One last dip

At the Seaside by Germano Zullo from the Tate

Daytripper, acrylic on canvas, by Becky Blair

Becky Blair exhibition poster from Castor and Pollux

Swimmer gocco print by KatieP

Ladies First, linocut print, by Cath Deeson

Bathing Belles, oil-based block print on paper and sheet music, by Cath Deeson

Beautiful porcelain ceramic swimmer cups by Helen Beard

Swimmer watercolour by Helen Beard

The Swimmers, print of original acrylic on canvas, by Kiki and Polly

All Together, print of original acrylic on canvas, by Kiki and Polly

before the summer goes...

Calling all Culture Vultures

Bob and Roberta Smith Blocks - Tate

If you've been following you'll know that my kids love art. We have a wonderful museum in Montpellier which runs art courses for adults and children all year round, including school holidays. Dylan and Savannah went on the Emil Nolde course at Easter culminating in a huge chalk fresque, mostly drawn by Dylan in the heart of the city. I love to see my children at ease in art galleries and museums. Savannah's very receptive to this environment in particular.

If you're looking for new ideas for gifts and are short of inspiration, why not shop in online museum and gallery stores? I always find unusual birthday and Christmas presents at the Tate, the V&A, the Design Museum and MoMA, but there are so many other great addresses across the globe. I intended to show you a few of my favourite objects from museums and galleries in Great Britain, before searching in other places across Europe and elsewhere. However, I've been pipped to the post - a group of four men in the UK have also seen the potential in this museum market and recently created an online culture lover's dream called CultureLabel. This has to be one of my best finds in 2009.

The new CultureLabel website aims to bring together over 20,000 culture-related products curated from museums, galleries and cultural institutions in Great Britain. These four cultural entrepreneurs plan to trawl the rest of the world in the future. What can I say? A culture shoppers dream, thousands of amazing, original, artist-designed products and a chance to visit - at least virtually- hitherto unknown places such as Baltic, the Royal Armouries (fantastic place) and the Lighthouse all via one platform. I love it!!!
Spread the word, but before you take a peek, please be warned, time flies when you're on this site, there's so much to discover!

Iggy Peck, Architect, - IKON

What's inside - by Hazell Nicholls - Keep Calm Gallery

Build a Taxi Kit - Museum of London


London in a Bag - Museum of London

Wake Me-Up Tube Stickers - Museum of London

Clifford Richards Fairy Wings - the V&A


Milko C Backpack - The Lighthouse
History Timeline Lunchbox - English Heritage

My Sweet Dog -Baltic

Samourai Magnetic Armor set - Royal Armouries


Making Stuff for Kids - The Lighthouse

Alice Melvin

Welcome to the beautiful, quirky world of Alice Melvin

I came across Alice Melvin's wonderful work when I was looking for Miles's birthday present earlier this year. We all like craft activities so I knew that this gift would be an instant success.



Alice graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in June 2004. She still lives in this beautiful city, working as an illustrator, designer and book artist.

You may already be familiar with this fun A-Z book she released in 2007 together with Tate Publishing.


Her second children's title Counting Birds has just gone on sale at the Tate and looks like it's going to be hugely popular too.


Alice designs all kinds of books, bookmarks and cards as well as taking commissions for bespoke creations.





In Alice's new online shop you will find a selection of silkscreen prints and screenprinted books, her illustrated map of Edinburgh and a fun Mr and Mrs Peg cut-out and dress set, which I'll be popping on my list of must-haves this Christmas.







All eyes on Alice, she's moving centre stage!