Peekaboo! Sneek a peek at the Saturday Tastylinks!

Peekaboo Mixed Media Necklace Copyright Margot Potter 2009

I got bored. So I made a new blog header. I felt like maybe I needed my actual design work in my header. This necklace is featured in my new book Bead Chic. Did you get your copy yet?! I'd put my picture in my header...but maybe that's just a little too much Madge. I'm feeling rather black and white and gray right now, which makes my 'i color outside of the lines' mantra seem slightly ironic. So be it.

I like irony.

I do not, however, like ironing.

Just for the record.

I did enjoy Iron Man though. The movie...and the song.

That about covers that.

How are you enjoying the videos? Do you like them? Is there anything you'd like to see? I've got to make one every single week, so if you've got ideas please, please share with the class. It's Jewel School...get it?

Har har.

And without further drivel, blather and ado... Here's what the fabulous crafty bloggers have for your entertainment, education and edification:

The Artful Crafter
Come one; come all. See The Artful Crafter Parade of Valentine Crafts.

Mixed Media Artist
There are lots of products that will give a translucent finish to paper. Cyndi experiments to see which ones work the best!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares basic beading techniques in this week's video on demand for JTV's Jewel School!

Cross Stitch at About.com
Join in the Cross Stitch Forum SAT, SWAT and don't forget about the January Forum Challenge and the Duh One Challenge. Learn about these opportunities and other stitchy wonderfulness going on on Connie's site.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy is duckie over some baby yarn she's using for a new baby afghan.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a free penguin graphic download, a doll boot pattern and sewing tutorial, a video interview with Carri Hammett author of Mittens and Hats for Yarn Lovers and the pros and cons of petroleum verses synthetic oil.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi tests glitter in a spray format to create beautiful sparkly cards.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen shows you how to make a glittery crown any birthday Queen would be proud to wear!

About Family Crafts
If you can't beat winter, celebrate it everyday with these simple crafts and activities!

The Global Genes Project and Saturday TastyLinks

I was contacted this past week by Elizabeth Joshi from The Global Genes Project. They have started a campaign to help raise awareness of children with rare genetic disorders and you can participate! The 7000 Bracelets for Hope initiative gives denim blue bracelets created by jewelry designers to parents of children with rare genetic disorders as a symbol of hope. I can't think of a better way to use your creative talents than to do something small and powerful by sharing a denim blue bracelet. It's just a bracelet, not a check, which to me is even more meaningful because you're putting your time and your love into something that will bring someone else a little joy. Here is where you can send your denim blue bracelet (the denim blue ribbon is their symbol-jeans and genes, see?):

Nicole Boice at the Children's Rare Disease Network
24701 La Plaza, #201
Dana Point, CA 92629.

For registration to donate a bracelet and to find more information about this worthy cause visit:
www.globalgenesproject.org

Please share this with your friends, family and if you blog, your readers.

Now without further ado, please enjoy this week's TastyLinks from The Crafty Bloggers Gang!

About Family Crafts
Play along with this week's make-it-over craft challenge by submitting craft projects made using bowls.

Aileen's Musings
Find out what an Artist Trading Block is and sign up for a Valentine swap with Aileen!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi uses a new punch to create these cute word sentiments.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a chance to win a 26 pack of Gutermann thread and a copy of 1,000 Clever Sewing Shortcuts and Tips, a free Valentine cherub shooting hearts graphic download, a link to a free "How to Draw" app for the iPad, tips on painting shadows and some apple recipes.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy's new jewelry making book is totally official now, finally!

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Jewelry closeout items at deep discount and a few things from your stash can make wonderful jewelry on the cheap. Check out Eileen’s Serenity Bracelet.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Never get burned by a glue gun again! Check out this FABULOUS Hot Glue Gun Helpers from Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza!

Mixed Media Artist
Have you ever wanted to try combining collage with quilting?

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Book Review-The Knitter's Guide to Hand-dyed and Variegated Yarn

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!

Monday Tastylinks and Retrofabulous Redux!

Retrofabulous Holiday Mixed Media Necklace Copyright 2009 Margot Potter

"I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date. No time to say, "Hello, goodbye."

I'm late. I'm late. I'm late."

My sincere apologies to the White Rabbit.

Oh busy day, calloo callay!

Yes, I'm busy. So busy that I'm just now finally getting these dang links up. Dang the links, full speed ahead!

Don't ask. Sometimes there is no making sense of the drivel that flies from my fingertips.

Here's the link to the fabulous and fast last minute holiday jewelry project from last year in the photo above and here's what the Crafty Bloggers have in store for your craftertainment!

The Crochet Dude Drew once again dazzles with his themed Christmas wrapping!!

Mixed Media Artist Cyndi shows off some stenciled fabrics that she painted and foiled for future use!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter Join Madge as she shares her latest project for JTV's Jewel School on the blog and in a new video!

Eileen - The Artful Crafter Need a few more ornaments for the tree or some last minute gifts? The Artful Crafter shares 5 easy techniques for decorating clear glass ornament balls.

Cross Stitch at About.com Up for a challenge? Connie's Kaleidoscope Cross Stitch Patterns are just the thing. Stitch them in holiday colors or alter the selection to your favorite colors or even your school colors for a fun project.

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy is making a list of crafting and non-crafting must-do's as she heads off for her holiday school break.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside there are two fabulous prize packages of Windham Fabrics Fat Quarter Stacks, Westcott Scissors and quilt books along with tutorials on how to sew a Roman Stripe Quilt, quick gift bag stockings made from socks, a stamped polymer clay journal with a dowel binding system, and a cute tiny pear pocket pattern.

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi makes some Christmas themed magnetic present toppers.

Aileen's Musings Tags, Tags, Tags--Aileen has some ideas to inspire you to create your own altered Christmas tags using old Christmas cards and other embellishments you have left over.

About Family Crafts If you are looking for an almost instant Christmas gift or activity, check out these free, printable Christmas pages.

Smoky Mountain Christmas and TastyLinks!

Some of my vintage Shiny Brite and Polish ornaments in oversize beverage glasses from Michaels. I almost fell over when I found them. I made the bow...yeah...I'm crafty like that.

Fresh greens in a vintage Colonial era Indian Chicken feeder, faux pointsettia in another Colonial era Indian piece, mini flocked trees, a handcrafted dove candle holder from Mexico and a Madge original collage canvas.

Vintage plastic Santa candy holders with vintage Christmas light bulbs, flickering candles and flocked miniature trees.

Just in case you didn't get the memo...I've been appearing live on Thursdays and Saturdays on Jewelry Television's Jewel School from 9am to Noon EST on TV and on the JTV.com website. I'll be back on tomorrow...saying a little prayer the snow doesn't make it misery getting to Knoxville...and sharing two new projects with my lovely hosts Sheree Henry and Katie Rooke.

We have bedecked our halls with boughs, bows and balls this season. I'm feeling the Smoky Mountain Christmas.

Here's what the craftacular Crafty Bloggers Crew have whipped up for your entertainment this week:

The Crochet Dude
Drew takes a walk down memory lane and shares why crochet and the holidays are forever fused together for him.

Mixed Media Artist
Have you heard of kirigami? Come and see how much fun this paper-cutting technique is!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Margot's daughter Avalon whips up another FAB project for ILoveToCreate teen crafts! Check out her Blue Christmas card!

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Not all projects run smoothly from start to finish. Read about Eileen-s experience with a tote bag made from a kit.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Need some quick and easy ornaments or gift tags? Stitch up back stitch motifs in white floss on red fabric - simple and holiday-rific.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy is very pleased with how her new college crafting club is moving along!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside we have a mega giveaway of tons of Westcott Scissors and books, tutorials on sewing recycled book page ornaments, stamping and sewing die cut fabric coasters, 9 techniques for working with pastels and a honey, banana, nut snack recipe.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi celebrates the 50th Anniversary of a British soap opera with a new set of fridge magnets.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen's going Christmas green and created a recycled Christmas card banner out of old cards she's saved. Check out her easy tutorial and make one yourself!

About Family Crafts
For your amusement, Sherri shares a fun spin on the classic 12 Days of Christmas song with gifts to go along with each verse!

Plum Tuckered TastyLinks!

Madge is plum tuckered. Seriously folks. My Ho has lost it's Ho Ho.

If you see it, please direct it to the Smoky Mountains.

Did you know that I have a huge collection of Christmas Crafts you can access from this little ol' blog 'o mine? Well I do...and you can! I've shared one of them above from last year's Retrofabulous Craftabration! Follow the link for instructions!

Here's what the crafty bloggers have whipped up for your craftertainment:

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how to make recycled sweater and zipper Christmas trees (or hats)

Mixed Media Artist
The Bead Journal Project is starting up again for its fourth year! Registration ends soon...

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares a Pink Ribbon Necklace project she created live on Jewel School at Jewelry Television!

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Calling clay and gourd crafters: do you have any suggestions to help Kathy with a cracking problem on her wonderful her clay Santas?

Crafty Princess Diaries
Ta da! The 10 inch squares crocheted baby afghan is done!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there are tutorials on how to make a pop up gift card holding greeting card, a Steampunk style mixed media bracelet, tips on creating art everyday, and a bunch of cute pastry decorating ideas.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi downloads a cute Christmas graphic to make this fabric ornament.

Aileen's Musings
Check out part 2 of Aileen's Pomegranate Liquor and download a freebie background while your at it.

About Family Crafts
If you are in search of a special gift for a crafter or a wannabe crafter, check this collection of ideas and resources.

Sunday Tastylinks and Jewel School!

Cloud Nine Necklace featuring a Jackie Truty ArtClay pendant
Margot Potter for Jewelry Television

Hey Howdy Hey Partners! Yet another week bites the dust, how is that possible?! I suppose when one spends the better part of it in a sick daze, it's quite possible indeed! We had a super fun time this morning on Jewelry Television's Jewel School. I'll be making my official debut this Thursday on our Thanksgiving Day show from 9am-12pm EST. Tune in to see if I can go from sketch to finished design without any mishaps or mayhem during the three hour show.

A few bloggy shout outs are in order today.

The divine Andrew Thornton has a super duper giveaway on his blog this week! Leave a comment on Andrew's blog for a chance to win a $75.00 gift certificate to the Bead Chest! Woo hoo!

Lovely and talented Jean Yates posted a Potter Family update on her blog this week! Thanks, Jean!

Ms. Stephanie Dixon also has a giveaway on her blog! Leave a comment on Stephanie's blog for a chance to win a copy of Make Elegant Jewelry (for special occasions).

I've got another busy week ahead, but before I dive back into the fray here's what's new with the Crafty Blogger gang! "We've got glue guns and we're not afraid to use them!" (tm)

The Crochet Dude
Drew unveils the November purse as part of his Purse Pattern of the Month Club! It's a sexy little number with a metallic copper finish.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how to make an illuminated broken windshield glass filled vase inspired by the book Eco Craft.

Mixed Media Artist
Expanded squares are a fun way to create a repeating fabric pattern!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge Crafts from the Couch and Shares a Retrofabulous Christmas Stocking!

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Have you heard about Crafters’ Anonymous? We’re tackling our stash, one step at a time!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy has great news! Her new book is one step closer to being out on bookstore shelves.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a chance to win a copy of The Complete Photo Guide to Paper Crafts, ideas for dressing up twinkle lights with die cuts, a tutorial on how to watercolor and transfer images on old postcards, info on different types of compositions, and 3 blue-ribbon recipes.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi is inspired by a magazine cover to make a cute pine cone tree.

Aileen's Musings
Get ready for Thanksgiving morning by making Pumpkin Biscottis ahead of time. Aileen has a pumpkin biscotti printable recipe card ready for you!

About Family Crafts
Are you wondering what kind of crafts to make for local craft fairs and church bazaars? Check out these ideas and share your own.

Fave Crafts Blog Hop and Monday TastyLinks!

I've been sick, so I'm a skootch behind on posting my weekly craft blog links, do forgive! I'm participating again this month in the Fave Crafts blog hop, it's a hoot in a handbasket, you should join too! On the 15th of every month you add a link to a project in your blog with a pic to their 'Finished on the 15th' post and it's a great way to connect with other crafters and generate a little more traffic!

I'm crawling back into bed here in a moment, but before I do here are this week's TastyLinks from the Crafty Bloggers. "We've got glue guns and we're not afraid to use them."

About Family Crafts
If you are looking for an almost instant Thanksgiving activity, check out these free, printable Thanksgiving projects.

Aileen's Musings
It's that time of year again to be thinking about cards an giftees. Aileen offers you a unique coffee sleeve card project to inspire you!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi makes a set of meaningful Remembrance Day cards with a free digital download.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a chance to win a copy of 1,000 Type Treatments and my Sizzix twist cube project it inspired, a tutorial on how to make serged thread chain and braid, a dining room mixed media assemblage and one of the quilts from the book-Journey of Hope.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Square time! Tammy is working on creating a simple (and hopefully fast) baby blanket pattern.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Here's a cute tote idea incorporating a sticker embellishment made of cardboard and coated with epoxy. Yes, just plain cardboard!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Heidi Goes Glam Necklace and Madge's Pre-Debut Debut on JTV!

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi is giving away a copy of her new ebook on using found objects and unusual materials in your bead embroidery!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how to make a recycled bottle lid broken heart charm inspired by the book Fantastic Recycled Plastic

TastyLinks Saturday Live from the Smoky Mountains!

Sunrise on the Smokies Copyright Andrew Potter

Well I made it through my first week at the new job mostly unscathed! It's a quantum shift for me to work for someone else and have to balance between cubicle and studio. My straw pile is already overflowing. Quel suprise.

I'm still amazed at the views from our windows, the Smokies are constantly changing. We had hail this morning and it's sunny now. This is a pic Drew took from the window and you can see the fog on the mountains that really does look like smoke. The drive to work is a breeze and the drive home is a revelation. Seriously.

I'm coordinating with the social networking team at JTV on blogging efforts and if you stay tuned I do believe you're going to dig what we throw down.

Here's what the CraftyBloggers have for your perusal this week. Until next time...craft on with your bad selves!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how to make a mini die cut leaf bracelet notebook inspired by Eco Books.

Mixed Media Artist
It turns out that rust and paint can be a great combination!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares an update from 'the busy zone.'

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
When the going gets tough; the tough get going. Have you thought of making a bit of extra money by crafting in your spare time? Read Eileen's advice to "worried mom" Gina.

Crafty Princess Diaries
If you have moved over to using e-readers, such as a Kindle, then you need something pretty and hand-crafted (of course) to protect it.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a chance to win a copy of Collage Lab with a tutorial on how to make a light up mixed-media mini house, a yarn necklace from the book Intertwined and step-by-step instructions for painting an olive.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi uses paper scraps to quilt some paper!

Aileen's Musings
Check out Aileen's scrumptious fall cookie recipe with a cool printable recipe card you can print out and include with a plate of cookies to give to your friends and family!

About Family Crafts
Read through these creative Thanksgiving tradition ideas and then share your own.

Day Six of CRESCENDOh and Saturday TastyLinks!

It's day six of my guest curator stint at CRESCENDOh! One more day to go! Today's featured artists are two awesome creative dervishes Sister Diane of CraftyPod and Traci Bautista! Follow this link!


I participated in Fave Crafts "Finished on the 15th" blog hop this month along with an array of crafty folks who shared links to their favorite projects from October! You can join the fun too next month, it's easy! Visit Fave Crafts blog to see the projects and find out how to participate!

The delightful Lisa Crone of A Bead a Day Blog fame wrote a terrific post about my new gig at Jewelry Television. Lisa has a really terrific blog, go visit her and tell her Madge sent you!

We're knee deep in the big move and it's just amazing how much stuff I had ferreted away in my studio. I gave things to the local schools, the local library and some to our local Goodwill. Still, I've got craft supplies coming out of my hoo ha. Yup, I said it. I'm looking forward to being settled into our new home soon and be on the other side of the big relocation.

And now, without further ado, here's what the crafty bloggers have for your craftertainment:

About Family Crafts
Sherri is hosting a Make-It-Over crafts challenge and is calling for people to submit their Halloween crafts made using recyclables!

Aileen's Musings
Aileen invites you to jump in the Wayback Machine and revisit a past Halloween Card tutorial.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi figures out how to use paper to decorate an apron.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a chance to win the new big and beautiful book Quilts Around The World by Spike Gillespie, a knit boxed eyelet pattern, a bunch of ways to get a "handle" on your books and journals and tips on painting realistic blood just in time for Halloween.

Crafty Princess Diaries
There is a call out for professional crocheters, scrapbookers, and quilters.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Calling all totes! Eileen is looking for tote bag decorating examples. If you need some inspiration first, watch the video on how to make a recycled tote bag.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge muses about choices, consequences, regrets and living out loud.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has a really fun book to give away this week: Create Colorful Aluminum Jewelry

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how to make paper pom pom pumpkins inspired by the book Page Maps 2

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!

9/11 and Saturday Craft Blog Links

Photograph by Andrea Booher of FEMA Public Domain from WikiMedia Commons

We were in the Outer Banks in North Carolina on September 11th, 2001. It was our first vacation in several years and it felt really good to unwind. The tourist season was over and it was quiet and beautiful. We woke up early and decided not to turn 0n the TV. Instead we drove over to the dunes at Kill Devil Hills. We saw two men dressed as Orville and Wilbur Wright and a camera man following them as they dragged a full sized replica of the first glider up the dunes.

"This is amazing." I said to my husband. "We're standing in the footsteps of the first flight."

Then I heard some people talking about planes flying into the Twin Towers in New York City.

"Are you talking about a movie? Is that actually happening?" I asked, feeling that dreadful churning in the pit of my stomach.

"Haven't you heard? It's actually happening. It's been on the news all morning."

I stood there in total shock, fully realizing the irony of this moment and knowing that nothing would ever be the same again. Here we were in the first footsteps of flight and there was an unimaginable tragedy unfolding around airplanes being used as weapons. The rest of that week was surreal. We had to call again and again to discover if our family and friends in NYC were okay (they were, though the stories they shared were unreal) and we had to keep a sense of happy calm for our daughter's sake. She was far too young to understand what had happened. I still don't understand.

I don't know what makes people become so hateful that they'd perpetrate an act like that. I don't begin to fathom that kind of insanity. Who can, really? I do know that the fear of "the other" is a powerful tool for persuasion.

It is crucial that we counter that fear with love. What separates us is far less significant than what unites us.

Perhaps, one day, we'll all understand that and war and terrorism and violence will be impossible.

On a lighter note here's what's happening in the craftiverse where we fight destruction every day through the power of creativity:

Big crafty shout out to Andrew Thornton for giving away a copy of Bead Chic in his blog! Go leave a comment for your chance to win!

Thanks to Rebecca E. Parsons for making me a Dream Doer in the Cre8tive Compass blog.

Congrats to Allison Stillwell formerly of Art Girlz for starting on her new creative adventure with her new blog!

And here's what's happening with the Crafty Bloggers Gang "We've got glue guns and we're not afraid to use them.":

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how I took a bite out of a sweater with inspiration from the new book Vampire Knits by Genevieve Miller.

Mixed Media Artist
What did you name your business? Cyndi is betting that there's a good story behind it!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Confidence is sexy. Madge muses about the power of embracing uniquely wonderful you.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Many artists and crafters find it helpful to set goals for their art but do so in different ways. How about you? Do you have any goals or methods for improving in your art?

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy asks about your creative muse and shares some information about hers.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
At Craftside this week there are tutorials on how to purl stitch with beads, embellish a softie with a heart, a recipe for a stop chewing spray for dogs, and how to eliminate a side seam on a pants pattern.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has some great samples working with paper that has a white core.

Aileen's Musings
This week Aileen offers you her gouache painted sunflower tutorial using a black and white photograph she took of her harvested sunflowers.

About Family Crafts
Did you know that September is National Sewing Month? Sherri has some fun and simple ways you can celebrate with the entire family.

Saturday TastyLinks and Jenny Harada!

I'm so, so excited to have turned in all of the finalized copy for my next book. It's official! WOO HOO! Let the celebration begin!

Speaking of books I am super happy to share the link and the cover for Jenny Harada's FAB new book Me Make Monster. Jenny is a super talented and super fun lady. We shot a The Impatient Crafter video once for YouTube together and she is as fun in person as her whimsical creations. I'm so honored to have a project in the book upcycled from champagne corks. It was difficult drinking enough champagne to have corks for the step by step shots, but I did what needed to be done. Well done, Jenny!

Mr. Fluffy Cloudman actually lives in our bed. My husband has learned to accept him as part of the family. Begrudgingly. Sorry, Drew.

Having used up my quota of exclamation points in this post, I'm afraid I'll have to bid thee a hearty holiday weekend adieu.

Here's what the craftacular Crafty Bloggers Crew has for your perusal:

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how I restyled a little dress with a bit of inspiration from the pretty book- Sew Serendipity

Mixed Media Artist
Do you like making altered books? Or have you always wanted to try it out? Cyndi's got a series going right now that looks at altered books techniques and altered book artists!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares another post in her series on How to Write and Publish a Craft Book. This time we're looking at PR and Marketing.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Are you looking for ribbon weaving or Homecoming Mum Chain directions? Look no further.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Creative Publishing International, the publisher of my latest book, has a new web site, and it is full of amazing book information.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there are tutorials on how to make a perfect placement template when die cutting, how to paint a Pop Art cow with a free downloadable pattern, how to combine drawing and collage and 7 pastel drawing techniques from the book The Art of Pastel.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has a new sewn paper sample to share.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen offers you a tasty treat with a printable recipe card for delicious cinnamon rolls!

The World's Smallest Chicken Egg and Saturday TastyLinks!

Quite Possibly the World's Smallest Chicken Egg, someone call Guinness!

We're heading out tomorrow morning for a week long road trip. There is so much to do before we go that it's hurting my head. Ouch. It's a combo of business and pleasure, though I could surely use a week long vacation without the business part. I was really hoping to make it out to BeadFest, but it's not looking like that's going to happen. Sigh.

I'll have a few posts set to drip while I'm away...so check back please! Wednesday I'll have a fun teen craft project and Thursday is my final free project from my new book with a final giveaway!

I think we may have the world's smallest chicken egg! What do you think? This is from one of our new hens. They're still a little young to be laying, but I guess we have an overachiever in the bunch. Quel suprise.

It's my 47th birthday tomorrow! Holy crap, how they heck did that happen?! I like to think that my childlike sense of wonder (or my extreme immaturity) has kept me young. That and copious amounts of spackle, hair dye and a smattering of Botox.

Now there's a recipe for you.

Yay for architectural preservation!

I share a birthday with another crafty redhead, the fab Cathie Filian! Happy Birthday, sista!

Oh and...CONGRATS to Eileen Bergen of The Artful Crafter for winning a signed copy of Bead Chic, email me with your snail mail address at margot@margotpotter.com!

xoxo
Madge

Here's what's happening on the vast and mysterious Interwebs:

Cyndi Lavin has the third chapter in her new book ready for download, go see!

I got two really lovely reviews this week for Bead Chic. Big Thanks to Jean Yates and Shala of My Craft Review!

Thanks to Sheri from Just Hanging Out and Creating for citing The Impatient Crafter blog as a fave.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how to make an apron for an Aminko or an 18 inch doll from the book All Dolled Up

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has one more metalcraft book to give away this summer. Come sign up for your last chance to win!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares the third free project from her new book Bead Chic with a giveaway!

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Do you know how to avoid clay shrinkage and distortion with clays baked in the home oven? Let Eileen tell you.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Do you bead? Are you chic? Then you will want a chance to win Margot Potter's latest book!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a tutorial on how to paint faces on natural elements, two chances to win a copy of 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse in a "recycle your Swag contest", the first sneak peek into the new book 1000 Artisan Textiles and an interview with the author of Sew Retro, Judi Ketteler.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi tests a new scoring tool to make a star book in one hour.

Aileen's Musings
Join Aileen's creative torso challenge--you can download and embellish your torso tag and enter to win a free collage sheet.

About Family Crafts
Discover creative ways to personalize your notebooks and text books!

Saturday TastyLinks and The Joy of Travel

I had a horrid customer service experience at the airport yesterday. I ranted about it on Facebook and on my writing blog today. It was the first time in my life that I've ever become so upset that I yelled at a customer service person in public. What's fascinating to me is that two people who are both probably nice people, can be thrust into a situation where both of them walk away absolutely convinced that the other person is a total ass. Now, in this case, the other person really acted like a total ass, but she seemed to believe wholeheartedly that she was exposing me for being a liar and a cheat. So in her mind, she was the hero and I was the bad guy.

Who really was the bad guy? Well, the airline was the bad guy. They've set the customers up as enemies and made it impossible for everyone involved to not become frustrated. So can I blame the messenger, entirely, for their lack of concern about another customer whom they perceive as the enemy? No, not entirely.

Travel has become so fraught with stress, the airlines have pushed the customers so hard and the entire experience of having to pay fees for things that used to be included in our ticket charges has sent most of us to the dark side. We're tired of having to wait while people drag everything they own on the plane to avoid paying ridiculous baggage fees, of having to sit helplessly back as overbooked flights are delayed or canceled, deal with having things stolen from our bags by TSA, endure stripping off our clothing, taking off our shoes and being subjected to pat downs and public scrutiny in a manner that is so humiliating it's no wonder tempers flare and everyone involved from the customer to the customer service reps are all on edge.

So that's the way it goes, mostly I go into it trying to keep my sense of humor but yesterday I hit the wall...hard.

I'm back home and relaxing for a bit before I dive back into the fray. Congratulations to Deborah for winning a copy of Bead Chic! Please email me at margot@margotpotter.com so I can get your book out to you! Thank you to each and every one of you who left such thoughtful comments. I wish I could give you all a book, but I have to pay the mortgage!

Here are this week's craft links! Enjoy!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
At Sweater Surgery there is a review of the new book: Jil Eaton's Knitting School.

Mixed Media Artist
Is it a whirli-gig or part of the solar system? Cyndi has been experimenting with needle felting.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares a second free project from her new book Bead Chic with another signed book giveaway!

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Have you papier-mâchéd yet? Let Eileen tell you how.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tag, you are it! Or, at least if you use your tags well on Etsy, it will go a long way in making your shop successful.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a polka dot wreath quilt block pattern, and a wild spin on the American Flag Quilt, a how-to on making a gelatin stamp print, a free bird card template download and more!

Cathie Filian
Whip up tattered rose with scrap fabrics, gems and hot glue. They are simple to make and perfect for embellishing!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi uses another fab Plaid stencil for this newly embellished t-shirt!

About Family Crafts
It is time to get serious about Halloween costumes. These resources will help you decide what to be for Halloween.

TastyLinks Saturday! Off to Cincy Edition!

Sneak Peek Project for ILovetoCreate Teen Crafts...come back Wednesday for the instructions!

We leave for Cincinnati tomorrow morning. Avalon will be coming to the book photo shoot with me. I'm crossing all appropriate digits that the shoot goes well.

I've got a few posts set to drip while I'm away including a fab kinetic jewelry project for ILoveToCreate Teen Crafts (there's a sneak peek above), another free project from Bead Chic and I'll share the news about my OpenSky shop!

Big crafty hugs to Drew Emborsky The Crochet Dude for including me in this week's guest curator posts for Crescendoh and to Stefanie Girard of Sweater Surgery for her FABULOUS project inspired by my new book Bead Chic, grab the link below! Also thanks to Rachel from One Pretty Thing for linking up my Curlicue Earrings project. It's good to be loved.

I'm also excited to share that my Wikio Rankings went up this month. I'm currently ranked #2 in Jewelry Making and #10 in Crafts blogs! Wow! Just click on the widgets right over in my sidebar to see the lists.

Until next time...craft on with your bad selves!

xoxo
Madge


Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how to make a recycled deer pin necklace inspired by Margot Potter's new book Bead Chic.

Mixed Media Artist
More metalcraft! Cyndi has a third book to giveaway this week. Hurry over and leave your comment!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Check out this FREE project from Madge's new book Bead Chic and leave a comment for a chance to win a signed copy!

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Just look at all the darling altered tin boxes created by reader Shaaron. She was kind enough to share some photos to inspire us all.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Social networks are everywhere, but is that a good thing for professional crafters?

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there are tutorials for hiding your wrap stitches when knitting, how to a make calligraphy magnet alphabet set, an inside peek into the book Information Design Workbook and a recipe for bruschetta.

Cathie Filian
Cool down this summer with a batch of Cathie's homemade peach ice cream. Peaches are in season, so they are cheap and a tasty treat!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi finds a stack of British "Men Only" magazines and makes "great for women" magnets!

Aileen's Musings
Aileen shares the cumulative of the Erosion Bundle Project she partcipated in way back in the fall. Peruse the art piece she created from her bundles along with the collabrative piece she participated in.

About Family Crafts
Many kids are probably not ready for summer to end, but these back to school activities and crafts might help make them a little more excited for school to start.

TastyLinks and Madge's Plea for Roll Over Minutes!

Hopewell Furnace Pulleys Copyright Margot Potter 2006

To the person who emailed me about my How To Write and Publish a Craft Book Series...please email me again! You got sent to spam and just as I hit delete I realized you weren't spam! So sorry! Hope you see this message!

The trip to Denver wasn't in my original plans for this summer, we had dates earlier that had to be rescheduled due to issues with the insurance company...so to say I'm feeling the crunch this weekend would be a serious understatement! I am buried!

Here's my 'to do' list:

1. Create and pack 30 step out projects for book photo shoot. Must be done before I leave on Monday.

2. Create a final book variation design, pack and ship out book projects.

3. Create a project with instructions and set teen craft blog post to drip on Wednesday for ILoveToCreate.

4. Plan outfits and pack for CHA (that may mean a new accessory or two...but only if I can find a spare moment!)

5. Plan and sketch a concept for a design for a major craft industry client that is slated for a big PR campaign. I'm already behind on the deadlines because I was away for nine days.

6. Write and set blogs to drip for Wednesday and Thursday. I'll also have Tuesday post, so stay tuned!

7. Finish and fold laundry.

8. Pour myself a glass of wine and exhale.

There were vague hopes of packing and shipping out the variation projects and complimentary books to my contributors for Bead Chic before I left...and those have been dashed on the rocks. I'm hopeful they can wait until I get back home! I really need more hands.

This all leads me to wonder why it must ALWAYS be such a ridiculous convergence of deadlines around here. It's feast or it's snack...there is luckily very little famine around here. If I could just borrow some minutes from the slower weeks on days like today. Maybe I need to speak to the Universe about a roll over minute plan.

Hmmm...

Here's what the craftabulous Crafty Blogger Gang have for your perusal today. "We've got glue guns, and we're not afraid to use them." (tm)

About Family Crafts
Now is the perfect time to get a jump start on your holiday crafting. Discover how you can make a fun and unique holiday gift for everyone on your list this year.

Aileen's Musings
If your anything like Aileen you have a lot of extra embellishments you haven't used. Stop by and see her Altered Embellishment video where Aileen gives you some ideas on altering them to fit your project!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Inspired by an antique find Carmi creates a new piece of wall decor.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside's giving away 2 copies of the new book Sew Retro along with a whole bunch of beautiful fabric from the on-line store Sew L.A., a no-pattern tutorial on how to make a triangle tank top, a free Hennya (devil mask) print download, a how-to on drawing an eyeball and wings and our schedule for Make and Takes at CHA Supershow in booth 324.

Crafty Princess Diaries
It's baccckkkk! Tammy is working again on her new jewelry book doing some last minute tweaking before it goes to press.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
The Artful Crafter's motto is "Helping Crafters to Be". To turn a phrase, today we have "The Artful Crafter – and Cyndi – Helping Crafters to Be-ad".

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Kathy Peterson has a new line of Adirondack chairs and five fabulous designers have been challenged to decorate them!

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has 4 books to give away this summer on crafting with tin! Book #2, "Tinwork" is up for grabs this week...come leave you comment and you may win!

And Away I Go...

Lady Agnew of Lochnaw Portrait by John Singer Sargent from 120 Portrait Paintings
by Dover Books

Okay, this is it! I'm finishing up the last minute details on the book before I head out to Denver for my trip to National Jewish tomorrow. I'll be doing the bulk of the writing in my down time, then when I get back it's pack up the supplies for the step by step shoot in August and prep for my appearances at the CHA Show!

A huge thank you to everyone who left such warm and wonderful messages on my post yesterday. I can't tell you how much it means to me to be so loved. Truly. I know the most amazing people.

My aunt Shane Marie Devine is a gifted vocalist and musician and she's been playing music for as long as I can recall. Her husband, Charles Forbes, is a world renowned cellist. Together they recently recorded a lovely duet of Pierce Pettis' St. Paul's Song after performing it at the baby shower for my cousin Ethan and his wife Alexis. They're baby Peregrine was born not long after. I've posted the YouTube video below the links, so check it out! I come from a long line of performers and fine artists on both sides, it was pretty cool to grow up surrounded by so much creativity.

My dear friend Andrew Thornton lost his good friend Amelia Geocos several years ago in a tragic accident. He's auctioning off a stunning piece of jewelry for her memorial scholarship fund. Please go bid!

And now...without further ado, please open wide for this week's hearty serving of TastyLinks from The Crafty Bloggers. We've got glue guns and we're not afraid to use them!

The Crochet Dude
Drew is giving away two copies of the new book "Crochet Prayer Shawls" that features ones of his designs! Just leave a comment on his blog to enter!

The Artful Crafter
Yikes! Eileen learns she can’t doodle.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Read a book recommendation (and not just because I am included!) Craft Corps by Vickie Howell.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi shares the results of her needle felting experiment.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Turn your 'worst' traits into positives, Madge shares how in this post about The Tao of Success.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy has her fourth earrings kit and tutorial up, and it has a lovely vintage feel to it.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Over at Craftside there are a bunch of hats from the new book 1,000 Fabulous Knit Hats with a tutorial on how to make recycled sweater giant curly pom poms, a tutorial on how to make a calligraphy award certificate, and a charming twig doll.

Cathie Filian
Cathie shares a template and design ideas for creating snapuit themed baby shower invitations.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi uses a stencil to silk screen this faux necklace t-shirt.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen is excited to announce 4 new videos uploaded. Stop by and check them out, and share them with your friends!

About Family Crafts
Have even more fun doing painting projects with kids by whipping up one or more batches of paint using free recipes.

It's a New Day and I'm Feeling Good! TastyLinks Saturday!

I can not control the world around me. I can not control the people whom I encounter. I can not control chaos.

The only thing I can control is the manner in which I react to these things.

Some days the tough stuff just rolls off of my back like water on a duck. Some days I could give a flying flip through a rolling donut if people aren't nice to me. Then there are those days when it just plain hurts.

Yesterday was one of those days. Today...I'm back to feeling good about the world and the people around me and the chaos I'm currently experiencing. Everything in life is about perspective. I'd rather feel it deeply and then release it than shove it down inside where it festers and bubbles. No matter what we do, there will always be those who don't like us, feel threatened, try to undermine us, try to steal our sparkle and we can either implode under the weight of these things or we can rise up and sparkle anyway. The more you put yourself out there, the more opposition you will find. The only way to thrive is to see that opposition as a thin sheet of tissue paper through which you can easily pass.

Sometimes I want to just confront these people and ask them straight up, "Why are you so afraid of me?" But I don't, because I know they don't have an answer to that question. That kind of insecurity is so deeply embedded that even the person moving from it doesn't fully understand it.

So today, I say, you can't hurt me. I wish you joy. I wish you love. I wish you the peace that comes from knowing that you are an infinitely beautiful creation, as am I. As are all of us, even those who have completely forgotten.

And on that note I shall share the infinitely beautiful creations of some of the most creative folks I know:

Firstly my dear friend Andrew Thornton is having a wonderful giveaway on his blog of Kate McKinnon's fabulous new book! Everyone needs a copy of this book, trust me.

The Crochet Dude
Drew reviews the new book "Crochet Prayer Shawls" and reveals the design that he contributed to the project.

The Artful Crafter
Look how easy it is to personalize a canvas tote bag with Quick Fuse fabric sheets.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See 2 fun mixed-media altered book techniques I tried from the new book Collage Playground by Kimberly Santiago.

Mixed Media Artist
Want to get your feet wet with altered books?

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge gets some much needed inspiration from the divine Cecil Beaton and Gigi.

Crafty Princess Diaries
There's more, more, more to do on the jewelry making book! When will this process end?

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside's got the cutest retro style fawn softie pattern and how-to, a free pop-up staircase template download, a bunch of beaded bling inspirations and throw in a bit of fashion with a redo spin all for your crafty pleasure.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi coats some paper with resin to make these pretty wired pendants.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen shows you how to create a faux aged metal look on Anaglypta wallpaper.

About Family Crafts
Are you planning a trip that will keep the family confined to the car or airplane for a long amount of time? If so, these travel games and crafts might be just what you need!

TastyLinks Saturday

Up, Up and Away Copyright 2010 Margot Potter-All Rights Reserved

This is a design I recently created for Beadalon to showcase their fabulous new Kink Free Ti Titanium Wire and some lovely SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS in rose and black diamond with lots of gun metal accents. The Ti wire has amazing resistance, which lends itself to maintaining all sorts of interesting shapes. This is a play on the circle theme I've been exploring for the past few years with a twist...literally! Follow this link for the instructions.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Repeat.

I am at a crossroads here and it's a doozy. Your plucky heroine has to face some formidable challenges and although she knows that no matter how it all pans out, good things are always on the horizon, it's hard not to feel the significant weight of what lies ahead.

On the other hand, it's just another pebble in the road of life. I'd just prefer it weren't currently wedged in my flip flop. Paging Jimmy Buffett...

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly." Richard Bach

Life is change and stability, it is ebb and flow, it is release and it is resistance and in the Tao it is all the same.

So whilst I ponder the task at hand, feel free to peruse this week's sampling of TastyLinks™ from The Crafty Blogger Gang. "We've got glue guns and we're not afraid to use them.™"

First a little bloggy shout out to the DaliciUus™ Fernando DaSilva for stopping by with a huge box of beady goodies last Sunday to help with my new book. Thank you, Nando and Wyatt!

About Family Crafts
Read through Sherri's tie-dye tutorial and you will discover how easy it is to create your own colorful, tie-dyed t-shirts and more.

Aileen's Musings
Watch Aileen's newest video and see how she transforms a boring canvas bag into a snazzy colorful tote!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi uses the sweetest bird embellishments to make a card set.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside's got a chance to win a copy of Jennifer Worick's Simple Gifts and how-to's on making a silhouette, a homemade flea collar for your dog, stringing rings onto a ribbon necklace and a fun video interview with Drew Brophy the author of How to Draw with Drew Brophy.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy is hitting the school books again but takes a moment to review her summer crafting and other accomplishments.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Have you ever felt like the 'red headed step child?'

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has gathered up all her favorite collage and quilt techniques to share.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Green Ring and wire earrings inspired by the book 101 Wire Earrings by Denise Peck

The Artful Crafter
How to make a wooden country critter wall plaque.

The Crochet Dude
Get out your hooks and warm them up because Drew reveals all the projects from his upcoming book "Crochet It Love It Wear It - The Ultimate Collection for Every Occasion". You are not going to believe how gorgeous crochet can be!