American Idol: After the Eliminations Week 1

This was the first week of fan voting on American Idol. After four hours of performances earlier in the week, it is clear who our top 12 will (should) be. No big surprises in the eliminations from last night.





First to go was Garrett. Somebody get this boy a haircut... seriously. I'll be glad when the preppy 80's look is back in style. I am trying to recall anything noteworthy about his performance, but I honestly cannot. Guess that's why we won't be seeing him (or his hair) anymore.




Next out, Amy. She was a very cute girl, but her nerves really got the best of her. I agree with the judges that she should continue to work on her craft. She has proven she's a good singer, but that is only part of it.




The third one to go wasn't a shocker, but I had hoped that the rocker chick would be eliminated instead. Joanne is a great singer and quite striking. She didn't have a great performance and on this show, this early in the competition, that's all it takes.




Lastly, we said goodbye to Colton. Simon caught a bunch of flack from the audience for telling him that he should probably give up on a career singing and focus on getting a good job. I couldn't agree more. This kid didn't suck, but he is not good enough to be successful in the music/entertainment industry. The advice Simon gives is usually right-on, although not always delivered in the most tactful way. Hopefully Colton will heed his advice, study hard, get an education and find a local choir or choral group where he can get his fill of singing without the disappointment that will surely follow if he is to persue a career in music.


I think my faves are David & Alaina. I am amazed at their talent and poise at such a young age. Looking forward to more performances (and eliminations) next week.

Are you an AI fan?

What are your thoughts about the performances and eliminations?

And the winners are...

Address Labels: Linda Chasin
Folded Notes: Kristi Cutler
Calling Cards: Chris Riker
Enclosure Cards: Kelly Atzbach
Flat Notes: Michelle Kohlhase
Luggage Tag: Traci Bayley

Congratulations!! Watch your email for info on how to claim your prize!

Thanks to everyone for playing along. I will definitely be doing this again!

Contest Update

Thanks for playing ya'll!! I will be drawing the winners in just a bit.

SPT: Pick Me Up

When I'm feeling out of sorts and need a pick me up, without a doubt, a crafty project will always brighten my spirit. It doesnt't have to be any particular kind of craft. In this photo, I am trimming a basket I just finished weaving. But, I mostly stick to paper-crafting... card making for the most part. Lately my thoughts have been totally consumed with card making.

Random Act of Kindness

Yesterday, Rich and I were at Bed Bath and Beyond getting some new stuff for his bathroom. We get in the check-out line behind a guy with a buggy full of all sorts of great kitchen stuff. Seriously it looked like he was setting up his first 'big-boy' kitchen. Cookware, knives, small appliances... and the good stuff.

I was shocked at how much money he would be spending. Easily over $1000. I saw the price on the Calphalon cookware ($599) and nearly had a stroke... not because of the price, but because he had NO COUPONS!! I had a stack of them in my purse (seriously, like a dozen). I get them constantly in the mail and even though there is an expiration date, they really never expire.

As he was hoisting the monstrous box of cookware from the buggy, I pulled a coupon out of my purse, made sure calphalon wasn't excluded and gave it to him. The look on his face was priceless. I mean, I basically just handed him $120. He was so appreciative. Then as we were leaving, he drove up and gave us two thumbs up.

I STILL feel great about that. It was such an easy thing to do, and even though he obviously could afford to pay full price, there is something incredible about giving someone an unexpected gift... especially when it doesn't cost you anything.

One thing is for sure, I'm gonna have to do more of this!

great weekend... hard on the pocketbook

Had a marvelous weekend. Didn't do much, lots of chilling out, some baking, some laundry and oh yeah... shopping.

I started out Saturday morning buying this.

Confused? It's the new Crop o dile II Big Bite. I've got the smaller version, but having a 6" reach on this bad boy is quite incredible. Right now you can only get it at HSN, but the price was great, and it will be impossible to find in the stores when it is released.

Went to Joann's Saturday afternoon and picked up some random craft supplies. Nothing too exciting.

Sunday, I made a major purchase.

Yes, an iPhone. I'm obsessed with it. It's so cool, I can't even tell you. The only downside... it's difficult to get any work done with this thing around. Nothing like a new toy!!

Creative Burst Contest

Thankfully, I have had a creative burst in the past couple of days and have designed a couple new stationery collections. It's always fun to see my vision come to life. So, there are quite a few new goodies online that you should really check out!



This is a luggage tag in the new Scallop Label design. I just love how versatile this design can be... and this font just makes me happy. As always, you can customize your colors. This particular color scheme was inspired by one of my favorite blogging friends.


On to the contest...

Next Friday, I will draw one name for each of the following product giveaways. You get to choose from any of the designs on the website and customize to your exact specifications, then I'll pack it up and ship it to you absolutely FREE!

• Address Label
• Calling Card
• Enclosure Card
• Flat Note Set
• Folded Note Set
• Luggage Tag

How do you enter? It's very easy... just enter your name and email address in the promo email signup box (look on sidebar.) Even if you are currently getting my promo emails, you will need to enter your info. Please only one entry per person. Entries received between now and next Thursday at 11:59 pacific time will be included in the drawing.

Totally Gross

So... I'm sitting here at yet another chef conference. As I look to my left, I see a dead hog hanging by it's feet at the end of the room. It has been gutted (ew!) and is ready to be slaughtered. I now understand what a cleaver is really for and I'm disturbed. It's a fairly violent process - definitely nothing I care to witness from such a close distance again. Is it time to go home yet?

By the way, for those of you who prefer a picture with every post, be thankful that I don't have a camera with me.

Oh Oh OoOh, Oh Oh Oh Oh, Oh Oh OoOh, The Right Stuff

Have you heard the news?

New Kids on the Block are reuniting! Can it really be true, or is this just some cruel joke being played on all us 30-something year olds? Check it out at http://www.nkotb.com/. I feel 16 all over again (well, sort of)!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

It's that time again, when I load up the car with all of my craft supplies and gadets and head off for a glorious weekend of crafty goodness. Oh yes, it's the Crop Til You Drop Winter Retreat 2008.

I started planning this event last August. This is the second year I have organized and hosted a crop. Last year was a great success, which helped me sell out all the tickets before Labor Day. The past few weeks have been hectic with all the last-minute prep. I'm so excited for Friday to get here. I was a total slacker last year when it came to taking photos. I'm gonna try to improve upon that this year.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Self-Imposed Good Mail

It's been on my mind all day. Just knowing what was waiting at my doorstep. Tick-tock, tick-tock. It seemed like the minutes passed by sooooo slowly.

Imagine my delight to come home and find all this goodness just waiting to come inside with me.

I would not normally go quite so bonkers buying this much Vera Bradley product at once, but both of these fabric patterns are retiring. So sad. The Capri Melon I already had in a few pieces, but needed a couple more. I had been wanting the Petal Pink for a while, but couldn't deny myself any longer when it was all 25% off.

By they way, isn't this packaging fabulous. I just loved how the smaller items were in this gorgeous green gift box. Such an awesome presentation. I was totally expecting everything to be in poly bags thrown into a box. I never imagined all this... so lovely. Ahhh. I'm in a little pink paradise right now.

Do you partake in self-imposed good mail?

Random facts about me

My friend, Lisa, emailed this little quiz to me today. I am not a fan of the old 'send this to five people you know' kind of emails. So annoying. But, I did think this would be a fun blog exercise. So, feel free to learn a little more about me... and if you wish to do a similar post yourself, feel free to do so and leave a comment so I can get to know you better too.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE ?
   Yes, well, sort of. My first name, no. But, my middle name is May. My maternal great-grandmother was named May, and my paternal great-grandmother was named Olive May. So it worked for both sides of the family.
   
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
   Last week. Can't remember what day, but I laughed so hard, I cried.
   
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
   Most of the time. I do have nice handwriting, but if I don't focus, or when I'm in a hurry, it can get really sloppy.
   
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
   Boar's Head Oven Gold Turkey Breast
   
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
   Not yet. But, I do have two dogs that I love like they are my children.
   
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
   Of course!
   
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM ALOT?
   Oh yes, perhaps too often, but it helps me get through the day at work.
   
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
   Um, no. I was in 2nd grade when I had them removed.
   
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
   Not a chance in the world.
   
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
    This is a tough one. I love cereal! I guess my all-time fave would be Cap'n Crunch PB Crunch.
    
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
    I don't usually wear lace up shoes anymore. But even when I do, no. I always slide them off, but I do untie them before I put them back on.
    
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
    Yes, pretty strong.
    
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
    Graeter's Double Chocolate Chip (see my sidebar)
    
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
    Never really thought about this, but probably eyes.
    
15. RED OR PINK?
    Red, but I am really digging pink lately.
    
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF?
    My size/weight.
    
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
    Melba B. (8.25.96)
    
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
    Jeans and khaki suede Merrell's.
    
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
    Chicken, green beans and mac n' cheese (might have something to do with #16 - ha)
    
20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
    The sound of my fingers hitting the keys.
    
21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
    Red.
    
22. FAVORITE SMELLS?
    Clean laundry, freshly baked cookies, Longaberger baskets, new Coach purse.
    
23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
    Rich.
    
24. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
    Well, of course I do!!
    
25. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
    Professional Football
    
26. HAIR COLOR?
    Dark Brown
    
27. EYE COLOR?
    Brown
    
28. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
    Yes
    
29. FAVORITE FOOD?
    As Paula Deen would say, "Don't you know it's rude to ask a fat girl what she likes to eat. Judging by my size, I've enjoyed most all of it!" - ha ha
    
30. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
    How about funny? I like funny.
    
31. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
    Clueless (it was on tv the other day... takes me back to college days, oh, the memories!)
    
32. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
    Bright pink hoodie from Nantucket
    
33. SUMMER OR WINTER?
    Fall!
    
34. HUGS OR KISSES?
    Both
    
35. FAVORITE DESSERT?
    See #29
    
36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
    Well, I've started reading another Nicholas Sparks book, but I haven't picked it up for a few months, so I doubt that still qualifies as "reading".
    
37. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
    No mouse pad. I use a laptop.
    
38. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V . LAST NIGHT?
    Celebrity Apprentice
    
39. FAVORITE SOUND?
    The ocean.
    
40. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
    Neither, ick!
    
41. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
    Guadalajara, Mexico
    
42. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
    I have many talents
    
43. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
    Just outside Chicago, IL (won't give the town because this is one of the secret questions that many websites use for password requests).

So, there you have it. Wasn't that fun? Don't forget if you do one of these yourself, leave me a comment so I can come check it out!

PS - Aren't you impressed... two posts in one day!

Sudo-What?

Don't know about you, but I do enjoy sudoku. A few weeks ago, Rich and I travelled to Destin, FL for a visit with my parents who are vacationing there for a few months. My dad is totally into it. He spends a few hours a day working on these puzzles. He's a brainiac, so he likes the really difficult ones.


But, they did have one of these handy little spiral bound ones lying around, so I picked it up and before we left, I had finished the last 20 puzzles or so. I won't lie, they were mostly beginner puzzles, but that's about all I really care about doing right now. I'm too impatient to work through the tough ones.

Anyhoo, so last night I have a good mail package from my Mom. And inside are two new books just for me. The same one I finished up of theirs and the 2nd volume. The size of these is perfect for when I travel, because it fits right in my had perfectly and the spiral binding at the top is total genius. I've got lots of travel coming soon - so this was great timing.

If you want one of these bad boys for yourself. You can order from Barnes and Noble. Volume 1 or Volume 2.

Do you Sudoku?

I'm Twittering

Since I'm really slacking with keeping up my blog these days, I thought I could at least add Twitter updates. So if you really want to know what I am doing, check out the Twitter Updates on my sidebar. I send them in via text messaging from my phone... so cool!

Hope everyone is having a great start to 2008!

More recipes

One thing I like about blogging is that my blog can serve as an online recipe box. This is really handy for me when I am away from home and want one of my recipes. I've added a couple this morning that are great for party food. This is my favorite type of food to prepare and these recipes are always requested anytime I serve these dishes. Both of these are adaptations of Pampered Chef recipes, so they are really quick and easy. Enjoy!

Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms

Yield: 6 Servings

Ingredients
1# mushrooms, stems removed
8 oz. cooked salad shrimp
1/3 C grated parmesan cheese
1 lemon
2 t parsley flakes
1/2 C chive & onion cream cheese spread
1/2 t dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, pressed

For crumb topping:
4 t butter
1 clove garlic, pressed
1/4 C dry bread crumbs

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F
2. For shrimp filling, chop shrimp. Place in mixing bowl. Add 4 teaspoons lemon zest and parsley flakes. Mix together. Add parmesan cheese, cream cheese spread, mustard and garlic. Mix well.
3. Stuff mushroom caps with shrimp filling.
4. For crumb topping, place butter and garlic in microwave safe mixing bowl. Microwave on high 20-30 seconds until butter is completely melted. Stir in bread crumbs. If mixture is too wet, add more bread crumbs.
5. Place mushrooms into a baking dish with the filling side up.
6. Sprinkle with crumb topping.
7. Bake 18-20 minutes or until topping is golden brown and filling is hot.
8. Serve immediately.

Sweet & Saucy Meatballs

Yields 10 servings

Ingredients
40 meatballs (I use the frozen pre-made kind from the grocery)
1 8 oz. can jellied cranberry sauce
1/4 C ketchup
1/4 C orange marmalade
2 T packed brown sugar
1 T worcestershire sauce

Directions

1. Prepare meatballs as directed on package.
2. In medium sauce pan, combine last five ingredients. Heat until sugar is melted and all ingredients are mixed well.
3. Add hot meatballs, stir.
4. Simmer on stove for 5-10 minutes
5. Serve hot

Fab Find

If you've read my 100 list, then you know how much I love santa decorations. So, it should come as no surprise that I fell instantly in love with this.

It is handmade from vintage fabric. How incredible is that?

I purchased this from a husband & wife team from Cincinnati at Christmas Village last month. I was amazed by all of the wonderful things she makes out of vintage fabrics. They don't have a website, but you can email them here if you would like to make a purchase.

103 years ago today...

...my great-grandmother Olive gave birth to a baby girl who would one day become my fathers mother. She named her Ona... no middle name. After giving birth to 13 children, she had since run out of ideas for middle names, so Ona Mowrer it would be.

I have been blessed in my life to have had two wonderful grandmothers. Both smart, skillful and independent women. Today, I celebrate what would be Gramma Ona's 103rd birthday. She left this world 4 years ago in October and I think of her so often and miss her tremendously. I have very few regrets in my life, but one of them would definitely be that I didn't spend as much time with either of my gramma's during my early adulthood.

There are so many things I love about my grandmother.

She was a trailblazer and never even realized it. Unlike many young women of her day, she graduated from high school. She married a few years later and had three boys: Gerald, William and Lawrence (my father). During the height of The Great Depression she and her boys were abandoned by her husband. Being a single mother in those days was looked down upon, but she was committed to raising her boys. In an era where women did not work outside the home, she took a job as a seamstress in a shoe factory, where she worked until the factory shut down and she retired some 40 years later.

She was green before it was cool. She grew her own vegetables, baked her own breads, recycled everything! She was definitely a "waste-not, want-not" kind of lady.

She was a domestic diva long before Martha Stewart was even born. I swear she could cook, bake, grow and sew anything. I loved learning from her.

Some other fun facts:

• She loved yoga.


• She walked everywhere. She never owned a car or had a driver's license.


• She cut her grass with a manual push mower (no gasoline powered mowers for her) until she was in her early 90's.


• She put out a big garden every year and tended to it each day.


• She loved to wear a little sun/bucket hat.

I think my fondest memories of her relate to my birthday and a special tradition she began. As a little girl, each year for my birthday, she would bake me a lamb cake. It is a homemade angel food cake baked into a lamb shaped pan. It's frosted with 7-minute icing and coconut flakes. I can recall so vividly getting that big box in the mail. Dad would put it on the table and carefully cut it open, causing all of the real popcorn to come flooding out onto the table. For the rest of my life, this will always be my favorite birthday cake. I am blessed to have her special pan and her hand-written recipe for that cake.

Happy Birthday Gramma! I love you and miss you!

Happy 39th Anniversary to Mom & Dad!

Back to Life

It's been an awesome weekend! I thoroughly enjoyed Thanksgiving... seems like forever ago, though. As soon as we finished up the feast, I had to get busy getting everything together to set up for the flea market.

We (mom and I) got the booth set up Thursday night, so we could just walk in Friday morning and get down to business. It was a fantastic weekend. We were so busy I couldn't believe it. I moved all of my equipment, so I was printing on-site and it was CRAZY. I had taken quite a few pre-printed things for cash and carry, but everyone seemed to want something special instead.
I couldn't believe how well I did... totally surpassed my expectations, which is awesome!

The only down side is that I am physically tired. I could use one day of rest, but I've gotta go in to work today. I have a big project that has to be finished up this week and it's going to take some pushing to make that happen. So, it's back to life I go.

How was your holiday weekend?

PS-Be sure to check out the website later this week for an inventory sale. Lots of cute stuff for Christmas gift wrapping. Last day to order for Christmas is December 7!!