Meb

A nice way to promote yourself as an artist, is to record a Christmas song. A free Christmas song, of course. Meb, from Montreal, studied music, was part of a band but now records on her own. She counts Françoise Hardy, Rufus Wainwright, Kimya Dawson and Joni Mitchell among her influences. La Neige, the free song, is recommended whilst drinking hot coco and is very stress relieving. More Meb on Myspace.

Meb - La Neige

Holiday Boutique is now OPEN!

Welcome one and all! Come check out the FUN!
U CREATE begins today and ends December 7th!
Great deals with unique gifts! Look for the Christmas Stocking by Hall or Nothing!

Three Days Late and Several Dollars Out

The 2009 Christmas downloading season is under way. I'm saddened to learn that my friend Ernie (Not Bert) had a computer hard drive crash and burn (I feel your pain - same thing happened to me five years ago.) Don't fret - his collection is so huge that anything he posts is worth a first or second look. In my case, it's the 203rd look.

Two days in and there are new releases all over the place. If you haven't bookmarked it yet, Santas Working Overtime does just that - finding all these new releases and highlighting them faster than any RSS feed can ever hope to do.

During these same two days, I discovered that two albums I was preparing to share... were already shared out! The first is this amazing chestnut:


Recorded in 1954, this 10" was the first full-length Christmas album for Messrs. Ferrante and Teicher. All of the eight songs on this album were later re-released on their "Adventures In Carols" album from 1956 (available to download @ FaLaLaLaLa.com).

Turns out Buster, who runs the great blog entitled Big Ten Inch Record, posted this album last Christmas and I just discovered it this Christmas. Disappointed? Yeah, a little. But his cover of this album looks way better than mine. And I'm sure his copy sounds better too.

But... I got him trumped. He didn't include a BACK cover. And I have one, yes I do! I sure do... well, I have SORTA a back cover... okay, I'll fess up. I have a damaged back cover... honest. You sure you want me to continue with this?

I found my copy at the bottom of an immense stack of vinyl at a flea market in northwest Indiana. It must have been down there for an eternity because anytime the stack shifted, was moved from a dusty shelf to a moldy carpet, the back cover bore the brunt of the friction.

You have been warned:


Well worth the $2.00 I paid for it, no?

As for the second album, I found this at Beverly Records in Chicago and thought I had won the lottery. Of all the nine or ten albums I'm planning on sharing out this Christmas, this was THE one that would wow the general public. That is until yesterday. A certain someone who's been mentioned here posted it to his blog.

Buster, you did it again! And Dorothy Collins asks that eternal question, "Won't you spend Christmas with me?":


This is a great album - easy on the ears as well as the eyes. For a great listen, go check out Buster's blog entry and get yourself a copy. You won't be disappointed. Hope this didn't cost you as much as it did for me (we're talking Andrew Jackson territory, folks!).

So this leaves me with about nine new Christmas releases that I'm hoping to start sharing just as soon as my schedule permits, including my 2009 edition of the Yuleblog Sampler.

There's plenty of Christmas music to be had... get out there and find it!


Capt

Three Days Late and Several Dollars Out

The 2009 Christmas downloading season is under way. I'm saddened to learn that my friend Ernie (Not Bert) had a computer hard drive crash and burn (I feel your pain - same thing happened to me five years ago.) Don't fret - his collection is so huge that anything he posts is worth a first or second look. In my case, it's the 203rd look.

Two days in and there are new releases all over the place. If you haven't bookmarked it yet, Santas Working Overtime does just that - finding all these new releases and highlighting them faster than any RSS feed can ever hope to do.

During these same two days, I discovered that two albums I was preparing to share... were already shared out! The first is this amazing chestnut:


Recorded in 1954, this 10" was the first full-length Christmas album for Messrs. Ferrante and Teicher. All of the eight songs on this album were later re-released on their "Adventures In Carols" album from 1956 (available to download @ FaLaLaLaLa.com).

Turns out Buster, who runs the great blog entitled Big Ten Inch Record, posted this album last Christmas and I just discovered it this Christmas. Disappointed? Yeah, a little. But his cover of this album looks way better than mine. And I'm sure his copy sounds better too.

But... I got him trumped. He didn't include a BACK cover. And I have one, yes I do! I sure do... well, I have SORTA a back cover... okay, I'll fess up. I have a damaged back cover... honest. You sure you want me to continue with this?

I found my copy at the bottom of an immense stack of vinyl at a flea market in northwest Indiana. It must have been down there for an eternity because anytime the stack shifted, was moved from a dusty shelf to a moldy carpet, the back cover bore the brunt of the friction.

You have been warned:


Well worth the $2.00 I paid for it, no?

As for the second album, I found this at Beverly Records in Chicago and thought I had won the lottery. Of all the nine or ten albums I'm planning on sharing out this Christmas, this was THE one that would wow the general public. That is until yesterday. A certain someone who's been mentioned here posted it to his blog.

Buster, you did it again! And Dorothy Collins asks that eternal question, "Won't you spend Christmas with me?":


This is a great album - easy on the ears as well as the eyes. For a great listen, go check out Buster's blog entry and get yourself a copy. You won't be disappointed. Hope this didn't cost you as much as it did for me (we're talking Andrew Jackson territory, folks!).

So this leaves me with about nine new Christmas releases that I'm hoping to start sharing just as soon as my schedule permits, including my 2009 edition of the Yuleblog Sampler.

There's plenty of Christmas music to be had... get out there and find it!


Capt

Handmade Gifts

I hope you all had a Wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Quilting to all those who are rushing to finish their quilts for Christmas! A few years ago, I decided to make quilts for my kids(four boys, 2 girls) for Christmas! It was a labor of love and one of my favorite gifts to give!


The quilts took a lot of time, but well worth the time! The toys and electronics are long gone! The quilts are still being used! I know my kids will remember their quilts. There is something magical about a handmade quilt or a handmade gift! The saying holds true-
"Those who sleep under a quilt sleep under a blanket of love!"

I felt inspired to make little doll quilts for my shop. My little daughter loves to play with her doll quilt and dolls. I've been happily stocking my shelves at Hall or Nothing! I'm also excited to join the U Create Holiday Boutique coming soon!

You will see Childrens reversible aprons, Mother/Daughter aprons, Christmas Bags and more

Check out what's new and FREE for the week of November 30th-December 7th! Free childrens apron with purchase of three items! Free gift wrap available! Free Childrens light up wand with purchase of apron and cupcake set!

U Create Boutique begins November 30TH-December 7th!

"Hands to work..hearts to love!"

Have a Happy weekend CREATING or SHOPPING for some magical gifts!

Come join the fun and say HELLO!

Happy Thanksgiving 2009!

Doris Day

Marilyn Monroe

Just wanted to sign on quickly to wish all of you a happy and safe Thanksgiving!


Capt

Happy Thanksgiving 2009!

Doris Day

Marilyn Monroe

Just wanted to sign on quickly to wish all of you a happy and safe Thanksgiving!


Capt

Giving Thanks for Family and Friendship

Happy Thanksgiving!

A soulful Christmas to you all!

I'd like to get this year's Christmas countdown kick-started with a brand spanking new song by Laura Vane & and The Vipertones called "Christmas Day with Me". To get your own copy of this soulful song, sign up for the band's newsletter and Santa Claus will send it to you!

Forget those uninspired Christmas songs, these guys let the soul shine right through, as they do on their entire, self-entitled debut album. Their album is a collection of hits, one after the other, made with love and some solid production work. This British-Dutch soul band is a favourite of radio stations and DJs everywhere and perform throughout Europe exposing thousands of people to their infectious music. Rumour has it they may be playing the world-famous Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, which means my friends back home could finally see for themselves what I've been on about. It's just a question of time before Laura Vane and the guys hit the big time and they know it too!

A few weeks ago, I was driving alone in a car for the very first time since I got my driving licence to a far away DJ gig in heavy rainfall and winds across a 32-kilometre Dutch dyke in a borrowed car. I was nervous, the car was literally being blown sideways and the only thing that got me across safe and smiling was Laure Vane & The Vipertones cranked up as loud as possible and me singing along to it while nobody could hear me.

The FPT Christmas Revue - In Rehearsal

What is today? Saturday... okay. I've lost track of time!

For the past several weeks, a bunch of local Fort Wayne actors (myself included) have been furiously working on an upcoming Christmas production I had previously mentioned back in September.

It's under two weeks now until we are in front of an audience and the whole production is beginning to gel. It's been an amazing process and the cast is having loads of fun getting this on its legs.

I've been meaning to post some pictures that I took at rehearsal the other night... it SEEMS like it was the other night...

Gee, a guy with a white beard and a kid sitting on his lap - I wonder what this could be all about?

The staging of a large group sketch that leads off our show.

Another staging of a musical number. Note another guy with a white beard in the center. Forgive the silhouetted foreground figure - he's the director and I couldn't very yell at him to stay out of the shot.

During a rehearsal break, Joel D. Scribner, the director of the show, gives out notes and information to the attentive actors hanging on his every word.

Psst... Joel... this one's for the blog so look REAL important like...

We just discovered the other night that interest in the show has been strong. So strong that we added TWO extra shows to the schedule. Performances are now December 3rd through December 20th. For more info, check out First Presbyterian Theater's website.

Hope to see you down there - I think you'll love the show!


Capt

The FPT Christmas Revue - In Rehearsal

What is today? Saturday... okay. I've lost track of time!

For the past several weeks, a bunch of local Fort Wayne actors (myself included) have been furiously working on an upcoming Christmas production I had previously mentioned back in September.

It's under two weeks now until we are in front of an audience and the whole production is beginning to gel. It's been an amazing process and the cast is having loads of fun getting this on its legs.

I've been meaning to post some pictures that I took at rehearsal the other night... it SEEMS like it was the other night...

Gee, a guy with a white beard and a kid sitting on his lap - I wonder what this could be all about?

The staging of a large group sketch that leads off our show.

Another staging of a musical number. Note another guy with a white beard in the center. Forgive the silhouetted foreground figure - he's the director and I couldn't very yell at him to stay out of the shot.

During a rehearsal break, Joel D. Scribner, the director of the show, gives out notes and information to the attentive actors hanging on his every word.

Psst... Joel... this one's for the blog so look REAL important like...

We just discovered the other night that interest in the show has been strong. So strong that we added TWO extra shows to the schedule. Performances are now December 3rd through December 20th. For more info, check out First Presbyterian Theater's website.

Hope to see you down there - I think you'll love the show!


Capt

Deck The Halls

If you know we really well, you know I have a weakness for little chairs, country and the color RED! When I found this Christmas Tree from Better Homes and Gardens, it brought big smiles and became my inspiration! It makes me want to paint my little chairs RED!

Welcome to Candy Cane Lane.....my tree is an "Old Toy" theme with candy treats, teddy bears, rocking horses, Raggedy Ann and Andy, Santa Claus, quilts and a tribute to children!

My kids are growing up and most of the ornaments I have collected through the years belong to them. Many happy memories of stick rocking horses, trikes and wagons!

In our Family Room, we will welcome our family tree with ornaments from favorite memories, hand made preschool and school ornaments, Christmas art work, photos of my kids sitting on Santa! All the ornaments from living life!

"It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!"