Lilac Saloon

Best of February

Here's a look back at everything I loved about February!

 

Celebrated

Evan's birthday!  He entered year number 26, so now we get to be the same age for a little while.  Yes...I'm older than him!  :)

Valentine's Day!  We celebrated this by selling lots of little bags of Felt Heart Confetti. Yay!

Reaching 500 "hearts" on Etsy!  Although I didn't catch it for the screen grab until it hit 501...which is ok :)

Mentions of Lilac Saloon on Babble, Oh Hello Friend, Washingtonian, The Sweetest Occasion, to name a few!  Thanks!!!!

 

Collaborated

I photographed engagement photos for the first time, working with my photographer friend, CJ, as his second shooter!  I definitely had to flex my photography muscles harder than ever before and I felt exhausted by the end of it!  It was also one of the coldest days of the winter here and we F-R-O-Z-E our fingers off!!  It was such a great experience (despite the exhaustion and freezing!) and I leaned so much.

I did my first video blog for a giveaway over on Love, Chelsea Lauren.  I was pleased to discover that my dear buddy, Lindsey of Lost & Fawned - won my little flower barrette!  I love that girl so it made my day!

Lilac Saloon had it's first guest blogger this month!  That was fun :)  The lovely Anna of IHOD graced us with her presence by sharing some gorgeous Valentine's day inspiration.

Emmaline Bride asked Lilac Saloon to become one of their Preferred Handmade Artists and you can now find my embroideries, Wallflowers, bouquets and heart confetti on their site!

 

Competed

Lilac Saloon was in the 2011 Handmade Olympics over at RicRak Studio!  We didn't win but we had fun trying :)

 

Made

We embroidered Seth Rogen.  Haha.

Some fabric covered bobbins to hold and organize my stash of embroidery floss!  It was fun - you should make some too.

The first batch of mini wallflower hair barrettes for the shop and a batch of new embroideries, too!

Hand embroidered headbands, as an experiment.  What are your thoughts??

Snowmen at Good Samaritan Nursing Home, outside of the back and front windows, so they had something fun to look at when they peered outside!

 

Completed

I shipped out the bouquets for Robyn's wedding - Aqua & Red!  It was my first completed wedding order and I had a blast working on it.  I can't wait for the next one!

I shipped out a big ol' order of felt heart confetti for a wedding!  10 bags!  You realize that is 1,000 hearts, right??

I redesigned the mini wallflower hair barrette to be even smaller to fit onto a snap clip for Jamie!  It was a really fun project and I want to make more!!  Thanks, Jamie!!

A fun set of 4 small Wallflowers in custom colors for a hallway art display in Trista's new home!

 

Thanks, February, for all of the fun.  Hopefully March will bring me a few days of sunshine and a little more melting of the snow so I can start being ouside once in a while!  I miss it!

Surprise Mail!

On Saturday, I stepped outside to take a trip to the grocery store and saw - to my surprise - a package on our porch!!  Package for us???

Our amazing friends Peter & David sent us a box full of love.  It was INSANE how this box of presents represented how well they know us!  It also must be noted that they recently got married in Spain (because Spain doesn't have any ignorant laws against love) and we weren't able to make that trip so they included a wedding favor in the box.  Look at that little green treat bag with the cuuuuute groom and groom on it!!!!  Eeeee!

Hahahahaha.

And cat toy.  (which...she loves!!!)

This embroidery floss is AMAZING!!!  New colors!!  OMG.

I tried to photograph everything right away but apprently I wasn't fast enough.  Evan ate his Peanut Butter Egg before I could even get out the camera!  :)

Shop Update: New Embroideries!

Do you have a favorite?

These embroideries are now available in the shop!

 

Backstage at Oslo Fashion Week

I have completely fallen in love with the photos taken behind the scenes at Oslo Fashion Week this season.  I think the details tell the story of the event so well.

Here are my favorites, found on the OFW website:

To see more of the behind the scenes photos, as well as the collections, head over to Oslo Fashion Week and have fun browsing!

Shop Update: Flower Barrettes!

Guess what?!  The Wallflowers that you know and love are now in MINI form, as hair barrettes!

Note the special detailing on the back!  I lovingly hand embroider the backing just to give it that special touch.  No one will see it but you - and that is part of the fun :)

Head over to the shop and check out the goods!  You can choose from the colors available in the shop, or message me for a custom barrette in the colors of your choice!

xoxoxoxo

♥

Counting Hearts

The Felt Heart Confetti claims to have 100 hearts in every bag.  Now, I know you must be wondering...does every bag really have exactly 100 hearts?

I make sure that there are exactly, precicely, 100 hearts!

This is how:

A great new use for the cutting mat!  Who knew!

And if you're curious about this color pallette, it's a custom order for a wedding!  I've been cutting and counting and bagging all 1,000 hearts for Dani who is getting married in June!

You'd probably also want to know that I watched approximately 10 episodes of Intervention while working on this order!  I'm practically an expert in drug addiction and recovery by now!  Greeeat.

Make Something! Embroidery Floss Bobbins

 

I don't know about you...but I hate it when things get really disorganized!  Especially in my creative area.  One thing that gets messy really quickly is my stash of embroidery floss.  We have containers to keep them stored by 'warm', 'cool' and 'neutral' tones.  Yet...when you open them...

 

 

Such a disaster!  I had a quick and easy idea for making this mess into something much prettier.  The best part is that I can use up all of the cardboard I have laying around.  Because, yes, I have cardboard...laying around.

 

 

Gather Your Materials

*cardboard (especially if it's already scrap pieces!)

* Fabri Tac or Mod Podge or another craft/fabric glue that you like

*cotton fabric (small pieces of scrap fabric is perfect!)

*a ruler

*fabric scissors

*paper scissors OR a box cutter/exacto knife (this is to cut the cardboard)

*embroidery floss that desparately wants to be organized

 

 

It is totally up to you (and your thread storage system) as to what size you make these bobbins.  Feel free to modify the size to fit your needs!  I'll tell you what I did so you have a point of reference.

Cut the cardboard into 2 inch by 4 inch rectangles.

Cut the fabric into 5 by 5 inch squares.

 

 

Cover the cardboard in your preferred glue.  

Wrap the fabric tightly around the cardboard, being sure to glue the edges of fabric together to prevent fraying later on.

 

 

Once the glue has dried (with Fabri Tac, it only takes a minute!), cut the edges of your fabric to get rid of the fraying edges.  You can use pinking shears or just your regular fabric scissors.  The glue should prevent any fraying.

 

 

Continue to cut, glue and wrap as many little bobbins as you wish!  Have fun with patterns and colors to coordinate with your thread (that is what I did for this example) OR you can go for a nice clean look and wrap your cardboard all in muslin or linen.  That would be really nice to let your thread colors stand out on their own.

 

The fun part - wrap the thread around your newly created bobbins!

 

This just looks so much more organized and definitely more inspiring!  Although I do love the fun of the prints, I think I'm going to organize the entire collection by wrapping the cardboard in un-dyed muslin.  This will be quite a large project but I promise to show you when it is eventually (slowly but surely) completed!!  

In order to be aware of your thread color number, you could place a little sticker on the fabric and write in the number.  I think I'll be doing that when I organize the whole stash.  This way, if you have multiple skeins of floss in the same color, they can all be condensed onto one bobbin!

 

Enjoy organizing your stash, my loves!!

Bridal Order Packaging

I have SO much fun packing up orders.  Is that strange?

I probably put too much of my time into it...but if it makes you smile when you open the box then it was definitely not too much, it was perfect.

Each and every package is tended to with lots of TLC!  (but not TLC, unless by chance I am listening to TLC while packing with TLC, which is possible.)

These photos are from Robyn's custom wedding order.  There are 3 bouquets, 3 bouttonnieres, 5 small Wallflowers and a even little gift bag of felt heart confetti in her wedding colors, just for fun!

And of course, yarn pom poms.  Because I felt like it!

Vote for Me!

I just found out that I've been nominated and have been entered into the 2011 Handmade Olympics by The Rikrak Studio!  Wow...that's superawesome!!  Who nominated me?  Fess up!  I love you.

The Handmade Olympics are pretty darn cool and there are 8 "Events" going on in which you may vote.  I'm in Event 7 which is..."Our Favorite Handmade or Vintage Item That's Fun!".  Yay!  I am so honored :)

The handmade item that is the nominated Olympian is none other than Miss Perriwinkle & Mustard Wallflowers hailing from Iowa, USA!

So guys, it's up to you now!  Head on over to vote for me in Event 7 of the Handmade Olympics!  Also, blogfriends, if you blog or tweet or facebook the event (and me, even!) I will so love you forever.  Truly, I will!  And I already do.

xoxoxo

p.s. vote in all the other categories too - it's fun!!  Voting lasts until February 23rd so head on over there!

Custom Order for Jamie

I loved making this custom order!  It's a twist on the Wallflowers... in teeny tiny hair clip form!  It is so darn adorable and only 3 inches!  There is a snap clip on the back which is great for short hair or for little girls!

I used to work with Jamie (check out her cute blog!) in a past life, so it was cool to work on making this knowing it was going to her!  Jamie - I hope this flower has fun making it's debut on your island vacation!!  :D

Want one??  Request one!!  I'll be putting some into the shop for spring but you can request your choice of colors and I can make one just for you :)

Loving This Color

I've been busy keeping up with Fashion Week, or, trying anyway!  Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti's collection really caught my eye.  Guess why?  Lilac...wheee!  Look at that coat, though!  Adorable.

See the rest of the collection over on Fashion Gone Rogue!

And Hearts

♥

Happy Valentine's Day!  In honor of it...here are hearts, made out of things.

♥

Just wanted to say that I love you!!

Elle Fanning in Lula

You may (or may not) know this, but I am a huge fan of Dakota Fanning.  I've talked before about her here and also here.  Yep!  And ever since I watched an episode of Ellen with Elle Fanning - I've added her to the list of amazing Fannings.

I saw this gorgeous photo on Lost & Fawned the other day and just had to see the rest of the photos from Elle's spread in Lula.  I found them here.  Look how gorgeous these photos are!

Thanks to Just Jared Jr. for these awesome scans.  I feel out of the loop without piles of fashion magazines around me anymore!

Harness Roundup

BLISS LAU

HERVE LEGER

I just love these.  They're so much cooler than a belt, or a scarf, or a necklace ever could be.  Out with the neck scarf and in with the harness!

FLEET ILYA

Embroider Your Celeb Crush

I was talking on the phone with one of my bestest friends the other day and she was talking about embroidered portraits.  I asked her who is the one person that she'd love to see embroidered (besides for me, cuz of course she'd love that on her wall).  She said... Seth Rogen.  So what do you think I had to surprise her with?

 

I searched on the internet for the best photo of him.  I put it into illustrator and re-drew him in an embroidery-appropriate way.  I printed it out and traced it onto the fabric, very carefully.

I chose black thread to keep it sketchy and simple...handed it over to Evan and told him to get to work!  Evan stitched the whole thing an did an excellent job.  Especially that beard!!  The beard MAKES the piece, for sure.

Best part of all?  When she got it in the mail (unexpectedly, I might add) she screamed!  Mission accomplished!!

Have you ever surprised someone with a gift?  Did they scream?  Tell me about it!

Felt Heart Confetti

Get it while it lasts!  The felt heart confetti has been flying out of the shop!  I am so happy that none of my felt has to be scrapped because it's too small to be made into something.  Now, it's all being made into something pretty...every last tiny little piece!

Emmaline Bride

I have fun and exciting news!

♥

Lilac Saloon is now a Preferred Wedding Artist on Emmaline Bride!  You have got to check out this gorgeous website.  It's meant for brides but I absolutely love all the inspiration and I'm already married!  

Emmaline's focus is on inspiring and encouraging handmade weddings.  They're always searching for new handmade artists that are a good fit for brides who want that unique and handmade touch incorporated into their big day.  

 

 

There are a lot of great features within the site.  You can shop through their hand selected vendors marketplace, read the blog that is packed full of inspiration, find photographers/planners/handmade artists by location so you can shop local... and, well, you'll have to hop on over there and see for yourself!

My favorite category is "Love Nest" which features cute decor to help the new couple create a cozy new home.  It also makes it easy if you're shopping FOR a new couple!  You will probably recognize some Lilac Saloon items in there :)

♥

Don't forget to "Like" Emmaline Bride on Facebook so you can keep updated with all of the wonderful inspiration they find and the new pretty things they're always adding to the site!  Also follow them on Twitter if you're a twitterer!

Guest Post: Anna of IHOD

Anna of In Honor of Design has dropped in to do a guest post today!  I asked her to share a bit of  February inspiration with us - - - enjoy!!

...............

 

Whether you are a fan of the day of love or not, you cannot deny the beautiful details and elements of fun that start to show up at every turn:)

 

 

These photographs in particular had me daydreaming a little I admit :)   Something so sweet and romantic about a handwritten letter, or a message in a jar. The hues of these vintage style photos are the perfect tone for the month of February :) 

♥ Anna

Source Links:

Letters in the Mail

Buy on Etsy: PedroNogueira Metric Tape Fine Art ($37.50)

Vintage Camera Love

Buy on Etsy: alifethroughthelens Its the Little Things Print ($20)

 

Robyn's Wedding: Complete!

Remember the peek into Robyn's wedding flowers that I shared with you?  I've finished the order and wanted to show you the whole thing!

I just love when handmade elements are incorporated into weddings.  It adds a much more personal element to the event and makes it that much more special for the couple!

Thanks, Robyn!  I truly enjoyed working on this unique order!  Your idea of putting little wallflowers in the bouquets was genious and is going to continue on into future bouquets!!

 

Giveaway: Felt Flower Barrette!

Giveaway on 'Love, Chelsea Lauren' from Megan Van Sipe on Vimeo.

 

Yes, a video blog!  New and different :)  I thought it would be nice, and more exciting, to announce this great giveaway with a video!  Also, now you can hear my Northern Michigan accent...haha!

 

If you can't watch the video for one reason or another (maybe you are at work and secretly reading blogs instead of working?)...here's the scoop:

Love, Chelsea Lauren is having a 'blog party' today!  She's posting fun stuff all day long on her blog...guest posts, tidbits about her, and GIVEAWAYS.  I know you want to win things!  You do!  I'm giving away this really cute felt flower barrette (it's a mini Wallflower!) and you should definitely enter to win it!

Head on over to Love, Chelsea Lauren to enter to win the hair barrette lottery!