Found - Mega Doily Rug

This is one of those posts where I feature something so cool that I presume I must be the last person to know about it. Amazing Mega Doily Rug from Ladies and Gentlemen. There is something so intriguing about miniature things and over sized things. I wonder if she actually uses a huge crochet hook? Fabulous!

Inspiration - craft book

Where do you find creative inspiration? This is exactly the kind of thing that I snap right up when I'm trolling through thrift stores and markets. This simple cover has so much to offer - check out all the pattern and design ideas in the crochet . . .

From here.

Inspiration - Frederique Morrel

These amazing tapestry creations are from Frederique Morrel. All of these items are created in France from recycled vintage needlepoint. Their site is very interesting and there are lots of fabulous creations to browse through. I think you will find it very interesting. Thanks Fiona M !

Window Shopping - Star Mela

I am such a sucker for bright colours and intense, handcrafted details - these bags from Star Mela are amazing. I love the multicultural twist - a bit of Mexican style, a bit of Scandinavian flare, gold Indian threads and some Hmong embroidery - crazy beautiful. I can't pick a favourite - they are all gorgeous. Checkout the clothes and shoes they offer too - very pretty flip flops!

Thanks for the tip Fiona!

Window Shopping - Hunter Gatherer

My friend Fiona Macdonald in Glasgow sent me some great links to check out. I think you will appreciate her good taste. Here we have some vintage inspired goodies from Hunter Gatherer. Love this sweet little sewing set and the vintage cotton trim.

Inspiration - interiors

Simply stunning interiors from Anna Malin - so much inspiration on this website for my new whiter space - talking about which, we are going to go and check out new furniture this weekend - I am going with an open mind - well, to a point! Do you think this first cupboard is painted black? I was thinking more like a deep blue black - I think this could be a great alternative to painting the big armoire in the living room Spanish red.

Found

Handmade skirts from Made with Love by Hannah. She seems to have a lot more designs on her site since I was last there - I really like this first one. I am a skirt gal in the summer - can never have too many pretty summer skirts.

Inspiration

These caught my eye at Craft Gawker - cute little origami rosebuds! There is a wonderful but complicated looking tutorial at Bloomize to guide you through the paper folding process - go on, give it a go . . .

Inspiration

I would like to tell you this morning that my favourite quilter Amy Hodge(otherwise known as Amy a la Mode) has a new website - www.amyalamode.com. So now you can buy one of her fabulous, one of a kind creations directly from her studio. I love her quilts - the colour combinations are so inspiring - especially this beautiful blue/green example below. And don't miss Amy's blog.

Vintage

I'm away for a couple of days - but I'll be back tomorrow(Tuesday) morning. I prepared this post for you last week. These vintage posters are illustrated by one of my favourite illustrators from the first half of the last century, Dora Batty. Much of her work was done for the London Underground. You can see their amazing collection - and buy the prints right here. Enjoy - and see you tomorrow with a regular schedule.

It's Canada day and I'm taking a few days off. I've been trying to take most weekends off recently but, if you run a small business, you'll know how tricky that can be. I have lots of exciting things to tell you over the next few weeks - Doug's been working on a top secret project for Cartolina which he is itching to tell you about - should be complete in a few weeks(and he illustrated a new card for us this week too, which I love.) I have to do some reprinting next week so I'm slipping in half a dozen new designs again - can't wait to show you those! Thanks for sharing in all the excitement - it truly warms my heart when you leave me comments and feedback - I read every one. Have a great weekend everyone- Happy Canada Day - wherever you are!

Found

I definitely fancy one of these - the blue one in fact - but I doubt that's going to happen, if you know what I mean! Unfortunately I am not the only one making the decorating decisions around here and the one item that we may fall out over is the sofa. I think men and women seldom agree on sofas - stay tuned, it could get ugly!

Sometimes when I'm working here on the blog I see something that catches my eye from a few months/years ago in the Linkwithin window and it still impresses me - like this pillow shot - love it - so inspiring. From Enhabiten.

Inspiration

I've started filing away inspiration for my new brighter and more colourful decorating plan - thanks for all your help this week. So many of you wrote and told me about your armoire makeovers it was great. I will have a big red armoire(in the making), 2 green cupboards, a blue table, a red bench and a green bench - I think that's a pretty good start - here are some more ideas from my file . . .

All pictures from here.