BLOG
The latest thoughts from the ILCK team.
Francois and the Atlas Mountains
13. SEP 2011
I saw Francois and the Atlas Mountains play live last week, supporting Kenny Anderson and Jon Hopkins the night after they missed out on the Mercury Music Prize. It was a great gig and great to hear the Diamond Mine material played live. I’d never heard any of Francois and the Atlas Mountains before but I absolutely loved it. They all move about so much and every bit was so enjoyable and I can’t wait for their new album that comes out next month.
The story goes though that a few years back, Francois was going to pack the whole music thing in for his watercolour paintings and they are really very good but personally I’m very glad that he didn’t, I’m sure he can manage both!
The percussionist was just the most fun to watch – no shoes, bells attached to his knees and so energetic. Brilliant surreal backdrop too from the Grand Ole Opry, a line dancing venue, which gave the band an excuse to showcase a co-ordinated set of dance moves. Anyways, looking forward to seeing the album artwork too!
BY: Sarah
Bottle Designs from Absolut Vis10ns
8. SEP 2011
I’d pick these as my favourite designs from the Absolut Vis10ns exhibition as a part of Absolut Fringe in Dublin.
1. Dalek 2. Linda Brownlee 3. Rilla Alexander 4. Niels Shoe Meulman
via Creative Review
BY: Sarah
Swan attire
8. SEP 2011
On my last afternoon in this week, I’m liking the thought this reversible cygnet to swan bag by Mimipong with a Donna Wilson Swan scarf combo. Perhaps only for serious swan fanatics mind you.
BY: Sarah
New Site Launch: Cycle Scottish Borders
8. SEP 2011
So we launched the Cycle Scottish Borders a few weeks back. It has over 40 cycle routes throughout the Borders complete with profiles, the local attractions and businesses en route, gpx files to download and stats to help you choose a suitable route.
On the page above, you can refine your search by town, level of difficulty, altitude gain and distance.
And users can leave reviews of an individual route so you can judge based on other’s experiences if that route will be exactly what you’re looking for.
There are other sections on the site such as Stay Eat Shop which gives you listings for each whether or not you are there to cycle primarily, you can plan in some of those things too. The News Offers & Events section features local cycling events and more. The launch of the site was to also run along side the build up to the Tour of Britain departing from Peebles this weekend, which is a great event for the Borders to be hosting. We really enjoyed getting our heads into what cyclists would need from this site and we hope that it will be useful from the outset even though there is lots more that could be developed.
BY: Sarah
The Creatables
6. SEP 2011
I first heard of the Creatables after seeing their magazine rack called ‘Old News’ which is still on the wishlist. What I didn’t know was that they trial a number of their recycled goods as concepts. Here are some of their latest products in waiting…
Beautiful ‘Mobile Dick’ and funny ‘Bombs Away’ mobiles. I like potential nursery items that aren’t covered in rabbits and pastels but I think I’d feel a little bad hanging bombs over a cot.
Leaf Clothespin, recycled map lampshades and more tennis felt products, this time, a pin board. I’d take them all. Looks like a fun place to work.
BY: Sarah
My Favourite Children’s Book Illustrators
5. SEP 2011
I seem to be compiling a very biased book wishlist for the baby that is purely based on my favourite illustrators. I’m anticipating that most family or friends will probably not be buying these so I feel the need to introduce these books to the collection myself.
1. Julia Rothman and her new book Farm Anatomy 2. Alexander Girard’s Colour board book 3. Tintin Books – the older cover design 4. Alain Gree books, if I can get my hands on an English one 5. Quentin Blake books for Roald Dahl 6. Miroslav Sasek books 7. Mr Men books 8. Charley Harper’s ABC board book and the 123 book too.
A few other would be the Katie Morag books, Mr Benn and Eric Carle. I’m sure there are masses more good ones out there too.
BY: Sarah
Donna Wilson Knitwear
30. AUG 2011
It seems to be getting a little chilly after a very dreary and disappointing August in Edinburgh. If I had some of Donna Wilson‘s brilliant knitwear collection, I imagine moving into Autumn and Winter wouldn’t be such a depressing prospect, wearing some of these would definitely make me smile every day, which in my books is a wise purchase.
Favourites from L-R: Fox Scarf | Mountain Peak Hat | House Scarf | Circus Arm Warmers | Cake Hat | Right Wrong Gloves
BY: Sarah
Lego VW Campervan is on it’s way!
30. AUG 2011
Well I love Lego, most people do. I’d love a VW Campervan, if I were married to a mechanic. My husband is a Lego enthusiast but definitely not a mechanic, so come October 1st – the next best thing…
BY: Sarah
