Rescued!

My delightfully worn and loved map file is up in the studio, filled with treasures. This sweet piece was a gift from my mama to her dad; my grandpa, a lover of maps and collector of many things. My grandpa passed away in 2000, and this file has been at my grandma's house up in his fly-tying room ever since. She lives a block away from me, so this weekend, I took the hand truck down to her house, and liberated it. I think it's happy living here with me...

I had to haul up the drawers one at a time...

and then I had to find the perfect place for it to go in the studio.

It's right beside the bed, because it's a great height for the lamp... you know, in case I get tired from crafting and need to curl up and take a nap!

I typed out little tags on my old Royal Typewriter...

and then I rearranged my papers, postcards, photos & collage pieces carefully...

I feel so organized now!

Inspiration Board

for a living room redo... English library meets woodland & avian meets gentleman's club...

Portland is my favorite place.

Last night there was a party.

A gathering of sorts. Creative individuals banding together as one.

There was a rocket.

There were candies.

Hummus, veggies, grilled cheese sandwiches, iced tea... Delicious.

Friends we've already met... New friends made... like this... and this... and this... and this...

(You'll have to use your imagination, because I forgot my camera {duh} and I was too busy yapping.)

Etsy peeps from all over PDX. Together under one roof at Posie's Cafe.

Magical.

Handmade paper flower sculpture

I've been pondering the way that people use texture to evoke a mood, and express an overall feeling - I stumbled across a designer (whom I cannot find now!!) who creates ultra sophisticated paper sculptures of flowers - and then installs them on walls. Much like the Chanel show where over 7000 paper flowers were constructed. The beauty of the paper and the structure itself is clearly seen when the textural counterpoints are devoid of color! Look at these - they're just stunning!

So I've been thinking of these paper flowers for some time now. My intent was to create an installation (like a swag) above the cash wrap at the store - and I originally wanted to have it done for this month's 2nd Friday on Fremont, but I was gone at the coast, and just didn't have enough time.

Concurrently, I've been keeping my eyes open for wooden and metal letters for the shop as well - the girls have a plan to create a sign for the shop with the name spelled out in individual letters that we've found from all sorts of different places. So when I was missing only a couple letters, I remembered about Portland Store Fixtures, a place where I'd never been, but Amy said I might find the last couple we needed... So Friday I shoved off towards PSF, and I FOUND A WHOLE STASH OF PAPER FLOWERS!!! I was thrilled! I do still want to create them myself (and have been experimenting with different techniques) but to find a cache of 111 paper flowers was a godsend. To be able to create the installation for the shop in a reasonable time frame without the hours and hours of paper flower labor was so lucky.

Yesterday morning, I created a form from foam core board, and began gluing the flowers on one by one by one.

Then, once all the flowers were placed, I filled in the empty spaces with fabric ruffles, placed and fluffed so that none of the foam core board was able to be seen.

I put some twine on the back with fabric glued panels, and took it up to the store for installation!

I am super pleased with the outcome. The texture of the smooth paper and soft fabric creates a lovely look, I love the way it's offset against the teal of the wall. I can't wait to create some paper flowers of my own - stay tuned!

Featured Custom Bird Topper...

 My sweet little cake topper! Remember this one?

Look! It got to its home, and it looked absolutely stunning!!! This was such an adorable freaking wedding - Lisa and Peter are so sweet... I wish them every happiness in the world. Thanks, Lisa & Peter, for letting me be a part of your day!

 topper image on sheet music (c) emily engdahl / songbird freelance design

cake with topper image above by Kelly Lorenz @ Kelly Lorenz Imagery

Etsy Treasury: Petal Pink, Charcoal & Warm Brown...

I love this color combination - warm brown, charcoal gray & petal pink... I think the weather here in Stumptown has been cool enough to make me think of the upcoming fall... Of course, I am kind of hoping that we'll have an "Indian Summer" and have a late season of summer into early October... But when it turns, I'll be looking for items like these, in my new Etsy Treasury...

Words to follow... Pictures now.