Other Crafts

Staying with the movie theme, please note Tap's resemblance to Sir Didymus from "Labyrinth."

(Briton noticed it, not me.  But he couldn't have been more correct.  Especially when Tap's hair is crazy-all-over-the-place.)

Got a Herrschner's catalog today.  Look at these cute cross-stitch kits:

(Honestly, little rabbits are just about The Cutest.)  (This brought Melanie to mind.)

(A llama, but it still reminded me of The Bomber and my Twinnie.)  (The Bomber and My Twinnie could be either an acoustic duo or a morning zoo team.)

Of the two, I'd probably choose to stitch the rabbit, because of all the straight stitching for the hands.  Outlining and lettering were always my favorite parts of any project.

Knitting-wise, I've been working on a Drea's Shawl.  Dark gray as the main color, some Berroco sock variegated as the stripes.  Maybe I'll put a photo up soon.

#Chewy Influencer, February --- Just Under the Wire

I'm not quite sure why it's taken me this long to post this review, as its conclusion was clear from the first service.

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Toy Breed Chicken dog food.  A big ol' NOPE from Mr. Tap.  Not the first time it landed in his bowl.  Not the second time --- because I let a couple of days pass before giving it one more try.  N.  O.  P.  E.

Sorry, Chewy.  Rest easy, though, because the remaining cans were given away.

Each month, as a Chewy.com Influencer, I am allowed to try out one or two products without being charged for them.  All that is required of me is that I post honest reviews of those products.

The Same Thing?

My son was over last night to watch the Academy Awards.  He loves award shows, and he and his housemate don't have TV, so he comes here.  Reading lots of Facebook and blog posts, I feel like we watched an entirely different show than other people. We thought no host worked very well, cutting out ridiculous opening numbers and "comedy" bits.  We were pleased with how quickly the show clipped along (3+ hours, I know, but just giving awards was such a relief.)  We adore Olivia Colman and thought her acceptance speech was charming and sincere and, maybe most important of all, refreshing.

Briton is the movie-watcher;  I've seen maybe half a dozen of the films that were nominated.  Still, we enjoy the whole spectacle of the thing and can be soo-hoo-per catty while watching the red carpet coverage.

#Chewy Influencer, February --- Definitely More and Definitely Less

Believe it or not, there are foods Riley won't eat.

I've had her try Weruva foods in the past, but there are some new flavors in this variety pack, and they deserved a go.  Kitty Gone Wild salmon?  Maybe yes, maybe no.  Lamb Burger?  Uh-uh.  Chicken Frick 'A Zee?  Please.  More and more, please.  Funk in the Trunk?  Do you have any more of the Chicken Frick 'A Zee?

We'll consider it 3 out 0f 4 no, 1 out of 4 an enthusiastic yes.  Fortunately, I have people with whom I can share the unopened cans.

As part of Chewy.com's Influencer program, I am allowed to try one or two products each month at no charge.  All that is required are honest reviews of my real life experiences with the products.

Standard De-Brief

As regards the Classics contests:

There were two G. Kellys --- Grace and Gene.

I'm sure I've said this before, but finding photos of two nominees together is always such a joy.  Of course, in the Classics contests, it becomes a little more difficult.  In fact, finding photos of some nominees at all is sometimes a challenge.  (Hello, Sacagawea.)

Of course, Grace Kelly was one of three princesses in the KCC draw, along with Diana of Wales, and Leia Organa.

It was interesting that the two First Ladies in the draw met up in Round One.  One of them was my nominee, and looking for pictures of her, I discovered this:

She and JJ Watt (could he BE any cuter?) worked together for increasing literacy in Houston.

Also, in the First Round, we had JD versus DJ.  (James Dean vs. Davy Jones.)

When I adopted him, Tap's name was "Gene Kelly,"  Trying to come up with a different moniker, "James" was considered for a split-second.  He looks like a "James," and I think "James" is a very good name for a dog, but he then would have been "James Dean."  I decided to spare all of us that life-long ordeal.

When Fred Rogers and Margaret Hamilton showed up for the draws, I so wanted to have a chance to use one of these:

I remember this episode very clearly.  She seemed such a lovely woman.  The Wicked Witch never scared me the least little bit.  Munchkins, though, still send shivers along my spine.

It is always my intent to keep people from having to choose between their own nominees in Round One, but it's a free-for-all after that.  This time around, I had to pick between a couple of mine and I believe some of you did, too.  Apologies.

Well, Lookie Here

We have repeating champions!

This year's Knitters' Chick Classic winner is last year's:

Katharine Hepburn.
(8 votes to Grace Kelly's 6.)

This year's Knitters' Hunk Classic winner is last year's:

Alan Rickman.
(8 votes to Cary Grant's 6.)

These winners, and, in fact, semifinalists in both contests were people who went into the draws automatically because of how they did last year.  Which means that I had to go backward in the brackets to find nominees who weren't there because of their previous showing.

SO.

In KCC, the first "new" nominee was Princess Diana.  She was nominated by Terry and by me.  Which means Terry will get a prize package.

In KHC, the first "new" nominees were Robin Williams and Paul Newman.  Deb nominated Robin, and will be sent prizes (if she'll send me her address!)  Paul was nominated by (again --- she was on a roll!) Terry and Twinnie Kim.  I'll drop an extra little something in Terry's bundle, and will be sending Kim a prize package, too.

Congratulations to you all, thank you to you all, and I'll see you all in August when our Hunks and Chicks will be live people.

WHAT?  That IS what it will be.

Someone Probably Ought to Start Setting Up Victory Parties

You know, crockpot meatballs, pigs in a blanket, those little one-bite cupcakes. . .  And maybe some of these Valentine's decorations can be used again.

We're finally here.  Ready to convert Semifinalists into Finalists.

If You Still Have Your "I Voted" Sticker, You Can Come Back In

Because we have a tie to break before the Semifinals are set.  Ergo, only the one match-up today.

The winner will join

Alan Rickman

Paul Newman (Winner by 1 vote)

Robin Williams

Katharine Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn

Princess Diana

Grace Kelly

in the Semifinals, which will begin tomorrow.

If this tie is broken by then.

No Electioneering Within 100 Feet of the Polling Place, Please

First into the Semifinals (both these candidates and their nominators):

Katharine Hepburn

Robin Williams (By 1 vote)

Grace Kelly

Alan Rickman

Joining them there?  Up to you.

Don't Forget Your Sticker!

Joining today's contestants in the Quarterfinals will be:

Princess Diana
Alan Rickman
Audrey Hepburn
David Bowie
Cary Grant

Your first Quarterfinal choices:

Double-Check Your Ballot Before Hitting "Enter"

Winners from Saturday:
Robin Williams (By 1 vote)
Debbie Reynolds
Paul Newman
Carrie Fisher
Fred Rogers
Grace Kelly
and in the KCC tiebreaker:
Diana, Princess of Wales.

Closing in on the Quarters.  All of these people would like to go, but we only have room for four of them;  need your help in choosing who stays and who goes.

Oh, Look --- There's an Open Voting Machine

Our first tiebreaker today.  Along with regular, run of the mill voting on dead people.

WHAT?  That IS what it is.

Yesterday's winners are the first into the Quarterfinals.  Congratulations to
Katharine Hepburn
Elizabeth Taylor (By 1 vote)
Dean Martin (By 1 vote)
Mary Tyler Moore (By 1 vote)
John Kennedy, Jr.  (By 1 vote)
and to those who nominated them.

Who should also move into the Quarters?

Ask the Poll Worker If Those Snacks Are for Everyone

Last ones out of Round One are

Anthony Bourdain (By 1 vote)
Elizabeth Zimmerman
David Bowie
Hedy Lamarr
Abraham Lincoln

The Aretha Franklin/Princess Diana match-up ended in a tie;  we'll re-visit it tomorrow.

For now, starting us off in Round Two:

Have a Nice Conversation with the Poll Workers

We're getting close to the Second Round.  Advancing are:
Fred Rogers
Eleanor Roosevelt
Gregory Peck
Sacagawea
Gene Kelly
Debbie Reynolds

Here are the last match-ups in Round One:

Take Your Completed Form to the Next Table

Moving right along*, here are the latest winners:
Mary Tyler Moore
Robin Williams
Maureen O'Hara
Arthur Ashe (By 1 vote)
Davy Jones
Natasha Richardson

*Blatant "The Muppet Move" reference.

Fill Out Your Registration Form Completely

Hopefully, things will be better today.  As for yesterday, winners are:
Dusty Springfield
Nelson Mandela
Elizabeth Taylor
Dean Martin
Rosalind Russell (By 1 vote)
JFK, Jr.

Congratulations to those who nominated the first winners, and thanks to all who voted.  How 'bout making some more choices?

Please Have Your Photo I.D. Ready

True apologies for the spread-out-ed-ness of the photos here.  The poll-making site has changed, and I couldn't figure the problem out.  Hopefully, things will be better tomorrow.

All that said, VOTE!  Polls will close each night at 11 PM (ET).

ETA: I realize that you aren't able to see vote totals.  Sorry.  I'm still working through the new site.

Seeds

All the nominations are in, and all the brackets are filled out.  Thank you for all the names;  here's hoping choices will be difficult.  Fun, but difficult.

There are already a couple of things I've noticed in/from the nominations, but I'll hold that discussion for the official End of Contests Debrief.  For now, here are your top seeds:

1.  Katharine Hepburn

2.  Grace Kelly

3.  Carrie Fisher

4.  Audrey Hepburn

5.  Penny Marshall

6.  Eleanor Roosevelt

7.  Diana, Princess of Wales

1.  Alan Rickman

2.  James Garner

3.  David Bowie

4.  Cary Grant

5.  Paul Newman

6.  Fred Rogers

There were a few people who mis-nominated, so if you don't see your chosen names in the contests, it's most likely because you nominated people who are alive instead of people who are dead.

WHAT?  That IS what it is.

Seeking the Dead Among the Living

You are now free to place your nominations for Knitters' Chick Classic and Knitters' Hunk Classic.  Three nominations for each contest, nominations close at 11:59 PM (ET) tomorrow night.  If you need a quick primer on the details, check this post.

Personally, I'm hung up on my third Hunk nominee, but here's who I have so far:

John F. Kennedy, Jr.

Arthur Ashe

Ava Gardner

Barbara Bush

Diana, Princess of Wales

You may leave your nominations in the Comments section here, or e-mail me if you prefer.  Also, if this is your first time with KH/KC, and you got here through hearing about it from someone else, please let me know.  I might be able to send both you and the person who directed you to the contest a little something. . .