Make your own Matryoshka dolls

We love 'Matryoshka Dolls' in this house!

Isabella recently mastered the larger set of our

little collection, and was mighty proud!

(As was I!)

'Matryoshkas' also known as 'Russian dolls' or 'Babushka dolls',

originally stem from Russia and date back to the late 1800s.

The very first set was carved by a man called Vasiliy Zvezdochkin

from a design by a folk crafts painter named Sergei Maliutin.

According to one of the articles I read, the inspiration

came from a set of Japanese 'Shichi-fuku-jin' dolls -

also known as the 'Seven Gods of Fortune' (*).

Zevezdochkin and Maliutin's first Matryoshka consisted of

a set of eight dolls - the largest was a girl holding a rooster,

all the inner ones but the fifth were girls and the inner most a baby.

This apparently, is how you are able to tell an original

from a modern replica or reproduction.

To me though the whole idea of 'layering' and nesting

one object inside another is very typical of the

Russian period, and I am thinking foremost

of the famous 'Faberge Egg'.

The very first one was commissioned by
Czar Alexander III of Russia as an Easter surprise

for his wife Maria Fyodorovna - the lucky woman!!

Aaanyway..
...what I really wanted to share with you was this...
A slightly more affordable Russian pleasure
that is available via Swedish online store
Cosas

Isn't it a great idea!!?

xCharlotta

Pretty forest animals

I am a huge fan of forest animals - I mean, how could

I not love these divine creatures that live in the

magical forests in my beloved Sweden!

So I was quite thrilled when these images of

wall stickers were part of a recent newsletter

from the divine Papier d'Amour (shop).

If you are not familiar with this store,

do jump on to their website or better yet

visit them down in Double Bay, Sydney.

(be prepared to become addicted!)

I will do a proper post about the store

at a later stage - it is too lovely a place
to post about without proper pictures.

xCharlotta

Leaves lovely leaves

I thought this was a cute and simple idea for

a nice seasonal table setting.

Free template via Martha Stewart.

Another 'leaf craft' project for those of you who

are enjoying Fall (northern hemisphere).

Leaf garland as seen HERE.

Lovely table setting via BHG.

xCharlotta

Cute DIY projects from 'Spool'

'Spoolsewing' is a wonderful web address to bookmark

in your electronic library if you like crafting.

Not only do they offer inspirational imagery

through their blog (HERE), but they also run classes

for the lucky people who live in Philadelphia (HERE).

Here's some lovely projects you can attempt at home..

1. Bird Mobile

Download this free 'bird pattern' via this CLICK.

2. Lunch bags for school

Download your PDF pattern from HERE.

3. Coin Bag

More information from HERE.

4. Coffee cup cozy

Now this looks like something even I

could (possibly) manage to achieve!

Click HERE to read more about the cute little cozy.

Happy crafting - and please don't forget to show me

what you have created ok!!

xCharlotta

Live Bohemian

Sometimes you stumble across something

that you get so excited about you wish you could
go there right away and experience it in real life.

Well.. the photos and creative expressions of
Live Bohemian's home and art on Flickr did just that for me.
When I saw them I felt that exhilarated joy of a child
who has just seen something really exciting
that they want to explore further.

So tugging your sleeve now.. please come and have a look
at the amazingly fun, vibrant and creative home of
artist Tracy Lorna Nors.


The chandelier is one of Tracy's own creations.
Made out of a vintage find.

This 'Scandi' looking cabinet reminds me of
one that we used to store our bedlinen in,
down at our summer house in the South of Sweden.
Wonder where that went..?

Loving this shade of green at the moment..



Paper bowl made by Tracy.

The 'bird light' (part of a string of lights) is wonderful.
Does anyone know where it is from?

This lampshade has been made by Tracy.
The little swing tags are great.

Imagine how many wonderfully creative conversations
have taken place at this kitchen table!

Click HERE for Tracy's blog.

xCharlotta

Amy Butler paper goods

I just don't seem to get enough of

Amy Butler's amazing products at the moment.
Every time I see something by her I am completely drawn to it.
The designs feel so fresh and positive and
I find myself smiling every time I see them.

Here are some inspiration from her paper goods collections.
Hopefully they will make you happy too.
Click HERE for a list of online shops
in your part of the world.

xCharlotta

Polkadot Strawberry

'Polkadot Strawberry' makes me happy!

Just look at this and tell me if it doesn't
make your crafty little heart leap too..








xCharlotta

Magnificent Modish

One of the blogs I really enjoy reading is 'Modish' -

written by Jena Coray from her home in Portland, OR.

She is an absolute master at sniffing out and
generously sharing beautiful things be that vintage goods,
new & upcoming artistic talent, innovative products & designs,
and generally inspirational eye candy.

Here are a couple of her recent finds:

'Mynta'

Little Silver Things from Canada.
(I hope my husband is reading this!! :)

'Noodle Ring'

'Paille Necklace'

'Blossom necklace'

'Happy Tape'

Japanese happiness that sticks!



Have a great day all!

xCharlotta

Ribbons! Rolls of lovely ribbons!

I went ribbon-shopping today!

It is one of my favourite things to do and..
(although my husband does not understand why..)
..I simply love my collection of ribbons!

In my previous ribbon ventures I came across
'Ribbons Galore'
a website dedicated to ribbons.
Shop by colour, width or design and browse through
their ideas gallery for inspiration on crafty applications.

xCharlotta



P.S. Remind me to get one of Martha Stewart's 'ribbon storage boxes'...



Though I really love the way 'House Doctor' stores theirs...