An educational NIGHT OUT...

What a lucky man that Brent Severe is...he got to hang out with columnist Jeffrey Zaslow for the Wall Street Journal and co-author of the International bestseller,
the Last Lecture and take him to the schools in the district yesterday and then to this awesome dinner and lecture. Picture shown is Randy & Jeffrey...not Brent.

This was sponsered by the Davis Reads and the Davis Education Foundation.I just blogged about the book last week, so it was a special treat to attend this lecture
My husband and I met neat new friends during dinner and many of the shops School district customers.
I also had the weirdest dream...I dreamed I got hired on at the School District in an office which when I went into the room it just didnt do it for me...so I was throwing everything out of the cupboards, drawers, file cabinets, moving the furniture around in the room and decorating it up like a boutique...can you imagine ME being a secretary???
Anyway...Randy Pausch had some memorable thoughts and wisdom that would be good for any of us to incorporate into our lives. One was encouraging patience with others. "Wait long enough, and people will surprise and impress you!"

Thanks for and inspirational NIGHT OUT!

Jayna's giving us SPRING FEVER...

I say...NO ONE does it better...and that's Jayna's unique altered art neclaces and this is why! This is her FIRST little ALTERED ART bird house neclace... with more to come, each you know will be their own unique masterpiece.
Don't you just love the dried daisies pressed in the stained glass neclaces too.
I still love it when she walks in the door with her art neclaces...we still giggle at the funny things and have our breath taken away by the ones loaded with pretty ornamentations. Jayna restocks her work 2-3 times a week, so there is always new work to enjoy and "gift" those you love.
That's why I say...No One really does it any better!

The sun is shining again...TIME TO get out and SHOP

We are excited to show you our new Bronze Black & Red ROSES handbags,in attractive styles! You'll wear them well. Also a new line of handmade pins or clips for your hair, clothes or something you create... will enjoy wearing these pretties.

For our Humanitarian giving we have stained glass hearts all handmade in colors that will adorn your home well...all proceeds go to Humanitarian. We still have our Think pink pins for humanitarian too, this will buy food and shoes for orphans. Thanks for all your support this month in our efforts to raise money for the Mayan villages.

Jayna's NEW altered art Neclaces...Hippie, Initials & Marie

You will love her new style of art...gatherings of crystals, initials, peace love signs and the trend setter in her day... Marie Antoinette!
P.s. we will have a new selection of vintage jewelry in on Tuesday!

The Last Lecture...Randy Pausch

Just Love this book...What's ironic is that I was planning on blogging this book today as Husband and I finished reading it this week, enjoyed it immensly and wanted to share some of our thoughts. In the Standard Examiner newspaper today there is a big article on the book as Randy's friend who co-authored this book is speaking at the Davis conference Center this coming Thursday. Tickets available at Smith's tix.

Randy was a professor,highly intelligent engineer & energetic about life and was dying of Pancreatic Cancer which there is no cure, he was a young man of 47 with a small family...of course he doesn't want to leave them. He is determined to write a book so that his young children will know him.

It's not a book about dying, it's about living, the book was barely finished before he passed away. He got emails about his book making them realizing that life is short,START LIVING IF YOUR NOT. On the comical side he was a home wrecker...leaving a rotten spouse they would email. He talks about his neat childhood, lessons learned there, fun things they did as a family.

Brent Severe, assistant director of the Davis education foundation,whom I love when he comes into our shop and I much admire for HIS enthusiasm for living life, he says they chose this book as it was a good tie-in with what they were doing as a school district because it dealt with life transitions and to overcome your obstacles.

Randy puts a positive spin and is extrememly motivating. His short stories are inspiring and what I always love is the sense of humor he faces about our so called "brick walls" in life and to teach us and our children how to get past them, after all, they are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough.
His co-author wants others to get to know this funny, flawed and fascinating man. Besides he loves Disneyworld, he worked there after much persistance...my favorite place...so instant connection there!
I recommend reading this book...its only 200 pages, he looked at the light side of dying, not having to go to the dentist etc! If you are familiar with his story feel free to comment and tell us how his life and death has put some value to your life...
Now...if I can only conquer reading the Count of Monte Cristo!

1896 Just a Bed of Roses as a Telephone Office

The nicest man came into the shop and brought me this picture of the shop in 1896 as a Telephone Office...SO cool! I was so thrilled I may have to get a neclace done up with it...maybe a 1896 and a 2009 side! How fun. Now i need to get the nice mans name again.
We are having "SNOWY DAY" sales going on at JUST A BED OF ROSES over the next two weeks...just check in and see what's on sale that day there should be MULTIPLE items and be sure to check the 1/2 price drawers.
Always something new arriving, yesterday I brought in some vintage glass pieces,tea dyed linens & florals, we have some pretty pink paper rose garlands and new jewelry designs and purses coming any day now. Jayna brought in the coolest jewelry too, we will be showing her jewerly more often on this blog.
Nows a great time to dig out those old pictures and have a handcrafted neclace made by Jayna.

Just because someone doesn't LOVE YOU the way you want them to LOVE YOU

Just because someone doesnt love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have....Here is a LOVE STORY of Ralph and Edna:

Ralph and Edna were Both patients in a mental hospital. One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Ralph suddenly jumped into the deep end.

He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there.

Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled him out. When the head nurse director Became aware of Edna's heroic act she immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as she now considered her to be mentally stable.

When she went to tell Edna the news she said, "Edna, I have GOOD new and BAD news. The GOOD new is your're being discharged, since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis by jumping in and savethe life of the person you love. I have concluded that your act displays sound mindedness.

The BAD news is, Ralph hung himself in the bathroom with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him. I am so sorry, but he's dead.

Edna repliled, "He didn't hang himself, I put him there to dry. How soon can I go home?

Happy day after Valentines Day, see you tomorrow, the shop will be opened on Presidents Day from noon till 4:00 We may be closed on Tuesday check back here and we will announce if the storm will affect our day or not.

WE ARE OPEN TODAY...though snowy

YES we are open today even though very snowy, we want to make sure you get your loved ones taken care of properly and a lovely gift from JUST A BED OF ROSES is so perfect. Snow is pretty and fun to be out in anyway...just take it slow and Lisa is there to help you and will wrap your gift up complimentary for you. Happy Valentines to all our wonderful customers, we LOVE YOU!

CHANGE YOUR LIFE...NOW!

A big HELLO...Just a bed of roses customers. My name is Debi Reynolds (no, not THAT Debbie!) and I want you to know that LIFE IS GOOD! If you listen to the news or read the papers, you know there is a scary recession, many job layoffs and economic ruin on our doorsteps. Well, not for me and don't you believe it either. My husband and I are debt-free and secure. You can be too by following some simple steps with FOCUSED DETERMINATION.

Let me start at the beginning.

In 2002 we were bopping around like everyone else..2 kids still at home in college and high school, oldest daughter married, had DEBT AND MARRIAGE CONFLICTS BECAUSE OF MONEY. A friend turned us on to the Dave Ramsey show, a radio show about finances. Dave's "live totally debt-free" message really hit home with us. We listened to his show, read his books and, for the first time in 26 years of marriage, started working together with our money It took us two years of INTENSITY AND PERSISTENCE, but we became totally debt-free, INCLUDING OUR HOUSE!
In those two years, with an annual income of 70,000 we had paid off 40,000 in debt, saved a $15,000 emergency fund and added $17,000 to our retirement savings. We cut WAY back and MADE IT HAPPEN...no excuses, no op-outs...and what a difference this made in our marriage!

Since that time, my husband and I have become co-ordinators of DAVE RAMSEYS FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY classes...a 13 week course that "empowers and gives hope to everyone from the financially distressed to the financially secure." We are co-ordinating our 10th class right now. People ask us all the time why we do this, since we volunteer our time and make no money from the class or sale of supplies. Sometimes we ask ourselves that same question, but when we see our students CATCH THE VISION and HAVE HOPE for their future, we KNOW why this is such a PASSION for us.

For more information check out www.daveramsey.com. You can also listen to his radio show 570 a.m. 7-10 p.m. mon-friday. Financial Peace revisited and total money makeover are available at bookstores and libraries. You may also email me at randalldebi@msn.com Thanks to Mike Geilman, Principal of Country View Elementary who provides the building for a comfortable class..He is a Dave fan too!

On a PERSONAL NOTE from Brenda...I attended their first class last evening in Roy,they are so organized and live what they teach. My husband and I were co-ordinators for a few series and then Reynolds took over, I COMMEND them for their passion, to help families get the right tools and work on financial peace to change their family histories.We began with Dave Ramsey 7-8 years ago when he was unknown and took the first FPU class in the state of Utah, that's when we REALLY started to be able to TALK about money and not FIGHT about it. I love Dave's sense of Humor...anytime you can put money & FUNNY together then it's a winner in my eyes, the class videos makes you laugh at life and our sometime/many times stupid mistakes,we all make them!

We're taking this MOTIVATING course AGAIN, being a LIFE TIME passionate member. I want to do it for Just a Bed of Roses. The shop is succeeding (thanks too you) and I know that my 13 week commitment to its financial security will make sure we are there for years to come. SO Sorry customers...ITS A LITTLE IRONIC but NOT planned that SHOPAHOLIC comes out today...(Do I need to sneek out and go see it this afternoon?) Thanks Randy and Debbie Reynolds...YOU are ANGELS here on earth!

A Grandparents VALENTINE

Loved my Valentine Mail yesterday...this is Kenedi she sure reminds me of my son, what a cutie! Thank You Kenedi, Grandma and Grandpa love you so much! Gotta Love the grandchildren! Shop is opened all week, snow or no snow. It snowed all day in Farmington yesterday, pretty though.

VICTORIA March issue & Peace

March issue of VICTORIA is in ...even though we long to see our green grass again and warm sunshine this book will refresh our minds of what's to come really soon. I say this as Utah is getting snowed on everyday!

You'll notice on the magazine a peace flower and peace sign neclace charm Jayna brought in yesterday among other fun Peace themed charms...Oh I love these!
She has neclaces and charms that are PERFECT your YOUR VALENTINE. I mean this girl has personality! Karen has also stocked the chocolate caramel apples and pretzels, new line of jewelry should arrive today, if our abundance isnt enough for you, wink wink!

Come in, we'll warm your HEARTS plus we're here to help you make your valentines week-end a little more special.

SNOWY today...shop CLOSED

The new snow this morning is so beautiful, not fond of traveling the freeways so shop will be closed today. Will be open again on Tues.& the rest of the week. Sorry for any inconvenience. I will be working today on florals, EASTER & taxes! See you then and be sure to visit the www.romanticmarriages.com website posted below, its full of suprises, YOU'LL LOVE IT!

LOVING wives HAPPY Husbands STRONGER marriages

For your Romance Concierge this year you'll want to use their help: www.romanticmarriages.com

Before leaving work the other morning I was turning off the tv and it happen to be on channel 2 and one of the girls was showing the Valentine package they have created to purchase, so I looked up their website... Very creative ladies!(note, the picture is from the shop and not their romantic website).

What also impressed me and gave them complete credibility in my eyes was that under features there was Matt Townsend, whom I love and adore and when his book "feeding the starved marriage" comes out I'm hoping to sell it in our shop. You will also see two of the 5 ladies who are behind this website with their husbands, what beautiful couples they are.
I know Just a Bed of Roses customers love creativity...Love 2 Romance will fill your creativity needs and today I will hear from them and will feature them as this weeks women in business and what they love...so check back and hear what they love.

In the mean time...get your love 2 romance started by checking out this romantic website.Valentines week could be quite hot this year for you! Really, is there anything more special than happily content married couples?

We have beautiful rhinestone & vintage jewelry in the shop to glam yourself up with...and gift to those you share your love That reminds me: Jayna brought in an soldered art neclace that goes something like this: on the front is this old fashioned couple getting married, on the back it states: she search high and low for someone she could torment her whole life! Jayna has some of her best work in right now, perfect for Valentines giving & having one yourself.

GLOVEABLES...they're loveable

Suddenly ...cleaning has a new meaning! Gloveables they're loveble. Use them for: Cleaning, Gardening, Hair Coloring, Scrubbing, and fun, fun, fun...Caution: Use of this product has been known to cause laughter.
Guaranteed to class up your day!

Do you love these! Here's just a few color samples, we have some in lavendars and animal print too. Made of textured latex rubber and oil cloth tops and the packaging so chic. Oh, I want to plant flowers right now,and may even be tempted to pull a few weeds this year...what are YOU thinking?
I could be tempted to spray paint in them...but I wont. Better get a cute pair in the mail for my mother for Valentines day though before you buy them all up!
I would say these GLOVEABLES fit into our theme this month of things we love, don't you think so!

Can't wait to present our next women in business #6, may even do them Saturday...Your going to LOVE LOVE LOVE them...here is a clue: romantic marriages. That's all I can say right now...until then I will be home creating with my piles and piles and piles of boxes of neat stuff to bring in for next week.

Romantic Homes March is In...Must See

You have got to see the ALL PINK mansion from Bella Pink...ohhh it's spectacular, I will guarantee you have never seen anything like it in your life. I love her kitchen, especially the light painted colors and then the rose curtains with the black background. I am going to go get it out of my car right now and cozy up before the days work begins...can't wait this issue is full of delightful goodies!

You'll enjoy reading the post below, Karen was the first consignor at Just a bed of Roses and she has added so much character to our shop...I hope you enjoy reading what she loves as much as I did.

Utah Women in Business #5 KAREN PETTIT

My name is karen Pettit. Brenda has asked me to share some things that are dear to me and since I am all about "hearts",one day I had taken a drive to the post office exactly 2 years ago in January and on my way around the corner from the Farmington Post Office I saw a big red heart in the window of what I remembered to be a floral shop. I stopped, went in and was greeted with a friendly "Hello". That was my first meeting with Brenda and I was impressed from the start...with her shop and with her! She began telling me that I could look around but that she would officially be opened in a couple of days. I found a darling button pillow which I purchased and told her that I make something that I thought would look great in the shop since it was vintage inspired. Soon after I brought her some of my vintage Quilt Heart Cards. She began selling them immediatly. Brenda has always been charming & kind...to me and to everyone I have ever seen around her. I appreciate her coaching me on ideas, new sayings and her trust in my ability to always come through. She is just the greatest! (okay Karen, now i am blushing as I have to type this you know.)

These are some of the things that I LOVE...

First and foremost, I love being a woman. I love being a wife and a mother! I have such a fantastic husband that I treasure as well as our 4 precious sons and our daughter-in-law too, They fulfill me.

The more I think about all the things I love, they are all things that my Heavenly Father has blessed my life with. I love my savior and I love the scriptures. I love how I can improve my life by following good examples. I love people who have depth to them. I love beautiful sunsets and to share them with a family member who might be close by. I love my neighborhood, my excellent friends and family. Utah has a bounty of quality things to see and do, and I love living here. I also love simple things that have a sentimental meaning behind them (like when Brenda tells me of a man who came into her shop and bought one of my cards to give to his wife who had a bad day and just wanted to cheer her up, or the wife who had recently lost her husband and she found a saying on one of my frames that brought a tear to her eye and had to have 5 made up for her & her children).. I love those stories.

I love things that are clean like...I love a clean car, I love a clean house and clean fresh smelling laundry. I love organization tips and all the fun containers that make it happen. I love the quiet moments of a day to just reflect on life. I love tucking my youngest in bed at night and him asking me to tickle his back (and then waking up at night and going in to give him a kiss on the cheek). I love chocolate dipped strawberries & raspberries. I love chocolate alone too! I love Valentines's Day and anything that has to do with hearts and love! I love working in the yard and making things look better than when I began the task. I love fresh flowers... especially in the winter.

Knowing me, I have left out many things that I love, but you get the idea, lastly I love my home and I love being home...with my family.

A special note from Brenda...Karen was the first consignor to Just a Bed of Roses, I was so thrilled and excited to meet such a lovely woman and when I saw her impeccable work with her antique quilted hearts I knew the customers would love them, and they have for 2 years. I could tell precious stories as to where each one of her handmade pieces have gone to. I myself love to use her cards for the special occasions in my life, just used 3 this past week, one for a funeral, one for my grandchildrens nanny and one as a late Christmas. Anyway, being kind of scared to be in a new town where I knew no one, it was a relief to meet such a lovely person right from the beginning.

Not only is she a perfectionist at cutting/color and sewing, she makes our addicting carmel chocolate covered pretzels and granny smith apples which are pictured in a few blogs down.I will get a current picture of her framed heart pictures too on here.

Thanks Karen for sticking with us, the customers love you and your work and all appreciate sharing your talent which you are passionate about and we know your time is limited as you are such a well rounded person....of depth!
We are taking special orders for her spectacular pretzels & apples...just call ahead and you will get them freshly made for your valentines...call 451-2556

GIANT CUPCAKE year tradition

For christmas I bought myself the giant cupcake pan (from Michaels)as I wanted to CREATE a ONE YEAR "tradition" giving each family member(scarey) a BIG baked cupcake for each of their birthdays...THIS is the FIRST one: Meet our grandson JURIAN (a little dutch name) he turned 7 years old, he is decorating it himself and LITTLE SISTER has mischief in her eyes as I can tell she is planning for an attack, which SHE DID! I chose YELLOW because he makes us and everyone else SO HAPPY!

The jewelry...just a few on the new vintage pieces that have come in.

Our weekly Women in utah business feature and what they love will be posted this evening as our emails are not going through with each other. Check back later, Karen Pettit will be featured... she is a delight!

P.S. I just noticed: www.thelavenderhouse.etsy.com is now opened for business! congratulations Dixie and Kim! And thanks for the thanks!!!

"Think Pink'...for Humanitarian

I LOVE YOU TRUELY February is here! The new monthly newsletter explains about our shops comittment to share ourselves doing Humanitarian work and serving those less fortunate than ourselves. It's a perfect month to begin, don't you think?
Our new "think pink rhinestone pin is in and ALL of the $10.00 price will go to the xolove mayan village/orphanage project, every penny will be spent buying food, clothing and activities.
We will have more items...this is the first.
We have fabulous gifts, jewelry, decor coming in... hopefully it all arrives before Valentines day. And don't forget the loads of vintage jewelry that just arrived with more to come in the near future.
Today and Saturday ALL purses and wallets are 20% off... check out our 1/2 off sale drawers and new valentines cards at half off...so come in and enjoy a visit and some savings.

Inspiring work spaces of Extraordinary women...preview

Victoria MacKenzie-Child with her wild rainbow hair shows and describes her adventure of buying a 102 yr old ferry boat to LIVE on...wouldnt you love to know how this came to be and could we just "move in"?
Rebecca Purcell...tells her thoughts on attraction: from a retail perspective, aesthetics that evoke status, envy, power, tradition and lust are prime ingrdients for sales. But there is another side to retail attraction thats gaining ground she calls it: Modernostalgia, its a delightfully eclectic combination of genres and styles that relies on patina, layering, whimsy and nostalgia as its prime attractors. It depends less on insecurity and more on the fascination of charm, preciousness, embellishment, complexity and at time mysticism. Her pictures and thoughts certainly live up to this Modernostalgia. Love her!
Sandra Evertsen has fabulous ideas and pictures using vintage aprons etc for her workspace, she is always inspiring and creative.
Some Utah artists in this book... One that is a writer and one a food artist:
Megan Leonardi has been writing since before she knew how to read. Writing is right up there with breathing and sleeping. she writes anywhere,it unburdens her sould, her mind and heart and to share with the world who she is, her story will delight you.
Romina Rasmussen brought her own brand of pastry to Salt Lake city when she opened Les Madeleines in 2003, everything is made in house from scratch. She tells of baking since very young. She is business minded, a hard worker, takes time for creativity and has high expectations of her staff, surely she inspires them to keep the business as to what she aspires. Lovely pictures of Les Madeleines, 216 E. 500 S. She also has a website where you can find when she teaches her classes, sounds very ambitious, must be delightful.

I could go on and on about this book Jo Packam has pulled together in A+ fashion, I love her beginning the book "at my kitchen table" where she talks about our days, juggling priorities and limitations on our time and energy. Her solutions are admirable and really quite easy. There is so much I cannot wrap my mind around it all, so I will spend the next 3 months just enjoying its rich vibrant colored pictures, learning and being inspired with each word until #3 comes out!
I know you will love it too...
P.S...the hundreds of vintage jewelry pieces are tagged and waiting for someone to take home to be lovingly enjoyed, admired, turned into something creative or gifted.

It's here...#2 Where women create & goosebump vintage jewelry!

My very favorite book...women who create: inspiring work spaces of extraordinary women arrived today and there was not a minute to read it at the shop...so after American Idol and after I tag 100's of pieces of vintage jewelry joyously purchased today I will try to keep my eyes open then to view this intriguing publication. The pictures gave me goosebumps...I am not kidding. So can you imagine what the stories are going to be like? I will report in the morning.

And the vintage jewelry...gave me the warm fuzzies when I had the opportunity to purchase these time worn pieces for our customers...I always love to see who buys what! They should be in shop Wednesday.

I LOVE YOU TRUELY...VALENTINE APPLES & PRETZELS

What a neat day it was today...my favorite book arrived, acquired vintage jewelry just in time for Valentines Day, AND our homemade chocolate caramel dipped pretzels & granny smith apples came in the shop all dressed up for Valentines to share with all your loved ones.
There are order forms if you would like some made up fresh for your special day.
Wednesday we will have bags of caramel corn and single pretzels to warm your heart. We also received some Easter collectables...sorry to spring that on you right now, but on a snowy freezing day doesnt that make your thoughts turn brighter?

Find out what JAYNA LOVES in our weekly feature of Utah Business women and what they LOVE

Hi, I'm Jayna Rice and I have been asked to be the 4th "Women in Utah Business" and the things they love...featured on JUST A BED OF ROSES blog...Jayna does the soldered art neclaces in the shop...her new design is the houses...check the doghouse...ever been in one of those??? We sometimes have Men who come into the shop and they certainly are trying to get out of the "doghouse", these would work!

I LOVE TO CREATE! I love the process of creating. I believe you can be creative in almost everything you do in life. To me, creativity is just looking at or doing something in a different way.
I've been involved in small business' off and on for over 30 years. From selling cardboard santas to earn enough for Christmas presents when first married to teaching and selling tole painted items in stores and boutiques when THAT was the BIG thing. I have always loved creating things in miniature.

A couple years ago I came upon some silver soldered pendants. It became a passion of mine to figure out how to create them. I studied and researched and bought my first soldering gun, some expensive silver solder and glass. I am completely self-taught and have never taken a class. I couldn't have given away my first pieces! But I've kept them as inspiration and a reminder that things can get better. I don't know which I love the most: creating the little scenes digitally or the actual soldering. But people seem to love them as much as I do. I have to admit it's been fun to be a fly on the wall in the shop and watch people rummage through my necklaces, which hang on old vintage cloth dress forms in the shop.
I hear their comments and laughter and how this piece or that piece reminds them of someone they love.It is very rewarding to me.

I love my studio, where I am surrounded with the things I love: from the antique four drawer file cabinet, the old post office cubby holder, or the hanging "bare" lamp shade. It is in this room where I get immersed in creating and forget everything but this.(Thanks Jayna for showing your "work space with us".
I love antiques. I love the feel of old things that have been worn down with time. I love to re-purpose old things and give them a new use. I love my new mittens recently created from old sweaters I felted. I love my collections of old wire flower frogs, old buttons, Watt pottery and quilts.
I love being home, which, because I work full-time, is even more precious. I love having an evening when I do not have any responsibilities and I can create. People wonder why someone who works full-time would also have a small business. It's because we have to fulfill this need inside of us to just create!

I love to exercise. No, really. I don't love getting up at 4:45 each weekday and going to the gym, but I love the feeling I get after I'm finished. I love that 2 years ago, at the ago at the age of 55, I completed my first half-marathon. I love that I have an exercise buddy. I love that I am healthy and that I have been cancer free for 24 years!
I love my family and I love my five darling grandchildren who bring smiles and love with every visit.
I love my Savior, who sustains me.
I love my friends, who are a support and a constant in my life.
I love that I have a full-time job that I love...well, most of the time. I love being immersed in technology and helping teachers troubleshoot their websites so that they can have a successful experience. I love the creative side of technology.

I have always loved photography but it has become a passion of mine in recent years. My first camera was a Kodak Brownie, which I still have! I love my Nikon SLR and wonder how I ever took pictures with anything else. I love going on photo shoots with my photography buddy.

There's a story to tell after every adventure, like the recent one of the gigantic moose on the trail during our hike. Nothing like almost sacrificing your life to get a good picture! Oh, and I love taking macros of flowers.
I love art! I have dabbled in oils, watercolors and acrylics. Someday I want to pursue watercolors again.
I love using my computer to be creative. And I love Photoshop! I love to take my laptop and put my feet up somewhere, open up Photoshop, choose an old photo, some ephemera and create something from scratch. I actually sleep better on those days!
I love discovering an old photo and sharing it with my daughter, Wendy, who also creates amazing soldered art.
I love old quilts and I love my quilt group, Little By Little...where we share our talents and creativity each month.
A year and a half ago I heard there was a wonderful little shop around the corner from where I work. I walked in and there was BRENDA! We go waaay back to when we were "young" 1976,(each with a few small babies) and in a group called "Utah Young Homemakers" It was a fun surprise and reunion after all these years. A few weeks later I asked her if she would be interested in selling some of my soldered necklaces. It's been a fun and successful ride. She's a dear friend and very supportive. We seem to laugh at every visit! Entering her shop feels like I'm home, as we seem to love the same "old" things! Seriously!

A note from Brenda...its a joy to have Jayna come through the door with her neclaces and charms, oh we do laugh and ohhhh and ahhhhh at each one of them. Jayna has talent oozing from her and is very modest about it. In fact we get after her for not wearing her OWN jewlery...and she has quite a LARGE FOLLOWING of customers who adore her work, many have had special orders done with family members and their own sayings creating quite an heirloom. You can see her sense of humor and her love for life as she expresses it through her creative work. This exercise thing you talk about...I am so impressed!!! Thanks Jayna for being a part of the shop... the customers cannot live without YOU. You are a Joy and make us happy!

Monday we will be Closed

Closed for sure on Monday...just not a snow driver.

See you the rest of the week though. Will be going through some of the estate glass boxes I accumulated this year that are hanging out in my workroom.

Will bring them in Tuesday!

PURSE PARTY...TODAY & SATURDAY

I have been showing you in the blog some of our new STYLISH Shaundra handbags that are exclusive to our shop. Would love you to stop in, try one on to see how glamorous you look carrying one of these beauties...You will feel like a movie star in Sundance! Did you know that only 50 of each style is designed so we are only allowed one of each.(that would mean only one made per state!).

Because we want you to be some of the very FIRST in Utah to OWN these we are having a "PURSE PARTY" & SALE on them this Friday & Saturday. Shaundra purses will be 15 percent discount. Along with them we have our fabulous clutches/wallets which will make you feel a bit on the WILD SIDE being they are zebra, giraffe, snake prints. We will discount these at 20 percent off. Our metallics handbags reg. 55.00 are 30.00
You'll want to feel HIP with our PEACE handbags, the wrinkly shiny ones JUST ARRIVED & won't last long. Any handbag or tote other than Shaundras will be 10 percent off. Lots of new & old jewelry to chose from...always!

Two other things you'll enjoy...we have some NEW VALENTINES cards...I know you will love them and the receiver will LOVE YOU. They are 1/2 price and Right now an area has been set up that is 1/2 priced goodies...it is the big antique drawers in second room. The FIRST FOUR ROWS are filled with mark downs, nothing like saving a few dollars, is there? There are old tins, crochet thread, milk glass, linens, cards, lotions & more will be added through the next few months. Check them often.

Be sure to put your name in for the drawings to be held at the end of the month...and it's just for coming in, no purchase necessary.

I love the rain...its so refreshing, so Happy rainy day to you ...and don't forget your umbrella!

Shop hours this Friday and Saturday are: 10:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Make YOUR LIFE more Beautiful...

Make your life more beautiful...and we can help!

On this day...of historic celebration

It's nice to remember that all things are possible...even your own hopes and dreams of the future. Enjoy this day in which ever way you chose and know we live in the greatest country...GOD BLESS AMERICA and I love our freedom! It takes a courageous man to be president of the United States, especially in these uncertain times. I believe everyone feels hope and we can come together in a way we have never done before.

The shop will be opened most of the day, I will listen to the innauguration on the radio and do some deep cleaning. Hopefully there will be some customers mixed in!

Todays Holiday...we will be OPEN

Will you be out Playing today? Come see me...shop will be opened 11:00-4:00

Working on getting the new things arranged in shop and getting a bit of inventory calculated...tax lady insists! I'm also marking down many things that have been hanging around the shop a bit too long...should be some bargains too! A few new florals are in to fill in those dull areas around your home left from Christmas.

All things in the West...Annie's Loves

Meet Annie West from Syracuse Utah...
I love my Savior.
My membership in the LDS Church.
Loooooong Baths.
SHOES...High heels...I get this from my mom but not the high part!
"I love U's " from my children
Anything vintage
My camera!
Decorating--Re-decorating--re-arranging--repainting.
Making thing out of "crap"
Working in my yard.
Thrift shopping.
I love my parents DEARLY, they taught me hard work and they know how to fix ANYTHING!

I am a wife, mother, a picture taker, a queen AND a slave---all in the same day!
I am married to my best friend...he supports me in ALL my hobbies.
Coming from a VERY crafty background...my sweet parents who owns Lavender House, has
helped my sisters and I develop talents in many areas.
Among the things I have made are jewelry, bags, shabby-ed up furniture, sewn aprons, pillows and MUCH more.
My husband is always the one to push me along, never tires when I say WHAT CAN I MAKE OR RE-ARRANGE NEXT? I couldn't ask for a better 'Shmoopie." I luv him!
We have 4 children, Abbie 12, Autumn 11, Jackson 5, and our caboose "Charlee Ann" 9 months. They are my supporters...well, models whatever you want to call it.

I have always loved PHOTOGRAPHY. I got my first cheap "point and shoot" camera 4 years ago. I took pictures of EVERYTHING...leaves, grass, my kids, my house, snow...even the ugly dog down the street. I couldn't get enough. I did "photo shoots" of my kids all the time and I thought I was soooo GOOD! If anyone got hold of those I would now die!
2 years later I upgraded to a nicer camera...Still took many pictures and would never put it down. I came to realize this was becoming a passion of mine. I would search hours online looking at at pictures..babies, newborns, kids. It always put a lump in my throat. I would always think to myself "How do they do that?" I luved it so much. Never in MY wildest dreams would I think I would become one ...realistically...one day!
10 months ago my LOVE arrived in the mail. A new CAMERA...That's what I wanted for my birthday/anniversary/valentines/Christmas and any other holidays this year.
I told my husband I wanted a "click click click click" camera...meaning it shoots really fast...lol! I remember pulling it out of the box and thinking "holy CRAP" how am I going to learn all this...to many buttons, lenses, filters and accesories. I was oblivious to anything. I knew nothing. Photoshop was also the SAME story.

Let the LEARNING begin...

I have met SO MANY friends through photography. MANY. Who led me in the right direction. I luv them! I've cried many many tears, lots of jump for joys,many smiles and frustration along with many struggles and some sleepless nights.
My family...supported me...loved me...had faith in me...told me to move forward. Many friends did the same. SO I DID! I started shooting for clients August of 08.

I can't believe it. I am where I DREAMED I would be many years ago. Never EVER thought it could be. I luv this talent I have discovered inside of me and I plan to move forward. I am extreeeemly excited to see where 09 takes me.
As my sister would say..."life is Yummy".

Thanks to my family, husband, children, friends and clients...I luv them!
It's great to give families the most wonderful gift...MEMORIES!

Now On a personal note from Brenda...you can SEE and FEEL Annies passion for living, when you view her blog you'll enjoy her vibrant personality, her love of seeking out a "most unique" place for a photo or just capturing an everyday moment all in her own unique way. That's what I love about her...that she is doing it "her way, her style, and that makes for a successful business. Annie you may think you have arrived...but I can't wait to see what you have accomplished say in 20 years(hopefully I will be around to see!) from now...or when your 90 of course by then I WILL be gone, thank heavens! Congratulations!

Annie and I were fortunate to display a home in a Northern Utah Parade of Homes and it was a pleasure to work with her and her family from Lavender House.
I invite you enjoy meeting her and her family The Wests at: www.allthingsinthewest.blogspot.com and visit her work often. You will see how she handles raising her family, her joys and frustrations are almost to comical...you will laugh and you will cry. Thanks for sharing what you luv, I adore and admire you and I know you will now have more new friends to share your passions with.