Floozy

I won this on an awesome blog giveaway on The Cotton Floozy. She makes some seriously bitchin' stuff.

Oh Remember...

Just in case you have forgotten about Matsby and this, I'm here to remind you. And to show 3 favorite pictures from that gem:

Crafty

I'm sorry if you don't have a friend like hot neighbor Michelle. Everything she makes is amazing. I've never had someone give me neighbor gifts for Christmas like her gifts. Remember this? And this? Yeah, she's creative and crafty like that. And she was sneaky and printed out some pictures of our crew and magically put them on these rad blocks with all kinds of texture and goodness on them for Christmas. I LOVE them.

And you must also know, that Michelle knits like nobody's biz. She is making hats, headbands, flower clips, headbands, baby hats and probably a million other awesome things. You can buy them. They are custom and they are AWESOME. See them HERE. Must. Have. Flower. Clippy. Look at them!!!

Little People

If you haven't seen this, then you're missing out on something amazing.

Justin Taylor

Bustin is amazing. Look at what my favorite artist and homie can do:

My Latest Project...

Well, Internet, I have finished another photo project. For years I've been trying to decide what to do with all my favorite images of Bulgaria. Some of them I shot while living there as a missionary. Most of them I shot in 2000 when I went back to do my senior project for my BFA in photography at Brigham Young University. I've finally gathered them all into one place. There are two galleries: People and Places. They are available for purchase and you can see them here:

Everything Beautiful

The phrase "everything beautiful" is something Bulgarians say at departure. It's along the lines of "til next time", "have a good day", "take care"...but so much cooler. Enjoy.

Hooray For The Unc!

We got an amazing surprise package in the mail today. It's The Yellow Bird Project coloring book. It's from The Unc to Miss Katie & one to Baby Connor. It's the bomb. It's got 32 pages of The Shins, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bon Iver, Broken Social Scene, Joseph Arthur, Wolf Parade and more to color. And the royalties go to various charities. How Indie is that?

Photo Of The Day

Look at this totally cool pic that Carleen's sister took:
I wish I took it.

Brian Kershisnik Speaks

I'm sure this event needs no publicity, but you should come. Brian Kershisnik, one of Utah’s most accomplished & celebrated painters to date, will be sharing his work, philosophy, and business experience at the Bridge Academy of Art Tuesday, August 25th at 6pm. The doors will be open at 5:30 and it's open to the public.

Bridge Academy of Art
146 W 600 S
Provo, UT

When Pig's Fly

We got a wedding announcement in the mail yesterday. We are perhaps more happy to get this one than any other we've ever received. Reason being, is that it's from BUSTIN! We've been trying to marry him off FOR YEARS. The announcement is gorgeous {letter pressed of course}, Justin and Sunny look extremely hot & sexy, and as you can see from the back flap...pigs are flying.

Oh, and Justin put a one-of-a-kind personal touch on ours: his hand drawn "West Side!!!" sign. Viva Las Vegas. Can't wait to take your cheesy portraits.

Room For Two

A writer friend from my mission, Abel Keogh, was kind enough to send me a copy of his book, Room For Two. This is Abel's own true story about his wife's suicide when she was 7 months pregnant, and their preemie baby girl that died 9 days later. Most of the book takes place in the year following this tragedy as he picked up the pieces and found happiness again {which was miraculous to say the least}. As most people know, this is a subject that is extremely near and dear to me. I read this in less than 24 hrs. Besides the great writing and imagery, I just got a little addicted to seeing the ride through to the end. It was very close to home for me. I recommend it to everyone.

Hotel Art

We got to stay at The Hard Rock Hotel last week after Bdog's show. Instead of poorly painted landscapes and sailboats, they has these on the walls:


It seriously made me so happy and at home. These were perfect posters for us.

The Rocker

I'm really surprised at how much I'm loving the movie "The Rocker". I think it's especially funny to me at this newly-signed-band stage of our lives. And I can't stop quoting Fish:

"Some people carry a rabbit's foot...I like to rock a pocket of puke."

2008 Faves

We meant to do this a month ago...but here are a couple favorite things from 2008...

Em:
The Ranch Manch - best time ever!! See it here, here and here.
Ghostown - movie
Harold - movie
Narrow Stairs - Death Cab For Cutie - album
Losing Touch - The Killers - song from the awesome Day & Age
Follow The River - James Alexander Thom - book (not from 2008)
30 Rock - tv
and the best...
Ghostmoves and Fall To Pieces - Neon Trees - songs

Bdog:
Seeing Katie love kindergarten
Joining Neon Trees
Dark Knight - movie
Narrow Stairs - Death Cab For Cutie - album
Oracular Spectacular - MGMT - album

And here is Andy Armstrong's list as well:
Son of Rambow - movie
Happy-Go-Lucky - movie
Microcastle - Deerhunter - album
Friday Night Lights - Season Three -tv
Caught in the Trees - Damien Jurado - album
Wall*E - movie
Ricky Gervais Show - Season Five - podcast

What is everyone's favorite album from 2008?

Treasures

We had a "share fair" at our church 2 weeks ago. We have some much, much older and cooler people in our neighborhood, and I scored some awesome vintage fabric and ribbons from one such older, cooler lady. I felt like I hit the jackpot going through her bin of ribbon. And I got these little old hand towels as well. They're lovely and a total score. Too bad I can't cut them up to use for Dawn Durell bags. They're just to precious. Here's a sample:

Dawn Durell Bags

I accidentally forgot to make this post about 3 months ago. I've finally initiated this new project...Dawn Durell Bags. These bags are made ENTIRELY from vintage/used-clothes/fabrics/linens. They are so green, they warrant a green printed label. So, here are a few. They're available for $30 and there are many more prints where these came from. Email me or leave a comment for details or with questions.

Dawn Durell Totes: app. 13 in. W X 12 in. H

Michael Workman at The Bridge Academy

Hey all you painters & art lovers, Michael Workman, one of the nations most celebrated landscape painters will be sharing his career stories and artist insights with us at the Bridge Academy this Friday. All are welcome.

Friday, Dec 19th - 6 p.m.
The Bridge Academy of Art
148 w 600 s Provo

http://bridgeacademyonline.wordpress.com
www.workmanstudio.com

Bridge Academy of Art

By now everyone in the world knows about our brother from another mother, Bustin (Justin Taylor, artist extraordinaire). You can read about Bustin on our blog here, here, or here. Everyone knows Bustin is the bomb.com when it comes to painting. But did you know that Bustin had a baby? (Along with his homies Jeff Hein, Ben Mcpherson and Sean Diediker.) It's called The Bridge Academy of Art and you can read more about it in this article. Tonight they're having an opening reception for the school and you should go...cause I'm bringin' cupcakes. Here are the deets:

Bridge Academy of Art - 146 W 600 S - Provo, Ut - Open house Oct. 9 - 7:00 p.m.

Shrinky Dinks

Remember Shrinky Dinks? So cool. Katie & I made one the other day. She colored it all herself and it now hangs on her princess backpack. It clanks all the way to kindergarten everyday, and she loves it...

Sego Festival #3

Here's a rundown of the Sego Festival kick-off on Fri. Sept. 26th at 1st North & University Ave. in Provo:
(oh yeah, and admission is free)

1. Somber Party (7:00)
2. Saint Sebastian's School for Wicked Girls (8:00)
3. The John Whites (9:00)
4. Neon Trees (10:00)
5. Seve vs. Evan (11:00)


And for those who are interested in Saturday's festivities, they're at the Castle Amphitheatre at the very top (east end) of Center St. in Provo:

September 27 - Sat

Castle: 1. The Virtual Pandas (1:00) 2. Desert Noises (2:00) 3. The Queen of Nebraska (3:00) 4. The Alligators (4:00) 5. Coup de Grace (5:00) 6. Pierrot Le Fou (6:00) 7. Johan the Angel (7:00) 8. The Eden Express (8:00) 9. Mathematics et Cetera (9:00) 10. Return to Sender (10:00)


Lawn: 1. Shake & Echo (1:30) 2. The McKay Stevens Project (2:30) 3. Cory Mon and the Starlight Gospel (3:30) 4. Maple Grove (4:30) 5. Jacket Weather (5:30) 6. Quasi-Stellar Radio (6:30) 7. The Elizabethan Report (7:30) 8. Code Hero (8:30) 9. Shark Speed (9:30) 10. Chris Merritt (10:30)


Pond: 1. The Fearsome Poet Group (1:15) 2. Death and the Orange (2:15) 3. The Yaks (3:15) 4. Adam and Darcie (4:15) 5. Electron Deception (5:15) 6. Adding Machines (6:15) 7. Tiger Fire (7:15) 8. RuRu (8:15) 9. Forest World (9:15) 10. The Powerless (10:15)


Acoustic: 1. Season's Extreme (1:00) 2. James Barlow and the Such and Such (1:35) 3. Spencer Russell (2:10) 4. Laurie Blaisdell (2:45) 5. Pablo (3:20) 6. Katie Brandeburg (3:55) 7. Benton Paul (4:30) 8. The Color Gypsy (5:05) 9. Andy Livingston (5:40) 10. Spencer Kingman (6:15) 11. Jenny Guerra (6:55) 12. Boots to the Moon (7:30) 13. John White (8:05) 14. JP Haynie (8:40) 15. Scott Shephard (9:15)


Electronic/DJ: 1. DJ Soft Core (1:45) 2. Sugar Rush Kids (2:45) 3. The Crylics (3:45) 4. Marcus Wing (4:45) 5. Kashiwazaki (5:45) 6. Pleasant Pictures (6:45) 7. Hot Parents (7:45)