Children’s | Atticus And Finch

How Owls Are Made

animals, animation, books, children's, craft, Designer-Maker, fun things, inspirational, nice things, textiles, texture, treats No Responses »

Sep 032012

Owl Know How from Isobel Knowles on Vimeo.

Now that the summer is over and the August Break 2012 has come to a close, the new school year begins but I needed to break myself (and you guys) in gently. So what better than a gorgeous and charming video from Vimeo. Owl Know How is a short animation by Isobel Knowles featuring cute-as-a-button characters created by Cat Rabbit, this is quite possibly the cutest thing you’ll see all week (and I know how you all like your cute animal pictures). A bold statement you may say, but just watch the video and then see if you can argue my case.
Felt, sewing and imagination at its best, a lovely indulgence of cute and adorable without an element of twee to be found anywhere. A sort of fairytale that we’d all like to imagine exists up there in the world. It’s not saccharine and pink, it’s real and it’s got integrity, intelligence and humour. And nicely made to boot. I like that you can see how they’ve made the ‘machinery’. It doesn’t pretend to be anything than what it is: charming and beautifully handmade. I love the ‘pouring’ in of the internal organs. It’s funny. Now available in book form too. Happy Monday the 3rd of September everybody.

No Noodles

animals, animation, Art, children's, colour, food, fun things, nice things No Responses »

Jul 162012

No Noodles- a short stop motion film by Montreal-based animation student, Tyler Nicolson on Vimeo, music by Chris Adriaanse.

A perfect start to a grey and blowy Monday morning, this short stop motion animation is the perfect antidote in a little compact bundle of 2 minutes 14 seconds. Charming and simply-made, this story is centred on a tabletop place-setting in shades of white and cream. However, the colour palette doesn’t remain thus. All the fun is made out of brightly-coloured plasticine and much fun there is to be had. It all starts when the first colourful character bursts out of the noodles and into the story. And from there they don’t stop coming; twisting and turning, forward spins and extravagant dives. Animals (existing and non-existing), sea creatures and reptiles in an array of colours pop leaping out from in amongst the noodles before disappearing back into the deep bowl filled with slippery strands. A simple idea (as they always are) executed superbly well to a very nice finish. This isn’t polished and airbrushed, this is art in a puritan state. It’s an animation suitable for all; big and small, high-tech or simple and it won’t fail to please. Magic and mesmerising, sit back and enjoy.

A London Merry-Go-Round

children's, decorative, events, fun things, London, nice things, product design, recycled, shopping, shops, toys No Responses »

Mar 212012

Now, before we all get London-parahenalia claustrophobia, if we haven’t already, let me bring you some of the best you’ll find. These two divine little objet d’art toys are NOT just for children. Meh! No, we all want them. Coming to a Muji store near you, the Horse Guards (Beefeaters? The choice is yours) and the tube merry-go-rounds are made from FSC wood and will be available from the first weekend in June to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee and the Olympics. Personally, I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the four day weekend than eating Victoria sponge cake, drinking lemonade and playing with these. In true Muji style, these sleek paired-back wooden forms perfectly capture some of our favourite London icons, they are simple and satisfying with their limited colour scheme and straight lines. This is the sort of gift that ought be gracing the souvenir stalls rather than the cringeworthy mouse-face boob postcards and the plastic chintz. Let’s show the tourists exactly what design can look like even if, strictly speaking, it’s not British but Japanese. I may dislike the 2012 logo for its patronising condescension naiveté (don’t get me started) these go a way to make up for it.

Well done Muji. (Now can you start stocking those midnight blue pens again? They are my favourite)

Limited Edition tube and horse guards merry-go-rounds, £12.95 each, Muji (suitable for children 3+)

images with thanks to Muji.

sights so good you could eat ‘em

animals, architecture, Art, children's, chocolate, collaborations, decorating, decorative, Designer-Maker, food, fun things, gardening, inspirational, product design, random, shops, treats No Responses »

Apr 202011

This entry is all about food landscapes. I was sent an image of La Maison du Chocolat‘s interactive chocolate garden (yum) and I liked it so much that I thought I’d see what else I could find. This little garden has a definite link to Easter what with all the bunnies an’ that but I went off a little askew afterwards. But I’ve tried to keep it all tied in…..