Inspired by: DIY Wedding Materials

Hanging Decor, Boutonniere, Bunting, Outdoor Love Set

Book Planter, Bouquet, Table Display, Table Numbers

Fabric Garland, Circle Paper Garland, Heart Music Garland

Moss Paint, Planter, Moss Ring Pillow

Book Review: Amy Butler Midwest Modern

 

Photographs by David Butler

Happy Monday to everyone today!!  Today I'm happy to share a book review of one of my most creative inspirational people..Amy Butler.  She is and continues to be a creative force in the fabric design, pattern, and craft world.  Constantly expanding her hard and soft lines to include everything from plates, rugs, wallpaper, bedding, patterns, and a line of stationary (just to name a few).  I received this book Midwest Modern from my brother a few years ago for Christmas and I still reference it to help me whenever I am stuck in a creative rut or just need a fresh new perspective on things.  It's more of a lifestyle book and I think that's why I keep this book within arms reach on the bookshelf at home.  My favorite section of the book is getting a tour of her interiors where she displays a lot of her fabrics and patterns as a kind of rotating gallery of products while getting a glimpse of her studio space on the lower level of her home.  How fun to be able to divide your home into a completely separate work and live space!  A girl can dream, right?!  I hope to make room for this dream someday down the road at our next place.  But for now I'm glad to have a book where I can seek new creative ideas in design, home interiors, prints, fabrics, and home/work life. 

All Into Fall

Hi everyone!  I first want to give a warm welcome to those who have found my lil blog via BYW.
And a giant thank you for all your sweet comments I've received this week.  It has truly inspired me to keep posting everyday this week (so far), yippee!! Today I wanted to share a small table top duo I shot around this time last year.  Along with them I wanted to share a few tricks to compose a shot like this, without emptying your wallet.

  I'm always looking for fun and interesting surfaces to photograph on and this one I used cost only 99 cents at my local Michael's  craft store.  It looks pretty close to the worn surface look I was seeking.  Another source for inspiration is taking a trip to your local farm stand, farmers market, or orchard.  They tend to have the freshest in session produce you can find.  Plus they make for great holiday decor around your home after you've photographed them.  And finally try going on a walk in your neighborhood. It's fun to collect fallen leaves from the trees and inspect all the different varieties that surround you.  After your done with them put each leaf in between pages of a heavy book and come Thanksgiving you'll have a festive and creative element to add to your festive table!  Have fun!

Exploring Chicago in the Fall

Earlier this week I had one of those days where I kept saying to myself (in my head of course) "I can't believe I'm getting paid to do this!" And the assignment for work was taking dramatic angled photos of buildings downtown and textures of the city as well. I first started out by walking around my hood (Bucktown) and then I hopped on the blue line and headed towards downtown. I walked all afternoon to scout my shots and in the end I feel really good about what I'm bringing back to the work table next week. I've posted just some of my findings to share with you. I've also just posted more of my photos over on my flickr stream too. Enjoy :)

Happy Start

Butterfly Moss

I have so much to be happy for to start off the week. I spent the weekend with little down time (for which I was grateful when I did have time to devour the Sunday Trib) and spent it with family at a bar-b-que, at dinner and a movie, drinks at a friends, and at the Botanic gardens for an afternoon photo shoot. I'm still going through my files today, but would love to share with you some of the portraits we ended up creating. How was your weekend?

Home is where?

Prints by Forever is Today

I've struggled with being an urbanite and country gal most of my life. Which is a good reason for me to be a renter right now in this stage of my life. I seem to bounce back every few years from living in the city to living in the surrounding small towns. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to both that's for sure. I feel at home in both most of the times. I crave for big open fields while in the city and crowded walkways and public transit while in the outskirts of town. Perhaps one day I'll pick one to set roots in, but for now I'm having fun moving from town to city :) What about you? Are you drawn to one environment more than another or are you like me who enjoys switching back and forth to live in both environments?