and the mailbox too

I just had to do it, while all the paint was still out. Once again, chocking up hours and hours with the paintbrush in hand...

bazaar finds

Here are some shots from the Beehive Bazaar this past weekend in Provo. Oh how I love this building (this part of it, not the bathrooms...) the Women's Center it's called, and I don't think it will be around for much longer. The building and others around it are slated for demolition for the new Provo Recreation Center sometime this year. So, for the sake of nostalgia... a few pictures of the Women's Center looking it's best.  The morning sunlight streaming in the colored glass windows on fabulous handmade goods.

Watercolor prints by Ashley Mae. 

Recycled wool felted goods by Carrie Poulsen of Big Brown House.

Felt sushi, pita pockets and so much more by Bug Bites Play Food.

The softest, cutest cleverly named dollies by Urban Patchwork.

A mind bending amount of work by so many talented artists and crafters go into making the Beehive Bazaar so unique and completely handmade. Thank you everyone who participated- vendors and shoppers, it was better than ever!

ribbon dollies

My Q has been making these ribbon dollies for the Beehive Bazaar this weekend, aren't they so very cute?
To get a dolly for yourself and about a thousand other way awesome things (we just set up the show, so I got a sneak peek...) head out to the Bazaar in Provo UT this Mother's Day weekend.

only a month away-

I'm sewing (or just cutting out stuff) like crazy these days... goods for the spring Bazaar. I've been working on some new things this year- some are so new- they only exist in cut up stacks, ready to be sewn together.
I made a few really cute sling backpacks this weekend, and I would show them now but they are in use. Snagged and(please Mom, can I have that one?) loaded up- off to school. I guess that's a good sign. I'll get some pictures of the rope backpack up in the next few days, and how about a tutorial too?
To view the other Beehive Bazaar artists look here.
To like Beehive Bazaar on Facebook, and check out the Spring Event, look right here.
To see what the heck a rope sling backpack looks like, look here.

while my Valentine was out

My Valentine spent the weekend in NY and passed this subway street art or graffiti- thanks for the giggle Dear.

For some more mustache oogling, gather your friends around and check out more very entertaining and inspiring (for all you beard growers out there) images from the The World Beard and Mustache Championships here.

Midway Ice Castles

We finally bundled ourselves up and made our way over to the ice castles last night. Right next to the ice skating rink (unfortunately closed for the season due to broken pipes) in downtown Midway. Pretty darn amazing, and ever evolving.

Made from nothing but frozen water, ice infrastructure too, ice artist Brent Christensen works tirelessly, at all hours of the day, and in all temperatures building these castles. Believe me, I've driven carpool, first thing in the morning, and there he is. Returning home late, late at night... still working. Super tiger, I say, dedicated to his work.

Depending on the air temperatures, the ice castles take on different aspects. Last night the ice was crisp and shiny thanks to the below zero temperatures this past week. Pictures on their blog from previous warmer weeks show drippy smooth surfaces.
I need to go back about dinner time, get a view with blue sky and then a sunset. AND if it ever snows again this winter in Utah... I'd like to be ice castle observing that day too.

Sundance 2011

I honor of the Sundance Film Festival 2011 starting today, I'm going to enthusiastically recommend a film from last year's festival- no need to show up in Park City for the next 10 days- just add it to your Netflix queue. I just got around to seeing, sorry to be so not cutting edge. Exit Thru The Gift Shop, recommended by my sis and evidently seen by Steve O at the film festival last year. Not surprisingly, I wasn't paying attention and missed his rave review (with four young hooligans/cherubs running the show around here, I miss lots of things).
Film Synopsis: The story of how an eccentric French shop keeper and amateur film maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner with spectacular results. Billed as 'the world's first street art disaster movie' the film contains exclusive footage of Banksy, Shephard Fairey, Invader and many of the world's most infamous graffiti artists at work.

I did catch this and other Banksy moments on the walls of Park City last year though- and now it's time once again to stroll Main Street- ahhh- Film Festival week, eavesdrop on what could be great "Fake Conversation" iPhone app material and glean winter fashion inspiration from the Hollywood set, quite simply- wear black.

time for the Beehive Bazaar!

Tomorrow is the opening night of the Beehive Bazaar- 9pm for all you late nighters who are all about handmade goods(don't forget $4 for opening night admission), Friday and Saturday all day too.
Don't miss the best mix of handmade goods in Utah, excellent one-of-a-kind Christmas shopping opportunities await everyone on your list- and don't forget to pick up a little something for yourself.
Sneak peek participating artists and crafters here. See you there.

time to apply

If you're (anywhere) near the area (Provo UT) and you make some funky craft or art... you might want to apply for the Winter 2010 Beehive Bazaar coming up December 1-4th. Applications are being accepted until September 29th. Get all the info at thebeehivebazaar.com

sidetracked-

I came across this gal's goods on flickr- eye candy- I would recommend a visit here. It makes me want to take a bunch of my fabric and jazz up the woodlands. It could be some interesting Halloween yard decor. I've got lots of costumes... would they perhaps fit on my trees? By the way- for those in the area... big yard sale coming up Sept. 25 & 26th. Be ready for costumes, books, clothes, household goods and stuff, lots of really great stuff.
Same lady, from Toronto Canada, now, which box did I put the felt and zippers in?

salty fun & games

It occurred to me the other day that I have lived in Utah for 20 years and I have never been to the Great Salt Lake. Deciding to fix this oversight- we packed for a day trip and headed out. From what I could find out from google searching, Antelope Island is a great place to venture into the water, so we gave it a shot.
I'd heard and read all sorts of nasty reviews of the Great Salt Lake, but, let's face it folks and recollect what the Great Salt Lake is- the 2nd saltiest lake in the world (only the Dead Sea is saltier). Of course it's going to be a barren wasteland full of bugs, bad smells, mud and a salty residue on everything...
Being warned (and warned again) of the unpleasantness our adventure would entail- this is what we found as we arrived on Antelope Island. A gorgeous view of expansive water and desert, well-kept covered picnic areas, clean sand, showers and bathrooms. Not too smelly, and a breeze keeping the bugs at bay.

Getting to the water was a bit gross, depending on how you feel about gnats. The sand on the edge of the water was covered with thousands of gnats that moved in waves when you stepped forward. Kind of funny- kind of disgusting. The gnats weren't really interested in you (they didn't bite) as long as you kept moving. So into the water we went... very floaty, surreal feeling. You just bob effortlessly near the surface, this picture was taken with both hands on the camera. No need to expend any effort to stay afloat.


Little dude did some serious shrimpin'. Tiny pinkish brine shrimp are all over in the water, easily caught in a water bottle.


I couldn't head south, back home, without seeing Saltair and the surrounding area. So we headed west on I-80, past the airport, just as the sun was getting low in the sky. We went for a glimpse of Saltair but found ourselves enjoying the extremely photogenic Temple of the Birds and it's neighbor- 'burned-out-train-car' (for lack of a better name), just to the east. We just couldn't stop with the pictures. Oh the evening sunlight and colorful graffiti combined for some clever pics.

We weren't the only ones talking pictures, we counted 3 engagement and 1 bridal photo sessions going on as we wandered about. Here is the rare picture of the train car without any random strangers (oh wait, there is just one...).

Time to head home as the sun set, what an unforgettable day. To see a ton more pictures of the day- look here.

handmade goodies

In a bunch of images, all neatly arranged, my haul from the Spring 2010 Beehive Bazaar.
To see more pictures, get some facts or artists & crafter details- go to my flickr page.

great write-ups

The Spring 2010 Beehive Bazaar starts tomorrow night... The pillows here are by Ruby Market, they'll be at the show as well as about 75 other extremely talented artists and crafters and their handmade wares.
It's been a lot of work preparing for this Beehive Bazaar, the reward is see it all come together under one roof. Everyone involved has literally spent thousands of hours painting, sewing, drawing, gluing, cutting, knitting, crocheting, baking, printing, (what am I leaving out?) photographing, stenciling... working their little fingers to the bone. Oh (sigh) but finally seeing the Bazaar all set up it is a sight to behold and a surreal shopping experience for all who attend- the creativity, uniqueness, originality- the handmadeness leaves me swooning.
Oh, and by the way Salt Lake City Weekly and ArtDuh just published great articles about the Bazaar. View them here and here.

digging through my jewelry box...

If you're a Beehive Bazaar Handmade Art & Craft Fair fan and veteran shopper- your going to want to check out this giveaway on Facebook. Here are the details:
1. Take a picture of your favorite item that you've gotten at a previous Beehive Bazaar.
2. Post that picture on the Beehive Bazaar Facebook Page, as a fan photos and tell them why you love that particular item (and why it's changed your life etc.)
All entries must be submitted by midnight tonight, April 30th, they will draw 3 winners at random from all of the entries.
Winners receive tickets to the Spring 2010 Beehive Bazaar VIP Opening Night Party Wednesday May 5th at 8 pm.

featured

Ooh look, my 'Sunday Stroll' purse was featured in this Etsy Spring Picnic gallery today. To inquire about the pictured items more completely- or browse a little Etsy click here.

local street art

Thanks to Brent for pointing out this amazing piece of street art on the Fice, Estes Pizza building just across the street from SLC Bicycles on 2nd E and 2nd S in downtown Salt Lake City. I could easily have missed it. It's really embarrassing to admit- but that's why traveling in cars can be so stupid. You miss the little things...

The Spring 2010 Beehive Bazaar is right around the corner-

Just a couple of weeks until the next Beehive Bazaar, May 5-8 to be exact. Ohh, I can't wait- there are some amazing artists, new and veteran this spring. The artist pictured above is Colt Bowden, new this year- can't wait to see his creations.
To check out all the spring artists here or on facebook if that's your thing.

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.

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.

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.