"Thuy the Lion" Pillow by Mika Yamamura

I can't believe I haven't discovered Mika Yamamura's blog, Cuore, before now. Wow!
Mika designed and made this lion pillow and don't you just love the brown polka dot fabric!
Mika is a professional designer of accessories and worked for Paul Frank Industries for over six years! So you you know you're in for some extreme kawaii when you visit her blog. Have fun!

Handmade Dress with Thrifted Sheets

I just had to write about this darling little dress - with cape - made by Mike for his daughter, Emmeline. Isn't she sweet!?
Mike is a stay-at-home-dad living in San Francisco. He let Emmeline select the fabric for the cape from his thrifted sheets supply. Read all about it on his blog, Cry it Out, but be prepared to stay a while because Mike is also a professional writer and his essays will capture you.

Play Stove

Play kitchens are always a winner with kids. My daughter had one she loved and when she outgrew it my son played with it. I got several years' worth of play from that kitchen.
I did a previous post about one that was handmade and a vintage one from an old Sears catalog.
This particular play stove was made from a small cabinet with drawers, MDF and paint, spotted at Dabbled. They have included complete instructions for how they made the play stove.
I love seeing people take what they already have and make something completely different from it. I also love play kitchens and I'm storing these ideas because I want to make one at some point for the munchkins (on my list).
Have you made any play kitchens or stoves? I would love to see them. Send me a link and I'll post it!
via CROQ Zine

Elizabeth Haidle

If I had one of these Santa Fe Reporter Gift Guides I would frame the cover!
Truly a work of art by designer and illustrator Elizabeth Haidle.
First of all, I have to give props to The Santa Fe Reporter for a great idea they had for the 2008 holidays. This gift guide features items that are all under $100 - plus - they are all from local shops. Love it.
So, I thought I do my little Google search for the paper's website to see if it was still there - and there it is! How exciting, I'm thinking! Oooo!, they even have .pdf files of the catalog! But do they have the cover? No.
So, if anyone out there is from the Santa Fe area and you have one of these I would love to see it.
Elizabeth designs for books and magazines and has been commissioned by the likes of Sony and Johns Hopkins University. Not bad references, huh?
Elizabeth also has a blog and this is where I found this really neat handwriting thing.
She calls it "Mystery-Ink-Faux-Ancient-Manuscript-Style-Handwriting" and explains how to get this effect. I just thought this was cool. You could do a whole manuscript this way provided you don't need to see what you're writing (thus the mystery). This would also look great on collages, greeting cards, just about anything really.
And here is my feeble attempt at recreating this process. My paper is way too white and obviously I need practice but for a first attempt, it was fun! By the way, my middle name is Elizabeth and looks much prettier when written that "Dawn".
What would you do with this idea?

Found via Creature Comforts

Montreal Designer: Janick

Montreal designer, Janick, is a graphic designer, a jewelry designer and blogger. Everything she makes is beautiful but I especially like what she calls "Nea Wall Wear." I love that name, "Wall Wear". Sounds like jewelry for your walls.

In her neaware shop on Etsy you can find handmade pieces like the ones shown here. I've seen the embroidery hoop groupings showing up here and there and I love the idea. But why not take it idea to another level with a handmade piece of art!

Janick's blog: Creativadoration
Red Poppies Wall Wear on Etsy $60

Independent Designers: Craftsbury Kids

Craftsbury Kids sells quality, often one-of-a-kind items for babies and children including toys, clothing, art and decor items. Their products are made by independent artists and crafters from all over the world.

With Easter just a few weeks away, I chose these three items for a little early Spring inspiration.

Green Bunny Baby Booties $32
BooNoo Jingle Bunny $38
Wooden Rabbit Puzzle $7.50 on sale

Fabric Sail Boat - Lovely!

Ahoy!
I have always lived surrounded by water on the east coast of the US. I love being around the water and I love boats. I don't know anything about boats but I love them.
I think most people love sail boats and Apol Lejano-Massebieau has created her lovely version of one from vintage cotton that she found at the monthly "brocantes" market in Arles.
Arles...as in France. Tres jolie, n'est pas?

I found Apol through her blog, La Pomme.
Where to buy: La Pomme's shop on Etsy. Ones similar to these are $35 and there are smaller versions made into ornaments for about $15.

Stamp Making 3 Ways

I have been threatening to try my hand at making my own stamps. It's on the ever-expanding list of the things I want to learn. I am thinking more of using them for fabrics but I do love paper and I can see where there would be tons of ways to use them to perk up notes, cards, tags, wrapping paper and artwork.
I found this 3 Little Birdies hand-carved rubber stamp at CraftPudding.
CraftPudding makes stamps from her own, adorable drawings. They are so full of personality you just want to hug them.
Lots of you are familiar with CraftPudding's blog, I'm sure but for those of you who haven't visited you're missing out. You can also purchase CraftPudding stamps on Etsy

And here's something the folks who invented silicone caulk probably never of: silicone caulk stamps. Amazing. Amy explains how to make the stamps on her Craft Chi blog and while you're there spend some time because she has some awesome ideas and is always coming up with something new.

More great inspiration and a really nice tutorial on making eraser stamps at Geninne's Art Blog. My, my, my. Everything about this tutorial is kawaii! Love the colors, the drawings, the notes, the stamps...I want to be just like Geninne.
Have you ever made your own stamps? I would love to see what you've done!