Wow...it was definitely Monday...

You know...it takes a serious amount of effort to pull myself together in the morning--especially on a Monday morning. THIS morning started off great however...Howard closing at the hospital, so home to get up with Carter...kids home from school so I could sleep in a little and not have to run everybody around everywhere (which directly translates to TIME to take a shower, put on a somewhat matching outfit, and put a little more effort into my hair and makeup than normal)

So.

I proceed to the kitchen, where I whip up hot cereal, cocoa from scratch, cinammon toast---feeling pleasantly domestic and motherly...not to mention DRESSED and PULLED-together (obviously these things don't always happen at the same time)

Taylor ate....Carter ate...Reagan is always a reluctant eater, so finally comes over to eat and her cocoa is cold. I pour it in a sippy cup and put it in the microwave for a few seconds, then start to screw the TOP on...and cocoa EXPLODES out of the sippy cup lid like OLD Faithful--it went up like a geyser and FELL back down on my freshly washed hair...my makeup...streamed down my glasses...all over my favorite hoody....

Reagan starts laughing so hard she starts to choke on her Honey Nut Cheerios (she refused to eat the lovingly prepared Cream of Wheat) then proceeds to fall off the stool (still laughing--she wasn't hurt) Carter comes running in and runs right through all the cocoa all over the floor and then back out--getting cocoa on his socks and THEN the (just shampooed) living room carpet...

Okay.

I had to laugh too....but only after I changed, cleaned off my glasses, cleaned up the floor/counter/Carter... (maybe there is something to that whole "don't heat beverages in microwave" thing--or maybe you just can't heat stuff in a sippy cup)

And by the way--I think the RAINY SEASON is upon us....some of us are morose about this...some of us love it

A Dark Fairy...A Cinderella Fairy...and a Dumbo (er...Eeyore)...

The wee kidlets went trick-or-treating tonight...I think its a little funny we have kids at two ends of the spectrum--we have Taylor who at age 10(almost 11) is thinking this might be her last year for trick-or-treating and that it is "just not as fun as it used to be, and candy just really isn't that important you know?"...

and then we have Carter-boy who finally could walk and do his own trick-or-treating for the first time...and he was hilarious! He'd walk up to the door slowly, as Reagan usually had already ran up there and pressed the bell and said "Trick-or-Treat"...so he'd finally make it up to the door, and say his usual social "Hi!" and then keep going right into the house...

One of us would run up and turn him around and he'd slowly walk DOWN the sidewalk, turning around to say "Bye!" before ponderously moving on...he definitely had the whole elephant walk thing downpat. We started out the night calling him a cute elephant like Dumbo or Horton...but by the end of the night he mostly resembled Eeyore and was droopily clomping around staring blankly at people and moaning...(I think it was past his bedtime--or maybe he'd just had enough of those ears...)

Reagi put her own costume together at the last minute...she was torn between wearing her pink princess costume...cinderella costume...wings...petticoats...OH the choices!!! I had told her I'd make her anything she wanted for Halloween, but as usual she wanted some store-bought princessy thing...which is TOTALLY fine by me--whatever makes her happy! What is that saying?..."the shoemakers children go barefoot...the bakers children go hungry..."...well, the poor costumers children go naked at Halloween;)

No...they weren't exactly naked, but it is definitely the truth that I am SO busy during the month of October that my own kids costumes get put on the back burner...good thing they are easily pleased! Before I started my little business, I did make Taylor elaborate Halloween costumes...whatever she wanted--and she was such a unique little girl, she always wanted to be something scary...like a dinosaur or dragon, CERTAINLY nothing pink or princessy or GIRLY...ughhhh!!!;) Here she is in a Dinosaur costume I made for her when she was 4..she had the whole thing planned out, from the foam spikes on the tail--down to the rainbow "scales" on the belly...who can argue with such VISION?

Then the next year she was on a huge "Sleeping Beauty" kick...we must have watched that movie every day for six months! So she wanted to be something from the movie...but DEFINITELY NOT Aurora...or a Fairy...nooooo....she wanted to be a scary Malificent kind of dragon...thing....

That was the year Reagan was born...I suppose I should just be proud Taylor had a handmade costume at all that year, since I had a newborn who was two weeks old on Halloween...

I sewed Bunny ears to Reagi's baby cap and put her pink bunting on her and called it good...

Another Halloween over...pizza and a movie and lots of trick-or-treaters (I think Reagi enjoyed handing out the candy MORE than getting candy!!)

A last little pic of the wee elephant...he was a hit wherever we went...even if he had no idea what we were doing...

So I'm a flaky blogger....

darn...sorry I'm such a flaky chick when it comes to the blogging...I guess I'm too busy LIVING the moment to write about it! (that is my excuse anyway...) I do have lots of stuff to blog about...two different family visits....a wedding anniversary(can I really have been married 14 years already???where did THAT time go?) Two birthdays...(one of us turned 5 and one of us turned 35...I'll let you guess WHO) and several projects, both sewing and decorating...
SEE??? Busy busy...that is my problem!
I HAVE been hanging out with a fabulous group of ladies on my small amount of computer time...the wonderful ladies who run the Boutique Buyers Blog asked me to do a guest-writer post for the month of October...you can check out my attempt to be funny HERE...please feel free to leave NICE comments, (go easy on me folks) and remember...I never claimed to be a good writer...
And costume season is over....darn....
I do have a few more pics of costumes to post, I feel sad to be done already--but quite happy to be moving on to Holiday-wear! Since I have PILES of corduroys and silks...and taffetas....and knits all staring at me waiting for me to make them into SOMETHING for colder weather, I'd better stop typing and get sewing.
Here is my latest listing...I had the opportunity to guest with the LimeVine girls (a fabulous design group on ebay) and they had the fabulous theme of "LUSTRE"...

You can visit the auction for this little number HERE...

Costumes....Costumes....

OY.....I'm falling behind on updates here!
Here is some more fun costume pictures you might like to see...these auctions
have all ended...but they are always fun to look at! Maybe I'll have to add
a link at the side just for a costume slideshow...I get so many requests for pics of
all my costumes, that might be the way to go!

soo....here is the "Bubble Dress" based on Galinda's (Glinda's) dress from the Broadway musical "Wicked"

Except of course...I added a bustle and a train--since EVERYTHING is improved with a bustle and train isn't it? (In my world, it IS...just agree with me...;))

Then let's see, here is a Carter-boy dressed as the Tin-Man...he was HILARIOUS walking around in this costume, most of my pictures were of him ripping the hat/hood off his head and throwing it down then running away laughing....he is SUCH a mischievious little scamp!

MOST Of the pictures looked like this:

then, finally...here is the WICKEDLY more evil character of the bunch...a version of Elphaba's dress from "Wicked"

You can check out the auction HERE...

I'm a bit sleep-deprived...so much sewing and creating...SO little time....and little people around here keep making messes and demanding food and playtime;) Guess that is why most of my sewing gets done from 10 pm to 2 am...anyone else up at that time?

Give me a call...I'll be here...

The opening of Costume Season...

I would like to officially declare Costume Season "OPEN"!!! Did anyone else grow up in a hunting family? My father and brothers (and husband) are quite the hunting fanatics...most of our fall and winter activities were planned around WHEN the archery hunt started...when the rifle hunt started....when they ended...muzzle-loader hunts, special moose-hunt...special "north side of the Uintah Mountains" hunt...get the picture?;) I spent quite a few birthdays (my birthday is in October) in a camp-trailer, IN the "Book-Cliff" wilderness area, because opening weekend of the deer-hunt happened to fall on my birthday. You can actually make quite a good cake in a little propane stove...and I give full marks to my mother for making those birthdays quite as wonderful and memorable as any I've had.

But....I digress....

I've listed a fun new little costume on ebay...well, TWO costumes actually, but one is from last year.

THE QUEEN of HEARTS ....I'm quite taken with the whole black/white/red thing going on...not to mention I love small crowns...he he....AND I cannot think about the "queen of hearts" without thinking about the Disney cartoon and the cheshire cat parting is hair in the middle, grabbing both sides of it and pulling them straight down and sternly declaring all ways here are "THE QUEENS WAY"...a line that should be used more often in life I think...depending on who thinks they are THE QUEEN...

I also listed the Mad-Hatter...one of my most popular costumes ever, and one I receive quite a few requests for. The problem is...I really have a hard time repeating myself! I LOVE the creating of the first one, and then I'm okay with having to make another one...but after that, I am done with the whole thing and want to move on to another design....maybe I'm slightly attention deficit prone or something, lol! But it has been a year...so I figure I can make another one...actually looking forward to it!

sigh....in case you are wondering WHY in the world I haven't posted for so long...well, its a ghastly story involving a computer crash (a computer, I might add...that has 16,000 priceless pictures on it, ALL my business information, logos...shipping...etc, basically my whole life) AND the start of school for two girls...AND illness....I dunno, but I shall post about all of that now that life seems to be somewhat returning to normal...

Does everyone else think Shawn Johnson....

is just the CUTEST sweetest thing on the planet?? I have been GLUED to the TV for days...staying up far later than I should, cannot PULL myself away from these Olympics!






Of course one of the highlights in the Olympics for me is always gymnastics...I get so emotionally involved with the gymnasts and the stories of thier lives....it is almost exhausting for me to watch them, I feel the butterflies right along with them. Watching Shawn Johnson's parents last night--as she finally won her gold medal--I was bawling right along with her sweet mom and dad....just that utter joy they were feeling on her behalf, and the relief...and the pride at her accomplishment. . .I had to reflect on the YEARS and the WORK that goes into becoming an olympic athlete, the devotion and the commitment it takes to perform at that level. You could see her mom just utterly worn out from emotion...it was one of the best moments in the olympics for me because it was so real and I was so truly happy she won. She is such a sweet gracious person...always congratulating her competitors, smiling at everyone...what grace and composure under such pressure!



I think I love to watch the Olympics so much because it is such DRAMA and it IS such pressure...and it is amazing to watch athletes perform at their best. It is so hard to DO exactly what you are supposed to DO at just the right time...to make your body overcome nerves and illness and injury...and put everything together and be able to say you are the best in the WORLD...can you imagine that feeling? It is amazing.....



meanwhile I am losing sleep and staying up until 2 am because I MUST watch it live....I don't want to just watch a replay the next day...It is kind've a relief that gymnastics and swimming are over...whew!



If you need a good laugh...read this article about Olympic Mascots....oh my goodness, it had Taylor and I in tears we were laughing so hard....I especially love the description of "Schuss"---"He was supposed to be a skier but looked instead like a giant tadpole balanced on an ice skate. There was nothing cute, cuddly or vaguely appealing about the Schuss, whose giant red head looked infected"---he he.... then the description of "Neve and Gliz"---"Gliz looked like a really pale bald guy who was trying to swallow a 46-inch television set. Let’s hope they never reproduce."



HILARIOUS...go read it, you'll love it:)

Finally! A new listing...."Summers End"

Oh. My. Goodness. Is it just me, or does it feel like 5 years since I've listed anything? It was lovely having a wee summer break...but I really missed listing, there is something curiously addicting about it (as my husband can attest--he is sure I need some kind of 12-step program before I can wean myself from ebay...;))

Anyway...a cute little pinafore for Fall....with mushroom applique? Who doesn't want one of those???



I love fall...love the colors, love the way the light seems somehow diffused...LOVE it!



I have got SOOOO many plans for cool Halloween costumes this year...I love having an excuse to make something totally off-the-wall...that otherwise you'd have no reason to make!

Holly-Hockets

We returned from vacation to a PROFUSION of plants!! The garden and flowers must have kicked it into high gear while we were gone...because I truly think if we'd been gone much longer the house would have been hidden in tomato plants by the time we returned... (keep in mind that the fence is six feet tall...and so are the sunflowers...!)


Reagan's lone little pumpkin seedling that we planted in the window in a cup not that long ago...has turned into a giant plant with 15 foot runners in all directions...Reagi says she thinks it is trying to grow around the sandbox and then eat it...lol! Thank heavens we only planted ONE....



The hollyhock plants are GIGANTIC...I've never seen anything like them, they are quite literally 9 feet tall and loaded with blooms...the perfect thing for making some hollyhock dolls! I can remember making hollyhock dolls in my grandmothers yard--she always had hollyhocks and she never minded how many blossoms we plucked off to use for our dolls--such good memories:)




If it has been awhile since you last made a hollyhock doll...we've included a little tutorial for you...and if you'd like, you can call them the new "modern" name that Reagi calls them (I think she's got them confused with "Polly-Pockets")...just call them "Holly-Hockets":)
First, gather your supplies---get lots of colors and lots of FULL blossoms, some partially opened blossoms, and some un-opened buds~and don't forget the toothpicks--otherwise you'll have a hard time sticking your doll together:)


You are first going to make your skirt...pick the colors you want and put a toothpick up through the middle of a full blossom (this is your underskirt)...you can keep layering on as many "skirts" as you want, but we usually draw the line at about two or three...if you need to stick another toothpick down from the top so you have something to attach the body to~


Now pick the color of the "bodice" of your dress (and the body)...you use a partially opened blossom for this part...stick it on upside down, using more toothpicks if you need to--make sure you have a little bit of toothpick sticking up from the top to attach your head~

Time for the head! Use an unopened blossom for the head...you can put it on upside down or right side up--your preference:) Then you can add some sort of smashing headwear...a frilly hat made from a partially opened bloom...or pull a blossom apart and use the petals, add leaves...berries...the sky is the limit. Taylor and Reagan spent several minutes deciding WHAT would be the most dashing hat..


You can add toothpicks for arms....and VOILA! Your own HOLLY-HOCKET! Now make several and invite them all to a tea-party....


The girls decided the dolls needed houses...and the garden needed a fairy, so this doll ended up with wings...so cute:)






I am (as always) amazed by children's imagination and creativity...I love seeing what they come up with when given just a few supplies and the freedom to do what they want...



Hours of play later...we decided that this was indeed a "good day in the garden"...hopefully it inspires you to go have your own holly-hocket tea-party...

BAD blogger.....

I have been SO remiss in my blogging duties...I must apologize! We've been so busy...and traveling all over the countryside visiting people we love and having a great time....

We just got back from our trip to Utah and it was wonderful...we absolutely love it here in Oregon, the only bad part is that ALL of our families on both sides are back in Utah and we do miss them so. Reagan and Taylor frequently want to know why we don't live by GRANDMA???;)

I have so many things to blog...pictures to share...stories to catch up on....so I'll try and blog one thing a day until I run out of things...sound like a plan?

We visited my side of the family out in Eastern Utah...I grew up near Vernal, Utah, near Dinosaur National Monument. One of the days we were there, we took all the kids and went for a fun visit to the museum and dinosaur gardens, then a picnic in the park. Proving that no trip with us is without humor...the pictures we took just strike me funny....

For instance...Taylor is being eaten by a Utah-Raptor (velociraptor for those fans of Jurassic Park) in the above picture. Do you think she would look quite that happy over the prospect of having her head chomped on?

we didn't think so either...which is why we had to retake that shot

MUCH more appropriate...

Anyway...the rest of the my family got into the spirit of things and just joined right in with all these dinosaurs in the gardens...Kassie (my younger sis) and this friendly looking fellow both look like they are highly interested in SOMETHING....actully maybe it's a GIRL-dinosaur and they just saw a cute boy walk by....who knows?






Howard and Carter...and this enormous scary "whatever kind of dino he is" all look like they are patiently waiting for a good moment to cross the street together...he he...


but my favorite pic has to be my cute mama...you can't tell she's been a fabulous school teacher of young kids all her life can you? If you are going to pose like a dinosaur...really get INTO it...and she does! Let it NOT be said that our family is afraid of whimsy...I Love you Mom:)


The kids had a ball...if you are ever near Dinosaurland in Utah...do plan to stop and see the gardens and museum, they are very fun:)

a birthday...

oh my goodness....guess who turned ONE??? Can a whole year really have passed that quickly? Where did our tiny baby go? Now he's such a big independent little man...trying to walk, crawling everywhere...with 12 teeth for goodness sakes!

It has gone WAYYY to fast for me...babyhood is so fleeting, one short year and then they are toddlers...sigh....
Look at this sweet man, here he is at two days old....so precious....
look at that wrinkly skin and big alert eyes already...


SOOOO now the PARTY! We made him a little racetrack cake so we could put his squishy little cars that he loves on it...he thought it was pretty cool...crushed oreos for the track...green sprinkles for the grass...a few race flags...voila! (He really is only ONE...the girls just thought he needed extra candles to blow out...:))

Presents are FUN!!!! He LOVED the "giggler-piggler" you sent Grandma Maurine and Aunt Kass...that thing is hilarious!!...

but we might as well have just given him the boxes...and the screwdriver used to put the toys together...that is what he really wanted...see that evil little grin and the glint in his eyes after he crawled over and found the screwdriver?? (don't worry, no Carter's were hurt in the making of this blog, we took the screwdriver away from him immediately...:))

You know what is amazing to me? Little boys must just come with a built-in motor....

Nobody showed him how to do it...not one of us DID it...but somehow when he picked up the cars that went to his Little People garage...he started razzing his lips and making a motor sound....where does that COME from??? tooooo funny!