Craftable

My niece, Kahla (pronounced Kayla), called me her "craftable aunt" when I was young. She and I are closer in age than me and my siblings. It was a charming comment at the time that I still grasp to when I try and explain to people why I like to do so many things.

I hate the phrase "Jack or all trades, master of none" because I think I'm becoming a master of a few and enjoy scads more. I grew up watching "I Love Lucy." And being totally enamored of her world. Unlike me she could hardly do anything at home. Her cooking had issues, she over spent her money, couldn't sing and was always causing shenanigans. But I idolized her and still do to an extent. She did something new and exciting each episode (day) and even if it didn't go well she tried it.

My mom has been a big part of my education in crafts. We had an entire craft closet where I could delve into all the pom poms and clay to produce tiny birds' nests or broaches. Half the time I just found something at my favorite craft store, Grason's (since put out of business by Michael's), decided I liked it and tried to figure out what I could do with it. Whenever my mom and I would go shopping I would see something that I liked and point it out to her. Her inevitable response was, "You can make that." Which would send me into a huff because I didn't want to make, it I wanted to buy it! But what it really did was force me to investigate how most everything is made so I could indeed make it myself.

I took oil painting starting at age five and continue with drawing, singing, piano, 4-H, softball, soccer, Brownies, swim team, sewing, and the like. looking back on it I had total activity ADD. To be honest, I still do. If I got bored with any one thing I had ten others I could dive into head first.

This has definitely carried over into my adult life. Sometimes I see an item that I absolutely love and think about how I could manufacture it myself. This is probably what possessed me to reupholster a wingback chair. And what will make me take up metal works at some point so I can cast jewelry (yep, something I've been dreaming about for a long time). One of my favorite shows, aside from Martha Stewart, as a kid was the Style channel's Runway show. All it was were the fashion shows from Paris, Milan, New York one after the other. The creation of garments got me excited. Really, the creation of anything.

I just really like to create things! Sitting here sick on my couch, wrapped in my first quilt I think it's served me well over the years. I love to try new things, learn another trade and attempt to master it. My mom totally shocked me today in an email saying she wanted to get X.Y and Z done before she got over her quilting fetish. She's been making over 30 quilts a year for the last few years and I was stunned to think she might be toying with the idea that she didn't want to do it anymore. But I guess that's one plus of attempting to do so many things, I don't have to be 100% devoted to one area of interest. I can take a book binding class, keep my equipment together and make a book ten years after or sew the curtains for my bedroom to keep the nasty morning light from waking me up at dawn.

Creating and making are my favorite things to do. I've always got a to-do list ten miles long. But I don't mind. There's always something to look forward to. I'm not entirely sure why I felt like I needed to get this out, but I did.

P.S. I so didn't proofread this. Pardon my typos.

Wingback: Reupholstered

My mom has been reupholstering couches and chairs for ages. She's had the same couch in her house since 1976 and it's taken on countless forms. Most recently she lobbed off the arms and put mission style arms instead. The last time she bought fabric for reupholstery she bought about 27 yards of it...so every time she reupholsters it these days it's with the same fabric. Haha!

I've been pining for a wingback chair in our living room for ages. When Britta told me she didn't want the wingback chairs in her house anymore I begged them off her. Lucky for me she let them go.My mom came up from Los Angeles this past weekend and helped me figure out how to get the thing in the shape I wanted it. I have to say the hardest part of reupholstery is taking the thing apart.

So here you have it:

What do you think?

Cupcakes

My friend Melissa is starting her own cupcake business (finally!). I'm working with her on the photos for her website.

I can't wait to share more with you as we build her brand!

Family Tree

My dad turned 75 last week. Clearly a big birthday and I wanted to give him something that was thoughtful and would mean something to him. Even though wall real estate is a rare commodity in my parent's house so I knew what I was planning was a risky move.

The Family Tree idea came to me nearly a year ago when my mom announced our family reunion at Bear Lake that would take place over my dad's birthday. Being the prolific procrastinator that I am I spent an entire day making it the day before Sir Luke and I left. Despite the rushed nature of the project it came out splendidly.

 I used the Martha Stewart leaf punch to make all the leaves and designed the tree's branches and roots with scrapbook paper. The wood grain paper was perfect for the trunk. The background paper is made with an old map of California I got at the BYU library back in 2005. My dad's family has been in California since the 1850s so I thought it was fitting. I wouldn't even have thought of it if Sir Luke hadn't mentioned it.

My dad loved it!

For Amy

Red Sox

We did so many awesome things while we were visiting Sir Luke's family in Boston. One of my faves was going to a Red Sox game.

James didn't get to go but he knew how to suit up.

 I've been wanting to sing Neil Diamond with thousands of people for a long time...dream fulfilled.

This was pre-official Red Sox shirt purchase. I felt a little out of place in the closest thing to a red shirt I had. Ben and Rebekah already had their Sox garb so they fit in with the crowd.

 I was surprised at how small the stadium was compared to Dodger Stadium. This lead to a lengthy debate between Sir Luke and myself about the difference between stadiums, fields, parks etc. Needless to say I won. The point being I thought Fenway Park was so charming. The hot dogs didn't hurt either.

Thanks to Greg and Jennifer for taking us and Ben and Rebekah for joining the festivities.

Homers!

While Sir Luke and I were in Boston working for the man we got to have a lovely dinner with Matt and Christina Homer. They were excellent company. I miss these chaps.  Thanks to Mr. Homer for having long arms and getting us all in this photo together.

Isn't Sir Luke a stud? I think so.

I love him.