T and U

T & U

Another round of catch up today... my computer is getting sicker and sicker : ( so here I am on Steve's again, attempting to catch up!!

We have some delicious eye candy today... we are starting off with some fab NZ jewellery and then we are going to sink our teeth into a feast of screen printed goodness! - enjoy!

Taprobane Design

The lovely Karen from Taprobane Design emailed me a link to her fab jewellery collection (yay!).

"Taprobane is a quirky new label producing a range of jewellery inspired by childhood memories and translated into elegant pieces, with a contemporary twist."

I am in love with her 'Alphabet Soup' series of individual letters in a serif font! And her 'Wrought Iron' series is simply stunning! - have a look:

(images from Taprobane Design)

NOTES:
visit Karen's website
shop online at Ponoko and Felt

Tikoli

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Beautiful screen printing gets me every time! And Tikoli is no exception.

"Ten unique tea towel designs: fresh, modern and made to mix and match. Now there's no longer a need to keep your kitchen linens in hiding!"

The little blurb on the Tikoli 'About Us' page is great! You should pop over and read it.. while you are there check out the whole collection - it's fantastic!!

(images from Tikoli)

NOTES:
visit the Tikoli website
visit the Tikoli shop
read the Tikoli 'About Us' page

Umbrella Prints

More screen printing goodness! This time from Australian designers Amy Prior and Carly Schwerdt. Umbrella Prints have a wonderful collection of fabric squares and fat fat quarters (fabric larger than a regular sized fat quarter) and an adorable range of flip dolls.

Their prints are modern, vibrant and fun and the colour palette is gorgeous! check it out:

(images from Umbrella Prints)

NOTES:
visit the Umbrella Prints shop
read Amy's blog
read Carly's blog

And there we have T and U... yay!

NEWS....

As you know my computer is dying a slow and painful death : ( this also means I have lost programs like Photoshop as well as files that will take some time to retrieve/ re work... so...At the end of this alphabet (this Friday) I am taking a break. I had been thinking about taking a break over the summer so I get to spend heaps of quality time with my boys, so I am just going to start that break a bit sooner than anticipated.

So, as from this Friday, The Design Alphabet will be on holiday until 2009. I can still be reached via comments and email, so please do still keep in touch!

But no need for good-byes just yet! We've got an alphabet to finish!

- see you tomorrow for V!

S

Hi!

Sorry it has been a bit of a slow week here on the 'Alphabet'...my computer is pretty sick, and I've managed to loose quite a bit of info and different programs, so it has been a bit of a task trying to get it sorted...anyway, I am now working on Steve's computer, trying to put a very late post together..

So, despite all that carry-on I have decided to dedicate this post to my Grandmothers -

Today I bought a packet of Cameo Creme biscuits (for those who don't know them, they are two choccy biscuits, sandwiched together with a creamy filling) - anyway, I bought them purely because they remind me of my grandmother, the taste, the smell, it takes me right back to her kitchen table. Steve and I just ate the whole packet. Yeh, probably not the healthiest snack, but it was all for the sake of nostalgia!!

And... these images I have chosen for S. Are for my other Grandmother, who loved gardening, always had beautiful blooms in her garden and home and often comes to mind when I surprise myself and can name a plant or tree or flower... all because of her..

Anyway.. enjoy!

Sugar Snaps

I cant remember where I found Sugar Snaps.. but the work of Hilary Upton is included in my new photographic love affair. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Hilary is from NZ!

“With a love of nature I am drawn to photography to capture something special and highlight the magic in nature that is there but often missed - a Sugar Snap!”

Lovely, lovely prints and super cutie softies can be found in Hilary's store.. I have picked a collection of beautiful floral prints to show you.. have a look:

(images and quote from Sugar Snaps)

NOTES:
visit the Sugar Snaps store
read Hilary's blog

Studio Home Creative

So, from here I want you to skip over to Studio Home Creative.

Studio Home Creative is a fabulous NZ based Design blog that supports New Zealand and Australian design, art and craft.

Julia Atkinson is an amazing interior designer behind SHC and is responsible for introducing me to some fabulous makers and doers from around this part of the world... Like...Flox - do you remember my post about Hayley King?? Well Julia has some more of Hayley's work on her blog, it is a collaboration between Flox and Component of CutCollective... LOOK!!!

(image from CutCollective with thanks to Studio Home Creative)

NOTES:
jump right over to Studio Home Creative
visit Julia's Interior Design website
visit CutCollective's MySpace page


go on, off you go... : )


Thanks putting up with all the hiccups we hare having!!

T is next! see you then!

P, Q and R

Hi!

We have a bit of catching up to do, so let's jump straight in..



Please Be Still

Have you seen the work of Jen Renninger?? I discovered her work a while ago now and have the pleasure of doing business with her and selling a couple of prints through Apple of My Eye. Jen is one super clever lady, and her Please Be Still store is the place to purchase all her lovely work.

As part of her 08 New Years resolution Jen set out to publish one image a day. Each of them unique and beautiful. This fab 'Every Day' collection sits beautifully beside her 'other' work, which includes a fantastic range of Modern Design Deck Prints, painting and collage.

Have a look!

(images from Jen Renninger)

NOTES:
visit the Please Be Still store
visit Jen's website
read Jen's Blog

Quiet Darling

I am loving my new discovery of photographers. Quiet Darling is a brand new Etsy store (opened in September this year) selling sultry, dark and beautiful Polaroid images. There isn't any info about the artist on the store's profile, only this:

......................................................

chapped lips and skinned knees
blanket forts and paper cranes
hiding behind the magnolia tree
dreams of whales and the milky way
memories and grandma
freckle summer and bubble tea
someone to read withhold ghosts
secret treasures and whispering secrets
sad ghosts lace and grandfather elk
run-away dollies and pippi
sailing a wooden shoe and peter piper
honey cakes and pear pie
a garden of my own
these magical mountain forests.

Hi, I'm new xox

......................................................

So, that's all the info I have - poetic huh?? Have a look at these lovely images ..

(images from Quiet Darling)

NOTES:

visit The Quiet Darling store

Royal Buffet

I came across Royal Buffet earlier this month on Decor8 and immediately earmarked it for R.

Mollie Greene is the wonderful designer, maker and doer behind this collection of beautiful paper garlands and mobiles. Each one delicate and light - have a look:

(images from Royal Buffet)

NOTES:
visit the Royal Buffet store
read Mollie's website and blog

And there we have P, Q and R!! I am so glad we got to catch up!!

Have a wonderful day! see you tomorrow for S!

I am here!

hi all.. it looks like my computer has enjoyed the long weekend break.. as it has now gone CRAZY! and wont let me do anything!! ARRRGGGHHHHH!!

Hopefully all will be well tomorrow and we will be able to have a big catch-up on letters P,Q and R..

see you then!
x

Oh!

Hello! A couple of goodies today!

First up:

Ottoman

Check out these gorgeous goodies from Ottoman! If you are after treats of the 'botanical' nature, I am sure you will love this collection... I am completely intrigued by Ottomans 'Moss' range (pictured below) and I am loving the use of embroidery hoops as a framing option.. have a look:

(images from Ottoman)

NOTES:
visit the Ottoman store
read the Ottoman blog


Little Otsu

As promised earlier in the week, here is more from Little Otsu...

Little Otsu is a one-stop shop for all your paper goods - Calendars, Planners, Cards and Journals...
"LO began in 2004 ...serving as a way to collaborate with like-minded artists to make unique and useful print products using alternative materials like soy-based inks, recycled, and tree-free papers."

If you are an avid reader of any design inspired blog out there in Blogland, you would of no doubt come across the a myriad of calendar choices that creative folk have produced for the new year - well, here is the Little Otsu Collection - all of them beautiful and unique... I know you'll find at least one that you'll love! enjoy!

(images and quote from Little Otsu)

NOTES:
see the Little Otsu calendar collection
visit the Little Otsu website
the Little Otsu store can be found at 849 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110, 415.255.7900 (see here for directions)
read the Little Otsu blog


It's a Holiday Weekend!

Yay! It is Labour weekend here, which means Monday is Labour Day and a public holiday, so, yippee! we get to celebrate a long weekend. I wont be posting on Monday but I'll do a catch up post during the week to keep this Alphabet momentum going..

Are you up to much this weekend?? We are celebrating Steve's birthday (see I told you he always makes it last for ages!) on Monday. We are having a BBQ with a whole heap of friends - here's hoping that the sun is shining as the estimated 15 or so kids and 20 adults are going to be a tight squeeze in our wee house! The weather man does say "sunshine" so, we are hoping for that!

There are also a lot of Diwali celebrations happening in the city this weekend, so we may go and check that out too.

Whatever you get up to, have a safe, happy and memorable weekend!

See you next week for P!