Zanurism + Herzensart + Kseniya Simonova

Are you ready for Z?

Zanurism

I have been waiting to share these illustrations from etsy store Zanurism. Have you seen them before? I hadn't until recently, and they immediately went into my catalogue so I'd remember to share them with you today.

Based in Sydney Australia, Zan produces these beautiful original artworks on wood and paper... the works she has for sale are so reasonably priced too, starting at only $35 (US).

Do you have a fave?

(images from Zanurism)

NOTES:
visit Zan's store
read Zan's blogs, here and here

Herzensart

I first wrote about

Herzensart and the work of Sandra Monat way back in alphabet*two. I was delighted to see the newest additions to Sandra's collection over on Decor8 recently.

Sandra's gorgeous viking inspired softies and textile pieces (and I tell you her softies are to die for!), now sit snuggly next to a divine range of melamine, stamps, mobiles and gift cards...

(images from Herzensart with thanks to Decor8)

NOTES:
visit Sandra's website
visit Sandra's store
read Sandra's blog

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I have decided not to post a Wonderland entry today, as I wanted to end this alphabet*seven with this absolutely beautiful video... Shown below is Kseniya Simonova, a Ukrainian sand artist who just won Ukraine's version of America's Got Talent. I highly recommend you take the time to watch it, you will be in awe.

Enjoy.

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And here we are at the end of alphabet*seven. Thank you so much for joining me on this alphabetical journey, I really do appreciate your company : )

As always I will be taking a break next week to gather resources for alphabet*eight... it is already shaping up to be a cracker.

In the meantime my friends, I will catch up with you soon - November 2nd to be exact...I look forward to it!

Oh, and have a wonderful weekend too!

Warm wishes,

Jo

xxoo

Loretta Lux + Syko + Door Sixteen

Hello friends...

OK, so X and Y didn't exactly make it yesterday, sorry about that... but we haven't forgotten them, we have a double whammy for you today, featuring the last three letters in this glorious alphabet*seven...shall we get started?

Loretta Lux

Those of you who are clued up on photography, probably already know all about Loretta Lux...she was awarded the coveted Infinity Award for Art from the International Centre for Photography (New York) in 2005, and she has a solo and group exhibition list that spans the globe.

Loretta brings her signature style to her works through a series of processes. Firstly, at the photoshoot, where her chosen subjects are children. Then at the computer, where she painstakingly changes the background to a more serene setting - a still room, an outdoor expanse or an abandoned building, revisiting, re shooting and retouching as she goes. The whole process can take close to a year to complete. And the result?

Breathtaking.

(images from Loretta Lux)

NOTES:
visit Loretta's website

Syko

Kajsa Wikman is the super creative gal behind the adorable etsy store Syko.

With textiles and thread firmly embedded in her blood, it is no wonder that Kajsa collection is full of applique's, quilting, stitching and prints of original works.

"I find great inspiration in my two children and their drawings and I love illustrated books for kids! Beautiful fabrics, buttons, and colours also tickle my fantasy! Reusing fabrics, buttons and giving them a new good life in unique textiles is an important part of the Syko philosophy."

(images and quote from Kajsa Wikman)

NOTES:
visit Kajsa's website
visit Kajsa's store
read Kajsa's blog

Knock, knock...

"Hello, I’m Anna!

I write Door Sixteen from inside an 1885 Victorian row house in the City of Newburgh, New York. Newburgh is in the Hudson Valley, about 60 miles north of Manhattan on the west bank of the Hudson River.

My husband Evan and I bought this house in early 2006, and we’ve been renovating it ever since and slowly molding it into our vision of the perfect home.

I write about other stuff, too!
Aside from house-related projects, I also work as a book cover designer. And I like to cook. And clean. And obsess over music. And obsess over cleaning. And obsess over obsessing.
Oh! And coffee. I love coffee."

I like it. You should visit : )

(image and quote from Door Sixteen)

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and that is X and Y : ) Z will be here shortly....

see you soon! xxoo

x and y

Hi there : )

it's Thursday... do you know what that means? It's Printing Class day!

I am so completely sidetracked that I am taking forever to get this X and Y post together...will you let me get away with posting it a bit later on?

I want to be able to concentrate on writing it instead of flicking back and forth between writing and obsessing, and, the people I am writing about deserve my full attention... so... will you meet me back here later?

Yay! I look forward to seeing you soon,

Have a wonderful day,
Jo
xxoo

Warpe Design + Roma Winkel + Wren Handmade

Hello!

Welcome to W : )

We only have a couple more days left in this alphabet... alphabet*eight is already shaping up to being a bumper edition... I think approx 700 different artists, crafters and bloggers have graced the pages of these alphabets of ours - seven hundred! I am still finding more and more to include, and as always I am in awe...

Shall we add a few more to our collection? Let's go!


Warpe Design

It is often the simplest things that can be the most beautiful. These hand punched cards and shades from Warpe Design are a combination of simplicity, skill and beauty....don't you want to run your fingertips over them and feel their texture?

"The hand punched holes appear flat and decorative when held up directly to light, but they transform into a low level bas relief when tilted revealing their textural, embossed edges. It asks to be played with, admired from all angles."

(images and quote from Warpe Design)

NOTES:
visit the Warpe Design store
read the Warpe Design blog


Roma Winkel

If you have been reading these alphabets for a while you will know about my Softie love - It's been a while since I wrote about them huh? Well this Softie love combined with my new "I want to do printing" obsession pretty much gets summed up as these gorgeous creatures from the talented Roxy Marj - aren't they fab?

Roxy doesn't just print softies, her Roma Winkel store is full of all sorts of goodness, you should check it out : )

(images from Roxy Marj)

NOTES:
visit Roxy's store
read Roxy's blog

Wonderland....

I really wanted to include the Wren Handmade blog in our wonderland today. I have written about the wonderful work of Laura Normandin before, she's super talented and it seems she can turn her hand to almost anything...

Laura's blog is an inspirational insight into her daily makings and doings. I find it really fascinating to see the work processes and creative spaces of different artists and crafters, and the Wren Handmade definitely hits the spot.

Make a cuppa and go visiting...

(image from Wren Handmade)

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I hope you find some inspiration here today...will you join me again tomorrow for X and Y?

See you soon! xxoo

Vessels and Wares + Vantiana + Cannelle et Vanille

Hi there,

I hope your day is going well : ) I have a nice selection to share with you today - are you ready?

Vessels and Wares

I first wrote about the work of Jeanette Zeis here, and a recent visit back to her Vessels and Wares store found more gorgeous pottery that I just had to share with you.. If my research is correct, Jeanette started this new line of shapes and glazing colours this year - I am loving the colours below, and as always, the shapes are beautiful!

"I have had my hands in clay for about 15 years. I just love the process and learning the different facets of the medium. It is a never-ending education. "

(images and quote from Vessels and Wares)

NOTES:

visit Jeanette's store

read Jeanette's blog

Vantiani

Some collage love to share with you from etsy seller Vantiani. I particularly love the second image below with it's use of measuring tapes - divine!

Do you have a fave?

"I'm a red gemini living in old dusty house full of zines, records, film, books and ideas with my sweet punk lover.I adore my small but powerful fingers and prefers a big glass of iced cappuccino to stay sane most of the time."

(images and quote from Vantiani)

NOTES:
visit Vantiani's store
read Vantiani's blog

Food Love.....

Aran Goyoaga is a freelance food stylist, writer and photographer who produces the acclaimed blog - Cannelle et Vanille. I recently became enthralled in Aran's blog after she featured as a guest writer on Design*Sponge.

Oh my, Cannelle et Vanille is mouth-wateringly-beautiful, and inspiring, and well, it makes me hungry! Chock full beautiful images and recipes - and well worth a visit!

(image from Cannelle et Vanille)

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Steve's birthday celebration was lovely by the way. We stuffed ourselves full of yummy treats and the boys delighted themselves with many renditions of Happy Birthday. As it does every year, Steve's birthday lasts about 2 weeks, and we have more celebrating with friends this weekend...Looking forward to it.

For me, Steve's birthday also marks the beginning of summer, our first BBQ and maybe a dip in the ocean - here's hoping....if only the rain would go away...

Have a wonderful day everyone!

See you tomorrow for W! xxoo