Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Final 7 on American Idol - Again!

      Tonight is Disco Night. Who picks these themes?
    • Lil Rounds - I'm Every Woman by Shaka Khan - sounded a little screamy to me. Paula said she was on vocal rest yesterday so she did good to come out and sing a song like that. None of the judges gave her any encouragement. Simon said this was her final night and I agree. Lil Rounds disagreed with the judges. She's also the first of the night to perform which is another strike against her. Think her time is up and it's time.

    • Kris Allen - She Works Hard for the Money by Donna Summer - sure is a different arrangement for a Donna Summer song. Kara loved it as did Paula. Simon didn't understand what Paula was saying but that's OK - he loved Kris' arrangement. Randy thinks he is ready for the big time. I liked it - another great performance for Kris!!

    • Danny Gokey - September by Earth, Wind & Fire- He is my favorite! He did great - just incredible! The judges agreed with me. Simon's a little on the fence about it.

    • Allison - Hot Stuff - an appropriate song for her. I can’t imagine being 16 and being so confident. The judges are giving her accolades. It was just an OK performance to me. I'm not as "in love" with her as the judges are.
    • Adam - If I Can't Have You - Wow, does he look different tonight in a suit! He re-invents his look every week. He was great! I really liked his slow version of this song. Randy thinks he is ready to make a record. Kara thinks it was his best. Paul was crying and thinks he is brilliant. Simon thought he would probably do Donna Summer but thought he was outstanding. Folks, he may be the next American Idol!

    • Matt Giraud - Staying Alive - Paula's on her feet! This is the Matt we were hoping for the last couple of weeks. I agree with Kara that it wasn’t brilliant, but it was solid. Randy wasn't in love with the song but thinks he can really sing. Paula thought this was a strike for him - not a gutter ball ... whatever that means! Simon was real and of course, didn't like it. I called that one. Simon thought it was a desperate performance - not good vocals, not original ....

    • Anoop - Love Don't Come Easy - This was not one of my favorites. Kara thought it was one of his best performances. Paula likes his look tonight - the "growth" on his face and his pink sweater vest! Simon of course completely disagrees with the other judges. I agree with Simon this time.
    Randy said this is the most talented Final 7 they've ever had and I agree whole-heartily. I think Kris could be the dark horse in this competition. I don't know that he will end up winning but he'll be like Chris Daughtery and do better as a non-winner and be a recording star. We will definitely hear his name and his songs on the radio.


    I think if your name isn’t Kris, Danny or Adam you could potentially be in danger tomorrow night. The others were good, but tonight, they weren’t nearly as original or strong. So here are my picks for going home this week: Anoop and Lil Rounds

    Monday, April 20, 2009

    Whoooo's Special?

    I made this card tonight for a special little girl.  Have you heard of Wright Flight?  It’s a program that was offered at my granddaughter's school this year (in Tucson) and she was fortunate to be one of the limited number of students to be accepted into the program.  She attended the after-school program twice a month all year and was rewarded on Saturday with Fly Day.  She got to be co-pilot of a small airplane for a forty minute flight around town.  Isn't that pretty cool? 

    Kennedy 101_2454

    Weight Watcher Delights

    Try these yummy Weight Watchers recipes!!

    Frozen Fruit Salad
    Makes 24 servings -2 points per serving

    1 can sugar free, lite cherry pie mix
    1 can fat free condnsed Eagle brand milk
    1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple, undrained
    1 medium fat free cool whip
    Mix all together and freeze. Cut into 2" squares.

    Angel Food Cupcakes - Crushed Pineapple
    Makes 24 large muffins or 30 smaller ones 1 pt. per muffin

    Use 1 box fat free angel food cake mix
    Use 1 tall can crushed pineapple w/ juice
    DON'T OVER STIR MIX*USE METAL SPOON AND GLASS BOWL
    Try baking btwn 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. (Make sure done in middle)
    Can also use in 9 x 13 pan.
    Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
    Cut into 24 squares (2" size).
    Can use 1 can of sugar-lite cherry pie filling instead of pineapple.

    Sunday, April 19, 2009

    Final Swap Cards

    I went to a Pampered Chef party today - my first would you believe!  I was pretty good and only ordered about $10 worth of product!  Believe me, there was more I wanted but since I haven't cooked a meal in a week and a half, I couldn't justify paying $70 for a stoneware casserole dish!  Explain that one to hubby!  So, my plan is to have my own party this summer and earn me some free stuff! 

    The weather was yucky today, but yesterday was just beautiful.  Who knows.  Spring is just playing tricks on us, I think.

    So, here are the last of the swap cards for you.  Hope you have enjoyed them and are getting some ideas of your own for cards.  Don't forget to CLICK on the cards to see all the details!

    This cute baby card is by Jenn Diercks.  She used Wagon Full of Fun, Sweet Little Sentiments and Goody Goody Gumdrops stamps.  She did a great job coloring the duck (used her aquapainter).  The DSP is from Good Morning Sunshine.

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    This card was done by Mary Rindal using Sense of Time.  I love how she threaded the wide Twill Tape ribbon through the Jumbo Eyelet!  And she used a small piece of Chocolate Chip Taffeta ribbon to tie around the twill tape.   It's hard to tell, but the tag is Sahara Sand Textured cardstock and is just gorgeous!  I just love how she crimped just a portion of the Not Quite Navy cardstock.  I think this is one of my favorites!

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    Michael's coupon

    Here's a link to a Michael's coupon for this week! Now, go spend some $$$!!


    More Occasion Mini Swap Cards

    Hope you're enjoying this beautiful spring weather!  We went out on the lake today on a friend's boat.  We haven't put our boat in the water yet this season, but I have a feeling it'll be going in soon!

    I've got a few more cards to share with you from Jami's swap.

    The Kraft one is by Stacy White.  She used Parisian Breeze DSP with the stamp set Very Versatile.  The ribbon is Kraft Taffeta ribbon and is so pretty with the Baja Blue.

    The Saffron card is by Yvette Patko and uses Soft Summer stamp.  The DSP is Walk in the Park.  Don't you love the Corduroy button?

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    This card is by Crystal Spencer.  She always does really great cards!  You should see how many layers she used - I counted 6 layers on the left!  The stamp set is A Rose is a Rose from the big catty and the Oval All stamp from the mini.  She stamped the rose on the White Shimmer paper and it is so pretty.

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    This is another card by Yvette Patko using Just Beachy stamp.  Isn't it cute?  She also used Walk in the Park DSP and the Scallop Square Punch. 

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    Friday, April 17, 2009

    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?

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    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.

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    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!)

    Thursday, April 16, 2009

    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!)

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    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.

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    Wednesday, April 15, 2009

    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!