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".

Unexpected Vacation

Today I feel grateful.  I have been walking around in a bit of a euphoric state. 

 I have been reveling in my two cute kids,

my best friend, who luckily, is also my husband,

the beautiful place that we get to live,

my family,

my husband's family,

my wonderful job that makes me so happy,

and sunlight. 

Why am I acting like this?  Well, I finished the last dress of the busy busy busy season.  The last two and a half years have been a bit overwhelming.  I like overwhelming, but maybe not for that long.  I finished Amanda's dress and shipped it off to San Francisco.  Right after that I opened up a package from Amanda.  It had a bunch of "silly bands" for the kids.  I always get sentimental when anyone gives something to our kids.  It also had an invitation for her wedding.  Earlier, she had said that we should come out.  I thought that wouldn't happen and didn't think anything of it.  BUT the combination of the dress being off, which always fills me with a great sense of relief, the invitation, finding out my kids are out of school for fall break, and the promise of a road trip to San Francisco, it seemed to make sense.  Spontaneous sense. 

So we made plans and went.  It was a perfect vacation.  We dragged the kids all over the place and they were truly happy and enthralled.  We stayed in one of the old hotels in down town.  Loved it.  There is nothing like a good San Francisco hotel.  We did all of the touristy things.  Just walking down the street is an experience for the kids. 

Slade danced to the street musicians.  Hank finally got to ride on a cable car.  We walked and walked.  Even hailing a taxi was exciting.  Of course we went out to Alcatraz.  It was a beautiful time.  I am thinking this is the perfect time to tour with kids.  They were eager to see and do everything!   

At the end of the short vacation in San Francisco, we headed out to the rolling hills of California.  Amanda and Paul's wedding was at Taber Ranch, it was quaint and quite stunning.  We enjoyed a beautiful ceremony given by their friend.  Just the ceremony was worth it.  It was funny and touching.  Perfect.  Then there was the great dinner and the chance to talk to so many of their friends.  Everyone was so friendly and welcoming to us.... the "dressmaker" and her family.  I think we were all overwhelmed by the whole thing.  We couldn't get over how wonderful everyone was to us. 

I will post more of the wedding later, once I have photo's to go with it.  These look like they were taken by paparazzi from a very distant place.  That heightens the mystery of what it was all about and what the dress looked like.  I was just taking it all in, so I forgot to take out our camera.   

I am just grateful.  I feel lucky to work with people during such a significant time in their lives.  I love that I get to create, be pushed to do more, and to grow and learn.  But it is most rewarding to meet and work with people on the project of a wedding gown.   

Oh, and it doesn't hurt to go on a road trip or two. 

Chelsea's Bridal Photographer

I just discovered who took the wonderful pictures of Chelsea.  Her name is Natalie Norton.  She is Chelsea's sister in law.  I peeked into her blog.  Just the most intimate photos.  Just a beautiful blog.  You all should take a look.  natalienortonblog.com  Pretty heart felt and she really expresses herself well. 

So I am short on words.  I have been reading someone's blog.  That always shuts me up pretty well. 

Chelsey with Balloons

I SO enjoyed working on Chelsey's dress.  We used the most beautiful cotton organdy polka dot.  I loved it so much, I blogged about it. 

The dress took a few turns and ended up being the small waist and big skirt variety.  It suited her well.  I am sad that you can't see the fabric and ruching that makes the dress... but C'est la vie!  These images are beautiful and she looks great, don't you think?  This is why I don't post photo's I have taken at the time of the fittings.  A bride always looks so incredible under the influence of a great photographer.  I can never do a person justice with my lack of photographic intelligence. 

I just love the balloon shot.  So, so, clean and fresh.  Yes, weird words to describe.  Maybe it is getting late for me to be blogging.  I wish Chelsey the best.  She is one who deserves everything wonderful. 

Oh, I can't find the photographers name.  Dang, I will get that info out tomorrow. 

Just as a side note.  All of my boys and I had such a great day today.  It is hot like it should be August, not October.  That makes me happy.  I got to go on a long jog, which in itself, can make my day.  But we also splashed in some water, visited with friends, ate good food, and danced in the light of a flashlight (the little boys did that).  

Hope you have a wonderful day.