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

You’ve gotta be proud to be an Aussie. With young designers like Flynn Talbot, Daniel Emma and Elliat Rich combing forces and taking the world stage, these guys are certainly putting us on the map!

Their exhibition ‘The Other Hemisphere’, featuring in Milan’s Design Week was a way to take their work to the other side of the world and put their stamp on the unique Australian design style. The group of seven are on their way to international acclaim. Watch this space!

> To see more on these talented designers and their exhibition go to theotherhemisphere.com

- Despina Papamanolis, QH Guest blogger

Now that the Jacarandas are in flower, Brisbane people can appreciate the Jacaranda in a whole new way. Multi award winning sculptor, Peter Steller, exposes the hidden beauty inside our Jacarandas.

Having salvaged some of the Jacarandas after they died in New Farm Park during the drought in 2008, Mr. Steller has created an exhibition that is a unique blend of art and history that will preserve the memories for many.

His exhibition, “Once a Tree and the Sea”, opens on Thursday, 3rd November and will run until the 20th of November.

The sculptures are mostly inspired by the activities of and around the park, be it lovers embracing, people jumping for joy, birds preening or boats sailing along the river. Each sculpture has a story to tell.

Peter’s creativeness is displayed by his superb use of the inherent natural beauty in the wood to enhance and transform each piece into a unique creation, while elevating the viewer’s experience by the sensation imbued by the wood when touched.

His beautiful and evocative wood sculptures each explore form and shape from a contemporary perspective, yet with such sensitivity to grain and texture of the organic material it becomes poetry to the eyes.

Complimenting his sculptures are his amazingly realistic bright and vividly coloured seascapes of Stradbroke Island and other scenes. The varied and bright colours of the water, the sparkle of the sun reflected off the waves, are an essential part of the natural beauty and charm that Stradbroke holds for him.

He enjoys capturing this interplay of colour, light and reflection; one can practically feel the sun shining …

> You can catch Peter talking about his work on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.

> Make sure you pop by on the opening night, taking place on the 3rd of November 2011 at 6:30pm at C Gallery, Centro II, 13A/23 James Street, Fortitude Valley.

> Check out Peter Steller’s website! www.peterstellerart.com

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!

As featured in the NEW Spring issue of QH, we give you a run down of some of our favourite designers, makers, and crafty folks behind some of the finest Australian handmade designs and objects of art!

In the next few weeks, we’ll be revealing the creative locals that made our ‘Made with Love‘ special feature - so stay tuned!

First up - Bonni Barker…

Based in far north Queensland, designer and illustrator Bonni Barker makes the most beautiful range of laser cut plywood and perspex wall clocks out of her studio, Snowfawn.

She also makes wall decals, art prints, bangles, pins and brooches using the same techniques. Originally from England, Bonni moved to Australia over five years ago and has set about interpreting her love for European inspired-wilderness, creatures and romance into a really beautiful collection for the home and body.

For more info on online stockists + to discover more of her world… visit her blog > snowfawn.blogspot.com

Spring is here! and so is the new Spring 2011 issue of QH.

This season, QH brings us a RENOVATION SPECIAL - featuring loads of hints + tips on giving your home a superb makeover.

Along with the regular features, QH Spring 2011 gives us the low-down in all things bathroom + kitchen - including what’s new, what you will LOVE and some gorgeous kitchen design images to be inspired by!

This issue will be available in stores next week, so make sure you don’t miss out! To ensure you have your copy, pre-order online > https://graphicpublishing.com.au/subscribe/qhSubscribe.htm

Here are a few words written by Margaret McGuire for the editor’s letter -

The beginning of spring is a joyous time of year - the days are longer and warmer, the garden is awakening and the dark days have passed.

To get you in the mood, this issue focuses on renewal - Melissa Reynolds shows us the latest spring fabrics and colours, in her Spring Fresh feature, and follows it up in her Spring Wish List with a bounty of homewares - where flowers and butterflies make their presence felt.

Natalie Bannister takes us further afield with her regular round-up of all things design.

Kitchens and bathrooms are also featured this issue with an overview of the latest appliances, tapware, bathware and basins, and our Kitchen Design Files show you the stand-out features of six fabulous projects. And in line with our theme of renewal, all the houses in this issue are renovations - houses which for one reason or another, have been made over and brought up to date for modern living. It’s an interesting journey.

We hope our renovating tips will set you on the right track to a successful project if you are planning to take this path, and as always, the featured garden should prove inspirational.

Our sister magazine Holidays for Couples has hit the technological high spot and is now available on the iPad - for free! So download it, and see why this magazine is so popular - we think you’ll love it.

And speaking of sister magazines, the 2011 issue of Outdoor Living is now in newsagencies; it’s full of news and information on what’s available for your outdoor entertaining areas, and features a couple of gorgeous gardens and outstanding landscape projects which are sure to inspire.

Purchase your copy of Spring 2011 online > https://graphicpublishing.com.au/subscribe/qhSubscribe.htm

Visit the QH website > www.queenslandhomes.com.au

- Cherizza, QH Web

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