Made From Scratch: A Photo Shoot of Life

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Krista

Right now, in the guest room next to the loft, you can’t see the bed because of the stacks of fabric and yards of ribbon strewn about. You can’t shut the door because the ironing board is set up in front of it with the iron ready and waiting to press any hem that crosses its path into its proper crisp place. If you walk in with bare feet, you will walk out with thread clippings covering your soles from toe to heel. There are buttons and bobbins, sketches and scissors, paintbrushes and pin cushions.

It’s heaven.

Right now, on top of the new dining table, sits my camera–it’s digital belly filled to the brim with dancing eyes and happy smiles. Little fingers and tiny toes, proud mamas and loving papas, laughing children and beautiful faces. Memories captured for the moments of reminiscent longing that so often comes with the arrival of tomorrow.

It’s beautiful.

Right now, inside my dreaming head, are patterns and ideas of what to make tomorrow. I see purses and paintings and dresses and wooden toys. I see poses and stances and framings for photo shoots to come. Ideas on how to capture love, or exuberance, or mischief, or excitement, or peace with the simple click of a shutter. I’m dizzy with the possibilities.

It’s inspiring.

See, I believe that we, as human beings, at our most fundamental level, are creative beings. Whether it’s a math equation or a fabric flower, a diesel engine or an oil painting, a slam dunk or a symphony, we are all creators. Creators of memories, traditions, and beauty. Or on the flip side: hatred, prejudice, and war. All are creations made by creative beings–us. With every breath we breathe, we create. To live is to create. And the most beautiful creation of all–life.

It’s a sacred miracle.

You’ll Have to Forgive Me

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Krista

I’ve been quite remiss in blogging lately. And it’s making me sad. And if I’M sad about it, I can just imagine how YOU must feel about it. Cryin’ your eyes out every night I’m sure. Ha! JK.

Do people still use JK? I don’t know these things. I tried using the word “tight” before–you know, to describe something that was “cool,” and my sisters (who can use the word “tight” and not look like total dorks) fell on the floor laughing. I couldn’t pull it off. And not that “JK” and “tight” are even in the same league as far as slang goes but … oh never mind. I still use JK. Frequently. Even while speaking.

But ANYWAY. Back to what I was saying. I’ve been absent here at the Haystack and it’s making me sad. Things are just ca-razy busy. I’m working on my new website, building a business model, marketing plan, and media kit for KQM Creative, hostessing a baby shower (pictures to come), shooting and editing three photo sessions (pictures to come), logging hours for my first Marketing Consulting client, and trying to get ready for my Boutique opening. Whew.

Which brings me to my next point. I’m not going to be ready for my Grand Opening on Nov. 14. And I can’t do it the following Saturday because … I was just hired to shoot a wedding! By a stranger! My first “stranger hire” photo job. I’m over the moon about it. So. The Holiday Sale and Grand Opening of my Boutique is being moved to Dec. 4 and 5. I apologize. I just can’t get it all done.

You’ll have to forgive me.

As a peace offering, here’s a sneak peak at one of the photo sessions I recently finished.

Advice for Your Weekend

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Krista

From the bottom of my heart, I want to remind you to:

(sign found on board the Crabber J, my dad’s sport crabbing boat)

Happy weekending!
xo

How The Smile Challenge Began

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Krista

Hi. I’m Krista and I’m currently the 2nd Counselor in my ward’s Young Women’s Presidency. Back in April though, I was the Mia Maid adviser and had heard about a Young Men’s counselor in a neighboring ward who had challenged his Young Men to read a Conference talk every day. This sounded like such an interesting challenge, but I wondered if anyone would want to do it with me. I mean, when you first think about it, it does seem to be a really big commitment.

As I was thinking about extending the challenge to my Young Women, I heard Sister Cook’s talk at the General Young Women meeting during Conference weekend. At one point she said, “Daily habits of righteous behavior will … help you to continually hold fast to the [iron] rod. As a Young Women general presidency we have invited all of the young women in the world to develop three daily habits: First, pray to your Father in Heaven, morning and night, every day. Second, read the Book of Mormon for at least five minutes every day. And third, smile! Why? We have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, which brings us true happiness.”

After hearing that I knew I wanted to somehow help my girls not only accept this invitation from the General Presidency, but also better learn the important messages from our modern-day prophets and apostles. So I created the “Smile Challenge.” At the end of my lesson on the following Sunday, I explained the “rules” to my girls and told them that if they could do it everyday until the next General Conference weekend, that I would reward them with a special celebration banquet. All of them excitedly signed up!

And so for the last six months we’ve been working on this challenge as a class. We all helped each other along, reminding each other to read and pray, and as of this past October conference all of us had completed our first six months. As promised I prepared a special luncheon to celebrate what we’d accomplished. It was a wonderful afternoon and all the girls decided to continue with the commitment AND invite their friends and youth from around the world to join them.

It was a life-changing experience for all of us. We’re so glad you’re joining with us! And we hope you share it with your friends.

Photo Session [Ullery Family]

Posted on October 21, 2009 by Krista

There are periods of my life where, when I look back, I can’t help but be caught up in the weight of nostalgia. Places I long to return to. But know it will never be how it was. Time moves. People grow. Places change.

One such period was the 18 months I spent in western Washington. I left my family, left my schooling, left my home, to be a missionary. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week I was dedicated to a work far bigger than me. But I knew my drop in the bucket mattered, counted even. Counted in big ways. When I wasn’t teaching about Christ I was trying to serve others as He had. When I wasn’t searching for an ear to listen, I was praying to find one. It was a time when all my focus, all of it, was given to service.

As missionaries, we always have a companion–another Sister you live with, work with, teach with, and serve with. You are with her every day, all day. Every few months you get a new companion and are even possibly moved to another city to work. But my mission experience was unique in that I spent the middle eleven months in one city. And of those eleven months, nine of them were spent with one companion, Sister Wilkins.

I’ve found it’s hard to explain a “mission” to someone who hasn’t been on one. It’s just difficult to find the words. Impossible almost to express the depth of emotion you experience when you’re serving a “strange” people in a “foreign” land with all your heart, might, mind, and strength. So to try and recap even half of the time I spent with “Wilkie-poo” would be futile (although maybe someday I’ll write about how she got that nickname). Perhaps someday I’ll force myself to sit down and write about my mission, but today, I’ll just say: “I love you Sis.”

Sister Wilkins (Kimber), ended up marrying a wonderful man after we had completed our mission work and last month they hired me to take their family photos. It was a joy to be with them, play with their precious (and hilarious) children, remember who we were, and where we were, and what we were doing nine years ago, but more especially, to see who we’ve all become. Thanks Bob and Kimber, it was a pleasure.

I Used to Think

Posted on October 21, 2009 by Krista

[a Poem by me]

I used to think
and dream in pink,
the color of little girls.

But soon, it seemed
that I chose green,
for the eye of a little boy.

But then I grew
and fell for blue,
every scarf and saphire sky.

And then I said,
“It must be red,
for lovelies love the hue.”

But then, one day
I turned away
from the chorus of others’ thought.

Stepping through a door
onto sandy shore
sun high, and yellow bright

And there.

in the swirling salt
and windy waves

I found
the color of my heart

Suggestions for Smile Challenge Success

Posted on October 21, 2009 by Krista

Suggestions for success:
1. Choose a special spot and time of day to accomplish your challenge. You’ll be more likely to remember to do it if it is part of your daily routine.
2. Tell your friends what you’re doing! And invite them to join you! Your friends will help you stay accountable.
3. Put reminders to read & pray on your mirror, locker, desk, refrigerator, etc.
4. Pray for help to accomplish this challenge. At first it may seem like a large task or commitment, but once it becomes part of your daily habits, you will realize that it doesn’t take long at all.

Fall in Utah (and an invitation)

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Krista

This was the view from my front porch this morning. Everything about it reminded me of my 18 months in Washington state. It also reminded me of two gloomy, but glorious, days I spent in Germany. And it reminded me of that movie, A Walk in the Clouds. Keanu Reeves’ bad acting aside, the scenery in that film is breathtaking (and who doesn’t swoon over the part where they smash the grapes?).

Anyhow, I love Fall in Utah. It’s the perfect mix of cloudy/sunny/chilly/warm. The colors are so vivid. Why just this weekend, I was babysitting this little pumpkin:

(don’t you love those chins!)

and we took a walk around the neighborhood. When we looked up, we saw …

and when we looked down the street, we saw …

and when we looked through the trees, we saw …

Twas a Mary Poppins day. Not too cold. Not too hot. Color everywhere. And then not 24 hours later, we wake up to gray. But it’s a gray that’s practically perfect in it’s own particular way. I do so love Utah in the Fall. Have I already mentioned that? Well. I do.

And speaking of Saturday! I’ve been wanting to tell you … That afternoon, I had my girls from Church over for a Celebration Banquet. See, back in April I was teaching the 14 to 15-year-old girls (now I’m teaching the 12 to 13-year-olds) and after April’s LDS General Conference I extended a challenge to them to read one Conference talk each day, along with at least one chapter in the Book of Mormon, and to not forget their morning and evening prayers. Well, they took me up on it and for the last six months we’ve all been participating in what I dubbed the “Smile Challenge.” I was so proud of them.

(all dressed up for the Banquet)

So on Saturday, to honor everyone who completed the challenge, I prepared a gorgeous (and delicious) luncheon and we all talked about our experiences, favorite scripture stories, and life-changing messages from the Prophet and Apostles. Because it was such a wonderful way to incorporate the teachings of our current leaders into our daily studies, we each decided to continue with the challenge and invite others to join us. The girls are hoping to gather youth from all over the world to participate. So if you’re interested, or want to pass the idea along to other youth you might know, you can follow the blog or become a part of the Facebook group. You don’t have to be LDS to participate. In another six months we’ll be having another Celebration Banquet for all the participants in our area and will share how to plan such a celebration for participants in other areas of the world.

Well. I’m off to drink some hot chocolate, work on KQMCreative.com, and maybe watch A Walk in the Clouds after I get my work done.

I hope you have a cozy day.

Rules of the Smile Challenge

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Krista

The “Official” Smile Challenge timeline runs for six months and begins (and ends) with each LDS General Conference, however anyone can join in at any time.

The Rules of the Smile Challenge are simple:

1. Participants should read one chapter each day from the Book of Mormon regardless of any addition reading required for Seminary, Institute, or other religion classes.
2. Participants should read or listen to one General Conference talk every day.*
3. Conference talks can be read online, in an Ensign magazine, or downloaded onto an MP3 player or iPod and listened to.
4. Participants should say morning and evening prayers.
5. Participants should make an effort to smile each day and remember why they’re smiling as well as the blessing Heavenly Father has given them.

*When selecting Conference talks to read or listen to, we recommend that you read each talk from the most recent Conference at least once during the 6 month period the Smile Challenge runs. Once each talk is read once, then participants can feel free to deviate and read any talk from any Conference.

What Is the Smile Challenge?

Posted on October 19, 2009 by Krista

Sister Mary N. Cook, First Counselor in the General Young Women Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said in April 2009, “Daily habits of righteous behavior will … help you to continually hold fast to the [iron] rod. As a Young Women general presidency we have invited all of the young women in the world to develop three daily habits: First, pray to your Father in Heaven, morning and night, every day. Second, read the Book of Mormon for at least five minutes every day. And third, smile! Why? We have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, which brings us true happiness.”

In an effort to accept this call to action AND to better keep the words of today’s Apostles and Prophets at the forefront of our lives, we have created the “Smile Challenge” and invite LDS youth from around the world to join us.

All you have to do is:

1. Pray to your Heavenly Father every day, morning and night.
2. Read (at least) one chapter in the Book of Mormon every day.
3. Read or listen to one General Conference talk every day.
4. SMILE!

Conference talks are available here.

You can also join our Facebook group here.

(Youth leaders and other adults are certainly welcome to accept the challenge too!)

The Glass

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Krista

She awoke to light. The golden rays of dawn slipping through the blinds like silky legs under lingerie. Never an early riser, she blinked, softly, slowly, again and again until morning registered. Still not ready to leave the cocoon of cotton and fleece she’d wound herself into, she closed her eyes again, and sank deeper into the warmth.

To anyone else, the quiet might have seemed deafening, but having lived alone for a few years she’d come to understand that stillness isn’t silence and that lack of noise doesn’t mean lack of sound. If you listen long enough, with patience for the moment, you eventually notice the rhythm of your breath, the hum of a honeybee, the wind chime of leaves, the quiet groan of a settling house, God’s whisper in your heart. She called it the symphony of life and this morning she was content to enjoy the show from her bed for as long as possible.

But soon the call of day beckoned more loudly than the small, lovely sounds of morning and arching her back, extending her limbs, she rose from the downy pillows like the opening of a flower’s first petals in Spring. She sat, feet dangling over the side of her bed, gingerly tilting her head from one side to the other, trying to expel the night from her stiff frame.

Had she dreamed? Perhaps. Though she rarely, if ever, remembered night visions. She was more of a daydreamer, often lost in her own world, even when fully present in the one surrounding her.

Inviting the day with one, long deep breath, she set her feet on the floor and made her way to the kitchen. A lover of routines, but by no means rigid, she always followed a particular set of tasks whether she realized it or not. Standing at the sink she slid back the curtains and opened the window. The sun had not yet burned away the cool morning air and it filled the room from floor to ceiling with the opportunities of a new day.

She smiled to herself for no particular reason and reached for a glass. She marveled as the light passed through it, refracting in different directions, sending beams onto the counter. Had she been any less of the woman she was, she might have thought about how, much like the tall, clear glass in her hand, her life was a bit empty at the moment. At least that’s how it looked to many an outside observer.

But she had never been one to think in such a way. Certainly she’d had her moments of worry and concern. Certainly she’d felt alone at times. Certainly she’d wondered how to move forward. But never had she felt empty.

She reached for the faucet and began to fill the glass with water. Higher and higher it rose, almost to the top, but for some reason, on this morning, she didn’t move. Instead, she watched as the water began to flow past the rim, down the sides, and over her fingers. Rushing through her like a flood of energy, love and possibilities, the water poured, and she–happy, bright, ready–stood thankful for the overflowing glass she held tightly in her hands.

Photo Session [with Kaycie]

Posted on October 6, 2009 by Krista

She’s our baby–the one we didn’t know we needed until we had her.

Her golden honey eyes bewitched me from the moment I saw her, and wrapped around her pinky I have been since I very first held her tiny body.

She’s a woman now, full of brightness and laughter, sunkissed with just the right amount of sass. Yes, at times she’s a little airy, and oh, does it makes us laugh, but she’s smart and talented and completely capable. Well actually mostly capable–that is, as capable as the baby of a family can be. Equally lovely, funny, sweet, and strong, full of faith and conviction and goodness, I’m sometimes amazed at who she’s become.

And yet, I’m not.

We always knew she was special.