Hurumph

Hello friendly blog audience,
As many of you know, I am trying to complete my thesis at the moment. While I thought the end of August was an immovable deadline, it looks like I shall (yes, oh yes, again) be working into September and maybe beyond that.

So I wanted you to know that I won't be posting as much for the next short while. It seems hard to think of much else, and feels a bit disingenuous to sound excited about things when I'm really just exhausted and nervous.

Thanks (as always) for your lovely comments. See you soon xx

Stationery Bits and Pieces

I found these beautiful free images over at Just Something I Made - aren't they perfect? One day I will invest in a colour printer...

All images

Gypsy Home

I thought this house might make Mouse swoon. It certainly got me!
How can something so small contain so much cuteness? Seriously?
This yellow kitchen is superb. Imagine trying to be sad in it - it just wouldn't be allowed!

All images

Focus on the Dining Room

There are some delightful dining rooms up at Emma's Design Blogg - go and have a look. They seem exciting and soothing all together!

Papercraft Friday 8: Wataru Itou

My friend V sent me this incredible papercraft castle, built by the dedicated Wataru Itou. I adore the detail - and can't believe it lights up! Delicious.

All images

Home Happiness

Design*Sponge always has some beautiful sneak peeks, and this one of Diane Stafford's house is no exception. Sweet, homey and pretty - and what delicious wallpaper!

Passenger

Image

Happily, my friend Alice introduced me to Mike Rosenberg of Passenger a few years back, and I have been hooked ever since. (I can't go on a roadtrip without his CD!) He's just uploaded some new songs to his homepage, and I thoroughly recommend them - 'I See Love' and 'The Last Unicorn' are personal favourites, but his cover of Umbrella is also delicious.

Enjoy!

More Brooch-making

I can't believe I forgot to show you these little beauties! I think I am refining my bird design, especially, and am quite pleased with it.

I've been making less of late as I try to keep up with lots of etsy orders, finish my, ahem, thesis, and generally be human. But I have a few things in the wings that I look forward to sharing soon.

Also, if you look closely into the unnecessary-but-colourful vase, you'll see me and my camera on one side and literally hundreds of books in bookcases on the other. Accidental but not entirely displeasing, n'est-ce pas?!

Have You Met Miss Jones?

I bought this crane last week and was so happy it lead me to discover the lovely shop Have You Met Miss Jones.
I so delighted by their designs. The owl tealight holder! Macaroons! (I'm pretty sure they're not for sale...)
I have my eye on one (ahem, or three) of those button plates to use as a fruit bowl.

All images

Papercraft Friday 7: Ingrid Siliakus

Ingrid Siliakus's work makes my head spin. She cites M.C. Escher as one of her influences, and I was struck by how much his work resonates within hers, but has become more 'alive'.

All images

Thought for the Day

via Black Eiffel

Tweet Suite

My lovely friend Ben is calling for your clever tweets, please!

Twitter proved to be too distracting for me - I was on there for about a week before I had to cut the metaphorical cord, but if you're a tweeter-er (I obviously don't even know the cool lingo that the kiddies are using) and you have clever tweets, send them to Ben and wait with baited breath for the Tweet Suite!

Buffy versus Edward

For years I have adored the Buffy series and really struggle to love Twilight. Don't get me wrong - I tried (I read the books, hoping to find the love) but I just can't get on board. (This article sums up a lot of my problems with it). So this mash-up is just delicious and oh-so-satisfying! EDITED TO SAY: this article and this one, too might also be of interest. But if you love Twilight, perhaps don't click through...

New Moleskine Diary

Although I'm usually a big fan of Moleskine products, I'm not sure this new 2010 diary completely fits the bill. It is a hardcover comprised of 12 coloured monthly diaries, which is (in theory) such a cute idea. But in practice, I'm left to wonder whether it would just be irritating. Or maybe I'm the only one who flips forward to the next month almost daily? What are your thoughts? Do you have a favourite diary, too?

Anniversary

Today the Pal and I have been together for six whole years. I adore him.

Thanks for everything, Pal. xx

Papercraft Friday 6: Bovey Lee

Bovey Lee is a true storyteller. These images are so striking that I had to keep returning to them in my bookmarks just to take in all the detail. Backbreakingly (and heartbreakingly) lovely work.

All images

Nuanced, Ambivalent, or Guarded Bumper Stickers

I really do hate bumper stickers, but I think these are so wonderful. I would almost consider sticking one on my car. Almost.

All images

Propeller Studio - Kawaii!

Looking on some of the stationery I brought back from Japan, I noticed a label I hadn't seen before. Happily, it led me to discover Propeller Studio, which has the cutest designs ever! This guy and the bear make me so happy.



Aren't these just too beautiful? They make me want to jump on a plane for Japan right now.

All images

Map Inspiration

Image

The wonderful Desire to Inspire has put up some beautiful images of houses with maps - my favourite! Aren't they just beautiful?

Image

Image

Honest Scrap Award

The lovely LPC has given me the 'Honest Scrap Award' for my "initiative in starting new things and following through on what I began." This is such a delicious award - I feel really happy to have received it. Thank you.

Initiative can be a tricksy beast. Sometimes I despair at all the projects I have started, letters I have to write, things to learn, chapters to finish. But on the other hand, I know that in the event I finished all my current to-dos, I'd immediately start on the next one! So for now, I'm concentrating on being ok with uncertainty and unfinished-ness: works in progress have to be like that in order to get finished, n'est-ce pas?

So, the award has certain 'requests', as LPC notes, which are as follows:

-Each blogger to whom the award is given must post these rules.
-Each blogger to whom the award is given must list ten random facts/habits about themselves and pass the award on to other recipients.
-The award recipients then need to do the same.
-Don't forget to leave a comment telling the recipients about the award!

In the spirit of not boring you to tears, I'm only going to tell you 4 random things about me - all of which have to do with taking initiative in some way or another:

1. I love stumbling upon furniture in op shops or by the side of the road, and working out how to fit them into my house. Same, of course, goes for clothes in cute op shops.
2. I am finishing my PhD, which is equal parts amazing and gut-wrenching. So it's fair to say that I am more looking forward to having it done than actually doing it at the moment.
3. I like to make things. Anything, really. New things are especially exciting.
4. I have always wanted to write a novel, and I started one this year. It's not very long so far, but I hope to get it written after I hand in my thesis. For now, it's a really fun distraction.

I'd like to pass the award onto Alice, for turning her blog world into "real" writing for various mags and even being interviewed for a podcast! (Edited to say: technological 'isyoos' have gotten in the way of the podcast this time, but I'm sure she'll be there soon.) Her initiative too (and just plain loveliness) is most definitely deserving of such an award.

Racing Swoon

Image

By the way, I've happily been featured here today, too!

Papercraft Friday 5: Jolis Paons

I am always blown away when paper meets something else, in this case, fashion. Who knew phonebooks would look so good? Jolis Paons did, I guess.All images