A mystery - any ideas?

I know nothing about these images - I believe they are probably English drawings - that's all I know. I fell in love with them yesterday when I followed a link sent to me by Paula from Henry Road(thanks Paula). I am so inspired by these classical faces and the costumery. Even the printing technique intrigues me - it looks like chromolithography but there are so many dots - it's hard to tell. Anyone out there know anything about these images? I'd love to know.

Random Objects | Silver Screen Star Necklaces

A little more vintage fabric. These gorgeous creations are from Flora Bond. She calls them Silver Screen Star Necklaces. These so remind me of the boxes and boxes of vintage millinery flowers that I have seen for sale at the Paris flea markets - they are always squished and faded but still evoke an era of sophistication - like something out of My Fair Lady!

Inspiration | Vintage fabric

I am designing our 2009 holiday collection at the moment and I have been spending a fair amount of time researching vintage Christmas graphics. During this process the other day I stumbled upon this Flickr stream of some extraordinary vintage fabric. Here are some of the amazing graphics that I found there. As I trolled through the images it became apparent to me that this Flickr user is also an artist/crafter. I eventually found myself on her Etsy site where she transforms all this wonderful vintage fabric into bags and pouches which I have featured for you on the next post. 

This final image is the one that orinally caught my eye - dancing leaves - how strange and beautiful!

Etsy | Niesz Vintage fabric

So the above fabric collector is Kim and her Etsy shop is Niesz Vintage Fabric. My favourite items in her shop are these darling little pouches using vintage children's fabric and linen. Great little easter present!

Spring has sprung

It was such a beautiful weekend here - is it spring in your neck of the woods? It was sunny and warm here and we went for a drive and a hike in the sunshine. The birds were singing and it put my in the mood for spring. So we are all about flowers and birds and all things spring-like here at the cafe this morning! Hope you have a warm sunny week where you are too.

This image first found here

The best way to spend $4?

What a nice surprise to find this in my INBOX on Friday(thank you Judith). The May issue of Country Living Magazine thinks our recycled Notebooks are "The best way to spend $4" - and I have to agree with them of course. Thanks Country Living!

Random Objects | Bird cookies

Wonderful little birdie cookies to take on your spring picnic From New York bakery  Elenis. They're just too pretty to eat aren't they? 

Going Going Gone!

Who loves this pretty little tea caddy? Well I certainly do. It would look great with those vintage Chinese tea boxes I bought at Fan Tan Market a couple of weeks ago. It could be yours - From Little Byrd Vintage.

Fresh and Fabulous | Yellena James

These intricate floral images are from Oregon artists Yellena James

Her work is very interesting - and feels like spring to me! One of these would look so fresh and inspiring with a wide white mat and a simple white frame. Three of them together would look even better. $20 each - or $60 for three!

Random Objects | Floral glasses from Fish's Eddy

I saw these pretty little Italian glasses at Fish's Eddy in January. They are really beautiful - slightly vintage and very European looking. I really wish I had bought them when I saw them but I didn't have spring fever in January like I have now. I wonder if they ship to Canada. I especially like the centre one on the bottom row - I saw this motif on some of their other pieces that I featured here.

Stencil instead of decal

This is clever. There are so many vinyl decals out there on the market to decorate your walls with - I am not that crazy about the plasticky, slick look of decals but I do like this stenciled version - from here. What do you think? A weekend project?

Random Objects | Candlestick covers

Aren't these a clever idea and such pretty patterns - some people have such good ideas - I'd like to cover the entire world with pattern - I wonder if that's a good idea. Candle stick covers from here

Summer decor - bring it on.

This is the most summery bed spread I've seem in ages and all the accessories to go with it. It looks almost Hawaiian. (Have you noticed how vintage Suzanis often look like hawaiian quilts - just a cultural observation - there's probably some anthropological reason for that - which is a coincidence since these beautiful wares are from Anthropologie.)

Woops, how did this super duper, extra fab little bag get on my blog  . . . . .

From here of course.

Another clever idea 

This must be Clever Idea Day at the cafe today! Vinyl laser cut mats from Arzu Firuz via Oh Joy. Available in lots of colours and designs - very clever.

Photographs

Check out these photographs - how totally, authentically filthy and spooky. I love it! I know it's not exactly inspiring but it is artistic! And I am certain you will love these photos too! Looks like nothing has been touched for a century, very cool.

Designer | Fiona Howard

These prints are wonderful. we featured the work of this designer a few months ago(must find that link). Fiona Howard designed this for Sanderson in the UK. Real throw back to vintage bark cloth isn't it? What do you think - is this a retro 1950s or 60s look? Looks great in it's contemporary form what ever vintage.

The bottom 2 images are not from Fiona Howard - they are, however, also from Sanderson .

Random Object | Etsy brooch

A sweet little bird brooch from Naomi Murrell. This reminds me of vintage Spanish design for some reason.  Very nicely done. She has a teak version of this design too!

From here

Retro Eclectic

Did you see this image on Poppytalk the other day? I love it - so much to look at. The rest of the home is really retro and eclectic - check it out.

Window Shopping | Blue Q

I bought these paint by numbers totes from Blue Q when I was in Victoria - at Fan Tan Gallery. They are so fun.