TastyLinks Sunday!

Happiest of New Years to You and Yours! We've made it through another year, hopefully mostly unscathed. It's time once again for your weekly dose of crafty inspiration from the Crafty Bloggers Gang. "We've got glue guns and we're not afraid to use them."(tm)

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi downloads a gorgeous set of graphics to make a 2011 calendar.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at a Happy New Year Craftside there are tutorials on how to paint dots with watercolors, redo a scarf with nuno felting, a video tutorial from Traci Bunkers, a fun poster idea that combines two iconic bands and using your stuff to decorate in a fun way.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Crafting while listening to a crafty podcast is fun, but some podcasts are better than others.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Find out the most popular free patterns from 2010. Add them to your stash and stitch one or two up to ring in the New Year!

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Eileen made some lovely earrings from a kit by Tammy Powley and dubbed it “A Kit that Delivers”.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge revisits a favorite New Year's Eve mixed media jewelry project.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has finished a fun little quilt made from her hand-painted fabrics!

Tastylinks Sunday, Square Pegs and Pumpkin Day

We hosted the annual family Pumpkin Day celebration yesterday. There's been a medical emergency in Drew's extended family and the big event was canceled, but with our move and the kids being disappointed we thought we'd just have the immediate family over for a day of carving, snacking and enjoying tasty beverages. Our Amish neighbors have a wall filled with pumpkins and gourds, so we went shopping there. Avalon had a few friends out and they created an entire wonderland of carved pumpkins and gourds, I didn't have time to change my camera settings for night shots, so unfortunately there are no pictures.

Sometimes I think it's just nice to be in the moment and not worry about racing around with the camera. We are so driven by the need to save everything and record everything these days, memories are sometimes best recalled without electronic assistance. The moment is what's real, the pictures are just pale shadows of our experience.

We've been working so hard getting ready for the move, it felt good to unwind. I've got the studio mostly packed except for the supplies that live in the big Ikea armoires and the beads that I need as I work on my projects for the DVDs. There is still so much to do, but more than half of the work is done and that's something upon which to hang my jaunty beret.

I've been busy and of course, that means my blogging hasn't been as regular as it has in the past. My Wikio rankings and my traffic have slipped and it's quite frankly exhausting me trying to keep pumping out free content, pack for the move and work on my new full time job. Blogging is a tricky thing and people like consistency, but at some point you also have to ask yourself what you gain by giving so much away? That's the thing about the internet, people have come to a level of entitlement and expectation of free information, art, ideas and inspiration and giving it all away for free surely doesn't pay the mortgage. So over the next few months, I'm going to work on finding a balance. If that means I'm not one of the popular kids anymore, so be it. I've never much cared about being one of the popular kids. Growing up as the proverbial square peg was actually pretty damn cool.

"Square pegs, square pegs, square, square pegs
Always, never, quite right."

So without further ado, here's what the fab crafty bloggers have for your perusal:

About Family Crafts
What is the most unique Halloween costume you have ever worn or seen someone else wear? Share your ideas and read about others...

Aileen's Musings
Aileen shares this year's Herm and Ethel Freebie Halloween Postcards with you!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi experiments with her own images to make a 3D card embellishment.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a chance to win a copy of the new book Creating Glamorous Jewelry with Swarovski Elements, info about getting involved with conservation work with your dog and the upcoming ReuseConex event, and a recipe for cognac Cherries.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy gives you the low-down and her favorite picks from Drew Emborksy's new crochet book.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
If you’ve been hesitant to try decoupage on wood, check out Eileen’s tips for beginners.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
It's 'fallish' and Madge has created a fabulous fashion friendly fall jewelry set for Jewel School.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi finished up her series on altered books with a flourish ;-)

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how to crochet a bead and Soft Flex bracelet inspired by Heidi Boyd's new book Wired Beautiful

Saturday TastyLinks on Sunday!

Imagine there is a really lovely image here...something vintage and quirky in saturated colors...

Somehow another week has flown past...how that happens I have no idea. There is so much to do here to prepare for the move and it's truly overwhelming. Combine that with the new job and the logistics of prepping to shoot five one hour how to videos in just a few weeks...well I'm plum tuckered out.

Without further ado, here's this week's sampling of TastyLinks:

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how I am spinning..uh crocheting a spider web skirt inspired by The Crochet Dude's new book- Crochet It. Love It. Wear It! and read a fun interview with master of the hook himself Drew Emborsky!

Mixed Media Artist
To add a bit more interest to your collage or altered book page, try slicing up an image!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge has a big new full time job! Read all about it!

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Don't let the rotten egg smell or safety concerns keep you from discovering the wonderful burnished effects you can create on thin metal sheet with liver of sulfur.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a charming pattern for knitting a shrug, a tutorial on how to make a felted covered bangle, an inside peek (or peck) of some wonderful bird art from the book 1,000 Artisan Textiles and a chance to win a poster by Masha D'yans and a copy of 1,000 Ideas for Decorating Cupcakes, Cookies and Cakes.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi plays with a 3d paper sample to create this new card set.

Aileen's Musings
Don't be araid to live out loud is Aileen's motto! She demonstrates this with her front door redesign, stop by and see her boldly painted front door!

About Family Crafts
Enjoy some family time together and make some apple crafts. A perfect Autumn activity!

Sunday TastyLinks!

From Dover Books 1419 Copyright Free Animal llustrations

It's a crazy week around here. I'm knee deep in final prep for CHA, my daughter is gearing up to star in the musical Annie and my hubby is heading out of town for two days. 

I am praying for good weather and low drama. Hahahahaha...

I posed a question on Facebook yesterday after an awkward moment.  Do you ever feel like the giant elephant in the room that everyone is trying to ignore?  You know as if you're just a little too loud, a little too obvious...a little too...large?!

I think when you boil it down, we all feel like the elephant or the black sheep or the odd man out at some point or another. I think a lot of people deal with that by making themselves smaller or softer or less obtrusive. It's crucial to be sensitive to the feelings of others, but it's also okay to be real. The more I live the more I see that dysfunction isn't just a family experience, it creeps into all of our personal experiences. Everyone views life through their own lenses that are colored by their own mythology. I tend to say the things that other people are afraid to say...because they're not comfortable...because they rock the boat...because it's easier to be the bunny in the corner that's cute and loveable than it is to be the big, loud elephant. I have never mastered the art of being the cute bunny in the corner.

I've lived long enough to realize I can't control how other people see me and that it's not my job to be small and cute. It's my job to be me, without fear, without filters and without apology. It's your job to be you. The more we become ourselves, the richer life becomes. A friend of mine on Facebook Jenny Bruce said something really smart and I'm going to repeat it like a mantra: "It's none of my business what other people think of me."

I am saying this to remind myself and to share that with you, gentle reader.  Everyone is not going to love you, whether you're the cute bunny in the corner or the big elephant dancing on the table top. Everyone is not going to throw their arms around you no matter what you do. So it's a losing proposition to try to make everyone happy. Whatever you are, be it fully and freely and without apology.

xoxo
Madge

Here's what the Crafty Blogger gang has for you this week!

The Crochet Dude
Drew reviews Arctic Lace by Donna Druchunas, and enter to win some lace weight qiviut!'

The Artful Crafter
Are you sometimes frazzled by all the demands for your time? Here’s Eileen’s plan to make more time for her art.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how I use some fun Sweater Surgery and button flowers to dress up a clutch and check out my Craft Super Show and CHA Schedule so you can join me in Customizing a Greeting Card Album and making all sorts of goodies with recycled wool felted sweaters.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi's shibori fabric is finished...and it was easy to make!

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Learn to make Linda's favorite baby-quilt standby--Baby Blocks.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Cutesy Cross Stitch not your style? Seeking stitches for your sarcastic friends and family members? Check out Connie's snarky stitchery patterns for a refreshing change of pace that avoids an X rating.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Is it really possible to quit your day job and become a full-time crafter?

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week Craftside's got tutorials on how to make a paw print place mat, a tasty "bite" from the new book The Designer's Graphic Stew, how to sew a neckband into a neckline, all the CHA author details and how to make a scratching box for your cat.

Cathie Filian
Check out Cathie's CHA plans! Her new book 101 Snappy Fashions and her new product line will be unveiled.

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Get into the early Valentine spirit with these colorful and cute Valentine brooches!

About Family Crafts
Sherri shares a collection of craft projects, all made from fleece fleece fabric. You can make everything from Sleeved Blankets for yourself and your pet to simple hats and scarves.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
It's Chipboard Week at The Impatient Crafter and Madge throws down an 80s inspired mixed media necklace for iLoveToCreate!

Christmas Weekend TastyLinks!

Happy Holidaze!

A new dishwasher! Huzzah!

I do hope you had a wonderful time with friends and family whatever you may celebrate this time of year. I cooked for twelve without any major incident...and it all tasted incredibly yummy! Huzzah! We've got enough stuffing to feed a small army and lord knows I don't want to eat it all or my arse will be the size of Texas come February...but I did come up with an incredibly evil idea.

Deep fried stuffing balls.

Yes, it's so wrong and yet...so right! I'm half tempted to make them. Heck maybe we could dip them into cheesy fondue in our new fondue pot...hmmm...

Santa got me a Canon EOS and I'm beside myself with excitement! A real camera! Not just one with a small bird inside that pecks the pictures on to a rock! YAY! Santa got my hubby a dishwasher! After years of hand washing, it's a pretty big dealio. I cook, he cleans. Seems like a fair exchange.

We're enjoying a lazy holiday weekend before we get back to the grindstone a little and then have one last party. Then January is full tilt CHA prep! Eek!

I've got an appointment with the 'hair fairy' on Monday so...until Tuesday...craft on with your bad selves!

xoxo
Madge

Aileen's Musings
To help bring in the New Year Aileen has a snazzy freebie New Year's card for you to download and send to your friends and family.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
At Craftside there is a Steampunk-style cam chain necklace, how to make an image have a pop art look, recycle a milk jug into snowflakes, and a tutorial on making domed bead caps.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy is going bananas, literally, over amigurumi again. Crochet folks take note!

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Linda DID get a present or two made before Christmas actually arrived--check it out!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
File this one away for next year...Madge's final Retrofabulous Christmas Craftabration Project for 2009! This one kicks tinsel!

Mixed Media Artist
Mix fabric and paper for a one-of-a-kind collage!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Press On with Trylon and Perisphere Cross Stitch using a cool font from the book A Rainbow of Stitches

The Artful Crafter
Don’t toss those leftover holiday candle stubs! Here’s how to organize them for recycling later – after the holiday whirl subsides.

TastyLinks Sunday!

It's time once again for the weekly craft blog round up from the Crafty Blogger Gang! This week is filled with spooktastic ideas for Halloween. Get ready to be inspired!

This week's bonus link...check out these funky meat themed kitty toy pillows Ana and Megan from When Creativity Knocks have for your video viewing pleasure with designer Lauren Vennell.

About Family Crafts Follow these directions and disscover how easy it is to sew a felt tote bag that is perfect for trick-or-treating!

Aileen's Musings Come meet Aileen's friends Herm & Ethel (they're baccck!). Download a couple of freebie e-postcards and send Halloween greetings to your friends!

Cathie Filian Check out Cathie's quick video on how to spook up china ball lanterns.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside went a little artsy this week with inside peeks into the books; Hope: A Collection of Obama Posters and Prints, The Daily Book of Art, Really Good Packaging Design Explained and 1001 Ideas for Stonework, but there are also tons of great Sizzix die cut applique designs made by the designers at Halloween Swap-o-Rama-Rama.

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy has a package ready to go out the door for her new jewelry making book.

Cross Stitch at About.com Connie has another inspirational pattern, this time with an abstract flair. The chart is easy - whole cross stitch and a wee bit of back stitch.

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style Linda visited a few quilt shops in Toronto and shares her finds.

Mixed Media Artist Cyndi is starting a new quilt...this time featuring pears!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Vintage Hankie Scarf made using the tutorial from the Indygo Junction book Hankie Style

The Artful Crafter Eileen shows you how to create a simple but festive Halloween cupcake stand from terracotta pots.

The Impatient Crafter Madge is one degree from Martha! Check out her upcoming appearance at the Grand Opening of Michaels in Manhattan!

Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love This week Vickie launched her new PBS Parents column, Craft Apparent. Check out her first article, a how-to on making utterly adorable baby costumes, starting with just a plain onesie!

Saturday TastyLinks™!

Well galdangy, it’s that time again! I don’t understand how it could possibly be Saturday already when I could swear it was just Monday. I’ve managed to finish the projects for my new book along with the instructions and all of the written material that I can complete prior to the shoot. There will be some small tweaks after my editor reviews things and then I’ll pack it up and ship it out. I can’t believe I did it a month ahead of deadline! I am the world’s biggest procrastinator. No seriously, I am. I’ve learned to fight that tendency by forcing myself to work ahead. It’s quite easy for my attention to be diverted by shiny things or deep thoughts about the meaning of life and why gum loses its flavor so quickly.

I have to assemble kits for the Zig Zagged Necklace class I’m teaching at CHA and the segment I’m filming for Fiskars TV. I’ve been asked to teach this fall at two different places, so that means classes need to be designed and then there’s the cruise this fall for When Creativity Knocks. One of my manufacturers just backed out, so I have to redesign the classes on the fly. It’s always something, isn’t it?!

But before I blather on endlessly about my never ending straw pile...I shall leave you to your weekly linky love shower! Enjoy!

My friend the immensely talented Lilian Chen is hosting a week of jewelry making classes in Tuscany in 2010! What fun! Here’s the 411.

Here’s what the Crafty Bloggers have going on this week:

Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love Vickie's 10 Craft Tips for Busy Parents!

The Impatient Crafter Madge shares the 411 on how she made a gorgeous crystal, rubber and exposed wire collar inspired by African jewelry.

The Crochet Dude See a sneak peek video of Drew's new pattern line that launches August 1st!

The Artful Crafter If you’re a polymer clay beginner or just want a quick professional looking project, use molds!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Dada Mosaic, or is it surreal? You be the judge.

Mixed Media Artist Do not fear...making altered books will not cause lightning to strike you!

Cross Stitch at About.com What do you do with odds and ends of embroidery floss? Read these ideas and share your own.

Crafty Princess Diaries Have you thought of starting your own craft weblog? Here is why crafting rocks when it comes to niche blogging.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside there is the latest episode of Look, Learn & Create featuring the fabulous cloth doll artist, Patti Medaris Culea, a fun vegan recipe for Frushi (fruit sushi), a how-to on making a tennis ball training tool, and an Illustrator tutorial to make a digital word ATC and as always a bunch of questions that if you answer you are entered to win a free book!

Cathie Filian When you need a crafty break - whip up this quick and easy snack of homemade hummus and baked bagel chips.

Aileen's Musings Aileen gives you a sneak peek at some felt banners she's making for a swap, and tells you how to make easy rolled felt flowers to use as embellishments.

About Family Crafts As a parent, one of the biggest crafting dilemmas you may face is what to do with all the wonderful masterpieces your child creates. How do you display each piece so it gets the attention it deserves?

TastyLinks™ Sunday!

Crafty Cabaret Cruise Logo Copyright Brini Maxwell 2009

What ho, what hey...it’s TastyLinks™ day!

I simply can't bring myself to refer to Linky Love Showers today, it's been grey, gloomy and rainy here for so long I'm about to start building an Ark. It's either that or my blog posts are going to get their Goth on.

I survived my appearance at AC Moore yesterday mostly unscathed. These things are almost always a little awkward. It’s not like I’m a household name...so people treat me like the sample lady at the grocery store with a platter full of tasty Spamwiches. They give me funny looks as they make a wide arc around my demo table...or they accidentally look me in the eye and nervously say, “Hello” and scurry away.

My family couldn’t join me, so it was just little ol' me all alone at a small bridge table near the exit and the front registers. There wasn’t any signage on the table, and more than a few folks thought I was just someone who worked there (who opted to wear a ginormous plastic necklace, platform shoes and a floor length dress to work that day.)

People kept asking me things like, “Where are the popsicle sticks?”

“Uh...I dunno...I don’t actually work here, I’m here signing my new books. I’m doing some metal and bead wire wrapping demonstrations if you’d like to learn about that.”

“Oh...huh...okay....”

Awkward silence...followed by backing away slowly...looking frantically around for an actual employee.

A few little kids came over to see what I was doing, but their parents quickly pulled them away after giving me funny looks. I did manage to get one person to converse with me at length. I personally escorted her to the bead area to find all of the tools and products she needed to get started making jewelry. I should get a sales commission. Catherine, it was delightful meeting you. May you enjoy making jewelry for years to come.

At least the 3 hours of driving were scenic...if soggy.

Ah well...one day people will know who I am and be excited to meet me.

No, really.

And while I continue to indulge in my delusions...here’s this week’s round up from the Crafty Bloggers Gang:

About Family Crafts What is in your craft cupboard? What craft supplies can you not live without? Has there been a craft item that you purchased thinking it was the greatest invention of all time and then never used?

Aileen's Musings Aileen needs your help! She's created another whimsical character in her curalicious series and needs a saying or quote to go with her! Post your quote or saying and enter to win a curvalicious coffee cup!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner Create fun and graphic letter & number decoupage jars in a flash!

Cathie Filian Recycle old jeans and fabric scraps into a quilted 4th of July Table Runner in under 2 hours!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside there is Jenn Mason's episode of Look, Learn & Create where she shows us how to make a fun matchbook card and dyed plastic tube necklace, a window-screen art journal tutorial from the new book Re-bound and a mini journal with a recycled scrapbook paper catalog, a discussion of rule breaking in logo design and a recipe for roasted chickpeas.

Crafty Princess Diaries Cat Domination at Jewelry Bench! “Where oh where can I work on jewelry?” Tammy asks.

CraftyPod Take a handful of buttons and some craft wire and make charming button monograms to wear as jewelry.

Cross Stitch at About.com Dinosaurs rule in the Land of the Lost and they also rule at About.com Cross Stitch. There are three of them stalking through Connie's latest free pattern collection.

Mixed Media Artist Here's a way to combine planning with serendipity when you paint fabrics!

Naughty Secretary Club Think all the marketing at a craft show is already taken care of for the vendors? Think again. Jen shares some marketing tips.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Another of Stefanie's Happy Bunnies-This one created using the help of the cool book: Stray Sock Sewing

The Artful Crafter What new mom would not be delighted with this precious keepsake pendant? Eileen gives you step-by-step instructions for making it using polymer clay and decal paper.

The Impatient Crafter Madge went on a bead buying trip to NYC! Get the scoop!