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