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.