Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Delightful Doilies!

My latest obsession is… doilies!

Granniesh, perhaps, but chic I say and look at all the different ways both paper and fabric doilies can be used!

This is a really simple idea but very effective. Why not spruce up tired pillows or cushions with doilies.

Cottage pillow by Octavi

Look at these gorgeous necklaces! I had originally thought that they were made from lace and resin but they are in fact etched glass, how pretty! They are made by Fox & Clover, check out there other jewellery.

Clutch and purse by Sew Lola.

Another piece of jewellery using doilies… this was an idea by Country Living.

Why not use paper doilies for art? I love it! (Especially with the small stitch detail)

These delicate illustrations are from a collection by Shuxin Liang.

I found this cute vase on Paper Mash. They used a recycled jar and doily.

MORNING IS THE PLACE FOR DEW - Upcycled Repurposed tiny lace doily dangle earrings from Glowstones.

These photographs are simply beautiful! Tidal Pool by Knitalatte.

This is possibly the most inventive use of doilies… frozen in water they make the most stunning decorations. How clever! These decorations are the brainchild ofResurrection Fern.

Tablecloth by Dottie Angel
Paint doilies with fabric stiffener and mould them around a bowl overnight to make this very elegant crochet bowl.

And last but not least one of my own pieces!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Crafty Egg time...


I couldn't get over how quickly all the eggs sold out this year (I contributed to eating more than my fair share before Easter, how very bold!)
Anyway, I wanted to give something different this easter so came up with this egg box conversion.
I thought it made a nifty little gift.

1. Find an egg box and remove the label.
2. Buy, or alternatively create, some nice paper to use in replacement of the sticker. (I found this picture of Peter rabbit on the net, added the spotty background and made a simple repeat which I then printed out myself)
3. Cut a slot in the box for the ribbon to thread through. Or you could simply tie the ribbon around the box to secure the contents.
4. Add some nice shredded paper or perhaps some feathers as padding on the inside of the box.
5. Fill with some tasty eggs and hey presto!
Yummy!
(I couldn't find any attractive looking eggs but as an alternative idea, you could always fill with painted eggs, they make lovely decorations)

*Handed painted eggs courtesy of Sur La Table

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Happy Easter!



Happy Easter!
How adorable are these cookies from Sweet Ambs, an American based pastry artist. Her attention to detail is phenomenal and I simply love her use of colour. Check out her blog to see more incredible edible delights!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Sticky Stickers

I was reminiscing the other day, about the obsession I had with stickers when I was a little girl. It didn’t matter where they came from; I loved them! (Though the ones that came free in the cereal packet were by far my favourite!)

On reflection, I think I probably drove my mum mad as I stuck them all over my bedroom furniture, the walls and the door. They now seem to be firmly fused and forever preserved.

Anyhow, that aside, it made me think about the current obsession I have, as an adult, with wall stickers. As I live in a rented apartment I don’t have any at the minute but I have already picked some out that I would love to buy!

Here are some examples I sourced out:

Birds on wire by Vinyluse

Bird cages by Popwall

Tall Tree with Leaves Blowing in the Wind - Dali Decals

Electric wire - The Surface Store

Making Toast!


This reminds me of the Little Prince Illustrations : )

How happy would this make you feel if you saw it every morning when you woke up- I love it!

I am a little obsessed by lace and doilies so imagine my delight when I found this! I love the contrast of placing these stickers on a concrete floor.

All the above are from Blik


Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Busy making...

Here is a little birdie card I recently made.
I apologise, yet again, more bird imagery. I’m going to blame it on the fact that Spring is now here. (Yay to milder weather!)

Presenting… Creative Corrie

I am in love with this Birdie mobile... so cute (and I say definitely not just for kids!)



I love finding out where fellow graduates of NCAD end up. Recently I was in touch with Corrie Hill, now living in sunny LA.

Corrie graduated with a degree in Embroidery and Art History and has now established her own business in the states designing infant and children's wear.

Corrie’s designers are so fun and fresh and have a lovely organic quality that you just don’t get from mass produced clothes. Each has it’s own individual twist and I just adore her use of small printed florals (a lady after my own heart!)

She is a very busy lady juggling her own blog, website, etsy shop and on top of everything, being a mom!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Wonderful Web

I was looking back over my website files today (as a few small updates are in the pipeline) and its always a nice experience as you find long forgotten files.

One of those was the mood board I originally sent my web designer extraordinaire, Rebecca.

I absolutely love the website she put together for me and it is amazing to see how accurately she interpreted my vision (well- if I’m honest her vision far exceeded anything I ever could have imagined in my head!)

Thanks to all the fellow designers out there who inspired me with their gorgeous websites!
You truly are an inspiration!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Bird Brain

I have gone a little mad this week and have birds on the brain… here are some lovely examples of birds by various artists, hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Mary Emma Hawthorne

Brooch by squirrellicious
Bird Patch by Tailor Made

Miniature embroidered pendant Amorand Stitch

Birdie Mobile by Corrie Suillivan
Pattern swatch from True Up
Bird Stampers from Cavallini