Eightymillion

A DIY craft and photography blog. Dogs included.

Motley Crue’s Final Tour

By now all you Motley Crue fans have heard the news.  Like the band said,  “All bad things must come to an end.”  If you missed the press conference click here.  Be sure to access their website for all of the press coverage.  I can recall attending several shows in Cedar Rapids, Iowa back in the late 80s.  About a year and a half ago a group of friends and myself saw them in Alpine Valley when they were on tour with KISS.  Excellent show!
Well, I’m happy to report that we’re going to see them on their final tour!  I’m beyond excited!  A friend of mine scored the best seats today.  I’m forever grateful for all the hard work she has put into this.  Notice the image above?  This was her text when the tickets were in her hand.  Are you with me?  We’ll be four rows from the stage!  {excited}  Alice Cooper will be the opening act.  Public ticket sales started today.  Hurry!  And if your are going, leave me a note in the comment section below as to what town you’ll be seeing them in.
So, after all the excitement we had today, I thought to myself…hmm…I never did share those photos from the show in Alpine Valley. I dug deep into my files, did a little editing, and poof!
Enjoy the pics and videos.  Warning:  The videos playback is VERY loud, so you may want to turn your monitor/phone volume down. A friend of mine captured an awesome shot of Nikki Sixx and his flame throwing bass.  With her permission I shared it below. 
P.S.  My friend’s husband is a blogger as well.  He documents the concerts that he’s attended over the years. If your a music junkie like me, check out his blog here.  He posted a review of Motley Crue’s show from an earlier date at the same venue we’ll be seeing them in this coming November.  I’ve never been to the iWireless Center, but it sounds like a great place.
Pre-Show:
You can’t go to a concert without a cool shirt!  Full tutorial here.
Listen to Sixx Sense.
It was a long drive to the venue, so I wanted everyone we passed on the road to know exactly where we were going!
Notice all the storm clouds.  Did I mention that it poured rain half way through the show?  No worries, it was still worth it.  Note to self:  pack a raincoat for next outdoor event.
My “Crue”
Showtime!
One very lucky girl from the crowd got to ride on the roller coaster drum set with Tommy Lee.
No show is complete until the confetti flies in the crowd!
Until the next Motley Crue show…
~Jennifer

DIY Inspiration: Make Your Own Band T-Shirt (For Concerts)

I’ve taken my creative ideas to a whole new level.  A handmade t-shirt designed by me!  And yes, I did wear this to the show last September.  Which reminds me, I never shared my pics, did I?  I promise a post this week.
Back to the shirt!  I went to see Motley Crue and KISS at Alpine Valley with a group of friends.  Knowing I was going to purchase a band shirt from the merchandise booth didn’t help me decide on what to wear to the show.  I really wished I had all of those in which I purchased from previous shows that I attended back in the 90’s.  I had looked around locally for one with no luck.  Online venue were selling out.  What’s a girl to do?
Make my own t-shirt!

Here’s what you need:
*Black t-shirt (I got mine at Michaels craft store for $2.00-it was on sale)
*White fabric spray paint (Michaels again.  Used a coupon so it cost me $6.)
*Stencils (I already had these on hand, but check your local Dollar Stores)
*Masking tape
**You may use any color you wish.  I’m just sharing what I used for this project.
The How To:
First wash the t-shirt.  This was my first time using fabric spray paint, so I followed the directions as stated. 
Using the ironing board I spread the t-shirt out flat.  Any flat surface will work.  I have a couple of t-shirts that have the stripes on the sleeves, so I thought I would create my own with this one.  I used six pieces of masking tape on each sleeve.  Three on the front and three on the back.  I simply eyeballed it when it comes to lining the tape up.  I don’t worry about perfection with stuff like this.  So, you may use a ruler if you want to make sure the stripes are evenly spaced.
I picked out the stencils that I needed to spell out the band name.  Using the masking tape I placed them on the front of the shirt where I thought they looked okay.  Repeat, I’m not picky with accurate placing.    

I applied the fabric paint to give it a blotchy look.  Make sure to shake the bottle well before using.  I let it dry overnight and then removed the masking tape. 
Both Motley Crue and KISS were using the hashtag #TheTour on Twitter, so I thought it was only proper to promote that on the back of the shirt.  I used a fabric pen for the wording. 
That’s it!  A simple project that cost me $6.  I was surprised at the quality of the t-shirt given the fact that I only paid $2. for it.  It’s still in great condition and I wear it a lot.
When you wash the t-shirt I recommend that you turn it inside out first.  And I only dry it for a couple of minutes in the dryer.  Enough to pull the wrinkles out.  
I have more shows planned this year.  Might just have to make another one.
Until the next word…
~Jennifer  

Friday’s Top 10 List: 3-1-13 (All About The Music)

©Jennifer Schulting Photography 2013

mu·sic  
Noun
  1. The art or science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.

  Music surrounds us.  We all listen to it every single day.  It might be the CD we have in our car deck, the commercial on tv, at the gym, or the lady humming a tune behind you in the grocery line.

It brings people together.  I would say that it’s a universal language.  The melody helps you understand what the song is about and enables you to feel the emotions behind the lyrics.

My dogs are all named after Music.  Disco, House, and Hardy.

I thought it was time to dedicate one of my Top 10 Lists to something we could all relate to.  I also have a few ideas brewing in the pot for a new series here on the blog.  It was something that I found in a thrift store that gave me the inspiration.  More details later.

*****
Have you ever wondered what Alice Cooper, Gene Simmons, or Eddie Van Halen looked like in High School?  Click here and see.

My playlist includes a LOT of 80’s Music.  It’s what I grew up on.  One day while reading the Twitter feed I connected with the creator behind Rediscover the 80s.  He shares a lot of 80s Music History.  Check out his site.  You’ll “rediscover” memories you forgot about.

Dave Grohl and I have something in common.  We never sit still.  Here’s an article I found on Spin.com.  I WILL see the Foo Fighters live someday!
Only 300 copies are being pressed.  Will I find one?  If I do, will I crack it open?  Probably not.  I still haven’t opened the Smashing Pumpkins box set that Santa brought me.  Jack White explains the idea behind the triple decker vinyl release.  Pretty cool idea especially for collectors.

Yoko One Through the Years.  View the gallery.

I have a friend who is lucky enough to travel around nearby cities to see a lot of live shows.  He blogs about his experiences here.  I tag along with him and his family when my crazy work schedule allows me to.  I’m happy to report that we’ve got some shows lined up for this year!

My boyfriend is a DJ here in town.  When he’s not mixing for the local crowd he’s at home mixing live for you on Ustream.  Visit his page here.  Chicago House, Soul, Jazz, Disco, etc.  It’s like having the party right in the comfort of your own home.  

My favorite record store.  I stumbled upon them by accident years ago during a brief visit to Des Moines.  If your into vinyl, 12″ Singles, and Collector supplies, GO!  They had to kick me out so that they could close the shop at the end of their business day.
Record Store Day is April 20, 2013.  I’ll be out supporting local shops who sell vinyl.  I’m currently making a list of what I have and what I want.

Music meets art.

*****

Until the next word…
~Jennifer

Things That I Found in My Parent’s Basement: 13 Pieces of My Past

Yesterday I spent a few hours in my parent’s basement organizing everything.  One pile full of Vintage treasures that need to come down to the shop, Christmas decorations, and a pile of my brother and sister’s school awards and yearbooks.  I was making good time until I came across several of my childhood toys, dolls, and music related items.  So, of course the first thing I thought of would be to create a post with everything I found.  It wasn’t until I got home that I noticed that I had thirteen images total.  Once again my lucky number finds me first.
In regards to the super awesome silk screened KISS wall hanging pictured above, it belongs to my brother.  I’m prepared to fight for this because I would love to have it.  I will update you on how this turns out.  Please pray for me!
Remember Musicland?  That’s the place that I gave up about half of my paycheck to every two weeks buying all the new releases on cassette tapes.  I have a old Panasonic stereo system that I scored at a garage sale last year.  Mostly for playing my vinyl and cassettes.  I couldn’t help but to chuckle when I came across this Vintage Billy Idol.  It still plays.  
Yes,  I was a NKOTB fan.  No, Donnie wasn’t my favorite.  He just happened to be at the bottom of a box.  I think all of my NKOTB memorabilia was handed down to one of my cousins.  That’s where the other half of my paycheck went to.  Buttons, sheets, posters, etc.
Michael Jackson Beat It Doll.  No glove or microphone, but it’s still cool.
An unopened box of valentines.  Notice on the box where it says two teacher cards included.  Reminds me of how we came home from school with a list of everyone’s name in our class for a Valentine’s exchange.  Remember sliding the suckers in with the cards?  I wonder if the younger grades still participate in this activity.
One of my favorite television shows was Alf.  This hand puppet was from Burger King.  You can see the tag to the left of the image.
It’s funny when you find some articles of clothing that are actually back in style.
Marie Schulting was my Dad’s Mom.  I recognize some of these scarfs from seeing photographs of her.  
A handmade poodle skirt that I wore to a school dance.  The doll has one to match.  Notice her hairstyle is very “Madonna like”.
If you grew up in the 80s then you had a cabbage patch doll.
Barbie dolls and the handmade bedding.
Barbie doll accessories.  My Mom was a Tupperware dealer.  So we had everything from the company station wagon to the keychain mixing bowls (pictured above).
Musical vanity sets.  It still played when I opened it.
This made for a fun Saturday afternoon.  There are still some items that I’m looking for.  Like my photos from a High School trip to Chicago.  And those that I took when Slaughter was here in town.
I hope to someday locate both of them.
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

My Trip To Alpine Valley Music Theatre: Part One

Yesterday’s road trip was a BLAST!  A group of us went to go see The Treatment, Motley Crue, and KISS {“aka” The Tour 2012} perform live in Wisconsin at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre.  This was my first visit to this venue.  It was kinda scary because of it’s size, but it was fun!  I’m in need of sleep, so today’s post is very brief.  I just wanted to share a couple of pics that I took before the show.  Nature photography is oh so inspiring.
It was very hard for me yesterday to not pull my car off the road to take pictures.  The clouds were amazing and the trees had a wicked look to them.
When we reached our final destination I was happy to stand on the hood of my car to take photos.
See that large dark cloud in the middle.  He paid us a visit later on in the evening.  I’ll share more later.
Until the next word…{girl needs sleep}
~Jennifer