Comments on: Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Lose, and Sometimes You Make A HORRIFIC Birdhouse On National Television: My Craft Wars Recap

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:52:12 +0000

When we were at Evo and I did the Lowe’s challenge I felt the same way! We had 90 minutes. We spent the first 20 just trying to come up with an idea! Our table didn’t win, and in pictures it’s pretty cute, but in person it was not so much. Had we had more time it would have looked much better. I’m not so sure I’m totally on board with the Craft Wars concept. It’s almost making a mockery of those that truly have artistic talent.

By: erin

erin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 03:53:58 +0000

Dude – I will totally say {out loud} what I think I would say if I were in your shoes. I think it’s REDIC that they only gave you guys that little of time. They should have either given you more time or given you a pre-constructed birdhouse that you simply could deconstruct or decorate from. I was friggin shocked when you lost. And I did totally freak when I saw you on the previews (I knew it was you at first sight! – awesome fan moment). At least your birdhouse followed the rules that it had to be an outside birdhouse. there is no way that playing cards would last one season outdoors. I don’t think the judges thought this one threw. You are definitely better than this stupid show.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 06:36:46 +0000

I just watched the show. Well let’s say that I just watched your segment. How could they kick you off? You actually have style…and then there are some people with appliquied and beaded t-shirts with matching scrunchies. You are full of talent and spunk and definitely on your way to bigger and better things than junk drawer bird houses.

By: Liddy B and Me!

Liddy B and Me! — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:50:00 +0000

Oh, MANDI! I felt the EXACT same about my duffle bag from the pop craft challenge! I didn’t care about winning the prize, I just wanted to show that that was NOT a reflection if my work! Even after I won, I totally balled during my exit interviews because the bag I made was NOT the bag I wanted to make! I have a million ideas of how I could have constructed it differently to get the look that I wanted with out so much time! I feel so conflicted about it AND I WON the darn thing! Total surreal mind trip! Anyway, you were/are adorable and I liked yours better than Kevin’s (sorry dude, congrats your bar WAS amazing)

By: Callie Callender

Callie Callender — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:52:00 +0000

I was so excited a blog I follow was going to be on craft wars… i thought your bird house was terrific when it came to following the directions they provided… so just because they changed their mind about what they were looking for you got screwed… good job on what you did! Don’t let these haters get you down either… what is wrong with people these days… leaving comments just to be mean… shaddy! Keep up all the great stuff you do Mandi! There are way more of us lovers of you than haters! 🙂

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 06:42:52 +0000

I recognized you in the previews and so watched the show. Your’s was the only bird house that followed the rules. I think you were robbed. May not watch the show any longer but will continue to follow your wonderful blog. I love your guts!

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:28:04 +0000

I really want to like Craft Wars and while disappointed in the first episode, I was sure that the second episode, starring my favorite DIY Blogger, would rock my socks. Well, maybe if my socks matched the homemade 1990s beaded t-shirt the other competitor wore, they would have been rocked. (was that rude? Sorry, but the other lady embodies every negative stereotype “crafters” get) I mean, OK, if I have to be completely honest, you ran out of time before you could make something as Mandilicious as you always do. But even so, the judges harped on durability and practicality, both of which your bird house was. Foam core? A wind chime that would discourage birds from lighting? Paper roof? None of those are durable or practical. Whatevs. I was SO mad you didn’t get to go on to the second round (you know, cause we are like super fun friends who, um, well, have never met) and even while the judging was going on and the hubs was saying “I think your girl is going home” I was in denial.
Anyway, I don’t get the format. It’s like they took Cupcake Wars and tried to twist it to use crafters. It’s exactly the same! Some ridiculous 1 hour challenge (make cupcakes with bacon, relish, or squid/make a bird house from junk drawer items) and then the winning two get “helpers” to make some big display for the cupcakes…er patio equipment or playhouse. The format is off. It doesn’t work. Hey anything MANDI can’t win HAS to be off, right???

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 03:31:21 +0000

I’ve watched Craft Wars a little now and I’m not too impressed overall. The show doesn’t seem to flow well. The schoolhouse play house one was cool though. But unlike all the other fans, I would have to say that your birdhouse, like you said, wasn’t good. Sorry. But that’s not your forte, really, so you shouldn’t worry about it. You’re great at decorating and that’s more fun to see and that’s what I’m here to be inspired by!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 19:30:19 +0000

I personally enjoy reading your blogs after seeing you on Nate. However, I don’t think you were robbed. Maybe other people really enjoy flamingos and playing cards 🙂 Sometimes that is just the way things go. A humbling experience is good for all of us now and then. Moving on and upward!!!

By: Jenny@thelavendermagnolia

Jenny@thelavendermagnolia — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 18:49:49 +0000

So, I thought they picked wrong in the first round. Really, a foam core birdhouse with nothing but some paper flamingos on the front? I would have picked you ladies to move forward. Then I knew you would have blown them away with the outdoor furniture. Your taste is impeccable and you would have won it hands down.

Oh, and did you notice that in the final round that they criticized the guy (can't remember names) for not having a shelf on his bar, but never said anything positive about the ladies bar because it did include the shelf. All the male judge kept harping on was how she tied the boogie boards to the back of the sofa with rope. Well, would hot glue held them on over time? Noooooooooo. Although the man was handier because of the welding, I think the lady had better ideas. Oh well. I am so glad you had the chance to do it and got to experience the process.

When they were voting you off, all I kept thinking was "Do you not know who this young lady is?" "Nate Berkus said she has a big career in front of her in design!" Then in my head I blew a raspberry at them.

Jenny