Find Inspiration In: Flamboyant Flamingo Jewellry

Kenneth Jay Lane designed and Cartier set this flamingo in characteristic pose for Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor in 1940. The plumage was set with calibré-cut emeralds, rubies and sapphires, the beak set with a cabochon citrine and sapphire, the eye set with a similarly cut sapphire, the head, neck, body and hinged legs pavé-set with circular-, brilliant- and single-cut diamonds, measuring approximately 95mm x 65mm x 22mm. Estimated at £1,000,000—1,500,000 GBP.

Sources: Steel Orchids, Fashion: a Crash Course

Seriously, how could this bird not inspire some sort of feeling?  Oh boy do I have ideas. Watch out!

Inspiration Found: Reversible Things

Doesn't it seem as though the comfiest, coziest things are best when they're two-sided? I talked about this a little in October, but now that autumn is sort of making her appearance in Florida I'm even more in love with objects featuring duality.

It means twice the number of hand-protecting coffee cuffs.

via Love 2 Create

It means snuggling twofold as often.

via COCOCOZY

That's two times the amount of chic outerwear accersorries.

via UnderReconstruction

And now, thanks to yours truly, you can coordinate your garters with double the amount of outfits, moods, socks, and stockings!

Reversible Garter Pair at Never a Plain Jane Designs

One side is 100% wool upcycled from a vintage Ralph Lauren skirt. Delicious fall shades of russet and forest green make up the cozy plaid pattern. On the flip side, a rich, gold dupioni silk.

I really love these. Really, really love them.

Find Inspiration In: Reversible Things

Let's be honest here, darlings.  There are few things in life that top a two-for-one deal. And this fall I am coming across all sorts of dual-sided and reversible goodies.

Just this past weekend I dipped into my project files to make a couple of these headbands from Jessica at Happy Together. (I'll put my photos on Facebook   if you are interested, but click on the image below for Jessica's tutorial).

And now I'm dying over the adorableness that is this cape from Les Petites Indecises.

Personally, I'd totally wear that cape, but for those of you who like to dress like a grown-up, Idea2Lifestyle offers the Vol de Nuit reversible Jacquard skirt in their Etsy shop.

Reversible is even chic outside of fashion.

Okay, this jacket is not reversible, but it is chic and that lining truly makes it. Corinnea is a genius.

Are you also feelin' all this tasty duality? It definitely has my creative juices flowing!

Find inspiration in: Alice Blue Dress

The other day when I complained that no recent events had impacted my garter-making I lied a little bit. See, I wrote that post during some found time on Friday evening and scheduled it to post on Monday. Then, on Saturday morning I took my Emily to see out neighbor friend perform in a talent show. One of the girls sang Alice Blue Gown. You guys, this was no ordinary 10-year-old. I cannot even begin to describe the clarity, the sweetness of her voice. It was so stunning.

Normally I do not like to associate my garters with small children however loose the connection. But I have to make an exception this time.  If you've heard Alice Blue Gown before then I think you'll agree: how could you not be inspired?!

I once had a gown, it was almost new,
Oh, the daintiest thing, it was sweet Alice blue,
With little forget-me-nots placed here and there,
When I had it on, oh, I walked on the air!
And it wore, and it wore, and it wore,
'Til it went, and it wasn't no more.

I want an azure dress with sweet little flowers.  In fact, I sort of want an azure everything! Facinator, flowers,  scarf, shoes, you name it! For now I've resigned myself to a little Alice Blue mood board.

Ack! Now, I have to choose between making an Autumn-toned garter and an Alice Blue garter!  Which one inspires you more?

sources (clockwise from top left):;

Cupcakes photographed by Anita Jamal 

Alexis Bittar hinged cuff (no longer available), similar pieces found at Neiman Marcus 

Blue dotted swiss vintage dress via Pinterest 

Diane von Furstenberg  Eve Scarf Tie Platform Sandals

Forget-me-nots and Maria Holmberg ceramic bowl via Julias vita drommar

Moonshadow tinted wedding gown by Claire Pettibone

Lost in time capsule caocktail ring by Ollipop

Ruby Cape blue lace by Imitation

Inspiration Found: Red Wedding Shoes

Remember these fabulous shoes for an upcoming Las Vegas wedding?

Red satin pumps from Payless

Well these shoes, along with their owner's dream for a "vintage, glamorous, Hollywood, Old Las Vegas, classic, shocking and beautiful wedding," were the inspiration for a custom-made garter. 

In case the shoes weren't enough, I wanted to whet your appetite for my creation by first sharing someone else's. Jill Fontaine of Stay Calm Cupcake left a comment on my Facebook page proclaiming red wedding shoes bring to her mind...

Red Velvet Cupcakes! 

Vegan Crimson Velveteen Cupcakes via Whisk Kid

Hmmm, Jill's suggestion is pretty tasty, but I think my garter is down right decadent. What do you think?

 

Michele garter custom made by Never a Plain Jane Designs

I used 100% black and red silks upcyled from a couple of blouses scored from a local thrift store. I found the feathers here. I'm thrilled with how it turned out and the bride, Michele, is just over the moon!

Are you feeling inspired yet?  Tell me about it in the comments. And if you aren't, maybe you should contact Jill for some cupcakes.

FInd Inspiration In...An awesome pair of shoes

It has been so long since my last Find Inspiration post! About a month ago I had a bride contact me about making a custom garter for her September wedding in fabulous Las Vegas. I all but swooned when she described her vision of the big day.

"Vintage, glamorous, Hollywood, Old Las Vegas, classic, shocking and beautiful are all words I think of when I think of our wedding."

Oh my gosh! Can I come?

I guess, technically, I'll be there because I get to design this awesome bride's garter.  To help me out, she sent me some photos of her bridal wardrobe including a picture of her red wedding shoes!

Red satin pumps from Payless

Are you inspired?! I'm totally inspired! Who wouldn't be inspired?!

Won't you play with me?  Use the comments to tell me how these shoes prompted a project.  It can be any project - putting together a fierce outfit on Polyvore, making a fiery flower arrangement, planning a Vegas vacation...whatever! Feel free to e-mail me photos too: neveraplainjane@gmail.com.

It is summer. Do you have the blues?

In case you somehow missed the thousand other bloggers telling you, this past Monday was Memorial Day. I should have blogged. I would have blogged.  But I didn't because I was at the beach on Honeymoon Island soaking up enough sand and waves for two (because Ben was performing his military duty and could not be there). And I tell you what.

It gave me the blues!

Or, rather, it gave me the blues again.  But seriously, my lovelies, how could you look at this for a few hours and not want to capture it?

Honeymoon Island (photos by me!)

There's something like eight shades of blue just begging me to get inspired. Well played, Florida, well played.

Inspiration Found - Seaside and Starfish

Jenny's star-studded garter is finally finished!  Hopefully she won't mind me letting you guys have a peek.

Making this garter was so much fun. I think that's mostly due to me having a relationship with the bride. Finding pieces that reminded me of Jenny was like going on a treasure hunt.

Knowing her helped me focus my creativity which really lent it some power and, ultimately, allowed me to make one of my best garters yet.

I can't wait to find out if she feels the same.

Finding Inspiration - Starfish and progress

I started with a pretty girl and a stylized starfish graphic:

 And after a week or so I had pretty white ruching and silver starfish charms:

 

I also asked what about the beach inspires you. I can always count on Amy to get right to the heart of the matter.

"...warm salty air, sand on my feet, the sound of the waves, the turquoise hues and spending relaxing days with the people I love..."

 As a matter of fact, Jenny had asked me to incorporate some blue into the design of her garter. Specifically, she asked for canary blue which, according to Google, is this:

 ...and this...

...aaaaaand this...

Um, okay, well...hmmm. Those canaries are all shaded differently. Actually, that's okay! (I was going to make a comment about overcoming the blues, but then you guys my boo me off the internet.) 

It is okay that I have no clue what shade of blue is the one called canary because no one has ever heard of the ocean being one shade of blue. So I found the PERFECT ribbon for just such an occasion and it arrived last week!

These gorgeous strips of silk came all the way from Silk Studio in southern Australia. I guess if anyone would know about shades of ocean blue it would be someone from Australia. And omigosh this ribbon is incredible.  It is so very very fine I just want to play with it all day. It is like tissue paper made of silk or silk made from pressed flower petals or some other metaphor that sounds less corny. I looooove it.

I hope Jenny does too.

What's your favorite ocean shade?

Finding Inspiration - The Sea

Ever since I got Jenny's save the date I have been dreaming about beach-inspired weddings. Okay, actually I've just been dreaming about the beach.  Right now it is raining here and, since it is Wednesday, you are probably stuck at work. So let's take a little dream-cation and look at some beach-inspired lovelies.

These are invitations but wouldn't this also be a cute idea for a seating chart?

Starfish invitations

Mmmm, beachy wedding photos at dusk. So romantic.

Puerta Vallarta Wedding

Thanks, Amy, for sharing the link to Mike and Grace's wedding. You were right, all the photos were just lovely. Everyone else, you must visit Sarah Yates Photography Blog to see more photos of this dreamy wedding.

How about this ring bearer starfish also found via Amy?

original image from Botanica Floral Designs

 I love that you and I see a chic and unique ring "pillow." Amy? Amy sees little boys in tuxedos armed with ninja throwing stars!

Okay, enough day dreaming.  As soon as the rest of my supplies come in I can get back to work on Jenny's garter.  Wanna see what I've done so far?

What about the beach inspires you - the colors, the waves, schools of pretty little fish?

Find Inspiration In...The Sea

More specifically, find inspiration in starfish. Why? Because of the very pretty chickadee in this photo.

That's Jenny.  I could go on and on about how fun and sweet she is. I could write about her infectious laugh and pretty smile, too. But she'd get kind of embarrassed so I'd better not.

What I will write is, Jenny's getting married! Earlier this month I got a save the date card. Wanna see?

I love it! Especially the starfish, which Jenny tells me is going to be a prominent element at the wedding.

Want to play along? Post links to your favorite sea-inspired projects and photos in the comments.

Inspiration Found: Scallops

I fall in love with this dress every time I see it.

Begonia Dress by Kelsey Genna

In fact, it seems a lot of people are seeing all the potential of scallops.For instance:

As decor

via Apartment Therapy

For insulation

Coffee cup cozy via Pinterest

In rain or shine

Beach umbrella via Cocopani

And now, drum roll please,

as inspired, handmade bridal underpinnings!

Unique scalloped garter

I'm really pleased with how this garter turned out.  I adore the fabrics (silk, chiffon, and satin), and I wish I could capture how gorgeous that shade of green really is. I think I'll spend some time developing a scallop line - I love it that much. Do you think it lives up to its inspiration?

How about you - are you loving scallops as much as I am right now?

Find Inspiration In...Scallops

My brain has been buzzing and whirring from the moment I laid eyes on this dress.

Begonia Dress from Kelsey Genna

I see scallops, but the inspiration for Ms. Genna's genius was the begonia.

Scallops, ruffles, flower petals - however you interpret that dress, it is absolutely delicious!

Inspiration Found (still seeking perfection)

Here and here I went on and on about my "not a wedding reception" in 2008. I was supposed to find inspiration and make the garter I might have worn.

Then two weeks passed. I found plenty of stuff that would have coordinated perfectly with that wonderful evening, but I had not made a garter.

The next week I still had no garter to post.  Really, for consistency's sake, I should have posted a new inspiration challenge, but I couldn't bring myself to post a new challenge with having completed the previous one myself.

It wasn't for lack of trying. I swear! I went through all sorts of materials,

and I spent all sorts of time making a  number of different garters. Still, the perfect garter eludes me.

I have a vision, I just haven't found the right combination of material and skill to make it a reality.

The time has come to move on. Next week I will post a new inspiration challenge. I hope that moving to other challenges will develop the talents I need to complete this one.

Will you be joining me?  What inspires you? What skills do you want to develop this year.  Don't be shy! I loooove your input.

Finding Inspiration - The Past

I know, I know. I was supposed to find inspiration, make something and post it last week. I decided rather abruptly that I just could not do everything I wanted to do and actually enjoy the holiday so I cut out a lot of my "to-do" list without any sort of warning or apology.  Maybe next year I'll have things under better control.

So since I skipped last week I surely have something for today, right? Um, no. Don't get me wrong, I'm plenty inspired.  It is just that resources, including time, are scarce right now. I'll make something and post it soon. No, really. I will.

In the meantime, let's look at the great things other people are making.

We knew our venue would be decorated for the holidays so we tried to keep our own decorations and palette  pretty neutral: black, white, red, and gold.

The flowers were done by my sweet friend Jenny, who is amazing in every way

I wish I'd known about some of the folks' products two years ago.

Yes please.

Raindrops bracelet by He Knows My Name

I wore orchids, but these are an exquisite alternative to fresh flowers.

White Cream Vintage Jewelry Flowers by Mignonne Handmade

How about some hand painted signs from Signs by Diane or a monogram compliments of Simply Sweet by Practice?

Emily looked sweet (duh) but these tights by Dream Spun Kids would have put her over the top!

How 'bout a little something cushy for the tushy?

Ivory Paradise Lumbar Pillow by The Home Centric

I'm amazed at the things people make by hand and, often, at home. I'd better stop now or we'll be here forever.  Knowing that, Ben is probably glad I didn;t know about these people two years ago.