Colorado dreams

Well, forget that post a couple of days ago about Springfield being really awesome--- Colorado is REALLY REALLY REALLY awesome. I forgot. Needed to get that off my chest.

Its not that I think that Springfield sucks, or that Colorado is the best place, but it might be. Seriously--why don't I spend more time here (stupid salary job with two weeks vacation!)? Right now I am sitting on a deck overlooking the mountains with hummingbirds all around, I am wearing jeans and a long-sleved shirt, (God bless 70 degree weather in August!) I am hanging out with family---and l-o-v-i-n-g it.

Today we went white water rafting on the Arkansas close to Buena Vista. We went down all threes and three plus rapids. I guess I didn't know--but those are pretty technical. The first time I went about three years ago we went down Sunshine Rapid close to the Royal Gorge, which i guess is a class 4 rapid. We almost tanked it. I didn't know until this trip how close we were to serious danger. (And if you haven't ever heard the story--ask me sometime how my butt made an appearance to a bunch of tourist-strangers on that trip... but that's not suitable to post on the internet).

Tomorrow I am officially going to climb my first, and second, 14'er. Annie, Scott, Jeff, and I are climbing Gray's and Tourries peaks in one day. I have done a 13'er and a 12, but never 14. I hope I don't die of altitude sickness.

TO end on a not so rub-it-in-your-face note: I have only gotten to be here two and a half days. I need more. God has some stuff to do in me that I could use a little more time off to get. He's bigger than that though.

I WANT COOLER WEATHER (or at least a break from the heat)

And I get a break starting tonight! I get to head to the beautiful mountains and spend time with the lovely Houghton Clan in Frisco. As a tribute to the mountains, I will post some pics of things that make me think "wilderness" "cold" "mountains" and "vacation"---


Fabric from Repot Depot



Gift tags that seem oh-so-woodsie and modern at the same time by Kate Sutton



cute cards from pinecone and chicadee.


A very cute fall-ish necklace from glitteryblue etsy shop.


And of course--what favorite woodsy things would be complete without an owl? (of course, you're talking to me). I LOVE This little baby hilbert owl by redmag on her etsy store...

which makes me think, two of my WONDERFUL employees went out and got me COFFEE, Dark chocolate, and OWL COLORING PAGES for a stress-free present today. Gotta love people who know me well and give good gifts. God I love Espresso Malta coffee from Kaldis--and they gave me a whole bag! yes!

Ode to Springfield and cool people

Alright friends, its time to name-names and get to know each other. Last night I went to 1984, a cool downtown arcade where you can play amazing 80's video games. (I would highly suggest making your way down there if you haven't). The reason I was at 1984 on a Tuesday night was b/c a very cool Ozarkian Darren King was in town and decided to get all his friends together. Darren is the drummer for the band Mute Math (good music peeps) and is in the middle of some heavy blowin' up the indie/cool kid music scene. Recently MM has been on David Letterman, TRL, and has been at some pretty amazing music festivals such as Bonnarroo and Virgin.

Anyway, so I went downtown to say hi to my hubby and I's friend Darren and started realizing something as the night progressed: We have some pretty freakin' cool people living in Springfield. Not to name names (but to name names--ha!) I got to talking to Jaime Layne from the recently broken up band The Social, Jeff Smith who has a kick-a recording studio, Some guy named Roger who works for NPR in St Louis, Darren's amazing mom (she does intercessory prayer just like Winnie), Nate (the NEW host of the SKinny Improv--clap clap), Jeremy Larson, and several other fun peeps I am starting to get to know.

All of this rambling is to say that there were probably 40 other people in and out who do great things for Springfield and it made me proud to be from here. With all the talk of friends moving it makes you wonder if you want to stick around the place you grew up---but there is a lot going on in Springfield, a lot to be happy about. Culture is finally starting to thrive here, and I feel lucky to know and continue to meet many of the people who make that happen.

Shout outs to other Ozarkians I know well who make this such a great place to be: Jeff J., the Swinks, the Dockerys, Kesha and Charlie, Mary Helen and Dave, the Infamous Todd Williams, Nora Cox, the Todds, The Kitchens, Skinny Improv awesome people, Leah Hamilton, and all the many students I know through KLASS.

Favorite Springfield places (I'll throw this in b/c its on the topic): Greenways trails, Mudhouse and Mudlounge, Electric Newsstand, Marshalls, Target, Discovery Center, Galloway Station, the Nature Center, Phelps Grove Park, Imos pizza, Tea Bar and bites, MSU, Drury, Evangel, the Moxie, South Ave. Pizza, and Andys.

Ouch!

Been watching lots and lots of HBO lately... mostly Flight of the Conchords b/c they are a-m-a-z-i-n-g. I mean, have you HEARD "Its Business Time?" Please if you haven't go look that song up on YouTube... you won't be able to get it out of your head, and that's a good thing.
So all that fun inspiration of getting my tattoo to look better landed me at Hearts of Fire, a downtown tattoo shop on McDaniel street. Met the guy who owns it, Ethan, and had a GREAT (leaps and bounds better) experience getting the owl touched up. It looks great now, I'm super excited. It even seemed like it didn't hurt as badly... maybe it has something to do with the two benadryl I took earlier in the day after finding out I had to spend 5 hours in a house with two giant roaming-around-my-feet cats. (I am soooo allergic).

In sewing news I made another bag tonight that is pretty cute. Its similar to the "good conversation bag" I made around three weeks ago. No pics yet b/c Jeff has the camera in Colorado.

which by the way I am headed to Colorado on Thursday. I am so excited... going to climb a 14'er and go rafting. I use to be more of an outdoor girl spending my summers in the beautiful mountains, but since I got a full time job and such I can't really head out to the mountains every time i want... this will do. I'm excited.


-Mitch

New hair!

Okay, so the cat is out of the bag... i have changed my hair color... drastically. I didn't tell anyone b/c I was excited to run into people and them not recognize me, or even better, they'd freak out. But if you read this blog you have a leg up on the others. Its like you have your own special prize for being a good friend and giving a crap about what I am making and what I spend my time on.

So I actually had a lot of fun Saturday morning at the salon. Sorta suprising b/c I got there at 9am on a Saturday, but there are several girls who work with my hair stylist (at Image One Salon) that are all around my age and are pretty cool. One of the girls, Emily, has a pretty amazing group of sleeve tattoos up her left arm that made me motivated to get my owl tattoo touched up some. I think I'll change my tattoo artist (the guy I went to at Miller Cotton was sorta a jerk). I have one person in mind, but if you know of any artists worth going to let me know.

Lets see--what else about my weekend???? Joe and Jannah have decided they're probably moving. To Virginia. ITS SO SAD. They are Jeff and I's closest couple friends and now they'll be moving. Who will I spend time with on Friday and Saturday nights when Jeff has his shows? Oh sadness, I can't even type about it anymore.

K, well, enjoy the pics. These are things I spent yesterday and Thursday night making while hanging out with Jannah. (sniffle, sniffle).

-Mitch

OH YEAH--and the only way i know if you stop by is if you leave a comment, so tell me what you think about the new hair, the new items, whatev.

Red Cauliflower Wristlet


Guy's size L Owl and Branch Shirt


Size Small Grey Owl on Branch Shirt



Size Large White Pink Deer Shirt


Weekend Sunshine Purse

Cider Days!

I got a response back from the Cider Days jury and I got into Cider Days (An Arts and Crafts Fest in Springfield September 15 and 16) to have my own booth! I'm uber excited... means I better get to work, huh?

heat wave work

Today it is HOT outside. Crazy Hot. 97 degrees hot... and tomorrow is supposed to be worse. Thank god for air conditioning, right? How did our grandparents do it? geeze.

So after the show this past weekend I have been inspired to make more applique shirts and bags, b/c that is what sold the most. (plus i need to re-plenish!) So I went to target, bought about 6 girls and guys shirts in different sizes, and have been going to town with that and some decorator remnant fabric I found the other day.

Life has been about much more than sewing recently though. As you know, last weekend was super busy, and these next couple weeks are shaping up to be more of the same. Next week is one of my employee's last weeks at work, and I have to (get to) transition her replacement in starting the 20th. Also that same week I have new interns starting, and the following week I go down to 30 hours at Burrell and start grad classes at Evangel. I have been actually pretty stressed with all the changes coming up: haven't been sleeping well, and I have knots the size of Texas in my neck and shoulders. Advil is my friend. Winnie is coming home for a couple of weeks too starting the 20th... oh yeah, and somewhere in all that I am heading to Colorado for three days to be with the Houghtons on vacation.

So, sewing more items has been getting me through. Its so relaxing for me, and such a reward. Honestly, I want each and every item I made this week... maybe if they don't sell soon I will keep one of them (or all!) We'll see after I put them on the store.

mucho love,
Mitch

new things..

I have new things to add to the store tomorrow. I am excited :-)

Sword Fighting with Yakov

Yep, my husband officially is part of the Yakov Smirnoff show in Branson, MO. Today was his debut... I was very impressed by the show, actually. Yakov is a very funny guy, it was well produced, and my hubby being in all the sketches, dancing, and sword fighting with Yakov gave me the giggles.

First Friday = SUCCESS!

So last night Tessa and I hit the street to sell our handmade items. It was a blast! I met so many fabulous people, talked to a lot of friends, and sold a pretty fair amount of my work! It was very exciting to be a part of the growing art community downtown.

Because of our experience, Tessa and I plan on continuing our set up in front of Gailey's each art walk. Hopefully we'll continue to do well and get the handmade option out there for fashion in the Ozarks.



In other news, tonight's Mystery Hour is going to kick some major A$@! I am super pumped... he is going to have a new intro video done by the fabulous Nate Black, and some hillarious comedy bits to share. (And I get to wear my fabulous new Tessa Huckaba shirt I bought off her last night. sweet action.)

Well, enjoy the pics, stop by the store for new updates and merch.

love,
Mitch

Tonight's show

So, the show of my work is tonight. I'm getting pretty excited. I took off work this afternoon and tried my hand at men's polos and applique. I think it looks pretty good... (although i cant seem to post them on here upright so you'll have to go to my flickr site to see them). I also have two pillows I made this week and one apron. Thought I'd show them off in case they fly the coop tonight. More updates manana.

-Mitch

Green, Thick, Grass

So it seems as though I am the mowing "B@#%!" this summer. I got the brilliant idea in early May to "fertilize" the lawn (before learning its BAD for the environment, for real) which ended up turning our lawn into a constant headache for the rest of the summer. Mind you, its gorgeous (and weed-filled, but oh-well), but we have to mow it every week, like clockwork. And the grass clippings! I could go on for a long time about that chore.

Do many of the readers know that I am into "gardening" except we don't really have a garden, yet? I really really really like flowers. a lot. I like plants and flowers and anything I can watch grow. I get really stressed out when a plant isn't doing well. So recently I have been working on this flower bed in the front of the house (should I keep going, or are you bored now?) and its looking a lot better these days. Lots of yellow and pink and purple. sigh.

In other news I have officially put up the posters downtown. I'm not sure that posters actually do anything, but it was sorta neat to do it. More than anything the word for the "show" (Titled: A Little Bazaar") has been spread mostly through facebook, god love it. I've been suprised by how many people say they're gonna stop by and check out the merch.

I have priced approx. 17 items for the show. Of course I don't think I'll get a smidge close to selling that much, but I read in Adorn Magazine that you should bring everything to see what sells the best. And yes, I am taking everything from the ETSY store off for just that afternoon/evening, then putting the remainder of what doesn't sell back on the site.

Well, sorry no pictures today folks. I have new items I made but haven't had daylight time (thanks to the DARN GRASS!) to take pics of them.

have a great day!
-Mitch