Recycled and reclaimed

The second artist I want to feature from the Dulwich Artists' Open House event is LeilaBadblood, aka Leila McMillan, who creates new products from recycled, reclaimed and salvaged materials. She uses printed fabrics, tea towels, embroidered linens and napkins to create all kinds of things - I love the baby booties, wash bags and the quirky detailing on shirts. I also spotted some great vintage card pin brooches made from kids game pieces.

See my first post from the Artists' Open House here.

Swooning over Louboutin

Any thoughts I had about this being "just a collection of shoes" was dispelled as soon as we walked in and I was completely blown away by one of the most glamorous, inspiring, atmospheric and theatrical exhibitions I have ever been to. Merry-go-rounds, light bulbs, shells, music, shadows, showgirl holograms, glass bell jars, hand-drawn fonts, and mirrored surfaces that accentuate the huge heels and flash of red.

I love this quote: "The principle of craftsmanship is that it is a living process, a constant evolution".

Such a shame that no photography is allowed - images from the exhibition have been sourced from various websites. Christian Louboutin is showing at the Design Museum, London until 9th July.

Teeny slippers

Although L has barely started wearing shoes, she received two pairs of slippers for Christmas (essential in a flat with floorboards both for warmth and to soften her heavy footsteps for the people below!). Her Uncle and Auntie brought back some adorable handmade sheepskin moccasins from a trip to Yorkshire which keep her little toes nice and snug.

I couldn't quite contain my excitement when I spotted some Collegien babushka doll slippersocks in the window of Do South in Crystal Palace. I had been lusting after them for months after seeing them on Ninainvorm's blog here, here and here and couldn't resist buying a pair. I was also inspired to make a couple of Collegien-style 'collection collages'...so much fun!

She's walking!

First pair of shoes....so proud!

Seaside wellies

We managed to get L to the seaside before she turns one......a windy but bright October day at Saltburn on the North East coast.

Car booting

Some of my finds from a recent trip to Quorn car boot in Leicestershire.....I think the best quality I've seen but also the cheapest. I'm very proud of my retro Fisher Price classics, beautifully illustrated books and cute little sheepskin boots. With most things only 20p or 50p I only spent a few pounds and came home very chuffed.

*Rosie's Walk book by Pat Hutchins *Suede and sheepskin boots *Little bears jigsaw with separate faces, bodies and legs *Chicco activity board *Tomy merry-go-round *Ship Shapes book

Summer slip-ons

Easy to slip on when the little lady's in the BabyBjorn and a nice retro print for the summer.

Shoe styling

A nice bit of visual merchandising with shoes, plastic bottles and.....glow-in-the-dark tape?!

A shoe for every step

Another image from my friend's new flat. I love the idea that each pair of shoes represents the mood of the person on the day they were last worn, and how far up the stairs they have gone before realising they still have them on.