2 Cards..2 Cards, Not Just 1

 

Happy Little Stampers: Dies/Stencils-Anything Goes

Sparkles Monthly-Something Big/ Something Small

We Love Stamping-Anything Spring

Stamplorations: Stencil-Anything Goes

Addicted To Stamps-Any Occasion

Crafty Animals-Anything Goes

This is the first time I used this Glue stuff to spread over a stencil (like icing a cake), let it go clear (take an hour or so) and then you place this very thin foil over top of it. You tap down on it slowly making sure every part of it is covered and sticks. You take off the foil and you are left with a shiny design! I really love this because it is quite easy to do. I used a purple background, used this stencil design and covered it in pink foil. It turned out quite well, I have to say. I stamped my sleeping bear, which is one of my very first stamps I ever bought, in silver and coloured him in tombow markers as well as the pretty spring flowers. I fussy cut him out only to realize he did not show up well against the background. I took this white cardstock scrap, adhered it to the front of the card before I stuck the bear heart on top with pop up dots. I then placed a small little folder with the paper in between through the cuddlebug to dry emboss the image of the baby carriage...this is the something small. I coloured this image with the tombow markers too. I added the bow which took me forever to make and glued that in place. This was for my hubby's niece who is having a baby (April 26th) and I had to go to the shower last weekend, which was nice, even though it's a shower. You know...I think we should all have showers every 10 to 15 years to get new stuff. We buy nice towels, bed linen etc... for showers and gifts and we deal with our old crud. What do you think about that? Nah...that would mean more showers to go to and dumb ass games. 

Color Throwdown-ctd683-Gray, Pink, Lime Green

Simon Says-Bit O' Green

Dream Valley-Add Some Bling

Retro Rubber Challenge-rrcb177- Tic, Tac, Toe-Used Metallics/Crafter's Choice/ Embossing

I heat embossed my dragon in green metallic which, I thought, might be more lime green but...it isn't. It still turned out quite well otherwise. It's hard to see but the background, I used my new gel plate (It's square, clear and rubbery). I took my roller and rolled on light pink as well as dark pink onto the gel plate. I took my distress gray stamp, put the colour down on some wipeable paper and spritzed it with water before dipping a brush in it and splattering the gray over the gel plate. I took my card stock and put it on top of the gel plate making sure it was completely covered. When I lifted the paper off, I had this neat coloured image on my paper. My dragonfly, which is at least, a decade old, was stamped onto that paper as well as the saying but the saying was heat embossed with turquoise glitter. I coloured up the sticker borders in lime green (looks different here) layered the paper on gray, lime green and pink paper, added the bling (crystals) which is my choice and there ya have it.

I hope you like my 2 cards. Have a great night and day tomorrow.

Thursday Movie Picks-Falsely Accused

 

It is Falsely Accused week over at Wandering Through The Shelves, and I think I am getting old timer's disease. There are so many movies with this theme...Hitchcock loved this theme but my mind went blank. I decided to stay away from one of my favourite directors (Hitch) and actually went to 2 newer movies (newer in my mind) so let's get on with the show...

1.  SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS-1941

This is a brilliant film by Preston Sturges and one that people should see at least once. It actually inspired the Coen Bros to make "Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou." The film was written with Joel McCrea in mind as Preston didn't want anyone else but him to star as the director of comedies. McCrea  plays Sullivan, a rich, Hollywood director of escapist comedies but he wants to make a film about the reality that people are facing every day-poor, downtrodden, unable to find work so he decides to go out on the road with only 10 cents to his name to understand the true meaning of what the average joe is going through. The first day turns out to be a disaster but he does meet a beautiful, out of work actress ready to give up and go home. He brings her to his home and when she realizes he is not a bum but a rich director, she pushes him in the pool. Ahhh...love! The next time, he decides to try again but she comes with him. After being separated and he is hit over the head with a rock to steal his money and shoes. When he wakes, he has amnesia and ends up in prison-10 years hard labour. What happens, well, watch the movie. It is not just a comedy but it does hit the dramatic points about people who live on the edge of society. All are treated with respect. Veronica Lake is the girl who was famous for her peek-a-boo hairstyle and was so happy to get the part she didn't tell Preston she was pregnant until she showed up on set and Preston nearly killed her (he didn't touch a hair on that head of hers). The famous costumer, Edith Head, created outfits to hide her pregnancy. Unfortunately, she was known as one difficult beyutch and Joel McCrea vowed never to work with her again (he did, years later). See it if you can.

2. PRESUMED INNOCENT-1990

Harrison Ford plays a lawyer for the district attorney. he appears to be happily married with a nice home and a lovely son but not all is at appears because he had a lusty affair with a fellow colleague. What's worse is that she has been raped and murdered and he looks to be the prime suspect. he hires the great Raul Julia to defend him and we learn, in flashback, how the affair started and ended. Harrison is stating he is innocent but ...is he?  Brian Dennehy (one of my favourite actors) plays the District Attorney who also had an affair with the gal and we learn this gal was climbing up the ladder on her knees. I enjoyed this film which made me think if he did it or not until the very end. I also love the music which was composed by John Williams. 

3. DOUBLE JEOPARDY-1999

I really like Ashley Judd and, boy, does she kick ass in this thriller about a seemingly happily married woman who asks her dear friend to babysit her son while she and her husband, played by Bruce Greenwood,  can have some sexy time on their yacht. Poor Ashley wakes to a bloody mess which is all over her, the sheets and on top. She finds a knife which she, stupidly,  grabs onto looking at the bloody railing. At that point the coast guards come and arrest her. The police drag the lake but can't find a body but, she is convicted & sentenced to prison for the death of her spouse. Her child has been taken by her friend who soon leaves town, son in tow. Ashley finds out where her friend went and calls her so she can speak to her son. While she speaks to him, she hears her son yell, "Daddy!" She realizes that her bastard husband is not dead at all and realizing she can't be charged for the same crime twice, she starts her revenge. When she gets out of prison, on good terms, she must stay at this home run by the parole officer which is Tommy Lee Jones who is watching her every move. Of course, you know Ashley will be on the road looking for her bastard of a husband so she can get her son and Jones will be hot on her trail. Ashley Judd holds the film together and, although there are some issues with this movie, it is still quite good and fun to watch. Ashley Judd deserves to make films that utilize her talent.

So what films can you come up with??

Daddy's Birthday is Coming Up

 

My dad would be 109 come March 14th so, in honour of my dad, I am showcasing the big hits from 1913! Let's get the party rockin'...hahahaa. The flower part on the lower left is a poppy because he was a WW2 veteran who fought along the Rhine, was part of the liberation of Holland and was badly wounded in the Reischwald Forest. He is wearing my brother's hat because my brother liked to think he was a hippie back in the 1980s. Let's rock 1913 style...

1. SNOOKIE-OOKUMS BY IRVING BERLIN

I hope this plays. I first heard this song when I watched Easter Parade with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland and laughed at this dumb ass song. Every once in a while, I will call my hubby this just to see his reaction which usually looks like he is ready to call the white coats to bring me to a home. These gals seem like a good fit for the song.

2. YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU SUNG BY DORIS DAY

I have to admit, I do love this rendition by Doris from the film, "Love Me or Leave Me". It was written by James Monaco with lyrics by Joseph McCarthy (not the nutty senator who started the witch hunts in the late 40s and 50s). It has been performed by many people with Judy garland being one of the most famous.

3. TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE SUNG BY LAUREL & HARDY

My dad's favourite comedic team was Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy so I thought this was fitting. It's from their film "Way Out West" (1937) and it is nice to listen to especially when Stan starts singing in a low voice before going all out soprano. The Voices were Chill Wills and Rosina Lawrence which just cracked me up. This song was written by Ballard MacDonald(Lyrics) & Harry Carroll (Music).

By the way...I got a job!!! I worked on my resume so it looked better and sent it out (I got a tip from a friend of mine about this job). I have not yet signed the paperwork but I have been told I will start work on April 4th with a bankruptcy office of Goldhar & Associates. They just called me on Monday and told me that I fit for a full time position and will be working out of their Niagara Falls office. The first week I have to travel to Mississauga for training so I am very happy. So I will buy the sparkling Spumonte Bambino and you provide the plastic glasses:)))

What I Watched in February

 

Let's all be my 3 cats and just chill.... If only. I am trying to create my resume and it seems to be a huge thing to make sure to use action words and descriptions and percentages but keep it all short and on one page. I dislike...no...hate this resume shit because my mind immediately travels to the same words plus simplistic. That's right, little squirrels are in my mead and they control my brain. Oh, and our gas has gone through the roof! It is $1.67 per litre which is nuts!!

I have not watched as many films this month but I still have watched some but I am not going to do lengthy write-ups like before. I talk too much!

1. THE FULLER BRUSH MAN-1948

I couldn't find a trailer via youtube through Blogger. Red Skelton as inept man who can't keep a job. Funny!!

2. THE STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS-1946

Crazy bitch Barbara Stanwyck, married to an idiot(Kirk Douglas in his debut) tries to keep Van Heflin in her web. When the dick is up, their brains are up their ass (my grandmother's quote..it was in German originally). 

3. WIDOWS-2002

Before Sandra, Cate, Rihana...we had these 4 gals in a 2 part TV movie. These 4 gals are connected by their husbands who stole for a living. They must now steal a priceless painting. A nice mix of humour with raw emotion and some humour as well, by mainly Brooke Shields and Rosie Perez. It's a bit uneven but well worth the watch. Filmed in Toronto!

4. THE HITMAN'S WIFE'S BODYGUARD-2021

Hilarious! Stupid, yes...Foul language..Oh man, yes! Crazy nut jobs, yes! Morgan Freeman, meh, why not! I laughed so much with poor Ryan Reynolds looking worse and worse.

5. SPENCER-2021

Lady Diana is going nutsy at the last Christmas she has with Prince Charlie and the family. Kristen Stewart is quite good...irritatingly so. Music drove me nuts. Meh...

6. THE HOUSE OF GUCCI-2021

Based on a true story with Lady Gaga kicking ass in an over the top performance but it works. So does Jared Leto in an over the top performance and I bet you can't pick him out in this clip. Jeremy Irons keeps losing his Italian accent. A good movie to watch and enjoy a family in dysfunctional glory.

TV SHOWS

1. BONANZA-1959-1973

 If you learn one thing from watching Bonanza, never fall in love with any of them because that meant you were going to die. Dad, played by Lorne Greene has 3 kids from 3 different moms-he was widowed 3 times and, no, he didn't kill any of them. The oldest is Adam, He's the one with the tack up his ass in the intro. Genial Dan Blocker is Hoss Cartwright who ended up dying from an embolism after surgery. They had Hoss die in the series, which was rare for that to happen in those days. Little Joe is the youngest who is a quick draw and loves the gals played by Michael Landon who went straight into Little Outhouse On The Prairie. Love this show!

2. I LOVE LUCY-1951-1957

If someone doesn't know this show then you have been living under a rock. I am re-watching this show and loving every part of it. Love Harpo!

3. THE REPAIR SHOP-2017-PRESENT

Love, Love Love this show where people bring in some of the oddest things that may not mean much to us if we saw it in a garage sale but you hear the stories, see how they are fixed and look at the faces when the owners come back to pick up their treasure. It is all done free of charge! Most people are in tears and ask if they can pick it up even though they own it. Love it!

That's it until next month? What have you seen? Any suggestions?

Thursday Movie Picks-A Dig (Archaeology/Palaeontology)

 

I could have written another 3 for the modern movies but, you know me.  Wandering Through The Shelves has created some fun ones for her weekly themes and this is one (well, most are pretty damn great) is a fun one. So let's get on with the show...

1. CHARLIE CHAN IN EGYPT-1935

I wish I could have found a better trailer since we are looking at a role by Stepin Fetchit, which makes one want to just shake ones' head, but this was typical for the day. By the way, he played these roles like this to, apparently, pull the wool over the "white" man's eyes by having the white man do the work feigning laziness when, in fact, he was anything but this. According to African American biographer, Mel Watkins, he is known more as a prankster who could con the white man into doing the work. Stepin (real name is actually Lincoln Perry) was the first African millionaire from the film industry. OK, now, about the movie, There is a dig going on in Egypt but when the head dude of archaeology goes missing, Charlie Chan and his #1 son are brought in to find out where he went. Soon, they find him, wrapped up like a mummy. They unravel(get it:)) art treasures being taken, missing people, Strange things happening, Stepin, and Rita Hayworth in one of her first roles. You should invest, one day, into viewing some fun Charlie Chan mysteries as they are a lot of fun.

2. KING SOLOMON'S MINES-1950

This is a a great adventure film that stars Stewart Granger (I always found him a bit...icky), Deborah Kerr and some of the tribes of Africa including the Watusi who would not allow themselves to be filmed until this film. Beautiful Kerr is in search of her husband who was looking for a huge amount of diamonds in a cave. She meets Allan Quartermain (not the character from my soap, General Hospital) who is a legend in this part (and others) of the world. He doesn't like women on his treks but he knows he can't argue with a red haired vixen like Kerr so off they venture. I have not seen this in years but I remember being amazed at the tribes, feeling very sad about the elephants and laughing when Kerr cuts her own hair but looks like she still came from a beauty parlour. I need to see the earlier film starring Paul Robeson as Umbopa who plays the faithful servant to Allan only to come forward, later on, as the rightful king to his tribe. In this version this character is secondary but still important. 

3. JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH-1959

Don't you love that music! It is composed by the great Bernard Hermann who also composed "North By Northwest" and "Psycho" plus many others. James Mason plays an University professor who stumbles across information from a scientist whom, he believes, has found the centre of the earth. Before you can say Holy Hot Magma Batman, he brings in his student assistant, Pat Boone (yup, that Pat Boone but no white shoes here) to travel to Iceland to find out more information. There they meet Arlene Dahl(who just past away last year), who's husband was murdered for finding out more information, and Peter Ronson who helps them out of a feathery situation. All of them venture down a volcano, with Gertrude the duck of course, to locate the centre. Along the way, they meet a diabolical man who is trying to claim this find for himself. They find riches, salt and some nasty dinosaurs (well, they are just lizards made to look really big) as they go ever deeper. I watched this movie every chance I could get when it was on tv and I never tire of it. It is the best version of Jules Verne's novel with the special effects being quite good plus I love Gertrude. 

Yup, I stayed away from the popular ones that pop into everyone's head (Raider's, Lara, Some park). Which ones can you come up with?

Sorry...something happened and it never published when I wanted it to..Just found out:))

Weekly Song Fest

 

I believe, in my neck of the woods, March is coming in like a lion. The weather is supposed to be rainy or icy...maybe some snow....blecchhh. Between the dumbass truckers (my blog, I can say that since...it's true), dumbass covid and scary Putin, I mean, Puddin', we have a lot of angst in this world. In Lviv, Ukraine, there is a Cat Cafe where 20 cats live, roam, sleep etc.. at this cafe. Instead of leaving, the owners have kept their cafe open and will not leave because of their cats. Talk about love! We need to hear more love and more laughter so I am presenting some laughs to cheer one's soul. I hope you like the theme I picked

1. THE FRENCH MISTAKE FROM BLAZING SADDLES-1974

Yes, I am doing Mel Brooks this week and I had to include this gem from Blazing Saddles. I laughed so hard ("Come on Girls!"). I already showcased the great Madeline Kahn a couple of posts back from the same film so I chose this one. They break, no, obliterate the 4th wall in this climax of a film and it is so much fun. You have a feeling that everyone had a great time making this film...except Hedly Lamarr..oops Hedy Lamarr who sued Mel.

2. THE INQUISITION FROM HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART 1-1981

I was rolling in the aisles when I watched this on the big screen. You can tell how much Brooks loves the old musicals in this one especially, once again, Esther Williams' movies since she helped bring synchronized swimming to the foreground.

3. MEN IN TIGHTS SONG FROM ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS-1993

I just love this movie and this song also made me laugh. You have to admit it must be something for some men to wear these tights.

I was fully going to use "Springtime For Hitler" because it is hilarious, in my opinion but because Putin is trying to take over Ukraine and he has been under many investigations for murder, taking money by the billions (he is estimated to be worth around $40 billion), plus many other atrocities, I thought you might kill me if I put this one up even though Mel Brooks is Jewish and knows how foul Hitler is. I just stopped myself. 

March 1st...My Second Star to Showcase

 My dad was born on March 14, 1913, well, we always celebrated on March 14th but we found out his birthday was actually February 15th. He was adamant that the government was wrong even though my mom mentioned that he could have been baptised on March 14th. He would have none of it, so I will always state his birthday was March 14th:)). He was 51 when I was born and 52 when my mom and dad started the sawmill business. I would never want to start something brand new at 52...yikes! Anyway, in honour of my dad, I chose a star born on March 14th who never let age stop her (or good genes).

DORIS EATON TRAVIS

BORN- March 14, 1904

DIED- May 11, 2010

AGE- 106 Years Young

DIED FROM- Aneurysm

MARRIED- Twice

CHILDREN-None

AFFAIRS-Nacio Herb Brown (song writer). He wrote, "Singing In The Rain" for her

KNOWN FOR; Being the last Ziegfeld Girl. Introducing the song "Singing In The Rain"

This lady really impressed me because she danced until almost the day she died. In the very early days, her elder sister Pearl, another sister, Mary and brothers, Joe & Charles, were billed as the Seven Little Eatons even though they were not all siblings (I think a cousin or 2 were in the act) nor were there 7 but it didn't matter because they became well liked for being prompt, knowing what they had to do and being gifted (Big sis Evelyn was the  "stage mom"). Mary became quite famous on Broadway and starred with The Marx Brothers in "The Coconuts" before her career went sideways. Good Ole Doris  was a Ziegfeld showgal when she was only 14 which was a huge no no. To avoid the Child Labour Laws, she changed her name to Doris Levant  until she turned 16 and was legal to dance on stage in skimpy outfits. 

Doris landed in films and Broadway as an understudy to Marilyn Miller and she is the one who introduced  the songs "Singing In The Rain" and "The Doll Dance" where she wrote the lyrics to the latter song but never got the credit. By the mid 1930s her career was winding down so she ended up at the Arthur Murray dance studios as a dance instructor. This career spanned 32 years where she owned 18 dance studios and had her own TV show in Detroit. She married one of her pupils, in 1949 ( Paul Travis) and they started a horse ranch! Their marriage was very happy and they remained together for over 50 years until he passed away. Oh, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma at 88 years old Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa and, at 101, she went back to get her Masters!

She became even more famous when she appeared, with 4 other former Ziegfeld gals, at the restored New Amsterdam Theatre, for an AIDS benefit and danced the same dance she did back in 1917 or something like that. She was asked back every year after that and appeared on stage in many other places. She wrote a book about herself and her family titled "The Days We Danced" and spoke about her days in the theatre and film including the sad part of her family members, like Mary, who died alcoholics and Pearl, who was murdered (Unsolved). She credited her good health to staying away from alcohol and dancing. What A Gal!

FILMS:

Tell Your Children-1922

The Broadway Peacock-1922

Taking The Count(Short)-1928

Street Girl-1929

The Very Idea-1929

Man On The Moon-1999

Isn't she the bees knees?