New Mengsel cushion cover design: MEANDER

After my short sewing course, I bought myself a descent sewing machine and have been stitching away. Really enjoying it and learning new things every day. So I've created a new range of cushion covers that will beautify your sofa, chair, bed, floor (you get the idea...) The first in the range is a design called MEANDER, inspired by geometric patterns in nature and in Scandinavian design, hand drawn and silkscreen printed by hand on cotton drill. Each and every one is truely unique. Available to purchase here in my ETSY shop. Printed in red and fluorescent yellow on grey. More designs coming soon. You like?

Meander cushion in red on grey

Meander cushion in red on grey

Meander cushion in red on grey and fluorescent yellow on grey

Meander cushion in fluorescent yellow on grey

Meander cushion in fluorescent yellow on grey

Meander cushion in fluorescent yellow on grey

Mad Men Rules! (Countdown to Season 4)

The return of Don Draper

It is almost time for season 4 of Mad Men to start. I'm just completely obsessed with the decor, design and fashion of the show. The attention to detail is amazing and I really love that period in time, not to mention the political incorrectness. Here is some Mad Men inspired finds on Etsy. Also have a look at the YouTube clip at the bottom. Excited yet?

Vintage Mod Gooseneck Desk Lamp by Bluebell at Etsy

Home Magazine Decorating Book - Midcentury Decor

vintage 60's OVERBLOUSE, 4 MAD MEN styles by monicacarmel at Etsy

 

Vintage General Electric Alarm Clock by rerunzvintageshop at Etsy

 Mid Century Danish Modern Arne Vodder Sideboard Cabinet by thevintagesupplyco at Etsy

Vintage ad early 1960s All Steel Desk by arcaniumantiques at Etsy
 

Colour of the day: Monday Blues

It is barely 12 o'clock here in London and I'm already having a Blue Monday of epic proportions. Made me think about one of my favourite colours a lot today, which is inspired by the blue Dutch tiles of Delft, Holland. In my Afrikaans culture, coming from Dutch ancestry, most of our grandparents had these blue tiles and ceramics in their homes. It really conjures up the romantic, mysterious era of 17th century Holland, when the Dutch came to South Africa to colonise the Cape. I love this colour so much that I used it for my Delft Blue Retro Roosters tea towel (available in my Etsy shop) and I find great inspiration from the images on the ceramics.

Retro Roosters tea towel in Delft Blue by Mengselhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/mengseldesign

New colours for "Toucans"

You all know how much I love to play around with colour. I really love coral at the moment and I thought that a soft grey would be a good compliment for this colour. I printed these this week and they are now available to purchase in my Etsy shop. Click here to visit my shop and see more hand printed goodness.

Toucans silkscreen print in coral and grey

Toucans silkscreen print in coral and grey

Toucans silkscreen print in coral and grey

Toucans silkscreen print in coral and grey

Introducing new silkscreen print:: BLOMME MARK

Introducing Mengsel's newest hand pulled silkscreen print: "Blomme Mark". Blomme Mark means Flower Market in my native language, Afrikaans. I just love shopping for fresh flowers at the market. Blomme Mark is printed in brightly coloured sap green and berry purple water based inks. Ready to brighten up your home.

Hand screen printed in the studio on heavyweight 220g Acid Free paper Daler Rowney paper (made in England). Limited edition of 20 prints, signed "Blomme Mark" numbered and dated. You like?

"Blomme Mark", edition of 20

"Blomme Mark", edition of 20

"Blomme Mark", edition of 20

"Blomme Mark", edition of 20

Introducing new silkscreen print : "TOUCANS"

Back in the studio this week and look what I've been up to. Created a new print to add to my Etsy shop called "Toucans". It is a geometric, grid-like pattern drawing of toucans, those lovable tropical birds. Hope you like it? You can buy it here.

Moxiedoll at Papernstitch

The great thing about being a seller on Papernstitch is discovering all the other designers' fabulous work. I'm in love with the fun stitchwork art of Moxidoll. Moxiedoll "hand stitches happiness in hoops". Sure got me happy on a Monday morning. You can visit the Etsy shop here for some hand stitched goodness.

Vintage view-master

Mixtape Master

Anchors Away

les Tour de France

So many great sporting event to choose from this weekend. World Cup Football, Wimbledon tennis and the Tour de France. Can Lance Armstrong do it again? In the spirit of celebrating the land of baguettes, fromage and Brigitte Bardot, I found these little numbers. What is it about the French that makes them so effortlessly chic?

Ooh-La La! tea towel by Darling Clementine at To Dry For

Bonjour brooch  by Custom Made at Supermarket

I don't speak French - Henri Greetings card from Tea and Ceremony at Etsy

YSL lipstick print by emmakisstina at Etsy

Fall French Market poster by Legendre + Rutter at Felt & Wire

And last, but not least... Brett and Germaine's Foux De Fa Fa song from Flight of the Concords always makes me giggle.