The Fabric of Human Ingenuity

At the risk of sounding exactly like one of those middle-of-the-night infomercials designed to seduce bleary-eyed insomniacs into making an impulse purchase: You can’t live without Sewing Momma’s fabric storage bin. You thought you could, but you can’t. Think about it. You’ve tried to house Junior’s trains in plastic crates, but these kinds of clunky boxes suck the class out of a room faster than Joaquin Phoenix’s chewing gum. You’ve tried using drawers to collect your living room’s sea of toys and family debris, only to find that besides being completely un-portable, most drawers seem to actually take morbid pleasure in sticking, jamming, and coming off their rollers (giving your husband another excuse to prove that his WD-40 really is the miracle elixir of the gods).

But have you tried this? A fabric storage bin that doubles as an all-purpose bucket, organizer, and Easter basket? A completely reversible, conveniently adjustable household item that is as stylish as it is practical? Probably not, unless of course you’ve been to Sewing Momma’s shop. Designed by a mom with a flair for outfitting functional, knick-knacks in fresh, feel-good fabrics, this amazing example of human innovation stashes humbly in any nook, cranny, or corner, hiding your mess within its beautiful fabric confines. And with all the creativity undeniably evident in this shop, it’s understandable that the proprietor would also be an artist in more ways than one, offering custom-painted portraits made from your own photos. All in all, Sewing Momma represents another example of a must-visit store and a can’t-miss product. Once you’ve “bin” there, you’ll be a believer, too.

SewingMomma.etsy.com

Tailored for Toasters

The consumer's eye is no match for the singular charm of a new toaster. Gleaming and grinning from its perch on the store shelf, the toaster positively convinces us it will never dull, rust, trap bits of toast in its eternal clutches, or cause your kitchen to smell like doused charcoal. Alas, however; these are lies, and you know it. And for millions of women who have faced the worn-out-its-welcome toaster dilemma, there’s finally a solution that doesn’t involve pitching Old Reliable to the rubbish pile.

Introducing Pretty in Purple, empathetic Australian aficionado of lovely hand-crafted toaster covers in a variety of stylish patterns. Two-slice? Four-slice? Whatever the model, Pretty in Purple has it covered, transforming a mere kitchen appliance into an early spring fashion statement and proving once again that a bit of feminine sensibility can tame even the most basic (read: masculine) of household objects. Of course, there are more than toaster covers to enjoy at this store, especially when beautiful placemats, casserole carriers, oven mitts and so many other useful items lie waiting to be discovered as well. But what’s most important is that each and every item is stitched with the love and care we’d expect from a mother of two who lives to make our commonplace world just a little bit prettier. Visit Pretty in Purple, and see these wonderful products for yourself. Happy Shopping!

PrettyInPurple.etsy.com

Painting for the Artistically Impaired

For those capable of free-hand drawing a jungle scene or a flock of water birds as effortlessly as pouring a cup of tea, the clean, smooth surface of a wall is an inviting canvas. For those who can’t, and the latter group would include almost anyone whose name doesn’t end in etsy.com, that same wall invites total frustration. That leaves the choice to a) hire someone else to paint it or b) cover the wall with framed pictures; neither of these options come particularly cheap. But what if there were a third option? Thanks to Elly Nelly, there is.

This unique store, which specializes in easily-applied wall graphics, is the answer to the prayers of the artistically challenged. In the few minutes it takes to peel off and slap on a hanging monkey, a flourishing tree, or a summertime meadow, the wall that has vexed and perplexed can now be the stuff of legend within one’s social circle. Elly Nelly’s unbelievably handy product plays a little like the cleaner, vinyl cousin of wallpaper, with a huge distinction: wallpaper doesn’t like to be removed. These graphics, on the other hand, are completely removable, leaving you the option to replace your monkey with an orange blossom, or to go ahead and paint the wall after all, once the original graphic has been removed. In other words, it’s wall henna with the longevity of an actual tattoo. Convinced yet? Head on over to www.EllyNelly.etsy.com, and prepare to put down that paintbrush.

Beyond the Paper Crane

By now, provided you’re one of the millions of folks worldwide who observe the odd tradition of hauling a freshly hewn tree into your home for the holidays, you’ve probably already begun to ruminate on the subject of decorating that tree. If you’re the neighbor who yearly sets out to shame the others with that plum and gold, shimmering ball-festooned edifice sprouting with pheasant feathers in the window where every passerby can see it, you might have overlooked today’s featured item. If, however, you can appreciate a more organic, sensible approach, you might consider origami ornaments this year. You heard right. Origami, a lost art, has returned in time for the holidays, courtesy of Suanne of Paper Affection. Employing the elegant movements of such styles as Magenta Arabesque and Lime Star Petite, while also building with more traditional boxy shapes such as Blue Modular Petite, Suanne demonstrates the many possibilities of this art form as yuletide décor and awakens us all to an old/new design paradigm.

If the ornaments are unique and fresh, however, the earrings that Suanne manages to produce are downright striking. Since origami is essentially papercraft, it’s expected that these earrings would have a delicate, almost weightless bearing to them. Even so, the precision and inspiration of the Aqua Brocade Earrings, Blue and Green Flipped Cubes, Origami Cherry Earrings and so many others in this collection prove that Paper Affection’s catalog is as long on substance as it is short on wasted material. And say this much about origami accessories: You will never lack for a conversation piece with such a lovely conception dangling from your lobes. Finally, to encourage us even more to explore the boundaries of this ancient Asian tradition both in our fashions and by our firesides, Suanne is offering a very special giveaway: The winner will receive a generous $25 Paper Affection Gift Certificate, good toward the purchase of any item in the store. To qualify, visit Paper Affection, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Tell us in a second post if you happen to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 12/16/08.

**We have a winner! Crystal said, "Awwww, How sweet the Winged Heart Necklace is...Love it:)"**

Wooly Whimsy

whimsy (hwim’-zee), n., a fanciful or fantastic device, object, or creation especially in writing or art

Strictly speaking, of course, the above definition is not usually the one intended when craft artists such as Anne, the creator behind Murdock Designs describe their work as having in it a touch of “whimsy,” but in this case, it works as beautifully as does the art itself. Our six-year-old, Aedan, himself a fanciful/fantastic creation, confirmed the elusive “it” factor, the magic, of Anne's vibrant handiwork when the Blue Leafy Super Bug became his favorite wooly appendage from the first moment he snatched it away from the three-year-old brother for whom it was intended, but by no means is the Murdock Designs charm lost on adults. Just the opposite: while critters the likes of Dotty Super Bug or Diagonal Busy Bear might hog the spotlight with their heroic costumes and disarming smiles, the mod-magnetism of accessories such as the Periwinkle Appliqued Linen Tea Towel and the Blue and Red Button Magnet Set is rather arresting in its own right.

If you’ve been in the market for pillows, you might not find a more adorable, versatile set than those found in the Murdock Designs shop. With varied themes from factories and antique bombs to cashmere suns and stars, these pillows strike the perfect balance between bold style and accessibility. In other words, you won’t be able to help showing them off, but you certainly won’t mind your guests enjoying them, either. In keeping with the “whims” of the designer, Anne's repertoire also includes wool felt hair clips and flower pins, a lovely messenger bag, and a number of other items. Whatever your preference, however, one thing we can all agree on is that nothing tops free, and free is exactly what the Red Flowery Busy Bunny will be for the winner of today’s terrific giveaway. To enter, visit Murdock Designs, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Wishing Willow subscribers earn an extra entry; be sure to let us know in a second post if you’re a subscriber. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 11/18/08. Best of Luck!

**We have a winner! ThreadBeaur who said, "Dotty Super Bug is so cute. The linen tea towels are also fantastic. I like the red and the orange ones. Great shop, thanks for introducing us to murdock design!"**

A Treasure Worth Keeping

In the ongoing narrative of a child’s lush imagination, toy chests are symbolic of an endless array of secret, splendid containers. Pirate’s booty, genie’s treasure, dragon’s spoils: in our storybooks they all spill lavishly over the edges of chests, as if the humble hollow of these boxes can barely contain such wondrous and mysterious cache. And since it isn’t only children who find charm in a box full of toys , I have to add my voice to those already celebrating the Owyn Toy Box by Mod Mom Furniture. Crafted by self-made artisan Kiersten Hathcock in her home garage, the Owyn and its leaf-lids, which fit like puzzle pieces, represent a design paradigm that pays subtle homage to the stylings of Eric Carle while still retaining a boutique, non-Pottery Barn individuality. If you’ve ever thought of bringing home a classical, organically produced furniture line that is as useful to you as it is inspirational to your little ones, the Owyn is the perfect piece with which to begin.

Lofty Heights

Frank Lloyd Wright walks into an Ikea store with a handsaw…if it sounds like a punchline’s coming, forgive me. It’s hard to capture the uniqueness of the Uffizi Bunk Bed without retreating into parable. My boys have to have this bed! With its Euro-compact ideology (taller, not wider), the Uffizi is ideal for those with lofty design standards, but loft-sized space restrictions. And with its magic geometry of cantilevers and quadrangular port windows, it’s a neo-Atomic Age art piece, as well. After all, who doesn’t want the neighbors to ask where you found that amazing bed? Well, the secret’s out. Now, if I can just convince my boys they need a bunk bed…

To view this and other great modern designs visit: www.argington.com