A few weeks ago on the drive home I happened to see a fox running along side the road diving in and out of bushes. And ever since then I’ve been obsessed with all things fox.

Unfortunately in Australia foxes are an introduced pest.  However, today’s selection of wonderful from Etsy are not pests and can be safely introduced into your home environment without worry about destroying anything other than your bank balance!

A.  Sleeping Foxes Gocco Print.  B.  Little Red Fox in Silver and Concrete Necklace.  C.  Tiny Fox and Forrest Stud.  D.  Little Fox with Leather Cord. E.  Fox Field Bag.  F.  Rose Print.  G.  Nikoart Arctic Fox Necklace.  H.  Girl in Blue Cardi with Fox Print.

I love it when a little bit of web surfing yields something amazing.  To announce the birth of his son Ty Mattson of Mattson Creative designed the most amazing birth announcement. In his own words:

When I found out that we were going to have a boy, I started to think about my own childhood and all of the things I loved when I was a kid. So I wanted to design an announcement that celebrated those things and captured that particular idea of boyhood wonder and adventure. I created this illustration and worked with the incredible team at Studio on Fire to have it letterpressed on 220lb. Lettra paper. They did a fantastic job on the printing. It really turned out great. I think it’s safe to say that this is my favorite project of all time. And definitely my favorite client.

Here is just a sample of the birth announcement, if you want to see more (and you do) check out the Mattson Creative Blog.

Image source: Mattson Creative

I have been following Suzanne’s blog, an open [sketch]book, for over a year now and every time I visit I’m in awe of the wonderful talent and amazing outlook on life.  Not to mention Suzanne understands the love of a good beagle.

Image source: an open [sketch]book

Suzanne shares her art, which draws (no pun intended) on the everyday items in her world.  She has such a simple aesthetic that belies the inherent skill needed to be an artist.

Image source: an open [sketch]book

I would love one day to be able to purchase some of Suzanne’s art for our house.  I would love to see a greeting card line that featured Suzanne’s work.  It would be wonderful for any occasion!  But until that day I’ll just have to content myself with enjoying her work and life via an open [sketch]book!

]]> http://www.gnomeangel.com/blog-love-an-open-sketchbook/feed/ 1 http://www.gnomeangel.com/friday-fancies-ninja-lovin/ http://www.gnomeangel.com/friday-fancies-ninja-lovin/#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:53:36 +0000 gnomeangel http://www.gnomeangel.com/?p=2186

Today’s a stealth Friday Fancies.  It’s all about ninja’s.  Sometimes I’m sure my HUBBY thinks he’s a ninja and I’m convinced our beagle has some ninja training when it comes to stealing food.  Regardless, these ninja inspired items made me smile and I’m sure would bring enjoyment to anyone lucky enough to receive one as a gift.

1.  Chihi Warrior (Little Ninja) Crane Poster & Chibi Warrior (Little Ninja) Training Poster 2.  Amigurumi Ninja 3.  Ninja Bunnies Tote Bag 4.  I heart ninjas 2pc magnet set.  5.  Customizable Wedding Ninjas Kokeshi Doll Set.

1.  Paul and Kat Buttons – How cute are these… you’d have to say they’re as cute as a button.  There’s so many wonderfully cute designs available and all at the bargain price of US$1.

2.  iRetrofone – All I can say is; I want one! I want one! I want one!  I love this old school design and it’s fully functional to boot. Now if I can just convince HUBBY that we need one…

3.  Wanderlust Multicolour Fringed Scarf – I’m a sucker for a wonderful scarf and this one is ticking all the boxes for me.  I love a good rainbow.  I was all set to purchase this scarf but alas they don’t ship to Australia. Bummer. So I’m just going to have to rely on internet lusting.

4.  Make Art Not War Poster – I am totally crushing on this poster.  I whole heartedly subscribe to it’s message.  I think this might be my next household purchase.

5.  YOU – I love this print with it’s fingerprint inspired font and it’s positive message.  Not to mention that it’s got the rainbow colour thing that I adore happening.

1.  Vintage Salt & Pepper Shakers 2.  Lemon Still Life Oil Painting 3.  Dangle Earrings 4. You Are My Sunshine Typography Wall Art 5.  Bright Sunshiney Day 6.  Peakaboo Bunny in Yellow

P.S. Those of you that are in Canberra this weekend, don’t forget that the Handmade Markets are on Saturday 5 June at the Kamberra Wine Company.  I’ll be there, will you?

]]> http://www.gnomeangel.com/friday-fancies-hello-yellow/feed/ 4 http://www.gnomeangel.com/friday-fancies-derby-stance/ http://www.gnomeangel.com/friday-fancies-derby-stance/#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 23:51:34 +0000 gnomeangel http://www.gnomeangel.com/?p=1910

On Tuesday night I passed my White Star♦ assessment for Roller Derby.  For me, passing my White Star assessment is massive so to celebrate I’ve found some Roller Derby inspired items for today’s fancies.

1.  White Stare Recyclery 2.  Super Derby Roller Skate Teatowels 3.  Roller Derby Hand Stamped Necklace 4.  Whip It Necklace 5.  Roller Derby Skate Tattoo 6.  Roller Derby Words

♦  There are official skill levels in Roller Derby to help maintain safety in the game; they’re called Stars and the white is the first level star.  There’s four levels of Stars at this stage.  The next Star I need to pass is Yellow.  Yellow Star means that I’ll be able to start serious contact and basic scrimmaging.

Thanks to the wonder that is Twitter I happened to find a blog that incorporates food and art; They Draw & Cook.

Images from They Draw & Cook.

It’s brilliant – so brilliant in fact that if I was a publisher I would snatch it up in a moment! I would definitely be buying copies of the book to give to those I love and like.

I’m going to start putting together a list of recipes that I want to try off the site and then make them.  It should be a hoot.  Let me know if you decide to make any, we could do a cook off ala Masterchef Australia.

1. Shumakov Origami Kitten, 2. origami ratte, 3. Happy Pretty Pink Post-it Tuesday (origami post-it flower), 4. when post-it meets origami

I’m crushing on paper craft at the moment. I’m thinking of adding it to a list of things that I need to try my hand at.  I’m also thinking of another way to integrate it more permanently in my life… Will have to wait and see how it all goes.

♥♥♥♥♥

Wanna see more flickr faves, check out ArtMind!

It’s my birthday and I’ll shop if I want too.  This week I’ve decided to go with a Friday Fancy theme based on items that I would love to call my own for my birthday.  It’s a varied bunch, but I adore them all.

a. Neighbourhood Ring – I love these little houses.  It would be like walking around with little people living on your hand.  Ok, that doesn’t sound as cool as I imagine it to be in my head.  But it’s cool damn it!

b. Felt Chocolate and Vanilla Cake Slice – Every birthday girl needs a wonderful cake, and what better kind of cake than one that won’t add to your hips!  This is so cute, the scroll detailing and the little roses.  Just so cute!!!  (Yes, it warrants all those exclamation marks.)

c. Vintage Purple 60s Westclox Alarm Clock – The colour, the typeface, the old school styling – it’s a winner.  I think this clock would make waking up on an early morning in winter nearly bearable… nearly… but that’s not any fault of the alarm clock, I just hate mornings.   Maybe if I had this alarm clock I could become a fan of mornings…

d. Bluebird Necklace – What a clever use of a sewing tape. I’m a sucker for funky jewelry and this one is pulling all my heart strings. I want…

e. Pink Hydrangea Oil Painting – These are my favourite flowers at the moment.  I would love to have a yard to fill with them, but I don’t have a big enough yard to do that at the moment.  So I’d be more than happy to have this painting hanging in my home to make up for the fact that there’s none in the yard.

f. Feather Vase – I’m loving clean white porcelain and these vases are just beautiful representations of that.  I love the feather motif.  We already have a BrooklynRehab garden pal so this would be wonderful to keep it company on our shelves.

g. Jiyong Mushroom Bear – He’s just so cute! I’m planning to teach myself how to make Amigurumi toys, but that doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t be adverse to buy myself one already made, especially if they’re this cute!