Inspired by Posen Collab

A few months back my (event planner) friend Melanie and I collaborated to design and craft a wedding party scene for Nonpareil Magazine. Our look was photographed by Sarah Faubus and the result of our effort was published this month. 

Our party theme was inspired by Zac Posen’s Spring 2011 collection. Hence the bold floral fabrics....

pleating...

(This paper mobile by Haru became our seating chart)

and bows...

(These hair clips and bow ties by Peter and Wendy became our favors )

I really can’t express how much I love artistic collaborations. Combining forces with someone who has a talent I respect and admire makes me feel a little like a super-hero—even if just temporarily.

Check out this months Nonpariel Mag for more photos, party details and for instructions on how to create your own felt bow pins and how to make your own pleated, fabric invitations (designed by yours truly).

Happiness is Going Back to the Future

I've been hiding out lately, blowing my nose every 5 minutes for the second week in a row. Being sick is the worst. I've also been trying to wrap up a few projects on the computer which necessitates procrastination-breaks sanity-breaks every now and then. Browsing blogs has become my virtual break-room and lucky for you, I came across this gem of a project that I simply had to share.

Photographer Irina Werning has been a busy gal, inviting various groups of people to go Back to the Future by recreating a photo from their childhood-past.

Have you seen this genius? It's pretty amazing. This kind of stuff makes me really, really happy. To have a good day, check out more pics on her site HERE.

Guesting

(letterpress 2011 fox calendar)

I almost forgot to tell you that the Jorgensen's of Sycamore Street Press have had me over at their place for the last two days as a guest. Yesterday I shared 5 random things I have been into as of late and today I am sharing a marshmallow making how-to.

(letterpress fortune teller)

Remember last year when I was showing off my own homemade squishy treats? Well this year you can show off too by following these 5 simple steps!

(Letterpress whiskers poster)

By the way, I have taken the liberty of including a few images of lovely letterpressed goods you can add to your holiday wish lists. Actually maybe you want to work on being a little less greedy as we are entering the new year and start shopping for others instead of yourself...you should knock out everyone on your list in a one stop shopping spree at SSP. Hmmm, I can't choose a favorite...just surprise me.

Sister

She is not a song writer, singer or guitar player by trade/training but that doesn’t stop her from writing songs, singing and playing the guitar. My well of inspiration and the most beautiful canvas I have ever seen.

Today I Love Mary

I’ve been watching clips of Mary Travers from Peter, Paul and Mary. I think this, If I had a Hammer, clip is my favorite. I love watching her emotions become increasingly intense as the song nears its end and how this is displayed physically as she lets her hair flip though the air…so inspiring!



This makes me SO happy! Song is such a beautiful thing to touch people’s lives with. Rest in Peace Mary.

Lovely Package Exchange

Is it me or is getting some sort of personalized correspondence in your mailbox one of the best things in the world? The other day one of my sisters sent me a homemade card with words I actually read on paper. It was so sweet and pen pal-ish. I have also gotten two wedding invitations in the mail recently—which I was probably way too giddy over. Then my mom sent me a package of goodies from Ikea, with the cutest platter ever I might add and just when I thought I couldn’t love the post person any more, I received a parcel from a new blogging buddy I was introduced and assigned to as part of a “lovely package exchange” I participated via the Oh, Hello Friend blog.

My partner and I not only had the opportunity to send objects we thought the other would enjoy, we were also able to take part in something we both love; creating lovely packaging—which was sort of the idea of the exchange.

So today when I pulled the lid off the box that the lovely Catherine Hart from Austin Texas sent me, I was overwhelmed by the charm and vintage goodness that was cushioned inside. Although we only met a few short weeks ago in the blogsphere, I felt as though each little object said something about my character in some way and yet, at the same time, each item told me something about Catherine’s character as well. It was actually quite inspiring to connect with an almost stranger that way.

There were so many things to love like vintage "twist sticks" (aka mini pipecleaners), bingo sheets and yo-yo...

an awesome game of "endless landscape"...

tiny gift bag art...

and so much more. But one item I will particularly treasure is the best piece of handmade jewelery (made by Catherine of course).

Thank you so much Catherine. I love.

As stated above, this was a package swap so below is a sampling of some of the goodies I sent off to Catherine.

All wrapped and ready to go. The gift bow doubled as a hair accessory...

Inside the main package were smaller packages. Postcards packed in a homemade alligator envelope, little tug balls that revealed some prizes when the string was pulled and a few other delights…

When I found this mini kissing couple at a train collector shop, I knew it had to be used to accessorize the gift box full of miniatures.To see it from Catherins perspective you can check out here blog HERE.

Gifting is the greatest invention ever!

Life Lyrics

I know, I know, this blog has had a heavy hit in the random category lately. That is why I thought I would post a little project that I actually created a few months back but just barely did anything with.

At the end of the summer last year my grandma (aka “little grandma”) had given me a bunch of her olds games that I use to play with at her house when I was little. As I stared at all the miscellaneous game parts I became enticed to create something from some of them. Because I loved the look of the worn, wooden pieces from a very old game of Jenga, I decided to use the rectangular blocks as my main ingredient. The other ingredient was my much neglected wood burning tool which I used as an inscribing instrument. What resulted is the first piece to a series I am calling the “life lyrics project.”

In it’s entirety the message reads: “How very special are we, just for a moment to be, part of life’s eternal rhyme.”

If that sounds familiar to you it may because you have seen the 1973 animated version of Charlotte’s Web. The lyrics are from, Mother Earth and Father Time which is a song written by the Sherman Brothers for the movie. The line I used for the project just really inspires me.

I am glad I finally took a whole five minutes to get this on the wall, now I just have to fill up all the empty space around it. Stays tuned for more about the “life lyrics project” and guess what else? There is another giveaway in the works—I bet you can’t wait…mom…dad…anyone?

I'm collecting a collection

I have a new favorite blog and it’s all about a new collection that I am collecting; sticky tape.

(WARNING: all useful information ends here).

When I was young I use to be somewhat of a packrat. I kept everything and collected everything. I really liked to stockpile little knickknacks, especially tiny ones like an itty bitty little wooden mouse and mouse trap my mom got at a craft store for me at a 9-cent-sale. Although I had an abundance of tchotchkes and never threw a shred of paper away, I was strangely organized. I have been binning, filing and labeling since I was in kindergarten—ask my mom if you don’t believe me.

Overtime, as I grew into adulthood, I found less value for the many ornaments in my life. In fact, I began to feel somewhat beleaguered by the things that surrounded me. I began to rid myself of almost everything that didn’t provide me with a useful purpose. Overall this process has been liberating but unfortunately, there are a few things I have let go that I completely regret (my childhood keychain and eraser collection for instance). As much as I think things are just things, there is something magical about having personal meaning to belongings that might be useless to the average Joe or Josephine.

I have a few “adult” collections; postcards, notebooks and journals, note cards and stationary, charming vintage serving platters/dishes and photos of people I don’t know, (there is a project in the works with this one) old fashion magazines and childrens books—raggety ones to cut up for the lovely photos and illustrations, and empty Altiod tins (also for a project) but because I quite like the idea of a little magic from my childhood accompanying me through my adulthood I have decided to resurrect a few (meaningless) childhood collections and maybe even begin some new ones.

Let the insignificant-significant begin with:

Antique buttons, (I started this with my friend Amanda in grade school. We became obsessed with a little antique store near her home, buttons were probably the only thing we could afford)

possibly wooded spools, vintage ribbon and fabric—(I hardly sew but I am oh so inspired when I see of these things at a craft/fabric store I love; Fancy Tiger)

mini erasers...especially ones that look like food

collection of random minis, basically little things that fit into a matchbox like the image above

and decorative tape …obviously inspired by the site above. Luckily I still have two precious rolls that I got at the sanrio store long ago. Naturally they have hello kitty characters on them, they have been stored with my sticker collection…oh look at that, another collection. Perhaps I have more collections than I am accounting for. If you are still reading I am curious to know; What you are collecting?

(I told you this blog would be random)

By the way, the top image is from the movie Everything is Illuminated—which I loved, great soundtrack too.

Image links: (buttons), (spools), (erasers), (minis)

Ira

Did you know it was Ira Glass’s birthday a few days ago? (That’s when I first began drafting this post but I was distracted by a toddler and baby until now). Anyway, as I was telepathically sending Ira good birthday vibes, I was remembering something I really love which is when I just happen to be in the car on a Friday night in perfect timing to catch NPR’s This American Life. Of course we subscribe to This American Life podcasts but we don’t always make the time to play catch up. Besides, sometimes hearing a story that makes you either laugh your butt off or cry your eyes out is a bit better when it’s unplanned.

For my church "job" I have the privilege of writing up articles from personal interviews I conduct with other church members. This little calling is amazing on many levels; mostly for the fact that people I often hardly know are willing to share their incredible lives without reservation but also because I like to pretend I have an inner Ira Glass I can summon during interviews. Perhaps THIS kit created by Frank Chimero would help. I pretty much can’t get enough of Mr. Glass.

In fact, on an obsessive note, Jon and I considered naming our second son Ira—you can’t deny it is a great name. Considering our last name though, we ended up naming him Avi and then we just subscribed to Showtime for a while to watch the This American Life television series.

Ira Glass Kit via Something’s Hiding In Here.

Having cool friends who ask me to guest post on their awesome blog is my fave!

My friend Melanie runs the sweet blog known as, You Are My Fave so you can imagine my excitement when she asked me to be a guest poster for a couple days while she is on a mini vay-cay. Although my posts could never live up to her daily dose of awesomeness, I made a humble attempt by sharing THIS tutorial on picture transfers and THIS post about something that inspires me.

After you subscribe to Melanie’s lovely blog, if you haven’t already, you are going to wonder how you went through life without it! Yep, I totally know this girl in real life—(I am hoping telling you that will up me on the coolness scale).

Thank You Dr. Martin

"I Have A Dream"

(image)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Sometimes periodic library rentals no longer suffice when it comes to a book you can’t get enough of. This is why I decided to not spend my birthday money on something like groceries this year and buy two books that inspire me: Hand Job: A catalog of Type by Mike Perry
A beautiful collection of all handmade text by various artist.

and Whatcha Mean, What’s a Zine? by Esther Pearl Watson/illustrated by Mark Todd—a book about the art of zine making.
The computer is lovely but there is just something magical about creating work with tools you can feel and smell.

(image)

Merry and Bright

This year I had the assignment of creating a holiday greeting card for an electrical company. I knew the greeting card would be hand delivered as an insert in a box of See’s Candies® so I decided to eliminate the option of an envelope allowing for something a little more unique, like a light up reindeer nose. One of the requirements for a holiday light up greeting card is adding text such as, “May your holiday season be merry and bright”

My inspiration for this job came from the Throwies campaign which my husband introduced me to a while back. After a little computer graphics and printing work, each greeting was assembled by hand using 3mm red LED lights and 3 volt batteries.

I hope your holiday season is as merry and bright as a LED reindeer noses!

Ms. Julia Pott

The "My First Crush" animation was my introduction to artist and animator Julia Pott. Much later I saw these awesome temp tattoos in her etsy shop and then in October she released her animation for the Casiotone for the Painfully Alone-White Corolla video and I was more than pleased. Considering I have watched it a hundred times, I just can’t get enough of Julia Pott.

Faux Forest

Sometimes, when my to-do-list is lengthy, I become suddenly enticed to go on a cleaning spree. When I have downtime, I am much too exhausted to do any house tidying! I also have a talent for becoming magically motivated to create meaningless projects when I have a million important things to get done. This is why I was able to fabricate a little homemade wallpaper project that I have been meaning to put together for the last few months.

My inspiration came from a birch tree wallpaper by Cole and Son that I saw in a kitchen of my dreams a couple years ago. As a temporary alternative to being the owner of the imaginary forest, known as "Woods Wallpaper", I substituted wallpaper with wood-grained pattern contact paper. Not quite the same but an improvement nonetheless. I am thinking about adding a little woodland creature peeking out of the branches, perhaps an owl, what do you think?

I Just Can't Get Enough: Fancy Window Displays

One of my favorite things to be inspired by is a smart and fancy window display. I suppose any display really, with or without the window. The fun thing about a window display though is that it is like the package design for something you can open and then actually walk into. In fact, one of the things that I anticipate most about opening my own real life, three-dimensional little boutique, (paper boutique most likely), is that I will get to create my own store displays on a regular basis. Because the only thing I like more than being inspired by the perfect display is to create one myself with the hope of inspiring someone else.

(portfolio show display-when I discovered my love for displays was not just a crush.)

Beautiful Jared: Inspiration Pages

Jon and I met Jared a little over 5 years ago as he stood across the counter from us as an Aaron Brothers employee. We eagerly watched Jared’s careful hands remove the brown kraft paper from a newly custom framed “cloudscape theory”, an art piece Jon and I had purchased on our honeymoon. At the reveal, Jared complemented us on our purchase.

When chit chat over the surfy landscape became sparse our conversation shifted topics to that of an object sitting on the table-top near the three of us; a red fabric covered journal which had been personalized with large black-sharpie colored stars. As the owner of the book, Jared described the journal as an on going personal project that he took with him everywhere. In reaction, Jon boldly asked if we could look through the “project book”. I was a bit taken back by Jons audacious inquiry and would have interjected halt to the idea to relieve Jared of a response but my curiosity kept me quiet.

Jared allowed us to take a closer look at the journal and what I saw next changed me and inspired me. The book was alive with images and words that represented Jared’s current journey in life. Each page was adorned with notes, doodles, intricately cut images from magazines, secret doors and pockets for prized objects. Items that had been abandoned and trashed by their original owners had become treasures in this magical book from the moment they were pasted to one of the pages. This unexpected treat swelled with significance as Jared told the story behind each clipping and photo. Receipts and old clothing tags became momentous as they no longer represented a purchase but a human life. The book was indeed an extension of the man that was standing before us.

In the midst of repeatedly trying to find the right expressions of gratitude to Jared for letting us experience this great book, he respond plainly, “You guys can have it.” Confused, we initially declined his offer as it was too great a gift to give to perfect strangers. Knowing we were puzzled by his donation he explained, “if you guys really appreciate my book as much as you have expressed and aren’t just spewing words to please me, mock me, pass the time or to make me feel good then I would want you to have it” At that, although still feeling undeserving of such a personal treasure, the beautiful book became ours. It was at that moment that Jared became a hero and role model to us as he was as inspiring a person as were the pages of the book he created.