C

Hi!

How is your day going? I hope it is going well.

We have a bit of a theme today.. no particular reason it just seems that I am going through a bit of a 'softie / sculpture' phase ...while we were on holiday I made my soon-to-be-born nephew a giraffe softie out of one of my grandmothers old cardigans - the giraffe was complete with hand embroidered spots.. I was pretty darn impressed with myself, so got all enthused and made an owl softie and a bird softie too. Of course I am NOTHING compared to these guys below.. in fact I have a long, long, long way to go before I come close to the intricacies and fine workmanship shown here.

enjoy!

Skunkboy Creatures

I stumbled across Skunkboy Creatures today and was delighted that I could incorporate this fab collection in this post... don't you just love them?! Katie (the clever gal behind this range) also has a great wee blog - I suggest you jump over it and check out the fantastic giveaway she has going on at the moment!!

Katie's clever use of vintage fabrics, the little splashes of detailing and the fact that each one of these creatures is patiently and lovingly hand stitched makes them even more adorable - have a look:

(images from Skunkboy Creatures)

NOTES:
visit the Skunkboy Creatures' store
read Katie's blog

Cotton Bird Design

Since discovering Cotton Bird Designs I have been intrigued by these sweet little sculptures - have you seen them? It is like the most magic combination of fabrics and paper come together to make these perfectly gorgeous birds and houses. I love the Gold and Ivory Satin Lovebirds (the second image below) - wouldn't they be perfect on the top of a wedding cake?? and the Italian Map Paper Bird (third one down) a fabulous gift for someone moving away?? - take a peek:

(images from Cotton Bird Designs)

NOTES:
visit the Cotton Bird Designs' store

Clive and Sunshine

I am feeling like I have written about Clive and Sunshine before - I even looked back through the archives and it doesn't appear that I have. I have visited the website of Clive and Sunshine's creator Jennifer Muskopf quite a few times, so maybe that is why it feels so familiar (?) Anyway...

A while ago I noticed an announcement on Jennifer's website stating that the Clive and Sunshine range will no longer be produced due to the time consuming nature of their production. : ( However, I have just noticed (and forgive me if this is 'old' news!) that there has been a 'revival' and three new projects have been happening during 2007 and 2008 at Cog & Pearl, ReForm School, and Rose and Radish. And, starting in March of 2008 special orders can be made through these stores for "classic" Clive + Sunshine animals. - yay!

Have a look at my favourites:

(images from Clive and Sunshine)

NOTES:
visit Jennifer's website
view more of Jennifer's work
visit Cog & Pearl, ReForm School, and Rose and Radish.

And that is C! I hope you enjoyed it - tomorrow is D! see you then! x

B is for...

I am really is surprised that I haven't written about these first two illustrators before. I adore both of their work very much and I'm not sure why they haven't appeared here in the 'Alphabet' until now.. better late than never though!!

First up:

Berkley Illustration

Ryan and Lucy from Berkely Illustration really don't need any introduction...their collection is one of Etsy's uber success stories.

Their store was launched in January this year and with just over 8 months under their belts Ryan and Lucy have had a whopping 2056 sales and counting!

And really, who can blame all the 'Berkley' lovers out there?? Ryan and Lucy make the optimal team - Ryan responsible for the illustration, and Lucy whizzing behind the scenes, packing and posting and taking care of the business side of things.

New in the store this month are these October Animals (the first three images below)...have a look and then skip over to the Berkley Illustrated store for a tour through the whole collection.

(images from Berkley Illustration)

NOTES:
visit the Berkley Illustration shop
read Ryan and Lucy's blog
see Lucy's photographic work
read an interview with Ryan and Lucy on Storque

Boy Girl Party

I love the work of Susie Ghahremani. For a long long time now I have oohed and aahed over her superb illustrative skills and looked longingly at her Boy Girl Party collection as it has grown and changed and developed.. no doubt you are a fan too.. here are some goodies currently listed in her Etsy store.. I do suggest you jump over to her website and online store to check out her latest offerings though - as always it is fantastic!

here's a peek:

(images from Boy Girl Party)

NOTES:
visit Susie's etsy store
visit Susie's website
visit Susie's online store

Bargains Galore!

I seriously considered not posting this - I mean, the more people who know about it the less likely it is that I am going to snap up the bargain of the century!! But after much consideration, here is the lowdown...

Modern Economy is having their first ever Online Sample Sale... and you had better get over to their website super quick because it starts on October 8th at 9am (PST) and is only available for 48 hours.. I suggest you register on their mailing list too, because being on it means you are in for some perks - like early bird shopping!! All your favourites will be there - Dwell Studio, Good on Paper, Angela Adams, Deadly Squire, Ferm Living... the list goes on and on and on....and up to 80% (yep that does say EIGHTY PERCENT!!!) Off!!

Or, feel free to ignore this and leave all the super bargains for me!!

(image from Modern Economy)

NOTES:
visit the Modern Economy website
see a list of participating designers
join the mailing list

And there we have B! I hope you enjoyed it : )

see you tomorrow for C! Have a fabulous day!! x

the last of the A's

Hello..
here is the last of the A's for today.. sorry about the delay...my children are now sleeping soundly so it is back to blogland for me : )

Amy Earles

I have had Amy Earles, earmarked for this series of A's for a while now, I can't remember how or where or when I discovered her, but I'm glad I did... I feel like I am always saying how amazing the creative people are that I write about here... I hope it doesn't bore you (!) but, Amy is one of those people.. super talented, with an amazing collection of work.

I particularly like her paper doll series.. there is something about those brads that are used to connect all the bits - weird I know!! Have a look:

(images from Amy Earles)

NOTES:
visit Amy's website
read Amy's blog
visit Amy's shop

And there are the A's.. a bit late in the day but here all the same : )

see you tomorrow for B! xx

ready, steady go!

Hello!

I hope this finds you well : )
We have just returned from a fantastic break away (it is school holiday's here in NZ), which is why we are off to a slow start today.. but here we are, the beginning of Alphabet Number 3!!

Thanks to everyone who has got in touch with ideas, clever people and goodies to write about - I look forward to including your suggestions in this 3rd alphabet set - keep them coming, I always love hearing from you! Feel free to drop me a line any time at thedesignalphabet{at}yahoo{dot}com, if you have any suggestions... and please feel free to promote yourself!!

Yay! let's get started!



Atelier R. Bernier

Atelier R. Bernier is a fab design studio based in France. I have long admired their fabric printing, and was excited to hear that they are now concentrating on developing textile lines.

The fabric lines in their current collection are inspired by Iceland - it's colours, sounds and precious and rare flora... you also have to have a look at this table top - the design is actually stitched into the top of the table - it made me want to get out the cordless drill and some embroidery thread!! take a peek:

(images from Atelier R. Bernier)

NOTES:
visit the Atelier R. Bernier website
contact Atelier R. Bernier for stockists

Abby Glassenberg

Wow! This is one super clever lady! For two hours a day, while her two daughters nap, Abby Glassenberg is a soft toy artist. Have you seen her work? I love love love it! I only wish I was patient enough (and clever enough) to produce something half as fabulous! - have a look:

(images from Abby Glassenberg)

NOTES:
visit Abby's website
read Abby's blog
visit Abby's 'While She Naps' shop

There's more coming! I am trying to juggle blogging with school holiday activities.. not doing so well at it at the moment!! I will be back later - see you soon! x