the best new app out there

I was so thrilled to discover the This American Life iPhone App. Now, after downloading it and personally discovering just how fabulous it really is... it's on the top of my list of favorite things- up there with dark chocolate and Australian beaches.
For a mere 4 bucks you can get all 400 (and counting) episodes of the show, their list of favorites, all sorts of cool ways to search for episodes and extras you can't get anywhere else.
By the way, Parent Trap, aired February 19, 2010 was good, very thought provoking as a parent.
Watch the Youtube tutorial, narrated by Ira Glass himself here.

if I get a minute

This wreath is super awesome, and if I wasn't up to my neck in purse making I would be making one right now. All the info on how to make one and for some more inspirational photos of the project look here.
In any case I need to get my hands on some of the day glow thread she uses here. Rad.

memorable moment

While driving in the car with all four kids my 9 year old daughter, M all of the sudden stated, "Mom, C (her 5 1/2 year old brother-pictured) still has his baby softness." We were all happy to hear this, relishing the truth in her words, all but the 'baby soft' man himself, who growled a little bit... under a smirky smile.

Twelve- today

Happy Birthday to F, my son turns 12 today. It's funny how time flies- It honestly feels like one minute you're holding a 10 lbs. 4 oz. baby boy in your arms and the next, he's almost as tall as you. What an awesome kid, brother, athlete, student, friend, comedian. Here is is about a month and a half ago in Australia, surfin' it up at One Mile Beach. Mama loves you.

Mama just finished reading (listening to) The Help by Kathryn Stockett, I've been talking with a southern accent all week. Great book- a must read.

yarn bombing

My thoughtful little Valentine gave me this book, that I love so much.
Call it what you will- public art, graffiti, bombing... The fact that anyone and everyone can participate, it brightens up the sometimes dreary looking world, encouraging creativity and putting smiles on the faces of passerbyers is enough for me.

I have only encountered one act of yarn bombing personally, any no it wasn't this tree (I wish) It was this bus stop in Provo Utah a year or so back. Giggles.

handmade Valentines

Some deep thinking needed here... I mean really, who wouldn't love to get a Valentine with a cow stamped on it?


We busted out the drawers of rubber stamps, paint markers (our new family favorite), card stock, some spray glitter and not much else and made up some Valentines this year in lieu of another trip to the store. The fun part was watching the kids and their friends crack each other up with silly sayings, or dare each other to put "kiss me" on valentines for classmates. Everyone who has stopped by all week has sat down to make a least one Valentine, giving me another reason to smile.


One of my favorite stamps, (thank you Hailey for introducing me to my new stamp BFF), you can say so much, keep it anonymous (no tell-tale conspicuous handwriting to secret admirers), save time not having to stamp out each letter. I would recommend one of these for every rubber stamp collection.



Have a wonderful Valentine's Day everyone!

And to my Valentine, rocking New Zealand for the holiday- I love you, wish I was there too...

Norwegian design

I just ran across this dangerously delicious font, and some other delectable, exciting, comical options for every imaginable occasion-special or not so- by Handmade Font The bread font is by the Norwegian design firm Commando Group.

For all of you who might be snowed in, school or work canceled, sitting-by-the-fire sipping hot chocolate, I would recommend a trip to the Norwegian Commando Group- amazing, inspiring, humorous design work. This image is from one of their projects.

I'm just going to go ahead and admit just how bitterly jealous I am of the East Coast/Midwest right now and their "snow problem" ...AND it's still falling?!
We got nothing. Brown, frozen ground (and air)- Bor-ing. Utah could use a good storm- I wouldn't mind being snowed in right now or having something fresh on the slopes, I wouldn't complain.

gallery strollin'- Park City

We put the kids on autopilot Friday night and took off for a few hours to dine on our favorite mexican food in Park City, (El Chubasco) and have a look at some art.
We used to go out way more often when the kids were little, keeping our favorite babysitter busy most weekends, but it seems like we hardly ever get a moment to breathe now much less go out for an entire evening. Those tweens have plans of their own on the weekends- parent chauffeurs' essential. It was a treat to sneak away for a bit.
We stumbled upon Denise Duong's mixed media artwork in Phoenix Gallery and fell in love. I wished I'd been more than just window shopping.
We've got some quizzical weather going on as well- not very cold up there in PC, not much snow either... creepy.

what a difference a coat of paint can make

Here is the before picture of the master bedroom, the way it's looked for too long. About a year ago I could stand it no longer. I chucked the old worn bedding and sewed up some new stuff. Finally, at long last, I finished the rest of the room. I realized this room has been 'squash blossom' yellow for 10 years now. Wow, time flies- I never thought I would be the girl that leaves a room alone for anywhere near that long, but then you get busy and the years pass...


The new wall color is gray, looks kind of purple in some light, and is so refreshing and clean. While I was at it- I picked up some much needed new blinds, a new light fixture with a ceiling fan. I used a can of metallic spray paint for the fixtures on either side of the bed and found a couple of new lamp shade at Ikea too. Almost the best part was that it was all done in 24 hours-(thank you Steve O for the help) The only things left are to make the curtains and a quilt for above the bed.
I ran into the fabric hanging in front of the window at Ikea and picked up a couple of yards just for fun- not even with this project in mind. It's a little bold in this room but I think I like it.


Here is another curtain fabric option- also in the bold category and from Ikea. As I look at these pictures, I lean toward this fabrics for curtains, but I still can't decide. The chair, I can say for sure, needs to go or get an overhaul. I got it out of the trash many years ago, had it reupholstered once already. But the four precious little angels that run this place sure are hard on furniture. Perhaps some new upholstery- again.



In the end, I suppose the final drapery decision all comes down to the quilt I make for over the bed. Here is the criteria for the quilt- that it take about a day to make, uses mixed textures, is abstract and of course- colorful.
I've been loving Thomas Campbell's stuff lately and quilt boy- what's his name- Ian Hundley. Also, I've always loved the abstract quilt at Sundance in the hallway between the General Store and Grill Room, but I can't find an image of it to share- sorry.
Let's see if I can find a moment to stitch something up for this empty spot.

an open invitation

If you feel like taking a step in an artsy direction and want to make some extra cash- get your application in for the Spring 2010 Beehive Bazaar Art and Craft Fair taking place May 5-8th (Mother's Day weekend) here in Utah.
The Beehive Bazaar hosts all the latest, newest, hippest art and craft going on in the West. Bigger than ever before, 75 vendors will be featured this spring. If you've got the itch to create and some new ideas in your noggin get the vendor facts and apply at thebeehivebazaar.com. The application will only be open until February 21, so don't delay.

journaling

I'm a very serious journal keeper when I travel, not so much when I'm at home. But I get motivated after a trip. I enjoy the record keeping, cutting and pasting, coloring (now I just need to draw more...) and of course the looking back aspect. I guess what this all means is that I should travel more.
I've started sewing in the journal, just for fun or just a super smart way to add some more pages when you run out of space. Your extra maps, special papers, speeding tickets (that's Steve O's department not mine) can be easily included and don't go spilling out all over the floor evert time the journal is opened. More journal pictures here.
One of our most favorite pieces of art by Tatzu Nishi, War And Peace and In Between remembered here. In a nutshell, he built a temporary 'house' structures around two sculptures in front of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. When you walk into the 'house' the horse from the sculpture is standing on a bed in the bedroom, or (like in the picture) the rider's head and arm are on display on a coffee table with the horses head in a cupboard. Very funny, clever, creative-art that makes you smile.