If you’re in the need of gift wrapping ideas, turn to the San Francisco Chronicle and a wonderful article by Steve Rubenstein on Megumi Inouye, the world’s second-best wrapper, a title won at a contest in New York.

Not only does she do an incredible job wrapping, but she says in the article that she can wrap anything. To test her skills, the Chronicle gave her three unusual objects to wrap: a hacksaw, a jump rope and a banjo. Using found objects like the cardboard tube left over from toilet paper as wrapping paper is one of her trademarks.

Check out the Chronicle for how Megumi wrapped the hacksaw and the jump rope. You’ll see the banjo here. And below, an incredible wreath she made from those tubes. What a talent this woman has! Credit for the photos goes to Liz Hafalia and Russell Yip and kudos to the Chronicle for the article.

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The Exquisite Book–12/04/10

Grain Edit has a terrific interview with illustrator Julia Rothman, creator of “The Exquisite Book” (see the video here) in which 100 artists take on a Surrealism game. Each artist was given two weeks to do a piece and then passed it along to the next artist. It’s fun and fascinating to see what this art project morphed into.

Here is Julia and her Old English Sheepdog (that I am partial to as I have one) and some of her colorful patterns. This inventive designer and New York native blogs at Book by its Cover.

If you like giraffes as I do, you’ll love hers.

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Butterfly Dream–11/18/10

This show-stopping gown called “Butterfly Dream” previously in an exhibition in Shanghai had audiences bursting into applause at a recent Colleen Quen fashion show in San Francisco.

It was worn with a matching monarch butterfly-shaped head piece. Read all about it in the San Francisco Chronicle article by Anastasia Hendrix. Photo by Wing Shya.

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Knitter Extraordinaire–11/11/10

Donna Wilson has been knitting since she was a child. She’s been called a textile legend. Hailing from a fishing village in northern Scotland where she’s considered a design star, she started out making dolls from old sweaters. Now her line includes pillows, rugs, throws, sofas, and of course her line of playful knitted critters.

Check out her colorful and whimsical designs on her website. Here’s one of her Mabel sofas:

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Fashion on the Streets of NYC–10/25/10

I took this photo in NY this week as I was walking near St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It captures the vitality of that city where you know you’ll be bumping into something fascinating on every corner.

Here’s the wider shot of the photo shoot. They disappeared before I could find out who there were or what they were doing. If anyone knows, let me know at thewomenseye@gmail.com.

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Whimsy a la Anthropologie

Here are the women who give the store Anthropologie its great look in San Francisco. Check out the amazing knotted portrait rug in the background.

Read the San Francisco Chronicle’s fascinating story about them and their creative approach to designing the windows and interior of the store.

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Fancy Footwork

Read about the “Extreme Shoe” craze in dailyfinance.com…shoes that are crazy, scarey, and strange…and what women will pay for them.

Shoe shown above is by Vivienne Westwood and is similar to one shown in a recent exhibition at Selfridges in London. It’s a mock-crock elevated platform. Wow!

More crazy shoes and boots at ssense. Check out this wedgie bootie in metallic silver leather. Perfect for a work-out!

Would you wear this bootie?

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Amazing Tapestry

Look at this incredible tapestry by Pae White in her Los Angeles Studio. It’s called “Smoke Knows” and is nearly 40 feet long. It captures curls of smoke which is a common theme for her.

Read the article about this interesting artist in the New York Times– 9/17/10. Photo by Fredrik Nilsen.

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Rainwear for a Shower

How about a shower curtain for a raincoat? Check out this cool cloak by British designer Jane Bowler.

CURTAIN COAT–from the blog “unconsumption”

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Backyard Theatre

Artist Beverly Pepper, 87, designed this outdoor theatre and sculpture for a New York couple’s backyard.

BACKYARD THEATRE–New York Times–8/12/10

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Hello–My Dress is Calling

This photo of an amazing cell phone dress has recently been released.

The London-based fashion company CuteCircuit says the dress will be out sometime in 2011. You can slip the SIM card underneath the garment label and make your call so they say.

CELLPHONE DRESS–Mashable–8/27/10