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Freedom :: Summer Collection

22 July 2011

Earlier this week I braved the torrential rain to attend the launch of Freedom's Summer Collection at Carriageworks. In keeping with the summer theme we drank pineapple cocktails out of pineapples, complete with little umbrellas, and ate gelato under palm trees, while watching old movies at the 'outdoor' cinema. I got to hang out with Jo (on another whirlwind visit to Sydney), Megan (who did a wonderful job styling the event) and Lexi (I don't know how she does all she does and still manages to look so glamourous) and I didn't want to leave and go back to the reality of winter!

not so great photos taken on my iPhone
Edit: Check out Jo's post on Desire to Inspire for a lot of much, much better photos taken on the night.

When I hosted a giveaway for Freedom a few months ago a frequent comment was along the lines of I can't believe it's not butter! Freedom. Wait until you see the new collection: there are bold colours and great shapes, and styles that evoke New York to Shanghai. It's directional and inspirational. And it's all about allowing you to take different pieces and mix and match to suit your own style. Gotta love that.

The standout pieces are from the new limited edition range. Freedom launched their first limited edition range last season, and apparently most of it sold out as soon as it hit the stores. How amazing is the Three Sisters settee? The new collection will be in store on 22nd August, so you'll have to elbow me out of the way for one of those upholstered Jack & Jill stools! Loving the shape and the handles.



Also on my must have list are the fabulously quirky garden gnomes in all their glossy glory, and these great outdoor chairs.



Love this light too!


Another standout is this stunning big coffee table with a hammered finish.





The glossy liquorice Spice Hall table (above) is long and narrow with chunky turned legs and looked fab paired with the square stools in antique white, red and teal.

As you know I don't blog about things unless I love them - even if there are cocktails involved - but there are so many things that called my name in this collection. See anything you like?
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Inspiration :: Ella Robinson

21 July 2011

Multi media textile artist Ella Robinson creates these vibrant sculptures from driftwood, thread and plastic tubing. I love the way the intense colours and precise stripes of the manmade elements really pop against the organic forms of the found driftwood. I'd be thrilled to have one of these in my garden!




All images: Ella Robinson
Ella also creates accessories using the same techniques and materials... they are scaled down versions of her sculptures.
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Light and Bright dining

In the depths of winter on a miserable rainy day I'm swooning over these light and bright summery dining rooms - very diverse in their styling, but all lovely.

Image source: Red online
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Craft + Technology = Love

19 July 2011

Embroider your own iPhone case! Use the patterns supplied or create your own design. Love it.



Available from connect design.


Found via Cafe Cartolina, via Unplugged.

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Kids' Crafternoon

18 July 2011

Earlier this year I was asked to contribute some craft projects for a new series of books called Kids' Crafternoon. The first two books in the series are Papercraft and Sewing, and I was excited to receive copies of them in the mail last week. The other two titles - Felting and Beading - will be out in November.

My shadow box project.
My papier mache animals project
My illustrated softy brooches project

The books are full of fun projects for school aged children and require minimal or no supervision. They can be completed in an afternoon or less. Perfect for when you hear that familiar cry "I'm bored!". (When Roxy says this I tell her that only boring people get bored. Which is always met with the response "Oh Muuuumm!!") These books would be perfect to pull out during winter school holidays, rainy weekends and for quiet time after a big day at school.

The design and photography are lovely, the instructions are clear and there are templates in the front of the book. If you'd like to win a copy stay tuned... next week I will have one copy of each book to give away as part of the Kids' Crafternoon Blog Tour.

Edit: The kids' Crafternoon books are available at good bookshops, including Readings and Booktopia.
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