If you haven't discovered selvedge magazine already, I would be writing a strongly worded memo to you about getting a copy of this fantastic publication. (In fact, why not just order the entire back catalogue)
selvedge is focused on textile design and inspiration and just has me breathless at every page turn. My dear friend Eileen passed on one of her precious copies to me and I just can't put it down. Its so beautiful.
Just get it. It's so worth it.
On the weekend I thought I would take advantage of the excellent exchange rate of our Aussie dollar and started my Christmas shopping early. I sat down and opened Etsy in my computer browser...well, HOURS later and with some substantial damage to my bank balance, here's some of the lovely things I purchased...
For my neice and nephew, I could not go past these fantastic messenger bags from my dear and talented friend Jacqui at Mee A Bee..
And there will be four little girls all with lazy days skirts from this fantastic Matroyshka design Japanese fabric from Beautiful Work. I was thinking a bright green or blue large spot as the contrasting hem band for this one...
And red spot for this one...
And Miss M's Peepa will love this fly fishing t-shirt from Medium Control (who has great 'man gifts') to wear on his next trout adventure...
More lovely gifty goodness to come!
I recently found a new website called i want [this} next - a site for people to post their next fantasy purchases! I saw this gorgeous home made cookie stamp which is perfect for upcoming Christmas cookie gifts!
Actually, put 'cookie stamp' in the search box and check out a heap of cookie goodness!
Miss M takes a blanket and pillow to day care each day to roll out for sleepy times. This week I saw this all in one sleep bag at the local discount store - for only $4! It is a simple fold over design and you slip a pillow insert into the top.
It is perfect for Miss M and not so bulky as the blanket and bottom sheet she (I) lugs around each week. It was very plain so I cut out these cute squirrels and appliqued them on to make it a bit more personalised and fun. I hope she loves it. I used this pattern for the squirrel and adapted the shape slightly. I sewed thin ribbon on as the tail detail and looks great.
In hindsight, this is a very simple sleep bag design that you could make yourself very easily. But for $4, I couldn't go past it.
Ever wanted to cut out some of your old furniture and replace it with new? Or how about cut out a fabulous piece for your ultimate home? Now you can! For real! Check out this great Sewing Kit wall sticker from Ferm LIVING! Each Kit comes with four pairs of scissors and 10 metres of dotted line to have fun with. (And perhaps good to remind your partner or flatmate to take out the rubbish bin!)
Ferm LIVING also has some really great wallpapers and other stuff you'll immediately lust after for your home. And while the Aussie dollar is so great, you just might snap up a piece of your very own Danish design.
Visit their blog for more design goodness and images of their favourite things to inspire and make you smile. My favourite is 'bird of the day'!
I love Bircher Museli. Oh yes I do. This afternoon I've made a big batch of it to store and have for my brekkie this week! All I need to add is a big glob of yoghurt, orange juice and a grated apple the night before and pop it in the fridge - wha la! Bircher museli for me!
Here's my recipe:
Dry ingredients (mix and store)
To these proportions add
Mix well. Leave at least an hour, if not overnight.
Makes enough for two serves.
Enjoy. Lots.
A rather non-descript secret little laneway in the midst of our city. Along Elizabeth Street, down the lane on the right, go under the boom gate, walk a bit and you'll see that little doorway on the left hand side. Inside, our 'secret coffee place' - The Coffee Supplier - owned by most lovely James, enthusistic supporter of all things exciting and creative in the city. And makes the best coffee ever too.
And it was here a few short months ago, very early one Friday morning, Eileen decided she wanted to exhibit there. But what? So we ordered some jumbo flat whites, and let the caffine get to work (it was very early on a Friday after all) and hatched a plan so cunning, it should have pointy ears and a bushy tail. And, literally, it eventually did.
Behold Touch Wood Design's Scandi: Felt Folk!
To make this all the more impressive, Eileen did all this in just six weeks. Yep. Designed them. Sourced the materials. Made the patterns. Sewed them. Stuffed them. Six weeks. Yep.
I bought this lovely reindeer stamp one. Who couldn't resist. It was hard to pick a favourite:
See that snowflake one? We called it the 'snowflake from hell'. It is machine stitched around every edge. Perfectly. This is why Eileen is so awesome.
Woot!
More Woot!
She still has some versions for sale (she produces just three versions of each)- contact her directly if you would like one!
(We didn't match on purpose. Promise we didn't.)
breakfast in bed
Finishing: throwing open all the windows in the house after all the rain - its a beautiful sunny (if not super windy) day!
Thinking about: getting outside in the sunshine
Just discovered: something has been nibbling at our grow-some-veges-in-an-egg-carton kitchen experiment...hmmm
Cooking: a yummo chilli omlette (and coffee)
Planning: maybe a trip to the botanic gardens today? or maybe go for a bushwalk with Miss M!
Checking out: the latest issue of Map magazine - I love it and reading my talented work colleague Frances' article on an amazing woman pioneering the graphic design industry in India.
Listening to: the wind in the trees outside
I really must: get inspired to do some crafting soon...
Watching: Miss M solve one of those slide puzzles. her brain is amazing. I'm in awe.
Wanting: to get dressed as quickly as possible to get ouside today!
Have just finished: unloading the dishwasher. what a blessed invention that thing is.
Needing to: breathe in the sun and fresh air
Missing: having crafty stuff on the go
Hoping: to clear out the withered tomato plants in the garden and mow the front lawn!
Looking forward to: sweeping the rain debris away in our back sala - I find sweeping so meditative and love how it makes things look clean, fresh and in order.
My friend Glenn loves retro packaging as much as I do, so I couldn't go past making him salivate with lust for these Campbell's Soup salt and pepper shakers I purchased the other day! I just love them! I'm seriously thinking about going back and getting everything else to match. God knows what I'd do with six (or maybe I'd have to buy eight) soup bowls, but I'm sure they'll end up in my cupboard.
If I was super cool and not so damn nerdy, I'd have these Andy Warhol ones...
There's seriously something lovely about vintage salt and pepper shakers. Just the right mix of kitsch and delight.
Although these ones are a bit of a worry...
Just when I needed some creative inspiration, my good friend Eileen sent me a link to this awesome free 2011 owl calendar download! My Owl Barn (strap yourself to your twig if you like owls, because its all owley goodness!) has collaborated with 30 of her favourite artists so you can create your own calendar using the images you most love! How owlsome is that!?
Trouble is, I'm finding it hard just to find my 12 favourites - they are all so great! I think my very favourite is by children's illustrator Flora Chang.
I've popped one of the cute My Owl Barn buttons over there on my blog so you can click through whenever inspiration strikes! Or you can make them for cute Christmas presents!