Plastic by Tomaas

I absolutely love these photos by photographer Tomaas. And if you are looking for some inspiration for tonight's parties you can see that plastic straws and forks make a great party hat!
I wish you all Happy New Year 2012!!!

Family on holiday

We are on holiday this week and I must say this holiday is needed. This cardboard family by illustrator Sanna Pelliccioni is my only new Christmas decoration for this year since it's not really meant for Christmas only. It is sold as a card in Papershop and can be cut out so that it stands on a table.

Merry Xmas!

It's holiday time. Merry Christmas to everyone!!!

Some light

It's officially the darkest time of the year in Helsinki and now it's even darker than usual since there is no snow. I'm glad it's all towards spring from now on. However, to bring some light into the darkness, I have to post this great crocheted lamp by London based designer Naomi Paul. The lamp comes in several shapes and colours.

Dottir & Sonur

Dottir &Sonur is a Berlin based company behind this cute Origami design and lamp. Their origami bird flies in wallpaper, posters and cushions. I could easily see that wallpaper in children's room. Products can be ordered directly from the designers.

Photos by Dottir & Sonur.

Deck of cards by Tim Burton

One of my favourite movie directors, Tim Burton has sketched some crazy creatures and they are now kings and queens in a deck of cards.  Available at Amazon.

Neon by Blandine Bardeau

I'll continue with a jewellery post: Here are some bright neon colours for the dark winter season. These colourful and funky necklaces are by fashion and jewellery designer Blandine Bardeau and they could be on my wishlist anytime.

Necklace workshop

I have a small necklace workshop on my couch and I'm testing different things. Here is my test with crocheted beads. I used wooden beads and crocheted around them. Quick and easy!

Little people in the city

Have you seen these yet? These intriguing photos with miniature people among the ordinary objects are part of an ongoing art project by anonymous artist called Slinkachu from the UK.  I recently bought a book about this project called Little people in the city: The street art of Slinkachu. The book is available in Amazon web shops.

Art of gift wrapping

I absolutely adore these! I found these wrapping papers by Australian born illustrator Megan Herbert when I went to see the exhibition on Icelandic Contemporary Design in Design Forum. Megan currently lives in Iceland and works there in various art  projects.

These wrapping papers are sold at the Icelandic shop-in-shop in Design Forum, so hurry if you want to get one for yourself. They can also be ordered from Megan's website. I bought the top two and they may end up on my wall as art because they are so beautiful. And so are the packages!

Photos by Marino Thorlacius.

The red season

Traditional red hasn't been my choice of colour very often in the past few years, but now it's starting to look appealing again. And since Christmas is getting closer, here is a small group of red items that I like. Soft toys are by PaaPii (1), cute red dress from La Casita de Wendy (2), cushion from Nestables (3) and tray and felt slippers by Pia Wallen (4,5). It's time for some red!

Tuesday project

Today's Independence Day was a fun day this year, because the extra holiday was on a regular Tuesday. Just a perfect day to relax. All I did was to finish this round crochet cushion.

Chair hangers

Often simple ideas are the best. This great idea of old chair backs as hangers comes from Italian Antonello Fusè. Simply lovable!


Resign.it 

Shopping and flipbooks

Napa Gallery & shop is one of my favourite places in Helsinki. If you haven't been there yet, pay a visit. Napa is both a gallery and a tiny shop, featuring young artists, graphic design and great selection of books you can't get anywhere else. Currently there is an exhibition of flipbooks. It presents all the entries of fourth international Napa flipbook contest. In December Napa is open every day for Christmas shopping. Maybe now it's time to go buy that Sissi braid necklace by Katri Inkeri...

Napa Gallery & shop, Eerikinkatu 18, Helsinki

Icelandic design in Helsinki

Iceland has many talented designers and interesting design but for some reason we don't hear much about it. Now there is a chance to learn a little about the talent on that beautiful island. Today Design Forum in Helsinki opened a exhibition on Icelandic contemporary design. The exhibition features Icelandic furniture, product design and architecture. I was quite impressed, especially by the architecture.
The exhibition is open daily 1.12.2011 – 8.1.2012. Go get inspired!!!

P.S. There is also an Icelandic shop-in-shop in Design Forum so you can buy some of the designs. I had to spend some money there...

In these photos work by Basalt architecs, small tables or shelves by Snaefrid Porsteins and Sigridur Sigurjonsdottir and volcanic sand vase by Studio Bjöss.

Small projects & paint

Paint manufacturer Tikkurila has a Christmas calendar on their website with 24 different small projects that you can do with paint. These three are my favourites.

Stick art

I have different small art projects of my own under way all the time and right now I'm experimenting with wood. These are my painted sticks.

On my wishlist

I found something at Quincy webstore I could wish for Christmas. Native shawl sweater, Waffle coat and Waffle bag all look good. Dear Santa, please bring me the bag at least...

Urban living room

This is my photo for today. I went by an old, abandoned mill and saw this. I think there's often some beauty in ugly, also in this urban living room.

Moments by Ida Pimenoff

I'm a fan of photographer Ida Pimenoff's work and her beautiful photos are now available as a book too. Ida has a great talent of capturing the beauty in everyday life, light and shadows as well as nature. Her book is available at Luova.fi

Sleepy

This dark November is taking a toll on me and I feel that sleeping is the best solution. I could hibernate like bears do or take a long snooze under the feather bed linen. These nice sheets are By Nord from Denmark. They have a webstore and many items so take a look and sleep well. I know I will.

Treasures

My grandmother moved to a nursing home and these are some of her treasures that I now give a place to stay. The set of six Tango cups and saucers are from the 50's and by Swedish Rörstrand, the cups in the middle by Arabia (if someone knows the name for these, please do tell..) and the two boxer figurines are Floyd Patterson and Ingemar Johansson who fought three historical fights in late 50's and early 60's. I will treasure these.

New shoes

I have been dreaming of these traditional Finnish shoes for a long time and now I finally found a pair. Cool, aren't they? Marimekko recently presented their version of the same tradition in black and in bright colours. Very nice too...

Illustration by Satu Kettunen

Satu Kettunen is a Helsinki-based illustrator with an unique and fascinating style. She likes to work with collage and mixed media and isn't afraid to use surreal elements or colors. She has done illustrations for several magazines as well as personal work. I have to say I like her style a lot and this Lonely Rider is one of my favourites.

P.S. The cowboy poster above can be ordered by sending Satu an email at her website. Great idea for a Christmas present!!!

Modern granny blanket

Oh my, this is fantastic! I found this most amazing modern granny blanket and instructions for it from Purlbee. It never occurred to me to make granny crochet like this, but now it's definitely something I have to try. The bright yellow looks great with classic gray. Purlbee has many other cool craft and knitting projects too, take a look.

Photos by Purlbee.