Cute Boys

I need to set the record straight. These boys are so very cute and so very happy and have been the best brothers to each other. I have been attached to the sewing machine lately and have worried about those two.... needlessly it seems. They have spent the last while playing all sorts of games and entertaining each other so well.
I am such a hovering mama, so I think these sewing deadlines have been helping me give the boys some space. It is silly that up until now, if the boys needed milk or a snack, I would drop everything and get it for them. I think I have figured out that they will survive and even flourish if they have to wait a bit.

On another note, we do live in the mountains. I stepped outside to calm down the dogs. I heard a coyote just across the way from our house. I don't know why they are so close to us. It makes me think twice about letting the kids play outside. I am so glad we have Jack and Earl to help us be safe. Good dogs!

The play room

Thought I would post this great photo of my boys and my dad. They are working on the new play room in the loft. It is located in some empty space behind a previously sealed up wall. It has the potential of being quite the cave/fort/play room.
I am lucky to have a dad that is always working on various projects, mostly for people other than himself. He seems game to take on anything, even harebrained ideas from his youngest daughter. We all enjoyed having him come up and make this great space. The boys learned how to measure and mark wood for cutting. Slade would plug his ears when my dad ran the saw and yell that it was too loud. Hank was the eager little helper, so very happy that "Baca" was around. I even learned to quit trying to be helpful and sew while he was working. I understand it now.... it would be like trying to sew while another person hovered and kept asking to help. I think that would drive me crazy.
I will post more photos once the thing is finished. I can't wait to paint the walls with the boys. I know it will have a blue sky for slade and a yellow sun for hank. I imagine we will include some cars, trucks, and trees in the mix. If you have any ideas to make a very small space cool, let me know!

Bridal Show

The last few weeks I have been bustling about figuring out my booth for the Bridal Fair at Provo High. These things easily get blown out of proportion.... but that is what I do, right? It seems if I get involved in a project, I always over do it and spent WAY too much time putting it together. I used to put these things together at my studio (pre-kid days) and my husband wasn't there to witness the effort put forth and stress it caused. A few days before this one, he stated that "I thought this was going to be low key". Oh yes, it was low key, he has no idea what I went through when we would go the the Children's market in NYC.

The difference, though, was everything had to be packed into something that could go on a plane. Thanks to ski bags we pulled that one off. To our credit, we did manage to haul two dress forms, at least 12 dresses, six feet signs, and a beautiful maple dress rack made possible by my dad. He is a saint.... a very capable one with all sorts of woodworking tools in his garage.

I am going off track now. ANYWAY, I have to thank so many people for the success of this booth. My dad, for hauling lumber from my brother and sister in law's restaurant, The Painted Pony, to his house. The restaurant is located in Saint George, is incredible, and now has a beautiful new deck. Thus, the lumber from the old deck was available for the booth. My dad also designed the structure and made it so beautiful. I love the reclaimed wood look and especially LOVE the color I stressed over. Most thought I was crazy for this color choice, but I love how it turned out.

Next, Andi Pitcher/Davis lent me the Chandelier and white silk curtains. That chandelier was the creative force behind the booth and I was so lucky to borrow it from her. It was the reason for the arbor structure, so maybe my dad wasn't so keen on her generosity.

Maren Ogden, a wonderful photographer and graphics designer lent me the carpet and extra lighting. She also designed my logo and helped with the sign. I would be lost without her help, like usual.

Then there is the great images that were given to me by Hayley Anderson. Her web site is hayleyphotography.com. She is fresh and new and incredible. Thanks to her, I have a great image for my sign as well. You all have to agree that it is a great shot of some shoes and chandelier.

Of course Debbie Camp supplied the beautiful green back drop. I am clean out of any bright fabrics and we all know Utah valley has nothing in terms of bright green fabric.... unless you are quilting.

I want to thank my brides who let me borrow there gowns! I know it is a lot to ask, but they all were so generous and trusting. Annie, Lindsay, Carly, and Amy, you are awesome! I am lucky to work with such quality people.

This is getting way to wordy.

I loved meeting so many people. Everyone was so positive and enthusiastic about my work. It was fun for the day. I do love putting these things together. It is so creative and lets you dabble in structures other than dresses.

Last note, one of the dresses is made of butcher paper. I loved the reaction of the women that came through. For the most part, they got it, but a few were quite worried about it.

Ashley's options

I find that this is the easiest way to show a bride something without her having to come up to the house. It seems like it takes forever to down-load pictures to e-mail compared to the blog. So here are some random photos for Ashley to check out. Of course anyone else is welcome to look and give an opinion as well. The debate is "to bead or not to bead". I have put a few on the bodice to see what Ashley thinks. The other option includes the lace flower type things at the hem. They add texture and dimension and mimic the flower at the neckline.

Merry Christmas!

We have really enjoyed the family time of this season. We did the traditional see the lights in S.L.C. thing. We rode "tracks" which is always the highlight for the boys and for us because of them. It is always so nice to go to the "big city".

Christmas was more than leisure. It snowed all day long, the kind that gets down your neck and hurts your face if you look anywhere but at your feet. We stayed in. The kids didn't get up until 8:00 A.M. They are great kids!

Otherwise, it was perfect. I feel like we do well together. I tell Hank that I love him and no mater what, he says, "me too". I think that means he loves me too. Slade likes to tell me he loves Papa but not me. I don't care because he always gives me perfect cuddles.

We were talking about what our favorite things were and Hank said my most favorite thing was the desert. So to celebrate that fact and to remind us all that there are warmer days in our lives, I posted an Arches picture from October. It features my two kids and their cousin Harry.

Good evening!

I found Christmas!

I was able to help with costumes for our ward play this weekend. I wish I had pictures, if and when I get some, I will post them. It was a HUGE undertaking and involved incredible amounts of time for all involved. I feel so lucky to work with such great people! The experience had so many layers of goodness.

First, the story was how Mary and Joseph got themselves into such an interesting situation. They were played by a 14 year old Mary and a 15 year old Joseph. That in itself brought home the overwhelmingly crazy predicament. It broke down the story into such basic moments that could be understood by all and, more importantly, felt by all. By the way, the play was "Savior of the World". It is always so sweet to think of the real reason we do this "Christmas thing" and have moments when we celebrate it for what it is.

Second, the amount of people willing to help in such an active way. Just in my realm, I had help from countless people that made it actually work. We dressed at least 40 to 45 people and most had two changes during the hour long play. It was crazy amounts of fabric, so much I couldn't even estimate. This isn't my strong point, organizing people and giving them jobs. I usually just work in my little world quietly putting together a wedding gown or some other formal outfit. It was fun to be in a situation I am not used to and seeing it come together. Thanks to all of those wonderful women that helped so graciously.

Yes, I did shed a tear during the last song of "Silent Night" while sitting with my cute little boys that wanted to "come find Mama" by the second half of the play.

Here's to the true Christmas Spirit!

Jesse and Mitch

Mitch is the last sibling in my husband's family to be married. He found Jesse and they are a very cute, and very in love, couple! I was honored because they made a trip to Utah to get the dress done. I met Jesse when we had our first design meeting. It was an intense project that lasted a bit less than a week. I always have a great time working on dresses for out of town brides. For some reason the time limit and the pressure makes for a great gown. This dress is a silk satin with silver embroidery and beading at waist. One of these photo's have my great in-laws with the bride and groom.