Wedding Dress

So, when I got married, it only took one trip to a bridal shop to realize that I wouldn't be happy with any dress I would find. So, I decided to design my own and found an excellent seamstress to make my vision a reality. The goal was to design something simple, elegant, unique, and modest enough to wear in the temple without having to use any extra coverings. It was my first attempt at textile design. I have designed a few other things but don't have the sewing skills to bring them to fruition. I plan to learn pattern design so that I can start making the things I design. These are the design drawings I made to give to the seamstress and some wedding photos of the actual dress. It is made of white velvet.

Holy cow! Listen to this kid!

Holy Cow! I found a video of a 7 year old playing Fantasy Improptu. You can see it too HERE.

Piano

So, for the last little while I've been learning two songs on piano that I really enjoy. The first is Fantansy Impromptu by Chopin. We have it on one of our classical CDs and I immediately fell in love with it. So, I hunted down the music and learned it. It is now one of my favorite pieces to sit down and play. You can hear it HERE.
where it is played by Yundi Li. He is a wonderful technician. I don't think I will ever develop good technique on the piano. I have too many bad habits. But, I'm just happy to sit down and play through songs in order to relax. This has become one of my all time favorites.

The second song that I have really been enjoying is Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. It is an incredible song. I first heard it when I watched Fantasia 2000 several years ago. It too was a song that I instantly fell in love with. And, let me tell you, it is equally fun to play. It has become a family favorite and my boys and husband will request it and dance around to it which makes for a great night of family fun. Being that it is 30+ pages long, I still have a few parts to hammer out, but for the most part, I can now play through the whole thing (though many parts not as fast as or as beautifully as Richard Glazier plays them on this video). Here is a link to hear it if you are interested:
See Part one HERE.
See Part two HERE.
Again, I will never be able to play it with such impeccable technique, but I love it nonetheless. The story behind the song is pretty amazing too after you hear the song and realize how amazing it is in and of itself. Gershwin was asked to compose a piece for a symphonic Jazz Concert. but, being that he was still putting the final touches on the score of "Sweet Little Devil", Gershwin forgot all about composing a song for the Jazz Concert until he noticed a write-up in the New York Herald-Tribune that he, Gershwin, was busy on a symphony for the concert. So, he quickly got work and composed Rhapsody in Blue in 3 weeks! Anyone who has composed music recognizes that as a simply incredible accomplishment. So, as you listen, enjoy the genius of George Gershwin.

I hope you guys enjoy these two pieces as much as I do.

That's it for today

That's it for today. Hope you enjoyed my old house as much as I did. Sianara for now. (Did I spell that right?)

Nursery After

Note my crib bedding and roller blinds I made, the wall hanging I made that retrofits as a window covering for the octagonal window, the great kolaskis 3D wall hanging my sister found for us, and the awesome mobile my mom got for us! Also, don't you love my 1878 glider I found for a steal bargain at a local antique shop!?

Nusery Before

Master bedroom after

Note, the bedding I made for us and my candle shelf. :)

Master bedroom before

Sorry, this is the only picture I have of this room. Note the ugly walls and wall paper. This was the only closet for my husband and I to share! I cut a hole in the opposing wall and created a walk-in closet for myself and rearranged this closet to use the space more efficiently (semi-walk-in).

Guest bedroom after

Guest room before

Upstairs bathroom after

Upstairs bathroom before

Basement after