Vintage Maps, Spelling Cards, Keys and a Target

Ever since building the sawhorse desk, and making a little creative space to work from, I've been gathering prints of maps to eventually hang a gallery wall right above the desk. 

So far, the prints I've been collecting up are mostly of maps. Maps of places we've lived, places that are our roots, and places that are our favorite to travel. I just love the idea of having a gallery wall that isn't just pretty prints inspiring me, but also a collection of places that have meaning in our lives.

When I ventured off to the Brooklyn Flea a few weeks ago, there was this vendor selling old maps salvaged from vintage school materials. She had this amazing selection of really old curriculum materials, like spelling cards and alphabet posters, too. I asked here how she got all of her prints, and she said that when schools are getting rid of old curriculum (we're taking materials from the 1950s and older), they call her. How neat, right?! I could only take with me what I could carry back on the subway, and I had no cash on me at the time, so I had to spend $20 in order to use my card. Lucky me, I bought $20 worth of vintage prints (seriously, a steal!?). The Poland map ties in my ancestry, and the South America print reflects my love seemed fitting since I studied Spanish all through college, and for a bit of nostalgia for our Peru and Argentina trip two years ago. You guys, it was so hard to only pick a few from her collection. I wanted so many prints!!!

I helped myself to her spelling cards too, and have plans to frame these "his" and "her" vintage word cards. Wouldn't it be neat to hang them on either side of our bed right above our nightstands?

The favorite find though, by far, was this old Winchester target. Its a clever nod towards vintage typography and design, yet a play on a very popular hobby in my household. I just love it. Matt was happy about this one, and I can't wait to hang it in his office or man cave one day, along with some photographs from our day out shooting clays and playing with the horses in Kansas.

Of course, to signify our whirlwind trip to NY, I bought this print by Rifle Paper Co. at the Chelsea Market. 

And the non paper find on my trip to the flea, these keys. I plan to hang them up too, but right now their functioning as a wonderful paperweight. I like to imagine what large doors they opened at one point in time, and what was hidden behind them. Oh my goodness, I just love finding treasures, don't you?!

Projects seen in desk view photograph:

Wire Chairs

Sawhorse Desk

Denver Map

La Catrina Framed Art

Printsagram Prints

Printstagram Happy

I'm kind of smitten with candid photos. I used to have a polaroid camera that I'd use all throughout high school years, until they discontinued making film for awhile, and it became ridiculously expensive per photo. I still have the polaroid cameras, and still love that instant candid snap of a moment. That's why I like Instagram so much. So this year when I went to make our Christmas cards, I thought I'd try out ordering my Instagrams, and go for a more "polaroid" vibe with the photographs. In the process, I got totally hooked on this company called Printstagram. Have you heard of them? I ordered their Mini Prints, which is a set of 48 individual small prints on thick quality paper. Its such a steal. I ordered just the amount I needed for the cards and had enough of a quantity left over to pick out my favorites from my Instagram feed that I now have started a little collection of in my desk area.

I'm so impressed with this company, especially with the quality of the prints and their customer service. I have been deciding what I am going to order next! There are three really great photographs taken out in Kansas, with the wide open prairie, that Matt truly loves. He keeps on mentioning how he wants them printed. I think I may get a few printed larger, in a set of three or four, that we can hang in the bedroom. ( Or maybe the set of Squares!)

The Mini Prints were just the perfect little touch for our Christmas cards this year. Don't you think?  Have you ordered your Instagrams before? What company did you use? Who would you recommend? I'm completely convinced that I should order my favorite Instagrams bi-yearly ;)

Swans and sunny days.

Today the sun warmed us up to 60 degrees. Yipee! The Beatles Good Day, Sunshine melodied through my mind all day. If I could be anywhere tomorrow, I'd chose to hang out at a lake, near a pool, on a beach... wearing a swim cap, yellow suit, and sipping a coke, you with me? And I am also wanting to find a clothing item in a print (I imagine a high waisted skirt, wrap dress, or tote being adorable in swan print) like this:

Spring and warm sunny days are blooming deep down in my soul! How are you fairing the transition of the seasons?

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Vibrant Florals.

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I hope these floral prints cheer you up the same way they do for me. This falls in the category of my weekly design crush. Even though autumn and winter are coming up, a bright vibrant spring print is still and will always be a favorite of mine, no matter the season. I love bringing the outdoors in, in any design element. And these prints definitely do that and more. You can almost smell the flowers looking at these prints. What are your thoughts on vibrant florals? (Also, I love that the first photograph is actually a little girls room. How sophisticated! You hardly notice the girly toys in the bottom left, because the floral print is jut THAT STUNNING!)

We have plans of DIY this weekend. I feel like its been ages. So stay tuned! I cannot wait to share with you the things I have been just aching to get to. Have a great weekend!