Noëlle Lavaivre I

Pistache et Dame Tartine by Noëlle Lavaivre was published in 1959. This book has fantastic use of colour, collage and graphic design and should be re-published as a wonder of children's illustration.

Noëlle Lavaivre was born in 1930 in Chamonix and her talents have been used in advertising, animation, television and illustrating, and yet I can find no further biographical details.

The beautiful vegetables of Andrée Benoit

We are on our way home and I wanted to share some of our joys from this holiday. Our French holiday involved lots of kindness. This example is the kindness of Andrée Benoit who grows tomatoes and aubergines that have great character and are delicious. 
I liked the rumbustious character of the tomato and the hairstyle of the aubergine. 

Last snail entry

Sorry, I seem to have a snail thing going on, but this made me laugh when I came down in the morning to all the snails tentacles out hanging from the ceiling of their home (this was when they were getting ready for the big race).

Just Back

Just back and trying to make sense of life again and get ready to leap in the deep end with work, school and home etc. I also have new comedy finger, as I have discovered I am very allergic to wasps, and unfortunately got stung twice last week and ended up in hospital. Above is a picture from a wonderful evening of snail racing. Hello everyone xxx

Aliette

This is one of a series of prints by Aliette, a Parisian graphic designer, about autumn. They are wonderful, lacking in colour and yet full of colour at the same time, subtle and beautifully balanced.

Tiles and pots

More of Claire and Andy, but using a different pallet, their tiles are wonderful.

Claire and Andy Squires

Hurray! I have been wanting to share the work of Claire and Andy for weeks, but their web page was being revamped. At last its up and I can showcase their beautiful ceramics.

The Collector

Please if you have a wee while to watch some magic watch this inspiring, sad and funny film about Christian a collector from Provence, France. http://vimeo.com/666346 This film by Martin Hampton is just wonderful, Christian's most disturbing collection being a room of bread.
Found at Tim Johnston's blog http://timstring.blogspot .

Special Cutlery

We didn't make it to France this year, but to say Bonjour, here is fantastic cutlery created by Laguiole in Thiers, Auvergne France. Cutlery making in this area dates back to the 15th century because the purity of the water assisted with the tempering of the steel. The Knives and cutlery are hand crafted and stunning. I love the colours, they also have beautiful bees on the knuckles of the handle and every time we use them they bring joy.

http://www.laguiole-france.com