illustrators i love: sara hingle

If you're a reader of Frankie magazine you'll no doubt recognise the work of uber talented Australian illustrator, Sara Hingle. Her distinctive style, combining photo realism with simplified line and pastel colours is widely regarded and entirely her own.
I love.

Check out more of her work here.

gosh I adore

Missoni. Specifically, right now, Missoni Home.
Trying to find furnishings on a budget only makes me want hundred dollar cushions more.

This deckchair is so fabulous I would lie in it all day ...by the pool (which I also don't have).

Ok I would settle for just one pillow. Just one. sigh

Drool over it all at Unica Home.

inspired by: Allanah Hill

 I'm don't consider myself of much of a girly girl - I tend to stick to black and grey. But, since my last trip to Sydney in September I can't stop thinking about all the wonderful ladylike clothes I saw at Allanah Hill. She is most definitely the go-to designer for a tea party frock (you feel like you have literally stepped into Alice In Wonderland) but I've started to think - why not wear things so lovely everyday.

These are clothes that will make you feel special and happy and gorgeous, and maybe with Summer fast approaching I should try and shimmy out from under my bleck/grey/beige veil into something a bit more exciting. Scary.

Unfortunately Allanah Hill is only available instore (or on the bay if you're lucky) and almost exclusively in Australia. Do go check out her website though becuase it is so cute (especially the pink cats).

Until I do a bit of scrimping and saving and get back to Australia I've put together my own little Allanah Inspired collection of lovely things I've found on etsy - for now I'll probably start off with a bow and work from there.

Cape $42 from GinaMicheleVintage

  

Headband $36 from BeSomethingNew

1960s dress $28 from  kennedyholmes

 

Vintage bow bracelet $10 from purpledaisyjewelry

Oh and Happy Halloween!

unavoidable: halloween

It's only 1 more sleep until Halloween and so far I haven't even mentioned it. However, I fully intend to do Halloween properly this year. I find it sad how (at least where I live) a good, old fashioned halloween with ghosts and ghoulies is fading into nothingness - where kids dress as princesses and aren't allowed out to trick and treat. Halloween is such a fun excuse to dress up - and I personally think scary things and lots of sweets is a pretty awesome idea. So, I vowed that this year I'd start bringing Halloween back. I'm going to dress up - the hounds are going to dress up, there will be decorations and pumpkins and lots of goodies for anyone who dares knock.
Anyway, here are some of my favourite Halloween craft ideas.
First off, is of course pumpkins! I love a traditional carved pumpkin but these look so cool. I can't decide which to do.

If you're not much of an artist the simplicity of these faces makes them easy to carve. The stark white with the glowing inside makes them super effective (and how cute is that one on the left?) See the tutorial at parents.com

If you're like me and a too lazy and weak to do any carving at all (and my pumpkin carver in residence is away with his Mum this weekend :-( ) then how about this fabulous tutorial by Liz Demos courtesy of Country Living.  They're just so gorgeous I'd want to keep them out always. The only downside to this, is that, no carving = no pumpkin pie.

There is of course the traditional, carved pumpkin which always looks great - I like simple designs but if you're handy with a knife check out zombie pumpkins for 100s of templates to use.

I think these Brain and blood clot cupcakes are way more fun than any pre-bought treats. Check out the 'how to' by Not quite Nigella over on Cut Out and Keep. Yum!

And I love the idea of a giant spider web - and it's cheap too (you just need a ball of string). I think it could be pretty with some fairy lights on it too. See how on Cut Out and Keep also.

Anyway, thats enough for now - I only have a day! x

the pursuit of the perfect sofa

I'm desperately trying to decide what kind of a sofa we should get for our new place.
A sofa defines the entire space and is the one thing that probably won't get changed very often so I know it has to be stylish, fairly timeless and probably somewhat neutral. Also, with a muddy pup with a penchant for jumping all over the furniture it can't really be white or beige (sad). Oh and it has to be comfy of course!
I can't decide between contemporary or classic, quirky or neutral. Even once I make the decision my budget won't necessarily work with it - I'm planning to buy second hand. I really don't want to settle for something dull and definitely nothing ugly.

Who knew domestic bliss was so stressful.

Anyway, here's a few photos from my 'sofa inspiration gallery' covering a wide selection of possible inspirations.

What do you think?

Photo from Homebug
I wish that was my house....sigh

Photo from Whittekerowens

I always love a velvet chesterfield but probably not for everyday tv watching.

Photo from Guessica

I really love this sofa. The colour would be a disaster in my house but the retro yet contemporary look is one I adore. Not that I'll ever be able to find anything this nice - but still!

Photo from Synthetic Adventures

I know the dog and cushions are what are drawing me to this but isn't that what a good sofa should do - be a comfy vehicle for interior lovelyness? I'm really warming towards a soft brown like this.

Photo from Veronikanika

Neutral and contemporary but homely and snuggly and of course easy to change the feel of the room without changing the sofa.

Sorry for my rambling. Any help greatly appreciated!

tea

I haven't had a cup of tea in ages. I always drink coffee.
Tea is much more inspirational I think.

the other reason I've been slack recently...

This is Jasper.

He is a 2 1/2 year old Italian Greyhound who we adopted yesterday. He was run over when he was only a few months old and while it doesn't hurt him he keeps his front right paw up most of the time - hopping around on 3 legs.

Here he is posing for a spot on DesiretoInspire's Pets on Furniture segment. Go check out the Desire to Inspire - it's a beautiful blog and truely full of inspiration (and some cute pets too of course).

my house

I've been really absent this week and I have good excuses. It's been a really crazy week but it ended in me being able to call this little house home (well soon). I'm so excited to have a place for ourselves.
I'll take some better photos soon.
I call it the teeniest house with the biggest tree (you can't see the tree here but it is huge!).
I love it.

getting techy: the wacom intuos4 drawing tablet

I promise I won't make a habit of getting technical but I thought I'd post my own micro review (absolutely no stats) of the intuos4 'professional drawing tablet'.

I seriously never thought I'd be that into a drawing tablet - because, really, part of the reason I enjoy drawing is that it gets me away from the screen. But then, I was hanging around the Apple Store with my live -in IT guy when I started playing around on an intuos4 they had set up.
"Woo, I can write in my own handwriting" "It almost feels like i'm really drawing" <- That's me beginning to really want one. And now, I have one.

I have to say when it comes to serious drawing the old pencil + paper combo most definitely wins for expression but for anything quick, retouching or applying colour the intuos4 is amazing. It takes time and practice to get used to the different pressures and I know many people use them like pros (and probably actually are pro) - while I'm a long way from that it's a fun tool.

It's only slightly bigger than a mousemat and when I'm not penning it I use it with the wacom mouse (which is a pretty super mouse) so its not like it's taking up much space on my overcrowed desk.
Anyway, I'm not posting a picture of it because it's boring and this post is possibly boring enough. Instead I'll leave you with une petite French Bulldog I just drew with it.

my etsy picks

In my vanity I decided to pick my favourite etsy items that I found by searching my own name and I got lucky!

Firstly I found this adorable 'Evie's flowers' wrapping paper by Belle&Boo.

 Then these cute hairclips from MaeBelleOriginals.

And finally, this perfect set of gocco prints from mcatgarrison. These really feel like me.

oh, what a bore

I am so close to finishing my degree.
Today though I have to write a work experience report. How uncreative. How boring.
It's due on Thursday. I had my work experience done last December. That is how tedious I find it.

my new favourite place

is The Tea Lady on Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, Auckland. It was by total chance that I came across it, driving down Hinemoa Street on a wet and windy wednesday.

The Tea Lady is a real little teashop - the kind I've always been hoping to find (or force friends to start) it is tiny - but perfectly stocked with yummy cakes and biscuits displayed in glass cake stands, a library of teas (all for sale to make at home too) and sweet handmade and vintage bits and pieces for sale on the side (including pieces by Auckland ceramic artist and self proclaimed 'vintage vandal' Trixie Delicious) . Best of all they also offer Devonshire Teas AND club sandwiches (yummy).

Everything is served on vintage china and the teapots are the sweetest thing ever. It's like falling into a little piece of Alice and Wonderland and you never want to leave. The only downside would be that it makes the rest of your life seem decidely imperfect. hmm.

It's lovelyness is partly in its little size and somewhat off the radar location. It's like getting the last pink wafer from the biscuit tin when you know everyone else is eating digestives. I've been smug in my secret knowledge until now, so go and enjoy and be a lady - just leave some space for me. x

(Oh and I had Sweetheart Tea and an almond and plum tart, twas delicious)

102A Hinemoa Street,

Birkenhead Point,

Auckland

Opening hours

9am-4pm Monday-Saturday

Closed Sundays

marimekko autumn 2009

love.

Like a lot of people I'm a bit of a Marimekko fiend, although I've always thought their strength was in interiors rather than fashion. I take that back now that I've seen the Autumn 2009 collections. These are exactlly what I picture my fantasy wardrobe filled with - a perfect way to break out of black (but not entirely of course). My favourite has to be the Petra Dress by designer Samu-Jussi Koski - though I worry that It might look slightly court jester on us mere mortals (if you care!)

Go see more.

mmmmoleskine

1. My jazz, 2. Moleskine_090319, 3. Untitled, 4. dog station, 5. Heads, 6. within, 7. october 1973, 8. moleskine collage: 10/1, 9. alles andere als unschuldig

So often I think that the work found in sketchbooks far outshines those that are given pride of place on walls.

These are a few of my favourite pages from others moleskines.

My New Years Resolution will be to start a new sketchbook and stick to it and make it lovely. I usually waste pages with phone numbers and my horrible scribbly writing.

more fabric printing

It was by total luck that I stumbled upon Karma Kraft. I wasn't looking for anymore fabric printing services but then this one caught my eye. While technically it's based in the USA - it seems that the printers are actually in China (near Shanghai). For anyone in the Southern Hemisphere thats great news because it's quite likely to cut the shipping time in half (in my experience).

They also run a bit differently to Spoonflower or Fabric On Demand in that they offer a service (for $10) where they can sort the colours in your file out for you to ensure they print properly which (if you don't have the time to order the colour charts) is a pretty cool idea. They also offer a really cheap cut and sew service so if you're a designer but lack stitchy fingers they can make up your cushions for you etc.

They have a fairly large selection of fabrics - including some organic cotton, and most notably, a wide selection of silks. They are also set up for large orders using more traditional (non digital) printing techniques, the details of this I'm not clear of - but you can enquire about it!

I've been really happy with both the service, products and pricing from spoonflower but I'm going to give Karma Kraft a go soon to put them to the test.

Check out their flickr  for a few examples.

illustrators i love: Clare Scully

i love to look at illustrators work (even if it makes me insanely jealous) and thought it would be a good idea to keep track of my favourites.

These works are by UK based Clare Scully who graduated from Central St Martins with an MA in Communication Design.  She has worked with huge clients such as Penguin Books, The New York Times and Wallpaper* magazine to name a few.

I love how she can slip between simple line drawings (like this one) to her super intricate bejewelled series (see Octopus). Her subject matter moves between sci - fi to nature studies to 3-D typography and it's all perfect and makes for some inspirational viewing.

Go and check out her website The Quiet Revolution for more works, her lovely blog and prints for sale at folksy.

collection update

I've just received my first prints from my fabric collection 'Atrophy' and it's all very exciting.
Here's a sneaky peek for now.

But don't forget to come along to LineDotLine to see them in their technicolour glory from 14th November.
And, if you haven't already you must go read and follow the makeme blog - to see heaps of amazing work as it happens and help us make our design decisions!

lucky me

My love got me this 'Wils Pencil' pendant from the Ministry of Art + Design exhibition (blogged last week). Made by Treaty Aotearoa it's cast in bronze and is just perfect. I love it.

It's a premature celebration of my hopeful success in the world of illustration (watch this space for a very exciting project to be confirmed in the next couple of months!).

lovely ugly

Look! On Sunday I got this hideous sewing basket. It's ingenius. It swivels out to reveal two baskets, each with a compartmented tray on top of each. Even better it came full of thread, needles and general sewing bits.

 

I was planning on painting it and recovering it but it's garish ugliness is growing on me and I think for now it will stay as it is.

the other side of being a shopaholic

I can't ever spend my money too quickly which is why my current flat is way too small - I just have far too many things. It's not like I don't ever clear out. I do.

Every couple of months I sell and giveaway binbags full of stuff. Usually my stuff goes straight to the op shops (via my sisters grabby hands) or, if it's something especially nice I take it to The Recycle Boutique, where if it sells I get 50% (yay) if it doesn't (oh well) - they eventually send it to charity which suits me fine as it was worth nothing to me hanging around unloved and unworn.

Last month however I was feeling especially strapped for cash and so with an impending $1000 print bill for my exhibition looming over my head I decided to do what I vowed I wouldn't do anymore - sell online - via trademe. I hate selling on trademe - paying their fees, trying to keep track of payments, addresses, tracking numbers (admin is not my strong point) then there are the questions, millions of questions. Why do people ask you to measure a Size 12 dress - when it's made of stretch fabric? Surely, its not going to be that helpful. *breathe*.

Anyway, selling online gets me stressed out and so I hadn't done it for a long time. But money is money and with a willing model I rushed out some photos and got about 25 things listed. Not expecting much I was suprised to find most of my stuff was super popular, with almost everything selling for a decent amount above the reserve - no complaints, everyone paid and I made almost $600. Wow.  I had never had such cyber-success - I almost enjoyed it (..almost).


So, maybe I've figured this online selling thing out, even so it's not going my new hobby. I feel slightly less guilty about my materialism when I know that eventually someone less fortunate than me can benefit from it - so for now I'll stick to giving it away.

the september issue

Today, a rainy Monday, I went to see The September Issue, the documentary that follows Anna Wintour as she creates the - september issue. I really loved it.
I wish I was a stylist at Vogue!

keeping it local

Today I went and saw an exhibition at The Depot in Devonport, Auckland by the Ministry of Art + Design - an Auckland based design collective. This isn't your usual wall hung local art exhibition but rather a showcase of the new generation of high-brow, handmade design. Aptly named 'Of Its Time' the exhibition really opens your eyes to the kind of high quality design happening right here in Auckland (of course I already knew it!) and shows it as a serious competitor to anything international or currently considered as 'designer'.
My favourites had to be some of the jewellery on display but there are wall hangings, lamps, ceramics and things (I really need an iphone so that I can record these things :-s).

Next door in The Small Dog gallery is a really charming exhibition by Evelyn Short of her super sweet illustrations and miniature books (quite literally a small exhibition). They are so gorgeous and lovely - I really hope to see a childrens (or grown-ups) book by her.

Anyway, I really recommend going to have a look at both of these - and go now because Of Its Time closes on Thursday. (Remember to take the credit card because most things are for sale - yays).