christmas gift guides part 4 - home improvement

Top row: (1) Hand Printed Mini Pillows by Kalla; (2) Limited Edition Melamine Set by Freddy & Ma
2nd row: (1) Chocolate & Oyster Plantlife Plate from dbO Home; (2) Small Curvy Vase with Lavender Accent by Kim Westad
3rd row: (1) Eggway to the Moon Placemats by Wonder Thunder; (2) Still Life 2 Print and Frame by John Murphy

sunshine on my window

Gotta love the cheeriness of the whimsical works of Jasna. Her shop is overflowing with so many creative fabric-made items to brighten up your home, from album covers to garlands, mobiles, bibs, bags and more.

ceramic sentiments

It's a lovely public holiday today, which makes me rather relaxed and kind of vacation-y. What better way to relax than feasting your eyes upon these handpainted and kiln-fired ceramic creations by Say Your Piece? These miniature dishes would make a lovely decoration piece, or if you can bear to, as soap dishes. (It will certainly entice you to wash your hands with soap a lot more!)

sprouting goodness

BeanPIckleSprout has items that are as cute as its name! Perfect if you have little ones, with the adorable bibs and onesies featuring animals, vegetables, and some polka dots. Alternatively there are also accessories for adults, and kitchen towels and pot holders to spruce up your cooking space.

Oh and if you hurry, the free shipping offer ends tonight, 12:00 Midnight EST, September 19, 2008.

Clockwise from left: (1) Pink Bird Kitchen Towel; (2) Two Trees Pot Holder; (3) Green Polka Dot Acorn Onesie; and (4) Giraffe in the Polka Dots Bib

tempting threads

I admire people who have a way with fabric, like Kendall of Tootie Estelle. All her items are handmade from original patterns, and vary extensively from homewares such as pillows and coasters, to lavender sachets and eye pillows, to bags and pouches. And with such charming fabric too!

Clockwise from top left: (1) Green and Blue Coriander Eye Pillow; (2) Purple Leaves Pleated Clutch; (3) Dancing Rose Cosmetic Bag; (4) Pretty in Pink Coasters.

stop playing with your food

With these special handpainted plates from Tasica Singleton, meal times will never be a bore! Even the blandest food would be more than palatable, as you hurry to gobble it down fast enough to give you more time to admire the poetry and artwork on these dinnerware pieces.

just purrfect

Motivated by the lack of variety of cat products available in regular pet stores, Jake and Micah was established to provide a different and selective mix of cat products for discerning cats and their owners. There, you can find toys in all shapes and sizes, and collars and bandanas that will make your cat look like a fashionista itself.

Clockwise from top left: (1) Organic Catnip Fortune Cookie Takeout Box; (2) Refillable Catnip Meditation Cat Mat; (3) Organic Catnip Sushi Handroll Cat Toy; (4) 4 Paws 4 Camouflage Bandana

please sir could I have some more?

There's something about handcrafted ceramics that are so precious, and like an avid collector one always thirsts for more! If you need some alternatively-shaped bowls to add to your collection, Nina Invorm makes raindrop-shaped bowls that may suit your palate. They are available in a minimalist off white, or if you prefer something more fanciful, there are also those that have silkscren printed decorations on them, like the ones above.

mesmerising metal

Clockwise from top left: (1) heart tea strainer; (2) bird measuring spoons; (3) meadow drawing dishes; (4) bird coffee spoon.

These are all available from Beehive Kitchenware. You've got to love their delicate nature of these skillfully soldered pieces. With a kitchen filled with all their products, even the dish washing will be fun!

flora and fauna

Alena Hennessy is an artist whose is hugely influenced by nature and this is beautifully reflected in her array of products that range from prints and paintings, to feminine apparel and totes, even to home furnishings like pillow cases.

The bright white bird sculpture (top left) is available in various colours and may be suspended from the ceiling - which I think will look great especially if you have an empty spot in your house that has a particularly high ceiling. Top right - Milla sea + sky tote bag, and Growth (wall art) (bottom right). Scarves generally look about the same to me, but certainly not this one! - bottom left, the organic Flora Scarf.

delicious doodles

After the brief hiatus - I'm back once again and recharged, to give you continued updates on fab shopping finds! And today, I chanced upon the minimalist but darling drawings of Bailey Doesn't Bark. She combines her illustrations with useful products, particularly by hand-painting a wide range of kitchenware.

Clockwise from top left: (1) Original Series Bird and Lines Plate; (2) Branches and Flowers Tea Cup; (3) Black Bird on Tree Branch Cup and Saucer; (4) The Tea Bag String and the Tea Spoon Large Cup and Sauce.

cake boxes, quite literally

Don't these just look utterly delectable? These realistic looking cakes from Shirley's Workshop are actually boxes that have been cleverly redecorated with felt to look just like a cake that has just come right out of the bakery. Her creations can be purchased at her etsy store, but more pictures of her other designs can be found at her Flickr page. 

Clockwise from top left: (1) Strawberry Felt Cake (Paper Box); (2) Strawberry Rose Felt Cake (music box); (3) Felt Fruity Cake (Music Box) and (4) Felt Mango Cake (music box).

funky tea towels

Just by owning some of these tea towels which have such attractive motifs printed on, even the dreariest kitchen chores will become fun!

Top row: (1) Dancing blue elephants kitchen towel by Pata Pri; (2) Red French Press Kitchen Towel Set by Moxie Madness.
Middle row: (1) Springtime - Tea Towel by Alison Tauber; (2) Set of Four Screen-printed Dish Towels with Red Poppies by Michelle Brusegaard.
Bottom row: (1) Twiggy organic dark brown cotton kitchen towel from Nut Nut Goods; (2) Paper Doll tea towel by Annabel Waterman.