Idol Results and a Hard Monday Mailer!

After a little chit-chat between the judges and Ryan Seacreast, the top 24 performed to American Boy.  Sorry - they looked like they were lip-synching to me!! 

Here we go -

• Janell Wheeler is gone. 
• Ashley Rodriguez is gone

Wow - I picked both these gals to be in trouble.  

Now to the guys - just about any of them can go!!

• Joe Munoz - that's wrong!!   The judges thought he was one of the best last night.  Can't believe he got cut and not Tim Urban!!
• Tyler Grady - I had picked him so I guess 3 out of 4 ain't bad!

We got to hear from that cutie, Kris Allen, last year's winner.  He has been in Haiti and sang "Let It Be."  You can download his song from ITunes and 100% of the proceeds will go to Haiti.

I received a darling Monday Mailer this week too.  It's a slider card.  I've seen these cards before but never attempted one.  Betsy, who sent me the card, said it was HARD!!  Well, I'll have to give it a try .... one day.  (Margaret - we'll try it the next time you visit!!)

Here's the card closed:

And here is the card opened up (I won't tell you how long it took me to figure out how to open it!)

American Idol Boys Top 12 ... boring!

Well, tonight's show was sure disappointing!  The guys are not as strong as they have been in recent years.  I think a girl will win the final prize this year.  Here's tonight's run down:

1. Toddrick Hall, 24, Arlington, Texas singing “Since You’ve Been Gone” (Kelly Clarkston) It was not great to me.
Judges: Ellen – great performer; chorus rough; singing wasn’t greatest but performance was. Randy – didn’t even know what song it was, shouldn’t completely change song.  Kara – agrees w/Randy but you took a risk & you are a performer. Simon – came over as a “dancer who can sing” instead of a singer who could dance; murdered original song; verged on stupid.

2. Aaron Kelly,16, from Sonestown, PA singing "Here Comes Good Bye " (Rascal Flatts).  He seems older than 16! I like him but I also love Rascal Flatts and don't know if that influenced me. 
Judges : Simon – quite good performance! Not confident enough, needs to take control of the song & get self confidence. Kara – favorite kind of contestant – he has no idea how good he is. Randy – huge voice – need to believe in yourself. Ellen – ditto – will do very well. Love your humble-ness.

3. Jermaine Sellers, 27 , from Joliet singing “Get Here”  He sounded squeaky and off key.
Judges: Ellen – huge fan, felt like was just doing a performance instead of feeling the song; trying too hard. Randy – weird choice of song.  Kara – trying to show everything he could do but not meaningful, too old of a song for him. Simon said it is the kind of song that an old fogey would request to be played at a lounge bar. Simon felt that he was screaming in the middle of the song and that Jermaine totally blew his opportunity.

4. Tim Urban, 20, Duncanville, TX singing “Apologize” (Urban Republic). He got cut originally & when the other guy broke the rules, he got called back. He didn’t even tell his family – wanted to surprise them by seeing him on tv! Typical son!!  I thought he was bad!  And it seems the judges agree with me although I really felt sorry for him while the judges piled on the insults!
Judges: Simon congratulated him on making it back but that the first cut was completely correct as he didn't think his voice was good enough. Kara said that the music overpowered him. Randy said it was completely the wrong song for him as he lacks the falsetto to do the song correctly. Ellen agreed that Tim indeed didn't manage to hit the high notes.  Everyone thinks he’s adorable though!

5. Joe Munoz singing "You and I Both"  He has a good voice.
Judges: Ellen said he looked very comfortable on the stage and that he sounded really really good. Randy said it was not the perfect song choice but that he thought Joe did a good job. Kara liked the fact that he sang a song she wouldn't have expected and said he was the best performance this far. Simon said he kinda agreed but that it was an okay, safe forgettable performance. But that he didn't really show star quality.

6. Tyler Grady, 21, a college student singing “American Woman” didn’t do anything for me. J
Judges: Simon said the good news was that people would remember that song. The bad news was that it would be for the wrong reasons. Kara agreed that with Simon that he needs to mix it a bit up because otherwise he will become predictable.  Randy said that it was definately style over substance but that Tyler needs to update the songs fron the 70's to be more current. Ellen says he has the same poses as the big stars from the 70's but lacks the emotions and charisma that they had.

7. Lee Dewyze, 24, Chicago singing “Chasing Cars” (Snow Patrol)  I like him.
Judges: Ellen said it was a really good song choice except when he started screaming at a point in the song. Randy disagreed with Ellen because he didn't like the song choice. Kara mentions that the song has little range but that he changed it so he could show a bit of his range. Simon disagreed with Randy and Kara as he thought it was the best performance of the night.

8. John Park, 21, Northbrook, Ill, a college student singing “God Bless the Child” Not a favorite of mine.
Judges: Simon said you have to have an incredible voice to take on that song and that he failed at it because there was no emotion in the song and that he felt flat. Kara completely agreed with Simon and said that there was no connection with the song. Randy said he loved the vocal runs but that the song made him look old. Ellen said that the song wouldn't convince the girls to pick up the phone but that she really liked the performance.

9. Michael Lynche, 24, Florida singing “This Love” (Maroon 5) Big Mike is the person most people remember without problem. He was the contestant that became a father during Hollywood week and couldn't be at the delivery because of it. He was the second person playing an instrument today. He was on key the whole song and made it sound interesting. Somehow he stayed close to the original but still made it sound like his own.
Judges:  Ellen said that Mike had a great personality but that there were a few pitch problems. Randy agreed wtih Ellen. Kara said it was a bit depressing until Michael showed up. Simon said he was more a support act before the main act. Nothing unique.

10. Alex Lambert, 19, from N Richland Hills, TX. He sang “A Wonderful World” (James Morrison) NO The whole performance felt somehow restrained.
Judges:  Simon said it was the most uncomfortable performance of the night but that he needs to get his nerves under control. Kara said he sounded a lot like James Morrison. She said it was all there but it wasn't together. Randy said he has a great tone to his voice. Ellen's comment was that she likes that he sticks to keeping his mullet and aren't going to let it go!

11. Casey James, singing “Heaven”  (to Kara I believe!)   He is clearly Kara's favorite and took his shirt off for her during an earlier performance!  He is definitely CUTE and can sing.
Judges: Of course the rest of the judges decided that Kara  needed to be the first judge to comment on Casey's performance. She comments that she almost didn't recognize him with his shirt on and then tells everyone that it's wrong because she's married. She immediately calls out for her husband that she loves him. Randy adds "For the moment" as a response to the fact that she is married. Ellen said she could feel Kara undress Casey with her eyes. But she said he sounded really good and was going to get votes like crazy!   Randy said it was a great song choice and that he liked the voice. Kara adds on a serious note that he is eye candy but that he definately is ear candy too. Simon says that he realizes that both of them are cursed with good looks. He said that Casey chose the perfect song and that it was the best performance that Simon heard from him the whole season.

12. Andrew Garcia, 24, California who is a stay at home Dad, singing “Sugar, We’re Going Down” by Fall Out Boy.  Someone get him some different glasses!
Judges: Simon: "I was looking forward to hearing you more than anyone else tonight but I was disappointed with that. I don't think you took a risk and became very muso and intense." Too serious. Forgettable. Great recording voice. Kara: "That was a strange rendition of that song. I really like you and hope we see you again for many weeks cause you're great." Randy: "Go back to being you from Hollywood week." Ellen:  "I think your version of Paula's “Straight Up” will carry you for a while."

My favorites:
Aaron Kelly
Lee Dwayze
Casey James
Andrew Garcia

In trouble:
Tim Urban
Tyler Grady
Alex Lambert

Easy Easter Card in 3D!

Do you ever buy something and then not use it right away and when you are ready to use it, you can't remember how!!!???  Before Christmas, I bought a sheet of 3-D Diecuts from a stamp store in Lewisville, NC.  They had samples all over of these gorgeous cards that they had made using these die-cuts.  Marianne and I were hooked!  We both bought some.  I don't know if Marianne has used hers (doubt it!) but mine have sitting on my desk for about a month until I got up the courage to give them a try.  I thought it was going to be hard but as it turned out, it was really easy.  Wow!  What an easy but beautiful card they make!  Check it out and tell me what you think.

Here's a close up shot of the flowers so you can see the 3-D effect:

The flowers come on a sheet and you just punch them out.  There are enough to make 4 flower sets and six one dimensional smaller flowers.  Plus, the pieces are numbered so you know how to layer them. 

I also found a Spellbounders Impressabilities Butterfly die that I had never used.  These are really delicate dies and bend very easily.  I just used it like a stencil on my card sponging Blush Blossom ink onto the Blush Blossom card.  Then I used my Oval Nestabilites dies and cut out a Vanilla oval and a Pretty In Pink oval (I thought I was cutting out a Blush Blossom oval but after putting it together, realized I had grabbed the wrong color but it worked). 

I stamped "Easter Blessings" from my new stamp set, Abundent Hope from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

American Idol Girls perform

How do you like my new Blog Title?  I made it myself from My Digital Studio!! 

OK - tonight was the Top 24 Girls on American Idol.  Are you ready for some critique-ing???  (I know I probably butchered that word!)

1. Paige Miles – 24 from Naples, Florida sang It’s All Right Now -  To me, she seems comfortable performing on stage and has good vocals.   She got a vote from me.

Judges: Simon thinks she has best voice of all girls but didn’t like song choice (wedding song); Kara disagrees – loved song choice – she "slayed" the song – just didn’t think she did enough with chorus; Randy & Ellen agreed & disagreed with both.  Ryan, I didn't need to hear that she's sown into her dress and has been waiting to pee.

2. Ashley Rodriguez - 22 from Boston sang Happy from Leona Lewis.  She has a  good voice but was breathy on the microphone.  I think she'll get criticism from doing a Leona Lewis song since she's a "find" of Simon's.
Judges:  Kara – big song, not great but thinks she will move on; Randy – not good song choice; Ellen – take a risk next time & don’t do safe; Simon – didn’t like arrangement; feels like she is going backwards; no originality; could be in trouble tonight.  I agree with Simon!

3. Janell Wheeler – 24 from Florida sang What About Love (Heart).   I don’t think her voice is as good as the other two.
Judges:  Randy – not favorite song choice, but he likes her voice; Ellen loved song choice, a few notes were off but she moved comfortable on stage; Simon – she gave 100% effort but only delivered 65% ; there were moments when he liked her voice, but song choice needs to be more original; he thinks she will survive this week; Kara – song too big.

4. Lilly Scott – 20 from Denver; has been living out of her car, sang The Beatles,Fixing A Hole;.  She made the song her own and I like her although I don’t like her white / platinum / gray hair!!  Her jazzy voice was great with the song.
Judges:   Ellen – "that’s what we are talking about!" She made the song her own , has a unique voice – loved it / Simon – best so far, felt she sang the song because it portrayed her as artist not because it would get her to the next round / Kara – very believable; could feel that she is comfortable / Randy - she's like an "indie" artist -  not worried about what others think; she was great.

5. Katelyn Epperly, 19 from Iowa, a college student sang Oh Darlin’ from 1969.  She had some 80's hair going on!  She was ok.
Judges:  Simon: "Even though it was very messy, I actually really like you." Kara: "You know exactly what you're doing when you're up there." Then Kara gives her a hard time for being overly made up. I agree. Randy: "I think you can go places." Ellen: "You have an amzing voice." OK, so the judges liked her more than I did.

6. Haley Vaughn, 15 from Ft Collins, Colo., a high school student,  She got her nose pierced when she made it to Hollywood.  She sang another Beatles song – I Want to Hold Your Hand.  I think she'll be back in high school next week!
Judges: Kara: "Every time you take that stage you have fun, but you need to work on technical abilities." Randy: "I love the unpredicitability." Ellen: "I enjoyed it. You just shine up there." Simon: "I thought it was verging on terrible. It was a mess."

7. Lacey Brown, 24 from Amarillo was cut last year before top 24.  She sang Fleetwood Mac, Landslide.  The slower songs are just tougher to win the audience but I thought she did ok.
Judges:  Randy: "I thought it was terrible ... pitchy." Ellen: "I just didn't think it worked out." Simon: "It was just boring, sorry." Kara: "I do hope that America gives you one more shot."
 
8. Michelle Delamor, 22 from Florida sang Alicia Keyes, I Keep on Falling;
Judges:  Ellen thought it was fantastic but was safe – seemed easy for her, knows she can do better; Simon – did very well, very professional since that is what she does for a living but not one wow moment but she looks fantastic; Kara – very commercial looking; moments that weren’t great; going for divia spot – lacks believability; Randy – tough song but did pretty good job but she has more – need to take risks and show them something no one else has

9. Didi Benami, 23 from Knoxville sang The Way I Am, another slow song.  I like her - got my vote.
Judges:  Simon – good singer but too many are trying to sound like the original singer; thought song was dreary; missing a spark; likes her & has good voice; Kara – thought song was good & made some creative changes, a little pitchy; Randy - no star factor, loved song & she sounded great; Ellen – great voice, great look, low key

10. Siobhan Magness, 19 from Cape Cod is a glass blowing apprentice!  She sang Wicked Game by Chris Issac.  She's an interesting girl!  You don't expect that voice to come out of her.
Judges:  Kara – wouldn’t have picked the song, but like it; quirky girl, a little nasel-y; in the moment when she is singing which sets her apart tonight; Randy – tough song, great voice; reach for a bigger song; Ellen – loved it, really liked it a lot; Simon – "you really are a funny little thing" – never know what she is going to do – like it but liked the Stevie Wonder song she did during Hollywood week better.  Simon asked her why she picked the song and she answered him in her monotone voice .  Simon answered in a monotone., "now I understand."

11. Crystal Bowersox, 24 from Ohio.  She has dreadlocks; is a mom (not sure if she's a single mom or not but I bet so).  Idol is not a show for her but she is doing it to give her son a better life.  She's singing "Hand in My Pocket" by Allanis Morrisette. This song is tailor-made for her skills. I like her vibe - and she plays the harmonica too! I think she could find a big audience out there!  Probably my favorite!!
Judges:  Randy: "I love your originality as an artist. I like what you do. I'm a fan." Ellen: "I think we are lucky you decided to audition for Idol." Simon: "The truth is there are thousands of you doing that outside subway stations. You've got to do something and make it your version. I think you're refreshing." Kara: "You have that ability to take us on a journey with you, but I didn't see that so much tonight."

12. Katie Stevens, 17 from Connecticutt is a high school student and is very close to her grandmother who has Alzheimers.  She sang Feelin Good by Michael Duble.
Judges:  Ellen: "It was good, but you're 17 and it was very intense. I want to see you be 17." Simon: "It was like your mum and dad had given you the song. And it was very pageanty." Kara: "You were kind of all over the place, and that's not like you." Randy: "I think you're a great talent. It was just too old for you. Be 17."  I agree with the judges.

One of the things I noticed tonight is that I'm really, really going to miss Simon Cowell when he's off this show. His comments tonight were really so much more precise and useful than any of the other judges. Ellen is obviously still trying to figure out what she can bring to the show -- it wasn't very clear tonight.  I like her on the show.  I have to admit, I was very doubtful but she does bring humor to the group.  I just didn't think she added a whole lot tonight.

Who were your favorites tonight?

Top 3:
- Crystal Bowersox
- Didi Benami
- Paige Miles

but I also voted for:
- Lilly Scott
- Katelyn Epperly
- Lacey Brown

Should be worried Thursday night:
- Janell Wheeler
- Ashley Rodriguez
-  Haley Vaughn

Well, calling for more snow tonight and tomorrow here!  Will this winter ever go away??

Monday Mailer plus 411 Challenge Card - easy too!

Wow, what an easy card this was!  I made this card for my Monday Mailer and for the challenge at Stamping 411.  It was such an easy layout that I didn't even have to think!  The paper is from that wonderful stack of DSP in the  Occasions Mini Catalog!  If you are on the fence about this paper, jump off and order it.  It is really great!  I'd love to see this paper go into the main catalog next year but doubt that it will.  

So there's not much stamping involved in this card at all since all those flowers are on the DSP - only the saying which is from another great SU product - Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I can always find a saying I want in that set.  So I stamped "because nice matters" on Pumpkin Pie and punched it out with the Modern Label punch.  Then I glued some leaves and a little flower from the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt pack (in the Occasions mini too); tied some orange grosgrain and Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon (I know ... it looks grey) around the DSP; and glued it onto my Rich Razzleberry card.  Easy, peasy!!

A Scrunchy Vellum flower

What a beautiful weekend we had here in the Carolinas!  The temperature was finally out of the 30's and we saw the sun!  Sonny worked outside - changing oil in our cars, raking leaves, etc. and the ball of ice that is in our heat pump is almost all melted!!  At least it is melted down enough so we were able to run our heater and not on emergency power! 

I made the most gorgous card (in my humble opinion!) yesterday! 

I used Blush Blossom (a color I don't use often) with Soft Suede.  I ran the piece through my Big Shot with the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder.  Then I used my Scor It and scored diagonal lines over the whole piece.  For the flower centers, I chalked Pretty in Pink on a small piece of Blush Blossom.  (I think it was Pretty in Pink!  Last year I dropped my chalks & had to guess which colors were which to put back in the holder.)  I punched out the flower centers with my 1/4" circle punch and glued them down.  The flower is vellum that I chalked with a little Blush Blossom and a little Pretty in Pink (???).  I punched 10 circles with my Scallop Circle Punch and punched a hole through the middle with my piercer and put a brad through the middle.  Then I just scrunched up each petal to the middle.  Here's a close-up of the flower -

The leaves are from the Big Shot also using the Little Leaves die and Certainly Celery.  Tie a piece of Soft Suede polka dot ribbon and mat the piece onto Soft Suede.  Then adhere the whole thing to a Blush Blossom card.  Then sentiment is from Whimsical Words (Saleabration).  I punched it out with my small oval punch and chalked the edges. 

Monday Mailer Technique

I received my Monday Mailer yesterday and it was so cool, I had to try the technique.  Of course, it is a Zindorf technique .... she always does the greatest cards!

So, here is the card I received:

And here is the card that I made:

Isn't it cool??

If you want to try this technique, click HERE.

We went to Concord Mills today and while Sonny was browsing in Bass Pro Shop, I wandered around in AC Moore.  I haven't been to AC Moore since it moved out of Concord Mills and was quite impressed.  They have done a good job in stocking their paper craft area and have Sizzix Dies, Nesties, Cuttlebug, 7 Gypsies brand and others.  If you're in the area, check it out.

More news on the Idol Scandal

If you're interested in American Idol and its scandals, here is an interesting read -

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/316970/idol-scandal-chris-golightly-does-not-go-quietly/

American Idol Top 24!

Well, American Idol is starting to get down to the "nitty, gritty."  After dragging Hollywood week out .... can anyone say "boring" .... they have their top 24.  But not without a little drama and intrigue (don't we expect that each year anyway????)  One of the guys, Chris Golightly, was shown in some clips during  the 24 reveal on American Idol and was shown on stage on Wednesday night, but he was not included in the Top 24 in the end. Instead Tim Urban was in the Top 24. Tim Urban’s entry into the Top 24 was not aired, except in the end when his name and face was shown.  The bloggers are claiming that Chris was formerly under a music contract and believed the contract expired 30 days before he auditioned for Idol in July 2009. Unconfirmed blog chatter says when an alleged scuffle developed as to whether Chris’ contract did or didn’t expire in June 2009 with one person allegedly claiming Chris was still under contract, Chris allegedly failed to provide proof he was in fact released from contract in June of 2009.  Wonder if we'll hear anything about it from the judges?  Doubt it.

The male finalists are:  Andrew Garcia, 24, Moreno Valley, Calif.; Tyler Grady, 20, Nazareth, Pa.; Alex Lambert, 19, North Richland Hills, Texas; Joe Munoz, 20, Huntington Park, Calif.; John Park, 21, Evanston, Ill.; and Jermaine Sellers, 27, Joliet, Ill; Lee Dewyze, 23, Mount Prospect, Ill.;  Aaron Kelly, 16, Sonestown, Pa.; Casey James, 27, Fort Worth, Texas; Todrick Hall, 24, Arlington, Texas and Michael "Big Mike" Lynche, 26, Astoria, N.Y.and Tim Urban, 20, from Duncanville, Tx.

The female finalists are:  Crystal Bowersox, 24, Toledo, Ohio; Lacey Brown, 24, Amarillo, Texas; Michelle Delamor, 22, Miami; Siobhan Magnus, 20, Marstons Mills, Mass.; Paige Miles, 24, Houston, Texas; Ashley Rodriguez, 22, Chelsea, Mass.; Lilly Scott, 20, Denver; Katie Stevens, 17, Middlebury, Conn.; and Haeley Vaughn, 16, Fort Collins, Colo' Didi Benami, 23, Los Angeles; Katelyn Epperly, 19, West Des Moines, Iowa; Janell Wheeler, 24, Tampa, Florida.

The top 12 women will perform live next Tuesday with the top 12 men taking the stage live Wednesday. Viewer votes will determine which two women and two men will be eliminated.  Stay tuned!

Mojo Monday Challenge

It's been a long time since I've done any challenges.  So, today I did two cards for the Mojo Monday challenge.  I needed a birthday card and a "just because" card, so these are what I came up with.

This one is really bright!  But, I figure, we old ladies like bright colors!!  Don't we???  The inside says "Don't let your age get you down, You might not get back up!"  The stamps are from Little Paper Shop except for the Enjoy sentiment - it's SU.  Hope this card doesn't offend my friend!!

I love this one.  I used Baja Blue and a retired stamp set that I think is my all time favorite and one I'll never get rid of - Art of Life.  I also made a "crinkly flower" with my circle punches.  Here's a close up of the flower. 

I punched one circle from my 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8" Circle Punches and 2 circles from the Scallop Circle Punch.  Then I just wadded each of them up into a tight ball.  Then I straighted them back out and using my paper piercer, punched a hole in the middle where I inserted a Rhinestone Brad.  Then I "poofed" the flower back up and glued it on my card!  A lot of technical terms here but I think you get the picture!!

Just wish I could see my sweet little grandson, but guess I'll settle for pictures on his mom's blog instead like this one -

Playing Mahjong today .... wish me luck!!

FIVE years plus Quilt Square

Today I celebrate FIVE years as a Stampin' Up demonstrator!  And, I still love the product just as much.  My favorite things about Stampin' Up is the two-step stamping and the coordinating products.  I love the fact that I don't have to guess if my cardstock, designer paper, ink and ribbons match.  With Stampin' Up's 48 colors (plus the additional in-colors), there are so many choices.  During the five years I have been a demonstrator, there have been many changes within the company ... new products, new colors, catalogs that have been annual, then bi-annual, then back to annual ....  I never would have thought I would love my Big Shot like I do.  When it first came out, I thought, I don't need that - I don't do die cut images.  But, little did I know, how I would come to use it as much as I do.  And now, I'm using fabric with my Big Shot!  Who woulda thought it?!!  I haven't done a quilt yet - saving that for my sister, Marianne - but I have made other things.  Fabric is one of the industry's hottest trends right now, and the best part is, you don't even need to be a seamstress to get in on the action! You can create gorgeous fabric accessories and home décor, all without ever touching a sewing machine. There are myriad of options for seamstresses and non-seamstresses alike, and presenting fabric-oriented projects allows you to introduce Stampin' Up! to a whole new group of customers.

Here's a pattern for a quilt square for you to make with your Big Shot!

Folded Paper Frame for my Monday Mailer

For my Monday Mailer card this week, I did a Folded Paper Frame.  I got the tutorial from Splitcoast.  It took me a couple of tries since I kept cutting the paper to the wrong size and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working!  Duhhhh!!  Anyway, if you cut your paper correctly, it is pretty easy!!  Here is my card:

 

I used Crushed Curry and Rose Red cardstock.  The DSP is from the Occasions Mini Catalog - Sweet Pea.  There is some gorgeous paper in that book!  I had held off ordering it because I though it was a little pricey, but actually it is a whole book of 12 x 12 paper - 2 each of 24 double-sided designs.  (Again, I didn't read all the fine print - I thought it was a 6x6 pack of paper!)  I used the stamp set, Great Friend and embossed the butterfly.  The scallop punch that I used is from the Saleabration catalog (FREE)!!  

If you want directions on this card, to HERE and follow the directions.

Weather update - we only got rain last night!  But, it sure was cold today .... again!!  Tomorrow is supposed to be in the low 40's but warming up by the end of the week to the 50's!!!  Maybe Spring is around the corner.

Happy Valentine!

Hope your Valentine's Day was sweet!  Mine was pretty quiet.  We met my Mom and Marianne and Greg in town tonight for dinner and I gave them some Valentines.  I made Mom these flower pins that I made today.

 I woke up Saturday morning to more snow as I said in an earlier post.  Here are a few pictures I took yesterday morning.  It was a real pretty snow but by mid afternoon, the sun had melted most of it from the trees.  We still have some in the yard (along with some left over from 2 weeks ago!)  Our heat pump has been frozen solid for 2 weeks.  We keep waiting for it to thaw out to see if the motor is burned out or not.  In the meantime, we have it on emergency electrical power.

 Here are a few Valentines that I received.

 

This is a darling little box .... with Hershey kisses inside that I got from Judy.  It's so cute!!   I actually recycled it today and put some Hershey Nuggets (I ate all the kisses!) in it and gave it to Sonny!!

  

This is a pretty card that I received in the mail from Brenda today.

I received this cute bear from my upline, Carol.  Isn't he cute?? 

 And this card I received from my friend Margaret.  It's an easel card.  I haven't made one of these yet but I think I will give it a try tomorrow.  Thanks, Margaret!!

Well, the forecast is calling for more snow tonight!!  We'll see.  I don't think we are supposed to get much but it will be cold all week.  I'm ready for SPRING!!

To Realize Values ....

To realize
The value of a sister/brother
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one

To realize the value of ten years:
Ask a newly Divorced couple.

To realize the value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize The value of one year:
Ask a student who Has failed a final exam. 

To realize The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize The value of one month:
Ask a mother Who has given birth to a premature baby....

To realize The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize The value of one minute:
Ask a person Who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize The value of one-second:
Ask a person Who has survived an accident.

To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.

SNOW

Snowing again here in NC .... what a winter!!  Marianne & I were planning on driving to Columbia, SC tomorrow to a craft convention.  Guess I'll be upstairs in my craft room instead!!

Tomorrow's Workshop Projects

I have been busy today getting things together for my workshop tomorrow.  It has been so long since I have done a Stampin' Up workshop, I had to "get back to basics!"  We are expecting about 11 ladies and I don't think any of them have any stamping experience, so I have tried to make the cards really simple but still nice.  Sometimes, I have trouble with simple!!  I have all the pieces pre-cut so they really just have to stamp them and put them together.  Seems easy to me but I've been fooled before!! 

What do you think .... simple enough?

This first card uses Pocket Silhouettes stamp set.  The card base is Sahara Sand with Red and Crushed Curry paper accents.  I used the Pinking Hearts border punch that I just got!!

The next card uses Vintage Vogue (from mini catalog) and Whimsical Words (from Saleabration catalog).  The card base is Bermuda Bay with Designer Paper from Thoroughly Modern.  I matted the main image on Mellow Moss cardstock.   I punched the edge with the Scallop Punch but will give them their options on punches.  The brad is a Designer Brad. 

These are samples of the little treat bags we will be making.  I have everything cut out and scored.   They will have their choice of stamps from the Love You Much set.

These are little sucker holders I made to give out tomorrow.  I think I will stamp Happy Valentines on the top tonight while watching TV!!

Chocolate!!

Well, I think I've eaten more than my share of Hershey Nuggets this week!  I bought a huge bag last week because I wanted to make some matchboxes for Valentines and put the chocolates in.  Well .... 2 went in the boxes and 2 went in my mouth, ..... etc. - you get the picture!!  I am doing a workshop this week and am making these little matchboxes to give to the ladies.  These are ladies that don't have a clue about stamping but always ooh and aah over my cards.  So, I don't know if I will get any orders but I told them they would each make a couple of cards even if they think they can't!  I'll share the cards with you later this week.  But here are some of the little boxes I've made.

 

 

Life is Too Short

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
So love the people who treat you right.
Love the ones who don't just because you can.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Kiss slowly.
Forgive quickly.
God never said life would be easy.
He just promised it would be worth it.


I am only as strong as the chocolate I eat,
the hair spray I use and
the friends I have.
To the cool women that have touched my life. Here's to you!

Super Bowl and Commercials

SAINTS WIN the Super Bowl!  Wow - their first trip to the Super Bowl and they win all the marbles.  What a good game, but also a fast game.  Guess that's due to hardly any penalties and not that many time-outs either.  I really didn't expect the Saints to win although that's who I was pulling for.  I bet the French Quarter is wild tonight!!

OK and the commercials .... some good and a lot bad!  A 30-second Super Bowl commercial is costing companies $3 million!!  Here are a few I liked:

•  Doritos had a commercial where a man is picking up a women for a date, and she introduced him to her son and leaves the room. The son, who is around 4-5 years old hit his mother's date's hand and tells him "Keep your hands off my mom. Keep your hands off my doritos." He is absolutely adorable.
• The Doritos bark collar commercial was clever. Animal commercials are the ones we remember and talk about.
• The VW commercial making fun of the time honored "slug bug" rule was cute, especially with Stevie Wonder and Tracy Morgan at the end.
• Betty White's Snickers commercial was another favorite.
• The Bud Lite commercial that is a spoof on the TV show "Lost" where a plane crashes onto an island and the survivors of the crash are stranded. A man finds a refrigerator of Bud Light in the back of the plane and worry subsides and a party ensues.
• The Motorola commercial:   A woman sitting in a bubble bath taking a photo of herself and then theorizing what would occur if she sent it out. What followed was a series of vignettes in which a gay couple alternatively slap each other, a man falls to the ground while high on a ladder, etc. Does sex still sell?   Motorola thinks so
• 
  Dennys puts chickens on alert. Silly with bad effects but sometimes silly is good. The TruTV commercial with Punxsutawney Polamalu was funny.

What did you like about the game & the commercials?

Super Bowl Sunday

Got your chips, dip, beer, etc. ready for the SUPER BOWL?  Although, I have to say, I'm not as excited about it this year as I was last year.  I couldn't help thinking all weekend that I was in snowy Pittsburgh last year this time feeling the hype of the Steelers being in the Super Bowl.  Oh well, I'm hoping next year we'll be in it again in Dallas!  Ashley has season tickets to the Cowboys games so I assume she would get a chance for Super Bowl tickets since the Super Bowl will be at the Cowboys stadium next year.  Of course, who am I kidding?  She would either sell them to get the big bucks or she and her Dad would be sitting in the stadium while I was watching from home!!

I'll be watching the game tomorrow night from home.  No big plans this year.  I'll be pulling for New Orleans too.  I think it's like a Cinderella story that they are in the Super Bowl (plus, I get a little sick of hearing about Peyton!!)

Marianne and I enjoyed "Dear John" today.  I would recommend it to you chicks out there.  The only drawback was the theatre was filled with teenagers with their cell phones and whispering and snickering during the love scenes.  I was about to make a scene and tell them to SHUT UP!!  I'm used to going to the movies during the week when Sonny & I are about the only ones in the theatre!  Just getting old and crotchety, I know!

American Video

This video makes you feel like an American.  It hits home with me since my daughter is currently in the Army and my son graduated from West Point and wore that gray uniform that the Glee Club has on.

Headed to see Dear John at the movies!

Monday Mailer for Feb and Jan

Sorry I didn't post yesterday.  I left the house at 9 AM and returned at 9:30 PM!!  I played bridge at a friends house most of the day.  Then I had to pick up my mom from her Assc. for the Blind meeting and we went to Target so I could return something.  After that, we met Sonny and Marianne for dinner at Chili's before my class started at Stampers Alley.  I had six ladies in my class and we had a good time!  This was the class that was scheduled for last Saturday but got delayed because of our snow so I was glad to get it done before more bad weather moves in.  We were supposed to get sleet/freezing rain last night.  Don't know what other areas got, but it is just raining here this morning.  Maybe it was freezing during the night but I can't vouch for that and it's only supposed to stay in the 30's today!  More bad weather is being forecast for tomorrow - sleet and snow with temps still in the 30's.  But next Tuesday and Wednesday is supposed to be more snow and sleet!!  I think we have gotten our share of bad weather this winter.  We will definately be ready for SPRING!!

Here are the Monday Mailers I have received this week.  I lucked out and received one from Ashanti from last month and one from Becky for February!

This is the one from Ashanti.  She used the Scallop Circle die cut (SU) to make the card.  The paper is from the Occasions Mini Catalog, Sending Love - isn't it pretty?  The stamped portion hs Shimmerz over it and is so pretty and shiny! 

This is the card from Becky using Vintage Vogue from the Occasions Mini.  I love the ribbon rosettes in the middle of the flowers.  I'll have to find out how she did them and let you know!

A few techniques

Today I actually went out on my own!  I figured the roads were clear enough for a non-snow driver like myself to venture onto.  Although, most of the area schools were still out.  I heard a lot of mothers bemoaning this fact when I was in Michaels!  I had my Newcomers meeting this morning.  We did installation of officers for next year.  I was Corresponding Secretary (in charge of the newsletter) last year and am doing it again next year.  I will sure miss my old board members.  We got along so good!  Hopefully, the upcoming board will work just as well together although I don't know many of them.  But, that's what the club is all about - making new friends!

I want to share some of the cards I've made since I've been stuck in the house for the past few days.  It's actually been a pretty productive few days.

This one uses the Embossing Resist Technique on glossy paper.  After running my Embossing Buddy over the glossy cardstock, I stamped the French Script and Inspired by Nature with Versamark ink.  I then embossed it with clear embossing powder and melted it with the heat gun.  Next, I sponged a few colors on the card - Ruby Red, So Saffron, Old Olive.  Then use a tissue to buff the color off the stamped images.

For this card, I stamped the glossy white paper with Black Staz-On ink and sponged colors over the flowers - Bermuda Bay, Pixie Pink and Green Galore.  I then cut the flowers out and mounted them on a piece of glossy paper that I had stamped with the Canvas Background stamp (stamped in the same colors randomly.) 

This is a square card.  I stamped Riot of Petals on the 5" square card and the 3 1/2" square of Pale Plum.  Then I used my Copics to color in the petals of the flowers.  I put a little yellow Stickles in the middle of the flowers and mounted the smaller piece of Perfect Plum.  I tied a Rich Razzleberry ribbon around.

Oh - I have a little Ashley / Haiti news.  Looks like she will not be going to Haiti any time soon.  After getting her address changed so her mail would be coming to us, getting a Power of Attorney, etc, and waiting for two weeks to find out something, she was told yesterday that the deployment had been pushed back and they don't know when (or if) it is going to happen.  Needless to say, she is very disappointed.

Valentines Sweet Treats Cup with a Slider

I've been on a roll the past couple of days with making cards!  I finally got out of the house yesterday.  We were able to get our car out of the driveway in the afternoon and, with Sonny driving, we went to town!!  We had lunch/dinner out; then headed to the grocery store!  Such fun (ha)!  A new Lowe's grocery opened up last week and I had not gone yet so we checked it out then headed over to BJ's to stock up.  Today, we drove to the YMCA and then had a delicious Italian late lunch at Portofino's!  Yummy!!  Now, I don't have to cook dinner (2 nights in a row!!)

So, I got these Sweet Treat Cups 2-3 months ago and for some reason, I was just intimidated by them.  Don't know why I didn't just sit myself down and just DO IT!!  But, I always found an excuse.  So today, I made this cute little Valentine card using the round Sweet Treat cups.  I didn't buy the heart shaped ones since I had never used the round ones!  I found these little heart shaped candy wafers at Michaels - believe me, they look better than they taste!! 

I made little 3" x 3" cards.  I think tomorrow I'll try a larger card.

So you don't have to tear up the card to get to the goodies inside, I made a little slider door. Here's a picture of the inside with the door partly opened.

Here's the inside with little slider closed.

It was really pretty easy.  If you want to make one of these, check out Becky Roberts' blog HERE.

Bling!

If you love BLING, here is a new blog site that has some beautiful beaded Bling!  Check it out HERE.