A Few of my Favorite Things - The Dan Radcliffe Edition

I don't know who is more popular - Dan Radcliffe or Holly Cow. One could argue that Holly Cow is the star of the show. But if it weren't for Dan, Holly and her friends, along with the other cast of characters available at Designs by Dan Radcliffe wouldn't be here to brighten our days. With a sense of humor, a flair for creativity, and a dash of sincerity, Dan brings these things and more to his designs, his shop, and his life. I am so happy to be part of the Zazzle family with him, and to be able to call him my friend.

Let's take a peak into Dan's world:

May All Your Wishes Come True Keepsake Ornament by dradcliffe
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LuvPuff, "Love Me!" by dradcliffe
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BLEAH! by dradcliffe
See more Bleah Buttons

Always leave room in your garden for the angels to by dradcliffe
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Simply Sweet by dradcliffe
See other Cherry Bags

Anything Is Possible by dradcliffe
Browse Swing Mousepads

Recipes From The Heart 1.5 inch Recipe Binder by dradcliffe
Create your own customized vinyl binder on zazzle.com

Fun Frogs by dradcliffe
Browse other Frog T-Shirts

Kiss Me! by dradcliffe
Create a notecard template at zazzle

Oh, Yeah, THAT'S A Good Ring Tone! by dradcliffe
Browse more iphone cases

Please Remember To Use A Coaster by dradcliffe
Make custom coasters online

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty good right now. Thanks, Dan, for always being able to make me smile with your designs.


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A Few of my Favorite Things - The Invitation Boutique Edition

Birthdays, graduations, weddings, holidays, new babies ~ what do these things have in common? They are all special occasions which may call for invitations. But you don't want just any invitation, you want something special, something customizable, something that makes people WANT to go to your party or event.
In these instances, you'll want to visit The Invitation Boutique on Zazzle. You won't find a kinder, more caring designer on Zazzle - she makes shopping for every occasion very easy. Check out this small selection to get an idea of what you will find here, then visit the shop to find your perfect design.

trendy pink Baby shower Invitation by Invitationboutique
create your own invitations online at zazzle

Elegant Bridal Shower Invitation by Invitationboutique
Make a custom printed invite on zazzle

ladybug party Invitation by Invitationboutique
Create a customized announcement at Zazzle

Beach Party Invitations by Invitationboutique
design an announcement at Zazzle.com

fun 4th of july Holiday party Invitation by Invitationboutique
design announcements at zazzle

trendy green Graduation photo Invitation by Invitationboutique
View more Graduation party Invitations

blue chic Sweet Sixteen party Invitation by Invitationboutique
custom printed invites created on Zazzle

Housewarming party Invitation by Invitationboutique
make invites using zazzle.com

Fun Corporate party Invitation by Invitationboutique
Shop for invitations on zazzle.com

spooky ghost Halloween Party Invitations by Invitationboutique
Browse Halloween party Invitations

Now that you have seen these designs, get your party planning started and run, don't walk, to The Invitation Boutique today!


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A Few of my Favorite Things - The PaperMill Edition

There are some shops on Zazzle that should not be missed. The PaperMill is one of them. Founded by the wonderful and talented Sandy Buckley, The PaperMill is home to some of the most beautiful custom paper product designs and gifts you will ever find. Whatever the reason, whatever the season, the items here are sure to get people talking and asking where you found them. Your special occasions will feel even more special, thanks to the hard work and love put into each of these designs.

Let's take a look at just a small selection available:

Turquoise Zebra Striped Return Address Labels by ThePaperMill
Browse more Monogram Labels

Modern Business Cards in Black White and Lime by ThePaperMill
Browse Modern Business Cards

Save the Date Magnet by ThePaperMill
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New Baby Photo by ThePaperMill
Create your own custom silver necklaces

Floral Letterhead in Pink and Lime Monogram by ThePaperMill
Shop for letterhead template designs on zazzle

Thank You Cards in Lime and turquoise Swirls by ThePaperMill
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Birthday Party Invitations with Balloons by ThePaperMill
View other Birthday party Invitations

Baby Girl Photo Birth Announcement by ThePaperMill
View other custom invitations from Zazzle

Lime Bridal Shower Invitations with Lily FLowers by ThePaperMill
Buy announcements at zazzle

Elegant Holiday Greeting Cards by ThePaperMill
See other Christmas cards Invitations

The items show are just a few of the beautiful, amazing, whimsical, and stylish designs you'll find at The PaperMill. And please note that many of the party and wedding designs have coordinating products - invitations, postage, magnets, etc.


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Songs of a Black Violation - Celebrating Depeche Mode History

Depeche Mode. They are one of the most influential, moving, and soulful, bands in the world. In the span of just 5 days, 3 pivotal Depeche Mode albums celebrated big birthdays.

Songs of Faith and Devotion became old enough to vote.

Violator hit the legal drinking age.

Black Celebration can now rent a car.

While the legions of devoted fans have their own "favorite" album, or top 5 list, the three albums listed above are the ones that top, or nearly top most of those lists. They are defining moments in Depeche Mode history. They each turn the page in sound. They are classics that have held, and will continue to hold, their own throughout the halls of music.

 

For me, these three albums will each hold a different place in my heart.

I was 14 when Black Celebration came out 25 years ago. To be honest, I don't remember what my first thought was. I do know that it quickly became an important album in my life. By 16, "But Not Tonight" was the song that, all these years later, would be my song - my go to song when I was down, my feel good song, my favorite song. I can't think of one note of one song that I don't like on this album. It was my #1 for many years and still ranks in my top 5.

21 years and counting, Violator is a classic Depeche Mode album, and another one of my favorites. Sweetest Perfection, one of the song titles on this album, is the perfect way to describe Violator in my eyes. I was working in a small record store when this album came out and I played it, and played it, and played it - our regular customers had to be tired of it, I'm sure. But I didn't care. I couldn't get enough of it then and I still can't get enough of it now.

I have a long, mixed emotion history with SOFAD - to long to explain here. But I will say, 18 years on, I appreciate this album much more now than I did when it came out. And it took a while to get here. There are songs that have always moved me - "Judas" and "One Caress" being two of them. Even when I didn't think I could listen to other songs on this album, those two were always with me.

HAPPY 18TH, 21ST, and 25TH BIRTHDAYS SOFAD, VIOLATOR, & BC! You are loved.

 

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Kenna - A Man, A Musician, A Mission

Music. For some it's just background noise, something to have on while cleaning the house or driving to work. But for others, including myself, it's a way of life. It speaks to us in ways that are hard to explain to those who aren't like us. We hear it differently. We feel it differently. And it moves us differently.

I do not make music. My passion and feelings for it come simply from a lifelong love of lyrics, beats, rhythms, vocals, and emotions. I can only imagine how much more amplified those feelings are for the ones who make music, not only their life, but their career. This is about one of them.

It's no secret how much I love Kenna. In 2003 he hit my world with a force of nature called 'New Sacred Cow'. In 2007 he filled my senses again with 'Make Sure They See My Face'. Since that time he started Summit On The Summit, climed Mt. Kilimanjaro with others & SOTS for the global clean water crisis, and recorded one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard called "Turn" (which can be bought on iTunes). He's also been working on bringing us 'Songs For Flight' - an album nearly 4 years in the making.

In the making of 'Songs For Flight' came the EP Land 2 Air Chronicles: Chaos & The Darkness, the first of 3 EP's, and the song, "Chains." After a less than pleasant "review" from Pitchfork, came news of a musical tragedy - all of the hard work, time, money, and energy that had gone into making SFF and L2AC was lost.

Kenna is not a man making music for the masses. He makes music for himself and for his fans. He makes music with meaning, depth, and sound. Should the masses hear and follow, great. But lack of radio play and superstardom have not, and will not hold him down. Because of this, most of what Kenna does is on his own and with the help of friends. What happened to the files of his music may have caused a big hiccup, but will not stop him. We as his fans and lovers of great music can help. Join the Flight Crew. Spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, and through blogs. Download "Chains" once it's released through iTunes on March 8th. And pre-order the EP, along with other great swag on www.kenna.com.

I know I can get all fan-girly with the musical artists I love. It's possible that it is over the top at times. My love for music is beyond my control, plain and simple. I can't and won't change that. It's been with me since birth, it'll be with into the afterlife. And if I can do anything to help the artists that need and deserve the praise, then that is what I will do.

Kenna on Twitter

Kenna on Facebook

 

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Forever Young - A Random Musical Memory

Tonight I heard Alphaville's "Forever Young." It is a song that fills my heart and mind with so many memories. Most of them come from 1991 and events that occured throughout that year. But another comes from the end of 2002 and a particular hour of music on the radio. 

Back in the day, I used to listen to 107.7 The End in Seattle. The best part of the station was their flashback show, Resurrection Flashback Sunday. Jim Keller and Dick Rossetti were the men in my life from 8am - 12pm every Sunday morning. In November or early December of 2002 The End announced that they were turning over a weekend of music to the listeners. All we had to do was go online to their website, fill out the form listing 10 songs we would play if we could program 1 hour of airtime, and also mention when/what time block we'd choose to be on. I, of course, listed 10 "retro" songs and said I would want to program an hour of time during RFS.

To my surprise, I got an email saying I had been chosen to be on the air - from 9-10am during Resurrection Flashback Sunday! Talk about an exciting moment. I thought I would be on the air with Jim Keller, a dj I had been listening to since my early teen years when he was on the best alternative station Seattle ever had to offer, the short lived 1600am KJET. But then I found out I would actually be on the air with Dick Rossetti, who I gained a whole lot of respect for that day.

*There is actually a funny side story involved with this. After I left the station, my husband and I hopped in the car and immediately turned on The End so we could listen to the next guy. D-Ro, in mentioning me as having been the previous guest dj called me "Kathy" instead of Stacy. My husband gave Mr. Rossetti a call to give him a hard time about it. The next day, I got a call from Mr. Rossetti while I was at work and he was on air doing the Monday mid-morning show. He publically apologized to me for messing up my name. What a guy.

Anyway, back to the story at hand. It was not quite a week after we lost the great Joe Strummer. I had chosen to include The Clash on my playlist weeks before we would hear of his passing, so the hour started off with "London Calling" and a brief tribute to Joe by Mr. Rossetti and myself. I was nervous for the entire hour, but had so much fun. We took a few calls, talked about songs...all in all, I would go back and do it again in an instant.

Here is the playlist I chose for that day (I don't remember the exact order in which they were played, but this is pretty close...I think. It's a miracle I even remember the 10 songs):

The Clash - London Calling

The Pretenders - Brass In Pocket

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill

Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Again

New Order - Pefect Kiss

Book of Love - Pretty Boys, Pretty Girls

Siouxsie & The Banshees - The Passenger

The Pixies - Wave of Mutilation

The Smiths - There is a Light That Never Goes Out

Alphaville - Forever Young

I had two other moments of programming fame on The End after that - both exclusively Depeche Mode playlists. I'm pretty proud of those moments too. Maybe those will be stories for another time.

 

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Our Dinner With the Governor of Colorado. Sort Of.

Last November the State of Colorado elected a new Governor - Denver Mayor, Mr. John Hickenlooper. Being the down home country boy that he is, it was quickly learned that his Inauguration dinner would not be your typical black tie event.

One night in December, while watching the news, it was announced that the Inauguration dinner plans had been made and all the details were in the works. Governor-Elect Hickenlooper was going to have a barbeque - pulled pork, brisket, the works. They spoke to the catering company that would be handling the event, Occasions by Sandy. As a joke (sort of) I made a comment to my husband that CCB (Cripple Creek Barbeque) should be there. My husband took that comment and ran with it. He immediately looked Occasions by Sandy up online and contacted them about using our bbq sauce for the dinner. What happened from there was a whirlwind of emails, calls, and, eventually, sauce-making. The caterer was completely onboard with using our sauce. After discussing the foods that would be served, it was decided between my husband and the caterer that they would use/serve our Chipotle and Caramelized Onion sauces at the event.

All of the food items were donated by local companies - and so we donated 14 cases of sauce. In return we were given two tickets to the big event. The thought that we were actually going to the Inauguration dinner didn't really start to sink in until we delivered the cases of sauce to the catering company. Then when we received the tickets and official invitation letter, it really hit home that we were not only going to something as important and prestigious as the Governor's Inauguration dinner, but that OUR sauce, the small company with big dreams, Cripple Creek Barbeque, was going to be tasted and used by the Governor of Colorado, along with the Lt. Governor, Senators, other politicians and dignitaries, news reporters, and the list goes on (and possibly including the bands One Republic and DeVotchKa, who were performing later than night for a special Inauguration concert). What a surreal feeling we experienced.

On Tuesday, January 11th, we went to the dinner. We met up with a friend of ours and made our way through the Fillmore Auditorium, where the dinner was being held, and took in the excitement of the atmosphere. While roaming around, we came upon the VIP section of appetizers. There, at the end of the table, were 4 bottles of our sauce! A childlike giddiness came over us when we saw that. Then, once we made our way to the buffet tables for dinner, we saw the menu list on one side of the table - Pulled Pork, Brisket, assorted salads, mac & cheese with green chilis, cornbread with green chilis, and CRIPPLE CREEK BARBEQUE SAUCE!  We saw many buffet tables with nearly empty bottles of sauce. The pride we felt was unreal.

While eating we got to watch Governor Hickenlooper speak. Soon after that, we had the pleasure of meeting Senator Michael Bennet. Our friend Jen, who has worked on many campaigns, introduced us to Senator Bennet and told him that we provided the barbeque for the dinner. He shook my hand and thanked me for being a part of the night.

We at CCB are so proud to have been part of such a wonderful night for our new Governor. To have had potentially 3000 new people try our sauce is something that we hope will help us grow and become a viable, important company that does something good for the state of Colorado. We believe in giving back and this is precisely what we will do when CCB takes off!

Thank you Occasions by Sandy for taking a chance on a small unknown. Thank you to Colorado Can Do for allowing us to be a part of the Governor's Inauguration Dinner. And thank you Governor Hickenlooper for a great start to a new chapter in Colorado history.

 

Thank you for reading from Rdwnggrl's World - and Cripple Creek Barbeque.