retail review

Postcards from Buenos Aires: Sopa del Principe

Stumbled across the cutest shop ever in Buenos Aires. Called Sopa del Principe (translates to ‘Prince’s Soup’), it’s a softies workshop full of whimsical handmade animals, dolls and monsters waiting patiently in fruit crates for new owners. You have to check out their website, it’s super cute.
As you can imagine, Emma loved it, especially the corner with giant soft pebbles and blades of grass. The shop fit was so quirky and colourful, I couldn’t wait to share it with you.The store and designer Verónica Longoni, are quite well known and have even exhibited some of the creations at MOMA in New York.

FYI the prices are in Argentinian Pesos, divide by about 4 for US/AUS dollars.

www.mypoppet.com.au

Big day out in Melbourne town…

Yesterday Emma and I caught the tram into the city for a big day out. Emma loves tram trips, so you can imagine how excited she was when today I said ‘yes’ to her request. Here she is having a little fun whilst we wait for the tram. The reason for our expedition into town, apart from a fun day out, was to visit the Pop Up Studio sale featuring some really talented Melbourne gals. I thought you might like to see some pretty pictures…clockwise from top left: Dawn Tan, Emily Green, Peta Pledger, Betty Jo Designs. Below Little Circus Design. It runs till 3pm today so you can still pop in and say ‘Hi’.Emma was sufficiently patient whilst I tried on a few Peta Pledger tops, sultanas helped. Dawn was a star and helped keep her entertained as well. A little bit of window shopping at the Babushka Shop in the Block Arcade. Emma was enamored by the baby babushkas. And then after a million requests for Sushi, we had some just adequate and expensively priced sushi train sushi. We were on the tram to go home, but as we approached the NGV, and since Emma was still in good spirits, I thought it might be fun to visit the new NGV Kids Space. It was really super fun, we probably stayed for about an hour because Emma was quite entertained by all the hands on stuff, she especially loved the light drawing. I also wanted to share this beautiful antique dolls dress they had on display in the Kid Space. It was all hand pieced patchwork with embroidery and was made from silk. Probably one of the most beautiful textile creations I have ever seen, and did I mention it was for a doll, the pieces were tiny!So a great day out,, must do it more often.
I was really amazed at how much more maturely Emma is behaving, compared to the last time we went into town a few months ago. She was a real delight to be with today, listening to me and my instructions, paying more attention to her surroundings, hardly any escape attempts (hence the turtle harness), sitting still on the tram…and even though she was tired at the end of the day and wanting to go home, she wasn’t whining at all. Maybe I just got her on a good day, but it has really highlighted how quickly she is growing up. I can envision some fantastic adventures together in the future…

www.mypoppet.com.au

Sponsor Profile – klt : works

Every once in a while a stumble across an artist/designer that makes me think, “I wish I could do that!” Meet Kristin Loffer Theiss of KLT:works, a trained artist and painter who blends her artistic skills with the role of ‘maker’ to create some unique products.
Pictured are some of my favorite KLT:works creations from the etsy shop, (I couldn’t resist slipping in some fabric, you all know how much I love fabric!) Isn’t that worm softie just the cutest? And the thread drawn bulldog?
Kristin screen prints thread drawings onto fabric to make mobiles, soft toys and cushions, and also onto garments for babies to grown-ups. What are thread drawings? This video will amaze and astound you…

Thread Drawing from elSage on Vimeo.

I was fascinated by Kristin’s ‘thread drawing’ technique, when I saw this video. I really don’t think I’ll ever get sick of watching it, she makes it look so easy!

KLT:works is truly a family run company, husband Chris, who is also an artist, helps with technical advice. But the main inspiration for Kristin’s designs is her son, Sayer, who not only is a great model but also chief product tester.
Here is a peek of Sayers bedroom, how great is that shelving unit/change table? It was once Kristin’s doll house made by her dad in the 70′s and converted especially for Sayer by Kristin and Chris.

More images of Sayer’s nursery here.

You can find out more about KLT:works here: website :: shop :: facebook :: blog

And if you were wondering – KLT:works ships internationally and the rates are incredibly reasonable.

Thank you to KLT:works for being my first international blog sponsor, I love that My Poppet is read all over the world, and it makes me really happy that the internet has allowed us to connect with talented peeps like Kristin.

www.mypoppet.com.au

Sponsor Profile – Sheeps Clothing

Brrr! It’s really starting to get chilly down here in Melbourne and even though I’m more of a summer time girl, there is something so comforting about layering up in beautiful hand knits to keep the chill at bay.
I’m a terrible knitter, so I really envy the amazing skills of Stacey Murray of Sheeps Clothing. Stacey is a passionate and prolific knitter, so much so that she has been known to knit in the dark at the cinema!
Stacey was inspired to start Sheeps Clothing in 2007 after she struggled to find high quality woolen knits for her own boys.
Initially a children’s range, the label has expanded to include adult hats, scarves and scarflettes and really popular mug cozies.
As a lover of vintage buttons myself, I love that Stacey produces a range of vintage button hair accessories and brooches as well as featuring beautiful vintage buttons in her knitted products.
(She has a secret button supplier and won’t spill the beans *shakes fist*)

Every item is lovingly hand knit by Stacey here in Melbourne from 100% pure Australian wool.

Have you always wanted to learn to knit?
Stacey is passionate about teaching people young and old to knit and has been teaching knitting at a local primary school for the past couple of years. Courses are planned for 2011 through Melbourne’s Holmesglen College of TAFE. Please visit their website for
booking details.
I was considering doing a class but they’d probably kick me out for swearing too much…
Check out Sheeps Clothing’s beautiful website and online shop.
Oh and I should mention Stacey has a ripping sense of humor, I’ve been reading her blog for years and often enjoy a little chuckle…some good recipes on there too.

Don’t forget to like the facebook page

Thanks to Sheeps Clothing for Sponsoring the blog this month, it was a real pleasure to share their story with you.

www.mypoppet.com.au

Modern Times…

I had the pleasure of visiting the Modern Times Pop Up Shop in St Kilda today and meeting Amy and Joel, the master minds behind this little retail gem. Amy told me that their original intention was to buy a couple of furniture pieces for their own home from a Danish dealer, but one or two pieces ended up being a container, and Modern Times was born.
Like many of you, I have always had a love of the elegant design and simple lines of Mid century Danish furniture, so for me this show room was a little slice of heaven. Like a kid in a candy store, there I was opening draws and sliding open little cupboards.

Prices were very reasonable for the quality of the pieces, and quite a few of the ones I hearted had already snaffled up by lucky folk at last nights opening party. The only thing I got to take home were these camera phone photos
I’m really crushing on the giant lino cut balloon prints by Ellie Malin that you can see in the top left photo. Mr Man is not to enamoured, but I may go and visit in a couple of weeks and see if its still there…
The shop is only open for 3 weeks so pop in if you are in the area…

www.mypoppet.com.au

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