Donna Wilson at Bubble London 2013

Donna Wilson at Bubble London June 2013

Donna Wilson at Bubble London June 2013

This woolly and wonderful installation was created by the Queen of quirky knitted things, Donna Wilson for Bubble London. It's a preview of new creatures, bootees, children's blankets and toy cushions due to be launched in the autumn. 

There's more on her Kids' Things blog Birdie and Bear, which is dedicated to the adventures of new mum and baby Eli Almond.

I'm inspired by animal alphabets

You can never tire of animal alphabets for children's wall art, whether vintage or contemporary, here are some of my recent favourites to inspire.

Ketchup on Every Thing

Staffan Wirén

Wee Society

Zenzi

I love the limited colour and retro flash card inspiration of these animal alphabet hand screen printed designs made by Kay Vincent, the designer behind Ketchup on Every Thing. Very cute!

Ketchup on Every Thing 

Ketchup on Every Thing

It's also fun to see different animals representing alphabet letters in other languages.  These collectible vintage stamps by artist Staffan Wirén were part of an educational children's book for a Swedish savings bank  (Sparbanken), via Present & Correct.

 

Staffan Wirén

Staffan Wirén

Staffan Wirén

Roddy & Ginger at Pulse 2013

roddy & ginger at pulse 2013

I saw some wonderful new products from mid-century and Scandinavian-inspired brand roddy & ginger at Pulse 2013. The Smalltown wallpaper and cushion designs are due to be launched September 2013.

roddy & ginger blog 

I like to read the roddy & ginger blog. It's fascinating to see Virginia Armstrong's design processes and occasionally there are posts from her enviable vintage children's book collection.

roddy & ginger blog

These studio pictures are from the roddy & ginger blog. Perhaps it's because I'm doing some screen printing myself but it's very interesting seeing the gorgeous 50s pink and vintage green being mixed and tested. 

roddy & ginger blog

I'm inspired by geometric collage

I really like the collage techniques using photographic and woodgrain textures to create these faceted designs. Mat Mabe's Animal Alphabet prints use simplified geometric shapes to make complex animal portraits with perfect symmetry. Loving those spots!

Ferm Living

House of Rym

Marie Willumsen

Mat Mabe

Lille Nord via Ra-fa Kids blog

Arthur's Dreamboat by Long Nose Puppets

Arthur, Long Nose Puppets

Gilda and I went to the De La Warr in Bexhill to see a magical puppet performance based on Arthur's Dreamboat by Polly Dunbar. The production was created by Brighton-based Long Nose Puppets and the wonderful songs were written by Gomez's Tom Gray. It was everything a puppet show should be, twinkly, enchanting and lots of hand painted papier-mâché.

More UK tour dates on the Long Nose Puppets blog 

BIBU at Pulse 2013

BIBU at Pulse 2013

BIBU at Pulse 2013

I visited Pulse 2013 at Earls Court in May where I saw some fantastic products. I loved the mix of geometric pattern and animal characters used by Spanish brand Bibu. Bold, graphic animal cushions and a new line of character totes with a wipeable lining.

Unicorn screen prints

unicorn screen print by rareBrede

This print I made especially for my smallest daughter Gilda, unicorns are her absolute favourite.