Antique Brooch Bouquets

Amanda Heer of  Fantasy Floral Designs is the artist behind these amazing bouquets made of antique brooches. Each is a work of art and whimsy. Link via Wedding Chicks.

Making Roses out of Maple Leaves

I bookmarked this project a little while ago with plans to try it out, and thought you may like to too! I just love how the completed roses look and badly want to try it out with a material such as leaves or maybe some kind of thick card stock. Link via iDIY blog.

Such a Simple, Perfect Idea

... when I saw this image of a lovely group of bridesmaids, I thought, why don't more people do this?? Skirts and cute shirts = such an amazing, simple idea and one that I'm sure would mean great comfort (and style) for the ladies. One for the inspiration folder, that's for sure! Photo via With This Ring by talented Rebekah Westover.

Dream Venue

Taking a break from my hiatus (?) (a break from a break?) to mention this gorgeous venue I saw on Elisabeth Anne Designs blog. I'd be such a happy camper if those coloured panels lined my walls everyday.

Little Birds

I've been training for my new (part-time) position this evening - it's with a home wares company so, no doubt, soon I'll be posting lots of images I see during the day... everyone likes looking at pictures of KitchenAids, right?!

However I did really want to post these absolutely stunning "Words of Love Paper Birds" I found on Etsy - I adore birds, and I really adore these:




Image © Cotton Bird Designs.

The very talented artist behind Cotton Bird Designs makes fabric and paper sculptures, using vintage and recycled materials and hand stitching. This Etsy store is a fabulous resource for some cute little wedding extras, such as these little birds, as well as "wedding cake toppers and other textile sculptures such as cottages, bird book homes, fabric flower sculptures, and brooches".

Such beautiful work and truly inspiring - I'm very happy to have stumbled on their site!

Cameos and Lace

For the past two and a half days, I've had Design Block, where nothing seemed to go together and I spent more time deleting and closing Illustrator windows with a huff than I did saving anything. However, today I've got whatever 'it' is back. I'm now inspired to try my hand at a motif I've admired for quite some time: Cameos!

Some beautiful, beautiful cameo inspiration:


Image © Tongue In Cheek. On a side note, this blog is amazing. I'm a few pages in and already feel like I'm in another world! In another life I was French, I'm sure of it.


Image © Lou and Lee, found via Perfect Bound.

I can't wait til I can start posting my creations on the website: we're attempting to create a few 'surprises' for the upcoming bridal expo, hence the lots of talking about work, without actually showing any of it. Soon, my friends, very soon!


Image © Twin Cat Vintage.

In other news, I'd like to show my support for my favourite style icon, Sam, and her friend Sabrina who have launched a brand new business: Twin Cat Vintage - their uber-cute site stocks ladies (and occasionally mens) pre-loved vintage clothing. There is some really amazing pieces available for purchase here. Best of luck ladies!

Polar Bears

I'm kind of on a Polar Bear kick at the moment. I'm blaming my recent consumption of the entire series (so far) of Lost.

From ffffound.com:



From Etsy:



"You Made Me A Mix Tape A3 Print" by Juliapott.



"Roomscape polar bear collage" by One Creative Girl.



"Polar Bear" by mlwmerk.

And Happy Birthday to the coolest character I know, my husband, James.

Pattern Inspiration, Home Design & Paper Flowers

Some of my favorite Apartment Therapy images from this week (images are linked to their articles):

Shawna's wallpapered stairs
Such a simple idea but beautifully executed.



Chanel 2009 Haute Couture
Paper flowers = love. This is on such a massive scale it makes my hands ache in sympathy!









Images © Apartment Therapy.

New Issue of Real Living

Today is a happy day, a new issue of "Real Living" to devour.


I am absolutely in love with the plum shades of the cover, specifically the gorgeous headboard. I recently stumbled upon Deb's Blog: Deborah Bibby is the editor of Real Living and regularly updates with sneak-peaks and behind-the-scenes of issues, and a recent entry has some shots from the setup of the cover with all that luscious light beaming through the windows.

Here are some of my favourite spreads (from the lovely Belinda of Renovate + Decorate and Deb's Blog):









Pictures above © Real Living Magazine.

"Real Living" is literally the only magazine I purchase - nothing else continues to inspire me the way that this magazine does, and it seems to be excellent value for money (unlike so many other magazines on the market). I usually read it from cover to cover when I first get it, and then again in a month, or two months, and then every time I need some colour ideas I sit down with my stack of back issues and even if I've read an issue before, something new always manages to pop out and get me feeling extra creative.

I'd love to work for Real Living but I'm not sure what I'd bring to the table, other than utter fan-girl-dom: I think they are over-run with stationery designers as it is. Perhaps if they start a "Real Weddings" column I could submit my CV?!

Real Living March 2009 issue is in stores now.

Colour Trends: Turquoise and Black/Grey

I watch interior design sites with a keen eye for what is in "trend", even though I don't really like to follow trends too closely. I find interior design and fashion to be two of the most inspiring mediums to watch for their use of colour and texture, and most of what strikes me ends up in one of my designs. The big movements at the moment seem to be toward Turquoise and Black, Gray and Purple. As luck would have it, I'm designing two lines using these colours, so I'm very inspired to have spotted the following:

From Apartment Therapy:









Pictures above © Apartment Therapy.

From Style Files/Zara Home/Decor8:




Pictures above © Zara Home and Style Files.

More Turquoise, which works so well with gold, just beautiful:

Pictures above © Domino Magazine.

In a rose pattern:

Pictures above © Sunshine Baby Slings - Fabrics.

Living room interior:

Pictures above © Momoy.

Plates & Accessories:

Pictures above © Macys.

Chandelier Love

As a summer project I'm currently building a chandelier out of paper. It's one I've adapted from Jeff Rudell's - although I do not expect the end result to be anywhere near the standard of his paper masterpieces. I'm having such a lovely time making it though that I really look forward to working with paper and card more in the future. I'm also getting a little bit better with my Xacto blade which will no doubt assist with trimming projects in the future.

I adore chandeliers - my obsession started with wanting to hire some for our wedding and not being able to find them anywhere (or anywhere near our budget). I regret not trying to build my own this time last year, as I think they would have worked really well. Here are some inspiring uses of the chandelier silhouette that work really nicely in their spaces:

Traditional and Different Mediums:


Image from Girl Meets Glamour (a new favourite read).


Image from My Modern Metropolis


Image from Homebody


Image from Palindrome Press

Decals:


Image from Paper Chick

As Inspiration for Events:

Image from Tickled Pink Brides

I guess, like all trends, this one will be over soon, but I am loving it whilst it lasts.

Plates from Anthropologie

Whitney at Brown Sugar Design (which is one of my new favourite blogs) posted these amazing plates that are available from Anthropologie, and I immediately fell in love.


Image above © Anthropologie.

Also, for a bit of a laugh (or cry): Murphy's Law: Graphic Design.