How To Use Washi Tape.

When the beautiful new Bevolee washi tape arrived in at Moonko recently I snapped up the chance to write a post about how to go about using this crafty tape.  I run a craft and DIY blog myself called 'Trends With Benefits' and washi tape is a staple in our box of supplies.  I thought I would put together some of my favourite creative ideas for you all to have a look at.  All of the images above were found on Pinterest, so why not come on over and give MoonKo a follow!

ONE: Use washi tape to label you cables and chargers.

TWO: Great for organising your diary or filo fax. Keeps all your notes neat and tidy and looks great too.

THREE: Why not cut out little squares and stick them on your laptop keyboard? I love the one in the picture above - it looks so cute!

FOUR: Wrap a small amount of washi tape around a tea light to bring a splash of colour into any room.

FIVE: Create beautiful gift tags or cards using complementing colours and ribbon.

SIX: Wrap washi tape around glass jars or glasses and use as candle holders or pen pots.

I hope this post has provided some inspiration for you all and has given you some ideas on how to get crafty with washi tape!

Festival Fashion: Badger & Kingdom

I have spent the last few weeks becoming extremely envious of the people tweeting about going to Glastonbury this coming weekend, and this jealousy is not being helped by the numerous instagram images of festival outfits and half-packed bags that keep popping up on my feed.  However, as much as the green monster may rear its head, I find comfort in the fact that I have had my festival experiences and I have all the amazing memories of those wet and windy English weekends.  As well as catching up on all the live performances from the artists, I equally enjoy scrolling through the photos online of the fashionable festival goers. 

It really does seem that fashion and festivals go hand in hand, with many people experimenting with outfit choices and embracing the cool, nature-inspired look.  If it's T in the Park, Latitude, Bestival or Reading and Leeds, these statement print t-shirts from Badger & Kingdom fit the bill for festival fashion.  They are easy to wear and effortlessly cool.  Lets face it, it is not the most sensible of ideas to be donning a maxi skirt at an English festival, but rocking a pair of denim shorts, wellies (naturally) and an icon tee keeps you festival fresh and on-trend!

To check out the range of clothing my Badger & Kingdom, pop in and see us at Bird's Yard, Sheffield.

China Blue

 

Recently, the fashion world has been going mad for china blue!  It brings about associations of vintage china tea services and wonderful antiques that you come across in dusty hideaways.  The Blue Willow pattern, which seems to be featured in every style page, is a classic look and one that screams sophistication.  This is one of the reasons we love Stay Gold Mary Rose. 

Abigail, who is the creative mind behind the brand, has created a collection of items all made from vintage china tea cups.  On the left is 'Spear Head Pendant' which hangs on a copper chain, this necklace would be a lovely addition to any outfit, keeping your look right on trend.  The item on the right is part of a collection of handmade bracelets by Stay Gold Mary Rose which are all crafted and adapted from vintage teacups.  I love the fact that when you wear that bracelet, you are wearing something that has a history, a story to tell - what a perfect way to mix vintage charm and high fashion style! 

Click here to buy your very own vintage charm from Moonko.

Miss Selfridge, Aliexpress.com, Topshop

Roll up! Roll up!

Elephants who walk on high wires, acrobatic snails, and a moon caterpillar who loves the circus...

These beautifully crafted items entice you into this whimsical circus of wonders and into the imaginings of Camilla Westergaard. The dreamworld of Butterscotch and Beesting captures the very essence of childhood and the fabrication of magical creatures and the impossible, making it loveable, fun and bewitching. Each item is lovingly created, and their bold designs and colours add a quirky and contemporary twist to ordinary objects. The characters and story behind the Butterscotch and Beesting collection create a feeling of inclusiveness, as if you have entered into a world created just for you and the magical background of every piece just makes you fall in love even more. From charmingly designed washi tape (a favourite for any crafter out there), to yummy sweets and confectionary, Butterscotch and Beesting offer something for everyone. Young or old.  

So step right up and go and check out all the marvellous items waiting to be discovered right HERE at Moonko!

Make do and Mend

‘Make do and Mend’ That classic and wonderful quote from wartime Britain, rings true… Something my wonderful nan used to say, ‘Mend, Reuse and Love’.  Like that yummy bread pudding she used to make from stale old bread and gorgeous woolly scarves she knitted that were always far to long, but were much loved.

I have always tried to reuse, fix (sometimes with terrible results, namely with super glue) and love old worn out items, that i still treasure and refuse to throw in the bin, like sun bleached t shirts and worn out old shoes.  For some reason they hold precious memories, it’s like thoughts and feelings get absorbed into the fabrics, leather, both happy and sad.

Books with torn edges and flowers pressed between pages, found at old junk shops, adored for years, little notes, handwritten ideas on the back of envelops and scarps of fabric collected ready to use for a rainy day.

My house is full of precious little items that have travelled from place to place, been boxed up, unpacked, boxed up again.  Been with me through childhood, courting, marriage and motherhood.  I always think, i must give them space amongst the clutter, of my everyday mess, but there they sit, happy to just be, a constant reminder of who i am, who i have become and what i will be.


By Deborah Moon aka MoonKo

Ordinary things...

“The whole world is a series of miracles, but we're so used to them we call them ordinary things. - "  Hans Christian Andersen

Such a beautiful quote by Hans Christian Anderson, that reminds us that life is quintessentially full of wonderful little miracles and happenings that sometimes we fail to see, due to the humdrum of everyday life.

Once upon a Time... our new MoonKo showcase at Urban Outfitters, Kensington, explores a very 21st century fairytale.

It was such a joy to meet 'Rose Petal Deer' aka Emily Reader, Asa Wikman, Zoey Hardwick, Death by Tea aka Holly Betton to set up the exhibition with Elly and Michael at the store on an early Tuesday morning just after the Easter Bank Holiday.

Urban Outfitters, Kensington High Street

 

The exhibition will be adoring Urban Outfitters, Kensington High Street store walls for the next couple months, until July.  Pop down and take a peek at some of the stunning work by some very talented emerging artists.  All the art works are available to buy through MoonKo online 'Shop'

More wonderful pictures of the exhibition will follow in the next couple of weeks.  Time for a lovely cuppa, a slice of cake and a ponder on those 'series of miracles which we call ordinary things' on this rainy grey day.

Death By Tea, Deborah Moon & Rose Petal Deer

Rose Petal Deer

Zoey Hardwick - Urban Outfitters Showcase

Asa Wilkman - Urban Outfitters Showcase

Once Upon a time...

“Everything you look at can become a fairy tale and you can get a story from everything you touch.”  Hans Christian Anderson

Illustration by Holly Betton

The beauty of fairytales, stories of sadness, joy, magic, happy ever afters and if onlys... all spark the imagination of the child with in us.   Hans Christian Anderson captured this wonderful magic in his tales, such as the Little Match Stick Girl, The Brave Tin Soldier, The Red Shoes and The Little Mermaid, all enchanting.

“Then she saw a star fall, leaving behind it a bright streak of fire. “Someone is dying,” thought the little girl, for her old grandmother, the only one who had ever loved her, and who was now dead, had told her that when a star falls, a soul was going up to God.” Little Match Stick Girl

 “But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore she suffers so much more.” 

Illustration by ''Rose Petal Deer'

Once Upon a Time...' our new MoonKo exhibition, will be based at Urban Outfitters, Kensington in London, opening on the 11th April 2012.  The showcase will explore this idea of the modern day fairytale and 'Once Upon a Time...' with some amazing talent including; Rose Petal Deer, Zoey Hardwick, Holly Betton, Asa Wikman and Deborah Moon.  

The work will consider the relationship between mark-making and collage to create a very 21st century tale.  Take a wonder lovely London town folk and peek upon 'Once Upon a Time..'

Time to make a lovely cuppa and start reading the short story by Hans himself  'The Brave Tin Soldier' ♥ Inspired!

For more information on the exhibition -  MoonKo 'Watch This Space' 

Zoey Hardwick  'Foxes'

Illustration & collage by Deborah Moon

Untitled by Asa Wikman