Photo's that never see the light of day - Paris, France

I have been feeling a bit out of sorts today. Not sure what it is. Could be the beautiful weather and being in an airconditioned office. Could be that time of the year. Or it could be because I have a list of things a mile long that I want to get done and there never seems to be enough hours in the day!
To cheer myself up I had a flick through the digital photo album (all it did was make me want a holiday!). So today I thought i would share with you some happy travel snaps that never see the light of day - ah Paris - i remember you well.

Blog Lovin Friday - Blogs!

Today I have decided to not feature a blog I love. Rather I am featuring my love of blogs in general.

·         I love the windows into people’s lives – reading about everything from their breakfast, to their creative endeavours, to their highs and lows.

·         I love the sense of community – I am constantly amazed at the generosity of people I have never met, or spoken out load to.

·         I love sharing my thoughts and ideas with people who are genuinely interested in reading about them

·         I love that as long as I have an internet connection– I always have something to read, procrastinate, loose myself in

·         I love following a twisty turny never ending path from one blog to another

What do you love about blogs and blogging?

Photo by Banmorn 

My Creative Space

This week I have been working on my first corporate custom order from the lovely Sarah Allen of Sarah Allen Consulting (the bees knees when it comes to all things social media).

 I have been experimenting with using rollers and ink in lieu of the usual stamp pads and after some excellent advice from Chantal Vincent of Chantal Vincent Art – I think I have it figured. Will be documenting the whole process once I am done.

I am also starting to percolate some hand stamped card ideas…. More to follow
Check out some more creative spaces over at kootoyoo

One More for the Cushions - Tiges and Weince

And while I am on the subject of cushions – it would be remiss of me not to mention one of my favourites for kids -Tiges and Weince. Kylie’s cushions, which can be personalised for that extra special present, are super sweet, offer plenty of range and would look great in any kids (big or little) room. They would also make a perfect Baby Shower, Christening, Birthday or Christmas Present.

 

Tiges and Weince are in all the usual places – on the web, blog world, etsy, made it and facebook

Random Etsy Wednesday - Cushions

Something you may not have considered for a present - a cushion. The options in designs, shapes and sizes are endless – but here are 6 of my favourites for the young and old adults from Etsy

Hand Screen Printed Dream Big Cushion in Teal by Robin and Mould

Little Cloud Cushion - Navy and White Stripe by Poppy & Ted

Red Fox Screenprinted Pillow by sassandperil 

Love Pillow Cover by Home to Roost

Ampersand Cushion by Aunty Cookie

ABC Pillow Cover In Red by Helen Rawlinson  

Makedo - Great Xmas Present for kids 3+

For those lucky enough to have a kid older than 3 – here is an awesome Xmas present idea – Makedo’s.

“makedo is a connector system that enables materials including cardboard, plastic and fabric to easily join together to form new objects or structures. When you’re done playing, simply pull it apart to reuse over and over again. makedo is made up of three simple parts - – a connector, a hinge and a construction tool.”

You can buy various sized packs and for a limited time they have free shipping – bargain!

The possibilites are endless

I am so jealous that my little one is not yet old enough for these as they would make those playschool inspired afternoons so much easier, and dare I say – more fun. For the next 2 years we will have to make do with masking tape.

From Under a Rock - Lotta Jansdotter

Yes I have been living under a rock when it comes to blogs and design for the past, oh, 30 odd years. But having just discovered Lotta Jansdotter I thought there might be at least one of my readers out there like me.

Lotta’s work is inspired by nature and you can see the Scandinavian influence in her work also. It is clean, crisp and very very appealing.

Lotta produces fabrics, stationery and clothing – but it is her books that are on my Xmas list. In particular,

 “Handmade Living: A fresh Take on Scandinavian” (on sale at Fishpond with free shiping) 

and Lotta Prints: How to Print with Anything from Potatoes to Linoleum” (also on sale at Fishpond with free shipping).

Shelter Pop also recently did a tour of her east coast studio (that's it the dining room is becoming an offical work studio - what little 1 year old needs a playroom).

 For more pictures go here.

(Can someone please tell santa i want these books for Xmas?)