Sometimes people make things so frickin awesome you just want to spit. On them. And go back in time. And steal their idea. (And go mwah mwah mwah. And dream up dastardly deeds for further evil-doing. And have a really ace midcentury lair perched on the side of a gently smokin’ volcano.) Canadian illustrator Andrew Kolb made these tattoo-it-yourself cards. Bastard.

kolbisneat.com

No, not The Hills, the Perth hills. The shady-sweet eucalypt-smelling Perth hills. Not a boob job or a statement handbag in sight, but there is cute shoes in common between the two – in the work of hills girl Moira Court. She is an incredible illustrator and maker that we’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting, but her art does adorn an M&D wall. Our bear wears a crown.

moiracourt.wordpress.com

There is no-one who loves paper more than we do here at Mitchell & Dent. Oh heck, yes there is. Have you seen the ridiculousness of Cuban-born USA-based Elsa Mora‘s work? We have long been fans of her papercut pieces and her paintings and her miniature books and her illustration and her handmade dolls and almost everything she touches. We love her story and we’d like to meet her and have a cup of tea with her. And ask her how on earth she finds the patience to make extraordinary things like these teeny titchy little papercut rings.

elsita.typepad.com

Fine are in Sweden and make some mighty fine things. I don’t know how, but don’t you think these fine cutting boards (above) and these fine blocky-stripey things (below) go together just fine? I have a slightly-less-than-new nephew who might soon fine-d himself in a fine little hat. There is also a super Fine blog. It’s all top notch.

finelittleday.com

Our chums Dan and Bec from Studio Lost & Found found this brilliant little series of dioramas with hand-lettered type by Aled Lewis in London. We love them, especially this one, and not least because Mr Lewis seems to share a similar sense of humour to us (go here and be sure to look at the back). Dumb bunnies. But as Aled says, what rabbits lack in smarts, they make up for in cute.

aledlewis.com

I live in a street that is being messed about with by developers so that lovely little old cottages like ours (built in 1905) are bulldozed to make way for multi-story townhouses. It makes me feel really miffed. I’m also mad about the bevvy of builders and their noisy morning machines. Why do they insist on starting at 6-something, even on a Saturday? I’m just like these guys – very angry little wooden wrestlers by The Boy Frost. Except for the diamond daks.

theboyfrost.bigcartel.com

Who knew afternoon tea could be so risqué? Dutch illustrator Esther Horchner, that’s who. Go on, live a little, abandon your inhibitions and maybe swap the Liptons for lapsang?

estherhorchner.nl

Julian Callos is an artist living in Los Angeles. This is what he gave his friends for Christmas (just a small selection). He made each one of his tribe a spirit animal that represents them. They are completely amazing and I bet they are now cherished and adored and talked about and handled with loving care by their new proud owners. Heh, art is a great thing, isn’t it?

juliancallos.com

Oliver Lake, just what kind of crazy tunes do these toons play? And can I download it from iTunes? BTW, nice illustrations.

iotaillustration.etsy.com

It is hot. Strawberry icecream would be nice.

brentjacob.com