She's Going To Love This.....Maybe Not

All Hail The Queen of Crafts

Craft Wars. It was a bloody battle.  The judges were not kind. They  were not wise enough to see the ingenuity behind my blogging pal Traci's creative duffle bag. I think maybe they didn't have their eyes open or the smart hats on, because I thought Traci 'brought it' and took care of business. You see, Traci of All Things Luci Rae had been keeping something under her own hat for awhile, she was going to be on the first episode of Craft Wars on TLC, hosted by Tori Spelling.

As you can summise from the above, Traci did not fair well at the judges table, however she rocked it. She gave it her all and that's all anyone can ask. You see, they brought out a big bin with things you'd find in a Mom van...you know, from shuffling the kiddos from one thing to another. Footballs, ballet slippers, cheerleading uniforms and even tennis rackets.....ah, the imfamous tennis racket. More on that in a second.  Traci and the other two contestants, who were battling it out for $10,000 (said in my best Dr. Evil voice with pinky finger to the corner of my mouth), were to use whatever they could from this big bin and also had use of the dreamy 'craft closet'.  Each contestant also brought along a helper.The other two gals brought their husbands. Traci brought Pops, who you'll find is a helper extraordinaire if you read a little over on All Things Luci Rae.  Back to the challenge, the crafters were charged with creating a duffle bag from the big bin of items and the the craft closet.

Our own Traci, chose to focus on the big bin and only used the craft closet for the cord of her bag.  She used a cheer skirt for the top, cheer top for the sides and yes.....a tennis raquet for the bottom of the bag so all those stinky things could air out. Genius, right? 

Here's Pops about to cut off the handle of the tennis raquet. Nice job Pops.

(Sorry these pictures really stink, I was taking them while the episode was running on TV. I was distracted and more more excited about seeing Traci, kind of 'in person' and to hear her voice for the first time, than taking good pics. I apoligize for my misplaced priorities.)

I thought it was super dooper. The judges, not so much. You see, two of the sewing machines the crafters had available to them broke while they were making their bags, so Traci, who is a crafter extraoridinaire not a seamstress extraordinaire (I mean, that would be a different show, wouldn't it?), chose to hot glue the hell out of the tennis raquet to position it at the bottom of the bag.

The judges weren't real keen on that idea, wondering out loud, 'would it be strong enough to hold two basketballs'? Who the heck is carrying around two basketballs in their duffle bag? Wouldn't two basketballs necessitate an equipment bag? I digress. 

This one little thing is what brought down my favorite contestant on Craft Wars. The other two bags were nifty too, but Traci utilized the bin of sports stuff the best, at least in my humble opinion. Add to that, that her bag was complete which couldn't be said for all (though the one that wasn't quite complete...thanks to this poor crafter's luck at trying to spray glue and then sew....was pretty darn snappy).

So, it all ended too soon and Traci was sent to pack up her glue gun and go home. Seriously, that's what Tori said to her. Crack me up.

At least Traci and Pops got some free time from packing up the glue gun early. They got to get out and about and do the tourist thing, and the best of all, they have a super fun (and sometimes nauseating according to Traci) memory of the crazy ride they took together.

I say, kudos to you Traci Remley for having the guts to be on Craft Wars. You are the Queen of Crafts in my book. If they had asked the contestants to make a lampshade with sweet rosettes, or refinish the ugliest nightstand, you would have been crowned the victor. No doubt at all. 

You may have been 'mortified', but I was just darn happy to see one of my blogging pals on TV!

You get two thumbs up in my book because, well, that's all I've got.

Sunset Meadows

And the Queen of Crafts rode off into the sunset with her trusty glue gun.............

The following night the sunset was even more striking. A golden display.

Wish I'd walked across the street for the shot, but again, there is something about the way the wires frame things that I sometimes like.

And last night's.............

Our scoop for the weekend will be all yard and house stuff and getting ready for the 4th. Perhaps we'll get a campfire in, but it may be too hot. If it is, you know what that means, don't you? I'll be in the pool swimming about in all my glory.  What are your plans for the weekend?

Freeform Friday

In honor of the never say die attitude demonstrated by Traci on Craft Wars, a little ditty for the champion in all of us.  Click here if you're reading by email.

I KNOW you're singing.......................




Have one heck of a fantastic Friday. Thanks, as always, for being here.