{ Our Trip to Finland }

We recently went to Finland for a little summer vacation (the hubby stayed home).  Besides all of the lovely architecture and design inspiration one of the things I loved most about Finland were the outdoor markets.

Every city has an outdoor market.  Merchants sold fresh produce, vegetables, flowers, fish and even used goods.  Some of the bigger markets such as the Helsinki Market also had handmade goods such as hand screen printed dish towels by local artists.

{ Interview with Johanna Chaytor of Charlotte and Stewart }

Do I have a treat for you today! With anticipation of the Collective Show

happening December 8-19 (which I think we all should go to, help support fellow creatives and get something handmade for someone special), I am delighted to share with you an interview with one extremely talented artist being featured in the show, the lovely Ms. Johanna Chaytor the brains and heart behind Charlotte and Stewart!

When I first saw the dollies created by Johanna Chaytor (Charlotte and Stewart) I instantaneously fell head over heels for them. Not only are they incredibly unique but are made with the utmost care and attention to detail. Dollies are available in two sizes and can be customized! Amazing! For more information check out Charlotte and Stewart. Wouldn't these make a darling Holiday gift? For interview please scroll down.

Interview with Johanna Chaytor

1) Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m Johanna but everybody just calls me joh. I’m a graphic designer by day and a dolly maker by night. I was born and raised in Toronto where I still live. I share my little apartment with a grey cat, a black cat, a turtle and a boy who builds motorcycles. I really like coffee.

2) Other than crafting what do you do?

When I’m not working or being crafty, I love to travel. I’ll go pretty much anywhere. I really enjoy people watching. Sometimes I’ll even visit a new neighbourhood here in Toronto and pretend I’m on a one day vacation.

3) How was Charlotte and Stewart born? Is there an interesting story behind the name Charlotte and Stewart?

Before I started making the dollies, I was doing these tiny 4”x4” oil paintings of hollow eyed little kids. I had the urge to try something more three dimensional, so I made a doll in the same style for my sister as a birthday gift. She loved it, and I loved making it, so I guess the whole dolly making thing grew from there.

The name comes from the street intersection of my first apartment away from home. I lived in Ottawa at the time and my place was at the corner of Charlotte & Stewart. I just always liked how it sounded and I made up stories in my head about Charlotte & Stewart and the names just stuck.

4) Where does your inspiration come from? What inspires you?

A lot of my inspiration comes from other crafty designers and bloggers. I love discovering random new blogs and seeing what others are up to and in to. I also look at a lot of Japanese books and magazines. I adore the simple yet sophisticated styling and I’m fascinated by the some of the crazy trends and street style.

5) Can you tell us a bit about your creative process?

My process is pretty traditional. I usually start with a sketch and then I’ll pull fabrics and findings from my stash (or if I’m lucky I’ll go shopping). After that it’s just good old cut & sew fun. When I’m making a custom doll for somebody the whole process can become really fun and collaborative.

6) As a fellow crafter/designer I sometimes get in little ruts. Do you have creative ruts and if so how do you overcome them?

I totally get into ruts. I try not to force it though. If it’s not a time sensitive project, I’ll let it percolate in my brain for a while. Brainstorming with other people helps too...and sketching, lots of sketching. Sometimes there’s an idea in there, but I just haven’t found it yet. If I’m really in a rut, I’ll start organizing my fabrics and buttons and trims, just mixing and matching things can be inspiring.

7) What is the one thing in your studio that you couldn't live without?

Other than the tools of the trade, I’d have to say my television. I watch a lot of television, especially terrible reality shows that are tragic and hilarious.

8) If there was one crafter/designer/creative you would like to meet who would it be?

That’s tough. I think right now it would be Mandy Sutcliffe the creator of Belle & Boo. I love her illustrative style and she has the greatest little collection of clothes for girls. www.belleandboo.com

Thank you Johanna so very much for taking the time to answer my questions, your answers were thoughtful and a joy to read! I hope others enjoy learning a bit about a fellow creative as much as I did! Also a thank you to Elaine Stam for introducing me to Charlotte and Stewart!

{ Photography }

I am a sucker for a great photo, so much in fact I spend time perusing photographers websites oooing and ahhing over the magic they captured, and the creativity that goes with it. Yes, I said creativity, its just not enough to take a lovely photo anymore, much, much more goes into a fabulous photo session these days.

Photo sessions are filled with props, bells, whistles and a lovely location. Location, location, location!

Today on this beautiful Monday morning I am sharing two very talented ladies with you, who work right here in Toronto Celine Kim and Scarlett O'Neil, not only are their pictures stunning the amount of thought and creativity that goes into their sessions is inspirational (Hats off to you ladies)! It definitely makes me want to get a photo shoot of our little family sometime soon!

{ Ghoulish Wedding Cakes }

Photo Credit + Post: Sweet Tooth designer Shauna Younge

Found via: lovefromtheoven

Photo Credit: The Sweetest Day

Orignal Post: Brides

1. Photo Credit: Brixtoncat Orignal Post: Brides 2. Photo Credit: Haunted Design House

Good morning! Its a great morning in our house, the babe is sleeping and I am enjoying a little me time. Yay!

With Halloween fast approaching I thought it would be fitting to share some amazing Halloween themed wedding cakes that I happily discovered yesterday via brides and Pinterest (Gotta love Pinterest, its my new indulgence). The first darling cakes I found are by a super talented lady Shauna Younge, although I do not think the cakes were designed for a wedding, I think why not? Especially if you are like me and want a super intimate and small sized wedding. So lovely and sweet! I am a huge Tim Burton fan and was stunned when I saw cakes that were inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas and The Corspe Bride! (two of my favourite movies). Just think of how much fun it would be if you served your guests a piece from these Ghoulish beauties!!

{ On my night stand }

Design Sponge at Home

Decorate

I (heart) Macarons

Here are a few books that I would like to add to my reading list and hopefully will be on my nightstand soon. I find books so inspiring, I know that a lot of people love the ease of a book reader but there is something just so nice about a book in your hands, call me crazy but I love the smell of a new book!

{ Decorative Paper Lanterns }

Photo credit + Tutorial: Martha Stewart

With the first birthday of our baby girl fast approaching I've started to think about decor for the big day, even though it isn't until January I think that it is never too soon to start planning something so special. I found these beautiful decorative paper lanterns from Martha Stewart, oh Martha you always share such lovely things. These lanterns are fabulous as party decor for a birthday or wedding and as a way to dress up a room, with or without a light.

{ Gift Wrap 101 }

1. Orignal Post and Photo Credit: LoraJean'sMagazine

2. Pretty Packaging Original Post and Photo Credit: LoraJean'sMagazine

3. Grocery bag wrapping Orignal Post and Photo Credit: acreativemint

4. Fabric wrapping Orignal Post and Photo Credit: Wedfully

5. Gold Wrapping and Foil Cupcake Toppers: Post and Photo Credit: HeyLook

6. Gift Topper: Post and Photo Credit: Chatelaine

I am going to a baby shower this weekend for one of my closest friends, we met in Kindergarten and many years later we are still friends. I am over the moon about the upcoming arrival of her baby girl and can't wait to meet her. I still need to wrap her gift, and I wanted to do something special so here is a little gift wrap inspiration. I am wrapping a baby shower gift but all of these ideas can be used for any kind of celebration; birthday, wedding, or even an anniversary.

{ DIY: bunting }

Via Pinterest: Dessert Table

If you aren't on the handmade band wagon I seriously suggest you join because there is some really great stuff happening on that front. If you can dream it, you can make it or probably track someone down that does, and isn't there just something so special about handmade goods? I think so. I recently made some fabric blocks for the bean, and they aren't perfect but that is what makes them oh so special. Bunting Flags are all the rage right now, and they do look sweet over a dessert table, in a nursery or even or a bed (skies the limit folks). So in celebration of DIY here is a bunting tutorial (traditional triangles) for all you crafty friends out there and one that is a little less traditional bunting tutorial (rounded). Anything vintage is also really hot right now so why not try some vintage fabric for these projects?

{ Inspired by......... }

Photo Credit via Pinterest: Kate Shore

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart

Photo Credit: Where the Lovely Things Are

Today I am inspired by the simplicity of the understated carnation. I especially love the modern reinterpretation of the carnation as a gift topper, using decorative cupcake liners. So simple yet so lovely!

{ Maptote Bodysuits }

Photo Credit: Maptote

Keeping up with my map theme from earlier this week I stumbled upon these incredibly cute baby bodysuits by Maptote for babies via UnrulyLittleThings. I would love to pick up a few for the bean, especially the one from Paris as its one of my favourite cities! I just adore Paris, and I hope that one day our little bean will get to experience Paris in all its loveliness. Having a baby really gets me thinking about all the wonderfully amazing things you can make for a wee one!

{ City neighbourhood posters }

On Sunday my little family and I met up with another wonderful couple for brunch. The food was delicious and the company was fabulous, thanks guys! During brunch we were introduced to these beautiful neighbourhood maps by Ork Posters, so gorgeous, that I just had to share. The posters are screen printed using soy based inks and 100% recycled paper (love this). The city is broken up into neighbourhoods (such a neat idea) and are visually represented using various pleasing arrangements of the same typeface. Such a great idea for a gift for the avid traveller, or as was mentioned over a brunch to start a conversation!

{ DIY patchwork teapot holders }

Patchwork Teapot Potholder: Originally seen on ishtar olivera

I found this great post while checking twitter this morning (I love twitter) and thought that I would share it with you. I am always looking for cute, DIY projects and this one is sweeter then ever. A patchwork teapot holder tutorial from the lovely and talented Lotta Jansdotter. They are quick and easy to make perfect for little gifts for family and friends as well as for your own kitchen! And if you do not have time to make these sweeties, but still want to gift them go here (Belart) to purchase them. Belart is a lovely etsy shop with lots of handmade goodies sure to delight.

P.S. I love fabric

{ decorations }

1. Photo Source: TinyWaterPhotography. Seen on Greenweddingshoes. 2. Luna Bazarr. Photo Source: Tanja Lippert. Seen on Greenweddingshoes. 3. Photo Source: Our Labor of Love. Seen on 100layercake.

The weather outside is beautiful today, and I can't help but think about summer weddings. Today I am thinking about wedding decorations, and ways that you can add a little extra special touch to your big day adding to all of its lovliness!

{ Katie Vernon }

Sadly, I do not have any of my own artwork to share today but on the upside I did find this super adorable and very summery Hedgehog flowers print by illustrator Katie Vernon. You should definitely check out her Etsy site. This Hedgehog print would make a great gift or a wonderful addition to a nursery.

{ Love your Home: Pinboard }

Photo Source + Tutorial Source: Megan Morton

What better way to love your home then to create a pinboard of all of your daily inspirations! A pinboard is great for any room in the house whether it is an office, child's room or the kitchen. Here is a fantastic tutorial on how to make a fabric covered pinboard that is as useful as it is stylish. You better believe that I will be making one of these for my workplace.

P.S I (heart) handmade

{ MSW Summer 2011 }

Its that time of year again Summer, and with the warmer weather and sunny days comes wedding season. I am delighted to say that the 2011 summer issue of Martha Stewart Weddings is now on sale and is a DIY issue (Design It Yourself + Do It Yourself). I just love the idea of brides using a bit of their design savvy skills and handy work to help celebrate the big day, it makes it that much more special. This issue is sure to be filled with wonderful ideas and beautiful photography. I especially like the idea of decorating a simple cake with paper posies, just lovely.

On My Bookshelf

Although I am incredibly busy right now caring for a little someone, I still have the dream of running my own business in the back of my mind. Le sigh, how lovely it would be designing for my business and caring for my little one, oh the dream. To help myself get back into a creative mindset and into the swing of things, because lets be honest right now my mind tends to be centred around bottles, naps and diapers I started reading Craft Inc. Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business, which so far has been fantastic. I especially enjoy the interviews with successful business owners so very inspiring! I also hope to pick up Handmade Weddings written by the lovely ladies from Hello Lucky. Not only is the styling gorgeous but I also think that it will be a great sense of inspiration for my little stationery and wedding invitation business.

{Little Miss}

Introducing little miss Kaisa, she is definitely the boss in our house and of our hearts, our greatest creation yet and already quite the inspiration!

It has been a very busy month and I've had very little time to commit to my blog and design work. However, as we all get settled I hope to update my blog on a more regular basis. In honour of our snugglers 1 month birthday tomorrow I am sharing her cuteness with you today.

Enjoy your day and stay warm!

{Anna Emilia Laitinen}

These incredibly gorgeous illustrations are by a very talented Finnish illustrator

Anna Emilia Laitinen. I love the delicate strokes, and soft palettes that she uses to bring her paintings to life.

One of her lovely, lovely prints can be purchased from her online shop

{ Charley Harper }

I am head over heels for mid century illustration and wanted to share one of my favourite illustrators with you today, Charley Harper. Charley Harper is an American born modernist artist who is best known for his highly stylized wild life prints, book illustrations and posters. Charley Harper was greatly influenced by his family farm. His illustrations are wonderful and make me feel warm and happy, plus his work is a great source of inspiration.

Image credits: Charley Harper