elki products

Well, the sewing machines are flying through the fabric, the online store going through its last round of changes, and spring is on its way. Here is a little taste of some of our products. Will be back with more products later this week.

[images by elki]

Back - loud and clear

Well, I've finally arrived, unpacked (almost) and set up work in my new home town, Narromine. Its been a very busy and tiring week last week, on top of which I've been an extremely bad blogger and not blogged since. I was having a little trouble with my internet and mobile reception out here, but it all seems to be working (touch wood). So now that i've set up my office, I will be back on board this week. Elki's online store is still in progress and will be up and running in two weeks. Here are some photos of our new place, it was the best I could do with my camera and limited internet access! :)

[mag love] the [sydney] magazine

Its that time of the month again...The [Sydney] Magazine time! Every month the Sydney Morning Herald produce one super glossy, over luxurious, could-never-afford-anything-in-there, magazine. They have a great design and look and I love the mix of photography and typography. One of my favourite things, are the large pieces of 3D type that are used in the photoshoots. It adds such depth to what could have been a flat white space. The monochromatic and vibrant colour contrasts, I'm also a fan of (if anyone has seen my portfolio!). The high-end photoshoots are also on par with international fashion magazines. And all for the price of $2.20!

Plus this month they feature one of my favourite designers, Marc Newson. As well as a run down on Sydney Design 09 - a must for all design lovers, be it interior, architecture, print and more. A must read.

So don't laugh if you see me standing at the country newsagents door, last Thursday of every month (to get my Sydney fix!). Is anyone else a fan, or am I am just blinded by the gloss stock!
p.s their website does no justice for the glossy goddess.

Happy weekend

Good morning, well the winter sunshine is out and its Friday. This is officially my last weekend in Sydney. Georgie and I are going to try and cram as much in this weekend (coffee, lunch, drinks, going to all of our fave stores, and most importantly sewing elki things!) Hope you have a great weekend, fingers crossed the weather will be gorgeous. :)

elki design - sneak preview

Sorry for the sparse blogs, we've been so busy organising everything for the launch of the online store. The weekend was spent sewing and taking photos, and here are just a few. This weekend, will again be the same. I'm also hosting a 'high tea' for my bridesmaids' before I move to the country. I will try and get some time to do proper posts, but in the mean time I hope you enjoy :)

[images by elki]

elki design

Our online store will be up and running in only a few weeks time! You will be able to buy our entire range of children's wear, homewares, stationery and accessories. Made all carefully by hand using Liberty of London fabrics and other beautiful cottons. I'm very very excited and this weekend will be another weekend of sewing and designing. Stay tuned :)

[blog love] brown button

I'm moving from the city to our little farm house in 3 weeks time. So I've been looking around for decorating ideas and 'affordable' items to personalise our home with. Emphasis on affordable, as I'll be leaving my full-time job and working on the elki range and freelancing! These are just a few items on my 'must-purchase' list, and the best bit - Brown Button Trading is Australian and online! Also check out Kimberlee's blog, Brown Button blog.

Aren't these silver partridge birds the cutest! I could see them perched in the lounge somewhere. And I'm thinking the clock for the kitchen, with the hen blackboard sticker for the fridge. For all those last minute items we need from town.

[images all from Brown Button Trading]

dream a little dream

It has to be one of the cruelest advertising ploys - release the latest range of swimwear, shot in the beautiful warmth of some exotic island with their new model, whilst we're all sitting freezing in our offices (sans sun and tan)! Thank you Seafolly, I just want to scoot off the Far North Queensland now. So here's a little temptation, I think I've chosen my new bikini for the summer. Anything that takes your fancy?

[images sourced from Conde Nast Traveller, The Vine]

ring a ring a rosey

Today the weather is dreary, cold and wet. So I am dreaming of when Spring will arrive and the smell of fresh flowers and sun in my face. Here are a few images that have sprung into my mind (excuse the pun!). I love the variety of vessels in these images, from paper bags to urns, even a simple bouquet with a ribbon. Fresh flowers can brighten any day, even one like today. Don't you agree?

[images sourced from Martha Stewart Weddings, Snippet & Ink]

[web love] Frankie magazine

One of my favourite arty/design magazines, Frankie Magazine has now started a newsletter which will be delivered to your inbox every two weeks - BLISS! Their website/blog is also great to stay in the loop in between issues. Check out their website/blog and sign up for the newsletters, it will fill your inbox with such lovelies as the above illustrations, giveaways, fashion and design. Its a must for anyone whom:

"looking for a magazine that’s as smart, funny, sarcastic, friendly, cute, rude, arty, curious and caring as they are"

[image source: frankie]

get excited!

I love this poster, a great spin on the 'keep calm' poster series, and because I always love making things. I printed out a version and hung it in our office. You can find yours here and they come in lots of colours! So this weekend, I am getting very excited and making lots of things. Cooking a delicious dinner tonight for a friend and my sister, a baby brunch tomorrow morning (so some elki bloomers heading out the door). Then I'll be designing our online store because it desperately needs to be done, and then I'll be doing a little photoshoot of our products.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. What will you be getting excited about this weekend?

p.s. Thank you for this past weeks lovely comments, its just so inspiring to hear from everyone.
[image sourced from here]

(Mag love) Gourmet Traveller

I was in Thomas Dux yesterday picking up some lunch, one has just opened up at the top of our street and loving the convienience (sometimes not so the prices!). However, the recent edition of Gourmet Traveller caught my eye "The Annual French Edition"...how could I not pick it up! Its entirely all about French food, restaurants both here in Australia and of course around France. Some great reciepes, like the Raspberry Macaroons (front cover) and traditional French Onion Soup, Duck Confit and more. I did however have to share one of the best 'quotes' I've heard in a long time:

"Water can rust iron. Imagine what it can do to your insides.
It's much better to drink wine".

This is one copy that should be in everyone's collection - the dreamy photography of bistro's, the beautiful scenery and the mouth watering reciepes. If you haven't been to their website, you must check it out - fantastic source for reciepes, wine news and restaurant reviews.

(wedding venue) Hopewood House

This morning the winter sun is shining and it has me missing the warmth of summer (being a summer baby at heart). I thought I would share some beautiful images from Hopewood Country House in Bowral, where we're having our wedding in February. The recent owners, Susie and Michael have spent many a long hour to bring this old beauty into working order again. The property consists of 11 acres, 2 cottages, the large conservatory (where functions are held) and still only 2 minutes from town. You can stay in both cottages, The cottage is decorated in French provincial and is suitable for 1 or 2 couples - the perfect weekend getaway. Whilst the Caretakers cottage is more suitable for groups or families. Both are fully equipped and breakfast can be provided.

Susie also has the most beautiful store, French and Country, which was in Sydney before the move but now based at Hopewood. I had a look through it whilst we were down there last month, and I didn't want to leave! Anything vintage and French, it was there. The most gorgeous pieces, and the best part - you can buy online.

I can't wait for February, a glass of champagne, surrounded by friends and family, strolling through the gorgeous gardens. Please have a look, it will definitely brighten your winter morning, and might even prompt a winter weekend getaway!

lovely blog award

Thanks to the ever lovely Amanda at Weekend Host, for awarding me the 'lovely blog award'. I feel very honored to be included in the lovely list of fellow bloggers. Its been such an enriching experience meeting new and creative people, from around the world, whom share similar creative inspirations. So in honor of the award, I have passed it onto 15 other wonderful bloggers who inspire me, and hopefully can introduce you to some new and wonderful blogs. And in no particular oder, here we go...

1. Follow studio
2. A summer picnic wedding
3. A Paddington Perspective
4. My lens of love
5. Simply lovely
6. Far out brussel sprout
7. Swish and Swanky
8. Beach Vintage
9. Oh, hello friend
10. Bespoke press
11. Daily Imprint
12. SevenEight (the blog of Mika78)
13. a blog for tilly
14. this is glamorous
15. rifle

I haven't inlcuded descriptors...because I want you to check them out yourself! Thanks again Amanda, through you're award, I've discovered some new fabulous blogs. I hope to do the same.

Pantone mug

I have just bought myself my first Pantone mug, and I'm in love with it! I though it was a bit naf, a graphic designer buying one of these, but I really do love the colour (PMS 337, duck egg blue) and I thought 'why not'. But I think the most geekiest thing I did, like any normal designer would do, was compare the colour against the Pantone colour bridge!! Oh I truely am a designer geek.

Work are considering getting the 10 pack mug set for our office, so we can be Pantone geeks together. For those keen on buying their Pantone mug, click here. If you want to find out more about Pantone, and why it is the backbone of our designer world (think 8pm press checks, arguments with printers, the ease of selecting a colour etc)!, click here.

If I could select my own colour, I would pick PMS 382 (chartruse). What colour are you?

[images of my desk, emma kaveney]

i love stripes

Now I realise that the whole trend for stripes is nothing new, but I only discovered my true love for stripes when I was putting away my washing last night. Almost everything I own is monochrome, but 5/9 tops I was putting away, were stripes! I also bought a new pair of ballet flats, which have a large white band across the top...sounding familiar...yes a stripe. Today I'm wearing....you guessed it: a mazi jersey black and white strip dress. Help me, I think I need stripe counselling! But I do love the classic look of a stripped top with jeans and ballet flats or the structure it gives to a room. Maybe its just the strong contrast between black and white, which helps it carry it off. I'm not adverse to other colours used in stripes, but I'm a monochrome kinda gal and thats where my heart lies. Are stripes driving you bonkas yet or are we just trying to imagine we were french instead!

wedding board

It was by chance that I discovered some of the most amazing wedding inspiration blogs, simply by clicking through other blogs. I have to say though, my first stop is Snippet & Ink. Kathryn creates the most stylish and beautifully themed mood boards. Even if you're not getting married, there are fantastic ideas for entertaining and celebrations. I have created a 'catalogue' on my desktop, and constantly updating it. Here is my current mood board for my wedding.

My inspiration is "Summertime white & dove grey"

[images sourced from Martha Stewart, Snippet & Ink, Once Wed, 100 layer cake, Amy Atlas, Polka Dot Bride]

to hat or not to hat?

With my mind flittering between my big move from the city to country (more on that later) and my upcoming wedding, I'm finding it quite difficult to concentrate on the present moment. At the present, I'm trying to work out whether to wear a hat/flower/fascinator (call it what you may) for the reception of my wedding. I showed my mum some ideas, and her gasp of shock "don't you think thats a little 'race-wear'?". My dress is going to be quite simple, so a little detail here wouldn't hurt, would it? I couldn't really see me wearing a veil for the reception. My best friend's recent wedding, she had a removable bustle & train - talk about reception entrance! (took us 4 bridesmaids to take it off!) Does anyone have experience with this or do you think we've gone a little too 'fasionista' for weddings these days?

ps. I'm loving ALL of these dresses as well!

[image sourced snippet&ink, 100 layer cake]