I'm Smitten with...

Yesterday's post about Home Base Collections had me hankering for some more fabric goodness, so, I am pleased to start this 'I' Post with a lovely fabric based collection from Australia -


Ink and Spindle

Lara Cameron, Bianca van Meeuwen and Tegan Rose and the three Melbourne (Australia) based textiles designers behind Ink and Spindle.

What excites me about Ink and Spindle, and the work of Lara, Bianca and Teagan is the fact that they specialise in high quality textile printing for designers and independent labels. For someone like me who has always had a hankering for fabric design, this gets my creative juices flowing no end!

Along with this great printing service the Ink and Spindle gals also produce their own ranges of fabrics and textile based homewares, stationery, sewing kits and more...

(images from Ink and Spindle)

NOTES:
visit the Ink and Spindle website
visit the Ink and Spindle store
read the Ink and Spindle blog

Irregular Expressions

Ohlala! Freeform crochet and knitted goodness from etsy shop Irregular Expressions...

"Irregular Expressions is a family project.
Creations belong to the mother. She is inspired from nature, traditional Turkish arts, crafts and freeform fiber artists.
Daughter and son helps her with handling the shop.
We all love to be etsians and sharing our work with all art and craft lovers.
All our creations are unique, they will never be produced again."

I LOVE them!!!

(images and quote from Irregular Expressions)

NOTES:
visit the Irregular Expressions store


Isabella's Art

You may or may not know this, but I adore shadow puppets : ), and this collection from Isabella's Art is no exception. Isabella specialises in "portraying myths, legends, superstition, folk songs and all other things related to folklore."

Intricately laser cut, these puppets (pictured below) would be a wonderful addition to the story-telling and make-believe life of a small (or big for that matter) boy or girl.

Isabella's work doesn't stop at Shadow Puppets, check out her website for a full range of prints, paper goods and other handmade goodness...

(images from Isabella's Art)

NOTES:
visit Isabella's website
bookmark Isabella's store (opening again on June 1st)
read Isabella's blog


And there is I. Wow, this alphabet is skipping through fast! I hope you are enjoying it so far.
I look forward to you joining me here tomorrow...

see you then for J!

I sat down to write this with a cup of tea and half a packet of choccy biscuits, hoping it will keep me going! I haven't had much time today to put stuff together because................wait for it.................................drum roll please...................I've been asked to guest blog on Decor8 - well I responded to Holly's request for guest bloggers while she settles in Germany, and she said yes!! *thanks Holly!* I am so uber excited, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it, or make enough room in my brain to come up with any contenders for 'S'...but here's what I have come up with, I hope you like it, and find something amongst it that inspires you...

Jenn Ski

Jennifer Skoropowski of Jenn Ski is an award-winning graphic designer and artist who quit her day job in early 2007 to pursue her creative dreams. Jenn's passion for modern and mid-century art and design is evident in her work.

I find her strong, vibrant colours and mesmerizing organic shapes somewhat hypnotising, and it is hard to resist the fluid journey your eyes are taken on as each piece is explored.

Jenn's one of a kind hand painted panels and giclee prints would be a notable addition to any modern home. The hand painted panels are ready to hang and are painted on extra deep canvases. Her super affordable giclee prints come matted and ready for framing...

Take a peek...

(images from Jenn Ski)

NOTES:
visit Jenn's website and online store
read Jenn's blog

Small Magazine

Small Magazine is perfect for anyone who likes to make things and finds joy and fun in things small (and who may also be a parent or kid).

Launched in the Spring of 2007 (and now up to it's sixth edition), this little online book of creative goodness is welcome in my inbox any day.

Editors Christine Visneau and Olivia Pintos-Lopez have been friends since they shared an apartment together in Brooklyn over ten years ago. They started Small Magazine to support creative people working on a small scale and for the small sized.

"We think a return to grass roots creativity is good for the world and in a consuming society we can choose to support small companies and makers, and the independently creative."

Check it out - (and subscribe!)

(images from Small Magazine)

NOTES:
read Small Magazine's latest issue
subscribe to Small Magazine - it's free!
you may recognise Small Magazine from this post where I showcased their Frida inspired photo spread

Sugarloop

Bernadette Sipkes is a print maker and illustrator from Auckland NZ and is the creative force behind Sugarloop. It not surprising that people the world over are snapping up her prints from her humming Etsy store. Her impressive press list (which includes 'the big ones' Decor8, Design*Sponge, Domino Magazine etc, etc) only confirms how good her work is.

Her limited edition prints reflect her inspirations: mid-century kitchenware and textile prints; vintage wallpaper; Scandinavian design; Florence Broadhurst; Lotta Jansdotter; Marimekko and, Lefor-Openo.

Best get over to her store and snap up a piece of her work...

Have a look:

(images from Sugarloop)

NOTES:
shop at Bernadette's etsy store
read Bernadette's blog

The Shadow Puppet Showcase..

Here is an assortment of Shadow Puppet goodies from Etsy... and in case you've forgotten, check back to this post about the fabulous work of Owly Shadow Puppets - have fun!!

above: Shadow Puppet Magnets

above: The Rabbit - Shadow Puppet Necklace

above: Shadow Puppet Print

above: Mini Print. The Wolf

above: 20,000 Leagues Shadow Puppet Set

tomorrow is T.. I'm sure you didn't have any trouble guessing that one!!

see you tomorrow x

O me O my...

I was thinking that 'O' might be a bit tricky but looking here at my list, I already have notes for about ten ideas! Sometimes when I am feeling a bit stuck, I browse through the dictionary to see if it will spark some ideas, or a memory of something I've seen...and it has! A bit further down is 'Oil Cloth'.. I've made some exciting discoveries!

But first off...as I promised yesterday, some more about Rona Ngahuia Osborne -



Rona Ngahuia Osborne

Rona Ngahuia Osborne is the driving creative force behind Native Agent. Her work references her Maori and European heritage, and is rich in symbolism. The recurring use of the icons of historic trading - including muskets, hei tiki and feathers are strongly represented in her work.
Rona exquisitely hand crafts quilts, blankets and pillows and currently supplies several retail outlets as well as showcasing her collection in the Native Agent retail store.

Formally trained as a painter, Rona graduated from Elam Art School in 2001. Her paintings are regularly exhibited at various galleries throughout NZ.


(images from Native Agent)


NOTES:
visit Native Agent online.
visit Native Agent retail at 507 New North Road, Kingsland. Auckland
contact Native Agent for stockists
see Rona's paintings



Oil Cloth

I was pretty excited to reminded about Oil Cloth after my browse through the dictionary, I had a scout around. I have found these amazing oil cloths from the Scandinavian Design Center...- these ones blow their kitschy oil cloth cousins out the window!!

(images from the Scandinavian Design Center)

NOTES:
see more Oil Cloth at the Scandinavian Design Centre



Getting Organic at Mod Green Pod

Nancy Mims and Lisa Mims, (co-founders and sisters-in-law) grew Mod Green Pod from their love of swank design and sustainable goods. Not able to find anything that combined the two, they started their own company.

Mod Green Pod offers a range of hand printed organic fabrics and vinyl free wallpapers. With prints that take their cue from nature, Mod Green Pod's print collection is the perfect combination of whimsy and sophistication.

(images Mod Green Pod, Domino and Harlands Organics)


NOTES:
see the Mod Green Pod collection
contact Mod Green pod for stockists
read the Mod Green Pod blog

I thought I'd finish the week (and the O's) on a fun note - don't these shadow puppets by Andrea Everman of Owly Shadow Puppets look great! My kids (and some grown-ups I know) would get a huge amount of fun out of them! - enjoy!


Owly Shadow Puppets

In her day job, Andrea Everman is an architectural model maker. Using a laser cutter to produce her model making pieces, Andrea decided to try cutting out one of her own doodles. And, what-do-you-know??? Andrea took the plunge and purchased her own laser cutter, and an Owly Shadow Puppet business was born! I think they're fabulous!!

(images Owly Shadow Puppets)


NOTES:
shop for Owly Shadow Puppets
visit Andrea's website



Oh it's the weekend...

and the weekend rolls around again!

I love it when we are all energized enough to make a plan for the weekend...so often the days just fly by and we feel like we haven't done anything adventurous.

This weekend we are going on a family outing to Te Papa (the Museum of New Zealand). Jetson and I went there on Monday and he is keen to go on a special 'date' with his Dad to show him the Pacific Island drums he had so much fun playing. Phoenix was highly disappointed that he missed out on the Monday trip, so he and I are having a special date too, separate from his brother - no doubt we will end up in the same Planet Pasifika Discovery Centre!

I hope you get to do something special this weekend too,


See you Monday x