Take THAT, Critics!

My words went down in history yesterday.

I was quoted by two news sources. Jen Chaney, the Celebritology blogger from The Washington Post, interviewed me for an article on the fairness of the media towards Twilight fans. Jen herself is a fan of Lost and participated in an online community for fans of the series so she could sympathize with our online fandom and all I can say is "it's about time someone stood up for us!"



She debunks the whole image of the screaming woman/teen Twilight fan who only has eyes for Taylor and Rob and uncovers the truth - that most of us are intelligent women whose lives don't revolve souly around the chance to be able to touch one of the stars, but who just love to LOVE something together.

You can read the article here.

We chatted over the phone for about 30 minutes and it was wonderful! We talked about all the different pieces that make up TwilightMOMS from the Spotlights to the Books of the Month to the Quilter's Coven and our official charity and why we keep coming back for more. Is it because our obsession of the books and movies just won't go away or is it something infinitely more important? The answer is YES! Sure, we will always love picking apart the books and rewatching the movies, but long after the excitement has died down and we've moved onto other books and movies the true reason we keep up our website is because of the friends we've made.

Jen said the bond and connection made with people through popular culture is something very special and strong. She's very right. These are friends we will have for life and beyond.

I posted my review of Eclipse on TwilightMOMS.com Tuesday night right before the midnight showings started playing across the country and a little bird must have been watching because part of my review was quoted in an online MTV article.



The article was a round-up of the first reviews for the movie which included quotes from the LA Times, Entertainment Weekly, Salon.com and Kurt Loder. I am astounded to be quoted amonst these BIGGIES even though they didn't have great things to say about the movie. But really? When do the critics EVER have nice things to say about a pop culture phenomenon (well, when it's not environmentally correct)? With 4 very critical reviews in the body of the article, they let a fan's reaction end it all.

Me.

I love having the last word.

Eclipse Review. Warning: Spoilers!

I had the privilege of attending an advance screening of The Twilight Sage: Eclipse at Groman’s Chinese in Los Angeles with several fans and Twilight fansite administrators. We were not only treated to the movie, but also by a handful of the actors, including the big three who made their appearance via a surprise interruption during our viewing through the big screen and in the theater. They came from the Jimmy Kimmel Eclipse special taping from across the street to treat us to a little wave or two during our movie watching experience. Nothing like a good appetizer! Now for my review. Warning: spoilers below…



Seven months ago I was hugely impressed with the cinematic qualities of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, not to mention it’s many improvements in the acting, hair and make-up, and CGI. I was expecting no less from The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, but I never thought it could end up being the best of the 3 films so far.

Sure, the book itself is a fan favorite. How could it’s visual counterpart not be entertaining with the leg hitch, the tent scene, and all the grandiose displays of outrageous vampire and werewolf skills? I must say, however, that it wasn’t just those scenes that blew me away, it was the film in general. The Cullens are cooler, the wolves wolfier and the acting supreme. This visual experience is not just a fan treat, it’s a full-on dessert potluck of Twilight movie-goodness.

And you will walk away feeling like you just feasted.

First of all, you can lay all your fears to rest about whether or not David Slade was able to capture the romance burning from inside the love triangle. The first scene between Bella and Edward in the meadow alone was softer, slower and hotter than all the romantic scenes from Twilight and New Moon combined! There was great attention to detail. We know from following David on Twitter that he is a beautiful visual artist and we can see that eye for it in the shots of our favorite couple. The meadow is glittering with flowers and rays of sunshine, Edward is sparkling just enough (with no Tinkerbell noises – thank goodness!) and his and Bella’s interaction is intense but not overdramatic. It’s just perfect.

Don’t forget to bring a fan to the theater. Like, an actual blowy fan. You might need it during the leg hitch scene. I have to admit, in the book, that scene was the steamiest scene Stephenie has written for the Twilight saga yet (yes, even hotter than scenes from Breaking Dawn). And the scene from the movie? JUST. AS. HOT. Most of the scene and dialog is the same, however, he doesn’t crush the iron rose from the bed in his hand. The scene was so good though, I didn’t mind that they left that part out. The proposal is just as I imagined from the book, they were even on the same side of the bed as I’d envisioned so I truly felt I was “seeing” that chapter come to life.

Also, the tent scene is perfect. The big three are all positioned in the tent exactly how I envisioned from the book, the tension is extremely delicious and Jacob and Edward’s conversation has just the right amount of sarcasm and honesty. In fact, most of the greatness of the romantic scenes is attributed to the fabulous acting by the big three. There is no awkwardness and no cheese. Only sincere honesty. (3 cheers for great acting!)

I was a little disappointed with Jacob and Bella’s big kiss. With all of the flashbacks in this movie I was fully prepared to see a small flashforward clip of two little mini-Jacobs running with mommy Bella in the background during the kiss, but not so (to my minimal dismay). The kiss itself was very passionate but not exactly like it plays out in the book with Bella’s hesitation at first and Jacob having to whisper in her ear and coax a good reaction out of her. No, it was all about the two of them really wanting it in the moment, which was still awesome to see.

Both Jasper and Rosalie’s flashbacks are extremely entertaining and very moving. Rosalie’s is very cliché with the whole “bride from hell” entrance as she haunts Royce. Everyone in the audience thoroughly enjoyed that bit. I also was totally pleased by her make-up this time. Nikki is always beautiful as herself but I must say her Rosalie this time around was the breathtakingly gorgeous model we imagine from the books. Kudos to the makeup artists! Jasper’s hair was still kind of annoying but I’m dead serious when I say that you won’t notice AT ALL once you see him in his confederate get-up as he dismounts his horse by the pale moonlight. He is absolutely AMAZING and the Jasper fans are going to be very pleased. The scene near the end of his flashback when he realizes he has to kill one of his favorite newborns is so poignant and painful and beautifully acted by Jackson. I truly had no words after that scene passed.

His interaction with Alice is playful and intense, especially during their fight training. I think I was quoted as to saying it dripped with awesome sauce. It soooo did. It’s only shown briefly, but it’s perfect. Jasper’s interaction with Bella has just the right amount of tension and familiarity as he gets more use to having her around but still has to majorly keep himself from losing control. I was extremely happy to finally be able to see more of Jackson’s acting ability. He truly is a rising star.

Charlie is always a favorite and Billy Burke really stole the show for me. He has very few scenes but those he is in are genuine and subtle as always. My favorite was the scene in the kitchen with Bella when they are talking about her virginity. The whole audience was ROARING during that scene. The awkwardness was SPOT ON and you as an audience member suddenly remember with horrifying clarity the embarrassment you felt when you were Bella’s age about that subject mixed with your parents’ concern.

The wolf pack had more scenes as wolves than humans so the CGI team had to get the facial expressions even more expressive to really convey their thoughts and emotion in wolf form. I appreciated this and could even see a little more of the actor in the wolf than in the previous movie. Seth as a wolf is cuter than a bug’s ear and really has some great facial expressions near the end of the film.

The CGI also impressed me from the fights scenes, which seemed more real, and the effects of the vampires hitting and breaking. It reminded me of granite and marble mannequins pounding into each other and limbs and heads breaking off like giant pieces of chalk. It was a really impressive visual.

(Edit) As for the villians, Xavier Samuel is an excellent addition to the series and I was actually very sad to see his character, Riley, die at the end, even though I knew it was coming. The horrible way that Victoria treats him, you really start to feel sorry for the guy. Now I wish Stephenie could go back and rewrite his character's ending, have him live, be adopted into the Cullen family and learn to be a veggie vamp. It would make up for Bree's tragic end (okay, readers...who really LOVES to hate Jane after that scene? That little girl is the very FRUITS of the DEVIL!) I have to say that, although I love Bryce Dallas Howard and her grace throughout this whole Victoria/Rachelle thing, she just didn't do it for me as Victoria. Rachelle WAS Victoria for me. Bryce still did a good job acting , she just seemed like a whole different villian altogether. My mind just couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to see her as Victoria. But to be honest, it the grand scheme of the film upon first viewing, this mattered very little. During follow-up viewings it might start to annoy me. We'll see.

Last but not least, the two most moving scenes for me were once again, because of great acting mixed with the beautiful strains of Howard Shore’s moving score. The scene where Bella goes back to visit her mother in Florida was nice in the book but elaborated on a bit more for the movie. The gift Rene gives Bella of the T-shirt blanket was especially significant to me because my own mother gave me a similar blanket made from memorable T-shirts from my childhood when I was in college, and the long hug between them really left me with the same feeling I get every time I hug my mom ‘goodbye’ and feel that bittersweet severing between mother and child. The other scene was between Jacob and Bella and I believe Kimmy from His Golden Eyes said this scene would have even the most loyal Team Edward fan in tears and she was correct. Not a dry eye in the house when Jacob lies on his bed with a broken body and a broken heart as he realizes his chance with Bella is truly gone forever. It feels as if there are not enough tears in the human body when you finally succumb to losing the one you believe should be yours forever. The pain of that never goes away and you can see it written all over Taylor’s young, wet face. His portrayal of Jacob in this scene is one for the record books.

I promise you will be so overwhelmed by this movie’s greatness you really can’t take it all in at once and will want to return to this Twilight feast again and again. Many thanks to David Slade, Melissa Rosenburg and Stephenie Meyer for a truly remarkable ride of a movie – the one we fans have been waiting for.

Eclipse is epic epicness.

Recent Art Meanderings

Okay, so I don't speak or read French (yet), but I thought this blog worth mentioning. Adolie Day Illustrations. =) I just added it to my Inspiring/Artful Blog List. I can't understand a word on it, but the visuals speak for themselves.

Found it through an article called Sun Kisses in Small Magazine.

Her art is adorable, dreamy and whimsical and depicts precious faces of child-like characters.

Plus, she has great taste in music. Her playlist is excellent!

Also, my hero, Emily Martin over at The Black Apple, has posted all of her most recent work for an art show that opens today in Portland.

This series of paintings is called Lost on the Midway (title inspired by a Tom Waits song) and depicts various carnival oddities and side show wonders. I'm in love!! My favorites are Cotton Candy Kids, Portrait with Prize Toys, and The Figi Mermaid.

And I would like this lamp from SweetWilliamltd.com, please.

~B

Wonderland

For those of you WONDERING where I've been, see this post entitled "Back from the Dead and Feeling Inspired" on my shop blog.

Now on to the wonder that was this weekend...

I found this perspicacious, little mushroom today.

I didn't see him at first but he certainly noticed me and seemed to be calling to me, urging me to come hither and adore him.

Which I did, of course, with a few tasty pictures.

Wouldn't it be WONDERFUL to get lost in a forest of mushrooms just like this one?

Tall necks stretching up to the sky, blooming into warm, golden, illuminated flesh.

Soft, protective yet curious giants...

Speaking of forests, I recently discovered the Twilight graphic novel.

I guess I wasn't paying much attention when Stephenie mentioned this project (remember, I have been hibernating for the past couple months) so I didn't jump up and buy it when it finally got on the shelves.

However, once my friend ranted and raved about it, my interest was peeked and then when I saw the graphics, not only was I completely SOLD but totally floored by the images!!

No, seriously.... the scenes in the meadow brought me to my knees.

There I was

on the ground

chanting "Oh, MY GOSH!

It's too pretty and real!!!"

You see, not only are these images completely STUNNING, the illustrator, Young Kim, has captured EXACTLY the images I had in my head while reading Twilight, from the characters to the settings to the most detailed facial expressions.

I'm telling you - THIS IS BETTER THAN THE MOVIE!!!

Everything about it is wonderful but a few highlights for me are:

1) The Cullens are SPOT ON and they all actually look like they could be related. Alice is truly a tiny pixie with shorter hair, Jasper is actually really tall and has THE CORRECT JASPER HAIR (unlike the movie's sad, sad version), Rosalie is a breathtaking model that makes you hurt a little just looking at her, Emmett has curly locks and Edward, well he is PERFECT - dark, mysterious, dangerous with a bit of ancient sadness, handsome in a god-like manner, regal, pure, charming, protective, extremely polite and attentive, romantic, a little bit of a tease to Bella yet still regards her softly like his own brand of heroine - rare, precious, beautiful, his.

Robert and Henry are impostors, folks. THIS is the real Edward.

Enough said. Go buy the book.

But I will go on anyway...

2) Most of the graphics were done in black and white with the exception of a few choice scenes: The dream of Jacob and Edward Bella has after Jake's scary stories

and

the Meadow scene.

There are also a few splashes of color here and there for emphasis in particular parts.

Other aspects of the art that are noteworthy are the crystalized branches that seem to crawl across the pages every so often, the layering of pencil sketches on top of real photographs, and the depth of emotion and movement in the images and expressions.

3) The meadow scene and kissing scene that follow are HOT!

Looking at them is like a visual assault on your heart and mind - much like the butterflies that flutter in your stomach the first time you read those scenes in Twilight the novel.

So.... GO BUY THIS BOOK!! You will not be disappointed.

It will be your new favorite Twilight treasure.

And guess what? This is just volume 1 up through the meadow scene so there are more to come!!

I'm hoping the whole series will be transformed into graphic novels.

We had Kaiya's friend birthday party this weekend as well. I took Kaiya and two friends + Trooper to see Alice in Wonderland.

The kids throughly enjoyed this zanny, strange, and mad yet WONDERFULLY beautiful version of the classic "Through the Looking Glass".

The one part I could have done without was the Mad Hatter's Futterwacking at the end - it was a little too cheesy and over-the-top but happened to be 8 year old Trooper's favorite part.

My only other complaint was that some of the special effects they did on the actors to exaggerate their features didn't jive to a discerning eye and seemed unnecessary in the end when I found myself connecting better with the normal looking humans.

But overall, the movie whisked me away to another place and time - to my own adventure vicariously experienced through Alice.

Mission accomplished.

To top off the evening with a sweet ending, we made our way over to Maggie Moo's where the girls picked out ice cream cupcakes with little Mad Hats on them.

They savored their sweet confections, then ran around the grass and fountains

reenacting their own version of

WONDERLAND.

And I basked in the WONDER of it all...

A New Look for a New Year

I admit, my new blog background may be crazy psychedelic, but I've always loved the colorful, alien beauty of Nebulas so I just couldn't resist. Once I customized all the colors for the blog text, I then needed a newer, simpler banner and I think it suits me and my new endeavors just right. Plus, I wanted to learn how to do my own background and this was a good lesson.

It may be a little harder to read, but it's pretty so live with it. ♥

The symbolism, to me, reeks Star Wars, other worlds, mysticalness, wonders of the universe and my weird nature all in one. Maybe even a sort of "Twilight" in the sky. It speaks to me as well - "the sky is the limit, and the sky is limitless." This gives me hope that 2010 is going to be beyond amazing.

2009 in Remembrance

Since I didn't get out Christmas cards this year (again), I thought I would do a blog post for all to view at their convenience - our year in pictures.

Although it has been a relatively difficult year for us with the loss of Andy's job, as I collected pictures for the collages below, I was reminded how HUGELY blessed we are and feel very optimistic about the opportunity of a new adventure on a new path!



*Kaiya*
10

Maturing by leaps and bounds, I think our oldest little lady finally feels comfortable in her own skin. She's silly, very loving, thoughtful, constantly aware of other's feelings, has a deep connection to animals and an artistic heart. The total definition of beauty on the inside and out. She loves Sushi, riding a white horse named Indio, and Littlest Pet Shops. She's also in NO hurry to grow up which we hope will last for as long as possible. She still sports her long, brown hair, which her dad and I hope she will never want to cut. She also started an Etsy shop like her mom called The Black Kat and has a few pastel pieces she hopes to sell soon.

*Trooper*

8

Trooper is a total mommy's boy and reminds me of myself when I was young. He often asks deep questions about God and the universe in general, which I often did as a child. He was baptized this year and also turned into quiet the jokester, coming up with lines even Andy and I are impressed by! He's generally happy, loves his friends, wants to be a vampire (gee, I wonder why?) and as you can see from the pictures, has an eye for "posing" for the camera. He's a Lego and Wii Jedi Master, loves the Clone Wars cartoon (chip off the ol' block, see?) and gives the BEST hugs on earth! He also has sported some longer hair this year that is perfectly straight and the envy of everyone. Lately, he has even begun to entertain his younger sister instead of beating her up! Miracles will never cease.

*Arienna*

3

Arie is the little elf in our house. In fact, whenever I believe a faerie has taken something of mine and I'm frantically tearing the house apart for it, it usually means Arie is responsible. I've never had a child that wrote on walls or carpet before Arie and if she could exist entirely on a liquid diet, she would and actually has for days on end. I'm not worried. The 2 older siblings really didn't start eating 'til they were 4 or 5 as well. She loves to dress up, but not as princesses, for I believe Arie will some day be a avant guard fashion designer making skirts out of shirts and hats out of pants as she already does with her wardrobe. She is quite the animal lover like her sister, refuses to even think about going potty on the toilet, and is a Tom and Jerry NUTCASE!

All in all, I feel privileged to be their mom, even on the most trying days. I love you, kids!!

*Family*

A couple highlights this year for us:

Getting ANOTHER dog (I learned the city limit was 3 dogs per household and took the liberty of taking up another stray). We had to keep with the tradition of naming our dogs Star Wars names, so we named him Rogue 2. He's got an orange coat - you know, like the pilots in ESB. Anyway, he is one of the cuddliest dogs I have ever been with (evidence is in the pictures) In fact, he can't get close enough when he cuddles. If he could find a way to crawl up inside you, he would.

Going to the beach with Andy's family. The last time Arie was at the beach was when she was a tiny baby so she had a great time playing in the sand and the older kids loved playing in the waves and tidepools. I had a great time taking pictures of everyone.

Endless days at my parents cabin in Bass Lake. Kaiya finally got back out on the raft (after years of being terrified to go again after she fell off her first time) with her cousins. Trooper got a motorized scooter to race up and down the mountain streets in the neighborhood. Arie loves playing in the basement with the miniature pink furniture that has been passed down through 4 generations. I found my favorite cottage there and I try to take walks to it every time I visit. Andy enjoys quiet reading time.

*Andy*

This year has been a rough one. I think we are at 15 surgeries total now, not all of which are major surgeries, but still take their toll. Last year, Andy got a morphine pump implanted inside of him which pumps his pain meds directly to his spine. This has allowed him to take less pain medicine in general, but he still needs a good amount to get through the day. He started up a new Dungeons and Dragons group, has a book idea or two in mind, is thinking about getting involved in politics again and is searching for a stay-at-home job. We are hopeful that 2010 will be a MUCH better year for him. (I love you, hon.)

*Britten*

I continue to work as a sales rep for Broadway Cheerleading, help run TwilightMOMS.com as the Spotlight Director, with registration and basic administration duties, and am on the Enrichment Committee at church which translates to "I help decorate the gym when we have Enrichment night". Making that place cute 4 or 5 times a year can be a challenge.

As many of you know by now, I also started up my own Etsy shop called The Black Pumpkin, which has allowed me to really delve into my creative side and has helped out our family a bit. I debuted some of my merchandise at TwiCon 2009 in July and also had a booth at the Utah New Moon Experience in November, both of which were pretty successful!

And last but certainly not least, I am starting up a new website with my fellow TwilightMOM administrators called Eve's Fan Garden, which has been in the works now for about 9 months. The website will open January 11th, 2010 and is basically a fansite for anyone tempted by the written word and anything that originates from it. It's TwilightMOMS but on steriods! I recently wrote the introduction to the site, which will be posted the day we open, and that was very satisfying for me because I get to talk about the woman Eve, (who happens to be one of my favorite women of all time, a hero actually), give a shout out to one of my favorite authors, Beverly Campbell, and expound about the female fan in general. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. It feels like a work of art, actually. Writing is art, after all.

Of course, I have to say a few words about my adorable friends, old and new, without which I would not laugh as much as I should. They are like my second family so I feel they have to be included.

This year I was FINALLY able to meet a lot of the east coast TwilightMOMS who I only talk to online but had never met in person. It was sooo fabulous to meet them! They are so sweet, beautiful, fun and AMAZING!! I feel so privileged to work with all of them on TwilightMOMS. I was also able to meet a few new moms at the Utah event as well and it made my heart soooo happy! It was also a dream of mine to introduce my life-long friend Jessica to my TwilightMOM peeps for she fit them like a glove and was always meant to be a part of us. They love unconditionally and are just crazy fun like her.

I love you all!

Farewell 2009.

Hello 2010!!!

May it be another year to remember!

Ghost Town in a Blizzard

This blog has been highly neglected.

Normally, ghost towns would be welcome on my shop blog, but not here... not at the seat of my thoughts and daily happenings!

Horrbile!

I promise to have an update soon. In fact, it will be in the form of an annual Christmas letter. We did so many fun things this Christmas it would be blasphemous not to blog about them.

As always, stay tuned... time to bring some life back!

Pendants and Pups - A Halloween Update

I'm just dropping in before I dive into this weekend to let you know I updated my etsy shop with some bewitching pendants and wanted to give a little preview of my project this weekend. =)

Witch's Dice

Witchy Craft Thinking Cap

Twilight Lost Moons (which are going fast!!)

Apples! (of course)

And here's what I've got coming next week...

Woof, woof!

Check out my shop blog to read all about it.

TGIF!!

~b

Halloween Celebration Tomorrow!

I am joining in on a Halloween Celebration hosted by A Fanciful Twist.

She will be hosting a Halloween Blog Celebration where she will post fun, Halloween party pictures on her blog that will also contain a blog list of other bloggers who are hosting parties on their own blogs too. You can read all about it here. I cannot imagine the beautiful, spooky, Halloweeny goodness that promises to be on display. You don't want to miss it!

My own party will be hosted on my shop blog, The Black Pumpkin. Click for the link or click the picture on the right-hand top of my sidebar.

It will be tomorrow, October 17th.

So grab your broomsticks and fly on over. It will be a bewitching good time!

Forecast: Best Holiday Season Ever with Tori Around

Picture in the booklet for Midwinter Graces

I'm bowing down to whomever thought up the idea for this picture and executed it brilliantly. Tori Amos in a vampy red gown, casting light on a fallen angel - is he dead? Asleep? Under her spell? Most likely all three, but who cares!! It's beautiful and mystical and mysterious: all the things I LOVE!! ♥♥♥

It also means that, for the first time EVER, Miss Amos is soon to release a holiday album and when you mix Tori and Christmas together all sorts of magical lyrics and music can happen and I'm sure will. Last year I was ecstatic when the new holiday albums by three of my favorite artists came out: Enya, Loreena McKennitt, and Sarah Brightman. However, to me, this is the ULTIMATE Christmas gift the music industry could bestow upon me, (as I'm sure they were thinking of ways to top last years plethora of gifts).

Robert Schrader from the Austin Internation Travel Examiner recently was able to hear the album via phone from a friend who happened to receive a promo sampler. Lucky him. Anyway, you can read all about it in his article here.

You can also pre-order either the deluxe version or regular album by clicking on the links in my left-hand sidebar at the top. I cannot wait to get my hands on this!

The other reason this holiday season is going to be extra wonderful is that I will be hand-making most of the gifts I give this year. The reason is 4 fold:

1. Money is tight and I already have most of the materials.

2. I recently opened up my own Etsy shop so I'm big into supporting hand-made creations.

3. A hand-made gift is always more special than a store-bought one. You can't ever go wrong with a gift made from the ♥.

4. I always tell myself I'm going to make all my gifts year after year, but always run out of time. This year I sorta have to so I'm looking forward to using my witchy craft and creating fun items for friends and family.

Will you take the hand-made pledge with me?

Don't you think it will be fun?

You can craft away or browse the array of Etsy shops surrounded by songs of the season by Tori. I can't think of better holiday bliss than that!!