Thursday Movie Picks:TV Efition-Rivalries

Merry Christmas and have a great New Year! So, I thought I would get back into the swing of things and ...I didn’t. It’s been crazy between working full time, and all the Christmas stuff to do on top of my pain, my friend  visiting me, blah blah blah, I am behind again. Christmas Day was a day of complete rest and I basically slept. We are not going to my hubby’s sister’s place until Friday because of her work. Saturday, I see my best friend and Sunday I am being treated to a beautiful concert at Hamilton Place with a  Full Viennese concert. I am so looking forward to this. The last post for this year on Wandering Through The Shelves is the tv edition and it is to showcase rivalries. My mind is not working on full throttle but I hope I came up with 3 that work.

1. THE BUGS BUNNY/ROAD RUNNER HOUR-1968-1978

Ok these original cartoons were actually shown with feature films for Warner Bros. MGM had Tom and Jerry, Warner’s had the great Bugs, Elmer, Daffy Wiley E Coyote, Road Runner, Porky Pig, Sylvester, Tweety Bird, LongHorn Egg-horn (is that right??) plus so many more. Many of these cartoons are hilarious since they were actually for adults more than kids (“I Knight thee Cirrhosis of Liver”) but as a kid, I loved them and never thought of them as violent and thought it stupid when they were censored them especially since I am against censorship. Wiley E was always trying to kill and eat the Road Runner but the Road Runner always got the better of him. Actually, Bugs got the better of him as well. Sylvester always tried to eat Tweety Bird and they were both trying to win the affection of Granny along with the bulldog. I think my favourite was the new puppy and Clyde the cat..poor Clyde who loved filing his nails on a filing saw. Love these shows.

2. DYNASTY-198

What can I say about this glossy show which was all about shoulder pads, back stabbing and chewing the scenery. The Carrington Family are filthy rich headed by John Forsythe who married his secretary, Linda Evans. We meet his kids, one good and one smarmy plus their wives, girlfriends and one night stands. Season 2 brings his ex wife, Joan Collins who really knew how to bitch across the scene and bitch slap Linda. A fun and campy soap that I preferred over Dallas.

3. THE DREW CAREY SHOW-1995-2004

I wish this show was more well known because it was funny. It was about Drew Carey who worked in management at a department store who had to deal with his jerk boss and his nemesis,  Mimi, who could give it right back and was nasty. He has 3 good friends, 2 dopey guys and a girl whom he secretly loves. Thre are many antics but they always make it funny. I love that Shirley Jones plays  Carey's mom.

Which tv show can you think up? I will be commenting on my previous post to catch up and vhecki

Thursday Movie Picks-Child Actors Venturing Out of Typecasting

I’m baaack! I didn’t mean to go but I did as you can see from my last post. So, now I am back on track and will talk about child actors who wanted to venture away from their good girl image.check out Wandering Through The Shelves to check out which 3 actors/actresses the fellow film nuts have chosen. Here are my 3....

DEANNA DURBIN

1. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY-1944

Denana Durbin...who? Without her Universal Pictures would not exist because she saved them from bankruptcy when she appeared as a young, talented gal with a beautiful voice, who sings her way through many pictures along with many great conductors like Leopoldo Stokowski lending a hand. With her happy charm and amazing talent she would save the day. Well, Ms. Durbin wanted to expand her acting talents and stop playing cute little girls who save everything. This is one such film that veered away from her nice image and one that she was, apparently, proud of. I say this because she retired in the late 40s and never looked back, moving to France (by the way, she is a Canadian..Maintoba). She never granted any more interviews, except one back in the early 80's that I would love to see. She disliked talking about her film career and simply refused to look back. Oh yes, the film...She plays a young lady who falls for a real schmuck, played by Gene Kelly, who does not dance or sing in this film! He kills someone and he, along with his domineering mother, blame her. She changes her name and ends up as a "hostess" in some divey bar. It is quite a good film noir and one hard to find but, if you do, it's worth a watch.

ROBERT BLAKE

Yup that's the little rascal who appeared on quite a few Our Gang shorts with Spanky and the Gang.

2. IN COLD BLOOD-1967

Talk about a controversial person to say the least since Robert Blake is one F#^% up person who probably did have a hand in murdering his shrew of a wife-which, her murder, seemed to be right off the pages of Murder, She Wrote or Columbo. Robert Blake started out as Mickey Gubitosi who was cute as a button in the Our Gang series but he wanted more which is where this film comes in. In Cold Blood is a docudrama about the true story of 2 hoodlums who break into a home and end up killing the family all for a measly sum of money. The 2 are caught and we see real insight into the mind of these 2 killers . Robert Blake shines as a troubled hoodlum who shows some regret. Excellently acted by him and John Forsythe as the detective who captures them.

KURT RUSSELL

How many of you knew Kurt Russell was a child actor for Disney movies? He was cute as a button...and still is. I remember him in Gilligan's Island playing "Boy"  as well as on Lost In Space. People knew him as the cute Disney kid so he wanted to break from this mold..and does he ever! We all know his more recent films with Quinton Tarantino and his relationship with Goldie Hawn but he has done many films from Comedies to some great westerns. He was also great as Elvis and won accolades playing him in the late 1970s but he chose something darker to distance himself from Disney. Here is the film I choose...

3. THE DEADLY TOWER-1975

This is a TV movie but an excellent film starring Russell as the disturbed Charles Whitman who, after killing his wife and mother, walked up the Tower at the university of Texas, barricaded himself in and started shooting people walking down below. This is a true story and it was shocking in the day because it was rare to hear of someone doing this...not like today. He gave an excellent performance and won accolades for his acting. 

which 3 would you choose?

Over at Wandering Through The Shelves, another movie week. I apologize for disappearing as I didn’t think that would happen but my friend from Vancouver came for a visit and he didn’t leave until Thursday. I actually met him in good ole Hogtown, aka, Toronto, and we had lots of fun.  This week it is super long titles and, if you can recall, I screwed up early in the year and gave my 3 way back then. I can't recall which theme I was supposed to do so I am showcasing some pics I took when in Toronto. I have also been busy with decorating as it takes me a while to get the house Christmasfied. I hope to be back now even though I am baking and still gave to so the tree. On with some pics..

This is from the distillery where the Christmas market was on and it was so nice. Finally, we are catching up to Germany and Austria who have these markets for centuries.

The lobby in the Fancy and beautiful Royal York . The 2 story facade all lit up is made from real gingerbread. 

This winter wonderland was at Ontsrio Place and it was great! We went in the last hour which worked as we saw everything without the throngs of people with their screaming kids.

Freaky fish that lives in the Great Lakes...who knew? We went to Rupkey's Aquarium and it is worth seeing! I am not a fish person but this was cool to see.

This was a huge and deep fish tank. I was gobsmacked by how large this was.

This lobster is truly this blue

You could stand on a moving walk and watch all these fish plus some sharks swimming right over you.

Ok we may look stoned but we were freezing spending a nice day in Niagara On The Lake. So I hope I didn't bore you with my picks I promise to be back in blog land. Take care and Happy 3rd week of Advent.

Thursday Movie Picks-Adaptations

Major issues at work since my work amalgamated with the Toronto office. It's been crazy and now I can't seem to get to my blog and I hope the tech girl can make my personal Google chrome separate from work. I can't remember the password so problem #15. One reason I seemed to have dropped off plus Christmas decorating in the evening. Ok. So enough frustrations,  film adaptations is one huge theme that Wandering Through The Shelves chose and I went all 1930's here so let's see what I chose..

1. LITTLE WOMEN-1933

There are so many versions of this classic book that I wonder which version to use but I went with this great version and Katherine Hepburn as Jo is excellent. We know the story about a mom with 4 daughters who all try to live during the Civil War when their dad is gone to war. The neighbour helps out and so does their son, Laurie. Who decided to get a sex change operation because of his name....oops, sorry, wrong slant to the movie. Anyway poor guy stuck with this name loves Jo, Kate Hepburn, who wants more than just marriage and is an independent soul. Tge sisters all hope to find their own path even tragic Beth. One day I will try to watch all versions. 

2. THE GOOD EARTH-1937

I love this film which won Austrian actress Luise Rainer her second Oscar. She does a brilliant portrayal of this humble wife of a farmer played by Paul Muni  a huge actor of this era, and their life together. Now, it is a huge shame that Anna May Wong, a gifted Asian actress, could not play this role which would have been perfect for her. It is the sign of the times and the prejudice of the day but one should never bkast the actors who make the most out of this role. Luise gives an understated performance and you are drawn into her strength especially when she has a baby during the starving times and her panic when she is caught up in the mob looting a mansion. This is a film worth seeing.

3. WUTHERING HEIGHTS-1939

I fell in lust...re love with Sir Larry Olivier as the tormented Heathcliffe who is an orphan living on the streets and is taken in by a kindly rich man. The man brings Heathcliffe home to meet his 2 kids, mean, nasty son and beautiful wild daughter. The daughter, Cathy, played by Merle Oberon, is a soul mate to Heathcliffe, and they galavant in the moors amongst the heather. One eve, they climb a tree to look into the stately mansion that is having a ball. Well, they are caught and Cathy is injured so is scared for by the son in this wealthy family. Poor gypsy Heathcliffe is tossed away and when Cathy decides to wed Edgar, Hesthcliffr sans her and takes off. The next time you see Heath, he is a wealthy but bitter man who takes over his former home and marries Edgar's sister Isabella. Of course Cathy is never far from his heart and vice versa. These 2 lovers are a poster for what not to do in a relationship and you do want to shake both of them. When I was a kid, I totally freaked out by the ending and my mom had to calm me down...yeah I don't know what was with me but this is true.

Sorry if there are issues with this post since I can't do all I want unless I can get on my blog from work. Anyway, what would be your 3...

Thursday Movie Picks: TV Edition-dystopian or Post Apocalyptic Earth

This week and today, is your American Thanksgiving, The time to give thanks to our families and to the Native Americans before taking their land and herding them onto small strips, just like we did with  the Inuit. Ouch! I felt those knocks on top of my head. What better way to think about Thanksgiving than look at tv and the way earth crumbles after a major cataclysm....yeah, it doesn’t fit but that’s ok. I don’t like these types of shows but I did scrape the barrel and found 3 that, I think, fit. Check out Wandering Through The Shelves and find out which ones they chose. Sorry for being so late, nuts at work, internet problems and general mayhem. Here are my 3...

1. BATTLESTAR GALLACTICA-1978-1979

This is not the good tv remake but the Gallacticashit that I watched because I loved Lorne Greene who played the “father” of the show, Adama. After their planet is destroyed, the last 13 colonies , headed by Ben Cartwright, oops wrong show, tries to keep the last surviving humans including his son, daughter Athena and the good looking guy with feathered hair, Dirk Benedict, alive and make it to Earth. The evil guys have their minions, the Ceylons who look similar to the soldier guys from Star Wars except they have cool looking red lights that flick back and forth. Actually, it reminded me of Pong( yes, I am dating myself). I liked the show, believe it or not, but it’s dumb as shit.

2. V-1983-1984

I watched the original miniseries which was really quite good and then they decided to do the tv series which I watched and just sighed. The 2 leads, who were the heroes,  knew the nice aliens were anything but and the leader appears like she just stepped  off the Dynasty set but she actually is a lizard in disguise..no, not Joan Collins, an actual lizard. They decide to take over earth but underestimate how much we can put on a show! Robert Englund, of Freddie Krueger fame, plays a nice lizard who falls in love with a human....so sweet. Typical fare of mean aliens destroying earth but can’t wipe out the intrepid few all while looking sinister with great 80’s hair.

3. MAX HEADROOM-1987-1988

Yeah, one show I really liked and didn’t last because it was quirky, funny and bit the hand that fed them...the networks. We are in the near future, where no tv can ever be shut off, the networks give free TVs to the homeless which is all to control us...hmmmm, in other words, today. Remember, this show was made when it was, basically, just the 3 networks and this show seems to hit a sensitive spot and created a huge furor when it came out. I remember when it was on the News and the computer program was famous, making Matt Fewer (now..who??)famous for his unique style. He plays a doctor whose mug is used for a computer program with a mind of its own. Soon Matt Fewer, his computer program and a few others band together to fight the evil that is network tv. A very unique take on something that is all too real and I watch tv. Today, we don’t even think about the 3 Networks when we have all the cable channels like HBO, Netflix, Hulu, Zulu, Hoohoo, booboo, m.o.u.s.e plus way too many more. If you can watch these original shows, it’s worth checking out.

Since it’s late, I am the walking dead:). On a brighter note, have a very Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy a good movie like Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Christmas Cards

 
Stamp, tombow markers, black dye ink, black glitter embossing powder, glitter pen, Crystals, glossy accents

Cute Card Thursday- Festive
Happy Little Stampers: Christmas- Bah Humbug
Animal Friends- Reindeer, moose
Sparkles Christmas- Santa


I was thinking of my friend who doesn't love Christmas and loves to go far away and warm at this time. I took some cardstock that reminded me of Florida along with the markers to color in the stamped image. After colouring the image, I used special scissors to cut it out and a needle pick to poke holes all along the edge. I used glitter on the tree because many in the hot places usoie white trees or coloured ones instead of the great green. Santa decided to wear his light purple outfit to take off and gave some fun in South Beach. I also used the glossy accents on the pinks ornaments and the bows on the reindeer.

Embossing folder in holly, branch punch, reindeer stamp, pastel chalk, red piece left over, stickers.

Happy Little Stampers- CAS- Tis The Season
Winter Wonderland- holly and/or ivy
ABC Christmas- Wreath
Simon Says- Anything Goes
Crafty Creations- Anything Goes
CNHC- Reindeer


This  is a quick and easy card. I have a circle punch which I used in the top part of white cardstock. I took a pencil to lightly circle in the inside so j knew where to stamp the little reindeer head. I erased the pencil lines after I stamped the head in apricot brown dye ink. I used green glitter pen to color the holly leaves she is wearing...Vixen always needs to look good. I place the front part of the card in the embossing folder and rolled it through the cuddle bug for that embossed look. I punched a ton of those leaves in red and green and glued them in a wreath pattern. Added the red card piece and the gold saying sticker and bell in the wreath. So how many of you have tons of card pieces? I can't throw them out, it feels so wrong.

Thursday Movie Picks-Over a Meal

How often do you have company come over and end up at the kitchen table? It happened all the time at my parents and often with us nowadays and it’s always fun especially when we enjoy the food we are eating. This week’s theme is all about dinner and there are more films than one thinks when it involves a memorable dinner or the chatter over dinner. Check out Wandering Through The Shelves to see what everyone else have chosen, here are my 3...

1. TOM JONES-1963

I need to see this film again because it has been years since I fell in lust for  Albert Finney when he was young and lean and full of mischief especially in this great British comedy about a bastard rogue adopted by a squire. He falls in love with a beautiful, demure gal but is considered unworthy. He gets involved in many adventures including a very lustful dinner scene with a wrench. This scene, no one speaks, but that doesn’t matter because you are fully involved in their lusty style of eating and this scene has been mimicked in many other movies and TV shows since. This is a flat out funny farce that you have to see at least once.

2.  THE BIG NIGHT-1996

This is a hidden gem that I found after I listened to the soundtrack which I love and listen to..on a CD. This takes place in the 1950s about 2 brothers, from Italy, who open up a restaurant that serves excellent food but have hardly any customers because they serve authentic Italian cuisine unlike the very popular place across the street. The jerk owner across the street claims he wants to help and tells them a famous musician is coming to play at their restaurant. The brothers set out to create the best dining experience anyone could think of. This film is funny, sad, quirky and so much more along with terrific acting from Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, Minnie Driver, Isabella Rossellini and more.

3. AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY- 2013

Talk about one nasty family of misfits headed by the mom of nastiness, Meryl Streep, who is dying of cancer. Her husband, a truly nice man, commits suicide which brings all her children home along with their significant others including her sister who likes to berate her step-son. Julia Roberts plays one of the daughters who has some major issues and actually reminds me of someone I knew. She was/is full of anger, unpleasant and you never wanted to ask how she was doing because it was never good. Anyway, you learn about the family especially at the dinner table when everyone is talking, berating and it is funny. This is a an excellent film and one I was surprised that I liked as much as I did because it takes heavy issues and makes it funny. You feel for all the characters even the nasty ones. Worth taking a look.

So what 3 would you choose?

Busy busy

We got a dumping of snow on Remembrance Day...over a foot but it is slowly melting. To be honest, I thought it was pretty...don't hate me:). It has been crazy at work adjusting to the new amalgamation with Toronto and our internet not working one day. I was happy to make a few cards and hope you like them.

Pink and blue dye ink pad, silver pearl embossing powder, dye cut butterfly, distress inks in greenish and peach colour, happy birthday stamp, peach pastel, cotton swabs, glue, Pearls.

Butterfly Challenge- used peach, pear, periwinkle and pearls.
Happy Little Stampers: anything Goes with Dies


For my cousin who has a birthday coming up. I used peach and a lime green distress ink and spritzed with water, placing the white cardstock into it and drying it before I used the butterfly die cut to cut out the image. I used the butterfly background die cut on the greenish cardstock that has a shimmer which is the background. I took this big flower stamp and stamped it with pink and blue and embossed it with silver pearl and used just the blue dye ink for the saying and embossed it with the silver pearl powder as well. I took a cotton swab to place the pastel chalk around the saying. I adhered everything together to make the card including that pearl string.

Water, blue powders and white pearl powder, stickers, sleigh die cut, Crystals

Cute Card Thursday- festive
Alphabet blog- Quick & Easy
Sparkles Monthly- It's Beginning to look a Lot Like Christmas
Happy Little Stampers- CAS-Tis The Season

I had this sleigh in black velvet hanging around for a long time and finally used it. I took a white cardstock and had fun with these powders that you just tap the dust onto the paper and spritz with water and watch the colors explode, I was not injured in the process:). Once dried, I added it to other coloured cardstock, gold and purple. I glued the sleigh in place and took a star sticker on top of some scrap paper, cut it out and glued it on and stuck on more stars, the saying and glued some Crystals in the corners.

Angel stamp, glitter markers, sizzex machine, poinsettia die cut, stickers.

The Fairy and the Unicorn- anything Goes
Stamping Sensations- red, green & gold
Addicted to Stamps- markers
CHNC- Glitter

I hope this is ok for the Fairy and the Unicorn since an angel can be magical. I had this scrap piece where I had cut a poinsettia before and had the remains left around so I used it on this card and adhered it to the upper left corner. I cut out a new poinsettia and embossed it with the cuddle bug. I stamped my Angel in gold, coloured her in glitter markers and fussy cut her out, placed her on the card with pop up dots and added stickers colouring the insides with red and green glitter markers. I love this angel stamp

2 types of Gold metallic paint, white pearl paint, black and white paper pieces, cuddlebug, embossing pad, Angel stamp, brush, gold dye ink, stickers, glitter.

Crafty Creations- anything Goes
Penny Black- Christmas
Dream Valley Challenges-Your favourite Colour Combo

My mom loved gold, black and white so I thought of her when making this card since this was her favourite colour combo. I stamped the angel in gold and embossed her in gold embossing powder and coloured her with gold and white pearl. I took all those strips of papers and used the embossing folder, glued them in place and brushed on the gold to make the embossing stand out. I have no gold paper so I took 2 types of gold around the edge for a frame...all sone!

Thursday Movie Picks- Politics

Politics and religion are 2 areas one should not talk about...unless you are my husband who strikes up a conversation while waiting in the grocery line. I decided to go with 3 films starring 3 men that I love and would easily swoon for. Man, I sound like I just got off some Gone With The Wind set. I realize there are some political films I still have to see like All The President’s Men and there are many others that could be considered escape thrillers, spies or horror, but I tried to stick to politics so let’s see what happens when we visit Wandering Through The Shelves. Here are my 3...

1. MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON-1939

Yes, I love Jimmy Stewart who is brilliant here as a young, naive senator who learns, the hard way, how the senate and the house really work. The people who made him a senator thought they were getting a stooge, boy, did they underestimate this man with truth, honour and conviction on his side. A great film led by Stewart, Jean Arthur as his jaded secretary, Thomas Mitchell as a jaded reporter with Claude Rains as a puppet senator ruled by the money man, Edward Arnold.

2. DAVE- 1993

I love..lust..love Kevin Kline who plays the doppelgänger of the President of the United States for some quick functions when the President would rather play footsies with some secretary. When the President suffers a severe stroke, the young, idealistic doppelgänger is asked to play the President for a lot longer. This guy decides to finally balance the budget and set some acts in motion which will only help the peopled of the United States. He has no idea how some in the white house ant to manipulate him to do their own bidding but they, equally, have no idea what a decent, honourable man can do to them.

3. LINCOLN-2012

This stars, be still my heart, Daniel Day Lewis as President Lincoln, my favourite President, who is dealing with the senators and the House while also dealing with the Civil War. He is not naive but he is idealistic and has great honour while trying to circumnavigate all the political double dealings and corruption. Brilliantly acted by Lewis who can out-act Meryl Streep with his little pinky and this is just one more film where he shows how great an actor he is. Love this film that also has Sally Fields as Mary Todd Lincoln and Tommy Lee Jones as the upstart Thaddeus Stevens.

What 3 films would you choose? Hey, Bro..Have you seen Bulworth yet?

Thursday Movie Picks- Scientists

I am feeling better!! Yippee ta ya yeah.... I am still being cautious but amazing what a tooth issue can do. This all seems to be geared to science which is the topic this week from Wandering Through The Shelves....scientists actually. So, without further adieu, here are my 3 which I may have chosen before but, who cares:)...

1. THE INVISIBLE MAN-1933

I actually saw the horrible remake before I saw this gem that stars the great Claude Rains as a scientist who invents invisibility but becomes insane due to this invention. His girlfriend, played by Gloria Stuart, of the blecchhh Titanic Movie, is beside herself while the cops are trying to capture him. This film is quite funny actually and the effects are really very good considering when it was made. Claude Rains became a star after this film was released even though you never see him until the end. He is one of my favourite actors.

2. JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH-1959

This is one of my all time favourite movies that I watched every time it came on tv, this and "What’s Up Doc" which is another of my favs. It stars one of my favourite actors, James Mason, as a professor who comes across a find from an old scientist who made it to the centre of the earth. He decides to find the way as well so, along with his assistant, played by Pat, "white shoes", Boone they head off to Iceland. A colleague Of his, who trying to take the credit and one up the good Professor, is murdered. This does not stop the man's widow from wanting to go along with them so they head towards the volcano along with their right hand man, Hans, and his pet duck, Gertrud. Unbeknownst to them they are followed by a descendant of the long dead scientist. The music is excellent, not Pat Boone, but Bernard Herrmann, The art direction is excellent and gotta love those lizards representing dinosaurs.

3. THE IMITATION GAME-2014

This is an excellent film based on the real life event and a man who is one of the main reasons the second world war ended in victory- Alan Turing. This film does not contain super heroes like Ironman or blow ‘em up flicks like Fast and furious 54, but it involves a difficult but gifted man who is the reason for the modern computer and the reason the Nazi Enigma code was cracked. He has a great team that help him, despite their issues with him, and end up respecting him. Benedict Cumberbatch is superb as Turing and he should have won the Oscar instead of that irritating Eddie Redmayne. You want to see an intelligent film, that grabs your attention from the get go, see this film.

What 3 films would you choose?

Thursday Movie Picks: TV Edition-Horror

Ooh..boogedy, boogedy, today is Halloween and I am going to see Carrie on the big screen this evening and, strangely enough, I’m looking forward to this. It is supposed to be a cold and rainy night so quite sucky for the kids but I hope it won’t be as bad as the weathermen are saying. We used to get tons of kids but now we get less than 40 so I expect even less this year. Now, on to TV and horror of which I watch little because I am just not into a lot of negativity which seems to be the in thing nowadays and I am one for some hope. Wandering through the Shelves comes up with a different theme each week so head on over to see what everyone else has chosen. Here are my 3...

1. THE ADDAMS FAMILY-1964-1966

Ahh... we are talking one strange family who delight in all things slightly evil from enjoying pain, having a dead garden and and letting a disembodied hand almost steal the show. Gomez, very wealthy and weird, loves his beautiful wife, Morticia. He gets lustful whenever she starts speaking French. Their 2 children, Wednesday and Pugsley are not the type of kids who like cuddling especially since Wednesday tries to kill her brother. Uncle Fester is loveably insane while Grandma likes to boil things. Lurch, their butler, rarely talks but looms over everything as he groans. You have Thing, the hand, Cousin It...a hairy being plus other strange nuts. It was a fun albeit creepy show that spawned a successful movie and sequels and now a new animated film.

2. THE MUNSTERS-1964-1966

A hardworking man, Herman, takes care of his beautiful wife, Lily, who, on occasion, sings some beautiful songs, and their young son who deals with school. Her father lives with them who brings Herman into some hair-brained schemes because the dad, although sweet isn’t the brightest knob. Their ugly cousin, Marilyn, lives with them and so does their pet in a moody mansion. Oh, yes, the dad is Frankenstein, his wife and her dad, vampires, their son is a werewolf and their ugly cousin is actually a beautiful blond who looks like the rest of us. Oh and their pet, who lives under the stairs is a prehistoric beast that breathes fire. This is my favourite which I loved more than the Addams Family even though The Addams Family gets more recognition. This family was loving and sweet and had no idea they were different plus who doesn’t love their kick ass car as well as the opening music from this show. They made a movie, in colour, which was just as hokey but I love it.

3. GRIMM-2011-2017

I guess this is my most horrific tv show pick but I really enjoyed it because, despite some ugly scenes, there was humour and a sense of family and hope. There is a detective who finds out he is a Grimm, someone who can see the real life “monsters”  who live among us. His German ancestors used to seek out these monsters a kill them using all sorts of tools but he decides to understand their side and not just whack off their head. He gets help from a wolf in human clothing who has sworn off his bloody ways and is a vegetarian and, together, along with Det. Burkhardt’s partner, investigate all sorts of strange murders. The detective has a loving fiancée, an understanding boss, who hides his own demons, plus other characters that help and hinder his life throughout the series. I love fairy tales and enjoyed how they brought in many old stories and tales like the 3 Bears, witches and even the chupacabra.

Now which 3 would you choose?

Halloween and Christmas

Since the stores have Halloween witches and skulls right beside Santa and Christmas trees, why should I not get in on the band wagon. Personally I think it's stupid and money hungry to put Christmas stuff up before Rembrance Day. I grew up not seeing anything Christmas until after November 11th but now it seems to get earlier and earlier which sucks. So what have I done? I am showing you a Halloween card and a Christmas card.

Doggie Stamp, witches hat, pumpkin, star and saying stamp. Black dye ink, gold dye ink, gold glitter embossing powder, gambow markers, pastels, die cut, sizzex machine.

Fusion Challenge-sketch and a photo
Simon Says- Halloween
The Male Room- Halloween

Neighbours, across our street, have been so nice bringing bones for our Wallace so I made a Halloween thank you card for them and used the dog image since they have a black lab. I tried to combine the fusion challenge by using the sketch but also having the pumpkin, black background and stars which is from their photo. I took orange chalk a rubbed the color, using cotton swabs around the doggy. I stamped the pumpkin and witches hat and fussy cut them out. I coloured the pumpkin in gamsol pencils and the hat, |I used tombow markers. I placed the doggie on the black background and added the hat on top of her head. I used pop up dots to bring the pumpkin out. I stamped the stars and saying in gold and embossed it with this antique sparkle gold powder.  I have to start sending out some Halloween cards.

Angel and saying stamp, Black embossing dye ink, sparkle black embossing powder, Star stickers, black marker, gems, different card stock. Tombow markers

CCAYR- Angels or Nativity
Color Throwdown- grey, lavender, black
HLS- Christmas- Twinkle

I love angels and am not sure why but I always find them beautiful and peaceful looking. Over at Christmas Crafts All Year Round, They have Angels or Nativity which is right up my alley. I love this Angel stamp I have and stamped her on white cardstock and embossed her in the black glitter embossing powder. I took the different papers and layered everything. I used pop up dots for the angel to look 3D. I stamped the saying in the same black and used the same black embossing powder for extra glitter. I added the stars that I coloured in black and the gems.

Are you sick of all the merchandise being placed out so early? Do you still dress up for Halloween, like I do, to hand out candy? What is your favourite Christmas image? Angels, Trees, Santa, Snowmen, Newt Gingrich...sorry he would be more for Halloween.

Thursday Movie Picks-Jump Scares that Got You

I have had more jumps in my seat than I can think of except  now I can’t think of many at all. Wait, I think that sounds slightly suggestive:). I am talking about scary movies and I will be curious to see what everyone will choose as their 3 "jump out of their seat" moments. I will be very curious if Joel has any.  I suggest to head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to see what everyone has chosen. Here are my 3...

1. THEM-1954

It starts off where this little girl, after witnessing something scary,  can’t say anything until, while  in the hospital, she screams...”THEM!!!”  James Whitmore plays the cop who is trying to find out what is going on. This is at the time when the Cold War was in its infancy and the same with nuclear war  (every kid was told to hide under their school desks ‘cos  that’ll prevent them from being harmed) so big giant creatures, human and animal became huge in film(sorry about the pun). So when I first saw the image, on my parents’ black and white tv where I had to get up and turn the channel using an actual knob, I screamed. Now every time I hear freaky violin music, I start to scratch and remember...THEM!

2. BURNT OFFERINGS-1976

Oliver Reed is married to Karen Black with a child and an Aunt, played by Bette Davis, in tow who all move into one scary ass home for the summer. At first all seems good  except there are dreams of one weird looking hearse driver and everyone starts to dislike this house except for good ole Mom..Er...Karen Black. The house speaks to her. Let’s just say this is a lot scarier than that dumb Amityville Horror Movie. Oh, and it is one of Steven King's favourite movies. I did jump, more than once, but this time the TV was now in colour...still had to get up and change the channel though.

3. JURASSIC PARK-1993

If you haven’t seen this movie, you at least know about it. Three paleontologists are asked to come to an island that is the brain child of this nutty old buzzard played by Richard Attenborough. With scientists and a number of other crew, he has been able to recreate dinosaurs for a Disney like theme park. He decides to send the three out, along with his 2 grandchildren and a lawyer on a track to ...AGHHHHHH! Yes, seeing Mr. Rex  made me lose my cool and jump. I jumped more than once in this film....the raptors ...damn raptors. By the way, Jeff Goldblum stole the picture.

Which 3 films did you watch that made you lose your popcorn?

2 new cards

Leaf stamp, trees stamp, flower, butterfly and fairy stamp and saying stamp...oh and bird stamp. Perfect pearl powders, versamark stamp pad. Brush for the powders, scissors, glue dots, black paper.

The Library Challenge-  The Secret Garden
Fairy and the Unicorn- Anything Goes
Alphabet Challenge-One Word Sentiment
Sparkles Challenge-Forever Autumn
Stamping Sensations-Trees, leaves, Autumn

I had a lot of fun creating this card and using the Secret Garden as inspiration.  My friend in B.C. is going through a very tough time since his bastard spouse left him and now wants more than half of the condo and my friend's investments. Can we say Jerk! OK, that's off my chest, I stamped a bunch of leaves, flowers, 3 butterflies, 2 birds and the fairy stamp. I fussy cut each one out after I put a variety of colors down from the perfect pearl powders. I stamped the trees and the saying directly onto the card and then adhered all the little bits all around to create the garden. I did use fall colors for the trees and leaves but then went blues and purples plus other colors for the other pieces. It was pretty easy using glue dots to affix the bits.

Poinsettia stamp, Bronze embossing ink, Rustic embossing powder, Tim Holtz distress inks, water, brush, scissors, silver glitter, pearl paper, blue glitter paper, border and saying stickers, gems, bic marking pen.

Happy Little Stampers: Watercolour- Botanical
Flower Challenge- CAS
Addicted To Stamps- Holidays
Christmas Card Throwdown- blue, brown & white
Simon Says-Christmas

A cool Christmas card and more will follow before the 24th of December. I took the distress ink and just pressed it down on a wipeable surface, added water and now I could paint the image that I stamped and embossed with embossing powder. I stamped the image twice so I could color the flowers, cut them out and place them over top the flowers of the whole image that I had fussy cut out before. I had no brown paper so I took basic white and stamped the distress brown on top of the white and sprayed it with water to blend it. Once it was dry, I layered the papers together and placed the poinsettia on top. I took the saying and border stickers, coloured it with a blue marker and placed them on the card. I finished it off with silver glitter for the berries and flower centre and added the 2 gems to finish it off. I was inspired by someone I follow, The Dutchess, who creates amazing cards. She made one a while back which took my breath away. Overall, I think my card went well. Please check out her blog and look at some of her cards.

Thursday Movie Picks-Teen Horror

Teens are horrific on a good day so, I think any teen flick could work but I don’t think that is quite the theme Wandering Through The Shelves was looking for. I remember being a teen and I was a good gal, to be honest, but I could still grunt and drag my heels to help out my dad when he came back with groceries to unload.  Anyhoo, teens always get into bad trouble especially when a group of them decide to rent out some cabin. You have the 2 horny teens that get the hatchet just after they “do it.” You have the token African American, the geek, the jerk, a funny guy, the nice guy and the nice girl who usually runs down the middle of the road with one high heeled shoe still on who is having a hard time running away from the killer with a limp where a turtle is outpacing him. Big Sigh. Anyhoo, I chose 3 that I think works, and here they are...

1. I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF-1957

I love this tacky flick starring Michael Landon, yes that Landon of Bonanza, Little Outhouse on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven fame. He plays a troubled delinquent who ends up going to a therapist for help. Unbeknownst to poor Michael, the therapist is a mad quack who decides to use him as a guinea pig and pump him with serum when he is under hypnosis. With some mad scientist talk, poor Michael turns into a werewolf and wrecks havoc at his high school. I actually thought the makeup was quite good and young Michael  was ok as the nutty teen who likes to howl at the moon.

2. THE GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI-1966

This film used to be on TV quite frequently and now, hardly ever shows up. Ok, it might be short on horror but it is a fun movie even though this marked the end of these teen beach movies. You have the old corpse, played by Boris Karloff( of Frankenstein fame and The Original, and best, Grinch fame) who must do a good deed in 24 hrs so he can go to heaven. He enlists his old girlfriend to help him .yes, she is the ghost in the invisible bikini, make sure his crooked lawyer, played by Basil Rathbone, and his stooges don’t get their hands on his mansion and millions. Of course, his very young relative and a group of teens come to the mansion to have fun along with a man posing as a gorilla, a real gorilla and Erik Von Zipper and his gang of numbskulls. It’s fun and who doesn’t love the teen music, dancing and Erik Von Zipper and his gang.

3. FRIGHT NIGHT-1985

This is one of my favourite movies of the 80s. I thought Roddy McDowell as Peter Vincent, the late night host and scaredy cat who is reluctantly brought into teen Charlie Brewster's world, who believes there is a vampire living next door to him. The teen has a weird friend and a girl friend who worry about him especially when he decorates his room with crucifixes and garlic. Poor Charley(not the fish) thinks all is well until his daffy mother invites the suave neighbour over for a drink. Chris Sarandon plays the suave neighbour with a love of apples and Brewster's girlfriend. I have to admit I jumped when I saw the girlfriend's new teeth. This had great humor along with some great effects from 1985. I love the quick scene of Roddy McDowell, in an old 60's movie(playing on TV that Charlie turned on)  playing a Von Hesling character who is ready to drive a steak through the busomy Vampiress but the steak is backwards. A very fun with some scary moments film. Worth a look.

What films would you choose?

Card making begins

Color Throwdown- light lavender, darker purple, orange, grass green. CTD563

Cute Card Thursday- Anything Goes

Cut out paper, sizzex machine, die cut butterfly and leaves, corner flower stamp, chrysanthemum stamp, purple dye ink pad, turquoise sparkle embossing powder., embossing folder,pastels,  orange stickles, gem.

I had this paper cutout from a long time ago because I used a cut out on another paper.  I added the pearl paper behind and used the sizzex for the embossing folder and brushed a purple dye ink over top to showcase the bottom.. I stamped the border corners and the flower in purple and heat embossed it in turquoise glitter. I coloured the flower with pastels. I used the sizzex to cut the leaves and butterfly using those die cuts. I added orange stickles around the border and the gem in the corner. I hope to kick things into high gear and start making cards before Christmas. Oops sorry for that word. 

Happy Monday everyone!

Thursday Movie Picks- Period Horror

I can honestly say that last Friday was one of the worst pain days I have experienced which begs the question, why do women ever want children? I had to take 2 pills  to open up my cervix for the uterine biopsy...talk about a period Horror! Ok, sorry, yes I hear the ..ewwwwww. What was funny was thinking I could return to work, I did for about. 10 minutes before calling my friend to take me home. The actual biopsy was 10 seconds of  painful crap and, yes, I literally counted down from 10 to 1, per Dr’s orders while she ripped out a piece of my uterus. I went from a loud shriek of 10, hitting soprano all the way to bass before it ended. The pain only increased from the meds I had to take and didn’t subside until the later evening-think your pelvic sides are being stretched by knives. The next day, I woke to my dizziness and a severe sinus headache that lasted into Monday. Monday, hubby’s brother in law drove us to Toronto for the post op of my hubby’s operation and hubby is doing very well but must stay in the sling for 4 more weeks. He had a major amount of calcium taken out plus a tendon from his back was pulled across to his front. He can’t drive for 4 more weeks  but can start physio. OH,  will get my results on October 22nd, so there’s the poop scoop. By the ay, our weather is nuts, 17C to 23C on the weekend. Yesterday, the temps went up to 32 feeling like 40 with the humidex only to fall back to 15 today. Nuts!

Period Horror...it really should be about giving birth but this week it is about horror films that take place from a time in the past. Wandering through the Shelves picked a good theme this week so here are my 3...

1. SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE-2000

Willem Dafoe should have won an Oscar for his performance as a vampire playing Max Schreck playing the vampire, Nosferatu, in FW Murnau’s 1922 film of the same name. This is horrific but quite funny movie as a film crew travels to the Czech Republic to make a very famous expressionist film, now considered one of the best vampire films ever made. Job Malkovich plays F. W. Murnau, the famous German director trying to keep everyone happy especially the vampire who just wants to suck everyone’s blood.  I would suggest to see the great 1922 film, Nosferatu, before seeing this film just because it is worth it.

2. WOMAN IN BLACK-2015

This film stars Daniel Radcliffe as a widower with his young son who travel to an isolated town with a very scary home that he must oversee after the death of the owner. He doesn’t believe the talk about the woman in black and many residents resent this man who has doubts, but, soon, the young man starts seeing this freaky chick and talks to the only person who befriends him. A very spooky tale full of atmosphere that was not one just for shock. It's well done and worth a look.

3. CRIMSON PEAK-2015

A young blonde innocent( well, she couldn’t be dark haired could she?) marries a noble man and travels back to his estate to meet his creepy sister. The gal soon sees things that can’t be believed and notices that sis seems to have the hots for her brother, her husband. Ewwwwww. There are some good scenes in this film but I was disappointed by it because I was expecting more but the ending seem to have gotten away from the writers. Tom Huddleston  was neither here nor there as the man loved by 2 women and Jessica Chastain, who plays his sister, was just too much. It’s ok to watch on tv but if a better movie shows up, watch that instead. I might give it a second chance but I was expecting more.

Which 3 would you choose?

Thursday Movie Picks:TV Edition-Fantasy

Wandering Through The Shelves came up with a good one this week as it is all about Fantasy.  I love Fantasy but I have not seen many of the newer shows because they are on Netflix or Prime or HBO..ughh. Well, Here are my 3...

1. BEWITCHED-1964-1972

This was the time when most shows started in September and had more than  just 10 episodes.  The first season of this great show has 36! It stars Elizabeth Montgomery, a beautiful witch, who marries an unassuming, Ad Executive played, initially by Dick York. Samantha loves Darren and marries him but fails to mention she is a witch. Enter her mother, played gloriously by Agnes Moorehead as Endora who hates this situation and tries, for many years to dissolve this "mixed-marriage". Darren, being a typical husband of the time, doesn't want any help from his wife's witchcraft and forbids(HA!) her to use it. You know this never works and her witchcraft often saves the day. There are many characters that show up like Larry Tate, Darren's boss,(a series regular) Abner & Gladys Kravitz, the nosy neighbours. The great Alice Pearce played this role withholding the fact that she was dying of cancer. You have Samantha's Aunt Clara, Uncle Arthur, her dad and various cousins and Aunts come and go. It lost some sparkle when Dick York had to retire due to a severe back injury and was replaced by Dick Sargeant who was not as good as the original Darren. Marion Lorne, who played Aunt Clara died and the character just never showed up again. They replaced the character with a maid who was also bumbling but just not the same. Regardless, how I wish I could just wiggle my nose and have the house cleaned or take a trip to Europe.

2. I DREAM OF JEANNIE-1965-1970

This, I think, started because Bewitched was so popular. It stars Barbara Eden as Jeannie who saves an astronaut, played by Larry Hagman and goes to live with him often causing much mayhem. His best friend, played by Bill Daily, also knows about Jeannie but that is it.  Of course, with her arms crossed across her boobies and a nod of her head, they can go or do anything. The astronaut, Tony, wishes she wouldn't do a thing but she doesn't listen. She becomes jealous whenever a girl comes around and, eventually, Tony realizes he loves her. It is a fun show that is not as good as Bewitched but is still fun even though Barbara Eden could not show her belly button as that would be too sexy.  Did I say I love both opening music pieces from both these shows.

3. FANTASY ISLAND-1977-1984

Oh this was such a big show in its day which premiered right after The Love Boat. You have Ricardo Montalban as the mysterious Mr. Roarke who is the main man of this island along with his side kick, Tattoo played by Herve Villechaise. Each week, 2 or 3 guests come to the island ("Da Plane...Da Plane!) to have their fantasies realized. Mr. Roarke seems to have supernatural powers to help his guests play out their dreams often ending in a way they were not expecting but still feeling success. I used to watch this back in the day and I have been watching it again and, Oh MY God! How hoaky!! Michelle Phillips plays a mermaid who wants to know love so Mr. Roarke stares intently at her only for her to lose her tail and have legs. Some of the acting is corny and Tattoo becomes a comical sidekick to the point Herve left the show. It still is fun to watch especially that many guests were big name actors back in olden days.

Bonus...

4. THE HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN-1971

This is a Canadian program that most of us Canucks just adore. It was made on a shoestring budget with Billy Van playing many parts most notably, Dracula who prefers pizza over blood. Igor always screws things up but we still get to learn some fascinating things since this was geared for children but many young adults loved it even more. They would have pet vets talk about caring for your pet to zoologists who would bring on more untamed animals. They also had a mad scientist played by a real life scientist, Julius Sumner Miller, who created real scientific experiments and explained how it worked. This man was a student of Albert Einstein! You know what else is cool...Somehow Hamilton, Ontario was able to get Vincent Price to be the narrator of this show...so cool! Go to Youtube and look up the Wolfman dancing to Innocence and Peppermints...groovy.

5.  DEAD LIKE ME-2003-2004

This is quite an off beat comedy-drama but with more comedy, just the dark kind. It starts off with a miserable teen, who tussles with her mom and, generally, hates, her life. She hates her temp job but this all will not last...why? well, when she is on her break, after getting a coffee, she looks up into the sky and gets killed by a toilet seat that came from the MIR station in outer space.  She is now dead but must fulfill her obligation as a grim reaper.  She becomes a member of a team led by chief Grim Reaper, Mandy Patinkin who gives out post it notes of the next person to meet their end. The reapers must find the people and touch them so that their souls can leave the earth and go towards the light. I thought this show was clever, funny, offbeat and you feel for these people who must  give out the touch of death. They always meet in a German waffle house to discuss their life events as it were. How fun is that?

Which 3 would you choose?