last call

Okay guys. This is the last call for those Southern California peeps who want an invited to the benefit dinner with Mindy Gledhill on October 9th.  She will be performing songs from her new album Anchor.  We are asking for a twenty dollar donation per couple that will go to help a family who lost their father last July.

If you want an invite, you need to contact me asap with your address and I will send you an invite.

beauty and the creep

My husband is a wonderful teacher. I marvel at how he seems to be able to pull a lesson together out of nowhere and how he finds answers to Thom's complicated questions.

I suck at teaching, but it turns out I'm pretty good at teaching those that don't really need to be taught.

Being a teacher at Spark was amazing and humbling.  The art that was made in my class dumbfounded me. Hardly anyone made collages similar to my own. The diversity was a small glance into just how different each person is from the next.

This piece was done by Jasmine Bailey-Barfuss.  Jasmine is one of those people that is so beautiful they take you off guard and you want to just stare at them and take it all in, but you can't because your an adult, so you try to be sneaky and stare at them while they aren't looking.  After all, you don't want to be creepy.

That's how it was with Jasmine. And then she opened her mouth and I knew she was just as beautiful and interesting on the inside.  At this point I started scouting out hiding places because I felt totally under-qualified to be teaching anything to anybody,  especially the likes of this girl.

I could go on and on about how much I adore Jasmine, but I think I'll just let you decide for yourself.  I will feel a whole lot less creepy when everyone else is in love with her too.

Here's the link to her Etsy shop.

Here's the link to the most touching blog post ever written.

Here's the link to her blog so you can see her many talents and stare as long as you like at her photos.

Don't worry, she's not looking.

spark through jefra's lens

These photos were taken by the uber talented Jefra Linn. Check out her work. She rocks.

And last but not least, Mindy, our super star. The cherry on the top of the Spark cake.  The darling of the event.  I'm going to let you in on a little secret. If you live in the So. California area and you would like to see Mindy perform, you have a chance. She is going to be coming to sing at a benefit dinner I am hosting in October. If you are interested in attending, please contact me and I will send you the details.

gimme a scollar hollar

1. white chenielle scollar, 2. Aqua cordoroy scollar, 3. chocolate wool scollar, 4. Black chenielle scollar, 5. Printed Linen scollar, 6. Teal chenielle scollar, 7. black and white chenielle, 8. Moss chenielle scollar, 9. Chocolate and grey scollar

Okay girlies, and some husbands. (I learned this last weekend that some husbands read my blog.  It makes me oh so happy and a little embarrassed at the same time. I mean, I've talked about my boobs and everything.  Sheesh.)

Here is what I have to sale by way of scollars.  Some of my favorite pieces sold and I plan to remake them in all my spare time. But until then, there are some great pieces left to buy.  They vary in price depending on what I used. Some have vintage brooches and silk, others have cashmere. They start at $35 and go up.

If you want one, first off please know you are a fashion forward individual. Kudos for your good taste.  After you blow a few French air kisses to yourself, shoot me an email and let me know the piece you would like and I'll send you the price and reserve it for you if you decide to buy.

I'm seriously so excited about my scollars. They look so cute worn with a sweater or over a coat.  They are just chic. Plain and simple. And wouldn't you just agree?

Here's to fabulous Fall fashion! I can't get enough of it.

heart of india

And now, as promised, I give you the

Secondsister Winter Collection 2010:

The Heart of India

If you see something you would like to purchase, please go to my Flickr page and find the item you would like. It will have a number. Email me and let me know which piece you want. I will respond as fast as possible and let you know the price.

I will start loading my Winter Collection into the shop on Thursday. If you want something reserved, please let me know by then or who knows, I might get lucky and everything will fly out of the shop within a few days.

i do, over and over again

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

I can't remember where I got this photo, but I do remember reading that it was a wedding dress and the bride crocheted it herself.  Isn't is amazing?  It steals my breath away and wish I could get married again and wear one just like it.

Which I would do a million times over if I believed in it.  I'm one who tries to live up to my wedding vows everyday, hoping they won't fad over time.  The original promises I made are graffitied all over my heart.

I married Sugar Daddy sixteen years ago.  We were young and stupid and crazy in love.  Most of all, we were blessed to find each other. I'd say it was dumb luck but I know better.

I've had my struggles in life.  I've been down and out and so poor I had to eat canned pineapple for an entire week until the pay check came.  I've seen some sadness and weathered some storms.  I have some scars.

But. Here's where I'm so very very blessed: I've never not been absolutely head over heels in love with my husband.  It's an amazing gift. I stand all amazed most days at my good fortune to have married the very person I would choose every time to be in the fox hole with, no matter the battle.

Oh sure we have our fights and disagreements.  He wishes I wasn't directionally challenged. I take issue with sweaty running clothes dropped on the floor and stinky yerba maté  cups in the sink.

We needle each other out of spite or boredom. We mutter sarcastic remarks under our breath.  We play ro-sham-bo over diaper changes and bedtime chores.  We both think the other has a poor memory.

But at the end of the day, even if I'm irritated and out of sorts with him, I want to cuddle up to my husband.  I want to smell his neck and put my hand on his cool cheek. I want to fall asleep with the comforting heft of him on my right side, listening to his deep bear breaths.

I'm crazy about Sugar Daddy. He's my Clark Kent. And there's not a thing known to man that can change that.

Lucky, lucky me.

still buzzin

All photos by Collin Kartchner

Is it really over?

I still feel the magic buzzing in my head.

I still have so much to say to my new friends.

Just one more trip to the Spark Snack bar please.

Just one more class of bubbly women getting paint on their hands please.

Just one more song from Mindy Gledhill pa-leeeese.

Alas, it's over. So much hard work for just two days.

Two days that make it all worth it.

If you were there please friend me on Facebook. I want to stay in touch.  If you weren't there, you might want to start saving for next year.

Spark is pure magic. Undeniable.

I personally didn't have time to take photos at Spark this year so I started a Spark Flickr group so I can see what everyone else captured.  Please join and share.

Now to the winner of the needle keeper. The random number picker chose number five which is Tracy of It's my Life. Congratulations Tracy! Send me your address!

the mascara effect

My mother believes that a little mascara can cure anything.

Stomach flu? "Put on a little mascara honey, you'll feel a lot better."

Broken heart? "Oh go fix up a little with some mascara and things will seem better."

Nine months pregnant with three chins and cankles? "If you put on a little mascara and run a brush through your hair you'd feel more like going out."

My mother truly thinks that mascara is the cure-all. And I have come to love that about her. It's one of the little idiosyncrasies that makes her my mom.

I'm telling you this to make a point. And the point is this: a little cuteness never hurt anybody.

Spark is happening. This weekend.  I've been working like a mad dog. My eyes are boggled and my fingers are sore.  I think I'm ready.

It's been a long haul, but I'm lucky in that I get to work in my studio which is filled with everything I love.  Cuteness abounds.

Not too long ago I bought a little needle holder from My Friend Amy to keep track of all the wicked sharp needles that have made my fingers so very sore.  I named her Lucy. She has red hair and green eyes and she likes peter pan collars. She's a mini me and she makes my sore fingers feel just a little bit better looking at her.

The Amy behind My Friend Amy is a girl who left a corporate job to spend more time with her family. My kind of gal. She makes all sorts of fun little do-dads but needle keepers and tinker spool dolls are her specialty. The fun thing about these little dolls is that you can use them for so many things. They can hold needles, pencil lead, pills, beads, toothpicks or just about any tiny thing you need to keep track of in your purse.

Amy is giving away one of her needle keeper dolls right here on Suaviloquy. See the photo above? That's the cutie up for grabs. If you would like to enter to win you must leave a comment. I want to hear what you do to make life just a little easier to take when the chips are down.

And please click on over to Amy's shop. It's a charming little place to visit, and you might just find your mini me.

P.S. Did you notice that Lucy is yet again, another wooden doll? I just. can't. help. myself.

P.P.S. I'm going off the grid for the rest of the week. I'll miss you all like mad, but this girl's taking her show on the road. I will return and report next Monday with all the Spark details and the lucky, lucky winner of the needle keeper.

the project

Simply put, I think that Mindy Gledhill's new album "Anchor" is the best album I have heard in a very long time.  I used to wait with baited breath for Ben Folds to release his albums. Then more recently I have been anxious for Ingrid Michaelson to put out new stuff.  I had a short love affair with The Weepies and Josh Ritter still makes me sway, but lately, more often than not, you can find me driving car pool, singing along with Mindy at the top of my lungs.

So imagine, just imagine, what I said when she asked me to do some illustrations for her music video.

Hell to the yes. That's what I said. And oh. my word.

After waiting for what seems like forever, I finally get to reveal this little project that has been like pink frosting on my life.

With a cherry and sprinkles. You know the ones. I think they are called nonpareils, which is a French word, so they must come from France. The tiny colorful ones, but, oh just watch the video.

Thanks Mindy, you make my world that much better by being you.

You can purchase "Anchor" and the rest of the album on iTunes, or buy the CD here.

a room of ones own

Growing up I always shared a bedroom.  We had two twin beds, a nightstand and one dresser. Her side was tidy, mine a mess.  When we fought a line was drawn down the center of the room, which was problematic for the person without a door, but which never lasted too long. Especially if the doorless girl had to go to the bathroom.

When my older sister Heidi moved out, I had my own room for a year or so.  I thought it would be heaven, but alas, sometimes it's nice to have a bed fellow. Like on Christmas eve and when you get home from a really good date. A girl needs to talk about things.

Now I, of course, share a room with Sugar Daddy and I can honestly say that I never, ever, want my own bedroom.

I finished my studio exactly one week before Henry was born. We didn't think we would be needing that last bedroom.  When you make plans for your life, God laughs.

Henry's crib is in our bedroom.  He's nearly six months old and he really should be in his own space.  But oh how I love my room!  I love to sit at my work bench in the late afternoon, when the sun streams in. The whole room glows a warm pale blue. I open the windows for the evening breeze and my butterfly chandelier rustles and sways.  Everywhere I look there are things I love, things that inspire me. I keep a stash of chocolate and mint gum stowed away in the cabinet and it makes the whole room smell like a peppermint patty. I tell ya, it's my happy place.

Eventually, I am going to have to move my studio. We are talking about what we could do.  The Boy's room isn't big enough for two beds. The Bird wouldn't sleep if Henry was in with her. We will need the last room.

*Sigh*

After one has had a room of one's own, it's awfully hard to give it up.  But maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to recreate my little utopia somewhere else.

Stay tuned.

******************************

Also, you should know that seven years ago today, my son Thomas was born.  He looked like an old Jewish man. He only weighed five and half pounds.  He was nothing like I had imagined but all that I had hoped for.  Everyday he says something funny. Everyday he gives me a look that says, "I love you Mom." Everyday I fall in love with him just a little bit more.

Friday night is the birthday party. There will be hyper boys in pajamas. There will be video games. There will be shave ice. There will be potty humor.

And I couldn't be more happy about that.