KIDS DESIGN - go benny go

mike howie and brenda sutton have just released a new kids' design label called go benny go. their first collection has just launched with kids' wall art in the form of printed canvases and posters. brenda and mike's background is in traditional animation and they met whilst working in sydney for walt disney, but both being new zealanders they returned home in auckland. each canvas art print is a limited edition of 250 and uses genuine pigment inks with UV protection to prevent fading on a quality US manufactured canvas. as well as the main go benny go website they are also on etsy here.

NEW SEASON - ecojot

ecojot have just launched their new autumn and christmas collection which includes the new collection handpainted fauna designs and a 2012 calendar. the whole range will be on show at the new york gift fair next month and some pieces are available in advance to order online at ecojot. also new this season are 'jot and share' notebooks with rounded corners and pages that tear out easily with no unsightly jagged edges.

STORE SNAPS - habitat

when we heard a couple of weeks ago that habitat were going into administration i thought i had better get down there and get some storesnaps. 30 of the chains 33 stores are closing although not the the tottenham court road branch where these pics were taken. but trading from 3 shops will surely be different from 33. will they be able to create so many bespoke and exclusive products when their buying power is reduced? maybe they will buy in more branded goods like the amy butler wallpaper below. so as a last homage here are some of habitat's current prints and patterns.

CARDS - tanya palmer

textile designer tanya palmer made her trade show debut at harrogate last week. tanya was at the home & gift show 2011 to launch her first complete range of greetings cards, postcard packs and christmas cards - over 90 designs in all!. here are just a few of her lovely designs which are created using free motion embroidery, which means you move the fabric wherever you want while stitching with the machine for real creativity. see online here for tanya's website.