Christmas Tees September 30, 2007

Well, it was time. The children hadn’t been tortured in a few weeks at least. So, we weathered another “photo shoot” and miraculously everyone came out on the other side. I have lot’s more designs (go to www.katinthehatdesigns.com) but what I captured here (besides two cute kiddos) is the “tis the reason for the season” tee, and the “better be good for goodness sakes” tee…although clearer images of the designs can be found on my site. I had hoped to hit the “magic hour”–in the evening, when the light is just right, but soccer and nap schedules interfered, so we ended up shooting at exactly the WRONG time, and made our way ’round the entire circumference of the house and yard attempting to avoid harsh light. Some of these pics don’t pertain to the tees, but I wanted to share, because, after-all, the kids had to endure torture…and that should be worth something, right?

 

Sister’s signature grin (and the “reason” tee)

Mr. H, (sans glasses, because I haven’t quite figured out how to avoid the glare)

Just a really sweet “blue-eyed” boy

 

 

coy girl hugging the Halloween pumpkin in her Christmas garb

This one is quite proud of the tongue-curling ability. A trait Kat and hubby both share, and a gene our poor boy did not inherit.

Of course mom conquers the glare when the specs are on the wrong kid.

 

 

 

 

Do You Have One? September 27, 2007

A recent family photo, that is. I was talking to my buddy Em this morning as she was frantically trying to find a family photo for her twins to take to school. This girl takes pictures in her sleep and has documented every breathing moment of her kids on film, but alas, she’s always BEHIND the camera…never in front. So finding a family photo was not even possible as the last one was taken literally years ago.

I didn’t want to sound smug…but my most recent family photo is two days old! Ok. Admittedly, the way it happened had little to do with my own resolve to keep the fam current in living color, Kodak memories. The producer from the kitchen shoot actually told me he HAD to have a family photo PRONTO. So here we are at 7am, in the dark, with the tripod taking pictures in the front yard…like the big dorks we are. So it’s an awful picture…but hey, it’s a picture–Gage family immortalized on film.

We’ll get the next one on my three-year-old’s wedding day.

Stuck, Part II September 24, 2007

As promised…the other meaning of the word “stuck”.

I think I needed to write this from my desk at work, as it takes me back to the morning when the word gained a whole new meaning for me. As I do every other weekday morning, I get my things situated at my desk and head off for the break room to make a pot of piping hot bullet-proof rocket fuel–this day was no exception. So, just as I’m about to pour a steaming cup of joe, two co-workers come in. We begin to chat but moments later I notice that one of them has gone silent and she’s staring. I follow the lasers from her eyes down to the place where she is so fixated. That would be my arm. And on my arm there is a foreign object. STUCK to the sleeve of my white blouse. Instantly her face turns twelve shades of red (this girl is dark-skinned friends, but I swear she turned white before she went red). In the next instant, my face has the same amazing transformation (only I skipped over the dark-skinned part). I shove the offending arm behind me, and both ladies back out of the room, giggling nervously, making excuses about “meetings” they have to get to (at 7:30 am when we are the only three employees in the bulding.)

I do lots of laundry. I am married to an archaeologist and have a seven year old rock collector living under my roof so I’m quite proficient at pocket-emptying. Sadly, it never occurred to me, that I might leave something behind in MY clothes. All I can say is, thank the good Lord the laundry was CLEAN…and kudos to the folks at the Light Days company: you make a darn sturdy product and that adhesive you use ain’t no joke.

Stuck September 23, 2007

As far as I’m concerned this word has only two meanings. The first one is this and it relates to fashion. Have you ever seen a woman who is feeling pretty good about herself in her high-waisted jeans with the tiny pockets, lost on her big sea of a rump? A wedgy like no tomorrow? Black eyeliner–the liquid kind you paint on with the tiny brush, to the rim part of your eye, behind her eyelashes, eyebrows plucked to oblivion and then penciled back in. A little sprout of hair, like feathers, pluming upward and shi-lacked (no clue how you spell this one). Skin tanned to perfection–in the dead of winter. This girl is…yep, you guessed it… stuck. Stuck back in “the day”. The day when she was hot…in this case, downright “foxy”. At some point, she no longer noticed the trends. She knew she looked good, she was a head-turner. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? It happens to everyone, some sooner than others. Look around you. You’ll see it…the topsiders, the acid-wash…the mullet.

Take stock folks. You’re not immune…is today your day?

The second meaning? I’ve decided to make you wait (because I know you care. ha.) In the meantime, where is that scrunchy?

Happy Birthday, Friend September 20, 2007

You know who you are. And slacker that I am, I forgot to buy a card (oh, but I did have good intentions). I hope your day is perfect in every way. Doesn’t cherib-cheeks here make the cake look oh-so-tasty? This is from her 2nd birthday–you’re a ways past that one now, but you’re still a youngster in my book. Hope you get to eat cake too.

Holiday Cards September 20, 2007

Yep, I offer them. Always have. But since there are only about three folks who read my blog (all of whom ALSO design holiday cards), I see no need to kid myself (or you) by posting them here. Honestly though, my gift tags are my best sellers, and I did tons of new designs last year…so head on over to the old website and check them out. I’ll torture the kids soon with a holiday shirt shoot but they’re still in counseling over the Halloween shoot so best not to push it just yet. Here’s the link to holiday cards: http://www.katinthehatdesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=33

And gift cards: http://www.katinthehatdesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=28_24

Humor me…order some.

Too Much to Do, Too Little Time September 19, 2007

Sometimes I just feel flat-out BURNT. That would be the case right now. Just about every vacation day I have taken this year has been used to WORK. For home shows, Hannah Kate shows, etc. and now I have taken on Tinsel & Treasure (Expo Center MADNESS). I think I may have lost my marbles. I have to build a display, get product ready, and yes, take off three days from work, to WORK. Then there’s the book that I’m illustrating…that has to be printed for CHRISTMAS. And my own holiday to-do list (can a card designer skip doing
Christmas cards for just ONE year? This may be the year folks.) 

So I guess this is where the time goes. All the craziness makes life fly by. Here’s October just around the corner, and I promise you it really does feel  like yesterday I was hauling this rediculously large pumpkin across my yard, and stressing out over Halloween costumes.

 

(I said this year I was going to get costumes done in the summer. Oh well.) I know, I know, I could stop the madness, pull the plug, get off the gerbil wheel…but I really can’t. This is my nature…OCD, nutjob. So to sum it up, all work and no play make Kat a TIRED, CRANKY girl. 

Anyone up for cocktails? 

This is for You, Mom September 15, 2007

 

 

They haven’t put MY lights back up, which makes it not quite right for me yet. I was going to wait to put final photos up for all to see…but there’s this one person that WILL NOT STAND FOR THAT. That would be my mother. Who has gotten very spoiled by this blog and expects it to be updated everytime she turns her computer on. So, these dark, not so great shots are for you mommy dear…not perfect, but you’ll all get the gist. And mom, you know how much I love you. No ones opinion matters to me more than yours–and I know how happy this sparkly clean kitchen makes you! So come visit and make good use of it!

How Many Boys Can Say Cheryl Tiegs Spent the Day in Their Bedrooms? September 14, 2007

Mine can. And he’s darn proud. The Cheryl-shoot was yesterday and there was a whole new slew of people allll over the house. All the “suits” showed up in addition to “handlers”, extra hair and makeup people and the tele-prompter guy. Cheryl, as we were told, “enjoys a glass of champagne after she wraps a shoot.” Runners were dispatched on the double to obtain said champagne. But all in all, Cheryl’s a really sweet lady–very approachable, and surprisingly witty. She got ready in the kiddie-cowboy room and hung out there for a little while, but after we started shooting, she hung out with everyone and seemed very comfortable.

On the downside, the propping that was done the day before was not satisfactory, so they are STILL HERE, shooting all day again today to capture the new propping that was done late into the night…plus, I sat around all day yesterday plastered with makeup, trying not to get wrinkled and my segment got moved til today…so here I sit, like Groundhogs Day all over again, same outfit, different day. And feeling a little panicked at the Kat in the Hat work that is piling up…not to mention the laundry.

Maybe if I close my eyes really tight and wiggle my nose, it will be tomorrow and my kitchen will look like MY kitchen and I’ll actually be able to eat something besides McDonalds on my front steps.

Wake Me Up September 12, 2007

Room full of big men

I really need to be pinched. I love my kitchen so much and I really cannot, CANNOT believe it is mine. Yesterday was nuts. We were up super late the night before last finishing up and then at 7:30am yesterday morning there was a camera crew at the door. We thought they were coming at 9am so needless to say I was busted with bedhead in my ratty pjs. Hubby and I actually had to do the whole hair and makeup thing…can’t tell you how much I enjoyed watching him squirm. But how much more will I enjoy showing the world pictures of him in the makeup chair?! Ha! The whole house was swarming with big men–from the video crew, to the counter guys…equipment EVERYWHERE. and we have two days more of this craziness.

Turns out the storyline of the show has shifted, and it’s all about US. Yikes. The wacked out homeowners crazy enough to take on this hair-raising nightmare of a house.

Today we went to the countertop place and had to pretend to “shop”. It’s weird what happens to me in front of the camera–I freeze. I’m usually such an obnoxious dork, and then suddenly, I’m shy-Kat.

So now the stylist is here adding all her touches, and the crew is setting up to shoot the big reveal. We hear Cheryl’s wearing bigtime designer togs (Randolph Duke), and then there will be me in Old Navy from the 50% off rack (er, pile). May have to step it up a notch and get my own designer duds. Banana Republic anyone?

hubby in the hotseat

No decoration yet, but aint that countertop purty?

Amazing how much dirt you can see in this light. Grubby window…but ahhhh, clean countertops and a brand new sink!

The big blue things (clamps) will go away soon

More to come…