Recently my color taste has changed towards earthy, natural tones that are calm and somewhat cool.  But I still have a fondness for bright, warm, eye-catching colors when they’re paired well with each other.  This is the case for the illustration work of Jenny Bower (found via Lobster and Swan).  Jenny has a wonderful sense of texture, composition and color, and some of my favorite work of hers is the most simple of subject matter (such as her telegraph poles).  All of her work has a lovely sense of pattern and wonderful line quality to it.  I’ll definitely be looking at her color combinations for inspiration when I need a bit of punch in my palette.

{images shown belong to Jenny Bowers}

Handmade art is always a wonderful idea for a gift for others (or yourself!) and the site Bakers Dozen has so many wonderful artists that it would be hard to pick just one.  Original lithographs, photos, illustrations, silkscreens, embroidered designs and other mediums give the site a wide range of work (as well as artists) to choose from.  How does it work?  Thirteen artists are asked to make art in a limited edition of 13 for the shop.  My current favorites are the works of Anna Melcon Bond, Reka Kiraly, and Blanca Gomez.  Definitely a site to bookmark for gifts for the future!

Reka Kiraly

Forestbound

Anna Wolf

{images shown via Bakers Dozen}

I am feeling very French today.  I’m daydreaming of living in the countryside, having a lovely, sunny garden and making loaves of fresh bread all day.  And wearing everything from Le Bouton.  I love the simplicity of the clothing, the natural colors and fabrics, and those daydreamy feelings I get from just looking at all of her tops, dresses, and trousers (for those with little ones, she makes childrens clothing too, as well as womens).  I can only imagine how much I’d love to actually own some of her pieces, specifically the dresses.  Hmm… my husband should know about this with my birthday coming up…

For more information on Le Bouton, check out their catalog, blog, and Etsy shop.

{images shown belong to Le Bouton}

Snails…  More snails.  Everywhere I turn, they are all over the garden.  It’s been raining for what feels like forever around here (basically all of June) and it’s been a chilly, spring-like summer so far, which apparently is perfect weather for snails.  And they are taking advantage of it, popping up all over the garden: on the shrubs, on flowers, on the flower pots.  And now they’re all over the house.  Snails in the garden is one thing, but when you open your front door to several snails on your screen door?  That’s a little creepy.  I’m already sick to death of the cold, dreary, rainy past month but to be invaded by snails is another thing altogether.  I’m guessing they’re all having a little snail ho-down out there and are “getting to know each other” as well.  Even all the flowers look pretty sick and tired of the weather as well, slumped over and groggy from too much rain and lack of sun, and I’m sure they’re not thrilled about the new neighbors.  We’ll have to see how long it takes till this situation clears up…

{for more of my in the garden photos, check out my Flickr}

Sometimes I think I’m late to the blogging party, when I come across amazing projects between creative people when apparently they’ve been around for a bit!  This is definitely the case when I came across the Favorite Things Polaroid Project between photographers Susannah Conway and Alicia Bock. The two talented ladies create polaroid diptychs without discussing with each other what they will create prior to shooting the images, and all of their work has such a nice texture and color sense to them.  And even though I found out about the project via Flickr, they have a blog as well.

{images shown belong to Susannah Conway and Alicia Bock}

One of my favorite gifts to give at baby showers are gift sets by Kunklebaby.  I ordered my first set from Jessica two years ago and have since ordered many more.  My original set was a custom piece, and every order by Kunklebaby is made with love and care.  All of her baby blankets, bibs, clothing, and accessories are always well made and the fabrics she uses are colorful, playful and fun.  I love buying handmade baby products to give as gifts instead of purchasing a run-of-the-mill factory made item you can get at any chain store.  And one of the best things about finding Kunklebaby for me?  I’ve become good friends with Jessica and we keep in touch about our creative endeavors and families.  She’s warm, friendly, and cares so much about the work she’s doing.  If you have a little one to get something sweet for, I highly recommend a Kunklebaby piece!

Please check out Kunklebaby Etsy shop, blog or the Flickr.

{images shown belong to Kunklebaby}

After attending a cousin’s nupitals this past weekend, I’m definitely on a wedding kick.  I am in love with this entire wedding of Adam and Halli’s (photographed by Josh Goleman), it looks like they had such a blast with family and friends.  The barn/hall setting and the county fair theme turned out perfect, and the couple look like they were truly able to design their perfect day.  I am also loving the bride’s bird cage veil and totally hot wedding dress!  Love those ruffles.

{images shown taken by Josh Goleman and found via simply photo}

I was very pleased and excited to read this morning on Anna’a blog that she’ll be a guest blogger on Once Wed (another of my favorite blogs).  Her first post is about creating tissue paper flower centerpieces, something I had created for my own wedding (only slightly differently than hers).  I am very excited to read more of her posts and ideas, as I’m a big fan of her work.

(also, I’m loving the new blog design over at Once Wed!)

{images shown belong to anna bond of rifle}

These vintage calling cards via Dull Tool Dim Bulb are so romantic and exquisite.  I love the fine details and would have loved to be given one of these.  I can’t help but start daydreaming about the gentleman suitor who would’ve left one of these cards for a young lady…

{images shown via Dull Tool Dim Bulb}

Last year after watching too many Jane Austen movies, I became crazed for finding the perfect locket necklace (jewelry that I saw every character wearing).  The chain needed to be a little long, and I really wanted to use some sort of cameo in the necklace.  After much searching, I came across the Etsy shop called Made By Cara.  I contacted her about a particular idea that I had for a necklace, and she was more than happy to create a custom piece for me.  After only a few days and a few different ideas shown to me, she made the perfect piece.

Cara was so friendly and great to work with, and got back to me with photos of lockets, chains, and beading so quickly.  I loved working with her and know others will too.

(Some of Cara’s other work)

{bottom images shown belong to Made by Cara}