Tattoo Art

Tattoos fascinate me and while I've often contemplated one but never seen it through (needles and me don't get along - in fact I once told the school nurse I would rather get TB than have my injection again) but I do have several friends that have gone under the needle. 

And it seems last weekend was a bit of a tattoo-themed one. Firstly, my boyfriend found some pictures from the 1900s of people covered in tattoos in a wonderful antiques shop in Lechlade and then I came across Emily Peacock. 

Emily creates her beautiful cushions from tapestry and I particularly love her tattoo designs, which include this LOVE one as well as HOPE and FAITH. 

Emily sells her cushions ready-made or in kit form. Now, I've been looking for a hobby and I'm thinking that using a tapestry needle would be far easier to stomach than facing a tattooist's one...

Face Off

It's taken a while for me to feature Piero Fornasetti's work - no apparent reason, but I was reminded of this highly talented man when browsing a new discovery Love The Rain. 

You can read more about Fornasetti here, and he was an extremely fascinating man.

My favourite of all his works are the images he created using a picture of opera singer Lina Cavalieri's face. 

These have been translated into prints and these thought-provoking cushions. 

I have to say, I think I would have preferred not to have known her identity and instead spend ages wondering who she was, where she lived and what she did. 

Fornasetti himself claimed not to know why he chose Lina. But then why does any artist choose a particular muse? 

Patchwork Dreams

I know I keep banging on about Twitter but it's gone from being something I was kind of interested in to something that's now becoming a bit of an obsession. 

It's a good job though, because without it, I wouldn't find out about people like @NestaHome

This gorgeous patchwork-inspired cushion is one of theirs (you can buy online a here)

And while you're there, why not pick up one of their stunning chandelier prints too. I know they're on my wish list. 

We need to champion people like this. It's true we need to support the highstreet (probably more now than ever) but we need to support independent, young designers too. 

Frankly, though, what with plans to buy all these cushions, rugs and chairs - it's probably a good idea my bank manager doesn't know about these blogs! 

Someone's rubbish...

...is someone else's treasure, so the saying goes and never has a truer word been spoken when it comes to these cushions.

After all, what would you think of doing with an old rice sack? Perhaps you'd throw it in the bin or if you were feeling particularly green, maybe recycle it. 

Well luckily for us, those clever people at Urban Outfitters have transformed used rice sacks into these brightly coloured cushions. 

We live in a throw away society (and a recession!) so making something out of nothing is all good in my book! 

Manhattan Dreaming

I've been day dreaming (yes, I know I meant to be looking for a job) a lot about NYC a lot recently. 

I fell in love with this most amazing city back in May last year when I spent an amazing five days there. You often hear people bang on about their "holiday of a lifetime" and this was definitely mine. 

The day dreaming has only been increased by pouring over the amazing Elliott Erwitt's New York book (bought as a Christmas present by my boy) Elliot's photography is amazing - in fact if you love NYC as much as me, I urge you to splash out on it. 

I was thinking about New York, when I came across this cushion by Snowden Flood. I love Snowden's work, in fact her cushions are among my favourites on this blog. 

And her Statue of Liberty design, is no exception. By the way, I cannot even begin to put into words the excitement I felt when I first saw this iconic landmark. 

So, in the absence of having the funds to travel over the pond, I'll make do with snuggling up with my New York cushion and book...

Twit Twoo

Apparently, owls don't actually go "twit twoo" but I'm not letting that bother me. 

How cute is this cushion? 

It's by designer Donna Wilson, who like me must be a bit obsessed with animals. She puts a whole host on her cushions and blankets, including this previously featured design 

I love this little fella in red but he's also available in green and blue