Favourite Fabrics of 2009

Over at the always inspiring True Up blog Kim is running a 'Your Favourite Fabrics of 2009 ' event. Here is my little selection of fabric gems from 2009 that have caught my eye and made their way into my rapidly growing (possibly out of control) stash of fabrics. My problem is, I don't even own a sewing machine.... I just love fabrics!

Favourite overall designer - Etsuko Furaya's Echino collection for Kokka Fabrics.
Images from True Up's Flickr .

Favourite novelty prints - Far Far Away collection by Heather Ross for Kokka.

Favourite furnishing fabric - the very beautiful Farfalla silk jacquard from Nina Campbell . (There is no way I would trust my clumsy self to sew anything as exquisite as this).

Favourite Florals - pretty much everything from the Liberty Tana Lawn range - such beautiful cotton fabric and detailed engraving. Designing for the Liberty studio would be my dream job!

Favourite Fabric Shops - in Melbourne - Amitie Textiles in Bentleigh and Patchwork on Central Park , East Malvern. I could spend hours browsing through the vast and colourful collections in both of these stores. And Liberty of London of course.

Favourite Juvenile print for boys - Cool Coast designed by Simon Hart for Liberty of London's Art Collection . Great mono-print line technique.

Favourite juvenile print for girls. I love the bold prints from the Lizzy House Red Letter Day Collection .

Favourite Textile / Fabric Magazine - Selvedge . A wonderful source of textile goodness.

Favourite geo prints - the breezy watercolour brushstrokes from Nani Iro's Spring 2009 collection.

Favourite trends - Little Red Riding Hood. I love Nathalie Lete's take on this fairy-tale theme. This example is yet another Kokka favourite of mine, available from here .

Favourite Vintage inspired collection - the beautiful, subtle colour palette of the Hope Valley print collection by Denyse Schmidt for Free Spirit .

Pretty patterned packaging

Gorgeous hand wrapped textile-designer soap treats from Mor Cosmetics .

A family of Mopoke owls

In recent days a family of five native Australian Mopoke (or Southern Boobook) owls have made their home in my family's country garden. Late in the afternoon they become active, although this poor fellow was struggling to keep his eyes open at 7.30pm. Perhaps having several cameras photographing your every move and a bunch of inquisitive kids staring isn't the most restful way to spend an evening!

Trying so very hard to stay awake....

A captive audience

After sunset - a wide-awake Mopoke, ready to catch some dinner.
On the subject of owls - take a look at this wonderful blog jam-packed with owl art and design loveliness!
http://www.myowlbarn.com/ 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! I'm a little late in posting (it's now Boxing Day here) but best wishes for the festive season.

And make sure you have a look at the nominations taking place at the Apartment Therapy Homies Blog Awards - lots of great kid's design reads to discover. A nice diversion from the Boxing Day cricket test blaring out from the TV!

The Ballroom at Flinders St Station

High up above the hustle and bustle of Melbourne's busy Flinders Street train station lies the now sadly rather dishevelled looking Ballroom, a once glamourous setting for many dances. Recently the Linen House stylists photographed a few of the new Winter 2010 bed linen designs in this wonderful location, and I popped along with my camera for a little peek inside this hidden piece of Melbourne's history.

Pressed tin vaulted ceilings with original light fittings.

From Finland via Japan

I love these 60's and 70's vintage ceramic designs from Finnish company Arabia, from the Japanese webshop Sopo Department .

A lovely old Queenslander

Here are a few images of the beautiful old Queenslander B&B I was lucky enough to stay in whilst on holiday. There is something quite romantic about the shaded verandahs and cool dark interiors of these typical late 19th century, early 20th century family homes, built to provide relief and protection from the long, hot Queensland summers. And a perfect place to plop on the couch (under the air-con) with a trashy magazine and a glass of something refreshing!