I am so ecstatic to have Paulina of Lemmikkiapina at LL&O today, a truly lovely anniversary treat. I am a little lost for words about Paulina’s work, the images really speak for themselves, better than a list of adjectives, where would I start: sublime, heartbreaking… you see what I mean! So, let’s meet Paulina and lose ourselves in her beautiful world.

Tell us a little about yourself, the media you work with and your creative process.

“My name is Paulina Temmes and I’ll be 34 years old this December. I live in a small village in Southern Finland with my partner and my old grey striped cat. I grew up in Helsinki and I studied textile art there at the University of Art and Design.”

“I started making dolls and writing and drawing little animal stories when I was about 20 years old. Most of my older dolls were made from modelling clay, but lately I have concentrated on sewing soft sculpture animals. I love loosely woven linen, paperlike organza and vintage fabrics with signs of their age. One of my favourite materials is little stones and pebbles found everywhere.”

“At the moment I’m working at home and sewing my animals full-time. I rarely draw any sketches before I start sewing. By the time the animal’s face and body are ready, I usually know his character and how he should be dressed. Usually my animals turn out to be quite melancholic and peaceful.”

From where do you draw your inspiration: music, books, people, nature etc?

“I always find inspiration from animals: my own cat, neighbour’s horses that graze just behind our garden fence, the rabbits that come to our garden at night, a patient dog waiting outside a grocery store.
Lately I have drawn inspiration from old mechanical toys and books about medieval embroidery and outsider art.”

If you could talk briefly about the background to one of your pieces which would you choose and why? Please tell us the story behind the piece.

“This monkey holding a garland of forget-me-nots is very dear to me. I made him for a small exhibition I had in Helsinki a few years ago. I think he looks very calm and quiet, a bit like a statue in an animal cemetery.”

Lemmikkiapina Shop

Thank you so much for joining us Paulina, it has been so wonderful to learn some more about you and your creative process. It is my dream to give a home to a creature from Lemmikkiapina next year, keep your fingers crossed for me, they fly so fast! Do you have a favourite from Paulina’s shop? I would love to hear which you would choose, it was hard enough to select the images for this post, *everything* is so beautiful. Sigh!

Papier Mache describes itself as “a very cute childrens magazine for anyone who wants to read it”. And, oh my goodness, is it ever cute! Have you read it yet? Some of my favourite artists are featured or contributing this month: Barbara Berrada, Poala Zakimi, Elisabeth Dunker, Donna Wilson, Atsuko Ishii, Herzensart, Le Train Fantome, Lemmikkiapina and I am in there somewhere too! Hop on over to Papier Mache, it is so beautifully produced and styled, you won’t be sorry you did.

My son Ishi is just beginning to understand something of the passage of time, we are exploring early autumn, waiting for the leaves to fall so that we can try and catch them. I can’t wait for the conkers to be ready, come on horse chestnuts, so that I can introduce Ishi to the joy of a game of conkers. Hmm, a three year old and a piece of string with a hard object attached to the end! Please enjoy some of my autumnal favourites.

I adore the title of this print from Ashleyg (above), Finding The Perfect One.

Queen Ann’s Lace Towel from Lotta Helleberg. Fresh and crip, yum, yum, yum!

Reuben-Original print from The Dark Tree. Sweet, with a side of sinister, portraits of vintage toys.

The yummiest tote from Rennes le Chateau

Real Feeling Leaf Index Post It Notes from Nothing Elegant. I was wary of sharing this shop as there are several little things I would like from it and I can’t get them at the moment, but that wouldn’t be in the spirit of things so shop up a storm!

Little Linen House from Harvest Textiles. Earthy!

All-In-One Agenda from Lineacarta. I really, really *want* this because it is beautiful, happily I *need* it too, so some chance of success with the iron chancellor (Adam-hello dear!).

I love pencils, these would go so well with the agenda above. From Nothing Elegant (again!).

Teardrop String of Pearls Terrarium from Monkeys Always Look. Takes me back to my 70s childhood, we had a huge bottle terrarium at my infant school. I’m glad terrariums are back in favour again, did anyone else make saucer gardens as a child too? Lots of moss and if you were really fancy a little mirror pond!

Ishi is desperate for a skateboard (and helmet too, he is super conscientious about this!). Maybe one day I will get him this wonderful one from Stuart Kolakovic.

Forager from Amy Ruppel. Dreamy.

Salt Pepper Dispensers from Chance Vintage. Very tiny!

Leafy Dottie from Allyson Mellburg. No tears today!

Abigail Brown is now making Butterfly Brooches. Pretty.

Perfect for my pencils and other doings, just $13 too, sometimes I wonder how Etsy sellers manage. Available from Zomb.

Early Riser by Dr Kennedy Jones. Autumnal.

I know *another* tea towel, can’t get enough of them. From Spin Spin.

Fox print from Eek Design. Because it’s a fox!

One day I am going to own a creature from Lemmikkiapina, they are all so heartbreakingly beautiful. Sigh.

Winter by The Good Machinery. I adore wintertime but wouldn’t it be wonderful to carry an invincible summer inside yourself.

Dr Love Is On A Mission from Meeniak. Look at the tiny bike! I need this little guy to visit my house.

The design of this bag from Psarokokalo is fabulous. Handsfree style is pretty essential with a 3 year old in tow, much cooler than a rucksack. Useful, may be in with a chance if I do a bit of begging!

Portraits, Letter and Notes from the Past by Paola Zakimi. Gorgeous!

Happy Apartment Building by Chet and Dot. I am in a whimsical mood today I think.

Two Sisters-Original Acrylic Painting by Elizabeth Bauman. Curious.

Stripe Top from Larimeloom. Stripes always get me.

I am planning a round up of the best places on Etsy to buy your christmas presents and goodies, hopefully this will be ready in plenty of time. This plan is deigned to be useful to people like my wonderful friend K who never have the time to browse, a quick, go-to resource. If any of you lovely kittens have any suggestions I am all ears.

Rabbit And A Shadow by Lemmikkiapina.

I am completely besotted with the work of Finnish artist Paulina Temmes. You will find some of the most beautiful fiber art, soft sculpture and dolls that you have ever seen over at Paulina’s Etsy shop, Lemmikkiapina. Oh, how I would love to collect that Rabbit! I simply must find out some more about this artist. I will let you know how I get on!