If you haven’t already bought yourself a planner for the new year, then you must check out the range of 2012 Planner Calendars by Julia Kostreva. Julia Kostreva is a designer/illustrator based in San Francisco and has come out with a collection of eye-catching stationery, mixing bright colours and sleek, geometric prints. Check out the entire stationery range here > shop.juliakostreva.com/category/paper

If stationery’s not your thing, you can also take a look at her other products including quirky printed pillow covers and of course, her collection of art and print work.

All her items are available for purchase online - worldwide delivery included!

Visit her website > juliakostreva.com

Shop online > shop.juliakostreva.com

Read her blog> blog.juliakostreva.com

- Cherizza Almario , QH Web

If you love fresh, letterpress inspired prints, you will love the works of Jan Skácelik - a graphic designer, photographer & composer from Czech Republic!

As described on Etsy, his prints are inspired by Scandinavian design and mid century modern - which you can definitely see through the use of clean lines, layouts and retro colours!

The ReStyle collection features a great mix of typographic art, quirky statements, slick vintage icons and retro illustrations and can definitely make for a quirky xmas present!

> You can view the collection + make purchases via his Etsy shop - ReStyle

> Jan also has a blog, which you can check out here

> Keep in touch via Facebook + Twitter

- Cherizza Almario, QH Web

How we love our Brissy designers! Featured in our ‘Made with Love‘ special (have a read in the current issue of QH Spring 2011!), boutique greetings designer Alarna Zinn puts her little heart and soul in to her Little Jane St. collection of unique, handmade designer stationery.

With a knack for paper crafts, plus a creative eye for cute and quirky design, she creates the most adorable range of limited edition greeting cards, gift enclosures, custom invitations, signature wrap, art prints, paper decoration, ribbon, ceramic garden labels and personalised trinkets.

Putting the love back into greeting culture, giving the gift of a smile and a warm heart to the receiver, Little Jane St. is all about a revival in heartfelt moments. And little treasures that make you go ‘ohhh’.

> You can buy online, and have your parcel delivered in organic hand-stitched cotton carry-bags (cute!) … littlejanest.com.au

or

> Head out to explore Alarna’s recently opened Little Jane St. boutique at 5c Winn Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.

Love handmade goodies? Check out our other fave designers featured in our ‘Made with Love‘ special here!

We adore the little pieces of magic that ceramicist and novelist (And Brisbane girl!) Kylie Johnson creates for her Paper Boat Press collection.

Featuring quotes and poetry that bring a smile to the face and a twinkle to the eye, she is a designer, potter, poet and published author to boot!

Kylie brings the magic of words to life, made with love - using everything from ceramic quote tags, brooches, pencils, magnets, hanging stars and letterpress.

> You can browse + shop online directly on her website… paperboatpress.com

> Check out her blog: instinctandgrace.blogspot.com

> If you missed our previous ‘Made with Love’ designers, check them out here!

Stay tuned for more ‘Made with Love’ next week!

Every new book by Jeannie Baker is a publishing event not to be missed!

“Jeannie Baker has created a picture book that takes us into the lives of two families: an Australian family, whose way of life strikes a familiar chord, and a family from a far away country with a way of life that differs more than one can imagine.”

In conjunction with the Ipswich Festival of Children’s Literature, the intricate works of Jeannie Baker will be on display for all to enjoy.

Mirror by Jeannie Baker shows some incredible finely-detailed collage illustrations. Constructed from a wooden baseboard and the creative use of sand, clay, paint, and all sorts of fabrics - these are truly some striking pieces!

> Check out Jeannie Baker’s work + buy her book!

Where: Ipswich Art Gallery - Children’s Gallery

When:  Monday, 18 July 2011 - Sunday, 2 October 2011

> For more info, go to: ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au

Food paintings that are melt in your mouth!

UK-based graphic designer + painter, Joël Penkman, recently had a show in Liverpool showcasing these creative treats. Inspired by sweets and traditional British foods, these prints are perfect to frame and brighten up your home!

Featured above are just a few of my fave picks from both the ‘British Food‘ and ‘Sweet Selection‘ collection - love the use of playful pastel colours!

> To make a purchase + view the entire collection, visit his website: www.joelpenkman.com

Dearwood - an emerging young Sydney-based boutique company puts a new spin on hand screen printed and small run bespoke wallpaper.

Vicki Mientjes (the heart of Dearwood arts) designs + creates the range of wallpapers… making each one even more unique!

Take a look at the Japanese inspired ‘Waves’ wallpaper…hand drawn by Vicki herself > check it out!

Dearwood design and screenprint all their wallpapers using local craftsmen, who work up and down 30 metre tables, screen by screen. All their papers are created using water-based pigment inks and have a non-woven base, making it more sustainable - it is 100% recyclable at a paper mill!

The best part is, unlike digital printing, no two orders will be exactly the same - making it a truly bespoke and beautiful collection, perfect for that special place in your home.

If Dearwood wallpapers have already become a ‘must-have’ for your home, keep in mind that their wallpaper is hand printed to order. Which means, you must allow up to three weeks for delivery.

> Contact Vicki: 0438 028 019 OR email info.wallpaper@dearwood.com.au

> Check out the full range: www.dearwood.com.au

With a body of work we can only describe as whimsical, evocative and playful, artist Mia Taninaka has truly enchanted the local arts scene with her intriguing, illustrative artworks.

With hours and hours of painstaking drawing involved on each and every illustration, and her other loves - hand stitching, patchwork, and textile mediums - that come into play on her large scale paintings and the conceptual works of art that she creates on wooden panels, it’s a definite explorative process behind all of her stunning designs.

QH LOVES Aussie talent! Mia is also one half of Wolfie + Huck, a collaborative design team - their blog is a definite must-see!

> See more of Mia’s art on her blog @ wolfieandhuck.blogspot.com

Semi-Permanent - a world leading, annual creative conference prepares for Brisbane once again!

The 2011 Semi-Permanent tour will hit Brisbane on Friday 5th August, offering a full day of premium creative experience!

Semi-Permanent is all about creative design, inspiration & innovation. From graphic design, film, photography, fine art, web and architecture, all disciplines of design will be well and truly covered.

Featuring 8 speakers from a wide range of design disciplines sharing their expertise and some art exhibitions to visit on the side, this event will really get your creative juices flowing. To top it off, Semi-Permanent will also be hosting an after party for all attendees!

Come along to meet some creative experts - it’ll definitely be worth it!

DON’T FORGET! Make sure you pick up your free event pack which features the new Semi-Permanent book, showcasing the works of creative talents from around the world.

The Semi-Permanent event will take place at the Great Hall, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Southbank from 9.30am - 6pm on August 5, 2011. Tickets must be purchased to attend this event.

> Purchase your tickets online! (General Early - purchase before July 22 $130, General Late - purchase after July 22 $230, Students $80, discounts are also offered for group bookings): semipermanentevents.com

> Check out the event program: www.semipermanent.com/sp_bris_program.pdf

> For a complete guide to the event, visit their website: www.semipermanent.com/event/Brisbane

QH loves Aussie designers! Having already been featured in the Summer 2010/11 issue of Queensland Homes, we just can not get enough of Melbourne-based print gurus, Poulier + Poulier.

Being surrounded daily by typography of some sort or another, Poulier + Poulier does a great job in transforming one of our favourite current trends and making it into works of art for the home.

Poulier + Poulier make a wicked range of prints, bags and totes, cards and tea towels inspired by authentic optical test charts. Each optical test chart is hand pulled using environmentally friendly inks onto imported, artist quality paper or premium quality linen.

> You can view the entire range + purchase online at www.poulierandpoulier.com.au