A little candy and Spring blossom

Candy now closed - winners above - post 2/6/10

Hi peeps, by the time you read this we should be motoring through France on our way to the wedding. I have a couple of posts scheduled over the next week or so with DT work, but time has rather rather got the better of me and despite all the best laid plans nothing more than that.

So instead of being able to visit you all or leave you anything interesting to look at, here's a little candy for my blog buddies and followers.........nothing huge, but I am often asked about the beaded pins I use, so I made a collection up and have added some other bits and pieces and will split it into two so there can be a couple of winners.

Feel free to spread the word and leave me a comment and I will pick two winners when we get home next week.

And I just had to share these pictures of the May blossom in the top paddock hedgerow. I adore the beautiful white blossoms tinged with pink and the heady scent in the evenings and look forward to it every year. And if you can imagine the whole hedgerow interspersed with these bushes and trees you can get an idea of the sheer beauty.

Unfortunately by the time we return from France it will probably be over, but at least I have some pictures of it with the beautiful blue sky we have had all weekend.

Artifact Update - Piece From Snow White Ride

About 3 weeks ago, I was given a tip from Richard over at Ghoula (short for Ghost Hunters of Urban Los Angeles) that there was going to be a Snow White "artifact" on display for one night only at the May installment of their monthly meetings. It was said to be an object from the original 1955 Disneyland Snow White Ride before the renovation of 1983.

May 13th, the night of the gathering, came and went. Being two thousand miles away at the time, I figured that was the end of it, and I'd never really learn anything more about this mystery item.

But then a week later, I received a comment on my blog that simply said, Can I send you a picture of the artifact? My response was of course a big "YES".

Now here, thanks to Richard, is the story (and picture) of the artifact from the original Disneyland Snow White Ride:

As you can see, it is a piece of the exterior mural at the entrance to the old Snow White dark ride. It is the only surviving piece of that mural (if what this collector says is true).

[CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE]

According to the collector, the back story is...

When the new Fantasyland was being built in 1983, the plans called for the demolition of the wall (with the mural) to make room for the larger loading area. One of the workers on that construction site wanted to save the piece of the mural with Snow White and give it to his wife as a gift (like she is the "fairest in the land"). However, he was too late. When he went to get it, that section of the wall with Snow White had already been destroyed. The only portion of the wall left was the section with the Witch over the cauldron. Quickly, he used an exacto knife and cut out this piece, struggling to remove the canvas that had been glued to the wall (hence the creases in the painting). The wall was leveled, and all the bits of the mural were thrown away with the rubble. Unfortunately, when he presented the Witch to his wife, she was not amused and didn't appreciate what the painting possibly said about her. So the worker got rid of it, where it fell into the hands of this collector.

The collector who owns it wishes to remain anonymous, and one night with no promotion about it was unfortunately the deal. Now, it is back in the vault, and those who came to the event have their pictures.

Thanks again to Richard for sharing this bit of interesting Snow White history.

Wedding Day

No my card has nothing to do with weddings, but when this pops up courtesy of Mr Blogger, we should be readying ourselves on the west coast of France for this afternoons wedding of our second eldest son.

It's likely to be a long day as they do weddings a bit different in France. First the Town Hall for the formalities, then the Church for the wedding ceremony - which is apparently about an hour long service, then a cocktail party and at 7pm the wedding breakfast. And that's not the end of it because after a night of music and entertainment, Sunday lunchtime everyone reconvenes for a brunch party.

The day has seemed forever coming, hours of making wedding stationery, dress fittings and all nature of arrangements then suddenly here we are. Hopefully the weather will be lovely and the happy couple will have a wonderful day.

Now I had better just tell you about the new challenge at Allsorts where the lovely Debs has set us the theme of Black and White plus one.

An old favourite style and sentiment which is Penny Black 2695K Dance very simply stamped with versafine black and embossed with detail clear onto a background distressed with Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet. The mat was cut with a Nestie though the Big Shot and the edges stamped with flowers from Magenta CS043 and embossed with detail clear before distressing with the TH ink.

The writing down the side is another well used favourite Hero Arts H2354 and the corner flourish Penny Black 3857H Footnote. A border punched with Martha Stewart doily lace from Fancy Pants DP which I also used to make the roses, a stick pin, bead and cord to finish.

Snow White Cast Members in the Park

Continuing the series: Snow White Costumes and Cast Members

Soft focus Disneyland Snow White. Image courtesy of matterhorn via Stuff from The Park blog. Used with permission.

Disneyland Snow White from 1999. Image courtesy of starberryshyne. Used with permission.

Snow White from MGM Studios parade. Image courtesy of  kid.nurse...back. Used with permission.

Funky fairy

A scheduled post and all going to plan we are in France and tomorrow is the wedding........our second eldest son and his French fiancee are getting married in the beautiful surroundings of the French coastal fishing village of Saint-Gilles Croix-de-Vie.

Although she had lived in the UK for many years, her Mother still lives in the French village, her Father in Paris, so it was decided they would return there for the wedding. I think the fact that the surf is good on that part of the coast might have played just a tiny part in our boys decision to suggest that as the venue. I have visions of him arriving at the Church still in his wetsuit and board under his arm. And of course the honeymoon venue of Barbados is also well known for it's good surf, so you decide what swayed the decisions ! More about it all in my post tomorrow.

Today is Polkadoodle day and for this weeks challenge Lou has set us the theme of "Sew & Sew". Not my hot point, but I did managed a line of stitching round the edge of my backing paper which is from the new All Around CD. The fairy is Grace, one of the Fairy Flutterfy stamps, which I coloured with Copics and decoupaged. Her winds are stamped onto the same paper then again on acetate and glittered. Martha Steward double loop border and Magnolia flower plus a couple of others and some glittered leaves.

Hollywood Stories - Stephen Schochet on Lucille La Verne

Hollywood Stories storyteller Stephen Schochet shares (above) the well-known Lucille La Verne anecdote from the recording session for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The actress who voiced both the Evil Queen and the Witch achieved that distinctive sound for the more ragtag of the two characters through some very original improvisation.

Pose struck for animator Joe Grant during the dialog recording session. Lucille La Verne image via Disney Wiki

Schochet is author and narrator of numerous Hollywood tales including the audiobook Fascinating Walt Disney. In the bonus video below, learn anecdotal information about Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and Sid Grauman as well as Mary Pickford and how she was inadvertently responsible for the creation of the handprints in cement at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre Forecourt. (Grauman's Chinese Theatre photograph by Carol M. Highsmith; public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Brian Sibley - From Snow White and Pooh to Hobbits and Poppins!

Well-known British author, Brian Sibley, is one prolific writer! In fact, you need to be one fast reader (or listener) if you hope to keep up with all the material he has published. From his books to radio broadcasts, the subject matter he covers is some of the most fascinating and entertaining on the planet.

Image (right) via Wikipedia.

I know of Brian's work first and foremost from his co-authored book (with Richard Hollis), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the Making of the Classic Film. The text examines in detail just how Walt Disney and his team of animators created this landmark film. Published in 1987, this title was an excellent compliment to the movie's 50th anniversary. Re-issued in 1994, it accompanied the first ever home video release of Snow White. Beautifully illustrated with images of original concept art, background sketches, cel art, and vintage posters, it's a great read and a must for any animation enthusiast, classic Disney fan, or up-and-coming Snow White votary. I've read it several times cover to cover.

Cover © 1987 Simon and Schuster

Cover © 1994 Hyperion

Cover © 1994 Disney Editions

Books: In addition to writing about Snow White, his books include (to name a few) The Disney Studio Story, Mickey Mouse: His Life and Times, The Lord of the Rings: The Making of the Movie Trilogy, and Mary Poppins: Anything Can Happen if You Let It.

Radio: His career in radio began with a 1974 broadcast to mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh. He's written both documentaries and dramatizations including programs on Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, Alice in Wonderland and The Lord of the Rings (below).  He's also created broadcasts on such writers as Ambrose Bierce, Roald Dahl, and Ray Bradbury (again, to name just a few). 

Video: Brian has appeared on numerous bonus DVD extras including those for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Also see below the voice over in the trailer for The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story.

Video posted by brianonthebox (aka Brian Sibley)

Finally, here's a plug for Mr. Sibley's new blog, Decidedly Disney. One of the first posts happens to be on Snow White sugar cookies. Decidedly delicious!

Brian Sibley's Snow White Sugar Cookies

Sugar Snow and the Seven. Image © Brian Sibley 2010

Read about Brian's 10+ year-old Snow White cookies on his Decidedly Disney blog.

Wedding indulgence

Morning everyone, isn't the weather glorious and how lovely to be able to spend time outdoors without needing to wrap up warm. Needless to say the dogs are fed up with it already and puffing and panting and lolloping wherever they can find a cool spot, but it didn't spoil their appetites when we had a barbie last night and all four sat drooling as they always do.

I thought I would share two of the cards I made for the wedding couple, well I did actually show the wedding cake a couple of weeks ago, but have just made the box so now it's complete.

The word book of their initials was created in Cricut design studio welding various elements together, covering with Best Creations DP, some decoupaging, ribbons, Magnolia flowers, gems a bit of stamping with Penny Black 3851E Blessing and all in all total over indulgence, but I think it's rather pretty. And I made a box with an acetate lid, added yet more ribbon and an edge using Martha Stewart doily lace.

I am entering the work book for The Crafty Pad challenge which would like to see "Over the Edge" so I am hoping the ribbon will count here, Charisma Cardz who would like to see something 3D so the flowers and butterflies fit nicely and Flutterby Wednesday would like "Flowers" with our butterflies or fairies. Also the card below is for this weeks Penny Black challenge which is "Lots of Dots" where I have used Penny Black 4037K mixed media and 3857H footnote, memento inks, Swiss dots Cuttlebug folder and spotty MME DP.

And finally another bit of over indulgence on the box for the Polkadoodle wedding cake card, lace, Martha Stewart embossed hears punch, flowers, pearls and a computer generated sentiment.

I will see all you lovely peeps when I get back, but I have scheduled a post with a little something for you which should pop up tomorrow evening courtesy of Mr Blogger.

Magic Mirror Menu

Magic Mirror menu from 2009 Blu-ray release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Video via MovieWeb

Poppies and flutterbys

Over at Allsorts Helene has set our new challenge and would like to see a tag or label on our artwork.

But before I tell you about my artwork for this week, I need to annouce that the winner of my part of our Birthday blog hop is Keryn. I am so pleased for you Keryn please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk so I can get you prize off to you. Do go pay her a visit and see her adorable Jack Russel's and her great work of course.

I've gone all pink and Hero for my card using one of the shadow stamps that I so love working with. This one is Hero Arts CO140 Poppy Background. First I stamped a piece of dusky pink cardstock all over with the butterfly plate from Hero Arts CG300 using Tim Holtz worn lipstick - if I am going to bleach I usually stick to the TH inks because they always bleach out fine, whereas some inks can be a bit iffy and fade but won't bleach out completely. Of course it depends of the cardstock and it's always worth having a little test run first.

I then stamped the poppy stamp over the butterflies using versamark and heat embossing with detail clear, then bleaching out the flowers. I like this technique as it gives a subtle image through the embossed solid elements of the stamped image.

I used the same butterfly plate to stamp the card itself again with versamark and detail clear embossing powder to achieve a subtle finish. The border is Martha Stewart embossed butterflies and the sentiment on the tag is from a Rubber Tapestry set, no code though I'm afraid.

A day playing Sizzix

Hello everyone, Friday and only just getting round to posting what I planned to do yesterday and tell you about a bonus day at Stampalot yesterday.

Wednesday just as we were off to hospital my beloved MX5 went AWAL on me, no power, no nothing, so we used hubby's car and it was evening before I could call the RAC. But the good news is they could find nothing sinister in the tests and what they did find can be dealt with OK (won't go into gories). So a huge, huge relief, it's seemed forever waiting.

Mr RAC could not fathom the problem with my car so ended up having to take it to the main dealer yesterday. Apparently the battery was not holding a charge so they replaced it........I only had it new at Christmas, so what that's all about I have no idea. I just hope it's fixed because we are taking it to France......really fancy the journey across France with the top down.

So what did I do whilst it was in the garage, well Sir Andy Stampalot was a gem and collected me and I idled the day away at the shop and just by chance Chris and the gang (Mel and Judith) were in so we took over the classroom and did a bit of crafting.......well that's a fib really, I talked mostly and played with the new Sizzix Pro and dies, it's a wowser piece of equipment.

In full wedding plan mode this weekend, the bride and groom left for France last evening to arrange all the final bits and pieces, we go early Tuesday and the rest of the family follow in dribs and drabs during the week. The missing dress never showed so that one's still a bit in the air and the Matron of Honor might end up as a guest because matching a suitable dress is proving almost impossible, leaving only white, but that's not a real option with the bride in that colour. So the chief bridesmaid might be our girl on crutches.....who said my family did anything by the book ?

A quick card, not for anything specific, just a share of a Stampalot sample. A bit tardy of me but hope you will forgive all the details other than Hero Arts CG181 bird in a circle, Tim Holt rusty hinge and bundled sage, Martha Stewart woodland branch around the page and Basic Grey DP.

£200 Tim Holtz goodies up for grabs

This is a sticky so please scroll down for newer posts.

Hello peeps, just a quick reminder that all these fabulous Tim Holtz goodies are up for grabs in this months Stamplaot Challenge and includes an original signed copy of Tim's book A Compendium of Curiosities.

Our theme this month is Butterflies and Blossoms, so a nice easy one and don't forget you can enter twice with different types of projects, such as a card and a scrapbook l/o for example. So what you waiting for, remember you have to be in it to win it.

Snow White Figure Bank

This Snow White bank was purchased from the Disney Store circa 2002. Composed of PVC plastic, it measures approximately 8.5" tall. Manufactured by Enesco as part of their Disney Classics collection. Made in China.

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The bank was sold packaged in paperboard and plastic...

Packaged Bank images via Sue's Antique Wonderland.

Paperboard Backdrop and all other images from personal collection unless otherwise noted.

Bird in a circle and messy Muts

Good morning all, this one is scheduled so everything crossed it will pop up on time whilst I am at hospital having the dreaded camera tests.

One card, three challenges, the first Everybody Art challenges who have a sketch this week.......I was going to pass as it's circles and we know about my crafty phobia of them, but decided a challenge is a challenge. So one in the bin, the second completed, although not convinced I like the end product. I hope the flowers fit in with A Spoonful of Sugar challenge who are going Cute and Girly and finally Papertake Weekly who want to see "Shiny Sparkly and Special" and there's a good bit of sparkle to be had on this one.

The image Hero Arts CG181 Bird in a Circle dropped through my letterbox this morning from Sir Stamaplot, it's a cling stamp from the new releases but didn't not come in with the first deliveries so I have been patiently waiting for it to arrive. I think it is so cute.

The image is actually a square one, but I cut it into a circle with a Nestie through the Big Shot and layered it several times. I stamped the image three times and decoupaged after colouring the flowers and bird with Marvy pens and spritzing with Glimmer Mist pearl. The little birdie in the corner is punched with my new Martha Stewart woodland branch and flower patch set.

The sentiment is Hero Arts CL278, manipulated a bit to achieve more of a circle shape. The large flower is another of the beautiful Magnolia ones with some glitter added to the edges and I did the same with the smaller ones which are from my stash. The swirls are cut from glitter card with a Sizzix die. The final bit of bling is the gemstone brad.

Just had to share this one of Bernie and George

Evil Queen Premium Format Figure

The Evil Queen Premium Format Figure came out in 2009. Each piece was individually painted and dressed in a detailed, real fabric costume. The Sideshow Collectibles' exclusive version included a unique feature available nowhere else: a spell book, skull and raven figure.

Above images via Sideshow Collectibles.

Pituvision, a website specializing in keeping collectors up to date in collectible news, posted this video from their 2009 San Diego Comicon coverage. Featured is the Evil Queen premium format statue from Snow White along with Avatar's AMP Maquette.

Image and video via Pituvision

Altered art wedding hat ?

Morning peeps, hope you all had a good weekend. Apols I have not been round to visit for a few days, but time seem in short supply at the mo with so much activity and wedding preparation plus trying to get ahead with my DT work before I go.

So, where to start, an award from Lina, thank you so much Lina you are a great blog buddy, Top 5 place with this at ABC, thanks to you girls, a wedding fascinator with a crafty influence and a card for challenges.

First a special share for you today........'the' wedding hat, or to be precise fascinator........I love big hats but with waist length hair that I wear up most of the time, hats don't really sit atop too well. But I love feathers, so these top nots are right up my street and so elegant.

But you know me, there has to be a bit of crafting involved, oh yes, I do mean in the fascinator..... call it altered art. I did exactly the same with this wedding as our eldest son's last year, bought one outfit and then saw another.......I know, logic says take one back, but well I love silk which they both are plus the bolero jacket with the first is lovely so you know what happened........yes I now have two outfits.

This little number which I bought with the first outfit matched the second one as well, but I thought it needed a touch of lilac to match the hint running through the fabric of the second outfit so embarked on a bit of titivating. Some lilac feathers, silicone and dries clear glue from my craft room, and there you have it ready to go.

Lots of you have asked about the Matron of Honor's dress. Still missing four weeks on I'm afraid and with the wedding next week we have all accepted it's unlikely to turn up. So she has offered to try and find a replacement in Paris this week, but easier said than done as far as matching colour goes as the other four girls dresses are with us. On a positive note, my shoes are wearing in nicely and the bride and groom seem to have passed the stress barrier and come out the other side.

Now a card for this weeks Penny Black challenge which has the theme "Flowers" and Cupcake whose theme is "Blooming Charming" and Secret Crafter which would like to see "Metal" on projects (butterfly charm).

It gave the perfect chance to indulge in the new Kaiser DP freshly arrived at Stampalot this week along with some more Magnolia flowers which just happened to match perfectly. My main image is Penny Black 3976K acrobat, coloured with Copics and decoupaged with three layers. The sentiment is Hero Arts A4981. I punched the borders with Fiskars threading water and added lace, a butterfly charm, punched leaves, glitter and some cord.

Snow White Bouncers

Available for rental from Bounce Around in Auckland, New Zealand, this blow up Snow White Bouncer is hired out for kids birthday parties, school events and public functions. Cost per hire: $195.00 (NZD), 5 hour hire, extra time $50 per hour. Sorry no Adult Bouncy Castles available. Ages up to 5 years only.

Image via Bounce Around website

When this post was first started, it was because I'd stumbled upon this Snow White-themed bouncer above. I thought it was sort of unique, a one-of-a-kind deal, and probably not an official Disney licensed product. I was wrong...


Snow White Bouncer offered by Argo Production House in Hong Kong.
 

 Image via Argo Production House website

The Snow White Bouncy Castle is available for rental, £65 a day from Bounce Krazee. Located in High Wycombe, UK, they rent out inflatables in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Middlesex and Oxfordshire. This bouncer is available for ages up to 12 years old.

 Images via Bounce Krazee website

Bouncy Snow White,  £60.00 a day from Sasaquads in London, UK.

Image via Sasaquads website

Snow White Bouncer, £50 a day from Bump 'n' Jump in Hampshire, UK.

  Images via Bump 'n' Jump website

Snow White Jump-n-Slide, from Fun Play Inflatables in Bucharest, Romania.

 Image via Fun Play website

Snow White Bouncer, $95 a day from Candy the Happiest Clown in Miami, Florida.

Image via Candy Party Rental website

The Disney Princess Castle from Bounce Arena in the Hudson Valley of New York.

  Image via Bounce Arena website

The Disney Princess Combo, $250 a day from Awesome Party Inflatables in Tampa, Florida.

 Image via Awesome Party Inflatables website