The Ideal Easter Basket

Sunday is Easter, and if you need a few ideas for filling those baskets with goodies that last longer than chocolate, we can help.

If your kid loves coloring books but you'd prefer a bit more creativity, Rosie Flo and Johnny Joe provide the perfect solution. Rosie Flo was created by illustrator Roz Streeten, after many hours of collaborative drawing with her young daughter. Roz drew elaborate dresses and costumes while her daughter filled in the heads, arms, and legs.

Roz has now published a number of different themes, from animals to travel to kitchen. Most recently, she has created Johnny Joe, whose adventures will appeal to boys and girls alike. We have seven different titles available - stop by to see which one your child would enjoy most.

Rosie Flo Coloring Book, $8.99

Johnny Joe Coloring Book, $8.99

Johnny Joe Sample Spread

Rosie Flo Sample Spread

These beautiful wooden tops, made in Japan, nestle perfectly in the grass of a basket. There are ten different styles, so stop by to do a side-by-side spinning comparison...
 

Japanese Tops, $8 each

One sure sign of spring is the appearance of slugs. While you may not like them in your garden, here's a cuddly one that will look great in an Easter basket. Kristin Loffer Theiss makes an array of beautiful plush toys, including these sweet slugs. As she is a fabric aficionado, Kristin always finds incredible (often vintage) fabrics to use in her creations. The slugs pictured below feature Marimekko fabrics from Finland.
 

Plush Slugs by kltworks, $25

Kids can create thousands of different dinosaurs or robots using these clever stencil kits. Choose a body type, then add horns, tails, spikes, and more. These will be played with long after all the Easter eggs are gone...

 

Dinobox Stencil Set, $10

Robobox Stencil Set, $10

 

Here's a great way to creatively reuse things you would normally recycle or discard. Based in Australia, Makedo creates ingenious sets of connectors that allow you to build all sorts of sculptures, contraptions, structures - your imagination is the only limit. Watch the video below to get an idea of the possibilities. We have Free Play sets ($22) in stock as well as Robot or Flower kits ($12). All are nicely sized for a basket.

 

 

For the youngest in your midst, consider this set of stroller cards from Museum of Modern Art. Five brightly colored, tactile flash cards connected by a ring will keep your little one occupied while on-the-go.

MoMA Stroller Cards, $9.99

Also for the wee ones, these two board books by Seattle collage artist Kate Endle make us think of spring:

What is Green? $8.95

Who Hoo Are You? $8.95

If you have a budding photographer in your household, the KOLA camera accessory is a great choice. A set of colored gels to hold over your camera's lens or flash, use them with your digital or phone camera to create different optical effects.

KOLA Camera Gels, $13.50

There you have just a few ideas for an Easter basket that goes far beyond jellybeans. As always, there are more possibilities we can help you with in the shop, so call (360-752-5522) or email (info@anidealshop.com) if you need further inspiration.

Spring Arrivals

New Marimekko is Here!

It's always an exciting day in the shop when a new Marimekko shipment arrives. We just received several boxes direct from Finland and have been eagerly unpacking them.

We now have three styles of shower curtains from Marimekko. Transform your bathroom with one of these beautiful, machine washable curtains.

Kaiku Shower Curtain, $49



Tuuli Shower Curtain, $49




Blue Unikko Shower Curtain, $49



Marimekko trays are an ever-popular gift and we have two classics back in stock - the Silkkikuikka and the Kaiku. The trays make great "catch-alls" for the bathroom counter, entry table, or bedside table. They are also the perfect size to carry a cup of coffee and a treat:

Silkkikuikka Tray, $28

Kaiku Tray, $28

We also have several new bags, like this Clover style in a new Unikko color combination. Marimekko handbags are well-known for the quality and durability of their fabrics. Best of all, you can wash them.

Clover Bag, $79

And we are stocked up on cheery umbrellas to help chase away any dreary rainy days yet to come. There's more from Marimekko, as well. Stop by to have a look!

Rakastaa Umbrella, $44

Red Unikko Umbrella, $44



Meteori Umbrella, $44





Loll Designs
This week we are also happy to welcome Loll Designs to the shop. Based in Minnesota, Loll is committed to making outdoor furniture that is maintenance-free. Yes, that's right! You can leave these outdoors year-round without worry.

Loll Designs products are made in Minnesota from 100% recycled High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) which is the same material as the #2 recyclable plastics that you take out to curb every week. We now have the Cabrio Lounge Chair in stock...

Cabrio Chair, $399

...as well as two styles of bird houses - the Pitch and the Cube, in an array of colors:


Pitch Birdhouse, $69




Cube Birdhouse, $69



Also for the Birds
Audubon Bird Calls and feeders are back in stock from American Bird Products. The same family has been making these calls in New England for over fifty years. The call consists of a birchwood cylinder fitted with a zinc plug - see below how twisting the plug produces sounds which attract a variety of wild songbirds. At $9 apiece, these make a great addition to an Easter basket.

The cast zinc birdfeeder adapter converts an empty soda bottle into an elegant and economical bird feeder.

Soda Bottle Bird Feeder, $12

So there you have just a few happy, colorful ideas to help you remember that spring is on the way. If you have any questions, please stop by, call (360.752.5522), or e-mail info@anidealshop.com. As always, remember to check our Facebook page frequently for the latest news about incoming objects and upcoming events. In the meantime, a few upcoming events to keep in mind:

•Ladies' Night Out, Friday, April 29 - We will be featuring a special trunk show of Mon Bijou jewelry at 20% off for the evening. Organized by Downtown Bellingham Partnership, this event features many downtown businesses open late with special sales, beauty services and refreshments. Proceeds benefit Womencare Shelter.

• Children's Art Walk, Friday, May 6 - 6-9pm. This is one of the years' most popular Art Walks. Businesses extend their hours into the evening and hang artwork from local schoolkids. We will be featuring the creations of Paula McGrath's kindergartners from Parkview Elementary.

Unique Gifts for your Valentine

Looking for well-designed treats for your Valentine? Of course we've got lots of great jewelry in stock, but also wanted to offer some ideas for more unconventional gifts.

Yes, chocolate is a traditional Valentine gift, but think outside the chocolate box and consider this unique bar. New from Chocolate Editions is the Valentine Stripes Bar. White chocolate and natural strawberry side-by-side make this bar as tasty as it is beautiful. We have samples at the shop so come by for a taste. Handmade in small batches by Mary Matson and Matt Even in Brooklyn, NY.

Valentine Stripes Bar by Chocolate Editions, 3 oz - $10

Greeting cards can be sweet and meaningful, but often end up tucked away in a shoebox or drawer. Here's a way to remind your loved one every day of their best attributes. A flattering monologue adorns this clever mirror, designed by Joop Steenkamer Jr., for Goods Design. Here's how it begins: "Oh how beautiful you are! You're charming. You look gorgeous! It's fantastic. You are infinitely attractive! I think that you are fabulous, just fabulous! You are absolutely delectable..." The praise continues, detailing each feature of the face. The perfect mirror to glance in before that first cup of coffee in the morning. Measures 11.8 x 11.8".

"Oh How Beautiful You Are" Mirror by Joop Steenkamer, Jr. - $125

 
Most bouquets of flowers wilt within a few days, but with Makedo's Find & Make Flowers Kits your bouquet can last indefinitely - and can be redesigned as many times as you like. These are great for kids and grownups, alike. Find materials around your home - often things you would have otherwise recycled - and use the pieces in the kit (hinges, clips, and cutter) to build your bouquet. Instructions are included to help with ideas, but your imagination is really the only limit. Not for children under 3 years old.

Find & Build Flowers Kit by Makedo - $12

Makedo Flower Bouquet

Should you decide to go for fresh cut flowers, we also have lots of great ideas for vases. We have several in fun, Valentine colors, such as this red rubber vase by Henriette Melchiorsen for the Danish design group, Menu. At first glance it looks like it might be ceramic but this piece is bouncy, un-breakable and fun. Fold the top inside for a different look. Available in other colors, as well.

Rubber Vase by Henriette Melchiorsen - large $43; small $33

We also have several new patterns in these ever-popular collapsible plastic vases, which store flat when not in use. This solid design in blood orange/red is quite cheery.

Collapsible Vase - $8

Here's a romantic gesture - how about creating a playlist of favorite love songs and getting your partner a new set of headphones on which to listen? Audiophiles love this set from Danish design company AIAIAI. They look great and boast serious sound quality, as well.

Tracks Headphones by AIAIAI - $60

The pieces of this clever salt & pepper set nest together as the figures hug. Designed by Alberto Mantilla for Mint, Inc., the Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers will get daily use on your table - and possibly even remind you to hug your Valentine after meals.

Hug Salt and Pepper Shakers - $29

Should you feel inspired to create a keepsake for your loved one, we just received another shipment of Japanese "mt" washi masking tape in many different patterns. Great for scrapbooks, wrapping packages, sealing envelopes, or any creative project.

Washi Masking Tape, set of two rolls - $9

So there you have just a few gift ideas that are as unique as your sweetheart. We would be happy to offer additional suggestions for jewelry, books, wallets, and more. Just stop by, call (360-752-5522), or e-mail info@anidealshop.com.