Shop Watch: Chinny Chin Chin

Esther Croak's Spring 10 Collection is absolutely gorgeous, don't you think? And just look at those kids!
Chinny Chin Chin is a line of original and very affordable progressive children's clothing. Esther believes in the merits of using repurposed and vintage fabric as a way of being gentler on the earth's resources, adding that "cutting patterns from quality, repurposed garments or linen infuses the clothing with meaningful layers of existence". I couldn't agree more.
She also plans to sell her sewing patterns so that you can make your own garments based on her designs, isn't that wonderful?
I'm totally in love with those knickers, that blouse, that doily hat...

à suivre de près !

via The Constant Gatherer

Summertime

Summertime, and the living is easy
Fish are jumping, and the cotton is high...

Good Morning and Happy Monday!
I hope you all enjoyed your weekend.
I'm just popping in quickly to tell you that I'm going to be pretty busy this week, so don't be surprised if I don't post as much. I'm working on a few interesting projects, finishing my shop and helping with end of term school activities.
I have got some nice things lined up for you though , so stay tuned...

Enjoy Ella!

Five Faves #11

Truck - Inke Hans' Black Beauties Collection

Sorry folks, I forgot to post my Fives Faves
Just a few of the many things that caught my eye this week!

1) Favourite artwork

Chairs - Paper Cut-Out *

(love the mini sets and the ants too!)

2) Favourite textile piece

Duelling Pillow by Pilosale

3) Favourite material

Paper Yarn Jewellry, infact I love absolutely everything in PaperPhine's shop!**

4) Favourite handmade creation

Handmade houses by LolaAddict
(love the knitted chimney!)

5) Favourite clothes

Beautiful handmade hemp/organic clothes for young and old by Mady Dooijes

* via ?
** via Izakoo

Bonne Fête des Mères !

Happy Steiler

Dog Day Afternoons

Nostalgique Art

It's Mothers' Day here in France...
...Breakfast in bed, handmade cards, pressies and lots of hugs...
We're going out for a meal to celebrate my parents in laws' 58th wedding anniversary-
58 years, isn't that amazing?
Enjoy your day!

Just because

I like them...

Anja Hynynen*

Anja Hynynen*

Cecilia's little houses

Thilda's dancing dolls

Tasmanian View - acrylic on canvas by Faridah Cameron

Dagmar Hochová

Lumetta

Konstantin Dyachkov
“Gates of Kolodozyorsky churchyard”
(look at all the other winners!)

Enjoy your weekend!

Debxxx

* Abundance

Shop Watch: Epla

I know that I don't often feature children's wear on my blog, unless it's really special, but these pretty dresses and tights caught my eye this morning and I thought it would be a good opportunity to remind you about Epla, a Norwegian handmade marketplace similar to etsy, folksy, dwanda, madeit, etc.

These gorgeous, floral frocks are the work of Anita Eriksen Zagury, the woman behind ZNDesign (I love all her tights, crocheted slippers and this shoulder bag, but they didn't go with the other photos...)

There are obviously loads of shops for you to browse, some good some not so good, but I think it's worth poppin' over there from time to time if you like original, handmade clothes, artwork, furniture and so on.

à suivre?

Paper, Paint and Porcelain

I'd like to introduce you to

Charles

Veronica

and

Julieta

Three wonderful paper puppets made by Brazilian artist Carol W
I think they're some of the nicest ones I've seen.

Carol is full of ideas and also paints, makes colourful papier mache sculptures and fun handpainted porcelain wares.

Do have a good look at her Flickr sets, they're so inspiring!

A big thanks to Handmade Romance for introducing me to Carol's work.

A New Day

Wow! I woke up this morning to 350 followers!
Thank You, that's amazing!
Some positive prints and wise words from Studio Mela to start the day
Merci !

via: TigerLillyQuinn

Leonie Oakes

Some of you may already be familiar with Tasmanian bookartist, printmaker and teacher Leonie Oakes' work. If you aren't, and you love these paper dresses as much as I do, I 've found an interesting 2-minute film about her collections and use of paper and books for you to watch. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, especially if you liked Miss Clara.

Gallery link via a life lighter

Laetitia le Saux

Aren't these soft toys wonderful?
I discovered French illustrator artist/maker Laetitia le Saux's work through this great site

Les Petits Pois sont Rouges

where she sells also sells her beautiful paper collages


Check out Marion Piffereti's sweet paintings and Sonia Lucano's dolls too.
A nice address is you're looking for a unique handmade gift from France!

copyright: Laetitia le Saux

Short & Sweet

Bonjour tout le monde !

I think you get the message...
A nice selection of fun, colourful prints, cards and handmade books by
Alison Hardcastle

à bientôt mes amis...

B&W

Valkean Janiksen Jaljilla

I have been following Helina's blog for a while now and wanted to show you some of her beautiful work. A mother of three, this Finnish artist / photographer is a visual poet, posting original and inspiring snippets of her everyday family life. I have chosen a small selection of Helina's black and white work here but she also loves colour and I'm sure you'll appreciate her Flickr photo sets of kids, dolls & dolls houses and home life.