michelle ward

11.22.17

Happy Birthday to my favorite rock star, turning 41 today.  We got to see him perform with his band twice last week, in Philly and NYC, on their farewell tour.  Yes, farewell.  It was glorious, yet heartbreaking.  Feeling so lucky to have had this era of HIM.  We will always be LOVE METAL fans and hope we will hear from each of them in the future.  Here's a link to my favorite track, from the PA show:  HERE

 

 

On this day, twenty years ago, we lost Michael Hutchence from INXS, who was another crush.  Can't believe it's been that long. Thankfully the music lives on forever, as well as many memories of seeing them live.  One of my faves: HERE

 

And sadly, I'm sure you've heard, yesterday we lost David Cassidy.  He was my first rock star crush.  Below is from a post I made in 2010 when he turned 60.  Again, the music lives on....

 

 

Old Faithful - TAGS

The July/August issue of Somerset Studio just arrived.  Below is a sneak peek of my article. Who doesn't love tags?  I consider them to be perfect platform for all kinds of creativity and have been using them for over twenty-five years, therefore I call tags "Old Faithful". The entire magazine is full of them as that was their selected theme.  Lots of good stuff.

 

In May/June I was lucky to be featured in Cloth Paper Scissors with my new Grid Iron stamps.  More tags!  Thanks Jeannine for the opportunity to show off the new rubber.

 

And speaking of faithful....you know I'm a die-hard HIM fan.  They have announced their farewell tour. *sad face*  Just got my tickets today - to two shows.  *happy face*  Wouldn't it be nice if the threat of a farewell tour was similar to other bands who have claimed the same, but continue to hit the road?  If not, we can always hope for solo projects from the beloved members.  

feeling Spring...and singing with Freddie

I've been working on some accordion folded songbooks.  I will show more detail at a later time as they are for an upcoming article. Filled with lyrics and inspired by music, these are fun self-imposed assignments to keep practicing making art.  Just as musicians need to continually pick up their instruments, artists should stay plugged in and work as often as possible.  Turning up the volume in the studio gets me motivated, as does the gorgeous Spring-like weather we've enjoyed recently.  This is a new color palette for me - first time buying purple paint!  

Bohemian Rhapsody is a new class I will be offering with The Ink Pad in New York City on Saturday, June 20th.  Visit their site for details on registration, www.TheInkPadNYC.com or call 212-463-9876.  Hope you'll join me for some fun with music, paper, and paint!

 

 

 

getting back in the groove

We're back from a nice long road trip to and from Minnesota.  We had an action packed time - visiting with family and friends, time with Grandma, my parents, my brother and his family, my brother-in-law, some cousins, days by the lake at the cabin, a few views of the Olympics, and a 30th class reunion.  Lots of memories made in the sun.  Love the time with Graham and the kids on the drive.  We listen to comedy, our playlists, and the radio.  "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye has become a fave, heard often during the 20-something hours it takes to get to the midwest.  Just learned about this video - amazingly clever.  Take a look:

 

 

And I'm sure you've become addicted like me to the darling Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe".  How can you sit still when this one comes on?  Some great youtube finds with that track....this is my fave, with Jimmy Fallon:

 

 

It was great to be away, but great to be home too.  I'm getting back in the groove - lots to catch up on, like laundry and emails!  Workshop proposals for next year's CREATE are due Friday, yikes!  Thanks for all the comments on the post below which I had scheduled while I was away.  It means alot to hear your words of friendship.

christmas music

My favorite...Stevie Nicks and Robbie Nevil....sing Silent Night....I have it on the album Very Special Christmas, but never saw this live performance until tonight.  Followed by Band-aid...another favorite.

 

happy 4th!

 

From my favorite American Idol, James Durbin, before he was a contestant.  Not slick, not even in focus...but remarkable, and so him.  Wishing a safe and happy day to you.

 

  

home sweet home

As I type this they are torturing us on American Idol....someone is going home.  I hate this part.  Crossing fingers James and Lauren sail through.  (Edit:  they made it!)  We know that no matter who leaves tonight, being let go doesn't mean the door is closed.  Like this guy....he didn't win A.I., but he did win many hearts, especially with this song.  It is one that Shannon and I loved together....tender memories arise with just the first few notes.

 

 

 

The new crusade is up over on the Street Team blog....part of the Evidence Series.  Documenting your home.  I had it in the line-up for this year well before the revisiting of the house books.  But HCIT to be synchronized in this way? 

 

COME PLAY!

More house kits will be listed on Etsy next week.  I'm busy sorting and cutting!  Thanks for your continued interest.  It's been really fun. 

SING!!

From one of our favorite bands, My Chemical Romance, at www.SingItForJapan.com:

Dozens of musicians donated their time and talent to help bring this song to life.  To complete the video, thousands of fans across the world submitted video, artwork, and pictures to show their love and support.

Using classic Japanese themes in the orchestration, we hope we have honored and paid tribute to the people of Japan. All of our proceeds from the sale of this recording goes directly to the American Red Cross.

Listen.  Download.  Contribute.  SING. 

 

 

WARNING:  the song will stick in your head for days...which is a good thing because as you sing it to yourself you will influence those around you to join in and download.  (Think you've heard this song before?  It was featured on Glee and has been used in American Idol promotions). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in case you missed these.....

EDIT:  the videos are no longer available so I have removed them.  Click on over to youtube to look them up.

 

My two favorites so far from American Idol.  Chris Medina and Lauren Alaina.  Great stories.  Their performances gave me Goosebumps!   How COOL was that?  Singing with Steven.  OMG.  Great stuff....love when you get teary eyed seeing someone rock their dreams!!!

tuesday scraps

It's that time...purging clutter and clippings.  Use it or shake it off.  Used the scraps on my table today to make the RT pages.  I enjoy being a packrat.  It means I see potential in everything - the smallest thing can be used on a journal page.  But it's a gorgeous day and I'm energized to reorganize and pitch!

Did you know David Cassidy turned 60 last week?  In fond remembrance I blasted some old tunes in the studio.

 

 
 

the report

It was a glorious day!  We arrived in Deptford and took our place in line.  Hundreds of fans were there and we met up with our friends, and many new ones.  I have been to signings and meet & greets before, but this one was run tight and strict, and very fast.  Fallon was a wreck as we inched closer.  They had several check points where they held you back so you couldn't really even see the band until you were standing right in front of them.  We had prepared gifts but they were swiftly wisked away by some record exec. but we got to tell them about it.  I practically shreiked "but I made them Toe Tags".  We thanked them for this opportunity and had our items signed (had to sweet talk the exec. to let us go with unconventional surfaces, a tshirt and a journal).  I explained what my journal was and they took a look and thought it was really clever.  *grin*

 

So there is a song on the new album called Acoustic Funeral.  (It was actually playing in the store during the signing!!)  You can hear Ville explain the song HERE.   You can hear the song HERE.   (Very pretty, take a listen).  The chorus is this....

 
Epiphany!  Toe Tags!  We also brought a book, a Black Sabbath dvd, and some cool socks.  (they say they always lose socks on tour)  I mentioned we had given him the collections of grave dirt and he said the bottles are all lined up on his mantel at home!  And they thought my HIMnal was cool.   Can't wait for them to get a good look at the Toe Tags.  *faints*

They didn't allow photographs....but I got this one of Fallon with their manager, Seppo.  And the others are courtesy of Hot Topic.

 

 

What a blast we had!  So fun to see our favorite band again.  They were all so charming and nice, and really tuned into you when you spoke with them.  Great to hang with Bill, Laure, Mark, Suzanne, Cindi, and Cherie.  Had to go out for a fun meal to decompress together....

 

Next up:  concert tonight!  *blows kisses*

cheers and screams

Yay New Orlean Saints!  My victory spread in the ruby tuesday journal.  *cheers*

New music Tuesday means HIM!  Got my digital download at midnight (came with concert ticket purchase) and my special edition cd and numbered screen print arrived today.  I have my teeshirt and my promo posters and I am ready to canvas New Jersey for the HIM Street Team.   *screams*

 

Screen prints made by Mike and Bob at TwoRabbitsStudios.com.

PSA: TOUR NEWS

I told you I would tell you as soon as I knew something......this was announced earlier today!

*faints*

PSA*: one month to go....

...until the new HIM album is released.  You've pre-ordered your copy haven't you?  See Heartagram.com for the Special Edition details.  New video for Heartkiller, the first single:

 

Heartkiller

HIM | MySpace Music Videos

*PSA (Public Service Announcement):  from time to time there are just some things you need to know.  A new HIM album definitely counts as information I am happy to bring you.  There will be a tour following the release of the album....I will be on the case and will let you know the U.S. tour schedule as soon as I learn the details.  And for my overseas friends who get to see them before me....wish I was there, behave yourselves ;) 

mark your calendars

Album release date:  February 9, 2010.  *squeeee*

Get your calendar HERE.

thank you kevin

sometimes you just need a good cry.  this very dear performance last night did it for me.  thank you kevin for going out on a limb to share your talent.  wishing you much success.

the things we do....because of a crush

I'm not talking just about what a crush makes us do for ourselves....I'm talking about what someone else's crush makes us do.....for them. 

Like say for instance, I have a crush on caution tape.  My kids, and my friends, know I like to collect tape.  I have some great stories about tape - but one of the best ones was posted HERE, when my friend Penny had her son (who was visiting Greece), get me some foreign language tape...and then she made me a cool piece of art with it.  She KNEW I would go wild.....because she KNOWS I have a crush on tape, and because IT'S FUN when you know that about someone, and can get them stuff that will make them swoon. 

Above is my tape drawer, filled with some of my own finds, and some items that were gifted from friends.  Below are some of recent related scores....Halloween tape, found at my grocery store.  And how about those bandages????  H.C.I.T.?

And just today, I got to be a CRUSH-ENABLER.  Our son Peter is a huge gamer, and has been waiting for Halo3 since we pre-ordered it months ago.  It was released today!  So I got to run over and have it for him when he got out of school.  Nothing better than making someone happy with something you know they'll love.

Crush-enabling for myself:  Paul Potts.  I wrote about him earlier this year but in case you forgot, he's the gentleman who won Britain's Got Talent.  Because I watched this video clip nearly 100 times, and each time I got goosebumps, I had to have the album.  (Bought it today!)  Jolene remembered my post and reminded me to GET THE ALBUM.  She knew I was crushing on Paul.....so her little note was such a sweet crush-enabler.  Her thoughtfulness made my day - but she never would have been able to share that glee with me if I hadn't made that post.  It's a good thing to share your crushes, big or little.

EDIT:  I took out the embedded video of Paul Potts because it was screwing up viewing for some people.  (Thanks for the heads up Lisa). 

I could fill a month of blog posts if I shared everything that's been shared with me as a result of admitting a crush.  Like how about this from Judy, and this just in from Flo last week. 

Last year, some friends and I prepared a gift for a crush of ours.  It was a big hit because we know his crushes and knew he needed this, even if he didn't know it yet.  It even got mentioned by this person in a magazine as a favorite fan-gift.  I'd like to be able to add to the collection of grave dirt we started.  I already have one new thing to give him (dirt gathered by Maj in Denmark!).....just need a few more.  So, if you can help me out with this I will be forever grateful and will offer you something in trade. 

I will post details about this request tomorrow (or later tonight).  Yes, I admit I am crazy.  But it's a good crazy.

Know what your friends crushes are?  Start making a list of things you can get them because CRUSH-ENABLING is just as much fun as crushing!  Am I right???

Belated Wishes!!!!

<

What Dad takes an 8 year old to see a concert?  A Dad that knows he's got a rabid fangirl in the house and he'll get to see her flip out with the purest enthusiasm a full heart can express.  Then when she's 13 he'll take her and a group of friends to see another concert (KISS).  Now that I'm a parent I can comprehend why my father was willing to escort me to these dreamy events.  Creating memories, powerful ones.

I'm certain I had no idea David Cassidy was coming to town - I was only 8.  Dad must have read it in the paper and knew I'd get a kick out of it.  To put the fangirl scenario into perspective for you - I would play my albums on my bright orange close-and-play record player continuously.  My friends and I would lip-sync to the Partridge Family for the neighbors who had to PAY to see us perform in our garage.  (So that's where garage bands came from!)  I even had a faux microphone stand made from a t-ball "t" with my twirling baton stuck in it.  Occassionally I would use a screwdriver as a mic with a piece of yarn dangling....because remember, all mics had cords and it was cool to do stuff with the cord while singing.  Oh yeah, I had all the moves.  And I had the hair-cut....shagged out just like his so I got to be Keith.  Hair, check.  Mic stand, check.  Bell bottoms with hip-hugger waste and big belt, check.  Lip-sync, check.  (Hang on....a girl playing Keith Partridge?  I was proud to do it...I knew all the words.)  And Friday nights?  In front of the tv watching the show, of course.

Still love ya David.  Can you stand it?  Brown Eyes on YouTube.  There are more clips....dig around.  Swoon.