Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Favourite Artist




I've attached some artwork by one of my favourite artists Takashi Iwasaki, from Japan. I love his use of colour, and how he's perfected such a wide variety of techniques - painting, drawing, embroidery, collage and printmaking, particularly the embroideries. So whimsical, I love it.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Favourite illustrators - Jude Wisdom

Another favourite illustrator (and author) of mine is Jude Wisdom from the UK. I love the way she uses mixed media, especially her use of printed textiles, to create a whimsical little tale with a slightly 70's vibe!
Jude's other books include 'Whatever Wanda Wanted', published in 2001, and 'Billy Jupiter', published in 2007. I bought my copies from the Avenue bookshop, Albert Park, Melbourne, who have a great range of children's books from Australia and around the globe.


Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Cosy bedrooms for kids!

Here are a few favourite images of bedrooms - all with a vintage twist.


Living Etc - Feb 2008


Flea Market Style, photography by Debi Treloar


Inside Out, July August 2008


House & Garden Australia, photography by Jason Busch

Monday, June 16, 2008

Favourite illustrators - Gwen Le Gac




Here are some beautiful illustrations from the French children's picture book "Cahier du temps", written by Laura Wittner and illustrated by Gwen Le Gac. I love the textural qualities that she has achieved - lots of pastel and gouache layers. Published by Actes Sud, 2006.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Hello Blossoms





This is a design inspired by the beautiful cherry blossoms and butterflies of Japan.

Stockholm Style





These images are from another favourite Jeu de Paume book : 'Children's rooms Stockholm'. I will be visiting Stockholm soon, so I hope it will be as inspiring as this little book!
Visit the Jeu de Paume website for details.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Hokey Pokey Jacquard



A cheery new polka dot jacquard design in sky blue for boys and delicious hot pink for girls!

Victorian fashion in Bendigo




Images from the Exhibition 'Fashion in the age of Queen Victoria', now showing at the Bendigo Art Gallery. Lots of pieces from the Darnell Collection of textiles, collected by Doris Darnell, an American Quaker. A great insight into Victorian fashions, as the exhibit allows you to walk around and examine each display - no glass cases!

Monday, June 9, 2008

La musique russe



A beautiful little book in French, all about traditional Russian instruments and tunes told in a folkloric style. Illustrated by Aurelia Fronty, and published by Gallimard Jeunesse Musique. Aurelia Fronty is one of my favourite French illustrators. You can find some of her books published in English at Amazon.com.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

More Matryoshkas


Just a little picture from my study - one doll is from Poland, and the other bought at 'Babushkas' shop in the Royal Arcade, central Melbourne.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Matryoshka wall stickers and canvas



Some more new products in our range - wall stickers featuring an array of whimsical Matryoshkas and a lovely hand painted look canvas. Available now!

My little Matryoshkas by Tania Roitman


'My little Matryoshkas' is a wonderful little book with a set of pop-out dolls that invite kids to invent stories, play 'big, bigger, biggest' and then place the dolls back into their proper places. Published by Chronicle Books 2006.

Russian Dolls


More Russian dolls, this time as a print design with lots of folkloric details and bright cheery colours!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

A favourite magazine





Marie Claire Idees is a wonderful source of inspiring design, colour, styling, and decorating ideas with a distinctly French touch. I often re-visit old issues as they are also quite timeless, and out of all of the magazines I collect, (a bad habit of mine) I have never thrown a copy out. In the last couple of months the magazine has been made available for subscription for overseas customers, and I have just received my first airmail delivery - much easier than checking in at the local newsagency, as they can be pretty hard to find.
Marie Claire Idees also has a great blog, packed with lovely images as you would expect!
These images are from Issue 68 - March 2008.
Blog: http://mci.blogs.marieclaireidees.com
Marie Claire Idees subscriptions: http://abonnement.marieclaireidees.com

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Monday, June 2, 2008

Wild Things





'Wild Things' is our new print design for boys who love the great outdoors. The design includes animals from all around the world and has been created using a variety of printmaking techniques combined with a loosely painted water-colour background. 
This range is available now, and features many coordinating accessories including wall stickers, textural cotton rugs, shaped toy cushions and a great coverlet and sham that won't show grubby marks!