the velvet bird

The Times Are a Changin'

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:23:00 +0000

Well folks, first we got a dog (which I haven't shared about yet??) and now we are about to get something even smaller. A baby; its a baby. We are all pretty excited over here, but appropriately a little freaked out and nervous. As of now we live in a studio apartment and we have maybe lost our minds and are considering staying put for awhile. Hey, babies are small and take up like a foot of space for quite awhile, right? So we may move, we may not! We are pretty go-with-the-flow types of people, so there isn't too much I end up worrying about.

Oh, we also have gotten a few awesome gifts so far. Like this beet toy, hello.

Guess Who's Back

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:11:00 +0000

Hello everyone! I still exist! I guess I took an accidental, and quite long, break from this old blog. It wasn't really intentional, I suppose I was just feeling busy with life and also a little uninspired for some reason. But I have really missed this creative space and interacting with all of you, so I am back baby! It felt funny being uninspired because we live in one of the best neighborhoods, in one of the best cities. Quite a few interesting things are going on around here, and new stuff for the store has been in the works (its about dang time). So I am hoping to have lots of things to share.

And, I love all of you!

Here are a few tiny tiny peaks of our apartment.

Holidays 2012

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 02:03:00 +0000

I made the decision to put a a little tiny holiday 'collection' before I put out the big giant update, coming in January, to tide me over. So here you go! I will be making things constantly so your orders will arrive as soon as possible, so you will get things before Christmas! So feel free to stop by and check out what's new in the shop.

Did I mention there is a velvet dress???

I hope you all are doing well!

Around the town

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 05:23:00 +0000

I have been lucky enough to continue working with Vanessa, of Wanderlust this year. She is so awesome and supportive, and it is an amazing feeling to see your hard work on display in a real live store. It doesn't hurt at all that its an incredibly cute store run by an even cuter gal. If you are a local pal (hello!) you should probably stop in the shop. I have been making the special forest dresses you see here just for Wanderlust, so that is even more of a reason to swing by.

My Friend Lola

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 07:07:00 +0000

A few of you observant folks may have noticed about a year ago I just altogether quit talking about a certain part of my life involving fur and horns. If you are new around these parts, I highly recommend browsing some of these past posts. I have no idea why its taken me so long to write this post! I would hate for anyone to think we are pet abandoners. After Minty died last summer we got a new friend so Lola wouldn't be so lonely. Well, he ran away after less than a month, never to be heard from again. At this point in time we knew we would be moving to Portland and honest to goodness had it all planned out how we would take Lola with us. We knew Lola needed a new friend, goats are not supposed to be alone. We thought we'd wait it out for a little bit just to see how she did before we made any big decisions. Well she hated it! She was so lonely that any second we weren't with her was spent getting out of the yard to come scream at our front door or pathetically look through the windows. And we spent a ton of time with her! Finally we knew something had to change. We ended up stumbling upon a vet that fell in love with Lola. This vet just happened to practically have his own zoo in his backyard. Lola was offered a home with some goats and two sheep. In a huge pen with climbing toys, oh you know, and a barn that is heated and cooled depending on the weather. This was so much more than we were ever going to be able to give her. So with heavy hearts we packed her up in the van and drove her to her new home. I still think about her and miss her a lot. It should come as no surprise that she was an instant hit. One new friend in particular was obsessed. Ramsy, the black sheep, introduced himself by simultaneously licking, screaming at, and chasing Lola. His owner told us he's never seen a sheep do that before. We got an update after her first week that her and Ramsy were best friends and did everything together. Oh Lola, you were a weird one.

Derrick and Darby pt 1

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 20:16:00 +0000

Earlier in the summer I had the great privilege of getting to photograph this wonderful wedding. I thought I would share a little preview. Hopefully this is just one of many more weddings to come because this is definitely something I enjoy doing.

Also, isn't Darby a babe?

Around Town

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:35:00 +0000

Somehow lately the strangest thing has been happening, some people have started to get this crazy notion that I might be cool. I would just like to state that I might possibly appear that way until I open my mouth. Then out spills incessant talk about dogs and bad jokes. Anyway, I was contacted by some Urban Weeds gals about showing up for some photos so I gladly said yes! Lisa is so awesome and fun. It coincidentally turns out we went to the same high school and have a mutual family friend. Weird.

These pictures, also coincidentally, happened the day after a big deal photo shoot that I am dying to share about, but won't be coming out for awhile. Oh the suspense!

I would like to mention that I am wearing this dress here

Work lately

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 06:36:00 +0000

I have had the honor and privilege lately of getting to work on some custom orders. Making any order is fun enough, but I love getting to see the awesome ideas you guys come up with. I am extremely partial to anything navy, so these two dresses really stole my heart. There are quite a few more custom dresses to share one of these days soon.

So... get your juices flowing and send your ideas and requests my way!

Even Patrick agrees!!

Moving! (AGAIN)

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:12:00 +0000

Hey friends! We are moving into a new apartment at the end of the month, but still in Portland. I heard many of you are melting in terribly hot weather at the moment. That just seals the deal on us never leaving the Northwest, EVER. We've had a few rough 85 degree days in a row, but somehow we are surviving (all jokes aside it is kind of hot working/sleeping on the third floor with no AC). Going back to hot weather might kill us! For those of you in that crazy triple digit temperatures you better be eating lots of ice cream and drinking lots of iced coffee.

Anyway, I have been trying to gather apartment inspiration because A: I am excited and B: we are moving into a little studio so lots of planning will be needed. Oh also, I will be working out of said tiny home. Here are some of my favorite ideas!

Do any of you have tiny house/studio advice or favorite places for inspiration?

-- click on photos for sources

I'm still alive!

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 19:46:00 +0000

Hello my friends! In case you've been wondering, yes, yes I am in fact still around and not dead. It turns out keeping up with a blog when you're A. living in the woods and B. don't really have anything to do, is pretty darn easy. But throw in a full life of living, friends, and (praise the Lord!) lots of dress orders... and that's when things get tricky. I had the pleasure of meeting a reader (so one more person who has figured out I am just a big nerd) last night and was called out on never posting anymore. So Sarah, this ones for you!

In no certain order here are some snippets from my instagram feed (hey, something I actually sort of keep up with!)
-Patrick being weird, fun friends, a friend's perfect puppy, my new bike (!!!), working, apartment hunting (one month until move time!), and most importantly- weird cross eyed cats I have met.

Rough Neighborhood

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:13:00 +0000

Photo by Parker Fitzgerald

Awhile ago I had the fun time/privilege of getting to work with Parker, which I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with, he sure is good at the picture taking. Here is the sneak peek I've seen, hopefully there will be more to share one day. I would also like to mention that we must've picked a neighborhood with crazy drinking water or something, Parker and Anja also reside here. All I know is I better be drinking as much water as possible.

I have been working like a madwomen lately, so I must get back to my sweatshop! I will be back with a more substantial post later...well, maybe one day.

Come one, come all!

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:13:00 +0000

I am beyond excited to invite any of you Portland area ladies to my first ever trunk show! Vanessa of Wanderlust got ahold of me awhile ago and we have been talking back and forth about business things for awhile. So when she asked me about a little trunk show I wholeheartedly said "yes please!". I hope this is the first of many chances to sell my work in person. I am just a ball of nerves/excitement, showing off your hard work at an actual store seems like a whole different thing than over the internet. Potential customers will actually get to try things on... what is that like! There is a whole Mother's Day shopping event going on for business all along the street, so you can check out the official event here. ( I was added later on so there is no mention of the show, but that just means I will be a hidden surprise!)

Please stop by and say hello, I would absolutely love it. Don't be shy, I am just a big old nerd (if you haven't gathered that already)

Wear & Eat

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:54:00 +0000

I thought I would go ahead and share with you some things I have been wanting to wear and some things I have been wanting to eat. All of these things have been saved on my Pinterest if you would like to follow me there!

Wear:

Portland springs are very, uh, mild. One of the things I have been looking forward to most about being here is getting to wear layers for most of the year. I do know there will be some hot summery days ahead, but I always like those in moderation. I am a wuss in the heat.

Eat:

I have been on somewhat of a baking/cooking hiatus for most of this year, which every other day I realize is just dumb. I really enjoy those activities. Well, and I really enjoy eating. I am going to try and make an effort to document more of what we eat/make. Some kitchen successes lately have been: beans (yes, I can eat big bowls of just beans, thats how deep my love goes), soup, and pizza (but I cook mine a little differently, a post is in order). Oh and today I had a little slice of heaven.... eggs and smoked gouda on a sourdough english muffin... yummmm

The Velvet Bird 2012

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:28:00 +0000

photos by anja // model mal warning

Well everyone, its time! The new dresses have finally arrived! I would like to thank anyone and everyone who has said encouraging things, spread the word, and most of all... bought a dress. This is just the most fun I've ever had doing something and hope this is just the very beginning. So shop away and feel free to contact me with any questions. I would also like to mention that I am open to any and all custom dress ideas and requests.

They're Coming...

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 02:30:00 +0000

photos by anja

I have been working like a crazy person to finally get these new dresses out to you... here is a little sneak peek! They're coming!

Workin' hard

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 06:43:00 +0000

(this is a rough draft elbow patch)

New dresses are really finally coming! And soon! There will be sailor collars, bows, a little something like this (FINALLY), and elbow patches. Oh, and something involving circus tents. Now to find enough coffee to fuel the next few days of finishing up.

Confession

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:45:00 +0000

Hello friends! I have a confession: I am addicted to lattes. Well, I have been keeping my new habit under control, I only have maybe one a week. Mostly that's because I would be poor and living on the streets if I had one whenever I wanted. But let me just tell you... it sure isn't a false stereotype that Portland does coffee right. Shoot. The wondrous creation shown here is a vanilla latte from Barista and it was TO DIE FOR.

We are finally getting our bedroom put together, no more living with piles of crap all over the floor. Ha ha, I'll have to get a picture while its still crazy looking.

I have another confession: I have been struggling with a few things pretty much since we've moved. I would like to point out that I'm not saying these things to get compliments or attention, but just to be honest. I've been feeling completely overwhelmed with those 'what am I doing with my life' and 'let's compare myself with everyone else' thoughts. I think every one of us thinks those things once in awhile. This isn't the first time I've let those feelings drag me down, but its the first time I've let them drag me down for so long. Comparing yourself to other people can morph into this ugly, evil monster. You can start doubting and putting yourself down about everything you do. All of the sudden everything around you seems like something else you're doing wrong. A clean house, a perfectly productive day, working out, etc... those are all things everyone but you has down perfectly. Once those thoughts start rolling everything is affected. Instead of "oh darn, I didn't exercise today like I wanted', it turns into feeling defeated and giving up before you even think about putting on some running shoes the next day. But I say enough of that! No one is perfect, everyone has less than great moments. The only choice is to just keep going and not worry. I found something I absolutely love to do, sewing and photography, so I am going to keep doing those things and work as hard as I can to grow those interests. There sure as heck will most likely be someone else out there who is more successful and more talented, but that says absolutely nothing about what you are capable of. We need to be happy and excited over others successes... that is the type of person I always want to be.

My biggest goal is to love people. That sounds like a simple thing, but I want that to be the filter I do and see everything through. I'm not sure what that looks like exactly, but I do know having self defeating and envious thoughts won't get me there.

If you read this, congratulations for surviving my rambling! This kept almost segueing into completely different topics, multiple times, so this may not be the most coherent post ever!

Hello Neighbor

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 06:17:00 +0000

So, I have a problem. It turns out I have become far too used to taking pictures of myself with no one else around. At our house In Georgia we lived in the woods, so I could run around or jump up and down screaming and no one would've ever known. Now we live in a regular old neighborhood (well, a regular old Portland neighborhood so that means everything looks awesome), around.... *gasp* people! This was my first attempt at taking pictures outside of the house. There is a little tiny park area down the street that was empty when I first showed up. Then a lady had the nerve to come and walk her dog across the street. So now you all are getting to see me being and feeling awkward. I didn't even get a good picture of my boots! Oh the horror!

Anyway, for those of you who take pictures of yourself in public... do you have any tips or advice?

Oh, and I have been wanting nice rain boots for months (so much so that I stalked Hunters on ebay for months and months). Well one day while out and about hitting up some thrift stores with a friend I turned a corner to see these just sitting there. AND THEY FIT PERFECTLY.

sweater: thrifted $5 shirt: gift boots: thrifted $7 shorts: fischer (and on sale now!)

Hello March!

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:47:00 +0000

Can you believe February is already almost over? That's crazy. I am super excited for March for lots of reasons- spring is getting closer and most importantly for me...new designs are coming to the shop. Hooray! There is still time to grab some ad space around here, so if that's something you might be interested send me an email! Instead of boring you with repeating information just head here to find out all of the details.

I hope everyone has been having a wonderful week!

Owl's Nest

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:20:00 +0000

A few months ago I was the lucky winner of some wonderful clogs via Chelsea of Tea Talk. Well little did I know they would be from the nicest and most helpful company ever, Ugglebo. I wasn't even a paying customer but was treated with the utmost of care and interest! Well I decided to ask them about their labor practices and just how their clogs were made, hoping to get answers that I liked. Well... I did! I was met with a positive response, and even the offer of photos from their factory. Fair labor and safe conditions are something each and every person deserves, so its something that is really important to me and a MUST for buying new things. Ugglebo, one of the oldest clog companies around, is a family run business that started in the 60's and are still using the same factory to this very day. They are using natural materials, as well as production methods that are environmentally friendly. You can also feel good knowing you own a pair of very high quality handmade shoes that will be around for a very long time. So Bravo Ugglebo!

They also are involved in charity, this sums it up better than I could-

"Ugglebo means “owl’s nest” in Swedish. The owl is a universal symbol for wisdom, and the nest is a symbol of nurturing and growth. We at Ugglebo truly cherish these values and we strive to do our very best to share them with children in need. That's why we at Ugglebo donate 5% of our annual profits to the nurturing, growth and passing of wisdom to disadvantaged children through education. We can’t really think of a name or logo that could mean so much to us as our little owl does."

I also have to mention how comfortable my shoes are! They recommend wearing your new clogs around the house or just for short periods of time until you're used to them. But I don't usually listen to most things, so I wore them for a full day at work. When I arrived home 10 hours later my feet felt just fine... they are actually really comfortable. I can't believe I haven't shared these magical shoes on here yet, I will have to do that soon.

Cupcake toppers

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:22:00 +0000

Well happy late Valentine's Day everyone! How did I spend my day of love? Wearing cupcake toppers in my hair of course (made a few days earlier while hanging out with some lovely ladies). That's about as festive as I got to be honest, well besides eating some heart shaped pizza. Patrick and I are celebrating a little late, we are making tomorrow date night! Now to narrow down where we will eat... it turns out it is a little overwhelming trying to pick out a restaurant in Portland. There are like a million. Oh, and I recently heard about an all vegetarian Chinese food buffet. That's like the best news I've ever heard, unhealthy Chinese food is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. So one day I will be going to this place armed with stretchy pants and the will to EAT (stick around boys, you're about to see something special).

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentines Day!

Coffee for two

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:29:00 +0000

photo from here

I don't think I've mentioned it on here yet, but for the past 12 days Patrick has been on tour in New Zealand. New Zealand!! I had grand plans of all the wonderful things I would fill my days with while he was gone, I mean, we live in Portland now, come on! But to be honest, I didn't do the best job of staying busy outside of the house. I am still working on this occasional being by myself business. Its not so bad and or so hard, its just a whole lot easier to put things off and not try as hard when no one is around to notice. At least for me it is! We also have barely gotten settled in, so I am excited for him to get back home and experience living in a new city together. I am also ready for the little things, like getting to drink coffee together in the morning. That might be my favorite way to start off the day.

But have no fear... for Patrick returns tonight!

Now I am off to hangout with (and meet) the lovely Kara, let's hope I don't scare her away with my talking about animals too much.

We made it!

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:49:00 +0000

Contrary to how it may appear, I am ,in fact, still alive! The whole moving process turned into one gigantic mess. We were supposed to leave Georgia on a Sunday but ended up leaving on THURSDAY! At one point we climbed in the van to finally leave, but noticed everything was so heavy the trailer was pulling the back of the van almost down to the ground. So everything had to be unpacked to redistribute all of the weight. My most perfect mid-century dresser had to be left behind, but it was either keep the dresser or get to move! I would say I chose wisely.

Anyway, after a luckily uneventful drive we made it to Portland! Thankfully years of going on tour prepared me for a 45 hour drive, after doing quite a number of those they don't seem so terrible. We drove the last 32 hours nonstop! I say 'we' very lightly, I've never learned how to drive with a huge trailer and I figured a cross-country trip in the winter was not the right time to try! Finding/moving into a new house also took a lot longer than expected, so by the end this move took weeks longer than planned for. But we are here and have a house! Hooray!

I sure hate not being able to sew or getting to be productive. I start to feel very antsy and then grumpy and tired! Our house is getting put together slowly but surely, at the top of the list was getting a work table. Sewing on the floor/a tiny end table just doesn't really cut it. We also have a bed now! Sleeping on some bedding on the floor for weeks is also a way to feel grumpy and tired... so ashamedly I had some moments where I was probably pretty rude and just a blast to be around. Ha! We are still on the furniture hunt, our bedroom consists of a nice bed surrounded by piles of junk on the floor. With a big huge sewing table and a good place to sleep... watch out world! I am a work machine now (in the best way possible).

I wish Georgia wasn't still on my mind...

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:18:00 +0000

- Mug shots of some of the many volunteer civil rights activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated South in 1961 sourced from Breach of Peace: Portraits of the 1961 Mississippi Freedom Riders.

"We decided that we were going to take up the freedom ride. There was no second thought really...We met with [The Nashville Christian Movement] and told them what what we wanted to do. Of course they felt it would be too dangerous, and told us not come. We were calling him not to get permission, but to tell them we were coming."—Catherine Burks-Brooks (photo top right).-

Photo and excerpt via Tomboy Style

Okay, all of that has nothing to do with this post, it will be a random mash-up of thoughts and tid bits.

We were supposed to leave for Portland on Sunday afternoon... and we are STILL here. It turns out we underestimated packing a little bit, as well as were just super busy. Portland isn't going anywhere, so we aren't stressed out or anything, spirits are still high! The good news is we are leaving tonight, finally! It is sort of surreal leaving here and our now empty house, this was our first/only house we've lived in since getting married.

So after our 46 hour drive, followed by getting settled into a new house (and first finding said house, ha!) here are some things you can expect around these parts:

I have been researching screen printing/ received supplies for Christmas, so expect fun new things involving that to be for sale
Lots of posts involving Portland places/ Portland friends
More photography! I feel like I have been letting that fall to the wayside even though it is one of my favorite things
The very VERY beginning stages of making wedding dresses (!!)
More diy posts (It may be too late, but you will want to find some after Christmas clearance clear ball ornaments!!)
More recipe posts! I am in DESPERATE need of eating healthier, I practically fall asleep dreaming of vegetables and miso soup ( I sing a song anytime I make/think about/eat miso soup, it involves the words "oh miso soupy"... I am a five year old)
Oh, and new dress designs! I've got crazy plans of linens and pin tucks and much more

Did this count as New Year's themed post? I'm never very good at those. But if I had to make a 'resolution' it would just be to enjoy everyday/every person a whole lot more. No matter how good you think you're doing, there is always room to love people more. I for SURE have room to work on that!

I hope you all are doing just great and I apologize for the long and rambling post!

If the Shoe Fits...

noreply@blogger.com (vanessa porter) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:23:00 +0000

Well friends these will be my last Georgia photos, for tomorrow we move to Portland! We love Georgia and it has been just great, but it's time for new things. Hopefully just bigger and better things! We are going to live with some pals who are just crazy enough to follow us on this big move. I am sure the majority of married grownups don't sit around and dream of living with three other people, but the majority of most grownups are too worried about things and are too serious. I have lately been loving life more and more every single day (which is weird considering things have been stressful and busy!). And the way I see it is if the worst thing you have going on is possibly living in a tiny house with lots of good friends... well then I would say things could be a WHOLE lot worse.

If you can't tell by this outfit, I must have the Northwest on my brain. Plaid? Sweater? Brown? Fair isle? Check, check, and check! This just might be my favorite thing I have worn in a long, long time. So if I don't share what I'm wearing ever again, it's because I am still wearing this.

Win a Mr. Rabbit of your very own!!

Speaking of favorites, this rabbit necklace is one of my favorite things I own now, I love it. It's just the perfect size, length, everything. I have never gotten so many compliments/questions while wearing something. My lovely sponsor, Rachel of Poppy and Fern, wants to give one of these bad boys away to you guys. I can't say no to an animal in a suit, I am so excited the love will be shared with someone else! She is also offering a 25% discount, just use the code "velvetbird25".

To enter leave a comment showing Rachel some love by visiting her shop and telling us your favorite item. Giveaway is open until January 10th... good luck!

Dress: plaid version of this // Necklace: c/o Poppy&Fern // Sweater/hat/tights: gift