Inspiration - vintage thread cards!

Before homes were equipped with sewing machines, cotton threads were often presented on thread cards. The choice of forms and colours was very varied and these cards have now become collectable items. I'm seeing lots of these at auctions and antique markets these days - they are quite lovely. Very inspiring! These came to me via Julie Reed.

Vintage honeycomb paper balls

I was so excited when I found these at a weekend yard sale. A dozen large, old, honeycomb paper balls. They are quite faded but mostly in pretty good shape. I think they are probably from the 50s. They will make such great decoration for a market tent or a store window or just hanging as a group in the studio. And they really are big - about 15 inches across.

Honeycomb paper

I love honeycomb paper don't you? It's such a retro thing! Hey Yo Yo has lots of it and these are my faves . . .

The New Cartolina iPhone app.

Yay - we have a brand new Cartolina app ready for you to download today. Due to some complicated details we had to get our new developer to rebuild the app from scratch over the last few weeks and so today we are happy to launch the shiny *new* Cartolina iPhone app! The new app is slightly different in function and flow and I think you are going to love it.

Along with

the 18 current Cartogram designs there is now an option to buy the new Post & Salvage Collection - 9 fab new designs for 99 cents. The new designs are pictured below and are all based on layered vintage ephemera. Some of the pieces are almost 150 years old - isn't it fun that we can reuse vintage paper in such a hi-tech format?

So if you already have the Cartolina app you can just update your app to the new version - you'll find the option to purchase the Post & Salvage Collection at the foot of the thumbnails page - it's an easy, in-app purchase. And, if you are seeing the Cartolina app for the first time - you can read more about it and find a link to the app store here.

Here's what the new Cartograms look like. . . . .

Thanks for all your support over the last few months - the Cartolina app has been such a success and we are really thrilled that you love it :-)

A Little Hut - 26 Days of making

Do you know Patricia Zapata from A Little Hut? Of course you do! Well have you seen what she's been up to lately? I took a trip to her blog the other day and fell in love with all her new creations - Patricia is working on '26 Days of Making' this month and she is on a roll! Check out some of her latest work . . .

This is Patricia's beautiful book, Home, Paper, Scissors, full of wonderful projects with easy to follow instructions. Many of her creations are available to purchase, or as downloadable patterns, at The Little Hut online store. You can also follow Patricia on Twitter, as I do, just to try and keep up with all her projects - phew!

Flour & Fauna

Good morning my friends! I couldn't wait to show you these papier maché platters from Flour & Fauna this morning. I love the gorgeous vintage engravings combined with rustic finish. These would look really fabulous hung in a group on the wall - and for a very reasonable price too. Here are my favourites - there are lots to choose from so head over to Flour & Fauna . . . and enjoy . . .

Vintage ephemera

I've spent a little too much money on Ebay recently but I just love to have original ephemera to work with and I can't get enough of these fab travel labels, especially the die cut ones like this first one.

La Boom!

These are really sweet - tiny little shadow boxes by La Boom. So intriguing and adorable. Love all the detail and the dimension.