Hey, Philly!

Are you engaged (or know someone that is) - and located in the Philadelphia area? If so, I've got some exciting news for you! 

Photo courtesy of Crate&Barrel

Crate & Barrel is hosting a party just for you! (..and I'm so excited to be there!)

Join me at Crate & Barrel's Private Registry Event in King of Prussia on March 5 (exactly one month from today!) to create your perfect registry and enjoy food, fun and more. 

I'll be there with some pretty paper details, along with some not-to-be-missed inspiration from super-talented Philly wedding vendors including:

Photographer: Ashlee Mintz
Planning + Design: Arielle Fera Events
Floral Design: Devon & Pinkett
Catering: Diverse Catering
Cake Design: Nutmeg Cake Design
Calligraphy + Stationery (from yours truly): hello, bird.
Custom Jewelry + Engagement Rings: L. Priori Jewelry
Makeup Artist: Shimmer + Spice
Photo Booth: Cut + Paste Photo Booth
Acoustic Guitarist: Pete Smyser - Guitar Lessons & Live Music Performance
Tux Rental: The Black Tux
Laser Engraved Décor: Everlaser

National Strategic Planner for Crate + Barrel's private registry events: Shannon Gail Weddings + Events

Be sure to RSVP here - and remember that the extra-special event is on Sunday, March 5, 2017.  
It's a perfect morning- grab some coffee, enjoy snacks while you build your registry + meet fun vendors, and peek through your goodie bag over brunch afterwards.  So fun!  

Will you be there?  I'm so looking forward to meeting you + your future husband or wife!

behind the scenes: hand-dyed tea towels

Things that are tactile, soft to the touch, amazingly textured and/or beautifully colored.  These kind of things make me ooh and ahh over them.  They're my happy place.  Lots of stitches, a fine weave..  Honestly, guys, I swoon over fabric just as much as paper. 

I love being able to dye fabric - either by mixing dyes or using natural materials - because the process is it's own kind of magic.

One of my goals with hello, bird. is to make beautiful details - for special events and for the every day.  I love being a part of celebrating people's life moments, and love when those pieces are able to live after the moment- to stretch into your every day.   Being able to combine that idea with doing things that I love-- that's another special kind of magic.  So, with all that out there- it's an understatement that I was pretty thrilled when Maggie had a really fun idea for favors for her bridal shower. 

Maggie is one of the most amazing people I know.  She's incredibly creative, kind-hearted + has a great sense of humor.  She also has really great style.  When I think of Maggie, I think of warmth- and neutrals, and fringe.. (Ok, I could keep going, but.. let's not get too crazy with this compliment-fest.. haha!)  

Anyway, Maggie loves textiles + neutrals as much as I do.  She was thinking of some kind of tea towel with hand-painted names.  How to make something like that be more Maggie's style?  Neutral colored dyes.  Something soft and muted, minimal and uneven dye patterns, and a really cool weave.  Brush calligraphy in white for soft edges and a small contrast.  

I loved dying these towels in a few small batches.  The weave structure is slightly open, and the cotton is incredibly delicate- giving the tea towels an almost sheer quality.  Another fun fact?  These are HUGE- slightly over 24" square.  They're a statement piece- but a really quiet statement piece.  (We did skip a fringe trim..)  

hand-dyed fabric from hello, bird.  // hand-made flower pot by heypace ceramics // photo courtesy of Maggie Farrell

(And did I mention Maggie's great style?)  I'm obsessed with how Maggie set up place settings for her shower with those gorgeous plates + that swoon-worthy mother-of-pearl flatware.  I'm pretty sure she made the fringe chargers herself.  Each guest received their own hand-dyed tea-towel and handmade ceramic planter with a succulent.  Yes, please.  Thanks again for letting me be a tiny part of your day, Maggie! 

behind the scenes: studio

A few months ago, I asked for some last minute help packing and proofing day-of details for a fun wedding.  My friend Larissa came to the studio to lend a hand, and took a few photos of the behind the scenes.  I always love taking a look at Larissa's photos in general, so it was a really cool treat for me to see my workspace through her eyes.

a leftover valentine/notes to self.   // hello, bird. studio tour.

Each escort card had a hand illustrated lightning bolt, and I made this template to keep everything lined up consistently. That little square plate saves my desk from a lot of ink spills.   // hello, bird. studio tour.

My workspace changes pretty frequently as each project's pieces take over most surfaces to dry.  It makes the pieces that stick around even more special, and I love that Larissa grabbed some of my favorite little nooks.  On the left, I've got a pretty large amethyst I uncovered at a friend's gem-panning party!  There's also a white sculpture [partially seen] that's an early work from a local artist - Bethany Rusen. The sculpture was a gift from a friend that went to graduate school with Bethany, and I love that we ended up in the same city together. Funny how the world works sometimes.

a few of my favorite things: amethyst I uncovered at a friend's gem-panning party; geometric vase = favor from a friend's baby shower; friendly lion cookie jar from anthro years ago; white sculpture (early work of Bethany Rusen); 2 of my favorite candlestick holders // hello, bird. studio tour. 

I like to tape little fun things to the wall in my workspace, usually alongside summary lists for outstanding orders.  I use these lists as my packing guide to make sure everything is accounted for before the pretty details head to their party or new home. 

supplies scattered in pretty piles; photos, scraps + little parts of proofs; i love the dancing cake illustrated by my friend liz a few years ago.  // hello, bird. studio tour.

Scratch paper is my favorite. // Escort cards drying just below the desk.  //  // hello, bird. studio tour.

This is one of my favorite photos that Larissa took. // selecting the best stickers for the hangover kits - a very cool welcome bag addition.   // hello, bird. studio tour.

on my desk  // hello, bird. studio tour.

I love that Larissa was able to capture some of my hands moving around, and the tiny permanent things that keep me company in my workspace.   Since the projects change so frequently, it's really cool to have some of the process of a single project captured.  

 All photos in this post are courtesy of Larissa Gaul. 

 Thanks again, Larissa! It was a pleasure having you in the studio- looking forward to a repeat.