Modish

Stitchface

My brain is feeling extra mushy this morning, so I thought it'd be the perfect time to feature something equally as soft, like these adorable little plushies from Stitchface.

Featuring wide eyed bears, kitties and spring perfect bunny rabbits, Stitchface plushies are a happy little pick me up for kids and adults alike. And they're eco-friendly too, made from vintage and upcycled materials and filled with 100% recycled polyfill made from recycled plastics. See more things to make your life a little cuter at Stitchface!

Picture Perfect: mummysam

Picture Perfect: Penguin & Fish

{What's brand spakin' new and too adorable for words?  Lion kitties!}

Robot Love

For my final paper in my Philosophy of Love and Friendship class (yes, that was a real class) oh so many years ago, I wrote a ten page treatise on whether robots have the ability to love (yes, also true. and yes, I realize what a nerd that makes me)  I can't for the life of me remember what my conclusion on the topic was, but if these artists below have anything to say about it, they'd surely say robots can love.  Do love.  And just in time for Valentine's Day.

1 :: robot romance t-shirt by Ex-Boyfriend
2 :: robot tote bag by Sirena con Jersey
3 :: rolly the radcore robot necklace by Corky
4 :: sad robot by Little Brown Byrd
5 :: girly bots in love, original painting by boto designs
6 :: love happens, original mixed media painting by Vol25

Donna Wilson

These handmade softies and wooly knit goods by Donna Wilson just bestill my heart!

I am so in love with everything this UK artist makes...  On a perfect day, I could curl up in a comfy chair with one of her pillows at my back, one of her blankets on my lap, surrounded by all my favorite creatures from her collection and just listen to the rain against the windows.  Oh, what a nice thought... it might look something like this- just insert me right in the middle of all that cuteness!

{ I discovered her at Wannekes, a great shop you're gonna wanna check out! ;) }

New Modamuse!

Modamuse is celebrating their 2 year anniversary (congrats Jessica!!) and with it comes a brand new site re-vamp that looks great!  It hosts all the same incredible handmade goods made by Australian and New Zealander designers, but in a new and improved shop interface that looks cleaner, is well organized and super easy to navigate.  Now it's even easier to explore the wealth of design goodness!  Take a peek for yourself at Modamuse.

Soft finds for fall

Fall feels so quiet and cuddly to me, and it has definitely arrived here in Portland.  It cheers me up to see leaves yellowing against grey skies, to see how the angle of the sun changes with shorter days, to feel the chill in the air hit my cheeks and the tip of my nose.  So, I put together some soft, felted and knit goods for fall that remind me of the wonderful richness of this, my favorite season:

1:: Squirrel Rex by Strawberries and Cream
2} decoration maple leaves by Fleur Fatale
3:: Presence- red sea shawl/scarf by Irregular Expressions
4} Sprout Edith Tote by Queen Bee Creations
5:: felted wool acorns in blue by lil fish studios
6} fall story necklace by Pirilampo Riscado

Sleep deprivation

Uh oh.  BIG problemo with the new house- noisy ass partying old men neighbors that have for the third time this week woken us up with loud fighting, music BLASTING, banging around and overall drunken sounds well into the early morning- the noise lasted til about 4:30 am today.  Crap.  We're moving the bedroom to where my office is now, a (hopefully) quieter room that doesn't share a window with the monsterous neighbors' yard.  I have to give up my larger office space, but it's a small price to pay for a happier, non sleep-deprived boyfriend (who is currently having Dexter-like thoughts on how best to get rid of our neighbor problem :)  Until we shift things around, all I want to do is go back to bed and snuggle up with one of these cute little stuffies.  Even adults need a cuddly companion sometimes, hmmm?

1} Woodgrain Owl by Norweigan Wood  $49
2: Kitty No. 21 by Penguin and Fish  $45
3} White Wool Bear Friend by Shanna Murray  $60
4: Elsa the Elephant by Snuggle Herd  $24
5} Semi Sweet Cat by Marjji  $15
6: Custom Sweetheart Owls by Skunkboy Creatures  $60

(+ more cute plushie things over in my etsy favorites today ----->)

Eco-Friendly Find: Hassenpfeffer Inc.

Kid's aren't the only ones who need something soft and cuddly to squeeze every now and then- here are some "grown up" toys for big kids who like a little softness around to brighten their day:

Not only are these cuddlies as cute as can be, they're also made from high quality vintage materials, recycling cast off clothing into treasures that will keep you company for years and years to come.  Find them (along with more friends!) at Hassenpfeffer Inc!  Schlemiel!

Site of the week: Hammer & Daisy

Great googlimoogli, I've hit the motherload of handmade, Australian goodness.  Yes, I've discovered, Hammer & Daisy!  With incredible goods that are handmade from start to finish by a talented few ladies, and range from journals to pencil cases to pouches to plushies, you can find one-of-a-kind items with style and personality.  Take a look for yourself!

Let's start with their incredible journals in many different styles and wonderful fabrics:

And move on to their pretty little pouches and handy dandy pencil holders:

And don't forget beauuuutiful blank cards, vibrantly printed just for you:

Or their wonderfully cute plushies and handmade felt and knit goodies!

There's even more to see on the Hammer & Daisy site, these items only scratch the surface of their fabulous offerings!  Check them out for yourself- a feast for the eyes and a treat for your shopping urges!

A little bird told me...

...that little birds just listed some new goodies in their shop!  Handmade by Stephanie Congdon Barnes, this wonderful squirrel is perfect to add a little charm to any shelf, desktop or windowsill.

Made in my favorite color combination right now (just look at modishoppe!) mustard and brown, this awesome creation has a rustic, heirloom feel, like he wants to whisper a little story into your ear.  I love the polkadotted belly and the curly, yarn tail!  He's really cute and he may have to be mine.  Please help save me from spending money I don't have and buy him first!  He's sure to bring a little delightfulness into your everyday.

They Bholu me away!

One of the worst things about buying mass-produced goods is imaging the conditions under which they were labored, so it's always refreshing and inspiring to find goods that are produced abroad fairly and ethically, that actually help to benefit their makers both financially and creatively.  Case in point: Bholu!

Bholu goods, like these gorgeous hand-embroidered felt journals and cute plushie Bubalahs are conceptualized in Australia and brought to life by the hands of traditional Gujarati women artists in Western Gujarat, India.  In addition to conducting art workshops with the children of the community, a part of Bholu's proceeds go back to the women artists and help to fund educational facilities for underprivileged children.  Fair trade, guilt free, and stylish at the same time- check out Bholu!

 

 

Site of the week: Maki Squarepatch

Oh Maki Squarepatch, how do I love you?  Let me count the ways: 1. You make cute stuff, darn tootin!  And so much of it! How do you have time to make such a wide array of greatness?  2. All the stuff you make is made from recycled materials.  That's awesome!  You can really make goods that are that cute just from scrap fabric and a little ingenuity?  I applaud you!  3. Your shop is named after your cat.  You had me at hello, Maki Squarepatch.  You had me at hello.  4. You're based in Singapore.  That seems to be the hotbed of some wonderful new up and coming designers that I've discovered recently- go Singapore, go!  5. Everything you make is unique and one-of-a-kind making it all the more special!

Take these little zip pouches for instance:

Or these incredibly adorable bags and purses:

And some friendly things that will help make your house a home:

There's also vintage clothing, original art, vintage jewelry and accessories and even eco-friendly tips on the front page!  Maki Squarepatch, you have won over my heart indeed!

Hoot hoot!

Rainbows and plushies and gooco, oh my!  If you're looking to add a little color to your life or brighten someone's day, say it with a cute little wise owl plushie by Mazzalicious!  Simple, sweet and smile inducing, they're available in a wide array of fun colors!  Find them at Mazzalicious along with more plush cuteness!

Site of the week: Chet and Dot

Self described as "handmade lovelies for you and yours", Portland based Chet and Dot is a cute little shop brimming with more handmade lovelies than you can imagine!  Armed with a needle and thread and some adorable fabric, inspired by Japanese zakka and all things cute, Chet and Dot creations are simple yet creative, darling yet useful and lucky for us, available right on etsy!  Take a peek of some of my favorite items!

Awesome little sewing kits include a handmade pincushion, fabric covered tape measure and little straight pins!

Versatile drawstring bags or a little mini pin-board featuring cute little owls!

Adorable plushie goodness for kids or just to brighten your day!

Handy checkbook covers and tissue pouches!

One-of-a-kind fabric collages and adorable linen pouches!

There's also handbags, dishtowels, jewelry, baby onesies and lots more to see!  Check it out for yourself at Chet and Dot but beware of cuteness overload!