I was doodling on some little Easter printables for my daughter today. I’ll share if they come to fruition.
Archive for March 2013 – Page 3
My kids and I are celebrating Spring Break at our family’s farm house this week. It’s a joy and a privilege to be able to take time out of our normal routine to enjoy giving them my mostly undivided attention. We’ve committed ourselves to walking the gravel roads and pastures as much as possible in search of treasures. Of course, for me, the real treasure is their smiling, wind-blown faces. But, the flowers and sticks and such will do too! Creatively, I’m spending the week to recharge. I had already prepared a couple of things to share with you this week and I have my sketch journal, but mostly I’m framing up some of our experiences with my iPhone Hipstamatic and my Canon. I hope to share some of the photos this week and following. Meanwhile, here are collages of some of the natural treasures found on our Saturday and Sunday walks. What’s been particularly fun has been finding, smelling and picking some of the Spring bulbs my grandmother and great-grandmother planted on these acres — daffodils, paper whites, irises, hyacinths. Some mark long-torn-down fence rows and homesteads. A real treasure to have gracing our window sill this week.
I’m so ready for Spring! I don’t know about you, but my children have been virtually bouncing right before my eyes in anticipation of running free for Spring. I don’t know how much longer I can hold off Baby Girl and her flip flops. Of course, the Mississippi weather these last few weeks has been nothing short of a tease. We enjoyed snow flurries on Saturday, and I’m certain we’ll reach the 60s sometime tomorrow. Such is life in the Deep South!
In anticipation of the Spring season, I’ve been working on a few new block print designs for The Frog Kisser Etsy shop. It’s been very fun to continue this craft and hopefully improve my quality and craftsmanship with each new iteration. The Spring designs feature some of my favorite reminders of the new life happening this time of year — fruitful nests, new blade of grass and flowers seeking the sun. My favorite design so far is the watercolor embellished bird’s nest. I’ve experimented with a bronze slightly metallic ink and blues and browns for the speckled egg. I hope you enjoy the new designs and please leave a comment about your favorites and ways to make them more “kissable!”
You can find the new designs on Etsy here:
SPRING NEST in Metallic Bronze
SPRING NEST in Robin’s Egg Blue
SPRING GREENS in Emerald
SPRING FORWARD in Emerald
DOUBLE SUNFLOWER in Yellow
A new coffee shop opened in downtown Starkville yesterday, and this morning I decided to start my day with a little field trip for iced mocha and sweets. Lots of excitement has been seeping out of the storefront for months now, anticipating the opening of Nine Twenty Nine Coffee Bar. I was excited to take a peek because I’ve been impressed with the quality and craftsmanship the owners have demonstrated in other projects around town — builders and makers now applying that skill to a renovated storefront and something as personal as a beverage preference. I was not disappointed. Between bites of what can certainly be described as iced sin, I wandered around taking a few photos — as I’m prone to do. The space is wonderful, particularly the layers of materials and textures. I really enjoyed starting my day there with wi-fi. Warning: this post has a ridiculous number of photos because I simply couldn’t resist. Enjoy a quick look at this inspiring space, with a side of yum! (Which, incidentally, was great to go too!) And, you might want to stop into 929 on your next trek around downtown Starkville.
My self-portrait traipsing Downtown 🙂 929 has a nice little covered outdoor space adjacent to the sidewalk that I’m sure I’ll enjoy next time.
First things first: Look at the size of that cinnamon roll. Mine’s without nuts, but holy wow, you can’t go wrong! I’m not a huge hot bev drinker on a spring morning, so I opted for iced mocha.
I mentioned materials. There are so many textures making this a warm and “lived-in” space. I was told this back wall is clad with vintage baking pans procured from a NYC restaurant.
I wandered down to the basement space. It has a more private feel, and would make a great space for groups.
AND, what I’m ordering next time!
WHAT MADE IT INSPIRING:
The brand — simple, typographical, well-used throughout
The orange forks — perfect choice, made me smile right away
The service — a great experience
The baking pan wall — depth, I just wanted to run my hand along the surface (but I refrained)
The conversation I had with A.S. while waiting in line — because that’s what you do at a coffee bar in a small town, especially when baby pictures are involved
Thanks for sharing the trip with me!
Hello & welcome! I’m Haley Montgomery, and I’m the designer and owner of Small Pond Graphics. I sometimes fancy myself a frog kisser— a documentarian coaxing poignant moments from unexpected places. This blog has evolved from those moments.
The small Pond FIELD GUIDE is part diary, part sketchbook, and part wish list – an archive of ordinary wonders. For years, this space has housed my stories – creative ideas, vintage inspiration, our forays into curious places, and the simple artifacts of quiet of conscious living. Through watercolor, photography, and illustrated tales, these pages uncover the blessing of ordinary days and the wonder found in authentic places and pursuits.
I invite you to open the boxes.
Peek into the drawers.
Rustle through the pages.
I’m honored to have you here.
NEED A FROG KISSER?
Phone: 662.312.4001
Contact Haley to dive in