GeeeWhizzz!

hello! I hope your day is going well : )

Just out of interest I worked out how many amazing people I have written about here on The Design Alphabet - can you guess??? around 200!!! Can you believe it? I was astounded!

Quite often on blogs the writers celebrate their 200th post, I am up to about 75 I think.. so a way to go, but I am super pleased about how many amazing, inspiring, creative people I have discovered and shared with you. I love the fact that now we are this far into this alphabetical journey that I have to hunt deeper, wider and longer for things to share with you - trying to offer you some little treasures along the way, some inspiration, some goodness...I love how there are so, so many talented people out there that the 'hunt' isn't arduous - just a pleasure! - enjoy!



A couple of great finds today : )

Girl Savage

OK.. I will try and make this the last Softie obsessed post (for a few days anyway!)...

I love craft with a sense of humour, something that upturns the corners of your mouth - do you?... Girl Savage does just that.

This fab wee store is the home of 'Feltidermy' - cute little softies, beheaded and mounted on a wall plaque - just like real beasties - only cuter! Kate from Girl Savage is also responsible for an adorable range of critters, pocket mirrors, hair clips and buttons - take a peek:

(images from Girl Savage)

NOTES:
visit the Girl Savage store
read Kate's blog

Teresa Green Design

I was first introduced to the work of Teresa Cole from Teresa Green Design over at Design*Sponge. That was a while back.. and then just recently Grace (from d*s) posted again about Teresa's new collection. So, a quick trip over to the Teresa Green website immersed me again into this fabulous range - so unpretentious and simple - I love it! - do you?

(images from Teresa Green Design)

NOTES: visit the Teresa Green Design website

Feature

I have been hesitant about getting politically involved here on The Design Alphabet...and even though we have our own elections coming up in NZ, there has never been a Presidential race that has had me so excited and enthralled than the one that is happening right now in America.

I am guessing that people are far more worried about the economic climate than voting right now, but I just wanted to pop in this little feature and giveaway from Denyse Schmidt...something to warm your bodies in the cold economic climate - and something to cheer you on as you come to embrace this fantastic opportunity for change...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Yes We Can Quilt
Denyse Schmidt and friends have created a quilt inspired by
Barack Obama's message of hope and change.

Long before women had the vote, they voiced their opinions by
creating quilts with political and commemorative themes.

You can win this heirloom quilt (and help us all win)! By clicking HERE
and making a donation to the campaign, you'll automatically be
enrolled in a drawing. Spread the word – and thanks for your support!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And, that is the goodness for today... we're up to H already!!

See you tomorrow! x

the end of round one...

Well, here we are at the end of our first Alphabet set - a pretty monumental moment I think! My first journey into Blogland has been fabulous, welcoming and incredibly enjoyable... I have some exciting plans for next week when we take a rest 'between alphabets'.. more details below...

Lets kick start the Y's and Z's with...

Well, it's not really a Y or a Z.. but there are two Y's in it's name so I guess that counts!!

Gypsy and Twink

I have always been intrigued by the work of Kristy Macintosh. Kristy is the creative force behind Gypsy and Twink - a range of 3-dimensional collage pieces that are amazingly captivating.

I think it is the combination of intricate paper collage, her fantastic use of colour and the shapes and forms she works with, that make her collection so special - check out some of Kristy's work:

(images from Gypsy and Twink)

NOTES:
visit Kristy's store

Yellow Monday

I love these prints.

I wouldn't describe them as being particularly 'Happy', but they do make me smile : ) Produced in Sydney, Australia by artist Linda Kruger, the Yellow Monday prints are a collection of quirky characters, in everyday situations - well, actually, unless you tango with your dog everyday, this may not be the best description! Situations, non the less, that make me smile!

***Nip over to Yellow Monday to Buy one Get one FREE!!!
(be quick it's only for a limited time!)***

(images from Yellow Monday)

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

Yumiyumi

Aline Yamada is super clever. So clever in fact, that people keep stealing the images form her Yumiyumi range and 'making them' their own. As annoying and rude (to put it politely) as it is, it is a testament to her work.

Balancing a successful Etsy store and an active toddler, Aline still finds time to create a range that is simply beautiful.

I love this "These Are For You" print (pictured below, at top). Both of my boys 'Son aged 5' and 'Son aged 3' have gone through phases of wanting to rename themselves 'Fox' - this print makes me smile and think of them when they are at their most lovable...no doubt you will find something you love amongst Aline's work too...

(images from Yumiyumi)

NOTES:
visit Aline's store
read Aline's blog
Please don't steal Aline's (or anyone's for that matter) work!

ZukZuk

I was pretty excited to read about Helen Acraman from ZukZuk over on Decor8. I was particularly excited because Helen is a New Zealander.

Currently living in Toronto, Helen creates a fantastic collection of work for her Etsy Store. Her collection is bright and cheerful, full of colour and life - it sounds like, from reading her blog, that she is exactly the same! - the perfect way to end our very first Alphabet Set : ) - enjoy!

***$1 from each item sold goes to support Amnesty International***

(images from ZukZuk)

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

Next Week:

We are going to take a rest between Alphabet Sets next week - but don't go anywhere! There are some pretty exciting things happening here...

• I'll be guest blogging over at Decor8 during the week (!yay!) - so you will have to stay tuned for that! and...
• I can't reveal everything just yet, but lets just say that a very LUCKY reader will win a FABULOUS give-away...and...
• we are also going to have a series of interviews with some of my favourite New Zealand makers and doers - you can't be missing that!!

So make sure you pop in next week, the give-away in itself will be well worth the visit : )

Have a lovely weekend, and thank you for joining me in our first Alphabetical Journey...

xx see you Monday!