A truly beautiful Minxy mix of charm, inspiration, practical advice, and pretty projects to simplify and beautify your life and home. - Jane Brocket, The Gentle Art of Domesticity
This is TMOD
Introducing Georgie Swift and Milenka Osen, the clever design duo behind TMOD (Turn Me On Design). J’adore the antique feel of the scratchie card range (available from Paper2 and various other retailers) and swivel signet rings, in particular. Love the atmospheric, slightly eerie home page of their site, too – enjoy browsing.
Dinosaur Designs
Pieces from the new 'Insects' range
When a company becomes so very successful and prolific, it’s easy to assume production processes take place offshore, and in factories rather than studios. Not the case for Dinosaur Designs, which has grown organically from a stall at Paddington Markets to the huge business it is today, while still producing locally and by hand.
I simply love the maker’s marks witnessed in every single resin piece – they have such integrity. And the new ‘Insects’ collection has me swooning as much as the coral-inspired pieces from 2010 did.
Behold – aren’t they divine?
A timeless bowl
Silver and resin
Earthy indeed
Last year's 'Coral Sea' collection
Fait main, du fil, une aiguille et des idées
The Crafty Minx, en francaise
I haven’t seen a finished copy yet, but this is the cover for The Crafty Minx from Marabout, my French publishers. It came out a few short weeks ago. Pinchy-pinch.
Now my wildest dream’s come true, I’m fancying a little author tour to Paris with la famille... Then I really could die happy.
Wallpaper revival
Fountain wallpaper in 'Midnight' by Amy Butler
Have I mentioned we are in the midst of plans to renovate our home? Not a day goes by where I don’t see some new product and mentally earmark it for use in our fantasy extension.
Today’s fascination is with Amy Butler‘s wallpaper range, available through Graham & Brown. Totally digging the seventies vibe of Passion Lily, below. Now which colourway to choose? That is the question.
Passion Lily wallpaper in 'Field' by Amy Butler
Memento wallpaper in 'Sunset' by Amy Butler
Pompom mania
Pompoms were one of the first craft projects I attempted as a child. I couldn’t get enough of them then, and I’m going through a similar fad now. sass & bide’s recent, genius accessories collection for Papa Sucre tipped me over the edge – I’ve been wearing the Pip Edwards-designed bands offset with copper-toned beading for weeks.
Have a look at these fabulous Cambodian hats, snapper unknown. I’m in the middle of adorning a brown felt fedora right now, using this image as inspiration. What better pick-me-up for such a wet weekend?
Love Vintage Fair
1950s silk cocktail dress from Coco Repose stall
Don’t forget, Love Vintage starts tonight and runs all weekend out at Canterbury Racecourse. Come along and say hello – I’ll be speaking about A Life in Frocks at 3:30pm tomorrow on the main stage.
Easter craft at Calico & Ivy
Amy (aka Badskirt) at Calico & Ivy
Sydney crafters have a new heartland – Calico & Ivy‘s Balmain store, managed by the lovely Sarah Wheatley and sales assistants Donna & Amy (Ms Badskirt herself). I am feeling the onset of a new addiction, and not just for the two charming Japanese pattern books I couldn’t resist buying yesterday (even though I know, in my heart, I will not be making that smock dress for some time, given the current writing schedule). It’s the kind of store you just want to curl up and live in.
While rain pelted down on the corrugated tin roof of 10 Birchgrove Rd, we 15 or so sat down to high tea, Zumbo macarons, Sarah’s homemade cake and a trunk full of felt and pearl thread to construct fripperies for Easter, based on some of the projects from The Crafty Kid. A cooler bunch of crafty women you could not hope to meet – it was a gas.
Sign up to the newsletter to receive this year’s workshop schedule. I’m heading along to make a proper quilt for myself, sharpish. Love love.
Too many treats
At work, with a bolstering champagne or three
My kind of colour palette
Calico & Ivy's inspiring manageress
Easter motifs a-go-go
Bunny hand puppet
Felt flower egg cosy
Never fear, Artspark is here
Travis with his Artspark creation
Nervous about filling the upcoming school holidays with meaningful activities, especially when it’s bucketing down outside? Artspark is running sewing and art classes every day throughout the duration. Go for one or as many as you like, or two-day sewing workshops for 5-15 year olds. The school’s also running term classes starting May 9th for 8 weeks.
Some inspiring workshops at Artspark:
2 to 3 year olds – Tuesday and Thursday at 10am
3 to 5 year olds – Monday and Friday 9am to 12 noon
3 to 5 year olds – Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1.5 hour art classes weekly
5 to 10 year olds – art after school on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
5 to 10 year olds – Sewing after school on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
10 to 15 year olds – Advanced Sewing after school on Tuesdays
5 to 10 year olds – Drawing after school on Tuesdays
There’s also adult sewing classes on Tuesday eveings and Wednesday mornings. Enjoy!
Books & Nooks with Pia Jane Bijkerk
You might remember an earlier post on blogger, photographer & stylist, Pia Jane Bijkerk (I bought Paris: Made by Hand, which became my No.1 shopping guide when we were in Paris last year).
Pia lives the kind of life so many of us dream of – between Sydney, Paris and a houseboat in Amsterdam – and has a new book out next month, which looks to be just as inspiring as her blog. She’ll be talking about My Heart Wanders for Books & Nooks, the wonderful Sydney book event organisers. This one takes place behind a lushly draped black velvet curtain at Velluto champagne bar in Potts Point. I’m taking my girlfriend Katrina, while our husbands hold the babes. Hurry if you want to secure tix – they’re almost sold out.