Using The Force To Fight Diabetes. 6 Year Old's T-Shirt Would Melt Even The Darkest Sith Lord's Heart.

Now, here's a product that could bring light, love and hope to the Dark Side.



Six year old Audrey Chau has an older sister, Natalie, who has Type 1 Diabetes. In hopes of one day finding a cure for her sister's condition, Audrey has drawn her favorite characters from Star Wars, with much love and care (and talent). The adorable, yet recognizable characters, have been turned into a t-shirt for adults, youths and toddlers to wear, with all the proceeds from the sales going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.




Audrey and big sister Natalie:


Buy one - I did. The price is right ($12), the cause is just and the drawings are great.



Audrey graciously thanks you for your support and says, "May the force be with you!"

Buy your T-shirt (American Apparel adult crew tee, Hanes 5.2oz Youth or Gildan Toddler Tee) here

Rest In Peace Maurice Sendak

Author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, best known for his Caldecott Medal winning book, Where the Wild Things Are, has passed away. We are blessed he has left us with such a heart-warming legacy and that his wonderful work lives on.

Amazon's complete selection of Maurice Sendak Books, Audio books and DVDs

Alfabetika. Whimsical Posters That Brighten Up Children's Rooms And Their Minds.

Alfabetika are a line of reading and counting basics made charming and stylish. Numbers and alphabet letters come to life in the form of whimsical drawings by the beautiful and talented designer (and a personal friend of mine) Anne-Lise Borgen.







The Norway born designer, who is now based in Paris, first came upon the idea to create Alfabetika when she couldn't find a suitable gift for her niece. She wanted something both cool and educational and when nothing struck her fancy, she set out to design her own.



The highly original characters were inspired by her dog Jakko's personality, cute looks and funny mannerisms combined with her love of mid-century modern design.







Staying true to her Scandinavian heritage, the alphabet posters come in both English and Norwegian Versions.



In addition to inspiring someone you love, each sale from Alfabetika’s webshop donates 5% to UNICEF, making this a gift that benefits the recipient as well as a less fortunate child.

Jakko:

Anne-Lise:


Keep an eye on Alfabetika, Anne-Lise will soon be launching custom name posters!


Etsy Shop

Mia Van Beek Turns Your Kid's Art Into Actual Jewelry, Keychains & Bookmarks.

Jewelry designer Mia Van Beek of Formia Design has come up with a way to turn your children's art into fabulous everlasting mementos in the form of pendants, charm bracelets, earrings, brooches, keychains and bookmarks.



Working with all types of metals [sterling silver, gold, stainless steel, etc], she expertly transforms two dimensional drawings into metal versions of the same.



She can create them as either positive or negative [outlines] pieces and is able to reproduce anything from stick figures to even the most enigmatic representation of a child's imagination.




Words do not suffice, take a look at these examples.

Pendants:







Keychains:





Earrings:

Bookmarks:

Charm Bracelets:


To learn how to submit the art and order your own wonderful piece of her work, go here.

About Mia:

Education and experience:

1988-1991 Jewlery school in Sweden

1992 Journeyman diploma
1996 Goldsmith Master Degree
1997 Degree in design at Collage of arts in Linkoping, Sweden.

2001 set up my own business Formia Design in Stockholm, Sweden
2004 Received Best New Designer of the year award at Stockholm Jewlery show

2004 Established Formia Design LLC in Virginia, USA

She not only creates these whimsical pieces, but it an expert goldsmith and creates other fine jewelry. Visit her website to see her many other jewelry designs.

follow her on Twitter.

Shop her online store.

For Budding Designers, MoMA Kits For Modern Kids (And Their Parents)

Chronicle Books has introduced an innovative and uniquely playful new line of children's products created in collaboration with New York's Museum of Modern Art. Through original formats and eye-catching design, these irresistible books and kits are designed to inspire and foster creativity that lasts a lifetime.



The Modern Playhouse and Modern Family are DIY kits with modular pieces and removable vinyl clings so you can create numerous variations of your own modern home and family.

MoMA Modern Play House



Includes: 6 nesting boxes, 8 mix-and-match furniture pieces, 12 removable vinyl clings, and endless possibilities. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

MoMA Modern Play Family


This hip press-out family includes 5 people, a cat, a dog, a doghouse, and over 150 mix-and-match vinyl cling clothes.



A part of the MoMA Modern Kids collection. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Chronicle Books also made this cool stop-motion video to showcase the creative possibilities of the new MoMA Modern Play House and Modern Family:



Of course you can buy these at the online MoMA store BUT as part of the promotion, you can purchase these kits directly from Chronicle books with free shipping and 30% off if you use the code MoMA at checkout here.