Penny Stotter

Hello!

There was a bit of excitement in the house this morning. My eldest boy is celebrating his 7th birthday today- SEVEN! I can hardly believe it. The celebrating started early, with my youngest arriving in bed before dawn asking if it was too early to wake his brother... luckily his brother ended up coming in not too far behind, eager for us to get out of bed.

So, we've started the day with gifts, and singing, and photos - no breakfast yet though - I think there is too much excitement in the air!

I am eager to get this 'P' underway, so I can spend the day with my brand new seven year old : ) Let's go!

Penny Stotter

On my latest visit to Endemic World (where I was reminded about Nice Work), I was also reminded about the work of Penny Stotter.

Penny lives in New Zealand, on Waiheke - an idyllic island in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour. Graduating in 1995 from the Ilam School of Fine Arts, Penny worked as a designer up until her move to Waiheke in 2006 where she became a full time artist and print maker.

Penny's bold yet delicate black and white prints are full of New Zealand's flora, fauna and motifs. I am loving her 'Kiwi Dolls' print (third below) and her Heritage prints (pictured 1st, 5th and 7th below) are just divine - take a peek:

(images from Penny Stotter)

NOTES:
visit Penny's website

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I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Thanks so much for dropping by, it really is lovely having you here : )

See you tomorrow! xxoo

Jorine Oosterhoff

Hi!

It looks like the sun is going to have a wee break today. Even though it is a bit disappointing, it does give us an excuse to hang out at home and do some bits and bobs around the place - ooh and it's Friday! - again!

I've got some lovelies to share with you here... take a peek:

Jorine Oosterhoff

This Tea Time Set (pictured first below) from Jorine Oosterhoff is just divine! Based on characters and built to be a family, each and every one of these lovelies would be welcome to join me for tea anytime! - look at those legs!

"Each piece has it's own identity. With their character-like look they seem to come alive living their lives on the table like soldiers in a little nation. Creating surrealistic moments like in Alice in Wonderland."

Jorine produces a variety of work for a wide range of clients, these and her own projects are full of ceramic characters, all with function and personality - you should have a look...

... oh and for those of you in NZ, the cute coat hooks pictured 4th and 5th below are available from IkoIko through Essential at Home. - yay!

(images and quote from Jorine Oosterhoff)

NOTES:
visit Jorine's website

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Another weekend! This is the last weekend before school starts back... the end of the holidays is looming : ( I'm a bit sad about that! We have had such a lovely time. But I know my oldest boy is keen to get back into the swing of things and is looking forward to hanging out with his buddies every day...

What are you up to this weekend? What ever you do - have a wonderful time!

I'll see you Monday for P!
xxoo

Nice Work

Hi there!

How is your week going? Great I hope! The weather has been beautiful here and the beach has been outstanding - warm and glassy flat. There's been a whole heap of seaside frolicking happening in our family, and a whole heap of late nights as we try and make the most of every daylight moment. I'm loving it!

Nice Work

I have been wanting to include this stationery collection from Sarah Maxey of Nice Work for a while now and was reminded of it again the other day as I was perusing the Endemic World website.

"Sarah is most known for her award-winning work on literary book covers, often using her own illustration and hand-lettering. Of late, she has been focusing on personal hand-lettering projects, exhibiting her work in galleries in Wellington and Auckland. She is also busy building up her own imprint publishing fine stationery and small limited edition books."

(images from Nice Work and Endemic World, quote from typeshed11)


NOTES:

visit the Nice Work website
ppssst! Sarah is from New Zealand!

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Have a wonderful day!

See you tomorrow for Friday! xxoo

Miller Goodman

Hi!

Here we are coming out the other side of this alphabet*nine! can you believe it? We've already been back three weeks! Time goes so fast.

Shall we get started?

Miller Goodman

David Goodman and Zoe Miller are the creative force behind Miller Goodman. Committed to function with the highest design principles, David and Zoe are producing beautiful, sensitive New Classics in the children’s market.

The Miller Goodman collection includes books, artwork, blocks and accessories. The series of blocks 'ShapeMaker' shown first and second below was awarded the Winner of a gold award at the 2009 Practical Pre-School awards. - and deservedly too - check them out!

(images from Miller Goodman)

NOTES:
visit David and Zoe's website
visit David and Zoe's store

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Thanks so much for stopping by, it is lovely having you here : ) Are you set to head into the second half of this alphabet tomorrow? I hope so!

See you tomorrow for N!
xxoo

Lines and Shapes

Hi there!

Thanks so much for stopping by : ) We are busy busy today so I need to get this going right away... ready?

Lines and Shapes

You may have already heard of Lines and Shapes but just in case you haven't I'm going to showcase them today.... Lines and Shapes is a series of books curated by artists Maria Vettese and Lena Corwin.

Starting out in 2008, Lena and Maria have so far produced a collection of 10 books in their- 'The Artist Series' -

"This series, a cross between a book/journal and a magazine, includes six 2008 volumes and four 2009 volumes. each volume has a different visual "jumping off point" and artists work separately to interpret that visual idea. their creations are then designed into book form. the artist series is meant to inspire every time you pick it up."

In 2009 came the 'Journal Series' - "this intimate series highlights work from the curators of lines & shapes as well as other chosen artists. "

Each volume is 68 pages and is printed in full colour - you should check out Lena and Maria's store and get your hands on a copy (or two!)...

(images and quotes from Lines and Shapes)

NOTES:
visit Maria and Lena's website
visit Maria and Lena's store

BE IN QUICK! - Books are on SALE until Jan 31st - only $14 (USD) each - snap up a bargain!

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Have a wonderful day!
xxoo

I heart Knitlights

Hi there,

I hope you all had a lovely weekend. We had a very full afternoon yesterday - we went on an 'adventure' walk around the coastline... it was breathtakingly beautiful but it ended up being a bit much for little legs and the boys had to take turns being piggy-backed home - we didn't even get to where we were planning on going!! Still, we managed to find some 'treasure' to add to our nature table - and now we know what is around all those rocks!

I can't believe these holidays are nearly over. They have flown by so quickly. We have another full day here, so as per usual, I had better get started!

Knitlights

I have a new favourite thing!

These Knitlights by Beeldenbouwers are beautiful! - so delicate and soft don't you think? The Woollight Lamp Collection (which includes these Knitlights) is produced by Arno Tummers and Ellen Seegers who are both graduates of the Academy of Arts in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (the Netherlands). They create each light from scratch using wool cotton. - and the result? - look!

(images from Beeldenbouwers with thanks to BijzonderMOOI)

NOTES:
visit Arno and Ellen's store

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L will be along a bit later in the day. Thank you so much for joining me here, I really do love your company, will you come back a bit later? I hope so.

See you soon xxoo

Happy Holiday!

I forgot that this weekend was a holiday weekend, so today is a holiday - yay! We are about to head out the door and I just wanted to drop in and let you know why K isn't here today... it will be here tomorrow, with L...

Have a great day!
xxoo

Julia Bereciartu

Hello!

This morning has been lovely, it has started very slowly... I lay in bed for a little bit longer, lingered over my cup of tea, sat with the boys pulling Lego pieces apart and even repositioned the flower vases...but I have to say, all this slowness has come to an end.

Boys never stay slow for long, and now they are running around full of boisterous energy! Standing over my shoulder as I write this, asking a million questions and wanting to know about the clever person I'm going to share with you today. All those - how did they do that? Do you think they practise lots? Is that a photo or did they draw that? questions questions!... questions that don't help mama's to concentrate on writing!! That is the downfall of a slow morning : )

So, we better get started don't you think?

Julia Bereciartu

I first came across Julia Bereciartu's work in her etsy store, and have enjoyed it immensely. The fact that her work is featured in the latest issue of "200 Best Illustrators worldwide 09/10" by Lürzer's Archive, pretty much says it all!

Living and working in Madrid (Spain), Julia produces a collection of works that are beautiful and diverse. I have chosen some samples of her watercolour drawings and Polaroids to share with you here, but if you skip over to her website you can check out a portfolio full of original works, illustrations and collage - take a peek:

(images from Julia Bereciartu)

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

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You won't believe the noise that is going on behind me right now. My boys are on the floor behind my seat racing cars around in a plastic bucket! I haven't the heart to tell them to move their playing to another room, instead, I think I'll join them : )

Oh, and it's the weekend! That sneaked up pretty quickly! Have a wonderful weekend!

See you Monday xxoo