Cuttlebug Challenge & Giveaway

More Swap Cards

I've got a few more swap cards to share with you today. 

Both of these cards uses Great Friends stamp set - a really nice stamp!  The green card is by Rachel Sztonyk.  She used Walk In the Park DSP and glittered the Eggplant butterfly.

The blue card is by Stacy White and also uses Walk In the Park DSP.  Don't you love these colors?

The Fathers Day card is by Leann Yoho and uses And Many Mower stamp with To The Nines DSP.  The man is water-colored and she used the Big Shot Circles along with the Circle Scissor Plus.

The Owl Card is by Trish DeFoggi and uses Forest Friends and Pocket Silhouettes..  She used Walk In the Park DSP.  She punches 1" pink circles to get the scallops.

Both of these cards are 4 1/4" square.

I went to the Great Impressions Stamp of the Month class last night at Stamper's Alley.  It was the first time I had seen my friend (and the teacher), Robin since her surgery.  She was looking good!  A great big shout-out to Robin!!  (Have a good weekend, Robin!)

Card Swap Share

I received my cards back last week right before I left town from Jami's New Occasions Mini Swap.  I participated in two of the swaps and, as usual, got some great cards back.  Here are two of them:

This one is by Trish DeFoggi.  She used Forest Friends, such a sweet set.  She crimped the piece of Old Olive on the bottom (how long has it been since you used your crimper?  Don't know if I can even find mine!)

Isn't this bunny just adorable?  This card is by Tandra Boyer.  She used An Egg-cellent Easter with Tea Party DSP.  I've got to order that paper - it's so spring-like!  She used the Big Shot Scallop Oval Die and glittered the bunny with Dazzling Diamonds.

Idol Results

Who's it gonna be tonight?

Jennifer Hudson sang tonight. She's certainly come a long way.

Simon takes an opportunity to give Kris feedback on last night’s performance and briefly tells him it was brilliant while Paula parrots “yes it was.”

Bottom three - Anoop, Lil and Matt

Kara confirms that America got it right with the bottom three tonight, and Anoop is sent back to safety. Well, they are 3 of the ones I picked. It won't bother me if it's either Anoop or Lil and I think it will be Lil. Hope it's not Matt. (yes, Ashley, I do like him!) Don't know if they will use their Save for Matt or Lil - probably for Anoop though.

And we hear from Miley Cyrus - I think I am sick of hearing about her!!! She's 16 for goodness sakes ... why don't they let her BE 16? The way she's dressed is just too much. She needs to take a few tips from Allison and be and act like a 16 year old KID! Let her be Hannah Montana and appeal to the teeny-boppers and not try to be what she's not. Even Taylor Swift doesn't try to act like a sex siren. Ok .... enough of my rant - do I sound like an old fogey??? Back to the results show.

OK - Lil was sent back to safety. Matt sang for his life. Now, will they use their SAVE? Kara & Paula were up singing with him. Think they are gonna save him .... The gals don't want him to go. Simon doesn't think he has a chance in the competition. I think Randy, Kara and Paula over-ruled Simon.

Simon abruptly brings everyone back down to earth by pointing out that next week two contestants will go home as well as the fact that it’s Disco Week. Oh well. For now, Matt lives to see another Idol performance. And the plot thickens! Can't see Lil or Anoop doing disco!

American Idol - Top 7

Tonight the contestants are singing "Songs from the Movies with mentor, Quentin Tarantino. Not my favorite director - don't know if I've seen more than one of his movies but we'll see what he does with them.

Since they ran out of time last week, only two judges are going to comment on each contestant. Doesn't make sense! We're down to only 7 contestants .... you'd think with an hour they could do it. Maybe if we cut out some commercials and didn't put one on after EACH singer!!

Here we go!

• Allison - Aerosmith's Don't Want to Close My Eyes - She didn't do it for me tonight. Paula says she is talented; Simon agrees and thinks she is the girl's only chance to win the competition.
• Anoop - Bryan Adams, Everything I do, I do for You - Pretty good! I was thinking he was on borrowed time, but Randy says he has found his "zone" in the last couple of weeks. I agree. Kara says it was one of his best performances.
• Adam - Born to Be Wild from Easy Rider - He definitely gives it 110% each week. Probably not my favorite of his performances. I thought he was a little screechy. Paula love it though - "he dares to dance in the path of greatness"????? Simon thought vocally it was incredible, but parts were like the Rocky Horror Show!! I agree - you either love it or hate it!
• Matt - Bryan Adams, To Really Love A Woman - Chris Daughtery sang this one too. Matt is giving it a bluesy flavor and I like it. Randy doesn't think it one of his best. Kara thinks he takes 2 steps forward and tonight took 2 steps back. He may be in trouble tonight.
• Danny - Endless Love - He got bored so he got a guitar .... how does he get bored doing all the rehearsals, filming commercials, etc.!! Wow! He's singing without his glasses tonight. He's definitely one of my favorites and I'm loving him tonight! Paula thinks he's unique and unforgettable - he wowed and slayed us. Simon says he is a brillant singer but is disappointed with the harp and the traditional singing of the song. But, Simon congratulated him because he realized that was an emotional song for Danny to do.
• Kris - from the movie, Once (never heard of it) and I didn't catch the name of the song - I've not ever heard it. Randy didn't like it - thought it was pitchy. Kara thought it was one of his best.
• Lil Rounds - The Rose - A good song choice for her, I think but she's got some rough patches. Paula only talked about the song - not how she performed. Simon keeps it real and tells her he is getting frustrated with her ... that she is not the singer they met at the beginning of the season. I have to agree. She put her "two cents" worth in too ... unfortunately, she got cut off before I could hear everything she had to say.

OK - my pick for bottom 3 .... it's tough tonight!! Lil, Kris .... Matt, Anoop???

To go home .... Lil

Yum .... Salt Water Taffy

Salt Water Taffy is a favorite treat of mine and my daughter's.  I have been known to make myself sick eating it!  When we were in Savannah, there was a neat candy store (Savannah's Candy Kitchen) that was making taffy while you watched (and giving away samples!!).  They also make pralines and give away samples of them.

Here is the machine that stretches and pulls the taffy.

Then it goes to this roller machine and rolls around and around until it gets long and skinny (with the help of this guy).  He then feeds it through this machine which cuts it into small pieces and wraps the paper on it and drops it onto the surveyor belt.

From the surveyor belt, it goes into these little Ferris Wheel containers which are on a type of pulley (like a Ferris Wheel!) and it goes up and around, dropping the contents at the top onto another surveyor belt.

Here is the surveyor belt with the taffy that runs from the candy making part into another room (like a little train.)

Then it drops out of this chute into the red bin.  See the piece in mid air?  Sonny was fascinated by the whole process!

The red bin opens up and the taffy goes into one of the sections.  We didn't figure out how they get the taffy into the bottom sections since they are pop-riveted together.  My guess is that they scoop it from the top bin to the ones below.

Pretty cool, huh?

Mrs Wilkes Boarding House

We had a great trip in Savannah this weekend.  Before we left today, our last stop was Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. 

In 1943, a young Sema Wilkes took over a boardinghouse in historic downtown Savannah. Her goal was modest: to make a living by offering comfortable lodging and homestyle Southern cooking served family style in the downstairs dining room.  They don't take boarders any more, just serve wonderful Southern food.   Over the course of two-plus decades, the lines at Mrs. Wilkes' have grown longer, and the good press just keeps rolling in, even as other boardinghouses close up shop for the final time.

I had been told that it was better than Paula Deen's restaurant, Lady and Sons.  Since I didn't go to Paula's restaurant, I can't compare, but believe me .... it was FABULOUS!!  We arrived a little before 10:45 and got in line in the drizzling rain.  They started letting people in a little before 11:00.  They serve you family style and you just pass the bowls and fill your plates.

I took a picture but it doesn't do the table justice!  They served:  Fried Chicken (to die for), Beef Stew, Pork; Rice and Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Okra & Tomatoes, Cabbage, Snap Beans, Macaroni and Cheese, Butter Beans, Black Eyed Peas, Rutabaga, Squash, Potatoes au Gratin, Yams, Pickled Beets, Red Beans, Turnip Greens, Carrot Salad, Cucumber Salad, Sausage, Creamed Corn, Corn Bread and homemade rolls!  For dessert, Banana Pudding and Blueberry Cobbler.   Of course, I sampled almost everything!!  My Yankee husband was not quite as impressed as I was though.  He's lived down South now for almost 40 years, you would think he would be liking our Southern cuisine.  But, no, he won't even eat a grit!!

If you're ever in Savannah, this is MUST for dining!!  Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room is located on one of the most elegant streets in Savannah. Jones Street runs through the center of the Historic District lined with moss laden trees and paved with cobblestone. It wasn't until 1987 that Mrs. Wilkes consented to a sign out front. She made this place somewhat of a legend, and her family is keeping it a family affair.  They don't take reservations and are only open Monday - Friday from 11 - 2.

 

Happy Easter

Hope the Easter bunny found your house!

These are a couple of Easter cards that I sent out.

This one is from a retired SU set and one I actually got in a swap a few years ago.

This one I made.  I just love this paper and find myself hoarding it!  The blue check and the flower are from Parisian Breeze DSP and it is cardstock weight.   I matched it with a piece of Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand and Whisper White.

Flowers for You

I won't be blogging for a few days (except for Easter Sunday - I have something set in advance for then). We are going to Savannah Friday a.m. for a long weekend to celebrate Easter as well as our anniversary. We have never been to Savannah. I am looking forward to it. We already have our Easter brunch booked on a ship so I hope the weather is nice.

I will leave you with a few pictures of some of the beautiful flowers Ashley and I saw at the Botantical Gardens in New York.

Easter Baskets

I received the cutest Easter basket today in the mail from my Monday Mailer pard, Betsy.  She made this basket using the Sizzix Scallop Envelope Die.  And .... she filled it with packages of M&M's, a pen she decorated, a magnet and the cutest little bunny that sandwiches a chocolate mint patty.

Well, after seeing this, I got busy.  I have a Board meeting tomorrow so decided to whip up a few of these baskets for my friends.  Won't they be surprised!  I didn't have time to do all the little accessories, but I did get the baskets made.  Now, I just have to leave the house a little early in the a.m. and stop by the store to get some candy to put in the baskets!

This one I used the new white Jumbo Grommets that are in the Occasions Mini catalog (p 19).