American Idol

OK, folks - this is Post #2 for today.  Can't forget about American Idol.  Just thought I'd give you my take on it tonight.

First off, they had us confused with the change-up of the format.  It was hard to pick just 3 from the 12 to go on this time.  What if when you get to another group of 12, they're all bad and you could have picked 5 from another group????  I do believe they are milking the show - 3 nights of 12 performances each!!

1. Little Less Conversation — Jackie Tohn - She just didn't do it for me.  The spandex pants were a little too much!!
2. Ricky Braddy - He got one of my votes.  I liked him and thought it was cute that people had on Braddy Bunch shirts.
3. Never Loved A Man — Alexis Grace  Another vote-getter for me.  I thought she was really good.
4. Hick Town — Brent Keith He was ok, but I don't think country songs are going to make the grade with the judges.
5. You Belong With Me — Stevie Wright  Not good at all!!  She needs to go back to her high school talent show!  I felt sorry for her, but at 16, she didn't cry.
6. Angel of Mine — Anoop Desai  I really like him, but not so impressed with his choice of song.  Think he'll make it through.  Got another of my votes.
7. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic — Casey Carlson  No - she's not going to make it either.  She was a little distracting with making faces.
8. I Don’t Wanna Be — Michael Sarver  I really like this guy but not sure that he'll go through either.
9. Natural Woman — Ann Marie Boschovich Don't think the judges were sold on her plus she put her foot in her mouth at the end talking to the judges! 
10. Stephen Fowler  I felt so sorry for this guy last week during Hollywood week.  He forgot the lyrics and started over; then screwed up again and ended up banging his piano and walking away.  But they gave him another shot.  Unfortunately, the judges didn't like that he picked a Michael Jackson song.  I actually thought he was pretty decent.
11. Saving All My Love For You — Tatiana Del Toro This girl has just about driven me crazy all during the other shows and I figured she would be just full of herself tonight.  She does have a very good voice though.  But tonight, she was very subdued.  She had the judges stumped!!  And she didn't even laugh (she sounds like a hyena!!)  I just don't think she has America on her side though.
12. Hero — Danny Gokey THE BEST!!!  This could be our next American Idol!!  He definitely got my vote!!  This guy has a hard luck story (don't they all?).  He lost his wife last year.  During all the try-outs, his best friend has been competing too.  Unfortunately, his friend got cut last week at Hollywood.  He was sitting in the audience tonight supporting Danny.

Sympathy Card

Sympathy cards are always hard ones.  A girl in my Newcomers Group lost her father last Saturday and I wanted to send her a card.  This is the one I made.  I really like it - simple but elegant.

I have this Crate Paper for a while and I just layered it on a black card.  I used a different pattern to die cut the leaves.  I used my Nestabilities Labels #2 for the words.  The stamp set is from Little Paper Shop.

This Week's Monday Mailer

I went to the movies today and saw "Taken" with Liam Neeson.  It was really good.  I would recommend it to you!

Here is the card I mailed out today to Tina, my Monday Mailer partner.

Recipe:

• Cardstock:  Pink Passion; Pink Pirouette; Black; Whisper White
• Ink:  Black, Pink Passion
• Stamp:  Love You Much
• Accessories:  Big Shot, Texturz Plates, Circle Punches; Markers; Pretties Kit flower; Scallop Punch

My Milk Carton Box and my sister's were on another blog site today.  I got the pattern from Becky Roberts and her site is a really good one.  Check out her blog here.

Birthday card and challenge

I started out the day by having to get rid of most of my African Violets.  I was so sad!  I had about 8 violets and they always look so pretty - one plant I have been able to grow well.  A few weeks ago, I noticed one of them looking a little droopy and had some dirt on the leaves (or so I thought).  A few days ago, I discovered that most of them had this "dirt" on them.  It really looks like little specks of brown dirt.  I researched it but never came up with what it might be.  So, I am figuring it is some type of pest - aphids or something that has spread from one plant to the next.  I had a couple of plants who looked like they were O.K.  So, I tossed the other plants in the garbage.  I took all the pots and soaked them in bleach water.  I repotted and divided the plants I am hoping are ok, so we will see.  Tomorrow I am going to go out and get some spray for them to make sure I get it all.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.  Perhaps, you have some suggestions????

Sonny rode down to the beach with my brother in law to pick up some furniture, so I had a good old lazy day!!  I slept in; ate my leftover BBQ about 2 pm and had scrambled eggs for dinner!!

I made this card for a challenge posted on the NMBS Blog.  The challenge was to use paper piercing in a way that you may not have before.  Here's what I did - I paper pierced the designer paper and around the cupcakes.  I've enlarged the area so maybe you can click on it and see it better.  You, too, can enter this challenge - go to the NMBS blog and see how.  Let me know if you make a card for the challenge & I will post it on my blog (if you e-mail it to me).

This card is for a friend of mine .... who used to be a friend of my son's until he got married.  Funny how that happens, huh?  Anyway, her birthday is Feb. 22nd and I always send her a card.  

Recipe:
Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes & All Year Cheer I (retired)
Paper: Cameo Coral; Orchid Opulence, Whisper White; Rose Red; Raspberry Tart DSP
Ink: Copic Markers; Black & Rose Red stamp pads
Access:  New SU Scallop Punch, Corner Rounder, Ticket Punch, Dimensional Adhesive, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Set

Happy President's Day!!

What I've Learned this Week

Musings of a Housewife sponsored a carnival about What I've Learned This Week.

Well, I don't know if what I learned this week will make President Obama stop and say, wait .... let's see what Sharon has to say, but here goes anyway!

• I learned Blissdom sounds like a lot of fun!!
• I learned that when it comes to blogging, some people (not mentioning names) think it's ok to blog about other people in a derogatory manner. They think it makes them look "cool". I do NOT!! That's rude and crude and probably reflects your up-bringing.
• I learned that you should not believe everything you read .... especially on the Internet. Especially if you don't know the full story!
• I learned that people who are not rational themselves should not call others irrational.
• I learned that it is good to have a lot of friends even if everyone does not approve of said friends.
• I learned that sometimes families can be very dysfunctional and there's not a lot you can do about it .... but wait it out.
• I learned that family members and good friends can come through for you and can be that shoulder to cry on to get you through the tough times.
• I'm trying to learn to keep my mouth shut and not be the bait for others to control.
• I've learned the Serenity Prayer this week BY HEART!!

Chocolate for Valentine's

Giving dark chocolate to your Valentine might be more than sweet; it could help guard your true love against cancer. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that have been shown to combat cell damage that can lead to tumor growth. These antioxidants occur naturally in the cacao beans used to make all chocolate products. People should look for dark chocolate that contains at least 65 percent cacao, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. Recommended servings for dark chocolate are seven ounces per week, or about one ounce per day.

Well, I bought a bag of Dove milk chocolates Sunday to use them for Valentine treats. Guess who's eaten more than she's given away???? Dove are my favorites!!! Maybe I'll put a few in Sonny's Valentine tomorrow.

Here's the Valentine my hubby's getting. We probably won't do a lot for Valentines - maybe go to the movies and out to eat. After 38 Valentine's together, we know we love each other every day!! He actually asked me last week if I'd just go upstairs and make a card for him!! He said he had a lot of money invested in my card stuff so it would be better than him going to Hallmark!! Of course, I suggested that I get all the supplies out and let him make his own. Don't think that's gonna happen!! Ashley, where are you when your dad needs you????

HERE are some interesting facts about Valentine's. Did You Know???

Hope your day is SWEET and you get lots of chocolate or whatever will make you happy!!

edited to add - Well, I got a beautiful card for Valentine's - not hand-made, but from Hallmark. I'm so bad - I always check the back to see how much they cost. $5.00!! That's highway robbery!!! Of course, he also gave me the Hallmark bag .... seems they're having a sale where you got 20% off everything you can stuff in the bag!!

Serenity Prayer

I am going through some family trials and have been repeating this Serenity Prayer to myself. It's funny how the mind works. I was checking out my daughter's Facebook last night and discovered that she has been saying the prayer also to get her through the day. Maybe that is why we are so close and love each other so much - we are definitely on the same wave-length. Hopefully, it is true what they say - life doesn't throw more at you than you can handle. And when I look at this sweet face, I know it is all worth it.

I love you, Jayce!

SERENITY PRAYER

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Monday Mailer

I want to share the Monday Mailer that I mailed this week.  I really love how this card turned out - hope Tina does too!! 

I used the Love You Much stamp set and the Candy Lane Designer paper.  I punched a hole through the top layers so you could see the love birds.  And I used the hearts to make leaves. 

This is the card opened.

MAYA ANGELOU'S' BEST POEM EVER

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..a youth she's content to leave behind....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to fall in love without losing herself..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and  WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect....but it's over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming  Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...

On A Roll

Sunday I was on a creative roll!  I've not felt too creative lately.  Seems I come upstairs to my craft room and just putter around and end up spending too much time on the computer - reading blogs, playing spades, etc!  But on Sunday, I got up and actually fixed breakfast and read the paper.  Afterwards, Sonny went to the garage to work on our map table that he is redoing and I came upstairs and made a few cards.  I actually should have been downstairs cleaning since my bridge ladies were coming on Monday.  Oh well, they were just here in January and saw a clean house that time!  Actually, we met my family in Mooresville for dinner (Yum - Mexican!) and I straightened up when I got home ... with Sonny's help vacuuming for me!  Ain't he sweet???  Think I'll keep him!

I made this card using the Sale-A-Bration stamp, Polka Dot Punches.  I just love this card!!  I stamped the flowers on Night of Navy, Bashful Blue and Pink Pirouette cardstock in white craft ink and heat embossed.  The middles are stamped on Certainly Celery and the leaves are actually the flower petals cut apart.  The patterned paper is Bashful Blue Patterns paper (p. 159).  The saying is a rub-on from Chit Chat.  The little pink flowers is actually a Sizzix die cut (page 198).

This is the die cut Flower.

This card was for a challenge on NMBS (No More Bad Swaps) group that I am a member.  We had to create a shaped card.  This is a Wordsworth Wild Card template.  The card base is Kraft cardstock with Manchester designer paper.  The little train and giraffe are from Great Impressions (from their Stamp of the Month for this month).  "Hugs & Kisses" is SU's All Holidays.  I used an exacto knife to cut away the triangle.

Here is the card opened.  Isn't this perfect for a little boy???