Please Take A Moment To Vote In the Current Annoying Celeb of 2009 Poll... Thank You.

If you are a fan of The Twilight Zone, you are no doubt familiar with the episode titled "It's A Good Life". In it, a six-year old boy named Anthony Fremont held a town in terror with his godlike mental powers. One of his powers was the ability to "wish" people into the cornfield, never to be seen again.For this poll, you get to pretend to be Anthony and wish the most annoying celeb(s) of 2009

Remembering the Celebs We Lost In 2009

Along with preparing to say hello to a new decade, it's also time to pay tribute to those we lost in the world of entertainment this year. Below is a tribute assembled by TCM of film industry people who we said goodbye to in 2009. The montage is set to the tune "To Live Is To Fly" by Steve Earle.The link below takes you to a photo gallery of celebs (including those outside the film industry)

All Tied Up

Another nephew present:A tie! So much fun to make-- and so easy! And I love how the fabric just worked for this perfectly! I got the pattern at http://www.youcanmakethis.com/. It ALMOST makes me wish I had a boy to doll up in ties-- almost. ;0)

Happy Birthday To Mike Nesmith and Davy Jones of The Monkees

Wednesday Dec. 30th marks the birthdays of both Mike Nesmith and Davy Jones of the Monkees (they turn 67 and 64, respectively). As some of you may know, the Monkees' 4th album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Jones, Ltd. got its name from the astrological sign of each band member. Since Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Capricorn, Ltd. would have been redundant, they tacked on Jones' name at the

Monster Madness

If you will remember a few posts back, I mentioned that I was attempting to make a few more toys for Christmas this year, even though I haven't had much success in the past. A few worked out and a few didn't turn out quite as I would have liked. Here is one that I really liked: I found the tutorial here quite a while ago and wanted to try it. Embroidery is something I don't seem to have a knack

The Big Reveal!

I am so excited that I can finally share some of my Christmas suprises with you! I spent so many hours. . . but it was all worth it! Lots of fun things-- and I tried many new techniques. It is always good to learn something new.Anyway, the first gift I want to share was for my mother-in-law. A quilted calendar! Isn't this the cutest idea ever? I wish I could take credit for it, but I got the idea

A Christmas Wish

Hi everyone! Are you nearly ready for Christmas? I've been shopping and wrapping and making my lists and checking them twice!  I love this time of the year, the beautiful lights, cards and letters from friends, visits with friends and family and a time to remember the Christmas traditions that are so special to us.I've been a bit slowed down this past couple of weeks as I had some surgery on my

One Last Pre-Christmas Post. . .

This is it. The final Christmas craft. (Thank goodness! I am about Christmas-crafted out!) I saw this idea in several different versions (here and here)and decided it was simple enough to let the girlies help me. And I love how they turned out! Take a look:I didn't really want to add the buttons-- I thought they looked perfect without, but the girls insisted. So I suggested we use only WHITE

Fabric Activity Book

A word of caution: This in NOT a project for the faint of heart. As a matter of fact, I was supposed to make two and sort of whimped out about half way through the second. What is it that I am talking about? A fabric activity book, of course!This story starts with my first grader bringing home an assignment for school, due just before Christmas break that involved doing a service project for

Final Results of the Recent Holiday Shopping Poll

In the recent poll in which I asked readers what their method of shopping was for the holidays, nearly half said that they prefer the luxury of picking out presents online. The margin between online vs. brick and mortar was narrower than I thought it would be. When I asked this question two years ago, the gap was significantly wider (55% said online vs. 36% brick and mortar). I wonder if the

My Review of The Goonies: 'R' They Good Enough For Me?

A few weeks ago, I conducted a poll asking readers to select an 80s movie for me to watch that I hadn't yet seen. The 1985 film The Goonies won and as a result, I watched it yesterday afternoon. Here is my review:It can sometimes be problematic when watching kid-oriented movies as an adult, especially if you are seeing it for the first time. Thankfully, I didn't have that problem with watching

Fabric Gift Tags

I am not a real detail oriented person. Things like cute gift tags just didn't seem like that big of a deal to me. But, as I continue crafting, I am finding the details make or break ya'. So, I am trying to become more interested in the details.Take for instance, gift tags. I used to buy the sticker kind, you know, from Wal-Mart. Three sheets for 99 cents. Awesome. And now?Here is this year's

Actress Brittany Murphy Dead At 32

This story literally made me jump in my chair from shock. Actress Brittany Murphy was pronounced dead this morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after going into full cardiac arrest. Perhaps best known as Tai Frasier in the 1995 movie Clueless, Murphy also appeared in such films as Don't Say A Word, Girl Interrupted, Uptown Girls, and 8 Mile. She is survived by her husband, British

The Retro Mix Playlist For 12/18/09

7 pm hourGive Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)- ParliamentBring It Back Again- The Stray CatsJingle Bell Rock- Hall & OatesYou Sexy Thing- Hot ChocolatePuberty- BellyToday- Smashing PumpkinsDo They Know It's Christmas- Band AidDouble Retro segment:How Long- Ace (released in 1975)How Long- Lipps Inc. (released in 1980)Cool It Now- New EditionTruth Untold- Odds2000 Miles- The

Memory Game Tutorial

Sewing toys has not really been my thing. It usually takes forever, involves hand sewing and my version never turns out quite as cute as the original (okay, not even close!). But this year, I decided to try again. Practice makes perfect, right?And this time, I decided to do things MY way. Hee, hee!Okay, to make this cute and fairly easy and quick memory game, you will need:11 inches of fabric11

TCM Underground: Get Down and Boogie and Thank God It's Friday

While scanning the digital cable guide to see what Turner Classic Movies was airing Friday night (12-18/12-19), I found they have a super 70s double feature scheduled for their cult movie showcase TCM Underground. At 2 am EST, they are showing a movie I had never heard of until today... 1975's Get Down and Boogie. Originally titled Darktown Strutters and described as a blaxploitation spoof in

Please Take A Moment To Vote In the Current Holiday Shopping Poll... Thank You

A Fun Christmas Idea!

For the little ones in your life. . . a great Christmas gift!Felt Play Food!I have been planning to make a whole bunch of these for my three little munchkins for the past 2 years. . . it still hasn't happened. But I have a few more days until Christmas. . . maybe I will get a couple done.Here are few free patterns I found:SandwichTurkeyPicnic LunchThanksgiving DinnerVeggiesAnd here are the two

The RRHOF's Class of 2010 Has Been Announced

On Tuesday, the five acts who will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 was announced. I have mixed feelings about the artists who made the cut. For the record, I correctly predicted 2 out of the 5 acts who would get inducted in 2010. You can read my predictions at the link below:Final Results of RRHOF PollIf I was a baseball player, my .400 average would be good enough to

Sweater Stockings

Whew! They are finished! These stockings are made using upcycled sweaters. The idea and pattern are from Dana at http://www.dana-made-it.com/. Love the idea! So cute. And the best part? Very easy to make.

The Thank You For Blogging Award

A couple of weeks ago, I received the Thank You For Blogging Award from Penny (whose blog is titled The Winter of Our Discontent). My apologies for being late as hell in putting this up. It's quite an honor and I thank Penny for the kudos. Speaking of Kudos, one of their chocolate covered granola bars would hit the spot right now.The rules are to pass along the award to a few other deserving

The WIRE: Week In REview, #2

Andy Keaton: A Fugitive No MoreOn December 11, Brian Bonsall, best known for his role as Andy Keaton on the sitcom Family Ties was charged in Colorado with second-degree assault after police say he repeatedly hit a friend in the head with a broken wooden stool in a December 5th bar brawl. The 28 yr old Bonsall had apparently been on the lam for over a year due to previous legal troubles when he

The Retro Mix Playlist For 12/11/09

12 midnight hourDude (Looks Like A Lady)- AerosmithFopp- The Ohio PlayersYou and I- Rick JamesComing Clean- Green DayDe Do Do Do, De Da Da Da- The PoliceN.Y. You Got Me Dancing- The Andrea True ConnectionI Want Her- Keith SweatLook Away- Big CountryThe Guilty Pleasure of the WeekGlory of Love- Peter CeteraHoney Please, Can't Ya See- Barry WhiteI Love Rock & Roll- Joan Jett & the BlackheartsSmooth

Patchwork Christmas Tree Skirt Tutorial

Somehow the Christmas season really snuck up on me this year. Usually I have all my gifts wrapped and ready to go by about September. Not this year. . . I just finished our tree skirt yesterday and I still don't have our stockings made. Hopefully I will get finished BEFORE Christmas.Anyway, I really liked how the tree skirt turned out, so I thought I would share.Supplies:88 6"

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

This is one of my favourite stamp sets, it's called Loads of Love, I think it's been around forever! Don't you just love this little tree? This was a very easy card to make, I cut the medallion at 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" and centered each side with the scallop border punch to create the cut out edges. I used a smaller square of old olive to mat under the medallion for contrast.  I stamped the little tree

Christmas Star Tutorial

By popular demand, here it is! The Hideous (aka Fluffy) Christmas Star tutorial. (Thank you all for your sweet comments!)Supplies:1/3 yard extra stiff interfacing (stiffest you can find!)wire hanger1/3 yard muslin1 yard white nylon chiffon (tulle would probably work, too)white lights (50 count)1 toilet paper cardboard rollrulerwire cutters#1- Making your star.You could just print one off the

TCM Star of the Month For December: Humphrey Bogart

Every Wednesday for the month of December, TCM is devoting the entire day to films/specials featuring my favorite actor hands down... Humphrey Bogart. For those who aren't that familiar with the films of Bogart, this tribute serves as an excellent introduction. In addition to including most of the classics for which Bogie is best known (The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca, The Big Sleep, etc.),

Warm Winter Wishes

I just love this card and the colours! I used Kraft and Soft Suede. Kraft has to be one of my favourite colours to work with...it seems that everything goes with it! First I stamped the Santa and his reindeer in soft suede and then I ran the stamped image piece through my Big Shot using this Cuttlebug folder. I added Platinum Shimmer paint to highlight the snowy areas. I also dotted the

The WIRE: Week In REview, #1

Because the world of pop culture won't slow down to accommodate my hectic schedule, I haven't been able to blog about many of the stories that have unfolded recently. As a result, I decided that doing weekly summaries would give me a chance to touch on stories from the previous week that I didn't get around to covering. Here are a few of them:CTFD: The Sun-Maid Girl ControversyWelcome to "Not

The Hideous Star (previously known as The Ruffly Christmas Star)

So, we moved during this past year (twice, if you want to get technical) and when I move (yes, we have moved ALOT), I sell almost everything before I start packing. Naturally, one of the first things to go is the Christmas decorations (I always want something different the next year anyway). With tight funds this year, I am really trying to be creative without spending a lot of money. Picked up

Final Results of the Recent Twilight Poll

With just over 1/3 of the votes, it appears there are several ladies who don't give a damn about the "Twilight" saga. Still, that doesn't change the fact that "Twilight" is probably the biggest female oriented pop culture phenomenon since Titanic. Yes, I know that a lot of guys saw Titanic, but how many of them were dragged to the theater by their wives/girlfriends? If you add up the "

WOW! I feel so loved. . .

I should give stuff away more often. . . It makes me feel so loved! And, it is comforting to know there are so many other fabric-aholics out there in blogland. No wonder I feel so at home! Okay, now, on to the winners.Giveaway #1-799 entries (Oh.My.GOSH!!!)Winner (picked through random.org): 585MaevyGiveaway #2-457 entriesWinner (picked through random.org): 16MicheleGiveaway #3-161

Peace, Love and Joy

Hi everyone...here's another Christmas card share for you.  I used Baroque Motifs for the swirl and gold embosed both the swirl and the ornament. I also gold embossed the sentiment.  The ornament was punched out and then added to the card.  Easy and elegant! What I used:Cardstock: Handsome Hunter and Whisper WhiteInk: Gold EncoreStamp sets:  Baroque Motifs, Delightful Decorations, All

The Retro Mix Playlist For 12/4/09

7 pm hourShadow Dancing- Andy GibbGirlfriend- PebblesChristmas In Hollis- Run DMCRay of Light- MadonnaStop, Look, Listen to Your Heart- The StylisticsHappy Xmas (War Is Over)- John LennonI Wanna Destroy You- The Circle JerksLove Will Tear Us Apart- Joy DivisionDouble Retro segmentEverybody Needs Somebody To Love- Wilson Pickett (1967)Everybody Needs Somebody To Love- The Blues Brothers (1980)

Amman and Petra Pictures

Video From Petra or Wes Stroud, I am Not

On the Road Again

This time it's for a holiday trip. I needed to get out. To escape if you will. I decided to consult my list and see what I could afford. Lo and Behold! A gem! The Dead Sea and Petra. HHHMMMMMM I mused. The theme music to Indiana Jones still fresh in my mind as the tele here has played Temple of Doom like every week for a month. LOL A sign if ever I had one. So I perused around websites and

Thursday Thirteen #77: TV Twosomes

As the rap classic by Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock exclaimed, "It takes two to make a thing go right... it takes two to make it outta sight!" Although they weren't rapping/singing/scratching about TV characters, the lines do apply to small screen duos. Below (in chronological order) are 13 of my favorite TV twosomes.Who are some of your fave twosomes of television?Also, please take a moment to vote

Please Take A Moment To Vote In the Current "Twilight" Poll, Thank You!

Giveaway #1 CLOSED

Today is the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day! Hooray! In keeping with tradition, I have 3 giveaways going on in three different posts, check them all out!Giveaway #1-Set of 24 {almost} fat eighths from Keri Beyer's Proud fabric line.So full of color and fun! I am just finishing a quilt with these fabrics and it looks awesome! {Each piece measures 9 inches by 18-22 inches. }Instructions:By now, many

Giveaway #2 CLOSED

Today is the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day! Hooray! In keeping with tradition, I have 3 giveaways going on in three different posts, check them all out!Giveaway #2-Set of 18 fat quarters from vintage/repurposed sheets. Each piece measures 18x22 and is washed and smelling fabulous!Instructions:By now, many of you are probably about blogged out, so, I will keep it simple. Leave a comment with your

Giveaway #3 CLOSED

Today is the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day! Hooray! In keeping with tradition, I have 3 giveaways going on in three different posts, check them all out!Giveaway #3-This is a girl's dress made from a women's skirt. My five year old is modeling it and it seems just a little short. I would say it will fit about a 3T or 4T. The straps are made with elastic, and there is elastic around the bodice. Cute

Oprah, You Are Such A Scream

The city of Chicago, network affiliates, and women over the age of 30 collectively went into early mourning when Oprah announced last month that she was quitting her show in 2011. Over the years, one of Oprah's trademarks has been the unique style in which she introduces celebrities who appear on her show. Below is a compilation of some of the best. Normally, her introductions get on my damn