Blog Crush: Kate's Creative Space

Sometimes I come across the creative works of other people, especially other moms, and I'm awestruck at how they manage to think up and produce such things of beauty. It makes me want to do more, try harder and really push the boundaries of my own creativity.

I was led to Kate's Creative Space by a post on Apartment Therapy and I am absolutely blown away at the projects she creates for her young son, her family and their home. Her writing is thoughtful and honest, her projects absolutely inspiring and her DIY tutorials generous. I will be tuning in here often for shots of inspiration; have a look and you'll soon see why.

How charming is this Parisian Food Shop?

{Food Shop}

 A hardware and gas station:

{Harry's Hardware}

And my very favourite (so far) on Kate's Creative Space is this sack to hold Christmas gifts delivered by Santa. I will be making this next year, thank you Kate for the inspiration and excellent how-to.

{Santa Sack}

Irresistible Elmo

It's hard to avoid licensed characters when Disney Princesses are on water bottles and band-aids, Winnie the Pooh is all over diapers, and Dora the Explorer is on, well, everything. My problem with these licensed 'spokes characters' is that they're used to sell to children and their images often attributed to cheap, plastic toys and products that will eventually end up in a landfill. We've avoided these types of toys entirely (although I was sold on a Piglet toothbrush) but I know that as Eloise grows it will become more difficult. And should I really care if a pair of underwear with Elmo's likeness make Eloise happy?

I also must admit when it comes to licensed characters I find Sesame Street sort of irresistible. Sesame Street - or simply 'Street' as Eloise calls it - is a very sweet tv show. I like that it has been on since I was a child and that some of the videos played throughout the show may very well be ones I watched. Beyond Sesame Street's nostalgic charm, it is educational, entertaining and best of all, it lasts for a whole hour - that's enough time to make dinner AND clean the kitchen! Like so many kids Eloise is captivated by Elmo and if we're ever going to branch into licensed characters, it could definitely be worse than the little red dude. I'm talking about you D-d-d-d-Dora.

{elmo}

I spotted a very cute Elmo peep at Chapters and thought it might make a nice Christmas gift for Eloise. He's wearing polka-dot jammies and has that classic Elmo smile but thankfully, no sounds or movements. I'm definitely not ready, nor willing, to make the jump into the laughing, moving version.

What do you think about licensed characters? Is it excusable if they come from a book rather than a tv show? Have a read of this article on Apartment Therapy.

Excited!

Many months ago I submitted photos of Eloise's room to Apartment Therapy Family, one of my long-time favourite blogs (previously Ohdeedoh). I hadn't heard anything so figured that was that, but today I was honoured to find out that her room was featured! I haven't been on Apartment Therapy all week so a big thanks to my friend Renee for letting me know that Eloise's room was up on the blog.

I am very proud of this feature but it has also shown me a few things: always proof read one more time (I embarrassingly found two errors) and for goodness sakes, learn how to take a better photo! Oh well. Practice makes perfect.

PS. I am excited to say this is actually the second time Eloise's room has been on Apartment Therapy. Her Nook was a finalist in their 2011 Smaller Cooler Contest.

Final Three!

There we are, lower left hand corner!

This morning I got an email from Ohdeedoh with the great news that Eloise's Nook has been selected as a top three finalist in the international division of their Smaller Cooler contest. This is so very exciting and I must say, I am feeling quite pleased with myself too!

If you have a moment, please, VOTE!

We're Famous!

Big news everyone: Eloise's lovely Nook is featured on Apartment Therapy's Ohdeedoh today!

I submitted the Nook to their Smaller Cooler contest last week and to my delight (and my surprise, too), our entry was chosen as lucky #13!

Mosey on over to Ohdeedoh to have a look and don't forget to vote for the Nook! (a poet and I didn't even know it...)

Attic Playroom

This playroom featured on OhDeeDoh is a brilliant use of space for those 'awkward' nooks often found in the top-floor rooms of older houses.

Love the window box of daisies!

Makes me want to seek out a house with tiny attic rooms so that I can build an indoor playhouse for our family one day.