nature-inspired.

1. floral wallpaper from Secondhand Rose, 2. birds & butterflies fabric from Rapture & Wright, 3. leaf cocktail napkins from LUprints, 4. secret garden notecard from Clare Nicolson, 5. butterflies & dragonflies wallpaper from Cole & Son, 6. cherry blossom placemats from Kardelen, 7. butterfly & rose teapot from 2jane, 8. forest dish towel from Sprout Home, 9. orange zesty pillow from Absoluut, 10. block print nest stuffie from Art Goodies, 11. tree row magnet from Skinny Laminx, 12. basel duvet set from 2modern, 13. willow duvet & sham from Branch, 14. butterflies wall hanging from Avalisa, 15. aviary springs fabric from Reprodepot, 16. hanging copper wreath from Bunny Maxwell

sabrina ward harrison.

When I was eighteen or so, my sister-in-law gave me the book Spilling Open by Sabrina Ward Harrison, telling me that it completely reminded her of me. I remember curling inside a hot bubble bath and immersing myself in the pages, feeling, for perhaps the first time, fully understood. Every truthful word and beautiful picture almost brought tears to my eyes (and sometimes did). Sabrina writes extremely honestly about questioning and becoming yourself, feeling alone, body image, insecurity, and finding strength. Her art (which shows in many forms- photography, collage, illustration, mixed media, etc.) accompanies her work so very beautifully.

Sabrina has gone on to write two more books, Brave on the Rocks (based on traveling Italy) and Messy Thrilling Life (centered around a move to New York), both which I would highly recommend for self-help purposes, as well as design and art inspiration.

snowden flood.

These plates by New York City designer Snowden Flood have to be some of the prettiest I have ever seen. Wouldn't you agree?

posie : rosy little things.

I'm sure many of you have read the weblog of the ever-so lovely Alicia Paulson. I frequently get completely lost in her beautiful photographs and entries. She used to run a boutique here in Portland, but now sells her handmade goods through the web here. I'm absolutely looking forward to her book Stiched Souveniers: 30 Special Simple Things To Sew, which comes out next fall.

links:
-photos of her breathtaking studio.
-her flickr page.
-an interview with her at another girl at play.

etsy : children & baby goods!

I just realized that it was been awhile since I posted anything baby/child-related on here, so I decided to browse Etsy for some lovely and nicely designed kid's products. There is so much out there, it's hard to even narrow down!



fawn onesie by artopiary



plush birdie by chet & dot



alphabet blanket by quilt baby



elephant changing pad by jamtart baby



pear pinafore by bella sera baby



posie baby booties by out of the box



blue zoo bib by mountain aven baby



little gnome hat by coco & milkweed



diaper bag by pika peeks



bird blanket by one lucky baby

shims & sons : shop update!

One of my local favorite designers, Sally of Shims & Sons, just did a big update to her shoppe! I'm constantly following her work through her blog and her flickr photo page, and always get so excited to see all the new beautiful products that she creates.

my paper crane.

I really can't believe it has taken me this long to update about one of my favorite independent artists/crafters, the fantastic Heidi Kenney. Most of you have probably seen her work through the internet or featured in magazines (Print, Urbanite, Craft, Adorn, etc.). She's definitely a "Jane of all trades", managing to spin her own yarn, make hundreds of adorable plushies, collage, bake amazing food, and do embroidery art, all while being an amazing mother of two. She's extremely inspiring and I just adore her.

Check out:
-her blog
-her flickr photos
-a fabulous interview with her

diana fayt.

Via Sew Green:



I'm really loving the ceramic work of Diana Fayt. It is all so lovely and pleasing to the eyes.

Read her marvelous biography here and check out frequent updates on her weblog.

aline yamada.

Today's illustration spotlight: Aline "Yumi" Yamada. Aline is another artist I found through Etsy (isn't that where I find just about everything these days?). Though originally from Brazil, she now creates her adorable artwork in the midwest, using the natural world, modern design, and childhood monsters as her inspiration. Prints of her work can be purchased from her shop, thoughtfully printed on Legion and Hahnemuehle paper (museum-quality).

You can also view her blog here for frequent updates.

flickr favorites : design inspiration.

1. eames plywood elephant, 2. Astra Restaurant, 3. Charles Harper bird, 4. Untitled, 5. restaurant in mall, 6. NS-PinkHouse, 7. My Living Room, 8. Todd Oldham™ Garden Spiral Topiary, 9. habitat plate, 10. Floor of Mod Art, 11. fashion design by sarah vidosh, 12. ceramic lace cups

courtney skott.

I truly love discovering new talented designers through the internet. One such designer I recently came across is Courney Skott, a lovely artist from San Francisco. She believes in her work giving off the "hand-made feel" and draws her inspiration from industrial processes, antique forms, traditional textiles and new technology. I find everything she creates to be so very aesthetically pleasing.