Helen Dardik

Happy day to you!

I hope your 'h'-day is going well : ) I have two eager boys here wanting to go to the skate park so I really should get this underway... are you ready? let's go!

Helen Dardik

I have numerous pieces of Helen Dardik's work in my 'inspiration folder'. Her portfolio is bursting with cheerful brightness and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE (yep, that's capital letters!) her pattern work. It would be my dream to be able to produce work like hers... have a look!

"I was born in Odessa by the Black Sea and have been creating art since before I can remember. After spending several years in Siberia, a move to Israel allowed me to attend ORT School of Art and Design in Haifa, and to begin work as a freelance illustrator. Following a move to Canada in 1993 I studied graphic Design and fell in love with illustration."

(oh, and if you want to have a sneak peek into Helen's home, click here : )

(images and quote from Helen Dardik with thanks to Grace for the sneak peek)

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

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Have a wonderful day where ever you are!

See you tomorrow for I! xxoo

Monday - in between alphabets 5 & 6

Hello and Welcome!

I hope you had a lovely weekend : )

Our weekend was great. The weather stayed fine enough for us to enjoy a huge walk on Saturday with our oldest son. We had a 2hour adventure around the coastline (about 5mins from our house), fossiking under rocks and collecting shells. It was fabulous. Our youngest son doesn't yet have the stamina to last the distance, so it was nice to take the opportunity to do it while he was playing at a friends house.

We also got to meet Georgia. She is a week old today, and is absolutely gorgeous! I am so looking forward to having her in our lives : )

So, what's in store this week?

For those of you new to The Design Alphabet, we are currently 'between' alphabet 5 and 6. I take a week off between alphabets to not only have a bit of a break, but to bring you other bits and bobs that don't fit into our alphabetical format.

This week I wanted to share some places that I find inspiring. I'm going to try to not do too much writing, as there will be some reading and eye candy on the other sites involved.

Shall we get started?

Biz Ladies

If you are a regular over at Design*Sponge you will be well familiar with Biz Ladies. I had never really delved in to the series too deeply, but since this wee Alphabetical blog has started taking some momentum, I have become more an more interested in the advice that is given in these columns.

Have you read any? Grace from d*s brings together her own expertise with the knowledge and experience of a whole resource of people. The Biz Ladies series has so far covered everything from Calculating Your Rate and Branding to Copyright 101 and Making Your First Hire.

There are (so far) 38 topics in the series. Targeted at makers and doers, designers and bloggers, there really is something for everyone... Jump over to the full catalogue and immerse yourself in this amazing source of knowledge and inspiration.

Enjoy!


(image from Design*Sponge - with thanks to Grace for being so amazing!)

NOTES:
read the Biz Ladies series at Design*Sponge

I know you will find valuable information and inspiration in this Biz Ladies series. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful day!

See you tomorrow! xxoo

Intres + Imagine Studio + I Like Pens

A rather eclectic bunch today - all three are completely different, yet all three are completely beautiful!

Intres

I am always intrigued by hand stitching, whether it is fine embroidery or gorgeous felt creations like these ones from Intres.

The Intres collection is made up of a series of impossible towers, castles, trees, brooches and fun toys, each one constructed with care and craftsmanship - have a peek:

(images from Intres)

NOTES:
visit the Intres shop
read the Intres blog

Imagine Studio

Lyse Marion from Imagine Studio has always Collaged. The never ending possibilities achieved from collaging digitally has given Lyse a new perspective and allows her continue pursue her undying need to produce lyrical, evocative and sometimes provocative images.

I find Lyse's work fascinating. Each image is worth a second (third, fourth...) glance to ensure you capture all the detail.

"The lyrical beauty of each piece is well worth your time to see. I hope that they can provide a renewed sense of quietude to your heart, mind and soul. So...let your spirit take flight in the beauty and awe of your own imagination."

(images and quote from Lyse Marion)

NOTES:
visit Lyse's store

I Like Pens

Friends of ours have recently moved to Paris, and it was because of them that I stumbled across this collection of works by Kate Seaward from I like Pens. This 'Travels in Campervans' series partly shown below trips around the sites of Europe - oh, and I slipped in a 'Pop Up' of the Eiffel Tower because it was too gorgeous not too : )

Along-side being a talented illustrator Kate has also opened a fab retail store with friend and fellow illustrator Gemma Correll. Named Cherry Cherry their store is stocked full with a whole heap of goodness from all their favourite crafters, designers and artists.

(images from Kate Seaward)

NOTES:
visit Kate's website
visit Kate's store here and here
read Kate's blog
read the Cherry Cherry blog

Ahhh, here we are kickin' on Fridays' door : ) A fab selection to be had tomorrow - I would love to have you join me.

See you tomorrow for J! xxoo

U are my sunshine...

Hello! welcome to a new week!

The last time I did 'U', I did a series dedicated to products under $20, under $35 and under $50 from Urban Outfitters... I thought I'd carry on that theme and find you some SUPER bargains! So this post is a showcase of goodies under $10 from Ikea...(The prices are in Australian Dollars)... enjoy! - and find yourself a bargain!!!

above: CELEBAR Spice Jars (set of 2)

above: MARIUS Stool $6.95


above: TRIPP Tins with Lids (set of 3) $6.95

above: SKAFFER Vacuum Flask $9.95

above: INGER Fabric $9 per metre

above: TRIVSAM Espresso Cup and Saucer $3.95

above: KORT Art Cards (pack of 5) $5

above: BAS Display Box from $4.95


above: CHARM Potato Peeler $2

above: FABLER Place Mat $1.95

above: TASSA NATT Wall Lamp $9.95

above: JORUN Cushion Cover $5

above: PROPER Spice Jar (set of 2) $8.95

above: BUSIG Tray $8

(images from Ikea)

NOTES:
Shop at an IKEA near you!

But wait there's more...

How about combining these 'under $10' bargains with Grace's (from Design Sponge) Under $100 column on Domino... Skip on over and have a look!

So, here we are on the last leg of this Alphabet!! It's amazing how fast this one has gone by! Like last time, I am doubling up Y and Z on Friday so we can round out the week, and then the following week we are into our 'holiday' and will take a break from the Alphabet..all the while preparing ourselves for the next one - yay! - and remember if you know of, or make anything you think should be featured, please don't hesitate to get in touch! - I love hearing from you : )

Have a great week everyone! See you tomorrow for V!

U are so beautiful....

Hello! and welcome to Monday!!

Since we are at 'U' and we all love a bargain, I have put together some super cheap collections from...


Urban Outfitters

For us here in NZ, we can only fantasize about all the great buys at Urban Outfitters. Sorry fellow Kiwi's U.O don't ship to NZ - the website says "They're working on it".. I'm sure if more of us ask they might 'work on it' a bit quicker! But for those of you who have access to a store, here's my picks for Under $20, Under $35 and Under $50..

Under $20..

above: Mini Composition Notebooks $4 each

above: Round Kishmar Tray $18

above: Graphic Plate ONLY $2.99

above: Canvas Pencil Wrap $18

above: Gallery Bowls Four for $18

above: Painted Wooden Shelf (plate not included) $14.99

Under $35..

above: Masha Cherry Tree Pillow $32

above: Small round Table Decal $32

above: Vintage Blossom Lamp Shade $24

above: Album Frames two for $22

above: Fanciest Frypan $25

above: Lantern and Flower printed Rug $28

Under $50..

above: Hoot Lamp Base $36

above: Star Burst Flower Tapestry $36

above: Tree Shower Curtain $40

above: Set of 25 Wallflower Wall Decor $40

above: First Flight Wall Decals $48

(images from Urban Outfitters)

NOTES:
visit Urban Outfitters Online
See if there is a store near you
contact Urban Outfitters and request NZ delivery (!)

But wait! There's more!

While we are in bargain mode - here are some other 'Unders' from Domino..


Under $10
Design*Sponge blogger Grace Bonney shares her favorite decorating accessories, all for Under $10

and believe it or not... here are some amazing SUPER bargains for...
Under $1!!!
Online producer and blogger Katy Elliott has scoured the market for great design under $1. She has found some classic shapes, simple palettes, and old standbys to fit any budget.

Enjoy!!!

...and V is tomorrow! See you then!