So – besides all the mundane everyday stuff that keeps me occupied, I have been participating in another e-class (Blogging Your Way: Blog Boss) by my favourite blogging teacher Holly Becker (of decor8). This is my 3rd (really!!!!!) class that I have participated in and yet again I am loving it and learning so much. We’ll all benefit – I will be inspired to create an even better, authentic and original blog, and you will hopefully enjoy reading the fruits of my labour! Today I have a homework assignment that I am sharing with you – my favourite blogs “that rock”, and why they do so. ( I must interject here that there are 2 blogs not included on this list as they are part of my class - decor8 and Sania Pell at home - that  also really rock……..) Lets get started.

Leslie Shewring of acreativemint is one of my inspirational heroes. She creates THE MOST beautiful colour, pattern, paper and floral “stories” , and has introduced me to the wonders of washi tape, japanese papers and photo styling. She has not blogged as frequently in the last 6 months as she used to, but you could spend days strolling backward through time on her blog………

Ishtar Olivera is another inspiring creative, who blogs very regularly and shares really inspiring projects (washi tape, handmade stamps, snail-mail groups amongst others). Her blog is in Spanish, but has english translations built-in. The only problem is all the practical classes that she teaches are in Spain………

From Mexico, meet the very talented and creative Gennine Zlatkis. Gennine paints and illustrates – birds, plants, insects – beautifully!!! She is also a master stamp creator (I am waiting for her book to arrive in the post any day now). And she manages to be a Mom, wife, Etsy shop holder…..and is ,with her husband,  building the most stunning home….. Do yourselves a favour and visit her blog for constant inspiration! (and click on to her etsy shop, facebook page etc!!)

Moving along to Celine from France who curates BohemeCircus!! She features the most yummy collection of paper, stationery, goodies, snail-mail projects, moodboards – and she has an online store!! Although her blog is in French, the translations are pretty good – and the pictures speak for themselves!! I have a serious case of paper and stationery envy every time I click across…… Celine is also a classmate at Blogging Your Way: Blog Boss and I am still hoping to connect with her (like a true fan I will have to get over my stage-fright first……..!!)

Staying with the theme of Stationery is another blog that rocks – Oh So Beautiful Paper!!  This daily design, lifestyle and wedding blog features stationery for all occasions – baby announcemets, save-the-dates, wedding stationery, cards for all occasions – and the odd cocktail recipe thrown in every Friday!! It really is a go-to site for ideas and inspiration as well as to see the latest trends in Stationery. Especially interesting are their reviews on all the big stationery and gift shows in the US – great images to pour over to see what’s happening in the world of stationery!

Moving closer to home now – my favourite South African blogs. The Pretty Blog is a treasure trove of inspiration!! From real-life weddings, to styled themed shoots (think Spring or Easter), to stationery DIY and downloads. They feature the work of some amazing local photographers, florists, graphic artists and stationery design houses. As a South African creative, I am SO PROUD of what this group of young, dynamic gals put out there every day!! (And I’ve met a few of the contributors which makes it even more personal for me!)

Another homegrown blog (and also classmate at BYW: Blog Boss) is I Want That, the daily creation of Vicki Sleet a Cape Town based journalist. Vicki keeps us all on our toes with news of all the local design happenings and news, launches (with some great give-aways thrown in!) as well as international trends, decor, travel and food. I was so honoured to be featured on iwantthat last year after a put together a storyboard of my tools of the trade. Thanks again Vicki!!

And last, but NEVER least of my list of 8 blogs that rock is sang the bird, the creation of my dear friend Leah in Australia. Leah and I “met” in my first BYW class with Holly, and she remains such a great “blog-friend” and supporter, and I hope I am the same to her. Leah’s blog is different to all the others that I have mentioned in this list - in that it is very personal and authentic. A real glimpse into Leah’s life – her joys, sorrows, the lovely Miss S, her photography project and her enviable ‘simple, organic” lifestyle on the Queensland coast. This friendship has truly taught me how one can connect with the loveliest people through something as virtual as blogging. Sending you love Leah and Miss S!!

As I look back on this list that I have put a lot of thought into I realise that my favourite blogs are those that are original, creative, honest – and inspire me!! The subject matter is all close to my heart and reflects my interets and passions. These blogs are visually beautiful, the content is authentic, and there is a real personal touch to most of them. Something tells me that this is what I am looking to create here at Paperpeony!!!! Thank you all for sharing this little journey with me, and I hope I’ve introduced you to some blogs that will become your favourites too!!

Sending you all a hug and Thank You for spending your time with me!! Have a lovely weekend.

So today I am excited to introduce Anja to you. Anja is the very talented creative force behind Papertales, and I met her last year when we were both exhibiting at a pop-up market in Cape Town. I absolutely love her designs, which reflect her very enthusuastic and bubbly personality. I am particularly drawn to her hand-drawn illustrations and text, as well as her quirky wood-cut brooches and ornaments.

Anja is a regular exhibitor at the Treasury Market here in Stellenbosch, or contact her via her facebook page.

I have shared my admiration of Sania Pell with you all before (here) and today there is more!  Sania lives and works in London, where she is a mom, creative soul, author, artist, photographer and stylist. And I absolutely love visiting her blog – her photos are always so beautiful and the way she styles her compositions is so inspiring. I am really in awe of her talent. Sania recently shared some images from a new catalogue that she styled for Cox & Cox (the MOST beautiful online store – and they ship internationally!!). Not only do I love the look of the catalogue but I love the products too!! My sister and I were pouring over it recently – oohing an aahing. Isn’t it funny how online catalogues have taken the place of “window shoppping”. How times have  changed.

So – here are some of my favourite images and products. Feast your eyes on these beautiful colours – papers and ribbons that just make you want to wrap presents. I also love the grey walls and they contrast they provide.

She has used the colours so well, while mainting a constant “look” throughout the catalogue.

Sania has a particularly  lovely way of bringing a sketch into a photo, to mirror the subject matter – and here she does it again. Oh my!!

all images: sania pell and cox & cox

Do yourselves a favour and make a cuppa, sit back and take a virtual “stroll” through this catalogue.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!! Please remember that my shop will be closed for the next week as I will be out at the beach house, relaxing and working on my stationery for the markets. I will be available on e-mail and will be here on the blog though!!

]]> http://paperpeony.co.za/sania-pell-for-cox-and-cox/feed/ 1 http://paperpeony.co.za/a-paper-tea-party-of-note/ http://paperpeony.co.za/a-paper-tea-party-of-note/#comments Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:11:23 +0000 Cathy Kruger http://paperpeony.co.za/?p=1448 Today I found myself in absolute awe…….. you know that feeling when you see something and just think “WOW” !!!! It’s one of those “via” stories (via facebook – via VISI magazine – OH WOW!!)

Elonah O’Neil-Reid, a very talented young lady from Pretoria, takes simple paper and magically (I’m sure it’s actually a lot of precise, carefull and patient work…) transforms it into the most amazing installations. Her latest project has been a High Tea installation for the Tashas Le Parc restaurant in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. It took her 8 weeks to create 220 hand assembled teacups, saucers and teapots from custom-embossed paper. Everything was then flat-packed, transported and hung. And what an amazing result!!!!

images: visi and love.detail 

I’ll say it again – isn’t paper such an amazing medium!!! And I can’t wait to see what Elonah comes up with next…….

I got a bit of time this weekend to catch up on the latest issues of my favourite digital magazines (or e-zines…. not sure which name I prefer??). Anyway – Sweet Paul is ALWAYS stunning, and the Summer 2012 issue does not disappoint!! If you’re looking for some scrummy summer recipes or decor / accessory ideas then go take a look quickly!! It really is a fresh, bright and beachy issue. It’s always wierd being in the Southern Hemisphere – sitting here in my winter woollies reading about Summer. Maybe we’re lucky – we get to save up all these wonderful ideas for when the summer hits (and, lets face it, we have GOOD HOT summers!!).

I got really excited as I neared the end of the magazine to come across a really beautifully styled shoot of vintage haberdashery finds ( I probably got excited due to my ribbon and twine foraging last week!!), coupled with some gorgeous summer blooms. SO beautiful….

all images: dietlind wolf 

I have seen Dietlind’s work featured before by Holly Becker over at decor8, but never tire of scrolling through the images. She is a german stylist who is featured in many magazines, and always creates the most inspiring pictures. It’s well worth dropping in to her website (here) to admire her lovely work. I am inspired (where will I find the time this week….??!!) to play around with my camera and maybe style a few pics of my own!!

This morning I got an e-mail in my inbox announcing Ellinee Design House’s new look blog. Oh my!!! It is so beautiful (just the design and appearance of the site NEVER MIND the content!!). For a paper and stationery lover like me it got me all inspired and excited – so of course I must share! From lovely DIY ideas (with downloadables to print) for giftwrapping, stationery and……paper flowers (including a DIY PaperPeony which I just found so appropriate for me!).

Any peony is a beautiful peony!!

Imagine this hanging somewhere special!

Beautiful watercolour butterflies.

And yet another clever use of Bakers Twine!!!!

All images: ellinee 

Hurry on over to have a look and be inspired!!

Sometime I’m going to have to try making that Paper Peony – I don’t know if I have the patience……… hmmmm.

Enjoy the weekend!!

Today I want to introduce you to Ishtar Olivera, a Spanish freelance illustrator and lover of handmade goods. I absolutely love visiting her blog for visual inspiration – such lovely paper, twine, washi tape and handmade stamps!! Ishtar also teaches creative workshops in Spain, which I wish I could attend…….

(Ok – honestly, I am lusting after all the beautiful paper. We just don’t find such gorgeous paper here in South Africa. Or washi tape…… I may have to look into bringing tape in too to join the Bakers Twine that I now sell to South African crafty ladies!!)

all images ishtarolivera

Ishtar also has an etsy shop (here) where she sells her lovely illustrative work (have a look to see her beautiful “Dandelion Dreams”…..)

If you’re a paper-lover like me, aren’t you now inspired to get out your lovely things and make something??

Have a lovely week – I’ll be sharing some “sightseeing photos”throuh this week”!

Designer and illustrator Heather Moore, creator of Skinny laMinx, has used a sophisticated, feminine palette of pinks, plums, lemons and humbugs in this new floral-inspired fabric collection. With 3 new designs and a reissue of the popular Orla print (in a solid reverse) the range can be used to create a range of moods. During the launch, Heather showed us how to use the fabrics in various combinations of colours, as well as with contrasting stripes, and solid colours in textures such as velvet. Beautiful every time!!images: my own

all above 4 images from skinny laminx

Heather chose to launch Flower Dreams at furniture gallery Space for Life as this establishment shares her enthusiasm for beautiful vintage Scandinavian design. She explains, ”What sets them apart from stores carrying goods from the same era is that they are not interested in the nostalgic or ‘retro’ aspects of the pieces, but simply in the fact that they are beautifully designed, well-considered and expertly made”. A match made in heaven!

I really enjoyed myself and came away inspired to use some of these lovely colours and fabrics. As an added bonus for the day I met fellow blogger Lana Kelly, of Lanalou Style, a local Cape Town blog that I really enjoy. I recommend you pop-on over and take a peek!!

I know I’ve said this before, but isn’t Pinterest a wonderful thing! I find myself wondering around the boards, and finding so much inspiration, for both my work and my home. (If you want to see my boards go here). Anyway – today I discovered the art of Jill Ricci. Remember “The Wall” in the King’s Speech – you know the one I mean behind the couch – with the layers and layers of paper and colours resulting in the most beautiful texture. Well her art reminds me of that wall – but with more colour and maybe a touch of a moroccan influence. You may interpret it differently, but I’m sure you’ll agree that it is truly beautiful!

all images: Jill Ricci 

I love the textures, shapes and colours! What do you think?

Cath xx

Image: my own

We got chatting (of course) and I learned that TWINE is based here in Stellenbosch (they also have an office in Cape Town). I have seen these lovely products before in Melissa’s, and have been impressed by their “organic” origins. The fabric is a perfect blend of  55% hemp and 45% certified organic cotton, and the various designs and colours are beautiful!!

Image: twine

I always seem to be drawn to what I call “celadon” – that lovely soft green/blue/grey (my current favourite colour), but they also have some really vibrant new designs too! So lovely.

Images: twine

I really love to discover and support someone who has had a wonderful idea, and the courage to put their idea out there into the world!! And these gals have done it so well!!

Thanks for popping by to spend some time with me!!

Cath xx