Poppytalk

Blue Day

2013-06-18T23:57:00.002-07:00

It was a beautiful dreamy blue summer colors day. I loved all the different shades from turquoise to indigo filled with happy faces, blue skies, deep hued waters and places nice to be. Thank you folks for taking us away, away into the wild blue yonder. Congrats to Cori Kindrid who won the beautiful Clare Elsaesser print. And big thank you to Clare for donating, so generous of you! Follow Clare online at tastesorangey.blogspot.com, etsy.com/shop/tastesorangey, instagram and at Poppytalk Market !

Here is just a sampling of what was.

rollandtumblepress

hulsaseventy

cblmixedmedia

jenniferhohner

cstarevents

thistletea

mofunkdesigns

lucky14handmade

xantheb

Business Matters: Where Are You Moving Your RSS Feeds?

2013-06-18T19:53:00.003-07:00

instagram.com/poppytalk

With Google Reader soon closing (July 1st/13) there are just a couple of weeks left to save your Google Reader subscribers. Do you know where you'll be taking yours? Maybe with the end of Google Reader, it's the end of RSS feeds as we see it? For now though, or until that happens, I've been trying out a few for size these past couple of months and wanted to give you a bit of my feedback.

Feedly
I jumped on the Feedly boat initially when I first heard of this all happening, transferring all of my feeds and at first I really loved the look and organizational tools. Then I slowly realized it was really dragging my browser down, to a slow annoying level, so I subsequently removed the widget looking for higher ground.

iGoogle
I have since been using iGoogle for the blogs/sites that I read on a daily basis (approx. 40). I've made it into my home page which basically reminds me of the frontpage of a daily newspaper. I love this for my first glance happenings.

Pulse
I use the Pulse app for my mobile/iPad but there is a maximum of how many you can have in your sections, which makes for a similar situation like iGoogle. Not all my feeds that I have collected can be included. Just my currents.

Which leaves me to a one-size fits all?

Bloglovin'
Recently bloglovin' whom I joined a few years back offered up a super easy solution to import all of your RSS feeds. It's a simple 2-click RSS import (if you're already logged into google), Just first click here:

http://www.bloglovin.com/import/reader

Then you'll see a pop up box that looks like this:

And then click on the "Import from Google Reader". The site then basically does the rest! All of my 300+ feeds are uploaded there and I have been using this for my daily and/or weekly reads (usually when I have a bit more time to catch up) as well as it has a nice app when I'm going mobile. The upload even kept all my categories intact so I didn't have to redo all of that hard work that I had already created in Google Reader.

So that's it. What are you using? Where do you think the future of the RSS feeds are going? Maybe ending? With Google Currents or wherever Google can make more money. Here's a good read about the future of RSS feeds.

Maybe you have something to suggest? Feel free to share! But in the meantime, that's where I'm parking my RSS feeds. Also - please leave me your Bloglovin' link in the comments below, so I can add you! You can follow our feed here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/ISuVv (wherever the wind blows you) we'd be stoked and honoured to be included in your reader!

And if you're on Bloglovin, you can: Follow Poppytalk on Bloglovin' HERE!

Adorable Understated Jewelry | Bloesem Wear

2013-06-18T13:43:00.002-07:00

Have you seen this adorable new line of jewelry by design blogger, Irene of Bloesem? Her new collection, Bloesem Wear, of handmade necklaces features real pearls, amazonite, jasper, citrine and other gem stones mixed with silver, silk and gold. I love that she's also made a few things for little girls, having my own gold baby ring (with my initial on it) which I truly treasure, I love the idea of a little heirloom like this for a little girl. Irene's new line is fresh, modern and understated, perfect for both Mother and daughter. Click here to see more.

Summer Colors Week - Tuesday Blue

2013-06-18T02:22:00.002-07:00

Thanks again to everyone who participated in Monday's Summer Colors, it's such a great way to kick off the summer season! Now for Tuesday! The color is blue today and we have a most beautiful piece of art to giveaway on instagram! A large giclee digital print art poster of a painting of a woman in the ocean courtesy of Clare Elsaesser ( @clareelsaesser ). To enter the give-away part, same details as yesterday; 1) Follow @poppytalk on instagram 2) Upload your daily color image with hashtag #summercolors13 and 3) Comment and tag one friend at the daily giveaway post on instagram and I will announce a winner at tomorrows color announcement post. Good luck and mega thank you to Clare Elsaesser for donating tuesday's giveaway! Follow Clare online at tastesorangey.blogspot.com, etsy.com/shop/tastesorangey, instagram and at Poppytalk Market Click here to visit the giveaway post on instagram to enter!

Best of DIYs | Woven Veneer Lamp

2013-06-18T01:59:00.003-07:00

Continuing with our Best of DIYs all summer long, today we're bringing back this awesome pendant lighting DIY by Arounna of Khounnoraj of Bookhou. Back in 2010 we were thrilled when Arounna of Bookhou was visiting us monthly with some of her amazing DIYs. One of our favourites (although all of them were really amazing), was this Woven Veneer Lamp. Made with strips of wood veneer, Arounna showed us how to make a cool pendant perfect to place above a dining room table, or even bedside. Check it out below.

Materials Needed:
-strips of wood veneer (you can also get 3/4 in. veneer at the hardware store that is for ironing on the edge of shelves - you can also use strips of paper)
-white glue
-large clips (or clothes pins) - I started with four and found I needed more as I went along
-scissors
-HEMMA ikea light
-pen
-small piece of cardstock

Safety alert * use a low watt bulb and ensure material chosen is not touching or close to the bulb.

Step 1-2
Take the strip of wood veneer and make a circle shape to the desired size you want your lamp to be. place a small amount of glue to the attachment and hold with clip.

Summer Colors Week - Monday's Yellows

2013-06-18T00:55:00.000-07:00

corikindred

It was seriously an amazing yellowy kind of day out there in Summer Colors land and I'm always so inspired seeing all the beautiful images come together into one stunning collage! If you haven't had a chance to check it out, I found a feed that allows you to see online if you're not using the app at the moment. Click here to see! Here's a sampling of what was there, beautiful, amazing, yellows! Congrats to adesigndock for winning the Bookhou pouch!

Huge thanks to Bookhou for the generous prize! Internet friends have the biggest hearts! They deserve a huge follow (if you don't already)! Visit Bookhou online at bookhou.com, BAH MAG, facebook, instagram, tumblr, twitter.

If you wish to join us - jump in any time, if it's just for one day or all five, Summer Colors Week runs through to Friday, June 21/13 on instagram. Info for Tuesday's color and giveaway click here!

satsumapress

juleedyer

magicmarkingsart

juleedyer, boo21smom, kristn, resurrectionfern

larksnest

lisasolomon

74limelane

xantheb Bike in Paris

corikindred

Today at Poppytalk Handmade

2013-06-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

1. Lemon Poppyseed Soap | Aide Body Care 2. Letterpress Coasters | Ruby Press 3. Hello Darling card by Maple & Belmont 4. Love Letterpress Print | Heartfish Press

Welcome Summer Colors Week!

2013-06-17T00:06:00.002-07:00

Please join us this week (June 17-21/13) for our 4th Annual Summer Colors Week! This year to play along just upload the color of the day (posted at our instagram the night before) all week long using hashtag #summercolors13 . Todays color? Yellow! You can check out all the lovely colors in the tag by clicking here (if you're not on the app). And if you wish to enter the daily giveaway as well, this:

1) Follow @poppytalk on instagram
2) Upload your daily color image to instagram with hashtag #summercolors13
3) Comment and tag one friend (eg: @poppytalk) at the daily giveaway post on instagram! Here is a link to Monday's.

Todays' giveaway: A beautiful hand printed pouch from the folks at Bookhou!

I will announce the winner (picked at random) at the same time as the next days color announcement post. Good luck! Huge thank you to @bookhou for donating todays' beautiful giveaway! Also meet me back here later today where I'll post a few of your images from instagram along with some pins too!

Sunday Reading | Chatelaine Summer Living

2013-06-15T22:34:00.002-07:00

I picked up a copy of Chatelaine Magazine's Summer Living (special edition) this weekend and it's got me in the mood for a little summertime decorating. Like most special editions, there's a few images you'll recognize from issues past, but they've done a pretty good job of keeping it fresh and interesting, offering up designer tips, weekend project ideas and room makeovers. I snipped a few sneak peeks to inspire a little sunday reading for yourself. Check them out below.

Photo: Roberto Caruso

Loving the patio lanterns hanging on a string in this photo (above). I picked up something similar at Home Depot recently (we're using it for our Chinatown Night Market at the moment) but I think they will be around for summers to come.

Photo: Donna Griffith

Mix and match. Pretty summery fabrics in a variety of colours complement each other really well in this vingette.

Photo: Michael Alberstat

Love these custom-made oilcloth slipcovers made to give some indoor chairs a second life as patio seating.

Photo: Angus McRitchie

Toss cushions are a fun idea for the deck, don't you think? Love them around that extra big tree stump.

This special issue features decorating advice from Chatelaine’s design panel: Emma Reddington, Samantha Pynn, Andrea Mills, Kimberley Seldon, Michael Penny,Virginie Martocq and Julia Black! I checked online if there was a digital issue (but not that I can tell), but here is a link to their subscriptions online. Yay summer!

Weekend Project | Download a Masterpiece

2013-06-14T02:05:00.000-07:00

I love this little project I found the other day from Ideas Magazine (out of S. Africa). The Rijksmuseum, the world's leading museum of Dutch Golden Age masterpieces has a cool website where you can, (and they allow you to and encourage you to), download works from its collection to make them your own. In the images shown here, Flow Magazine's design team produced some gorgeous adaptations from their downloads from the Rijksstudio site and then Idea Magazine used their paper for this creative project. From wallpaper, ottomans, pillows and more, the options really could be endless. Choose artworks and download your own pieces and adapt them using these as inspiration. I picked up my digital copy of Ideas Magazine through Zinio.com. Photo Ed O'Riley.

My posts elsewhere this week:
Linen textiles from IKEA? Who knew?
My serving bowls

And not to forget! Join us next week for Summer Colors Week! For more info, click here!

Pretty Things from Apple White

2013-06-14T01:58:00.001-07:00

Loving these summery pieces from a new shop to us, Apple White. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Apple White hand makes each item with amazing attention to detail and quality. Above: An adorable pillow cover featuring hand sewed tiny cotton flowers on a vintage bicycle image with a sweet blue and white polka dot bow. (Click here for a close-up of her beautiful work). And a few more items we love below:

A floral fold over clutch

Anchor tea towel (flour sack cotton)

Paris market summer tote bag with applique

Apple White is in our summer market this month (visit her by clicking here), or check them out online:

shop website facebook twitter

Best of DIYs | Print Your Own Fabric

2013-06-13T00:31:00.002-07:00

This summer we have a new series here on the blog, we're calling "Best of DIYs". With so many amazing DIYs we have in the archive, we thought for the summer, we'd feature some of the most popular. After 8 years of blogging, so many of these posts get buried, and perhaps forgotten. So for those that are new to Poppytalk and for those that may have missed or forgotten, we bring you the best. First off, this amazing Print Your Own Fabric by Karina from Maple Ash and Oak. Karina did this DIY for us back in 2011 and we love all the little tips and tricks she offers up to print onto fabric using things you may have around the house. One of our faves!!! Check it out!

Hello there, I am Karina from Maple Ash and Oak. Here I will show you a simple and inexpensive way to create your very own fabric pieces. No need for large screens, squeegees, and emulsion. Beautiful prints can be created with simple methods and materials. Most of the supplies are household items and the rest can be found at your local art or craft store.

What you will need:
*2-3 yards 1/4" Foam
*Fabric (for your prints and a cover cloth)
*Textile Inks (can be found at your local art store)
*Scotch Tape
*Markers
*T-pins or Sewing Pins
*Plastic Folders or Tray
*Scissors
*Exact o Knife
*Contact Paper (transparent)
*Containers
*Spatulas
*Iron
*Rubber Bands
*Stamps (optional)

Click here to get the rest of this Best of DIY.

Book Review | Playing With Stencils

2013-06-12T23:36:00.001-07:00

One of my most favorite creative books this season is Playing with Stencils, Exploring Repetition, Pattern and Personal Designs by Amy Rice. Amy is one of my favorite artists, and so when I heard she was doing a book, I was really looking forward to getting my hands on a copy.

The book offers over 20 stencil-themed projects from floor tiles to decorating a cake –each project featuring step-by-step instructions along with variations to personalize it to make it your own. The book offers up a set of templates and even a gallery of influential contemporary artists who use stencils for inspiration. Check out a few projects below:

Amy's book takes the stencil and creates unique ways to use it. Like making your own wallpaper by stenciling onto paintable blank wallpaper, a sweet lace stationery tutorial or a faux wood inlay, just a few examples of what one can make with this book. Love, love, love it!

Playing with Stencils, Exploring Repetition, Pattern and Personal Designs by Amy Rice

ISBN: 9781592538294

Publisher: Quarry Books

Visit Amy Rice online at amyrice.com

Book Review | The Set Table

2013-06-12T22:07:00.001-07:00

The Set Table, The Art of Small Gatherings by Hannah Shuckburgh. I love tableware, don't you? From cutlery to crockery, it's always been almost a fault of mine to collect. So when I heard about this book recently I had to take a look. Hannah Shuckburgh includes some interesting background and information on everything table related from the types of different plates to flower arranging and special lighting. The book has a down home country feel, like a visit to Grandma's house. Here's a few pics:

I like this book for a few reasons. It's a nice reference to use when entertaining and to make things special, maybe even using your table-setting as a conversation piece when things get quiet. I especially like the history on why dishes are made a specific way and the tips on buying linens. A must-have book for the entertainer. (Photography by Charlotte Bland).

The Set Table, is available through Cicada Books.

By: Hannah Shuckburgh
ISBN: 978-1-908714-04-6
Price: £17.95 / $27.50 US
Available in the US through artbook.com

Summer Colors Week - Details Announced!

2013-06-12T13:55:00.001-07:00

Next week we'll be kicking off our 4th annual Summer Colors Week! Please join us in celebrating summer by participating in the fun! It's super easy! We're taking it to Instagram this year. Visit our Instagram feed (http://instagram.com/poppytalk) for all the details. There will also be prizes for each color day. Visit our feed on instagram here for more details! Would love to see you there, it'll be fun!

Foldable.Me

2013-06-12T13:01:00.001-07:00

If you remember last week we wrote about Projecteo (those adorable little mini instagram projectors), well how about one of their other products. Foldable.Me?

Foldable.Me makes little cardboard people that can be made to look like anyone. Once customized on their website they print them and ship them worldwide. Send them as a gift or create one for yourself! So cute!

Inside Out Magazine - Sneak Peek!

2013-06-11T23:00:00.005-07:00

Styled by Megan Morton, Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper, Inside Out Magazine

We've got a nice little sneak peek of the newest issue from Inside Out Magazine coming out today (Wednesday, June 12/13). Starting with some gorgeous pops of colour, Inside Out's Managing Editor, Lee Tran Lam tells us - with this sneak peek we have, "stylist Megan Morton's story on giving traditional and provincial looks a contemporary (often bright) twist. It's very colourful, without getting too out of hand (even though playing with colour can be addictive and you can easily go over the top!) Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper".

Styled by Megan Morton, Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper, Inside Out Magazine

Next, style editor Jessica Hanson does a story on bedside tables. (We're on the hunt for some, and loving so many of these!) Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper.

Styled by Jessica Hanson, Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper, Inside Out Magazine

And lastly Lee Tran mentions, "some pics of Fab.com founder Bradford Shellhammer's ultra-bright and very fun New York weekend home. (Love the fake donuts in this kitchen!)" We do too! Photography by Trevor Tondro/Living Inside.

Photography by Trevor Tondro/Living Inside.

Also a big thank you to Inside Out for including Poppytalk's online marketplace in their "online stores" feature (see below)! Honoured and so happy for the handmade community!

The latest issue of Inside Out (will be available Wednesday, June 12/13)! Click here to become a subscriber or visit here for a digital copy. Always fun to check out!

Our Summer lookbook is here!

2013-06-11T17:47:00.004-07:00

Mini DIY Round-Up

2013-06-11T03:15:00.001-07:00

A few DIYs for a Tuesday morning:

1. Screwdriver Coat Rack | Homemade Modern

2. Chalkboard Tablet DIY | Hello Home Shoppe
3. Sci-Fi Story Stones | Tried and True

Q + A with Les Arts Plastiques

2013-06-10T20:23:00.002-07:00

Tell us a little bit about you. Where did you train or study and what led you to the path you currently are on?
I actually have a science background and I’m currently completing my MSc in Pediatrics. But my arts friends have always called me the pseudo-science student, and my interests have always split down the middle (if you’ll accept the idea of science/art dichotomy). I’ve been making jewelry since I was 10 years old (I used to sell it on the bus) and it’s something I’ve always gone back to. Right after finishing up my undergrad, I spent nearly a month in the hospital because of a 4 month bout of missed appendicitis. Then I was out, graduated, unemployed—and on bed rest. I pulled out my beads and went at it hard to distract myself from the pain and boredom. The rest is history!

On the Radar | Shanghai Vintage Industrial

2013-06-10T03:04:00.002-07:00

A little Chinese vintage decor to kick things off this week. I think my recent feature of local restaurant, Bao Bei inspired this post. Cherry blossoms here, old green tea tins there, mixing them up with vintage industrial lighting, a bit of Shanghai vintage romance. What about you, are you in/out? What's on your radar these days?

1. Shanghai Vintage Store | photo permission via yozocraft.com's - flickr stream
2. Pink Glazed Porcelain Vintage Chinese Oriental Cup | Oh My Deco
3. Small Chinese Floral Coin Purse | China Town Addict
4. Old Shanghai style furniture at Lao Zhou, one of the little antique stores along Jinxian Road - Shanghai, China | shanghaidaily.com
5. Chinese Vintage Newspaper | naa.gov.au
6. Bao Bei Restaurant
7. Photo for Canadian Family Magazine taken by Michael Alberstat and Shanghai Vintage Store | yozocraft.com
8. Bao Bei Restaurant
9. Matto Shanghai

Sunday Reading: Sign Painters

2013-06-09T11:29:00.001-07:00

Happy Sunday friends. What did you get up to this weekend? I've been working on our new lookbook (hopefully ready for tomorrow) but did get a chance to sneak out and catch Faythe Levine while she was in town for her newest book-based documentary Sign Painters. SMASH gallery hosted a book signing and me and the boys stopped by and snapped a few pics. The car above was definitely an eye catcher out front (flames and all - can you see them?) and was deserving of a little flame throwing photo effects I thought.

A sign painter in action. These guys are the real deal, turpentine and all. The fumes were also at the exhibit which featured some local talent creating their craft. Did you get a chance to see the film? Sadly we couldn't make it due to conflicting schedules, but word on the street gave some pretty good reviews. Three cheers to Lotus Events for hosting the event!

Faythe chatting with a visitor.

One of my favourite pieces in the exhibit.

Faythe and her co-writer Sam Macon

And if you're a fan of this beautiful and hopefully not disappearing art, the book is pretty inspirational and visually rewarding. Available through the publisher, Princeton Architectural Press and on Amazon. Happy Sunday!

Bowled Over

2013-06-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous colourful bowls from Amsterdam-based designers Jansen+Co. The My Serving Bowls which come in red or yellow and have been super-sized for serving, displaying and generally going large. And the smaller, yet perfectly formed My Breakfast Bowls come in six different colour ways and are as super for soup as salad-days. All making for a happy bowl situation. Available at Howkapow.

New Bookhou Soft Storage

2013-06-07T00:50:00.002-07:00

Loving these soft storage containers that Bookhou has listed in their shop. The fabric is made with their original drawings printed with solvent free ink on 100% linen (outer) and 100% organic cotton canvas (inside). Love it used as a planter. More info at bookhou at home.

Handmade Father's Day Gift Guide

2013-06-06T23:38:00.002-07:00

A few hand-picked items for Father's Day from our vendors at Poppytalk Handmade. From a natural soap collection to a leather iPhone case and wallet. Check out the links below.

1. Personalized fig tree leaf (with your picture) | Puur Anders
2. Father's Day Natural Soap collection | Aide Bodycare
3. Hope This Makes You Smile, Gift Wrap | Sycamore Street Press
4. Flamingo iPhone Case | Wenning & Co
5. Venice Beach Deck Chair | Gallant and Jones
6. Lobster Buoys Print | david scheirer watercolors
7. Original Watercolor Painting | Renée Anne
8. F is for Father | Heartfish Press
9. Franklin D. Roosevelt Print | Maple and Belmont
See more of our gift guide for Father's Day at Poppytalk Handmade by clicking here. Thanks for supporting small business and the handmade community.

Click here to see more.