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

HUBBY and I are planning a trip to Melbourne in the next week to see Mumford & Sons and Stephen Fry.  We’re both really excited, but I suspect I’m more so then he is because I’m also planning a little blog inspired voyeurism.  You see there’s a few blogs who I love that are located near Melbourne and have stores attached to their blogs.  Or should that be blogs attached to their stores?  Either way there’s shopping involved.

One of the blogs that I’m planning on visiting is The Lark.  The Lark store is located in Daylesford, which HUBBY informs me is a mere hour or so from where we’ll be staying in Melbourne.  I’m so excited at the prospect of being able to wonder through the store and see all the handmade goodness up close and personal.

I love reading The Lark because it provides an insight into living in a small community, what it takes to keep a successful business afloat and how to juggle work with family.  A lot of the time I use The Lark as a starting point for all of the fantasies I have about moving to the country and living a simpler life.

Image source: The Lark

If you’d like a little slice of Australian heaven then check out The Lark. You can even shop online with The Lark Online Shop so if you can’t make it to Daylesford you can bring a little bit of Daylesford to you!

Today’s Friday Fancy is inspired by an accessory every woman should have; a crown.  Even if it’s just to wear while doing the chores.  All of these wonderful items can be purchased on Etsy.

a.  Burlesque Queen of Hearts Crown b.  Keep Calm & Carry On Pendant c.  Royalty Crown Ring d.  Crown No. 12 Pillow e.  Medieval Sterling Silver Pendant f.  Queen of Hearts Print g.  Ye Royal Wall Hook h.  Crown Cufflinks i.  Pink Princess Crown Cookie Cutter

Image source: Dave Coote Design

I was just cruising through the blogs that I love when I came across Dave Coote Design on Design*Sponge.  I’ve been browsing real estate sites for the past few weeks and now I’m browsing them to see if I can get a place with space for putting in my own writer’s cabin.  Only instead of using it to write my manifesto I’d be filling it with craft and sewing supplies.  Oh, and a nice little nook to spend time reading.

To add to the design brilliance Dave Coote and his wife have opened an online store; Pale and Interesting.  So once I’ve found my house and built my cabin I’ll be able to furnish it with wonderful items found on Pale and Interesting.

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.

Every so often I like to pretend I’m living in a European adventure and to help me do that I love reading petits details. The blog owner provides the following insight into the motivation behind her blog:

I grew up in the United States and now live near Paris with my husband (who is French) and our son. After moving to France nearly ten years ago, I discovered flea markets and antiques stores — discarded objects on Paris sidewalks, too — and have come to love all things vintage, including old fabrics and linens. These, in turn, have inspired me to make things by hand.

The photos on the blog are just stunning and provide a wonderful glimpse of life in France.

Image source: petits details

The brilliance doesn’t just stop at the photos though, there’s an Etsy store!  So now you can buy a little bit of petits details wonderfulness.

Update: Both the blog and the Etsy store are currently on hiatus, but that doesn’t mean you miss out on getting your French fix.  It’s a brilliant time to go back through the archive and build up your anticipation for the return!

1.  Clear Sky Ring 2.  Volatile Earrings 3.  The Queen Ring 4.  Handmade Swarovski Ruby Fuchsia Drop Earrings 5.  Vintage Glam Red Jewel Sterling Silver Earrings 6.  Volcano Swarovski Crystal Ring -

1. {day one hundred and twelve} Freedom is the oxygen of the soul.

This week I followed my own advice and took the plunge and enrolled in a Web Design course.   The goal is to get out from under the thumb of the man.  I want to be able to run my own business and turn the internet into something wonderful.

The course will just be an opener for getting my Certificate III in Printing and Graphic Design in Multimedia.  For the first time in a long time I have a long term plan in my head.  I’ve felt a little without direction lately, and it’s nice to be able to daydream about the future.

So, that’s it.  I just thought I would share with you all… as you were.