Pretty Papier Mache (and Just Plain Papier)

I find it hard to believe that I went through elementary and middle school art classes, as well as 4 years in pursuit of an art degree and never created anything using papier mache. This technique does seem right up my ally: inexpensive, whimsical and seemingly simplistic. However, it does seem to take a long time and I'm not the most patient of creators. I'd like to give it a try one of these days, but I'm in full realization that they won't look anything like the art of Anna-Wili Highfield or Elizabeth Jardine.
First, Ms. Highfield. She's a young woman from Sydney, Australia who grew up with a puppeteer father. Can you imagine how cool and creepy and fun that must have been? She was destined to create these amazing birds. Apparently she creates the form with cotton paper, then hand paints each piece to get the desired effect, then sews it all together. The end result is absolutely stunning in it's movement and form.

Aren't they amazing? Visit her site to see more birds as well as some horses and other animals.
Next, Elizabeth Jardine. Her sculptures are more traditional papier mache and are more funky and rough than Anna's. They remind me of something out of The Fantastic Mr. Fox or another cheeky stop-motion animated piece. I love that fox—I want to put a pretty patterned bow tie around his neck and give him a prominent place next to my Roald Dahl books.

And mostly because I haven't mentioned Anthropologie in awhile and I wouldn't want either of us to forget it's loveliness (as if we could!), here are some incredibly charming birds they had for sale. I don't see any trace of them on the Anthro website any longer, but they can still be admired. And if you're feeling particularly crafty, check out this tutorial inspired by these birds. Let me know how it goes! I'll do the same.

Charming Cameos

When I was in 3rd grade, my teachers assistant drew our silhouettes. She shone a light on our profiles and traced the shadow. And I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Cameos have obviously been popular as artwork and jewelry forever but recently they've become a staple in modern interiors. You've surely seen some great examples but here are a handful more (concluding with the lovely idea of layering your cameos for a romantic and stylish statement piece).



Images from: Simply Silhouettes // Occasional Enthusiast // Coco Cozy // Dear Designers // Country Living // Jeanie and Jewell

Living with Beci Orpin

Beci Orpin is a Melbourne, Australia based illustrator/artist/designer/inspiration. I became familiar with her work after exploring the Australia-based design blog, The Design Files and must admit that I became obsessed with her house before her work. Although they really are one in the same.—the inclusion of a design studio and the fact that she decorates with a lot of her own work result in a space that could actually double as a gallery. All of it is so fun and happy. Let's start with her house:


I love that she not only uses her own art to decorate her walls, but she uses her children's. They go together really well!
Speaking of her work, here is some of my favorite stuff of hers:


I especially love the wooden, die-cut brooches. I'd wear the heck out of that fox brooch.
Images of her home are from the Design Files. Beci is represented by the amazing Jacky Winter Group and you should definitely check out Beci's website (where you can also get to her blog and online shoppe).

Paris vs. New York

Vahram Muratyan (ooooh! so French!) is a Parisian graphic designer in NYC. Not too long ago he decided to create comparison prints between Paris and New York and the results are charming and witty and (at least in an iconic manner) honest. He's not selling them yet, but they've been very well received so I imagine it's only a matter of time. Visit his blog and site.







Ok, I got a little carried away with this one—I just love them all so much! There are even more (and he's adding often) so go visit the blog.
I'm obsessed with the idea of NYC. How could you not be really? So much history and glamour and personality in a tiny, tiny space. Taschen has published a new book "New York—Portrait of a City" that has some stunning photographs. As long as we're already in a New York State of mind, I thought I'd share some of those pictures as well.



Pick up your copy here.

The Finders Keepers Market

This past Friday I helped set up the Finders Keepers Market here in Brisbane. This means that I spent five hours fluffing tissue paper flowers, tying said flowers in clusters with fishing line and hanging (or at least watching as they were hung) said clusters from the ceiling of the Old Museum. The result was very rewarding and I consider the afternoon well spent indeed.
The Finders Keepers Market is a delightful display of 65 crafters peddling their creative wares. I saw everything from clothing to letterpress to jewelry and if I had a scrap of extra money I would've for sure spent it. My sister-in-law bought a fun ring and an amazing cloud necklace and I was excited that at least one of us was being supportive! Here are some pictures from the event:



The Old Museum and grounds made an unbelievable venue. Inside and along the side veranda were beautiful craft stalls, outside was a live music stage, food and coffee area. The talent was overwhelming. Speaking of: Brisbane-based illustrator Natalie did the gorgeous poster for the event. She has some stunning work on her site and her Flickr provided me with some of the photos from my collage. Visit her and say thank you. Other images are from the Finders Keepers site and from the Flickr tagged stream. Did you see the flower creations? Yep, pretty proud of myself. Of course it wouldn't have been possible without the dear Alischa of Bespoke Press (don't worry, more about her later) who was one of the ladies in charge of the event. It was a great weekend!

Pet Cuteness

I don't have pets. Well, I live with my brother and sister-in-law's two sweet black cats (Hobart and Sofia) but since I'm allergic I don't really get to enjoy them. And they were here before me so it's hard to take ownership of them. That said, I've been thinking that I'd like to have a little dog of my own. Not now, but someday in the near future. A little pug or boxer or terrier of some kind maybe. They're so stinkin cute. And so are these classy coats from Rover.

Ridiculous. My heart nearly exploded from the cuteness.
And once I became one of those crazy pet owners who puts my dog in a wool pea coat and makes him a birthday cake, I'd probably have to have a miniature version of him made up as well as a fun portrait painted. Oh dear.



They are cute though. Get your custom portrait from artist Nicole George and miniature from Kay on Etsy.

Spooky Prints

It's almost time for Halloween and although it's barely celebrated here in Australia, I couldn't resist a little post (or two) to get in the spooky spirit. Today's focus is on some goose-bump worthy art.
I've never actually seen the show Dexter, but I appreciate it's artistic approach and understand that a lot of people really love it. Including Ty Mattson, a California based designer (who's done lots of good things, check out his site). He created these prints, one for each season. They're fun to look at without any background but if you're a fan of Dexter I bet you'd be crazy for them!

I really love the color combination. Buy the posters here.
Now onto a fabulous mother-daughter Etsy seller, tag team tompkins. They do lovely victorian-inspired calligraphy and papercut prints. Some of which are quite spooky. In that Edward Gorey sort of way.


Get these (and some less spooky prints) at their Etsy shop.
To end, here's a few totally creepy but lovely prints from Sarah Harvey. Her illustrations are soft and warm but with floating balloon heads and monsters and slightly creepy little girls. They're wonderful! Visit her on Etsy.

Nina's Pretty Dishes

Nina Invorm combines two of my favorite things—sweet, vintage dishes with lovely hand-drawn elements. Her addition of birds or bunting or hearts to the already delightful ceramics result in a charming piece of art I'd love to showcase. Luckily you can purchase her art at her Etsy shop.


Ugh. So stinkin cute it makes me scrunch up my face.
While I was looking at some of her other work on her Flickr page I happened across some photographs of her darling house. The interior matches her creations so perfectly.



I love the random dresses and high heels and the fact that she has her own artwork splashed throughout the space. Did you see the nursery? What a fun place to be a child!
Visit Nina's website, her Etsy and her Flickr there's tons more to see!

Little Ladies

I love paper dolls—always have and probably always will. I love the easy outfit changes and those funny tabs and the fact that they were cheap enough that I could afford an entire wardrobe! I also have always been a fan of the Colorform playset. Those were generally more focused on environments than clothing options but the fun to be had was glorious. When I ran across these wall decals from Mae I was in love. They're paper dolls that are actually vinyl decals for your wall! They are adorable and would be so fun in a little girls room or a not-quite-so-little girls room. I was thinking they'd be so great in my office! Can't think of a creative solution to a problem? No worry! Just dress up these cuties until you've figured it out. Or until it's quittin time...


These childhood memories got me thinking about little girl's spaces and I just knew the ol' internet would have some lovely rooms to inspire or admire. I was certainly not disappointed!



So great right? And there are plenty of ideas in these rooms to inspire adults. I would go crazy for that Funny Girl poster or that cluster of paper flowers/lanterns. Oh the dreaming and pretending you could do in rooms like these!
Sources: Just Say Mo // Design*Sponge // Simply Grove // Oh Dee Doh // Fresh Home // Decor Pad // Sugar and Spice

A Little Bit of Autumn

I love fall. I miss fall, but at least it's been a little cool here lately so I've been able to close my eyes on occasion and think about hot cider and scarves and the orchard. Soon enough it'll be steamy and hot and thoughts of cool autumn breezes will seem so far away. In the mean time, I thought I'd embrace it and put together a mood board to inspire you and remind me.



So many sources! Mikkel Vang // Scrapstudio // Elizabeth Anne Designs // Dandelion and Grey // Mary Ruffle // Bunny Victorious // Studio Choo Flowers // LL Bean Signature // Black Eiffel // You are my Fave // Mi Vida Bonita

The Flatish World of Ann Toebbe

These paintings remind me of the drawings of interiors I used to have to create in Art School. We'd take the flat floor plan and draw each piece (furniture, doors, walls) up at an angle. I'm probably not explaining that properly (and mine never even came close to being this awesome). But they did bring back memories of plastic triangles and graphite pencils. Luckily for you I'm not sharing my work with you, I'm sharing Ann Toebbe's.

Ann is a Chicago-based artist that now teaches in the city (as well as creates these interesting residential gems). I love that it's not idealized—so many of us have that dining room table covered in food and junk mail! Check out more of her work on her site or stop by 20 x 200 to purchase some. (Aside: 20 x 200 is a really, really great place to start or add to your art collection! The art is moderately priced, not mass-produced and helps support emerging artists.)

Delicious Delights

What's more lovely than cakes and bakery counters and gumballs? Paintings of such goodies of course. Wayne Thiebauld painted some really beautiful desserts in the 60s. He reminds me of Edward Hopper in his technique and in the overall feel. The paintings, although quite charming, have a sense of loneliness and want in them. But they are delightful aren't they?

If you thought those were sweet (pun intended obviously), you're going to love these dessert drawings from Mr. Andy Warhol. I've loved them for awhile and am glad to finally share them with you!

I love his quote on that glorious yellow cake "Food is my great Extravagance". Somehow I doubt that to be true, but it shows you how much he really loved the things he drew.
Who wants cake?
Sources: Artchive // IN // World Gallery