Jessica's Homemade Creations

Bridal Faire Email

2012-01-16T16:17:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have to post this, so that I can use the html code, I don't know how to do it another way....so disregard this email!

Allisa

2012-01-10T18:03:00.000-08:00

I met Allisa in November, and shortly after meeting her, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was untreatable. To read her story go here. She passed away on Friday, January 6, 2012. Her families posts are so inspiring, what a strong family. I had the opportunity to help make a quilt for her, I love making quilts for people that need comfort. Please go to her website and donate to help the Berry family pay the medical bills.

Monochromatic Challenge

2011-12-23T16:52:00.001-08:00

I need to take some better photos of this one, but I am just obsessed with updating my blog through the iPhone. The stitching is done in different colors

Little Aprons for the Nieces

2011-12-23T15:13:00.001-08:00

I thought these turned out so cute! Hopefully Cole's family doesn't judge me for all homemade gifts. We are giving all the little girls these and then getting some cookie cutters or something to go with. I am nervous they won't like them.

A Christmas Quilt for Cole

2011-12-23T11:59:00.001-08:00

So I got the new iPhone and I am a little obsessed with the camera and the effects on it, so these are just some of the projects I have been taking photos of. I won't have his quilt finished all of the way for Christmas, but I will at least have the top finished. Here is what the blocks look like, hopefully I will show the finished product soon.

Bowling Quilt for my Dad

2011-12-23T11:54:00.001-08:00

So my dad's family is a little obsessed with bowling, the entire family has bowled. I am proud to say I have never owned a bowling ball..... Maybe this is why I am an outcast! :). Some of these shirts are from my grandma and great grandma. They are pretty sweet designs, I love the vintage!

Our New Boat!

2011-11-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

Technically it is not really new, but it is new to us, and Cole loves it! Too bad we got it going too late in the season! We started this bad boy in 35 degree weather and we were not sure if it was going to sink or swim! Cole made me wear waters and a life jacket in case it went down....later his mom got mad at us for going and said if we went down we would have froze. Oops! That didn't stop us with our adventure! It took a while for Cole to get the motor going, but once it was going we loaded up and tested it's power. I was a little nervous when we got away from shore, but as we were going it was a great ride! After we drove around for a little while we busted fishing poles. We trolled around for awhile, but since we started at 6 pm we only had a little bit of light left! Well we made it...we only had one mishap, Cole stopped the motor for a bit while we were in the middle and it took a while to get it started again....but we made it back to shore and I am so excited to use this thing next summer!!

Beautiful Fall Tree! Too bad I only had my little camera and it was getting too dark!

Don't you love my outfit??? It looks pretty sweet....I had to dress warm because it was freezing!

We made it off the shore!

Tikka Masala....Dutch Oven Style!

2011-11-05T17:44:00.000-07:00

Last year I had an idea to make some Tikka Masala and can it. So this year I gave it a try. We have been wanting to learn how to use the dutch ovens and we just went for it. Thanks to some great friends and family for the dutch ovens! We went up when it was pretty much dark because we had to wait for Cole to get home from work. We weren't super prepared, because we just grabbed some stuff and went up the canyon. You will be able to see our unpreparedness in the photos, and the camera died after a few shots, so we used Cole's IPhone. But it was a blast! To end the night we roasted some pumpkin cake donuts over the fire, Cole topped his with a mallow....delish!

Huckleberry Picking!

2011-11-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

I have always heard about huckleberries...and then I had a roommate go one year and I have wanted to go every year since then, but I had no clue where to find them. Well my good friend and roommate invited us to go, I was so excited. We went a little too early in the season, so we didn't get a ton the first time. And yes I made Cole go a couple of more times. I loved it, it will now be apart of our yearly traditions. I made a ton of jam, some yummy baked goods and still have a stash in my freezer! I got my brother, mom, and soon to be sister-in-law in on the fun too! Such a fun family activity...Cole can't wait till we have our own slave labor and then we can get a lot more! :)

Recipes and photos to follow soon........

Quilt Market!

2011-11-03T20:06:00.000-07:00

I am so behind, this was way back in May, but I just loved it... so I need to post about it! I had a great opportunity, I tested out some patterns for Joel Dewberry and his wife, I got to work with their fabulous fabric and patterns. They were nice enough to get me and my mom some passes to get in! I would love to own a fabric store.....one day when I am rich and famous!

I made the teal skirt in these photos....and the pink one in the next one.

I also did some photos for them and the pattern on the top right is one that I took.

I love these appliqued quilts, I am trying to work on one right now. These inspired me!

Cache Valley Modern Quilt Guild Wednesday, October 12, 2011

2011-10-10T22:46:00.001-07:00

For Quilt Guild on Wednesday we will be making this pillow:

Pattern created by Jessica Parker inspired by Anthropologie

Things to bring:

Background Fabric 18 1/2 x 18 1/2
Scraps of wool
Sharpie Marker
Fabric Scissors
Regular Scissors
Iron and Small Board
Preffered Iron on Adhesive
18" pillow form (You can get this later, you probably won't finish it in one night)
Matching Embroidery Thread

I am going to be charging $2 for the pattern and that just covers the cost of printing, if you don't want to buy one you can just trace mine. If you want to buy one, please email me so I can try to print enough. jessica@jessicasphoto.com
If you plan on using Jo and Kathy's or Jessica's wool stash please bring some to trade.

We will meet in the Suppose workroom at 6:30! See you there!

Thank You Cards

2011-08-18T16:21:00.001-07:00

So I have had a huge pile of cards sitting in my kitchen, and every day I look at them and think I need to get thank you cards out. I may have jumped the gun to get it done, and I designed a dumb thank you card. Square One was way too efficient and printed them before I could change it. I know it doesn't make sense, it needs "from" on the card somewhere, but it didn't look good. I showed Cole and he thought it didn't make sense and it was too late. So just pretend when you get it, that it makes sense! I had to put this disclaimer on it, because I am embarrassed to send them out and didn't want to pay to re-print them.

Holga's {Fly Fishing}

2011-08-08T18:55:00.000-07:00

Cole loves to fly fish, we went up Blacksmith Canyon with my brother Justin. I decided to take the Holga and it was a lot of fun. In one of the photos you can see a moose, we rounded the corner of the river and there he was...it was a little scary. Usually when you see a wild animal you go away from it, we were not so smart, we went closer to get photos because I didn't have my bigger camera.

ooops....I forgot to wind it.....

Holga's {Lake Powell}

2011-08-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

We went to Lake Powell with Cole's family, it was a lot of fun. I had never been, so I didn't know what to expect. It was beautiful down there! Loved it!

Holga's {Costa Rica}

2011-08-08T18:40:00.000-07:00

When I was in school for photography, I hated film after Photo 2!! We had a grad student for a professor and he had no clue what he was talking about, so I waisted a ton of film and money. Since then I have kind of boycotted film. Since I graduated, I have kind of wanted to try the Holga's (A $30 plastic camera with 120mm film). We took them on our trips and they were a lot of fun.

Ice Cream Ball

2011-08-08T17:15:00.001-07:00

This has been one of our favorite wedding presents! (We got a lot of fun stuff, eventually I will post something with all of our fun kitchen gadgets!) When we were in Costa Rica, the resort had cinnamon ice cream, so we decided to add cinnamon to the mix and it was fantastic. We make it a couple of times a week and just eat it out of the ball and watch a movie! So fun, we love it!

Which pattern should I choose???

2011-08-08T17:02:00.000-07:00

I found this fabric at antique and thrift stores. I love the vintage patterns. I originally pictured it being a pinwheel quilt, but I didn't want it to be a normal old pattern. It is crazy how it can look so different by just turning the same pieces. I took pictures of some different options, they will be arranged better once I decide the pattern. Leave your comments and help me decide! Or if you have any other ideas to arrange them let me know, it is almost starting to look like an old grandmas table clothe.....

{Option A}

{Option B}

{Option C}

{Option D}

{Option E}

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Twenty-Eight}

2011-08-08T13:31:00.001-07:00

I finally got this blanket finished for my neice...I now have neices, yeah! Pyper is one of five of my new neices.

Finish a Project A Day!!! {Twenty-Seven}

2011-08-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

We refinished this dresser for the wedding. It looked so cute with all of the desserts on it. I knew we would need a place for Cole's clothes, so when we started the dressers the end goal was for our room. I think it turned out great!

The process....

The original.....

Costa Freakin Rica

2011-08-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

When I go on trips I usually have something that intrigues me, on his trip it was signs. I don't know why. And isn't that lady so cute?? I wanted to take more photos of people, but I am too chicken to ask. Cole was the reason we stopped these ladies and I am glad that he did!

Got to love the monkeys! I wanted to take them home! We saw these while on the jungle cruise. The boat we were on looked exactly like the ones that you find at Disney Land...other than these animals are not battery operated!

We went on a jungle cruise and the Costa Rican driving the boat kept luring the crocodiles close to the boat, the crocodile had its nose on the boat right in front of me.

We went sailing on a catamaran, it was so beautiful. They dropped us off in a little cove and let us snorkel. One of the guys with the boat kept coming up to us with these weird creatures (Blow fish and some Brittle Star Fish) to hold, I freaked out a lot, they were so weird feeling! We decided to go explore the beach to see what we could find and when we looked back to the boat we saw a crocodile looming in the water. We freaked out, we still had to swim back to the boat. By the time we got back to the boat we were out of breathe! Crazy...but cool experience!

We went deep sea fishing, Cole had a blast catching this gigantic Rooster fish that weighed around 50 lbs!

These are pictures from out zip line trip near the Arenal Volcano. The longest stretch of zip line was 1/2 mile long and we went 40-50 mph on this little cable. We were 600 feet above the rainforest floor. It was such a rush to be so high and go so fast!

This is the sign that was close to our hotel.

This is our beautiful hotel, tucked back in its own little cove!

Finish a Project A Day!!! {Nineteen-Twenty Six}

2011-07-31T22:22:00.001-07:00

I am now getting back into normal life, so here are some forgotten posts. I made 8 of the eleven skirts, and yes I did start them about a week and a half before the wedding! I know I am crazy. I had some help cutting them all out and then I just had to zip through and get them finished. I bought the fabric in March and thought I would have them finished by the end of April....Hahaha! I wish I had some better pictures of them because I put so much work into them. The shirts were from Banana Republic.

The Wedding Decor

2011-07-31T21:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the photos from the reception. I wish I would have time to capture some of the details that I wanted to remember. Oh well what can you do.

Flowers: Terri James with Dahlia Events
Dress: Gateway Bridal
Skirts: Handmade by Jessica
Photography: Casey McFarland
Wedding Video: Spencer Hale with Giant Brothers Films Click here to see our video from our Pre Wedding Shoot
Cake: Graceful Baker
Luncheon: Culinary Concepts
Reception Food: Temptation Cupcakes, Crumb Brothers, and Shaffer House
Cole's Suit: Mr. Mac
Shoes: Anthropologie
Hair and Makeup: Whitney Tippetts Winder

Finally a Married Woman!

2011-07-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since I have blogged....I have so much to catch up on! Here is a little something to start all of the catch up!

Invitations!

2011-05-30T13:38:00.000-07:00

I am getting ready to send out invitations, if anyone would like one please email me your address. I probably have most of you, but if I haven't contacted you to get your address please email me. jessica@jessicasphoto.com Thanks! The invite online, does not have personal info, so creepers don't show up to my wedding!

Easter

2011-05-14T13:27:00.001-07:00

For Easter I made a really cheesy easter egg hunt for Cole. He got off of work at 7, and I left a card and an egg on his car. In the egg there were directions to my house. And then at my house I had different eggs hidden with things to do. We didn't get to everything, but it was fun.

The first egg had directions to The Crepery, this is one of our favorite places to go eat. So if you haven't been there go try it out!

These are very flattering photos!

Next we dyed easter eggs. On the package I think the directions were wrong and it didn't say to add water. By the end the egg shells were dissolving in the vinegar. It was a little gross. Cole has never rolled easter eggs down a hill, so we were going to do that....but they just sat in my fridge for a week and then got garbaged!

After that we ended with a movie...and to watch the movie we built ourselves a little fort. It wasn't very extravagant, we ran out of things to hold the blankets on. We watched Tangled, I just love that show! And here is a photo of Cole in our fort, he will probably kill me if he knew I put this online.....ooops!

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Eighteen}

2011-05-07T16:53:00.000-07:00

The other skirt for the Dewberry's.

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Seventeen}

2011-05-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

I have been sewing some projects for Joel Dewberry for quilt market! It has been so fun! This is one of the skirts that will be at their booth, so if any of you are going watch for them! And check their blog out to see the photos that I did for them. They are such nice people, they have been so fun to work with!

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Sixteen}

2011-05-07T16:48:00.001-07:00

I got the bouquet started and that is a project, I still need to cover the stems and finish it off. I love it!! I am so excited! I know I should leave some things to a surprise, so people don't feel like they have already seen my entire wedding. I am having so much fun making things for the wedding and I just want to show everyone. If you get sick of wedding talk on my blog, don't look at it! :)

Quote from President Monson

2011-05-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

I was listening to this talk while I was working today and I really liked this. It is motivating me to finish what I start!
Great Expectations by President Thomas S. Monson

Persevere Toward Goals
Second, beware of the flashy start and the fade-out finish. I love the simple wisdom found in this poem by an unknown author. I don’t think it’s a literary masterpiece, but you can understand it.

Stick to your task till it sticks to you;
Beginners are many, but enders are few.
Honor, power, place, and praise
Will come, in time, to the one who stays.

Stick to your task till it sticks to you;
Bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it too;
For out of the bend and the sweat and the smile
Will come life’s victories, after awhile.8

8. “Stick to Your Task,” in Jack M. Lyon and others, eds., Best-Loved Poems of the LDS People (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1996), 255–56.

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Fifteen}

2011-04-30T20:56:00.001-07:00

Fabric Banners for the wedding, these will probably go over the buffet tables at the reception. I got the fabric from some vintage sheets that I got at my grandpas. I didn't have any where to take photos of them, so I just strung them around my office.

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Fourteen}

2011-04-30T16:59:00.001-07:00

I cleaned the silver for the wedding. I got these things for way cheap!

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Thirteen}

2011-04-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

I found these light fixtures at the DI for $1 each and I thought they were so cool. Then they sat in my garage for a year....Now they are cute pots for succulents. I thought this would be a perfect Mother's Day gift, my mom loves succulents.

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Twelve}

2011-04-30T16:54:00.001-07:00

Plant Herbs. The miracle will be if they actually come up and survive for the season!

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Eleven}

2011-04-30T16:51:00.000-07:00

Bobbin Holder. I found this in Oregon at the Salvation Army for $2.05, I was so excited because I have been trying to find something cute to keep them organized.

....the bobbins don't fit! I could use it for thread, but I already have something cute for the thread. Now I need to figure out a solution!

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Ten}

2011-04-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

I had these negatives scanned in, I was so glad to find the negatives at my moms. I ruined a lot of the photos when I started scrapbooking in like 6th grade. I can't resist adding a lot of the photos! So sorry for the photo overload!

I love this photo!

Looks like Justin loves me!

When I was born I had to wear those funky shoes because I had pigeon feet or something, this is the only photo of me with them on.

I love these photos of us camping, it is a little hard to look at them and to see how our family has changed. I wish we were still a complete family.

I guess my mom took photos of us before church all of the time, I love that she did this, these are such fun photos!

I didn't realize I was such a poser when I was little!

Halloween! My mom did such a good job dressing us up! I love these!

Photos that I love!

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Nine}

2011-04-21T17:57:00.001-07:00

I have been collecting things for cake stands and treat stands, and I saw these and thought they would look cool. Total cost for each one: $2

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Eight}

2011-04-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

Finish a Project a Day {Seven}

2011-04-21T17:41:00.000-07:00

I made option {D} for my engagement photos, so I will post a professional photo of it when I get them back. Now I know how my clients feel when they call me a million times to get their photos, I want to see mine now! We took them Wednesday night, it is really weird to go home from a photo shoot and not be able to look at them on my camera. I started this skirt at 10:30 p.m. and finished at 1 a.m. I got this fabric at a fabulous store in Salt Lake, the owner is so great! She sells fabric for clothes, check out her blog and visit her store! Yellow Bird Fabrics.

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Project Six}

2011-04-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

I made 11 pairs of these earrings for the bridesmaids at the wedding. It came to $1.28 per pair!

Finish a Project a Day {Tosha}

2011-04-21T16:56:00.000-07:00

Check out what Tosha is doing! She is making some great stuff, it is giving me more ideas for projects...like I don't have enough!

Fabulous Fabric Find!

2011-04-18T18:41:00.000-07:00

I love vintage fabric for quilting. I found a bunch of different fabric squares in some Salt Lake antique stores and I have been on a search ever since to find some more to go with them. I have no idea how to tell what year the fabric is from, so if anyone knows please enlighten me! :) I found this in a Salvation Army in Oregon. I saw it and about died, they had three bundles of 5 yards; I was trying to be good and just bought one at the time. As we drove home, I slowly regretted not buying all of them. When we got home I asked Cole if he thought his sister would go see if they were still there. Well she went back and they were buy on get one free and she got the other two for me! Thanks a ton Katie! I have so many ideas for this fabric; complete my quilt, little girl dresses and aprons....the options are endless!

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Project Four & Five}

2011-04-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

I started these pillows a couple of months ago with my friend Sarah. I used some fabric that I found oodles of at the DI. The one on the right I just stitched the design in (the design may have a name, but I just did it randomly). The other pillow has a doily from my great-grandma sewed on to it. I got rid of a ton of remnant batting pieces for the actual pillow, it was nice to get it out of my closet. I think they turned out pretty cool! I love grey and cream lately.

Finish a Project a Day {Tosha}

2011-04-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

My friend Tosha has decided to join me in my task to get some stuff finished! I am excited to have someone to do this with, then I will feel more motivated! Thanks Tosha! View her great blog here.

She figured out to do a fishtail braid. I love it, I have too many layers and this won't work in my hair right now!

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Project Three}

2011-04-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

Awhile ago I got sick of all of the magazines I had laying around. I love to get magazines especially cooking ones. Sometimes there is only one or two recipes or ideas that I want from it, so I decided to just rip them out and make my own personalized magazine. I started this project a couple of months ago and it has been sitting on my office floor staring at me everyday for a long time. So now it is finished and it can go in the kitchen with the other cook books and wait for more magazines to come!

I got the book from Borders (so sad ours is closing!) and then I cut out letters from some fabric and ironed them on. I made some tabs out of random scrapbook paper.

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Project Two}

2011-04-13T22:32:00.000-07:00

For the wedding I made these skirts for Cole's 4 neices and 1 on the way. They are such cute girls, I hope they like the skirts. They will wear slate colored leggings and I am still trying to figure out the top and the shoes. I have the hair pieces mostly done, so you will see those soon. I made all of the petals in class while there was a student teacher, when I was finishing the petals, I had no where to put them, so I made a sweet paper box.

Engagements

2011-04-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

I took these photos with a tripod and a cheap little remote for my camera. I think they turned out pretty good, don't worry I am still hiring a professional photographer. If you look closely in some of the photos you can see where we didn't hide the remote very well, we got better at the end. I love the train ones, at first I moved my camera away from the train and then got an idea to hurry and change my shutter speed and run into the photo, it was fun! In these photos you can see why you need a photographer; my hair is out of place and my shirt lines aren't lined up.

We took these photos up in Baker City, Oregon. We went there to visit Cole's sister. I love little towns, I would love to stop at every little town and take photos, they have so many cool buildings. We found some cool ones in Twin Falls, but ran out of time to take some of us, but we will go back. On the photo of just Cole, there are like 20 like that because he thought it was funny to push the button while I was setting everything up.

A few Wedding Things....

2011-04-12T22:57:00.000-07:00

I found a lot of great stuff for the wedding in Europe. I am going to post bits of decorations for the wedding. I am pretty excited for how it is all coming together! I almost have too many ideas, hopefully it all looks good together.

Brooches for the bouquet! Stay tuned to see how it turns out, I am super excited! I bought these at Spitafields Market in London, it was so great. I will have to post some photos of the ladies booth, she had a million brooches and earrings. She gave me a good deal because we bought so many.

Don't you just love these ties??? I think they look so good together. I am not a super matchy match person, but I think the all coordinate well. I searched all over Europe to find them. When I was in Europe last time I remember that I found some cool ones for this kid I was dating and they were only 5 pounds. They were in London and when I went to go back and find the store I could not remember where exactly it was, everything blurred together. So I found 4 of them in London and the other ones we found in Ireland. They were a little more expensive, but they are super nice.

Plum antique books that I found at Spitafields Market, they were 1 pound each. They had so many cool ones, too bad there is limit on how many bags you can travel with!

I have been collecting vases from thrift stores and what not, all of the vases will be random. Each table will have 4-5 vases with little sprigs of all sorts of flowers. The flowers will have more of a natural feel to them, they won't be super perfect in form or matching.

These are not finished, but you get the idea. I am making cake stands for the reception food. These are sweet lamps that I took apart. I have found cool old candlesticks and other things to make some sweet stands!

Last of all the fabulous dress! I don't want to show to much, so you just get the sketch of it! I am in love with it, I can't wait until I get it back, it won't be back until May 20, we ordered it in the middle of March and we had to rush ship it to get it by then. I got it at Gateway Bride in Salt Lake. I tried on a bunch of dresses in Logan to try and support local vendors, but I only found some that I liked, not loved.

Finish A Project A Day!!! {Project One}

2011-04-12T22:11:00.001-07:00

I have been trying to clean out my house, so that I can make room for Cole to move in. You would think with having my own house and living alone I would have plenty of space. Well you are wrong I have a lot of crap! I have this sick thing where I see good in so many things and I rescue them from Thrift Stores and grandparents houses and even on the street (that only happened once!) I see these things and think that I can remake it into something wonderful. When I actually complete the projects they can be cool, but the completion rarely happens! A lot of the stuff I will be working on will be for the wedding and the other stuff is just stuff I need to finish.

Please join me with this great challenge and let me know how you do!! If you do this, I would love to link you to my blog and maybe together we can all get a lot of things completed!

My first project that I finished is for my wedding. I don't know why, but I think old pages look really cool, so I made something out of them. I got this book at the good old Salvation Army in Baker City, Oregon. The book was called: "The Just and the Unjust." I have no clue what it is about, but it was 85 cents! My friends came over this last week and helped me with stuff for the wedding. They helped me get a great start, and then I worked on folding some papers while I was substitute teaching. I make great use of my time, the student teacher probably thought that I was crazy. Well I am! I finished a total of 15 small ones, 3 big ones and one awesome one that Sarah made up. These will either hang on the fence with photos on a clothes line, or in the trees or from the lights. Hopefully all of my random ideas for the wedding come together.

I got a little carried away with photos! It is midnight, so I had no natural light, so I bumped my ISO super high.

Bridal Faire at Riverwoods

2011-03-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

Come visit the Bridal Faire at Riverwoods from 10-5.
{March 26, 2011}

Senior Photos

2011-03-17T09:03:00.001-07:00

London!!

2011-03-09T15:48:00.000-08:00

The tube! Getting around London! More photos to come!

Love is in the Air!

2011-03-02T22:54:00.001-08:00

I'm Engaged!!!!

2011-02-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

On Friday, February 11, 2011, Cole Parker proposed.... And this is how it happened! (I am not a very good writer, so don’t critique it! :) )

During the week he accidentally told me when he was proposing...So all week I knew it was coming. On Friday he told me to come over to his house around 9, when I got there he had made crepes with peaches. He did a great job making them! After we ate, we packed up the car to go somewhere. I didn’t know where at the time. So we started driving south.

When we got into Brigham, he told me to reach in his bag and grab something out. I reached in and there was this book:

{A couple of months ago we went to Temple Square to look at the lights and we noticed on the west side it had the big dipper, and we were curious to find out the meaning of it. I borrowed the book, Symbols in Stone and we read it together, it was a fun memory that we had together.}

In the book he wrote a cute little note that brought me to immediate tears. It was very thoughtful. At that point I knew we were headed to Temple Square. I had already warned him not to propose in public or on Valentines Day, so I reminded him that he better not pull the cliche proposal on Temple Square or he would have to try again! (I was mostly joking!)

As we continued to drive south we stopped at Smith and Edwards. This store is fabulous! We stopped here to get candy once on a random drive. This store brings back a lot of memories from when I was little. We would always stop here with my dad. They have the best candy selection ever! Cole and I stocked up and treats for the rest of the day!

When we got back in the car he told me to reach in his bag again and I pulled out this:

I made a comment a while ago about how we don’t have any photos of us dating, because I don’t have a small camera. He bought us this, so that we can now take more photos of us together.

Cole grew up in Roy, we drove around a bit and he showed me some places from his childhood.

We arrived at Temple Square and a walked around for a bit and took a few photos. We didn’t have much time because we had to make it back to Logan. While we were there he told me that I get a shopping spree at my favorite store {Anthropologie}! I was so excited! While we were there shopping I went straight to the shoe sale section. I found the perfect shoes and they are the perfect color! (Don’t worry I already had the wedding almost planned before we were actually engaged! I work in the wedding industry I can’t help it!) The wedding colors are going to be plum, mustard, and slate. So the shoes are the perfect fit for our wedding! And they are from Anthropologie!!

After shopping we headed back to Logan to meet up with his sister and her family. After we hung out with them for awhile he dropped me off at my house to get ready. He picked me up at 8 and we headed to dinner, he didn’t tell me where we were going, but I had a place that I hoped we were going. When we got in the right turn lane on 1st north, I knew he was going to Le Nonne! I was excited, I have always wanted to eat there! It was very good!

After we got done eating we headed south towards Wellsville.

{When we were dating we went to Wellsville dam and walked around and looked at the stars. On his iPhone he has a star app, so we looked at the different constellations. This is when he got up the guts to put his arm around me for the first time and later he held me hand. When he first held my hand I was very hesitant, I was still dating a lot of other guys at the time. I was also scared to death of a relationship. I was still lacking trust in guys and I just didn’t want to get hurt again. I had honestly given up on trying to get married at the time, I was just sick of dating!}

When we got to the park, we got out and started walking around the dam, and I could see some candles in the distance. As we got closer I could see that it was one of my photo couches and my coffee table that I use for wedding shows. My quilts were all stacked on the couch, it was very cute!

While we were at dinner his sister Kendl and his brother in-law Tyler, broke into my house and got all of the stuff and and set it up for us. While they were waiting they made some funny videos that made fun of us while we were getting engaged! Kendl thought that it looked like a seance, it was pretty funny! Later they started to serenade us with some music from the truck that they thought was hidden. But it was very visible!

After that he knelt down and proposed, I can’t really remember the words he said....I was a little nervous! I kind of hesitated from nervousness, but eventually I said yes! And now I am engaged to Cole Parker...I will be Jessica Parker on June 25th, 2011!!!

The ring that I have is from my grandma Darleen Smith, she passed away several years ago. It will be great to have her apart of our marriage!

$400 Big Blue Scholarship Credit, selling for $350

2011-02-07T11:32:00.000-08:00

KSL Classifieds

A Little Creature for Jenna

2011-02-01T11:09:00.001-08:00

I made this for my friend Jenna, she is due on the 9th of February. I can't wait to see what her cute baby will look like!

Layered Skirt

2011-01-28T17:36:00.001-08:00

Every time I go shopping, I see skirts like this and I wanted to try to make one. I figured out a pattern and made it work with some fancy fabric I found at the amazing D.I. Haha!

Bunchy Scarf

2011-01-28T17:30:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to try to sew with elastic, and it works about every other time. So I still need to figure it out. Thanks Erica for the photo, I don't know why I put my hands on it, I kind of covered it.

Chicken Alfredo Pizza

2011-01-17T19:01:00.000-08:00

I just love this pizza, I may be a little obsessed! My friend and I made this all of the time back in our college days. The first time we made it we were trying to impress some boys. It worked for her, she eventually married the guy. And now I can't count how many guys I have made this for...we will see if it ever works for me!

Pizza Crust:
I add all of these ingredients in order to my bread maker and use the dough setting.
1 cup warm water
1 tsp. Sugar
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 tsp Kosher Salt
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp yeast
Make an indention at the top and make sure the yeast doesn't touch the water.

I also add a dash of garlic salt and a mixture of dry herbs. Push the start button and walk away! I use my stone to bake it. I put it in the oven at 425 degrees for about 8 minutes before putting any toppings on. Before I cook it, I put some olive oil on the crust and sprinkle with a little garlic salt, herbs and parmesan cheese. After it comes out of the oven, top it with desired toppings and cook until cheese is melted. Approximately 10-12 minutes

Alfredo Sauce
1/4 cup butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

(Yes I know all of those ingredients are extremely fattening, that is why it tastes so good!)

For the toppings a lot of times I just throw on what I have in my fridge. So I may use all of these or just a few.
Sauteed Chicken in a mix of dry herbs, salt and pepper. I cut the chicken up before I cook it.
Spinach
Caramelized onions
Basil
Tomatoes
Peppers (any kind)
Sun Dried Tomatoes
Sauteed Mushrooms
Artichokes
Mozzarella
Parmesan
...or whatever you want!

Garbanzo Stew

2011-01-13T19:08:00.000-08:00

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 cup stew and 1 cup rice)
Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 4 cups chopped seeded tomato (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Peanut Rice
Preparation
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in tomato and next 5 ingredients (tomato through pepper). Cook 8 minutes or until thick, stirring occasionally. Stir in chickpeas and garam masala; cook for 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon cilantro. Serve over Peanut Rice.

Sorry no photo, but way good! Recipe from Cooking Light

Napkin Rings for my Mom

2010-12-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

The other day my mom called me and wanted to finish some of her projects that she has had for years. (She hasn't been able to finish them, because I accidentally stole her sewing machine!) So she wanted to have a sewing day, when she said this I was so excited she wanted to spend time with me for an entire day! We have spent two entire days in the month of November together, shopping and sewing; two of my favorite things. She worked on some napkins, the fabric was by Alexander Henry and it was very cute, when I give her these rings I will have to take a photo of them with the rings on. I made these rings to match out of my good old DI wool stash!

Ruffle Pillow

2010-12-04T12:39:00.000-08:00

This was a skirt, now a cute pillow!

Blossom Pillow

2010-12-04T12:24:00.000-08:00

A friend needed a pillow pattern for a class that she is teaching, she told me how she wanted it, so I drew up the one she wanted and then I made my own version. I really like how it turned out. I really love designing patterns, it was fun to see how it turned up from my design. I used the wool from my DI stash! So it is all recycled except for the backing of the pillow. I even used old extra batting from quilts to make the pillow form.

Melissa's Earing Holder

2010-12-04T12:20:00.000-08:00

I love this!! I usually use mesh and scrapbook paper behind the frame. As I was getting all of the stuff out to make it, I looked over and saw all of the doilies and such from my grandma and great grandma. I decided to use that instead of the other and I love how it turned out. The frame is an old one from my grandpas and then I think the doily is from my great grandma!

Sushi Attempt

2010-12-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

I love sushi and I have always thought it would be fun to make, so me and my friend Cole found a sushi kit at Borders for six bucks and decided to try it. It wasn't too hard, and I think the next time it will be a lot better. I had a hard time with the rice, so if any one has suggestions on making sushi rice let me know! The rice was the only bad part...it was so thick it was hard to swallow! We just make California Rolls for starters and then did some teriyaki shrimp, cream cheese and cucumbers.

Spinach Artichoke Dip!

2010-12-04T11:59:00.000-08:00

Mmmm...I love this recipe! I don't remember where this recipe is from...sorry!

BEST SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP

1 pkg. frozen spinach thawed
1 jar marinated artichokes, chopped
8 oz. Philly cream cheese
8 oz. sour cream
3/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
8 oz. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 onion finely chopped
1 stick butter
red pepper flakes to taste

Sauté onions in butter, adding ingredients while mixing and blending well after each addition. Add ingredients in this order: Spinach, Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, Parmesan Cheese, Artichoke Hearts, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes.
Remove from heat and put in crocks or microwave dish. Top with Monterey Jack Cheese and melt.
Serve hot with chips or bread.

Sewing Conference

2010-12-04T11:32:00.000-08:00

I went to this sewing conference in the first part of November. It was put on by USU extensions, it was meant for Home Ec. teachers and 4-H sewing teachers. I am neither of those, but my aunt is, so I was lucky to go. It was so much fun, it was two full days of sewing all day! They gave us projects, patterns and fabric. The first night it was an open sew for a couple of hours, so while I was preparing to go I was trying to decide what to take. Little did I know I would have a million projects from the conference and there would be no time to even attempt my own.

During the conference there were speakers, my favorite was Joel Dewberry. I was so excited to meet him, he is such a talented designer and so down to earth. I was in awe just listening to him, I would love to be able to start designing, but I get too scared to try. You should check out his website and you will just love his stuff!

Joel Dewberry

I would love to teach a 4-H sewing class or just any sewing class, so let me know if any one is interested or if you know of some little girls that want to sew, I want to teach them.

Here are some of the projects we worked on, I still haven't finished them all. Some of them are basic projects, but they teach good sewing techniques for beginners.

Pin Cushion, inside they used walnut bird feeder which is supposed to sharpen your needles.

This pattern is from Joel Dewberry's book and it uses his great fabric!

Check out his book here!

Out of all the sewing and quilts that I have done, this is my first pillow case, I thought that was kind of funny. But this pattern is so great, there is a cool trick to get the seams hidden on the small piece of the pillow. Here is the link to the pattern. I want to use this trick for the hem line of a skirt!

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/FL_ST_Construction_2006-102pr.pdf

This is a little snap bag, it is closed up by a measuring tape. It reminds me of those little snap bracelets that were in when I was little. Great project for little girls.

Don't you just wish you had this table runner??? Hahaha! The pattern is a good idea, but the fabric is not! Haha, we were laughing so hard about how this turned out. So if you come to a summer dinner party at my house you may see this sweet thing!

We also made a hot pad, I didn't look very good, I sewed random circles on it and when it finished it looked like something I would have given my mom when I was in kindergarten! We also worked on a quiet book, but I wanted to make it a little cuter, so we will see if I ever finish it. There were a lot of good sewing techniques to learn while making it and they are also good small motor skills for children. I started an apron, but didn't have time to finish it. Hopefully I get those finished and posted.

Old Grandpa Jacket to Cute Banana Republic Jacket??

2010-11-11T20:32:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to experiment with making coats lately, I think it would be fun to bring new life to an old one. I got this coat from my grandpa. I was shopping yesterday in Salt Lake and saw this coat in Banana Republic and thought it was adorable. It had raw edges, so I think this old one could be transformed into this cute one. I don't know if I have the skills to do this, so you might not ever see anything again about this. Hopefully I will have success!

New Head Bands!

2010-11-11T20:24:00.001-08:00

Watch for them on my Etsy shop!

String!

2010-11-11T20:19:00.000-08:00

I don't really know the purpose of this, but I saw it at Anthropologie and loved it. I am going to add some of it to the christmas tree skirt I am making and I also think it would be cute on a pillow in a cool design. I was having fun taking photos of it, that is why there are a million!

I have a sick obsession with Anthropologie!

Chicken Curry in a Hurry

2010-11-11T20:09:00.000-08:00

Oh my I just made this and it was so good and sooo easy! I got this recipe from Real Simple online. I know this photo doesn't look that appetizing, but curries usually don't look that great.

Yield: Makes 4 to 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained (optional)
• 1 rotisserie chicken
• 2 cups cooked white rice (optional)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped

Preparation

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes. Sprinkle with the curry powder and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the yogurt and cream and simmer gently for 3 minutes. Stir in the salt, pepper, and tomatoes (if using). Remove from heat.   Slice or shred the chicken, discarding the skin and bones. Divide the rice (if using) and chicken among individual bowls, spoon the sauce over the top, and sprinkle with the cilantro.

My Changes

I didn't use rotisserie chicken, so while I started the onions I just cooked the chicken in another pan with salt, pepper, a dash of the following; turmeric, garam masala, chili powder and cayenne pepper. I just started dumping stuff in. I also added some pablano peppers to the onions while they were cooking. If I would have had a serrano I would have added that because it wasn't very spicy, so in the end I added some chili powder, cayenne pepper and a little nutmeg. I served it over rice and cooked up a pre made tortilla. (The pre-made tortillas are a great substitute for naan.)

Roasted Potatoes with North Indian Spices

2010-11-11T20:00:00.000-08:00

Because of the turn of cold weather, I try to stay in the house as much as possible. I am a pansy! And I know I have lived in Logan my entire life, I should be use to it by now. I am not, so I hibernate! I was looking online for some recipes and found a lot of fun ones. Here is one that I loved. I was skeptical when it was cooking, but they tasted so good! I got this recipe from Cooking Light online. Sorry no photo!

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 3/4 cup potato mixture and 1 lime wedge)

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 3 pounds small red potatoes, halved (about 8 cups)
• 1 3/4 teaspoons black mustard seeds
• 6 dried red chiles
• 2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 jalapeño, seeded and minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala
• Cooking spray
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 8 lime wedges

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Combine 1 tablespoon oil and potatoes, tossing to coat. Set aside.
3. Heat remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons oil, mustard seeds, and chiles in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook 1 1/2 minutes or until seeds begin to pop. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add ginger, garlic, and jalapeño to pan; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in salt, turmeric, and Garam Masala; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add spice mixture to potatoes, tossing to coat. Arrange potato mixture in a single layer in a 13 x 9–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
4. Bake at 400° for 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender and browned, stirring every 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro, mint, and juice. Serve with lime wedges.

My Changes/Additions

I added serrano peppers, pablano peppers, onion, and mushrooms. I like to add whatever is in my fridge that needs to be used. I did this in the first step. I didn't use chili's because I didn't have any. They were very good!

Happy 2 Years!!

2010-11-11T19:57:00.000-08:00

I am behind! My house turned 2 on October 30, 2010! I can't believe I have lived in my house for two years. Last year I threw a birthday party for it and bought it a present. I haven't yet decided on what to buy for it this year, but I will for sure post it. I didn't throw a party for it, because my friends made other plans, so I didn't have one. I just like to have an excuse to throw a party. I know I am weird!

Check me out on Utah Bride Blog!

2010-11-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

http://www.utahbrideblog.com/

Create

2010-10-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

Anthropologie Quilt

2010-10-18T21:11:00.000-07:00

I just love this quilt!! I think it is by far my favorite! This is all hand sewn, it kind of looks like a pain, but I enjoyed it!

Saturday Night Ritual

2010-10-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

I love this fabric! My friend Bonnie gave me this fabric on Wednesday and I just had to make a skirt out of it. It took me longer to finish because I actually had to follow the pattern and I couldn't find my zipper foot. This photo is not a very good one, I need to find someone that is the same size as me, so I can take some fun photos of my skirts.

S'more Cupcakes

2010-10-12T13:32:00.001-07:00

I have been wanting to try out different cupcakes lately. I just used a milk chocolate cake mix, I filled each cupcake with a little bit of batter and then put a dob of Marshmallow Cream Puff and then topped it with some more batter, don't fill them too full or they explode all over the pan. I made a homemade chocolate frosting, and topped it off with graham cracker crumbs. They were really good, the marshmallow kind of dissolved in the oven, so it just blends into the cake. But they were still delicious. I am going to try it with real marshmallows and see what the difference is.

Chocolate Frosting Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 to 8 tablespoons milk

Directions:

In a double boiler over hot water melt chocolate with the butter. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. In an electric mixer add chocolate mixture and confectioners' sugar. Beat until mixture resembles chalky beads. Add the vanilla and the milk 1 tablespoon at a time until a spreadable consistency is reached. Beat until fluffy -- adding more milk if necessary.

Saturday Night Ritual

2010-10-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

Every week I have intentions of making a new skirt for Sunday, the week ends way too fast and I never get to it. A lot of times I get home around midnight on Saturday and start a skirt. (Good thing I have 1:00 church, so I can sleep in after!) This is my new favorite tradition! I am trying to use up all of my fabric, so that I can buy more. So we will see how many I can get out of my DI fabric stash! This fabric was $1 and I have enough to make another skirt...or something else. Hopefully I can stay up on this tradition and have a lot of new skirts! Let me know what you think! I know this is kind of ugly fabric, but when I am at the store I see potential in strange things!

Magpie Lovely Patterns Guest Giveaway

2010-10-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

Magpie Lovely Patterns Guest Giveaway

Wedding Showcase

2010-10-05T14:18:00.001-07:00

Check out the Wedding Showcase Blog!
www.weddingshowcase.blogspot.com

25 things to do before I am 25-Update!

2010-10-03T23:34:00.000-07:00

Well today is my half birthday! I don't care that I am turning 25 soon, but that means that I only have 6 months to finish everything. I really think I can finish all of it except my humanitarian trips. I don't think it would be wise to go into debt for them. But maybe I can get a ton more photo shoots and go on at least one of them in the spring. Time flies way too fast! I made all of these goals on September 7, 2009.

1. Have a gallery show of my fine art photos.

2. Have a Summerfest booth of my photos.

3. Design a line of fabric and submit to a company.

I have started to sketch some designs, here are a few of them. They are in the first stages, I need to finalize the images on paper and then get a good scan and then call my friend Kara to give me another Illustrator/graphic design tutorial.

I still need to figure out which ones go together, I think I am going to finalize 4-5 designs and then come up with a couple of color options. I am not going to submit them to a company, but I am going to print my own fabric on spoonflower. I think that will be good enough for me! I am excited to finish this project!

These are some of my color inspirations. I want to go bold and deep with the colors. These photos don't give you the best ideas, they didn't scan in as the right colors. I will have to figure that out, but you get the idea. Let me know what designs you like!

4. Design 3 patterns and make the items.

5. Go to Nepal for humanitarian work.

I want to do this so bad...but money is short, so if anyone wants to donate! :) Maybe I will be able to at least book one of the trips before I turn 25

6. Go somewhere in Africa for humanitarian work.

7. Go to the East coast to see the fall leaves, especially the Sacred Grove.

8. Start learning Spanish.

I listened to some CD's and they were pretty use less. I can say a few phrases, but nothing really useful. I hopefully can find a better way to learn!

9. Decorate my bedroom.

I did get a new bed and have decorated it, but I need to finish the rest of the room. I am having a hard time deciding what color. I will take some photos of where it is now. When I moved into my house almost 2 years ago, I wanted to save the bedroom to decorate with my husband. Well that isn't working out so well...so it might be my houses birthday present.

10. Be in a serious relationship that has potential for marriage.

Hahahahahahahaha! That is all I can do about this one! It makes me laugh that I even thought it possible! Hahahahahaha!

....maybe I was wrong...............

11. Learn how to knit.

I learned with my grandma, it was way funny. I can't post anything yet, because I haven't made much progress, I think crocheting is easier. The most memorable part of the learning experience was what my grandma said. She was telling me that she knows some ladies that are really good and they are a bit retarded, so you should be able to do it. So if I can't make something fantastic I am going to feel pretty dumb!

12. Read the C.S. Lewis Box set.

Mere Christianity: Finished May 18, 2010
The Screwtape Letters: Finished July 4, 2010
A Grief Observed
The Problem of Pain
Miracles
The Great Divorce

13. Read the Bible Dictionary.

14. Read the Book of Mormon in one month.

I started reading on March 1, 2010 and I finished March 31, 2010.

The last few months have been really hard on me, as you have read in some of my blogs I have a really great dating life (sarcasm just incase you didn't pick up on it). I thought things were great, he said that he loved me and to trust that and then he ran... Since that time, I haven't had much motivation for anything, I had gotten behind on work and haven't cared. It is hard to take photos of other peoples happy moments, when my heart just got ripped out. I truly thought I had found the one, and he never gave me reason to doubt that. So anyways in short I have had a really hard time. I have sought for comfort in so many things, I have tried to be social and move on, I have fasted, prayed and sought for answers in the temple. At the end of February I was sick of being so miserable, so I went to my Uncle for a priesthood blessing. It was such a great comfort and a reassurance that my Heavenly Father is truly aware of me. In the blessing he told me to study the Book of Mormon, at the time I was reading in the Old Testament. The next day was March 1st and remembering my goal to read the Book of Mormon in a month, so I decided to start.

I know I probably just told you a lot of stuff that doesn't really matter, but as I read the Book of Mormon I was able to see how much love our Heavenly Father and Jesus have for us. I know that I read it fast and probably didn't get that much out of it, but I was able to see how constant the Lord's love is for his children. I know that we are all children of God and that He loves us so much. No matter the difficulty that we are in, He is always there to comfort and consul us. I know this with out a doubt. It is the weirdest feeling but it consumes my whole soul, there is no way to explain the feeling. It is just something that you know. Our Heavenly Father is so merciful, He will always allow us to repent and return to Him. As I read the Book of Mormon, I was able to understand my purpose here on earth. I know that as we go through this life it will all be worth it in the end if we stay true to the commandments and the covenants that we have made. The time that we spend on this earth is such a short moment in the span of eternity. We can't give up, we can't let a break up ruin our lives. Afflictions and trials will come, but if we have the proper association with our Heavenly Father, we will be able to grow and to become what He expects us to become. While we are in trials, it seems like a long time. We need to step back and see that we are the only ones that measure time. This life will pass so fast before our eyes, and we can't let the things of the world get us down. We have to endure so that we can inherit the great mansions that our Heavenly Father has prepared for us. In the Book of Mormon and especially in 3rd Nephi we see how they are preparing for the coming of the Savior. They watch for the signs of his birth and then for His death and then they await for His appearance in the Americas. We are in a similar time in our life, other than preparing for His first coming, we are preparing for His Second Coming. We read of the signs of His return, we must prepare. It is so crazy the amount of the natural disasters that have been happening. We do not know the hour that He will come. I don't know if it will be in my life time, but I know that I will be an instrument in preparing the earth for His return. We can't take this lightly we must always improve ourselves and look for ways to help our neighbor. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have, I know that there is no other way to be happy. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and when we read it we can feel of Gods love.

I was so grateful to read the Book of Mormon, I am still trying to get over things, but it helped a great deal. I don't know what will happen next in my life, but I trust that my Heavenly Father can see the bigger picture. He knows what will be best for me, I don't know if something will end up happening or if I will get another opportunity. I know I complain a lot about not being married, but that is pretty much the only thing that I have a complaint about, I am so truly blessed, and I owe all that I have to my Heavenly Father, I know I wouldn't be where I am today without Him.

15. Train for a triathlon.

16. Make a dress.

Here is the pattern, I have started it, but knits are super hard to work with! Right now I am planning on making the one with the pleats on the front, but I might veto those and just do the normal. I am also worried about doing the button holes!

17. Take a class.

18. Decide whether or not to get my teaching degree or another degree.

I gave it a lot of thought and prayer, my schedule is too busy to take something else on. I would still love to go back, but not now.

19. Go backpacking in the Wind Rivers.

Me and the Cirques, I need to get more photos from my brother.

Trying to get a self portrait with my sweet headband that I made for the trip!

My awesome tour guide! (aka my bro!)

This is where I slept...all by myself. Justin didn't want to put his tent by mine. I got a little freaked out at night!

This is Big Sandy Lake our tents were just a little ways a way, so beautiful!

20. Start a photo project.

I took some photos of some blossoms, and now I want to do some photo transfers with them. I also want to use my Italy photos to do some transfers. We will see if any of them work out!

21. Give a quilt away.

My good friends Sarah and Rob lost their baby Benton in November. Words can not explain the loss or soothe the ache. I wanted to do something for her, so I put together my scraps and this is what came out.

22. Submit my Peru book to different Humanitarian organizations, in order to broaden my photography oppurtunities.

23. Find dead ends in Family History and find the original location and try to further the lines and information.

24. Visit all of the temples in Utah and do work in them.

Logan: May 6, 2010
Ogden: July 15, 2010
Bountiful: May 14, 2010
Salt Lake: May 20, 2010
Jordan River: July 23, 2010
Oquirrh Mountain: May 22, 2010
Draper: February 26, 2010
Timpanogous:
Provo:
Vernal:
Monticello:
Manti: February 5, 2010
St. George:

If completed by April 3, 2011
Brigham City:
Payson:

25. Study more about graphic design. Learn Illustrator.

My friend Kara has taught me a lot, I feel a lot more confident. But I still need a ton of practice.

These appear in no certain order, and I am going to try to complete them by April 3, 2011!

Patterns from the DI

2010-10-03T23:12:00.001-07:00

I hope I can make some of these patterns (and hopefully they have all of the pieces!)
I am always in need of a skirt pattern!

I want to make the short one with short sleeves. I love the old school style!

I think the orange would be cute in a brown wool or something.

New Quilt-Sexy, Hexy, Love by Amy Butler

2010-09-27T23:59:00.000-07:00

I just love this pattern by Amy Butler, I am so inspired by her. I am using Anna Maria Horner fabric, she is also an amazing designer and I can't wait to get this quilt done! Here are some photos of my progress. I know it doesn't look like much, but I have all of the pieces cut out. I also wanted to take a picture of my cute sewing table that I refinished awhile ago. Don't you just love the fabric, I know you can only see a couple of them, but just wait to see the rest!

Here is a photo from Amy Butler's website, this is a free pattern you can download. She has a ton of other cute patterns.

Journal Writing

2010-09-27T23:37:00.000-07:00

I have never been a journal writer until about 2 years ago. I really got inspired to start after I got home from Peru. I have always kept a random journal, but I have never consistently written in it. Most of the previous ones are yearly updates. I started consistently writing on August 11, 2008 and I finished my third one on September 12, 2010. In total I wrote 1,146 pages. Too me that is a great accomplishment. I am very proud of myself. At first when I started writing in them, I tried to keep them strictly spiritual, I didn't want to put a whole bunch of dating crap in there. But now that I have had a lot of great dating experiences (hahaha!) I figured that I must be going though all of these situations for a reason, so I need to record them and hopefully someone in my future will learn from them. I hope these situations have been for something! (I know that they have been, I always learn so much while I am in tribulation.) During my Jared recovery I learned so much from the book of Isaiah. I know that sounds crazy, but that is what kept me going. I often look back at what I write and my prayers are answered with the words that I wrote. I have a short term memory and my Heavenly Father has to teach me the same things over and over. These have been such a blessing to me. While I read the scriptures I record scriptures that touched me and then I just let my mind wander and I just write what I am thinking. I sometimes fill up pages from one scripture. I challenge you to start the habit if you have not, I have seen myself grow so much!

This is the next chapter of my life, I am already 60 pages into it. I am so dumb, but I think one of the reasons that I write so much is because I love the journals! And to show my OCD, I have to write in a certain type of pen! You can get these journals at Borders once you get one you will be addicted! haha! When I get close to finishing one I go to Borders a lot to try to find the best new cover. It takes me awhile to choose, it is very important! I have thought about stocking up, because if they stop making them, I don't know if I can continue!

Ruffly Pillow

2010-09-27T23:33:00.001-07:00

I love all of the wool I got from the DI, this use to be a nice little skirt. Now it is a great pillow to go on my antique couch.

Bridal Fair Set Up

2010-09-27T23:14:00.000-07:00

I got all of the tables from my grandpas house, and all of the frames at the DI. I started re-finishing all of this stuff one week and one day before the Bridal Faire. Talk about procrastination! I just like taking photos of the things I do, so here you go! The Bridal Faire went great, I loved my set up, I was so excited to find that great couch. I am so excited to use it for family photos!

Check out my website! Hurry and book your fall family photos, October days are going fast! Mention you saw this on my homemade blog and get $50 off a family session or wedding event!

www.jessicasphoto.com
www.jessicasphotography.blogspot.com

Canning Green Beans

2010-09-27T22:45:00.000-07:00

I love my grandma, she is so funny! I asked her if I could use her canner and she was so worried that I would not be able to do it by myself, especially since my stove is electric. After I went and borrowed it, she called me again to see if I could do it. She didn't trust me. Hahaha! I think she really just wanted to help me out with them, which I was glad because I probably would have screwed them up! I love to learn how to cook from my grandma, even though it is a little intimidated to cook with seasoned cookers. I always feel that every little mistake will be scrutinized! I remember when I was younger and I helped her, she was very conservative in cutting the ends off of the beans. While I was taking the ends off I tried to hide my pile so she wouldn't get mad if I took too much off. If she saw me at home when I cut up green beans, she would have a heart attack! She also thought they were the best looking beans, every time she got a really good one, she would hold it up and show me. I love her!

I canned 18 jars, I was very proud of myself, until I went to visit my friend after. She told me she decided that canning was a waste of time and that if an earthquake happened all the jars would shatter anyways....So there goes my days worth of work. And she said, "If I need food I will just go buy it for 50 cents at Wal-Mart!) Oh well! it was fun to share the afternoon with my grandma!

My Favorite Banana Bread

2010-09-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

I love banana bread! I buy extra bananas just so I can make bread!

2 cups of sifted flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed bananas (I use 3)
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup copped walnuts

Sift together flour, soda, salt and set aside. Cream butter and gradually add sugar; cream well. Add eggs and bananas; blend thoroughly. Add the dry ingredients alternately with milk to the banana mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Fold in nuts. Pour in greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Or until toothpick comes out clean.

My little tips:
Make sure to cream the butter and the sugar for awhile. I have noticed that this makes a huge difference.
If you have bananas that are ready and you don't have time to make bread, put them in the freezer and you can still use them.
Eat a slice fresh out of the oven and slather the butter on! (This is the only time I let my self use butter in excess!)

A Day for Celebration!

2010-09-16T14:36:00.000-07:00

Today is such a great day, I just have to blog about it! I know it is so dumb, but people don't really read blogs right? So I am just writing how I feel right now and if certain people read it...I am sorry! I have not been as busy, so I have had extra time to do what I want and it has been fabulous. So today I have a ton of things that I want to get done, I probably won't get most of them done, but I am going to try!

I had institute today and it was so great, Brother Larsen knows how to really bring the spirit in. After institute I needed to run a few errands and then I planned to lock myself in my house and get everything done. Yesterday I went and picked beans at my grandpas and there were sooo many, so I decided that I would be able to can them. I was going to do it by myself, I told my grandma this and she just seemed so worried that I wouldn't be able to do it by myself. I could tell she wanted me to have her help me. I love my grandma! Although I wanted to get other things done while I was canning, it will be fun to be with my grandma, I love learning from my grandma!

Other things that I have to do, I just bought some paint to refinish some furniture for the bridal fair, I am way excited to see how they turn out. I also need to make some banana bread and work on a quilt that I started the other night. We had our first meeting for Quilt Guild on Tuesday and I am excited to get back into quilting. I know I am such a nerd, but I love being domestic! I love the satisfaction that comes after you have finished a project, I really do thrive on this!

All these things are great, but the real reason for my day of celebration is having victory! I wanted to put this at the end of the post and maybe not as many people would read it! Haha! As I was driving home from institute, I drove past the guy that I dated this last winter, so I stopped and chatted with him for a bit. Let me just give a little background...I was in love with this guy and I thought that I had found the one. He told me that it was mutual and I trusted him. He broke things off 8 months ago today (I know I am crazy, but girls keep track of things like that!), he broke my heart, he ended things without much explanation and no notice. It has not been the easiest since then, I haven't fully healed until today. During the summer I went on a lot of dates, I even kind of started to date someone, but I ruined it because I was so scared of dating because of what happened with this other guy. I have not let myself really fall for someone, because I lost my trust in men. I saw this guy a couple of weeks ago at church, he had just came back from the summer. After I went home I had a break down and I wished that I was with him still, I didn't even talk to him, but the ache came back. I was so mad! I thought I was over it. But today as I drove away from him, I had no feelings towards him, I even started to cry with joy that I no longer was being effected by him. I was so grateful! It was kind of a weird feeling, I was filled with the spirit and I can now fully let go and move on with my life. I kept crying while I drove home because I was so happy! I passed Temptation Cupcakes and decided that I needed to celebrate, so I treated myself with an apricot cupcake! It was delicious!

Life is so great! I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for all that he has given me. I am truly blessed! I am so excited to spend time and increase my talents today, I know that sounds dumb, but it truly brings me joy!

Baby Crochetted Head Bands

2010-09-07T16:21:00.000-07:00

My cousin Nikki asked me last night if I could make a smaller headband for her baby. I haven't crocheted for awhile, so I got excited to get it all out. These are what I came up with.

Zucchini Bread

2010-09-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of zucchini's and they were too big to saute, so I made some zucchini bread and froze some. I tried two recipe's and the first one failed. It tasted fine, but didn't come out of the pan too good as you can see:

Then I tried another recipe, it came out of the pan, but it was not as moist as the other one.

So if anyone has a good zucchini bread recipe, let me know. I am not putting the recipe on, because I didn't love either of them. I made these on Labor Day, and I was in a domestic mood (this is not unusual for me). I was enjoying have a great big mess while cooking because I was getting a lot accomplished. I was in a random mood, so I took a lot of photos of the process. I know I am weird!

I did about half of the zucchini with a grater, but after awhile it was killing my arm (I know that is pathetic, I need to go to the gym!) I tried some in my food processor, it wasn't that much faster, but it didn't hurt my arm. If you use the food processor, cut it into small pieces and if they are too hard it doesn't chop it up that well.

Grandpa's Garden

2010-09-07T15:56:00.000-07:00

I love gardens, that is one thing that I don't like about my townhouse, I wish I had a garden. I keep thinking of all of the things that I will do when I get my own garden, but then I think of the five herbs that I have in my window sill and then I think of the other five that are making up a graveyard of plants in my garage. I don't know if I could ever keep an entire garden alive, but I like to think that I will be mature when I get to that point and my garden will survive. (Or if it survives it means my husband is a good gardener!) My grandpa planted most of the stuff for me, I have tried to go and help out with it, but time flies too fast. I have been freezing the corn, beans and zucchini. I made a great tomato sauce the other night, it was so good, I love fresh produce.

My skirt with a flounce!

2010-09-07T15:52:00.003-07:00

I was so excited to make this skirt, I thought it turned out so good. I love the back part, the ruffly part is called a flounce; I love that word. I hate that I had to be in this photo, but I made it to fit me. I got this fabric at Somebody's Attic, I love getting thrift store fabric. This skirt cost less than $3 to make!

Mustard Rosette Belt

2010-09-07T15:48:00.001-07:00

I just love this color and I got a new skirt from Anthropologie and I needed something mustard to go with it, so this is what I came up with. In the photos with the books, the top book I found at the DI. I thought the cover was funny, I want to make a notebook out of the cover.

Mom's Birthday Purse

2010-09-07T15:44:00.000-07:00

I got this fabric in Burley, ID at an old fabric store, I love this place! I am so glad my friend Becki lives by it! I just used other old stuff that I have gotten from the DI to embellish it. Thanks Erica for being my model in all of these!

New Hair Accessories

2010-09-07T15:10:00.001-07:00

I love making different styles, you can tell which ones I did together. Each day I kind of adopt a new style, I wasn't doing it on purpose, but after looking at them altogether you can tell which ones I did at the same time.

I got this fabric at the DI, I love the retroness of it! I got the flower from my great-grandma. I love getting old and stuff and giving it new life!

I also got this fabric from the DI, I made it to match the skirt that I made, I love it! I was proud of myself after completing the outfit. The little jewel is also an old clip on from my grandma.

I love Zebra fabric, I am a little obsessed right now!

This fabric was from an old wool skirt at the DI, I kind of like the roll effect!

I love this button! I have also got into using feathers, I didn't think I would like them, but I do. Items seem kind of boring now without them.

I went back packing with Justin to the Wind Rivers and of coarse I had to have a hiking headband. I had to stay in touch with my girly side, I refer to myself as a prissy granola.

More Zebra!

I have been really into grey lately, I think it is simple and classy.

I have also had a mustard obsession, I think it looks great with bold colors!

Jelly Filled by Thimble Blossoms

2010-07-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

I made this quilt for Bernina, it is a fun Christmas quilt.

Spring Fever Quilt

2010-07-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

I finally finished the binding on this quilt, I hate doing the bindings. I am trying so hard to finish projects, I just love starting new ones! Also the photos are pretty bad, I don't have a big space to do photos of quilts so they are boring!

Emily's Messenger Bag

2010-07-20T10:07:00.001-07:00

These aren't great photos, but I just wanted to post it. It still needs some tweaking to the pattern, I was just making up the sizes, and forgot to adjust some of them. I also should have done the design darker.

The Fourth of July!!!

2010-07-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend, at first I thought it was not going to be fun to have the 4th of July on a Sunday, but I was wrong. It was one of the best weekends, this summer has been so great! Probably one of the best ones! Here is a review of what we did, it was a non stop weekend.

Thursday, July 1st

One of my friends called and had free tickets to Peter Cetera, I didn't recognize the name (I am not very good with music). So we decided to go for a bit and then leave if it was lame. It definitely was not lame, I loved every minute of it. At the first of the concert American Festival Chorus and Orchestra played some patriotic songs. It was really great, it made me really love the country that we live in. Peter Cetera ended the concert with a fabulous performance, once he started to sing I recognized his songs.

Friday, July 2nd

It was our friends birthday, so we had a bbq at his place. After we went and watched the fireworks in Logan. I love the summer and especially the fireworks.

Saturday, July 3rd

Some of the people in my ward invited me to go float the narrows. Rissa and I decided to go, when we got to the top it was 60 degrees and windy. No thanks! I didn't want to be miserable! So we drove back home and decided to try and attempt it on Monday.

We went back to Logan and played some volleyball at Merlin Olsen Park. We got challenged by some Polynesians, they were really good and we got our butts kicked, but it was fun!

After that we decided last minute to drive to Salt Lake to see the fireworks at Sugar House, they were also amazing. We sat next to the cutest family. Their kids were so funny during the fireworks, the little 3 year old decided we were best friends and sat right next to me the entire show, she was so funny! We decided to sit it out at the park until the traffic was down, and we witnessed a lot of interesting things. The couple next to us forgot that they were in public, we got fireworks shot over our heads by these two punk kids and saw two men roll down the hill while hugging onto each other. The night was so great!

Sunday, July 4th

I went to church and it was great, I love to sing the patriotic songs in Sacrament meeting. This weekend I really had a deep appreciation for the country that we live in, we are so truly blessed! In Relief Society a quote was read that I really like, I don't know the reference to the talk.

"Look back in retrospect on almost six thousand years of human history! Freedom's movements have been infrequent and exceptional. We must appreciate that we live in one of history's most exceptional moments-in a nation and a time of unprecedented freedom. Freedom as we know it has been experienced by perhaps less that 1 percent of the human family."

Doesn't that bring chills to you? I always think of how lucky I am to be apart of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I wonder why I was chosen to be apart of this great work. I always think of the small percentage of people that know what I know, but I have never thought of it in a way with being free and living in the great land of America. I am always grateful for what I have and I know that I am blessed. I am so grateful for all of those that have sacrificed to make it possible to live here and to have so many great opportunities and freedoms.

Monday, July 5th

Rissa slept over at my house Sunday night and we watched Post Grad, great movie, I would highly recommend it!

We woke up at 7 am, yes I know I never do this (wake up early, I usually sleep at least another 2 hours) and when the alarms went off we wondered why we were doing it. We went to the Lewiston parade and it started at 9ish. We got a load of candy, and we didn't have to do anything for it, it just landed on our blanket! Perfect! After the Parade we walked around the little fair.

After we went to float the Oneida Narrows. I don't know why I have never done this, I have lived in Cache Valley my entire life. I have been missing out for the past 24 years! It was so fun! I was the only one that fell off of their tube (twice). I was having issues, but it was great fun. I accidentally ran into the pole under the bridge and back flipped off of my tube and cut up my leg on the rocks, then I almost tipped a large man off of his tube. I could barely retrieve my tube because I was laughing so hard. My stomach is soar today from laughing so hard all day yesterday! After I finally got back on I decided to fall off again backwards in some rapids...it was great! I will post some photos of this, my friend Erica followed us along the river and took photos, they are probably all beautiful photos of me in my swimsuit, so they may not make it on the blog!

We went back to Logan and played some sand volleyball at Willow Park. It was great and we definitely are starting to look professional like the photo above. (Not quite!) We had some more good laughs with volleyball. Let's just say Stacey has a pretty good aim when she hits the ball. And this interesting fellow came and tried to chat with us, he kind of resembled Wolverine. He began playing on the court next to us, and the next we looked over he was playing in his undies. We all lost it and could barely play. Towards the end, he tried to come talk to us (still in his undies), he got mad at us for secluding people. I would have been really nervous and scared for my life if he would have had clothes on, because he probably would have had a gun hiding somewhere...he was really interesting!

After volleyball we made our way back to Lewiston for some more fireworks to end the perfect weekend. The entire weekend was a blast and I was surrounded by some great friends and also made some new friends. I know that was the longest post, but it was a great weekend!

(All photos were taken from the internet, hopefully they will be replaced by some actual photos that we took.)