A Few Words

   

Well, Hello there!

  

Thank You, Thank You 

 

 

For all your generous Birthday wishes

I'm Overwhelmed by such kindness, you lovely People!

Oh, and thanks for the fun, crafty inspiration:

Knit Knoodler

Monday Funday

 

Hey! I'm still here.

Happy Colour My Monday!

I hope you all had a relaxing weekend.

We're enjoying our second week of staycation in a very sunny south of France.

Nimes, Montpellier and a trip to the bowling alley we're on today's agenda, 

followed by a much-appreciated dip in the pool.

If only summer was a couple of months longer, eh?

Image credits:

Living Outside The Box: Alexandra Klever

Puzzled

Yes, I'm puzzled.

Why has it taken me so long to lift the lid on this little treasure trove?

  

 

 

 

 Today's short post is an invitation to explore the inspiring blog and work of

Italian illustrator Tiziana Romanin.

 I have seldom seen such beautiful puzzles, games and books for little and big ones alike. Hand-engraved and painted with watercolours, her delicate works of art are quite unique. They are all signed, numbered and limited-edition, just waiting to be offered to someone very special (send her a message via her blog). Love!

Happy Browsing!

Let Me Grow

  Let Me Grow

Let me be

Let me blossom, flourish,

 Let me become

Me.

Severina Kids and Rigoberta del Tesouro have sown the first seeds.

The fruit of their debut collaboration is currently on display at STU in Buenos Aires, 

a shop I'd love to visit some day.

 

 

Ale and Rigoberta have made a special series of 25 dolls adorned with beautiful handmade dresses and tiaras. As you can see, the details on these dolls' clothes are quite exquisite. The vintage linen and cotton clothes were handdyed, handpainted and handembroidered by Severina Kids and Rigoberta has designed a gorgeous collection of matching tiaras made from flowers and leaves, which will also be available in children's sizes.

This is but the first stage of the Let Me Grow project. Ale and Rigoberta are busy preparing a second, slightly different line of products which they hope to launch next Spring in Buenos Aires and Uruguay.

Let Me Grow

 

The infinite hope of the seed.

Inspiration: Polina Karpova

 

   

Good Morning!

I'm thrilled to start the week with a quick trip to Moscow to share the beautiful work of Polina Karpova. I've been following her on Facebook for quite a while, and hope this little peek into her handmade world will encourage you to do the same.

  Polina works for a Russian children's cancer charity but she's also a young mother who loves making things for her family and friends. Her paper houses must make the most delightful gifts, and her handmade story books are really quite exquisite. 
I love every single detail.

 Polina's latest creative task was to prepare some indoor activities for her little boy's birthday party. You can see her full set of photos on facebook, but this handpainted map with cardboard box buildings really caught my eye. 

Hours of entertainment there!

  

You can follow Polina on Facebook and see more of her little paper houses, which she also sells, via this recently opened blog.

A hidden treasure

The kind I love.

I hope you'll be inspired!

Etsy Guest Pinner - A Summer Retreat By The Sea

 

 

 

Almost twenty years ago Dominique and I lived in a small wooden chalet by the sea, here in the south of France. It was built in the 50's and was in a pretty much neglected state when we moved in. Three years later is was paradise. We sanded the floors, sanded the doors, added a bathroom, redid some of the plumbing, painted, painted, painted and decorated until it was home. Set in a wild garden with huge oleander bushes, oak cork trees and figs (oh my those figs!), we just had to cross the road to go for our morning and evening swim. 

My eldest son Dylan was born here. "Le Vert Clos", as it was called, was a truly magical place.

Years later, when we'd moved to a bigger house, we found out that the landlord had sold the chalet, or rather, had knocked it all down to sell the land, which is so expensive by the sea. It breaks my heart to see the concrete monstrosity that stands in its place now.

We have such good, happy memories of Le Vert Clos though, and kept the house name plate that once hung on the tall wooden gate in the garden. A cherished possession chez nous. That chalet shaped our taste for simple interiors and still inspires us to create a holiday home atmosphere wherever we live now.

My Guest Pins for Etsy this week are all inspired by my memories of Le Vert Clos, our wooden chalet by the sea. I do hope you'll follow along.

A huge thank you to the organisers of The Hive and The Etsy Team for giving me the chance to create this moodboard. I was delighted to win the Ideal Creative Space competition they organised in May.

Enjoy!

Images: 

Un lieu sur terre

Socialitefamily/etsy

Deborah Beau

Mermaids & Things

Remember Zilasaule? It was love at first sight, if you recall.

I'm still following their blog and really find their work inspiring.

Fun, fresh and original, just look at their latest plush and puppets.

I can't wait to see what they come up with next!

Happy Colour My Monday!