June Birthdays = Retiring Colors!

I have been making birthday cards for a couple of days.  I have a bunch of friends having birthdays in June.  Since I will be out of town for a couple of weeks, I wanted to make them now and have them ready to pop in the mail.

This one uses the stamp set, Flight of the Butterfly and the Butterfly Punch.  I stamped them in white and used Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder.  I drew the antenna onto the cardstock.  The background is a retired butterfly wheel.  I used retiring Gable Green cardstock.

This card uses Party Hearty stamp set and a Cuttlebug Birthday Embossing Folder.  I used another retiring cardstock, Glorious Green.  I have a bunch of this color left - it's probably one of my least favorite colors.

This card uses Fifth Avenue Floral.  I stamped the flower in Versamark and embossed it clear.  Then I sponged Pink Pirouette ink over the flower.  The DSP is one I just got.  Don't know why I waited so long!  I love it.  It is the Bride carstock (pg 158).  The paper is white embossed on white.  When you brayer or sponge a color on it, it changes the paper.  This one I brayered in Pink Piroutte.. 

This card uses Inspired by Nature.  The grass and the flower are stamped in black and embossed clear.

This card uses some of the retiring purples - Orchid Opulence, Perfect Plum and Almost Amethyst.  The stamps are retired.

This card uses a stampset from the Summer Mini - Watercolor Trio.  I love, love, love this stamp!!  Again, I used retiring colors - Summer Sun and Only Orange.

If you are interested in ordering any of the Retiring Colors, you should do so ASAP!  Here is some of the info I have received from Stampin'  Up about these orders:

• 
  
  For re-inkers in retiring colors, as we run out, they will be placed on backorder status and those orders will be filled as quickly as we receive the product. We will continue to do this to the best of our ability through May, and then the re-inkers will be available while supplies last in June.
• 
  
  As for cardstock, we can't order significant quantities at this point in time without putting the production of the new colors in jeopardy.  We will be substituting textured paper for some of the smooth colors--including card stock in 8-1/2" x 11" as well as 12" x 12"--where the smooth is no longer available. These colors will go on backorder, and we will be filling as many of those as possible with textured card stock. Because the demand for each color varies, we are unable to provide a list of what colors of card stock will be substituted with textured, or at what point that will happen. However, if you receive a package of card stock that is textured instead of smooth, there will be a sticker on the package indicating that change.

I am anxious to watch Americal Idol tonight!  Who will the final two be???  My bet is Crystal and Lee.  I just heard that Chris Daughtery, a former idol star, and his wife are expecting twins!!

American Idol Final FOUR

Four perform tonight ... individually and as a duet. It's movie night so we're paying tribute to the music that impacts the silver screen.  The mentor this week is the fabulous Jamie Foxx.

Lee has that dreaded #1 spot and sings Kiss from a Rose.  The judges didn't like it.  I think he could have made a better song choice but I just love Lee and love that song and thought he was ok!!

Mike was next with a song I wasn't familiar with, Will You Bhe There.  It's from the movie, Free Willie. ???  Huh?  The judges were mixed with their reviews.  I like Lee better.

Crystal and Lee did a duet, Falling Softly.  Oh ... they are so great!  All the judges thought that was the best moment all season!

Casey sings Mrs. Robinson from The Graduate.  Not so sure about this one - it may be time for him to go - pretty hair and all!  The judges - except for Simon - liked it.  Randy is asking why he chose that song, but this Kara/Mrs. Robinson thing is tacky. I’m annoyed.  But, in the end, I agree with Simon. “There have been some very strange song choices tonight, and that was one of them.”

Next is Crystal singing the theme from Caddyshack, I'm All Right.  Weird song choices tonight!  But she definitely made this song HER ... a little Janis Joplin style.  Ellen is right - her performance was Crystalized!!

Now Big Mike and Casey team up for their duet, Have You Ever Loved a Woman.  I’ll give Casey a star for the guitar and Mike a star for the vocal.  Great performance!  Ellen's comment was funny!  She's loved a woman before!

The duets were better than the performances tonight.  The chemistry between Crystal and Lee was super!!

I think Casey will be leaving us tonight.

American Idol Results

At the beginning of the show, Ryan pulls Lee front and center.  Without a lot of hoopla, he reveals that Lee is SAFE.  No surprise there  - he was great Tuesday night.

Then he makes two groups - Crystal and Casey and Mike and Aaron.  My thoughts are that Crystal and Casey are the bottom two which would be correct in my opinion.  But, NO - it's Mike and Aaron.  What's going on?  Casey should be in the bottom two instead of either Mike or Aaron!!  For some reason, Big Mike is just not getting the votes. As it turns out, Aaron is going home.  He should hold his head up high - he has a great voice and should have a secure future.

I enjoyed hearing Harry Connick Jr. perform.  Don't think I ever noticed how lop-sided his mouth is!  He's funny though - he was really cutting up with the contestants and with Ellen!

So we're down to four!  Hard to believe - seems like the season just got started.  I'm still betting on Lee and Crystal in the final two.  The way Lee has been performing lately, he could just beat Crystal.  What do you think?

Final Five ... American idol

We are down to 5 contestants. One more leaves tomorrow. Tonight they are singing songs from the Frank Sinatra songbook with piano backup and mentoring by Harry Connick Jr.  Oooh ... he's such a cutie and that N'Orleans accent ain't bad!!

• Aaron Kelly sings "Fly Me to the Moon"  He's got such a big voice for a little kid.  It wasn't bad but not his best.  He should be safe though even though he got the dreaded first spot.
• Casey James sings "Blue Skies"  Ooooh ... not good at all.  Probably his worst performance.  He could be in trouble tonight.
• Crystal Bowersox sings "Summer Wind"  Probably her worst performance too.  What's going on???  I thought Sinatra songs would be great!  She should be ok but just not the song I would have expected her to sing.  I would have liked to have heard her sing Chicago.
• Mike Lynche sings "The Way You Look Tonight"   So far, the best of the night!  He was comfortable on stage and sounded great.  I'm glad he got the save a few weeks ago.
• Lee DeWyze sings "That's Life"  Wow!!  Loved it! Best song choice of the night.   It will come down to a Lee / Crystal finale in my opinion.

We’re trying to find the next big pop star, and Sinatra’s tunes just aren’t conducive to the search.  The only one who made Sinatra current was Lee.

Bottom 2:  Aaron & Casey with Casey going home I think
Will Crystal be in the bottom 3????  Maybe!

Idol loses another one

Just a quick post before I hit the sack.  I had a really busy day today which I'll tell you about tomorrow after a good night's rest.

Just wanted to touch on Idol briefly.  I was dreading all day watching the results show tonight because I didn't want anyone to be sent packing.  They were all so good last night it just wasn't fair for one to have to leave.  My feelings going in to the show was that it would be Mike .... just because.  I talked to Ashley and Marianne before watching - Ashley predicted Siobahn and Marianne hoped it would be Siobahn but thought it would be Big Mike.  Well, the bottom three were Casey, Mike and Siobahn so I knew one of us was right.  Turns out it was Ashley!  Siobahn did her final song and left tonight.  Siobahn has been the one that had me smiling every night with her quirkiness but it was starting to wear thin.  She stayed true to herself but she just took it a little too far.  Add that into her screaming at the end of her songs and I guess she was the one that had to pack it up.  That leaves one girl in the final - Crystal - who I think will win.  I am just so surprised that there is only one girl left because at the very beginning I thought the girls were the most talented and the prediction by many was that this would be a girl's year.  I'm thinking the final 2 will be Crystal and Lee but it's a toss up who will be #3!  What do you think?  Next week, the singers will be mentored by Harry Connick Jr. and perform songs from Frank Sinatra.  I like me some Harry!!

American Idol - a Tough One Tonight!

Tonight Shania Twain was the mentor.  I used to be a big fan of hers.  This should be good tonight. 

• Lee Dewyze sings You're Still the One - I like that he made this his own.  All the judges liked it.
• Mike Lynche sings It Only Hurts When I Breathe - Simon thought it was "wet" whatever that means!  Think he means it was too girly.  I liked it.
• Casey James sings Don't - This was one of Casey's best.  The judges agree.  This should keep him out of the bottom 3 this week. 
• Crystal Bowersox sings No One Needs to Know Right Now - Not her best of the season but there's nothing she can't sing!  Her boyfriend was in the audience tonight.
• Aaron Kelly sings Youve Got A Way - I was set to bash Aaron and officially pick him to go home. Not gonna happen. Aaron has been bad but he redeemed himself tonight. I think that is the best he has sounded all season. Going home? No
• Siobahn Magness sings Any Man of Mine -  She sounded good but I thought you could close your eyes and think it was Shania singing the song.  She didn't make it "her own" in my opinion.

Tonight was a tough one!  I think it's going to be a toss up as to who will be in the Bottom 3 and who will be going home.  I'm afraid it might be Big Mike.

Idol Top 7

Here we are again ... Tuesday night.  We are going back and forth between American Idol and the Stanley Cup Hockey playoffs .... go Penguins!! 

Tonight is inspirational songs with Alisha Keys being the mentor.  She is one gorgeous girl!!  Guess she will sing tomorrow night during Idol Gives Back.

• Casey James sings "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" - Not so sure about the inspirational aspect to this song and it was a little boring to me.  Nothing memorable.  He might be in trouble tonight.
• Lee DeWyze sings "The Boxer" - Great performance!!  I love this song and I love Lee .
• Tim Urban sings "Better Days" - Not bad but not the best either.  He just doesn't have the range or the voice that Lee, Crystal, Mike and Siobahn have.  Will the teen votes save him again?
• Aaron Kelly sings "I Believe I Can Fly" - He has a big voice that's for sure.  Judges are split on him. He just doesn't have the stage presence for me. 
• Siobahn Magnus sings "When You Believe" - Her weirdness is getting old. I'm not laughing tonight.  It was hard to even pay attention to her singing for looking at what she was wearing.  Who dresses her - the Idol people or her???  It was just too distracting.  There's no question she has a super voice but that might not be enough.
• Mike Lynche sings "Hero" - I liked it but he's one of my favorites.  Simon said it was a song about Spiderman and not inspirational.  I disagree .... everyone needs a hero to inspire them.
• Crystal Bowersox sings "People Get Ready" WOW!  She is just so good and she looked gorgeous. She got really emotional at the end but that was ok - it made it real.  Her performance was the BEST!  Unfortunately, AGAIN, the show ran over and our DVR clicked off during Kara's critique so I didn't get to hear what Simon had to say.  I'm sure it was good though.  Wish they would stay within the time limit!!

My picks for bottom 3 - Casey, Tim and maybe Siobahn???  Not sure
Top 2 - Crystal and Lee

I've been a little worried about Crystal.  I heard this week that Ryan Seacrest gave her a little pep talk a couple of weeks ago and suposedly talked her out of quitting.  She was hating the attention the show was bringing to her and planned to go back home to her family and son.   But a few days later on Facebook, Crystal confirmed the rumor, writing: "We all have moments of doubt. As much as I miss my kid, the big picture is this: I'm doing this for him and my fans. I'm having the time of my life!"  Just hope the public doesn't interpret this to mean she doesn't want to be there and if she wins, she won't be able to handle the pressure. 

Another finalist will be sent home Wednesday on a special episode that will serve as the "Idol Gives Back" charity event, which benefits Children's Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children's U.S. programs and the United Nations Foundation.  Black Eyed Peas, Jeff Beck, Joss Stone and Mary J. Blige are among those slated to perform.

American Idol Results - Two More Gone

The top nine performed a medley of Elvis songs at the beginning.  I liked it!  Sometimes I don't always like the group performances but liked this one.  The Ford commercial was kinda cheesy this time. 

So on to the results - Casey. Aaron and Andrew are asked to stand.  They are the three I predicted in the Bottom Three!  Without much ado, Andrew is dumped. WOW.  That was quick. It’s his time or rather past his time!   Andrew and Casey are safe, by the way. 

Brooke White performs.  I really like her and enjoyed listening to her.  Her song is a FREE download on I-Tunes - gotta remember to do that!

The rest of the contestants are called to the stage.  Crystal. Lee and Siobahn are sent back to safety.  That leaves Aaron, Katie, and Big Mike.  Oh .... hope it's not Mike again!!

Adam Lambert performs while we are all wondering who is on the chopping block.  I like Adam's performance and his song.  The others in the room with me did not like him at all!  I just wish he would tone down the eye make-up .... hope he owns stock in Revlon!!

OK - back to the results!  Tim is safe and it's down to Mike and Katie.  Ryan announces that one is going home and the other one is not even in the Bottom Three.  So confusing ... why mess with us (and them) and have him out there if he is not in jeopardy???  Katie is going home.  Again, I think it is her time.  She is cute and I like her performances sometimes, but there are too many other really good ones.  This year is a tough one! 

I'm still predicting Crystal, Siobahn and Lee for the top three.  What do you think????

Idol Elvis Style

Tonight the contestants mentor is Adam Lambert, last year's runner up and the contestants are singing Elvis songs.  Interesting since no contestant has ever been a mentor before.  In an interview published earlier today, someone said Adam was the mentor so that the show can help out his career which is faltering.  I thought Adam did a good job of mentoring — and was quite critical of the singers. He helped out Tim Urban, Michael Lynche and Katie Stevens the most.

Crystal Bowersox sings "Saved."  The judges loved her as usual.  It wasn't my favorite of hers but she always does a good job no matter what she is singing.

Andrew Garcia sings "Hound Dog."    No ... hope he's got his bags packed because I think he's going to get the losing ticket tonight.  It was pure karoke.

Tim Urban sings "I Can't Help Falling In Love."  The judges liked it but I felt it was boring. 

Lee DeWyze sings "Little Less Conversation."  As usual, great!  Another step closer to the finale for him.  He gave the song his take on it and it was upbeat and fun.

Aaron Kelly sings "Blue Suede Shoes."  Pretty karoke - should put him in the bottom in my estimation.  Elvis he is not!

Siobahn Magness sings "Suspicious Minds."  She has the pipes!  What a great job in my opinion.  She made that song her own for sure.  The judges are trying to pin down the type of artist she is and she basically shemut Simon down.  She told him she couldn't label herself so how was she supposed to tell them who she was.

Mike Lynch sings "In the Ghetto."  I'm so glad he was saved last week.  His vocals are sooo good.

Katie Stephens sings "What Do You Want Me to Do."  All the judges liked it EXCEPT Simon.  I thought she did a good job tonight and that should keep her out of the bottom this week.

Casey James sings "Lawdy Miss Clawdy."  It didn't do anything for me.

My picks for bottom three are Aaron, Andrew and Casey.  Two will be leaving this week.  Who do you think it will be????

37 Years and Counting

Today is our 37th anniversary!  Wow .... that seems like a long time ... well, I guess it is!  We're headed to the Outer Banks tomorrow for a little vacation so I probably won't be blogging for a few days.  Even though I grew up in NC, I have never been to the Outer Banks.  I would prefer to go during the summer so I could see the outdoor musical, The Lost Colony.  I mentioned it to Sonny last summer but he doesn't love the heat and the beach so, we're going now instead.  Hopefully, he'll like it enough that we can return during a summer one day. 

This is the card I gave him.  Time got away from me and I didn't have time to make one yesterday.  This is one I had in my "stash"!  Luckily, I hoard cards for just such occasions!

I like the way this card opens ... and I stamped my own sentiment on the inside!

Watching American Idol as I type this  (we DVR'd it).  Ryan pulled one of his tricks on the girls tonight.  He had the three girls, Siobahn, Crystal and Katie come out to center stage and then after a few suspenseful minutes, he told them they were all safe and to take a seat. 

The guys - he divided them up into 2 groups:

Group #1 - Lee, Casey, Tim - SAFE
Group #2 - Mike, Aaron, Andrew - Bottom Three

Unbelievable - Big Mike is the bottom and having to sing for his life??  America - you got it wrong!!  He is damn good and should have made it over a couple of the other guys.  Well, thank you judges for the SAVE!  We'll see Mike next week.

Top Nine on Idol

Beatles tonight ... Lennon / McCartney songs!!  Whoo Hoo!  Ashley & Marianne should be happy although don't know if Marianne is watching - she's camping in Florida for Spring Break. 

• Aaron Kelly singing "Long and Winding Road" - Not bad, but kinda boring.
• Katie Stevens singing "Let It Be" - Her best performance, I think but she needs to get the crowd into it.
• Andrew Garcia singing "Can't Buy Me Love" - Terrible - Bottom three I think.
• Mike Lynch singing "Eleanor Rigby" - Great vocals - I liked it.  He should be safe.  He is so confident on stage.
• Crystal Bowersox singing "Come Together" - One of my favorite Beatles songs!  She's just a great entertainer no matter what she's singing.  One of the accompaniments was a guy playing the didgeridoo (an Austrailian wind instrument.)
• Tim Urban singing "All My Loving"   This didn't do much for me tonight but the teeney boppers will probably save him ... again!!
• Casey James singing "Jealous Guy"  I'm not familiar with this song but it is very pretty.  I liked his performance tonight - one of his best.  Simon thought it was the best of the night.
• Siobahn Magnus singing "Across the Universe" A great vocal as usual. We didn't hear any screaming tonight and that is a good thing.  Her voice is just incredible.  She definitely has been getting advice from Lady GaGa for her outfits.  You just never know what she is going to look like from her clothes to her hair.  As Simon said, she is unpredictable.
• Lee DeWyze singing "Hey Jude"  Another favorite song for me and a great performance by Lee again.  He's gotten so much more comfortable on stage.  The guy playing the bagpipes was really interesting but I don't know that it was necessary.

One thing I loved tonight was all the contestants giving their thoughts about their fellow contestants.  They were really insightful.

Tonight is a toughie!  They were all fairly good except for a couple.  But my picks for bottom 3 are:

Tim Urban
Aaron Kelly
Andrew Garcia

I predict Andrew will go home because the Teeny Bopper vote will save the other two.  But with such a strong season, we could have an upset .... hope not though!

What say you?

Idol Results

Forgot to post this last night!  We went out to a new Mexican restaurant and I had a couple of Margaritas so I was trying not to fall asleep while watching TV last night ... especially after working in the yard all day pulling weeds and digging up and moving a few plants around.  My arms are aching today!!  Now we need to put black plastic down quick before the weeds sprout again!!  Anyway, on to Idol.

Reubon Studdard started the show with a song I'd never heard of.  He was ok but I've heard him do better.  He's lost a lot of weight and I was just wondering how he compared to Big Mike when Seacreast had Mike come over and compared them.  Mike had some strange little ponytail glued to the back of his shaven head - don't know what that was all about! 

Ryan was really trying kill some time last night - questioning Crystal about her piano playing, Mike about his hair, Aaron about the smiling and asking Simon advice for the contestants.  Finally Simon had enough and told him he was really getting on his nerves.  Simon had the line of the night with, “Ryan, this is NOT the Oprah Winfrey Show.”  That was hilarious!

When they told Siobahn that she was safe, she was so relieved.  I think she really thought she was going to the bottom three.  I'm a fan of hers but I have to agree that her screeching at the end is getting old.

So the three picked to go to the stools are Katie, Tim and Didi - just as I had predicred.  Katie gets to go back to safety, and it’s between Tim and Didi. Unfortunately I don’t think it much matters.  Both of their days are numbered.  I figure the teeny-bopper vote will save Tim or as Sonny says, the "Sanjaya votes."  It’s Didi’s turn to go home.  Well, she gets to “sing for her life” but I don’t think the judges are going to use their save.  I didn't think she did so good on the final song - what I got to hear of it.  My DVR cut off before she finished her song and the judges revealed their decision. I called Ashley but the same thing happened with her too so we had to check the internet to find out Didi is history.

So, that's a wrap!

Top Ten Performs on Idol

Tonight the top ten are taking advice from Usher.  I'm not familiar with Usher but his advice is pretty good to the performers.  He was really honest with the contestants and gave them good feedback.

• Siobahn Magness singing Chaka Khan's "Through the Fire"  Not a great start to the night - sure wasn't her best.  The judges didn't like it but I don't think she will get voted off.
• Casey James -"Hold On I'm Coming" by Sam & Dave.  He did good but I think the song is a little safe - not showing much range.  He moved around the stage better than he has in the past.
• Big Mike Lynche singing "Ready for Love"  I don't usually like slow songs on Idol cause they're boring BUT his was great tonight.  He has such a great voice and it was beautiful!
• Didi Benami singing "What Becomes of a Broken Heart"  Not good - she was flat, not in tune and kinda dramatic. 
• Tim Urban singing "Sweet Love"  by Anita Baker.  During Ryan's interview, he mentioned that the news refers to Tim as Teflon Tim because of the beating he takes from the judges each week.  He looked a deer in the headlights.  That was just not the song for him.  I think he may have just saved Didi.  The only good thing the judges had to say was Ellen telling him once again he was adorable.
• Andrew Garcia singing "Forever"  by Chris Brown.  He picked the right song tonight and was good!!  This is the Andrew we liked during Hollywood week.
• Katie Stevens singing "Chain of Fools" by Aretha.  A big song for a little girl.  Her vocals were good but she is just not giving it the attitude for an Aretha song.
• Lee DeWyze singing "Treat Her Like a Lady"  I love this song and he is doing great!  As Randy said, Unbelievable!!   Best of the night!!
• Crystal  Bowersox singing "Midnight Train to Georgia"  Wow - a slam-dunk for sure!  She's going to be in the top three for sure.  Tonight she played the piano instead of the guitar.
• Aaron Kelley singing "Ain't No Sunshine"  Just ok - not his best but not the worst either.  His hair do was a little much - think he came up with that or the hair stylist on the show??

Bottom three:  Didi, Tim and Katie  If the teeney-boppers save Tim, it'll be DiDi leaving.

Top ones & got my vote:  Crystal, Big Mike, Lee & Andres (in no particular order)

American Idol Top Ten

Ryan starts out teasing us with …The Save and then introduces the judges. Aww, isn’t Randy precious in Dreamsicle orange?  Ellen’s sporting a checkered scarf.  Kara is shimmering and Simon smiles in a, what? A v-neck sweater? Who’da thunk?  The group song tonight is "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go."  What's up with all the 70's and 80's songs? Crystal looked a little strange diddly bopping on stage with the rest of the kiddos!   I thought it was kinda cheesey.

 Ryan reminds us how crucial this week is because of the tour and then he chats it up with Casey. Turns out rehearsal was a tad frazzling for Casey.  Siobhan’s boss is not shaving until Siobhan wins. Hey, buddy, you MAY want to reconsider that one. Next to him is more of Siobhan’s friends who look like they have blood drawn all over themselves.   I couldn't figure that out so I did a little research.  This is what I found out:   The bloody girl is part of Siobhan’s entourage and they call themselves, Siobhanbies. A play on Zombies. Get it?  (Don't feel bad - I don't either!)

Katie’s dad can’t watch the live results so he’s across the street at a dive bar or something. Ryan addresses Big Mike’s shoulders and they show footage of him carrying the baby around in a sling/carrier thing on his chest.  Sweet!

Now the lights dim and we find out who the final three are ... Paige, Tim and SURPRISE, Katie (what's up with that???) stand center stage and Ryan sends Katie back to safety. (YAY)  It’ll be between Tim and Paige.  Final lights dim… and Tim is SAFE!!! Paige is going home unless the judges save her. Simon spares nothing and tells her they are not saving her. She is going home. Goodbye.  One big improvement this year is that the outgoing contestants don’t have to sing the song they sang last night. They can choose anything, evidently.

Maybe next week I'll make these American Idol Cupcakes I saw on this blog.

Idol Top 11

So on American Idol, we are down to the Top 11.  Someone will go home tonight and miss the chance to go on tour with the Top Ten.  Miley Cyrus was the advisor tonight and I thought she was very truthful with the contestants.  I just think someone should have dressed her better.

• Lee Dwyze -  "The Letter"  I agreed with 3 of the judges and loved it!  Simon didn't think it was a recording performance and it was corny.
• Paige Miles - "Against All Odds"  HORRIBLE!!  This time, I agreed with the judges.  I feel bad for her but she's had her time in the spotlight.  I thought she should have gone long ago.
• Tim Urban - "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"   Not good!  He was "smoozing" with the crowd like he was a rock fan.  Paige is going to save him from going home though.
• Aaron Kelly - "I Don't Want to Miss A Thing"  For a 17 year old, he is quite good and reminds me a lot of David Archuletta.
• Crystal Bowersox - "Bobby McGee"  SOLID GOLD!  My husband, Sonny called it last week - he said this was the song she should do.  She's Janis Joplin made over.  Can't wait till next week - she's already planning what she's going to do and said it was going to be different.
• Michael Lynche - "When A Man Loves A Woman"   Perfect for him in my opinion.
• Andrew Garcia - "I Heard It Through The Grapevine"   Not good .. again.  Bottom 3
• Katie Stevens "Big Girls Don't Cry"  What a great song for her!  I think Myley really helped her out tonight.
• Casey James "Power of Love"   He needs to drop the guitar and move around the stage more.  I didn't care for his song choice but I thought he did a good job with it.
• Didi Benami " You're No Good"  It was no good!
• Siobahn Magnus - "Superstition"  Good as usual .... just not her best performance.  I have to agree with Simon - the screeching at the end is getting old.  I don't know about her hairdo tonight and can't believe not one of the judges commented on it!!

Bottom 3 in my humble opinion
Paige Miles
Tim Urban
Andrew Garcia

Going home:  Paige Miles

Top 3:
Crystal Bowersox
Mike Lynche
Katie Stevens

Idol Results

The very first one up on stage is Paige Miles and she is in the bottom 3.  I am surprised.  I thought she did good last night.  Plus, I thought she would get the sympathy vote because she had laryngitis.

Tim Urban is in the bottom three.  That is not a surprise to me.  I predicted him.

Lacey Brown is the third one in the bottom three.  Another surprise for me.

Well, America voted for Lacey to go home.  I don't agree. I don’t think she was a contender to win it, but I would have sent home 2 or 3 others before her.   I think it should have been Tim or Andrew before Lacey.   The judges can save her so she does a final song for them.   They are all huddled together, pretending to discuss whether or not they are going to “save” her. Sure, with 11 contestants left, they are going to use the save tonight? I seriously doubt it.  And they don't. 

Rolling Stones Night on American Idol

Well, we've made it to the Top 12 on Idol and now the fun begins!  Tonight the contestants are singing Rolling Stones songs.  I was never a big Stones fan so a lot of these songs didn't do it for me.

• Big Mike Lynch singing "Miss You"  I'm not familiar with this song but thought he did great!  He's a real showman.  The judge loved it ... but of course, Simon had to add his two cents worth - thought his dancing was a little corny. 
• Didi Benami - "Play With Fire"  I thought it was a little "dragging" but guess I was in the minority - all the judge thought it was one of her best performances.
• Casey James "It's All Over Now"  It was just ok for me.  Of course Kara loved it and thought it was one of his best.  Not Simon though.
• Lacey Brown "Ruby Tuesday"  I liked this one.  I hope she makes it back next week.  Her outfit was just a little strange!
• Andrew Garcia "Gimme Shelter"  No - too pitchy; just not great.  His family interview was weird - his mom is like a zombie!
• Katie Stevens "Wild Horses"  The beginning wasn't so great but then she got into the groove and did a great job.
• Tim Urban "Under My Thumb"  I'm with Randy and Ellen - I didn't like the Rolling Stones Reggae version!  I do give him kudos for trying something different though.
• Siobhan Magnus "Paint It Black"  WOW - best of the night so far!!  I can see her as a front runner for winning this competition.  She looks so different tonight with her hair all curled.
• Lee Dewyze "Beast of Burden"  I like it!  He's one of my favorite of the guys.  I love his voice.  As Randy says, "it was dope!"  I'd love to hear him sing country!
• Paige Miles "Honky Tonk Woman"  Wow - she really surprised me!  I didn't think she would do good with Stones songs but she hit the big notes with this song and worked the stage.  According to the judges, she had laryngitis this week.  Don't think she'll get voted off this week.
• Aaron Kelly "Angie"  Another good solid performance.  He has a good voice and he chose a good song for his range.
• Crystal Bowersox "You Can't Always Get What You Want"  Still my #1 Favorite!!  She is just awesome.  She was born to do this.  I wonder about her family life.  During her family interview, no mention is made of her mom.  If it weren’t for Siobhan, I’d say  just give Crystal the American Idol titleand send the rest  of them home.

It's going to be tough to vote someone off this week.  My pick for the bottom 3 is:  Casey, Tim and Andrew.

American idol Top 12

Just a quick post before going to bed.  I'll be posting a card tomorrow afternoon for you.  Today I attended a luncheon at a friend's house.  There were 7 of us there and each of us chose a recipe from Jan, Feb or March issue of Southern Living Magazine.  It was really good and I got to taste some things I probably wouldn't have tried. I don't eat asparagus but I tried the salad and it was good.  Our menu was:

Appetizers - Pancetta Crisps with Goat Cheese & Pears & Spicy Pickled Shrimp
Tomato Soup
Roasted Asparagus Salad
Linguine with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Lemon Drop Squares (my contribution)
Maple Coffee and Mango Tango Tea

We were also supposed to have Oven Chicken Risotto but the girl who was bringing that forgot and didn't show up!! 

I watched Idol earlier and was shocked at the results tonight!!!  I hate that Lily Scott went home.  I think that was not right.  The others that were voted off were Toddrick Hall, Alex Lambert, and Katelyn Epperly.  So, I only got one right this week and that was Toddrick Hall although I did mention in my previous post that Katelyn might be in trouble.  Next week they will be performing songs from Rolling Stone so it should be interesting!  I thought Crystal Bowersox didn't look well.  She never even smiled when she made it to top 12.  I hope she is ok. 

Off to playing mahjong tomorrow. 

Week 3 - The Guys on Idol

Lee Dewyze singing Fireflies - he's one of my favorites.  Sonny & I both don't think he beats the last two girls from last night though but he was good.

Alex Lambert singing Trouble - he's not one of my favorites but I thought he did ok tonight.  Just hope he doesn't become a "cocky banana" as Ellen said.  Don't really know what that means!!

Tim Urban singing Hallelujah -Wow!  Just when I thought it was his turn to go home, he surprises me with that great performance.  I'm with Ellen - she ran on stage and hugged him and told him "fantastic."

Andrew Garcia singing Genie in a Bottle - This one didn't do it for me tonight.  I hope this doesn't send him home.  The judges feel like maybe he peaked too early.  He was so great during Hollywood week and I thought he was going to be THE one.

Casey James singing You'll Think of Me - I love this song!  He was pretty good - not great but good. Ellen loved it - Kara is getting back on the "Casey train"; Randy thought it was safe; Simon thinks it's forgettable but he sounded great.

Aaron Kelly singing I'm Already There - Well, it's interesting to hear a 16 year old sing this song - how can he understand this song?  He started out not so good but got better as he went on.  It wasn't great to me.

Toddrick Hall singing Someone to Love - Well, that was one of the best tonight!  He was comfortable on stage and singing a Queen song!!  He's definately theatrical and should be on Broadway.

Michael Lynch singing This Woman's Work - He IS my favorite of the boys and he didn't disappoint me tonight!  The judges loved him.  As Randy says, that was DOPE!  Ellen thinks he's the one to beat.

It's hard to guess who's going to get eliminated this week.  My guess would be Andrew Garcia, Aaron Kelly or Toddrick Hall.

Week 3 - Girls Sing on Idol

The night started out with Ellen sitting on Simon's lap ... interesting considering I just heard today that Simon might be engaged!  I was surprised Ryan didn't bring the engagement up. 

• Katie Stevens - She sang one of Kelly Clarkson's songs.  Her voice was good but she needs more stage presence.  She is only 17 years old and just needs time to get better.
• Siobahn Magness - She's singing "House of the Rising Sun" one of my favorite songs.  I look forward  to seeing what  she will bring us every week, and this week doesn’t disappoint. Love how she starts out a-capella.
• Lacy Brown singing The Story.   She has such a great look and such presence on stage. The judges loved it.  I thought it was a little boring though.
• Katelyn Epperly sang Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move"  That girl has some hair!!  I'd hate to have to wash & dry all that hair every day!!  I felt like she was too karoke with that song tonight.  She might be in trouble.
• DiDi Benami singing Rhiannon. This is more like her original audition - kind of coffee shop-ish.  The judges liked it.  Simon and Kara loved it.
• Paige Miles singing a Charlie Chaplin (???) song, Smile.   I love this song (just not her arrangement) and didn't know Chaplin wrote it!   I think she will be going home Thursday.  If not, I'lll be REALLY surprised!
• Crystal Bowersox singing another of my favorites!!  Tracey Chapman's "Gimme One Reason".  I'M A FAN!!  I can see her winning the whole thing this year.  As Simon said, "You are the one everyone else has to beat. It’s yours to lose."
• Lily Scott singing Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces"  I  like her sort of retro vibe and what she does with the songs she chooses.  I really want her to stay!  The judges like her .... except Simon (what else is new?) but hey, 3 out of 4 ain't bad!! 

This is a no brainer tonight. Katie Stevens and Paige Miles should be going home. They both have bright singing careers ahead of them, but the other contestants are in a different league. It’s like the majors vs the minors.