This WONDERfilled Life...

Wow, week 4! I can't believe I've made it thru the first month of my challenge! This week I was so productive in and out of the craft studio! I had three rehearsals and two concerts this week with the New Philharmonic.  We offered the Verdi classic, "La Traviata".  We have one more show today at 3pm and if you are in the area I HIGHLY suggest checking it out.  The singers are ah-mazing...and I don't say that lightly.  I just wish I could see something from my spot in the pit! HA! I made several things this week but I'll have to wait to share a few since they are off in the mail as birthday gifts.  I can't wait to show you them though because they are so easy I had my four year old help and the end product is pretty luxurious ;) What I can show you is the new top I made.  This is the Mama Claire from Made for Mermaids . I made my first earlier last fall when we were getting ready to see Bruno Mars in his 24K Magic tour. The Mama Claire is a two way do

In the crafting/sewing world there are UnFinished Objects (UFO's).  I have lot's of those...in fact that is the reason I started this challenge.  With older age comes the want for simplicity. And with simplicity comes purging...and purging comes finally finishing the unfinished.  A recent online challenge I participated in referred to this process as "closing loops". We feel better about ourselves when we complete something. I have a few UFO's laying around...but I have more UnStarted Ideas (USI's).  These are usually concepts for things we need that I just haven'g gotten around to researching.  You know, we NEED a curtain in our bathroom to block the bright afternoon sun.  I could buy one...but what's the fun in that? I know I want to make one but I don't want to just make a regular curtain I want to make one with hidden tabs and a vent for the bathroom steam. These kinds of ideas end up taking quite a bit of time (and brain power)...somet

Did you hear? I am giving a recital! I think it's been over 10 years since I gave a recital. This program is really exciting to me because I am collaborating with Chicago Organist, Joe Burgio, to give an all horn and organ recital. I have wanted to do this recital since I first heard Baumann's Horn and organ CD back in my undergrad days. The CD is now out of print but can be yours for the low price of about $200! Joe and I have been researching pieces and have found so many we hope this will be the first of many horn and organ offerings! Preparing this week got me thinking about technology and how much things have changed since I gave my last recital. Technology has changed the face of not just everyday life but how musicians prepare and perform all over the world. I wrote the below blog post as part of a larger blog offering by the Über Horn Quartet in early 2016. I thought I'd share it with you now since I am utilizing all of these apps and devices as I prepare

Week 2 I finished this cute vest for Bubba early this week.  I had started it over Christmas break and hoped to have it finished by New Years so myself and the kiddos could match for the holiday. That obviously didn't happen but I am happy that all three pieces are done now.  I hope to get some pictures of us all together at some point.  I'd make the Hubs one but he only wear black so...  This vest is actually the same pattern as the take home outfit I made for Bubba's arrival and his Christmas PJ's this year.  It is all part of Stitch Upon a Time's Muse Playsuit .  I had I wanted to make something to coordinate with P and me but I didn't want to make a full fledged sleeper/romper again.  Then I noticed the pattern came with a sleeveless option and I thought, BINGO! Overall it turned out great.  This is the third time I have made this pattern and I think I learn something each time.  I'm always a little to close to my projects and that's where thi

Happy New Year! I have so many "drafted" blog posts, but I never hit post because I am a perfectionist...and I have TWO kids now so time is a very precious commodity.  Having said that, I love to write and I love to share what I am creating.  I did a lot of creating over the holiday break (the big kid has been off for four weeks!) and I enjoyed myself so much I thought I might *try* and challenge myself in two ways, 1) create something, anything, every week, 2) blog about it, share links, write a tutorial, whatever time will allow.  Speaking of time I am only allowing myself to write Sunday mornings and whatever comes to the page is what you'll get (I still have to feed and keep two kids under 4 happy and work a full time freelance horn career). I am hopeful this self inflicted, eh, imposed, challenge will force me to be better about putting stuff out there without all the time and worry over every little detail and possible punctuation errors.  I know it will help me fee