Interesting Finds

My friend in Switzerland (thanks Danielle) sent me this fantastic Christmas card. It’s an advent calender!

I think this is a fantastic idea! So clever and innovative. I love it!!!!

Today’s opening was a little pram.

I have two near addictions on Etsy: The Treasury’s and Pounce. They are to me like playing tetris or solataire is to others. Mindless, interesting and pointless …but sometimes that is what you need, some time out.

Wallpaper’s are back in fashion. They were big in the 70’s and then they disappeared under layers of paint. Now they are back and some of them are so beautiful, interesting and down-right brilliant. I even bought a book on them last year! Here are some that I have found over the last few weeks that I added to my inspiration book.

This giant calender (above) is by Christiaan Postma. It offers a very different prespective on time and sadly to me, reminds me of how fast a year flies past. But still … a very clever idea. I wonder if I should paint a calender on my wall … ummm

This wallpaper (above) is called ‘Adopt a monster’ and is by Sonja Schneider. I think it is so cute and fun. I would want to colour each ‘monster’ in and name it.

Such a beautiful and classic pattern (above) …but wait… upclose it is made up of ants! Brilliant! It is designed by Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi.

I love toiles and this one (above) is such an irony. A toile is sophisticated and ordered showcasing classic scenes of peasants in fields and so on. This design is called China town. Do I need to any more ….

I do not know what it is about this wallpaper but it is transfixing (above). The wallpaper, designed by Jenny Bergstrom aims to create an image that radiates disaster, beauty, fear and calm at the same time. This it does. I could stare at this wallpaper for hours.

I love clever ideas, advertising and design. Sometimes it makes me smile and other times it makes me think - both are equally as good.

Here are some of my favourites:

I got carried away selecting my favourites….and these are not all of them! To see more of these and some other great advertising concepts visit the blog Just Creative Design.

I looovve this cat bed by likekittysville (etsy).

The bed is molded of steel mesh that has been upholstered with some gorgeous retro fabrics (the fabric bed can be removed and washed). The base is wooden.

I think my Mischief, who seems to get fatter everyday, would love one. I know I would becuase he would then stop meeowing at me to get off my computer chair so that he can sit on it (he is a very demanding cat).

I inquired about shipping one over to South Africa but the shipping comes to more than the actual bed and it sadly does not feel justifiable.

My dogs still adore their suitcase petbed. I keep promising to make them another one becuase Katie seems to also take first dibs and then does not share.

Walking in the veldt the other day I noticed this rather odd looking fire extinguisher.

To my great delight it was not a real one but one carved out of wood.

This completely perplexed me but later it was kindly explained to me: the purpose of the wooden fire extinguisher is obviously not to put fires out but to help ’stop’ fires by reminding people of the do nots and giving the emergency call numbers.

I especially love this:

I think this is such a clever and proactive idea!

I haven’t posted my ‘found favourites’ for a while so I thought I would.

From top left to right: Gorgeous ‘Bunny Ring’ by Dillondesigns; ‘Bird in the Grass’ original print by Amy Schimler from Redfishcircle; ‘10 large antique watch crystals’ that I think are beautiful (although I have no use for them, I want them) by BigdaddyO; Original silkscreen print called ‘Gentleman caller‘ by estasketch; Cute little hand sewn shoes made from recycled cheetos packages, covered in vinyl and lined with felt by MoJoTrashion; and a decorative teapot called ‘Silver Winged Dragon’ by Lar2000.

I love this cloths hanger (inspired by the ordinary paper clip and designed by Jahyung Hong) that I found via Toxel.com.

I was wondering the other day: What makes Irish linen more special than your average linen and what is it that makes Egyptian cotton so special? Egyptians wore linen centuries ago and called linen ‘the cloth of kings’. They did not call cotton the Cloth of Kings and that is now what we associate Egyptian fabric with. Why?

Irish Linen

Irish Linen is the Guild trademark/brand name given to linen that is spun in Ireland from 100% flax fibres. This is the definition of Irish Linen. It is not that the whole process is done in Ireland or that it is woven by the Irish. It is that it is woven with 100% flax fibres and with the skills, craftsmanship, and technology that go into the spinning the yarn that has been passed down through generations of Irish families. These key ingredients are what make Irish linen superior to linen manufactured in other parts of the world. As a result, Irish linen yarns are more fine, the weave is very delicate, the cloth design is intricate and the softness of the water that flows in Irish streams can be felt in the cloth.

Other characteristics of Irish linen are: it will absorb stains and release them like no other fabric, it aids restful sleep, it is absorbent and cool (keeps heat and humidity at bay), takes dye extremely well, is great for wrapping bread and other food to help keep it fresh and does not lint when drying dishes.

Egyptian Cotton

The length of the cotton fibres is what makes Egyptian cotton special. This is becuase the climate in Egypt is perfect for cotton growth. It is also hand-picked which means that the cotton endures no stress with very high levels of purity. For all these reasons it is possible to create the finest yarns without sacrificing strength. This strength of the fiber makes the fabric more solid and resistant to stress. It is also much smoother than other types of cotton becuase of the high thread count. Egyptian cotton is also extremely durable. At first it is hard and stiff but with age it softens and will last longer than any other cotton. Ultimately, Egyptian cotton is the highest and finest quality of cotton you can buy and own.

Now I know and you know what makes Irish linen and Egyptian cotton superior and special.

I often ’shop hop’ through etsy and enjoy marveling at other’s talents. Here are a few of my recent favourite favourites.

From top left to right: A hand painted and etched Ivory and white cylinder vase by oneblackbird; An adorable embroidered bird with bling by hownowdesign; Crochet patterns for a very cute family of little Chinese Zodiac animals by edafedd; A print of an original illustration done in watercolour and ink called ‘Cardboard Town’ by monjojo; An upcycled butterfly brooch pin made from playing cards by BululuStudio; and a crochet, string wrapped, wood and felted beads summer bracelet made by Stemellina.