text:
<mgb>: Hello
<Arkbrik>: Woo!
<Arkbrik>: Hello
<Arkbrik>: Lets do this
<Silverdreams>: I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.
<Arkbrik>: just one minute by my clock
<Arkbrik>: Alright, here's a copy of the scene:
<Arkbrik>: Question - Why was the population of Scade I doomed when they could not produce more Niordium?
<Arkbrik>: Characters - Required: The head of the Niordium mining corporation, and her husband. Banned: Regular mine workers.
<lawmaster>: back on
<Arkbrik>: Setting - The evening of the day when the Niordium exhaustion has become public. A quiet restaurant in the capital of Scade I. The corporation head, her husband, and another person are having dinner together.
<Silverdreams>: Maybe we should change nicks to character names?
<mgb>: Soundeth good
<Arkbrik>: Uh, maybe not
<mgb>: Banned?
<Arkbrik>: You can play several characters sometimes
<mgb>: Wait, nevermind
<Arkbrik>: with secondary characters and whatnot
<mgb>: I missed that you posted them already
<lawmaster>: should I leave or........
<Arkbrik>: Anyway, now we're going to pick characters. We pick in the order silver-mgb-arkbrik (opposite of regular play). The required characters must be picked by someone.
<Silverdreams>: I will pick the husband
<Arkbrik>: Lawmaster, you can stay if you want to watch
<lawmaster>: k
<Arkbrik>: Okay, make a name for him
<mgb>: Can I play the stranger sitting at the other table?
<Silverdreams>: Alai Martel
<Arkbrik>: Sure, what kind of a person is the stranger?
<Arkbrik>: Then the third person at their table is an NPC
<mgb>: He'll probably not be super important until the end of the scene
<Arkbrik>: But you gotta say what he is, real short eg. cop, soldier, unemployed...
<mgb>: He's unemployed, and seems to be keeping to himself at the moment.
<mgb>: He seems a little shady.
<Arkbrik>: Ok, what's his name?
<mgb>: Well call him Ron Anders.
<mgb>: Yeah, that works.
<Silverdreams>: brb getting breakfast
<Silverdreams>: k back
<Arkbrik>: So, then I am the head of the Niordium mine corporation, called Dunya Martel
<Arkbrik>: Now, we are going to reveal what our characters are thinking as the scene begins, in the same orders that the characters were picked. The thoughts aren't allowed to answer the Question.
*** lawmaster quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
<mgb>: So just to be clear...the planet is doomed one way or another, correct? We're just trying to figure out how/why?
<Arkbrik>: Yep. The population is doomed anyhow, the planet itself we don't know.
<Silverdreams>: "We're fucked. I'll be lucky to get out of this system with wifey and a decent amount of credits."
<mgb>: Whatever. Close enough.
<Arkbrik>: Oh just remembered: you should know that my internet is a bit laggy. If I suddenly quit I'll be back in a minute.
<mgb>: "Helen...we may get off of this rock yet. Hang in there, please. Oh god, let her hang in there..."
<Arkbrik>: "Shit shit shit. They revealed the exhaust on planetary television this evening... the workers are going to riot."
<Arkbrik>: And now... we play. You can describe anything your character thinks, does, sees, hears or otherwise perceives, and it happens. If you do something to another player's character they describe the outcome. You can bring in secondary characters, which other players can have their characters do whatever they want to. We play until the Question is answered.
<Silverdreams>: "This is good soup." Alai said breaking the silence.
<Arkbrik>: "Oh, yes", Dunya replied, breaking out of her depressing train of thought.
<Arkbrik>: "Too watery for me", said the third person at their table.
<Arkbrik>: The third person, a woman in her forties with far too many piercings, seemed impatient.
<Silverdreams>: Alai glared at her. The State Moderator had come at a very bad time, and her oft annoying habits were beginning to take their toll.
<Silverdreams>: Although, he had to admit how attractive she was, the last time he and Dunya had made love he had thought of her.
<Silverdreams>: No, infidelity is wrong Alai thought.
*** Arkbrik2 joined #Brickwars
<Arkbrik2>: back.
<Silverdreams>: Do you want me to post the last three lines?
<Arkbrik2>: Yes please.
<Silverdreams>: Alai glared at her. The State Moderator had come at a very bad time, and her oft annoying habits were beginning to take their toll. <Silverdreams>: Although, he had to admit how attractive she was, the last time he and Dunya had made love he had thought of her. <Silverdreams>: No, infidelity is wrong Alai thought.
<Arkbrik2>: Dunya saw her husband's glaring and hoped that the Moderator wouldn't notice.
<Arkbrik2>: She gave him a gentle nudge with her foot under the table. This woman was their best chance to get off this planet.
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*** Arkbrik quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
<Arkbrik2>: (still here)
<Silverdreams>: Alai stopped staring at her, and quickly tried to engage in small talk.
<Silverdreams>: "So, I don't believe you've told me where you're from."
<Arkbrik2>: "Moccur VI", she replied. "That's where most of the Quantum Church administration work takes place."
<Arkbrik2>: "I'm leaving for the Moccur system tonight, actually. A moderator is always busy."
<Silverdreams>: "Ah interesting. You look great by the way, as if you're doing that dress a favour".
<Silverdreams>: The dress was a work of pink and green vomit that wouldn't be suitable for the common homeless.
<Silverdreams>: Yet, it did compliment her figure quite nicely.
<Arkbrik2>: The Moderator giggled a little, the rings in her upper lip jingling against each other. "Why thank you."
<Arkbrik2>: Dunya smiled inwardsly; her husband had the skill for smooth talking. Some of that and it wouldn't be too hard to convince her to take them along with some excuse.
<Arkbrik2>: The Moderator waved her finger at him playfully. "But don't think you'll influence my report with that, I've already finished it."
<Arkbrik2>: "But just between you and me, I can say my tour yesterday gave a very good impression of your business."
<Silverdreams>: "Well that would be fantastic."
<Silverdreams>: Alai tried to steer the conversation back to her shuttle.
<Silverdreams>: "I haven't been to Moccur VI since I was just a boy, yet I still remember the twin sunset like it was yesterday."
<Silverdreams>: An airy and desperate attempt, but hopefully it would work.
<Arkbrik2>: "That sounds lovely", Dunya said.
<Arkbrik2>: "You've been to Moccur VI before?" the Moderator said. "What brought you there?"
<Silverdreams>: My Dad was a Quantum Church Deacon.
<Silverdreams>: "He visited there to get some paperwork done while the FBI and I made a vacation out of it."
<Arkbrik2>: "Yes, Moccur VI is a very pleasant place... sometimes I feel it's a little wasted on just administrative business."
<Silverdreams>: "Speaking of getting wasted" Alai said as a waiter came with a bottle of wine.
<Silverdreams>: "Why not celebrate your last night here with the finest wine on this colony?"
<Arkbrik2>: "Why not indeed... it doesn't count as bribery anymore!"
<mgb>: With sophisticated tone, the waiter said, "Vignetti 2436, sir. A fine choice with any meal."
<Arkbrik2>: Dunya laughed at the moderator's joke, maybe a little more than it deserved.
<Silverdreams>: Alai also forced a chuckle, perhaps a second later than he should have.
<Arkbrik2>: "That looks excellent", the moderator said eagerly.
<Silverdreams>: Alai said with a smug look on his face "Here, allow me"
<Silverdreams>: He poured the Moderator a first glass, a very full first glass, then pouring some for his wife and then himself.
<Arkbrik2>: "Thank you", the moderator said, raising her glass. "To the bright future of your business, and all of Scade I!"
<Silverdreams>: Alai raised his glass with a nervous smile, "How oblivious is she?" he thought to himself.
<Arkbrik2>: Dunya raised her glass in return, with one of the most forced smiles she had ever made.
<Arkbrik2>: "Oh good", Dunya thought, "then she haven't watched the news tonight."
<mgb>: The man in at the corner table seemed to snort faintly at the statement.
*** Arkbrik2 quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
*** Arkbrik3 joined #Brickwars
<mgb>: You get that last line?
<Arkbrik3>: (back, recap from the snort please)
<mgb>: Said nothing after the snort.
<mgb>: "Calm down, Ron," he thought to himself. "Remember why you're here."
<Silverdreams>: Alai glanced at the man, and his rubbish jacket.
<Silverdreams>: It seemed a little low class, even for this restaurant.
<Arkbrik3>: Dunya gave the man a nervous glance. The last thing she wanted was for some nobody to come up and start blabbering to the Moderator about death and disaster... He didn't look like a mine worker at least. That was a relief.
<Silverdreams>: Alai sensed his wife's distress and quickly patted her on the leg, giving her a look that said "Everything is going to be alright".
<Arkbrik3>: "Anyway", said the Moderator, "I hope you can find the time to visit Moccur VI together some time. It's wonderful. And because of its... dry reputation there's not that many other tourists."
<Silverdreams>: "Hey, Dunya and I will have some time off, perhaps we can go with you and keep this group together."
<Arkbrik3>: "That's a great idea!" Dunya said.
<Arkbrik3>: "Oh, right away?" the Moderator said.
<Arkbrik3>: "Yes,why not?"
<Arkbrik3>: Dunya said.
<Silverdreams>: "I'd love to see the famous landscapes again, and it would be alot cheaper than renting our own shuttle."
<Silverdreams>: Alai probably shouldn't have said that last part, he now felt somewhat foolish.
<Arkbrik3>: "Well, I do have the extra space on my shuttle... so if you are free right now, then I don't see why not."
<Arkbrik3>: "YES!" Dunya thought.
<Silverdreams>: Alai breathed a sigh of relief, he was safe, his wife was safe, and they would never have to see this rock again.
<mgb>: "Excuse me, perhaps you would you lend a stranger a seat, if you're leaving for Moccur VI?"
*** Arkbrik4 joined #Brickwars
<Arkbrik4>: (back, sigh of relief)
<mgb>: What was the last line you caught?
<mgb>: And why not just be Arkbrik again, instead of Arkbrik4?
<Arkbrik4>: Alai breathed a sigh of relief
<mgb>: "Excuse me, perhaps you would you lend a stranger a seat, if you're leaving for Moccur VI?"
<Arkbrik4>: The moderator turned to the unkempt strange man. "Uh... and who are you?"
*** Arkbrik3 quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
<Silverdreams>: Alai couldn't help but feel threatened by this man, thinking that he would ruin everything.
<mgb>: "You may call me William Pike. I make it a goal to meet new people every day, you see."
<Silverdreams>: "Say, Dunya, I can't say I've ever seen this man in my life"
*** Arkbrik joined #Brickwars
<mgb>: "And I don't believe I've met you before either. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr....?"
<Arkbrik>: back, last line "...thinking he would ruin everything"
<Silverdreams>: Though Alai's body was made to be more aesthetically pleasing than physically imposing, he had decided to fight this stranger if it would come down to it.
<mgb>: "You may call me William Pike. I make it a goal to meet new people every day, you see."
<Silverdreams>: <Silverdreams>: "Say, Dunya, I can't say I've ever seen this man in my life"
<Silverdreams>: <mgb>: "And I don't believe I've met you before either. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr....?
*** Arkbrik2 joined #Brickwars
*** Arkbrik quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
<Silverdreams>: <Silverdreams>: Though Alai's body was made to be more aesthetically pleasing than physically imposing, he had decided to fight this stranger if it would come down to it.
<mgb>: "I've been meaning to visit Moccur VI for a long time, and my girlfriend...she's...I hoped I could get her there before...to propose. And I couldn't help but overhear that you're going there. So perhaps you'd be so kind as to give a man a lift?"
<mgb>: "I'll pay, if need be."
*** Arkbrik4 quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
<mgb>: you know if you type ?nick (insert name here) you can change your name without leaving?
*** Arkbrik3 joined #Brickwars
<mgb>: */nick
<Arkbrik3>: Arkbrik/nick
<Arkbrik3>: */Arkbrik
<Arkbrik3>: ?
<Silverdreams>: Without asterix
<Silverdreams>: For example /nick arkbrik
*** mgb is now known as nickname
*** Arkbrik3 is now known as Arkbrik
*** nickname is now known as mgb
<Arkbrik>: aah
<Silverdreams>: So how caught up are you?
<Arkbrik>: "I don't run a charter"
<Silverdreams>: "Say William, you're making my wife nervous. Could you please leave?"
*** Arkbrik2 quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
<Arkbrik>: Dunya did her best to look nervous.
<mgb>: "Please. I beg you."
<Arkbrik>: "Why is it so important to you?" the Moderator asked. "I've seen plenty of nice places on this worlds. The mines by sunset..."
<mgb>: But he interrupted.
<mgb>: "She's dying."
<mgb>: His sincerity was inherent and clear.
<Silverdreams>: Alai didn't want to help this man, he wanted to leave with people he trusted, but he couldn't help but feel sympathetic to his plight. Alai didn't know what to do.
<mgb>: "And she's always wanted to go somewhere special, somewhere different."
<Silverdreams>: Alai moved his mouth open to say something, but no words came out.
*** Arkbrik2 joined #Brickwars
<Arkbrik2>: last sentence "This guy might just be such a loser..."
<mgb>: where was that?
<Arkbrik2>: Dunya thought that this guy might just be such a loser that he hadn't heard about the mines. That made him a lot less dangerous...
<Arkbrik2>: maybe it didnt get through
<Silverdreams>: Nope.
<Arkbrik2>: then "and she always wanted to go"
<Silverdreams>: Alai moved his mouth open to say something, but no words came out.
<mgb>: "And she's always wanted to go somewhere special, somewhere different."
*** Arkbrik quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
<Arkbrik2>: "Well... I see..." the moderator said. "Fine. But don't expect any luxury on my shuttle when we're ten people, counting my crew. And don't bring any friends."
*** Arkbrik2 is now known as Arkbrik
<Silverdreams>: "William Pike? My name is Alai, Alai
<mgb>: "No friends. All I want is space for me and my girlfriend."
<Silverdreams>: Martel, and this is my lovely wife Dunya. Very pleased to meet you."
<Arkbrik>: "Pleasure", Dunya said, holding out her hand to shale his.
<Arkbrik>: *shake
<Silverdreams>: Alai shook the man's hand with vigour, feeling his calloused fingers.
<mgb>: "Pleasure to meet you." His words seemed slightly forced, and for the briefest of moments he seemed to be tensing up. But he relaxed , as if he was simply providing a firmer handshake.
<mgb>: You disconnect?
<Arkbrik>: "Well", the moderator said, finishing her wine, "it's getting late. Maybe we should get going. Do you need to pack anything?"
<Silverdreams>: "Maybe some spending money and a few changes of clothes"
<Silverdreams>: Alai and Dunya had in fact packed weeks in advance
<mgb>: "No, I've already got my thing together. Where can I meet you?"
<Arkbrik>: "Yes, it'll be quick..." Dunya said... and then felt just the slightest shake in the floor below her. Fuck. It was beginning already.
<Silverdreams>: "Well, we should really get going. Thank you for such a lovely evening."
<Silverdreams>: Damn this world
*** Arkbrik quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
*** Arkbrik2 joined #Brickwars
<Arkbrik2>: "My shuttle is landed on the sandfield to the west of town. Just a short distance from the mines." the Moderator said. She didn't seem to have noticed the shake.
<Silverdreams>: 's dependance on Niodium he though.
<Silverdreams>: *thought
<Arkbrik2>: (what did you say before that?)
*** Arkbrik2 is now known as Arkbrik
<Silverdreams>: Damn this world
<Silverdreams>: 's dependence...
<Arkbrik>: "Okay!" Dunya said, a little too high-pitched. "We'll go and get our things then! See you soon!"
<mgb>: "We'll make it, Helen. We'll get you out of here, and everything will be okay. We'll find you a doctor."
<mgb>: He thought, with relief.
<Arkbrik>: "See you", the Moderator said, and got up to leave, as did Dunya.
<Silverdreams>: Alai quickly left with his wife, grabbing her hand.
<mgb>: "Very well. Pleasure to meet you. Alai, Dunya."
<mgb>: Ron turned to leave as well.
<mgb>: If we need to skip ahead in time to when they leave, can we do that?
<Arkbrik>: I want to keep going here for a bit...
<mgb>: Ok, be my guest.
<Arkbrik>: "Thank the Uncertainty!" Dunya exclaimed when she and Alai were a safe distance away from the Moderator, hurrying home through the streets.
<Arkbrik>: "I never thought she of all people would be so charitable..."
<Silverdreams>: Alai simply nodded in agreement.
<mgb>: A voice recently made familiar spoke out, "You know, she told you every step of the way, Dunya."
<mgb>: Ron stood behind them.
<Silverdreams>: "William?"
<Arkbrik>: Dunya turned around. "What?"
<mgb>: "Helen, that is. She told you every step of the way, and you wrote her off every time."
<mgb>: "Helen. That name mean anything to you?"
<Silverdreams>: Alai turned around and stood beside his wife, watching this man speak.
<Arkbrik>: Dunya recognized the name instantly. The crazy environmentalist woman, with her insane forecasts of the planet's collapse if they kept mining Niordium... "No".
<Arkbrik>: Course, turned out that she was right after all.
<mgb>: Ron scowled. "Then my first impression of you was wrong. I thought you had some degree of conscience, despite my long standing preconceptions to the contrary.
<Arkbrik>: I think we might just have answered the Question... do you agree?
<Silverdreams>: Yes
<mgb>: Yes, but we could stand to keep going.
<mgb>: I also totally predicted that that would be the answer we would come up with
<Arkbrik>: Nope, it's the rules. If we want to see more here someone will have to make another Scene.
<Silverdreams>: I thought it would have to do with the economy, but this works too.
<Arkbrik>: Yeah, I thought the Niordium Mafia would hit them
<mgb>: Ok, whose turn is it to come up with a scene?
<Arkbrik>: Well, first can someone copy the chatlog and post it in a spoiler in the forum thread, so it's preserved?


text:
It was a big year for the queen of daytime TV. Oprah Winfrey announced the final season of her talk show and prepared to launch her own network, called OWN, with shows featuring celebrities like Rosie O'Donnell, Julia Roberts, Sarah Ferguson, and best pal Gayle King. At the same time, she defended her reputation against Kitty Kelly's unauthorized tell-all Winfrey biography that became a best seller and will soon be made into a movie.
Amid all of this, Oprah continued to get richer thanks to her vast empire. She earned $315 million last year and $1.35 billion over the past five years. Her personal net worth is now $2.7 billion, up $400 million from last year, making her one of only 42 women to land a spot on our list of 400 Richest Americans.
Oprah ranks 15th among American women but is the wealthiest to have built her fortune from scratch. Indeed only four of the 42 women, or 1% of all Forbes 400 members, are self-made including
The other 38 women inherited all or part of their fortunes from their husbands or fathers including three who ranked among America's top 20. While they may not have made their own fortunes, they control or have stakes in some of the country's best known stores and brands including mutual fund giant Fidelity, Mars candy and consumer product firms
Four of the women including the two richest have ties to
Sister-in-law Alice, who is building an art museum and funded the construction of an airport in Bentonville, Ark., is worth $20 billion, up $700 million.
Altogether the 42 women are worth $158 billion and have an average net worth of $3.8 billion. Twenty-two saw their fortunes rise over the year, while 10 took a hit.
Cox Enterprises heiress Anne Cox Chambers, whose net worth rose $3.5 billion to $12.5 billion over the year as the cable industry rallied, was the biggest gainer. She is also the oldest woman. She turned 90 this year, making her just five years shy of the oldest member of the Forbes 400: David Rockefeller Sr. To celebrate, the media mogul visited the farm where she grew up in Jacksonburg, Ohio--her first trip back in over 50 years.
Six of the 16 new members of the Forbes 400 were women. Among them: the late Dan Duncan's three daughters Randa Williams, Dannine Avara and Milane Frantz, who each inherited a portion of their father's pipeline empire after his death earlier this year; Tamara Gustavson, the daughter of
The queen of Las Vegas netted 11 million Wynn shares when her second divorce from Wynn was finalized in January; the shares of
So will these women be able to hold strong on the rich list? Winfrey interviewed British billionaire J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, earlier this month and asked the former welfare mom if she has gotten to a point where she can accept that she will always be rich.
When Rowling flipped the question back to her host, O responded: "Kinda. Getting there. Unless I'm a complete fool."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
My Renting Nightmare That Makes Me Never Want to Rent Anything Again
When you are at the age where you want to move out on your own, typically your only option is renting a place. On the outside, renting seems very simple and easy. You agree to pay a certain amount to the landlord each month for an agreed upon number of months. Seems simple enough, right? Well, I found out the hard way is that it isn't always like that at all. Or anything relatively close.
I started renting a house in January of 2012. The house I was renting had actually been on the market for a while, so he agreed to let me lease with an option to buy at the end of the lease. The house was a beautiful, little one tucked off the road away from everything. A private little country house. It was perfect in my mind. So my parents and I paid what ended up being about $1,500 in deposits, and I was ecstatic.But the struggle that it was getting everything worked out should have been a sign of what was to come.
Throughout the year I lived there I didn't have much contact with my landlord. Everything had to be done by letter or through our Realtor. I had issues with a psycho roommate and had to find a new one, which was a little stressful. But that's a whole different story. When the time came that the lease was up, my options were to buy, or move. I pursued buying the property but the landlord started throwing out all of these insane extra fees and extra requirements for us buying the house. It eventually fell through.
So, I paid this guy even more money and paid a full months rent in January and was supposed to get some back depending on how long I actually spent in the house. By the time I moved out my rent should have been about $400, so he owed me $300. And I cleaned that house top to bottom, it was perfect. So I was expecting to get the other $1,500 in deposits back. WRONG.
The landlord basically disappeared from the face of the planet after that. We called, left messages, emailed and tried to contact as many ways as possible. He ended up taking his voicemail off his phone, changed his email, and we never heard from him again. I never knew where my money went until yesterday.
After nearly six months of ignored contact, my dad finally got a hold of the man's Realtor. She explained to us that we weren't getting any money back, which we figured out on our own. Here are the things that all of my deposits supposedly went to:
- Exterminating for mice and roaches
- Supposedly breaking a window and replacing it with plexiglass
- Trashing and tearing up the yard
- Leaving trash and junk scattered throughout the living room.
Now, all of those are logical reasons, except they aren't true. Every home in the country deals with mice and bugs; we had them when we moved in. I don't even know the difference in glass and plexiglass windows. And let's be realistic, a 20-year-old girl has no idea how to replace a window. The driveway was an uneven rock driveway with no parking, so we parked in the grass. Other than that we never went outside, ever. And lastly, I along with two others were the last people in the house and not a single piece of dust was left anywhere. It was spotless.
So, this guy screwed me out of thousands of dollars and ran off. I will never see that money again, nor will I ever be able to do something about it. I now have an apartment, but I didn't realize all of the issues renters do to get money out of their tenants. Since this happened yesterday, I've heard of several stories of how people got severely played when they rented.
So, note to self and any other potential renters: never rent if you have another option. And make sure everything is signed, documented, photographed, and done in person. Do some research on your landlord if you can. Chances are you're going to wish you did when your hundreds to thousands of dollars short in your bank account.


text:
Lyk as the rois in June with hir sueit smell
Scholars use -q- alone to transliterate Semitic koph (as in Quran, Qatar, Iraq ). In Christian theology, Q has been used since 1901 to signify the hypothetical source of passages shared by Matthew and Luke, but not in Mark; in this sense probably it is an abbreviation of German Quelle "source."
The marygulde or dasy doith excell.
Quhy suld I than, with dull forhede and vane,
With ruide engine and barrand emptive brane,
With bad harsk speche and lewit barbour tong,
Presume to write quhar thi sueit bell is rong,
Or contirfait sa precious wourdis deir?
The commoner, and knight, the peer,
Men of all ranks and fame,
Leave to their wives the only care,
To propagate their name;
And well that duty they fulfil
When the good husband's at Quadrille &c.


text:
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
CHALLENGE, WINNER, and SWEET STUFF!!!!
Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope your week is going exceptionally well!!! Except for a little rain(thank heavens no snow and ice) everything here is marvelous!!! I am feeling so wonderfully WELL that I could almost turn a cartwheel if I wasn't afraid of breaking my OLD neck!!!! hahaha!!
Today begins a new challenge over at Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings, where we were asked to use RED/PINK/WHITE and the challenge is sponsored by the marvelous Wild Orchid Crafts, my very favorite place for all things FLOWER!!!! Thank you so much WOC!!! I hope you will all come over and join in with us for a chance to win a magnificent prize!!!!
For my challenge card I used Bazzill for the base, all matting is PTI, and the DP is from the Annalee Collection by Prima--just love the muted, soft colors in this stack. All panels are machine stitched before placing a white paper lace doily on the base. I used that darling little Tilda with Heart Lace from Magnolia-licious, stamped her on X-Press It Blending Card and colored her with Copics adding a touch of Star Dust Stickles for the lace. The horizontal is made with ribbons/trims from the Really Reasonable Ribbon shop: 7/8" Red Organza topped with 3/4" Pink Satin Pleated Trim and adding a double flat bow of 5/8" Pink Sheer Ruffle Edge Ribbon made with the Bow Easy Tool and dangling a silver heart charm. The floral treatment is from Wild Orchid Crafts: 25mm Wild Rose and 20mm Open Roses resting on MS punched out branches. I also added several Pearl Heart Pins to match the string of hearts Tilda is holding and pearl pins from my stash. The front was finished with more pearls from WOC to soften all corners. Little Tilda is looking up at the heart pins as if to ask, "How did I miss those 3 red hearts for my string??? hahahahahah
The inside of my card uses basically the same materials as the front. On the first panel I used the same ribbon treatment and merely added a tiny White Heart Shaped Bead on the bow. On the second panel I used a larger white paper doily, triple Nesties, another bow with bead, and all around the doily I also used heart beads.
I hope you like my little card and will decide to join with us at the RRR Challenge this time!
WINNER of PINK SWEET STUFF!!!
Thank you all so much for your sweet comments and for your visit to me! But we are letting Mr. Random.org decide the winner from what the little blue froggy reported...so... the WINNER of this basket of PINK goodies is....
220. Lynne from Scotland!!!! Congratulations, Lynne! I hope you enjoy it!!! Please send me your mailing address before Wednesday, February 2 at midnight EST so that I can get your package out to you!!
New BLUE SWEET STUFF for my Followers As I promised you, I have made 4 of these desk ensemble baskets and today's SWEET STUFF is the BLUE one...the next one will be a GREEN one and I have another PINK one...so keep on the lookout! The basket is simply decorated with eyelet laces and blue polka dot ribbon and a blue gardenia but is filled with Shabby Chic journal, sticky notes, 8 note cards, 8 enclosure cards, twisted note pad, pen, and rhinestones along with an assortment of blue ribbons and a Tilda Playing Violin! But oh my gosh I forgot the 3 bunches of blue mulberry roses which will be included!!! What do you think of this one??? Just leave your info with Mr Froggy below and you know how much I would appreciate your letting your blogging friends know about it by placing it on your sidebar and linking back to me!!! The cut-off for this SWEET STUFF will be Sunday, February 6, at midnight EST!
Thank you so much for dropping by to spend a moment or two in my little world and I hope you will decide to come back often! It is always such a joy to see you here! Have a beautiful day!! Sending a hug right out to YOU!!!
208 comments:1 – 200 of 208 Newer› Newest»
- THE HOOSIER STAMPER said...
I'm sitting here listening to it rain, or freezing rain, not sure right now, but earlier people were slip sliding around. As always such beautiful artwork, cards, and Sweet Stuff. Wow! I'm the first one on tonight, I just keep drooling for the sweet stuff :o)Hugs!
- February 1, 2011 at 12:10 AM
- Lori said...
What a perfectly adorable card! I'm loving the doily and all the beautiful layers :)
I'm glad that you didn't attempt the cartwheel... you know, I've NEVER been able to do that lol!
Have a great week!
Love and hugs ~ Lori
- February 1, 2011 at 12:18 AM
- Katherine said...
Hello Jacque, its sunny and windy here in the Philippines and been dusting my shop 5x times now :)I wish it will rain.
I love the card you made, adorable!
Thank you again for the chance to win Sweet Stuff.
- February 1, 2011 at 12:31 AM
- ARDILLA said...
THis is a wonderful card! I love the colors, that's a good combo for a challenge...
Thanks for sharing more sweet stuff :)
- February 1, 2011 at 12:48 AM
- Brenda said...
Jacque, your card is amazing as always. I love WOC, you are one of the reasons for my new addiction!!
- February 1, 2011 at 12:49 AM
- Jean said...
Goodness Jacque, this is so adorable. I love this little girl, but was thinking could not use it for anything but Valentine but you sure did her justice... Love your coloring and your layout the colors are so beautiful together and your sewing as usual is perfect... Love the inside also.. beautiful!!!
Am glad it is raining right now as I don't think it is going to keep it up so I want you to stay warm and stay well and just make more cards..
Hugs and Love, Jean
- February 1, 2011 at 12:50 AM
- Steffie2005 said...
Hi Jacque,
- February 1, 2011 at 12:55 AM
- stephanne said...
This is a darling little Tilda, the colours you've used are just too sweet and I love the beautiful detailing you've done, very pretty!! Beautiful inside and out and I am glad to read that you are feeling tip top!!
hugs, stephanne
- February 1, 2011 at 1:11 AM
- Lauren Colless said...
I'm glad you're having a good day!! We're busily battening down the hatches for cyclone Yasi to hit us tomorrow... but taking a quick breather visiting you online :)
- February 1, 2011 at 1:17 AM
- Harma said...
Hi Jacque this is a gorgeous card and I love the sweet Tilda I just got that one myself but have not made a card yet .
We have not bad weather only cold,but the sun is shining.
Hugs harma
- February 1, 2011 at 1:20 AM
- Vintage cards and more said...
Hi Jacque what a great card, absoluty fabulous paper! And its so lovely stamp of little
Tilda with al the hearts surrounded! Hugs Sonja.
- February 1, 2011 at 1:24 AM
- Lana said...
gorgeous card!!! you are so generous with candies! that is just WOW!
Wish you joy!
- February 1, 2011 at 1:24 AM
- Cassy said...
How beautiful! Love the colors and the layout! The flowers are gorgeous and all the hearts and the heart charm are so pretty!
- February 1, 2011 at 1:32 AM
- angelique (anlou) said...
hiya sweetie
this card is so cute and perfect
congrats to lynne, you're a lucky one
thank you jacque for the chance sweetie
hugs angelique
- February 1, 2011 at 1:32 AM
- Desirée~ScrapDees said...
congrats to the winner and what nice of you to give again a great candy, i love to win it! and i will put it on my blog!
- February 1, 2011 at 1:48 AM
- hilda'scraftylounge said...
These basket giveaways are fabulous !! I like how you coordinated them Thanks for the opportunity!!
hil23mart at gmail dot com
- February 1, 2011 at 1:52 AM
- Liefs Ineke said...
Wat schitterend mooi. Dank je wel dat we de kans krijgen deze te winnen.
Veel liefs van Ineke
- February 1, 2011 at 1:52 AM
- Candy said...
Hi Miss Jacque!
Another beautiful creation :o)
I love your paper.
You always decorate your cards so perfectly.
Love all your pins and buttons!
Hugs, Candy
- February 1, 2011 at 1:55 AM
- Green-Eyed Girl said...
So cute this little Valentine Tilda! I love the image, love the card you made! Another thanks for the beautifull basket full with sweet stuff. I hope you'll find time to make a tutorial for the wonderfull basket :)) Hugs ()
- February 1, 2011 at 2:04 AM
- Helene said...
I love your card, this Tilda is soooo sweet.
- February 1, 2011 at 2:13 AM
- CRAZYCRAFTSHED said...
Hi Jacque
A stunning card and congratulations to the
Hugs Dianne xx :)
- February 1, 2011 at 2:14 AM
- Nina said...
Dear Jacque, your card is so fresh and shiny. It makes me happy! Hugs Nina
- February 1, 2011 at 2:17 AM
- Shirley said...
Stunning card Jacque!
And what a great basket you filled for us... thanx for giving us a chance to win it!
Hugs Shirley
- February 1, 2011 at 2:20 AM
- Margo said...
What a lovely card !
I love the combinations you make each time, I never seem to have the right colour cardstock, I do wonder if you just make sure you buy only things that go together or do you just have so much that you can always find matching things ?
Tell me the secret :)
I love the beautifull goodies you have selected once again for us !
Added my name with the froggy and will most definately post your pic on my blog !
Have a nice day and sending a hug right back at you !
- February 1, 2011 at 2:23 AM
- Cintia Tavares said...
Owww, adorable card!!!!!
I linked your candy in my blog.
- February 1, 2011 at 2:24 AM
- cebelica said...
It's blue, it's blue. My favourite colour. And all these wonderful things! Thank you, Jacque, for giving us the chance to win these goodies.
Also, your card is fab as always. I always love how you put things together. Everything looks perfect!
- February 1, 2011 at 2:24 AM
- Helen said...
Love the card you made for this challenge. As blue is my favourite (next to purple) I would love to win this sweet stuff. Thanks for your generosity. Regards from Holland, Helen
- February 1, 2011 at 2:29 AM
- Anita said...
Your card is so beautiful, as always. Thanks for another chance on a candy. I realy like blue, so who knows ;) X Anita
- February 1, 2011 at 2:31 AM
- sirenettka said...
such a beautiful card!
Thanks for another sweet candy!!
Hugs, Anya
- February 1, 2011 at 2:35 AM
- Nelly said...
Jacque, Its really adorable card - sweet and tender with great design!!
I hope this cards and your followers are good medicine for you!!!
Have a nice and creative day!
- February 1, 2011 at 2:42 AM
- Christine L said...
Glad to hear you're feeling so well Jacque - your card is stunning - and thank you for the chance of this sweetstuff!
Christine x
- February 1, 2011 at 2:44 AM
- Татьяна said...
his is amazing!!!
I love your card!!
Fabulous colors, and I lile the way you decorate the inside part of card!!!
Thanks for a chance!!
- February 1, 2011 at 2:51 AM
- Ellen said...
Hello Jacque,
This is amazing, wowwwww. Beautiful!!!! Thanks for the change to win!
Hugs and have a nice day,
- February 1, 2011 at 2:55 AM
- Simply Shaz said...
Beautiful card Jacque! I have the Annalee pad to..lovely isn't it. So glad to hear that you are feeling well enough for cartwheels :) lol
Shaz x
- February 1, 2011 at 2:57 AM
- Chrissy said...
Hi! Jacque, this is so beautiful, pale blue...gorgeous. Thankyou again for a chance to win.
Luv CHRISSYxx
- February 1, 2011 at 3:00 AM
- AsilisA MaM said...
What's a beautiful card, Jacque! I line you take brite colour of the goods and they play all together ideally! I like how you arrange inside of the card - not less beautiful then the mane page - I love your creations!
- February 1, 2011 at 3:02 AM
- Aussie Loz said...
oh, these sweet baskets are just adorable Jacque, thanks so much for the chance to win!!
I am still waiting for my new Maggies - cannot remember if I ordered this one But I sure hope I did!! She's gorgeous and I love the bow ribbon! ♥
- February 1, 2011 at 3:04 AM
- Vicky said...
Hello sweetie what a gorgeous card I love the papers I have the same pad & I cry when I have to cut the paper lol. The bows look soooo pretty & Tilda just looks amazing hun. Hope you are keeping ok.
Thank you so much again for offering out your fabulous candy you really are the most generous woman I know of.
Take care hun.
Lotsa hugs Vicky xx
- February 1, 2011 at 3:19 AM
- theCook said...
Lovely card, beautiful colors, I love the inside doily with its pearl hearts...
- February 1, 2011 at 3:22 AM
- Suzi said...
Another beautiful creation Jacque, the attention to detail is amazing. the stitching, embellies. papers. All delicious. Thank you for another sweet candy too.
Suzi x
- February 1, 2011 at 3:26 AM
- Maris said...
hi Jacque, ohhh what a lovely card you made, love this tilda ,and what a great sweet bleu stuff, my favorite color this is xxx
- February 1, 2011 at 3:33 AM
- cabio's craft corner said...
Such a sweet card with this adorable Tilda. Beautiful doilies and ribbon inside and front :o)
- February 1, 2011 at 3:47 AM
- Isha said...
Love your sweet card. TFS. I always adore your cards. Thanks for the sweet giveaway too. Love it. Keeping my fingers crossed.
- February 1, 2011 at 3:54 AM
- Cami said...
Another gorgeous card, inside and out! Love all the pretty doilies, lace and trims! What a generous Sweet Stuff in pretty blue, Jacque! You are most generous with your blog candy.
- February 1, 2011 at 3:56 AM
- Sian said...
Beautiful card, so full of colour.
- February 1, 2011 at 3:59 AM
- Cj said...
love the card it's so cute.xxx
- February 1, 2011 at 4:04 AM
- Louise said...
beautiful card as always, thanks for opportunity for some more candy!
- February 1, 2011 at 4:07 AM
- Craftyanny said...
Hi Jacque
A stunning card as usual, love the flowers, they really make the card pop not forgdetting your wonderful colour works too.
- February 1, 2011 at 4:09 AM
- kittirin said...
Hi Jacque!!This is a wonderful card! I love the colors!!!
Hugs! Iryna
- February 1, 2011 at 4:16 AM
- Elenka said...
Jacques,so beautiful card as usual! I love it! Great work!
- February 1, 2011 at 4:31 AM
- Mandy said...
Beautiful card Jacques, so pretty and adorable.
Thanks for the chance to win some sweet stuff
hugs Mandy xx
- February 1, 2011 at 4:31 AM
- Rainmac said...
Wow Jacque, your card is just stunning, I love everything about it. We too have rain here in the UK, looks like it's going to be miserable all day :-( Congrats to the lucky winner and many thanks to you for offering yet another beautiful array of yummy sweet stuff xxx
- February 1, 2011 at 4:31 AM
- Queenie Jeannie said...
More gorgeous card art!!
*crossing fingers* on the Sweet Stuff!
- February 1, 2011 at 4:36 AM
- Suzanne said...
Gorgeous card and candy once again. Thanks for the chance to win x
- February 1, 2011 at 4:52 AM
- *mieke* said...
I love all your cards...they are stunning!
Thnx voor the chance to win again!
Gr Mieke
- February 1, 2011 at 5:05 AM
- ☼ Cheryl* said...
What a CUTE image!!!! Your card is lovely, you put so much detail into them and they are always so beautiful :)! x
- February 1, 2011 at 5:06 AM
- Judi said...
Yet another FAB card Jacque, how do you do it?
Love the look of the candy, and blue's my favourite colour, so keeping my fingers crossed.
Judi xx
- February 1, 2011 at 5:14 AM
- Nancy said...
I absolutely love your card. Thank you for all the generous sweet stuff!
- February 1, 2011 at 5:23 AM
- agge said...
just lovley cards.and so many great things in your candy..
- February 1, 2011 at 5:28 AM
- D K Crafts said...
Hi Jacque. Another gorgeous card. Love the colours and such an adorable Tilda. Great layout and details too. Thanks for the chance to enter another fabulous sweet stuff. Good to hear you are feeling well. Donna
- February 1, 2011 at 5:41 AM
- Chiaretta said...
thanks for the new sweet stuff!! I love the tilda with heart lace, it is sooooo sweet!!!
- February 1, 2011 at 5:47 AM
- yvon said...
Your card is amazingly beautiful. Love all the details. Thanks so much for an other chance to win some candy.
I'm so happy you're feeling okee.
Hugs, Yvon
- February 1, 2011 at 5:56 AM
- Teresa said...
Hi Jacque! very nice your card. This string of hearts I think is very cute!
Thank you very much again for the opportunity to participate in such an important award! I took the link to my blog.
A hug!
- February 1, 2011 at 6:02 AM
- Julye said...
Fab card as always and lovethat blue basket, have to say blue is my fav colour and would much rather have blue , green and purples than girly pinks but its good that we ll like different things, thanks for the chance it's so pretty.
- February 1, 2011 at 6:08 AM
- Maryann said...
WOOT WOOT your card is amazing JAcque, but they always are, so it doesn´t surprise me at all. I just love to see your work.
And as the blue stuff, then I just HAVE to be lucky for once. This is exactly my favorit over all favorites, and I just so love all blue shades, so I´ll really cross my fingers, that I´ll be lucky this tme.
Have a great day Jacque and thanks so much for all you always share with us.
- February 1, 2011 at 6:13 AM
- Chiara said...
Your card are always beautiful!!! :-)
And thank you for the new chance...
ciao ciao
- February 1, 2011 at 6:27 AM
- Debbie said...
Gorgeous card Jacque.Thank you for the chance to win more candy.You are one generous and thoughtful lady.Glad you are feeling well today-no cartwheels though aye.Take care.Debbie x
- February 1, 2011 at 6:35 AM
- Tabitha said...
Congrats to the winner. Your card is lovely, like always, so happy you are feeling well. I am freezing. Big snow storm coming through and kids home from school. Yeah a snuggle kind of day! ;0)
- February 1, 2011 at 6:38 AM
- Sherry said...
Such a pretty card. I always enjoy looking through your blog and the Sweet Stuff looks just wonderful.
- February 1, 2011 at 6:41 AM
- Katarina said...
Love the colours you have used for your card. The blue and red are so wonderful together. Thank you for the chance to win your sweet candy - I have linked you on my candypost.
- February 1, 2011 at 6:41 AM
- Kendra said...
Beautiful card! I love the doily and will have to go on a hunt for some. I really like how you include the supplies list in your post, and where to go shopping! lol Thanks so much!
- February 1, 2011 at 6:46 AM
- Tineke's hobby said...
Hi Jacque what a great card, absoluty fabulous paper Thank you for the chance to win more candy.
Hugs Tineke
- February 1, 2011 at 6:56 AM
- Eisbärin said...
Beautiful! Thanks also for the chance of sweet stuff! Love the blue, am very much a blue and green girl and not so much pink... hehe.
Have put a link with pic in my sidebar!
Love, Alex
- February 1, 2011 at 6:59 AM
- Luvs2paint and Create said...
what a beautiful card, i love your inspiration, added you to my favorite blogs. thank you for the chance to win this wonderful candy
- February 1, 2011 at 7:07 AM
- Pedacinhos di Pano by Claudia said...
Wo my God, I loved this!!!
Thanks Jacque.
- February 1, 2011 at 7:13 AM
- Pat said...
Hi Jacque....how darling!! Love your cards, hon! And this is another winner! Gorgeous coloring...and I love the DPs and each and every element of this card! Have a great day....and I'd hold off on those cartwheels for a bit...imaginary cartwheels are so much safer!! :-) Stay warm...it's freeeeeeeeezing here in Richmond, VA!! Hugs...Pat Frank
- February 1, 2011 at 7:15 AM
- scrapperdiane said...
Your card is absolutely beautiful.The colors are stunning.
- February 1, 2011 at 7:18 AM
- Kat said...
Hi Jacque, what a stunning card. I love that sweet Tilda and the colours are beautiful.
Gorgeous sweet stuff and thanks for the chance to win.
Today in North East Scotland (Aberdeenshire) it is a beautiful day but unfortunately I have to go to work soon.
Kat xx
- February 1, 2011 at 7:25 AM
- ursula Uphof said...
Such a lovely Tilda and my favourite colours. I would be so lucky. Jacque no cartwheels please, jumping up and down is good enough. Hope the snowstorms we hear about aren't heading your way. Warm wishes.
- February 1, 2011 at 7:27 AM
- Kim said...
Jacque--your card is gorgeous. Love how the colors all melt together. Your embellishments are just perfect as is your coloring. Love, Love, Love this card!! Glad to hear you are feeling good today!! Praying that that feeling continues for you. Thanks for the awesome sweet stuff and the chance to win. Hugs,
- February 1, 2011 at 7:35 AM
- Patti G. said...
Jacque, there is something about your PRECIOUS style that brings a smile to my heart! LOVE your cards, each is a treasure!
- February 1, 2011 at 7:39 AM
- Genia said...
what a beauuuuuuutiful card!!!!!!!!!!
- February 1, 2011 at 7:46 AM
- Larisa said...
Hello!! Very nice card!! LOve the gentle flowers on the top. The image is colouring so great!!!
Great giveaway! I'm a follower! Thanks for the chance to win!
Hugs. Larisa. xxx
- February 1, 2011 at 7:47 AM
- SCRAPLICA said...
I loved your cards, specdially the first, with magnolia!! Its soo sweet!! :)
- February 1, 2011 at 7:56 AM
- Melissa Bove (SCS ~ Melissa1872) said...
Wow! Your card is simply breathtakingly gorgeous!!
Congratulations Lynne!
- February 1, 2011 at 8:03 AM
- Teri said...
hmmm... I used to be able to do cartwheels... about 40 years ago...hahhahha!!!! I'm with you, would NEVER attempt it now!!!! Anyway, back to the important stuff! Congratulations, Lynne!!! I'm sure you will love your goodies... you lucky dog!! LOL!! Jacque, this card is too precious!!! I love that paper, too, it's just so... comfortable or something... Tilda is adorable and your coloring is gorgeous, as usual!! I am going to have to look for those cutie pie heart stick pins....too cute!! Hope the weather stays great for you, we're expecting a lot more yuck... no school today...
Oh and I am sooo happy that you are feeling on top of the world!!
- February 1, 2011 at 8:08 AM
- Patricia Hurlburt said...
The card is gorgeous!! And so are the baskets! Thanks for sharing.
- February 1, 2011 at 8:10 AM
- Gram's Treasures said...
Beautiful card with lots of little details! Of course the sweet stuff looks wonderful too. We are in wait mode here, looking to see how much snow we'll get and when it will start. Well, at least one month of winter is over....come on spring!
Joyce xx
- February 1, 2011 at 8:12 AM
- Brook said...
Your card is beautiful. I love how you decorate the inside as well. Your candy is yummy and the baskets are wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win!
- February 1, 2011 at 8:27 AM
- Esme said...
That's such a sweet Tilda! I love the roses, and that little heart charm!!
- February 1, 2011 at 8:27 AM
- Yukkie Jenny said...
Lovely cards! Jacque, wish you feel WELL all the time!
- February 1, 2011 at 8:37 AM
- Mona E said...
Gorgeous card as usual. Love the layers and doily. Beautiful papers you have used. Love the ribbon too. Have a nice day, Jacque. Hugs...Mona
- February 1, 2011 at 8:45 AM
- Lynne said...
Thanks for my lovely pink basket candy!! I am so happy!
As always you card is stunning, the colours are fab! Love your pink ribbon which you layered over the red one!
Thanks again!
Lynne x x
- February 1, 2011 at 9:13 AM
- Monica said...
What a fantastic basket full of nice stuff from you. Have nice crafting week.
- February 1, 2011 at 9:13 AM
- Tanya R said...
Pretty in pink, dashing in blue. Thanks for the chance. Hope you are well today.
- February 1, 2011 at 9:28 AM
- Ewarost said...
Witaj Jacqe...Kartka jak zwykle w twoim wykonaniu piękna... subtelnie dobrane kolorki i wykończenie rewelacja. Gratulacje dla zwycięzcy i podziękowania za kolejna szansę udziału w zabawie możne i mnie kiedyś się uda zdobyć moja ukochaną Tilde . Tym razem do zdobycia piękne błękity :-)) Dziękuje Ewa.
- February 1, 2011 at 9:38 AM
- Cricket said...
Jacque, the blue basket is beautiful! You are so kind to offer your followers the opportunity to win.
- February 1, 2011 at 9:49 AM
- Stacie (craft-princess) said...
Beautiful V-day or love card! And blue is my fav color!! Thanks for a chance to win some sweet stuff! Your lucky to just have rain....we got hit with some serious ice!! Pretty much everything is closed in my area.
- February 1, 2011 at 9:54 AM
- Danielle Champagne said...
OH! Jacque... so wonderful!a work of art. Sooo good to see you are well! You and Tilda would make a wonderful pair! she looks ready to hang hearts all over! LOve all the lovely details, but the heart stickpins win the 1st place, I am obsessed with stickpins!!! I'd put some everywhere. The inside of your card is just as fabulous. Have a wonderful day Hugs.
- February 1, 2011 at 10:05 AM
- Sara said...
Jacque your card is absolutely beautiful, as always! I am so happy to hear that you are feeling wonderful today! Also thanks again for another chance at some wonderful sweet stuff! Happy Creating! Sara
- February 1, 2011 at 10:14 AM
- Leticia Ginatto said...
Congrats, Lynne :)
Jacque, another gift? You are so nice with us, I love your heart :**
This card it´s SOO CUTEE!!
Thanks a lot, Jacque!
- February 1, 2011 at 10:30 AM
- True :) said...
Your card is stunning as always Jacque! Love all the extra heart embellies!
True :D
- February 1, 2011 at 10:35 AM
- Kimberly S said...
Beautiful Tilda card Jacque! Love all of the lovely flowers you've used, and the DP is perfect! :)
- February 1, 2011 at 10:41 AM
- Julie said...
Just Gorgeous Jacque!!!
- February 1, 2011 at 10:47 AM
- Francy said...
Hello I love this card, it is very sweet, great idea to decorate the inside of the card.
- February 1, 2011 at 10:49 AM
- HandmadebyTLC said...
Wow! #226, you have a great blog! I'm wondering where you found the heart pins in the card? Great job, keep up the sharing of your beautiful artwork and candy :)
- February 1, 2011 at 10:59 AM
- Kelly Massman said...
What a gorgeous card and your candy is in my sidebar!
- February 1, 2011 at 11:04 AM
- Rene said...
Rene ;D
- February 1, 2011 at 11:45 AM
- Mina said...
wow what a stunning card, I love love love those papers Jacque and oooooohhhhhhh the blue goodies are as lush as the pink
Mina xxx
- February 1, 2011 at 11:49 AM
- Helen Philips said...
Dear Jacque, this card brings positive and bright emotions!Thanks for the sweet stuff!
- February 1, 2011 at 11:55 AM
- Pinkllilac said...
This is stunning Jacque fabulous colours and details!perfectly gorgeous and the papers are beautiful!
Love the candy too and thank you for this chance to enter.
Hugs Linda
- February 1, 2011 at 12:13 PM
- Tracey Brossart said...
Congrats to Lynn! Another gorgeous card Jacque, love the floral DP you used on the inside! And I'm glad your snow is finally melting for you! Thanks at a chance for some more super sweet stuff!! :D
xx Tracey xx
- February 1, 2011 at 12:14 PM
- Rhonda Miller said...
Wow, your card is gorgeous. I just love those papers and flowers.
Congrats Lynne.
Thanks for another chance to win some sweet stuff.
- February 1, 2011 at 12:22 PM
- Lolô Artesanato said...
I loved it!
I posted in my blog too
tks and xoxo
- February 1, 2011 at 12:24 PM
- Suzan L said...
Hi Jacque, Your card is so gorgeous!! I love the ribbons and the flowers that you used!! RRR and WOC are so lucky to have you on their DT's. The red heart pins look wonderful!!
- February 1, 2011 at 12:53 PM
- Hege said...
What a beautiful card, Jaque! Wonderful news that you're feeling well today!!! Take care!! And be careful with that neck of yours... (ha, ha!)
You are too kind with your sweet stuff!!! Thank you for keeping me in suspense at least twice a week...(lol)
Love, Hege
- February 1, 2011 at 1:08 PM
- ellabella said...
Stunning is the only word i can think of!
- February 1, 2011 at 1:46 PM
- izunika said...
Wow, beutiful.
- February 1, 2011 at 1:47 PM
- coops said...
fantastic card jacque.the tilda is so pretty and i love yout stunning colours and flowers.
your attention to detail is amazing.
thankyou so much for the chance to win your super candy, you are so generous :D
xx coops xx
- February 1, 2011 at 1:51 PM
- Tanya said...
So glad to hear you are feeling so well!! I wouldn't attempt any cartwheels either, lol! Thank you so much for the chance, my favorite color is blue, this is gorgeous!! Have a great day :)
- February 1, 2011 at 1:55 PM
- Randi WS said...
Hi Jacque,
such an adorable card. Those heart pins are too cute - and those ribbons are just FANTASTIC
The watercolor blue is one of my fav colors, I guess it's because my sign is Pisces... *lol*
So glad you're feeling better ;)
Hugs, Randi WS
- February 1, 2011 at 2:22 PM
- Riet said...
What a wonderful card Jacque,I love the image and the colours.
So gorgeous papers and the details.
Hugs Riet.x
- February 1, 2011 at 2:32 PM
- sunnysideup said...
Hi Jacque, What a lovely card , Love the colours,Love this paper collection too!The inside of your card is so pretty!
- February 1, 2011 at 2:58 PM
- Nancy said...
Congratulations to Lynne in Scotland, on her win. The blue set is lovely also, Jacque. Thanks for all these opportunities for us. The paper on your new card is gorgeous. I will have to check for it at my local independent seller.
- February 1, 2011 at 3:12 PM
Gorgeous card Jacque, lovely colours and fab image! Thanks for the chance to win more fab candy!
Helen x
- February 1, 2011 at 3:17 PM
- Tammy said...
What a stunning card...Love the image and those stick pins are just beautiful. I was thrilled today to receive some antique pins from my mom. Also~a beautiful giveaway once again...
- February 1, 2011 at 3:17 PM
- Sol said...
Your Card is Lovely Jacque!!! Love the pink and red together!! The ribbon is Beautiful!!! So is the paper! Lovely Composition!!! Perfect!!!
Your Candy is Absolutely Amazing!!! I love all the Blue!!! You are so kind!!!! :o)
- February 1, 2011 at 3:45 PM
- Gi said...
Oi, Jacque,
Adorei seus cartões e adoro sua visita.
Não falo inglês, uso o tradutor...rs
Obrigada pela chance de ganhar esses mimos.
Hi, Jacque
I loved your cards and I love HER Visit
I do not speak English, use the translator ... lol lol
Thanks for the chance to win candy!
- February 1, 2011 at 3:51 PM
- Marianne said...
Another fabulous card: really great coloring. Thank you for the chance to win this sweet blue candy!!! Hugs,
- February 1, 2011 at 3:56 PM
- Sharon Caudle said...
Beautiful card, Jacque! You're like the little pink energizer bunny! You just keep cranking out these gorgeous creations! And of course I love each and every one. Glad you're feeling well!!
hugs, Sharon
- February 1, 2011 at 4:00 PM
- Rene said...
Oh Jacque, the paper is beautiful and the card is stunning. Thanks for the chance to win.
Rene from OZ xo
- February 1, 2011 at 4:01 PM
- Flossie said...
Such a cute card! So happy to read that you feel better!
- February 1, 2011 at 4:03 PM
- Shirley N said...
Another gorgeous card inside and out Jacque! The details on your cards are always so amazing! The mail has been so slow, will let you know as soon as I receive my sweet stuff. Thanks Jacque!!! Have a great day!
- February 1, 2011 at 4:26 PM
So beautiful! I just love how you combo colors and flowers and pins and ribbon to tie everything together so beautifully.
- February 1, 2011 at 4:58 PM
- Tonje said...
Gorgeous, gorgeous card! Love all the little details, especially the heart pins.
- February 1, 2011 at 5:04 PM
- Marion said...
Hi Jacque,
Absolutely stunning card and a fabulous colour combo. Love that cute Tilda and all the great embellishments you used. Thanks for the chance at another of your sweet baskets. They are just gorgeous.
- February 1, 2011 at 5:29 PM
- Elena said...
a card very happy! I had those papers, they are beautiful!
- February 1, 2011 at 5:35 PM
- Hev said...
I love these baskets you are offering as candy, thanks so much for the chance to win one. Your card is stunning, I don't normally like red and pink together but it works perfectly here.
Luv Hev xx
- February 1, 2011 at 5:37 PM
- kitty said...
Hi Glad you are feeling Great :). I love the papers on this one !! I love your blog I am addicted ! and you are so generous with your candy. The baskets are such a wonderful idea love the colour so easy to co-ordinate a project. Good luck everyone !! I have linked your sweet stuff on my blog. Kitty :)
- February 1, 2011 at 5:47 PM
- Crafteezee said...
Gorgeous card and gorgeous basket, is there anything you make that isn't Gorgeous? Thanks for the chance to win. Hugs Tracy x
- February 1, 2011 at 5:59 PM
- bernietom47 said...
We've dried out and the snow has melted but it's BURR SO Cold today.
As always your card is brilliant.
BLUE! BLUE! BLUE! My absolute favorite color. That basket is SO very pretty. It would fit prefectly in my tiny blue and white craft room. I would be thrilled to win all those yummy goodies. Thanks for the chance to win it. Crossing fingers for this one.
Blessings Bernie
- February 1, 2011 at 6:37 PM
- Sue said...
Oooh gorgeous card! I love the colours and all the beautiful flowers and embellishments are scrumptious!
Sue xx
- February 1, 2011 at 6:51 PM
- Christy Beans said...
Stopping at your blog every day is like stepping out of this frozen muck into a floral spring garden. Unfortunately I can't spend all day here. LOL Stay safe and warm!
- February 1, 2011 at 7:17 PM
- Traci S. said...
Dear Jacque~
What a lovely card! I love those little pins with the hearts on them...the pearls, also. I really like how you color this beautiful, innocent image! I love her string of hearts.
This basket is so beautiful. Thank you for offering another opportunity to win some of your treasures. The blue set is so unique. I don't think I have anything in that shade...it would be a great addition to my collection of materials. It would open a whole new color selection up to me! Thank you for your generosity.
He IS Able,
Traci Starkweather
(Traci S.)
- February 1, 2011 at 7:27 PM
- Donna said...
What a gorgeous card, Jacque! Tilda is so romantic! Thanks for the chance to win!
- February 1, 2011 at 8:28 PM
- Christina C. said...
This card is SENSATIONAL, my friend!!! Love this sweet Tilda, all the fabulous flowers, doily and stickpins! Pure perfection...inside and out!
- February 1, 2011 at 8:40 PM
- Asas à imaginação said...
Your card is simply wonderful!!!I love!!!
Dear friend,thanks for the new chance to the marvelous candy!!!
Congratuletions to the winner!
- February 1, 2011 at 8:55 PM
- Ms. Jen said...
I have that paper too. Now I have some ideas how to use it. I get overwhelmed by the DP that has big stuff on it. I always wanna save it, for what I don't know. Those little hearts on the inside are cute. I just love how you used the papers design for embellishments. Have another great day sweets!
- February 1, 2011 at 9:06 PM
- Noreen said...
The lacy look of your cards is so delicate and sweet - and just perfect for a young lady.
- February 1, 2011 at 11:07 PM
- Linda Carson said...
G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S artwork!
- February 1, 2011 at 11:17 PM
- Rufus said...
Glad that you decided to forgo the cartwheel!! But even happier that you feel so well. That is truly music to my ears. Congrats to the winner of the lovely pink basket set.
- February 1, 2011 at 11:37 PM
- Vaktmästarn said...
An amazingly beautiful card, Jacque! Wonderful vibrant colours and still so romantic!
Outi x
- February 2, 2011 at 1:15 AM
- LittleNasty said...
Thanks for the change to win!
- February 2, 2011 at 2:25 AM
- Lia said...
Ohhh, so beautiful things, thanks for the change to win it!!
greetings Lia
- February 2, 2011 at 3:50 AM
- jude said...
Wow....this is absolutely gorgeous hun just love the colours and attention to detail is amazing.Thanks again for so much inspiration you give to us bloggers.Thanks for chance to win more sweet stuff ...fingers crossed
hugs judex
- February 2, 2011 at 4:29 AM
- Колина said...
it's B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!! ^)
- February 2, 2011 at 5:40 AM
- La Vikinga said...
The girl with her hearted ribbon is very cute!!! And also the inside has a very interesting ribbon and your ties (with the ribbon - I don't know if it's called knot or tie or bow...) is perfect!
- February 2, 2011 at 6:46 AM
- Lynda Nielsen said...
Jacque my girl, you have me cracking up laughing!!! The comment about being afraid of breaking your "old" neck... ha ha.... You crazy girl!!! But how about today? You must be getting "Something" from this storm... So I'm sure you won't think of doing cartwheels today. LOL
Your card is AMAZING!!! I just Love how Tilda is looking up at those 3 little hearts. Lovely papers, and of course your coloring and design are pure Perfection!!!
Biggest Hugs,
- February 2, 2011 at 6:55 AM
As always, Jacque, I am in awe of the beauty that you express in your cards, and this one is just as beautiful!! I am in love with the beautiful giveaway you have offered to all of us....Thanks for another opportunity to win!!
- February 2, 2011 at 7:00 AM
- lucretia said...
Think that is a really sweet basket. Very pretty and cute indeed.
- February 2, 2011 at 7:12 AM
- petra,s cards said...
wow your card is just gorgeous!! sweet collors!!!
your candy is soooo great sweet baby collors one off my favorite, thank you for the chance to win!!!!
have a great week!!
xx petra
- February 2, 2011 at 7:44 AM
- Grenouille Greetings said...
Beautiful card, Jacque! Love those papers - they are such a striking colour combo. And Tilda really does look like she is wondering why those hearts on the pins are not on her garland! Lovely. And thank you of course for the opportunity to win not only lovely candy but such a pretty hand decorated basket too! Hugs, Lesley
- February 2, 2011 at 7:45 AM
- Cindylu2u said...
Your card is beautiful!! Love your work, and your desk ensemble bakset is fabulous!! Thanks
miller896042 at bellsouth dot net
- February 2, 2011 at 8:01 AM
- Lullina said...
This candy is really so sweet! ^^
I linked it in my blogs
- February 2, 2011 at 8:28 AM
- Danielle said...
Another gorgeous card Jacque and I'm so happy to hear you're doing great! Thanks again for another chance at winning a 'blue' basket!!
Hugs, Danielle
- February 2, 2011 at 8:52 AM
- Therese said...
The card is beautiful...so gorgeous papers and embellishment. Thanks for the chance to win the gorgeous blue basket. Hugs :)
- February 2, 2011 at 9:32 AM
- tammejean said...
your card is wonderful! Thanks for a change to win an amazing lot of candy!
- February 2, 2011 at 9:33 AM
- Kim. said...
Another wonderful card with a really cute image.
Kim xXx
- February 2, 2011 at 9:36 AM
- Shazza said...
beautiful card Jacque and thanks for the chance to win sweet stuff x
- February 2, 2011 at 11:54 AM
- 1LuvnMama said...
Oh my word Jacque! That handle on your basket is gorgeous! Luv how you wrapped that blue ribbon around it. Thanks again for the opportunity to win!
- February 2, 2011 at 12:45 PM
- Sharon in Arizona said...
A BIG congrats to Lynne!!! This card with Tilda is absolutely gorgeous!!!!! I've not seen this Tilda before so guess she goes on my wish list. Thank you Jacque for offering this WONDERFUL SWEET STUFF!!!! Have a wonderful day and hugs to you. Sharon :o)
- February 2, 2011 at 3:46 PM
- Louise said...
So lovely Jacque! Delighted to read that you are feeling so well and thank you for yet another fabulous candy.
- February 2, 2011 at 4:04 PM
- Kras said...
Surprising to me that you do not read my comments. Much love card.
- February 2, 2011 at 4:47 PM
- TA Carbone said...
Well you know me Jacquie when I see the blue I see if for my type of cancer, Colon Cancer Awareness
- February 2, 2011 at 9:23 PM
- AmyJRockstar said...
Thanks so much for the entry. I linked it up and put it on my blog.
XO ~ Amy Jo (follower)
amyjrockstar at gmail dot com
- February 2, 2011 at 10:08 PM
- Jenny V. said...
Wow what a lovely card inside and out Jacque. I hope one day I will be lucky enough to win your sweet stuff. Your cards are always so beautiful.
- February 3, 2011 at 12:14 AM
What a wonderful card Jacquie - I love your use of colours.
I'm really pleased that you are feeling so well - enough to cartwheel, except for the neck !
Long may you continue to feel on top form.
thanks a lot for the chance to win the goodie basket.
have a lovely day,
- February 3, 2011 at 7:48 AM
- Márcia Mattos said...
Hi Jaque
I am really glad you are feeling well....
I am still on treatment.
But everything seems to be fine.
I love blue Jaque!
this a beautiful candy!!!!!!
Marcia in Brasil
- February 3, 2011 at 8:46 AM
- KelsMakes!!! said...
Stunning cards! That is amazing candy, thank you for the chance to win!
- February 3, 2011 at 9:21 AM
- Rah said...
Love this!!!
follower: Rah
email: email@example.com
- February 3, 2011 at 12:13 PM
I would love to enter your giveaway. Thanks so much for offering it.
- February 3, 2011 at 12:42 PM
- Claralesfleurs said...
This card is too gorgeous! I love those colors, the sketch, I love all in this card!
Thank you for this generous candy!
Hug from Quebec
Clara XXX...
- February 3, 2011 at 2:54 PM
- kathr said...
Gorgeous card yet again Jacque! your cards are always so stunning and you pick such wonderful colours, I also love the idea of having your candy colour coded, such a cool idea , and the basket it another great idea.....hugs Kath....
- February 3, 2011 at 4:33 PM
- Vivi Casale said...
marvelous card Jacque..love the papers you used!! awesome sweet stuff as always!!
- February 3, 2011 at 4:44 PM
- Ker said...
I've not seen a more pretty offering of candy than this one. Karen
- February 3, 2011 at 8:23 PM
- pennykitz said...
You have a wonderful blog. Your projects are simply amazing. I will be back soon.
I posted over on my blog.
- February 3, 2011 at 8:28 PM
- Carole RB said...
Hi Jacque
Another fabulous card. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Have a nice weekend!
- February 3, 2011 at 9:31 PM
- jodyb said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- February 3, 2011 at 10:29 PM
- jodyb said...
AMAZING as always! And, you have been linked to my blog! Thanks! Jody
- February 3, 2011 at 10:30 PM
- handmade by EVIETA craft said...
Love this card! Gorgeous colours...
Hugs! Evie (Singapore)
- February 4, 2011 at 1:14 AM
- Carol said...
What beautiful cards......I borrowed a Magnolia stamp at a crop, my very first one and was hooked as soon as I colored it. But your creation has taken the imagination to a new level.
- February 4, 2011 at 3:46 AM
- Laila said...
As always, a very pretty card you've made :o)
Oh, and your blue sweet stuff is the best :O) I would love to get my hands on that basket....
Have a great day.
Hugs Laila
- February 4, 2011 at 4:50 AM
- Geraldine said...
What a fab card, just love how you combine all your beautiful supplies - works of art. Glad you are feeling so well.
- February 4, 2011 at 5:46 AM
- Marcia Kamano said...
Hi Jacque
Your card is so beautiful!
Thanks for another chance on a candy!
http://marcia-cartoes.blogspot.com/ - (from Brazil)
- February 4, 2011 at 11:47 AM
- Stressed Stamper said...
wow - blue now...fabby card as always, and thanks for another chance at again fabby candy
Sarah - Stressed Stamper
- February 4, 2011 at 12:22 PM
- slbela59 said...
Your card is beautiful, as always! and wonderful blog candy! thanks for the chance to win.
- February 4, 2011 at 12:30 PM
- elfenkind said...
Vielen Dank,für die Chance dieses super schöne Candy zu gewinnen.Deinen Blog habe ich schon länger bei mir in der sidebar,damit ich öfter bei dir vorbei schauen kann.Deine Sachen sind immer so schön.
- February 4, 2011 at 1:49 PM
- Frea said...
Love this card Jacque, sooo pretty and the inside even prettier. And thanks so much for yet another gorgeous candy! Hugs, Frea
- February 4, 2011 at 2:07 PM
- sallysbitz said...
Hello Jacque,
glad to hear you are feeling well x
Your card is stunning as always.
The Blue basket sweet stuff is gorgeous, thanks for the chance of winning & good luck everyone x
hugs sally x
- February 4, 2011 at 4:29 PM
- Glenda said...
Another awesome card! So glad to hear 2011is so much better for you than 2010! Blessings and hugs
- February 5, 2011 at 12:17 AM


text:
Red Wings find offense in rout of Bruinsby Brian Hedger
DETROIT -- Even without two-thirds of their top line, the Detroit Red Wings looked like themselves again Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena.
Playing without Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi, Detroit defeated the Boston Bruins 6-1 thanks in large part to three quick goals scored in the first half of the second period.
"We work pretty hard most nights, [but tonight] we were rewarded," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "We had puck luck and got some energy and got going. I think that was the biggest thing. We've played lots of good games this year; we haven't won lots of games. That's the fact, because we never score."
They scored plenty in this game.
Jonas Gustavsson (16 saves) upped his record to 6-0-1 in his seventh start of the season and second victory against Boston, but the bigger story was the all-round effort in front of him. The Red Wings stifled the Bruins' attack, and the scoring struggle that's plagued the team all season disappeared.
Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall assisted on each other's goals in the second, Johan Franzen had three assists, and Detroit got two-point games from Tomas Tatar (goal and assist), Gustav Nyquist (goal and assist) and Joakim Andersson (two assists).
"It's nice to score goals, but tonight I think we had way better legs than Boston," Zetterberg said. "The other two games we've played against [the Bruins] have been tough games, and that's what happens sometimes in this League. Sometimes you don't have the legs and it's tough to play."
Jarome Iginla scored late in the third period for the Bruins (16-7-2), long after the Red Wings had pulled away.
Justin Abdelkader and Drew Miller also scored for the Red Wings (12-7-7), who won their second game in a row for the first time since Oct. 30 through Nov. 2, when they defeated the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers to start a four-game trip to Western Canada.
Since that trio of games, the Red Wings went through a seven-game winless skid they're hoping to erase with the next stretch of the schedule. They're off to a good start, with two straight victories minus Datsyuk (concussion protocol) and Bertuzzi (upper body).
The contributions from young, skilled players Tatar and Nyquist are a big reason. Neither started the season with Detroit, and Nyquist played his fourth game since being recalled from Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League.
"They've made us way better," Babcock said. "Nyquist has come and given us another real good player, so that we'd have a better team since he's here."
It was a completely different story in the visitors dressing room. It was the Bruins' worst loss thus far. They were outskated, outshot (28-17) and generally outplayed after Abdelkader made it 1-0 at 11:49 of the first period.
They also were the recipient of some bad bounces on a night when their effort was epitomized by Milan Lucic colliding with linemate Iginla in the second period.
"Everything we did tonight was just disastrous," Boston coach Claude Julien said. "We need to show more determination toward the net than we did. Right now, we're [settling for] a lot of perimeter stuff and criss-crossing, and that's why you see guys running into each other."
Tuukka Rask lost for the Bruins, who came into the game off a pair of overtime victories and were 8-1-1 in their previous 10. It was Boston's second loss to Detroit, its new Atlantic Division rival, in three games. They don't play again until the Bruins come to Joe Louis Arena on April 2.
"We let them skate and let them have some easy passes," Bruins center Patrice Bergeron said. "Obviously [it's] a wake-up call."
The Bruins did get some good news after warm-ups when defenseman Adam McQuaid was given the green light to return from a lower-body injury that kept him out for eight games.
That was tempered by his elbowing minor midway through the second period. It led to a power-play goal that made it 4-0 Detroit after Franzen slid a perfect feed through the legs of a Bruins defender and hit Kronwall in stride for a quick redirect into the net. The puck actually skipped off Rask's blocker into the top left corner for his third goal of the season and second in the past four games.
Kronwall's goal came 1:15 after Zetterberg made it 3-0 by one-timing a low-to-high pass from Nyquist off Rask's left shoulder into the top right corner for his first goal since Nov. 9 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Nearly three minutes before that one, at 6:05 of the second, Tatar gave the Red Wings a 2-0 lead by collecting the puck at center ice and zipping through the Boston defense to tuck a beautiful wraparound past Rask's right skate blade.
"It's been some time since I scored the last one, so this is a relief," said Tatar, who hadn't scored since Nov. 2 against the Oilers. "I had some huge opportunities before in games but just couldn't put it in, so I was mad ... now I'm really happy it went in, especially that we [got] the win against the Bruins. This is huge for us."
Three goals scored in four minutes, and just like that, the Red Wings had their long lost offense back. It started in the first when Abdelkader made it 1-0 by beating Loui Eriksson to a loose puck in front of the crease and burying it into the open back side of the net.
It was Abdelkader's first goal since Nov. 1 against the Flames and came 11 seconds after Franzen was let out of the penalty box. Prior to that goal, the Bruins had a couple of good chances to strike first. Instead, they squandered two power plays and quickly lost steam that was never regained.
The Red Wings continued to push in the third, with Gustavsson making a nice stop early to keep the Bruins scoreless, and Miller making it 5-0 at 8:38 with his first goal since Oct. 26, smacking a shot from close range that trickled through Rask's pads. Nyquist made it 6-0 before Iginla finally beat Gustavsson to get the Bruins on the board.
"We didn't come here to lose 6-1 or whatever the score was," said Bruins forward Reilly Smith, whose hit in the third briefly sent his older brother, Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith, to the bench in apparent pain. "It's embarrassing for our team, and we have to come out next game and show that we've got a short memory and bounce back from it."


text:
Sometime early in 2005, a young Italian winemaker--Marina Mariani-- with a talented palate and fragile bones, with an important career in front of her, whom I barely knew but was extremely fond of, killed herself.
I find myself wanting to know all of the details. I have none of the fine points of why and how. But I want to know. And I want to know why suicide had to be such a powerful reflex. Wouldn't a gesture have sufficed?
I first heard of Marina from Stefano Bellotti, one of Italy's first (actually probably the first) biodynamic winemakers who produces wine in Gavi. Already a solid winemaker, she was learning biodynamics from him.
A few days later, I met Marina at a booth in VinItaly with a wine she had finished. She was looking forward to making truly biodynamic brunello from grape to bottle. She had baby vines growing somewhere in Tuscany.
She had been a student and assistant of Riccardo Cotarella's. A renegade student at that. Though they were still in touch he was sure she was chasing a dog's tail with this natural wine making/biodynamic stuff. She maintained respect for what he did even though his methods were very modern and technical and she was headed towards wine Ludditism. I tried to get Food & Wine to do a story on her. She was definitely one of the rising stars of Italy. I was positive. She was going to save wine in Tuscany where technology has taken such firm hold. She had a destiny. We stayed in touch.
My friend Melissa Clark and I visited Marina in Montalcino this past November. The hour before we hooked up with her, Melissa and I walked through the cemetery just outside of the town. Melissa's skin prickled with ill feeling walking through the crypt. The view from the cemetery was gorgeous but we both wanted to get out of there.
The sweet smell of burning grape vines filled the air with an incense of well-being. Marina picked us up in her rusty old wagon. She told us a poisonous snake had fallen off the doorpost to her house, onto her hand during harvest. She was still terrified every time she entered her house. She took us to Gianni Brunelli of Le Chiuse di Sotto, a client. There we played with scruffy new puppies.
I fell in complete and utter puppy love.
We tasted Brunelli's new olive oil at first straight from the vat and then with Gianni himself--a burly, bushy-eyebrowed fellow with a little bit of Albert Finney in him. His oil with sea salt on good Tuscan bread cured my temporary nausea. We tasted the new rosso and new brunello. Marina hid her depression quite well. Too well.
It was getting late. We took our leave of her in the night outside the walled town of Montalcino where our friend Lars was waiting to spirit us away to some swell little meal cooked over an open fire.
In the car, Lars told us of the many men in town who had crushes on her. He didn't know her, but had heard some things, all good. I told him if Castello Banfi—the winery Lars works for-- hired her to oversee winemaking it would be revolutionary.
I had a foreboding when she didn't answer my emails. I don't know when she ended her life. A failed love had something to do with it.
There are many loves in one's life. The ones that shake your soul have the ability to rip out all of the pins, all of the seams. I would like to tell her that sometimes the scars make it possible for a sounder love. If she could just make it through all of the pain from damned character building, she would love life again. She would have laughed at the thought. I'm sure it would have seemed unimaginable to her, to have gone on to a sounder love. Then I would have said, "Well, forget love. You have a destiny."
"It's only wine," she might have said.
And like anyone in deep pain, a destiny--even if it is 'only wine-- would have seemed diminished.


text:
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text:
8BitMMO is an 8bit-style 2D massively multiplayer game! Fight evil Lawyercats and engage in player vs player battle. Build a home or a castle in a persistent streaming world. Early in development, but fully playable.
Only registered members can share their thoughts. So come on! Join the community today (totally free - or sign in with your social account on the right) and join in the conversation.


text:
Madge wrote:All of a sudden, it seemed that a healing light filled the area; the more literary minded amongst them thought they caught a few lines of a John Donne poem. However, whatever magic was in the healing light, it seemed as though Sabrar had been dead too long for it to matter.
I have a reason to not claim my role name right now, but this was the result of my night 1 action.


text:
ABOUT 1,400 more homes and businesses in rural Worcestershire will be able to link up to high-speed fibre broadband thanks to more than £1 million of government cash.
Worcestershire County Council has been given a grant of £1,147,032 by the Broadband Delivery UK scheme run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to help bring high-speed internet to rural communities.
The grant – the result of two years of work by the council along with community representatives in Ombersley, Honeybourne, Pebworth, Castlemorton, Birtsmorton and Welland as well as Doverdale and Holt, Abberley, Defford and Besford - follows £3.35 million previously invested by the government, which is already being used to make fibre broadband available to more than 90 per cent of people in the county over the next three years.
The council's cabinet member for skills, economy and infrastructure Cllr Simon Geraghty welcomed the announcement.
"I am so pleased to be able to confirm this additional funding for Worcestershire to become further connected and enable fibre-Broadband to reach additional rural areas," he said.
"The county-wide scheme is already ambitious and committed to reaching over 90 per cent of our residents and businesses and this further funding will help us to extend that reach into more rural areas where we know this will support both residents and businesses.
"I would encourage everyone to sign up via our website to receive updates about any improvements in your local area."
Communities minister Ed Vaizey described it as "excellent news for these rural communities in Worcestershire".
"The UK already does more business online than any other European country and widespread access to superfast speeds will provide a welcome boost to Worcestershire's economy," he said.
The county council will now work to explore how the funding can be best used.
For more information visit superfastworcestershire.com.


text:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Direct peace talks between the United States and Afghan Taliban could resume soon, once the Afghan president gives his nod, senior U.S. officials said.
The officials in the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama told The Washington Post the direct talks, which collapsed in December after Afghan President Hamid Karzai decided not to go along with them, could restart within weeks if Karzai changes his mind. The Obama administration has said any talks with the Taliban must be "Afghan-led.
The officials told the Post senior U.S. diplomat Marc Grossman, who helped organize a number of secret U.S. meetings with the insurgents last year, would travel to Afghanistan next week for talks with Karzai.
"If Karzai were to tell [the Obama administration] to go ahead, then we'd start talking again," one officials said.
Prior to the termination of the talks in December, the report said there had been a tentative U.S.-Taliban agreement that included the transfer of five Afghan detainees from the Guantanamo Bay prison to Qatar, and the insurgents giving up international terrorism.
The U.S. official told the Post while all parties have acknowledged agreement on opening a Taliban office in Qatar as one of the items in the tentative deal, "we need now to make it real."
Qatar Prime Minister Hamad bin Jasim al-Thani was quoted as saying Wednesday his government welcomed "any opportunity" to defuse tension in the region.
U.S. officials say talks with the Taliban are designed to build confidence before actual negotiations on Afghanistan's future can begin between the insurgents and the Karzai government, the report said.
The Taliban are ready to talk to the United States, but not with the Afghan government, one official told the Post, adding: "Our job is to see if we can break through that door."
Also, Afghan opponents of the talks want Karzai to be firm against them.
Some of the U.S. officials also are not certain the Taliban leadership is serious about a political settlement.
"Some are going to want to talk, some are going to want to fight," one official said.


text:
ESMO @ ECC 2015: Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of BRAF in a Large Series of Lung Cancer Samples
BRAF alterations occur in three types of lung cancer but not in small-cell lung cancer
- Date: 28 Sep 2015
- Topic: Translational research / Lung and other thoracic tumours
Large-scale genomic evaluation of tumour samples in the course of clinical care from over 3000 consecutive patients with lung cancer revealed that BRAF mutations occur in lung adenocarcinoma (LADCA) and non-squamous non-smallcell lung cancer (NSCLC) but not in smallcell lung cancer (SCLC) and very rarely in squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the lung.
Findings reported at the European Cancer Congress (ECC 2015), convening in Vienna, Austria, 25 - 29 September 2015, contribute to the knowledge of which BRAF genetic alterations are present in types of lung cancer that may impact upon responsiveness to treatment.
Oncogenic variations in BRAF were detected in 6.1% of LADCA, 3.2% of non-squamous NSCLC and 0.8% of SCC patient tumour samples. No BRAF alterations were detected in patient samples of SCLC, which had the smallest sample size of 201 cases.
Siraj Ali, MD PhD Clinical Development, Foundation Medicine, Inc., Cambridge, USA, presented findings during the Proffered Papers: Lung Cancer Session on 28 September 2015.
Dr. Ali explained that previous reports estimate that BRAF V600E mutations are found in approximately 2-3% of patients with NSCLC. These driver mutations typically are mutually exclusive of other oncogenic drivers. In addition, a subset of other BRAF genetic alterations, including certain fusions, may also be oncogenic as they activate either the kinase domain or downstream targets.
This study aimed to characterise the incidence of BRAF V600E mutations and other BRAF alterations in four types of lung cancer.
To fully characterise the extent of BRAF mutations in lung cancer and the posited oncogenic activity of these genetic alterations, investigators reviewed 3300 consecutive lung cancer cases in the course of clinical care for alterations thought to activate BRAF using comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP). In all, 2179 LADCA samples, 535 non-squamous NSCLC, 385 SCC and 201 SCLC tumour samples were analysed.
The investigators extracted DNA from 40 microns of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) sections taken from lung cancer cases. CGP was performed on hybridisation-captured, adaptor ligation based libraries to a mean coverage depth of >500X for 3,769 exons of 315 cancer-related genes plus selected introns from 28 genes that are known to be frequently rearranged in cancer. The results were evaluated for all classes of genomic alterations (GA). Clinically relevant genomic alterations (CRGA) were defined as GA linked to the response to drugs that were already on the market or under evaluation in mechanism driven clinical trials.
BRAF alterations were detected more often in this series than reported in the literature
V600 was the most frequently occurring mutation and was detected in 2.5% of LADCA and 0.4% of non-squamous NSCLC samples. The other alterations more frequently identified were G469 in 0.8% versus 1.3%, G466 at 0.5% versus 0.6% and D594 at 0.6% versus 0.0% of LADCA and non-squamous NSCLC samples, respectively.
Alterations in BRAF G469 and D594 were detected in 0.3% of SCC samples. Alterations occurring in less than 0.5% of tumour types included G464, N581, and K601.
Two LADCA samples harboured novel fusions, DOCK4-BRAF and PTPN13-BRAF; of these, one patient developed acquired resistance to vemurafenib, but response was restored with the addition of everolimus.
This paper presents data on molecular alterations in the BRAF gene derived from analysis of 3300 lung cancer samples using next generation sequencing.
BRAF is a key component of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signalling pathway that is considered an important component of the downstream molecular network activated by a number of receptor tyrosine kinases. The end effects on cell survival, proliferation, invasiveness and angiogenesis amongst others, provides the oncogenic potential for the aberrant signalling in this pathway. BRAF activation by a number of molecular mechanisms is one way the pathway may be activated in cancer.
BRAF alterations reported included mutation, fusion and amplification. Mutations was the commonest change, found in 5.5% of adenocarcinomas, 3% NSCLC-NOS, 0.8% of Squamous cell ca but never found in SCLC. These data are in line with those published in the literature.
Mutations reported include those substitution mutations at position 600, the commonest of which is V600E. These are activating of the BRAF kinase and are transforming (oncogenic) in vitro. It is much less clear what the physiological effect of the non-V600 mutations actually is.
The distribution of mutations by histology is discussed. There are few data with which to compare the results of Ali et al. The few reports of BRAF mutation in squamous cell carcinoma tend to be non-V600 mutations. With limited comparators, it is difficult to draw any conclusion regarding the dominance of non-V600 mutations in the NSCLC-NOS group.
Mutation prevalence data may be confounded by the technology used to find the mutations (if it is allele specific – not an issue in this study) and the population studied – if these is case selection, especially when there is uneven distribution of mutations by histology.
The finding of BRAF fusion is interesting but a rare phenomenon.
Associated mutations will be of interest and whilst not reported, the NGS approach in this study has presumably generated data that will be of interest.
The authors concluded that CGP can be used successfully to identify all classes of BRAF alterations in NSCLC, which reached nearly a 5% frequency of alteration. The rates of specific alterations differed between histologic subtypes, with LADCA harbouring approximately 50% of BRAF V600E mutations compared to non-squamous NSCLC, which harboured 87.5% of intermediately activating BRAF alterations, but only 12.5% of BRAF V600E alterations.
Only 3 samples out of 385 (<1%) SCC harboured BRAF mutations, and no BRAF alterations were seen in SCLC samples, which suggests that limited benefit can be obtained from BRAF testing in SCLC and potentially SCC as well.
They noted that clinical trials are ongoing for BRAF V600E inhibitors in NSCLC, and suggested that patients with NSCLC harbouring other activating alterations of BRAF may also benefit from this therapy.
3007 Comprehensive genomic profiling characterizes the cpectrum of non-V600E activating BRAF alterations Including BRAF fusions in lung cancer


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Last year, I ran some numbers on teams from one year and where they return to the next. Some of the work, updated with last year's tournament, went into my 5 Things You Should Consider When Filling Out Your Bracket post.
I used some aspects of that in order to make some projections about the tournament. It was based on historic trends, patterns, and a three-year moving average. As it turned out, they were pretty good.
I came up with 16 to 18 teams from the '07 second round making the '08 second round, and 17 ended up doing it.
I projected nine teams from the '07 second round making the '08 Sweet 16, and 10 did. I projected that from four to six teams (and most likely six) from the '07 Sweet 16 would make it that far in '08, and five did.
It didn't work so well when it came to the Elite Eight, since I had fewer than three Elite Eight teams from '07 making it back in '08, and four teams did. In my defense, the back-to-back years of zero returners in '05 and '06 messed up the moving average analysis, and it was the first time that the number of repeat Elite Eight teams increased after having been three or more the previous season.
Anyway, I decided to do the same thing again this year. I am also publishing the projections this time just in case it turns out to be good again. I also applied the same analysis to seed in the first round, so we'll see how this goes.
It could be that this is snake oil and I got lucky last year, or it could be really close again. We'll have to see. Anyway, here's what I got for this year:
- 15 teams from the '08 second round in the '09 second round
- From seven to nine (likely eight) teams from the '08 second round in the '09 Sweet 16
- Five to seven (likely six or seven) teams from the '08 Sweet 16 in the '09 Sweet 16
- Between one and three (likely one) teams from the '08 Elite Eight in the '09 Elite Eight
- One team from the '08 Elite Eight in the '09 Final Four
- Either five or six (likely six) upsets in the '09 first round
If there are five first round upsets, the second round will have four ones, four twos, four threes, three fours, three fives, three sixes, two sevens, one eight, three nines, two tens, zero elevens, three twelves, one thirteen, and zero each of fourteens, fifteens, and sixteens.
If there are six first round upsets, the second round will have the same as above only with one five, four sixes, three twelves, and zero elevens.
As the post title indicates, I have a feeling that this is probably a fool's errand. However, I'm hoping when the brackets come out that the combination of the returners and seeds will put together a pretty accurate projection of the field. I think it's probably more likely that it will be impossible to meet all of the above conditions.
After all, if there's one thing that I know about the tournament, it changes everything up the moment you think you have it figured out.


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They're the spitting image of what you would expect a classic rock band to look like: tall white guys with facial hair and shoulder-length hair.
Swedish classic rock band Graveyard's headbanging antics made it to the main stage at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival on Saturday, with an intimate crowd joining in on the headbanging.
"We kind of hoped for a bigger crowd, but the ones who were there were good; really enthusiastic," said Axel Sjöberg, drummer. "It doesn't really happen often, but we got a circle pit going and that was good."
This was the first year that Graveyard played at Coachella and despite not knowing too much about the festival, the group was excited to watch other bands and to explore the festival.
"As long as you have beer and sun, there's not much that can go wrong," Sjöberg said. "It's nice to be done with your show early so you can go watch other bands, and we have the day off tomorrow."
Although all the band members are Swedish, they only use English in their music.
"We are a Swedish band that plays in an international market and English is one of the biggest languages in the world so it's not that weird for us," said Joakim Nilsson, guitarist and vocalist. "We get that question a lot of times before, but we have a really big influence from Western culture in Sweden so it's not a weird thing for us to speak English."
The band prides itself on having diverse taste in music. Band members say "good music is good music," and that they listen to everything, regardless of production or style. For their own music, they also pay attention to the uniqueness of each track.
"The main thing about our band is that we don't like songs to sound the same," Sjöberg said. "On our record, it should have every type of song — from the slow songs to the fast songs, to the hard songs to the soft songs. Our style is diversity and dynamics."


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TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is a grant program that is funded by the
U.S. Department of Education to provide higher education opportunities to historically underrepresented students. TRIO SSS was created in 1965 under the Title IV of the Higher Education Act and is one of eight federal TRIO programs. The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford's TRIO SSS program has been providing guidance and support to students since 2005 and is the only one of its kind in the Northwest Region of Pennsylvania.
Pitt-Bradford's TRIO SSS program is designed to provide individualized academic, personal, financial, and career coaching and services to students to assist them in successfully attaining their bachelor's degree. Our experienced staff provides continuous support services to approximately 167 program participants through scheduled meetings, activities, and leadership development courses from the time they are accepted to TRIO SSS until graduation. In order to receive services, students must apply and be accepted based on meeting eligibility requirements outlined by the U.S. Department of Education and the program.
In order to be eligible, a student must be: