oh, how far we've come

I started this blog over 2 years ago. My initial hope was that it would be a creative outlet, give me a place to seek out amazing finds and showcase all the lovely things out there. My secondary hope was I could use my knowledge, learn a thing or two along the way & open up a retail shop....well November 30th, the shop opened! My blog has been quite neglected but my head is filled with so much to share, so I will be posting more in the weeks to come. 

First though, here is the beginning of our (my Mom, Paulette & I) shop. Stumble & Relish, located in Evanston, Illinois (1310 A Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201).

We fell in love with the space that was formerly known as Folk Works Gallery. The previous owners were there for over 12 years so we are hoping to continue their success. The space was cute & quaint and after looking at MANY locations we kept coming back to this one. Plus, there are so many great local shops in the neighborhood! We picked up some great estate sale finds. Thanks to my friend, Amber, this brown metal tool chest is now something we could not live without!

We had SO much help along the way, painting was a huge undertaking and we couldn't have done it without all of our friends & family. Yes, I made them paint the ceiling dark teal blue & it was well worth it but quite a task!

 

Look at the end product! Wow, how far we've come in 7 weeks! We worked to decorate inexpensively but we wanted there to be some character to our pieces- we have a display cabinet that is probably from the 20's mixed with an IKEA rug and back-dropped by our bold paint & simple stencil. Needless to say we like to mix it up & in the end we made it work. The shop will always be a work in progress, the product we sell will be the stars & we will do the best to tell the stories of each piece we find.

Stop by & stumble on something lovely today...

in the mail

I haven't kept up with a lot of things lately but I am still making an effort to drop at least one card in the mail every week. Honestly, it is a reason for me use & find all the amazing cards out there! This card from Laura George captures the essence of everything I love about mail plus her illustrations are so stinkin cute! Sigh...another reason to love snail mail.

in the mail

It has been a busy, busy week but I did find the time to drop some sweet Halloween greetings in the mail to some of my favorite people. Honestly I could have spent hours doodling on these envelopes but I restrained myself. Festive Halloween Lanterns from a. favorite design.

yes, i still send snail mail & love it...

oh what fun, baby shower decor

My brother & sister-in-law are having a baby girl so time to throw a little shower for the both of them! The baby room has a modern woodland theme using neutral gray, a bold dark raspberry & pops of yellow artwork. So the theme for the shower was yellow using mostly the gifted artwork as decor.

Geometric Owl & Fox prints from Gingiber || Heart & Feather print from Lovely Sweet William
Handmade paper flowers from Scrappuchino || Yellow polka dot wrapping paper & yellow print paper (used to wrap guest gift soaps & matte art prints) from Paper Source || Hanging garland made from invitation left-over scraps

Bookshelf bought at flea market & painted to match the baby's room || All guests brought a book as a gift to add to the book shelf || Lamp from Target || Yellow ceramic flower vase from Anthropologie || Bear soap strait from the Yellowstone Lodge

 

Yellow painted cloths pins from The Papered Crown & will be used in the baby's room to hang artwork || Garland made from left over paper scraps || Cutest baby ever from Night Owl Paper Goods printed on Birch wood || Butterfly & Dragonfly prints from Peace of Violet || Triangle note card from Courtney Oquist || Hedgehog illustrated print from Mika Art

in the mail

I saw this bold, graphic card at Foursided and I had the perfect person to send it off too. Even the envelope shows the awesome artwork from Petra Borner.

color love

In the past I have never been a huge fan of Mums but this year they have caught my attention. You've got to love something colorful & hearty when everything around slowly turning brown. Today on Poppytalk they showcased this lovely Mum garland. I love the colorful ombre of mums!

photo kindly borrowed from Poppytalk.

in the post today

Sending out a sweet little note today, just because. You're so sweet letterpress card from a. favorite design.

send a card today...

words to relish

Hand lettered Beatrix Potter quote print by Lisa Congdon.

intellectual jewelry

On Project Runway this season, one of the designers used 3D printing to create accessories to compliment his line. I thought it was a pretty ingenious way to pair Science with fashion plus it looked so unique.  I was fascinated by the whole process. Honestly, it must be so fun to see a paper 2D piece come to life in 3D form. I was so excited to stumble onto this jewelry line by way of Fab.com and I had to see more!

This line is not only organic, modern & just cool; every piece is based on nature. Nervous System "write computer programs based on processes and patterns found in nature and use those programs to create unique and affordable art, jewelry, and housewares". The jewelry is so sculptural yet wearable and it's affordable. Check out the whole line here & take some time to play with their Radiolaria to create your own biology inspired jewelry piece.

Silver vessel pendant | $300 \\ Diochotmous earrings | $35 \\ Folium series pendant | $70 \\ Parallel earrings | $40 \\ Radiolaria silcone necklace | $75 \\ Cellular earrings | $50 \\ Hyphae ring | $28 \\ Cellular pendant | $50 \\ 
Porous bracelet | $70 \\ Stainless steel ring | $40 \\

all photos kindly borrowed & admired from: http://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/shop/

color love

I am in fall mode and looking forward to enjoying all the fall colors and food but today I saw these fantastic gypsy curtains and fell in love with them & their fantastic blues made from vintage scarves. Lovely Gypsy curtains made by Babylon Sisters.

in the post today

A sweet, simple "hello" for a long lost friend. Hello card from Egg Press.

betsy & iya

I am all about some chunky metal adornments but add a pop of color and you have my heart. I am loving these cast bronze painted pieces from Betsy & Iya.

Dalarna square hoop earrings\$62 || Scania Cuff Bracelet\$69
 Sabin necklace\\$157 || Bahusia circular hoop earrings\$69

all photos kindly borrowed from http://betsyandiya.com

color love

I'm feeling green today & House of Ceramics has the perfect green fix with these handmade, rustic bottle forms.

photo kindly borrowed from http://www.etsy.com/listing/101142507/still-life-of-six-bottle-forms?ref=af_collection_featureditem

in the post today

I think it's always a good idea to send Mom a little shout-out once in a while. I know she will always appreciate it. Also, she will love my favorite vintage hot air balloon stamps! Grand prize Mom card from a. favorite design.

woodland cuties

I am helping to decorate my niece-to-be's nursery. We are going with a woodland theme and I have found so much lovely art along the way. I love the idea of having original artwork but of course that is expensive & takes time so yes, another reason to love all the makers at etsy, there is something for any theme you can think of.

Little yellow fox illustration from Gingiber \ $23 || Pen & Ink Heart illustration from Lovely Sweet William \ $26.95 || Geometric yellow owl illustration from Gingiber \ $23 || Pen & Ink feather Illustration from Lovely Sweet William \ $26.95 || Hedgehog woodland love from Mika Art \ $7.99 || Bunny & Bear woodland love from Mika Art \ $9.99 || Squirrel & bird reading a book illustration from Mika Art \ $7.99 || Honey bear watercolor print from River Luna \ $20 || Yellow feather water  color print from River Luna \ $20 || Sweetest thing hand-cut birch tree note card from Ashley Pahl \ $12.00 || Bunny stack illustration from Lulu Froot \ $30.00 || Forest friends bears from Lulu Froot \ $30.00 || Hand painted woodland bear on wood from Sweet Bananas Art \ $70

color love

I have found myself admiring all the hoop embroidered wall art out there. It has such a great shape, texture & pop of color on your wall. I thought this would be cute in a baby or kids room. Colorful hand embroidered fireworks from On The Wall by Yoko.

photo kindly borrowed from: http://www.etsy.com/listing/163026540/colorful-hand-embroidered-fireworks-home?ref=favs_view_13

in the post today

I love this wedding card, perfect to congratulate the newly weds!
Wedding slot machine card from a. favorite design.

brilliant words

I could not have said it better! These words are from the pretty blog, Lovely Clusters. There are so many reason's to love Etsy but you can't beat the work & uniqueness of a lovely handmade gift. We all have our needs from the local big box store but when it comes to a gift, knowing that it is made by hand makes it even better. Handmade may cost a little more but remember that little extra cost is because one person imagined it, developed it, loved it, had confidence in it & created it for you to love...I think that is worth every penny.

the brilliant edison bulb

I love the industrial Edison light bulbs. I have been searching high and low for cheap Edison bulbs and some crafty, ingenious DIY ideas to showcase them. I love them plain & simple but I love them even more in a group. Some day I'll narrow down a solid idea but every time I look I find some lovely new idea.

Orange textile cable from Lacasadecoto $51.21 | Vintage Bed Springs made into pendants from The Interior Revolution | Industrial beater made into pendants from The Interior Revolution | Cage light chandelier from Born Again Wood Works $510 | Industrial Edison bulb pipe lamp from New Wine Old Bottles $325 | Tin Ceiling Chandelier from Kootenia Designs $469

color love: snoozer looser

Fall is in the air and I find myself lovin' these fall scarf colors & prints from Snoozer Loser.

Photos are kindly borrowed from snoozerloser.com