here kitty, kitty...

Here is a little funky decor, perhaps for Halloween or all year if you like. The frames are the deep box frames from Ikea, about 8 by 11'' The heads were lapel pins I picked up at Dear Lizzie, and took the pin back off. I made the bodies for the kitty and other guy (?) out of felt, the stars with the kitty are covered with glass glitter. The orange head guy is holding some black roses, but you can't really tell from the picture. The pitchfork and little bottle are random things I found in my craft bins or around the house.
I must admit I didn't come up with the idea for these boxes. I saw them in the Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine. The artist I got the idea from is Magda Trzaski. Her boxes are so very fabulous, expensive and mostly sold out. You can see more of her boxes here

halloween dollies

Here are a few little Halloween friends I made a few years ago. These guys are about 18 inches tall and made of wool felt and other random fabrics for their clothes. I was kind of thinking about the trick-or-treater kids from Nightmare Before Christmas when I made them. I haven't made any dollies lately because they are so labor intensive, but maybe someday I'll get back into it. They are very fun to make, I love coming up with wacky faces and clothing for the little fellas. Oooh- looking at that witch now, I think she might need a halter top to complete her outfit.
yes, she has her witchy woman heels on.

many are chosen, but few come when they are called...

After much hounding (no pun intended) on the kids part, and deliberating about breeds and characteristics such as intelligence, barking habits, shedding, tolerance toward being mauled by multiple children- you know...that sort of thing. We threw all caution and research to the wind and adopted a "mutt" into the family. She is the exact sort of dog you might see roaming the street of any third world country, a truly mixed breed. Hopefully, a mix of all the good qualities you might want in a dog.
I began calling her Gloria (a fabulous dog name if you ask me, no offense if this is your name) but was quickly shut down by tears- nearly to the degree of 'weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth'. Wow- OK, I can take a hint. The name The Smalls themselves settled on is Izzy. I guess I can't complain, the name Gloria achieved middle-name credit.
She is very sweet, quiet, and not excited about being in the house, I'm pretty sure she's never been indoors before. By the end of the first day she was wrapped, like a baby, in numerous blankets and splayed out on the toy room futon with every imaginable puppy necessity The Smalls could dream up- surrounding her. Seeing her laying there in the lap of luxury, it occurred to me- Izzy is probably singing in her head "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here" from the movie Annie.

Megan's pick

I just finished reading My Sister's Keeper for book group. I really, really liked it. I find myself missing the characters and wondering what they are doing right now...I know, I know- kooky! But, to me that is the sign of a good story. It was thought provoking, and a good discussion starter. Highly recommendable.
Next month it's my turn to pick the book. I tend to want to pick classics (previous picks: Great Expectations, The Hobbit to name a few) This year is no exception, next we read- Lord of the Flies. I have had this book sitting on my night stand for about 6 months- waiting. I read it in high school of course, but I want to reread it with an adult/parents perspective.

calaveras

Here is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. The Hallstatt Austria cemetery is short on space. So, after about 100 years in the ground you get dug up, your family paints your skull, and your skull and other bones that remain go into the bone chapel.

The kids were tired and hungry and getting ready to mutiny when we begged our way into the bone chapel a few minutes after closing time. Jason, tour guide extraordinare and German speaker- knew we couldn't go back to Salzburg without making this one last stop. We were all in awe, utterly amazed- there in a little dark room hundreds of skulls were neatly arranged along three of the walls, big bones filled the shelves underneath. It might seem morbid, but standing there- it didn't feel that way at all. The paintings and designs, the deceased names and dates, sizes and shapes, teeth- I could have stared for hours.

I picked up this paper mache skull on Olvera St. in LA this last weekend. I have never been on that street before, Steve O said he used to go there as a child and buy piggy banks- anyway, for me it was love-at-first-sight. A whole street dedicated to Mexican goods, art, and dia del muerto paraphernalia. If you've been to my house you know that I am way into Mexican art, especially Day of the Death goods, so- some time on Olvera street was quite a treat.
Steve O spent a few weeks in Oaxaca (said: wa-ha-ka, it took me a while to figure that out) Mexico a few years ago working on Nacho Libre. He came back with lots of great pictures, stories, Day of the Dead goods and wrestling masks. This calavera, about real skull size, is adding to my ever growing collection of Mexican art. I would love a trip to Oaxaca someday (maybe next year for 17 wonderful years...)
Looking at this skull reminds me of good times, with good friends in Austria. Maybe, I'll keep it up all year and not just for Halloween.

beach fun

This was the view on Saturday afternoon from Capistrano beach. Dana Point is just barely out of the picture to the right. It looked like perfect sailing weather, not too much wind, just enough to pull out the spinnaker if you like.


16 wonderful years of marriage, set in stones and pebbles.


We took about 200 pictures in 20 minutes- the beauty and downfall of the digital camera. By downfall I mean the trouble of keeping track of hundreds or even thousands of images. Sorting and storing all of those wacky pictures- ('cuz I have to keep them all, even the blurry ones- just in case I need them sometime) is a full time job I'm afraid I've fallen behind on. But, I still can't help myself, I fall further behind, I can't stop snapping.
Super silly stuff- handstands, jumping, spinning, cartwheels etc. This one is pretty funny with Maia pulling off a great handstand in the back there.

some good october reading

I would like to recommend some good October reading. This book is fabulous, one of my favorite picture books by Chris Von Allsburg. (sorry about the bad picture, the book's a little beat up and the photo raw) A wonderful October read with a little mystery, action and adventure.

We are heading to California for our school fall break- to spend some time at the beach with grandma and grandpa. I am really looking forward to spending some time at the beach house, we haven't been since last summer and I think we've all really missed it.
It's our 16th wedding anniversary tomorrow and the spouse and I are going to bust out and leave the kids for a few of the days. THAT I am really looking forward too. Steve O and I haven't been it the same place at the same time without the kids for too long. See ya'll next week.

5 euros well spent

I saw this 'afro' plant in Denmark this summer at a grocery store. I couldn't keep my hands off of it. The plant was perfectly shaped, round and dense, I just wanted to lay my cheek against it or have a bed made out of it.
About a week later I found this planter at a flea market I knew the combination would be perfect. I got back to the US of A and could not find an 'afro' plant anywhere. I couldn't even ask anyone because I had no name for it.
Finally, I tried Cactus and Tropicals- a fabulous greenhouse in Salt Lake with every plant can dream of- and there was my little 'afro' plant, official name- 'baby tears'
I'm so happy to finally have this baby planted, the plant got a little munched during the transfer- it will take a month or so to grow in all full and give this baby a full head of hair.
This is just the sort of decor I love to have in my house, something that reminds you not to take yourself or life so seriously. I think he/she needs a name now.

laughter IS contagious

Fischer, my 9 year old showed me this. You can't help but smile, or all-out belly laugh.

Escalante

We went to Escalante for the weekend to hang out with my family and to get some much needed 'cousin time' for the kids. Here are all the Phoenix/Springville cousins together again and having so much fun. That's Parker in the middle, bustin' a move.


A funky spot I found on a hike- you don't usually see moss growing in the desert, but this spot shaded by the cliffs looked like it belonged in a deep dark forest.

cowboy boots

Here is the cowboy boot quilt top- all pieced together- that I've been working on for my mom and her bed and breakfast Slot Canyons Inn. I've got so many projects started, it feels good to finally have something finished. OK well... once again part-way finished.
It pieced together pretty fast once I had the fabric all picked out and cut to size. I am still trying to decide on fabric for the border, there is a thin strip (2 in.) and a thicker one (3 in.) that go all the way around. I always get antsy at this stage of a quilt, I want to see it all done and quilted. Unfortunately I am on a waiting list at Corn Wagon (a great quilting store just down the street from my house) and they are 8 to 10 weeks out. I should have gotten on the quilting list a little earlier.

scrappy apron

tah daa, I finally got a recycled fabric strips apron made...what do you think? I will probably have some like this one or similar at the Beehive Bazaar in December, maybe I'll get organized and get something going onEtsy one of these days.

racking my brain

I saw this license plate today, it made me laugh. We say this all the time, but, I can't remember...what movie is it from?

winter wonderland

Today started out chill and rainy, but the soccer games played on. Then about 3 pm the rain changed to snow and did not stop. This is the earliest snow day I can remember, in the 17 years I've lived in Utah.
So, we got cozy, hunkered down and made all sorts of hot treats. Muffins, hot chocolate (between soccer games) tuna melts and chocolate chip cookies.
I'm having mixed feeling about the snow, which is usually not the case. As a snow sports enthusiast any snowfall is usually a very good thing. But, here are the troubles I have with snow in September:
Perhaps the end of local yummy fruit- if it all freezes tonight
Kids scrambling through tubs and closets to find boots, gloves, snow pants etc. and making a tremendous wet mess- I thought I wouldn't have to worry about this sort of disheveledness for at least another month.
Gardens frozen- not mine, I didn't plant anything because of the long summer trip, but, all of the poor folks I have been begging tomatoes and basil from:)
Do I put up Halloween or Christmas decor?
Crew just told me he wants Santa to come RIGHT NOW.
The end of mountain biking in the high country- but I was just getting started....
Property damage. The leaves are not only still on my trees, they haven't even changed color yet, leaving me a yard full of droopy trees with branches ready to snap under the weight of all the wet snow.
This is the oak in my front yard. It's one of the tall, narrow oaks- the first kind of tree to get jacked up by an early snowfall. I spent a very wet hour with my broom and telescoping window squeegie trying to get enough snow off the branches of all of our trees so they don't snap. I hope it changes back to rain soon so we don't loose any trees.

The Giant Little Girl

The kids and I came across this video. We were all mesmerized. It's a little Gulliver's Travels, kind of creepy, but much more amazing. I don't know much about her except that they traveling troupe of street performers called Royal de Luxe that travel around Britain and other European countries putting on performances. Check out the link if you have time, it's amazing stuff. Something to look into if a trip to abroad is in your future.

my favorite meal of the day

I absolutely love breakfast. Grapefruit is the most delicious food in the world when eaten first thing in the morning, I eat one almost every morning- except on the mornings when we've run out.
The fruit on my cereal varies according to what is in season. Strawberries, raspberries, peaches, and bananas- but only in the winter. It's peach season right now and I can't get enough. There is nothing like a perfectly ripe melt-in-your-mouth local peach. I think I may love them as much as dark chocolate...
The breakfast cereal varies, I rotate between any of the Kashi GO Lean series, Fiber One crunch or regular, and Grapenuts. The cereal pictures here is Go Lean Crunch (brown box).

scrappy been there, done that

Here is the first project to be completed with the fabric strips. I sewed on a little rick-rack and ribbon to add a little texture.

I had in mind this orangish fringe trim for the edges of the pillow, some stuff I got at Tasha's pieced goods, the big warehouse on the frontage road in Springville- before it changed into an antique mall.
I got a lot of really wacky colored lace, rick-rack and assorted trimmings extremely cheap before they sadly phased out that part of the store.
I searched my sewing room and could not find the fringe in question. It turned up the next day, in another tub full of trims in my crawl space...my pre-sewing room organizational system leftovers. At least NOW I know I really do have some orange fringe, and I can find it put away in it's proper place from now on. So, this greenish trim found it's way onto the pillow. It makes it a bit fancier, just the sort of thing kids can't keep their hands off.

the orange trim in question...

yard work

Most of my day today (more like week) was spent thinking about what needed to be done outside, the long list of chores to be done before winter. And then, at long last- I finally pushed up my sleeves and got to work...long after noon.
One thing I really appreciated this summer, for the two months we were in Europe, was the absence of yard care. It's not that I don't love gardening or being in the great outdoors, but it's easy to admit- lawn maintenance and weeding get a little tedious over time.
So, nothing annual was planted this year, and most of my perennials have flowered already and are just waiting it out til winter. This delphinium plant, some yarrow, and a flowering sage are all the color I've got in my yard right now.
Thanks little delphinium for bringing just a bit of color to my otherwise humdrum yard.

luggage tag

Crew's preschool teacher sent home a note asking parents to put names on your child's backpack to make sure it goes home with the right student.
I bet when she holds up the Lightening McQueen backpack and asks, "who does this belong to?", every boy in the class volunteers, "me!" I know Crew definitely would.
He and I strongly disagree on clothing and accessories with logo's imblazon upon them. I thought this backpack was a good compromise, you know-checkered flag, race cars, perhaps close to having a Cars backpack, or maybe not. (but he really didn't have a choice in the end- sorry little dude.) This little backpack is from Hot Topic of all places. Don't be intimidated by the- wild, products mostly in black and for teens- store that you can find in just about every mall in America. Confidently march right in there, you may be surprised by what treasures can be found. This backpack is just the right size for a 3 year old, very affordable too. ($15)
All weekend I've had some ideas for a luggage/backpack tag rolling through my head, something with fabric of course.

This is what I came up with. I pictured it more punk rock, in my head- frayed, a bit smaller, red random stitching. But, it turned out tamer and plainer when I actually sewed it up at midnight last night. Maybe I'll try again later. But, too many tries and the teacher is bound to wonder if I'm crazy, have too much time on my hands or both. Crazy may be true to some extent, too much time...not quite, just obsessed with an idea.
Here is the backside. I think I'll put our phone number on this side with a thin sharpie, to make it a proper ID tag. I don't have a programable machine to do intricacies like tiny phone numbers, but now I wish I did.

why I love the NY Times

This designer was featured in the men's fall fashion section of the times- last week, not yesterday. (That's why we only get the sunday paper- it takes me a full week to comb through it.) Anyway, I loved stumbling across Richard Woods and Sebastian Wrong's 'wrongwood' dresser, it is so fabulous. I would love to have one, it also comes in orangy colors too.

Dew Tour

(l to r) Simon Tabron, Steve Olpin, Pippa Tabron, Chris Woodage, Noelle Olpin at the AST Dew Tour.
(l to r) Quinn, Maia, Auntie April, Jared, Fischer, Fuzzy, Crew

Steve O has been filming in Salt Lake at the AST Dew Tour. The kids have been counting down the days all week to this big event. The kids were so excited to see the famous boys of BMX and get their pictures taken with them. Here they are with Fuzzy Hall. We watched the BMX dirt Jump finals, there were tons of spectators, good energy- wild and crazy night o' fun.

scrappy doo

I cannot throw away fabric. I doesn't matter how small the piece may be, I might need it for something, somewhere.
For the most part this has been a good policy. I use tiny pieces all the time for patching things, pockets in purses, collages, or really tiny pieces for applique quilting.
That is- of course- if I can be organized enough to find them when I need them. Having my own workroom has helped, now I have little bins sorted by scrap size. The bin of long skinny strips was overflowing. I'm not sure why I have probably 100 strips of fabric about 2 inches wide, but something had to be done with them. I started sewing them together randomly. I like the crazy color/pattern combinations that came from just grabbing the next piece and sewing it on without any thought. I'm thinking pillows, aprons, uummm...we'll see what else I can think up.

don't sweat the small stuff

This forwarded email what just what I needed to hear today, so I will pass it on to you. You may have read it before, it seems familiar to me too. But, I think we all need reminding of what it really important- and to slow down, enjoy life and enjoy the people around you. Have a wonderful day.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

-I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
-I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
-I would have talked less and listened more.
-I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
-I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
-I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
-I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
-I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
-I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
-I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
-I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
-Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment
growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

-When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's", more "I'm sorry's."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize
every minute...look at it and really see it . . live it and never give it back.

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
-Don't worry about who
doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.
-Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
-Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with, and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally.

14 carrots & such

Today I took the day off from any work that needed doin' and hung out with my friend Hailey. It's always so fun to see what creative friends are up to, home improvements, (wow-the new funky blue house color looks fantastic) and all the other projects they've got in the works. I ended up walking away with all kinds of treats- like all of these little clay do-dads. I've been dreaming up all kinds of projects to incorporate them into, perhaps some collages, garlands or ornament type stuff. Thanks so much Hailey you are always so kind and extremely generous!

cowboy quilt fabric

Here are some fabrics I have been recently collecting (this last week) to make a cowboy boot quilt for my folks bed and breakfast Slot Canyons Inn. They may not look cowboyish, but take a closer look, there are some horses, hats, cards and poker chips, and a little bit of plaid. I was mostly looking for bold designs and colors to mix in with the cowboy theme. I can't wait to get started.

embellishments

I bought this plain white long sleeved shirt in Denmark because I was sick of wearing the same sweatshirt everyday- not enough warm clothes in my suitcase. But, there was a black stupid logo on the front. I started to pick it off with my seam ripper and in my impatience I put some tiny holes in the shirt. So I thought I'd do something a little fancier for fun. The initial attempt was a little boring, a bit too LaVerne and Shirley perhaps-so I did a little embroidery here and there.
I like the finished product, but mostly I'm glad it's done and I don't have to keep thinking about it.

Candy World

On Saturday the kids set up shop in front of the house. A candy/snowcone shop as you can see. This is one of their favorite activities, they can spend all day hand-cranking out ice shavings for snowcones, and sacrificing their own candy stash- for a buck or two... They love setting up stores, especially when there is the possibility of real cash to be made. They get out the play cash register, make signs, put out a tip jar, and even remember a tablecloth. All approved employees are paid at the end of the day according to the amount of work they contributed, and loitering- apparently, will not be tolerated.

I mean come on people...we are trying to run a business here?!

weekend

Staying home and relaxing can sometimes be the perfect weekend. It was just what I needed. We watched some good soccer games (Quinn and Fischer scored goals!) went mountain biking, stayed in with the kids and watched Marie Antoinette and High School Musical 2.
But Sunday was the best. We just signed back up for the New York Times Sunday delivery, it's been a few years since we've taken it. What a treat to wake up Sunday morning and there it was waiting on our doorstep. Lounging with the Times and CBS Sunday Morning is the best way I can think to spend a weekend morning.
Then, Steve O took the kids to Salt Lake to film/watch the State BMX championships and left me to a quiet empty house. I took full advantage of my solidarity by picking up Eclipse (I've been waiting for the perfect long chunk of time to read this book...without interruption) I read all day and night and finished the book- loved it- just like the others.
Tonight, I reread my favorite parts then return it to Bess, who kindly lent it- so I can't reread the entire thing. I really don't have time for that, but I might not be able to help myself.

fabric shopping

Broadbent's is in Lehi Utah, I just noticed after taking this picture- the great signage out front, it reminds me of the classic 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign.
This store is one of my favorites to take my time and wander though. The best way I can describe it is extremely random, and I guess that's fine because it is a general store. You can find all manner of knick-knacks and decor within- clothing, glass and porcelain figurines and collectables, furniture, country, bear, fishing, seasonal trinkets- the list goes on and on. Oh- and you should see the place at Christmastime...it is a sight to behold.
Most of the store is not my style, but I do enjoy looking around. My favorite part is the fabric section. They have a fabulous selection of cotton prints and lots of cute flannel. The store is about a 30 minute drive from my house but I find that I must stop in fairly regularly to see what's new.

This is what I came home with, I already have some of the brown one- second from the left with the apples and pears, but I have already used most of it. The sock monkey fabric is new and so funny to me, I can't help stocking up, I always use it somewhere. As you can see, I just can't help myself with the Alexander Henry prints.

back to design work

It's a miracle, Noelle O actually designed something again. After the long summer break here is my first bit of design work. This purse, actually diaper bag is for a friend- so I felt the pressure to get to work and get it sewn up as soon as I could. It is the first item in a long list of things I want/need to make.
Now that the kids are back in school and the daily schedule returns to normal I have no excuse to not be organized and get some projects finished, and get some good habits going for everyone in our house.

aqua fun and games

We spent the last official weekend of summer at Lake Powell, camping in the desert sun and swimming nonstop in the 80 degree water. We are far from the motorboat type, but- the 1977 Sea Ray we apprehensively acquired last winter- specifically for the purpose of getting to know Lake Powell a little better- pulled through marvelously.

The kids enjoyed playing "Rescue Team" on the slickrock slope next to our camp. This means pretending someone needs rescuing... running and diving in the water Baywatch style to save them. Maia, pictured here, needs to go back to Rescue Team diving school to work on her long-shallow dives. Ironically she ended up needing a real Rescue Team...

....to put 8 stitches in her head- the back of her head. (I don't really get how that happened.) In any case she's got stitches to show everyone at school and I have insurance company battle brewing (preferred provider, after-hours blah, blah, blah). But, despite that minor set back- the holiday weekend was a smashing success and loads of fun.
(I decided to spare you the bloody pre-stitches shot, I didn't want to make anyone sick.)