October Showers

Can you smell autumn in the air?

Magnificent Mustachios

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it is my great honor to present to you the Beardfolio of the Great Matthew Rainwaters.

Needless to say, MatthewRainwaters is an amazing photographer. He strives to shoot pictures, not people. Who can argue with that approach? His portfolio is stunning in the clearest manner imaginable. He has a gorgeous collection of published and exhibited work, but I think I find his personal portfolio the most interesting...especially Chuck.

The Bright Side Project

I am pleased to announce that we have donated one of our Bright Sunshiny Day giclees to The Bright Side Project. For those of you not familiar with The Bright Side Project, it is a team (of little squirrels and toadstool-wielding elves I believe) that try to share a little sunshine every day. Their website offers themed, daily giveaways in hopes of reminding people how down right loverly the world can be. For your chance to win please visit their website and answer a simple question now through October 13.

Buttoned Up For Autumn

A few of my favorites.

Chatham Girl

There is something so wildly fascinating about the Chatham Girl. I imagine she would be equally comfortable at afternoon tea as she would in a speakeasy, bluffing the winning hand in a game of poker against some barrel of a man. Created by the talented Zara Carpenter in Rochester Kent. Zara often combines vintage and new materials creating the most intriguing fashions.

Yellow

Above clockwise: Bright Sunshiny Day print by Farouche,
Yellow Bird Print by Koelle Art Shop,
Golden Rose Pine cone Candle by Bird and Bee,
Wading Bird Pillow cover by Olive

Above clockwise:
Set of two Miniature Butterfly Paintings Koelle Art Shop,
Set of 3 Organic Lavender Sachets by Jewelweeds,
Isotype card from Dude and Chick,
H is for Hello greeting card by Hijirik,
Ginko Ceramic mugs by Dahlhaus


Summer is turning into fall over at Poppytalk and we are proud that one of our giclees got to join in the fun.

The Bungaloo

Yes, you are not mistaken, the awkward bear in glasses politely inquired if girls would be there. From floating cars to two-headed snakes... what more could you want in a concert poster? Artist John Vogl of St. Louis creates silkscreened concert posters and t-shirts under the label the Bungaloo. A visit to his website is well worth your time. Not only for more eye candy but, for the poster descriptions as well. How often does a site get recommended for interesting descriptions. Yeah, he's that good.

Echo Time Travel Mart

I spied these great posters on the design blog sauce bomb this morning. The series was designed by Amy Martin for the Echo Time Travel Mart at 826 LA. If you are not familiar with 826, it was founded by Dave Eggers and educator Nínive Calegari. Each 826 location is a tutoring center that provides workshops and mentoring for children ages 6-18 to help improve their writing skills and support their creativity. Every center is hidden behind an amazing storefront that carries a unique theme to keep learning fun and help support the program. So next time you run out of mammoth chunks and don't want to pay the high price for gas to run your time machine stop by 826 LA's Echo Time Travel Mart where your purchase can help support a great cause.

gardening is sexy

Who ever said that gardening is only for old ladies with their stockings rolled to the calf and a polka dot moo moo? Or even that gardening is a one season event? I declare, gardening can be sexy... or at least wildly romantic. No, I am not talking about (cue the '70s dirty movie theme music) a roll in the hay or doing anything lowbrow with your fruits or vegetables. There is something extremely gorgeous about gardening. From getting your hands dirty in rich soil, to watching a plant you care for develop into a lush green glorious giant. A garden also can be another outlet for creativity. I personally like to weed while listening to the Pixies- it is oddly fulfilling.

Have I gotten you rilled up yet? I hope so!

For us here in the US September is a good time to start your winter garden. Sunset magazine has several ideas to start you off on the right foot. Now is a great time to buy perennials since garden stores often discount their inventories before winter. Most garden centers also mark down those lovely glazed pots about this time of year- usually 20-30%. Not bad when most of the nice large pots cost over a Benjamin.

Now go garden!

A lesson In Light and Sound

Swan Song

I came across new assemblage pieces by the artist Katie Runnels this morning and thought I should share.

Her work is amazingly detailed. I adore the enormous toadstool mushrooms, patterned leaves and graceful swans. For more of Katie's "art and found" work stop by her Etsy shop,
the Constant Gatherer, or her delightful blog.

Sign, sign everywhere a sign...

These fabulous posters were designed by Jim Datz for Three Potato Four. If he made one for San Francisco and Berkley I would be the first in line.