a week in salt lake city

I love flying over the great salt lake. It's so odd and strange looking, I always lean my forehead on the window, watching and trying to decipher just how big it really is. It's pretty entertaining.

Matilda, in her carrier, at the airport.

So I'm officially the crazy cat lady that takes her cat on vacation with her. At least, that's what it looks like at the airport. So here's the story...

Sunday, 3 p.m. Danny gets a call that he might have to go to Hawaii for work. My flight for SLC is leaving at 9 a.m. the next day. I have prepared the house for me being gone for a week, not both of us to be gone. Luckily I had already packed my bag. We don't know how long Danny will be gone, and the only friend that could check in on the cat could only do it until friday, so we decide that she has to go with me. I figure everything out, and I call the airline and double check. I am so nervous and feel bad for making her fly with me, but whatever. At least I won't have to worry about her.

Danny drives us to the airport. We go through security- I have to take her out of her carrier and hold her while walking through the security thing. I have no idea if she will flip out and scratch my eyes out or not.

She does amazing. I held her like a little monkey as she looked around totally calm and happy. All the TSA agents comment on what a pro she is, and one tells me of the teeny dog that bit him the day before. Hilarious.

My mom picked us up, and we went a few places before going home. I recently switched to feeding her raw food (a totally different post) so we needed to go and get her some. We stopped by a fabric store, I took her in with us (in the carrier) and she sat on the floor by the register totally content.

We got home just in time for Lindsay Loo to get home, and we were starving so we went to one of my favorite places...

Kneaders.

Their Turkey Bacon Avocado sandwich is the most amazing turkey sandwich ever. It's not lunchmeat sliced turkey- it's like thanksgiving chunky turkey. Mmmmmmm.

Lindsay Loo got a cookie for dessert- and posed for the camera as Cookie Monster- to match her shirt.

On our way home, we visited another fabric store, one of my very favorites- Quilters Haven in North Salt Lake. The owner Joanie is so nice, she was there and we got to chat for a bit before I bought a stack of fat quarters.

Lindsay Loo loves to color- and has a ton of crayons. She likes to sit and sort them into rows. It's very calming to her. This day it was by color, but sometimes she does it differently. It amazes me- I want to know what she's thinking, why she sorts in the order that she does.

Matilda didn't have her usual 43 naps that day- so by the time night came, she was out cold.

The next day my mom and I were looking for something in the basement, when I found this...

Our old Robie the Robot bank. You would put a coin on his hand, and he would gobble it up while rocking back and forth, licking his robot lips. We loved this thing- we got it for Christmas, and we spent all day taking turns feeding him change.

Loo says "Me take picture with you?"

He said "Why?"

And Loo says "Because I love you."

Simple. It's always the obvious and simple things that get me. That remind me to slow down and stop thinking so much.

I had to go to the dentist that day. I had a cleaning and one cavity. Not bad! I love having a dentist in the family- especially one that's so on top of all the new tech. In and out, hardly any pain at all. Plus, his office just happens to be a few blocks from one of my other very favorite fabric stores- Material Girls. Another fat stack of fabric, how I miss fabric shopping! It's such a part of the process for me- it's been so hard not being able to go and match colors and get inspired by all the new prints and collections. Since moving to SF, I've been ordering most of my fabric through sellers on Etsy. So it was WAY fun to be able to go to all my favorite places and renew my love for fabric shopping again!

We also went to Hobby Lobby while we were out there. No Hobby Lobby by me either. Their ribbon is half off every other week- such a great deal!

On Wednesday, I drove to Salt Lake, grabbed a pizza from the Pie, and met Nan and Van at a park. After lunch, we went back to her place so Van could nap, and I sort of helped her make decorations for the graduation party. We were trying to make those yarn balls- the ones that you use balloons and glue dipped yarn. Yea, so we had like 20 balloons and only made 3. We ran out of glue, balloons sprayed with Pam are very slippery and we dripped glue all over their patio.

For dinner that night, I met Danny's dad, sister Chels and Auntie Gayleen and her friend Lisa at Little America. I love the turkey dinner there- but I was still so full from the pie that I had a side salad instead. We had a great time catching up- Gayleen is a riot and always has me almost laughing until I pee. I never get to spent time with Chels- and since we had a few hours I asked her if she wanted to go to the new mall with me.

City Creek is gorgeous, it's everything they promised it would be back when they torn down Crossroads and announced their plans. Before Gateway decided to sneak in and build quickly before the Olympics. Now Gateway is doomed. An outside mall in Utah was always a stupid decision. But City Creek had enough time to perfect the moveable roof. Smart, so smart!

So we move away, and Utah has the mildest winter ever. And then they get an H&M and a Lush. That's just how it goes, right?

On Thursday, I picked up the Loo from her day program.

And granted her a photo op in from of her beloved handicapped parking sign.

We went to Orson Gygi, to find some cupcake wrappers for her birthday cupcakes. She loves going there as much as I do- she loves looking at all the cookie cutters and colorful candies.

Then we were off to Gardener Village- I heard a rumor that the fabric shop Pine needles had Tula Pink's new fabric line, Nightshade.

But I was starving, so we went into a little cafe and I had a sandwich. I peeked into the ice cream case, but knew I would be sorely disappointed from being spoiled by the fantastic Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous. Except that I spied the familiar Swiss Milk Chocolate, so I asked the girl where their ice cream was from. She replied Leatherby's- I worked at Leatherby's in high school, and they have fantastic ice cream. So I ordered a cone of the Strawberry Cheesecake, and it did NOT disappoint! They didn't have that flavor when I worked there, so loooooong ago.

Pine needles did not have Nightshade, (sadface) but they had a million other things that I piled high in my basket. Loo spied the kids corner, sat down in a tiny chair and sorted blocks like it was her job, while I combed through rows of fabric looking for perfect matches. It's funny- Pine needles isn't one of my favorite shops, it's so hit and miss, mostly miss with me. But when it's a hit- it's huge. I had so much luck there I felt like I should go out and buy a lottery ticket.

Loo spotted the goose and insisted that I take a photo. A close up photo. She directed me from afar, saying closer, closer, slower, perfect, now!

Clouds. Big white fluffy clouds. In SF it's either foggy or clear. And if there is clouds in the sky- they are weak and wispy. The sky looks so big here, I guess I've gotten used to the tightly woven hills of SF.

We went home and made cake. Loo wanted cherry cake. I was just going to color it red and call it good- but she picked up a package of cherry jello while we were shopping, so I googled if that was a good idea or not and it came up good. So I thought I'd risk it.

It's SO nice to be able to bake in such an amazing kitchen while I'm there. People don't just miss me, they miss my baking. So I have to bake while I'm there- and I love being able to use my mom's super kitchen. She has 3 weddings coming up, so she was sewing a quilt top while I was baking. And we didn't get in each others way. Oh, how I miss gigantic countertops to make baking messes on!

I was planning on coming out to Utah for Loo's birthday, which is at the end of this month. But since Mike was graduating at the beginning- and I wasn't going to miss that- we decided to have Loo's birthday party early.

Banner found at Orson Gygi.

Pink polka dot cake.

It turned out totally delicious! All I did was add one small package of cherry jello to a package of yellow butter recipe duncan hines cake mix. It was a little sticky in the pan- I wish I had greased and floured it better.

Van approves!

I loved how he just laid on the floor and played with the cars. Such a sweet boy. He has grown up so much since we moved away- but he's still the same gentle, intense, inquisitive boy that he was back then, its just that now he runs and says no quite well.

Mike, Van, Nan, me.

Unrelated, but totally to the core family.

Flying home- the great salt lake to snowcapped mountains to tight city blocks.

Horizon line.

Driving through the tunnel.

And reaching the bridge. 

Danny ended up leaving on tuesday morning, and staying for a week. He drove to the airport, so that I could drive home, and so that we wouldn't get a parking ticket for not moving the car. I missed him so much during this trip- we have gotten so spoiled being each others only close friends out here, spending so much time together. I am so grateful for this time, with just us. It won't last forever- so I try to treasure each day. 

I got so much fantastic fabric- I tried to only buy what the people have been asking for so that no waste will happen, and I will have many happy customers. Oftentimes I just buy the stuff that I love, even if it doesn't fit the project in mind, and them I end up with beautiful fabric sitting and not getting made into anything. So this time I just bought fabric for dolls (dresses and leggings), and sleepover pals. 

Last week, after unpacking and doing an insane amount of laundry (which still hasn't been put away) I made 22 doll dresses and leggings. 22. They sit in a gigantic pile on top of my desk, waiting for me to take photos so I can get selling!

anniversary weekend...

It was our 4 year anniversary over the weekend, and we spent it well.

We walked to our fav ice cream parlor- Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous. I got a cone with chocolate chip, Danny got a cup with some sesame banana brittle wowness. We hopped on the T train to downtown, to go see a movie. After the movie we ate some fabulous indian food- except that Danny found 2 small bones in his Butter Chicken. Euuuggghhhh creepy.

Then we walked around...

St. Patrick's Church.

Wishing trees and husband...

a city sunset...

pretty doors...

Oh hey there, SFMOMA...

our ride home.

It was soooooooooo nice to spend a lazy day together enjoying where we live. This is the first time we've been to a movie since we moved here. Because they don't have reserved seating in California, and we hate crowds and waiting in line- we have avoided going to movies. Aren't we antisocial and lazy? But the movie we saw had been out for a few weeks, so the theatre was nearly empty, so yea- now we can go to movies!

I was scheduled to fly home for a week starting yesterday to attend my BFF Mike's graduation, and to plan an early bday for the Loo. LAte into the afternoon, as I was getting final preparations ready, Danny got a phone call that he might have to go to Hawaii for work this week.

So I scrambled around, trying to determine if I would be able to take Matilda with me on the plane, making calls and answering stupid questions and I almost worked myself up into a frenzy of worry,  anger and resentment that if I were to be home, I'd get to go to Hawaii too. THE ONE TIME GUYS, the one time I go anywhere, Danny gets to go somewhere fabulous for work? Not fair.

Danny got me to cool my jets, and walk to Piccino for some dinner. We had the Bianca pizza-  really good, but almost too light for dinner. We decided to be fancy and order some fancy drinks, Danny got a blood orange sparkling thing and I ordered a Sanbitter. I knew it would be bitter- but what I didn't realize is that bitter in drink lingo equals cough syrup. So if you're one of those people that likes drinking that nasty cherry Robitussin- you should get some Sanbitter. 

By the time we had walked back home, I had let go of my disappointment and got right back into our relaxing weekend. I had gotten everything in order to take Matilda on the plane with me, and since my packing was finished we watched some tv and went to bed early.

Best anniversary so far? Almost. Pretty damn close. But last year- staying at the B&B, eating such fabulous breakfasts- I think that ones wins. We really wanted to do that again this year, but Danny just couldn't get away. 

But the good news is that in honor of our anniversary, Deanna of The Old Hen B&B posted my very favorite pastry she's ever made- the Napoleon. OMG. Obviously we had it last year- and all year long I have been hinting and begging for the recipe, so I am so thankful and excited to make it for myself. As soon as I get home, that is.

sleeping arrangements

A doll bed for Lindsay Loo-loo. Painted white to match her own, with a light yellow bedspread and pillow to coordinate with the colors of her room.

I told you I've been crazy about making things for Loo's doll. (BTW, miss Lindsay has changed her nickname to Loo, just Loo, not Loo-loo. Her doll's nickname is Loo-loo.)

Once I got it all finished and put together- my heart swelled. I knew she'd love it, so so much. What girl wouldn't?

I even made the mattress. 

I took an Ikea doll bed, painted it white, glued some finials to the head and foot boards, painted them, and waited very impatiently for it to dry so I could put it together.

The bedding that came with it was atrocious! But it served me well as far as measurements go so I could make my own mattress, sheet, quilt and pillow. It was really quite easy- and cheap. 

The doll bed is only $8 and it comes unfinished so it's easy to paint. I got the finials at Home Depot for $5 each. I splurged on the paint- I bought a $11 quart of Glidden also at Home Depot. I wanted it to have a nice semi-gloss finish that would last forever. But you could easily use cheap acrylic paint from the craft store.

I really, really wanted to make a mini upholstered headboard for this bed- but it turned out not at all how I wanted. To make it perfect- I really need the use of power tools that I no longer have, and a garage to use them in, also which I no longer have. So I'll stick to pre-made beds.

love birds

I've been in such an embroidery mood lately...

I've been wanting to do this pattern for forever, and I finally did it. I found a cheap silver frame at Aaron brothers and stuck it in. Now I just have to figure out where to put it!

Embroidery is something I love to do- it's easy and soothing like knitting or crocheting can be for people that can knit or crochet. 

The pattern is from the Sublime Stitching craft pad by Jenny Hart. I love all her patterns- I've used them often. 

Hmm, what shall I do next?

terrarium

I've always loved terrariums.

When I was in high school I had like 12 frogs in my room in 3 different aquariums- I was always re-arranging them and planting new plants and finding new ways to add a "pond" or 2. But the frogs would jump and knock down plants and eventually I'd have to clean their cages and start all over. I just wanted a "little world" all my own.

But then I kept seeing DIY terrariums all over the place, and I realized that the problem all along was the frogs. As long as they weren't there- I could keep my little worlds intact and frog poop free.

So I found a container 1/2 off at the craft store, filled it with pebbles and dirt, and moss that I bought from Theresa's Plants and more store on Etsy.

Then I made some tiny mushrooms out of polymer clay.

I cut this teeny paper house out with my Silhouette machine. It's so cute! But it's made out of paper, so every time I water it I have to take it out so I don't ruin it. 

I bought the little tree and the bright lichen bush from a local miniature shop- they are used for dioramas and model train scenes.

playing catch up...

Since January, I have gotten out of a lot of good habits that I used to have.

Like blogging.

And cleaning up after myself in the kitchen no, actually in general. My counters are sticky and covered in dirty dishes, there are thread and felt bits all around the house, piles of fabric and unfinished projects on my sewing room floor, and dirty clothes on the bedroom floor. I used to NEVER leave clothes on the floor. Probably since Kobe would pee on anything left on the floor, so I learned quickly not to do that. But now that she's gone...I must have forgotten.

And drinking water.

But I have gotten into a few new good habits since then as well.

Like managing my time better. Breaking up the day doing different tasks has made my projects go faster and the frustrating parts less frustrating. Like working on a sewing project for a few hours then getting housework done then going to the store then relaxing and making dinner when Danny gets home. As opposed to sewing for 8 hours straight, not cleaning, not going to the store, not making dinner and then getting a serious case of sewers block that would last forever and projects left hanging and not getting finished.

Going out by myself. Since I learned to drive stick- I am free to go wherever. It's been nice to go to Ikea and check out the other parts of town that were so hard to get to by public transportation. I found a scrapbook store in the richmond district- I called ahead to see if they had a die cutting room, and surprisingly enough- they did. I asked what their selection was like and the girl said they had tons of stuff.

I went, and I almost laughed.

They had like 30 different sheets of paper. One lonely little rack. As far as their die cut room- they had one alphabet and a bunch of tags. And by a bunch I mean like 10.

I'm used to Utah scrapbook stores- with walls full of trim and stickers, with so many racks of paper that you couldn't count if you tried. And the die cut room? Everything you can think of. Hundreds of dies.

I guess it ain't that popular here. Sigh.

So, lets see what I've been up to over the last few months. Yikes, has it really been months since I was a good blogger? Bigger sigh.

Vera doll. For sale here!

Flora doll.

Custom doll for Jasmine.

Note the fancier dress!

Custom doll for Miss D.

Custom doll for Amie.

Cathedral window pillow. For me.

I love it! And I loved making it! Anybody want one? I'd love to do it again!

Honey bear. For sale here!

Cloudy bear. For sale here!

Blue bear. For sale here!

Custom Sleepover Pals for Ruby.

Sleepover Pals in Paisley. For sale here!

Sleepover Pals in Flower Garden. For sale here!

Sleepover Pals in Spring. For sale here!

I also made a quilt. It's almost finished. My mom got it back from the quilters (yes I sent to Utah to my fav quilter) and she just sent it back on Friday so I should be getting it any time soon. As soon as I bind it- I'll post tons of photos!

I've also been really into embroidery. I made something for to give to Danny for our anniversary, and I did a little bird stitching that I need to take photos of.

Oh, and I have been making Loo-loo some fantastic goodies for her birthday. She got an American Girl doll for Christmas, so I've been making doll clothes like crazy. And bedding. Yes. Anthro inspired doll bedding. (I know what you are thinking. Is this really what I do with all my time? And the answer is yes. Yes I do. Also- yes I know how incredibly lucky I am- I'm living my dream life.) I think I'm trying to make up for being gone with gifts- am I a horrible sister? Or a really, really good one? 

And terrariums. Like totally obsessed. I made a cute little one for me. It has a moss hill and a fake tree and a little teeny paper house and some red mushrooms that I made out of clay. And then Danny said he wanted to make one too- so I got him a container, and he hasn't made it yet. Need to take photos of those too! 

And I finally made a doll for me. Loo-loo asked me one day "When you make a doll for you? Hmmm?" So I took her advice. And she is lovely. Her hair is brown- and it's in a gigantic bun on the top of her head. All last week I was obsessed with drafting my own clothes patterns for her- I got one good outfit, she just needs shoes. 

I seriously stared at patterns and fabric all day last wednesday. Then finally at 8 p.m. I figured it all out and blasted out an outfit.

An outfit that I have tried to make for myself- and failed. But I did it! In miniature, at least.

I've decided that I need to take a seamstress or a tailor class. I have no idea how to draw patterns. I need some basics! 

i heart sf

I love where we live.

I woke up yesterday to the sound of oil being drilled right out of the apartment below us. Obviously it wasn't oil, but hell- it was loud. So I got up. It was rainy and grey so Danny was shuffling around avoiding biking to work like he does every morning. I offered to drive him there, and he gleefully said yes. (P.S. He is a very happy man now that his wife can drive the car.) I pulled on some leggings, a long sleeve tee, a sweater dress, and my fake uggs. 

Afterwards, I went to the discount fabric store. While walking from the parking garage to the store, I observed all the people in their raincoats, rubber boots, scarves, and oversized umbrellas scurrying around trying not to get wet. 

I went to Whole Foods and they had the most beautiful flowers. I picked out some pink anemones, white carnations, and orange ranunculus. I love having fresh flowers in my house- and these certainly brightened up the grey rainy day.

After I was home for awhile, I realized that I needed some stupid thing from the stupid craft store to finish the project I was working on- so I grabbed my purse and keys and headed out the door.

As I was waiting for the elevator, my neighbor with the 2 dogs joined me. We idly chatted neighbor chat- she pointed out that it must be so nice to work from home on a day like today, and I petted the doggies. 

"A day like today? Hm." 

Once we were both outside, she said that she hoped I didn't have to go very far without a raincoat in this terrible weather- as she pulled her hood over her head and herded her raincoat clad dogs out the door.

I laughed. Snorted, actually. I should really stop doing that. 

This is as BAD as the weather gets here. And it hardly ever happens. I forget that on a daily basis.

I explained that I was fine, I was used to much worse. Besides, I had long sleeves and fake uggs on! I was toasty warm!

As I was driving home in the rain, looking at the hills blinking with streetlights, my love for this city grew even more. 

"This is as bad as it gets."  I thought. THIS meaning rain. And not pouring rain, not Utah rain. Rain that's not even cold to walk in because you don't really get wet, and it's still 50 degrees outside. 

Last week, one of Danny's good friends came to visit. Danny is trying to talk him into getting a job with him and moving out here. I think it's a spectacular idea.

On the last night he was here, we took him to a fancy restaurant and Danny continued his wooing. His friend was still weighing options. He asked if there was anything we didn't like about living here. We sat in silence for a good 10 minutes. Life here is different, for sure, but nothing that makes it not worth it. 

The food is better- SO much better. The weather- obviously. Our apartment- the perfect amount of room for us, in the sunniest area of town, close to the freeway and to Danny's work. For Danny- the almost weekly chance to hobnob with slightly famous geeks. For me- that my art, my passion for creating is so respected and people want to pay me money to do what I love. Then Danny thought of one bad thing.

Movies.

We don't see movies in the theatre anymore. Because they don't have reserved seating. Because we don't want to fight crowds and stand in line. Feel free to judge our lazy asses.

 So the fact that we totally forgot that we haven't seen a movie in the theatre in over 9 months- really? That is the worst thing about living in San Francisco? I'll take it!

So about winter in San Francisco...

We have had the skylight window thing all the way open all the time except for one cold week in December. We have yet to turn on the heater. I put the down comforter on the bed and we sweated to death for a week before I admitted defeat and put the regular blanket back on.

We haven't had to dig the car out of the snow. My pants haven't gotten soaked thru with blackened slushy shit just going to the grocery store. We haven't almost died driving down our street. We don't have to put on sweaters and jackets and coats and gloves and hats just to walk to the car. I haven't laid in bed all day stupefied with depression wishing that I was some kind of hibernating animal and that when I woke up it would be spring and the snow would be gone forever.

The snow is gone. And I feel wonderful.

I miss my family, I miss my friends. I miss sunday dinner. 

But we love it here, and we are here to stay!

Note: (family, friends) It's not that people don't respect or want to pay me to do what I love in Utah, but you are the only ones that do. Everyone can or has a relative that can sew and so they see your stuff and their like "I can do that, so I don't have to buy it." Or they get jealous and mean because they perceive that you can do something "better" than they can and so it's passive aggressive comments and bullshit stupid drama. 

not acceptable

It's not often that I feel strongly about causes, but this one tears at my heart.

Do you know how many times I have heard my sister be called a retard?

Or how many times I was called one too- because of her?

In 4th or 5th grade, during lunch, in front of everyone, a kid in my class called me a "stupid retard, just like your stupid retard sister."

I hated him from that moment on. To this day he has no idea why I hate him. But I do.

Lindsay Loo-loo has the most beautiful soul I have ever seen in another human being. She sees things that no one else sees, and when she tells me about her memories from childhood or during important events (like when grandpa died or when we went to Disneyland) I get chills and my heart stops and I can't breathe because her recollections of life are so eerie and unique- and they are also few and far between so each one is a treasure. A beautiful heartbreaking treasure.

I miss her so much. She is what I miss most.

So please, train yourselves and teach your children- the R-WORD is unacceptable.