Erik Madigan Heck and Mary Katrantzow

Being a lover of all things patterned....clothes, wallpaper, curtains,wrapping paper, tapestries, tile floors....I often check in on the blog Pattern People for eye candy.  A little while ago they posted photos by Photographer Erik Madigan Heck for the fall line of Mary Katrantzow and I can't get them out of my mind.  I love when fashion and place create harmony like these photos.  Lovely, lovely, lovely.

While browsing his website I found these gorgeous photos he took for Rodarte. His use of color and composition is amazing.  And where did he find these places, or did he create them himself?  Check out more of his work here.

What I wore....

...today.
Yes, it's the end of May and I'm still in tights.  Good ol' Portland.

The dress is vintage, given to me by my friend and former roommate, Ellen (miss you!).  The tights are from Urban Outfitters and the shoes are Dansko.  These shoes were a recent splurge, and I absolutely adore them, now that I can walk for miles without sore feet.  I made the necklace out of a chain and vintage keys. The hair pin in from Chelsea Ann of IttyBittyBirdy on Etsy.

Inspiration....

As you may have noticed, if you have been reading my blog, I kinda like books.  Ever since I started working at Powell's my like turned to love, as I've been combing the shelves for treasures and discovering new authors and artists.  When I worked in a record store I would go through the bins first thing in the morning to see when had come in the day before.  Now I eye the book bins before starting my shift at Powells- apparently I'm a creature of habit.  My lastest treasure is a book of illustrations by the talented Amy Cutler.  It is out of print, but I recommend hunting it down.

I first came across her work at P.S 1 when visiting New York and fell in love with her delicate but funny and perplexing watercolors of women in strange situations.  Then I noticed her work on the shelf, on the cover of The Ms. Hempel Chronicles by Shun-lien Bynum.

Here are some of my favorites, those it's hard for me to choose.  I love them all!

Lovely Lilli In Love To Love You!

Lilli, the lovely lady behind the Australian blog, Frocks And Frou Frou just posted up a photo of herself in a skirt made for her by your truely.  She looks so cute, and I'm loving the heart sweater, too.

I love seeing my customer in my creations, selling online, it doesn't happen very often.  The first time I saw a girl in Portland wearing something I made I nearly hugged her, I was so excited.  So, if you happen to have a photo of yourself in Love To Love You, I would love to see it!

Thanks Lilli!

Crafty friends

Thanks to everyone who stopped by Crafty Wonderland to say hi.  It was lovely to see you.  Here is a photo of me and my friend Lisa taken by her daughter in front of my booth.  Notice the glaring squares of  florescent lights that had me feeling like a zombie by the end of the day?

Lisa runs the Etsy shop Leaf and Ink which features photography and illustrations done by her talented family, such as this illustration done by her daughter Autumn (who also took the above photo).

Disfarmer

I love looking through old photographs that one can usually find in boxes in vintage stores.  I always want to know a bit more about the serious children dressed in their best, or the bride all in white.  Who were they, where did they live, why did the photos end up in a second hand store?  I could look through them for hours.

 So, when at Powell's one day I was thrilled to come across the book Disfarmer.  Mike Disfarmer was born Mike Meyer.  He claimed that a tornado had picked him up as a child and deposited them with the Meyer family.  Meyer meant farmer in german, and dis- means not in german, therefore he was Disfarmer.  He was the town photographer for Heber Springs, Arkansas during the Great Depression and through World War II.

I love women's fashion in the photos, so most of the photos here are of women.   Even as poor as these people may have been during the country's hard times, I can't help but admire their style.   I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

I love the grass skirt.  I wonder if her soldier brought it back for her from his time overseas.

She looks so elegant with her caplet and dress with velvet sleeves

The book is filled with the photographs he took during this time period.  According to the book many men in the service would take photos to give to their loved ones while away, and the family would take photos of themselves for their servicemen to take with them while fighting the war.  

Tough Guys

Isn't she adorable?  And that dress is amazing, even with a button missing

A man's best friends

I love the awkward body language in this one

Cuties

My favorite photo from the book- I wish I was friends with these ladies

Raindrops keep falling on my head....

According to this KGW.com article entitled "It Rains Too Much In Portland", "Portland's rainfall so far in 2011 has measured just over 47 inches. That's 10 inches over the entire yearly average."  

It's only May.

It's never going stop.

I wish I felt a little more like Gene Kelly in Singin' In The Rain

When I grow up....

...I want to be like Iris Apfel.  I want to wear crazy patterns, and chunky jewelry and giant glasses.  She is a fashion trendsetter at the the tender age of 89, and made Vanity Fair's best dressed list in 2008.  Her wardrobe had it's own exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum, and the book Rare Bird Of Fashion, based on the exhibit followed.  

I did a little searching around the wonderful world of Etsy to see what I would need to put together an oufit that that Iris might approve of.  This is what I came up with....

Amazing round glasses rimmed with tiny crystals
from Vintage50sEyewear on Etsy 

                                                

flowy caftan-like dress in bright colors
from theVintageSideShow on Etsy

an armful of chunky bracelets
from BanginBangles on Etsy

and these to die for, handmade, tooled leather shoes

from Karenkell on Etsy

Want to find out a little more about Iris, or get some styling tips from one of the world's most fashionable women?  Check out this interview that was produced for the museum exhibition.

Happy Mother's Day!!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!  I love you.

Get Crafty

Crafty Wonderland is almost here.  I'm slaving away on some new items, including some tote bags....

Come by and say hello.  Also, I tend to price things a bit lower for craft fairs so expect some good deals.
See you Saturday!