i'm crushing on coffee filters

 

Finally made something I've been wanting to for a couple years now. ...a giant pom pom garland.

A couple years ago, Anthropologie had this amazing garland used in their display that I fell in love with. I checked it out each time I went to the store. I think it was up for over a year.  Anyway, I wish it was still up, because I've forgotten exactly what it looked like. From my memory it looked like coffee filters and paper scraps. For mine, I've added a bit of crepe, music and ledger paper here and there, but mostly just coffee filters, sewing pattern paper, tissue paper and string. I thought about using old tinsel, but I preferred the string, which surprised me. It kind of looks like giant macaroons to me. My family just shrugs it off, they are used to the non-traditional around here. Does anyone remember the Anthropologie one? Mine is not quite what I remember, but I love it anyway.

I wonder what Anthropologie does with all those old store props. Do they have a giant warehouse somewhere where they store them? Do they have some amazing secret sale somewhere? Oh how I'd love to volunteer my services when they make their incredible display creations!

Here are the materials I used:

and another view just because I have to show someone who would understand it (ever thankful for you guys).

You get it right? Or have I gone over the crazy crafter edge? {I can hear what guests will be thinking, "why does Pam have a bunch of coffee filters strung together?!?"}  Ha! It won't be the first time, nor the last for that matter.  If that's the case, all I can say is, I swear, the original Anthropologie one I'm trying to copy was cool! You gotta know that's true.

Comments

[Dana]

Pam - this is why I adore you - not ott at all!

Gorgeous!

Dana

[Peggy Lee Baker]

Pam you talented gal you, love, love, love the garland, it looks so vintage, I want to make one. thanks

peggylee
white mountains, nh
peggyleeshabbychics@gmail.com
craft2470@hotmail.com
craft girl craft your heart out....

[tasha roe]

your garland is beautiful!! i always ask about the decorations in the store when I go in there. Sometimes the sales associates are helpful and sometimes they just dont know. from what i have gathered each store is different and they have the liberty to come up with their own ideas as far as decorating goes. last year our store in st. louis had a huge wreath on the door made of sweater scraps all strung together (kind of like your flowers). it was love at first sight. when i inquired about it they told me that it was made by the employees with a barbie knitting machine. i asked if i could buy it this year if it was still around and they said it was "upstairs in storage"
what i wouldnt give to go through that storage room!!

[annie]

well, i think it looks fab! the colors are so lovely and delicate. i am always inspired by my anthropologie shop too. as tasha has also said, i believe each anthro store is differently decorated - i go to the store in san francisco a lot and they did an amazing display http://www.flickr.com/photos/tealights/2648353432/ with folded books to create dangling sculptures..

[Laura]

I get it, I gotcha and I understand where you're coming from my peeps don't always get me either but now I've broken free. Let me be the eccentric artsy fartsy lady who wears a flowery vintage hat and a big pink boa (well not really yet but someday). Life is too short so I'm glad you love your pretty, pretty coffee filter garland! I think it's stunning! God bless, Laura

[Joyce]

Have you tried contacting them to see if they remember it, they might even bring it out so you can get a picture. Happy happies.

[Jen @ The Cottage Nest]

I think it's totally fab! I think most of us have a lot of people in our lives who don't get us, so how wonderful that we have each other to ooh and ahh over our creativity!

[janice]

Love this, Pam~ you knew we would...

My mind started with, I need to run out and get some coffee filters, as we don't drink coffee...but then I thought...we do, do cupcakes though. Maybe I could do a mini version with cupcake liners...

One of the first 2 Anthropolgie stores here (in Canada) is going to be a 3 hour drive away, but it is definitely on my field trip list. I was able to get some pics at the Portland store interior in September,covertly undercover with SJ.

Always inspiring...thanks for sharing

[Sharon @ norah'S]

I get it and I didn't see the Anthropogolie one. It's fabulous!

[patrice]

hey pam!!
This is patrice aka miss michigan we met in ashland... i stalk your blog daily for inspiration you are too cool and have a great great brain! Where do you get tissue paper that doesnt look like something a grade school uses??THE COLORS YOU have are so beautiful..........xxoo

[Suzanne Duda]

i love it, i love it, I LOVE IT!

[Tracey]

I LOVEEEEE IT! You did a great job!

I've always wondered what happens to the wonderful window props too! Some young girl at corporate probably sneaks them home and has a FAB apartment decorated with them!! Hmmmm...maybe this imaginary girl has a blog and shows us?? ok.....sorry my imagination took off with me! heeeheee!
Hugs!
Tracey
polkadotsandpicketfences.com

[Tina]

It's fabulous! I have a stack of coffee filters in the donate pile that I'm taking back.

[tricia]

this is lovely. anthropologie is such an inspiration, but not as big an inspiration as you are!

[karen]

I didn't see the Anthropologie one in our store but yours is really cool! I love it! My family would just shake their head also but don't fret, carry on...it's important for our kind...(hee hee!)
Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
karen...

[Katherine McKamey]

WOW! I love this! I've never been in an Anthropologie store but I am sure I would love it. Everything I have ever seen that was based on something from A was wonderful. I love the papers and colors you chose and I have to agree I think the string was the best choice. The tinsel would have taken focus away from the beautiful delicate flowers. : )

Ya did good!!! Love it!

[Molly]

Here is one of their displays with muffin cups...I like your better.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1279/842291969_c5cdf24a27_o.jpg

[cerri]

Oh, this is gorgeous! I love the colors. I don't think I have see tissue and crepe paper in those colors.
I too always love the displays and Anthropologie. Would so love to go through their store room!

[Peggy]

What a better way to spend a Sun morning than a cup o java and searching anthropologie display on flickr and google... too fun! I don't think this was your inspiration but its fun...
http://flickr.com/photos/kambybolongo/2625062312/
I also asked them what they do with displays - it looks like their warehouse would be in Philly...

[paige]

you know that we, your blogfans, are all over this!!

[jeska]

I'm sure Anthropologie would be honored to have you design their displays! This garland is beautiful. Such lovely colours and layers like antique tutu's.

[Mollie]

I LOVE IT! I must make time to create one. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration! love- Mollie

[Parisbreakfasts]

Simply fabulous...would that Marie-Antoinette could get her hands on these!

[cari]

I agree with Joyce's comments. It is so wonderful that we have each other to appreciate our sometimes different ideas of what we think is beautiful. I absolutely love your garland. So sweet and creamy looking!!

[Colette]

If you hadn't said they were coffee filters, I don't think I would have caught on. I love love love this garland.

[brooke williams]

i finally made the ticket tree this year. a foam cone covered with curled carnival tickets. cute and easy. anthro has the best props.

[connie]

this is sweet pam...and i love your clear
photo shots as always Xo

~cOnNie

[Debe]

Agree with everyone!! That is just so cool. I totally understand and just want time to try my hand creating something vaguely like that. You are good! Of course....u r.....I do get a good case of amazement with their windows and I live really close to one so I fortunately get to gaze often.

[Elyse]

wow! absolutely beautiful. my sister has told me about the amazing displays at anthropologie in philadelphia. i must go! your photos are wonderful. thank you for sharing! xo

[SONIA]

I DID NOT KNOW THEY WERE COFFEE FILTERS. I JUST FEEL IN LOVE WITH THE BEAUTIFUL COLORS. THEY LOOK LIKE GORGEOUS CREPE FLOWERS. YOUR GARLAND IS AWESOME, JUST LIKE YOU.

[Amy Ragland]

I don't know what they do with their display stuff but when I worked at Victoria's Secret we had to throw everything away. We couldn't have it and we couldn't give it away, we actually had to tear it up or cut it up and throw it away so people couldn't dig in the trash and get it out.

[Robin~Thrifty Miss Priss]

they are beautiful! Love the selection of papers!

[carikraft]

OMG!!! We TOTALLY get you!!!!! God Bless the Internet and all the crafty girls seeking kindred spirits with glitter on their faces!!! I love our new Anthroplpogie store, andit was you who inspired me to stop and visit and walk out with a new sweater! Wouldn't have done it without you!!!

[Jeanne]

I just love you coffee filter pom-pom garland Pam. The colors are so perfect...is your whole house decorated in these yummy muted colors? It's so rich and relaxing. Thanks so much for sharing this idea...I think it is great!
xo
jeanne

[Andie]

i love this!!!!

[Robyn]

Gorgeous!

[Andra Hepler]

originally creative...just like you! Happy Holidays!!
Smiles, Andra

[Beth]

I wish there was an Anthropologie store near me but no, not one even close. Sigh.

I love the idea of the coffee filter, etc. garland and think adding jingle bells would be a fun idea. Thanks so much for the inspiration!!!

Beth

[Heather B]

I just love it.

[ann-marie]

ummm,yeah-ya need to open up a shop! adore you and your fabulous creations! ann-marie

[Melissa McCobb Hubbell]

it's beautiful Pam - I love it!

[Laura Ingalls Gunn]

I am glad to hear that someone else walks this earth that trys to visually pick apart the Antrhopologie props.
Where do they go????
I believe I read once that the employees get first dibs.
I love it.

[tiffany ~ shabby scraps]

Pam, I adore this! Thanks so much for sharing with us!!!
xoxo, Tiffany

[Linda Richter]

Love it! Love Anthropologie! What they can do with drinking straws blows me away. Can I coffee this?

[teresa atkinson]

the way i understand the anthro process is that they are given a theme and the local decorators are allowed to interpret the theme.

how much fun would that be.

[donnalayton]

It's very, very cool. Lots of labor too. I can see why you've put it off for 2 years:) I don't know what on earth we would do without the blog world to understand our coolness. The people who come in my house are amazed, but always seem to have a sort of puzzled look on their face.

[Lola M.]

I think it's a wonderful garland. I have a collection of our used natural coffee filters because they have such great texture and color. Nice to see someone else with a love of papers and just "stuff" in general:)

[Melissa]

I love it! Beautiful. I want to make one now.

[LindaSonia]

Gushingly fabulous!!! Love it!! LindaSonia

[Suzy]

Love the garland, too. I couldn't help but notice the lovely colour on your wall (in the photos with the curtain). Do you mind sharing what brand/colour name or number? I think it would be great for my living room (as would your garlands--so perfect for your palette).

[Peggy]

I adore it. And I think that you could easily stain coffee filters with some fruit punch and they would be a lovely pink.

[double d]

Beautiful!!!!
My understanding is that each Anthropoligie does their own thing, and decorations are up to the store manager.

[Nancy Jamar]

I love the paper work at Anthropologie! My daughter worked at the Grove last yar and we would go in and check out all those marvelous paper and corrugated props...wild stuff. Thanks for reminding me!

[mary goracy]

THE LATEST SCOOP!!! also a huge fan of Anthropologie. i could spend hours just looking at the stunning displays. MY TREAT happened this week when i went into a nursery across the street from my Anthropologie and thought i was in heaven. turns out the guy who owns Anthropologie bought the nursery and the new store is called terrain at styers. IT IS INCREDIBLE!! having moved to the PA area from CA this would have been a store i would expect to see in CA. for those of you that have been to Roger's Gardens in Newport it's like that but with the Anthropology edge. Supposedly this store is a test pilot for putting stores like this in other parts of the country. if you are ever around the philly area you must check it out!!

[heather]

i CAN NOT tell you how much i adore that. it's nearly 5 am and i haven't slept so i have no idea how how i stumbled across your blog -- but WOW, i'm so glad i did! amazing. (and if you find out that anthro info, share! i'd love to know.)

[Tamy]

Pam
I would really LOVE to use a couple of these gorgeous pictures and your "inspiration" on my gaga for garlands blog with a link of course to your lovely site! I was unable to access your email...
Let me know
Happy Holidays
www.simplymein.typepad.com/gagaforgarlands
xo

[Jaime Compton]

Now I too will be obsessed with coffee filter papers. How fun! I must make one of these. Wouldn't it really be beautiful in pink for a birthday?

[kathy mcelroy]

I love to go in Anthropologie stores just to see their displays. Did you see their book display they had out in August? lOve the garland idea.

[Kristin]

I LOVE this... and would never think in a million years that it's odd. And about the amazing Anthropologie store sets... they're so fabulous that most of the time I just want to set up a cot and move in. The wintry scene at our store this month is amazing. There are paper ropes strung up through the store that will knock your socks off every time you see them.

[Courtney Heath]

Absolutely lovely. Have you seen these ones from Fazier & Wing? http://frazierandwing.com/mobiles

More inspiration for you.

[DeeDee]

Simply romantic. Oh how I adore this garland. Siiigh.

[kate]

thanks for the inspiration. its the definition of lovely!

[Katherine K.]

This is GORGEOUS!

[judi]

Your garlands are beautiful. I too love anthropologie store decor. Just the other day I was coveting the Christmas ball garlands done for the Atlanta store. They had balls, and cupcake and candy holders and even plastic wine cups stung together on braided/rolled fabric. I was so taken with it that I went out and bought stuff at an after Christmas sale to make some myself for next year. See the pics on my blog.

[P.]

Just visiting from Bohemian Hellhole - you are wonderful! I love you for doing this. (I secretly stalk the dumpsters outside my neighborhood anthropologie just in case I can score some goods. No luck yet.)

[the sassy kathy]

how fabulous! i adore this. and i agree, totally wouldnt have known it was coffee filters!

[britt- sparkledvintagecharm]

oh my gosh!!! I LOVE your garland!!! sooo fabulous!!! Anthropologie is the best store ever!! hugs!!

[Darlene]

I LOVE THEM!!! Now I need to make some.

[Mara]

Where did you get the beautifully colored tissue paper? I've never come across colors like those. Brand please? Your garland is breathtaking.

[nikole]

nice

[tto]

pam, do you have a tutorial somewhere?

[Raya]

Oh we SO get it. Saw this via Creature Comforts - this is incredible! I have to make one now.

[leslie K.]

very cool. so feminine. I love it.

[Kristena]

Pretty. :)

[susie]

i work at anthropologie! in the past, old displays just went in the garbage :( this year, my understanding is that the company wants to go more "green," and are starting to offer the old display pieces to employees first, then possibly selling/giving away to customers what's left. at our store, we haven't actually started making them available to customers, but they're talking about the best way to go about it. right now we have some little wooden sheep that are all spoken for by employees. as for making the window displays, there is a central visual team that comes up with several ideas, then each store gets to pick which one they like best. each store has its own visual team that actually makes and sets up the displays.

[Abigail]

Beaaaaaaaaautiful!

[kristen laurence]

Did anyone see the floor-length wooden skirt (with train draping down the back) on display at Anthropologie this past fall? I couldn't believe how rediculously gorgeous it was!

[knack studios]

I just found your blog through heidi ( crooked shmooked) and this garland is fabulous!! You did a fantastic job!

Love your blog and I will be back! xo

[Jane]

That is beautiful and now I want one too!

[allyn]

This is really cool... I think I'm going to do one, too! Cool blog - thanks for posting!

[Rebekah]

Divine!

[Jeanne]

Turned out great! This is on my weekend to do list.

[gabrielle]

Just wanted to say thanks for sharing this lovely garland and helpful tips, I finally made one! Love it to death! You're such a gem Pam!

[pilocarpine]

absolutely marvellous!!!

[Dawn]

Gorgeous....I vaguely remember the Anthro one...and I think yours is better :)

[Manualidades]

Una magnífica idea! Gracias Pam!

[Frannie Stevens-Meshorer]

hi pam ... a friend sent me to your blog to see these ... i found them in a copy of GREEN CRAFTS MAGAZINE .. i think it was last month's edition. they have also added little scraps of vintage fabric and antique linen snips. so wonderful. a bunch of my gurlfrenz and i are saving 'beighy-soft' scraps of papers and we're going to get together soon to make these. (i bought some olde 'patterns' too .. that paper is soft and krinkly and wonderfully coffee-colored) the magazine article also says the maker of these was inspired by the ones at anthropologie. i have some olde ribbon to string them on too.

so glad to have found your fun blog.

frannie from kentucky

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000129018216]

pam .. i'm gathering gentle paper goodies to make a 'smaller version' of this delightful garland. i notice your article in green crafts said to use '20' coffee filters in each pile. ha! i tried to count ..but it doesn't look like there are twenty in 'each' pile ... perhaps 20 or so 'papers' .. but does that number include the other types of papers too? i see that the fabrics in the garland on page 41 are of different sizes .. i like this look! is the photo deceiving me ... or is the largest circle in this one about 4 inches in diameter? LOVE THE GARLAND! frannie

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=875715716]

This is wonderful, inexpensive, and what beautiful colors!! It goes perfectly with my vintage/sepia tones/peach wedding design! I can't wait to make them, and use them to decorate the reception area for my wedding in March!!
I saw the link through EAD's blog (Elizabeth Anne Designs)

http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2009/11/25/diy-wedding-details-coffee-filter-garland/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+elizabethannedesigns%2FCQyk+%28Elizabeth+Anne+Designs%29

[Coleen Franks]

I have lots of coffee filters. Thanks for the great idea. Coleen, http://teaontheterrace.blogspot.com/

[Jennifer Carroll]

Love, love, love this!!!!

[A Facebook User]

what a wonderful blog! i am going to make some of this for my mother and for my husbands office

x0x0x0
deb

[Jacque]

just ADORABLE!

[Shelley Overholt]

I LOVE this and tried to make my own with my 4 year old! We had a ball! I put it on my blog and credited you:) http://honeylambandi.blogspot.com/

[Blueprints of a Southern Belle]

love love love love this! when i try to make one, i'll link you :)

erin

[{leah}]

Gorgeous! I love it! :D

[julia]

two years later ans still providing garland inspiration!

http://simpletruths.typepad.com/simple-truths/2010/03/garlands-galore.html

[milkvine]

I LOVE it! I totally remember drooling over the one at anthro! ;)

[coach suitcase]

Just for today I will have a program, I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.

[terri]

I just found your coffee filter garland by googling and I am so excited. i am making it for a back to school teacher luncheon. I will share when I am done. Thanks for the inspiration!