Play & Grow

Russian architect Evgeny Kudryavtsev loves making things in his spare time and recently started writing a blog to share some of his handmade toys, all tried and tested by his little one-year old girl Irina. You know how I feel about recycling, and colour,  so  you can imagine how excited I was when I saw his Montessori-style cardboard play station (made from an empty box of Pampers)...simple, educational fun!

Evgeny is fairly new to the blogging world but has some great ideas (don't be put off by the Russian, you can get the general jist with Google Translate and there are plenty of photos in his tutorials).

It's nice to see another dad making toys and sharing them online -  I shall be watching and following from afar with pleasure.

via MioMilo 

Bottlerobot

And now for something completely different...

I'd like to introduce you to Bottlerobot, a fantastic-plastic project by Geo. 

Sophie's husband makes these ingenious creations from bottle caps and other bits & pieces of salvaged plastic in his spare time and is planning on opening a shop in the not-too-distant-future. Miles loves them and will be first in line if Geo ever sells his fun robot as postcards or prints!

An inspiring find, and a great way to teach children to look after our ailing planet.

 Reduce-Reuse-Recycle!

Why not try and make some of your own?

all images ©Bottlerobot

Make Me

It's show time folks!

That wonderful moment 

when art graduates from all creative disciplines reveal their work to the world. 

And I, once again, wish I was living in the UK for a while. 

Never mind, thanks to friends and the internet, I have my eye on lots of fresh talent, and will be sharing some names to look out for over the next few weeks.

Catherine Frère-Smith (BA Hons Textile Design 2011) will be showing her Degree work at The Chelsea College of Art & Design from 20-24th July. 

I love Catherine's final project based on childhood memories of living in the country. Her  "Make Me" fabrics can be used for making garments and for cutting up and sewing into either four different types of birds or an old farmhouse.

An interesting idea, beautifully executed, I look forward to seeing more 

(you should have a look at her gorgeous collars too).

Thanks Lynn!

Elen & Mecho

You know I can never resist sharing paper toys, especially when they involve recycling...

Meet Elen and Mecho, Victoria Knysh's paper shoe insert toys.

Fun aren't they? They reminded me of a similar pair I saw last year.

Victoria's textile work in her little shop also made me smile :

Nice finds for a Sunday, hope you like them too.

Let's Dance

Let's dance - It is the weekend after all!

I've been thinking about Marie-Louise Sundqvist's happy couple made from  recycled paper and wood all afternoon. I think they're lovely, I hope you do too.

My image of the day, then.

Have a super weekend!

Birds, Butterflies, Bunnies and Bees

 

Rustle in the Spring

Nuno Mag's got everything in

(outtake)

Watercolour your butterflies

Make a mask, bunny one and two

Fill your house with flowers

And pretty paper birdies blue.

 

 Reduce-Reuse-Recycle

Damaged books, tissue paper, old cereal boxes, thrifted silk clothing

Salvage and Restore 

 The latest issue of Nuno Magazine is full of simple Springtime craft activities to keep you busy as a bee.  Elisabeth Abernathy-Graham and Rachel Abernathy-Braff will also be donating $1 for every copy sold between now and June 1st to The Tunisian Beekeepers Project in order to help set up families living in the poverty-stricken mountains as beekeepers.

Birds, Butterflies, Bunnies and Bees

Buzz off

&

Api crafting!

Rustle Preview

My Cup of Tea

Paper Milk Jug

Paper Tea Tray

Paper Suitcase

Jennifer Collier 

Rapunzel

Witch's House

Red Shoes

Alix Swan

Alphabet Book

Lady of the Lake

Tea for All Seasons

Angela Davies

Simply beautiful

The magical versatility of paper

Three examples of the amazing work for sale at

 Made by Hand Online

Jewellery, fashion, home & garden

Lots of old favourites and many new finds

Made By Hand Online is also an excellent ressource for craft makers, offering a blog, national directories, job opportunities and information on courses and workshops.

Definitely one to bookmark.

Happy browsing!

via Pacha Design, whose beautiful work is also available at Made by Hand Online.

March Hares, Moths & More

Rescued, salvaged, set aside

 Fabric to adorn

 Transformed, repurposed, reimagined

A magical menagerie to make

Love, love, love

Mr Finch's

new 

creations.

Los Musgoamigos

Image: Camilla Engman

Thank you Camilla Engman and Karin Eriksson for introducing me to Chilean doll maker and textile artist Francisca Robles. I wish I could have seen this exhibition at Manos last year.

Combining traditional Latin American doll making techniques passed down from her grandmother with modern, vibrant recycled fabric remnants, I can imagine Francisca's original but also timeless Los Musgoamigos appealing to young and old alike. 

I think some of you will enjoy browsing her blog, chock-full of wonderful textile creations (just look at this quilt inspired by a child's drawing, for example). I am particularly impressed with these dolls below, made from old newspaper. Amazing what you can make when you put your mind too it, isn't it?

, 

 

Francisca"s work is available in a couple of shops in Sweden and a number of places in Chile (see list of stockists and prices on her blog). She also has a small big cartel shop so keep your eye out for updates there. I have a feeling we'll be hearing a lot about this doll maker in 2011.

Reduce-Reuse-Recycle!

Swirls and Stripes

Christmas Decorations - Itis Edition

Vintage Bouncy Swirly Ball Set

Recycled Skateboard Bench

Good Morning!

A few colourful swirls and stripes to set this week in motion

It's actually sunny here for once, so time for me to do a spot of gardening!

Are You Sitting Comfortably?

Then I'll begin...

Can't keep me quiet for long you know

 

Rip + Tatter Kids Chair

Industrial Cardboard, 100% recyclable, non-toxic
by Peter Oyler^*

 Reduce - Reuse - Recycle

* via Daddy Types

A Cardboard Christmas

Just look what Sonia and her family have been making for the Seasons Christmas Fair in Moscow Hermitage Garden, 25-26th December. Cardboard decorations on a cardboard tree - reduce-reuse-recycle - simply beautiful!