The Price is Right...Almost

"Megabucks Hoeppner, come on down! You’re the next contestant on The Price is Right!"

That’s right, my dream to be a contestant on “America’s favorite game show” has finally come true. Well…almost. My cute Cor gave me TPIR for our Wii. It's not exactly like the real thing, but it sure is fun.
Weeeeee! Look at this sa-weet anniversary gifts from Cor.

I came close to the real deal once…oh, so close. Cor, my parents and I went to Hollywood, just before Bob retired. We drove down, fine-tuning our pricing skills with the Sunday ads the entire way.

Here we are in Mom and Pop's minivan, practicing our pricing on the drive to L.A.

We even stopped in Vegas and played their version of the pricing game to get warmed up. So fun, BTW. If you haven't tried it, you must pay Bally's a visit.

The Price is Right LIVE at Ballys in Vegas is definitely worth the $50. Check it out!

The trip started off on the right track. The incredibly talented Stace Hasegawa made me a shirt with my life’s wish list on it – hugging Bob on TPIR topped the list as the only unchecked item.

This is the best shirt in Price is Right history. Too bad Bob didn't see his smiling faced perched upon my bosom.

It’s when we got to Tinsel Town that things went awry. First, the “hotel” we stayed at had bugs all over. Ack! Needless to say, we were only there one night before we packed our bags and moved on.

Yes, those are BUGS on the wall of our hotel - just a few of the many that occupied our hollywood hotel room. Eep!

Next, as foolish as this may sound, we didn’t know we had to sleep out on the sidewalk in front of the CBS studios for a chance at tickets. We thought that getting there at 5:00 AM, an hour earlier than the paperwork required, would be good enough. Ha! Amateurs!

This pic was taken while driving, so it's hard to tell, but those are people lined up to get "tickets" to see Bob. The line stretched around the block!

So, we went to the end of the line and kept our fingers crossed that we’d get in. Well, we didn’t. They ran out of tickets about ten people in front of us. Whaaaa! My Price dream was over…or was it?

In the parking garage, two cute gals overheard my sobs (kind of hard to miss) and gave us their two extra tickets. We were back on. Well, Ma and I were back on. Not so for Pop and Cor (which they didn't seem to mind too much).

Three hours later, Ma and I headed back to the holding area with our tickets in hand, only to find out that they weren’t actually tickets at all. Instead, they were tickets to be eligible for possibly getting a real ticket. WTF? (Don’t fall for it when they say that you can get “tickets” to be in the audience. Those “tickets” DON’T GUARANTEE ANYTHING!)

So we don’t get tickets, but I tell my tale to a CBS gal who says that I can come back at 3:00 PM. At that time they’ll be giving out the remaining spots. Excellent! We’re still on.

After 12+ hours on/around the CBS lot, we got to know the area pretty well. Maybe I could get a job there as a tour guide on the back lot tour.

So we come back later that afternoon, where we find that gal, who makes an announcement that “when they’re out, they’re out – no crying, no sob stories; that’s it!" OK, we can handle that. So we get in line. We’re moving. My heart is pounding. We’re going to meet Bob. We’re going to be “the next contestants on The Price is Right!” Or are we?

They run out of tickets at the woman two ahead of us in line. This is the same person we stood behind on the sidewalk in the wee hours of the morning. There was another woman in between this person and us. And what does she do? She whines. She tells her poor-me story. And what do they do? They take her aside and give her a ticket. WTF?! Isn’t that exactly what they told us not to do? Plus, this loser was from LA. She could come back any time. So I say as much to the gal, and I again tell her how we drove 12 hours to be there. How we practiced. How we had been out there for nearly 12 hours (since 5:00 AM) and slept with bugs. How the ringtone on my phone was the Price is Right theme song. How I had a box on my shirt that needed checking. None of it mattered. My mom finally had to pull me off the lot. We were out of luck. Devastation set in!

Yes, I still hear that magical theme song every time my phone rings.

It was all I could do not to cry. If Ma wasn’t with me, I probably would have gone mental. Instead, she walked me next door to a big Hollywood mall for a little retail therapy. It didn’t make the pain go away, but it helped.

Boo hoo! All of my pricing game dreams broken in an instant.

I couldn’t watch TPIR for months and months after that, but I think I’ve healed. Now I just need to do some more practicing on my Wii before I return to win my showcase! Look out, Drew, that studio of fabulous merchandise will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine!

Time is Running Out

Friendly Reminder: My holiday paper-crafting class starts a week from tomorrow. This experience promises to be a good one. With sponsors including (but not limited to) American Crafts, Stampin’ Up! and Tinkering Ink, you won’t walk away empty handed. In addition to the many projects you’ll make – cards and gift-wrap – you’ll go home with lots of fun new supplies, just in time for the holidays.

Learn quick, easy and affordable ways to make handmade cards and unique gift-wrap. Plus, master several fun techniques.

This three-night class starts next Tuesday and space is limited, so please register soon!

I hope to see you soon. Happy holidays!

Want a Free Print?

Funny story. I went to the Arts Festival this summer, and I fell in love with a particular designer who was showing. She takes cool photos of vintage signs and cool buildings and turns them into stunning prints. As a lover of old buildings and signs, I was instantly hooked. Here’s where it gets funny – funny strange, not funny ha-ha.

A few months later I went to my pal Stace’s birthday party, where I sat next to a hip chick named Stephanie. I knew right away that I liked her. When we started talking, she happened to mention participating in the Arts Festival. Sure enough, this was the same sassy lady I was drawn to at the show. What are the odds? But wait, it gets cooler.

After gushing to her about how I’m her #1 fan, she told me that she accepts others’ photos for consideration, and if she chooses to work with your image, she’ll give you a free print. FREE!

I had just taken a pic of an old motel sign. Fate? I think so. Not only did I happen upon this cool woman, but I had just taken a pic of a fun vintage sign, too. YES!

So, long story short, I sent her my print and she ended up adding it to her line, which meant a free print for me. Do you like? I LOVE!

I got this for my parents, who will be celebrating their anniversary this month. You see, this is the very motel in Gunnison, CO where they lived after they were married. Cute, huh? We drove by it this summer, they told me the story, and I snapped the photograph – the same photograph that’s now part of a super-terrific line of artwork. Thanks, Stephanie!
This print is 1/100. How cool is that?

Want to see more from this fantastic artist or possibly submit images of your own for consideration? Check out her site: PrettyLittlePixel.com

Cheers!

To Have and to Hold

Three years ago today, Cory became the Mr. to my Mrs. We said our I-dos at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Talk about a good time. About 80 of our closest friends and family joined us for the festivities, and to make the celebration even more fun, we had a double-wedding weekend. You see, my cousin also got married in Vegas that weekend, and she’s a double cousin (our moms are sisters and our dads are brothers), so it was like a big wedding/family reunion weekend. Happy Anniversary to you, Cynthia and Rob!

If the line is too long at the drive-through chapel in Vegas and you're looking for a place to wed, I would highly recommend the Bellagio. Yes, they have those fancy fountains, but they also put your wedding info on the signs in the resort AND on all of the TVs in the guest rooms. Isn't that cool? I thought so.

Lucky for me, I worked at Stampin’ Up! when I was planning my wedding, which meant I was surrounded by incredibly talented people who offered to help me with some paper-crafted wedding touches.

Holly Jones was one of the sweet friends who came to my rescue. She has more talent in her little toe than ten Marthas. She made my bridesmaid invitations…

This skirt of this dress is made with fabric (in a window), and she designed the dress to resemble my actual bridesmaid dresses.
See how the dress on the card matches the real dresses? That Holly. She's so cute!

She also put together our wedding favors – these happy bottle cap magnets…

She put two of these in a little acrylic box and tied it with a bow. Each guest received a set.

AND she designed our wedding logo, the “I Do” in the dice (in the magnet above). Yes, our wedding had a logo.

Another great friend, Renae Curtz, designed the cover of our wedding program.

The word "love" is stamped in red beneath the photo window. Our wedding colors were red, cream, and black. So this was perfect!

And that sassy Holly designed the inside. There's our lucky logo again. :)

As lovely as these handmade touches were, nothing compared to how amazing my handsome groom looked when I made my way down the aisle. The love in his eyes is something I’ll never forget, and doesn’t he look cute in his tux?

I’ve always been a big fan of weddings – I bought wedding magazines long before I was engaged and continue to buy them today – and our special day didn’t disappoint. More important than the day, however, is the life it left me with. I LOVE being the Mrs. to Cory’s Mr. He’s the best husband a gal could ask for. Happy anniversary, sweetheart!

Thank goodness for friends. Not only did my pals help me out with the wedding accessories, but my uber talented friend Janel took all of our wedding photos. Man, I have some awesome amigas! Thanks, ladies!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Card-making? Celebrating? Prizes? It's a happy day, indeed!

Ready for some winning names? I know I am. But first, I'd like to sincerely thank you for taking time to visit my blog and enter my silly contests this week (or just peek without entering). It means a lot that you spent part of your day(s) with me. I've loved reading your comments. So many great ideas and warm thoughts. And I've loved connecting to your blogs (when available). Talk about a talented bunch of people! I'm definitely going to have to do giveaways more often. And with the craft room clean up, I have much to give! :)

OK, on to the goods. Let's start with the first prize - a super-cool Technique Tuesday stamp set:

My winner is: Smilynstef. Bet you're smily now. ;)




On to the magazines and cards a la Meg. Drum roll, please...

The lucky peeps are:
1. Cpullum
2. Wackie
Yeehaw!


Ready for the next tasty treat? A'ight! Let's award the fabric/beads/yarn winner. You ready for this?

Whoo hoo. Ronee is my girl!

But wait, there's more. On to the Chatterbox Card Set and Unity Stamp Company stamp set.

Kamewh, come on down! You're my gal.


Oh boy, it's time to give away my pretty packages. The three to win this freebie are:
1. Katie Scott
2. Kimberly A.
3. Paula




We're just getting warmed up, people. Let's give out some stamp sets. *in my best cheerleader voice* Ready? OK!

Foam Stamps Winner: CathyGalloway89
Clear Stamps Winner: Parker and Emma's Mom
Rubber Stamps Winner: Rachel

Finally, as promised, I'm going to give away an extra mystery box to thank you for your patience with my post today. To find this winner, I drew a name from all of the comments I received this week (using Random.org). My final WCMD winner is: Lisa K. Giddy up!

Congratulations to all of my winners. Please e-mail me (M2E2G@aol.com) with your contact information and I'll get your prizes in the mail.

Happy World Card Making Day, my friends! Again, thanks for sharing part of this happy day with me.

Create & Celebrate

It's here! Hip hip hooray! I hope you're doing something fun and creative to celebrate this happy time.

I have good news and bad news. I'll start with the bad - get it out of the way.

Bad: Something has come up and I have to run to the hospital. Please DON'T worry. I'm fine. Everything will be fine. But I will be there most of the day.

Good: This means there's a little more time to enter my card-making day contests. If you haven't already commented on any of the "Countdown" posts, you have until 9:00 PM (MST) tonight. So get to it! :)

I'll keep my promise and announce my winners today, but it may not be until the day is almost through. Please accept my apologies for the delay. Who knows, maybe I'll throw in a few extra winners to thank you for your patience.

So, until we meet again (later tonight), have fun creating and celebrating World Card Making Day 2008!

Cheers!
Megan

Countdown to WCMD...Store visit and a stamp giveaway!

Tomorrow is World Card Making Day. Do you have plans? I plan on announcing my grand list o’ winners. Good times!

Last year, I had the opportunity to fly to South Carolina and teach a card-making class at one of the cutest scrapbooking stores around, Scrappin’ at the Pink House. And yes, it really was a store inside a super cute, pink house. Delish!

I met the most delightful people during my visit, including the cute store owner, Michelle, her mom, Mom, and the very sassy Ronee. Charleston is a beautiful part of the country. If you’re in the area, please pay the Pink House a visit. You’ll be happy you did.

If you don’t have plans tomorrow, check the WCMD website for a list of official holiday retailers. If there’s not a participating store in your area, you’re sure to find lots happening online. I know for a fact that the Paper Crafts website will be a place for a card-making good time.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope it’s something that makes you happy. Being creative is about expressing yourself, which is a happy thing, indeed. Enjoy the moment!

Ready for prizes? Since I taught a stamping class at he Pink House last year, today’s WCMD giveaway is a stamp-a-palooza! I’m giving away three stamp sets – one rubber set (Paper Salon), one foam set (Making Memories), and one clear set (Rusty Pickle).

Who doesn't love a good flower set? And this one has blooms in a variety of sizes for bitty cards on up to big ones.

Just in time for Halloween, this set will make any Fright Night greeting cuter!

This playful set is just right for cards.

A’ight, you know the drill. Leaving a comment enters you to win. From the comments I receive by noon (MST) tomorrow, I’ll randomly select three winners, which I'll announce tomorrow. Yippee!

Today’s Question: What is your favorite card-making technique? Is it stamping? Embossing? Die-cutting? Something else? I’m a technique geek and can’t wait to read your answers.

P.S. Naturally, I can't do anything around my house without the pups' approval. This includes paper crafting.

Kiss investigates my WCMD decoration.

Jack gives the project one enthusiastic snout up!

Countdown to WCMD...Creative space and three-bie freebie!

You’re in luck! If you follow my blog, you know I’ve been busy redoing my craft room. You know what this means – sorting, sorting, sorting! What does this have to do with your luck? Will I excess paper craftng product to share with you, my e-friends! Giddy up!

Today is a three-bie freebie! That’s right, I’m giving away three mystery boxes of product to get you started on your next card-making project.

*shake, shake* Is that chipboard, patterned paper, and rub-ons I hear rattling around in there? I think it is, but what else do I hear? Hmmm… It’s a delightful mystery!

You want in? Please leave me a comment about where it is you create your cards. Is it in a pretty, pink room like the one I'm in the process of building? Or do you spread your supplies out across your kitchen table between meals? Everybody needs a space to be creative. Where is yours?

A peek inside the happy corner of my home where I create.

From the answers I receive between now and this Friday, October 3, I’ll randomly select three winners to receive a mystery box o’ goods. I’ll announce my winners this Saturday, WCMD!

Leave a comment and one of these pretty packages could be yours!

Countdown to WCMD...Card displays and a giveaway!

World Card Making Day is about making and exchanging handmade cards, but what happens after that? What do you do with the cards you receive?

As a packrat, I have a hard time throwing anything away. ANYTHING! Naturally this includes cards people send me. What do you do with the cards you receive? I’m currently a cardboard box gal, which I’ll admit is a bleak fate for these beauties. So, I’ve compiled a few creative card display ideas that I hope you’ll find inspiring.

Look out Polly, this bird cage is for cards!

Image by: Cadoodler4sure

Go green. Recycle those berry baskets and use 'em to hold greetings.

Image by: Bernee lee

What do you call two men with no arms and no legs hanging in the window? Curt and Rod...or, in this case, they're hanging on the wall, and they go by Card and Wire. Yeah, I know how lame that sounds. (No legs! Lame! Get it? Hahahahaha) Anyway, this person strung pieces of ribbon from a curtain wire and attached her cards to them. Cool!

Image by: Betsey Adieu

This gives new meaning to a "card catalog."

Image by: Bitsandbobbins

Are those iPods on a wire? Cards and iPods? Love it!

Image by: Moo Swaps

Wire we throwing cards away when we can oraganize them in such farm-fresh way?

Image by: bookbird1

Grab a few basic card-making supplies - wire and ribbon - and create a greeting garland.

Image by: Felt Mouse

Now, how ‘bout we get to the goods? Today’s WCMD prize is a yummy card kit from Chatterbox and a set of darling rubber stamps from Unity Stamp Company. You want? Just leave a note on this entry about how you store your cards. Don’t keep your cards? No worries. You can tell me how you display your holiday cards before they hit the round file. Sound good?

From comments I receive between now and Friday, October 3, I’ll randomly select a winner to receive this awesome card kit (includes cards, stickers and envelopes) and these super cool stamps. Go!

What better way to kick off the holiday card-making season than with a sassy card-making kit? And I'll throw in some super cute rubber stamps to top it off!