Wedding Pics: The Nicky and Cricky Show!

Our friend and photog pro Gary Kalpakoff was our photographer and he did a fantastic job--thank you, Gary!

Pics from Celeste & Nicholas' wedding this Saturday; we wanted to share just a few with you, our friends and family who mean so much to us.

First to set the scene...the wedding was held at the XBarH Lodge at Red Rock Retreat here in the high desert of southern Utah near the Grand Canyon. The pine lodge is 10,000 square foot in a gorgeous setting (yes, it really did snow--good thing we didn't get married outside as we were originally planning). Michele and JC, the lodge caretakers, were absolutely perfect. They were so helpful yet inobtrusive and really, really made us, our out of town family guests and all FOUR dogs present feel very welcome (Nicky and I and our families all stayed at the lodge before and after the wedding). Here's a view out of some of the windows in the huge upstairs loft:



My mom, Melena, who drove down from Idaho with her partner Mike, helped me get ready:



The guests were seated both below us and above us, the ceremony was held in the stairwell so everyone could see (this was just one, small part of the gigantic lodge):



I made both mine and our minister Lenny's scarves/wraps (Nicky and his team of pros did everything else!):



We held it together pretty well during the Mark Twain quotes...then our talented and fun musician friend, Victor Gutschalk, who had been playing the ukelele before the ceremony, broke out his classical guitar to sing & play The Wedding Song (There Is Love) by Peter, Paul & Mary:



Nicky started crying first, and that got me all teared up...then we started laughing at ourselves through our tears...we were a mess! Our minister Lenny handed me his kerchief to use:


Our friend Joy Moffat took this photo from the balcony!

Then I passed it on to Nicky:



Then all bets were off during Lenny's recitation of the "What is real?" passage from The Velveteen Rabbit...even Lenny (and most of the audience) lost it and Nicky had to hand him back the handkerchief!


Our friend Joy Moffat took this photo from the balcony!

Go ahead, I dare you...just try to read the passage out loud without tearing up (click on image below to view text):



After the ceremony, we got to hug and thank all our beloved guests, then we headed downstairs to enjoy the delicious, vegetarian spread that Nicky and his team of helpers made ready for us:



And then of course, we enjoyed some of the wonderfully delicious wedding cake that Nicky's cousins Jolene & Jim brought all the way from Colorado (Jolene is a professional cake maker and it shows--each tier was a different flavor and the top two were vegan!):



People keep asking us if we feel any different now that we're married. The fact that the answer is "Yes, we do!" was a surprise even to us (we've been together for over three years and own a home together)! It feels GREAT to be husband and wife and we feel even closer than before, if that's possible. ;)

You may be able to see more photos here and here. Thank you, everyone, for your well wishes, support and simply for being part of our lives. We truly cherish our peeps.

I Organized My Yarn Stash!

Cleaning up my yarn collection was an all day project! Yes, with the wedding just a week and a half away, the push is on to get my scarf and Fringie photo prop studio pretty enough to wow out of town relatives. ;)

I worked all day today and I'm pleased with the results! I now have at least one of every yarn I own in ONE ROOM (and some backstock organized in cupboards in another room by color)!

Below are pictures, one wall at a time, of my newly beautified workspace.

As you enter the room and turn to your left, you'll see my neutrals, one of a kind smooth yarns and samples of each multicolor, textured yarn:



Next we see a huge shelf loaded with backstock of smooth yarns (this is where I pull out up to 34 yarns at a time to make fringe tassels, Fringe-O-Rama Scarves or Fringies). To the left are some of the flowers I use for my U Pick 'Em flowered boas. Below the shelf are some backstock and ribbon yarns:



Here we see my not-so-organized desk aka "packaging station." It, uh, didn't get organized today. Martian Manhunter can be seen in the upper left, casting a friendly and watchful eye over the process (we christened the cricket "Legs," he's the mascot from Mulan & was a birthday present from Nicky):



Lastly, yet more backstock, more ribbon yarns, the matrix/ladder yarns I use to make my See Through Lightweights line of scarves, "kits" of yarn I use for Fringies and Fringe-O-Ramas and...drumroll, please...finished product (scarves)!! Here we are:



Hope you enjoyed the little tour...yes, it may look like mess, mess and more mess. Still, it's all set up in a way that makes sense to me and will allow me to work more quickly and efficiently!

Family Pictures from Montana: My Homestate!

My brother Marcus just sent me these pics of my niece Sage and nephew Luke. I miss them so (they live in Stevensville, close to Lolo and Missoula, Montana where we grew up).

The horses shown are their rescued horses (Cory is the redder mother and the more brown horse is her daughter). That's quite a story...the two had been separated when their original owner gave them up, then reunited when Hope (my sister in law) and Marcus adopted them from two separate sources. Sweet, huh? You can see the obvious bond between Sage and her equine family members. Hope practices natural horsemanship with the horses and it's evident that they sense that they are a valued, respected part of family life.

Thistle (their beautiful dog in the picture below) was adopted from a local shelter, already grown up, housetrained, great with kids and the other animals--what a great find she is! :)

These pictures are a bit of a time warp...Sage looks tons like me and Luke is the spitting image of my younger brother (Marcus). If you'd told me that you'd just found these photos in a drawer somewhere of my brother and I, I would have believed you!

Care & Use of Your Fringie Professional Photography Portrait Prop

By Celeste (Crickets), Designer & Creator of Fringies Professional Photography Portrait Props

NOTE: Please click HERE to learn more about the double size Super Fringie (twice as large as the Fringies shown in this post, the Super expands to an oval about the same size as a sheepskin)

Thank you for choosing Fringies for your portrait photography business! Below are some great ways to get the most use out of your new photography prop.

Your Fringie will arrive folded and possibly a bit compressed from its journey. Remove it from its packaging, carefully unfold and gently shake, fluff and finger-comb, combing with the fingers of one hand while (optional) stabilizing the center seam with the other (it’s kind of like caring for a very colorful wig)!

Spreading your Fringie out into an oval shape allows for maximum coverage, giving two feet of additional length (one foot of fringe will extend past each end of the center seam). This technique is especially helpful to create a “halo” of color all around a newborn baby. Lay the Fringie down in its rectangular shape:



Then spread out either side of fringe like a fan into a semi-circle, so that it will create an oval. Here’s a picture that shows the seam and how the yarn is arranged:



It’s helpful to pat and jiggle the thick yarn at the center of the “fans” to spread it out toward the ends, and to finger-comb the yarns into place, combing with the fingers of one hand while stabilizing the center seam with the other. It doesn’t have to be perfect! Typically, the baby’s spine will lie along the (comfortable) center seam. Here’s an example from award-winning photographer Wende Trew of A Timeless Image of my Rainbow Fringie:



Another option is to use a basket in conjunction with a Fringie (TIP: TJMaxx can be a great source for prop baskets at a value price; I hear from my photographer customers that if the basket seems too small in the store, it's probably just right for newborns). Smaller baskets can be lined completely with the Fringie, like this image of the Bohemian Fringie by photo pro DeeDee DiMarco:



First, drape the Fringie over the front side of the basket like a towel hanging to dry (with the center seam parallel to the lip of the basket). Then, bring some fringe to the back, inner wall of the basket, as shown above.
For larger or deeper baskets, fill the bottom with folded towels or blankets to bring the baby and the Fringie into better view, as in the image below of my Rainbow Fringie, also by Wende Trew (the cute hat was knit by Allison of Pinch Knits):



Here's another example of a basket filled with towels with my Reversible Candy Shoppe Fringie on top...thanks for the photo, Suzanne Ivey of Ivey's Photography:



Or for maximum fringe showing outside the basket, bring both sides of fringe to the front, with the seam running from the inside lip of the basket toward the bottom of the basket (perpendicular to the floor), as in this photo by Tonia Kinch of Delicate Impressions Photography. This is a standard sized Candy Shoppe Fringie, yet it looks huge:



Here's one more from Tonia of the same Fringie, different baby, different pose (get the matching hat here):



I like how Kristina of Visual Empathy doubled my Bohemian Fringie slightly off-center for a full, "layered" effect, then brought all the ends to the front of the basket:



The Fringie can also be used as a newborn nest, as in this image by Leslie Cowger of LC Photography of the Rainbow Fringie:



or this shallow basket nest by rising star Amanda Cutler of Pumpkin Pie Photography with my Bohemian Fringie:



Here's another nest from Tracy Joy Photography, made with my Oatmeal Fringie:



Check out this pioneering idea from Heavenesque (my Oatmeal Fringie used as a blanket wrap!):



Here are a couple of other ideas for the Bohemian Fringie from Laura Bailey Photography:





To store your Fringie away from dust or pet dander, either drape it over a pants hanger and hang in a closet, or carefully fold and store on a covered shelf or in plastic.

Fringies are stain and wear resistant. For occasional spot cleaning, hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Do not wring (gentle squeezing is okay, please do not twist). Dry flat (or blow dry on cool setting).

For more photos or to contact me with questions, please visit my online boutique. Thank you again for your support, I'll end with a little photo gallery from some of my professional photographer customers who have been kind enough to send me pics from their photo sessions with my Fringies:

I love these photos of my Oatmeal Fringie from Neta Herron Photography and how she's put a snuggly blanket underneath as a backdrop for Fringie and Baby:





Here's a fun photo from Brianne Elizabeth Photography of her daughter Raelyn modeling my Reversible Candy Shoppe Fringie (Raelyn is 16 months in the picture and there's just room for the Fringie to drape over the front of the larger basket--it still looks great)!



And another from Brianne, same Fringie, this time with a tiny newborn:



Lastly Brianne shows a Reversible Candy Shoppe Fringie with the more masculine side up:



I love this fantastic shot from Dawn Simmons of Lasting Treasures Photography of my Bohemian Fringie...little Bella weighs only five pounds!:



Here's a beauty from Nicole Pellegrino of Snips & Snails Photography of my Rainbow Fringie:



And just in from Christina Traster of Snickerdoodles Photography of my Bohemian Fringie:



These two photos of my NEON Rainbow Fringie from Abbi Garling of Your Memories Photography are so different, I cherish them both:




Here's a great pic of the super-expressive Brayden, son of Leslie Cowger of LC Photography of the Rainbow Fringie:






NOTE: Please click HERE to learn more about the double size Super Fringie (twice as large as the Fringies shown in this post, the Super expands to an oval about the same size as a sheepskin)

Please continue to check back for more fun photos; I'm adding all the time as my wonderful photog pro customers send them to me (thank you, thank you, you are truly cherished)! :)

Hey Peeps: Thanks for the Props!

Almost every week, some generous soul takes care and time to promote my handmade scarf and photo prop boutique in their blog or website.

This week, I'm especially thankful to learn that three outstanding folks will be sharing Crickets Creations with the world (in no particular order):

Connie has listed me as a sponsor of her Dirty Footprints Studio Talk Show. She writes:

"As the Artist and writer behind the blog Dirty Footprints Studio, I love to support and be inspired by other Artists and Creative Souls. Dirty Footprints Studio Talk is an opportunity to speak with these individuals and share their personal journey of creativity and Art with others!"

This week's program features Jennifer from Gallery Girl and Corrine from JafaBrit's Art. Find out more and listen in on the show's blog

As if that weren't enough, Tracy, Gina & Susanne of PropInsanity are listing me as a vendor on their high-traffic site (already 500+ readers and they just launched)!
Many thanks for their high-power marketing skills, impeccable organization and great communication to go with their fantastic, positive attitudes! Just click on "OUR VENDORS!" in a day or so to see the button/banner they created for me and other fantastic creators of photo shoot props for professional photographers.

And what a wonderful, beautiful new friend I have found in Tanya McGill.

Her art is female acting, singing and voice-over talent--wow! And she's one of my most enthusiastic scarf customers...she's even going to put a link to my online boutique on her website--thanks, T!

See how lucky I am to know such amazing people?? Thank you to all of you ladies and to everyone else who has supported me along the way. *HUGS*

Nicholas & Celeste's Wedding Details!

Whether you'll be joining us in spirit or in person, we hope you'll be part of our big day! Here's the invitation that Nicky made up for us (he's so good!):



And here's a link to the XBarH lodge where the wedding will be...awesome place and the caretakers Michele and J.C. are super nice!

Red Rock Retreat

A Personal Post: News Sandwich, Anyone?

You know how in the business world, management is supposed to deliver a "compliment sandwich" where they first say something nice, then something not-so-nice, then finish up with a compliment or kudo? Well, 2008 has been a "news sandwich" for our family, with the sad news alternating with the happy news.

Each time something major would happen, I've wanted to blog about it...and before I got to it, something else major would happen! So, finally, here it is, all in a nutshell (a copy and paste of our Holiday Letter to friends & family)...and for those of you wondering who Nicholas (Nicky) is, he's my sweetie, my muse & inspiration and the very reason I had the confidence and support to start this whole, crazy scarf designing business in the first place! Our letter to you all...

Happy Holidays from the Heart of Canyon Country!

So much has happened this year, we hardly know where to begin! Biggest news first: Nicholas proposed to Celeste at a formal dinner in Salt Lake City in front of about 60 new and old friends…her answer was a resounding, “YES!” We finished out the evening by being quite possibly the happiest couple in a crowd of 21,000 at the annual Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. A night to remember for a lifetime…we’ll keep you posted on an exact date, we’re looking at next Spring, 2009. Thank you all for your support and well wishes these past 3 years; we’re looking forward to many, many more.

As if a crowd-grabbing proposal weren’t enough, Celeste is basking in a bit of public glory with her booming scarf business: Vegetarian Times, a national magazine, pictured one of her designs on page 62 of the January 2009 issue (it's #2 on the Hot Picks list next to a blurb about the Vegan Etsy team that Celeste belongs to). If you get a chance, pick up a copy at your local newsstand! In fact, business with her online scarf boutique is so bustling, that when she was laid off in November, she was actually relieved because it gave her time to fill all those scarf orders! She hopes to continue concentrating fulltime on designing & selling her scarves.



We’ve been blessed to be able to visit with so much family this year, including both of our dads and stepmoms, Nicholas’ beautiful daughter Hannah who is growing up so fast & Celeste’s mom & her sweetie Mike. We’ve enjoyed keeping in touch with Nicholas’ mom who moved to the big city of Seattle late last year, and look forward to seeing her real soon….maybe at a certain someone’s upcoming wedding here in Utah. ;)

Especially important, we are glad to have had the joy and honor of visiting both Celeste & Nicholas’ grandmas shortly before they each passed away. Although we miss these two, spunky farm girls and their love of life and sense of fun, it does give us some comfort to know that they’re in a better place & that they each left behind large families to carry on their legacy of love & integrity.

We said goodbye to two amazing ladies who were the heart of their families in the span of a month’s time…followed by losing our beloved dog, Cosmo, unexpectedly last week. Cosmo was with Nicholas, every day, through thick & thin, for a decade and our home is not the same without him. Again, our hearts are breaking at losing someone so special, while at the same time we are glad he didn’t suffer and that the tumor that was growing unbeknownst to us didn’t slow him down or effect his quality of life until his last day—he even played in the snow with our other dog, Cinema, and ate with gusto the evening beforehand. Like Celeste says, “Cosmo had 15 years of good days, and one bad day…. Well, maybe the day he got neutered wasn’t so hot, but other than that…”



That’s our year in a nutshell—the happiness and the tears. Next year we will be reporting about the fun we all shared at our wedding!

Love,
Nicholas & Celeste