Saturday TastyLinks and The Cuteness Vortex!

The cuteness vortex...it's sucking me in. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Not that lady with the camera, again. Can't she see we're trying to sleep? Sheesh.

Chicks, schmicks. They got nothing on me!

I don't want to sit at this friggin' computer for a moment more...it's beautiful outside, I have adorable baby chicks with downy soft feathers to pat and there's a great big world out there just waiting to be explored. Besides, I've been far too verbose this week and for that I do apologize. So without further bluster, blather and bother here are your links. Open wide and say, "AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The Artful Crafter
Ideas for decorating canvas tote bags.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Embroidered scissors from the book Redwork from the Workbasket

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge has sold her seventh book! Read all about it and about negotiating a contract in the fourth installment in her How to Write and Publish a Craft Book series

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Florida is certainly beautiful, and so is the fabric they have at their quilt shops. Check out what Linda found on her journey.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Create a stitching-themed sampler with a saying from Ellen Birdseye Wheaton. All back stitch and a single color of your choice. Challenging but quick stitch.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
At Craftside there is our author schedule for Maker Faire-booth #219!, Lab 47 from the wonderful book Collage Lab and the cake die cut design I did inspired by it, tips on how to get your dog to sit for a photo and info on the gallery opening A Consequential Tea in Brooklyn with Kristin Muller.

Cathie Filian
Cathie shows you how to print your own fabric with dishwaher gel and cookie cutters.

Beading Arts
Cyndi has launched the first installment of her brand new e-book on bead embroidery...and it's free! Hurry over for your copy!

Aileen's Musings
Aileen's offering a Blog Giveaway! See what she's giving away and the many ways you can enter to win!

About Family Crafts
Learn how you can make your own personalized garden stepping stones.

A New Day

Image from WikiMedia Commons by Peter

Today is a new day and I’m going to focus on possibilities and positivities. (Yes, I know that isn't a word, but it works!) I'm working on more book projects...and the great news is that I’m almost there. I’m waiting on some materials to arrive this week so I can finish. I’m really looking forward to playing with some new toys! Yay!

We bought two guinea pigs this past weekend. They do better in pairs or small groups because they’re herd animals. We named them Finn E. Pig and Truffles. So far they’re still getting used to us, but slowly warming up. We’ve been hand feeding them carrots while talking softly to them. We had guinea pigs when I was a kid and I really loved them. They are truly endearing little creatures.

Yes, it’s true, fifteen chickens, two pot bellied pigs and a cairn terrier weren’t enough pets, so we had to get two guinea pigs. The menagerie grows on!

I have a big phone meeting this afternoon and I’m hoping it goes well. I’ve been trying to get the right combination of idea and opportunity to coalesce in this format for a while. It’s a lot of hurry up and wait and a lot of almost...but not quite. This is where you have to persevere. I think a good portion of ‘failure’ comes from giving up too soon. It’s easy to get discouraged or to feel inferior when people dismiss us. No matter how good you are, you can’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Try not to take it personally, chances are if you keep plugging away at it, you’ll find someone that likes your flavor!

I’m going to have a free project for you tomorrow. It’s a fun and easy mixed media design and I think you’ll enjoy it.

Until then...craft on with your bad self. Or as Finn E. Pig and Truffles would say, “Squeep, squeep.”

Cheers,
Madge