Cate

My cousin in Singapore has just opened her very own online fashion store called Cate featuring designers from Singapore (and some others). I don't feature much fashion here but I really like the collection she has put together. I think she has a really good eye. Take a look:




What's great about the shop is that there is a little write-up on each of the labels. I like that. You get to know the story behind the brand and designer. Tells you more about the clothes you are wearing. I think that makes each piece extra special. Take a look, okay?

PopMats

I don't know about you but when someone takes a single sheet of paper and turns it into a work of art, I go soft at my knees and swoon. I did just that today when I saw these:


They are designed by Lian Ng with inspiration drawn from children's pop-up books. Even better, these are made out of recycled paper with a minimum of 30% post-consumer fiber. So what are they exactly? They are placemats! Available to buy and bring home at Publique Shop. Won't they just make your party table setting just a little bit special?

I know it probably doesn't compare to Peter Callesen's artworks, which I posted about here but these placemats you can own!

Can't remember what his stuff looks like? Below is one of them. I better go sit down. I'm feeling light-headed.

Image taken from www.petercallesen.com

Bookcrossing

Following on the same line of thought as Monday's post, have you heard of Bookcrossing?


I think it is such a great idea! You join, for free, on the website and register a book you wish to 'release' into the 'wild'. After getting that number, you write it on a bookplate with your name and you leave it in a public area for someone to pick up.

Such a sustainable idea. Books are read and read and read. There are thousands in the wild ready for you to hunt down and take home. Books even find their way across continents! It's popularity is evidenced by the inclusion of the word 'bookcrossing' into the 2004 edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary.

I haven't registered yet as I'm quite attached to my books but if I have to do some culling in the future, I will certainly think about bookcrossing.

Extraordinary mondays - The Toy Society

Have you ever heard of the Toy Society? They are randomly spreading love around the world by leaving handmade toys on street benches, sculptures and other public areas for a complete stranger to pick up and take home. No strings attached! Isn't it wonderful? I am so loving this about the whole craft scene at the moment. The Pay it Forwards, the random acts of kindness, etc. I do love giving more than receiving so I've joined up. It was quick and easy. Just fill in your details in the box on the left of the webpage and an email will ask for your confirmation and then another email will be sent to with you easy instructions on how to package your drop and what to include in it. Easy peasy!

If you are curious, check out their website here and see for yourself. If you want to see the past drop offs, check out their Flickr site here. Look at the toy drop below, it was right here in Perth!!


Now, what shall I make? Where shall I drop it off? Any suggestions?

Jason Mraz

"Lucky" Official Video With Colbie Caillat


This is probably really old news to you all but I've just discovered Jason Mraz's new album and this is my current favourite from "We sing. We dance. We steal things".

Extraordinary mondays - 3D softie How-to

Have you ever wondered how some crafties bring to "life" a cartoon character? No need to wonder anymore. Lauren Venell of Sweet Meats has put together a tutorial to show you how to transform a 2D drawing into 3D softie here!

She uses this drawing:

and makes this:
Beware though, the tutorial is for serious 3D crafties. It is for those who want to convert a 2D character into true 3D form with all the details. I find it rather involved as most of my creations kinda grow organically and honestly, I don't think I would have the patience to see the process all the way through.

My little raincloud

I've been wanting to make a little fluffy raincloud for awhile now after watching something on either Nick Jr or Playhouse. I don't remember which kids program it was (I think it may have been Blue's Clues) but in it were two dimensional cartoon clouds which to me looked to be readily convertible to big puffy clouds.

I hadn't decided how big it was going to be and what it was going to be. On Wednesday night I decided to go ahead and go without a plan. I dug into my craft box and let the raincloud gather momentum organically. I ended up making this little fluffy yellow bejeweled raincloud brooch.