Pattern and Print for Kids

Merrilee's geometric art puzzle is fantastic! If you're looking for a stimulating craft project for your kids, hop over to Mer Mag and find out how she made this smart puzzle for her son. It's easy-peasy - a sheet of hardboard cut into five inch squares, a ruler, a sponge and some acrylic paint et voilà! Hours of fun and creativity for kids and adults alike!

Talking of pattern, lovers of fairtrade company Bholu will be pleased to know that designer Jodie Fried has collaborated with one of Australia's leading brands, Porter's Paints, to create a vibrant new range of wallpaper, as part of their "Designers for Porter's Paints series".

The Bholu Collection is inspired by the drawings of children in underprivileged communities in India. Their children's range of wallpaper, the "Menagerie Collection" will include the familiar ‘Mavis the Monkey’, ‘Frederick the Elephant’ and ‘Marjorie the Duck’, originating from drawings by 3-7 years olds living in slum communities, and will be available in both beautiful neutral linen tones and the classic vibrant Bholu colours of orange, red, and olive.

Take a look at Bholu's Facebook page to see more images of their wallpaper collection and check out Porter's Paints stockists here (wallpaper available from February 17th, 2010).

Big thanks to Bondville and Cudmiodiodiovzeski for the links!

Kareena Zerefos

I've found some lovely limited edition prints and gift-cards in Australian artist Kareena Zerefos' online shop. Sydney-based Kareena has a background in design and and now explores a variety of media, including pencil, gouache, tea and ink. Her work combines traditional drawing with contemporary digital graphic techniques and often features children and wild animals in magical situations.
You can see more of Kareena's sketches, commercial projects and artwork on her blog here.


Found via Bondville

A Christmas tree to last

Here's a Christmas tree with a difference. Australian wall decal company Mae have come up with a pretty, cheerful alternative to the traditional tree, pines needles and all. The beauty of Mae's stickers is that they are made of fabric and can be used over and over again. They can be applied to almost any surface and won't damage your walls. Perfect for kids' bedrooms and in this case perfect for once-a-year festivities.
If you're ultra-organised and are already thinking about pressies, Mae is also offering some free downloadable Christmas wrapping paper on their Christmas tree sticker page.

Link found via Steph at Bondville.

Rebecca Cool

I love the colourful, uplifting work of Australian artist and illustrator Rebecca Cool. Rebecca is happiest when she is creating and you can tell. She drew her first wide-eyed, rosy-cheeked trademark face at the age of 10 and has painted it on everything ever since.


Inspired by the patterns of her fabric collection, with a preference for the 1950s and sourced from fans across Australia, Rebecca creates vibrant collages blending oil pastels, paint and fabric that have a folksy, Eastern European feel. Her art is refreshingly naive and playful.


More examples of Rebecca's work can be found here, here and here
Via the excellent Bondville.

A bit of this and that - part 2

Little Red - limited edition screen print by Lisa Stubbs

Time to show you some of the inspiring, eye-catching art work and dolls I discovered recently on some of my favourite and newly-found blogs. Enjoy!

Quando Eu Nasci screen print from Planeta Tangerina Paper dolls wall art by Alexander Girard from UrbanOutfitters, found via Stickers and Stuff

Viking postcards by the fabulous Herzensart, found via SweetSweetLife

Feist concert poster by Vahalla Studios from Poster Cabaret, found via Stickers and Stuff
Sunny Small City by Blanca Gomez from Poster Cabaret, found via Stickers and Stuff

Limited edition print by Shuxin Liang /Sooooound, found via Bondville Limited edition print by Shuxin Liang / Sooooound, found via Bondville Original artwork by Shuxin Liang/Sooooound, found via Bondville
Sassi by La Cassettiera
Mermann by Herzensart, found via SweetSweetLife
Guardian Angel by Herzensart, found via SweetSweetLife
Little dolly brooches by the magical Hélène Manche, found via Pia Jane Bijkerk
Little dolly brooches by the magical Hélène Manche, found via Pia Jane Bijkerk
Kokeshi dolls by Mark Giglio found via the Art Room Plant
Kokeshi dolls by Mark Giglio found via the Art Room Plant
Two Little Banshees dolls via Bondville