Morgan Wills vintage kitsch cushions

Oh how I love Australiana. And the more kitsch, the better, in my opinion. These totally cute cushions came across my desk today from The Crafty Squirrel studio and store owner Morgan Wills.

These cushions are fashioned from vintage linen souvenir tea towels collected by Morgan. They are backed with matching wool cashmere fabrics and three linen-covered buttons. Each cushion comes with a custom-made feather and fibre insert.

You can find them at The Crafty Squirrel in Ballart or the Morgan Wills online store. These cushions are one-of-a-kind and a limited batch so you'll have to get in quick sticks! (while you are there, check out the baby bunny blankets - very cool).

Images: Morgan Wills

Hip Products: Retro Bird Designs bird cages

I was immediately attracted to Retro Bird Designs by their ever-so-cute vintage doll-printed stuffed toys. And when I enquired further, I found out from founder Melinda about the amazing bird cages that they have been designing in Brisbane, along with a whole range of other products including appliqued bird tees for boys and girls, dresses, dolls and jewellery. These gorgeous pieces would be great on top of a nursery dresser, or just propped around the house somewhere for a dash of whimsy and nostalgic-cool.

You can find Retro Bird Designs on Etsy and at select markets around Australia (check the Etsy store profile for details).

Images: Retro Bird Designs

Hip Products: The Owls Are Hunting lamps

I love discovering new Australian artists and designers through Twitter, and one special designer came to my attention today. Check out the great one-of-a-kind lamps made by Jo Kent from Canberra-based The Owls Are Hunting.

Each lamp uses recycled and new materials to create unique pieces of art that you won't find anywhere else, including reclaimed lamp bases from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Jo has a fantastic eye for colour and contrast and lovingly restores and recreates these lamps by hand. They are all so cool - it's hard to choose just one. Great for the Christmas wishlist!

You can find The Owls Are Hunting lamps in the MadeIt online store (Australia) as well as at stockists around Australia, at markets and online. Worldwide shipping is available upon request. You can find out more about stockists and new designs on The Owls Are Hunting blog.

Imags: The Owls Are Hunting

Stylish Kids: Miss Haidee

It's definitely swimming season again, and there are so many great togs to choose from out there, but I can't resist the cuteness (and styling) of Byron Bay-based Miss Haidee's swimsuits.

Miss Haidee uses antique, retro and vintage fabric and trims to create adorable clothes and swimsuits for boys and girls from newborn to 8 years old. You'll find the staple swimsuits (for little one and a matching suit for Mum!) and beach tote bag in various recycled fabrics as well as adorable hats, bags, hair accessories, baby slings, nappy covers, baby rompers, dresses and pants. The organic cotton Star Wars Tommy Boy pants are absolutely killer!

You can find Miss Haidee clothes for kids on MadeIt (main store), Etsy and at upcoming markets in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, including the Finders Keepers market this weekend and the Mathilda's Market this Sunday in Brisbane. And check out the Miss Haidee blog for some behind-the-scenes information.

Images: Miss Haidee

Hip Products: Button Tree accessories

Annemarie Blades creates fun and quirky handmade bags, accessories, art and clothing under the Button Tree label. Based in Melbourne, Annemarie uses vintage materials, old book illustrations and a huge dose of imagination to put together fun pieces for your wardrobe. Annemarie aims to use as many second had/recycled materials as possible while creating original pieces - an ethos I can really respect.

I love the idea of a steely-eyed deer or bird-in-flight on my scarf peaking out from my winter jacket. And replacing all my jacket buttons with bird-covered tweed buttons. And adding a roomy bag with requisite doily fawn. And of course a doily-covered badge to top off my outfit.

If you like that idea too, you can find Button Tree in the online store as well as stockists around Australia.

Images: Button Tree

Stylish Kids: Tea Pony

I'm absolutely besotted with the Tea Pony children's label; the use of limited edition vintage fabric, the sweet designs, and the dreamy nostalgic state they put me in. How adorable is this collectable dress - a collaboration between Mandy Sutcliffe from Belle & Boo and Tea Pony.

Tea Pony was created by Esa West and Luke Cooper in Byron Bay after the birth of their daughter Coco in 2007. The clothing styles have comfort in mind (breathable cotton, generous fit, no tight elastics or scratchy tags) and are designed and produced in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.

You can find Tea Pony clothing at stockists around the country, and find more about the label at the Tea Pony Website and Blog.

You can find more Australian children's clothing labels at Australian Designer Baby Clothes. And shop online for kids fashion from great stores in the Australian Online Kids and Baby Store Directory.

Image: Tea Pony