Floral linen clutch

Pretty new linen floral clutch purse now in my store. Features a little cross stitch heart and is lined with a spotty blue poplin, has inside pockets for putting in cards or other small items.

Papier Mache

Found this very cute online childrens magazine today 'Papier Mache' , which showcases mostly handmade goods. Lots of very pretty, cute things. There are so many adorable things for children's these days, it makes me never want to grow up, I just want to run away to a world of imagination and play. Oh and it's an Australian publication too, making it all the more wonderful :) They have a pretty blog too.

Handmade Home

While doing a bit of googling, I happened upon this rather lovely blog, Made by Joel, by a stay at home dad and artist, who creates fun toys and projects with his kids, using materials found at home. He is also currently working on a kids craft book with the same publisher as the above, Amanda Blake books . I think its a really wonderful idea, creating toys and having fun, just using found objects, rather than consuming plastic mass produced, expensive toys. It reminds me of my childhood, copying the crafts off Playschool (a kids tv show, for the non-aussies) . Its really quite eco-friendly and these kids seem to be having a great time, its probably good for their creativity too.
I hope that if I ever have children, I could do the same with them.

Some new goodies

More sweet little brooches for my etsy store.

been busy today

Yep, been rather busy with the sewing today. I made this sweet cushion/ pillow cover. Apparently Americans don't use the word cushion, they just call them pillows. But then how do you distinguish between the ones you sleep on and those for decoration?
Anyway..Hope you like it, I thought I'd branch out a bit and create some different, limited edition products. Because its a lot more fun making new things than becoming a production line churning out the same stuff all the time.

Secrets and lost words

You have probably heard of post secret before, its an ongoing community art project where people mail
in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard. There is something lovely about hand written and collaged writing, people sharing personal thoughts through art and typography, something you can never achieve with an email. I collect all the notes my friends wrote to me in primary school when we'd hand write it and draw little pictures. And if you have kids im sure you keep their handmade notes and art. Its priceless.
So if you havnt already subscribe to the sunday secrets.



Another interesting site is found magazine, where people submit notes or photos they have found lying around.



These would make great collage material! Maybe I'll have to scan some old letters and notes of my own and utilize them.

Or do what restless things did to this old envelope! (time to start digging through the bin!)

Wonderful whimsical things

Im on holidays for two weeks, so I might get to do a bit more blogging, even though I have a mega long list of things to do, including stocking my shop, coming up with some new designs (yes, there are exciting new things install) and I have a huge consignment order to fill.


I just thought I'd share a few things I recently came across which I rather like and find inspiring:

Vintage inspired gift card envelope from Autumn to may. Her shop is full of lovely whimsical things.

Sushipot Large Pattern Tags , these are a cool idea, and would be great for collage. Sushipot sells lots of awesome vintage bits and pieces.


Hand embroidered silk purse, so pretty and unique from Contemporary Stitches

a mixed media brooch by Cathy Cullis. She does lovely textile and mixed media works.


Gorgeous spoons from Magie Hollingworth, her work is just beautiful! Im in love with these spoons.


big city daze, a whimsical collage by Corid


Thnigs that you count, pills a sweet little notebook by art school girl

And I just randomly added in a pic of a typewritter, because I have a thing for them at the moment, well arnt they such lovely things? Makes me wish we didn't throw ours out years ago. Perhaps I'll do a post of typewritter related things later :)

Painted Plates

I love hand painted plates, its a great way to make an old plate look good again.
Here are a few cool examples from etsy




CUSTOM hand-painted silhouette on porcelain plate -- Madeleine, $45, from Smitten Silhouette



Beastie Boys plate, $30 from Trixie Delicious


Roll together, $15 from Raw Goods



Pink Bird paper plate, $35 by k g + a b

Something about porcelain...

There is something about handmade porcelain that I just love. Its has this delicate , beautiful look to it. You can see the time the crafter has put into shaping and decorating the piece. I only wish I had the tools to give it a go myself.
Here are a few of my favorites.

Water color paint palette, $24 by Vanessa Marie Design
Beehive Ornaments, $32 by Vanessa Marie DesignCraft peace.. dove tiny text bowl, $22 by Paloma's NestPorcelain tags, $16 each from Diana Fayt
Love birds dish, $ 12 by Handgrown Pottery

Stylish love

Want to get something a little different, something handmade and unique, for Valentines? here are a few of my favorite valentine finds


Queen of Hearts Cards, $15, by ice cream social
Playing card paper bird, $37 by cotton bird designs

Valentine Greetings, $4 each, by heidi burton
I love you Screenprinted Heart, $5 by sarah parrott

Handmade wrapping/packaging ideas from Japan

These are amazing examples of handmade packaging great for both product packaging and gift wrapping. I think doilies are becoming quite popular at the moment.
These are very inexpensive but fun ideas!!
I found them on a Japanese site called aurinko