As many of you know I've been part of an art doll project. It's a collaborative project with the help of almost 100 amazing artists. Our goal is to raise $10,000 dollars by the end of September which is Ovarian Cancer Month. At the end of September a lucky individuals name will be drawn and they will win the amazing art doll. I know many people who hope to win just so they can donate the doll, since not every body has room for her. We still need your help we are at $2311. There are several ways you can help:
Vote for the project to be featured on the cover of this magazine. The exposure would be great and this takes less than a minute of your time. Voting ends, Fri 24 Jul 09.
Buy tickets to win the doll- tickets are 1 of $5 or 6 for $20. The drawing will be 30 Sep 09.
And last but not least take purchase a Ties That Bind book. You can view some of the pages of the book HERE! It's a 7x7 book with 68 pages of beautiful art, quotes and inspirational stories
Share with your friends and family. Print bookmarks or fliers HERE to help us spread the word.
http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-playlist-for-day.html"
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Tuesday, July 14, 2009 |
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Monday, July 13, 2009
Crafty Blogger Blurbs
Another weekend flew by! Whew where did it go!? I wish I could say it was because I was out having fun, but instead I was feeling under the weather. My apologies for the late Blurb links.
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?
Cathie Filian When you need a crafty break - whip up this quick and easy snack of homemade hummus and baked bagel chips.
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!
Crafty Princess Diaries Have you thought of starting your own craft weblog? Here is why crafting rocks when it comes to niche blogging.
Cross Stitch at About.com What do you do with odds and ends of embroidery floss? Read these ideas and share your own.
Mixed Media Artist Do not fear...making altered books will not cause lightning to strike you!
http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2009/07/crafty-blogger-blurbs_13.html"
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Monday, July 13, 2009 |
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Friday, July 10, 2009
Sneak Peek Felt Banners
If you've read my blog for awhile you know that I just LOVE banners! Here's the first of my felt banners I'm making for a fabric banner swap I'm in. Only 15 more to go! I made them out of felt, man do they have such fun felt out now! I would have used pinking sheers to cut them, but mine I discovered are not sharp enough for fabric now....No telling which kid cut what with them! I'm not a sewer so I used Fabric Tac to glue the pieces together after tracing around the cardboard template (5"x7").
Rolled Felt Flowers
The rolled flowers are easy to make, I cut about a 3.5" strip about 1" wide and glue and fold over the strip lengthwise. Then run another long bead of glue down the length of the strip and begin rolling tightly from end to end. Hold it for about 30-60 seconds (Fabric Tac sets up fast). You can then use some embroidery floss and come in from the bottom (rough edge) through the middle to the top (folded edge) and sew a bead in the center. After I cut leaves out and glue the leaves down and then the flower in the center.
http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2009/07/sneak-peek-felt-banners.html"
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Friday, July 10, 2009 |
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Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Please take a moment...
...to help us make a difference. We have a chance to get our ovarian cancer charity project on the cover of a northern CA magazine. All we need is votes. Our project benefits the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.
Only one vote per email is allowed, please use any emails you have. A confirmation email will be sent immediately to the emails you use...you must confirm the vote from each email address.
Please vote #1 for the teal/blue doll form photo called
Fight Ovarian Cancer and vote your choice for #2 and #3.
Please forward this to anyone you think will take the time to vote....it takes less than 30 seconds to vote.The winning photo will get the cover/story on the autumn issue...the project could use that attention!
http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2009/07/help-us-make-difference.html"
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Tuesday, July 07, 2009 |
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Monday, July 06, 2009
No disrespect, but...
A friend sent this to me, and I found it to be very profound...
With no disrespect intended to the Jackson family, this sure does reveal the shallowness of our value system in this country.
This puts things into perspective:
by MIKE aka Mr. Brutally Honest
While the focus today, tomorrow and for the next God-knows-how-many-days will be the death of a pop culture icon; while many will mourn, wail and quite literally make fools of themselves over it and while as many will speak endlessly about it, allow me, if only for a moment, to remind us all that others have died this month; others whose lives were cut short; others who leave behind loved ones and whose families will dearly miss them; families who'll suffer with much more dignity and honor than we'll be exposed to on the tube in the coming days. Yes... it's true... we've suffered a great loss... but forgive me while I tell you that I'm not talking about the king of pop music.
These American military members died in Iraq this month:
Sergeant Justin J. Duffy
Specialist Christopher M. Kurth
Specialist Charles D. Parrish
Lance Corporal Robert D. Ulmer
Staff Sergeant Edmond L. Lo
Sergeant Joshua W. Soto
Captain Kafele H. Sims
Specialist Chancellor A. Keesling
And these members of our U.S. Armed Forces died in Afghanistan this month:
Sergeant Jones, Ricky D.
Specialist Munguia Rivas,
Rodrigo A.
Command Master Chief Petty Officer Garber, Jeffrey J.
1st Sergeant Blair, John D.
Sergeant Smith, Paul G.
Staff Sergeant Melton, Joshua
Sergeant 1st Class Dupont, Kevin A.
Specialist O'Neill, Jonathan C.
Chief Warrant Officer Richardson Jr.,
Ricky L.
Specialist Silva, Eduardo S.
Lance Corporal Whittle, Joshua R.
Major Barnes, Rocco M.
Major Jenrette, Kevin M.
Staff Sergeant Beale, John C.
Specialist Jordan, Jeffrey W.
Specialist Griemel, Jarrett P.
Specialist Hernandez I, Roberto A.
Sergeant Obakrairur, Jasper K.
Staff Sergeant Hall, Jeffrey A.
Private 1st Class Ogden, Matthew D.
Private 1st Class Wilson, Matthew W.
Let's remember and honor this day those whose deaths are truly impacting.
http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2009/07/no-disrespect-but.html"
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Monday, July 06, 2009 |
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Sunday, July 05, 2009
Stuffed 8 Ball Zucchini Recipe
Stuffed 8 Ball Zucchinis
Hubby planted a new (to us) variety of zucchini plants this year called 8 Ball Zucchinis. They seem to be growing much better then regular zucchini. 8 balls are called that because they're suppose to be picked when they're about the size of a hard ball. They're perfect for stuffing. We've also found them to be a bit sweeter then regular zucchini.
Here's my recipe-keep in mind I used what I had on hand, it can be easily adapted and changed as desired.
1/2 lb. Turkey Sausage
1 medium onion diced
1 Box of Zatarains Rice Pilaf
Zucchini Pulp removed from centers.
Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes
1/2 tsp. of Curry Powder
1 C. Grated Cheese (I used cheddar and Jack)
Cut stem side tops off--for the non-stem side, trim a little off to make a flat base on the rounder ones. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-inch shell and set aside to use later. Brown sausage and drain, saute onion and zucchini pulp. Cook rice pilaf as directed when done add in sausage, onion, zucchini pulp and seasoning. Mix well and when rice mixture has cooled some add grated cheese and mix well. Fill shells. Sprinkle each stuffed shell with grated cheese. Place stuffed 8 balls in a pan lined with foil and sprayed with Pam cooking spray. Bake at 350° about 20 minutes, or until zucchini is tender.
http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2009/07/fun-with-psp.html"
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Sunday, July 05, 2009 |
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Saturday, July 04, 2009
Crafty Blogger Blurbs
Happy 4th of July to all
my American blog buddies!
Stay cool, safe and sane
through all the festivities!
The Artful Crafter Eileen suggests you go shopping for craft supplies in your jewelry box and closet. Make an old accessory into something new and fresh.
The Impatient Crafter Madge shares the clip from her recent appearance on Lifetime TV's The Balancing Act for Beadalon.
Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Old plastic bead necklaces go under the knife (and in the toaster oven) to make Melted Plastic bead Star Earrings perfect for the patriotic holidays
Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love Learn how to finger knit with Vickie's step-by-step how-to, featured on the CRAFT website!
Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy shows off her cool new sewing cabinet that was surprisingly inexpensive.
Cross Stitch at About.com Why no knots in Counted Cross Stitch? Find out why and how to secure your floss in alternate ways.
Mixed Media Artist Cyndi reports on her experiences with using the new CopprClay. This stuff rocks!
Naughty Secretary Club Thinking about starting up your own craft business? Jen has a few suggestions of things you might consider first. Plus learn how you can take a Crafty Business Seminar with Jen from anywhere in the world!
Cathie Filian It is summer and that means beach & pool time! Visit Cathie Filian's blog to learn how to stotch up a terry beach throw.
Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world At Craftside there is a bling-tastic video on hand lettering with Lisa Engelbrecht, from the new book The Crafter's Devotional a how to make a leather book cover and flag cuffs made from a book cover, an "actual size" silver heart using PMC, and a fun snack recipe.
About Family Crafts If you are looking for a creative way to celebrate every day during the month of July, check out this special events calendar!
http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2009/07/crafty-blogger-blurbs.html"
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Saturday, July 04, 2009 |
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Friday, July 03, 2009
Baby Dove
My son took this cool picture after the dove had first decided to land on hubby's shoulder. It's still a fairly young dove. We seem to be inundated with doves lately.
http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2009/07/baby-dove.html"
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Friday, July 03, 2009 |
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Thursday, July 02, 2009
How to add a Copyright Symbol using PSP
I've had several emails asking how I create a copyright watermark on my pictures. Here's a simple tutorial. I use Corels Paint Shop Pro so if your using Adobe Photoshop you'll have to try to to see if you can adapt my directions as best you can. I've used both programs and personally I've found PSP (Paintshop Pro) to be much more user friendly and the price alone is a lot cheaper. In fact I just found a great deal where you can get PSP at Frys for free with their rebate.
Keep in mind there are many ways you can add a watermark this is what works for me :-)
1. Open an image. Select the text tool and click on the image where you want to place the text.
2. In the text entry dialog, type the copyright symbol (see below) or any other text you want to use for a watermark.
3. Still in the text entry dialog, highlight the text by dragging across it and set the font, text size and formatting as desired.
4. With the text still highlighted, click the color swatch and set the text color to light gray or white then click APPLY.
5. Scale and position the text if necessary.
6. Go to Layers > Properties and set Opacity to 35-60 (the level of opacity depends on how light or dark your background is-the above sample was set at 50 opacity) OK out of window.
7. Now click on File and SAVE AS > rename your file so you still have a clean original photo with no watermark.
http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2009/07/altered-book-yahoo-group-anniversary.html"
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Wednesday, July 01, 2009 |
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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Beer Labels
Thanks goodness its cooler today only 100... I know 100 doesn't sound cool but it's all relative to what your use to LOL I've been busy designing my beer labels I enter each year in the fair. Hubby enters his beer he makes and I enter my labels.
Label Theme: My Party Style
The theme is: Recycled Fun
Theme for the above label is: Exhibitors Choice
I'll let you know how they do, the fair is at the end of July so stay tuned.
http://projecttiesthatbind.blogspot.com/ 
Another weekend flew by! Whew where did it go!? I wish I could say it was because I was out having fun, but instead I was feeling under the weather. My apologies for the late Blurb links.
If you've read my blog for awhile you know that I just LOVE banners! Here's the first of my felt banners I'm making for a fabric banner swap I'm in. Only 15 more to go! I made them out of felt, man do they have such fun felt out now! I would have used pinking sheers to cut them, but mine I discovered are not sharp enough for fabric now....No telling which kid cut what with them! I'm not a sewer so I used Fabric Tac to glue the pieces together after tracing around the cardboard template (5"x7"). 
Cut stem side tops off--for the non-stem side, trim a little off to make a flat base on the rounder ones. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-inch shell and set aside to use later. Brown sausage and drain, saute onion and zucchini pulp. Cook rice pilaf as directed when done add in sausage, onion, zucchini pulp and seasoning. Mix well and when rice mixture has cooled some add grated cheese and mix well.
Fill shells. Sprinkle each stuffed shell with grated cheese. Place stuffed 8 balls in a pan lined with foil and sprayed with Pam cooking spray. Bake at 350° about 20 minutes, or until zucchini is tender.
ORIGINAL
Happy 4th of July to all 
My son took this cool picture after the dove had first decided to land on hubby's shoulder. It's still a fairly young dove. We seem to be inundated with doves lately.
Back Side 
Label Theme: My Party Style
The theme is: Recycled Fun
Theme for the above label is: Exhibitors Choice
