Back To School Fairy

 

Wow, it doens't seem possible that school is getting ready to start again!

I  have mixed emotions about it all.

I'm happy to get back into a routine again.

I'm not sure if I'm ready to be busy with school activities, homework, sports etc.

 I must say, summer went by way too fast!

Here are some FUN ideas for BACK TO SCHOOL!

This year the Back to School Fairy will be visiting!

My kids don't know about a Back To School Fairy.. it will be a surprise!

The door bell will ring very early in the morning on the first day of school.

At the door will be Back to School gifts for a new school year!

(photo by-Modern Christmas)

Inside you will find:

 A Survival Guide For

A New School Year.

Toothpick: To remind you to pick the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.

Rubber band: To remind you to be flexible.

Things might now always go the way you want, but it can be worked out.

Band-aid: To remind you to heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else’s.
Eraser: To remind you everyone makes mistakes. That’s okay, we learn by our errors.
Candy Kisses: To remind you everyone needs a hug or a compliment every day.
Mint: To remind you that you are worth a mint to your family.
Bubble Gum: To remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.

Pencil: To remind you to list your blessings every day.

Come along and join the fun!

More Back to School/Teacher gifts will be featured!

Back To School cookies from:

beeinourbonnet.blogspot.com

Hallmark Channel Christmas Movies 2011 - Updates & New Additions!

July 29, 2011 ~

Two More Movies have been added to the ever-growing list of Hallmark Channel Christmas Movies!


The two new titles are:

Mistletoe Over Manhattan

The Case for Christmas


Both will premiere sometime during the 2011 Christmas Season on the Hallmark Channel.

So far, Hallmark has announced 9 New Christmas Movies for 2011 + a new Cartoon Animation!!! Yeah! (I just love Christmas Movies, classics, new, anything... as long as they are good - I love 'em!)

See the New Christmas Movies on TV page for all of the new movies. By the way, all of the movies have just been updated with cast list info, plot details, etc...

Enjoy!

The Case for Christmas - a Hallmark Channel Original Christmas Movie

MOVIE REVIEW

The Case for Christmas

Network: Hallmark Channel

Original Air Date: Christmas Season 2011


CAST:

Dean Cain ... Michael Sherman
Rachel Blanchard ...
George Buza ... Santa Claus
Barry Flatman ... Braxton Bennett


PLOT:

Michael Sherman (Cain) is a lawyer and single father struggling to obtain more clients. Being a single working dad, Michael doesn't have time to think about a relationship or work on the classic car he inherited from his parents, but his friend Lauren (Blanchard) is a mechanic who helps rebuild the family heirloom and begins to fall for him. Michael (Cain) takes on a case that could make or break his career... and Christmas. The majority of the population is losing faith in Santa Claus (George Buza "X-Men") and the Christmas spirit. To make matters worse, Santa is served with a class action lawsuit for irreparable emotional distress by sporting-goods mogul Braxton Bennett (Barry Flatman "The Kennedys") who never received the holiday gifts he wanted as a child. Santa believes he has a strong case because Braxton was always on the naughty list and asked for gifts, like a yacht, that were unattainable. Santa hires Michael Sherman to represent him. Once the trial between Kris Kringle vs. Braxton Bennett begins, Michael finds it's much tougher defending Santa Claus than he had initially predicted. Braxton presents a case of Santa's neglect and the biggest gift giver in the universe has difficulty deflecting the accusations.

As Santa's public stock continues to plummet, the press makes Michael the laughing stock of litigators. Both Michael's and Santa's careers are in jeopardy and it will take a miracle for a pouting, overgrown kid like Braxton to come to the realization that Santa always gives the most appropriate gift possible to every child.

Production:
"The Case for Christmas" is a Chesler/Perlmutter Production. Lewis Chesler, David Perlmutter and Rob Vaughn are executive producers. Marek Posival is producer. Timothy Bond directed from a script by Tom Amundsen.



Movie Review:

Coming...


See or Skip:

Coming...

--

Mistletoe Over Manhattan - a Hallmark Channel Original Christmas Movie

MOVIE REVIEW

Mistletoe Over Manhattan

Network: Hallmark Channel

Original Air Date: Christmas 2011


CAST:

Tricia Helfer ... Lucy
Greg Bryk ... Joe
Tedde Moore ... Rebecca, Mrs. Claus
Mairtin O'Carrigan ... Santa Claus



PLOT:

Rebecca, Mrs. Claus (Moore) is worried that her exhausted, workaholic husband (O'Carrigan) has lost his holiday spirit. She believes she can help him recapture his bliss and secretly heads to the one place she knows the spirit of Christmas must still exist, the place she fell in love with Nick - New York City. In a crowded diner, Rebecca befriends Joe (Bryk), a caring cop who is worried about this kindly grandmother, who's alone and low on funds. Joe reveals he and his wife Lucy (Helfer) are in the middle of a divorce. Sensing that Joe is still very much in love with his wife, Rebecca agrees to work temporarily as the family's nanny until Christmas. To Rebecca's delight, by healing Joe and Lucy's family, she shows Santa that Christmas miracles are still possible and his job's more important than ever!


Production:
"Mistletoe Over Manhattan" is a Chesler/Perlmutter Production. Lewis Chesler, David Perlmutter and Rob Vaughn are executive producers. Marek Posival is producer. John Bradshaw directed from a script by Hilary Hinkle and Linda Engelsiepen.




Movie Review:

Coming...


See or Skip:

Coming...



--

Please beware of Christmas Movie coming to Theaters in 2011

When I read about this movie - honestly, I almost couldn't believe it. This movie sounds like Hollywood at it's absolute worst, so of course, I just had to share this news with all of you who visit here.

Please beware of this so-called Christmas Movie, 'A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas'. It sounds terrible, but please read below, and you be the judge....

(My information regarding this movie – is directly from http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/07/27/neil-patrick-harris-is-back-in-a-very-harold-amp-kumar-3d-christmas/. In this article – it states that this is the third movie for this series.)


Excerpts from Article – (please beware of graphic details):


“This time around, ... the franchise is getting a fresh jolt of blockbuster juice from first-time director Todd Strauss-Schulson, who’ll oversee Harold and Kumar as they contend with robots, Claymation, a “huge car crash” and 3-D marijuana smoke rings. “The adventure is epic, and the 3-D is epic, and the amount of action-y spectacle scenes are epic,” says Strauss-Schulson. ‘It’s epically absurd.’


A recurring feature we’re excited for, however, is the perennial outrageously crass cameo by one Neil Patrick Harris. Yep, count on it — Doogie Howser himself, despite a scrape with death in the second installment, is back in the game for Round 3. “Neil is in this show-stopping Christmas spectacular dance number,” Strauss-Schulson says. “He’s on crack, he goes to heaven and he meets Jesus, he attempts rape, he abuses a robot, he’s telekinetic. It’s crazy. Straight-up crazy. It’s great.”


“I wanted this to be a ‘Trojan horse’ movie,” Strauss-Schulson explains. “The idea was that it should look like a Christmas movie, and at the end of the movie you should feel the warm fuzzies like you’re watching Miracle on 34th Street. But, like a Trojan horse, it’s filled with the most subversive, dirty [stuff]. There’s lesbian nuns, pedophile priests… all this stuff, [but] people walk away feeling like they’ve just seen this really sweet Christmas movie.”

(--end of excerpts--)



My Thoughts:

Christmas is a Holy day in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the joy of being surrounded by family. This movie sounds awful, filled with, and I quote from the Director, "dirty stuff". Is that supposed to be 3D fun? I couldn’t believe they actually admitted that it had “lesbian nuns”, and an attempted rape, etc... Is that supposed to be funny? From everything I've read, this movie appears to be a disgrace to Nuns, the Catholic church, and anyone who has ever been victimized - disguised as a sweet Christmas Movie. Please inform others.

Christmas should be about Joy and "Peace on earth, good will toward men". If you need a really good Christmas laugh, please watch Christmas with the Kranks, Home Alone, A Christmas Story, or just about anything else!

Summer Cupcakes

Welcome Friends!

Here are some delightful cupcakes!

I have 101 things I should be doing, and what am I doing....admiring cupcakes!

More summer pinwheels!

etsy.com

I especially love the terra cotta pots for cupcakes.

A great Birthday treat in place of party bags!

You will be seeing more of the terra cotta pots...stay tuned!

You can find these cute cupcakes at:

blog.craftzine.com

yellowfence.blogspot.com

delish.com

bettycrocker.com

comeandpeek.blogspot.com

fortheloveofsugaraddicts.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

STAY CALM AND EAT CUPCAKES!

Here's our FAVORITE!

WE'RE OFF TO THE WATER PARK!

I may have to stop for cupcakes!

Walmart Ice Cream Cone Cake Pan

Hallmark Movie Channel's newest family film, "The Cabin", Premieres this Weekend!

If you've been inside alot lately - trying to keep cool, due to the Summer Heat~Wave sweeping the Country, then you'll need something to prevent "cabin fever". And, I've found the answer... it's Hallmark Movie Channel's newest family film, The Cabin!

The Cabin

Premieres July 30th at 8 PM est

on Hallmark Movie Channel

Hopefully, many of you have the Hallmark Movie Channel and will be able to see this one. I have DirecTV, but don't have HMC - so I won't be able to view this, until it is, hopefully one day played on the regular Hallmark Channel. Would love to hear from any of you who will be able to watch this movie. Please let me know what you thought of it, by posting your comments on the main page for The Cabin - here.

See the Family TV Schedule for other Times airing!

See "The Cabin" main page for Pictures, Cast Details, Plot, and More!

Enjoy the Film!

For The Birds!

Who can resist cute little birds? Not I!

I see birds everywhere, but these are exceptionally CUTE!

I love the detail!  I think they would make a wonderful pin cushion,

as well as a great gift idea for crafters and sewing friends!

I need extra days, extra hours in the week to make all these fun projects!

That is what I love about Pinterest!

My "To Do" projects are easily accessible and they wait for me!

You can find the adorable little birds here:

http://danielleflanders.blogspot.com/2011/06/happy-trails.html

I have made birds from this simple easy to follow bird pattern found here.

(You may remember these birds, I've featured them in the past.)

http://www.spoolsewing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/birdpattern1-1.pdf

Birds are for everyone!

Enjoy your summer!

Arthur Christmas - In Theaters for Christmas 2011 Season

MOVIE REVIEW

Arthur Christmas

3D Animation Movie

Original Air Date: November 23, 2011 In Theaters




Pictures from arthurchristmas.com


CAST:

James McAvoy ... Arthur
Bill Nighy ... Grandsanta
Jim Broadbent ... Santa
Hugh Laurie ... Steve
Imelda Staunton ... Mrs. Santa
Matt Lucas ... Santa Elf #1
Johnny Brennan ... Santa Elf #2
Ashley Jensen ... Bryony
Will Sasso ... American James
Ramona Marquez ... Gwen
Kevin Eldon ... Various
Iain McKee ... Thomas Jack
Miggie Donahoe ... Pedro




Pictures from arthurchristmas.com



PLOT:

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS is an animated family comedy in 3D that reveals Santa’s secret high-tech operations at the North Pole.

'So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?' The answer: Santa's exhilarating, ultra-high-tech operation hidden beneath the North Pole. But this year, Santa's son Arthur has an urgent mission that must be completed before Christmas morning dawns.




Pictures from arthurchristmas.com



Movie Review:

Coming...


See or Skip:

Coming...



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A fun sleepover for kids

I love this idea and so SIMPLE!

This cute little children's sleepover mattress is made with five pillows!

I found it on pinterest.

I've been looking for a tutorial and found it HERE:

http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/2011/06/pillow-bed-tutorial.html

I'm so excited to make one, come along and join me!

A super cute idea for Christmas sleepovers under the Christmas Tree,

or sleepovers with friends and Grandparents!

I know my little daughter will love it!

I especially love the red and white polka dots!

I just wanted to share it with you.

Enjoy!

Welcome to Paradise - Movie Review

MOVIE REVIEW

Welcome to Paradise


Network: Gospel Music Channel

Original Air Date: 2010

Rated: PG for mild thematic elements, brief language and teen smoking


CAST:

Crystal Bernard ... Debbie Laramie
Bobby Edner ... Hayden Laramie
Brian Dennehy ... Bobby Brown
William Shockley ... Kent Dylan
Beth Grant ... Frances Loren
Ken Jenkins ... Reverend McNamara
Nick Searcy ... Reverend Ellington
Lou Beatty Jr. ... Trevor Goodman
Cynthia Boris ... Church Goer
Brianne Costa ... Snobby Girl
Doug Cox ... Izzy
Danielle Dearing ... Church Goer
Elizabeth Dennehy ... Helen Brown
Loy Edge ... Nate Twain
Lorilynn Failor ... Twyla Twain

PLOT:

The Road to Paradise begins withia Journey of the Heart.

Welcome To Paradise is an inspirational family film about a preacher, Debbie Laramie (Crystal Bernard) and her son Hayden (Bobby Edner). They are sent from a big city church to the small town of Paradise, where Debbie finds a community in desperate need of direction and a town that turns its back on its neediest neighbors. She tries to build a new vision for her congregation that embraces everyone, even the poor and outcast, but the deep rooted veil of indifference may be too strong to lift.

Movie Review:

This is truly an uplifting movie. It's a true inspiration - to keep standing strong in your beliefs and never give up. There are serious moments and lighthearted moments, too. When a community comes together it's amazing what they can accomplish when they work with one another.

The All-Star cast in this movie includes...

Connie Ray, who portrayed the Mother from the Television series, The Torkelsons. (loved that show!) She is always terrific... gentle, sweet, and compassionate. Then, there is someone you might not recognize - William Shockley, who potrayed Hank on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. (the one who had the long hair and ran the saloon.) Well, in this, he is clean cut and looks and acts completely different. He's pictured above in the camel colored barn jacket.

The actress, Beth Grant, is absolutely wonderful in this. I think of her as Jimmy's Mother on Yes Dear, however, in this movie, she is so serious and sweet - she's terrific! Brian Dennehy is also a well known actor. He's in another movie I love - Return to Snowy River.

And, an interesting find for all of you Christmas Movie fans. I knew I recognized the young man who portrayed Hayden's friend. Upon looking him up, I discovered he's actor, Evan Sabara, the young boy named J.T. in A Season for Miracles! (Still one of my favorite Hallmark Christmas Movies!)

I also love Brad Stine in this - he's such a funny comedian. He's also great in Christmas with a Capital C!. And, of course, I love Crystal Bernard, she is always so pretty, perky, and fun, she has such a great personality! I remember her first, on the sitcom, It's a Living, and of course, those cute Hallmark Movies, Single Santa seeks Mrs. Claus & Meet the Santas.

Great Movie, with a warm feeling inside, Happy Ending!


See or Skip:

See, wholesome family viewing.

---------------------

*Images above are:
DVD Cover for Welcome to Paradise
and Screen Cap Images from Movie.

Fall Pumpkins

Fall Pumpkins are arriving!

I know it may seem early, but requests are coming,

so I'm happy to say.... FALL PUMPKINS are available!

Thank you Etsy Treasury!

I will have a large variety of Halloween Pumpkins with NEW Halloween fabrics 

available in mid-August.

Each pumpkin set is unique with a flair for FALL!

The traditional pumpkins of Fall are especially fun to create, and they last

well into Thanksgiving.

Thank you to everyone that have purchased my pumpkins in the past!

It's fun to see where these pumpkins go!

New York, Virginia, Washington, Utah, Idaho, California, Oregon, Louisianna, Florida,

even Canada!

The ideas are endless as you decorate with your Fall pumpkins.

I have set the pumpkins everywhere-mantels, shelves, benchs, chairs, sofa tables.

The pumpkins bring a lot of color, charm and the spriit of FALL to your HOME Decor!

Enjoy!

Join me in watching "Christmas in July" on QVC...

July 23rd, 2011 - Saturday
154 Days until Christmas!!!

This post is for all of you Friends and Followers, who like me, Absolutely Love Christmas!

I'v been watching "Christmas in July" on QVC... Oh, it's so fun to watch all the Christmas Decorations... the lights, toys, trees, and everything! I love Bethlehem Lights. Especially, I love the name - so Beautifully named after the birthplace of Jesus. Their pre-lit trees look especially pretty to me and they said earlier that they have a new technology that is fail-proof! That sounds wonderful! I love Christmas lights - but mostly when they are working - when they go out and you have to remove an entire strand or try to fix them - it can be so frustrating! I'll have to look into those lights!

Anyway, just so you know - I'm not getting a penny from QVC - I'm just sharing with you my likes and dislikes - simply because I love Christmas and I've enjoyed their station for years now, especially their "Christmas in July" Special!

It is refreshing to sit inside in the AC and get out of the heat (outside) and dream about snow and Christmas! Someone in my neighborhood is having a garage sale - but due to the heat, there doesn't seem to be any takers. It's just too hot - people would much rather be in a cool mall, or shop on-line, or shop from TV!

And, did I just hear right - are these QVC Christmas in July items returnable until the end of January 2012? That's what they just said - but please check on anything you order, just in case! That's a great deal - especially if you are buying Christmas Presents!
Hope you enjoy the show - it will last all weekend long!

Happy Christmas Shopping!


----------
Image:
*The QVC Logo is the property of QVC
*I personally used photoshop to design their logo with the Christmas Wreath

Rick Rack Flowers

Rick Rack Flowers....Adorable!

I found the pink rick rack rosette flowers on pinterest!

I love it so much, I'm embellishing head bands for Back To School!

The tutorial is in Spanish, but the pictures are easy to understand.

You can find the tutorial here:

http://trocasdelinhas.blogspot.com/2011/01/flor-de-sianinha-passo-passo.html

(There are several different versions of rick rack flowers/google.)

I simply made my rosettes by rolling the rick rack together and securing into place with

a glue gun--no sewing!

There are a lot of creative ideas for using rick rack rosette flowers!

T-shirts, handbags, rings, necklaces, bracelets, the list goes on!

I will be making more for the holidays!

I think red and white rick rack would be great for Christmas.

Enjoy!