Yesterday I bought new Christmas paper from Rifle Paper Co.  I have mentioned this company on my blog before but felt they deserved a full post.  Anna Bond is the talented founder and designer behind the Rifle brand. Most of the designs are hand painted and hand lettered by her.  

The holiday paper I bought...

I covet this recipe box even though I rarely cook :).

Gorgeous pocket notebooks.

Prints to pretty up the walls.

And iphone cases.

Lovely!  I'll take one of each please.

Halloween is right around the corner and I am desperately trying to find a costume!  My first thought was to put temporary tattoos all over my arms and neck and go as a sideshow freak, the tattooed lady.  I was browsing online to try and find temporary tattoos and came across a company called Tattly.  They make designy temporary tattoos that are more original than the ones you see in the drugstore.  Many illustrators that I admire (Marc Johns, Oliver Jeffers, Julia Rothman and Fiona Richards) even do drawings for Tattly that are then turned into tattoos! Very cool.  

Atelier Banquet also makes some designy temporary tattoos that I recently purchased.

Alas, my dream of becoming the tattooed lady has been kiboshed by my hubby.  He thinks it would be gross and silly to attempt this endeavor.  Plus buying a whole kit from Tattly would cost over $250!  But look at the results....

Amazing, right?!

Recently I rescued a room in our basement that the kids had been using for splatter painting and my hubby, Moses, was thinking of turning into a dark room.  I decided that I needed a room of my own to use for crafts and quiet contemplation.  A place where I could make a mess and leave it, then come back and have everything exactly as I had left it. Those of you with small children will understand why this is so important and yet often impossible to achieve. This room is now a haven from the chaos!  (And don't feel too sorry for Moses.... he has his garage filled with motorcycles to tinker away on and also a rumpus room filled to the brim with records, guitars, and a foosball table).

In the new craft room is a large black and white photo taken by Debbie Carlos that I ordered from her etsy store.  The walls are painted in Farrow and Ball's 'skylight'.

Directly beside the photo is my only source of natural light and a view of the back garden.  I hope to fill the area right outside the window with more plants. The ledge is home to our old school telephone and an ipod speaker.

Below is a photo that shows the old enamel topped table I still need to paint and the white cement floors that also need another lick of paint :).  I was too impatient to finish painting and just wanted to move everything in and start using it! 

Currently my inspiration board displays cute christmas cards, japanese papers, ribbon, a wax seal, cool packaging, aluminum numbers and enamel letters.  I'm sure it will constantly evolve. 

On this side of my desk is a storage cube with Farrow and Ball paint samples, a pencil sharpener that looks like a vintage camera and my washi tape collection. The cube and tape dispenser I bought at Michaels Craft Store.

On the other side of my desk is a lime green tape dispenser and stapler from Poppin, purchased at Chapters.  

I'm using an old dresser to store photos and craft supplies.  The fluorescent painting above the dresser is a favourite thrift store find.

On the wall beside the dresser I hung a piece of string and clipped quotes that I printed from my Pinterest board.

The inside of the door I painted a shockingly bright yellow (Farrow and Ball's 'yellowcake')!

http://www.pinterest.com/amyejones/w-o-r-d-s/

Since I work in a paper store, I am smitten with all things paper!  I have been browsing the blog 'oh so beautiful paper' and loving it.  The author, Nole Garey, showcases gorgeous wedding invitations, save the dates and baby announcements.

The blog also has a DIY section devoted to all things paper.  

The floral fans below are used as place cards.

'Oh so beautiful paper' also helps to support small 

stationery companies by featuring some of their products.

 The picture below shows the 'Three Potato Four' booth at the 

2013 New York Stationery Show.

Another photo shows the sign at the 'Rifle Paper' booth.

'Oh so beautiful paper' is worth a browse for much 

inspiration!

http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/

I just discovered a new artist while reading the online magazine, Rue.  The article was describing a tea shop in San Fransisco called Crown and Crumpet.  The photo alongside the article showed a stunning teapot made by Crate & Barrel.  The design on the teapot (now sold out) is by Yellena James.  I immediately went to her website and etsy shop and was smitten at once with her paintings and prints. Her artwork has graced everything from bath products to snowboards and a lovely silk scarf for Anthropologie (also now sold out).  

I am very tempted to buy a print from her Etsy shop!

Shop Sweet Lulu is an amazing online party shop selling everything from polka-dot balloons to fancy cupcake liners.  Cute, colorful and fun!  Some of my favorites include:

The ice cream truck filled with cups and wooden spoons for sharing yummy gelato and ice cream.

Polka dot straws!

Chevron striped favor bags!

Candy cups!

Wooden berry baskets for party favors or treats,

a gorgeous jadeite cake stand,

A tassel garland,

 and vintage style concession supplies.

You can even buy those little plastic vending machine containers to fill with toys or candy!

Shop Sweet Lulu has me dreaming of the next birthday party....

Simone Shubuck is an inspiring artist and former floral designer that I admire.  Her recent solo exhibit, "Do You Like Old Things or New Things That Look Old?"showcases her detailed mixed media pieces.

Simone utilizes pencil, crayon, paint, old drawings, antique 

photographs, and lithographs to create these memorable 

works.

She also has an amazing Chelsea garden apartment that was

featured in an article, Coveting Thy Friend's House, in the 

NYT late last year.

 

And as if that wasn't enough to elicit envy, Simone is also married to the editor in chief of Bon Appetit, Adam Rapaport.  

I occasionally read an online kid's magazine called LMNOP (www.lmnop.com.au) and they listed a company that sells equipment and supplies for schools and offices (www.worthingtondirect.com). These are furnishings that would be indestructible and perfect for the little ones at home! 

How awesome would it be to have your own library cart?! This one comes in many different bright colours.

If you are setting up a craft room these units for paper storage would keep supplies and artwork super organized. 

Funky, heavy duty chairs for the little ones in many different colours

Worthington Direct also sells metal lab stools that would be great for a desk area.