Eternal City

Today sees us in the Eternal City, seeped in history where gladiators once fought to the death something Russel Crow knows a bit about. A few pennies into the famous fountain above will make sure you return, or so the saying goes.

Despite visiting this City many times there is always something new to see and I never tire or returning be it for a week or a day. It really is my favourite Capital City in the World.

On to challenges now, first Polkadoodles where the boss Nikky has set our challenge and wants us to make something generic that will work for a male or female. She also wants us to use at least two Polkadoodle products on our project.

So I have made a word book spelling BIRTHDAY which I created on the Cricut using the DS and Plantin Schoolbook cartridge. I selected coordinating papers from Candy Doodles CD.........I just love this lime and black combo. I stamped the ladybird trail from the unmounted stamp set several times, cut into strips and ran them across the bottom of each page.

The greeting on the front is from the new Paper Boutique Christmas CD, I used the Zutter to create a spine and tied it with cord and raffia.........I am really pleased with myself as I just knew this lovely lime coloured raffia from the wrapping on some flowers months ago would come in useful one day.

Next candy clue is tomorrow...........half way there now.

1982 Snow White Trading Cards

Manufactured by Treat Hobby Products, Inc., this set of 18 Snow White cards from 1982 was actually the fifth subset of a Disney-themed character card series. All five subsets contained 18 cards which made for a total set of 90 cards. The other four consisted of #1 Mickey Mouse, #2 Donald Duck, #3 Bambi, and #4 Goofy.

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Images from personal collection.

 

Original package images courtesy of TokyoMagic! Used with permission.

View more of Tokyo's collection at Meet the World.

A spot of footie

A typical sight in Les Ramblas

You don't have to be a footie fanatic to guess this one, just put Nou Camp into Google and it will tell you which City we are in today.

I would really love to go to a game there, but it's out of season so I won't be lucky this trip, but there is plenty to see in this beautiful City including Gaudi's unfinished work, the Sagrada Família below and all the local colour of Les Ramblas.

Tonight it's onwards to Italy for Friday and my favourite Capital City in the World when I'll have another clue for you.

Monkeys on a Rock

British Policemen, Monsoon and Marks and Sparks on a huge rock and only a few miles from the African coast, oh and Duty Free and a colony of famous monkeys. It's a day to meet up with a blogging friend living in the Mediterranean sun. Where could we be today, easy peasy.

Details of what you need to do to win the candy at the top of my blog.

Tune back in tomorrow to guess our next stop in the sunshine.

Superhero Princess

Brodie H. Brockie, illustrator, writer and Jungle Cruise adventurer, recently designed these fan art 'faux comic book covers' which he has entitled the "Princesses of Power" series.

From his site...

The task I set for myself was this: redesigning the Disney princesses as superheroes, keeping the familiar elements of their costumes along the way. The additional guideline I gave myself was to try to imagine the costumes as they might've been created around the same time they had initially been designed for their animated features (meaning Snow White should look like a character from the 30s, Cinderella from the 50s, etc).

...journey back to 1937 to meet the princess who's changing what it means to be "the fairest one of all": the sensational Snow White!

All images copyright Brodie H. Brockie. Used with permission.

Learn more and see all of Brodie's "Princesses of Power" comic book covers on his blog.

Bridges and Statues

Your next clue in the candy run.......details of how to enter at the top of my blog.......is to guess the City we will be visiting as we pass under the bridge in the picture above.

It's one of the largest suspension bridges in the World and spans the Tagus River, it is an almost carbon copy of the Golden Gate Bridge. Alongside it is The Statue of Christ Cristo Rei, a replica of the Statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado in Rio de Janiero. Now this one is really easy isn't it ?

We've been here lots of times so this year we will probably stay on the boat and take in the rays on our balcony, with the obligatory glass or two of something of course.

Another day at sea tomorrow so the next clue with be on Wednesday 28th when we will be getting all Colonial......there might be an advance clue there ?

Elisabetta Canalis As Snow White

According to The Hollywood Gossip, back in 2007, Italian model and actress Elisabetta Canalis was seen dressed like Snow White for an outdoor photo shoot. Why? The online gossip site never got the details.

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Elisabetta Canalis image via The Hollywood Gossip

Spanish clues and a baby card

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela de Vigo

Happy Saturday everyone and as promised, here is the first of the clues for those of you who want to try your hand at winning one of my candy selections......four of them on offer and details of how to enter in the post at the top of my blog.

This first one is a bit tough, but I promise you they get easier, this place was a very difficult one to find clues for. It's a Spanish coastal City on the tip of Northern Spain but just a few miles for Portugal's Atlantic coast, beginning with 'V' ending in 'O' - it's the largest City in Galicia with a population of 300,000 and is the site if the magnificent cathedral pictured above........the clues in the name !

Now onto Allsorts new challenge which has been set by the lovely Amanda this week and she would like to see cards for a baby or child.

Before I tell you about my card, don't forget there is still a few days left to join in our brand new monthly challenge Penny Black at Allsorts where the theme this month is A Burst of Summer Colour.

I have gone Penny Black again, but the stamp is from an unmounted set and I have lost the code I am afraid, but I am pretty sure it is still available as a wood mounted stamp if not in the unmounted set.

I coloured the image with Copics, added a border punched with Martha Stewart embossed scallop from a piece of DP from stash, a couple of stamped butterflies and a computer generated greeting.

Your next candy clue will be on Monday 26th as we are at sea tomorrow.

Let Them Eat Cake...Snow White Cake

Snow White cakes! Sponge cakes, chocolate cakes, and sugar-molded figures from around the world...who knew?

Image copyright Carol Linden, Brazil. Used with permission.

Copyright Snooky Doodle Cakes, Malta.

 Copyright Sugarlicious in the UK.

Chocolate Magic Mirror, copyright Toppers Cake Company, Ogden, Utah, US. Used with permission.

 Sugar-molded Snow White (not a doll), copyright Dragonsanddaffodils, South Wales, UK.

Copyright Courtney Clark at CakeNouveau, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US.

Copyright NeedACake, Berkshire UK.

Figure sculpted from pastillage and gumpaste by Marcela Sanchez from Brazil. Image copyright kelannfuller. Used with permission.

De Jas Vous

Hello everyone, another quick share. Dare I say that the packing is no further forward than yesterday, lots of little piles scattered across the dressing room but that's about it.

Sods law we have been really busy at work and it was nine before I finished last night and this morning had been earmarked to take Anysia to college to see the one and only Mary King do a fantastic masterclass......it's not every day you get to see an Olympic multi gold medal winner in the flesh and for Anysia who has only just got the OK from the hospital to start gentle riding again, it was a not to be missed occasion.

Hands up that my card may well yell de jas vous at lots of you, but I had the image all coloured up so went with it. But the colours are different from yesterdays card, so I figure that counts as different enough.

The image is one of the lovely Sweet Pea stamps.......I had a little delivery this morning, part the prize I won from Crafts and Me plus one or two I 'needed', but stamping them up will have to wait until after our hols. Finding Crafts and Me led me to their challenge which is new to me, they have a great sketch this week which I followed for my card.

The image is coloured with Copics, the DP Basic Grey, borders punched with Martha Stewart garden trellis and the peach rose is Magnolia. Liberal helpings of glitter and another rather too speedy card, but needs must and packing is essential else I shall end up with half of what I need never making it to the boat.

My card is for the following challenges:

Crafts and Me - Sketch

Belli Challenge - Something that moves (fairies wings)

Creative Cottage - Touchy Feely, texture, ribbons, flowers

Wild Flower Patch - Lace and Sparkle

Don't forget that I have a very special post scheduled for Friday, a little treat for you all when I am away.

Snow White - An Enchanting Musical (part IV)

Continued from previous post...

When Snow White: An Enchanting Musical opened in 2004, it received mixed reviews. Many guests thoroughly enjoyed the presentation, while others, hoping for a Broadway caliber production claimed it fell a little short. Yet, for a theme park performance, it was certainly a cut above the norm. From sets and costumes to action and effects, Disney spared no expense and it showed.

The musical [went] on hiatus for 2005 but returned for...its last season in 2006. It's final performance was the Labor Day weekend of (September 4) 2006. Source: filmfreak11

SNOW WHITE CURTAIN CALL, Photo by Ken Howard, 2.7.2004. 
High Res images via Disney and More. Copyright Disney.

The story concludes with Part IV: The Evil Queen transforms into the Old Witch and concocts the poison apple. She slips away to the Dwarfs cottage where Snow White succumbs to her deception. The forest animals alert the Dwarfs and they give chase after the Witch until she comes to a dramatic end. Finally, the Prince finds Snow White asleep and awakens her with love's first kiss.

... (more info)  

Video posted by filmfreak11

On September 15, 2007, Disneyland held what they called the "Dream Sale". Unused items from the park were sold off to collectors and fans. One of those items (pictured below) was the sign from the Snow White: An Enchanting Musical that once hung above the entrance to the Fantasyland Theatre.

Image copyright Ablirien. Used with permission.

Busy packing and a bit of craft

How is everyone, enjoying this weather I hope.......we never did get any volume of the rain we were promised here in the Fens so the paddocks are still parched and the garden looks pretty sorry for itself.

The last few days have flown by, a bit of crafting, a lot of work in the office and a tiny bit of packing sums it up really. But this time next week I should be lazing in the sun, glass in hand. As I told you last week I have a surprise or two lined up for you when I am away so don't forget to keep your eyes peeled on Friday to see what's in store.

I have a card for a challenge or two, it was the perfect opportunity to colour up one of the lovely images my buddy Sarah sent me using one of the beautiful Sweet Pea images. I coloured with Copics, used Kaiser DP and created the easel card on the Cricut DS. The border is punched with Martha Stewart eyelet lace, some lace, gems and roses and the obligatory liberal helping of glitter to the fairy and flower and there you have it. A really quick and easy card thanks to Sarah.

Cupcake Challenge - Cats and Dogs
Crafty Cardmakers - Easel card

Craft Den - Sparkle and Shine

Snow White - An Enchanting Musical (part III)

The folks over at MousePlanet are to be commended for their coverage of the events surrounding the 2004 Disneyland opening of Snow White: An Enchanting Musical. They not only documented opening night, but covered other related things such as the remodel of the Troubadour Treats snack bar into the Enchanted Cottage. Located at the Fantasyland Theater, the snack bar sported a new carved-wood facade and served Snow White-themed food in collectible souvenir containers.

Above: Enchanted Cottage snack bar; Below: Souvenir popcorn container and coffee mug.

Both images via MousePlanet. Photographed by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

The story continues with Part III:

After washing up, the dwarfs enjoy Snow White's dinner. A celebration and bedtime story follows. As the dwarfs and Snow White sleep, the Magic Mirror informs the Evil Queen of the Huntsman's failure to kill the princess. Source: filmfreak11

Video posted by filmfreak11

 Go back to Part II or continued onto Part IV... 

Snow White - An Enchanting Musical (part II)

As part of the grand opening of Snow White: An Enchanting Musical, special commemorative buttons were given out to Disneyland Annual Passholders during the three special preview dates of February 23, 27, and 29th, 2004. In addition, two pins were produced, one to coincide with the Annual Passholder previews and the second a cast exclusive pin released on January 28, 2004 with the Cast Member preview.

Upper: Pin 28627 Snow White An Enchanting New Musical; Lower: Pin 28079 Snow White Cast Preview 2004 Pin, LE 1000. Both images copyright PinPics.

In Part II, the Prince leaves as the Evil Queen looks on in anger. She orders the Huntsman to kill Snow White, but he's unable to go through with it. He tells the Princess to run away and sends her off into the woods. Snow White ends up at an empty forest cottage and decides to clean it in hopes that she could stay. The Seven Dwarfs arrive home and after the initial shock of finding her there, they welcome Snow White. She makes them wash up before supper.

Video posted by filmfreak11

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High Res images via Disney and More. Copyright Disney. 

Go back to Part I or continue onto Part III...

Summer Days and Puppy Update

Before I tell you about our new challenge at Allsorts this week which is being hosted by Debs, a reminder about our new challenge Penny Black at Allsorts where there are three prizes on offer this month. If you have not already been over to the challenge blog please pop over and check out this months theme. And as well as the prizes on offer, one lucky person will be selected to join us as a Guest Designer for September.

This week Debs would like to see "Summer Days" depicted on your projects. So many options here, flowers, bright sunny days, the seaside, show us what it means to you.

An easel card from me, still a firm favourite. My main image is the super sweet Penny Black 4076K Gift of Flowers which I have coloured with Copics and decoupaged with three layers. The DP is Magnolia and the border punched from bazzil cardstock using Martha Steward garden trellis. The leaves in the corner are a sizzix die run through the Big Shot and some flower added. A couple of tags with Rubber Tapestry sentiments stamped on them, some cord and Magnolia gem leaves on the bottom.

This card is also for the following challenges:

Charisma - Pink

Project Tuesday - Easel card

Karens Doodles UK - Shaped card

For Fun Challenge - Favourite colouring technique

Stampman - Anything goes

Crafty Calendar - Summer

By the Cute and Girly - Warm summer days

And at Polkadoodles there is some exciting news that we will be announcing on Friday 23rd July about our totally fantastic competition we are hosting...we have some fantastic prizes in conjunction with a leading UK manufacturer, so make sure you check it out, you really will not want to miss out.

And this weeks theme has been set by Lou who wants us to use the Fairy Flutterby stamps to create our whole project, not even and papers. This is the sort of card I love making and started by creating a resist background with butterfly and flower stamps from Meechele Fairy Flutterby set using distress inks. The main image is Fairy Flutterby Gracie, coloured with Copics and decoupaged, Martha Stewart border and corner, flowers and pearls to embellish.

This is also my entry for the following challenges:

Flutterby Wednesday - three layers (fairy has three and butterflies on background)

C.R.A.F.T - Children

STampavie - Anything goes

Creatalicious - 3D (fairy)

And finally another peek at our new babies, Lily using Daisy as a pillow. Almost four weeks old in this picture and we collect them on 14th August after our holiday when they will be eight weeks old.

Snow White - An Enchanting Musical (part I)

With great expectations, Snow White: An Enchanting Musical opened at Disneyland's Fantasyland Theater on February 23, 2004. Sets and costumes were elaborate, Patrick Stewart had been hired to record the voice of the Magic Mirror, and it looked as though hopes were high that this would be a long running performance.

Image copyright mouseplanet.com

Image via LaughingPlace.com. Copyright Doug Marsh, 2004.

Image via AllEars.net. Copyright L.Gilbreath.

As part of the media celebration leading up to the debut of the show, the Snow White and the Seven Dwarf characters participated in a handprint ceremony in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. See more images at MousePlanet.com.

Image dated February, 5 2004. Copyright Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Here's a Disney commercial promoting the musical:

Video posted by dlrpkris

Image copyright mouseplanet.com

Opening night was by invitation only. Michael Eisner, the then chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company introduced the musical to an audience of celebrity VIPs and media as well as the parents of children who partook in the premiere festivities. Read the opening night play-by-play and review over at MousePlanet.


While the musical is no longer running, we can take a peek back in time thanks to youtuber filmfreak11 who has uploaded it in four segments. Here is Part I:

The Magic Mirror acts as the narrator to our story of Snow White. The seven dwarfs pass by as the Evil Queen looks over Snow White and her animal friends. A handsome prince overhears Snow White's song and sings to her. Source: filmfreak11

 

Video posted by filmfreak11

Image copyright JayPeeBee.Used with permission.

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 High Res images via Disney and More. Copyright Disney. 

Disney's Snow White -- An Enchanting Musical
Presented by the Walt Disney Co.

--

Credits:
Producer: Michael E. Williams
Director: Eric Schaeffer
Choreographer: Karma Camp
Set designer: Tom Butsch
Costume designer: Ellen McCartney
Lighting designer: Paulie Jenkins
Sound designer: Francois Bergeron
--
Cast:
Snow White: Anne Warren
Prince: Stuart Ambrose
Queen: Elizabeth Ward Land
Hag: Lisa Wolpe
The Seven Dwarfs: Vince Trani, Justin Robertson, Glenn Turner, Reggie DeLeon, Noah Rivera, Joey Minnich, Paul Pakler

Continued in next post...