Trudy and Andy are the clever couple behind Perth’s Mokoh, who make prints and paperwares and all-round prettiness. What I really love is that they are originally from England and yet they make some of the most Aussiest (is Aussiest a word?) of Australian design. I bet they’ve even been to more than a handful of these places, unlike lazy ass me. Heh! I can get the tea towel.

mokoh.com.au

Harry Rogers illustrated these screen-printed posters for the Australian airline Qantas in the 1950′s and they are ridiculously wonderful. Even more wonderful is that they are now available again, this time as limited edition giclee prints. I want the Singapore tiger, no – the Australian kangaroo, noooo – the Canadian moose, noooooo – the Pacific Islands sea turtle.

airwaysart.com

Mitchell & Dent have recently been compared to Basil Zempilas in the Perthonality stakes which is one of the loveliest compliments we have ever had. If you aspire to Heath Ledger status (probably a bad choice, but we’re going with it), you’ve got to start somewhere. We think we’re in good company and if you want to spend a weekend working your way through the best Perth has to offer in Perthonalities, blog style, start here…

1. The Worst of Perth (theworstofperth.com)
Perth is all its wonderful awfulness, thanks to Andrew.

2. Dropstitch (www.dropstitch.com.au)
Emma Bergmeier knows her fashion, even Vogue UK knows that.

3. Craftapalooza (craftapalooza.typepad.com)
Clever Nicole knows about the crafty side of Perth.

4. Kristy Leigh’s Food for Thought (www.kristyleigh.com)
Kristy Leigh’s culinary adventures (with recipes!).

5. Love Freo (lovefreo.wordpress.com)
Izzy, Orla and Phil really do love Freo.

6. Future Shelter (futureshelter.blogspot.com)
Jane and Adam design for folks worldwide, all from their studio in North Perth.

7. Cerebral Excrement (cerebralexcrement.blogspot.com)
A haiku a day keeps the sanity away, thanks lovely Elissa.

8. Perth’s Best Architecture (perthsbest.wordpress.com)
And not just the Iwan Iwanoff buildings, thanks Andrew.

9. August Animals (augustanimals.com)
Type geeks and design nerds – Russ, Mick and Tim, boys after our own hearts.

10. The Ginger Fox (www.gingerfoxvintage.com)
Tara Fox knows Perth’s best vintage, oh yay.

Apologies to all we’ve forgotten – did we mention ‘part one’, of course we did. Suggestions welcomed.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that my favourite one-of-a-kind high school English teacher from days of yore has hidden talents. She makes these one-of-a-kind Diddums dolls. She’s also a singer, which I didn’t know. Singing, stitching, Shakespeare – what a combination.

www.diddums.com.au

Ball and Skittle opens in two days. It is very exciting. The mesdames have had the great fortune of designing for good friend, supermum and energiser bunny Clara Jane and look forward to toasting the arrival of her brand new store for children. Ball and Skittle will sell thoughtful wares of whimsy for curious lads and lassies – sourcing children’s toy, gift and home wares that are good for imaginations, good for growing bodies, good for the environment and good for the future happiness of the world.

Opening Thursday May 6th, with three days of play – oodles of activites for kids including fire engine rides, face painting, balloons, sweet treats and prizes with funds raised going to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Help Ball and Skittle raise a Starlight Wish for a seriously ill child. Details of the Our Wish for Starlight Event can be found here.

Ball and Skittle Emporium for Children
Shop 19, The Mezz Shopping Centre
148 Scarborough Beach Road, Mt Hawthorn, Western Australia
www.ballandskittle.com.au

I wouldn’t dare set down my slice of cake on one of these lovely doilies (it wouldn’t last long enough to set down anyway). In limited editions of 25, these hand stitched pieces will sell like little hotcakes.

Sooooound on Etsy

We had a sneaking suspicion that the latest Frankie might have been out when we started getting a flood of orders for our Small Prints. Now that our suspicions have been officially confirmed, we’re watching our mailbox eagerly so we can take a peek. Flick your copy of issue 35 to the Frank Bits section to find a little snippet about yours truly.

Being ladies of distinguished taste and refinement we whole-heartedly recommend you visit The Peninsula Tea Gardens at Tranby House in Maylands (Perth) for high tea. What better way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon than sampling delectable bites (no crusts of course) and sipping tea and champagne with a coterie of amicable acquaintances?

Peninsula Tea Gardens at Tranby House, 2 Johnson Rd, Maylands
Photography by Kellie Ryan

If you, like me, have not only kept your girlish figure but added to it, you will be besotted by Melbourne’s Peta Pledger. She makes garments to gasp over and accessories to boot, in sizes 6 to 20 (oh yay). And if you ask very very nicely, she might even make you a custom dress.

www.petapledger.com

We’re loving fellow West Australians Martha and Lilly, who created a design business out of their love for fabrics from far abroad and buttons, ribbons and trims from the darkest of grandmothers’ cupboards (along with the McCabe Faultless System of Cutting, no doubt). Every bag is cut by hand and meticulously sewn. Lovely.

www.marthaandlilly.com