Random thoughts on snow and kids

Jack gives you an idea of the snow levels.  It would bury him whole, but his belly is keeping him afloat.  Jack is a good dog.  Someone dropped him off years ago at our gate.  We think the action was unthinkable, but are so grateful that he is ours. 

A beautiful and sunny day.  Isn't everything relative.  It wasn't more than 4 degrees out, but I was happy because it was at least sunny! 

This Christmas vacation was marked by 6 full days of constant down pouring rain or crazy amounts of snowfall.  Enough to drive me a bit crazy.  Oh, we even had enough snow to break a 4 by 4 in half, the board that holds the power lines apart a top of a power poll.  The break caused a bright light out our window and loud buzzing noise.  Enough to wake us in the middle of the night.  Now I know what happens at the source when the power to go off.  A bit unnerving. 

Another random note.  I noticed that the boys footprints are not that of toddlers anymore.  Their prints in the snow are not much smaller than mine.  To be fair, they did have their boots on, and I my normal shoes, but still, they keep surprising me with what they are capable of and that they are changing into big kids.  How did it happen?

  

Slade is eating snow.  He just plops his head in the snow and goes for it.  He can sit there for ten minutes eating snow with his head buried.  

Christy's Photos

Okay, I really really love this dress.  Of course I do.... because it has texture, which is my current obsession.  It helps that Christy is so cool.  She is a road biker, adventurer, meaning she does some crazy races that no sane person would think about, and has such a great attitude.    

 I love these type of photos.  It is all about the walking shots.  Am I the only one who feels this way?

A few details on this one.  The flowers are made of organza and dupioni silk.  I drew up a few flowers, had them digitized, and the local embroidery place produced them.  After a lot of cutting and a fair amount of fray check, they were ready to put onto the dress.  

Gowns are a study of evolution.  In this case, after seeing the bridals, I wanted to put more flowers on the gown.  Christy was happy to oblige.  So thankfully I got a second chance to make it better.  Thanks Christy.  

I really hesitate about describing the brides.  It is hard not to talk about them.  Christy is so happy and so up beat.  She really lives life fully, as noted in this photo.  That is a characteristic I value.   

I do love a dress that makes me happy.  Nothing like a whole lot of flowers to do that. 

 

snow

Here we go.  It is cold and dreary out there.  I think Scott is out plowing.  It is November 21st. 

I feel like we cheated the system because of the really beautiful and warm days right before the onset of bad weather.  On one of those unseasonably warm days, I hiked.  I took a 5 hour hike through some areas that must have feet of snow now.  It was beautiful, quite, peaceful, and a great work out.  I love to feel sore after an adventure.  Jack and Earl accompanied me and were great company.  They are the black and yellow dots in the picture.  That hike can keep me going for this winter season.  Just the thought that I get to do that again, meaning, hike unencumbered by snow, makes me happy.  So bring it on, I can do it.  A bit of snow is nothing.... or maybe not.  It really is coming down out there.  Sigh. 

What do you do to make it through this snowy time?  Silly that I am asking a question on this blog.  It isn't normal for me.  It will be embarrassing when there will be nothing in the comment section.  Hint hint.

JCrew Jewelry

This dress is going to be so cool!  The idea is to have a heavily beaded neckline on some to die for Italian silk satin.  So in my little world of making it hard, I thought we would be going through all of the antique stores in Utah finding some great things.  It would take weeks, but would be worth it. 

The genius Bride, Heidi, thought of JCrew jewerly.  This is where I am hitting my head against a wall because it is such a great idea.... and perfect for the look we want.  So here are a few pictures of the necklaces I will be taking apart.  Of course we will add some other jewels besides these, but this will take up the bulk. 

A few words about this fabric.  Really good silk will almost squeak when you squeeze it on the roll like this.  I know that description sounds weird, but when you are in a quality fabric store, try it.  You will then understand.  This stuff is almost edible, it is so beautiful.  It also does a puckering of sorts.  I always think of certain paintings when I work with silk satin.  It is the real thing.  Dang, this stuff is insane.  Look at the different colors you see in just this silly snap shot.  I see lavender, cream, silk white, grey, blue, and peach.  Just try to get a poly satin to do that.  Just try. 

I need to just devote a blog to all of the virtues of silk.  Just to warn you, I could get carried away.  So when it comes up, just skip it.... unless you are a seamstress and have the same obsession. 

Here are the two necklaces.  Are they not just perfect!!  Great job Heidi.  I am looking forward to seeing how it all turns out. 



Should I blog about this?

I really hesitate to post about this only because I know what "real" creative giants are doing out there, and by comparison, this project is just silly. 

Here is the story.  I really really want to change up our living room area.  It has seen better days.  So I decided to start small, or rather, cheap.  I tackled a wall.  You would think this would be a couple of days project.  Oh, no.  Not me.  I can't justify doing something frivolous until all work is off the table.  So I have been whittling away at this one since June or there abouts. 

The start.  I went to our local second hand store.  Utah people know it as D.I.  I lucked out and found a huge selection of once loved frames.  This put me out about 20 dollars and I gained 12 frames.  I brought them home, discarded the glass and miscellaneous art found within, and took a trip to Home Depot with leaves in hand.  I tried and tried to get the color right.  I settled on a color I felt like I could live with it.  It is a nice frog green..... bright frog green.... like Kermit. 

Next, I used this beautiful vintage linen as a backdrop inside the frames.  I call it vintage because it was from my Dad's wife's mom's collection, who has wonderful taste.  (whew, I can't even follow that connection)   Because I am a sucker for a good linen, I thought it would be perfect.  It is neutral, so I will get to change out what I put on the frames from time to time. 

These picture frames sat on my wall for a while and I asked any willing person what they would do with it.  My vision was to pin old school drawings of flora and fauna on them.  Couldn't find the perfect ones, so instead, found a great book on Van Gogh at a second hand book store.  This is where it gets sketchy.  Is it morally wrong to rip out pictures and put them on your wall?  Some people don't understand how I can cut into fabric.  That is no big thing.  I struggled to cut into this book.  Am I breaking any codes of conduct?  Hope not. 

I got over it quickly when I saw how great the colors of his amazing paintings went with my Kermit green frames.  I should have used one of his paintings to color match my paint.  It would have saved me a lot of time mixing. 

So the butterflies found at a craft store are the part that makes me happy when I walk by.  I know it is fall and everyone is getting out the leaves and pumpkins.  Those things depress me.  At this time of year I need to be reminded that spring will come again.  I am justified in feeling this way.  The snow can be taller than the boys, snow non stop for days on end.... and stay til May.  Butterflies are how I protest winter.  Or rather, butterflies are how I keep the inside of my house bright while it is so cold out there. 

Sarah in San Francisco

Look, a post about a bride.  What a surprise.  This is Sarah.  She was married so long ago, but I am finally posting about her.  I want to say she was married last summer.  Yes, I think that is right.  Talk about the sweetest person to work with..... yes, I say that a lot.  I mean it each time. 

Sarah worked (past tense, because I don't know what she is up to as of late), in Washington DC.  I can't get over the success of these brides.  It makes me question what I am doing with my life.  Anyway, that is beside the point.  Some dresses give me a hard time, some don't.  This was a pleasant dress with lots of pleating.  These pleats didn't keep me up at night, like some tend to do.  So it was lots of fun. 

I am hoping the best for these two.  I also wish the best for Sarah's mom and dad.  They really made a great impression on me.  It is cute to see a bride interact with her parents... especially if dad is along for the ride.  It is a sweet thing to see. 

Do you love the photography?  I sure do.  Oh, and I just peaked at her blog.  Beautiful!  This is Marielle Hayes.  She is a San Francisco photographer.  Check her out at mariellehayes.com.  I get so excited when a photographer captures the details of the dress.  I know it doesn't matter.... except to the dress maker.  I think they took a day of fun and photos in the city.  I wish it was something they did back in the day, when I got married.  No, that was so very long ago and we didn't do smart things like that.  Something about not seeing the bride in her wedding dress until the wedding day.  Hum, I wonder if I would have cared? Nope, it would have been a chance to wear the dress another time.   

Make sure you see the last few shots.  They are my favorite.

 

Quick view of Lauren and Crismon

Okay, I saw that Lindsey of greenapplephotography.blogspot.com  posted a thumbnail of Lauren and Crismon's wedding.  It always makes my day to see images of dresses I have done.  Especially when they come from a photographer that is so talented!

 

Just a few words about Lauren and her mom, Julie.  They couldn't have been more lovely.  They are both classic and beautiful women.  They worked well together while remaining individuals.  That is the challenge in this world of mothers and brides.  I was happily surprised at the direction the dress went.  I love a dress that I wasn't expecting at the start. 

I can't wait to show you the wedding in full.  Lauren's mom, Julie, is an exceptionally talented florist.  Oh, that word doesn't do her justice.  She is a.... designer of flowers and other beautiful things.  You can see her work at julieprinceflowers.com.  She did the wedding for Caitlin about a year ago.  So of course I was thrilled to work with her and her daughter on this dress.  

I know this sounds trite, but I appreciate and love my job because I get to work with such great women.  To be a part of this event for so many people is quite phenomenal.  Every dress and every bride surprises me in some way or another.  I feel so fortunate to be a "gown maker".