i didn't know

I didn't know cows like to have their photo taken with their friends!

Photo Credits: 1. Untitled

flickr favourites

Photo Credits: 1. super hero costumes, 2. Amelia Smithson, 3. Mr. Magma declares his love to Zoe Pineconehead

my friend brooke

This is Brooke, she is my 'Gen Y' friend, she keeps me inspired and gives me hope. She is also my poster girl for open and often appears on three buttons. It's her birthday this weekend!!! Happy Birthday Brooke xoxx

galerie montmartre

Today I went to visit Galerie Montmartre and was pleasantly surprised to find they now have a blog!

cozy tomato

I purchased a postcard book illustrated by Cozy Tomato a couple of years and completely forgot about it as it was snuggled up against my other books on my bookshelf! It was a little lost amongst the book forest!

After a little google researching on Cozy Tomato, I stumbled upon a post by print & pattern which showcases some more of Cozy T's great illustrations! Take a peak and be inspired : )

much love

I enjoy Anna's blog ♥ much love ♥, so many cute finds and sharings!

printspace

I discovered the artwork of Mara and Nicholas Girling at the weekend market. What a talented duo they are and Melbourne locals too!!

You can see more of their beautiful illustrations here and read more about Mara and Nicholas on their blog.

Photo credits: Printspace.

a story about a sandwich

Sometime mid last year I made myself a sandwich, it was made up of a few left over bits and pieces in the fridge. It had semi-dried tomatoes, avocado, artichoke and lots of other yummy things. I sat down with my made sandwich and turned on the telly for a little lunch break, I think the Ellen show was on.

I really enjoyed eating that sandwich and was very disappointed that there were no more ingredients to make another one. I began to contemplate going to the shops to buy more ingredients and although it was raining outside I wasn't deterred, my decision was made.

Then to my absolute amazement and shock I looked down to take my plate to the sink and noticed I had only eaten half the sandwich, I still had the other half on the plate! Hurrah! - true story!

More words and pictures are over here! : )

today and tomorrow

Today I once again failed in my attempt to save for my upcoming trip and bought myself a new hat and scarf. It will be Summer in Japan when I leave in June so the hat will come in handy!


Just a little reminder that the Sonny & Coco market will be on tomorrow! Perhaps I might see you there, I'll be the one sporting a hat and new scarf!

patons

Patons now and then.

thank you

Thank you Handmade Romance for introducing me to Misako Mimoko!!!!

Photo Credit: The Storque, Etsy.

awards and linky love

My new blog OPEN received some awards this week from both ii-ne-kore and ici and not to mention Three Buttons also received an award from Hello Sandwich! Thank you lovely ladies!!


So now I have the pleasure to share 15 blogs that are newly discovered and to who I pass on the award.

Pattern Bakery
Faces in the clouds
Inside Out
Milk
Papeis portod o lado
Simply photo
Souzou
Tas-ka
Craft Schmaft
a a A
Make it easy
natsumi nishizumi
Rockstar dairies
Stickers and stuff
Lovely little deer

Enjoy!

dachshunds wanted

I noticed an article in the paper last weekend, it was a call out for dachshunds to be used in an upcoming photoshoot. I wish I was a fly on the wall during that shoot!

gorman

I recently noticed some nice patterned dresses in the latest Gorman catalogue!

card swap anyone?!

I'm an avid card collector! Business cards, free postcards, brochures, if they look good they are guaranteed to end up in my bag. I have storage containers filled to the brim with my card collecting, it's a lingering habit from design school and a happy habit at that.

So the other day after looking through a weeks worth of cards stowed away in my bag I began to think about collecting cards from different countries. That then lead me to thinking of a card swap! Anyone else into collecting cute cards? And want to be in my card swap group?!

I'll see how we go for interest and then I can post further details! My card swap group is open to both Australian and International readers. At this stage I'm thinking 10 cards per airmail envelope.

Cards From: Alice Euphemia, Zakkaya.

front cover

I have been meaning to investigate the artwork found on my notebook above for a while now and this afternoon I remembered to have a look at the website address found in the back cover.

I'm so happy I did because I found a whole page of links to some excellent Japanese websites! Enjoy!

saturday night viewing

Two new beautiful blog additions to my RSS reader
1. savilintu & 2. to-kichi

open is now open

It's no secret that I like to take a photo or two, so much so that I decided it would be great to take little snapshots of some indie stores and cafes around Melbourne to share some of the places I visit.

So, without further adieu... I would like to introduce you to my second blog named OPEN, it's like an online indie directory of Melbourne. I'm only at the early stages but my aim is to add to it weekly. I hope it becomes a great resource for those coming to Melbourne and for Melbourne peeps too!

I hope you like it!

book sale

This morning I went along to the books@manic & modern journal book sale. They are having a warehouse sale of books on architecture, art, design, graphic design and photography. Needless to say there is now a small dent in my 'yen' savings but some nice new additions to my bookshelf!

If you're interested in going along, here are the details.

je t'aime

I'm still very much in love with Emily Martin's valentines tags, I have them posted around my inspiration board. They give me a smile whenever I glance up from my computer.

I've recently noticed that they are still available to freely download from Emily's blog, perhaps you would like to post them on your inspiration board too!

Thank you Emily, they bring me much joy!!

it's official

The leaves have turned golden, Autumn has arrived!

latte

Last night I had the laborious task of sorting through my digital photos. It became apparent when sorting that I take a lot of photos of coffee. I'm assuming it's the pretty plates that I was interested in or perhaps I really do have a love affair with coffee!

sonny & coco

A little birdie told me that the owner of Genki will be having a stall at the Sonny & Coco market on Sunday, May 24th.

She will be selling some surplus Genki stock plus her own pre-loved goodies such as grown up, kids, babies, accessories & homewares!

There will be lots of great stall holders on the day so definitely worth a visit.

The little birdie also told me there was a little special-ness going on in Orange County too!!

waitress

I like her colour choices today!

happy mother's day

I recently found bubba jam down in the food hall of David Jones, since I already had mumma jam at home I thought they should be reunited.

Happy Mother's Day!!

merci

A lucky friend of mine who is currently visiting Paris has been asked to contribute to this online magazine during her Parisian travels. She posted recently about a new store she discovered called Merci. It's worth a read!

sneaky peaky

Today I finally found some time to finish my furoshiki, it's now all wrapped and ready to send to Girl Ferment this week!

peta pledger

Chances are that you may have already heard of Peta Pledger but if you haven't allow me to introduce you!

Photo Credit: The 'Sara' shirt found on Peta's etsy store.

finding inspiration

This week I have been looking over my Machine Made Patchwork books, sourcing some colour inspiration while making my furoshiki. These books are a bookshelf staple! You will often find me looking through them when I'm looking for some sewing inspiration. I highly recommend them :)


I just came across the above book while looking for a link for the Machine Made Patchwork... I think this one will have to become another bookshelf staple!

Hello to the Brown Owls girls!!

another furoshiki

Another pretty quilted furoshiki by Mairuru. She makes them so beautifully well! This one is available from her Etsy store. Quick sticks me thinks!! : )

i'm going to japan

Unbelievable, but true! For ten whole days in Tokyo but not until the beginning of June, which leaves me a smidgen of time to begin some planning and researching!

So tonight I dusted off my Japanese magazines to immerse myself in some Japanese design inspiration. Yippeeee!

I'm equally excited to be traveling with Victoria and meeting Hello Sandwich for the first time in Tokyo! I've heard through the grapevine Badskirt will also be there at the same time. Blog meet in Japan anyone?!

open*closed

Continuing with my open/closed sign spotting, I couldn't resist taking a photo of these signs at Toolz. I LOVE this shop, it's like walking into a Japanese craft magazine, it's beautiful!! I want to go back with my 'good camera' and take some photos to share with you very soon!

the underrated fruit sticker

Yes, the humble fruit sticker once overlooked and destined for the bin has now become a little collectable item for my 'Wreck This Journal' assignment.


I have some fruit sticker favourites (like above) and admittedly I will now buy a piece a fruit determined by it's sticker! Could be worse I guess, I could have to collect wine labels!!

So now that my eye is trained to no longer overlook the humble fruit sticker I've started spotting them everywhere, behind train seats, on the foot paths, stuck to poles, on the stairs. It's kinda like a "Where's Wally" fruit sticker hunt.


Zee Sweet, spotted at the South Yarra train station.

hello sailor

Hello Sailor is a two day vintage fair starting tomorrow, hosted at the magically styled Carlton Hotel.

It's worth a visit alone just to soak up the amazing decor at The Carlton, throw in two levels of vintage homewares, clothes, shoes and jewellery and well... say no more!

Hello Sailor
Two Day Vintage Fair
The Carlton Hotel
197 Bourke Street
Melbourne City
1pm- 6pm

Photo Credit: Timid Acorn.