haley montgomery

Author Archive for haley montgomery – Page 4

pockets of wonder . Folds

· July 10, 2020

I love dictionaries. And thesauruses. (Thesauri?) I looked up “folds,” and the favorite definition I found was “hollows made by folding” or “hollow places in undulating ground.” Also, “enclosures for sheep” or “groups sharing common beliefs and values.” There is protection in folds — in the hollows carved out by the things that overlap us. In the hollows we wear on our skin and our lives. I hope you find your hollow today.

Each POCKETS OF WONDERS post is a small capsule collection of photographs curated to provide a moment of inspiration.

Categories : pockets of wonder

Tags : flora, inspired by words

collect . Oneida Twin Star Atomic Flatware

Posted by haley montgomery

· July 8, 2020

We lose the forks. That’s what it boils down to. I don’t know if it’s just carelessness or an over-abundance of paper plate use that makes it easy to throw them away. Or, if they simply get sucked into that old house ether where wayward socks, misplaced pens, and the occasional fork go. But, we lose the forks. At least that’s the eBay thrifting story I’m going with! I’ve wanted to add a new set of flatware to our kitchen for a while, and when we inexplicably dwindled down to only one or two salad forks, I knew it was time to begin the search. Yes, I took a glance at a few of the cool retailers, but I really wanted a vintage set. And I set about finding one.

Categories : collect

Tags : atomic, mid-century, tableware, vintage design, vintage kitchen

my south . Amusements

Posted by haley montgomery

· July 6, 2020

I was completely soaked. Wet hair, wet clothes, and a heart and head full of wet giggles. My children were probably in preschool or maybe first or second grade, and we couldn’t stop squealing. We were visiting Gulf Shores, Alabama and had stopped into one of those arcade and go kart places to have some fun between beach combing. These were the days when taking three children under seven into even a mild surf was exhausting — grabbing on to hands, bracing to stand up, jumping waves, and frankly, holding them back. So, finding a place where we were all fenced in and also able to stand on our own two feet was a welcomed adventure. The kids weren’t tall enough for go karts, but we found the bumper boats. And, I’m sure you can imagine the scene.

Categories : my South

Tags : Gulf Shores AL, Hipstamatic, inspired by summer, iPhone photos, Jackson MS, Memphis TN, photo essays

pockets of wonder . Red White & Blue

Posted by haley montgomery

· July 3, 2020

Categories : pockets of wonder

Tags : downtowns, inspired by Americana, Macon MS, rural places, Southern experiences

maker’s dozen . Americana [printable calendar]

Posted by haley montgomery

· July 1, 2020

July is here, and I decided to start off the second half of 2020 with a Maker’s Dozen – 13 curated curiosities and bits of nostalgia and ephemera unearthed in the studio. I love all things vintage, and Maker’s Dozen is a perfect way to indulge my collector’s spirit. Today’s theme is AMERICANA, and it’s filled with little bits of vintage patriotic items and souvenirs to remind us of Independence Day. Plus, since we’re starting a new month, I’ve also included a free printable calendar with a mini print celebrating our sweet land of liberty.

Categories : free art + printables, maker's dozen

Tags : calendars, holidays, inspired by Americana, inspired by summer, printables

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.