Rachel Carley, Vintage Crown Lynn Swan (image from Your Home and Garden Magazine), Airplane Brooch by Paradigm, Fold Lamp Shade by Fold, Taapa Shelving Solution by Hold, Tea Cup Bangles by Lindsay Pemberton, Pedro Stool by Candywhistle, Horse Brooch by Paradigm, Blossom No1. Needle Art by Minu, Puff Flower Brooch and Daisy Brooch by Agnes Coy, and, center, – Humpty Table and Footstools by Kovacs.

ABOVE Clockwise from top left: Bunny Cushions by Esther Diamond, Pohutakawa Tea towel by Shakyisles, Dish and Bowls by Rachel Carley, NZ Brooch by Shakyisles, Kina Hanging Lamp by David Trubridge, Haumoana 2006 Tea towels by Esther Diamond, Ceramic Tiles by Jo Luping, Tio Table by Conscious Design, Flower Brooch by Shakyisles, Log Bench Seat by Conscious Design and, center – Glasses by Jo Wilson.

And if that's not enough.. these will keep you going for a while...
Check out these links - a nice wee collection of (more) stores, designers and reads...

World Sweet World magazine - the magazine for makers and doers,
Studio Home Creative blog - a fab site loving NZ and Australian made

Swonderful shop - gorgeous clothing and goodies

Minu shop - handmade art and softies
Katydid Paper Goods shop - handmade gocco goodness

Melina Martin shop - screen printed tea towels

Super Very shop - crafty creations

Lovely Sweet William store - crafty sisters

Toggle mega store - featuring a whole bunch of NZ crafters and designers

Endemic World mega store - featuring a whole bunch of NZ crafters and designers

Clever Bastards mega store - featuring a whole bunch of NZ crafters and designers

Kowtow shop- fair trade clothing label

Felt mega store - featuring a whole bunch of NZ crafters and designers

Karen Walker website - NZ fashion icon

In My Backyard shop - handmade

Craft 2.0 website - crafters market

House of Aroha mega store - featuring a whole bunch of NZ crafters and designers

Ponoko mega store - featuring a whole bunch of NZ crafters and designers

Thread website - NZ fashion resource

Native Agent website - the work of Rona Osborne

Essenze mega store - featuring a whole bunch of NZ crafters and designers

Life Modern shop - gorgeous bed linen

Port Chalmers Design Store website- featuring a whole bunch of NZ crafters and designers

I know you will find something you love in all the bits and bobs above! Have a great day scouting around!

Lots more goodness here tomorrow! See you then! xxoo