b.b.b beautiful!

A lovely selection of things to things to share with you today : ) - enjoy!


Hannah Bureau, Rebecca Bureau, and Sarah Bazos

Hannah, Rebecca and Sarah are the masterminds behind their "small company of beautiful things" - Three Sisters Ink. This sisterly collaboration that is obviously working well for them as the work they produce is fantastic! - check it out...



(images from Three Sisters Ink)


NOTES:
visit the Three Sisters Ink website
visit the Three Sisters Ink shop
read the Three Sisters Ink blog


Blue Thimble

I am loving this work by Allison Rose of Blue Thimble. As a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Allison's work involves layers of meticulous hand silk-screened textiles - sometimes up to 50 layers. It is obvious that Allison isn't afraid of colour, and in fact embraces it whole-heartily! "I could not choose which color is my favorite- that would be discriminating to me" - love it!

Take a peek:

(images from Blue Thimble)

NOTES:

visit Allison's store

Blocks by Petit Flâneur

OK I'm cheating a bit here, but I couldn't wait for P or F to tell you about Petit Flâneur! You really do need to skip over to their site and check out all the fabulous goodness that they produce - "crafting wonder into the lives of young and old." delicious!!

So, not only do they produce this divine range of blocks (seen below) the Petit Flâneur collection includes other toys, artworks, cards and clothing, and... they provide custom design services in the areas of product, graphic, and packaging design - check it out... (images from Petit Flâneur)

NOTES:

visit the Petit Flâneur website

visit the Petit Flâneur shop

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* * *Special Feature* * *

Boon Chocolates

I couldn't go past Boon Chocolates when I discovered them in my favourite Australian magazine Inside Out - too beautiful to eat? - maybe not!!

If you are in the market for some truly gorgeous choccies, then I suggest you go on over to Boon and have a look : )

(images from Boon Chocolates)

NOTES:
visit the Boon Chocolates website
read the Inside Out blog

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and there we have B! Have a great day everyone! - see you tomorrow for C!

Yipppeeeee! It's FREEEEEEEEE!

Hello!

I have dedicated F to a collection of fabulous FREE online finds... check it out...

First up is...

Free Design

Free Design is a sideline project for blogger Summer Allen-Gibson from Design is Mine.

Free Design "was created because I suddenly realized that somebody had to weed through all the bad freebies on the internet and find the ones that are inspiring, creative and generally well designed, and that person should be me."

Summer highlights some really great finds - everything from Martha Stewart's Printables to some great patterns for Pinhole Cameras... here's a snippet..

above: Greeting Cards from How About Orange

above: Printable candy boxes wrappers from design. wash. rinse. repeat

above: Desktop Wallpaper from Small Moon Valley

above: Desktop Wallpaper from Kareena Zerefos

(images from Free Design)

NOTES:
visit Free Design for all this and more
read Summer's blog: Design is Mine

next is...

Amy Butler

Amy really doesn't need any introduction at all! Her website features a whole range of FREE patterns - from a Business Card Keeper to her Gorgeous collection of Quilts.. have a look:

(images from Amy Butler)

NOTES:
visit Amy Butler's website
see Amy's Free Pattern collection

Ponoko

Ponoko is a New Zealand based website that showcases some amazing design talent. As well as a vast array of goods to purchase they also offer some great free product plans... have a look:

above: Type Coasters

above: MDF Wine rack


above: Box Lamp

(images from Ponoko)

NOTES:
visit the Ponoko website
see the Ponoko collection of Freebies

and to end today's FREE post...

Marimekko

Marimekko have some great desktop wallpapers available for FREE on their website. I have had one on my desktop for a while now.. but I'm feeling like a change so I think I might swap it for some sunshine yellow... it's the first day of spring here today - yay!!

above: Frekvenssi: Harri Koskinen 2006


above: Matkalla maalle: Teresa Moorhouse 2007

above: Hohoi!: Maija Louekari 2004

above: Nonparelli: Maija Louekari 2007

(images from Marimekko)

NOTES:
visit the Marimekko website
see Marimekko's collection of Free Desktop Wallpaper
also see Marrimekko's range of E-Cards (also FREE)


And there you have it... this is just a glimpse of what is available for Free online... go and have a look!

tomorrow is G... see you then x

Quilting and Needle Work...

Today's entire post is about Quilting and Needle Work - I am going to showcase some traditional quilting and needle work from around the world - and then throw in some contemporary work at the end...and I don't mean traditional as in quilting patterns like 'The Flying Geese' or 'The Window Pane' or the like, I mean traditional as in Tivaevae and Suzani. - have a look...

Tivaevae

I want a Tivaevae. A real one. I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have one made for me. I have looked longingly at the ones available online, but unfortunately my wallet doesn't appreciate them quite the same...but this IS something I am working on!!

Tivaevae is an art form from the Cook Islands. Situated in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, the Cook Islands are made up of a group of 15 islands, the main one being Rarotonga.

Tivaevae is a form of needlework; in particular the making of patchwork quilts by hand. The beautiful designs are intricate works of art and the quilts themselves hold great value and become family heirlooms.

The making of Tivaevae is a communal activity, and several women will work on a quilt together. The group give the finished quilt away as a gift of love and friendship, or they will make a quilt for a specific occasion such as a wedding or the traditional hair cutting ceremony for boys when they come of age.

Embroidery, needlework, sewing and crochet were introduced to the islands by the wives of English missionaries, and the Nuns from Tahiti. Despite it's European origin, patterns and techniques used to make Tivaevae are distinctly 'Pacific', reflecting the creators' surroundings of flowers, leaves, birds, fish, insects and animals.

(images from Bella Pacific and the Alexander Turnbull Library - Woman sewing a tivaevae, Rarotonga, 1960Photographer: John Colles Burland Reference number: PA12-0503-2035mm colour slide Photographic Archive.)

NOTES:
find out more about the art of Tivaevae
buy Tivaevae from Bella Pacific

Suzani

I would like a Suzani too! Maybe not as much as a Tivaevae, but I do have a weakness for them!

The word 'Suzani' comes from the Persian word for needle - 'sozan', and it is the fine embroidery and skillful use of contrasting colours that make Suzani the bold, vibrant and sort after textile they are today.

Traditionally made by women, the now very successful Suzani cottage industry in Uzbekistan supports both male and female artisans. These modern artisans are returning to the traditional methods including the hand dying of threads and hand embroidery.

Suzani were traditionally sewn together in pieces, with women working on individual segments simultaneously. When all the embroidery was finished, the pieces were sewn together again.

These beautiful detailed textiles are embellished with carnations, pomegranates, tulips, mallow, and other presentations of flowering plants, and form an amazing trellis work of embroidery.

(images from One World Textiles and Domino)

NOTES:
find out more about Suzani

Moroccan Wedding Blankets

These beautiful white and cream women's Wedding Blankets were traditionally woven for special events, such as weddings or as a gift. Woven in natural, un-dyed sheep (and sometimes camel) wool and cotton, and often decorated with small metal sequins.

Because of their soft creamy white colouring, these wedding blankets add warmth and simmer to any modern decor, and can be used as throws, blankets, wall hangings and light-use rugs.

Here is a wedding quilt used in a guest suite at the Parker Palm Springs. The room is designed by Jonathan Adler and is a great example of the versatility of this textile.

(images from decor8 and viva terra)

NOTES:
thanks to decor8 for introducing me to Moroccan Wedding Blankets!
shop at viva terra for your own Moroccan Wedding Blanket


Contemporary

I thought I'd keep it simple with images and links - enjoy!

Above: The Rocky Rolling Down. By Fabbiz

Above: Jody Ross Pillows

Above: Quilt. From Amy Butler

Above: Flying Across the Land. By Fabbiz

Above: Concentric Squares Patchwork Quilt from Urban Outfitters

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into the world of quilting and needlework! Are you RRRRRReady for the R's? See you tomorrow!

to B or not to B

Book Storage

Let's start the B's with a bit of D.I.Y.. nothing like keeping your hands warm with a fun winter project!

Isn't this bookshelf great? I found it over at Martha Stewart.. there is nothing like organisation that looks good! This is a ready made plate rack attached to the wall. It would be fab on the back of a door too if you were limited on space... for instructions on how to make one, click HERE.

(image from Martha Stewart)

Bird vs. Bird

Bird vs. Bird is created by super talented designer Bess Petty. Bess lives in Oakland, California and works in a commercial sign shop by day...she creates a wonderful selection of merchandise printed on the margins and roll-ends of the industrial vinyl and banner material that would otherwise end up at the trash at her work.

Most products feature common birds and weeds, and her range includes these wonderful wallets...

(images from Bess Petty)

NOTES:

Warning! Bess DOES ship internationally!!

Visit Bess's Etsy Shop HERE

Bodo Sperlein

I first spotted this chandelier in a magazine at the library - sorry I can't remember the name of the mag... but I did remember the name of the chandelier - Niagara Chandelier.

The Niagara Chandelier was produced by an amazing ceramic artist - Bodo Sperlein. Bodo is a London based consultant and manufacturer who produces an inspiring range of lighting and tableware.

The Niagara Chandelier (pictured above) was produced for Llardò as part of their Re-cyclos Collection. Also included in this collection are these incredible Light Sculptures:

I LOVE the 'Freeze Frame Birds Hanging Lamp' (at top) - especially the shadows it creates on the wall. I can only imagine that the Butterfly Lamp pictured at the bottom, has the same magical effect.

(images from Bodo Sperlein and Re-cyclos Collection)

NOTES:

For a list of stockists visit Bodo Sperlein and Lladrò online.

Little Wish Boats

Something a bit whimsical...It is so rewarding, that after a bit of online-shop trawling, you can come across something as sweet and gorgeous as these... the sentiment behind them is just as beautiful.

Jurianne Matter is the creator behind these sweet wee treasures. According to Bijzondermooi (where I discovered them) Jurianne made her first paper-folding boat as a farewell present for a dear friend, who was going on a long extended trip. After realising these little boats would fit many celebrations, Jurianne made them available so they can sail out to celebrate weddings, new babies, birthdays, new jobs and anniversaries.

Sold in packs of 8 paper sheets, with simple folding instructions, the Little Wish Boats are the perfect whimsical gift of love!

NOTES:

All though shipping to NZ is quite expensive, it is worth having a look at Bijzonrtmooi.nl

Book of the week:

I thought it only fitting to start our regular 'Book of the Week' slot on 'B' day. Every Tuesday we will highlight one of the books we have listed in the Design Alphabet Book Shop.

This week we would like to introduce Amy Butler's newest book - Midwest Modern. Click through to the Book Shop for the latest reviews and to add it to your collection - enjoy!

'C' you tomorrow!!