Double Take

First, I have to say that The Rocky Horror Glee Show totally ROCKED! There were a couple of things in last night's show that I thought were bordering on crossing the line...but I loved the musical numbers. "Touch Me" between Emma and Mr. Schue was a little unbelieveable. Not that I minded seeing Matthew Morrison with his shirt off - I'm just sayin'. It was my favorite episode by far and casting of the Glee kids for the characters of TRHPS was spot on. I wasn't sure how I would like Mercedes as Dr. Frankenfurter, but it was good.

Now to some card talk - When I'm feeling like I have a creative block, sometimes I come up with a design and change the papers, but keep the elements the same. Then, I don't have to come up with new ideas - I can just substitute.

For this birthday greeting, I used patterned paper from Pink Paislee and K & Co embellishments for the place I stamped my sentiment.

I may be away for a couple of days. I am working for my friend at the Pottery Shop and Tea Room so that she can have some bridal relaxation time. The wedding is this Saturday and then we are taking a trip to Costa Rica!

Hope you are all enjoying your week!

Countdown to CHA! (and some other stuff!)

T minus 2 days until lift off! I can't wait to go to CHA. On Thursday, we are going to help My Pink Stamper, Robyn, set up her booth. Friday and Saturday, we are going to be helping Robyn do her make-n-take (which I LOVE doing because you learn so many things from crafting with other people - especially consumers who buy our products) and we will be meeting and greeting people. So, if you live in the Anaheim area, come and check it out! We'd love to see you! Robyn even will be demoing on the Provo Craft stage and I hear they (PC) are going to making a big announcement about a new product.

In other news, Idol returns tonight with more auditions, and so does another of my guilty little pleasures, Millionaire Matchmaker, which airs on BRAVO. Love, love, love this show. I don't know what it is about us that we find other people's lives so entertaining (i.e. reality tv).

I forced CB to watch the Golden Globes with me the other night. I was pulling for "True Blood" - that Jason Stackhouse is a looker! And, he's got an Australian accent (melting...)

Two women were absolutely stunning:

Uh, can you say confidence?

And, Jennifer Garner was just so pretty:

But, I have to admit, I'm suffering from "Glee" withdrawal. Anyone else? And, with them winning The Globe for comedy/musical series, it was just a tease more than I could handle. With all that dancing and singing, Matthew Morrison is oh so dreamy:

If you haven't watched, and you're a musical (or heck, just plain music) fan, it's a must see. A little quirky at first, but once you get invested in the characters, it's great. The actress that plays Sue, the gym teacher/cheerleader advisor is a stitch-and-a-half. You have to watch to understand.

Here's a little peek incase you're wondering what all the fuss is about. (Keep singing and spinning Mr. Shue - what a hunk!)

Hope you are all having a great week!

Natalie

Blah blogging

I feel uninspired...right now atleast. Maybe I am saving up for the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) show in CA. We leave next Thursday and I am excited to see/meet my crafting heros (Heidi Swapp, Donna Downey, Tim Holtz, Claudine Hellmuth...too many more to name. We will be looking for cool product and I hear that Tattered Angels has some super cool stuff.

And, I just have to say:

1) I am so tired of seeing ads for "The Lovely Bones." I read it. I didn't like it. It was a depressing story about a little girl's murder. It is morbid and way over-advertised.

2) Loving "Idol", but how come so many people are missing their shoes after their audition? They are literally running the streets in bare feet. To me, that's just gross. Tonight, Mary J. cracked me up. I could never tell if she like the audition or not. Funny.

Toby Keith/Trace Adkins Concert

We went to the Toby Keith/Trace Adkins concert over the weekend. It was fun. The weather was great.

And, fall is here and the tv lineup is new. "Castle" is back - and the first episode was good. Although I could have used a re-cap because I had kinda forgotten the ending of last season. I DVR'd "The Forgotten" with Christian Slater and "Grey's" also returns this week.

Have a great day!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

"The key to success is letting the relationship in your life grow to the highest levels they possibly can...not putting yourself first in life and remembering that the more you give away, the more you have" - Christopher Reeve

This is the way I'd like to remember Superman. His professional life and personal life were very much in parallel - he was a great humanitarian.

Let's talk Idol -

I do not like the new judging format...what's the use of having the opinions of four people if only two get to voice what they think? That's just plain silly.

I was so excited about the theme, but it ended up being a disappointment. What's with all these sappy songs? This might be a shocker, but even Adam's song was just okay for me (do I sound like one of the judges or what?) I did like Kris' song.

Anyone watching the Housewives of NYC? I love Bethenny. She's a riot.

She's even on Twitter and it's really fun to follow her. The impression she did of Kelly in last night's episode was spot-on. She also cracked me up when she was at the grocery store trying to push her products, "Would you like to try a cupcake? No? Oh, ok - good." You have to see it because, without the New York accent, it's not the same. And, I also love Jill - although I think she's really looking great this season. I wonder if she had some work done. I follow her on Twitter also.

I know it's only Wednesday, but we're supposed to have some great weather here in the Midwest on Friday and over the weekend. I hope to get out and use the Nikon.

Stay tuned!

Happy mid-week!

Operation Overload...

I maybe giving up my laptop shortly, so I started taking stock today of the "favorites" I have listed on my right-hand navigation bar...Bad idea. How is it possible, that I have 104 favorite blogs? And I continue to find more and more that are inspirational and oh-so crafty. I know it's crazy and I must stop before looking at my favorite blogs becomes an 8 hour gig.

Monday night - Another new episode of "Castle" with the dreamy Nathan Fillion:

But, as I looked at him, he reminded me of another heartbreaker from my teenage years:

And, as I looked at Jason Bateman, he reminded me of another dreamy newcomer:

It's like 6 degrees of separation - good-looking separation, that is. Can't wait to see what A.L. has in his bag of tricks this week.

Have a great Monday!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday and What else is going on

Words of Wisdom Wednesday-
"A true friend never gets in your way - unless you happen to be going down" -
Anonymous

What else is going on? We watched the most recent version of "Castle" last night - from our DVR. I'm really loving that show. And, the more I watch, the more I think Nathan Fillion is kinda dreamy...
Unfortunately, I was one of the victims of American Idol running way over on Tuesday night - so our DVR missed Adam's performance. I guess that's what I get for not wanting to watch commercials. I've learned my lesson and I will be extending all tapings about 15 minutes from now on. I'm trying not to blame Paula - but I think it is her incessant rambling that caused this. Lucky for me, his performance was on youtube. And, it surprises me what "haters" are saying about Adam. "He has no talent...blah, blah, blah" - He was on Broadway for Pete's sake - and, when you get to this stage of the game, all of the contestants are pretty rockin'. I think it takes incredible nerve to go up there and be in front of a tv audience of MILLIONS of people. Crazy!
I've got the spring cleaning itch - and I think all of our spare closets are due for an overhaul this weekend. That's what I've got planned. Family stuff for the Easter Holiday.

Come Flea (Market) Away!

Oh Megan - you were so, so pretty and quirky. America just didn't dig your style. The judges put you through the wringer for your song choice and, at the end of the day, I think you wanted to go home to see your little boy. Way to follow your dreams - you made it through the AI's Top Ten. I will be sad to see you go.

I can't wait for this weekend to come, but I have a lot to do. The Kane County Flea Market is this weekend and I am anxious to go junk hunting to see what kind of treasures I can find. The weather is supposed to be on the cool side - in the 50's, but sunny. Hopefully, the wind will not be too bad and it will be a fabulous sunny day. I plan to take lots of pictures. I've been poking around on the web looking at what people are creating and I'm totally inspired!

I also have a baby shower to go to. And, I'm just about done with one of the crafts I've been working on. The craft is for the shower - so I have to get on the horn and finish those babies up!

We are having some friends over on Saturday to watch some basketball. Zzzzzzz, Oh! Sorry! I dozed off there for a minute! I don't really care about the game. I'm thinking we'll fix some chicken quesadillas - yum!

Do you have any exciting plans for this weekend?

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

I saw this quote today, and boy, does it speak to me:

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything you gave me" -

Erma Bombeck

Speaking of talent, let's talk Idol:

photos from americanidol.com

A couple of observations:

1. How do you have a show about songs that are the "Most Downloads" and then have songs like Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are" (by Scott), that Bob Marley thing that Megan sang or 'Lil's song choice? The Billy Joel one I might be able to see, because his songs are pretty timeless. I don't know. That just seems strange to me.

2. Matt's song by The Fray was shaky. I am a big fan. He's got mad talent on the piano and his vocals are usually pretty good. The start was rough and he improve a little. He might be in trouble.

3. Danny picked "What Hurts Most." Ok - when you pick a song by a group that is known for harmony and the runs of the lead singer, it's really hard to do well as a solo and make it your own. He was still good, but I feel like he has trouble with the soft parts and shouts the rest.
4. Kara is taking some heat from the audience and talking back! Oh boy. I think there's only room for one villian on the judges panel and we know who that is. She makes a great point about song choice - but I wonder why they don't have more weeks of judges picking songs for them, because when they become the American Idol, they will have tons of help from their "people" and writers. Why not make it more realistic?

5. And last but not least, my Adam Lambert. I have to admit, when he announced the song he was going to be doing, I went into a panic. Play That Funky Music? Really? I surely thought it was going to be a trainwreck, but, I should have had faith. He is scary good - and, I think, genuinely a nice person. Wow - I was totally surprised and amazed. Way to go.

Today, I Feel Fortunate...

Yep, it's Monday. And, I have to admit, Monday's are growing on me. Much attributed to one of my newest favorite shows - "Castle" -

And, I have a really cool possibility/opportunity going on. I feel very fortunate. I'll share later.
Cheers to my first official follower - Megan! Yipee! And, to those of you who have been "lurking" as they call it in the blog world - don't be afraid! Follow me! I'd love to hear from you! I promise I won't bite!
Another "new" favorite show

Well, not totally new - but new to me. We rented the first season through netflix and we're loving it. I can't believe they make a whole season out of one day! That's crazy. And even crazier is the fact that Jack Bauer doesn't lose his voice with all that yelling. When did Keifer Sutherland become so dramatic?
Can't wait for Idol tomorrow. I don't know what the theme is, but I'm sure Adam Lambert is going to be, in the words of Randy Jackson, "molten hot lava baby!" He rocked it last week - even though he was a little more subdued - which I really enjoyed - he has many facets.
Crafty post coming up. Just finishing a couple of things!

Monday's and Tuesday's Must-See Tv

We've got a new favorite show - atleast for Monday nights - It's called "Castle." It's on a 9pm (central) on ABC. Nathan Fillion plays Castle, a murder mystery writer, who has linked up with Cate Becket, a hot, lady detective, after he was consulted on a crime scene exactly like one in his book.

It's kind of like "Bones" (I've heard, although I don't watch that one) with a tense relationship between Castle and Becket. Makes for some entertaining writing.

Onto Tuesday night...American Idol is taking a breather and is going to be on tomorrow and Thursday. So, I guess I'll have to settle for the catfights on Bravo's Housewives of NYC - not as good as Orange County, but I do have my favorite gals on this one. 9pm - I'm tuning in.

Wednesday TV Recap

This pretty much sums up what I think of the last night's American Idol Auditions:

Really Fox? Can we just cut to the chase and get rid of all these weeks of talentless hacks? I absolutely loved the girl that they made leave and come back. Now SHE is a natural talent. I can't wait to see how she does. Her version of "Bubbly" was as whimsy and free as the original - Bravo. Now, can we please just get to Hollywood week?

And, I'm a day late, but let's talk about "The Bachelor." I have to admit, I had it on the DVR and fast-forwarded most of the episode. I think this week should have been titled, "Could everything in this episode BE more awkward?" Let's start with the General Hospital group date...and everyone getting to witness everyone else making out with Jason. For starters, when you really want to kiss someone, as Melissa pointed out, IT'S NOT ACTING! And Megan basically mauled the poor guy...yuck!

Later that night included just about every girl breaking down into tears. I hear if you portray yourself as an emotional mess, guys love it!

Next up, the awkward ballroom dancing dance-off between Stephanie and Nikki. It was like Sandy and Cha-Cha fighting over Danny in "Grease" - just a little more sophisticated. I couldn't believe Jason picked Stephanie over Nikki. Not that there was a romantic connection with either girl, but Stephanie obviously got the rose because she's a fellow parent.

Then, not the "most dramatic rose ceremony ever," as I hear that's next week, but when it came down to it, Jason sent 3 ladies packing. Nice work. We are finally getting somewhere! But, I have to wonder how ABC dealt with this in terms of the episode scheduling...Can't you just hear the producers?..."What?!? Oh great! Now we are going to have to come up with another spinoff week to fill space! What do you think we should call it? "

Before the Final Rose?

Actually, Jason's Not Going To Pick Anyone?

The Last Stand: DeAnna vs. the Remaining 5?

I just can't believe this was a spur of the moment decision. In any event, let's summarize the lady's that were kicked to the curb:

First up to be denied a rose, Megan. Sorry, Megan. You're just plain mean and that's the bottom line. I thought she might be one of those psycho ones that tries to comeback and convince Jason to give her another shot.

Next up Lauren. Hey Lauren, just a little girl to girl advice, if you tell a guy that if you don't get something, "you're gonna be pissed," you can pretty much bet your pretty blue peepers that he's a goner - No one likes ultimatums. Especially a guy who has atleast 5 other girls to choose from.

And last but not least, poor Shannon. Time to set your stalker radar on someone else. Have a nice day.

I can't wait until they bring back DeAnna. And, I'm sticking with my original prediction of Jillian, although she was not a big player in this last episode. But, Melissa and Molly continue to keep gaining ground. If they are the final three, it's gonna be a doo-zie!

Hope you all are keeping cozy and warm and enjoying primetime as much as I am right now. I hear "Ugly Betty" is teetering on being moved to another night - ratings aren't so good. I've looked at the schedule to see if there's anything new that I should try...any suggestions?