Sunday, May 29, 2011

Moved to WP



Due to the continual appalling behavior of blogger, I've now moved to my own WordPress blog. I exported my posts from this blog and three others over to ScreamingSardine. I hope you'll join me over there. If you're a follower here, I hope you'll follow over there!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Sunburnt Cow Link Party Features #10, Part 2

Well, blogger wouldn't let me post or comment earlier today. Are they bent on self-destruction, or what!?!

Anyhoo, here are the rest of the features from the Sunburnt Cow Link Party of last week.

Verry Merry Vintage Style made me wish my computer had smell-o-vision! Mmmmm, I love lilacs and their fragrance. What a beautiful idea of putting them in a silver champagne cooler.



Shabby TX Cowgirl brought to the party some great frames that her hubby has been helping her make. I'm so smitten by chickenwire frames. One of these days I'll make one. I have so much chickenwire left over from the building of my chicken-less chicken coop - lol!



Rissa from Hazel and Honeysuckle is awesome at making Anthro inspired knock-offs.



Pat, one of the featured artisans at Handmade Teddy Bears and Raggedies came to the party with a lovely young lady - yet another adorable rag doll.



Snowflakes and Dragonflies made great canisters for her dog treats. I'm going to have to do this, as now it's getting into bug season here, and something like this will keep them out!



Last but not least is MeiJo's Joy and her beautiful basket made with soap! How clever and unique.



Thanks for linking up!! I thoroughly enjoy seeing what everyone brings to the party. :)

This week's party is still going on if y'all want to link up!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Ribbon Bracelet



Pretty, huh? I made it for the Cottage Charm Giveaway and thought I'd share how I did it.

All I needed to make this bracelet was some yarn and ribbon.


I used the yarn to wind around and around the cardboard center that the ribbon actually came in. It was the perfect size for my wrist. I used white yarn because the ribbon is slightly sheer, and I didn't want the cardboard showing through. Then I wound the ribbon on top of the yarn, and voila! A pretty bracelet!

My future crafts and posts will now be over at ScreamingSardine because blogger screwed up one too many times.

Linking up to my link party - the Sunburnt Cow,

and the following great link parties:
Be Different Act Normal
Cherished Treasures
C.R.A.F.T.
Craftomaniac
Crafts Keep Me Sane
Crafty Geordi
Flamingo Toes
The Girl Creative
Green Door Designs
I Heart Naptime
It's a Crafty Life
Me Making Do
The Tattered Tag
To Sew with Love
Under the Table and Dreaming

Followers Friday

Last week, I mentioned I want to do something called Followers Friday, where I showcase my followers. It's my way of giving back to you by hopefully giving you some exposure as well. I will only feature those of you following via Google Friend Connect since I have no idea who follows me through email or feedburner. Also, if no blog is listed for you when I click on your profile, I can't really give a shout out for you. (For some reason, I run into a few profiles of people whom I know have blogs, but their link doesn't show up. Not sure why).

Now on to the spotlights!

Michelle's Bears features some amazing bears, and even a rabbit or two. In fact, I recently purchased a gorgeous bunny rabbit from her, and she does awesome work!

Snowflakes and Dragons is another one I know has a blog, but it doesn't show up when I click on her icon in my followers widget. Fortunately, I recognize the name since she has partied at my Sunburnt Cow link party. Her About Me page states she's a "Mom, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, friend. These are just a few words to describe me. I work a full 40 outside the home and heaven only knows how many inside the home. I have a great husband, two teenage daughters, two cats and two dogs to keep me busy." She's also quite a talented crafter!

Audra and Blake are a young married couple with a cute baby boy who is about to turn a year old.

Firecracker Kid makes some very nice wood pieces.

Mommy Living the Life of Riley features a lot of giveaways and reviews. She describes herself as " stay-at-home mom who loves being the 'June Cleaver' for her family and also enjoys product reviews, contests and sweepstakes too!"

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Sunburnt Cow Link Party Features #10, Part 1

As usual, I'm featuring everyone who linked up to the Sunburnt Cow link party last week. Feast your eyes on these goodies!

Plz Mrs Robinson showed off a too too cute tutu that she made for a fraction of the cost of what's sold in a store.



Made by Suzana showed off some pretty altered jars.



Those of us in the U.S. are gearing up for the 4th of July, and York Mountain Mercantiles is getting into the swing of things in a beary cute way.



Blooms n Bugs shared a tutorial for an adorable dress that any girl would love to wear.



The Olde Willow partied with a remake of a chair with a very creative source for her cushion. She's not sure where she'll put it; how about at my house! :)



Abigail's Frocks showed off a darling sailor suit that I'd love to have now - even as an adult!



So Free Me Crafts showed off a great bridal towel "cake." What a fun idea for the new bride, or even a home-warming or dorm-warming gift.



Custom Teddys, one of my regular link partiers and all around amazing supporter, linked up one of her newest handmade teddy bear creations.



My Sister's Doilies showed off some of those lovely doilies - this time with a message.



Cindy Adkins Whimsical Musings partied with a beautiful bird's nest creation.



And how about this from Something Created Everyday - a no calorie, but yummy and pretty looking cake slice!



More features to follow. Thanks to all these creative and talented women for linking up. There's a new link party going on from now until Sunday night.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Just Venting

I tell ya, I'm just about ready to burst a blood vessel! I'm trying to learn how to do something, and I've asked two people (who know how to do it) to tell me, step by step, how to do it. They don't. They just assume that I know from the very get go how to do about ten steps. I tell them I don't know how to do anything, just please tell me step by step what I do...from the very first click of the keyboard and/or mouse.

Is it really that hard to understand that I know nada, zip, zilch!?! Ugh!

If I'm explaining doing something on a computer, I go step by step. I have one window open where I can explain how to do the task, with another window open going step by step, typing out the instructions.

Why can't people do that?

What's also frustrating is that I've asked both of these people a very specific question, even telling the second person that the first person didn't answer my question but just breezed right over it, and the second person also didn't answer my question. #*($)#($*#()$*

I don't think of myself as a teacher, but dang, assume people know nothing (especially when they say they know nothing and they're totally new at the task), and then just go slowly, explaining very step of the way!

AAARRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

I think maybe teaching is in my future, cuz this is ridiculous. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing overkill on some of my tutorials here, so I've lightened up in the explanation department, but not anymore. People want to know things, and not have someone skip over ten steps.

Argh!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Upcycled Storage Containers

From this

to this


I made some metal flowers out of tuna can lids and put them in my storage vases


...after I filled my oatmeal contains with bottles of acrylic paints.

Pretty, yet functional storage!

I even made an Easter basket out of an oatmeal canister. Gave it away in an Easter swap. I hope she liked it.


Linking up to my link party - Sunburnt Cow

as well as these fabulous link parties:
The Answer is Chocolate
At Home with K
Beyond the Picket Fence
Blue Cricket Design
Cherished Bliss
Cherished Treasures
Chic on a Shoestring Budget
Christina's Adventures
Coastal Charm
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafts Keep Me Sane
Crafty Geordi
A Creative Princess
Dittle Dattle
Finding Fabulous
Fingerprints on the Fridge
Fireflies and Jellybeans
Flamingo Toes
The Frugal Girls
Green Door Designs
I Heart Naptime
Laugh, Love, and Craft
Making the World Cuter
Me Making Do
Momnivore's Dilemma
Night Owl Crafting
Paisley Passions
Pinkapotamus
Reasons to Skip the Housework
Running with Glitter
Santas Gift Shoppe
Sarahndipities
Sew Much Ado
Simply Sweet Home
Singing Three Little Birds
Spunky Junky
Sugar Bee Crafts
Sun Scholars
Super Stinky Boys
Tales at Bloggeritaville
The Tattered Tag
Thrifty 101
Today's Creative Blog
Under the Table and Dreaming
Us and Them 1971
Whipperberry
Young Nester

Link Party Features #9, Part 2

Here is part two of the link party features from the Sunburnt Cow link party last week. There's still time to join this week's! I feature everyone who joined in and has a link back to the Sunburnt Cow.

Now on to the features:

What Allie's Making Now shared the beautiful Easter dress she made for her daughter.



Custom Teddys shared one of her latest adorable and cuddly creations.



Cindy Adkins Whimsical Musings joined the fun and shared a beautiful and unique housewarming gift she made for friends.



By the way, I interviewed Cindy over at The Prairie Patch.

Are you looking for a cute diy earring holder? Then check out Bella Vida by Letty.



Snowflakes & Dragonflies makes an ordinary mixer look extraordinary!



Shabby TX Cowgirl shared her diy organization makeover for her crafts. Love the idea of using those jars as storage where they're out of the way.



Hazel and Honeysuckle has some fun with "Stiffy" - lol! The end product - a doily bowl - is pretty, don't you think?



She also linked up another pretty and unique bowl.



And look at these beautiful Anthro inspired rose earrings.



Last, but not least, Abigail's Frocks shared a very feminine and pretty linen dress she made.

Thank you all for linking up last week. I really appreciate it!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Followers Friday

Next week, I'm going to be starting a series that I call "Followers Friday" on all my blogs. I want to spotlight all the followers I have in increments of ten so that each of you can get a public shout out. It's my way of saying how thankful I am to have you as a follower. If I have time, I'll try to get the post up tomorrow, but I'm not making any promises. I've been super busy lately. Even learned to knit yesterday; it's something I've wanted to learn for a long time. Yay!

Hop on over to the Prairie Patch to see my interview of gallery artist Cindy Adkins.

I'm also having a link party going on over at the Sunburnt Cow and a giveaway at Screaming Sardine.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Link Party Features #9

Here are some link party features from last week's Sunburnt Cow Link Party.

Something Created Everyday shared some die cut flowers that look incredibly real.



Made by Suzana also shared some lovely flowers with a beautiful embellishment to her vase.



Loreen at Knifty Knits shared a pretty farmer's market tote.



Charmed Jewelry Charmed showed off some fun handpainted wine glasses.



Brenda from The Rusty Thimble shared one of her newest creations - just in time for the 4th of July.



Blooms n Bugs showed off her beautifully embellished denim dress.



Blooms n' Bugs also shared a cute little kimono dress she made for her wee one.



Lavendar Dreams Too asked for opinions on what this vintage beauty is.



All is Bright Crafts showed off yet another of her very pretty raggedy dolls. I bet you want one, don't you?



Plz Mrs Robinson shared a picture frame she remade in her own unique dandelion style!



So Free Me Crafts partied with some elegant serving trays she made.



Thanks so much for linking up. I'll have more features soon. The Sunburnt Cow link party is going on until Sunday night, so come on over and share your creativity and finds.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Clean Up!

I finally decided to spend about an hour clearing off some very cluttered spaces. Lots of stuff got piled up and buried here.

The after picture may not look like I did much, but I did. I made it more organized, even using one of my rag quilt bags to hold some craft supplies.
The garbage bag full of fabric scraps on the right serves a purpose, so I kept it there. It's helping to cover up a homemade loom (with nails) that my son made me. I like to keep it covered and protected from the pets.

Here's a quilt I was working on many moons ago. Amazing what you find when cleaning up!
Here's a cluttered dresser full of some finished craft projects. Couldn't really see them since they were piled here and there.
Voila! Now you can see them, though they're quite the eclectic mix. My son called it my "craft shrine" - lol!
I figured I might as well fill my decorated paper mache boxes with craft supplies. This one contains most of my buttons. I LOVE BUTTONS!! If I were to say those words out loud, I'd be yelling them because I LOVE BUTTONS!!!!
My kitchen table is my craft area. Yeeks!
Still needs work, but at least I got half of it cleared off! (The other half has the sewing machine).

Yay! I'm glad to get rid of a lot of the clutter, and all thanks to some cupboards I recently got from a friend. Yay!