Water colour is beautiful.  I have tried my hand at watercolor before with a disastrous outcome, so I stick with acrylic.  While bouncing around on Etsy I popped up on this shop. Irene is an Italian artist and she has a large and gorgeous assortment of watercolour creatures to choose from.  They would make a great collection for a sewing room, or a child’s bedroom.  Each piece is about NZ$35, plus NZ$8 shipping.  Go take a look right here.

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Only the other day my dear friend was watching Miss 9mths put things in and out of her shape sorter.  She said that Miss would probably like a mail box….so I went hunting and discovered this one.

It would make a great DIY, but if you aren’t into building then you can buy one at How Now Design‘s Etsy shop for US$30 (about NZ$68) plus shipping.  It would last for quite some time with all the games kids play, and this one is clever in that it can hang on any door.

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The large wheel clock is cool!  I love a great big clock in the house as it can be seen from a distance and we don’t have to run over to the oven and check the time. The images above show some other cool bike clocks over at Etsy.  The second and third clocks are from 1 By Liz, and the other two by Pixel This.  Both stores have a great range of clocks and they can be shipped worldwide.  Mr Bohaute; being a mountain biker, would probably like one of these in the ‘man cave’.

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Mum loves owls;  she always notices them in books, on cards or fabric and so I have caught that same bug.  Decoylab has a great range of clocks to choose from, but of course this mod bamboo owl is my choice.  A little soft light mounted just out of sight behind the eyes would also light up a little one’s room as their night light.  They do two sizes – large 10″ x 8″ is NZ$94 and the smaller 5″ x 7″ version is NZ$66, plus only NZ$10 shipping.

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Something I had always meant to get for our son’s room was a mobile, and it just didn’t happen.  However I found the 8 Planets which would suit him more now…and even better, each planet glows in the dark.  Julie Firth is the lady who designed it and you can buy it through her website or her Etsy shop with paypal for US$120 (NZ$185).  She ships anywhere in the world – just email for a price.  Click here for more of her Calder inspired mobiles.  

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These are like a hip modern version of Matryoshka Dolls – except they don’t stack.  You can paint them yourself with their starter kit, or buy them already done.  They start at about NZ$15 and ship anywhere so go check out the great selection at Michelle and Kelly’s etsy store Goose Grease.  I would love a family of four all painted up….perhaps for Mothers Day!

via [Bloesem Kids]

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Here is a great skirt for little girls that I found over at The Long Thread.  It is reversible, and you could make it with different fabric on the inside.  If they spill anything on one side – whip in inside out and voila! – they have a clean skirt for the rest of the day!  You can buy the pattern over at their Etsy store; it downloads as a PDF pattern with all the instructions.  Sizes range from 4 through 6 yrs and it costs only NZ$12.  

Now if only they had a reversible pants pattern for boys, I would sure find them handy for those hot chocolates at the cafe.

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Orange Beautiful has this print for sale for US$10 in their etsy shop. I would love it on the wall where I practice my yoga, and I think it would make a great gift for a yogi or yogini.

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Decals are so popular these days to decorate a kids room, so I went hunting on etsy and found Mae’s store. It has decals full of colour, lines, spots, dots and flowers.  They are quite exey if buying in NZ$, but they ship anywhere in the world.  My fave are the dress up dolls.

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Aren’t these the cutest little bloomers ever –  I love the frills and colourful fabric.  Made in Australia, they cost about AU$20 and shipping is cheap at between $1 and $3 depending where in the world they are going. You can get them in sizes from newborn to 2 years.  Go have a look at the pretty range right here.

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I have been searching for flying ducks for some time, that have the right shape and colour to them.  My Grandmother use to have them above her horse-hair stuffed red vinyl sofa and we never did find out where they went.  I thought these were a great modern re-make, strong colour and are a great shape.  Elizabeth is behind Prince Design UK and makes unique ceramic homeware and jewellery.  Take a look right here for more goodies!

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Great pillows really can give a tired room some much needed pizazz, and it’s such a small change.  Better yet, how about winning some! Matte Stephens is the artist behind these great pieces of fabric art.  My fave pillow I think has to be the line-up of buildings – it reminds me of my trip to London….wandering through Primrose Hill looking at all the joined together mansions.  Enter right here for your chance and if you are unlucky, then take a look at the groovy prints and paintings at his etsy shop.  Something for the wall might be even better for a little makeover!

image [Braniac]

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Had to show you this today.  I find the bonnet sooo cute, but can imagine the humiliation the dog is feeling….unless of course he’s about to go out in the NY snow.  Anyway, you can also get the far more useful collars that are so pretty all girl dogs should have one – she calls them neck warmers; or the jackets. Starting at about $US25 (NZ$48) they are something special for your canine, and she can make them any size, not just for Boston Terriers – (how cute is Bean).

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Valentina Design has a large collection of pretty birds all shapes, designs and colours.  There’s notecards, and prints, and desk calendars….plus lots more to purchase right here at her Etsy shop.  I am a sucker for embellished birds done up all pretty….perhaps something that could go into my late Xmas stocking!  They start at about NZ$20 and it’s free shipping within the US or only NZ$11 to ship internationally.

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I have a soft spot for this print.  As a family we often all stand together for what we call a ‘family hug’ with Master Four and we always have to give each other a kiss as well – I love them!  This kiwi artist is over at Etsy selling a great colourful selection of limited edition prints.  Take a look right here.

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These earrings are beautiful, the colours are stunning and I can’t make up my mind which pair to get. Years ago, when my sisters were in High School I remember them making something similar but on wooden boards to hang on the wall.  Take a look at the range, starting at US$15.  Sincear Jewelry over at Etsy.

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I use reusable bags almost every day for groceries, and netting bags for produce at the supermarket. Here are a few that may get your creative juices running to make your own, or give as a gift.  My favourite is the third bag along with reinforced handles.  From left to right:

Morning Glory Lunch Bag – Made By Molly – $20

Oilcloth Lunch Bag – Julie Meyer – $18

Reusable Shopping Bag - Pretty Green Bag – $20

Produce Bags – Amk Designs – set of 6 $12

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I spied these over at Modish and had to show you.   The husband and wife team find pieces of glass and make them into beautiful jewellery.  Who knew you could find glass so perfectly formed, smooth and in such lovely soft-hues.  So take a look at Shoreline Sea Glass on Etsy and you will fall head-over-heels for something pretty at a really good price.

images [Shorline Sea Glass]

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My adventures this month lead me to all things letterpress.  Looking at so many design blogs I always come across the most beautiful looking cards, invitations, tags etc that are all done on a letterpress – it really makes me want to get one but the size of the machines are unbelievably large, so instead I will keep clicking through the many pretty, edgy and colourful……for more info on the images above; left to right:

Lucky Bee Press – Flat Note Card Set of Two $7.50

12fifteen – Coaster Set of Eight $12.00

DingBat Press – Recipe Cards Set of Fifteen $22.00

Sycamore Street Press – Alphabet Poster $30.00

Messenger Bird Press – Mini Notebook $11.00

Letterpress Delicacies - Ahoy Card $4.00

Porridge Papers – Wine Tag $2.25

Sweet Beets – Gift Tags Set of 8 $6.00

Pistachio Press – Eyelet Card Set of Five $12.00

Satsuma Lynn – Bird and Foliage Love Card $5.00

Lizard Press – Notes to Grow On Set of Seven $25.00

Staza – Custom Wedding Invitations $105.00

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I have been roaming around Poppytalk Handmade, lost in the wonderfulness of all the artists work – now my cup of tea is cold and not even started.  This website showcases lots of new and/or established talent, and puts it all together in one place so you don’t have to trudge through the internet yourself.   One of the artists featured is Heather Smith Jones whose watercolours and pinhole works are awesome.  The paintings are all the colours of a rainbow and the patience in the pinhole work is impressive.  I always fancied painting in watercolour and each time it has turned out more disastrous than the last, so I’ll stick to acrylic and just buy her watercolours.  Go take a look through her website, blog and etsy shop for more eye candy.

images [Heather's Etsy Shop]

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