We have to admit that gift wrapping during the Holiday quickly filled the trash can. It makes sense to explore ways to be more ecologically conscious. And when the packages are as great as these, being eco-friendly feels like an indulgence.

The founder of Pi’lo is Heather Shaw, a Torontonian mother of 2 young boys. She hand makes functional items for the home. I like her minimalist, comfy style. Like Heather said on her site, her creations can be passed around like a family heirloom.

My Favorite Items from Pi’lo

Her reusable crackers are made with recycled pop bottles that are transformed to look and fill like felt. I interested by her concept since I decide to make my own crackers this year. Her eco felt cracker comes with a lining, ribbon closure and a tag that can be used as a place card or a gift tag. I would personalize the crackers by putting more festive ribbons and maybe adding a tiny gift ornament on one end.

Another good idea is to replace the standard paper gift bag with one of her felt bags. Intended for loots at at kids parties or baking bags, small gifts would fit nicely inside her felt bags. Add a few holiday decorative touches and voilà!

Some people exchange tree ornaments during the holiday. Her lovely photo pocket ornament would be appreciated. Insert a family photo and give then to grandparents, your best friends and close family members.

SOURCING:
+ Reusable Crackers $10 USD
+ Felt Bag $12 USD
+ Photo Pocket Ornament $18 USD

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You will feel double pleased of yourself if you buy a knitted owl by Kanana Knitters as a Christmas gift for a kid. These adorable dolls are fair trade. They are handmade by a knitting cooperative aimed at improving the living conditions of rural women in Kenya. Right now, 300 knitters from nine different tribes export their products to many countries around the world including Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

The 15″ tall adult owls have a loosely looped knit coat. They come in several color combination. I photographed the 2 owls at Teatro Verde in Yorkville, Toronto. If I recalled well, they were around $85 CAD.

SOURCING:
+ Giant Hoot Owl baby $24, adult $64 USD at Kenana USA

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Each zombie plate is unique since they are hand-painted by the Seattle-based artist behind the blog Urban Soule (soule is her etsy shop). She also makes zombie mugs. Plus, you can host a scary Halloween party without fearing the dishes since her plates are dishwasher-safe.  This a great find by Angela of Shelterrific, who is a self-confessed ghoulish decor fan.

+ Zombie Plate Style2 No2 $16 USD by Soule on etsy
+ via Shelterrific

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UK potter Linda Bloomfield creates simple shapes with tactile satin mat glazes and subtly colored interiors. I like her style. Her tableware collection is sold through many art galleries and retailers across Britain. Lucky for us, the US-based retailer Hygge & West, which ships to Canada in top of the Unites States, carries her line.

+ Images via Linda Bloomfield

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These two items were to cute for not mentioning them. First, the cutest pincushions I have seen. Renilde was inspired by a small fishing village theme to create this series. Her needlework plays with basic forms in red, white and blue. The pincushions are available at Mieke Willems, a small shop in Belgium. Renilde has a blog called At Swim-two-birds.

The wood bowling set is a creation of Little Sapling Toys on etsy. They plant a tree through Trees for the Future for every toy sold. They use a local beeswax and organic jojoba oil finish to bring out the natural beauty of the woods. The organic SKITTLES include 10 6-inch tall profile blocks and 2 hardwood balls.

I discovered Mieke Williams through the beautiful blog of Jane of Simple Pretty that I followed on Twitter.

SOURCING:
+ Mieke Willens’ blog
+ organic SKITTLES – 10 pin retro wooden bowling developmental set $26 USD on etsy
+ Via

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Poppytalk handmade is a great online market place where you can to fall upon unique finds. You can find original pieces like these illustrations by Matte Stevens. It happens to depict two places I have been to.

+ Gramercy Park NYC illustrates a stunning area. It is unbelievable that a fenced-in private park still exists in New York. There is another private park in Queens. Gramercy Park is open once a year to the public. Otherwise, it is only available for the residents of the few buildings that share this property. 8.5 x 11 print $35 USD
+ Canal Street New Orleans $85 USF for a limited edition 16 x 20 print.

+ From Solstice Home, I like the idea of Take a Note or Two for your home office or to keep in the kitchen. Sold on etsy from $18 USD.

+ Avril Loreti designed Blackboard Coasters with equations. Perfect for a back-to-school party. Thereafter, you can use the coasters in your office. $14 USD for 4 on etsy.

Check out the Back-to-school Theme compiled by Poppytalk Handmade as they are more great finds.

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While I was on etsy, I came across this crayon roll by Little Bird Designs of Vancouver, BC. This is one thing that parents should always carry with them. This ready-to-go crayon roll holds 10 crayons (or colored markers). Just roll, fold over – front to back – and tie! The crayons are included with the Animal Parade Crayon Roll. $12

Janick of Neawear contacted me to tell that she is having a sale on everyhting in her etsy store, including her gorgeous wall wear. You can save 15% if you buy before August 22, 2009. This is her 3rd year Anniversary Sale. Congrats on your anniversary, Janick!

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Any home decor starts with an inspiration, a pattern or an item on which you develop your concept. To avoid the obvious theme, why not shop at etsy to find unique cushions that will become the building blocks of your nursery decor?

These four cushions are naive to suit a baby environment, yet they are sophisticated.

+ The 50s Birdcage Pillow by Olive ($19) is unisex. Its provides lots of color choices. You could look for the same vibe for art prints. Remember the bird mobile designed by spool that I featured last Spring. It would be an awesome idea with these cushions.

+ You could aim for the simple shapes of the Kreuzberg pillow by hazelandhunter ($42). As you can see it is possible to mix geometric and organic forms if they have the treatment.

+ Une Voiture en France Cushion tells the story of a weekend camping trip with a tent, a couple and a car. It is cute. By Helena Carrington. $66

+ Joom made the Yellow on Off White Blooming Blossom Rectangle Pillow ($28) in several colors. I like this yellow as an accent color. You could add trees and birds wall decals to continue the theme.

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This is a well-done Patriotic Bunting Banner Flags for the Fourth of July. springchick used the flag elements on a good taste manner. As you know, I am not a fan of displaying the flag at any party. This is a more subtle way to achieve the same result.

By changing a pattern or two, it could be harmonized with the DIY Fourth of July craft project from Twig & Thistle that I am shown you earlier today. It is not too late to go shopping for pieces of fabric and sew your own banner flags.

SOURCING:
+ Patriotic Bunting Banner Flags by spingchick $32 USD on etsy

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I am responding to my interior designer friend Jennifer Mitchell of Design Hole who spotlighted these French-made tabletop accessories having me in mind. She was looking for an excuse to throw a party.

This concept was developed by L’Atelier Modele. Every product from Lajolitable series would add a festive touch to your table on any occasions this summer. The hand made items are made of polypropylene, which means that they could be reused. After usage, you simply need to carefully clean them with a damp cloth. You select the color you want from 16 colors.

If you are into birds, here are some items you may enjoy:

+ Lejolinom, a cute birdy place card holder  €1.20
+ Ballotin de chocolat, a party favor box with a ribbon flower that can hold 5 chocolates – starts at €4.50
+ Placemat €6.00
+ Birds Coaster, to match with the placemat (bottom right) €3.00
+ Brindille, a flat flower used as a decorative element on a table or hanging from a branch €0.50
+ Oiseau, a decorative element for a glass or a plate. Remove when you are ready to serve. €0.80

MORE:
+ Via Design Hole

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These are stylish housewares essentials. They make a perfect gift for Mother’s Day or to bring to the hostess this summer. I particularly like the level of details on the green saperlipopette model.

A French woman created these half-aprons. She sells them on etsy. Her atelier celebrates on a modern way the charms of the French country style. Her design are cute and fun. She also make tea towels, notebooks with the same patterns.

You can read her blog (it’s written in English). Her blog is filled with beautiful pictures.

SOURCING:
+ saperlipopette gardening half apron $32 USD
+ macaron half apron $32 USD

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One year ago, I introduced these superb Egg candle holders by Michelle Mason, a UK product designer. Her rabbit felt coasters/napkin holders are cute and refined. Available in black and cream 100% wool felt, they could be used for any brunch party.

To complement this setting, I discovered the beautiful hand crafted Bud vase with woven knotless net of Michael McDowell. Michael follows me on Twitter; this is how his work caught my eyes. You could replace the flower with big yellow Chrysanthemum or Super Yellow Disbud Spider.

SOURCING:
+ Egg Candle Holders by Michelle Mason £68.26 per pair
+ Black felt rabbit coaster / napkin holder £12.00 Cream felt rabbit coaster / napkin holder by Michelle Mason
+ Bud vase with woven knotless net $36 USD on etsy

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