Kickcan & Conkers

Playtime

2012-01-27T21:04:00.000+01:00

Early to bed, early to rise.

I'm off to Paris tomorrow to meet a few of my blogging pals at

Playtime

Will you just look at that poor baby's face!

Bon Week-end !

High Five

2012-01-27T14:20:00.001+01:00

I'd like to kick off my new Hive Five feature with a selection of trees,
all equally beautiful.

Tree Cheeks - Smallest Stories

Puff Bosque - Miga de Pan

Birch Mania - Marja Rautiainen's textiles chez Fine Little Day Shop

The Tree Hotel in Sweden

Tree & Flower Pillows - Colette Bream

Enjoy!

#FF- Fun Find

2012-01-27T11:46:00.000+01:00

We're hopping over to the Czech Republic for this week's #FF post. It could have been a Fler Find actually since this is where I first came across TojaToys' bright and cheerful building blocks.

Made from rubber foam and covered in multicoloured fabric (velvet terry-cloth and another soft material), these soft cubes fix together with velcro and can be used to invent chairs, beds, shops, castles, whatever you want in fact. The sets come in big and small sizes (carpet included in some options) and although they're not cheap, would certainly make a fun, good-looking play area somewhere public or at home, if you have the space.

The Things People Say

2012-01-27T10:04:00.001+01:00

Snippets of conversation...

Just because

Soobee's Overheard Series of prints made me smile the other day

Happy Friday folks!

Slowing Down With Suzie

2012-01-26T16:36:00.001+01:00

Almost the end of January! Can you believe it? Been and gone in a jiffy...

Things have been pretty hectic round here lately but I'm ticking boxes one by one and starting to relax.

I have some great news to share and am very excited about what the future holds for K&C. 2012 is going to be a good year I think.

And yet, despite everything that's happening, I am determined to enjoy the present, the here and now, all the little simple things in life. So, today I stopped for a while. I had a nap followed by a nice cup of coffee and then I admired Suzie Chaney's handmade books, sculptures and photography.

It worked for me, you should try it.

Inspiration: Red & Blue

2012-01-26T10:39:00.001+01:00

Red & Blue

How do you do?

Plingsulli

Of course I love you!

via

Just a Peep

2012-01-25T18:39:00.003+01:00

Behind closed doors

Through the window

On the other side

I'm always curious

To know...

LOL

2012-01-25T12:08:00.000+01:00

Lots Of Lollipops

Lots Of lovely Lollipops

Lots Of lovely lickin'-good Lollipops

Zesty Fennel

Black Pepper Icecream

Buttered Popcorn

Mihow

Love the look Of her Lollipops

LOL!

Give Me Three #100

2012-01-25T00:04:00.001+01:00

Et voilà !

A folksy farewell to my Give Me Three feature

Time for a change, I think.

Lalanka, Polish dolls, books, clothes and accessories, via

Marta The Doll - vintage children's book

Girl's apron by Ethnic Estonia

Enjoy!

Give Me Three #99

2012-01-24T16:47:00.000+01:00

Wertunika

For my penultimate Give Me Three post (High Five next?),

I wanted to say how much I am enjoying Pinta La Luna's kids' craft blog,

how much I admire Thereza Rowe's beautiful MA project, A Box of Whispers,

and how much I'd like to see this fantastic blue-duck kids' furniture design by E-Glue* go into production - offers please???

* via Ma déco comme les grands

voilà, c'est dit !

Boys Don't Cry

2012-01-24T10:01:00.002+01:00

Barbara Berrada has just added two new posters to her online shop and I love them both so much.

"Boys Don't Cry" and "The Elephant Emperor" will be available early February but you can pre-order them now for the special price of 18 EUR.

©BarbaraBerrada

Give Me Three #98

2012-01-23T14:55:00.000+01:00

2012 is The Year of The Dragon

Happy Chinese New Year!

Images and products from The Opposite Shop

selling Chinese treasures from the past

Inspiration: Machooka

2012-01-23T11:42:00.000+01:00

Light, atmosphere and chemistry.

Machooka, from Tel Aviv, Israel, sell simple, comfortable clothes for little ones (this tunic is adorable), and once again show how important product photos are when you're a small brand trying to stand out from the crowd.

Bargain Basement

2012-01-23T00:43:00.001+01:00

Sea legs

Let's start the week with something cheap and cheerful, shall we?

As you know, Daniel Frost is a big favourite of mine. I'm always talking about his kites and mobiles on Kickcan & Conkers and now, thanks to the YCN Shop, you can also treat yourself to a few of his illustrations without breaking the bank.

I think his people and animals wrapping paper would look great in a frame (£2.50)

and I'm sure that his new Trademarks greetings cards and postcards, sold individually and in sets (£2.50, £0.50 and £9.00), will make you smile.

Builders' bums always do, don't they?

Happy Colour My Monday!

Give Me Three #97

2012-01-22T12:39:00.000+01:00

Oh yes, clear blue skies and bright sunshine here today

Spring is in the air and I love it!

I hope you're all enjoying your weekend.

Italian prints from Biscotto Cotto

Rock The Casbar

2012-01-21T15:19:00.001+01:00

Market day, I love it!

From our peaceful garden in the making to the hustle and bustle of a local town

Music, costumes and a thousand wonderful vintage wares

Then back to work on those walls.

We're getting there, slowly!

24 Hours

2012-01-21T08:53:00.000+01:00

24-Hour Prints by Fernando Volgen Togni

Available here

Wherever you are

Whatever you do

Have fun today!

La Vida Es Juego

2012-01-20T14:11:00.001+01:00

Wooden Bird - Johana Demestre

I don't know about you but since I started blogging my interest in print magazines has been on the wane. I've cancelled a couple of my long-standing subscriptions for British publications and only occasionally nip into the newsagents for my favourite French home & decor magazines. I guess I don't have time anymore and I have to admit that as I am so active online I'm often disappointed when I flick through the pages, and everything looks so very déjà vu.

I do enjoy a good foreign print magazine though. I'm curious by nature, as you well know, and love looking for new products, artists, makers and trends from different countries. I don't necessarily speak the language so thankfully, most of the time, pictures speak louder than words.

I've been a fan of the Kireei blog for ages. I think Cristina Camarena and I have very similar tastes and I try to pop over every day to see her latest finds. I've also contributed to a couple of Kireei's online magazines, which was fun.

My Spanish followers will already be aware that Kireei is now available in print and I have to say that I am very impressed indeed with the first issue.

I consider myself fairly "well-read" and "au fait" with what's going on in the Children's Industry so when I sat down to look at Kireei and discovered page after page of new products and designers I was over the moon. This pouf, Odie, for example, comes from the new-to-me kids' furniture company Gegant.

The whole magazine is filled with interesting products, craft and design articles, photography and tutorials (I love Ishtar Olivera's stamps and the Bean Bag Toss). Clearly, a lot of hard work has been put into every aspect of the magazine, right down to its format and the quality of the paper. Yes, I actually think it smells nice too!

The Kireei team have already notched up an impressive list of stockists and also sell their magazine in their Big Cartel Shop.

I don't speak Spanish very well but I do know a quality, stylish publication when I see one.

#FF - Fun Friday

2012-01-20T10:07:00.000+01:00

Are you ready for the Year of The Dragon? Fancy a collapsible dragon helmit?

I told you that CherryPapa was working on some new designs, remember?

This creative dad has a great sense of humour and I love his handmade dragon toys.

Take a look at this magnet calendar and this video camera,

they're pretty cool too, don't you think?

Give Me Three #96

2012-01-20T07:54:00.000+01:00

Offshoot

a little something for camera lovers

The first three prints from a new collaboration between designer Francesca (Mrs Elliot Books) and photographer Xanthe Berkeley (Shutter Sister)

Available here.

Love!

Music To My Ears

2012-01-19T17:35:00.000+01:00

Yes, I love vintage toys

And when they're made out of cardboard and have bells inside

I'm as happy as a lark.

Reasons To Be Cheerful - Part 3 #3

2012-01-19T11:43:00.000+01:00

I thought I was tired of owls until I saw these last night.

So pretty and so perfect for le printemps, don't you think?

via

Just Sayin'

2012-01-19T09:42:00.002+01:00

My Image of The Day

Where there's a will there's a way?

That's what they say!

Knock, Knock

2012-01-18T23:43:00.002+01:00

There are so many little things that I just don't see walking Savannah and Miles to school everyday.

I actually managed to get a closer look at an old abandoned house that I'd love to visit this afternoon.

Knock, knock, is there anyone there?

Give Me Three #95

2012-01-18T12:26:00.000+01:00

Good things come in threes...

After posting these paper beauties just over a week ago, I'm back with a new design by the very talented Ellen Giggenbach.

This cut-and-assemble fruit and veg store is the first in a new series of craft kits allowing you and your kids to build a whole street of shops for play and display in your home.

Bright, colourful and fun - I love it, again!

Waddle

2012-01-18T10:43:00.000+01:00

W for Waddle

A waddle of super bandit penguins

Clad in capes and masks

All handmade from recycled, handdyed fabrics by

Udder

Inspiration: Pink & Grey

2012-01-17T21:53:00.001+01:00

Ohhh, I spy lots of lovely pink and grey,

To keep you and your little ones smiling all day,

Watch this space folks,

Barbara's new collection is on its way!

OK,

Let's hear it,

Hip Hip Hurray!

Give Me Three #94

2012-01-17T13:42:00.001+01:00

More needlefelted loveliness from Lazy Animals.

Ayelet has made these woodland squirrel fingerpuppets for Valentine's Day.

Her kissing camels are very cute too.

Love - ah oui, c'est le cas de le dire !

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2012-01-17T11:11:00.001+01:00

How are you today?

The sun is shining here and although I have a million and one things to do, and life can be very complicated at times, I'm happy.

Danish artist Leise Dich Abrahamsen's blog Fra Leise is one of my favourite daily reads.

I love these cardboard trees she is working on.

Altogether now: reduce, reuse, recycle!

Agreste

2012-01-16T23:22:00.000+01:00

Agreste

Wild

Wild is small.

Wild is simple.

Wild is poetical.

Wild is a new collection of toys designed by Cecilia Afonso Esteves and Michelle Marinelli.

Each kit includes a landscape cloth bag, 9 wooden characters (fauna and flora) and a leaflet containing stories about each figure.

The first play set, Rivers and Estuaries, came out in December 2011, and will be followed by plains and wetlands, sea and dunes, mountains and lakes, patios and sidewalks, mountains and streams, valleys and gorges.

Wild is a beautiful way of teaching Argentinian children about their country.

Its beauty will no doubt appeal to young and old alike, all the world over.

Agreste

Five Faves #69

2012-01-16T15:41:00.001+01:00

Love L'Atelier du Petit Parc's New Website - go, go, go!

Well, it's mid-January so I thought that it was time to get back into our old routine with a small selection of recent favourite finds. It's been a bit quiet in blogland after the Christmas break so I have been spending more time over here, and I'm having a ball.

I love pinterest, why don't you join me? It's fun!

Anyway, here are a few of the things that made me smile last week, I hope you like them too.

1) Favourite find for little feet - cardboard shoes from Zu4ki

2) Favourite New Year Wishes - Rikke Storm, Drawings By Numbers

3) Favourite Sale Item - Amazing deckchair by "BI" decorated with tweed, velvet, leather and canvas from vintage men's jackets - from Zazie Mute

4) Favourite FLER Find - Sweet wendy house from Yarous

5) Favourite Wooden Creatures - Baltu Menas, available from this cool shop in Lithuania

You really should watch this 1 minute video, I love their puzzles & stencils !

Blue Monday?

2012-01-16T10:19:00.000+01:00

Blue Monday, the saddest day of the year?

Nah! I'm not having that.

Fly over to Latvia and Mija's masks will have you smiling in no time.

Promise!

L Pour Lumière

2012-01-15T17:40:00.001+01:00

I've spent the better part of this weekend clearing out our garage.

I found this beautiful Dutch girl print in a 1910 Illustration Magazine that belonged to my French parents-in-law. We have boxes of them, remember?

The light, oh the ever-changing light is quite amazing.

Oh Suzanne!

2012-01-15T16:27:00.000+01:00

Oh Suzanne, I've been searching high and low.

I thought I'd lost you, you know.

You'll be better over here, you'll see.

All The Better To Eat With You...

2012-01-15T10:33:00.000+01:00

Yes, I think Little Red Riding Hood is my favourite fairytale, en ce moment.

Argentinian ceramicist HOTO has only one product in her etsy shop but I love it.

Handpainted with foodsafe paints and glazes, this gorgeous bowl is perfect for tomato soup or strawberry jelly.

It also contains an important message for our little wolves - Don't speak to strangers - and comes in the nicest packaging I've seen in a long time.

Eat and Learn, the fun way!

HOTO CERAMICA

For The Love of Wood

2012-01-14T02:11:00.000+01:00

I love wood

And the older I get

The older I like it.

I've added a few nice vintage finds to my shop today.

Please feel free to take a peek...

Bon week-end !

P.S. My flat-rate shipping offer ends on the 15th.

Fresh Talent: Rosemary Milner

2012-01-13T12:03:00.003+01:00

Rosemary Milner

If there's one person we'll be hearing a lot about in 2012 it's her.

I discovered Rosemary's beautiful printed textile designs and bespoke embroidery in December when I was over in Yorkshire. The Living North Magazine had run a big feature on her work and yes, I think my jaw dropped when I saw it.

Rosemary recently graduated from Leeds College of Art with a First Class Hons Degree in Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Design. She designs for textile furnishings and interior papers, always showing a great consideration of craft and tradtional methods of printing and production, such as hand-etching, lino illustration and silk-screen print. Her embroidery collections include hand stitched motifs, stitched-into papers and fabrics and embellished vintage found items.

There's something so very British in her work; I'm not sure if it's the subject matter, rural wildlife, familiar woodland animals, birds and plants, or the form, the patterns, the layers, the history, the love of traditional craftmanship. It's a combination of all these things I guess.

Rosemary is currently working on her online shop. She accepts commissions and is also getting ready to launch a brand new wallpaper/soft furnishing range. Something tells me that her appeal and success will not be limited to the British Isles. I for one will be following her, and, I don't know about you, but despite the hours I spend pinning, I feel inspired to buy a roll of brown kraft paper and create my own collage-moodboard-wallpaper. Maybe I could do a Spring nature-table-type one with the kids?

Rosemary Milner

Love!

Shop Watch: Of Indian Origin

2012-01-13T10:32:00.002+01:00

Take a walk off the beaten track, where I like to wander, and you will find hidden treasures for little ones Of Indian Origin such as these beautiful organic cotton PJs by Forty Red Bangles and these very sweet eco-friendly Hindi Alphabet blocks by Gnaanna.

Via Pratham Books

Lucky Boy Sunday Summer 12

2012-01-12T22:36:00.002+01:00

Spot on

Time after time

Lucky Boy Sunday's latest lookbook for Summer 12 has been published

And I just love it all.

Thanks Julia!

Sponsor Meet & Greet: Lapin & Me

2012-01-12T11:57:00.002+01:00

I know it's only January but, really,

if you could see how bright the sun is shining here today,

if you could hear how loudly the birds are chirping on the edge of the woods,

you'd understand why I'm smiling.

Yes, it feels like Spring already.

The garden is teeming with life and I just wanna roll up my sleeves and get busy.

Fresh, that's what I like about this time of year.

Tabula rasa, rethink the deco, pare down, a new slate.

And of course, there's Easter to look forward to

Bunnies and egg-hunts, goodies galore...

Ah oui ! fun with the kids, inside and out!

Lapin & Me

You know, there's no need to wish you were here with me in France...

Just push this door and you'll enter a magical world of woodland animals, cute retro creatures and inspiring finds for you, your little ones and your home.

It's an artist's palette, beautifully curated with all things

happy, colourful, vintage and modern.

Lapin & Me

Are you surprised that I feel so chez moi ?

Give Me Three #93

2012-01-12T10:02:00.000+01:00

Un bosque en las sierras

Paola Zakimi's new handmade brooches are just so delicate and pretty

To wear or to frame

Over here.

Chasse au Soleil

2012-01-11T18:26:00.000+01:00

We walked and talked, then walked some more.

An hour or so, hand in hand,

Miles and I, following the Winter sun,

Chiarascuro, round our village.

Step by step come shadows,

Then, a-blaze, jewel-like,

Le soleil d'hiver

Says goodbye.

Hey, Peace Man!

2012-01-11T11:06:00.002+01:00

1,2,3, partez !

On your marks, get set, go!

The sales have started in France today so there will be plenty of discounted goodies available off and online. I'm afraid I just can't face the crowds in Montpellier or Nîmes so we will be spending our mercredi-craft&activity-noschool-day at home in the country.

Far from la folie et les foules.

I love these handpainted Peace and Angry Boy tees for little ones over at the RK Shop.

And they're on sale now...

Just Because

2012-01-10T23:51:00.000+01:00

Just because...

They are two incredibly talented, creative ladies.

Do yourself a favour and go browse Lord Whitney's portfolio (remember?).

I love their inner animal spirit sculptures, Christmas Robin and chemical elements costumes, in particular.

Yes, I'm looking forward to having a cup of tea with these two quirky characters next time I'm back in Leeds!

Via: Junk Culture

Cadja C'est Cute

2012-01-10T15:25:00.001+01:00

Ceramics, c'est très tendance, you know.

One of my favourite off and on-line stores Serendipity, Paris, has just introduced an exclusive line of handmade and handpainted ceramics by Cadja.

I love these little coat hooks in particular.

Perhaps, you prefer the hanging lamps?

Flat Pack

2012-01-10T10:27:00.001+01:00

It's nice to see so many cardboard toys around.

The playtent looks fun, don't you think?

And I wouldn't mind a set of those tables and chairs for myself.

Made by Unlimited Design, in the Czech Republic.

Give Me Three #92

2012-01-09T15:43:00.000+01:00

BINGO à la Sergio Dias

Don't you just love every single thing this man makes?

Kangan's Menagerie

2012-01-09T13:30:00.000+01:00

Beautiful handpainted wooden birds, tigers and elephant toys

Spotted in Udaipur, India, by Kangan (remember?)

For Colour My Monday, bien sûr !

Bib, Bib, Bib, Bib, Yeah!

2012-01-09T11:00:00.000+01:00

Ah, c'mon,

A bib's

A bib, right?

Wrong!

Bib's can be fun, stylish and eco-friendly

LHIdea

In Lithuania

Make some really beautiful ones from organic linen.

Check out their kids' bedding and home wares too.

seen
here & here

Be a Clown, Be a Clown

2012-01-08T23:03:00.000+01:00

Be a clown, be a clown

All the world loves a clown...

This cut-and-make circus set is one my favourite items in the shop right now. I will be adding some more circus-themed things this week, as well as updating the book corner and including a few new surprises...

Give Me Three #91

2012-01-08T17:13:00.000+01:00

Miles says Hi with Paolo!

D for

2012-01-08T11:40:00.000+01:00

D for Details...

100% smitten

Zaislu Turgaus

Handmade toys from Lithuania

Totalement sous le charme !

Fresh Talent: Alice Jemima

2012-01-06T18:08:00.000+01:00

I don't often post music but I have a new love and she's a young folk singer called Alice Jemima. Eighteen years' old and her whole life ahead of her, I can't wait to see what she does next.

Enjoy!

Bargain Basement

2012-01-06T16:04:00.000+01:00

For those who appreciate Petit Collin dolls...

C for City

2012-01-06T12:41:00.000+01:00

Whether made from wood*

Paper

Or cardboard

It's fun to play in the city.

* via

Il Fausto

2012-01-06T09:29:00.000+01:00

Now this, I love.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

(c'est le cas de le dire, get it?)

via

Spin

2012-01-05T16:34:00.000+01:00

You spin me right round baby,

Like a record baby, right round round...

Sorry, I'm feeling a little bit giddy

But the baby does spin round you see.

It really is quite an extraordinary vintage toy

And guess what? You'll find it over here.

I'm enjoying this...

Fun With Fables #14

2012-01-05T13:21:00.000+01:00

Squirrel handpuppet - ad-or-able !

Little Foxes Calendar (on sale!) - Gingiber

Le renard et l'écureuil - Jean de la Fontaine

Ellen G

2012-01-05T10:13:00.000+01:00

Ellen Giggenbach has re-opened her etsy shop

and I love her new paper craft kits, so very K&C!

Give Me Three #90

2012-01-05T08:25:00.000+01:00

T for Toe

How sweet these French vintage prints would look framed in a child's room.

Such a charming start to the day.

Vintage Book Corner: Tit' Pom'

2012-01-04T12:45:00.000+01:00

It's been a while since I posted any vintage books but now that I have my own shop I'll have reason to do so. Tit'Pom' is quite frankly one of the sweetest children's books I've ever come across. I'd never heard of this rosy cheeked lad before Saturday and I am smitten with M. Grimaud's illustrations. This is a hard-to-find French primary school book published in 1964. I've just added it to my shop.