Crazy Cake Off

Threadless, the t-shirt design submission site has hosted a cake design competition, Threadcakes.  The designs are based on existing T-shirt designs.  Here are couple of the best ones!  How amazing are these!

Jack Bresnahan

Came across Jack Bresnahan's eco designs via ffffound (via Dezeen) this morning.  I love the simplicity of these designs which give the humble tin can a new lease of life.  I use old tin cans to store pens etc but they would look a bit more chic with the addition of one of these designs.  These designs were Jack's final year project at Northumbria University and were exhibited recently at New Designers in London.  I've noticed a lot of good work recently coming out of Northumbria University and Cumbria University, up near where I grew up - must be all the fresh air up there.

Lyndie Dourthe - Les Fleurs

I originally posted about Lyndie Dourthe over a year ago here to rave about her wonderful creations.  The other day I was looking at Oh Happy Day, when I came across a post about some new work she has created in a botanical theme which is just fantastic - not that I would expect anything less of Lyndie.  I just love the colors and the fact that I haven't seen anything like it before.  From what I can tell of the work, she has created all the 'flowers' herself using other materials such as paper to create these bright floral pieces.

The Crockery Cupboard

The previous post led me to this fantastic venture, The Crockery Cupboard.  Trying to collect together plenty of cute crocks for your wedding or party can be hard work as the quality of the teacups and china in your local charity shop can be a bit hit and miss, so here you can hire the crockery and they have a great selection to choose from.  What a great idea for a business venture.

Oh wow!

I came across the fab blog 100 Layer Cake a while back and check it out quite often as it has such wonderful wedding posts, even if you are not planning a wedding its worth visiting just for the inspiration and great photography.  I popped over there today and came across a wonderful post about Mimi of Mika 78, a letterpress designer who created these fantastic gifts for a close friend's bridal shower.  She hunted down the cutest vintage teacups and napkins in flea markets to use as the basis of her designs which she then handwrote (on the teacups) and printed on the napkins and these were wrapped up in little boxes with twine to give to each of the guests.  How fabulous - I'd be over the moon to receive something which has obviously been created with such love and care!

Tasty Stationery

Cute and crisp stationery available at Kok design via Ffffound

Karen Barbe

Gorgeous bedding with prints inspired by tile designs from Karen Barbe who is based in Santiago, Chile which I found via Bloesem.  I am just in love with the colourways and the lovely designs.  I can't wait to see more from Karen. The bottom image is a quilt Karen made for her sister as a wedding present - what a great gift!  if I had one of these I'd constantly be hanging on the washing line to show off to neighbours!!

OFFER: A whole 50% off Making Stuff and Making Stuff for Kids

Black Dog Publishing have recently contacted me to offer readers of bettyjoy blog 50% off their Making Stuff and making Stuff Kids books until 31 August 2009. To make the most of this dealio just email jess@blackdogonline.com with your delivery address and make sure you put Betty Joy Offer in the subject of your email to get your discount!

Jennifer Collier - paper fine art

Jennifer Collier is a very talented UK based artist.  I first came across Jennifer a few years ago when we both had stalls in Manchester's Urbis gallery one Christmas.  I absolutely love her work, so original and beautiful.

Pattern Pieces

via Twig and Thistle
via Velvet and Strawberries
via Papercrave via Crafting in a Green World
via Craftzine
via Cut Out and Keep

After seeing the lovely vintage pattern coasters in my previous post, it got me thinking about my stashes of vintage knitting and sewing patterns and what to do with them.  I looked around on the internet and found some fantastic inspiration!  I do appreciate that some people believe that vintage patterns should be kept as they are and not be upcycled, but if the patterns are damaged or have pieces missing then I personally can see no harm in using them to make something new that will decorate your home and not be hidden away in a drawer unused.

Coasters galore!

Loving these by Robot Candy - so many great designs and a right bargain at $6 each!  Check out the Etsy store.

Eugene and Louise Bakery

Eugene and Louise Bakery is the sweetest team-up ever between three Belgian friends: Glenn D’Hondt & Sylvia Meert (aka Eugene and Louise) and Tinne Mermans.

They created this fictional bakery for an art show in Antwerp.  Their goal was to combine Eugene and Louise’s character designs and illustrations with the sweetest food on the planet: marzipan and chocolate.This resulted in a limited edition series of edible designer toys and chocolate dreams.

Sheffield City Guide

Sheffield, on the doorstep of the Peak District, is also reportedly the greenest city in Europe with more parks and green spaces than any other city and Broomhill the suburb I live in in Sheffield, was described as the prettiest suburb in England back in 1961 by John Betjeman.  Famous for its steelworks, the Full Monty and bands like the Arctic Monkeys and Pulp it has always been a vibrant and creative city and now that creativity has been given a boost by local organisations like Craft Candy and Sheffield Craft Mafia who host regular fairs and events. New businesses are popping up all the time and Sheffield feels like an exciting place to live. 

Away from the mayhem of Meadowhall (aka Meadowhell by locals) shopping centre and the mainstream shops in the city centre is a whole wealth of places to explore and be inspired by!  So here it is, my guide to super duper Sheffield.

If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment.

Coffee, Chocolate and Cupcakes (Sheffield City Guide)

Fancie
Fancie
Cocoa
Cocoa

You shouldn't go exploring on an empty stomach (well, thats my excuse anyway!)

 Rude Shipyard, a cozy little cafe which also doubles up as a bookshop and music venue. 

Coop, a new cafe with artspace on London Road, next door to WasabiSabi.

Bragazzis cafe on Abbeydale Road and deli is famous for being the purveyors of the finest coffee in Sheffield.  Not being a coffee person myself I can't vouch for that, but my friends do.  What I can vouch for is the lovely italian sandwiches made fresh in the deli and the great shabby but chic interior 

 Fancie, a cafe dedicated to the fine art of the cupcake. You can get the cupcakes delivered to your office for a Friday afternoon and have personalised cupcakes for special events (They also make milkshakes using local ice cream from Our Cow Molly).  Oh and you can even purchase the china cups in which your drinks are served - neat!!

Cocoa, chocolate heaven, this chocolate store and tearoom is to die for.  You can sip exotic teas or their delicious hot chocolate from the pretty china cups in the back room which is bedecked in vintage ephemera - a feast for the eyes .... and tummy!

Shop til you drop (Sheffield city Guide)

Alice Takes a Trip
Within Reason

The Old Sweet Shop

Doing up your pad? Fancy some retro furniture to give your front room an Austin Powers make over then check out Bullet who work with the likes of the BBC providing them with authentic retro furntiure for sets. If upcycled restored antique furniture is more your thing then Antic is the place for you.  

Home Sweet Home on Sharrowvale Road and The Old Sweet Shop are the places to go for homewares and handmade goods by local designers.  The Old Sweet Shop is dedicated to showcasing the work of talented local artists and designers and is in the lovely suburb of Nether Edge.

Within Reason, I could literally fill my house with everything in this shop!  From homewares to accessories and furniture to children's goods this place is one of my favourites in Sheffield.

Alice Takes a Trip, I bought the most fantastic bright orange upcycled dress from here with a bow thats bigger than my head - I love it!  Get yourself something pretty from her (the shop is closing shortly but the clothing range will still be available online and at Freshmans and Arcade on Division Street or Syd and Mallory, and you'll be guaranteed to be the only one rocking your one off frock. 

Toast, one for the boys (and girls) one of a kind quirky t-shirts.  They also sell club tickets too - and tea.