Today is National Dog Day, and I decided to celebrate with a little Maker’s Dozen — 13 bits of studio nostalgia and ephemera that remind me of the four-footed and slobbery friends in our lives. Our family includes two pups, and at least one of them is a constant companion in the studio.
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“There once was a very unusual school
that had for its teacher Miss Tillie O’Toole.
She taught all her lessons in riddles and rhyme,
and those who learned quickest were given a dime…
I’m sure there was never a happier school
Than the one that was taught by Miss Tillie O’Toole.”
A new school year started last week for my family, and every year, I get a little nostalgic as we begin preparing for a new year. I invariably start reminiscing about days when my kiddos were young enough to want me to walk them into school on the first day, and the children invariably roll their eyes. Still, I see the glimmer and the subtle grins, and I answer the questions when they ask me to tell them more. Sometimes, we can’t help but be curious about our own little histories, especially as we’re moving breakneck toward the next stages of our lives. Today, I thought I would share one of our collections that brings both me and my children fond and special memories… Little Golden Books.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson officially established June 14 as Flag Day. It commemorates the date in 1777 when the 2nd Continental Congress adopted the stars and stripes as the official flag of the United States. I decided to pull together a Maker’s Dozen collection around the Flag Day theme. I looked around the studio and in my collections and found 13 oddities inspired by red, white, and blue!
I decided to do a little Maker’s Dozen collection this Saint Patrick’s Day “wishing you good luck” and reminders of friendship, good health, wonderful stories, family fun, finding adventure, and the crazy joy of holding it all together!
Most notable, “The Green Giant does a fireman’s act” in this Woman’s Day December, 1952 ad. I guess LeSueur’s had not decided the giant was “jolly” yet , but he was definitely nimble. Plus, Yosemite on a postage stamp, and a vintage St. Patrick’s Day postcard. In 1909, F.S.L. wrote to Mr. Thomas Bryan on Garden Street in Hoboken, NJ… “Gee I wish I was the Blarney Stone.” Lucky, indeed!
Kisses, flowers, hearts, glittery promises, and more! Happy Valentine’s Day from the Pond! I decided V-Day would be a good time to launch a new idea I’ve been noodling on for the Frog Kisser blog. I love surrounding myself with a weird collection of studio vernacular. It’s not so much clutter as an ever-changing hoard of inspiration gleaned from colorful objects, found items, and a trove a vintage papers, magazines and ephemera I tend to collect. I just love the quirky items I happen upon as I look through filing cabinets and cardboard drawers and storage bottles. I think about the stories behind these items, the times they represent, and what kind of new creation I might be able to make with them.
As I set about or store away all these slips of paper and artifacts, in my mind, I’m usually trying to categorize them in some way. I guess there’s an amateur archivist lurking around inside me. That’s where today’s post comes in. I’ve been toying with a new series or “column” called Maker’s Dozen, where I could curate a “baker’s dozen” of studio paraphernalia into a themed collection. Just an image of curiosities and random objects, pulled together for a closer look. Perhaps, in giving these items center stage, I’ll find some new inspiration for artwork or handmade pieces to share and sell in the shop. And, maybe you’ll be inspired too!
Today seemed like a good day to begin, so I’ve shared my Maker’s Dozen inspired by LOVE. I hope you enjoy a glimpse at the objects. It includes an artisan-made princess finger puppet, a Game of Life promissory note, lips band-aids, and a few other oddities. You might like this one in particular… the Everlasting Kiss Card, produced by the Exhibit Supply Company of Chicago in 1942 — as best I can tell. This one is the height of do-it-yourself Valentines with a place to put an imprint of your lips (no doubt in ruby-red lipstick) and check the boxes to match the fervor of your love!
If you’re looking for love notes of the more traditional kind, I spent my sketch journaling time this morning lettering one of my favorite verses from 1 Corinthians 13. You can see the process in my Facebook Live video below!
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
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