Bookmarked: Fantastic Toys Blog

Seriously...if you come from a place called Mushroom Hill wouldn't you be destined to be like Timothy Haugen of Fantastic Toys?! You'd even have to have a mushroom in your banner!
Seen here: Birthday Party Set, Paper Peeps and Easter Cone.
Fun, fun, fun! Paper toys and other "goodies". Enjoy!

Bookmarked: she.likes.cute Kawaii Crafts

I have so many blogs bookmarked that I would be embarassed to tell you how many.

I thought I might share some with you, my lovely readers.
From she.likes.cute's blog:
The girl behind she.likes.cute is Alenka Wagenaar. She is a crafter, designer and illustrator who lives in Deventer, the Netherlands. This blog is all about the cute things in her life.

Jeu de Paume Decorating

There is something very appealing to me about the jeu de paume style of decorating.

I've never been fortunate enough to own one of the beautiful Jeu de Paume books but I've seen them all over the Internet. I could spend hours looking through them.
They are published in Japan and the colorful style is beautifully photographed.

I am planning to redecorate the spare room on the third floor. It was my son's room and now I want to fix it up for the children so they can have their own space when they stay over. I can really do anything I want up there because it is completely separate from the rest of the house.

I am really looking forward to creating a space that can be fanciful and colorful and magic and that they will love.

So, here is some jeu de paume inspiration for your enjoyment, randomly picked out of the blogosphere. Click on each photo to go to the source.

There's also a Flickr group devoted to this style of decorating called Jeu de Paume Inspired.

How To: Make a Zippered Pouch

Syko (one of my absolute favorite artists!) has provided a neat tutorial on how to make a zippered pouch like this one.

Link: How to make a zippered pouch.

Handmade Kawaii Linen & Felt

These little guys are cute enough to eat!
Evangelione makes these little guys from linen and felt. She also makes the most amazing miniatures for doll houses.
Handmade kawaii pea, lamb, elephant and linen cherries (for those who like twins) found at Evangelione's Handmade.

Butter the Elephant Mothers Day Wool Felt Applique Plush Doll Pillow with Mini Gift Card

Love Cuore's shop where I found Butter the Elephant, handmade plush doll which comes with a mini card that says "I love you Mom".

Cuore's wool felt elephant available for $18.50.

Cute Handmade Felt Baby Buggy

I suffer from cute overload every time I visit Atelier Sterre's blog.
She makes the most adorable little things from felt - like this baby buggy, or "kinderwagentje".
See this felt baby buggy and more kawaii felt goodies at Atelier Sterre.

Independent Designers' Shop/Elephant Pillow

Elsewares is a commerce site that features independent designers. They say, "We make a concerted effort to encourage creative business practices, support cottage industry, and keep corporate hegemony (sic) at bay."

I found this handmade wool felt elephant pillow there, made by Estela Lugo from Colorado. ($65.95)

Go Van Go! Graphic Designer

I love these graphics designs by 20-something graphic artist, Van.

Van designs for Juna Studio and also has an Etsy shop where you can purchase a printable file of some of the cards she designs. The file includes instructions and templates for the cards and envelopes.

Van also makes gorgeous hand-embroidered cards like the apple one shown here.

Check out Van's Go Van Go!'s graphic

design blog and her Etsy shop here.

Critters

Sleepy birds and wide-awake birds. I love them all.
Melissa Sue Stanley, from the Chicago area, designs and makes critters like these birds and lots of others. She also crochets and her amigurumi critters are just adorable.
I found these on Melissa Sue's blog, art = love = life. She sells her items in a couple of places but you can find the "wide awake" bird in her Etsy shop here ($45).

Rubber Stamp Maker Gianni

What is it about rubber stamps? I find them fascinating.

Giannigoh is from Malaysia and makes the most darling rubber stamps, which she also sells.

She will do custom work as well.

Gianni is also trying to create an art community in her area so if you have any friends in Malaysia send them her way.

Here are some of her stamps that I particularly liked. How cute is that little owl?

Giannicarveshop

From the Past Week

Since I'm doing some other things and don't have any of my own stuff to post about, I thought I would share a few more of my favorites from around Blogland this past week...

1. Miniature cuties from Atelier Sterre (via Daisy in lala Land)
2. Lovely egg basket from Marie Claire Idees Blog with complete how to.
3. Injured George by Make It Awesome via Softies Central. Poor bunny. (Cute!!)
4. Wool Butterfly Lampshade by MIXKO
5. Great idea for using an old book cover from Sweet Paul.

Chick Pops

Bakerella is a daily blog read for me. Not that I'm into cooking that much but her photos you could eat! Plus she has really, really great ideas and includes recipes and instructions for most everything she posts.
These Chick Pops are typical of the kinds of things she writes about.
Right now you can vote on which version of these Chick Pops you like the best - Big Head? Big Bottom?All Body? No Body? Or even...No Stick.
Full post, pictures, recipe and instructions on Bakerella.

Make this Drawstring Pouch

Karin has so kindly provided full instructions for how to make this cute drawstring pouch with carrying strap, including a pattern for the acorn embroidery. Of course you could put whatever you want on yours.
The instructions are clear and she uses lots of photos.
Karin has some other great tutorials here and she also inspires us with her Orange Flower Sketchbook blog.
Thanks, Karin, for sharing this great tutorial.

Spring Has Sprung

Apparently everyone's more than ready to welcome Spring. Here are some inspiring images I wanted to share with you:
From Ciel D'Orage

 

From Fils et Ficellles

From Fantastic Toys with downloadable pdf file

 

Spring Colors from Fee un Voeu

Fleur Fatale

 

Spring is the time of year when everyone starts to feel hopeful again. Flowers blooming, warm breezes, promise of warmer breezes, getting outside, knowing Summer is coming, seedlings bursting open, birds nesting and Spring Cleaning. Sorry, had to throw that one in there. We are doing some major spring cleaning around here and I will feel so much better when it's finished.

Do you have any spring projects? We'd love to know about them. Send me a link or leave me a comment; I love hearing about what you're doing.

Little Spring Basket

I just saw this little basket made of felt on Maya Made, a favorite blog of mine.
Maya has instructions on how to make one here.

Blumshen's Easter Shop

I just love visiting Blumshen. They always have great things for the holidays and this year's Easter goodies are no exception.
They have a wide range of decorations and supplies. Easter grass (real paper) in several different colors, papier mache eggs, dye kits and lots of other cool stuff.

The Spring Hare's Special Delivery is a candy container. The rabbit's head comes off, the cart is a container and the little chick is also a container.

 Aren't the little animal picks cute? They come 144 to a pack.

The chick cut-outs are lacquer-painted cardboard with hand-painted details. Made from German molds from the 1930s.

If you've found some Easter items or crafts you would like to share with my readers leave me a comment!

Blumshen's Easter Shop
The Spring Hare's Special Delivery Candy Container: $194
Animal Party Picks - 144 pieces: $13.50
Chick Cut-Outs - Pkg of 8: $30

Yuri Munakata's Miniatures

There's something fascinating about dollhouses and anything miniature really.

Yuri Munakata's work is truly breathtaking, isn't it? She makes nearly everything in these rooms, including the rooms. All done in 1/12 scale.
Seen here: Biscuit Lover's Kitchen, Sculptor's Studio (yes, everything in that room is tiny) and Paris Kitchen.

Lots more including a Flea Market in Autumn and an Antique Glassware Shop with miniature reproduction Depression glass on Yuris website, Angel Berry

Licca's Dollhouse

These are pictures from Licca Licca's 1/16 scale dollhouse.
Amazing attention to details, wonderful color.

Licca is a doll collector and has written a journal about building this dollhouse and the furniture that she makes and alters.

I first found Licca on flickr where I first saw the picture of the kids' room. I had to find out more.

LiccaLicca
Licca's Journal: House of Duke
flickr photos of Licca's Dollhouse

Pale Pink Blossoms

More dreaming of Spring. Aren't these litle Pale Pink Blossom pins wonderful? Made with clay, fabric and beads by the equally-wonderful Delphine.
Tres jolie, Delphine!

See these and more loveliness at La Fille du Consul