Ornament Exchange Extraordinaire 2011

The Annual Christmas Ornament Exchange with my gal friends.  It was all about the Sugar Plum Fairy and sweets this year.  I couldn't resist.  The red and green glass cupcake appeared as the green glittered Sugar Plum Fairy waved her magic wand. The box of ribbon candy was the real deal.

No package of mine is given without a stitched, hand lettered and painted tag.

The Sweetest Holiday Season

100 Bottles of Grenadine on the Wall

And the Christmas Holiday? It's All Been a Blur

Sorry for the bad photos, but the phone camera was all I used this year, I have no idea why.

The stockings hung from the windows with care.

Could I hide the fact that I STILL don't have a mantel any more?

Matt's Christmas Tree

My Christmas Tree

Who has 5 sets of Christmas Dishes? I know, ridiculous, right?

June has begged for lights on our house every year.  This was the best I could do for you June.

Hope Santa was good to you this year!

Holiday Art Market was a...

...a great success.  Matt has my camera down in St. George for the girls basketball tournament, so I don't have great quality pictures to post today.

This past month, my grandfather passed away and I left town unexpectedly a few days before the Holiday Art Market show began.  It was a challenge to get the word out and post preview pictures of what would be available at the show, if I wanted to actually finish the projects.  So, it just didn't happen the way I would have liked, and I've been playing catch up ever since my return home, so I've shared nothing with you this season.  There are certainly things that come up in our lives that become more important.  I was so grateful I could be at grandpa's funeral to a honor him.  He was just a few months shy of 99 years old.  Rest in peace Grandpa.  

I snapped a couple pictures with my iPhone before loading my car with one of the hand painted chairs, so the quality isn't super, but you get the idea.  I had 3 different chairs available, all of them sold, but I wanted to share the fun.  Samantha, I hope Santa's visit to your family Christmas party was extra special with the official Believe chair.  The one below was just so festive with all the little finials and curves, the decoupaged music and the hand lettered painted phrase, "Santa stop here, pretty please".  The embroidered upholstery reads, "Believe".  I like to think of these chairs as a new tradition for those that have the jolly old elf in the big red suit make his annual visit to the church or family gathering.  And they are smaller than an artificial tree, right?  I have a duplicate one that I never put out at the shows, I'm just really quite attached to the idea of keeping it now.  But do you remember the new, "No more chairs" rule Matt has established around here?  I need to gently work him up to the idea before putting it out by the fireplace Christmas Eve.

Speaking of traditions, my Grandma June always had a flocked Christmas tree in the big  family room.  She adorned it with toys, elves, nutcrackers and birds.  I loved her flocked tree.  I miss her around Christmas.  She made everything magical for her grandchildren.  This wreath was definitely inspired by her.  I think other shoppers at Art Market had similar grandmas from the feedback I received.

I have a few things left over from the show, and some individuals have asked me if I would do one more showing.  So, this Monday, I have decided to open my door to those last minute shoppers and friends.  I will make a few more decor items today, because several items sold out and I have a limited amount of extra supplies.  So it will be a small sampling, but hopefully you are all organized, unlike me, and can just come to shop for a few little things (by appointment only).  I should be ready by 10 am, Monday the 19th.  Call or text me if your interested in coming, 801-550-9207.

Please come back here and visit me next week.  I'll be posting all my home preparations and recent creative work I've done during the Christmas countdown.  I've got my nephews coming, so it's going to be extra magical.  I can't wait to have this little guy and this little guy here again on Christmas morning.  The. Best.  Lots of family will be coming to our house for a Christmas dinner, and then a talent night, caroling, a Santa visit, and probably the best children's Christmas Pageant ever.

Holiday Art Market 2011

Come join me!  This is my favorite show of the year.  Do I say that about all of them?  Seriously though, it's my real favorite.

I almost didn't remember my blog address tonight, it's been so long since I've met my standard with my blog postings.  Today would have been a great post too.  I went to a paper mache class / artist retreat with Terri Brush.  The unfortunate reality is that I left my two days worth of projects and the soldered winter scene up in Layton at the hostess's home.  Could I be more absent minded?  That is how much is on my mind these days, I walk out after 2 days with nothing to show for myself.  I felt right at home with my security blanket of market totes spilling over with crafting curiosities and tools, and not a clear surface in sight between the 6 banquet tables set up in Lorraine's basement.   I met other creatives, experienced my A.D.D. at it's peak of relapse, swapped supplies, enjoyed collaborating and ate amazing food. I only wish I could have stayed longer, but it was late notice for me when I signed up and I couldn't swing all the mom duties back at the farm.  I'll give you the nitty gritty of the who's, what's and where's, as soon as I can pick up my winter vignettes and menageries of snowmen & disassembled angels.  

The Perpetual Planner

Every year around this time, my blogging posts go out the window.  All I can say is look at my upcoming November calendar of expectations.  I am pretty committed to my production schedule, only because I can't seem to find anything I want to weed out of my holiday craftings this season.  It will all be available to you at the Utah Holiday Art Market, December 1-3 at the Sugarhouse Garden Center 1602 E. 2100 S, Salt Lake City.  I probably will take the next 3 weeks off for creative time, so check back November 20th.  I am a big one for surprises, so no sense in sharing a peek into my creative chaos at the moment.  I can guarantee one thing, it will be my best year ever, well, at least from what my right brain is forecasting.

I see the cutest paper mache santas, snowmen and angels mounted on beautifully painted pedestals.  brightly colored stockings spilling over with toys and presents.  my family's traditional birds' nests with the famous handwritten legend of prosperity and happiness.  lighted and flocked wreaths filled with vintage inspired ornaments.  sweet birds with crowning adornments, German glass glittered stars, reindeer, little churches, foodie gifts, funky lettered wooden signs, and of course, my grandma june inspired advent calendars that sold out last year after the first hour of the show.  You will not want to miss this one.

Where Did the Time Go?

So much to blog about, but so little time.  Lots happening, promise.  It's just been too much to think about blogging the lots of happenings.  I may back up and post some things of the past, but I may need to just press forward.  We'll see where my posts take me, but tomorrow I officially begin my holiday crafting for the end of November - beginning of December show.  It's my favorite one of the year at Utah's Art Market.  It really is the best show of the Beehive state, and I'm not really biased.  I am going to be creating non-stop from here on out this season.  If I complete even half of my master list, it'll be awesome.  So keep up here to see the progression.  

Here's a little visual feast of my UEA weekend with family.  I like to think of it as a one of Heavenly Father's big shows.  He is definitely a living God, I see Him everywhere.  

Fall Art Market: There is Still Saturday

This Saturday, October 8, 10 am - 5 pm

Sugarhouse Garden Center 

1602 East 2100 South 

Salt Lake City, Utah

 The big kick-off for the holiday arts and crafts season began today.  Well, for me anyway.  I wish everytime I wouldn't be so dissappointed of what I didn't get to make on my list.  I only had a week to prepare this time, so I made claims I wasn't able to get to.  So sorry if you went looking for my hand-lettered potions, the ones you see pictured are all from Jeni Gochnour's inventory.  The good news is they have almost moved from the designing phase (for the third year in a row) to the crafting phase. I also had to forget my painted lawn signs, handmade paper mache witches and a myriad of other pretties.  Nanette continues to remind me that there is always next year's show.  I kept whispering that to myself last night as I put on my jammies to just go to bed.

Childrens' Halloween Parade masks.  Or Mardi Gras.  Or Masquerade.  Take your pick.

I wish you could see how cute the ravens are with their black glittered beaks and eyes, ruffled collars, striped painted legs, and party hats.  We became instant friends as soon as the party hats were on and the bows tied.

Oh my, these sea salt caramel toffees in the mini coffin boxes turned out so tasty.   Great gifts for neighbors and teachers.

The handpainted recycled old spooky books created some last minute fun for me.

More New Years Eve masquerade and Witches Night Out masks.

Elsa painted and assembled all these little witchy finger cards.  Thanks my little apprentice!

Really fun streamers for your school classroom party, mantel or dining room table.  Some are fringed and some are just dual colors ruffled.  So fun to make!

More of Elsa's work.

Do you spy the little witch shoes?  I am so mad I didn't get a close up of these, they were my pride and joy.  The tag reads, "Trick or Treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat."  And this table had the jar of frou-frou princess masks.  Pink, purple, and lots of sparkles.  Poisons by Jeni Gochnour.

This children's spinner game is so fun.  I have used it every year for one of my girls classroom parties over the last 10 years.  I re-created the game from one my friend, Jennie, found online from the 1930's or 40's.  The wording is just too cute.  You gather a few basic household and food items for the game, and them just spin away.  

Fall Art Market this Friday and Saturday!

Please come!  I'll have a variety of handlettered potion labels, festive crepe paper streamers and other frights for your Halloween table, a childrens' spinner game for your family or classroom Halloween parties, spooky handpainted yard signs and more!  Sorry no pictures yet, you know how I am, chaotic creativity going on downstairs?

Chloe Asks Nice Boy to Halloween High School Dance

Chloe came home from school a couple weeks ago on a Wednesday night and announced she was asking a boy to the Halloween dance that night at 8 pm.  

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, really?  You just turned 16, don't we want to gradually work up to the dating thing?",  I questioned.

"If I don't ask tonight, he'll be asked by Friday, " she responds.  "I have to."

"Okay, well the dance is in like 6 weeks, are you sure this must be done tonight?" I doubted.

"I'm sure.  I'm just glad you are so creative Mom, I'm sure you can think of something really cool," she brown-nosed.

No pressure there.  I had the Guynn wedding the next day and she had a Young Women's activity that night, so time was of the essence.  Chloe and I speed brainstormed for 10 minutes.  The result:  Uncle Sam and his slogan, "I want you!" marry The Wizard of Oz's Wicked Witch of the West, and her finger-pointing threatening line, "I'll get you, and your little dog too!"  We discussed what the picture inserted at the end of the book should look like.  It would be the Wicked Witch of the West, and she should be pointing her long, green fingers at him (Eddie), when he opens the book.  Chloe found the perfect image online in 2 minutes, maybe less, gotta love Google.  We made a quick trip to D. I. to purchase a couple of books. Then Matt saved the day and drilled the massive hole.  I lettered, painted, glued, burned and packaged, at Chloe's request, after all, who was asking who to the dance anyway? 

After all was said and delivered, I had the sinking feeling that we had just set the bar very high for Chloe's invitations and acceptances to the potential 36 other high school dances for the next 3 years, and then there is still Elsa and June to follow ...  I sure hope he says "yes", or there is going to be one mad witch at our house, possibly two.  And we might get his little dog too.  (long cackle)

Who does he answer?
Hint:  This book belongs to Chloe Ferre.

Is she sending subliminal messages in the book titles she chose?  Quite Possibly.

A new wax seal from my recent purchase at Tail of the Yak.

Matt drilled some very large holes through the inside of the two layers of books.   Super cool.

Notice the 3-D witch finger?

Just when I thought we were done with the project, Chloe wanted to burn and distress the cover page.
Details, details, I just don't know where she gets that from ...

Eddie, I hope you have the heart of the tin man and say "Yes!"  Just follow the Yellow Brick Road up 114th, you can't miss us on the north side.  She's patiently at home clicking her heels together for your affirmative reply, but her dad has considered sending the winged-monkeys after you.

(an even longer cackle)