Loved this post from Oh So Beautiful Paper from a week ago… the color palette of two of the photos, side-by-side, inspired me for a holiday project I’m wrapping up this week! Hope the OSBP post inspires you too. I think anything looks good with kraft paper.
{images found via Oh So Beautiful Paper; left image from Country Living & right image from Design*Sponge}
Finally I can share with you a project that I’ve been secretly working on for a few months! This past Saturday was a small craft fair I organized, called the Hidden Holiday Market. I was so inspired by Chelsea & Abby in their creation of the Little Winter Market from last year, that I wanted to create a small fair of my own. I know so many talented and creative people and I knew collectively we could put together something really wonderful. I decided to host the event at my home, making it a warm, inviting, and casual holiday shopping experience. However, since I didn’t want complete strangers showing up or knowing where I live, we made the event by invitation-only for family and friends… which is why I’ve kept it secret until now.
In total, 9 different artists and craftspeople came together to showcase their wares and their talent. We had hot cocoa & cookies, a fire in the fireplace, and holiday music to get visitors in the mood. After a bit of a slow start, we suddenly had the house full of people and it was absolutely buzzing with activity! From what I heard/observed, people really liked that it was held at a home and felt like they could linger and meander more so than at a craft fair, and thus were really able to relax and talk with the artists about their work.
I had such a great time and I’m very much hoping to have this event happen again next year. My dream and goal for 2012 is to be able to afford my own studio space, and if I’m able to do that (and it’s large enough), I’d love to host this event there and have it completely open to the public. Although, there is something nice about having a cup of hot cocoa by a toasty fireplace…
Thank you again to all the artists who showed their work and who helped make this event go off without a hitch!
Allison Bianco
Leo Bonarrigo & Leah Mooney from Bonarrigo Weddings
Jeffrey Ellse
Calla Fogarty
Meagan Gilner from The Brocade Blackbird (and who also represented Shortstack Accessories)
Lara Henderson
Laura Warecki from Paper Taxi
*Photos and a video (I do believe!) of the event from Bonarrigo Weddings to come soon!
Love, love, love these shots from Anna Allen’s new holiday lookbook. All the clothes are gorgeous, and I especially love the red velvet top!
{images shown belong to Anna Allen}
Today was nothing but absolutely nutty for me; everything that could possibly go wrong while printing – did. Well, okay… maybe not EVERYTHING, but it sure felt like it. Came home and saw this desk space from Lobster & Swan and immediately felt relief, if even for a moment. Someday, I will have a workspace of my own and keep it clean and organized. Someday. Today, I really love this image.
{image shown belongs to Lobster & Swan}
I cannot get over Mimi Kirchner’s handmade dolls. Especially the “tattooed” ones (with toile fabric – how clever)! She’s a local artist of Boston; definitely going to have to see these in person. Such amazing attention to detail.
{images shown belong to Mimi Kirchner}
I really hope Anna makes this New York print available for purchase… I know someone who would LOVE it!
{image shown belongs to Rifle Paper Co.}
These would make such great holiday gifts! Custom return address stamps from Ampersandity.
{images shown belong to Ampersandity}
Over the summer I had the pleasure of working on a letterpress wedding invitation suite for Jamie & Michael, who got married at the elegant Ocean House in Rhode Island this fall. The bride was lovely to work with and through the project I was also able to work with two talented women. The entire set was designed by Kristin DiVona; often while I was printing these pieces I had people stop while passing the Vandercook and praise the ink choice or design. I also worked with the bride’s event consultant, Meg Cimini of Cairn Event Consulting, who couldn’t have been nicer. The bride, Kristin, and Meg were so great to work with and the entire suite was beautiful to print… I was lucky to work on such a great project!
Wow, it’s Friday already? This weekend I have a few parties and get togethers with friends and family, but I’m planning on spending all day Saturday inside, in my pj’s, baking with the apples I still have (which is a lot!), and having a fire in the fireplace. It snowed here last night (which is sort of early for us, but it was just a dusting) and it made me really excited to have a fire to sit next to. I’m planning on trying Katy’s Rustic Apple French Toast and the Apple Cider Doughnuts, and maybe make a loaf of multigrain bread while I’m at it. I’m so excited! I cannot remember the last time I spent an entire day in my pj’s and not working.
What are your plans this weekend? Whatever it is, have a relaxing, cozy one!
- Colleen
{image shown belongs to Katy Elliot}
I’m crazy for Amy Merrick’s flowers. These fall arrangements are to die for. What inspiration.
{images shown belong to Amy Merrick & An Apple a Day}