Embroidery!!

Lately I have been obsessed with embroidered items. They are so pretty, delicate and interesting. I am drawn like moth to the flame to embroidered clothes. *sigh* I've been finding all these sales and incredible deals lately on clothes like this. I got a lined silk sweater covered with embroidery and beading...a 3/4 sleeve 50's-ish style cardigan with little hook closures....I about fainted when I found it. That brings me to the other day when I bought this little green 1/2 sleeve knitted sweater on sale for 50% off. It was the only one left and it was my size. It's not something I would normally pick out to wear, but I was drawn to it. I tried it on and it looked really cool! The colors drew me in...such a nice palette. The colors are inspiring to me. Then I realized it's the embroidery that draws me in as well. I decided to buy it and now I can't stop staring at it. If I could hang it on my inspiration board I would.






Along the same note, I was touring a nearby mall several weeks ago with my friend and business associate Debbie. We were researching interesting displays and other "eye-catching" retail solutions. We wandered into this store...I don't have kids, but I WANTED the clothes in there. They were quite pricey for the age group, but they were so beautiful it almost seemed worth spending that kind of money. Almost. We were mesmerized by the beautiful packaging and hangtags on the clothes. We oohed and ahhed over the retail signs and displays...a graphic designer's dream store. My eyes fell on a little clearance bin...more like a tray of small belts and other odd objects. I pawed through and gasped as I pulled out this GORGEOUS hat. I gave a little yelp to show Deb...the colors in this hat are so beautiful. And the hat is so soft. I could pet it for hours. And, there is this little embroidered bird on the side. *sigh again* I looked at the price and it was $1.99!!! I decided that I had to have it. Again, I don't have kids. But, I figured it was so pretty and was a real inspiration for me. It was a perfect item to pin to my inspiration board in my office. And it was less money than a lot of greeting cards are now! I excitedly brought it up to the register and the associate asked me "When are you due?" with a smile on her face. I felt so embarrassed and sheepish. All because I'm buying a hat for myself that I can't wear. I managed to peep out that "I'm not!" with my own smile. I felt bad for her; she was so upset for saying it. She said most people get so excited about the clothes and they are usually expecting. I said "no, not me. I just excited over the colors and design of things...I'm a graphic designer and I love this store!" She agreed, she loved the designs as well. And to add to the dorky design excitement, she gift wrapped the hat for me so I could have the gift box and all the little details that go along. The tissue paper....AMAZING! The gift boxes....SO CUTE! And the shopping bag....again, so great. Everything was inspired by vintage wallpapers and pretty patterns. She included a ribbon and sticker in the box for me as well. When I have kids, I'm definitely going to shop there! (Probably in the sale area, but it's all good!) Such a great store. The website pales in comparison to the actual shopping experience and all the beautiful tags and signs and props. All this makes being a designer so fun for me. Below are photos of the steps of the "packaging experience" for my little hat. The gift box had little flowers on the lid and a pale green gingham pattern as the bottom of the box. You can click on the images to enlarge...you might be able to make it all out. Even the tissue is a contrasting printed pattern and has scalloped edges. wow.
I adore it all so much. I feel silly getting so excited. But, I can't help it and that's fine by me! I know I'm not alone!