The collection Whip Cream is absolutely delicious!

I must admit December is always a little hectic, and despite all my efforts to be more organised this year, it is looking as mad a ever. Between the blog, finishing orders for my label Petit pois, shooting kids editorial for various mag, I also signed a lease this week for a kids concept store I am opening with another kids designer Amanda Williamson. Watch this space to hear about this very cool store we are about to open in sunny Cape Town.
So time has become very precious lately and my lovely little blog has taken a bit of a back seat. But in the midst of all this madness, I have to tell you about this super cute and delicious Japanese kids brand: Whip Cream. Created in 2007 by designer Etsuko Tahara, Whip Cream has a wide range of fun and colourful clothes for kids, from cute little denim dresses to classic nautical tops which I can never get tired of. These images are from their S/S 2012 collection, I love the fact the designer worked with so many different fabrics: florals, polka dots, stripes... Check their website to find out more about Whip Cream:
www.fujiya-kids.com

A is for Atpalicis

I am so fond of illustrations like these, there is something quirky and charming about them. I especially like the 1st one of The Little Red Riding Hood in the bad wolf's tummy. It made my little dude Noah and I smile! This artist is from Kiev, Ukraine and goes by the name of Atpalicis. She has a very cool blog where you can stay updated with her latest work:
http://atpalicis.blogspot.com
And you can also buy her work on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/people/atpalicis

Enter the world of Wovenplay

 

 I remember exactly the first time I noticed Wovenplay, their quirky printed socks and tights immediately caught my eye. There is something so endearing and fun about this brand.  Based in New York and created by Katherine Edmonds, Wovenplay is a unique label where garments are all locally made and they only use eco-friendly materials. A lot of love and care has gone into making these beautiful pieces of clothing. I really wanted to know more about the woman behind this amazing brand:

1- WWKA: How did Wovenplay come about?

 I have spent my life collecting old, special things and hand-made things especially textiles and clothing. When my son was little I loved to find one-of-a-kind, well-made clothes for him at vintage shops and flea markets.  It was during this time that I decided to create a modern collection of playful, hand-made pieces that would inspire and intrigue.
 2- WWKA: Where do you find the inspiration for your new collections? 

I'm inspired by fine art, decorative art and traditional arts and crafts. Always longing for the originality and sincerity of hand-made things, I love to play with color and materials and make textiles come to life in unexpected ways to inspire the imagination
 3- WWKA: I know Wovenplay is an environmentally friendly brand, what are the challenges of designing "green" garments in the US? 

 The biggest challenge is economic as prices go up for organic fabrics and new york manufacturing
4-WWKA:  Where you a very creative child?  

 Yes--I enjoyed sewing, painting, gardening and making fun arts and crafts projects at camp
5- WWKA: Name 3 things that make you smile?  

My son William, music and the Mediterranean sea
www.wovenplay.com 

Olie : as cute as a button

This very charming and adorable doll is completely handmade by creator Yfat Forsher. The dolls are all made from organic materials. To know more about these super cute dolls, visit Yfat's virtual studio and stay updated with his newest creations:
http://olie-dolls.blogspot.com

My first great Christmas Gift Idea: recycled from old skateboards! Locally Made in Portland, OR, USA.

This Christmas Where The Wild Kids Are is launching a "Buy Locally Made" Christmas gifts campaign. I will try my best to find some amazing Christmas gifts ideas from all over the world and hopefully some of them will be from somewhere near you. My first find is made by Artist Jason Greene, who enjoys skating and has trouble throwing things away. His business, BoardGames, recycles old skateboards by making them into wooden toys and children’s furniture.Jason is based in Portland, Oregan, US. Amazing idea, amazing product!
http://www.etsy.com/people/boardgames

Getting to know and love Quirky Collective

Quirky Collective is an amazing online store I discovered while hunting for cool and edgy kids brands for the blog. The name caught my eye straight away, as anything quirky is alright in my book. It stocks all the kids brands I am crazy about under one roof: from Bobo Choses to Wovenplay. The layout of the store is very clean and simple, I love the shop by wardrobe section. I managed to track down the creator of this great store Michelle and was able to ask her a few questions: 

1-wwka: When did you start Quirky Collective?
I started thinking about the store back in 2008/2009 and launched the concept in 2010. 
2-wwka: What inspired you to do it?
 I guess that I came to the point in my no-longer-single-and-fancy-free life where I had rethink my options. so after plenty of consideration I settled on creating a business that would complement my new status as a mother, be flexible around my children whilst still allowing me to have a creative outlet.
3-wwka: In your opinion,what makes Quirky Collective different from other online stores?
There are plenty of online stores out there, each different, each with their unique direction.  quirky collective is small and very personal affair with a very organic approach to retail.  I am pleased and proud to grow the brand on my own terms.
4- wwka: Have you ever considered starting your own clothing label?
 I have plenty of ideas in mind for the store and the brand as a whole but because quirky collective is still in its infancy I do not feel that I can get too distracted just yet and first must master that walk before I can run. 
5- wwka: You mention your daughters on your website, do they share your love for quirky clothes?
 Oh yes, this is coming along quite nicely but perhaps not for the same reasons!  Their outlook is still very naive and beautifully childish.  a simple grey a-line dress in their mind might indicate to others that they are princesses, purely because it twirls the right way or it is the perfect dress to do a curtsy in!  So fashion for them still belongs to the realms of their crazy little world.

www.quirkycollective.com 

The world of Maria Elina

Some really lovely illustrations by Maria Elina Mendez!

http://www.maria-elina.blogspot.com/ 

There's a new kid in town: Modeerska Huset.

It is always very exciting for me to discover new kids label. Modeerska Huset was created in January 2011 by Swedish designer Jenny Modeer. So this is a brand new label, full of fun illustrated prints and  bright colours. Scandinavian labels have really mastered the art of creating mad prints, and mix matching colours and patterns in a really fun way. Jenny has also placed a huge emphasis on being a environmentally friendly company and all the fabric she uses are 100% certified organic cotton.
www.modeerskahuset.com

Exclusive interview with Chizuko Takai, designer and creator of Franky Grow

I remember when I first discovered this amazing brand, all I could think about is how much fun the designer must have creating clothes like these. I managed to find Chizuko and with the help of Yoshiko, agent for Franky Grow and translator extraordinaire, I was lucky enough to ask her a few questions: ( And hopefully nothing got lost in translation)
1-wwka:When did you start Franky Grow? And what inspired you to do it?
Chizuko: I started the label in 2004. I have 3 children and I really wanted to create clothes that were more comfortable for the kids and for the parents.
2- Do you have a favourite season to design for?
Chizuko: Any season apart for Summer. In Japan, summers are so hot that you only wear one light piece of clothing. So as a designer you don't get to play with layers and combinations of garments.
3-wwka: What is the best thing about being the designer for Franky Grow?
Chizuko: I love being able to be in contact with people from around the world through my work.
4- what's your favourite animal and your favourite colour?
Chizuko: I love dogs. As far as colours, I love bright colours but also monochrome colours like black, grey and white.
5- wwka: Would you ever consider coming to South Africa?
Chizuko: I am very interested in the difference in cultures between South Africa and Japan. I would love to come visit one day and meet the local children.
Well if you ever do come here, I will happily show you around Cape Town!
www.frankygrow.com

too beautiful for words

Elly MacKay is one truly talented artist. I LOVE  her work! She creates these amazing images by inking yupo paper, cuts it into layers and then sets it up in a miniature theater. She plays around with lights and takes pictures of them. How super creative! And what a beautiful result!
www.ellymackay.com
You can also buy some of her work on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/theaterclouds

Babiekins issue 7 out and it's wonderful!

While my cupcakes are in the oven and as my little boy is keeping a very close eye on them, I have just enough time to tell you about Babiekin's new issue 7 which has just come out. It is full of wonderful and lovely things from decor ideas for your kids rooms to great editorials to be inspired by. They also have an interview with one of my favourite designer : the woman behind Mini Rodini. I have chosen a few of my favourite pages above to give you a little taste of what there is to discover in this great kids magazine!
http://babiekinsmag.com
Ps; the cupcakes are ready :)