+ Kerry Cassill

Hello!

I hope the beginning of this week is treating you well so far... we are going to jump right in today - keen?

let's go!

Kerry Cassill

It has been bitterly cold here for the last wee while, and this morning, when the clouds all lifted, I could see snow (!!) on the hills in the distance - a good explanation for why it's been so cold! So today I am sitting at my desk, my to do list in hand, and a trusty heater pulled up close by, I'm wearing a scarf and layers of wool and I'm dreaming - dreaming about summer warmth, summer colours, and well, Kerry Cassill.

I am so, so fond of Indian fabrics and have recently fallen in love with Kerry's collection of "luxury weight Indian fabrics.." Oh my! all those glorious colours and patterns that seem to so effortlessly blend together - heaven! Bring on the ice tea and long warm days I say! It is only 92 days until the first day of spring after all! enjoy!

(images and quote from Kerry Cassill)

NOTES:
visit Kerry's website

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Have a wonderful day!

See you tomorrow! xxoo

+ Lightly

Hello Tuesday!

So, my lovelies, how is your week shaping up? It is only Tuesday, but my week is looking pretty good so far - lots of dreaming and scheming which always keeps me motivated!

I was tossing up between two different creative wonders today, but I've settled on some Australian goodness - ready?

Lightly

This is probably nothing new to many of you because when I looked at the press list on Cindy-Lee Davies' Lightly website it showed no less than 69 magazine features - all the big guns too - Vogue Living, Belle Decoration, Inside Out, Elle Decor (and more!). And, as you can imagine, Lightly has been a hit in the blog rounds too.

The great thing about this Alphabet is that I try not to be phased by how popular something is, I post about things because I like them - plain and simple really. And you never know, maybe you haven't seen Cindy-Lee's work before... and even if you have, there's no harm in being reminded, right?

Cindy-Lee launched Lightly in 2005. Inspired by her grandmother Rosemary Estelle Lightly, Cindy-Lee pays homage to her through designs that "carry the delicacy of lace and the dignity of nobility at their core".

This collection I'm sharing here today is called 'Chrysalis' and is "inspired by the beautiful life cycle of a butterfly and the process of metamorphosis. Inspired to reflect a natural cycle of life with a recycled saucer."

Beautiful, don't you think? enjoy!

(images and quote from Lightly)

NOTES:
visit Cindy-Lee's website
visit Cindy-Lee's store

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Have a wonderful day!

see you tomorrow! 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

Lorena Barrezueta + Millamella + Ninon + My Owl Barn

Hi!

I'm back in the swing of things... : )

I have found some time to put together the letters for this week. Thank you so much for your patience...This time of year is proving difficult to keep under control (and to schedule!) as our calendar fills to the brim... anyway, we'll try to take it one day at a time....

Are you ready?

Lorena Barrezueta

I definitely have a 'thing' for colourful crockery at the moment. Maybe it is my longing for warm summer days that has me drawn to these fresh watermelon hues...

Lorena Barrezueta's Gourmet Collection "reintroduces the ubiquitous disposable tin food container in fine porcelain as a was of addressing our perceptions of quality, value, and high-end design."

(images and quote from Lorena Barrezueta)

NOTES:
visit Lorena's website
visit Lorena's store

Millamella

There isn't much info around about the clever lass that produces these fab melamine plates from etsy store Millamella...there are so many great plates to choose from.. you should jump over and check them out...

Can you imagine a picnic set full of these lovelies?? - divine!

(images from Millamella)

NOTES:
visit the Millamella store

Ninon

I couldn't resist these softies from Ninon - so adorable and so full of personality! Tania Patritti has been making things with fabric for seven years... her little monster sketches eventually partnered up with her sewing and in 2004 her project of "les monstrìs" was born.

I'm sure you'll find one you love...cute! cute! cute!

(images from Ninon)

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

Oh Owl, I love you..

If you are partial to a bit of Owly goodness, then you are going to adore My Owl Barn...

You name it... if it has an owl on it, in it, or somewhere close to it, the lovely Shivani from My Owl Barn will know all about it... you've got to check out the Anthropologie purses she wrote about recently - just gorgeous!

(image from My Owl Barn)

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one small voice...

I was so excited to read on the Small Acorns blog this week that one small voice can bring about big change...

Last week, Amanda from Small Acorns, wrote about a large format store here in NZ carrying a copy of an Orla Keily duvet set...low and behold... the post got twittered and the tweet was noticed by one of Amanda's followers, who just happened to be both a journalist and an Orla Kiely fan...and guess what?? To cut a long story short, the said Duvet Sets have been pulled from the shelves - nationwide!!!

I think this wee story is so amazing. It is a fabulous example of the power of the internet, and the power of one person's voice - yay for small voices! and boo for designers who blatantly rip off other people's work! - well done Amanda!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

See you Monday! xxoo

Richard Longden + Lucie Summers + Lonny Magazine

Hello!

We are off to visit my parents today... we are flying, so our normal 6 hour drive is a one hour flight - yay! Even though the boys have flown a fair bit, their memories are of TV screens in the back of seats, headphones, games and food! Unfortunately the flight we are on is in a (approx) 16 seater, with no cabin crew, let alone in flight entertainment! - they'd be lucky to get a sweet!! Still, we have a bag of goodies lined up to keep them entertained.

I am really looking forward the trip, the boys are super excited not only about the flight but to spend time with my folks and some old friends that they they have fallen in love with...

Let's get this underway...


Richard Longden

I really enjoy these fun and friendly Birdy prints from Richard Longden.

"I gained a degree in Fine Art way back in 1995, since then I have been working as an Art teacher in a secondary school. I am now producing Artwork again, and loving it! On my Degree course I specialised in Abstract Art and a love of textures and transparencies. Upon taking up Art again I had discovered a liking for Illustration and playful worlds of the imagination. Hence I developed a world of the imaginary bird."

Richard also has a semi-secret store Organicadia where he sells a fantastic range of abstracts...you should check it out...

(images and quote from Richard Longden with thanks to Art Gallery.co.uk)

NOTES:

visit Richard's store

visit Organicadia
visit artgallery.co.uk for more

Lucie Summers

I read an interview with Lucie Summers on Indie Pretty Perfect that was written in December 2007. When asked "What do you hope to achieve next?" Lucie's short term goal was to get to 100 sales in her etsy store... Today, nearly 2 years later, Lucie's sales are showing at 630! What a massive achievement! It's pretty obvious why, check out this hand-screen-printed-fabric goodness below! yum!

(images from Lucie Summers, with thanks to Indie Pretty Perfect)

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

This technically isnt a blog, but we really can't pass L without mentioning.....

...the long awaited arrival of Lonny Magazine.

Yippee!

Lonny Magazine is online!

If you haven't read it cover to cover yet, I suggest you follow this simple four step process...

1. cancel your appointments

2. click through to the Lonny Magazine website

3. while it's loading, make yourself a cuppa

4. sit back and indulge in some great reading, beautiful photography and awe inspiring inspiration

Thanks so much Michelle Adams and Patrick Cline for bringing us Lonny!

(image from Lonny Magazine)

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We're off! Have a great day everyone! Will you join me tomorrow for M? I'll be reporting from (hopefully) sunny-and-warm Gisborne...

See you tomorrow! xxoo