A very kind friend visited Moscow recently and brought me back my very own Russian Dolls. I was expecting the traditional red and yellow ones but I love these so much more. I can't stop looking at them, picking them up and stacking them.

Look what came home with me from the market today...

Each of these pieces is 155 x 55 cm and destined to become a bag, with the exception of the yellow fabric which which (hopefully) will become the back of a cushion cover.

On my way back from the market I spied this little hen, who fits in the palm of my hand. I have no idea what I will do with her but I couldn't resist.

All images by me.

I received lovely things in the post yesterday.

First up a beautiful print from Olivia Jefferies of Restless Things. Olivia specialises in work she produces on found paper. This particular piece reminds me of coral and was originally printed on a page of Howards Way, complete with pencil annotations from a reader who was struggling to understand the meaning of the text. It is utterly charming and I cannot wait to get it framed in chunky white wood and a brilliant white mat. At the moment it is destined for the wall in the study of Number 75 where it's literary undertones will be at home with all our books.

Olivia also has a lovely blog which can be found here.

My second parcel came all the way from Hong Kong to the Netherlands in just 5 days. Excellent service. It was so elegantly packaged it felt like unwrapping a gift rather than bag making supplies.

Gorgeous. I will definitely be re-visiting Meowcraft for more supplies in the future. I am such a sucker for beautifully wrapped parcels.

I have been coveting the So Very Happy print from Studio Mela for some weeks. I can't decide whether I want it in the kitchen (by the coffee machine) or in the office (for constant reminders!).

And then there's the choice of colours... Version 1, 2 or 3.

Decisions, decisions.

I love stationery, I love it so much that I have a tendency to hoard it and never let it fulfill its purpose of putting a smile on the face of the person it should be sent to.

While hunting through Etsy one day I came across Simple Song Designs and promptly fell in love with Suann's Blind Impression Notecards. So far I have ordered two sets for me so far and a set for a wonderful letter writing friend (for whom Suann specially sourced envelopes in my friend's favourite shade of purple).

The card stock is beautiful soft but sturdy, textured but a joy to write on.