Paisley St Claire

New Trend: Folk Art

The Russian nesting doll (Matryoshka) trend has been around for a while now - and rightly so, they are adorable. I always called them babooshka dolls. I think this trend is going to expand to include folk art, in particular kurbits designs (popular in Sweden between 1780 and 1870). I'm going to be on the lookout for more folk art inspired pieces but in the meantime here are some ideas.

Clockwise from Top Left: Dalahorse from Nordiska Museet,  Embroidered Wallhanging from Urban Outfitters,  Childrens boots from Vincent, Matryoshka notebook by bismo080, Kitties Wall Art by Fawn Gehweiler at Urban Outfitters, Folk Garden Skirt by Viola at Anthropologie, Swedish Folk Art: Floral and Kurbits Designs by Diane Edwards at Amazon, Two Doves Necklace by Anne Kiel at Moose,  Deco Floral Table from Urban Outfitters,  Silk Folk Dress by Johnny Was at Neiman Marcus,  Cross-Stitch Art by ChezSucreChez.

Beautiful wall decal by Hanna Werning. Available at  Made in Design. I would love this sticker (and the chair).

Let me know if you see any other great folk art pieces.

My Studio

It is my daughter's first day at kindy (daycare) today. I know most mothers would probably be feel sad but its been over a year since I have had a day to myself, so mostly I'm excited.

I've spent the day in my studio. Actually I've been making a little sheet bag for Chloe to take to kindy. I tried to make it last night (for today) but she kept waking up so I gave up at midnight. Anyway, I thought I should give you a little look at what's in my studio.

My trusty little retro sewing machine is great for samples and little projects.

Some things I've been experimenting with.

Bits and pieces - this is just a fraction of my vintage button collection.

Some stacks of print fabric.

Some new headband samples.

The makings of Chloe's sheet bag, the apple fabric is for the strap. Feels so domestic to show you things I've made for the kids. The 'e' is a little bit dodgy because I was going flat strap on the sewing machine - normally I would hand embroider this, but at midnight I couldn't be bothered.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing a few of the things in my studio. I always like to sticky-beak at other peoples workrooms but I must admit I feel a little exposed doing it myself.

Softies for Mirabel

On the weekend I found out about a wonderful activity via the fabulous soft toy maker One Red Robin.

Softies for Mirabel is a cause organised by the gurus of crafty goodness, Meet Me at Mikes. Basically, anyone and everyone makes adorable soft toys and sends them to Mikes. Then the toys are auctioned on eBay with the proceeds going to the Mirabel Foundation. Any left over toys are given to the little Mirabel kids. The Mirabel Foundation is a Melbourne charity established to assist children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental illicit drug use. You can get the full details of Softies for Mirabel on the Meet Me at Mikes blog here.

I have a stack of fabric and patterns for toys to make for my kids. Of course, its been a year and I haven't actually made anything yet. This might just be the incentive I need to get started. Although, I do feel a little intimidated when I see the amazing toys by Jhoanna at One Red Robin.  If I could make ones even half as good, I'd be happy.

Visit One Red Robin's blog, etsy shop or Flickr page for more.

The Softies for Mirabel picture was designed by one of my favourite artists, the talented Helen Dardik. Her website is here and her blog is here.

So drag the sewing machine out and get sewing!

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day today. Lest we forget.

Image from National War Memorial (NZ).

Caia Koopman

I have been completely enamoured by Caia Koopman's gorgeous ladies for a while now. Caia Koopman is a Californian native whose art has been heavily influenced by the skateboarding scene. Caia's soulful girls have big dreamy eyes and somehow portray innocence and a little bit of creepy at the same time. I love them. Have a look at her website.

I'm going to add Caia Koopman to my wishlist. (*While I blog about things I would love all the time, my  wishlist is reserved for things that I plan to buy for myself or that I really want someone to buy for me  - hint, hint husband.) For the record, I'd be happy with any of these. 

Country Road - Winter 2008

Country Road's Winter collection looks so cosy. The casual collection is full of warm knits and easy-to-mix pieces.

There are some trend items but their classic pieces are the stand out Winter basics for me. I like the mary-jane wedges too. Take a look at the Country Road website or the online catalogue for more details.

Hide n Seek Illustrations

I'm a sucker for childhood illustrations, particularly if they are little girl ones. These prints from Hide n Seek are adorable.

UK based, Eloise also takes commissions and custom orders. Check out the Hide n Seek etsy store for more old fashioned sweetness.

Design Book Magazine

Clear your virtual coffee table, there's a new glossy mag out thats worth a look.

The first issue of Design Book Magazine launched this week covering architecture, interiors, products, fashion and travel. This super-slick e-mag gives a glimpse at, lets face it, places and things that you and I may never see in real life. For example:

I liked the global content and the strong eco-flavour. Also, they are looking for contributors, so if you're a writer, designer or photographer you could be a part of it. Check out Design Book Magazine, its free.   

Eveline Tarunadjaja

I stumbled upon these beautiful prints by Australian artist, Eveline Tarunadjaja.

Take a look at Eveline's website, Lovepad, for more whimsical prints, original pieces and calendars.

The IT Crowd

Rejoice Australians! The new series of The IT Crowd is back on ABC1. Last night's episode had me holding my sides it was so funny.

This series has already finished in the UK so you can pick it up on youtube if its not being beemed to your lounge room. Here is the youtube link to last night's episode.

Enamel Jewellery

Beautiful enamel necklaces from etsy seller VerreEncore. I adore the square one at the top left.

I know they are not strictly "aqua" but it sounded better.

Time for a Change

The last couple of days I have been at Springboard ('an Australian mentoriship program designed to enable the country’s most promising furniture, accessories, textiles and homewares designers, to create a competitive edge while they develop their professional career prospects both in Australia and in international markets.') I met some amazing people and learnt a few things.

I'm now inspired to make some changes in relation to my business and in the spirit of change I've redesigned the Paisley St Claire blog banner.  It feels a little too conservative to me but I'll wait and see if it fits the new direction. I hope you like it.

Mothers Need a Little Love

I've often heard people say that being a mother is the hardest job in the world (well, I've heard Oprah say that heaps of times). And I often wonder whether childless people actually believe that. I'm sure that before I had children I probably thought 'how hard can it be?'. Well, I've had some pretty stressful jobs so I feel qualified to make an opinion on this. I can assure you that while being a mother is not hard all of the time (you're right, watching Sesame Street and building a rocket out of Lego is pretty cruisey) there are moments, or even days, when no paid job could ever be as difficult as being the mum.

Yesterday, was such a day for me. I am convinced that if an adult treated me the way my 4 year old son treated me yesterday, it would be considered mental and/or emotional torture. And it seems that the 1 year old has become his terrorism accomplice - working in tandem to create maximum chaos. I will spare you the gory details - I don't want to put anyone off having children - but suffice to say that yesterday I would have preferred to be working for that egotistical, chauvinist, slave-driver I used to be employed by. I know some mothers have darling, wonderful children who never do anything wrong but there are those of you out there who know exactly what I am talking about. And its for us that this book was written:

Porn for New Moms from the Cambridge Women’s Pornography Cooperative knows exactly how to hit the mum's pleasure spot. With phrases (and accompanying images) like:

Look! She loves the sound of the vaccuum cleaner. And you should see her light up when I damp mop!

Damn! You look hot in those sweatpants!

Don't worry, honey. Your mother and I will take wonderful care of the baby while you and your girlfriends are at the spa.

I told my boss I have to leave at 3:00 every afternoon so I can come home and give you a break.

Now, remember, it's my turn to do the midnight feeding, so don't get up!

There's no nudity in this book but who needs it when it says all the right things? I bet we all know someone who could use this book. Porn for New Moms is available from Uncommon Goods, Amazon and Chronicle Books.

And please, no comments about being a bad mother or whatever. I've suffered enough.

Maiocchi - Winter 2008

I am totally in love with Brisbane label, Maiocchi's new Winter 2008 collection. And what's more, this collection is absolutely huge. This are about half the pieces available in this gorgeous collection. Click the image to see a bigger version - the detailing is beautiful. I could happily throw everything out of my wardrobe and fill it with these pieces.

Check out the Maiocchi website to see the entire collection and for stockist details. Lucky me, living in Brisbane.

A Cameo Appearance

Get a new take on an old style accessory with these cute and quirky cameo necklaces from Paisley Chainsaw (no relation, in case you're wondering).

I'm not a fan of skulls, but I like this one twisted with the soft pink elegant frame. Check out more fabulous kitsch jewellery at the UK based designer's website or at their new etsy shop.

Take your Vitamins

Check out these cool Urban Gnomes from off-the-wall British homewares designers, Vitamin. Bet your granny never had any like these on her front porch.

These cute little fellas are made of bone china and are 21cm tall (8.26 inches). They come in huge range of designs. Visit Vitamin's website to see them all. While you are there, be sure to check out the I.V. drip for self-watering pot plants and Spruce, the lamp that doubles as a floor sweeper. Handy.

Customisable Childrens Art

I just discovered the most fabulous art shop! Isa Form is a Swedish company (with an English version site) run by artist and designer, Isabelle Norman Sällström.

Isabelle's prints are not only bright, colourful and totally delightful, she also gives you several options for customising the print. Customisable options include a choice of colour, sizes, languages and adding your child's name. For example, the first print below (the elephant) comes in pink, blue, red and olive green and the text says "Ella & Miranda live here". And, the alphabet at the bottom comes in Swedish, English and Norweigan.

Isa Form also have prints for grown up spaces which are customisable (I'll show you those another day).  It's like Isabelle has thought of everything. Visit Isa Form and have play (and shop)!

Little Things

I'm adding some adorable little things to the website this week. For the first time ever I'll be selling things that I didn't actually design myself.

I've had these cute badges and colourful lucite rings for ages so I am excited to finally have them in the shop. The badges are sold in sets of 2 and are in the shop right now. The lucite rings will be added this weekend. I don't think I can get any more of these so if you like them grab them while you can.

Have a great weekend!

The Small Stakes

These amazing posters are by Californian based artist, Jason Munn. Over the last 5 years Jason has built his business, The Small Stakes, into a very successful independent design studio, producing nationally and internationally commissioned work including book covers, album packaging, T-shirt designs, screen-printed posters, and illustrations. Jason's clients include the likes of Ben Harper, Norah Jones and Feist.

I wish I was a rock chick so that I could have a poster made for me. *Sigh. Unfortunately, that is never going to happen so I'll have to just buy a Small Stakes poster via the website. At just US$25 each these posters are some of the coolest affordable art around.

The Chronicles of Craft

I love doing crafty things, I always have. When I was little I had all sorts of kits - embroidery, cross-stitch, knitting, doll making, latch-hook, tapestry, etc.

Although, I never learnt to crochet. I guess I thought I would probably never need skills that only led to doily making. Now it seems there is a fantastic reason to crochet... amigurumi! Who knew you could make the cutest little animals from crochet?

Pink amigurumis by Laura Diez and White Bear from Pepika's Flickr photos

Luckily, Chronicle Books have plenty of crafty books to teach and inspire us.


Check out the fantastic selection of books on their website and you'll soon be up late every night making adorable things.