Crafty Blogger Blurb Friday!

Cathie Filian Check out this video on how to infuse vodka with berries for holiday martinis. Bottled and bowed, the infusions also make great gifts!

Crafty Princess Diaries Every thought of starting your own craft blogging group? Here are some questions and answers about the process.

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world The week at Craftside you can learn a bit of Photoshop work with a cool Technique from Essential Fashion Illustration, three ways to hem from Singer New Sewing Essentials and a floating ATC frame in an altered book with a free tattoo graphic download

Layers Upon Layers Carol Wiebe is a mixed media artist who will inspire you to let go of the inner judge!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Check out how I cut things up as a child with a vintage paper plate turkey Thanksgiving Day decoration.

The Impatient Crafter™ Don't toss those tags on your next fashion purchase, turn them into "ornapendants!"

About Family Crafts If you do any traveling with kids during this holiday season, you will definately want to check out all of these creative travel activities.

Cross Stitch at About.com Connie's been counting patterns instead of stitches this week and realized that there are over 500 free patterns posted at About.com Cross Stitch now. Check them out today!

About.com Connie's been counting patterns instead of stitches this week and realized that there are over 500 free patterns posted at About.com Cross Stitch now. Check them out today!

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Unwrap The Magic

Here's my first Christmas digi of the season!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American blog buddies! We're actually celebrating on Saturday when the oldest son will be here. I thought I'd share what's ripe in my California yard. We have a huge tangerine tree that is full and two...yes not one but two grapefruit trees! More grapefruit than a family can eat! Don't they look yummy!

Tangerines

Grapefruit

10 lb Cake!

How can it be that my baby youngest is 16, it just doesn't seem possible! Here Morgan is with his 10 lb. cake! Yep, I said 10 lbs (he weighed it LOL). His cake request was that he wanted one that he could eat on for awhile. I put everything, but the kitchen sink in it! It may not be one of the prettiest cakes I've made, but it sure does taste good!

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...and the winners are!

The voting for the Art Muse Doll Contest has ended and the Winners are ::::insert drum roll:::

FIRST PLACE:

Linda East -Entry #1 (53)45%
$20.00 Gift Certificate to http://www.outsidethemargins.com/


SECOND PLACE:

Angie Platten-Entry #4 (42)36%
$10.00 Gift Certificate to http://www.outsidethemargins.com/

Ladies please contact me otm@outsidethemargins.com

Congratulations and thank you to all that entered and to everyone that voted!

Click HERE to see the doll entries

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Christmas Gift Project #2

You might think wooden dominos are just for playing with! Nope, instead I have another EZ Christmas project as promised. Click HERE to see my tutorial on making an altered domino necklace or keyring. They're so much fun to make you won't want to stop.

Belated Blogger Blurbs

Better late then never I like to say! so without further ado here are this week's Crafty Blogger Blurbs.

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world So much to be thankful for over at Craftside like a "cutting edge" die cut design, a One-Piece Wearable done recycle style, fun Felt Club 2008 photos, and a "Blue Christmas" decoration project.

About Family Crafts Does your family have any unique and creative Thanksgiving traditions? Please share your stories with us and read others'...

Cathie Filian Get ready and get inspired for Thanksgiving, by checking out a recap of Cathie Filian's Thanksgiving blogs.

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy shares her thoughts on the Sundance jewelry catalog, and oh, how cool it would be to sell to them.

Cross Stitch at About.com Stitch some Thanksgiving characters with these free patterns. No, Connie's not talking about your weird Uncle Ed. We're talking First Thanksgiving here.

Layers Upon Layers Cyndi has a whole new set of mixed media artists for you to have lunch with this week!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery No, not a turkey sweater! A turkey made out of a sweater!

Swelldesigner a.k.a. Alexa Westerfield Alexa shows you how to make a blingtastic earring and ring set on the cheap!

The Impatient Crafter™ Join Margot for the first in her new series of Crafty Quickies how to video shorts. One simple technique demonstrated in under 2 minutes and geared to the time and technically challenged.

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Crafty Nite Light

I forgot to post pictures of a collaborative birthday project I worked on for my bud Kris. I had such fun decorating this wooden box by Crafty Chica. I first drilled out a hole in the bottom to fit a nightlight kit into it and then spray painted it and added papers. The star on the front was a rusty star ornament, but when I set eyes on it the nightlight idea immediately popped in my head! Don't you love when that happens! :-)

(Click Pictures to enlarge)

Party Glasses!

Yep, that's what I think of my new glasses....Party Glasses, Whoohoo!! Since I first started wearing glasses in my 20's I had always wanted a fun, colorful pair of glasses, but never found ones that looked good on me, were the right shape, or color until now! And to think my hubby is the one that picked them out, big kudos to him :-)

Aren't they fun!?

One thing that's always a bit disturbing for me when I get new glasses is the realization of just how non symmetrical I am....Maybe its just me that has one ear higher then the other and a crooked nose, what the heck!?

Seriously though this was a good reminder for me not to aim for perfection when I'm drawing faces because nobody is truly symmetrical and that's what makes us all unique, as well as the characters I draw.

Here I am giving you my studious look....trust me the other pictures I tried taking of myself looked like I was on drugs because I kept closing my eyes with the flash LOL

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Digi Art and Autumn

Good Morning! What a glorious fall weekend! Our weather was just right! I'm trying to enjoy every bit of it before it's gone and the cold sets in. Our fall has finally started turning here and some of the trees are just gorgeously full of color!

I created a couple of Digi pieces yesterday using PSP.

Wildly Warhol This is a piece I've been working on and off for awhile and finally finished it yesterday.

Autumn Glory I took this picture yesterday and created this digital card.

Which Reindeer Are You?

You Are Rudolph

Sweet and shy, you tend to be happiest when you're making someone else happy. Why You're Naughty: You sometimes stick that nose where it doesn't belong Why You're Nice: Christmas would be a sad affair without you!

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

***********

On another Note Sharon Solly has tagged me (thanks Sharon!) and since I was recently tagged and would hate to bore you again I'll refer you to my recent tagging HERE.

Another E-card for you!

We've had such beautiful fall days here, almost spring like, but with a hint of cool. Perfect days to have the doors open still before our foggy cool winter days set in.

Here's a picture my son took this past weekend

Beautiful isn't it! I created a couple of more E-cards from the pictures he took, you can click HERE to download and email to a friend.

Crafty Blogger Blurb Friday!

Grab a cup of your favorite hot drink and come sit a spell and check out each of these links, there's enough here to get you revved up for Christmas! Now more then ever we need to celebrate family and friends and what better way then to make something creative for them.

Enjoy!

Crafty Princess Diaries Pull yourself off the PC once in a while (after you read this post), and grab some craft time for yourself.

The Impatient Crafter™ There's a free holiday themed project every week until Christmas at The Impatient Crafter™! This week it's a jaunty snowman ornapendant that both you and your tree can wear.

About Family Crafts It is easy to plan ahead and get a jump on making that perfect holiday gift for everyone you know! This collection of books contains something for everyone.

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside brings you a beaded and sequined Christmas tree ornament, a rockin' sweepstakes where you can enter to win a signed Fender Squire Stratocaster, a book mark gift card and a peek into a Creative Entrepreneur workshop and a way-cool design that was contributed by Carol Parks.

Cross Stitch at About.com Use a child's drawing for a pattern or give them some graph paper and have them design their own!

Layers Upon Layers Come meet Ellwood T Risk, contemporary collage artist with a political slant.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Check out the Creature Comforts charity sewing event I went to at the Santa Monica Museum of Art.

Cathie Filian Thanksgiving is just around the corner…swing by Cathie’s blog for recipes, crafts and entertaining tips – plus, a recipe for a pumpkin pietini.

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Christmas Gift Project

Here's a couple of EZ Christmas ornaments/neckwear I made recently (they could also be made to use as a gift tag). I started with metal label plates, I don't know about you, but I have lots of these that I had good intentions of using them, but didn't so did what any altered artist would do and found another use for them. This is from one of my quick and easy Christmas gift projects.

I used the following
SUPPLIES:

Star Punchinella 

Book Plates

Bull Nose Clip or
Mini Binder Clips

Image from a Christmas Card

(or stamp your own words on a Blank Ticket)

Ribbon

White Paint or Gesso

Extra Fine Fairy Glitter Dust
Wood Bead *Optional

Glass Charm *optional

I used the star punchinella as a stencil and a make up sponge and white paint  to stamp onto the bookplate and then sprinkled with extra fine glitter dust before the paint dried. You could also use an unmounted stamp  such as a script or snowflake design instead.  For the image I used a  ticket on one necklace and an image I traced around from an old Christmas card on the other necklace.  I also originally used a bull nose clip for the hanger, but you could also use mini binder clips such as these here.

The idea here is to use what you have on hand or what you have available.

Meet Erma

Meet Erma, I again used the Shiva Paintstiks to draw her. I've cut her out and will add her to a canvas I'm working on.

On another note I can't resist sharing this link of unique jewelry artist Margaux Lange's Barbie Jewelry! She shows you Barbies like you've never seen before! LOL I love when I find artists that think outside the box and she surely is!

You can check out her website HERE

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Arte y Pico Award!

Well what a cool surprise to find that Nickie has awarded me the Arte y Pico Award! Thanks Nickie I'm honored! Just what does it mean well according to Nickie it roughly translates to the following:

"Arte y Pico" is phrase that roughly translates

in English to:"The Maximum. Wow. The best art. Over the top."

Here are The "rules" for the Arte y Pico award are:

If you are an award winner, show the award, the name of the person who gave it to you, and link back to his or her blog.Pick 5 blogs you think deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and for contributing to the blogging community.List the author's name and link to his or her blog.Leave a message on the blogs of those you've selected.Link back to the original Arte y Pico blog, so all will know the origin of the award.

Here are my blog choices -when I visit them they inspire me to run and create some art! Hopefully you discover a blog or two that you haven't visited before and find them as inspiring as I do:

1. Jenn over at Noodle and Lou Studio-Poor Jenn's been sick, but when she's creating I always find her art a good inspiration boost.
2. Keron at The ColourGuru - Check out her sketching and journaling. A visit here always gets my creative juices rearing to go!
3. Maija Lepore at Maigirlz Madness-Its always a delight to visit Maija's blog be it a finished projects or just the photo's she posts I leave comforted and inspired!
4. Lisa Rivas at Flying Colors-I'm just plain awe of Lisa's art and quilting!
5. Karen at Art in the Garage-What can I say I'm enamoured by Karen's art seeing her faces makes me smile!

Don't forget to check out Nickie'S Blog to see her wonderful doodles, lettering, and classes she offers.

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Let the Voting Begin!

Finally the voting is here...no not the presidential election (sheesh that's over with where ya been)

I know you probably thought I forgot, but I didn't real life has had the audacity to impose itself on me!

Vote now for your favorite

Art Muse doll entry

HERE

Not familiar with the contest you can read more about it HERE.

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Crafty Blogger Blurb Friday!

Yep, it's already Friday again! Have fun visiting each of these blogger blurb links and don't forget to check out the rest of my posts this past week, I've been a busy gal! As always ENJOY!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner What are you thankful for this season? Express and share those blessings in this simple pumpkin painting project!

The Crochet Dude Drew's new book of crochet patterns called "Designs for Guys" launched on Sunday! Click the link to see photos of the fun in Houston!

About Family Crafts Take a few minutes to browse through some photos of home-made Thanksgiving cards. You can also submit your own home-made card designs.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Why shouldn't your napkins be cozy? Check out a super easy recycled sweater napkin ring project and listen to a cool tune while making them.

Cathie Filian Making your own Thanksgiving centerpiece is not as hard as one might think. Cathie Filian has a few simple ideas that can be made with everything from dried beans to texture paint.

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside brings you a cornucopia of craftiness this week with free patterns for Sweater Surgery Ornaments, the author schedule for Felt Club, a bunch of pretty designs from 1000 Jewelry Inspirations, a tutorial on how to unspin and incorporate scrap yarn to knit up a wild scarf, a call to share your opinions for a new book and a pumpkin cheesecake recipe.

Crafty Princess Diaries What does The Matrix have to do with crafting? Listen to Morpheus and he will tell you.

Cross Stitch at About.com Add some flair to your Thanksgiving decor with these free Cross Stitch Patterns.

Layers Upon Layers Cyndi has declared that November is "Take a (New) Artist to Lunch Month"! Come and meet extraordinary artists that you probably haven't run into before throughout this whole month!

The Impatient Crafter™ Madge visits Terri O Radio for a wickedly fun two part interview on inspiration and carving out time for creativity!

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Sing Loud!

Sing Loud!

12"x12" Chunky Canvas background was created using various papers, gesso, fluid acrylics and absorbent grounds. Image drawn using Shiva's Oil Paintstiks.

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Message in a Bottle

Imagine my surprise to find a mini mail art bottle like the bottle project I posted a few months ago in my mailbox from Denise Rotellini (thank you Denise). I had no idea why or how but after digging into it I discovered the Message In A Bottle project.

Send a Bottle Gram today :-)

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On another note I heard about a website I just HAVE to pass on. It's a place to find or record bathrooms all over the world. Find a clean bathroom while your traveling and post about ones you've come across!

Check out Sitorsquat.com

http://www.sitorsquat.com/sitorsquat/home

Fun Challenge & I've been tagged!

I found this fun little challenge while visiting Magic Lantern Musings Blog

Fun Challenge
Grab the nearest book.* Open the book to page 56.* Find the fifth sentence.* Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your blog along with these instructions.* Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one:
pick the CLOSEST.
Okay, so this is what I found:

"For crissake," he said, yanking me forward.
"don't just stand here. Haul ass!"

One For The Money

by: Janet Evanovich

I'm really not sure what this means, but I do know I've experienced this AT some point in my life LOL

~~~~~~~

I've Been Tagged!
My good friend Mz Christy has tagged me. It's been some time since I've been tagged, so I decided to go ahead and be a good sport and play LOL (just you wait Christy, paybacks LOL).

I have to say 7 Random Things about myself:

1. I love rainy days.
2. I believe everything happens for a reason, and although it's hard to see at the time there's something we have to learn and grow from.
3. My all time favorite books are Diane Gabaldon's Outlander Series.
4. My two most relaxing places to be are sitting on my porch swing or sitting in front a roaring fire.
5. I HATE summer.
6. Fall is my favorite season.
7. I once rode a bull and then ate dirt!

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Finished Art Pieces

MoonPie

I took a bit of time for myself and finished up some pieces I had left unfinished in my sketch book. I had originally started these using watercolors and added detail with Pastel Sailor Pens then finished them up using a new favorite art supply Shiva's Oil Paintstiks. I've used water soluble pastels for years, but had never tried Shiva's Oil PaintStiks and I'm in love with them. They can be used on fabric, wood, metal and paper and are permanent. I highly recommend getting the blender stik to go with which ever set you choose. It helps with getting a smoother look. I like that I can dig in and just use my fingers to spread and manipulate the colors. The clean-up is great they wipe right off my hands with a paper towel and they don't dry out because they develop a skin that you just break through when your ready to use them again.

Ursula

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Last of Halloween

Here's the last of Halloween until next year!

Above is the Cannibal Pumpkin my son carved and below is my more whimsical pumpkin. They both are happy surprise pumpkins that came up in our garden this year.

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Anatomy of a Book Review

You all know that excitement when you order a new art book and you're eagerly awaiting it's arrival short of stalking the mail person. The day finally arrives when the mail person delivers your package and the excitement is almost too much to bear and you daintily rip and tear open the box! What do you mean you don't do this?!?

As I've acquired so many books I've found that I've become much more selective then when I first started out. I usually try to look through the books I want at the bookstore first and then decide, but most times our local bookstore doesn't get the newest books in for quite awhile. If my withdrawals are too much, and I need a fix I'll give in and order after reading book reviews online (this helps some, but not totally since we're each look for something different in a book).

I'm usually left with one of the following feelings after reading a book:

1. I'm thrilled and think this is a keeper! It not only gives me great eye candy, but actual techniques, steps and projects! Its definitely a keeper and I'll put it on my shelf to use it as a reference book.

2. It's a nice book, BUT it's not what I had hoped. I put this in the category of it would be a great check out of the library book, but not one that I feel the need to keep on my shelf.

3. Disappointment, why did I spend the money. Thankfully this doesn't happen often.

So with all that said I received two books in the mail this week. I excitedly thumbed through them quickly and then set them down until I had more time when I could sit down with my favorite warm drink and peruse, drool and read through each of the books and really savor them! See my take on each of the books below:

Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings by by Kelly Rae Roberts (Author)--I love this book and find it very inspiring, with great how tos and tips along with eye candy. Its definitely one that will go on my shelf and I'll use as reference and as inspiration book.

Mixed-Media Self-Portraits: Inspiration & Techniques
by Cate Coulacos Prato (Author) -This one was nice eye candy from various artists but was a bit disappointing for me. I was hoping for more techniques then pictures of projects by other artists. It would be a great check out of the library book in my opinion.

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