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.


Pam - this is why I adore you - not ott at all!
Gorgeous!
Dana
Posted by: Dana | December 06, 2008 at 09:27 PM
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....
Posted by: Peggy Lee Baker | December 06, 2008 at 09:55 PM
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!!
Posted by: tasha roe | December 06, 2008 at 09:55 PM
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..
Posted by: annie | December 06, 2008 at 10:28 PM
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
Posted by: Laura | December 06, 2008 at 10:46 PM
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.
Posted by: Joyce | December 07, 2008 at 03:38 AM
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!
Posted by: Jen @ The Cottage Nest | December 07, 2008 at 04:29 AM
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
Posted by: janice | December 07, 2008 at 04:59 AM
I get it and I didn't see the Anthropogolie one. It's fabulous!
Posted by: Sharon @ norah'S | December 07, 2008 at 06:14 AM
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
Posted by: patrice | December 07, 2008 at 06:40 AM
i love it, i love it, I LOVE IT!
Posted by: Suzanne Duda | December 07, 2008 at 06:46 AM
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
Posted by: Tracey | December 07, 2008 at 06:57 AM
It's fabulous! I have a stack of coffee filters in the donate pile that I'm taking back.
Posted by: Tina | December 07, 2008 at 07:37 AM
this is lovely. anthropologie is such an inspiration, but not as big an inspiration as you are!
Posted by: tricia | December 07, 2008 at 07:42 AM
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...
Posted by: karen | December 07, 2008 at 07:53 AM
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!
Posted by: Katherine McKamey | December 07, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Here is one of their displays with muffin cups...I like your better.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1279/842291969_c5cdf24a27_o.jpg
Posted by: Molly | December 07, 2008 at 08:04 AM
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!
Posted by: cerri | December 07, 2008 at 08:59 AM
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...
Posted by: Peggy | December 07, 2008 at 09:04 AM
you know that we, your blogfans, are all over this!!
Posted by: paige | December 07, 2008 at 09:29 AM
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.
Posted by: jeska | December 07, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I LOVE IT! I must make time to create one. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration! love- Mollie
Posted by: Mollie | December 07, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Simply fabulous...would that Marie-Antoinette could get her hands on these!
Posted by: Parisbreakfasts | December 07, 2008 at 10:26 AM
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!!
Posted by: cari | December 07, 2008 at 10:41 AM
If you hadn't said they were coffee filters, I don't think I would have caught on. I love love love this garland.
Posted by: Colette | December 07, 2008 at 10:59 AM
i finally made the ticket tree this year. a foam cone covered with curled carnival tickets. cute and easy. anthro has the best props.
Posted by: brooke williams | December 07, 2008 at 11:17 AM
this is sweet pam...and i love your clear
photo shots as always Xo
~cOnNie
Posted by: connie | December 07, 2008 at 11:34 AM
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.
Posted by: Debe | December 07, 2008 at 12:51 PM
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
Posted by: Elyse | December 07, 2008 at 01:24 PM
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.
Posted by: SONIA | December 07, 2008 at 01:30 PM
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.
Posted by: Amy Ragland | December 07, 2008 at 03:13 PM
they are beautiful! Love the selection of papers!
Posted by: Robin~Thrifty Miss Priss | December 07, 2008 at 03:28 PM
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!!!
Posted by: carikraft | December 07, 2008 at 03:31 PM
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
Posted by: Jeanne | December 07, 2008 at 04:32 PM
i love this!!!!
Posted by: Andie | December 07, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Gorgeous!
Posted by: Robyn | December 07, 2008 at 06:00 PM
originally creative...just like you! Happy Holidays!!
Smiles, Andra
Posted by: Andra Hepler | December 07, 2008 at 06:31 PM
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
Posted by: Beth | December 07, 2008 at 06:38 PM
I just love it.
Posted by: Heather B | December 07, 2008 at 06:53 PM
ummm,yeah-ya need to open up a shop! adore you and your fabulous creations! ann-marie
Posted by: ann-marie | December 07, 2008 at 07:54 PM
it's beautiful Pam - I love it!
Posted by: Melissa McCobb Hubbell | December 08, 2008 at 05:28 AM
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.
Posted by: Laura Ingalls Gunn | December 08, 2008 at 05:36 AM
Pam, I adore this! Thanks so much for sharing with us!!!
xoxo, Tiffany
Posted by: tiffany ~ shabby scraps | December 08, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Love it! Love Anthropologie! What they can do with drinking straws blows me away. Can I coffee this?
Posted by: Linda Richter | December 08, 2008 at 11:12 AM
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.
Posted by: teresa atkinson | December 08, 2008 at 12:16 PM
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.
Posted by: donnalayton | December 08, 2008 at 01:57 PM
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:)
Posted by: Lola M. | December 08, 2008 at 02:22 PM
I love it! Beautiful. I want to make one now.
Posted by: Melissa | December 08, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Gushingly fabulous!!! Love it!! LindaSonia
Posted by: LindaSonia | December 09, 2008 at 12:30 AM
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).
Posted by: Suzy | December 09, 2008 at 01:56 PM
I adore it. And I think that you could easily stain coffee filters with some fruit punch and they would be a lovely pink.
Posted by: Peggy | December 09, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Beautiful!!!!
My understanding is that each Anthropoligie does their own thing, and decorations are up to the store manager.
Posted by: double d | December 10, 2008 at 04:28 PM
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!
Posted by: Nancy Jamar | December 10, 2008 at 07:34 PM
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!!
Posted by: mary goracy | December 10, 2008 at 10:10 PM
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.)
Posted by: heather | December 11, 2008 at 03:43 AM
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
Posted by: Tamy | December 12, 2008 at 03:59 AM
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?
Posted by: Jaime Compton | December 14, 2008 at 01:27 PM
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.
Posted by: kathy mcelroy | December 15, 2008 at 09:57 AM
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.
Posted by: Kristin | December 18, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Absolutely lovely. Have you seen these ones from Fazier & Wing? http://frazierandwing.com/mobiles
More inspiration for you.
Posted by: Courtney Heath | December 18, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Simply romantic. Oh how I adore this garland. Siiigh.
Posted by: DeeDee | December 19, 2008 at 08:26 AM
thanks for the inspiration. its the definition of lovely!
Posted by: kate | December 19, 2008 at 08:26 AM
This is GORGEOUS!
Posted by: Katherine K. | December 19, 2008 at 02:12 PM
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.
Posted by: judi | December 31, 2008 at 12:19 PM
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.)
Posted by: P. | December 31, 2008 at 12:19 PM
how fabulous! i adore this. and i agree, totally wouldnt have known it was coffee filters!
Posted by: the sassy kathy | December 31, 2008 at 12:19 PM
oh my gosh!!! I LOVE your garland!!! sooo fabulous!!! Anthropologie is the best store ever!! hugs!!
Posted by: britt- sparkledvintagecharm | December 31, 2008 at 12:19 PM
I LOVE THEM!!! Now I need to make some.
Posted by: Darlene | January 01, 2009 at 08:01 AM
Where did you get the beautifully colored tissue paper? I've never come across colors like those. Brand please? Your garland is breathtaking.
Posted by: Mara | January 06, 2009 at 01:31 PM
nice
Posted by: nikole | January 12, 2009 at 05:54 PM
pam, do you have a tutorial somewhere?
Posted by: tto | January 14, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Oh we SO get it. Saw this via Creature Comforts - this is incredible! I have to make one now.
Posted by: Raya | January 16, 2009 at 11:23 PM
very cool. so feminine. I love it.
Posted by: leslie K. | January 17, 2009 at 09:50 AM
Pretty. :)
Posted by: Kristena | January 17, 2009 at 10:03 AM
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.
Posted by: susie | January 17, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Beaaaaaaaaautiful!
Posted by: Abigail | January 18, 2009 at 04:55 PM
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!
Posted by: kristen laurence | January 18, 2009 at 07:48 PM
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
Posted by: knack studios | January 26, 2009 at 04:55 AM
That is beautiful and now I want one too!
Posted by: Jane | January 30, 2009 at 08:46 PM
This is really cool... I think I'm going to do one, too! Cool blog - thanks for posting!
Posted by: allyn | January 31, 2009 at 03:44 AM
Divine!
Posted by: Rebekah | March 26, 2009 at 07:30 AM
Turned out great! This is on my weekend to do list.
Posted by: Jeanne | April 03, 2009 at 07:14 AM
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!
Posted by: gabrielle | May 05, 2009 at 06:53 AM
absolutely marvellous!!!
Posted by: pilocarpine | May 25, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Gorgeous....I vaguely remember the Anthro one...and I think yours is better :)
Posted by: Dawn | May 27, 2009 at 03:30 PM
Una magnÃfica idea! Gracias Pam!
Posted by: Manualidades | July 03, 2009 at 02:19 PM
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
Posted by: Frannie Stevens-Meshorer | October 24, 2009 at 09:08 PM
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
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000129018216 | October 28, 2009 at 08:42 AM
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
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=875715716 | November 28, 2009 at 10:45 AM
I have lots of coffee filters. Thanks for the great idea. Coleen, http://teaontheterrace.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Coleen Franks | November 29, 2009 at 05:41 AM
Love, love, love this!!!!
Posted by: Jennifer Carroll | November 30, 2009 at 03:38 PM
what a wonderful blog! i am going to make some of this for my mother and for my husbands office
x0x0x0
deb
Posted by: A Facebook User | December 09, 2009 at 08:07 AM
just ADORABLE!
Posted by: Jacque | January 20, 2010 at 12:49 PM
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/
Posted by: Shelley Overholt | January 28, 2010 at 08:29 PM
love love love love this! when i try to make one, i'll link you :)
erin
Posted by: Blueprints of a Southern Belle | February 23, 2010 at 09:11 PM
Gorgeous! I love it! :D
Posted by: {leah} | February 26, 2010 at 11:06 AM
two years later ans still providing garland inspiration!
http://simpletruths.typepad.com/simple-truths/2010/03/garlands-galore.html
Posted by: julia | March 09, 2010 at 10:04 AM
I LOVE it! I totally remember drooling over the one at anthro! ;)
Posted by: milkvine | May 13, 2010 at 06:42 PM
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.
Posted by: coach suitcase | July 16, 2010 at 11:36 PM
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!
Posted by: terri | August 16, 2010 at 06:13 AM