A new life for an old skirt.....

This was an easy project and I like the outcome.

I took a skirt I have had for a while. It was one of those "maxi-skirts"; aka...really long.

They are a great idea for some people but not so much for me.

I decided that I would either need to grow 4 inches or have the legs of a giraffe to pull this skirt off.

I chose a length that I liked, and cut the extra right off.

Then I ran it through the washer and dryer to fray it really well.

I cut off all of the extra stingy thingies to clean it up.

I used some of the left over fabric for embellishments.

I chose these happy swirly doodads. (Yes I am so articulate.)

After sewing the swirls my fingers were tired and sore so I used 'liquid stitch' to affix them to the skirt.

.........Yes I did.........

I have used it before on machine washable projects and it holds up really well.

We will see if I am as lucky this time.

I am enjoying the finished product. It is so much more wearable now. I also love having a new item of clothing that I didn't have to spend a dime on. :)

Happy Crafting!!

I am linking this to Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest.

Happy 15 Years, Lovey!!

I would like to wish the man of my dreams,...the "Platt man" (my own personal super hero) a Happy Anniversary. 15 years has flown by with him. Here's to the next 50 being just as wonderful. Love You Steve!!

Treasures from Utah.....

I didn't leave my favorite place empty handed.

We spent part of our trip lounging at my darling sisters house and to make us feel more welcome she had left this on the bed in their guest bedroom. Now the 'P' hangs from a key holder by my front door.

I stole the picture directly from her blog, by the way. :)

She also gifted me with this gorgeous plate that is identical to one she displays in her kitchen. Thank You Wendy!! I love my treasures.

My mom, who knows that I collect vintage ivory shell buttons and old spools, had saved these for me. They were even in an old mason jar and the spools have their original silk thread on them. Thank You Mom!!!

Whenever I walk past them I run my fingers over the soft thread.

Just a smidgen of very important knowledge for you. I have decided that 'Down East Basic' clothing tags make the best bookmarks. Not only are they thick and sturdy, but they are dang cute and already have a ribbon attached.

And,...since "Mockingjay" comes out in less then two weeks we all know we are going to need a good bookmark!!!

Decisions,...decisions........

Ugh,...making choices...

not my strong point...

but I do do do enjoy it so!!

Don't you just love neutrals??

What am I deciding??  That is for me to know and you to find out.

Hopefully sooner than later. :)

Urban Images...

We decided to shake things up a bit during our sassy photo shoot while I was in Utah with my sis.

Her mantra is that "every photo shoot needs a wardrobe change".

She had an 'urban feel' in mind so we went with neutrally greys and left the rest to John (the artiste.)

He found the perfect industrial settings,...

and voila.

Wendy...of coarse...did some uber-cool editing and came up with all of these different takes on the same photos. They are such the perfect photography team.

Am I not just spoiled that I get to "do them the favor" of posing for photo shoots?

(Thank You again Hydes!!)

To see more of Johns amazing talent visit Hyde photography.

Picture Perfect~

My brother in law is a super talented photographer extraordinare. One of the major perks of visiting family while on vacation is when your sister kidnaps you and forces you into a 'photo shoot'. And even when you are dragged to said photo shoot kicking and screaming it turns out to be the most fun you have

 had in a long time.

Not to mention how your uber- amazing photo savvy brother in law managed

to somehow turn you into a super model with his magic lens.

Ok,...believe me I know that I am no super model,

lets just say that my artistically gifted photographer bro-in-law made my sister and I feel prettier then we have in quite some time.

He has an amazing eye for settings, and would drive on up to any random hill or waterfall, dump us out of the car and tell us to hop in.

Yet it always worked. He is gifted.

My sister used some really  neat photo editing techniques to come up with the different looks.

Wendy has more photos from this shoot on her blog if you want to hop on over and admire John's work. Also her photography blog showcases some of his masterpieces.

Thank You so much 'Fire-dog',....that was awesome.

Birth of a Food Baby....................

I have had a week of glorious gluttony...

well, more like six weeks...

but this one has been exceptionally naughtier!! (I'm on vacation, right??)

For me...a little bit of rationalization goes a long way.

I have rationalized my way into mass consumption.

 Don't get me wrong.

 I'm not complaining.

I have enjoyed every minute of it.

Every minute of frivolous food frolic.....

of taste bud euphoria!!

What have I eaten you ask?? Only my FAVORITES, some of which I can't get my hands on in So.Cali. (More rationalizing, I know. I told you that I was gifted that way.)

Has any one tried the Ben and Jerry's 'Oatmeal Cookie Chuink'? It's new...

it's wonderful.....

j'adore it!!!

The happy, friendly, but oddly nervous little 'ice cream clerk' that scooped it up for me told me that people actually travel to get their hands on it. I'm not surprised. I think I may have scared him a bit with my enthusiasm.

What else have I eaten??

Molten Lava Cake at Chili's.

mmmmm.........

it speaks for itself.

Let us not forget Cheesecake Factory. :) My ..

favorite 30th Anniversary Cake.

yes they have many a Cheesecake Factory in So. Cali.

(do you enjoy pointing out my weaknesses? :) )

In my defense my sister had NEVER been to C.F.

For real!!

So I really had no choice.

Told you I was talented in the rationalization area.

sigh...............

unfortunately no festival of gluttony comes without cost.

The tally is in, and when I get home I have 7 pounds to lose.

7lbs!!!!!

Does it look less ominous when it is printed really tiny?

At this rate I am going to have to pick two names for my growing food baby.

Right now I will say it was totally worth it! 

Ask me in two weeks when I am pouring sugar free chocolate syrup on lettuce. :)

What is your favorite guilty treat?? 

And More Highlights.............

More Highlights from my "enchanted April' ,....er....July/August.........in my favorite place. (Utah)!!

Hogle Zoo with my little family, and my sissy, and my sissy's little family. I adore Hogle Zoo.

My cutie and her cousin. Is it possible that they were twins.........separated by 2+ years............and a different set of parents................and a couple of states??

The stitches are out and we are HAPPY!!! (Especially after the nice R.N. gave us a big, drippy purple Popsicle first thing in the morning. (Actually a very appropriate breakfast for the 24th of July which happens to be the 'Pioneer Day' holiday in Utah.) That is gonna be one nasty scar!! Does anybody know if that 'Mederma' scar remover really works??

Getting mani's and pedi's with my bestie. I created this glitter nail color and then Jolyn (the world's greatest nail tech) named it after me. What an honor. ;) ;)

It doesn't get any better then staying with family and watching the kids bond and bond some more with the cousins that they don't see near often enough.

Some other wonderful memories that will live close to my heart are.......

-a trip to the Jordan River Temple with my sister.

-my son bearing his testimony in Sacrament meeting without any persuasion. He just marched right on up to the pulpit and did it.

-watching the tiniest members of our extended family scramble during multiple games of fruit basket.

-and...my brother in law getting ENGAGED while my cute hubby is actually here in town to celebrate it. (sometimes there is nothing better then seeing a big ole smile on your hubby's face!)