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Spring Forward . New Stationery Designs

· March 6, 2013

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

Categories : in the studio

Tags : block printing, green, inspired by spring, paper craft, the frog kisser

inspired by . Flower Constructions

Posted by haley montgomery

· August 20, 2012

Today, I’m really enjoying these “flower constructions” from artist, Anne ten Donkelaar. She had some other more vibrant constructions, but I was so struck by these more minimalist compositions. With flowers, it is so easy to focus on their color, but these really highlight shapes and patterns. Ms. Donkelaar’s work is created from actual found objects from nature, photos, maps and other paper materials. I’m so stunned by their intricacy. Check out her website for her other types of constructions — all show such an admiration and understanding of nature, and the melding of nature with our lives. [The butterfly series is absolutely stunning, and maybe a little haunting.]

Categories : inspire

Tags : artists, black and white, inspired by nature, minimal design, neutrals, paper craft

favorite things . Alphabets No.3

Posted by haley montgomery

· August 8, 2012

I’ve always loved alphabets — anything that depicts letters in a beautiful way, really. This weekend, I was sifting through the dark recesses of my bookmarks again and discovered these three examples.

Alphabets Collection No. 3
1. Elsie Dodds Alphabet cushions
2. Ben Pentreath LTD Alphabet wrapping paper
3. West Elm Alphabet paper weights featuring the chalk lettering work of Dana Tanamachi (which I love)

Categories : favorite things

Tags : black and white, paper craft, typography, yellow

favorite things . Be Prints

Posted by haley montgomery

· June 26, 2012

You know I’m a huge fan of hand-printed designs. I have fallen in love with the “BE” prints from Honeycomb Print Shop. These imperatives paired with bold type and bright colors make me want every one. And, you can even suggest a “be” phrase for printing!

Categories : favorite things

Tags : for your walls, hand-crafted, paper craft, typography

inspired by . Grow House Grow

Posted by haley montgomery

· June 21, 2012

I’m so inspired by the patterns and creative concept behind the wallpaper designs of Grow House Grow. The self-described “narrative-inspired” designs clearly have a story to tell. But, looking at them carefully, they make me want to do more than just read the story (which is lovingly displayed for each pattern on their website). The patterns make me want to write my own story. Perhaps the words of Grow House Grow say it best…

“It can be argued that a good story–and we all have one–inspires and gives meaning to the world around us. From personal histories and architectural details, to souvenirs and heirlooms we hold dear, it’s important to fill our living spaces with things that create an environment that is both personal and universal; just as a good story does. Each pattern Grow House Grow creates has a different tale to tell, and endeavors to spark the creativity, mystery, and comfort of stories in those around us.”

Patterns shown: “Ode to the Unhasty” in guava | “Cottontail” in sweetpea | “Christopher” in thistle | “Ms. Ward” in mantis

[images courtesy growhousegrow.com]

Categories : inspire

Tags : for your walls, illustrators, inspired by storytelling, interior design, paper craft

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.