Handmade Patchwork Style Zippered Pouch

For this cute little patchwork pouch, I dove into my stash of Heather Bailey and Sandi Henderson fabrics. These are bright prints and really fun to work with.

I know I should really invest in some cute metal zippers, but I'm leery because I'm so used to sewing with nylon zippers. The metal parts scare me, and I worry about having bulky seams.

This pouch is now available in myEtsy Shop.

New Listings On Pink Lady Designs

Bucket Bag Thyme Orchid Ginseng by Joel Dewberry

Shoulder Bag Pleated Purse Dawn Tulip Outside Oslo

Cosmetic Zipper Pouch Moira in Catalina Lotta Jansdotter

Bucket Bag Royal Garden in Clay Amy Butler Belle

Birthday Month!

Guess who's birthday it is?

NO! Not Maximilian. Isn't he too cute?

It is my daughter's 15th birthday!
I can't believe she is 15 and a freshman in high school.
She grew a lot this year and is still not comfortable standing
at her full height - which is officially 5 feet 9 1/2 inches.
And she's only 119 pounds. Gah! I feel short and dumpy next to her. LOL

We have a long standing tradition of going out to eat - she always chooses
the same place and has the same dish. This year was no exception.

All of her presents had to do with One Direction. (She's slightly obsessed...)
I had to pre-order a 200 page picture book for her. And I pre-ordered a box set with the new CD that doesn't come out until November. We also got her a white 1D t-shirt and a black 1D t-shirt. Yeah, she has cool parents.

Next year - turning 16 - should be loads of fun. Really looking forward to that!

American Idol Finale 2012

I knew my votes would end up being really important. My Phillip is still around. At this point though, I don't even know if winning would be a good thing for him.

Anywho, tonight will hopefully be good. I can't say it will be exciting because I just don't see that happening.

What will Phillip and Jessica sing for us? 3 songs each, right? The original song they will be forced to sing will suck ass, so I can't hold that against either of them. I think Jessica is going to go with a big vocal - Whitney or Mariah or some such nonsense.

I hope Phillip chooses one of his latter songs with the amazing vocals such as “Volcano” by Damien Rice. I also liked his version of "Beggin" and "You Got It Bad". I just hope he feels good enough to give us a good performance one last time.

Do the producers get to pick a song? Ugh, not looking forward to that at all.

I'll be burning up those phone lines after the show tonight. Gotta make my votes count.

I also need to point out that Phillip is among my top picks from the beginning. And he's my favorite along with Colton Dixon who left way too early.

American Idol Top 4

I can't believe we are down to the Top 4 already. Needless to say, I was quite upset when Colton left. I only cried a LOT little. My daughter only made fun of me a little LOT. But I'm okay now. < sniff > Doing better every day.

And loving Phillip more than ever. Last week wasn't so good performance wise. I was just thankful that my million few votes counted (or did they?) and he was safe.

But this week? Oh holy hell I loved his second song, Volcano. That was Phillip's BEST performance so far. Did you see it? Do you want to see it again? Here it is in all it's glorious hotness.....



I really liked the whole setup they had going on with just Phillip and his guitar and the cello and the singer... just perfect! Even better than the original version.



Again this week we had some funky duets. With 2 guys and 2 girls left you would think they could manage 2 boy/girl duets. But no, let's make this as weird as possible and pair up the boys...... last week it was just so so very wrong. But this week I enjoyed Phillip and Joshua singing This Love. They sounded pretty good, and it was very funny and slightly entertaining.

But the funniest moment of the night was Phillip and Joshua on the 'swings' after Hollie and Jessica performed. Hilarious!



Cut to Julian Lennon in the house!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved Julian Lennon back in the day..... Well, you know, a long long time ago when he had records out and songs on the radio and my best friend and I went to see him in concert. Cuz you know that what the closest I was ever going to get to seeing The Beatles, so yeah.

American Idol Top 7

I can't believe we will be down to 6 contestants after tonight's results. Speaking of results, my best guess for who is going home this week is Hollie. I really like her, but she's not showing any improvement. She is not comfortable on stage and therefore is not able to perform at the same level as the other contestants.

Bottom 3 is hard to pick this week. Definitely Hollie. Maybe Skylar. Hopefully Elise since I am not feeling her at all. The only performance of hers that I liked was 2 weeks ago. She seems to have too many different sounds coming out of her mouth during each song - I can't tell which is her normal singing voice.

Last night's performances were all pretty good. I liked Colton, but I didn't love him like I usually do. His voice is amazing and I would totally buy his album when it comes out (because I expect him to have a real singing career.) I'd love to hear more of his original stuff.

I liked Phillip, but I didn't lurve him. But I want to lurve him. I NEED to lurve him. I like when he sings more and growls less - his voice is quite nice. I liked his part of the duet with Elise. He sounded pretty good.

Skylar was pretty good. I can actually see her having a career in country music. She'd do well I think.

I'm glad Joshua sang an upbeat song. It was alright.

Jessica was alright too. I don't know if I liked her 'performance' since she seemed to be playing acting instead of just singing.

Skylar Laine, "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You"
Colton Dixon, "Love the Way You Lie"
Jessica Sanchez, "Stuttering"
Joshua Ledet, "Runaway Baby"
Hollie Cavanagh, "Perfect"
Phillip Phillips, "Give a Little More"
Elise Testone, "You and I"

I am excited to see James Durbin tonight!!

Outside Oslo

Outside Oslo fabric sightings on Etsy featured at How About Orange.

That is my wristlet in the photo.

You can get the fabric at The Needle Shop on Etsy.

American Idol

So I have been slacking on my AI posts. I've been busy doing other things.

Last week, Erika, Heejun and DeAndre were in the bottom three. Sadly Erika went home. I didn't think she was the worst, she just didn't have a following.

Colton was awesome last week! I loved his version of The Piano Man.

I felt bad about Shannon Magrane 2 weeks ago. But she really should have chosen a better song, especially NOT a Mariah Carey song after she sucked at the Whitney song the week before. Girl should have known better. And I really liked her audition and the early rounds.

It's down to the Top 9. They are singing songs of their idols, so you know somebody is going to choose something they shouldn't have!

American Idol Top 13 Performances

Joshua Ledet - I thought this was alright. The singing was good, I'm just not a fan.

Elise Testone - She was not feeling this song, and it showed. I thought it was terrible.

Jermaine Jones - He looked nervous when the song started, but he loosened up towards the end. I thought it was pretty good.

Erika Van Pelt - I didn't feel this was the best she could have done. Was she holding back for some reason?

Colton Dixon - Oh, I love Colton. No hiding that fact. And I loved this performance. It started off a little too soft, but he picked it up and I think he really did a good job.

Shannon Magrane - Aw. She lost it. The judges were harsh - she's only 16. I'm surprised she didn't cry when they went off on her, especially at the end. I know she'll cry tonight.

Deandre Brackensick - Thank God he pulled his hair back tonight. I liked this performance. I thought his voice sounded really good and he looked comfortable up there. (On a side note, I have been calling him 'Milli Vanilli' all season because of the hair flopping and the way he moves while singing. Last weekend, while visiting the parents, my brother and his wife came over and we started talking about AI this season. My sister-in-law and I both like Phil Phillips (of course) and my brother felt bad for Eben because he won't be able to try again next year after making it into the top 24 this year. Then out of the blue my brother asks "How do you like Milli Vanilli?" I laughed so hard because we were both calling him the same name!)

Skylar Laine - Country or not, she still has a really good voice. I liked this performance.

Heejun Han - I love his voice. This performance started weak and too soft, but I thought it got better towards the end. I like Heejun.

Hollie Cavanagh - This was a good performance. Her voice sounded really great.

Jeremy Rosado - Poor Jeremy. Why was Randy giving him a hard time? I didn't think this was his best performance, but it was better than the judges thought.

Jessica Sanchez - Wow. Too many runs even after Jimmy and Mary told her not too. Yes, in the end it was a good performance and I can't believe she pulled it off.

Phillip Phillips - I love him. I don't compare him to what's his name... Dave Matthews because I'm not a fan of Dave Matthews so I have nothing to compare Phil to. But I like Phil. A little too growly sometimes, and I prefer when he actually SINGS. But I love him, and I love watching him perform.

So my pick for the bottom - well, they are doing it different this year with the lowest boy and the lowest girl, and letting the judges decide. So I will say Shannon based on performance alone. I don't know what kind of fan following she has. Elise didn't do too well either, so it may be her.

On the boy side, this is hard, but I say Jeremy. I like Jeremy, I just don't know if he has a bigger following than he had last week. And if the judges get rid of a boy, then it evens out the competition.

Totally safe this week - Phillip Phillips, Colton Dixon, Jessica Sanchez, Hollie Cavanagh, Heejun Han, Skylar Laine.

American Idol Top 25 Results Show

This is going to be a long night. We find out who made the Top 13 this year.

Jeremy Rosado, Chase Likens, and Philip Phillips are called up first. Well, this is either going to be really good or really bad... Come on and put me out of my misery..... oh I feel sick. Jeremy, Chase, and Philip are nervous. Jeremy did not make the top 10. Chase did not make the top 10. Wait - WhooHoo WhooHoo WhooHoo Philip made the top 10 baby! Woot woot woot woot.

Jessica, Hollie, Hallie, Brielle are called forward. Recaps. Brielle did not make the top 10. Hallie did not make it. Jessica and Holly made it. Good, they deserve it.

Back to the boys. Adam, Heejun, and Joshua. Joshua made the top 10. Heejun is in the top 10. Yay. Sorry for Adam and his big black woman that is trapped inside.

More girls. Bailey, Chelsea, Skyler, Shannen. Recaps. Shannen is in the top 10. Yay. Skyler is in the top 10! Bailey and Chelsea hit the couch.

Aaron, Creighton, and Reed are called forward. Aaron did not make the top 10. Creighton did not make the top 10. Reed is not in the top 10 either. That was cruel!!!

Elise, Erica, Hayley, Jenn are called down. Hayley did not make it. Erica did not make it. Aw. Elise made the top 10. Jenn goes to the couch.

De'Andre, Eben, Colton, and Jermaine are called down. De'Andre is not in the top 10. Colton is in the top 10! Ryan continues being cruel with the tease. Oh man. Jermaine made the top 10. Eben sits on the couch.

Jenn Hirsch sings for a wild card spot. Jeremy Rosado sings next. He makes Jennifer cry, then he cries too. Brielle gets picked to sing. Steven and Randy go off on her performance. Next is De'Andre. Singing Georgia again. The judges like it. Erica gets called up. Singing Gaga. Jennifer is crying again, Steven and Randy like it. Last is Reed. Wow. 'Different' is the nice way to say what the judges thought.

We're back with the picks. Randy picks Erica Van Pelt. Good for her. Jennifer picks Jeremy Rosado, who breaks down and cries. Aw. Steven picks De'Andre and his hair!

Next week the boys will sing Stevie Wonder and the girls will sing Whitney Houston.

American Idol Top 25 Performances

This week AI goes from the top 25 down to the top 13. I was way off on my pick of who the judges would bring back on the boys side. I still like Jermaine, I just don't think AI is right for him.

It's way too hard to pick who will be in the top 5 for the boys. I'll just tell who I liked and who I didn't.

The boys:

Reed Grimm - I still think he's too showy and Broadway-esque for AI.

Adam Brock - Eh. I wasn't feeling it. I get it - he thinks he has a large black woman trapped inside him. It's not Aretha Franklin though.

DeAndre Brackensick - Cousin It!! I like when he mixes up his falsetto with his regular singing voice, so this didn't do anything for me.

Colton Dixon - Love him. I was hoping he would go far this year. The song choice was fine, but ink he went overboard with the performance. I hope (pray) he sticks around for a while.

Jeremy Rosado - He's very nice, kinda cute, and I like his voice. I didn't like the song choice, so.. I don't know.

Aaron Marcellus - It was alright.

Chase Likens - I like his voice but he picked the wrong song to show off his voice.

Creighton Fraker - I liked this. I'm not sure if he is AI material though.

Philip Phillips - Oh I like this guy. I want him to be around for a while. I liked his performance.

Eben Franckewitz - Wrong song choice. Really bad with weak vocals. That's too bad.

Heejun Han - I love him but this song didn't show off his vocals very well. He can sing so much better than this.

Joshua Ledet - This was a good performance. Great vocals.

Jermaine Jones - I like the big fella.

And the girls:

Chelsea Sorrell - Karaoke version of Cowboy Casanova. Yuk.

Erika Van Pelt - I like her performance. Wish she would have picked a different song. How many times was this song on AI last year? A lot.

Jen Hirsh - Eeks. Her voice sounded off. I didn't like this at all.

Brielle Von Hugel - It starts really weak. Then it's just okay. I don't know how much experience she has sitting of the dock of the bay since she's only 16...

Hallie Day - I wasn't feeling good after hearing this.

Skyler Laine - She's alright. Country rock chick. Got it.

Baylie Brown - Painful to hear. More painful to watch. Someone grab the hook and pull her off the stage!

Hollie Cavanagh - It's pretty good. Does she sing anything other than ballads? I still like her performance.

Haley Johnsen - Terrible version of Sweet Dreams. Egads terrible.

Shannon Magrane - Love her! Reminds me of Carrie Underwood. Great vocals on this performance. And it doesn't hurt that her dad used to be a Cardinal back in the day.

Jessica Sanchez - Damn that girl can sing. What vocal problems????

Elise Testone - It was alright. I thought her voice sounded a little off tonight.

2 amazingly long hours tonight. Couldn't they fit it in like a 30 minute show? That would give me 1 1/2 to do something - anything - else.

American Idol Top 24

American Idol Top 24 25

Who will the judges bring back? My thoughts:



Jermaine Jones - He's good, but his voice is suited more towards gospel, not American Idol.

Richie Law - Didn't we have a country boy win last year?

David Leathers, Jr. - He has potential. But his performances were all over the place. He may need more time to mature.

Johnny Keyser - Why did he leave in the first place? Especially since they never showed his final performance, which I thought was suspicious. So will they rip off the X Factor and bring him back only to have him win it all? If so, what a bunch of copycats! If he is the one to come back, I hope his attitude has improved. He was quite full of himself.

So who do you think will come back tonight?

American Idol Season 11

Have you been watching American Idol so far this season? I have!


I am so so very happy that Colton Dixon is back baby! Loved him last year and was sad to see him cut so early. Hopefully he sticks around this year. I think his sister Schyler is still around too...


LOVE Philip Phillips. (Why would you subject your child to the name Philip Phillips. And he's a Jr. It's baffling to me.) Hope he sticks around!




Shannon Magrane. I only have a few female contestants that I like and she is one of them.



And Heejun Han is hilarious! I love his voice, but his whole laid back attitude makes me love him even more.


My husband likes both Jen Hirsh and Lauren Gray.



I didn't care for Creighton Fraker at first. But I like him more after last nights performance.







Reed Grimm is alright.. but he's a little too show tuney for me. He has a big personality that is good for performing, but dude, you called your mommy last night and cried. Dude.


Eben Franckewitz (please don't compare him to Justin Bieber) has a good voice, but he might be too young to hang with the others.


Johnny Keyser looks like Jonathan Rhys Meyers! FYI - That is JRM on the left, Johnny on the right. I like Johnny Keyser's voice, but he needs to get ahold of himself. He's getting too big for his britches. That could be a huge downfall.


Notable Mention: Ethan Jones didn't make it past the first round in Hollywood.

12 Days of Christmas Contest WINNER

I finally have a winner of the $25.00 Gift Certificate to either my ArtFire Shop or my Etsy Shop. The kids had a snow day today, so my daughter scrolled through the blog comments and sales from Dec. 1 to Dec. 12. She made a numbered list for me and I used Random.org to pick the winner.

Congratulations to #17 - Redefining Normal. The winner has 72 hours to contact me to claim her prize or I will draw another winner. (There is no email address attached to your account, so I cannot email you!)

ArtFire Sale and New Items on Etsy

There is still time to get your orders shipped in time for Christmas! At least according to the USPS the last day to ship in time to arrive by Christmas is December 20. My last day for shipping will be Monday, December 19. All orders must be placed by Sunday, December 18.

I still have sale items in my ArtFire shop. Use coupon code CHRISTMAS20 to save an additional 20% Friday and Saturday only. I accept payments via PayPal and you do not have to create an ArtFire account to make a purchase.

I am still making and listing new items daily in my Etsy shop.