My first crush

I'm in the midst of a huge (gargantuan!) deadline so my poor (much loved by me) blog is really taking a back seat (never mind the crochet… that's practically on the 2012 list). But a good friend and fellow designer sent me this You Tube animated film called My first crush and it's just what the doctor ordered (along with tea and chocolate). I couldn't help but find a few more of Julia Pott's illustrations to share… hope they make you smile too!

Boer & Brit

A few weeks ago Paul (aka my husband) and I had the best ever, romantic weekend away in Stellenbosch. The first thing we did when we arrived was to head off to De Oude Bank Bakkerij for a lazy tapas lunch. Along with all of this, of course, was a bottle of Boer & Brit Suiker Bossie Red (a Rhone inspired blend of Shiraz and Viognier – so says the bit on their website.) So I got to sit, relax, and enjoy a really awesome wine and at the same time admire this gorgeous label (not often I can say that!). Mmmmm… quite fancy the look of their Cap Classique and Bob's Your Uncle too. Think a glass or two are just what's needed for some mid-week inspiration!

Ok, and because this is meant to be a design blog (and because I just had to find out who the genius behind all this is) here are some more images from the Boer & Brit Wine packaging… designed and illustrated by South African design agency Fanakalo. Mooi!

My new bag!

At last here it is! My lovely, gorgeous, way too-nice-for-grocery-shopping Orla Kiely bag. It was designed exclusively in 2010 for Tesco's in the UK (as a reusable grocery bag and to raise money for charity) and thanks to my dear friend Charlotte who lives all the way up north in Cumbria I now have one all the way down south here in Cape Town. Thank you! I love it so much – I won't let a single smelly onion near it. So far it's made a great little bits n bobs and nappy bag but i think it's ultimate destiny will be to look after my crochet wool, hooks and needles. Happiness all round.

Flowers for you

It seems I like to start the week with a bloom or two! I love this paper collage illustration by Jennifer Judd Mc-Gee… it makes me want to get out a pair of scissors and some glue. Hope you all have a good Monday and a great week ahead. 

Ellen Giggenbach

I've been following Ellen Giggenbach's blog for ages now. I love her simple shapes and bright use of colour. She lives in Wellington, New Zealand and these images depict the local wild life and craft. Super original!

Creative colouring

Sometimes you just can't beat good old fashioned colouring in to keep kids busy (especially now that it's school holidays and the weather isn't so great here). I love Made by Joel – it's such a fabulous website full of creative things you can make with your children. There is a whole page devoted to Colouring Sheets… his designs are so gorgeous (wonky hand drawn lines – tick! No dinosaurs that need a purple crayon – yes!). I'm definitely going to print a couple of these out for my boys.

Happy Monday

Life has been super busy since last Monday… so much so that I haven't even had the chance to read my favourite blogs (completely unacceptable). But I arrived quite early at the office this morning, had a quick scoot around and found this by chance on Etsy. It's by Jessica, a London based illustrator and graphic designer. It's just the bit of yellow happiness that I need to get this week started. Hope you all have a good one too!