Sayonara, First Night. Hello, Eve. Salt Lake City’s brand-new, three-day shindig kicks off today, and for just $15, you’ll get to take part in all sorts of goings-ons: brain freeze contests, break dance crews, ice skating, handbell ringers and ugly dog contests, to name a few. And there’s plenty of stuff for the kids, too: children’s theatre, storytelling, arts and crafts, etc.

It all goes down in a handful of downtown locations today, Wednesday, and Thursday. Let’s hope this par-tay is everything you could hope for.

Get a map here.
Check out the schedule here.
Buy tickets online here.
Get a dining deal here.
Snag a hotel package here.

{Evenin’}

Eve
December 29, 30 and 31, 2009
Downtown Salt Lake City, various locations
www.eveslc.com

We prefer red velvet and vanilla-on-vanilla, but here’s a cupcake we wouldn’t mind biting into. At a sass-alicious affair called Sassy Cupcake Boutique going down (or shall we say up) this weekend in South Weber, ladies in Davis and Weber Counties and feast on all kinds of locally-made goodies. (Or ladies anywhere that have a little wanderlust.)

Savor the flavor with some of the best-designed baby crocheted hats you’ve ever laid eyeballs on, antique-inspired aprons, cute magnets, tempting gumball jars, and, you guessed it, a whole lot more. Right now, cupcakes like this only come around once a year.

{Sass for Masses}

Sassy Cupcake Boutique
Friday, noon - 7 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
7977 S. 2310 East
South Weber, Utah
www.thesassycupcake.blogspot.com

At long last, it’s December. We’ve been waiting all year. And we’re not just talking candy canes and Christmas carols. We’re talking three days of crafty goodness whipped up by a handful of super-talented local artists. We’re talking a hip and hand-picked inventory of jewelry, paintings, bags, clothing and accessories. We’re talking good gifts and good times for all.

Especially if you visit tomorrow when an opening night celebration comes complete with treats and music. And now we’ll stop talking. Spreads of this kind can speak for themselves.

{How Bazaar}

The Beehive Bazaar
Thursday, 9 p.m. - midnight; Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Women’s Cultural Center
310 W. 500 North
Provo, Utah
www.thebeehivebazaar.com

Dear Santa,

We know you’re busy this time of year, but if you could pretty please squeeze it in, we’d appreciate it if you swing by the exclusive Pamper Yourself Trunk Show in Heber next Wednesday. We’ll have one of those delicious handbags we saw featured in Elle and Vogue. Or, if you’d rather, that beautiful necklace we spied in In Style will do the job. While you’re at it, grab some of those letterpressed thank-you cards for our stockings.

We’ll be sure to send you one.

Xoxo, YHO

{Pamper You & Yours}

Pamper Yourself Trunk Show
Wednesday, December 2, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sycamore Street Press Shop
904 S. 300 West, Heber
(435) 671-3001

When Friday comes a day early, so does Thursday. Three cheers for turkey, tofurkey and an entire day dedicated to giving thanks. Here’s what’s up for next week:

Hurry Up/Stock Up: If you stop by Broadway’s Slow Train today for their Biggest Sale Ever, you’ll pick up any in-stock album for just $9.99. Downloads are what, $1.25, these days? You do the math. Sale details here.

Light It Up: The magic happens at 5:25 p.m. on Friday. Aside from the old favorites like Temple Square’s million strong, this year, Grand America boasts “A Grand Holiday Festival” and the new 222 Main unveils three holiday-themed window displays. Get the rundown from the Des here.

Ice For You: The Gallivan Center rink is ready for you to carve it up on Thanksgiving Day at noon. Bring a can of food and get free skate rental. Check it out here.

The Strokes: Language and artistry come together with writing by Chinese calligraphy artist Ma Weihua, now on at the Main Library. Writing/painting since age ten, he also takes it out on wood and stone. Info here.

In the Trunk: The UMFA hosts its first-ever Trunk Sale on Wednesday, December 2. Local artists and consigners come together, along with free admission, gift wrap and holiday music. Shopping starts at 4 p.m. More here.

And if you’re still stumped with the turkey lurking, visit this archived post for some last-minute inspiration and know-how.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. It’s all about making a good impression. And just in time for the card-crazy season ahead, Eva Jorgensen of Sycamore Street Press is squeezing in two more Beginning Letterpress Classes this very Saturday!

On November 28, head to Heber and get impressed by letterpress. In four hours, you’ll learn the jist of this cool, ages-old printing method, and leave with your own set of 50 handprinted, made-by-you holiday cards plus envelopes and liners.

The class size is limited to ten, which means you need to sign up soon. (Like, today or maybe tomorrow.) It also means you won’t get stuck staring at the tall guy’s back.

Register by sending an e-mail to eva (at) sycamorestreetpress.com.

{Impressed?}

Beginning Letterpress Class
With Eva Jorgensen
November 28, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 3 - 7 p.m.
Sycamore Street Press Studio
Heber, Utah
$50 class fee, plus $45 materials fee
www.sycamorestreetpress.com
www.sycamorestreetclasses.blogspot.com

Sometimes the weekend comes a day early. Or at least it feels like it. Case in point: Tom and Lucy’s Art Shoppe kicks off tuh-day … along with Tuh-wilight once midnight strikes. (Don’t worry; Tom & Lucy will have Team Edward and Team Jacob goodies on-hand, to tie your day together nicely.)

The crafty energy strikes up at a clubhouse in Lehi. You’ll see pressed monogram pendants, locally-made graphic prints, mod diaper bags, handbags crafted with vintage materials, feather-ridden hairpieces and a whole lotta more. See it all as the show continues through Saturday night.

{Shoppe It Up}

Tom & Lucy’s Art Shoppe
November 19, 4 - 9 p.m; November 20, 9:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.; and November 21, 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Ivory Ridge Country Club
32 E. Clubview Lane, Lehi (directions)
www.tomandlucysartshoppe.com

If you’re gonna go for a natural high, we figure a design high is a good place to start. And since we all love our designy blogs (think interior design, decorating, DIY-ing, fashion, photography, graphic and product design, to name a few), we’re thrilled to spread the news about what might be the end-all, be-all design blogger high.

Aptly named, the Altitude Design Summit, selected Utah as its home for 2010. Overlapping with the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Alt goes down (or up) January 21 - 23 in Salt Lake City. Aside from shmoozing with your favorite artistic types, you’ll get smartened up on the likes of marketing, monetizing, and growing your blog community in a series of courses spread over three days. So you can feast both sides of your sexy brain.

Register today and you’ll get $100 off. Learn more here.

{Design for Higher}

Altitude Design Summit
January 21 - 23, 2010
Salt Lake City, Utah
Register TODAY to get $100 off
www.altitudesummit.com

The totally sweet show is back just in time for holiday shopping, and better than ever. What’s new, you ask? We’re excited about the debut of must-haves like mineral makeup, vintage cake plates and handmade quilts, for starters. Others like notions, potions and sugary confections also sound particularly appealing this time of year. Or any time of year.

Of course, there will be a whole lot more when the Oh Sweet Sadie Art & Gift Show goes overboard for its fifth anniversary. Pencil in some serious stock-up shopping November 18 through 21 in South Jordan.

{Sweet Spot}

Oh Sweet Sadie Art and Gift Show
November 18 - 21, 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. with a wrap-up party on Saturday from 3 - 5 p.m.
SoDa Row at Daybreak (South Jordan)
www.ohsweetsadie.com

Flea Market: Call it what you will, you’ve got plenty of options for one-of-a-kind shopping this weekend. Head north for the Piper & Chloe Holiday Showcase in Farmington, cruise by Bijou Market in Provo on Saturday, or a Vintage Flea at Velour on University Ave. this weekend.

Hot Coco: See Gabrielle’s iconic pre-designer story when “Coco Before Chanel” opens in Utah at the Broadway beginning this weekend. Showtimes here.

Orchid in You: Things get wild at Red Butte Garden this weekend. The professionals break out their beauties for The Orchid Show, this Saturday and Sunday only. Check it out here.

Hands On: Kirtsy hosts a series of small business workshops this month in Salt Lake City and Utah County. At a Hands on Small Business course, regular folks can learn the ins and outs of social media and get practical advice of business-running, all for free. Dates and locations here.

Gals ‘n Dollars: Get gussied up at a Utah County Women in Philanthropy Gala this Saturday evening. Complete with cuisine from Culinary Crafts and a well-stocked silent auction, the event aims to raise funds for local women and children’s causes. Details here.

And if you’re dying to check out the fresh pow pow (or lack thereof), Solitude is rumored to have a soft opening this weekend. Other resort openings outlined here.

As far as the upcoming holiday season is concerned, you should be all about making a good impression. Lucky for you, letterpress wiz Eva Jorgenson of Sycamore Street Press is heading up a Beginning Letterpress Class just in time for the gift-and-card-crazy season.

On November 14, you can head to her charming studio in Heber and pick up the whosits and whatsits of this thing they call the letterpress. In four hours, you’ll learn the jist of this cool, ages-old printing method, and leave with your own set of handprinted, made-by-you holiday cards.

Not one for rubbing shoulders or staring at the back of the tall guy’s head? Have no fear. This class is limited to ten, so you’ll be able to see all and do all your heart desires. Register by sending an e-mail to eva (at) sycamorestreetpress.com by November 9, 2009.

{Good Impression}

Beginning Letterpress Class
With Eva Jorgensen
November 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sycamore Street Press Studio
Heber, Utah
$50 class fee, plus $45 materials fee
www.sycamorestreetpress.com
www.sycamorestreetclasses.blogspot.com

We love a ghoul …err, girl, that takes October seriously. Meet Jeni B. Gochnour, who can give a squash a makeover you wouldn’t believe. Think bottle-cap eyeballs and haphazard teeth, for starters. The kind of creature you’ll have a hard time putting away once you swap out your holiday spread.

Jeni B. Gochnour is hosting her seventh annual Autumn Art Show next Thursday and Friday at a brand-new location at the Holladay Garden Condominiums. As usual, you can expect a collection of spooktacular artists and arts to knock your boots off—the likes of witch you’ve never seen.

{Holladay Holiday}

Autumn Art Show with Jeni B. Gochnour
Thursday, October 15, 6 - 9 p.m.
Friday, October 16, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Holladay Garden Condominiums
1706 E. Murray Holladay Road (4800 South), Holladay, across from the Holladay Lions Club
www.jenigochnour.blogspot.com

By Stephanie Brubaker

Put down your digital and don an old beauty instead as local artist Eva Jorgensen teaches how to use the beloved thing they call the Holga. The class is offered through the Lifelong Learning program with the University of Utah and while they call the class “Toy Cameras,” Eva thinks a more appropriate title might be “How to Take Arty-Looking Photos With Only Minimal Skill, Effort, and Money … But With Maximum FUN!”

If you couldn’t tell, it’s destined to be an excellent course and it’s ideal for all of you eager to explore a new medium. Don’t have a Holga hiding out in Dad’s garage? No problem, you can find one here and you won’t have to break the bank, either.

Learn more and sign up here.

{Click Click Camera}

Toy Cameras: The Holga with Eva Jorgensen
Continuing Education: The University of Utah
Wednesdays, October 14 - November 4
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
$89
www.continue.utah.edu/lifelong

*Images by Eva Jorgensen

It’s time to light it up, ladies. Light what, you say? That beautiful creature lying within your weary bones—the one that’s often caged up and bogged down with spreadsheet-making, e-mail-typing, diaper-changing and other various forms of updating the TPS Report. No doubt she’s one cranky animal.

Time to set her free. How’s about a two-day event centered on your creative well-being? At Spark the Event, taking place in Salt Lake City on November 6 and 7, you can mix and mingle with artistic types, as well as unleash your own. You’ll take photography courses, mixed-media journal & book classes, and you’ll learn about fabric/sewing as well as whip up your own jewelry.

Tickets for the two-day fun extravaganza include classes and supplies, speakers, food, snacks, plus a goodie bag. And that’s something worth buying into. Get the lowdown here.

{Spark It Up}

Spark the Event
November 6 and 7
This is the Place Venue, 2601 E. Sunnyside Avenue, Salt Lake City
www.sparktheevent.com

{Doorprize} We got a golden ticket! Perhaps with your name on it. We know you want in on the creative fun, so here’s what you have to do. Our friends over at Spark are feeling awfully generous and will be handing out one free all-inclusive ticket to one lucky YHO reader. Leave just one comment on this post before midnight on Monday, October 5.

Good Times Stroll: If cool clothes are something you’ll step out for (or into), check out the biggest-ever Salt Lake Fashion Stroll this Friday on East Broadway (300 South). Local boutiques and designers come together to put on the fun-for-all that includes live music, runway shows and shopping. Get the skinny here.

White Out: Locally-directed “White on Rice” begins showing this weekend at Cinemark 16 in Provo and Century 16 in Salt Lake City. Friday and Saturday, you can sit in on a limited number of Q&A-style screenings for locals only. Plan your inquisition, and get the details here or here.

Save Saans: Host to such likeable gigs as “The Holga Show” and “The Earthscape Show,” Saans Downtown is in need of your help in order to keep the pics on the wall. Help keep this photography gallery in business by making a donation and receiving a nice, archival art print. Do so here.

Oh Glory: Shop Splendor Beauty Emporium for their One Year Anniversary and you’ll be treated to free product demonstrations, drawings each hour, gifts with all purchases and free treats and bevies. The party’s on in Salt Lake City at Foothill Village on Wednesday from 4 - 8 p.m.

And if you need to burn some post-summer calories, hook yourself up with the U of U’s Homecoming 5k Race. Running alone really isn’t the way to do it.

Oktober Already: Head to the hills (Snowbird) this weekend or next to partake in the your favorite Bavarian festivities. Oktoberfest comes complete with tunes from Polkatonics and all the authentic foods you could ask for. Check the schedule here, or get more information here.

Art in Bloom: Remember to take a breather at the Garden of Art this Friday and Saturday. Could be your chance to load up on unique birthday gifts for fall, or simply spend time with your lady friends, and listen in on local music. Details here or here.

Falling For You: The leaves are starting to change, and fast. Don’t miss out and cruise any of these high-ranking stretches of highway: Highway 89 between Logan and Bear Lake, Guardsman Pass from Brighton to Park City (partially dirt road) or the Alpine Loop from American Fork to Provo.

Suh-weet Sadie: Pull out your inner crafty shopper, round up your favorite divas, and head to Oh Sweet Sadie art and boutique sale in Daybreak this weekend. Catch the details here.

Stroll-A-Long: Put your walking shoes on for Salt Lake’s Gallery Stroll tomorrow evening. Standouts include “Making A Splash” at Horne Fine Art; Wendy Chidester and Erin Berrett at Williams Fine Art plus “Architecture/Archetype” at the Kayo Gallery and Schedules here.

Or, you can shop it up at Abode’s last flea market for the season on Saturday.

Have you heard? Sadie is the word. If you don’t already know about the Oh Sweet Sadie crafty extravaganza (and we don’t take that description lightly), it’s time we fill you in. Think over 80 locals putting up handmade clothing, home decor, retro toys, gift tags, petticoats  and more … like designer jeans and photography and artwork for two days only.

It all happens this weekend at SoDa Row—the latest retail development at South Jordan’s Daybreak. The party won’t stop for anything. Not even the live music that goes down from 3 - 5 p.m. on Saturday. Be there or be square. Cut some rug, and shop to your heart’s delight.

{Sweet SoDa}

Oh Sweet Sadie Art and Gift Show
Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
SoDa Row at Daybreak (4821 Littlefield Lane, South Jordan)
www.ohsweetsadie.com

Who takes a little scherenschnitte with their screenprinting? How about Photoshop with some flower arranging? InDesign with Etsy-ing? That’s certainly how we would have liked to be drawing up our semester schedules, back in the glory days.

School gets fun this fall with Nicole’s Classes. The Art Weekend is hitting the road and coming to Salt Lake City November 5 through 7 and your choices for areas of study include the good stuff (see ya later BioChem) like photography, Photoshop, Illustrator (making cards & gifts), screenprinting, blogging, papercutting, bookbinding and a whole lot more. This also gives you a chance to meet some of your favorite bloggers, artists and crafties, might we add.

Prices range from $30 - $45 per class, depending on how many courses you want in on. Read all about it and sign up here.

{Back 2 School}

The Art Weekend
Offered by Nicole’s Classes
November 5 - 7, 2009
Salt Lake Plaza Hotel (122 W. South Temple)
www.nicolesclasses.blogspot.com

They’re baaaack. Who, you ask? The 75-some-odd crafty locals showing their stuff at this weekend’s Oh Sweet Sadie Art and Gift Boutique. And did we tell you that it’s next weekend, too? That doubles your chances to support your neighbors and do some budget-friendly spring shopping.

Up for grabs? Jewelry, clothing, original artwork, hairclips, aprons, handbags, notebooks … you name it. They’re pulling out all the stops.

{Sweet Spot}

Oh Sweet Sadie Art & Gift Boutique
April 17 and 18, 12255 S. 1840 East, Draper
Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

April 24 and 25, 4627 Zig Zag Road, South Jordan
Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
www.ohsweetsadie.com

Art ‘n Stuff: Pop into any of this month’s participating galleries as part of the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll tomorrow night, or head to Saans Downtown to rub shoulders with Grant Hamilton, where he introduces enlarged versions of his cool geometric Polaroids. Click here or here.

Making History: Don’t wanna be alone on another Tuesday night? Head to Kingsbury Hall to celebrate Obama’s presidential inauguration with your fellow Utahns. Tickets are free but you’ll need them in advance. See here.

Scoutin’ Sweets: It’s that time of year. Stock up on your Thin Mints, Samoas and Shortbread and then hide ‘em from your roommates. Get yourself some Girl Scout Cookies by finding the troop nearest you here.

Feel Sneaky: If you lack fancy shmancy credentials, you can always try your hand (and ears) at catching acts like Rachael Yamagata and Damien Rice at Sundance. Check out the January Music Guide, or get the lowdown from Sundance here.

Plus, buy a pair of jeans at Soel Boutique this week, and you’ll get ‘em hemmed for free. (Sorry, Lucy Longlegs but it’s about time the shorties get a break.)