Chandelier, Diamonds and more...

Gift ideas Galore!

Check out the newest additions

HERE

Mugs -Frosted, travel, and more..

Necklaces

Variety of Aprons

http://www.zazzle.com/artfulaileen*
Today Only FREE FRIDAY! 
Free Standard Shipping No Minimum!     

Winter Wonderland without the snow...

I finished getting up my big Christmas tree...without help 

I might add...what is up with that!

Here's a few of my winter wonderland banners hanging up.  I am so excited to finally get to hang them after hanging on to them for a whole year.
Last year I participated in a winter wonderland banner swap and they arrived around January.  
Click HERE to see pics of the banners that I received.
You can also click HERE to view my 
banners I created for the swap.




Artistic Inspirations to help you create!

www.OutsideTheMargins.com

Tags, Tags, Tags!

Here's another repost to inspire you 
to create your own altered Christmas 
tags using old Christmas cards and other 
embellishments you have left over.
Click HERE to view mini tutorial


Also here's an idea for making an 
ornament or gift tag using metal 
brackets

Click HERE to view

Artistic Inspirations to help you create!

www.OutsideTheMargins.com

Crafty Blogger Blurbs

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. 

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Artistic Inspirations to help you create!

www.OutsideTheMargins.com

Christmas & Free Vintage Images

I started decorating today and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
I have my nostalgia tree up. Its a small tree that has ornaments the kids have picked out when they were little.  Hubby's peanuts ornaments and my favorite is the topper my oldest son made when he was little.


Click HERE to download Freebie Vintage images.


Artistic Inspirations to help you create!

www.OutsideTheMargins.com

McHenry Mansion

If your ever in the Modesto, CA area check out our local McHenry Mansion especially at Christmas time! It's really gorgeous inside! At Christmas time each room is decorated in Victorian Christmas.
McHenry Mansion


Artistic Inspirations to help you create!

www.OutsideTheMargins.com

Christmas Wreath

It was a good mail day!
I'm in an ornament exchange with my art peeps and instead of an ornament this beautiful fabric wrapped wreath arrived in my mailbox
It's my first holiday decoration hung up :-)


Artistic Inspirations to help you create!

www.OutsideTheMargins.com

Recycled Christmas Card Banner Replay

Need an idea for those old Christmas cards you've saved? How about going green and making a Christmas banner with those extra cards you have.
Click HERE to see my Recycled Christmas Card Banner tutorial from last year.




Artistic Inspirations to help you create!

www.OutsideTheMargins.com

Seasonal Art Peeps Banner

I recently got together with my Art Peeps to make  another seasonal banner. I really loved the shape we used and how this one turned out.
Click Here to see our Summer Banner


Artistic Inspirations to help you create!

www.OutsideTheMargins.com

Crafty Blogger Blurbs

Carmi's Art/Life World 
Carmi has a two part name tag making project highlighted this week. 

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world 
This week at Craftside there is a tutorial on how to paint a bee and dragonfly, draw a pilgrim, Native American and English Guard, videos on how to sew a yo-yo and a preview of the new show Brew Masters and how to paint on a vintage postcard. 

Crafty Princess Diaries 
After much feeling around, Tammy has definitely determined which baby yarn she thinks is the softest.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter 
Who couldn’t use another tote bag? Here’s a Koi Beach-Themed Tote from Eileen for your beach holidays or just to use when you miss the beach and warm weather.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter 
Madge's lovely and talented daughter Avalon whips up a super cute embellished hat and scarf this week for ILovetoCreate Teen Crafts!

Mixed Media Artist 
Cyndi is working away at finding more uses for expanded squares.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery 
Book Review-Wild Color, Revised and Updated Edition: The Complete Guide to Making and Using Natural Dyes

Artistic Inspirations to help you create!

www.OutsideTheMargins.com

Pomegranate Liqueur Part 2

I recently posted about making pomegranate 
liquor (click HERE to read previous post) 
from the pomegranates off our tree. 

After letting the juice and alcohol steep the 

specified amount of time I just finished 

bottling my Pomegranate liquor. I did make a 

change to the recipe and instead of adding lemon 

peel I added orange zest. They'll need to

age a bit longer before it can be consumed.

Above are the labels I created for the bottles. Since I couldn't find the actual bottle labels I have! I used Avery brand name tag labels then sealed them with PYM II.
The bottles are from specialty bottles.com or you can find decorative bottles at your craft store.


If your looking for other gifts from the heart ideas
Click HERE

Download a freebie background I made 
using a picture of pomegranate arils by 
clicking the image above to download 
and print from your computer.


Artistic Inspirations to help you create!

www.OutsideTheMargins.com

Dazzle your friends and family...

...with a zazzle gift!
If your in search of unique gifts you 
might find just the thing at zazzle.com
I now offer the following in my zazzle store:

IPhone Cases

IPad Cases

and 
Christmas


Also if you visit my zazzle store and would like to see one of my designs on a specific product just let me know and I'll design it for you!
otm@outsidethemargins.com

Crafty Blogger Blurbs

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. 

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

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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

Artistic Inspirations to help you create!

www.OutsideTheMargins.com

Thrift Store Jackpot!

The hubby and I went antiquing and thrift store shopping

and I hit a mini goldmine at the thrift store!

Whoohoo, I found a bag of mini tart and chocolate molds 

for only a couple of dollars! I love using the tart tins in 

shrines and for ornaments!

Next I found two brand new baby outfits 
with the tags still on each for only a couple of 
dollars!  I also found a shirt and pants for myself for 
only a few dollars each with the tags still on-JACKPOT! 


I love when I find good deals!


Artistic Inspirations to help you create!

www.OutsideTheMargins.com

Proud Moment

I have to brag a moment son #3 has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout this week.  It's been a long road, but well worth the commitment on his part and our part as his parents.  I realized that between both our son's becoming Eagle Scouts that we've been part of scouting for 15 years.
Click Here to see Morgan's Eagle Scout Project


Here's some interesting facts regarding scouting:

This has been around quite a while. The number of Scouts who make Eagle changes periodically. The number listed was reported as accurate in 1998. Probably some of the other statistics have changed also, but the impact is still the same.

Of any one hundred boys who become Scouts, it must be confessed that thirty will drop out in their first year. Perhaps this may be regarded as a failure, but later in life, all of these will remember that they had been in Scouting and will speak well of the program.

Of the one hundred, only rarely will one ever appear before a juvenile court judge. Twelve of the one hundred will be from families that belong to no church. Through Scouting, these twelve and many of their families will be brought into contact with a church and will continue to be active all their lives. Six of the one hundred will become pastors.

Each of the one hundred will learn something from Scouting, and all will develop hobbies that will add interest throughout the rest of their lives. Approximately one-half will serve in the military, and in varying degrees, profit from their Scout training. At least one will use it to save another person's life, and many may credit it for saving their own.

Four of the one hundred will reach Eagle rank, and at least one will later say that he valued his Eagle above his college degree. Many will find their future vocation through merit badge work and Scouting contacts. Seventeen of the one hundred boys will become adult leaders and will give leadership to thousands of additional boys.

One in four boys in America will become Scouts, but it is interesting to know that of the leaders of this nation in business, religion and politics, three out of four were Scouts.

This story will never end. Like the 'Golden Pebble' of service dropped into the human sea, it will continue to radiate in ever-widening circles, influencing the characters of men through unending time."

Another way of saying this is:
Of 100 Boys in Scouting -
* Only rarely will one appear in juvenile court.
* 12 will receive their first church contact through Scouting. 
* 5 will receive church religious emblems. 
* 1 will enter the clergy due to his Scouting relationships. 
* 18 will develop hobbies that will give them a lifelong interest. 
* 8 will find their future life vocations. 
* 1 will use Scout skills to save another's life. 
* 1 will credit Scout skills with saving his own life. 
* 2 of the 100 will reach the Eagle Rank. 
* 17 will later become leaders in Scouting and will pass on their skills, inspiration and leadership to countless youth.