Festively winter

I thought I would end today with the best dressed trees, aglow and twinkling with tiny white lights, I can't stop looking at these photographs by Irene Suchocki. Available in Irene's Etsy shop

Curious

I love this new fabric range by artist-designer Emily Sutton for St Jude’s, it is another beautiful feather in the cap of their amazing fabric collection.

Inspired by the relics of a bygone era and afternoons immersed in the contents of the Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh, Emily recently graduated from the Edinburgh College of Art and combines her love of drawing, painting and crafting in her work. The fabrics will be available from tomorrow.


All images St Judes

Illustration day continued

I am in the mood for fantasy today as it is so grim outside, and although I am dressed it is still cold so I am back in bed writing, drinking a cup of tea and eating turkish delight. Extravagant I know, but I can't go anywhere so that is that. I will admit, even though I think it to be wildly uncouth I have reheated this tea twice, please lets just keep that between us.

Anyway my third illustrator today is the wonderful Kate Wilson of Little doodles. I do wish my backyard wildlife were as enthusiastic about pretty things as these little feathered folk, when we finally get our own garden and bird table I will teach them some new tricks. They will dine on peanut party rings and birdseed macaroons.


All images Kate Wilson

Image by image

I just saw this over at Living etc's Twitter feed and had to show you, two of my favourite cities go head to head, image by image at Paris versus New York.

"A visual but friendly match between those two cities seen by a lover of Paris wandering through New York's infinite details, clichés and contradictions : this way, please."

All images Paris versus New York.

Great ships and flocks of gulls

Winter is closing in on our house today, swirling winds whipping leaves from their branches and throwing them up into the air. The sky is as dark as dusk and it is only just after 10am.

The winter in my imagination however, has been captured perfectly in these top images by local Hastings artist Claire Fletcher. Where is my knowing reindeer to guide me through the snow? (will add to December wishlist)
Many of Claire's illustrations and paintings are inspired by a magically nostalgic view of local attractions, surroundings and traditional British past times. How lucky to see the world in this playful way. Great ships and flocks of seagulls, mermaids and sailboats, favourite pets and toys, dress ups and exploring games.

I see life in a similar way in my head, I just can't draw or paint for toffee.

If you are falling for claire's work as I have, be sure to catch her at the Selvedge Christmas fair.

All images Claire Fletcher.

Six of the best . . . images

I have saved to my desktop tonnes of inspirational images and sorting through the loved, already used and unnecessary this afternoon I found these six to share which you too might love. Pretty girly things for a dismal afternoon, to get you in the spirit for making tea and cake.

1 Catherine Campbell.

3 Selvedge Magazine.

4 and 6 Martha Stewart Weddings.

5 Rita Konig's apartment.

If you are the owner (or know who is) of the pretty garland in image 2, please please let me know and I will add the link. Enjoy.

Hang on to Summer

If my embracing Autumn was too soon for you and you are wanting to hang on to Summer a little longer, these beautiful photographs by Nan Lawson will keep the sunshine season alive long after the first leaves start to gather at the sides of the road.

All images Nan Lawson.

I have a friend who can draw good

I am rubbish at drawing so naturally I am way excited that I have a friend who is so good at it. Meet Mitch Blunt.

Have a great weekend!

3 day weekend

So, another three day weekend and it's pouring outside, which in my book is a good thing, cosy indoors with a warm spiced lamb salad and cup of lavender tea. Filing the collection of magazine scraps I have gathered over the last few months.

I am hoping these lovely artists studio pictures by Paul Barbera will inspire me to get in that workroom and make something, his site where they create is a treasure trove of creative environments. Hope they will inspire you too.

All images Paul Barbera.

Volcanic ash

Still trapped in the UK, should fly out to Marrakech tomorrow instead, if the volcanic ash cloud moves away. On our round trip to the airport at 4am this morning I noticed all the lilacs are out. Saw so many all pretty in deep purple, lilac and white. Hope I don't miss my chance to collect a basket full from my Dads trees this year.


Painting by Brian Simons

Wednesday things

Wednesday things that will make you smile.

Lovely things and a pretty dress to wear whilst doing them.


Images from DearGoldenVintage and The wheat field.

Time for tea

My friend has just bought a new coffee table from a local auction so me and my girlfriends are going to christen it with tea and a sponge cake that is in the oven. oh and maybe some ice cream lattes? I was just catching up with one of my favourite paper artists, and saw this beautiful post of the prettiest tea party ever. Everything Miss Clara makes is so enchanting from the paper spoons to the gilt paper jewels, lets hope our little gathering can be half as nice.


All images Miss Clara.

A thing for beauty

Aren't some things so beautiful that they almost cause you physical pain? I feel like that about the inspiration boards of the blog A thing for. I want to get inside the pictures and live the moments all for myself. I discovered them earlier today over at Once Wed

Check out her other lovely blog too. The post featuring turquoise walls makes me happy.


All images A thing for

The yellow painting

I was asked by Kari of Artsy Mama where I got the the yellow painting that appeared in my post earlier today. I bought it in a local vintage clothing boutique. It was made by a local artist called Melissa White of Fairlyte hand painted interiors.

Melissa developed this technique that imitate's old, cracked and ageing walls by plastering a flexible surface like a loose weave fabric, she then uses different methods to distress the surface so it appears time worn. The final pieces are left dusty and matt or finished with bees wax for a rich, shiny patina. I have wanted my own piece for so long so you can imagine how happy I am that this pretty bird on a cheery yellow background hangs on my wall.

Pop over to fairlyte and learn more about Melissa's lovely work.

She also has an Etsy shop.

For dipping french bread in hot chocolate

A pretty bowl for breakfast, latte, pudding, hot chocolate, rice, soup, drinking, noodles, dipping.

It came from Julia Davey.

Others available from Folksy

The perfect shawl.

Lovely new work from My folk lover-Catherine Campbell. I love the shawl on the girl in the top right hand corner.

For more new prints see Catherine's shop and for news of upcoming shows pop over to her blog.

All images Catherine Campbell.

collar bone confections

There was something that jumped out at me from the Anna Sui collection, beyond the colour, it was the stunning pieces of jewelry. Real statement necklaces. While flicking through my Etsy favorites yesterday I found these amazing collar bone confections that could easily give Anna a run for her money.

They are from Etsy shop Irregular Expressions, a family project based in Istanbul, selling freeform crochet jewelry and knitted accessories. Beautiful fibers, traditional techniques and delicate intricate beadwork are combined to complete these works of art. All items are one offs so if you see a piece you like snap it up quick! If someone pips you at the post, they also welcome custom orders. Just imagine what you could come up with?

Something about these designs really reminds me of Frida Kahlo another great colour role model. Anyway I think I have bombarded you with enough colourful images for one day. Back tomorrow.

Product Images from Irregular Expressions

The girl with white hair

6. Sometimes I miss being blonde. Crazy white peroxide blonde.



Photos from the beautiful LuciaHolm at Etsy.

kid gloves

A sweet someone I recently met online introduced me to the lovely work of Hannah Lamb. The lapel pins are my absolute favorite!

All photos hannahlamb.co.uk