Happy Holidays!

Hello lovely readers! I'm off to Brisbane today to spend some time with my family, but before I go, I wanted to wish you a very happy and merry holiday season. I don't know about you, but I always start reflecting and reevaluating things around this time of year, and while I would say that 2011 has presented me with a series of ups and downs, one thing I'm sure of is that I very much love writing this blog and sharing my lovely finds with you. So I just wanted to say thanks so much for reading - you are all awesome, but I'm sure you already knew that!

I'm going to take a few days off to eat, drink and be merry, and I hope that you'll do the same. Have a fantastic time, and see you in 2012! xox

[photo by me]

Sycamore St Press Des Pâtisseries Collection

I love this sweet new Des Pâtisseries collection from Utah-based letterpress studio Sycamore Street Press. Sweet because it's nice and pretty to look at, and also because it's about yummy treats. And I'm all about yummy treats today, because it's my birthday! Yep, today is the first day of the last year of my twenties, and I'm totally not going to freak out about it (ha!).

But enough about me... The Sycamore Street Press Des Pâtisseries collection has been inspired by the bakeries of Paris. There are four greeting cards in the collection, each featuring custom illustrations and hand-lettering, as well as an art print and 2012 calendar. Each item is printed by hand on a vintage letterpress using vegetable-based inks and 100% cotton or recycled card stock.

Check out the Sycamore Street Press website to view the full Des Pâtisseries collection, and to keep up-to-date on all things Sycamore, check out the blog. Right, I'm stuck at busy work on my birthday (boo), so I think I deserve to go and have some yummy treats. Au revoir!

Foundry Design Prints

This new series of bold and colourful geometric prints from New Zealand label Foundry are lots of fun. Foundry is the work of awesome New Zeland design blog Fancy!, and the growing collection so far includes design prints (A4, A3 and up to A0) and tote bags. New designs are being added regularly, so check the Foundry website for updates. And while you're at it, don't forget to check out the Fancy! New Zealand design blog!

The Nimbus Factory

The Nimbus Factory is a multi-disciplinary design boutique based in the USA with an emphasis on function and beauty. Founded by four friends - Emily, Phyllis, Claire and Julia - The Nimbus Factory has a cute collection of bright and cheery stationery items, including greeting cards, wrapping paper, journals, paper garlands, recipe cards and tote bags.

I really like the sweet illustration style the girls have developed, and their Cathrineholm-inspired recipe cards (below) have quickly made their way to my wants list. They have some lovely holiday-themed cards and wrapping paper available too.

To see more from The Nimbus Factory collection check out the website, online shop and blog.

New Zealand Part 4: Road Trip

Today's post is dedicated to my lovely boyfriend, whose birthday it is today. Happy birthday Adam! This collection of photographs was taken on our road trip around New Zealand's south island (I promise they'll stop soon) - some more lakes and mountains, but also some waterfalls, seals, big rocks and a trip on a gondola lift. I know I've said this before, but the landscapes in New Zealand are just stunning. How's this for some Friday afternoon daydreaming?


That's it from me for another week. It's hard to believe that it's only one week until Christmas, and I have some last minute shopping to do this weekend. Thank goodness for all the handmade markets we have here in Melbourne! I hope that you are far more organised than me and don't have to face the Christmas crowds this weekend, and that you enjoy yourself, whatever you're up to!

[All photographs by me]

Anna Wiscombe

Why is it that I always find awesome things to lust over after I've shared my Christmas/birthday wish list with my family?! These super cute wooden bird onaments are from London-based designer-maker Anna Wiscombe. Anna is originally from Dorset, UK, where she grew up surrounded by birds, so it was a natural progression for her to start creating them as little wooden characters. Anna's product range so far includes necklaces, brooches, wall-hanging birds, ornamental birds, chalkboards and greeting cards, and all items are handmade by Anna and produced as ethically as possible.

Anna's ultimate goal is to have her work stocked in some of the most imaginative and creative craft shops, and I have no doubt that she will easily achieve her aim - I mean, look how cute!

You can visit Anna's website to check out her full range and order items.

Jason Munn for SFMOMA

I love, love, love the series of four art prints that poster designer extraordinaire Jason Munn designed for the San Fransisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Jason was asked to be part of the museum's Artist Series, and after showing some initial concepts was asked to expand on one of his ideas to create four eye images; one for each part of SFMOMA's collection - Painting & Sculpture, Architecture & Design, Media Arts and Photography. The images have been used as posters, T-shirts, bags, journals and mugs.

Lovely! The prints are available for purchase via Jason's site, and the SFMOMA online shop also stocks the prints and other items.

New Zealand Part 3: Signage

Today's post is inspired by Katie's recent San Francisco signage update on What Katie Does. There were a few interesting signs that caught my eye on our travels around New Zealand's south island, particularly in Oamaru (New Zealand's steampunk capital!) and its historical Harbour Street, which is filled with limestone buildings now housed by artisans and craftspeople. The other photographs shown here were taken in Gore, Dunedin and Geraldine.

   (I don't eat meat, but this butcher is sort of cute, no?!)    [All photographs by me]

Craft Victoria's Christmas Catalogue 2011

Some Melbournites might remember Craft Victoria's awesome colour-themed Christmas catalogue from last year? Well, the creative team over at Craft Vic have done it again this year! Titled Merry Craftmas (who does't love a bit of crafty word play?), the four catalogues have been expertly created with a selection of local products organised by colour - red, blue, green and yellow. Hover over different items in the catalogues for product details (including the maker's name and product price), and click to be taken to the product page in Craft Vic's online shop.

I think this year I'm most drawn to red - how about you?

Check out the catalogues and have a play for yourself over at the Craft Victoria website.

New Zealand Part 2: Buildings & Houses

There were some gorgeous houses and buildings dotted around New Zealand's south island. I wasn't too sure what the architecture would be like - it was very English in places, but there was a real diversity of styles. I loved the little worker's cottages in Nelson's historic South Street and also in Arrowtown, a small and picturesque former gold mining town near Queenstown. There were also some beautiful, massive weatherboard houses with lovely gardens in the neighbourhood we stayed at in Christchurch (I couldn't get over how big some of the houses were!), and some great art deco architecture in different towns and cities, quite often used to house theatres or cinemas, and the odd apartment complex.

Christchurch

Christchurch

Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo

Cardrona Hotel, Wanaka

Dunedin Railway Station

Christchuch

Arrowtown

Arrowtown

So many beautiful structures to admire! Well, it's been a long first week back at work for me (post holiday blues, anyone?), but I'm happy it's Friday, and I hope you have a lovely weekend! x

[All photographs by me]