MERRY CHRISTMAS

Jacob and I have had a very lonely Christmas this year. We couldn't get enough time off work to make traveling for the Holidays worth while. Nevertheless, we have had a lot of fun just the two us of. We've been cooking a lot, watching movies till our brains rot and playing chess - I knew I shouldn't have gotten that for him for Christmas...

Jacob got me a replacement black pearl wedding ring, which I have to admit, made me cry. I lost my original the first summer we were married and just never thought I deserved another. I think it's pretty close:

I got Jacob brand new guitar strap from Souldier Straps. It is made out of an old seat belt - recycled and handmade! I picked it up at Renegade. Thanks for the suggestion Johnny and Katie!!! He loves it!

Recycled Ornament Contest

Amy of Things We Make and Amy of Mod Podge Rocks recently sponsored a handmade and recycled ornament contest. I immediately loved the premise of this challenge, so I entered my mini terrarium ornaments, made with Gerber baby food jars, some moss, buttons and wire:

I really thought nothing of it, as I knew there would be plenty of creative entries. But was pleasantly surprised when I found out that I tied for runner up. I was very exciting!! The second runner up was Becca and her paper mache bulbs:


The first place went to Candy and her amazing mod house ornaments:


Check out more entries on Amy's blog. I'm getting some great ideas for next year! Thanks so much Amy and Amy!!

Jacob Tyler Wolfgang performing an unreleased song, due out on the debut full-length "to the moon, kid" in early 2010. Recorded for onesongs.com on 12.03.09 at The Colonade in Sherman Hill - Des Moines, IA.

*Film by Scott Gratton

Renegade

Renegade was a success! It was a weekend packed full of friends (old and new), amazing food, and great sales!

First of, we are the most blessed people in the world when it comes to our friends in Chicago! Angie and Tiffany took the best care of us!! Including complimentary facial masks after dinner on Sunday night! (Thanks Tiffany!)

I have to admit I'm growing rather fond of the idea of moving to Chicago!!


The show itself went well too. We were surround by great neighbors: Jason is an amazing craftsman. I'm secretly trying to find a place in our house for one of this beautiful light fixtures! See more here.


Katie and Johnny and Hope are the most adorable family I've ever met!! So warm and playful and just genuine people. I'm definitely looking them up on our next trip to the Ozarks! OH, oh, and she makes amazing little creatures. The biggest problem was trying to decide which one is my favorite! Go here to see them for yourself!


Leslie and I made some great memories, even thought it cost us her car window! Somebody broke into Leslie's car the night before we left to go home. But no worries, they didn't steel anything and we are resourceful. Who says girls don't know how to use duck trap and plexiglas?

GREAT FUN! I can't wait for next year!

Christmas finally came to the Wolfgangs

It snowed A LOT on Tuesday night. So much, that we were forced to stay home on Wednesday. We ate all day and watched at least 6 movies, including 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids' and 'Inglourious Basterds'.
I generally don't like snow. It's pretty when it's falling, but otherwise it's wet and cold and turns into slush and makes any commute more difficult than it should be. Snow, in my opinion, belongs in the mountains where you can actually do cool things with it; not Des Moines, where's a driving hazard and just lies around waiting to melt.
Needless to say, I think the snow finally got me into Christmas mode and I spent evening making my paper tree and wrapping presents. (Thanks for the great Scandinavian wrapping paper, Ikea!)

Folkgiving

*photography by Taylor Hiatt. See more here.

wood brooches

Leslie and I just finished our first run of these wonderful winter accessories. They will be available next weekend at Renegade and What a Load of Craft in December. We are contemplating how the brooches could double as a Holiday ornament...

DMJuice - Des Moines Scenesters: Logan Christian

"Logan Christian is the sound engineer at the Vaudeville Mews, and owner of Logan Christian Recording & Live Sound Services, a recording studio started in a house near Drake in 2006." (by DM Juice) Read the entire article here. Hurray for Logan!!

Veneer Postcards!!!

One of our newest additions to the UrbanPosture line are our VENEER POSTCARDS!! We had such a good response at Renegade that we decided to make a bunch for the holidays! There are two motifs, both are UrbanPosture staples: the cuckcoo clock and the deer head. We'll have them up on our etsy very soon!

Mini Tour for UrbanPosture

Just a quick update on UrbanPosture. Leslie and I have booked a few shows for the holidays. Partly, because that's expected, but also to get away and see what's going on outside of our little world. Here's where we'll be:

Craft Saturday - November 21st from 12- 6pm at 4th Street Theater (Des Moines, IA)

Renegade Craft Holiday Sale - December 5 & 6th from 11am to 7pm at Pulaski Park Fieldhouse (Chicago, IL)

What a Load of Craft December 12th from 1-10pm at Johnson County Fairgrounds (Iowa City, IA)

sneak peak

After several months of hard work and microwave dinners, our kitchen remodel is coming to an end. We are still waiting on the hood and a few other minor details before I post the big reveal, but here is a little sneak peak:

Knack

I just discovered a wonderful shop in Greenville, SC, via The Style Files. Knack is great little shop that refinished/repurposes furniture and other home goods.








Simply wonderful.

I'm back.

I've been completely overwhelmed with obligations, activities and projects this past month. It has been way too long since I've posted anything. Much has happened and I don't even know where to start...
1.Renegade went well. It was exhausting, but good. I'm so grateful for the amazing help of our Chicago friends, Angie, Erica and Tiffany!! All in all, UrbanPosture made some good connections and now we have a pile of work that needs to be done sooner than later!

2. Our kitchen is almost finished. Expect a post in the near future with updated photos of the progress.

3. My dear friend, Jen, is pregnant with her second child. I can't wait to be an aunt again! Now, if I could just get Sophie to say: 'Auntie Sarah'... Oh, and my sister-in-law is due the first part of November and my good friend, Jennifer had a baby boy on Thursday. What does all this really mean? I better get knitting if I'm going to have handmade presents in time for Christmas!!

4. I got spectacles. (I confess that they are only 25% needed and 75% wanted.)

5. Jacob has been working on an amazing new song that makes me disconsolate every time I hear it-it's that good. I hope it makes it one this record; it truly needs to be. Jacob is working hard on getting the record finished - probably not this year, but hopefully, early next year. We've made some great friends in the process and are so thankful for the support and encouragement along the way. Oh, did I mention that I got to record my piano parts on a baby grand!

6. The kitchen and bath world has been extremely busy as well, which is the main reason for my absence. However, long work hours=money, which is much needed!
I will attempt to write more updates this month. The Holidays are right around the corner and they bring ample opportunities for projects!

RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR - CHICAGO

Leslie and I have been working diligently on our preparation for Renegade. I'm thrilled that we are less than two weeks away from the show and nearly to the bottom of our to-do list. Here is a glimpse of my days off and evenings:


The forest of new deer T's.

Piles of tea towels printed, folders, tagged and ready to go!

Leslie using our very new URBANPOSTURE.com stamp for tags. (Purchased at the downtown stamp store - those guys are awesome!)

Brook and Dan helping us out at Poyzer's pizza and paint night. Our display is going to be marvelous!

mamma always says to eat your vegetables...

My darling husband was so wonderful to plant and maintain a little garden for us, despite the busy spring and summer we've had. The upcoming record and remodeling our little kitchen have been quite the chores, although completely worth every minute. It does, however, seem like we've let some of the more routine things in our life slip - not so with the garden. Last week we saw our first little tomatoes and on Sunday we found all sorts of ripe tomatoes, zucchini and banana peppers.
Our dear friend Emmanuel just got back from Germany and was so kind helped us prepare and eat some of the best veggies ever!

Giant Colors

This made me smile today.

Kitchen Update

My brother helped us hook up our sink and faucet yesterday. It is so exciting to have plumbing again (after 3 months without). All of the appliance are installed, expect the hood and maybe a new stove. Jacob and I will be painting and tiling this week, in addition to all the little things that need to be completed, like trim and lighting. There is still plenty to do and I'm getting a little impatient. I kinda want to throw a little summer party, something like this:

(Pictures taken from design is mine and shop talk. Thanks for all the inspiration!)