I'm inspired by the Easter Bunny

Leischen Mueller's colour and fabric mix are always amazing. One of her rabbit doll outfits inspired this Easter bunny inspiration. I love the way the Breton suit sits playfully alongside the pink tutu, reminding me of the classic Cornish blue and white striped egg cup. Happy Easter!

Leischen Mueller

Blabla Kids

Little Goodall

vintage Chef Ware via Etsy

vintage Papier-mâché egg via Etsy

I'm inspired by What's The Big Idea?

What's The Big Idea? 

I have discovered the fabulous characters of Jacques Deprés, thanks to my smallest daughter, who is besotted with Cbeebies' new philosophy series What's The Big Idea? 

The 5 minute episodes are based on the books illustrated by Jacques Deprés and written by Oliver Brenifer, who has been a specialist in philosophy for children for 20 years.

Hugo from What's The Big Idea?

What's The Big Idea by Oscar Brenifier and Jacques Deprés 

What's The Big Idea by Oscar Brenifier and Jacques Deprés 

What's The Big Idea by Oscar Brenifier and Jacques Deprés 

Oscar Brenifier and Jacques Deprés have launched a whole series of philosophy books aimed at pre-schoolers which have been published in many different languages throughout the world, and finally into English. The first two titles are due out in April in the UK. 

The Meaning of Life by and Oscar Brenifier Jacques Deprés ISBN 0789211327

The Meaning of Life by and Oscar Brenifier Jacques Deprés ISBN 0789211335

The Kola series by Jacques Deprés looks super cute too, published in France by Nathan Editions.

Kola: Voyage en fusée by Jacques Deprés ISBN 2092539485

New book: The Dark

The Dark, Orchard Books

I can't wait to get my hands on this book written by Lemony Snicket and illustrated by the most wonderful Jon Klassen. And the really exciting part - Jon Klassen will be here in the UK for a 10 date book tour in May! The Dark is released in the UK on the 2nd April, ISBN 1408330024.

The Dark by Lemony Snicket illustrated by Jon Klassen

The Dark by Lemony Snicket illustrated by Jon Klassen

The Dark by Lemony Snicket illustrated by Jon Klassen

Needless to say I am totally smitten with the Klassen's illustrative talents and macabre humour. I love what's left unsaid in his books. 

The Burst of Beaden website showcases all his projects. Here are some gorgeous artworks made as concept art for one of my all time favourite films, Coraline.

Jon Klassen concept art for Coraline

Jon Klassen concept art for Coraline

Jon Klassen concept art for Coraline

And the stunning dark beauty of Black Lake, a collaboration with Daniel O Reilly.


Black Lake from David OReilly on Vimeo.

I'm inspired by tropical pastels

I thought it would be nice to try a curious mix of dusky pastels for an offbeat tropical print inspiration. I particularly love the sweet palette of smokey mauves, palm greens and banana yellows next to off-black comic book lines and textures in the strange cartoon tale of Moomin Valley Turns Jungle.

Leila Jeffreys

vintage postcard via Ebay

El interior de Ana

Lucky Boy Sunday 

Moomin Valley Turns Jungle by Tove Jansson ISBN 9781770460973

I'm inspired by ADO Spielgoed wooden toys

ADO Spielgoed vehicle CODA Museum digital archive 

ADO Spielgoed vehicle CODA Museum digital archive 

ADO Spielgoed vehicle CODA Museum digital archive 

ADO Spielgoed vehicle CODA Museum digital archive 

ADO Spielgoed vehicle CODA Museum digital archive 

I love the playful combination of minimal forms, limited colour and the graphic letter stencils of these wonderful ADO Spielgoed toys, from a recent exhibition at the Coda Museum in the Netherlands.

Ko Verzuu designed these toys between 1935 and 1955, absorbing inspiration from artists such as Gerrit Rietveld and Piet Mondriaan as well as the ideas of educational innovators Maria Montessori and Friedrich Fröbel. The toys, which included all kinds of vehicles, games, building blocks and doll's house furniture were hand made by recovering tuberculosis patients in the Berg en Bosch Sanitorium near Appledoorn. 

For more information, you can dip into the digital archive at the Coda Museum or there is a facsimile edition of a book: ADO Speelgoed Toys, which was published in 1994. 

Coda Museum via Rafa-kids blog

Thanks to Rafa-kids  blogspot for bringing this inspiring exhibition to my attention!

I'm inspired by Node Fairtrade rugs

Donna Wilson Node rug

 The madebynode collection of 18 Fairtrade rugs are the most amazing rugs I have seen for a long time. The designs feature the work of some of my favourite children's book illustrators so I can't help but gush. 
The collection was launched this weekend at the Design Museum  in London. Node is a fair trade social business founded by designer, illustrator and long time advocate of Fairtrade, Chris Haughton, and entrepreneur Akshay Sthapit. Node has collaborated with illustrators and designers such as Benji Davies, Donna Wilson, Jon Klassen, Kevin Waldron and Sanna Annukka.

Sanna Annukka Node rug

Kevin Waldron Node rug

Jon Klasson Node rug

Benji Davies Node rug




Chris Haughton's 2011 rug featuring the Owl from his best selling book, A Bit Lost. Can't wait to see if Oh No George doggy rug in sizzling orange and hot pink!

A Bit Lost Owl rug by Chris Haughton