BuddhaTaxi

Plaid Fedora

2010-07-21T23:17:00.000-06:00

Max is such a nut. He adds shades and looks like he is one of the Blue's Brothers.

Sweet!

2010-06-30T12:45:00.001-06:00

This morning the boys and I took a quick factory tour at Sweet's Candy Factory. If you live in SLC and haven't done this--I recommend it! There is , of course, a candy shop at the end. http://www.sweetcandy.com/factorytour

Dolly Love

2010-03-30T21:03:00.001-06:00

Boys just seem to love dollies. Too bad it is only a matter of time before they crack their heads open. I should have made them wear helmets. Why is it that girls don't need helmets to play with dolly's?

In other news...spring has come to Utah which means this today and snow tomorrow.

My kids were offended

2010-03-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

That they didn't get to be the hat models. They are usually my models, but Jeremi (whose photos are awesome) doesn't live in the same town. I felt bad, so I took a few shots of "Max Monkey".

Hats Hats Hats

2010-02-26T15:16:00.003-07:00

My latest "business venture" is in handknit hats. I just love the photography that Jeremi Broadhurst did to show off some of my samples. There are lots more to come so stay tuned!

Check out more of her photography here:Jeremi Broadhurst

Car Seat Cover

2010-02-10T17:47:00.002-07:00

Sorry about the bad pictures, the light was pretty much gone. A friend of mine called me this morning who will be having a baby girl in less than a week. She needed a car seat cover quickly (because her baby will be born any day.)

So, this is what I spent my day doing! I think the flowers totally make it.

This is the tutorial I used http://tiny.cc/FlowerTutorial

I also made a matching keychain, because everyone needs a keychain to match their baby's carseat, right?

I don't know if you can tell, but the flowers snap on and off because I doubt they would make it through the washing machine.

The Pop Garden fabric by Heather Bailey is one of my absolute favorites of all time. I used Sea Ta Dot for the back.

Joann's Employees- What comes first?

2010-02-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

It's kind of like cops. What comes first, your personality disorder or does the job make you act like this?

Bedmaking by Brad

2010-02-01T10:10:00.000-07:00

Brad has started making our bed in the morning just as soon as we get up. "Great, I wish my husband would do that!" you may be thinking. But you would be wrong.

I am pretty sure he only does it so that I can't get back IN bed and play Sudoku on Max's DS for hours. He's a schemer, that one.

Dr. Phil take 2

2010-01-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

I was picked up from the airport by "Bill." My head was killing me so I turned the radio off in the back. After that, it was oddly quiet so I asked Bill to tell me a story. I thought he might have some good one's from his experiences as a driver in LA. He just laughed and didn't say anything. After about 20 minutes, he said,"Okay, I have a story for you. It is about the best tip I have ever gotten."

He told me about a couple from Saudi Arabia with a 2 year old little girl. They had come to America to vacation for a month. He was their driver for time they were here. The only place they ever wanted to go was "shopping, shopping, shopping."

The other thing they wanted was a dog for their 2 year old little girl to play with while she was in America. Apparently, dogs are considered unclean in the Muslim world and they would not be able to take it home with them. They told Bill it wasn't considered sanitary to eat in the same building as a dog "poops".

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,212980,00.html This link talks about dogs being banned in Saudi Arabia, but for reasons including western influence as well as cleanliness. From the article: "Then what's the point of dragging a dog behind you?" he added. "This is blind emulation of the infidels."

Anyway, Bill bought the girl a $2,600 Maltese puppy and got to keep it when they left. I was not able to top that tip.

We still haven't gotten anywhere near the Dr. Phil studios, but this photo was taken from my hotel room.

At this point, my head and neck are killing me (that's what whiplash does to you) and my cell phone doesn't have coverage. I can't even check on my kids to see if they are being shuttled from babysitter to babysitter correctly. Brad, meanwhile, is living it up in Las Vegas.

I order about $70 worth of room service which was pretty disgusting except for the creme brulee, but it's pretty hard to ruin creme brulee and go to bed.

Best Christmas Ever

2009-12-31T13:17:00.002-07:00

Dr. Phil, Dr. Schmil. I don't know why I have such an aversion to writing that story. I will get back to it someday though. I promise.

I told my kids we were having a handmade Christmas this year. Beck gave me this cute bear who appears to have lost an arm. Fortunately he repaired him with magnets and tape. Future surgeon? Future Frankenstein?

Max gave me such sweet gifts. I think these may be his most treasured items. Notice that they are boxed in a cream cheese box. He also enclosed his reading reward to pizza hut.

Gettin' Real Part One

2009-12-12T21:48:00.017-07:00

I don't even watch Dr. Phil but the universe must have decided that I need to "get real". One Sunday night in November, I received an email from a woman who identified herself as a "producer from a daytime television program." Five seconds later my best friend, Google, told me she worked for the Dr. Phil show.

Apparently, she had come across one of my posts on

concerning my goal to stop yelling at my kids. This isn't exactly a huge issue for me (denial). It was mixed in among other goals like: visit the 7 wonders of the world, run the Boston marathon, drink more water and have better posture. Unfortunately, Dr. Phil showed no interest in helping me visit the 7 Wonders of the World--he just wanted to save my children from their verbally abusive mother.

The producer assured me that this would be a "light and fun" show consisting of many parents, a panel, and an audience full of mothers and mothers-to-be. My sister assured me that "no one comes off of shows like that looking good" and "they already know you have a temper, they just need to make you blow-up, which shouldn't be difficult."

I must be easily persuaded because just after Lori convinced me of the utter folly of doing the show, Gyllian convinced me that it would be fun and "no big deal." I failed in my attempt to get a clothing allowance out of her.

Brad was already planning to be out of town for the week so I exhausted every resource I could think of to find babysitters.

(Don't you love all my cheesy graphics? It's boring without pictures.)

This all happened between Sunday night and Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday afternoon, late as usual, I was rushing to the airport trying to remember everything and completely second guessing my decision to go at all, when I arrived at Diamond Parking.

I saw the sign for valet parking, but I couldn't see the valet. I pulled into the nearest parking spot, undid my seatbelt and turned my head. Across the lot I saw an employee and decided to just reverse and go ask him. That was when I reversed into a pole.

Isn't this exciting? And I haven't even gotten on the plane yet! I know you'll all be sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for the next installment. This one only took me a month and I promised it would just be a few days...

Chair

2009-11-30T16:49:00.000-07:00

Brad recovered this. Didnt he do an excellent job?

"Up" Cakes

2009-11-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

For Beck's birthday treat to take to school. At what age do kids stop doing this, anyway?

Walking Snail

2009-11-06T16:31:00.000-07:00

My neice, Paizley, just started walking and no matter what I did, I just couldn't manage to keep that snail on the ground!

Max and Moishe

2009-11-02T09:27:00.006-07:00

I made the costumes (swearing, tears, more swearing), my dad made the mask. These costumes just fit my kids personalities perfectly.

Halloween Preview

2009-10-26T22:46:00.000-06:00

Snail costume for my neice Paizley who wasn't supposed to walk yet, but started walking this week. I tried to tell her, snails don't walk! I made a cute little hat with eyes to go with it.

Nothing but crumbs

2009-10-21T09:44:00.005-06:00

I made a key lime pie last night. Then I ate the whole thing. I don't have a picture, because there is nothing to show. I didn't intend to do it, it was just that one bite lead to another and then another and then...

It wasn't huge or anything, but it did include 4 egg yolks and a can of sweetened condensed milk.

I am not planning to tell Brad about it and I don't think he even knows what a blog is so he'll never know.

I do the same thing with packages of Oreos etc.

Shameful.

Fall has...Fallen?

2009-10-21T09:44:00.000-06:00

You know how "they" always say "Spring has Sprung"? Well, Fal has fallen around here. Leaves are everywhere and the boys are loving it.

Pinewood Derby

2009-10-16T18:45:00.000-06:00

Brad insisted they make their own cars and I think they did an excellent job.

Check Out ArtsCow

2009-09-29T14:37:00.002-06:00

Artscow has some lots of free and inexpensive items

Use coupon code: 7X5HARDCOVER499 to get a 7x5 hardcover photobook for $4.99

I haven't tried it yet, but let me know if it works for you.

http://www.artscow.com/?Ref=697329

Mimi for Maggie

2009-09-25T18:34:00.001-06:00

I made a Pointy Kitty for Maggie's 2nd Birthday from this Tutorial.

I didn't realize how bad I am at hand sewing until this little project that took me almost all day. The head was supposed to attach at a "jaunty angle". Let's just say we are lucky it is attached.

Don't be so critical, Maggie's 2. She won't notice. She loves "Mimi's" which is the name she calls all cats, in homage to her cat (who is "Mickey" to everyone else).

Soccer

2009-09-23T21:10:00.000-06:00

How we spend our Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

Avenues Street Festival

2009-09-19T15:43:00.000-06:00

My booth at the Avenue's Street Festival. My first craft fair. It actually turned out pretty fun.

Painting for the Aves Street Festival

2009-09-14T10:40:00.000-06:00

The boys and I each had a booth at this year's Avenues Street Festival. They sold paintings and soda. Ok, 2 paintings and lots of soda. But they had a really good time doing it.

Farbenmix Vida's

2009-09-13T21:05:00.000-06:00

Lauren was nice enough to model my (unfinished the elastic wasn't in the sides yet) Farbenmix Vida's for me. I got a stack of Farbenmix patterns and this one seemed the easiest so I gave it a whirl.

Crazy Max

2009-09-09T11:47:00.000-06:00

Crazy Max turned 7 a couple of weeks ago. I love that little monster.

Quick, they're not looking!

2009-08-27T12:08:00.002-06:00

When the worker's turned their backs, Max snuck into the cab.

Woohoo! I'm outta here.

Ok, now it's my turn. You be the lookout.

Little Devils!

First Day of School

2009-08-27T12:03:00.000-06:00

I can't think of a better excuse for more..... SNOWCONES!

That, and Aunt Terry came to stay and left the kids $$ especially for Snowcones. Thanks Terry!

Giveaway!

2009-08-27T10:48:00.003-06:00

Check out the Utah Etsy Blog (yes, I am a member just didn't get ready in time to join in the children's giveaway) for a gigantic giveaway. Tons of cute stuff.

www.utahetsy.blogspot.com

Whimsical Mia

2009-08-21T09:00:00.000-06:00

Tried shirring for the very first time and it was easier than I expected. Just tedious. I loved how it turned out but the picture doesn't show it very well. Then I had to go and iron the ricrac (which was polyester) and make a big mess of everything. Sorry, Mia.

Rad Canyon

2009-08-19T12:46:00.000-06:00

Ready....

Set...

Ride!

After Max's first trip to Rad Canyon he thinks he needs all sorts of fancy new gear. We thought Beck had a broken finger, so the doc advised he not ride that night. He wasn't overjoyed at being the cheerleader.

Red Butte Gardens

2009-08-17T12:38:00.000-06:00

Don't my kids look excited to take a picture with their mom?

Now a picture with a lizard...

or water, is another story.

Honey was there too.

Sewing Stuff

2009-08-10T11:00:00.000-06:00

Summertime

2009-08-08T19:36:00.000-06:00

Beck went to Nana and Grandpa's for a few days so I got to hang out with Max and his friends. This is our favorite place to get snowcones. Believe me, we've tried them all. Part of what makes this one special is that they offer BOTH ice cream and cream! Even better, it's within walking/biking distance.

Yesterday the weather cooled down nicely and we took a quick hike up to Donut Falls.

Buttercup Bag

2009-08-06T14:42:00.000-06:00

I made this bag from the tutorial at http://madebyrae.blogspot.com/. It is probably one of the best printable (free!) patterns I have ever tried. It is also very easy. I needed to do something with the bolts of Joel Dewberry home decor fabric I have taking up space, but this only takes a FQ. Brad is recovering a chair and footstool with the same fabric though, so now I can sit on it holding this bag and match!

I didn't have a magnetic closure on hand so I will have to figure something out to do with that later. I used a small piece of polka dot grey flannel for the lining. I thought I would use grey buttons, but of course I didn't have any, so I used red. I can't wait to make this in a larger size.

Estate Sale Fan

2009-08-05T16:11:00.000-06:00

Found this (working) fan at an estate sale last weekend. It was covered in grease, but cleaned up really well. Unfortunately Brad found a bunch of CRAP at the same sale and brought boxes and boxes of it home. So here's the rule: if I find something at a thrift/yard/estate sale, it is a priceless treasure. If Brad finds something (could even be the same thing...), "we don't need that junk!"

Reminds me of how when Beck was little he referred to me as "Honey" and Brad as "BRAAAAAAAAAAD!"

Japanese Maggie

2009-08-05T16:01:00.000-06:00

I was so excited about this little bubble romper Maggie is wearing. Until I realized I had put the bunny print upside down. I am trying to convince myself that I did it on purpose. Some Japanese fabric has the print partially upside down so that the child can enjoy the print...of course!! That is what I was planning all along.

My Beautiful Neices

2009-07-28T19:46:00.000-06:00

Do I not have the cutest neices EVER? Even Claire who squeezes her eyes shut in hopes that I will disappear every time I come near her.

Paizee Bug

Maggie

Lauren and Jigsaw

24th of July in Holden

2009-07-28T19:40:00.000-06:00

We had an incredible time in Holden for the holiday, as usual. It helped that my cousins brought TOYS!

This is the Place

2009-07-22T11:02:00.000-06:00

We won a membership to This is the Place park at Lauren's walk for CF. My kids have loved it and Max keeps asking if we can volunteer. I don't know about spending hours in the heat dressed as pioneers though. We have been quite a few times and surprisingly, the kids never tire of it.

Baby Gift

2009-07-20T11:53:00.001-06:00

Outfits I made for my friend's new baby and little girl. If I don't hurry up and give them to her, the big girl outfit is going to fit the baby.

And finally...on the roof

2009-07-15T11:52:00.000-06:00

Sugarhouse park does some really fun fireworks, but the traffic and crowds are a pain. Last year we figured out we had a pretty good view from our neighbors roof, so this year (after 2 hours of street fireworks) we climbed up to watch the show.

Fourth of July.... Evening

2009-07-15T11:45:00.000-06:00

Our street fireworks were even better than last year. 2 families each bought the $200 package from Costco and another 2 or 3 families spent around $50 on pyrotechnics. Sparklers are still my favorites, followed closely by flowers (preferably thrown in the ditch). Clean-up was a big task.

4th of July ...Daytime

2009-07-15T11:32:00.002-06:00

The kids had a great 4th of July and especially enjoyed the dunking booth. Max wasn't too upset when Emma turned to "extreme measures" when she couldn't hit the target with the ball.

Annabelle Pickle

2009-07-11T13:58:00.000-06:00

Claire modeling the dress I made with Annabelle Pickle in mind. The top is probably better for a 2+ year old though.

Three Men in a Boat

2009-07-07T14:50:00.000-06:00

Last week Brad, Spence and my Dad went on a fishing trip.

This week Brad and my Dad are building Brad a canoe. I think installing the bathroom sink is a little more important but no amount of whining has convinced them to alter their plans.

LaLa and Maggie

2009-07-03T13:51:00.000-06:00

More modeling from my neices.

Strip Skirt

2009-07-03T13:49:00.000-06:00

More Lala

Lauren Models Fall Leaf Dress

2009-07-01T10:56:00.000-06:00

Tea Party

2009-06-27T12:30:00.000-06:00

I went to the cutest Tea Party this morning.

We made hats and had delicious cucumber sandwiches.

I really want to plan one for my boys. Do boys have tea parties?

Emme's Cupcake Birthday Dress

2009-06-27T12:27:00.000-06:00

Pears and Apples

2009-06-24T15:14:00.000-06:00

My cute neices were over last night so I dressed them up in some of the things I had made and took photos.

The Celeste

2009-06-15T11:04:00.000-06:00

I think apron skirts are adorable. I made this one for a little girl in Max's class named "Celeste."

The Kid's got Style

2009-06-07T20:33:00.000-06:00

Belated photos of Max's Easter outfit.

It takes a great personality like Max's to carry off this outfit.

I love sewing for my youngest because he's not picky and happily wears anything I make for him. Oh yeah, he's also a trick rider.

Love Wren

2009-06-06T17:48:00.001-06:00

"Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis" was held today. It is a walk to raise money for CF and my family participated on behalf of my neice, Lauren. The name of our team is, "Love Wren." My SIL, Katie's cousin's fish's uncle or something like that owns a company that donates darling t-shirts for Lauren's team every year.

I took the first photo because I had big plans of writing a tutorial (I love everyone else's tute's so much!) but then I got into the recon and forgot to take any more. Maybe next time?

This year Katie's sister had reconstructed a couple of the tee's for the babies and they were adorable. She had added ric rac and ribbons and the little girls looked very cute. I was inspired to go home and try my own recon. I accidentally sewed the ruffle on backwards so I decided that I wanted it to have a "deconstructed" look.

I didn't actually sew the button on because there is a good chance this dress will never be worn. Pink ric rac or grosgrain ribbon would be cute too. The back has holes that could be covered with embellishments as well. My other SIL did a very impressive impromptu recon with items from her purse!

Farbenmix Ribbon

2009-06-06T17:41:00.000-06:00

Love, love, LOVE this darling Farbenmix Ribbon I got in the mail today.

Memorial Day in Holden

2009-06-05T15:30:00.000-06:00

Can you tell I am trying to play catch up?

Beck and Paizley, just Chillin'

Dress for Lauren's Birthday (If you are wondering why the skirt looks so polygamous, it is because I sewed it on sideways. Oops.)

Max's Share Fair

2009-06-05T15:26:00.001-06:00

Max did a great job on his scorpion project.

Cotton Candy

2009-06-05T15:23:00.002-06:00

Summer Goodness

Teacher Appreciation Week

2009-06-05T15:20:00.000-06:00

For teacher appreciation week I used Sara's Cricut to make a Rockin' door decoration. I photographed the class "rocking out" then had them say why their teacher "Rocks". The kids had a ton of fun with it.

Grenade and Cassette Tees

2009-06-05T15:17:00.000-06:00

Sara let me use her Cricut to make these awesome appliques. She has a cartrdige called "Indie Rock" with all sorts of cool images.

MaxiTaxi

2009-04-18T09:35:00.000-06:00

My precarious toothless little Maxi thought it would be a good idea to slice some cheese with a dull knife (why he was using a knife at all, I don't know) yesterday. The result was 6 stitches. It is only his third time for stitches and he has yet to break a bone so I think we are doing pretty well.

Mid-Century Modern

2009-04-18T09:33:00.000-06:00

I love Mid-Century modern style and even though I know it is super trendy right now, I have always loved it. Really. I have. We found this awesome sewing desk at a thrift shop and I am off to yard sales today to looks for more cool atomic styles.

Wawen

2009-04-14T12:30:00.005-06:00

My beautiful Niece, Lauren, (Dave's daughter) was diagnosed with CF last year. We are working to raise money for Great Strides, which funds research to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Please donate if you can.. every dollar matters.http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/JenniferDavis5238

"65 Roses" is what some children with cystic fibrosis (CF) call their disease because the words are much easier for them to pronounce.Mary G. Weiss became a volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 1965 after learning that her three little boys had CF. Her duty was to call every civic club, social and service organization seeking financial support for CF research. Mary's 4-year-old son, Richard, listened closely to his mother as she made each call.The Weiss brothers, Richard, 5; Arthur, 7 andAnthony, 16 months.After several calls, Richard came into the room and told his Mom, "I know what you are working for." Mary was dumbstruck because Richard did not know what she was doing, nor did he know that he had cystic fibrosis. With some trepidation, Mary asked, "What am I working for, Richard?" He answered, "You are working for 65 Roses." Mary was speechless. He could not see the tears running down Mary's cheeks as she stammered, "Yes Richard, I'm working for 65 Roses."Since 1965, the term "65 Roses" has been used by children of all ages to describe their disease. But, making it easier to say does not make CF any easier to live with. The "65 Roses" story has captured the hearts and emotions of all who have heard it. The rose, appropriately the ancient symbol of love, has become a symbol of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.65 Roses® is a registered trademark of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Cenote

2009-04-08T14:12:00.001-06:00

Into the Bat Cave....

We (by "we" I mean Brad, Beck and Max, too chilly for me) went snorkeling in these incredible underground rivers called Cenote's in Tulum. The water is crystal clear and it is amazing. The "Bat Cave was ALL the way underground, very dark and home to real live bats. That's right. Real. And Live.

Max is da Bomb!

2009-04-07T16:21:00.000-06:00

I couldn't resist making a bomb shirt for Max considering he is always on the verge of an explosion.

Kimono Shoes for Paizee Bug

2009-03-29T19:57:00.001-06:00

In love with Lemon Bars

2009-03-28T19:22:00.000-06:00

Easy on the powdered sugar there!

Long time no Sew

2009-03-23T14:08:00.000-06:00

I am holding this outfit (which probably won't fit her anyway) hostage for Paiz until Russ gets his sorry butt up here and does my countertops.

I really don't like the bias tape, but I love the "bubble dress" look. I am going to have to do this one again with a different top. The pantaloons are going to require a trip to Disneyland (with a different top of course) for Minnie Paiz.

Handsome Boys

2009-03-13T19:04:00.001-06:00

I think this last picture of Beck will be great for his upcoming presidential campaign (2040).

Beach Babies

2009-03-13T19:02:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe the ocean is really this color.

Max's Beloved

2009-03-01T21:19:00.000-07:00

I only posted because I noticed I wasn't at the top of Megan's blogroll anymore. These just happened to be my latest photos in Picassa. Really though, thoughts? Anyone? This is one loved lovey, but he is coming apart at the SEAMS! For a second Max thought we should make him into a blanket. ? How? I have sewn him up, but he's just "scratched" him apart again. Help me save Stitch! Someone has got to have an idea.

What do you DO all day while we're at School?

2009-02-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

We mostly cook and clean and work really hard around the house.

Smile, Beck!

2009-02-20T17:45:00.000-07:00

This was his smile until I started making goofy faces. Science fair project, starting waaay too early. He's only in 2nd grade. I found out later it was optional. Nice.

Appliqued Onesies

2009-02-17T21:06:00.000-07:00

Made these for a neighbor. I think the sewing hobby is starting to slowly...slip...away...

Bowlerama

2009-02-17T20:54:00.001-07:00

Brad and Beck went skiing today so Max wanted to do "something special."

He chose bowling. Insert very sarcastic "woo hoo" here.

Not too excited when it didn't go where he wanted it to.

He was having so much fun, that I sacrificed and let him take my turns.

I do love a Giveaway

2009-01-27T11:13:00.004-07:00

Rhbdesigns is doing a giveaway on their cute necklaces... Check it out.
http://rhbdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/01/giveaway-time.html

Here is a cute giveaway for babyslings.

http://www.polkadotpapoose.com/blog/

Adorable Prints here

http://wishingwillow.blogspot.com/2009/01/world-of-possibilities.html

Who do you Heart?

2009-01-16T16:42:00.000-07:00

These are for my neices, Paizley and Claire.
The arm's on Claire's turtleneck look like she's either a puppet or a scarecrow. She's neither.

Zig Zag Shelves

2009-01-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

Spence and my Dad made these awesome (plagiarized from Pottery Barn) Shelves for me for Christmas. The kids had to improvise a little with books for a flat platform. We thought about turning them vertically, but I liked how they looked too much this way. Finally getting the Legos off the floor so Beck doesn't have a heart attack everytime I step on them.

Chinese takeout onesies

2008-12-29T16:53:00.000-07:00

On Etsy, I call these my "makes me wanna have a baby onesies". But in reality, nothing could do that. They are pretty stinking cute though. Thoughts on the Sorry background? Maxi gets it out everytime I put it away. I figured it must be good for something. That and my pictures are boring me lately. Trying to spice it up a bit.

Happy Christmas to all and to all...

2008-12-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

Here's hoping everyone had as great a Christmas as my boys did.

43 Things

2008-12-27T13:42:00.004-07:00

My latest favorite website is 43 Things. It gives some great advice about how to achieve what you want in life. I am a hopelessly dorky self-help book addict. Write it down, make it happen is one of my favorite mantra's. So, check it out. www.43things.com

Also, here is a skirt I sent my sister for Christmas. I guess it is too short though, so I maybe I should ask for it back??

My sisters-in-law and I decided that from now on we are only going to give my mom things we want because she hates all gifts and you can just take them back out of the cupboard (or garbage) later anyway.

Weston's Alien Shirt

2008-12-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

My Nephew's Birthday was last month and I just finished his present. It is an appliqued alien shirt which took me 3x as long as it should have. Now let's see how long it will take me to get it in the mail.

Cuppycake Song

2008-12-20T20:08:00.001-07:00

I didn't make this or anything, just into jellyfish lately. I want to make something jellyfishish. I actually have been making a few things but I can't post them because they are Christmas SURPRISES.

That reminds me: when I was a kid, I was really nosy and always wanted to know what was going on. One time, I was being nosy and it was a Christmas present and I really DID NOT want to know my presents so I told my mom, " if it is a Christmas surprise, just say 'it is a Christmas surprise' and I will stop asking.

Well, from then on whenever I wanted to know what was going on, and interrupted her talking to someone she would just look at me and say, "It's a Christmas surprise." Then she would laugh her head off. Very funny, that mother of mine.

Oh, about the title, this just cracks me up. I can so imagine my 3 yo neice singing this. http://is.gd/cKrq

Making Butter

2008-12-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought I'd be makin' my own butter. Not me. But here it is, very much enjoyed by Beck with some blueberry muffins. Those were made from a mix. But not the butter, oh no, that was made from scratch. Except I didn't actually milk the cow or anything.

Ready, set, sled

2008-12-08T18:01:00.000-07:00

Yup, we've got snow. Max may be smiling, but I am not. Never did get those damn bulbs planted.

Trash ties

2008-11-24T09:16:00.003-07:00

Not that I do this personally, but kind of a cool idea. FYI, the title is a linky.

Magnets

2008-11-21T12:42:00.001-07:00

Now what kind of Utah crafter would I be without the addition of Utah's ubiquitous magnets? I wish you could see these better, the clear ones are actually cute.

Robot Tee

2008-11-21T12:40:00.001-07:00

I tried to applique a robot. The only problem is that the tension on my machine doesn't work very well when using different kinds of fabrics. I know I just need to spend some time and figure it out, but patience is not my virtue. Still turned out pretty cool though. I'll have to try more and perfect my robot art.

Jitterbug Skirts

2008-11-19T11:50:00.000-07:00

I was making some skirts for my neices and couldn't help but make a matching one for myself!

Mia and Emme Jane

2008-11-17T15:14:00.000-07:00

Mia and Emme Jane are my friend Sara's absolutely adorable little girls. I made a reversible Olivia Pinafore for Emme Jane and a pillowcase dress featuring "naughty kittens' for Mia. The kittens fabric was actually for a fabric book, but I pieced it together and made a dress.

Tacky Boys

2008-11-16T09:18:00.002-07:00

My boys are loving the arm warmers. I really think that everyone should own some of these tacky things. What better way to take your short sleeved shirts on into winter. Brad has even asked for some.

Free photo book at snapfish

2008-11-15T08:45:00.002-07:00

For all of you who are aware of my obsession with free/cheap stuff, here's a bonus:

Oprah free Snapfish photobook deal ($29 value), here's how to do it.1) If you are new to Snapfish, FIRST register through this link Snapfish so you get your 50 free prints. 2) After you create your account and the 50 free prints are credited to it, then go to this link: http://www.snapfish.com/info18 3) Click "Get Started". That will put the free photo book in your account. You must create and order the book by Nov 16. The book is worth $29.95, but is free for the next few days. You'll have to pay $5.99 shipping. 4) Upload all the pictures you want to use for the photobook and your 50 free prints ASAP, then create and order your book by the 16th. Wait until Nov 18th to order your 50 free prints because on the 18th, shipping will be free on all orders.

On the snapbook page it now says that the photobook offer has been extended until the 22nd, so I am thinking you can probably get it shipped for free as well if you wait until the 18th. I plan on doing it that way myself.

Wild Things

2008-11-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

Alas, I have been remiss in posting for the last few days. Beck had a birthday party yesterday that took up quite a bit of time and energy. I say this even though I left it up to Brad to plan the activities.

He did an excellent job, too. Especially considering the morning of the party Beck was still trying to decide whether to have an "Indiana Jones" party or a "Holes" party. This was after I suggested the kids each looking for treasure and insert a camel's eyeball into each hole.

That one didn't happen, so I have to plant my bulbs myself. Brad ended doing an Indiana Jonesish party complete with swinging over snakes (hoses) on a rope, escaping a large boulder (exercise ball) down the slide and digging for a treasure chest (shoebox painted with leftover silver chandelier paint) full of prizes.

These are "Wild Things" wall hangings. I didn't originally intend to cut them into strips, but I cut a strip off of one on accident because the paper cutter wasn't lined up so I had to do something. The offset strips are meant to show movement or dancing monsters.

Robot Jumper

2008-11-12T20:34:00.002-07:00

A little robot jumper. Now this may seem a little chilly this time of year but add some "crawler covers" or "leggies" and this would be downright adorable. Who can resist a robot? I made my boys some robot cuffs out of the same design. I'll post them tomorrowish. I used Michael Miller fabric for the robot's belly, quite cute if I do say so myself.

Corkboard Rehab

2008-11-11T19:46:00.001-07:00

I was busy crafting away last night when something terrible happened. I needed to unscrew this corkboard and take it down from the wall. I called to Brad and quickly realized he wasn't home. I was about to give up, but the craft just kept calling to me. So I did it. I found a screwdriver and removed it from the wall ALL BY MYSELF.

Is it possible? Could I actually be becoming (GASP) "capable"? 'Cause if so, this crafting business is going to have to stop. I have worked long and hard at establishing myself as the laziest person in the world. Just ask any of my siblings. If crafting is going to threaten that hard earned image, I might have to reconsider it altogether.

Luckily, by this morning the situation had improved. I found myself whining to Brad that I couldn't get the fabric to stretch where I wanted it to and of course he fixed it for me. Now that's more like it.

By the way, those are before and after shots of my corkboard. I find my projects much more satisfying if there is a "before" photo.

Max's Original

2008-11-11T19:33:00.002-07:00

Here is Max's original that was turned into chapstick art.

Composition Book

2008-11-10T17:01:00.003-07:00

I am not being very ambitious today.

I took a composition
book and glue sticked
some paper to the front of it.
You have to admit, it is cuter now.

Return Address Stamp

2008-11-09T10:02:00.004-07:00

I just had this return addres stamp made up and I am loving it. I have already started addressing Christmas cards (which I never got around to last year) because of this fun new toy.

Silver Chandelier

2008-11-08T16:01:00.002-07:00

This is actually bronze. It has been hanging in my parents dining room since I was a kid. They just changed it out for a mission style stained glassish light.

It has beeyootiful crystals. Brad took it out in the back yard and spray painted it silver. It looks incredible. I am thinking that when my parents see this they are going to want it back. Bling, bling, bling.