Dana Tanamachi

Here is a little eye candy to get you through the week. By now I am sure you can reconize the lovely chalk designs of Dana Tanamachi. Her work has been featured everywhere from Ralph Lauren to O magazine. It was not surprising to learn that she once worked under the great Louise Fili,who has an amazing eye for young talent.

Monday Love

Free Father's Day Card

Just a reminder since Father's Day is right around the corner that we have a great card for all of you crafty types to send your dad this year. It even has an inner wheel that when turned, changes the banner to read one of three different messages. Simply fill in the blanks! You can find this free printable on our goodies page here!

Magnificent Magnetic Wallpaper

This fabulous wallpaper from Sian Zeng has received quite a bit of attention lately. If you haven't already seen the charming work of this London based designer you are in for a treat! Like something out of Willy Wonka, her line of wallpapers are not only adorable, but they are also magnetic. With playful woodland creature magnets and writable speech bubbles your imagination will run wild. It must be like living in a life size storybook.

Postcard Project

 Library lovers, bibliophiles, and snail mail enthusiasts this postcard project is for you!

One of my dear friends is a librarian trying to show that the community still cares about libraries. She has started a fun postcard project to show at the R-Squared Conference. If you are interested in helping all you need to do is mail her a postcard, or take a photo of one and send it to the URL below. You can write a simple note about why you like libraries, why you think they should not go extinct, what changes you would like to see, or even draw a picture! What ever you want to send in postcard form is truly welcome so get creative!

Oh, and if you include your return address she will send you a postcard from the conference.

Who doesn't love snail mail?!

Mailing Address:
R-Squared Scholarship: me < WE
60 Montecito Ave.
Monterey, CA 93940

USA

URL:
www.detailmatters.info

If you would like more info about the conference please visit:
www.rsquaredconference.org

Lovely Cake

Oh joy!
Cake designer Erica OBrien used one of my floral arrangements as inspiration for one of her spectacular cakes. Isn't it lovely! In the past I have attempted to work with gumpaste and the other cake decorating mediums just for fun... but, my talent in that arena resembles more of the high art created by a kindergartener with playdough. The craftsmanship needed for quality cake decorating is certainly something to admire!

Ocean Inspired Wedding Invitations

Over the years I have been approached by many customers to make the unique wedding invitations they have been dreaming of but, were unable to find. It has been such a joy learning about the love stories and adorable secrets each couple has. As time passes I am delighted when I get to see them start a family and continue on their journey.

This ocean inspired set was the very first wedding invitations I ever designed at Farouche. The bride is from the west coast and the groom from the east coast. To avoid choosing sides, the couple decided to have their wedding in the Caribbean. Since not everyone could make it to the event they had a cocktail reception for guests in their home towns. The mother of the bride was a huge help in finding the right style for the invitations. Their family loves the ocean and are avid travelers. She really wanted to bring the beach to those who were unable to make the journey in a way that was fresh. Years later, I still love the clean design of this set.

Smitten

Peach colored bliss! I have be swooning after David Austin roses for as long as I can remember. As of this afternoon, I am now the proud care taker of this beauty. Not only are they lovely, they almost look like peonies with those scallop shaped petals, but they smell delicious too!

And the winners are...

Thank you to everyone who entered! It was wonderful to see the turnout for this giveaway.

Thank you for so many great comments about summer fun!

Congratulations to Lauren Darcy and Eunice Hogen for winning this giveaway. If you both would please email us your address and color choice for the print (1-4) to farouche@cruzio.com, so we can send them off to you as soon as possible. To anyone who did not win this round don't fret, I am sure there will be another giveaway before the end of summer.

Poppy

This poppy has so much personality, I would almost call it a free radical. I have been watching it for the last couple of months, every day waiting for it to finally bloom. In the previous post I shared my despair that the first blossom fell to pieces before it ever fully opened. This is the second off the plant and what can I say, it is spectacular!

A Beautiful Mess

Yesterday, I was quite excited to see that one of the rare poppies I have been growing for the last few months was about to bloom. The outer cover had just fallen off and the new crepe-like petals were beginning to open. I have been dying to try these fantastic poppies in one of my arrangements. My heart sank this morning when I saw every petal lying on the ground. The pod had developed too much before the flower ever opened. So this is the beautiful mess that is left.

Piggly Wiggly Planters

It wouldn't be far fetched to say that I am an avid gardener. Since the majority of our yard is covered in brick or wood decking I have had to make do with planting in containers. Lots and lots of containers. I have even started several species of slow growing perennials like clematis and tree ferns for the day that we finally own a home of with a proper garden. Yet, out the nearly hundred pots that I tend to, not a single one is shaped like an animal. I think it might be time that one of these three little pigs makes their way into the mix. You can get your very own piglet planter, along with roosters, frogs and owls here at the Fruit Fly Pie shop.