Mazel Tov to my son and future wife.

It seems appropriate that since I make chuppot I should announce the wonderful news about a wedding in my family. My son Ben became engaged to his wonderful girlfriend Allison (now fiance) on Sunday of Sukkot. Of course the exciting part of an engagement is how did he "engage" her. Here's the scoop:

Allison calls Ben "Moo" as a nickname/pet name (literally). Ben decided to incorporate the word "Moo" in his proposal. I do not sew during the interim days of Sukkot so this embroidered sign needed to be done prior to Sukkot. I feverishly embroidered the sign the night before Sukkot. The surprise was set for the Sunday of Sukkot at 11. The ruse was the family was gathering at his brother, Mikki and sister in law, Rachel's home for a meal in the Sukkah. 

True to form, Ben decided that he could come at 10 since Allison was ready to go. YIKES! He texted his brother with this wonderful news! I snapped into action and told him he needed to go 10 miles away to pick up a watermelon at the "best" fruit and vegetable market I knew. Allison decided they would go to Costco instead. YEAH! I knew it would take an hour till they got out of Costco so everything was set. I called Allison's mother and told her to high tail it to Mikki's house since Ben was winging his own time schedule. The family gathered and it was all systems go. Now we needed Ben and Allison.

By 11 they showed up and went straight into the Sukkah.His brother texted him to hang up a decoration in the Sukkah. The family was hidden in the house. We heard Allison squeal and we knew the deed was done.

Oh the sign I embroidered for the newly engaged couple:

What a Difference a Year Makes

I don't celebrate New Year's Eve or New Year's Day but I can't help taking stock of my life at this time of the year. This year has been filled with many changes. I guess this post is like one of those yearend letters one receives. You know the one that reveals all the family secrets. Some are the gossip you desire to hear despite your vow never to listen to gossip again. Then there are the ones that give you TMI (too much information) that you can't even bear to read. They're the ones you'd file under "Send to author for new book in series Fifty shades of Grey.

My family dynamics are about to change. The big difference will be that as of Jan 1 my husband is retiring from 37 years in the field of dispute resolution. It is tempting to see how he applies all he has learned when he is home with me 24 hours a day, G-d Help Me! My marriage has been a crash course in "Dispute Resolution". Once my husband is home he will take my course, "Dispute Revelation" subtitled "My Way or the Highway". My mother-in-law passed along saying to me that am so apropos for this life altering experience. The saying is "For better or for worse, but not for lunch."

The last fourteen years he has spent at FINRA an organization that formed after NASD and the NY Stock Exchange combined forces. My husband is (was) a company man. He has loved working all his life. It wasn't until the children were out of the house that I truly appreciated what a treasure that was. He loved bounding off to work. Much like the postman, "Neither rain, snow, sleets nor did hail (even hurricane) keep him away from work". Not so much fun when you are raising three children but great when you are finally left to your own devices. 

He is a young retiree, only 58. He has boundless energy. He definitely would have been diagnosed with Hyperactivity disorder as a child had the condition been known. One of his greatest traits is both good and bad. He sweeps his problems under the rug which also allows him the luxury of dismissing the bad and enjoying the good. This year he was diagnosed with a challenging medical issue that has impacted his life, not life threatening. He felt more apt to face his future once a name was put to the physical condition he has endured for the last four years. When I think of the word "Emunah" (unwavering faith) I never would have suspected I would apply it to him. He has had to trust that G-d has given him this path to walk and accepted the challenges he faces every day. With a smile on his face he is moving forward in his life. He trusts that he will function well and will be able to continue to work in his field in various capacities. My money is on him. Nothing will bring him down.

Thank G-d he has his office on the 2nd floor of our home and I have my studio in my basement. I believe this will help bring peace to our home. Who knows maybe better or worse will meet for lunch on occasion.

I was gone but now I am back!

Sometimes life seems to get in the way of life.  I often think about what I am "suppose" to do as opposed to what I "am" doing. Recently, I came to an "AHA HAH" momen, the term Oprah Winfrey used when she felt the light bulb went on in her brain. I wish I had her light bulb and her brain, I'd be millions of dollars richer. I digress.

My mother often says to me about her own life which has not been an easy one, "she wouldn't change a day of it." This is a woman who almost died and literally saw the light; not the light bulb one either. She suffered from deep depression and anxiety. Fell down stairs and was told she would never walk again; she walks faster than me. The list goes on. Why would someone like this NOT want to change any part of her life. Her answer "Ellen, whatever I have gone through has brought me to this day. At 88 I love my life."

Over the last several months life has challenged me with my own set of trials and tribulations. Sickness, my own and other members of my family and friends. Onslaught of company for holidays. Yes I know that is a good thing but sometimes too much of a good thing (Haagen daaz ice cream, who am I kidding...any ice cream) can be overwhelming. Time flitting away without accomplishing my goals. Finally, last week, my 17 1/2 year old dog died. 

I learned something yesterday from my coach Lesley (see post below). Life is made up of 5 minute intervals. Add them together and you can do almost anything you want. Today I am back! I can put all of you into 6 of my 5 minute intervals to say hello. I can finish a Chuppah.  I can spend time with my husband, parents, children and grandchildren. Like my Mom, I am going to go through life and say " I wouldn't change a moment of it." Thanks Mom and thank you Lesley.

 

Wedding Wise

It's been awhile since I posted "Wedding Wise". I guess I needed to get a little older to become wiser. Today's tip is about "How do I personalize my Chuppah?"

 Planning your wedding allows you (hopefully) the chance to express your inner creative self. We all have it! Choosing color, dishes, flowers and dresses to show your  taste.

A Chuppah is no different. The only problem is when someone thinks about personalizing it all they think they can do are names and initials. Here's one example of a very personal Chuppah.

THE BASEBALL CHUPPAH - A couple spent most of their dating life going to baseball games. Luckily, they both loved baseball. Unfortunately,  a close member of the bride's family had passed away and she wanted to include a picture of this person. I designed a diamond (simulating the baseball field) set in a square. Each of the bases were a picture of deceased members of both families. This helped the bride feel that all these people were joining her at this moment in her life. Who was on the pitcher's mound? The couple of course.

Think outside the box. No pun intended. Chuppahs have fabric after that anything goes. You can have, embroidery, beads, silk flowers. Some clients choose Hebrew or English passages that express their love. Do you have pictures, ties, treasures from dates? All these items can be included in your chuppah.

A phone call is free so contact me and we will talk. Oh, I am getting so faklempt already.

My Coach in Life

This is a thank you note I sent to my coach in art. For those who don't know what a coach is here is an explanation:
Like in sports, it is someone who guides you to be the best that you can be. It is a person who pushes, hopefully not through yelling but through talking. A coach teaches you to set goals and offers suggestions on how to achieve them.

The person I thank for doing all of this with me is Lesley Riley. She has a program called "Artist Success".  I am the artist who creates your chuppah because of Lesley"s coaching. She helped lead me on the path to be your designer.

Please read below the letter for additional comments.

A year and a half ago I wouldn't have any words to fill in the last box "website".
In the Jewish religion there is a phrase "looking for your b'sheret". It is usually used when one is looking for their future partner in life. A b'sheret is someone who will stand along side you through life's trials and tribulations. It is someone who will help and support you to be the best you that you can be. The act of looking also implies working towards this goal.

Lesley, you are my b'sheret (in friendship). This last year you helped me see my potential. I am an artist who is capable of reaching goals I set for myself. I met you at a time when I was at a crossroad. I had public affirmations that my work was "good enough" to be recognized by experts in the field of art.  I knew I had "it" but I didn't know what "it" was. Our meeting was what I would call "the Hand of G-d" sending out a spiritual sign. At QBL you were just beginning your journey into a new venture at the same time I needed someone just like you to guide me on my journey.

My life will never be the same. You have made all the difference in my growth as an artist. Your gentle but direct insistence on helping me set my path in an organized fashion helped earn respect from those around me. I was no longer a "dabbler" but I was a serious artist and business woman. I am proud of who I have become. G-d sent you to me at just the right time for both of us. It was a spiritual hand as well as your hand that brought me to this point in my life. I have now combined my three loves in life; family, art and religion.

Today was our last phone call. I know that it will not be our last encounter. We will continue to share our successes and struggles. Our personal joys and concerns. You are my therapist, my coach, my support . You are my friend. Thank you for all that you have done for me and will continue to do for other artists. Do you realize your work literally makes this world a more beautiful place to live? 

 Thank you, Lesley

My prayer for you is that your b'sheret will support you and guide you to be the best you that you can be. Don't forget to do the same for your spouse. 

Let's have a party!

When I was young it was easy to get out of anything I didn't want to do. I would just ignore it or say "I don't know". It's funny how some things never change. I am what you would call "the great procrastinator", except when it comes to my commissions. Don't worry all future clients, I love sewing so your chuppah deadline is safe with me...not! Just kidding. No really I am kidding.

The last month and a half I have been pushing everyone away with the phrase " I am too busy, I have to redo my studio." I have worked a collective  8 hours in the last month and a half on my studio. I have worked on my computer, buying presents for birthdays and Chanukah on ebay, walking my 17 year old dog 5 times a day and finding every excuse to watch my grandchildren. Grandchildren are another great way to get out of doing anything else.

Several years ago I read a Dave Barry column. It was all about his messy house and how he and his wife never seemed to get to clean it. Paraphrasing, he said to his wife, "You know dear, our house is a pig sty. Do you know what  we need to do? We have to have a party?" Now most of you are probably thinking, is he CRAZY PANTS? Think about when you have a party. Don't you  clean like a maniac when you know people are coming? Why should you kill the illusion that you are organized, clean and perfect?

 Thanksgiving is coming! Guess whose studio is going to be finished in one week?

                                                       Before - Stay tuned for after
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Wedding Wise

I decided everyone needs a little help when planning a wedding, I know I did! Every other week I will post a wedding tip in my "Wedding Wise" section of my post. By the end of the year you should have 26 ways to solve those tricky wedding issues. This is a blog on my Chuppah  Creations  website so guess what the first 25 posts will be covering? Just kidding! I will start with some important info on creating the chuppah of your dreams because the last problem you want is a chuppah horror. Remember, it is the locale where most of your formal pictures will be taken.

Wedding Wise Tip #1 

What size should my chuppah be?
There are two criteria for choosing the size of the chuppah.

The first is the amount of people you would like standing under the chuppah. You and your fiance are a definite must; without you all those people wouldn't be there. Decide if you want the Rabbi standing under the chuppah with you. Other people to consider are parents and/or stepparents, siblings or close friends.  Only three people under a chuppah can be as small as 5 x 5 feet but 6 x 6 would be more comfortable. After that the size keeps growing exponentially. Larger than 8 x 8 feet will require additional supports.

The second is the venue.  I always inquire about the size of the space it is going to stand.  You could want a 8 x 8 chuppah but the platform it will stand on is 7 x 6. I know I wasn't good at all math when I was in school but geometry I could. Let me tell you up front, there is know way an 8 x 8 foot  chuppah will work in that space. When I design your chuppah I prefer to take my own measurements of the floor space and suggest an appropriate size.

This is a case of the shoemaker's children go without shoes. When my son was married I had my chuppah all ready.  Unfortunately, the florist didn't!  Somewhere along the way the chuppah frame was set up smaller than the the chuppah. Putting it mildly, there was a communication issue. I was standing there chuppah in arms. I imagined the chuppah being draped over us like a tent with only our feet showing. Luckily, two heads are better than one. The florist and I figured that draping the chuppah to the back would solve the headless wedding issue. I loved the look. The pictures have a beautiful backdrop as you can see and the day was saved. Measure twice and then twice more. By the way, the florist did do a beautiful job and the wedding was terrific.