get well, cards

I actually have an excuse not related to being busy for my lag in blogging this past week. My dad has been recovering from surgery so I've been hangin' at Casa de Folks to help out him and mom. "Help" here meaning I'm there either as back-up or as part of various good cop/bad cop scenarios involving my mom and I keeping dad from either digging giant holes in the back yard or building and then climbing 3-story scaffolding. I can't tell you how happy I am to report that he's fine. If anything happened to my dad, my world would collapse into a pile of mush that no flowers, consoling, or therapy could repair. I need to make him start taking vitamins. So, according to him, the worst part is that he has to take it easy for a few weeks. The only time my dad utters the phrase "take it easy" is when he's singing Eagles songs.

The extended time with my parents has allowed me to participate in some of my favorite activities: making cards, eating mom's cooking, and forcing my taste in movies on my dad. He has now seen "The Shawshank Redemption" (liked it...was on heavy pain meds though so the verdict is still out), "Sneakers" (seemed somewhat indifferent...off pain meds), "Shine" (liked it but found it depressing...hmm), and "The Mosquito Coast" (just kept saying "weird" over and over...time for meds). Next up will be "Traffic" and "American Beauty". Boy is he gonna hate those! If I give him enough pills maybe I can get him to like "Rushmore", "Hedwig and the Angry Inch", and anything by David Lynch. Perhaps there's not enough Vicodin in the world.

In between care-giving and outright nagging, me and mom made cards. As per usual protocol, we also consumed stupid amounts of cheese, wine, and chocolate. I seriously have the coolest parents. Here are some pics of the fruits of our labor and dad's speedy recovery.






We have a rule, started by Mary Bresnock, who got us addicted to this crafty mayhem in the first place. The rule is that you always put a little somethin' on the envelope for the postman (or postlady). If anyone tries to finish a card without the envelope embellishment, I will stamp the following on the envelope for them "Dear dedicated postal carrier, I apologize for being a total fart".

















And here are a few of my mom's lovely creations...









And now, Stacey plays with macro lens...



The pic below, is of one of our scrap papers that protects the dining room table. Sometimes garbage is cool.



Mom's work area on the left, mine on the right. Notice how you can actually see the table on mom's side. Are you wondering about the Wet Ones? Well, sometimes we make a card so divine, we just crap for joy. Sorry, mom would totally disapprove of that joke.

Melanie & Simon!

My pal Leah had the swellest idea for a wedding gift for her dear friend Melanie. She hired me to take photos of the fun-and-family-filled party the day after Melanie and Simon were married. There were lots of folks in from the UK, and everyone shared great food, stories, and lots of hugs.

Here are just a few of the day's goings-on...


This is the gorgeous home they're renovating. It's HUGE and fabulous.



Melanie's incredible bouquet









I think this might be the remnants of the wedding cake. Those who know me will be amazed that I didn't devour a single piece, despite how YUMMY it looks. Probably because I had 2 giant pieces the night before at Steve & Kara's wedding!



How do I love thee Leah, let me count the ways....1. poses in bathtub!





A party full of funny people. Gotta love that!





The gentleman being hugged hand-crafted that terrific sign "Maison de Moon" for their home.



The lovely, newly-married couple. Congratulations you two!!!



For a slideshow of additional images from their day-after party, click HERE

Kara & Steve

When two cool people plan a cool wedding here's what happens. After I met Kara and Steve, I just had "that feeling". What I felt was that certain spark and excitement when I just click with people and know how incredible the experience of their wedding and getting to know them will be.

They started to describe the fun and relaxed day they were planning. You may be thinking, "yeah right...how can the exasperating task of pulling off a wedding be 'fun' or 'relaxed'...suuuure". Well, just ask Steve and Kara. I knew they meant it, and they did. The wedding was at one of my favorite spots to grab a famous mai tai, Trader Vic's. If you've never been, it's an insanely groovy tiki bar/lounge with Polynesian food, cocktails, and atmosphere. Attire was tropical shirts, flower leis, and big smiles. The reception band was also one of my absolute favorites, Big Mike's group Tongo Hiti (they play every Thursday eve at Trader Vic's, and they're the BEST).

Kara and Steve you are such genuine, caring people. Brides barely have time to talk, eat or breathe at their wedding, yet several times Kara asked if I'd had enough to eat/drink and if I was having a good time. What a sweetie. Oh, and the answer was a big "YES". I had a blast and can't wait to show you the oodles of images from your tropical, fun-filled night!



















Incredibly girly note: these shoes are the BOBM! Uber-tiki-awesome!



















They had a special brew just for their big day. Right on! Everyone raved about it.























The father-daughter dance gets me sappy every time!



Here I am with the gorgeous Ms. Kara. She looks so classic Hollywood glamour!







For a slideshow of additional images from their tiki-tastic wedding, click HERE