"Hi" revisited

Remember this card from about a week or so ago... the one that I asked for your opinions on how to make it better? Well, I listened and guess what...you guys were RIGHT! I just changed up a couple of things and WOW, what a difference.

Unfortunately I can't share the whole shebang with you, but I did take a photo of a corner of the card so you can see a couple of the changes. I'll share the whole thing with you when I'm able. It is for the Humble Artists Group Swap that I am in and the rules are that we are not supposed to share a photo of our finished project until everyone has sent their projects out. That means you should be able to see the whole card in a couple of weeks.

Until then, enjoy the sneaky peeky!

Oh, and how 'bout American Idol? I would have been happy with Crystal or Lee so I was happy. But, I think my favorite overall was Big Mike. I was sad when he went home.

Goodbye, Paige

Oh, Paige. Why, oh why did you sing that Phil Collins song on Tuesday? I just knew you were going home afterward. For a girl with such a great soulful voice with some serious "oomph" when she belts, that soft song did you in. I was so sad and embarrassed for you as I listened. And, I must admit I am sad to see you go. I really think as far as talent goes, Mr. Tim Urban should have gone. But if we just judge by Tuesday night's performance, it was your time to go. So sad because I definitely think you have some mad talent!

By the way, American Idol...I have a bone to pick with you. Why do you make me love you so much on performance night and then hate you so much on kick off night? Why do you make me love these performers and get so excited for them, and then dash their dreams and send them home? I have a serious love/hate relationship with you. Don't worry...I'll be watching again on Tuesday and loving you...and then watching again on Wednesday and hating you.

I wish you the best, Paige!

Play Time and Goodbye Lacey

I haven't shared many photos of my darling little Daci lately. She had her first birthday about a month ago. Amazing how the time flies! She is walking, saying some words, and is full of personality. Now if she could just grow some hair! lol. Could a grandma be any luckier? I could just eat her up!

These photos were taken of her in my scrappin' room while I was working one day. When Kori comes over with Daci and Kori and I scrap, Daci sits in her little 'command station' and plays. I decided to go with bright colors that would make her bright shirt stand out on the layout. I also wanted to play off of the shapes of the little 'doo dads' on her play station. Close To My Heart's Tinkerin' Kit had the perfect shapes and colors for the job! A lot of people think, "BOY!" when they see this paper, but I thought it was perfect for this energetic and silly little girl.

Close To My Heart products used: Tinkerin' Level 2 Paper Pack (X7113B), Tinkerin' My Stickease (X7113C), Badge Buttons (Z1159), Hodge Podge Color Ready Alphabet (X1406), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151).

Non-CTMH Products used: Offray Ribbon.

Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially when you've got some cuter than cute baby photos to scrap!

Oh, and TOTALLY off the subject...I am NOT happy that cute little red-headed Lacey went home on American Idol this week. WHAT? I know she wasn't going to win, but PUH-LEASE....Tim Urban should have gone home WAY before her. Don't throw rotten tomatoes. He's a cutie, but I'm just sayin'!

All Good Things Must Come To An End

Lone Peak (and my Tan-Man) lost in the 5A Utah State High School Basketball Tournament on Tuesday night. Sadness at the Pedersen home. We lost to Bingham High School (the #1 team in the state, they were 19-1 when we played). We played a good game, fought a good fight, and did our best. What more can you ask? We just came out on the wrong end of the score. We finished the season 17-6. Not too shabby.

Tannon had a good game with 17 points. He finished the regular season as the number one 3-point shooter in the state and one of the the top overall scorers in the state (5A, averaged over 16 points per game). Not bad, little boy! We are proud of you. It was a sad day to watch the loss because that meant it was the last time I would get to watch him play high school basketball....ever (Note to blog readers: that explains why you have not seen anything creative from me for a day or two. As you know, I HATE to lose {something I desperately need to work on}! I spent the day yesterday in my sweats watching my dvr'd American Idol from the night before and anything else that allowed me to stay on the couch with my blankie!).

Here are some photos that were taken of Tannon at the playoff game against those darn Bingham Miners (thanks to the Deseret News for the awesome photos!). Love you, T-man!

I guess the good news is that he can now move on to other things that have been on the back burner. He plans to ask someone to the prom tonight (our prom is March 27 this year...weird!) and he even got busy on a homework assignment last night that is not even due until next week. WOW! Miracles never cease.

Maybe I'll put on some real clothes today (not just sweats) and actually clean my house and create something pretty to share tomorrow. Until then....

So Excited and 18 More Days

I'm so excited that American Idol is coming back next week. There are 2 reality shows that I am totally and unashamedly addicted to: American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. I LOVED that SYTYCD had 2 seasons this past year. I was spoiled. I would love it if AI did the same thing (by the way, you know you're addicted to a show when you start talking in initials!). I can't wait to see what kind of a judge Ellen is. I'm sad she didn't judge auditions which means we don't get to see her until Hollywood week.

I'm already wondering,"Who's life will change? Where will they be from? Will it be a boy or a girl this year? Will Simon continue to wear black, white or grey t-shirts each week? Will Randy come up with a new catch phrase? Will I love anyone as much as I did David Archuleta two years ago? Will my two AI buddies (hello Kim and Tracey!) agree or disagree with my picks?" So many things to wonder about!

In case you are still reading, I thought I'd just quietly mention that the countdown continues...EASTON GETS HOME IN 18 MORE DAYS! I think I will pick him up at the airport and bring him home for his welcome home dinner and then promptly make him watch AI with me!

2 more...and a giveaway!

2 more Color Me Monday cards (from Jeanette's 5-18-09 color challenge) joined the first one last night after American Idol. I was just so wired after all of the excitement I had to sit down and create a little bit. I took a photo of all 3 cards I made together (you have already seen one of them).

I made a few extra of the tall card so the first 2 people who email me* (Pedermom@aol.com) with a photo of their own creation using this color combo (Indian Corn Blue, Sorbet, Taffy, White Daisy. These are Close To My Heart colors, but if you have other papers and inks that are comparable in color from another company, I will accept those creations too.) will receive one of my 3.5" x 8" cards in the mail as a gift from me.

*By emailing me your creation, you are doing it with the understanding that I may be posting it on my blog to share with others, of course giving you credit.

Now on to American Idol. As you all have probably gathered after reading my blog the past few months, Adam was my favorite. I really wanted him to win. But, I also had decided there was a very good chance he wouldn't. I figured that those who had been voting for Danny would be more likely switch to Kris than Adam. So I was prepared. I love both Adam and Kris so I knew I would be happy for Kris if he won. When he won, I felt that Adam was a class act...so gracious and genuinely happy for Kris. I'd be willing to bet that they will both have BIG careers in their futures anyway. They are both winners in my book.

Now I'm ready for "So You Think You Can Dance". I LOVE this one too.

Grow

Yesterday I went and canned some food at the cannery for myself and some neighbors (service always feels SO good!) and then came home and spent the rest of the day creating. What a great day! Here are some of the fruits of my labors.

I just got this new stamp set called Treetops (C1368, $18.95 for 13 stamps) from Close To My Heart and couldn't wait to use it. I love these colors (Blush, Hollyhock, Sweet Leaf, Olive, Buttercup, Chocolate, White Daisy) with this set and I had lots of fun playing with buttons. It was also cathartic to put my 2009 goals into a layout to remind me. How can I not accomplish them now? All of my posterity will wonder if I did when they look at this layout. I cannot let the future generations down. tee hee.

Looking at this layout and these darling tree stamps remind me of a Primary song we used to sing when I was little (sing along if you'd like):

In the leafy treetops
The birds sing good morning.
"How do you do," they say.
"How do you do today?"
In the leafy treetops the birds sing good morning.

Now I need to go and create something with birds. Have a wonderful rest of the day. No one tell me who gets kicked off Idol until tomorrow. We have a basketball game tonight and I have to tape it and watch it at about 11 pm. Love ballgames....Hate missing Idol!

My prediction: Danny is going home.

And Then There Were Three

Tonight is the night! Idol night! I'm excited that they each get to sing two songs; one that they pick and one that the judges pick for them. Adam is still my #1, with Kris a close second and Danny third. What a great year this has been. I can hardly wait to see and hear what everyone sings tonight!

Brenda's List

My sweet friend, Brenda shared her "Ten Little Things that Bring Me Joy" list with me. Don't you just love this photo of cute Brenda and her kitty? I knew that Brenda and I were soul sisters! Not only are we both crazy about American Idol and Adam, we both switch allegiances to So You Think You Can Dance when Idol ends. I still can't believe we are already down to the final 3. How long until tomorrow night?

1."Dates" with my son - usually lunch and shopping
2. When my husband calls me "beauty." After 20 years, it still melts my heart.
3. 70% Dark Chocolate Lindt Truffles
4. Starbucks & Caribou - COFFEE!
5. American Idol night (when this ends, I'll switch to So You Think You Can Dance)
6. brand new magazines
7. Big Bang Theory - I love shows that make me laugh out loud.
8. my black cat
9. the smell of laundry after it's been on the line
10. creating pages, cards, altered items - it all brings me great joy.

I'd love to see your lists too! To share your list go here, read the post and then comment. I just love reading your lists!

Prediction for Idol's Kickoff Tonight

Thanks to all of you who posted yesterday with your 1-4 list of the remaining Idol contestants. Wasn't last night great? Adam's Led Zeppelin performance just about made me fall off of my chair.

I thought last night's performances went like this (#1 being best)
1. Adam
2. Allison
3. Kris
4. Danny

Gosh, that makes it hard for me to predict who I think will be going home. I'm going out on a limb here and saying that I think it will be Danny. I felt he struggled a bit last night and if the voters voted based mostly on what they saw last night, I think he will go. What do you think?

The hard part for me is that I really like all 4 and no matter who goes home I am going to be sad. Being the highly competitive person that I am that really surprises me. I usually am much more focused on a winner in anything I do or watch (especially sports wise). I am not the most graceful loser. So, seeing that Adam is my fave, you'd think it wouldn't matter to me who goes home tonight as long as it isn't him, right? But it does matter! Don't you almost feel that if you watch all season once it gets down to the last few they are almost like friends? No, I'm not a crazy stalker. But I have grown to like all 4 of these performers, not only their wonderful music, but who they are. Maybe when it comes to singing competitions my competitive streak softens. Who knows.

Idol

American Idol is TONIGHT! This has been such a busy week so that means Tuesday came around much more quickly, which makes me happy, happy, happy! I really like all 4 of the contestants left, but here is the order I like them (my favorite first):

1. Adam
2. Kris
   
3. Danny
   
4. Allison

What do you think? I'd love to hear your opinions!

Tonight I am teaching a scrapbooking class but luckily my students know that if they come to class on Tuesdays there is no option but to be watching Idol while we scrap. I love being in charge. LOL

How is a Girl to Choose?

Are you kidding me? Did you watch Idol tonight? It was SICK! I mean "sick" in the way my boys use it...as in "so good it is beyond belief." Holy Cow! Holy Moly! How is a girl supposed to choose the best when EVERYONE sings like they did tonight? Kris started the night off by being Kris...original, understated and awesome. Allison then followed that up by singing, in my humble opinion, the best she has all year. Matt knocked my socks off. His voice was perfect for "Funny Valentine" and he showed us some 'sick' vocals (there's that silly word again). Danny was the Danny I fell in love with at the beginning of the season, not the one that seemed to fade the past month. In fact, I think he was the best I've ever seen him too. Adam was, well...ADAM! Indescribable. In a league of his own! I might have to download every single song done tonight on iTunes.

Adam is still my favorite but tonight everyone was so good that I just couldn't believe it. I have to keep going back to the fact that Adam has never had a bad night. I know some of you may disagree about the night he sang the Middle Eastern, almost spooky sounding "Ring of Fire". Although I wasn't the biggest fan of the arrangement myself, I still thought he kicked tooshie with his vocals. Can you argue with that?

I wish no one had to go home tomorrow. Based on tonight's vocals, they all deserve to stay. If I have to pick who I think the bottom two will be, I will have to choose Allison and Matt, with Matt going home. But, it almost kills me to say that. What did you think?

It's Idol Night!

Most of you already know, and if you didn't already are learning quickly that I love American Idol. And I love Adam Lambert's music. The kid rocks it! I can hardly wait to see what he does tonight. Actually I'm kind of curious to see what everyone does tonight. Disco night? You've got to be kidding me! It will be very interesting to see what everyone chooses to sing. I hope Lil Rounds sings a good Donna Summer song. That girl is not showing off her voice enough. She is not one of my favorites, but I do think she is VERY talented and is not choosing songs to show off what that voice can do. What do you guys think? Who will sing what tonight? I can't even begin to guess.

Idol Tonight

I am an American Idol fan of the biggest kind. I LOVE this show. I don' t know what it is for sure, but I think it's watching every day people having a shot at living their dream. I cry almost every week. Silly me. It's Tuesday! That means AI night. WOO HOO! I am teaching a scrapbook class tonight but luckily all of my attendees (my classes are called "Play Groups" so my attendees are "Play Groupies". I will refer to them that way from this point on), my play groupies know that if they come to Play Group on Tuesday night we will be watching Idol while we scrap. There are benefits to being the teacher. :) So who do you like? I like Adam Lambert the best this year, hands down. I just wish he didn't need to be so, how do you say? Boy kissy. That's right. Boy kissy. Now why would a handsome boy like Adam feel the need to do that? Ugh. It saddens me but I still love his voice and music so I'm sticking with him. Come on guys, give me your comments. I want to know who you are voting for this year! P.S. You can listen to a few of Adam's Idol performances this year on my play list here on the old blog. It's at the bottom of the page.

Happy Birthday 2U

Enjoy this Happy Birthday 2U card made exclusively with Close To My Heart products. It's a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (standard) card. To make the glittery chipboard number and letter, I just colored them with my Close To My Heart markers, sprayed with spray mount adhesive and turned them upside down in a little dish filled with Prisma Glitter. Voila! Instant bling. Colors used: Blush, Amethyst, White Daisy, Sweet Leaf. I also used some B&T paper from a few different kits, Dimensional Elements Simple Alphabet and Simple Numbers, and ribbon and accents by Close To My Heart as well. It felt good to 'play' a little today. Whenever I feel a little down, creating is sure to lift my spirits. Plus, 30 minutes to American Idol (think Rain Man). I should be as good as new by the end of the evening between card making and indulging myself with my Idol addiction. Who is YOUR favorite Idol this year?

American Idol

I am writing this post to get the word out about Taylor Vaifanua. The Vaifanua family has been good friends of Dan and I for years....um, LOTS of years. I tried to count but it just hurt my head. Let's just say we are old and have been friends since college. Dan and Brian played football together at both Ricks Junior College and Southern Utah University. Taylor Vaifanua (their daughter) is now in the top 36 of the popular TV show, American Idol. Taylor is an extremely talented young lady (16 years old) who would make a wonderful role model for young people to look up to. So, gather all of your friends and family together on Tuesday and Wednesday nights starting @ 7 pm CST. Voting takes place after Tuesday's show and results are shown on Wednesday. There have already been two weeks of narrowing down the top 36. This coming Tuesday (March 3) is the night that you will see Taylor sing as a member of the top 36 trying to make the top 12. There will be 12 singers on Tuesday and then on Wednesday they will choose 3 from that group of 12. Taylor needs all of the votes she can get! So, pass this on to all of your friends and family. GO TAYLOR!