Sweet Little Foxy

One of my first little critters I designed was Little Foxy. When I was a wee thing my Nana had a fur shrug called Foxy; how politically incorrect these days to have a real fox head, tail, legs and all around your neck! But never the less when I was a little girl it was my favorite dress up along with this beautiful white ball dress.
I have always loved the imagery of foxes; and growing up in the 70's there sure were a lot of illustrations of them around.
They conjure up a magical and adventurous world; the little fox scampering across the yard in the moonlight to get to his burrow or who knows where! They are of course a little bit naughty and cheeky but some how they are still so cute;
and from my childhood memory soft and fury.
Our Little Foxy is featured through the cocoon couture collection; first shown on our bean bags in a beautiful 1950's inspired blue and white stripe fabric with sweet red toadstools. I chose this fabric as it was reminiscent of the woodland forest the little fox would live in. Now also available in a beautiful cheeky red and white spot on a delicious Chocolate pin wale cord bean bag; you can also find Little foxy in our woodland height chart. For a limited edition Little Foxy kinder bag visit mummy's favorite site now. Stay tuned for more Little Foxy pieces in 2010.

There are some wonderful books about foxes; some of my favorites are Hello, Red Fox by Eric Carle
and who can not mention the classic Dr Seuss Fox in Socks I have also found this link to an animated video of the book...for a bit of fun.
As well as some images from my book collection to make you smile.
Enjoy!
To WIN a Little Foxy bean bag cover subscribe to our blog and also email your thoughts to info@cocooncouture.com on what new colour you would like to see next in our bean bag collection and don't forget to mention this blog post. Winner announced 20th July 2009.
Congratulations Monica you are the proud winner of the Little Foxy Bean Bag!

Besotted with the Moomins

Moomintroll and Snufkin, Moominmamma and Mymble… These delightful characters are such a part of my childhood, it’s hard to admit that they’re not real. I pored over Tove Jansson whimsical fantasy books as a child, and they have inspired me ever since. Jansson had a magical talent, bringing to life her sweet characters and the woods in which they lived, using the simplest of illustrations.

She created a memorable setting – the warm Moomin valley would be alive with birdsong and bubbling brooks in summer, or blanketed in a soft carpet of snow in winter. The Moomins, who loved adventures as much as they loved life and nature itself, would return from their adventures to the gentle valley, and be safe and sound once again. Moomin valley was the inspiration behind cocoon
couture’s Enchanted Forest Tree. I wanted to create a special place where our critters could hang out together… early bird, little foxy, cheeky squirrel and sleepy owl; and now our new dreamy owl. I like to think that these critters share the Moomins’ taste for adventure – but also love to just be. Jannson’s stories and illustrations continue to inspire and delight, and I will often pull out my tattered copy of Finn Family Moomintroll and step back into childhood.


I also love scouring the web for Moomin-related sites, and want to share these ones with you:
- Tove Jannson Mommins; a very simple and sweet biography of the Moomins
- The Moomins the animated series produced in the UK; so cute you will have to watch them...one for all the family!
- Who will Comfort Toffle was given to my boys for their 2nd birthday by my dear friend Tania. We all love to hear of Toffle's journey thru this amazing land to find his Miffle. A must for the book shelf.

The Possum That Didn't

One of my favourite books from my child hood is 'The Possum That Didn't' by Frank Tashlin.
It is a story of a little possum that would hang upside down in his tree; smiling at the world. Until one day the 'people from the city' came on an outing to the country side and saw the possum hanging upside down; thinking he was sad.
As the story goes on the 'people from the city' take the possum to the city where 'everyone is happy' to make him SMILE. And as time goes by the possum gets sadder and sadder until his mouth turns down...into what the city folk think is a smile! Written and illustrated by Frank Tashlin in 1951; this wonderful book with a message that is still poignant today is part of series of books by the same author. Another one of his books of this time is The Bear that Wasn't.
This title was made into a cartoon in 1960 and is one to try and look up...
What I love is the simplicity of the illustrations that draw you in with their graphic wit and emotional depth; all in Black and White from this first edition of 'The Possum That Didn't' 1951.

Watch them Grow

Cocoon Couture offers a beautiful range of room accessories; but I think one of my favorite pieces are our delightful Height Charts.

Inspired by the height chart from my childhood; a printed linen wall hanging which was an ever constant in my room when growing up..I still have this same one in my treasure box of goodies from the past.

Only back then they used inches...so the need for a change was an exciting and inspiring design project which ended in our Woodland and Jungle land height charts.

Printed on Cotton Linen blend, these beautiful height charts make the most beautiful wall hanging for your child's room; not to mention they are a fun and novel way to chart your children's growth!

Included with your height chart are three wooden pegs on which you can write your child's name on to keep track of their height without marking the wall hanging.
The Woodland height chart comes with 3 delightful 'acorn' shaped pegs; while the Jungle land height chart comes with 3 cute 'palm leaf' shaped pegs.
Finished with a satin varnished wooden strip at the top and the bottom of the height chart.
visit www.cocooncouture.com

LMNOP

Cocoon couture just loves receiving their subscription of LMNOP on line magazine. Out now is issue seven; full of fabulous finds relating to letters...alphabet...words and anything to do with typography and children.
Not only is it a great read the visual delight of flicking thru the fresh and ever groovy imagery gets me every time.
Visit LMNOP now for your FREE subscription to their beautiful magazine.

Enchanting Wall Art

Cocoon Couture releases its much anticipated wall art collection; delightful designs to make up your self.

These beautiful wall art kits come in a selection of cocoon couture's favorite characters; Sleepy Owl, Early Bird, Gorgeous Giraffe, Mini Monkey, Mr Whale and Timmy Tiger.
Cocoon Couture's unique wall art tiles are handcrafted from environmentally friendly ply wood from 'FCS' managed plantation forest.

Each piece of art features a coloured trim on the edge of the wood and come with part of the design pre printed. Two sheets of re positional stickers are included in the pack along with a card illustrating the complete image for the child to follow.
With easy to follow instructions and a bit of artistic liscence your child will create their own piece of cocoon couture art!

Included in the kit are two sheets of the stickers to ensure the final art can be completed over and over again!
visit www.cocooncouture.com

Enchanted Forest Tree

Cocoon couture was so excited to be nominated as a finalist in the Home Beautiful Product of the Year award 2008; and you can imagine our delight when they announced our Enchanted Forest Tree as a winner for the home accessories category.

What started out as my creative project for cocoon couture as a display to help show off our range of cute critter bean bags has turned into a beautiful room accessory. I just love the little acorn pegs that you can use to hang hats or bags or trinkets on.The sleepy owl and early bird nestled amongst the printed leaves put the 'enchanted' touch in our tree.
www.cocooncouture.com