This just made me laugh so much this morning! I'm such a geek. It's from The House of Mouse on Etsy.
It's pouring with rain and freezing cold outside so lets brighten things up with some lovely lilies. - This beautiful fabric bag would brighten up any winter day. US$46 from A Touch of Stardust.
- The latest print from creative monsoon, 'the new lily' $45
- Sleep in style with this gorgeous lily eye mask, on US$12 from BibBon
- This beautiful clutch from IMH Designs will be a great reminder of sunny days, US$72
- Spirited Styles hobo handbag will have you dreaming of tropical holidays even in the most gloomy weather, US$142
- Simple and sweet this lovely little girls skirt by Kate Emerson Designs just looks so cute. US$31
- I love fabric covered buttons. Dwillingham have a whole bunch of fabrics to choose from. And only US$4.50 for two.
It's the 120th birthday of the Eiffel tower. So I thought Id take a look at some handmade Eiffel inspired ideas to add a little je ne se qua to your home.- These little plastic Eiffel charms are everywhere and come in a big variety of colours. Try making earrings, necklaces. These two are from Shock Treatment in LA. US$2.25 for two.
- To celebrate the Eiffel Towers birthday, creative monsoon is offering free shipping on one of our most popular prints, 'Love Paris'. Visit our etsy site for more. US$30.
- The keep calm and carry on posters just keep on churning out. Here is another variation, 'Keep calm and visit Paris' good idea, why not! Loads of colours to choose from US$19.50 from Visit Paris.
- A delicate lacy Eiffel Tower is embroidered on this tea towel from The Tattered Towel. Only US$8.50
- Bring Paris into your home with this funky wall vinyl from Dabble Down. US$45
I cant believe these beautiful daisies are make from plastic bags! So clever! And only US$18 for three. Check out other floral offerings from ffflowers based in the UK. Or maybe you could make your own for mothers day!
This stuff is amazing. Its all made from old PET bottles by Gilnur Ozdaglar in Turkey. Using scissors, a knifer, soldering iron and an open flame she recycles unwanted bottles into these beautiful jellyfish bowls and jewelry. Check out her etsy shop here.
Something that I really wasn't expecting to find in the Australian desert was dragonflies. There were masses of them. Wherever there was a patch of water, there were loads dragonflies fluttering about in all sorts of beautiful bright colours.
- How to look cool while wondering the desert? These canvas field bags from Rainbow Swirlz are a steal at US$20 and come in plenty of fab colours.
- Celebrate Spring! With this lovely handmade dragonfly pendant. Only US$18 from creative monsoons etsy store.
- These easy to apply vinyl stickers add a unique touch to any room. 15 dragonflies for US$15 from Size Under a Tree.
- This beautiful three piece set by D Gordon would make the perfect gift. I love the rough unfinished edges, and the bottom is even decorated! US$31
- Or try this cobalt blue dish at only US$14
I came across this beautiful paper mache vase by Danish mixed media artist Tracy Lorna Nors this week (via sfgirlbybay who did an interview with her). I haven't done paper mache since school - its inspiring me to have a go again.
Here are some good looking gift ideas that score 20/20 for originality and fun:
- This pendant light was made by covering an old shade with an eyechart, add a little trim and you're done, instant Drs office chic. Pic from Real Simple.
- Never forget where you left your glasses again. When glasses are in the tray the eye chart is in focus, when they aren't the text appears blurred. Unfortunatly only a concept at the moment from Fiona Carswell. Keep your eye out for it though.
- Test your friends vision on their birthday with the happy birthday eyechart card from creative monsoon. $40 for a mixed pack of six - so you can insult people all year round :)
- Multifunctional cushions. Add comfort to your home and keep a check on who might need glasses. $35 from Melbourne designer Aunty Cookie.
- Heather Lins Home even throws in a pair of 3D glasses with their pillows!
- Not quite an eye chart, but eye catching all the same. This cute $15 poster is from Melbourne based The Love Shop.
These cute little guys are everywhere at the moment. Babushka dolls, (also know as matryoshka) originated in Russia and are most commonly know for the nesting dolls in decreasing sizes. But there are so many variations around:
- I love this take on the Babushka doll by Ferragamo Studio in Florida. She is hand embroidered and decorated with lots of different fabrics and ribbon. A very pretty gift, US$36.
- If you feel like making your own Babushka set, Matryoshka Dolls sells blank nesting dolls in a variety of shapes and sizes from as little as AU$6.75 - bargin!
- These Bandai Unazukin are tricky little things to track down. But worth the hunt I think - it's voice activated, nodding or shaking it's head in response. How cute?! Try looking for them on ebay. Around US$15.
- For the techno geek there is this slick black option featuring the various storage capacities in sequence.
- I couldn't contain myself when these arrived the other day - how gorgeous! They are part of a limited edition by Kenzo perfume to be released soon.
- Ravenhill in Norway have some beautiful hand-made dolls in a lovely selection fabrics. They're sure to bring a smile to your face. US$34
UPDATE: Even more Babushka. Check out these fantastic Babushka inspired lights by Russian designer Dima Loginoff.
Perfect to help unwind after a stressful week - have a nice cup of tea:- Full of vintage charm these cheerful tea pot tea-towels will have you putting the dishwasher to one side. Available through SITE.
- A little birdie once told me someone very senior at the BBC kept a piece of wood on his desk to be used for colour matching his cups of tea - I hope someone's got him one of these since. How do you take yours?
- I'm not so sure about the ants, I think they might get mixed up with the real ones around here. But Bailey Doesn't Bark has some beautiful hand decorated cups and saucers to choose from.
- On our recent visit to the Canberra markets we came across Glenbog Fine Teas. They have an amazing selection all very reasonably priced. Try the little tiny sample packs to start with - we loved the 'Daintree' and 'Aussie Bush Blend' teas. Or for something really different try 'Camp Fire' with its lovely smokey flavour. (ps. they post to Sydney)
- and 6. You can't beat a cup of tea made in a good old fashioned teapot served in a good old fashioned cup and saucer. Well, Nina In Vorm and Esther Coombs thought you could. So they took the old fashioned teapot and cup and saucer, and made new ones out of them! Fabulous!
There are only a couple of weeks left to see Canberra's Degas - Master of French Art exhibition before it closes March 22nd.
As with every popular exhibition there were big crowds gathered around the most well-known works making it difficult to get a good look. And the lighting certainly didn't help much, it was one of the darkest exhibitions I've seen (or not seen) for some time. Some notable works were missing, there was certainly a lack of his famous 'bathing' works. But it is understandable, I doubt many galleries are keen to hand over some of their most popular paintings to the other side of the world.
I did enjoy it though, and it's certainly worth a look if your around Canberra. But what was with the frilly knickers in the gift shop?
Now I'm not usually one to complain about a gift shop after an exhibition, nothing wrong with a few postcards, and I confess I have the Mona Lisa as a fridge magnet. But there was something not quite right about this one. Maybe it was that there were more people rummaging through the fake pearl bracelets and frilly knickers than actually looking at the paintings? I think I just thought they could have done a lot better, there are far more interesting and less tacky things they could have come up with. I decided to have a quick hunt on the net for some better options:
- This lovely Dahlia flower clip by mamapatrice was inspired by Degas and would certainly top off any little ballerina's outfit.
- Gorgeous Degas buttons! Pretty up your hat, bag, jacket- anything. Only US$9.90 for 11 buttons from Buttonbistro7.
- These fabulous cushions from Bonjour Mon Coussin will bring some Parisian glamour to your home.
- Or add a touch of je ne se qua with this 8x8 inch Paris print from us - creative monsoon.
- Perfect for unleashing your inner ballerina, this beautiful feather headband from stylesmith is a steal at only US$25!
- Chasing Lightning Bugs in Canada has these amazing envelopes copied from an old 1909 Paris map. Much better than cheap frilly knickers and fake pearls!
- Always a fan of Geninne's work. She has three gorgeous nautical prints available. I think when we finally get a place of our own I'm going to treat myself to one of her prints.
- I just love these little stones covered in crochet work. They become a mix of sea urchins, shells and smoothed pebbles -all the things I love to go hunting for on the beach. My only problem with these little guys from knitalatte is that you buy a photo of them, not the actual pebbles. But I guess postage would be a bit on the high side for a bunch of the real thing.
- This beautiful bowl edged in gold leaf reads: 'The deepest waters flow with the least sound'. From paloma's nest.
- Another lovely handmade dish this time by raedunn.
- Original 10x8 fishing boat print from creative monsoon. We came across these boats while on a walk in the English countryside last year. Great texture.
Valentine's is nearly here! If you haven't been dropping hints about flowers and chocolates better start quick! I've just finished another love themed card, probably a bit late for this Valentines Day but it would still work well for anniversaries etc. It's based on one of those word search games. So I thought I'd have a look at other word themed Valentines gifts.
- Creative Monsoons new 'Find Love' card. 14.5cm sqaure (approx 5 3/5inch)
- All you need is love - or one of these fun prints from theloveshop.
- L.O.V.E LOVE, that word, shown beautifully as a set of four mixed media artworks by cathynichols. Stack them as a square or horizontally, or however you like.
- Love is forever with these lovely balsa wood tags from perchpapiers.
- Spell it out with these great little 'be mine' badges by forknspoon.
- Awwww... this cute little freezer bag from inklore will not only ease bumps and bruises but show how much you care.
- 'Lucky charm' 3/4" (2cm) pendant 50% OFF - ONLY US$12.50 at etsy
- 'Love Bird' necklace 1" (2.7cm) charm on a ribbon chain - perfect little Valentine's gift wit 50% OFF - ONLY US$22.50 at etsy
- Square 'Dragonfly' necklace with ribbon chain 50% OFF - AU$39.50 at creative monsoon
- 'Holiday Dream' pendant of beautiful matching beaded chain - AU$59.50 at creative monsoon
- 'Dragonfly' 1" across charm on white ribbon. 50% OFF - US$22.50 at etsy
- 'Lucky' square pendent on black ribbon. 50% OFF- only AU$39.5o at creative monsoon
- 2.5 x 5.5cm pendant 'Together" on blue ribbon chain. 50% OFF - AU$44.50 at creative monsoon
- 'Take Flight' pendant. 50% OFF- ONLY US$22.50 at etsy
- 'Wish' beautiful square pendant on a white shell chain. 50% OFF - AU$54.50! At creative monsoon.
So Pantone has selected its Colour of Year for 2009. And I have to say I was a little surprised at it being yellow. But apparently Pantone feel that at this time, with a change in US government and so much doom and gloom around in the economy, we need a little optimism. So they have picked Mimosa tree yellow, (a Mimosa tree seems to look a lot like a Wattle tree.) It's also available as an eco friendly paint, although I think I'd feel like I was inside a giant egg if I painted my walls this colour. But still, it would be a happy optimistic egg room.
So in honor I have selected some of my favourite yellow things at the moment:
- Mimosa Yellow from Pantone.
- Just added to the creative monsoon website this week! 8x8" print titled "Fields of Gold"
- A lovely limited addition print from Swallowfields etsy shop. Great pattern, love the almost doodle-like designs.
- I'm not sure who started remaking the keep calm and carry on posters, there are so many out there. But I think I prefer this new one, now panic and freak out.
- Another lovely mixed media artist. meArtDesign
- Becoming a bit of a favourite. Gazzu has this great yellow oversized ponytail holder, love it, want it.
- A cute little purse from Jennifer Ladd, she has some great bold prints to really stand out.
I've been busy last week or two trying out these circle pendants for my jewelry. I've got two sizes, little 2cm (3/4") ones that I'm going to sell as is, and slightly bigger 2.7cm (1") ones that I think suite a ribbon chain.
I think some of them would make nice Valentine's presents.
I'm also testing out the etsy to sell them. Etsy is an online store for all things handmade and vintage. You can visit my little online shop here.
And due to a typo on my first go I've got another shop here!
Love is in the air and Valentines Day is just around the corner! I've been busy last couple of weeks getting creative monsoon ready. And not only is the home page updated but the papergoods sections is finally ready with some gift cards! More on that later.
For now I thought I'd share some of my favourite little love themed gifts around to make your sweethearts day:
- Ok I have to put creative monsoon down! I've had such nice feedback on this 'Love Paris' print so now I've turned it into a Valentines card!
- How cute are these? Iron on felt patches that you could put anywhere.. the mind boggles. A kit comes with two animals, lots to choose from, and a heart... ahhhhh. From chikabird.
- There is some great pottery around at the moment. I love this heart from lilypottery, its been impressed with vintage lace to create the lovely texture.
- Chocolate creative (great name) have lots of fabulous cushions that would make a fun Valentines Day gift. My favourite is this one though.
- I've been a fan of Lush Designs since their stall at the Greenwich markets. Now they have a shop there and I popped in before I left London, but now I regret not getting these gorgeous 'LOVE' pillow cases! (they also come in pink)
- More pottery. I just think these little hearts from readunn are cute.
- Yup me again. I've got six new necklaces ready to go, a few with a love theme. But these new ones I'll be popping on etsy this time. A couple of you have said you'd like to see some heart shaped pendants, thanks for the feedback, Ill look into it!
There are so many telented people out there making so many lovely things, I thought I'd share some of my favourites:
- Love these little button hair bands from Gazzu. And in my favourite colour, purple.
- I love the work of the girls at papaya! Amazing journals, cards, calendars. More of these for my birthday please!
- If only my journal looked this amazing. The work of Teesha Moore, love the colour and the sense of fun.
- I always keep an eye on Geninne's Art Blog, shes very talented and always has something lovely to share, pictured is bird no 29 from a series of gorgeous illustrations.
- Ok I just LOVE Boston Terriers and this little guy in the hat cracked me up. How cute is he? This is from Beantown Handmade dog sweaters and accessories.
- Stephanie Levy has a really interesting style, I like the mix of illustration, material and paint.
