Archive for May, 2010

The winner of this weeks Giveaway from Cutting Edge Stencils is:

Comment #201!

DarciSue1

“Your no mantle mantle vase is perfect for the space. My first time to your site and I love everything. Definitely adding to my faves.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

House of Hepworths was featured on the following blogs this week!

Homemakin’ Decoratin’
Felt Like Knitting

Thank you!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I’ve been given the following awards this week:

Growing Your Grass Greener gave me:

Support Blog for Moms of Boys gave me:

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Thanks everyone for the fun week!

This is the follow up to
my post about all the famous people I met after the Finale.

I promise to not de-rail this craft blog anymore with American Idol updates after this last post.

At the beginning of this season I signed up for tickets to see a taping of American Idol. It’s not hard – you just fill out a little form on their website.

After that it was all just a crap-shoot. I had a friend tell me that she signed up for tickets several years ago and TWO YEARS later got an email telling her there were tickets available for her. So I figured I had no chance and just enjoyed watching the season on TV each week.

As the season drew to a close I gave up all hope of attending the show. Then last Friday I got an email from the show saying they had tickets available for me!! For the finale!!!!

What?! The finale?!?! Holy crappers, I’m still shocked. I quickly followed the instructions in the email and got my name on a voucher for tickets.

Once I read the voucher that was then emailed to me I started getting worried that in the end I still might not make it into the theater.

“This voucher ensures that you are allowed to come down to the taping and be admitted on a first-come, first -served basis.
Admittance is not guaranteed. … We will take in as many audience members as possible from the front of the line after we have accommodated special guests or groups.”

Also it said on the voucher to arrive NO LATER than 2pm, so we figured we’d better get in line early to ensure we received our tickets.

We were going to bring our kids with us, but the voucher also said no kids under 12 were allowed, so they couldn’t come. I posted on facebook that I had two extra tickets to the show and my friend Rianna who I grew up with claimed them and actually flew from Austin, TX to come to the show for the day. (She’s hard-core!). She brought her friend Yang with her and the two of them together are seriously a walking party. F to the U to the N!

We got in line at 11am, and honestly it was the most organized process. I was really impressed. They got people through the line quickly and once we had our tickets in hand (about 30 minutes later) we were free to roam about the cabin do whatever we wanted until 3:30pm.

We were hungry and were all dressed up and in non-comfy shoes, so we opted to eat as close to the theater as we could find – Katsuya AKA really expensive (ouch) Sushi where celebs are spotted all.the.time. Unfortch we didn’t see any celebs eating Sushi.

So after that we walked around and watched TV Guide interviewing peeps on the Red Carpet. Thank god we had Rianna with us. She’s like a blood hound for celebs. Without her I wouldn’t have seen anyone. She pointed out Dr Drew from Celebrity Rehab, some crazy chick from the outtakes of American Idol, and a singer who totally is on the tip of my tongue but I can’t remember his name.

Also, the interviewers for TV Guide were Justin Guarini and Kimberly Caldwell, both contestants of previous American Idol seasons (1 and 3 respectively).

Finally we go into the theater and find our seats.

We were in the bottom yellow section right in the middle. It looks far, but they were actually GREAT seats.

Words cannot describe how amazing it was to see this show live. Not only was it the live finale to the season, but it was also Simon Cowell’s last night on the show, so they made it extra over-the-top for him.

We had no idea who would be preforming on the show, so act after act we just kept looking at each other with our jaws dropped in sheer shock. Grinning from ear to ear is an understatement. It was literally the time of my life.

The set blew me away. I sat in my seat for an hour before the show began just trying to take it all in. It is exactly like you see on tv, but totally different than you see on tv. I so wish I was allowed to bring my camera.

They have a host similar to Ryan Seacrest that entertains the audience before the show and during all commercial breaks. He was really great at it and he went around giving away free phones and iPods (I did not get one). Just seeing how a live taping works was in and of itself simply amazing, and then to add Christina Aguilera, Alanis Morissette, Janet Jackson, and a handful of others to the mix made it just off-the-hook.

There were many favorite moments for me, but I actually got teary-eyed when at the end they brought out all the past Season winners (except David Cook) and then if it wasn’t awesome enough, they filed out tons of past contestants who I have loved and adored. Seeing them all together over 9 years of shows was really moving. And Simon cried too.

You should have heard me when Ryan announced Lee the winner. I jumped out of my seat and started screaming my head off. I don’t know why I got so into Idol this season. I’m really hit or miss. I’ve missed the last 2 years of shows, but have gotten really into other seasons. I think I got so into it because I have watched it each week from Los Angeles and just knowing it was happening down the street from me made it more real.

Plus Lee’s voice is like butteh’ and I melt whenever I hear it.

And I have a crush on him.

Someone asked me if I just love American Idol or if I love music as well. I LOVE music. I was in the choir at school from 6th grade through college. I never missed a year. I LOVED it. I miss it. I own all the Karaoke games for the PS2 and Wii – and I like to sing them even when I’m home by myself. I play music on my iPod almost all day. I can’t stand my house to be silent.

Music takes me away to another place. I connect more with music than with anything else – including crafting. I listen to music to give me inspiration when I craft and do projects.

My favorite music is generally the Top 40 pop stuff, but I love most every style of music depending on my mood. My iPod is generally on shuffle and it isn’t uncommon for me to go from a Miley Cyrus song, to Country, followed by a Broadway musical, and then maybe a song from Slumdog Millionaire or a classical piece. But I really love anything that has a dance beat or has lyrics that really move me.

I also play the piano. I’m not amazing or great at it and I refuse to ever accompany anyone, I am not the best beat-keeper, and I really only prefer to play songs that are radio hits that I can sing along with. But I can sight-read music and if I’m really stressed out or just want to unwind, I’ll usually go straight to my piano. My favorite’s lately are all my Dixie Chicks song books.

So, the answer to the question is yes. Yes, I love American Idol. And yes, I love music and am very musically centered.

But I also love celebrities. I secretly wish I was an amazing singer so that I could combine the two things I love – singing and celebrities. If I could be a famous pop singer I would have died and gone straight to heaven.

Some people think American Idol is l-a-m-e. Whatever. I love it and my experience going to the finale was literally life-altering and I will carry this amazing memory with me for the rest of my life.

I never felt so old than I did this year when I realized I was too old to try out for American Idol. Not like I actually would try out, but knowing I am now too old to try out even if I wanted to? Wow. I don’t feel that old. I feel hip enough to be on the show. But I guess considering I’ll be THIRTY on Tuesday, I’ve officially jumped the shark.

I haven’t loved living in LA. In fact I’ve been counting down the days in my calendar until I move (4 weeks), but getting to have this American Idol experience has made it totally worth it.

Yay for Lee!!!

As promised, here is my American Idol Finale experience.

Lee DeWyze is the winner!!!!!!!

So excited!!!! LOVE HIM.

There are 3 parts to this story – beforehand, the actual show, and after the show. Right now I’m going to just tell you about what happened after the best show on earth.

After the show was over I picked up my phone from my friends car and hubbs and I headed towards the Nokia garage where his car was parked. On our way we saw a swarm of people and headed over to see what was going on. This is what we walked right into:

(All photos were taken on my aforementioned iPhone, so the quality is not that great unfortunately.)

All the cast members (minus the top 2 – Crystal Bowersox & Lee DeWyze) were having a press conference outside the Nokia Theater!

In between each of their interviews they would race over to the fans and sign autographs and take pictures.

There were so many people and we just could not get at the front of the crowd, so we just took tons of pictures from where we were at.

Casey James is just beautiful. You should see him in person. Oh.mah.gosh. Swoon. And his hair! Don’t even get me started on his amazing hair.

Tim Urban? A serious cutie-patootie. And so nice. And his smile?! Melt.

You would have thought I was a giddy 13 year old seeing all these people!

Two pretty-boyz in one photo? Can’t.breathe.

The press was absolutely insane. Ridiculous. Off the hook. This was the craziest event I’ve ever been to in my life.

Aaron Kelly? < sigh > I’m way too old to crush on a 17 year old.

Lacy Brown is SO tiny. Like, the size of an ant. And so sweet. But honestly, they ALL are sweet.

Yes, poor Paige. I spelled her name wrong. Oops. But she’s cute too.

Again, yes, I am fully aware that I spelled her name wrong again. Brilliant.

All these contestants are so sweet and nice. And so beautiful.

LOVE this guy. I wanted Lee to win, but I have always loved Andrew Garcia. Love him. He’s like a new Maroon5 or something. I can’t wait to hear his first album. I hope he has a great career.

There is just something seriously sexy about a guy with diamond earrings and a huge tat on his neck.

Three idols at once? I’m seriously having sensory overload here. I think I almost fainted.

What a seriously sweet nice kid. I hope the very best for him.

I *almost* refused to post this picture because, well, look at me! But I’m IN THE SAME PHOTO AS ANDREW!!!!!!! How could I NOT brag about it?!?!?!

Sibohan Magnus is just a class act. She’s so sincere and nice. And I loved her on and off the show.

Just look at that crowd!! I was lucky to get as close as I did.

Nokia theater shots.

Michael “Big Mike” Lynche is a teddy bear. Seriously. I’ll admit it, I wasn’t a huge fan of him on the show. I liked him okay, but he should have been voted off, but the judges saved him which IMO got Katie Stevens the boot. And I LOVED Katie. So I was resentful.

But in person, Michael is a big cuddly sweet nice teddy bear. I want to just hug him. Great guy.

I’m pretty sure her tat is of Mary Poppins. She’s so weird in such a fun cool way.

Big Mike doing an interview.

Eeeeek! Pinch Me! I actually got a photo with an Idol!!!!!!!

Didi Benami is also a tiny cute little thing. She’s also my favorite IRL. I felt like we were long lost BFFs.

And I got a picture with Didi too! Too bad it’s blurry & dark. Boo.

But my sweet hubbs took a 2nd one that turned out better. Too bad she isn’t looking. Argh.

Katie is a little firecracker. She is young (17) and very sarcastic and fun. What a party!

Yup, a picture with Katie too! Pinch me.

After waiting at least an additional hour, guess who finally showed up?!?!

LEE!!!!!!!!!! OMG I’m in freaking lurve!

swoon.

He’s getting closer to ME!

But alas, this is as far as he made it before the mean bouncers swept him away never to be seen again. But I *almost* got a picture with him. Almost.

Wow, what a lucky ride! I can’t believe we walked right into a press conference and got to see and meet all these Idols. I skipped back to the car grinning from ear to ear like a giddy 13 year old girl who just met the Jonas Brothers.

But then… My luck must have been on a serious role because as I was walking I spotted someone I knew. It went something like this…

I’m walking along and see a guy that I know, but where do I know him from? He’s so familiar. I must know him from somewhere. He was walking right towards me. I said, “Oh my gosh! Hey! What’s up?!?!” in this voice and with an expression like we were long lost friends. (This whole time I’m trying to figure out where I know him from). He looks at me with the same exact expression and says “Hey!! How are you?!?!”

AND THAT’S WHEN IT HITS ME.

David freaking Archuleta.

I met David Archuleta. But at that exact moment I became so overwhelmingly star-struck that I couldn’t even think to grab my phone for a quick picture. All I could say as we passed each other like long lost old friends, in a voice that resembled a high-pitched pre-pubescent 11 year old was,

“I VOTED FOR YOU!”

Yes, I’m freaking awesome. (No you’re not dude, don’t lie.)
(Disclaimer: the link is to a youtube video by Spose that is full of cuss words you probably don’t want your youngin’s to hear.)

But you know what, who flippin’ cares?! I met David Archuleta! Before today my big claim-to-fame was that I saw him on a float from 50 yards away at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade two years ago. This time I actually brushed shoulders, so whatevs!

I skipped my way from there into the parking garage where at which point I saw a row of about 4 limos….

Hubbs and I were there all alone. No other fans in site. And then it happened.

EVERY ONE OF THE TOP 12 (except Lee and Crystal) CAME WALKING UP TO GET INTO THE LIMOS. Every.Single.One.Of.Them.

I’m NOT making this up. See for yourself!

At this point I faint and am rushed to the hospital for a heart attack.

Well, almost. I almost died right there. I talked to every one of them as they walked by. But their bouncers would only let me get this one picture.

And then the world went into slow-motion as Casey and his hair glided by. And I tried to say hi. But he was in a hurry and didn’t want to stop. So I did the only thing I could think to do…

“CASEY!!!!! HOOK EM’ HORNS, DUDE! HOOK EM’ HORNS!!”

And he stopped. And turned around. And smiled. And threw his fingers into the the official horns hand-sign and said, “All right! Hook em’ Horns!! You from Texas?”

And hubbs jumped in and said, “Were from Austin!” and then I said, “Come visit us!” and he said he would. (‘Cause he’s from Texas too.)

So, straight from the horses mouth – Casey said he’d come to Austin to see me. He better not blow me off.

After that we walked to our car. And I was floating on Cloud 9. My cheeks hurt I had smiled so much. I didn’t think the night could get any better.

Until it did.

On our way out of the garage, we saw Paula freaking Abdul.

Straight Up. I met Paula Abdul.

And I threw my phone to some stranger and told her to take a picture. Paula HUGGED me. We stood cheek-to-cheek. We smiled.

And then the stranger that I enlisted to snap the picture hit the wrong button. No photo.

Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Noooooooooooooo!!!! I swear she did it on purpose.

My cheek and her cheek touched. And we hugged. No joke.

I did get this picture though. She is the tiniest person I’ve ever met. She probably wears a -4. She was sweet as a button and I love her.

And that was how my night after the finale went.