Cintia from My Poppet emailed me about her Melbourne based children's store last week and I'm so glad she did. My Poppet has a fabulous selection of goodies for kids like handmade clothing and toys, hand printed t-shirts, retro inspired toys and original artwork. If you're not in Melbourne, have no fear Cinti offers a mailout service, but stocks are limited so you have to be quick. Definitely a site to bookmark for Christmas gift ideas (I'm always thinking ahead!).
Kinder Gallery is an online children's art gallery based in Sydney. The collection offers original paintings, limited edition works, prints, stretched canvases, box art and wall decals. Like these ones:
Clockwise from Top Left: Apple Surprise Red print by Kelly Boulton, Limited edition Mushroom plywood artwork by Lorena Siminovich, Seasons (Autumn) canvas print by isak, Handmade Mushroom softies by Tamar Mogendorff.
I think I like this video more than my kids do! The Wiggles and Leo Sayer singing 'You Make Me Feel Like Dancing'.
Click here to watch it on YouTube. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to watch it without the boogie taking over.
The CD and DVD are available at the ABC Shop here and here and the DVD is available at Amazon here.
If you have kids you have the perfect excuse to buy adorable soft toys. Sure, they want the Whole-lota-Bling Bratz doll with the knee-high boots, leopard print miniskirt and 5 tonne of mascara and they'd probably throw one of these toys in the corner. But there's no harm in trying to encourage childhood innocence. Besides, if they don't want it, you get to keep it.
Row 1: Simon bunny and Wilma cat by Tiddlywinks (US)
Row 2: Abigail and Owl Mama by Needlings (Canada)
Row 3: Bee and Stefa cat by Fine Art Toys (Australia)
Row 4: Peg Bear Tango and Doddi Bear by One Red Robin (Australia)
Row 5: Dirac the Dinosaur and Hilbert Owl by Fock Space Designs (Australia)
Obviously, I love bold print fabrics and I've found two other Australian ladies who do too.
Jennie McClelland is the superwoman dynamo behind Posie Patchwork and its sister brand Edna & Alice May. I say superwoman because Jennie has 4 young children and a husband whose work calls him away for sometimes months at a time. Hardworking Jennie somehow manages to supply her fans with an ever-increasing range of children's clothes, accessories and soft furnishings made from bright print fabrics. You can see Jennie's designs gracing (many) pages of the latest Shop 4 Kids magazine.
Another mum bringing bright print fabric to the world of children' s clothing is Sherilyn Palmer. Sherilyn's label, Tees 2 Knees, features delightful little t-shirts appliquéd with print fabrics to make adorable little animals and motifs. Sherilyn says that 'each design represents the simplicity and innocence of being a child and are inspired by all things that make us smile'. Sweet.
T-shirts by Tees 2 Knees, cushions, bib and apron by Posie Patchwork. All pieces are handmade in Australia by two amazing and creative women.
Oh my goodness, this is the funniest! Rockabye Baby! have converted the likes of Metallica, Led Zepplin, Nine Inch Nails, The Ramones and Green Day into lullabies for babies.
Some of the covers might be a bit scary for little kids though.
There are heaps of bands to choose from so visit the Rockabye Baby! website to check them out and hear samples of the tracks. You can buy directly from the website or I found them on the Kido website (Australian). My personal favourites for getting little bubs to sleep are The Reminder by Feist and Coco by Colbie Caillat.
There are plenty of Australian online kids stores popping up and its refreshing to see that they stock independent Australian kidswear labels as well as the the big name brands.
Blink Designs kids' range consists of t-shirts, singlets and soft toys all of which are hand printed in Melbourne. I think the sailor is adorable. The range is incredibly affordable - all of these pieces are under A$35 each. You can order through Blink Design's website or check out their long list of Australian and online stockists.
Kids' silhouette prints by independent Australian designers. Left: 2 piece set, onsie and singlet by Eggheads; Centre: t-shirt and skirt by Surface Art; Right: blue and pink onsies and t-shirt by Cumbungi.
Oobi is not exactly a small label anymore but they certainly make some of the cutest clothes of any Australian company. I love their little girls clothes. I had a dress almost exactly like the green one above when I was little. It was my favourite party dress. Oobi say their mission is to create beautiful, charming and slightly whimsical fashion that pushes the boundaries of what people usually expect from childrenswear. They even design and print the cotton fabrics themselves. I think their detailing is perfect. Cradlerock has an extensive collection of Oobi clothes or check out Oobi's website for stockist details worldwide.
