Four Point Oh!

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Yay, me!

Nibble, Nibble, Like a Mouse . . .

The other day Michael told me you could tell that Hansel and Gretel were children, because who else would see a whole house made of gingerbread and candy and decide to eat it?

Um, yeah; he's right.



Yesterday we finally finished this year's gingerbread house. It is so cool! Really, you should come see it before my girls eat all the candy off of it. I've told them they can't eat any of it until everything is way too stale to be desirable—at least a week. We'll see . . . The snow (cotton candy) is already melting today, and the snowmen are tipping over; I don't know how long it will really last.

This is our biggest gingerbread house ever. And it took the longest to make—more than a week, from mixing a triple recipe of dough, to cooking the candy windows, to putting the finishing touches on. But it looks awesome!

If you feel the urge to make a gingerbread house, click here for a recipe. (Or just use the recipe to make gingerbread men.) If you don't want to make a big ole' house, you can just admire our pictures:

putting the candy in the windows

under construction

putting on the candy decor


And, all finished:

left wing

front door and wreath

back of house

Merry Christmas!

Party, party, party

Since school's been out for me, it's just been a big party—or several. This morning was our ward Christmas party and breakfast. And last night Bruce and I went to what has become known as the "often annual Kearns High Christmas party." But actually, the party has nothing to do with Kearns High.

See, when we were cute, little newlyweds (in 1990) we decided to throw a big Christmas party and invite all our friends and their dates. Now a lot of our friends did go to Kearns high since that's where we both graduated, but we invited other people, too. The next year we hosted the party again, but most of our friends who were single the first year were now married. So we kept the party a little smaller—just us and our best friends from school and their spouses. And that's how it went for quite a while, except we rotated who was hosting each year. Our good friend, Scerinda (who did not go to Kearns High herself, although she married one of our Kearns friends) had it in her head that this was some kind of Kearns High reunion/Christmas party, and she expanded the guest list just a little. It's gone from five couples to six, to seven,—all Kearns grads and their spouses. We like all of them, and we've kept up with them, and we have a good time when we get together. But while Scerinda thinks of it as the "Kearns High" party, to us it's just our annual friends party.

Every year we have a nice dinner, lots of visiting and catching-up, and a white elephant gift exchange. It's really fun to get together with these old friends each Christmas-time. And we've gotten some great gifts—like "horny goat-weed" tea, an old prom photo, a Provo phone-book. But the most "beloved" gift of all is the hen on a nest.

See, that first year we threw the party we also started the white-elephant gift exchange. One of our young, single guy friends received a glass candy dish shaped like a hen on a nest—which we all thought he would dispose of promptly. We all had a big laugh when, the next year, David and his wife re-gifted the "Hen on a Nest" to someone else.

Since then that hen has made its rounds with the entire group—still in its original box. And the hen has acquired a friend too—a little turkey on a nest. After 20 years of being passed around, we've all had to disguise the chicken box so that no one knows who will end up with it at the end of the evening.

And guess what? Last night Bruce got the chicken! Yes, the chicken box was very cleverly put into a large box along with a ten-pound bag of potatoes. Bruce never suspected. And now the nesting hen will sit around our house—in its box—for a year. I wonder how we'll disguise it for next year's party?

By the way, I did wrap up my shoes and give them away last night. Ken Johnson got them.

Before I get back to Life As We Know It . . .

. . . I'll show you the rest of my school projects. Yes, I am done for a whole month! I really liked my classes, I think I did well in them, and I am ready for a well-deserved (I think) break. Now I can get back to the relaxing business of doing dishes all day long, and washing 32 loads of laundry a week. ;-)

But first . . .

In Intro. to Fashion I had to design a fashion accessory, using old stuff that I had around—or stuff from a thrift store—and without using my sewing machine. Oh! And it had to be something I would actually use myself. I decided to make shoes that would match the outfit I made for my Patterns class. So I hot-glued the matching fabric onto a pair of size-8 shoes (too big for me) that I found at the D.I.

The red fabric on the toes is pleated, and it has the little pleated circley thing to match the belt on the dress. Too bad the shoes aren't half-size to really match the dress. Would I wear them? Yes, if I had the matching dress. I don't know what else I'd use them with. The instructor, Jill, said that was the best shoe-covering job she'd seen. Actually they do look pretty good from across the room. On close inspection you'll see a lot of hot-glue mess, and the frayed edges of the fabric—which I fudged over with paint.

I think I'll give these as a white-elephant gift tonight

In Int. Sew I had to make a pair of perfectly-fitting jeans. I had no confidence in this project, and was already feeling a little burned-out by the time we started. So I didn't even try to make them look nice—no fancy stitched pockets, no nuthin'. I don't even particularly like the fabric color (although that's not my fault—they were not that color before I pre-washed them. I was amazed at how much color washed out). Too bad, because they really are a perfect fit! Next time I'll actually make them look nice.

And in Textiles I made my gorgeous swatch book. I won't include a picture, because I don't think a photo online would show how really cool this book is. But if you don't believe me, you can ask Melanie. And for my final, final project in that class I had to design and make a fabric and design three outfits that would use the fabric as their central theme. At first I wanted to make a Batik because it sounds like a really cool process. But that wasn't going so well, so I decided that embroidery would be easier. (When I told this to the class during my presentation, Janet was very surprised that I thought embroidery was easier than Batik. I thought about it after I sat down, because that does seem like a crazy thing to say. I guess what I meant was that I knew I'd get the results I wanted with embroidery, while I wasn't so certain about the Batik.)

Anyway, I made my fabric—about 10 to 12 hours of work for an 8 by 8-inch piece, which makes this "hand-made-in-the-USA" fabric about $2,000 a yard (minimum wage; wholesale). But once the embroidery was done, I realized I really didn't know exactly what clothes I'd make with it; bridal, obviously, but what?


In reverse order, here's what I came up with:

For the third outfit I was completely stuck. First I thought a vest of the embroidery with a skirt or slacks in a dark olive-green, and a cream-colored blouse with bishop sleeves would be nice. When I drew it, it looked fantastic—for the 70's.

too 70's

Then I thought a "mother-of-the-bride" suit, in the olive, with a collar of the embroidery would look great. And my colored picture was great, but I re-read the assignment and realized that a collar could hardly be called "central" to the outfit.

mother of the bride

By now it was 3:00 a.m. on the day the project was due. I finally just drew a little-girl's dress: embroidered bodice, silver skirt with "toast" organza overlay, and organza sash and organza puffed sleeves. Kind of a cop-out, and not original at all. But I was too tired to care about creativity at that point.


Second, a little prom-type dress. The skirt is the embroidered fabric, the top is the same fabric without the embroidery, and the little flower-things on the neckline are made of organza that matches the embroidery thread colors, with little diamond-thingies in their centers. Very cute, I think.


And the first design: A gown . . . ball-gown? red-carpet dress? This dress is also made of the silver fabric without the embroidery; the shawl-collar and the poufy, bustled train are made of the embroidery. I really like this one.


My presentation went very well. I was the only person with embroidered fabric—there were lots of Batiks; so I was glad I'd made that change. And Janet told the class they should all have a look at my embroidery before we left that day. I think I love Janet!

After the presentations . . . the final exam. And now I am freeeee! For a month. And then I'll be doing Advanced Sewing, Patterns 2, Tailoring, Fashion Illustration, and Pattern by Measurement—the class I'm dying to take. Oh, and a Cardio-Fitness class.

But, for at least one month you won't have to hear from me about school—at least, not my school. Hooray for the holidays!

Ah, Sweet Success!

I have finished my biggest school projects (and they are marvelous!), and it's as if the weight of the world has been lifted. I knew I was stressed out about all the work I had to do, but I didn't entirely realize just how stressed I was until it was over with. I feel so good, and happy, and . . . light now!

So let me tell you about the projects:

In Patterns I had to design an outfit that had a skirt or pants and a blouse/shirt; I had to change the darts or shape of the pattern from the original slopers; I had to include a collar or facing on the top and I had to do sleeves—also different from the original slopers. (Slopers are basic patterns without seam allowances on them.) We also had to turn in an illustration of the outfit.

As soon as we got the assignment I started thinking of what I might want to do. At first I thought I'd like some kind of dressy blouse with a flouncy ruffle that went around the neck and down the front opening, with 3/4 length sleeves and a flounce at the sleeve hem. I thought that if I could continue the blouse-ruffle down the skirt somehow, that would be cute. But my pictures all looked pretty stupid—like pajamas, at best.

Yes, I sat in my other classes and doodled pictures

Then I thought that instead of a frilly ruffle, I'd make a pleated, stand-up neck ruffle; I liked that. My next thought was to make a full, pleated skirt and a little belt to go with it. Closer, but still not right. So I thought of adding a pleated peplum to the blouse—which would make it more like a jacket.

Finally decided that to get the look I'd really like, I'd do away with the full skirt and make a straight skirt with a pleated ruffle at the hem; I wouldn't pleat the peplum; and the bodice was a lot cuter if it was cut down almost to the navel. Hm. I guess this means I need a blouse under the jacket now. So I decided to make a sleeveless, scoop-neck blouse with French darts. And then, the very last evolution was to make it a dress, instead of a skirt and blouse, with the jacket and belt. This was really overkill—much more than I was assigned to do. But I couldn't help it; once I had this great idea I had to finish it!

I spent several hours making the patterns, but couldn't decide on colors. Finally I decided to go look at Wal-mart's bargain fabrics; the fabric textures I liked would determine the colors. Now, I would never really make clothing out of any of these horrible fabrics; the suit was drapery stuff, the pleats a stiff, polyester home-fabric, and the blouse a cheap costume satin. But I did achieve a great look—the textures are lovely, and I love the colors.

And when it was all made, I realized that I'd also made an "day to evening" outfit: Take off the jacket, replace the belt and you're ready to leave the office and go on a date. ;-)

Here are my swell drawings (I can trace a body off a pattern envelope as well as the next girl):

check out my drawing of Jamie Lee Curtis! ;-)

And here are pictures of the outfit itself on the mannequin at school:

day . . .

. . . to evening

I have to admit that I love my little dress—I'd wear it myself (then I'd have a designer dress! Haha!). Janet (the instructor) said it was a lovely design, she loved the colors, and she said it's a very marketable design. :-) The girls in my class loved it too. Everyone presented really cute stuff on Wednesday, but they went nuts over my dress—they even told Janet that she should give me extra credit for it. :-) Janet said, "What good would that do? She's already at the top."

I flew home on clouds! Who couldn't have a stupendous, happy day after that?

November's Good News

Here's what happened this month:

November 1
I finished my mid-term exam really quickly today (I hope that's good!). And we had yummy broccoli-cheese soup and home-made bread bowls for dinner. Mmmm.

November 2
We went to Kaylie and Rachel's Achievement Days . . . thing tonight. The thing where they get to show off for their parents. Kaylie showed and told about her embroidery, and Rachel showed a ceramic book she made. They are very cute. (The girls; their stuff was nice too.)

November 3
Today I made it to school and back with no incident. School was lots of fun today. I worked on re-vamping my printed cookbook. I spent some time with Bruce today.

November 4
Today was just a good day!

November 5
Bruce went shopping with me and I found the fabric I need to finish my school project. Yay!

November 6
I "fixed" the mistake I made on my Int. Sew project. I think I wrecked a bunch of other stuff in the process, but the original mistake is better. Watched "Toy Story 3" with the family tonight. I like Spanish Buzz.

November 7
Tonight Bruce and I played duets on the piano. And then I played a little by myself for a while. Making music is fun!

November 8
We had a good Family Home Evening on thanksgiving. After talking about being thankful, and reading some scriptures on it, we all wrote thank-you notes to various people. And then ice cream! It was all good.

November 9
Hardly any homework tonight—and it was all easy. To bed relatively early. Aaahhhh.

November 10
Tonight I made a delicious, new soup recipe. There's one to put into my revamped cookbook. And now I'm off to see a good movie in the comfort of my living room, while Bruce gives me a shoulder massage. Mmmmm.

November 11
We took the kids to Winco to choose their own treats from the bulk bins—all candy, of course. It wasn't until they'd all made their choices that I realized we just had a big candy-fest (Halloween). Now they are happily in their beds and I'm off to soak in the tub with a book. (Hopefully I won't soak the book!)

November 12
Today Bruce and I both had the day off from school—a whole day together!

November 13
I found the fabric for my next Int. Sew project.

November 14
I slept most of the night last night—I've been waking up around 1 or 2 a.m. since the time change and staying awake for two to three hours. It was good to actually sleep.

November 15
We had an interesting guest speaker in Intro. today. And I had an easy afternoon at home. I really appreciate my rest-time these days.

November 16
Tonight I went to a Mom & Daughter thing with Kaylie and Rachel. We painted each others' fingernails.

November 17
This afternoon I went on a field trip with Rachel and Jessica (and all the Entheos 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades). We saw Repertory Dance Theater perform a show called "Imagine That!" It was a great show, and it was fun to go with my girls.

November 18
I'm looking forward to getting supplies I need for my final projects tomorrow.

November 19
My amazing, awesome and very good-looking husband passed his CFLE exam today! I'm sure he passed because he is amazing and awesome, and not because he is good-looking (even though he is). We celebrated with the kids with sparkling cider and cinnamon crumb cake. Yay, Bruce!

November 20
I now have most of the swatches for my sample book—85 out of 92! Bruce and I went to see the new Harry Potter movie this afternoon. Very good, but dark. It was fun to go out with my sweetheart.

November 21
Tonight we went to Marilyn and James' new house for a birthday party. It was nice to visit with everyone.

November 22
I got my Intro. mid-term exam back today—102 out of 100! (Extra credit points) Yay!

November 23
Today the kids and I worked together and got the house all clean, and straightened up the garage. Best of all, Bruce got off work early and we all spent the evening together!

November 24
A private dinner, a fire in the fireplace, a bottle of sparkling cider, dark chocolate, games . . .

November 25
Happy Thanksgiving!

November 26
Today I got a lot of my Patterns project done. Another day should do it.

November 27
Yep. My pattern design is all done: patterns drawn, dress sewn. Yay! And I've got most of my fashion accessory finished for Intro. on Monday—a pair of shoes. And I'm looking forward to this Friday, Dec. 3.

November 28
This afternoon I got a much needed nap—almost two hours! I feel lots better now.

November 29
Today my van got stuck in the snow. That's not the good thing! Michael and another young man in the ward dug the snow out from around the tires and a good friend towed the van right up to my house (it got stuck down my street). Thank goodness for kind and helpful friends and neighbors!

November 30
I enjoyed my classes today. And there's only one week left of school. I am so ready for a break!