Happy Valentine's Day

Isn't this just the sweetest...

Cotton & Brass on The Wedding Chicks!

Our most recent Cotton & Brass photoshoot was featured today on one of our favorite blogs - The Wedding Chicks.

This photoshoot was so much fun to prepare for. My living room is still all shimmery with glitter. I debated between doing real flowers or paper. I'm usually the first person to roll my eyes when I even hear those words together. But it just felt right for this theme and I'm really happy with how they turned out. Keep your eyes pealed on our blog for the paper flower tutorial coming next week!

This photo is property of Cotton & Brass and Christa Kimble Photography. If you would like to share these, please credit Cotton & Brass.

p.s. happy valentines day

A few images and a song from my "inspiration" folder. Hopefully it will add a little happiness to your Valentines day.

(unfortunately I can't remember where these images came from, sorry :( )

Oy vey

Dear J Crew,

I received your spring catalog yesterday. I am writing because I think there are a few changes you should make. First, stop making such amazing clothes that pull at my heartstrings and hurt my feelings. Secondly, if you are going to continue making such lovely ensembles please send me a lofty stack of coupons so that I can stop trying to recreate them in thrift store fitting rooms. And lastly, please send your spring catalog after all the ice in Ohio has melted so I am not tortured with popsicle colors and adorable swim-wear while piled in layers and layers of sweaters.

Will always love you despite,
Michelle

•

•

There laziness is inspirational.

If I was rich...

I would buy this clever fox scarf from Donna Wilson and these hand made Guatemalan slip ons from Osborn Design.

21c Museum Hotel

I have been obsessed with booking a room at the 21c Museum Hotel since my aunt and uncle sent me an article about it being the number one hotel according to Conde Nast. It's also a museum that is open to the public and features artwork from the 21st century. How cool is that?

I've begun work on a couple of freelance projects. It's nice to be back in my comfort zone, sifting through design blogs and flicking around the wacom pen. I came upon this really lovely blog today and I wanted to share it.

I heart Columbus - Park of Roses

The Park of Roses was named one of the ten best places to view roses by USA today. AND it's like right down the street from my house. I was shocked walking into the HUGE rose garden, did I mention this is just down the street from where I live?

There was a wonderful sense of community as we strolled along the roses. Everyone came out to enjoy them and all different age groups and cultures were brought together by their beauty.

Book of Verse - winter

I have this book that I love dearly. It's part of the Child Craft encyclopedia series from the 30's and the illustrations and poems are so darling it hurts. Several of my friends refer to it as the tattoo book because we have fallen so in love with certain illustrations that we want them tattooed on us (and a couple of us actually have). So I will probably start posting a page from it here and there.

A lovely home

Sara's apartment is always one to envy. Everything is tidy, clean, and cozy. Her holiday decorations were too cute for me not to attack with my camera. So I snapped and ooed and awed and must share with you. I know that Christmas is only ten short days away but this will be my inspiration for next year.

Trimming the tree

I can't remember the last time I was this excited about Christmas... maybe the year I got my baby so beautiful doll. We purchased our little tree from the market down the street. Mark and I don't have a collection of ornaments yet so I am free to do what I wish and was inspired by a few other blogs.

The first ornament project that caught my eye was the dried oranges. So simple (and cheap!). I just sliced the oranges thin, about the thickness of a nickle, and dried them in the oven. They add a lovely pop of color.

The second project that almost knocked me over with excitement was the filled glass bulbs. I have been hoarding all the Terrarium books from the Columbus Library over the past couple of months so this just seamed fitting. I scavenged and clipped little treasures to fill them with but you could really fill them with whatever you wish.

I topped it all of with a gorgeous vintage tree topper found at my favorite little shop.

Now... if I could only keep the kittens out of the tree.

Inspiration - Thanksgiving

I will be hosting a tiny little Thanksgiving at my house for my parents and myself. I'm really looking forward to a relaxed day of cooking with my mom and stuffing my belly full of venison and pie.

Things inspiring my Thanksgiving (going clockwise from top left photo).

Clever Nettle's amazing vintage outfits.

Sweet little cloth napkins.

Every photo looks a little more lovely as a poladroid.

Grocery store centerpiece. Genius.

Tiny pies in a jar (Thanks Sara <3)

Georgeous table settings.

Ballerina

Yesterday I watched Bertrand Normand's mesmerizing documentary, Ballerina. It follows a handful of Russian ballerina's through different parts of their career. They are so incredibly graceful and their devotion to their art inspires every nerve in my body. These girls dedicate their lives (almost every waking hour!) and their bodies in order to create some of the worlds finest dances.

I find myself incredibly drawn to that concept of absolute dedication to an art. To focus my entire being towards creating something incredibly beautiful to share with others.

photo via VIFF

*sigh*

So I was procrastinating being productive by "catching up" on my blog reading and just as I thought to myself "maybe I would be more productive if my work space wasn't such a mess" I came upon these images. Jerks. Now I have to clean and organize my stuff. Thankfully tomorrow is my day off.

(photos via Apartment Therapy)

...and go

Sometimes I'll think and think about something, planning out how I'm going to do it. I'll lay in bed at night letting it mull over and over in my head, dreading that I will never be able to do it as good as I want. I'll make lists, lots and lots of lists. And then finally (usually days, sometimes years later) I will just do it. It's not always perfect right away but it's almost always easier than I imagined in my head. That is the thing about creating, it only get better with practice. And it's not just making art. Sometimes it's something as "simple" as reorganizing a closet, or creating a better recycling system.

On Friday I dived into the art making process and I completely surprised myself with how much I ended up accomplishing. It was so much easier doing it in real life than it was in my head. It was a great start to what will hopefully be a very productive three months.