Monday Movie Review, 2 Comedies

Good Morning all! After a week in sunny Florida I'm back and ready to post. We did go to the movies too so I'll start this week with my usual Monday Movie Review. It was vacation time so we chose comedies. My kids saw Land of the Lost and my husband and I saw The Hangover.

The kids really liked Land of the Lost. I didn't go but both my 13 year old boy and 10 year old girl said it was funny. The scenes they commented on to us had that usual brand of Will Farrell silly humor that appeals to kids of all ages. My 13 year old though, who loves comedies didn't come out asking to buy the DVD when it comes out, so, I will generalize that while a good pick for the tweens it wasn't a smash hit........

Okay, The Hangover. First of all do not even think of a tween going unless you are a super liberal parent. I can't remember seeing an erect penis in a regular movie since Boogie Nights, but there is one here! Second it is hilarious (the movie that is) ! If you are easily offended don't go but the premise of the movie is plausible and there is both slapstick and more sophisticated humor. Rollergirl from Boogienights (Heather Graham) also makes an appearance ironically, and I enjoyed that she isn't a typical Hollywood woman and has continued to appear a natural beauty. Ed Helms from the Office gives a great performance as the walked on boyfriend while some guy I never heard of named Zak Galifianakis is super funny with his delivery of strange and zany dialog. Bradley Cooper and Justin Bartha up the cutie quotient and the movie has a satifying ending. So, in general go see it ! It is really funny......

Kathi's Kreations - Great Etsy Shop with an Eco-Centric Focus!

Today I'm going to share with you a new etsy shop I found that I love. Kathi's Kreations, http://www.kathip22.etsy.com/ . She has a fresh approach to eco friendly products and upcycling. You know those cool reusable sandwich/treat bags? Kathi's shop has a great selection of them.

When I cut fabrics for a project I always feel a little guilty when throwing away the selvedge, the border where they print the fabric manufacturer, the screen colors and stretch the fabric before printing. Well Kathi has a lot of wonderful creations made from upcycled selvedge!

Trivets, picture frames, coasters and more are all items she has made from the cast offs. Like typical artists/crafters she has always felt the need to create. Here is what Kathi said on her own behalf.

"I'm 58, been sewing and crafting since I was a child. I love to sew, knit, needlework and I'll try any craft that interests me. I like to craft/make things that are new & trendy. I am always looking for the latest/greatest thing out there! I also want to do more to help our planet so I have become eco friendly in my crafts. "

So, check out her shop, she is one of the many great finds on etsy!

Monday Multiple Movie Review

Okay, I haven't done this in a while so I have some catching up to do. I thought I would do an abbreviated version of both cinema and dvd's with an emphasis on kid's movies. Here goes....

Up - Number One for two weeks now. Both my 13 and 10 year old loved it, give it a 5
Night at the Museum 2 - Not as great as the first but still very entertaining. Like the old Looney Toons has a few nods to adult humor that your younger ones won't catch so is good for grown ups too... give it a 4
Journey to the Center of the Earth - on DVD My kids loved this show, I however didn't find it as entertaining, let them watch it on their own. Give it a 3.5.
Stepbrothers - on DVD Do not let your tween fool you into thinking this is an appropriate show. It is not, lotsa adult humor some not even funny.....Give it a 2.

So, that is my movie wisdom for the week.....You guys have a great one, I'm posting again tomorrow, and will feature a wonderful etsy shop so check back!

Jackie's Sunflower Pouch

Hi all, I'd like to introduce you to a great lady with a neat little shop that I have been fortunate enough to do some wonderful things for. Her shop is http://www.jackeyo.etsy.com/ . She sells a great assortment of stickers for your craft use.

I have created a lot of things for her and she always has wonderful inspiration. She chose my zippie silhouette and asked for a happy daisy applique. here is my result.

I hope you stop by her shop and take a look at her wonderful paper items. Thanks Jackie!

Wonderful World of Felt - Felt on the Fly!

I love crafting with felt and do a lot of applique and embroidery work with it. Up until now I have used only eco-spun recycled felt. Here is my newest creation!

It's a variation on a card holder, the flap is functional and will hold all your goodies inside!

This week I received some yummy wool felt from http://www.feltonthefly.etsy.com/ . Aren't the colors great? I am so excited to work on some new things with it. It arrived in a beautifully wrapped package with some great marketing materials on Janet's things that she makes from felt too! I think I will do some sugar skulls with it. they will be like this one only in the high contrast limes and fuschias. He is a card holder too with a small pocket on the back to put your paper money, cards, etc in. Lots of hand work to keep me busy, just the way I like it!

Monday Movie, not a Review!

I'm trying out my new FlipVideo Camera and wanted to see if I could upload to my blog. So, with all the talk of furry friends on UWIB last week I decided to test it with a video of our dog, Cruz.



Don't worry, Cruz loves this even though he sounds tortured. He jumps right up on the dash every time he gets to go!

Lemon Blossoms and Leatherheads.......

It was such a beautiful weekend here in Houston we couldn't bear to spend time in the movies so I didn't get to see either of the movies on my current list of must see, Fast and Furious or Sunshine Cleaning....

Instead late Friday we looked at the netflix arrivals and saw Leatherheads. If you love George Clooney or even if you don't, take a peek, it's probably worth it. It's silly and fun. Renee Zellweger is okay and John Krasinski from the office is cute and redeeming. If you are looking for something to add to the Netflix lineup it is a good one. If you liked Clooney's O Brother while it isn't as good it is in a similar vein and should be satisfying! ON the super satisfying as chocolate scale I give it a 3.5 out of 5.

If you happened to see Fast and Furious PLEASE comment and let me know what you thought!

ON to Lemon Blossoms

My daughter and MIL watch Paula Deen together and got this recipe from there. My daughter so wanted to make it so yesterday I gave in and we bought the ingredients. Paula Deen's recipes are sooooo decadent in terms of butter, sugar, etc I think I gained a pound just reading the recipe, but if you are looking for a snack sized item for a luncheon, shower, food gift etc this one is it. If you like lemon even a little they are delicious and pretty easy.

Lemon Blossoms
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
Prep Time: 12 min Inactive Prep Time: 1 hr 0 min
Cook Time: 12 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 5 dozen
Ingredients

18 1/2-ounce package yellow cake mix

3 1/2-ounce package instant lemon pudding mix

4 large eggs

3/4 cup vegetable oil

Glaze: 4 cups confectioners' sugar

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1 lemon, zested

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 tablespoons water

DirectionsPreheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray miniature muffin tins with vegetable oil cooking spray. Combine the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs and oil and blend well with an electric mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour a small amount of batter, filling each muffin tin half way. Bake for 12 minutes. Turn out onto a tea towel
To make the glaze, sift the sugar into a mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, zest, oil, and 3 tablespoons water. Mix with a spoon until smooth.
With fingers, dip the cupcakes into the glaze while they're still warm, covering as much of the cake as possible, or spoon the glaze over the warm cupcakes, turning them to completely coat. Place on wire racks with waxed paper underneath to catch any drips. Let the glaze set thoroughly, about 1 hour, before storing in containers with tight-fitting lids.

One helpful hint. Use the Pam spray on the tins generously! Otherwise they self destruct when you try to remove them. This is also a messy recipe, so be prepared!

Have a great day!