spring is here.

I hope you all had a lovely holiday weekend. Here in Portland, the weather has finally begun to act a bit like spring (for the time being) and I was loving every second of it! The mister and I also made time to dye eggs together, which I haven't done since childhood. My grandiose ideas didn't really translate, but we sure had a ball with the process and it inspired the mini photo shoot above. Speaking of eggs... Did you catch the PANTONE eggs that Jessica Jones crafted for her blog? Definitely one of my favorites this year.

{images by crow and canary}

{shop} portland: troolie

I can't begin to tell you how delighted I am that Troolie has hit NE Portland. Proprietress, Kate Fulford, has clearly put an incredible amount of thought and research into choosing the perfect Portland location and she really located an amazing spot and neighborhood to open shop; her ultra savvy background in retail and merchandising really shine through! Run, don't walk to check out this TROOLIE (had to!) modern stationery boutique.

{images by crow and canary}

{shop} portland: betsy & iya

{earrings by betsy & iya print by laura george}

{tea towels by zanna printed textiles}

{candles by sydney hale co.}

{prints by merci-bleh-bleh}

{fragrance by cirmes tonsorial parlour, book by paper jayne}

{print by nan lawson, earrings by betsy & iya}

You may already be familiar with Betsy & Iya's fabulous line of jewelry, I'm certainly a fan - they've recently opened a lovely storefront in NW Portland. They seriously have the cutest goods and I'm pleased to share that SusyJack* is now being stocked there.

If you happen to be in Portland, be sure to make a visit at Betsy & Iya on Friday, November 25th as they are one of many great retailers (and event founders) participating in Little Boxes PDX. This one day event is an alternative to "big box" Black Friday shopping, participating retailers are offering discounts and you have the option to enter a raffle with super sweet prizes for every single participating shop that you visit. Shop indie!

{images by crow and canary}

{shop} portland: flora

{fabric pouches by moontea artwork }

{soap by saipua}

{zip bags by snap design}

{earrings by demimonde jewelry}

{card by gold teeth brooklyn}

{flora's ample selection of tea}

{matches by homart & beeswax candles by hinode farm}

Flora is a shop that I always recommend to friends and fellow bloggers when visiting Portland. They offer a large selection of local designer's goods (4 of the lines featured above are made in Oregon) and their jewelry selection is unrivaled. I'm now the proud owner of a pair of Demimonde earrings, after my visit on Monday.

Flora is also quite knowledgeable about tea and offer custom blends for their customers. Lucky for you non-locals, they have a website that features many of their lovely wares - shop online here.

{photos by crow and canary}

letterpress lovely: darling press & stationers

I just love discovering new lines in my own backyard! Darling Press & Stationers is a two-person letterpress studio based in Portland, OR. I will definitely have my eye on this duo, very excited to see what they come up with next.

{images via darling press & stationers}

v-day pick: no. 8

I had the pleasure of ogling Tokketok's goods at Little Winter in November. A lovely and cohesive line, I haven't seen a single design that I didn't like. Get your "...so I must love you cards" now, I hear that they're selling like hotcakes!

Click here for past year's V-day picks.

{images via tokketok}

creative crush: man cards

{army men card}

{foosball card}

{beer for 2 card}

{man card interior}

{back of man card}

As a card rep, one of the constant laments I hear is, "There aren't enough cards that work for guys." Enter Man Cards. This line is the ultimate match for a fine gent that is perusing for the perfect card. That's real duct tape and dymo labeling, my friends. The interior even allows you to check off boxes, if you aren't the wordy type. Just in time for the impending holiday, their Valentine cards are on sale, for a helluva steal!

{all images via man cards}

love for lilly & coco

{all cards by lilly & coco}

I had the pleasure of meeting with a fellow Portland paperista last week. Lilly, of Lilly & Coco, and I have been twitter friends for awhile and she had sent me one her wonderful vintage-themed Christmas cards over the holidays. Through what I refer to as "the magic of twitter" we made a date to meet in person. Lilly's line is truly delightful! I love the look and presence of her cards. I also discovered that she was one of the pioneers of bringing back the "Keep Calm and Carry On" postcard reproductions into the hands of etsy shoppers. I highly recommend reading the brief interview with Lilly's mom, who is a survivor of the WWII bombing in London, which is where the propaganda posters originated from.

{images via crow and canary}

holiday picks {series no. 2/portland edition}

{christmas card by two guitars}

{card by old school stationers}

{ledger calendar by power & light press}

{holiday card by lark press}

{calendar card by red bat press}

Yesterday was Crafty Wonderland's Super Colossal Holiday Sale and I (and apparently most of Portland) was in attendance. I'm glad the turn out was so huge, but on a completely selfish note, I was a bit bummed that it was so challenging to shop. One of the highlights of the show was making a felt fortune cookie with Kristen of Schmancy and Plush You fame. She was super helpful and even had the mister getting into crafting, though now that I think about it he's actually a pretty crafty guy!

{all images via designer's sites}

oblation in the blogosphere

I'm delighted to see that Oblation Papers & Press has started a blog. Portlanders and paper connoisseurs will be well acquainted with their top-notch shops, custom designs and new retail line of cards. The business celebrated their 20th anniversary this year, long live Oblation!

{image via oblation papers & press}

printmaker du jour: postal press

There is just something so charming about this Terrarium print from Postal Press. I could get lost in their exquisite website and photography forever and a day.

{image via postal press}

creative crush: fawn&forest

{male squirrel by ryan berkley}

{knife juggler by jayme mcgowan}

{growing spring by lisa golightly}

{hare by brent wick}

I always really dig fawn&forest's monthly 'forest finds' but, I have to say I was totally blown away by their newest collaboration with 7 of my all-time favorite artists. They are exclusively selling these plywerk pieces on their site and, hold on, it gets even better... Poppytalk is hosting a giveaway, in which two winners will receive their favorite panel. Enter here, giveaway ends 9/12!

{all images via fawn&forest}

creative crush: ashley g and drew

{follow the sparrows print}

{assorted postcard set}

{hello june print}

Have you ever fallen head over heels in love with with a print? If you're reading this blog, I suspect that the answer may be yes... That's exactly how I feel about Ashley G and Drew's 'Follow the Sparrows'. I adore everything about it. While perusing their etsy shop today, I found out that I already own a piece by this talented artist. The 'Hello June' print has a home in my living room. I bought this print from Modern a year ago and have long wondered who the artist is. I'm so happy to solve the case of the mystery artist!

I'm also really digging their postcard set. You see, I have postcards on the brain since I signed up to be a part of The Benevolent Postcard Society. It's a postcard exchange/art project, organized by Lori Langille. Members send and receive one postcard a month for the next 12 months. At the end of the year, all of the postcards will be collected and published as a book. The very first post card is to be mailed out today. Yep, today. I'm completely at a loss, as to what I want to send still. Should I make it myself, find something vintage, or support a local artist. The jury's still out, my friends.

{all images via ashley g and drew's etsy shop}