Banner Challenge and Giveaway!

I'm still on my banner kick, I just finished this

one for a friend. Not only am I having fun making

these, I'm making good use out of all those

chipboard letters I'm hooked on buying!

(Just a note to let you know I misspelled "Friends"

and will post a new pix once I move the flags

around. That's what I get for being in a hurry!)

Since I chose such a busy background to take the picture

(I don't know what I was thinking), I thought

I'd give you a better look close up.

Take the Banner Challenge!

Create a banner and

share the link by leaving a comment on this

post WITH your email and a link back to my blog

and you'll be entered to win the banner below.

Deadline is March 20th

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Crafty Blogger Blurbs

Layers Upon Layers Making monoprint background papers is an addictive activity...

Cathie Filian has an easy idea to revamp $1 store candles with a little cha cha cha flair.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside has a how-to on using a doming cube from the new book The Jeweler's Studio Handbook, handwriting ideas from Creative Paint Workshop, some wild "hand" art, and a "going green" ATC made with free downloadable art from Altered Art Circus.

Crafty Princess Diaries Still trying to get your studio organized? Tammy is too! Maybe this resource she discovered will help you out!

Cross Stitch at About.com A flock of free Fairy patterns have flitted in and landed at About.com Cross Stitch. Use the charts for frilly, flirty, fun projects.

About Family Crafts If you are planning a party for an upcoming birthday or other occasion you have to check out some of these creative resources!


Naughty Secretary Club Floral Fros – Jen shows us how to create jewelry encrusted coifs to make your walls swoon.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery See how I made a recycled sweater cuff with a cross stitched reindeer from the cool reproduction of the 1929 book "The Sew-It Book".

The Impatient Crafter Madge shares another free fab project from her co-authored new book along with another prize giveaway!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner Check out the cool pin-up shrine that Swelldesigner made with her Crafty Chica Love Shrine kit!

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Faux Metal Crown Tutorial

Don't I look regal in my new crown!

Would you like to make your own

crown and join me in Queendom?

Click HERE to view my Faux Metal Crown tutorial
You know its just not easy taking a picture of yourself, where are those go go gadget arms when ya need them, so you can hold your arms far enough away! Hey, it just dawned on me my silver roots showing work as a double project for Inspire Me Thursday's silver prompt LOL

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Go Fish!

Go Fish

This is a postcard I put together from components I had on my work area. I love when I can create a piece without having to search high and low for just the right things before I can complete it.

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Just Paint!

I just received my Just Paint Newsletter from Golden Artist Colors and what a great issue it is! Patti Brady has a great article talking about making Acrylic skins and printing on them. Dana Rice talks about digital transfers and acrylics. I have to say I've never found myself disappointed with an issue yet, and how can you knock something that is free in this day and age.

You can sign up for your own copy or download a PDF format HERE

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Fairy Box

Box Before

Here's another Fairy Box from a K&Company Chipboard Alphabet Box. I love the alphabets but even more I love the boxes!
Click HERE to see my other fairy boxes I made previously.

Back of Box after altering it.

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Art Peeps and Banner Day!

Yesterday, I had the delight of spending the morning with my art peeps creating mini banners. Yep you got it! I'm going through my hooked on banners phase, bare with me it shall pass LOL eventually.

Kris has the most awesome art room- its organized, great lighting and there's so much to look at! It is so relaxing there I think I could live there (don't worry Kris I won't be packing my bags LOL).
Here's a piece Bev was working on using a glossy recpie card that came in the mail. She sanded it, gessoed it and then used reinkers on it....I really loved the look!

Bev contemplating her navel....er I mean her banner.



Kris burning brain cells as she decides her next banner move.
Here's Kris' finished banner she made for her future DIL's bridal shower package. Isn't it adorable!



JOY BANNER

I ended up making two mini banners the first one below (Nest) was an idea I had in my head that I just HAD to do, but then the bright colors kept calling to me thus the JOY banner above. Both of these banner triangles measures about 2 1/2 -3 in length (not the entire banner) it was a fun size to work with.

NEST BANNER

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Crafty Blogger Blurbs

Do you appreciate the crafty blogger blurb links as much as I do? I'd love hear from you to read what you think, please post a comment and let me know :-)

The Impatient Crafter Madge shares another fab free jewelry project from her new co-authored book Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed. Leave a comment for a chance to win a free book while you're there!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery The amazing detail packed book Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin provides the inspiration for a half felted/ half non felted bag Sweater Surgery Style.

Swelldesigner a.k.a. Alexa Westerfield Swelldesigner shares a fast and fun sticker project and breaks out her old sticker collection in the process!

Naughty Secretary Club It’s Stencil 101 at the Naughty Secretary Club. Learn how to make your own Headphone Hotties Skirt and enter to win free fabric paint!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world A sneak peek into Angela Cartwright and Sarah Fishburns' new book: In This Garden, as well as Robert Vetica's: Good to Great Hair, a watercolor Maneki Neko (Lucky Cat) greeting card and two fun uses for vintage garter clips.

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy and her DH show off their donation to a local Humane Society event. The piece is call "I Heart Animals Necklace" and combines her metal clay skills and his chain making skills.

Cross Stitch at About.com "Let the Good Times Roll" with Connie's free Mardi Gras Cross Stitch patterns.

Layers Upon Layers continues to explore lot of different snow-themed art works.

About Family Crafts Are you up for a crafty challenge? Design your own simple Mardi Gras mask.

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Beyond the Bead Review

I had the opportunity to pick up a new book this weekend at the bookstore: Beyond the Bead By Margot Potter. I really enjoyed the projects she offers they have good clear pictures and concise directions as does all her books. Although some of the projects may not be new to some of you that doesn't matter we all need to be reminded and inspired to use some of those supplies we've have sitting around that we forgot we have. What I love about Margot's books is that she has a talent for thinking outside the box she has a great eclectic whimsical style. I also appreciate the fact that it is her work in her books and they are not comprised of other artists work.

Check out Margot's blog the Impatient Crafter TM and get a sneak peek at one of the projects she offers in her book.

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Birthday Banner

(click to enlarge)

Here's my finished birthday banner for my niece. I used the rock salt/watercolor background paper I showed in my previous post . It was another rainy today, so I wasn't able to get a real good picture with natural light like I would have liked, but you can get the general picture. The cool thing about making this banner is that I used up supplies I already had whoohoo!

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Rock Salt Background

What a great day Valentine's day it was! I had an enjoyable day and evening with the family and hubby and even got a little bit of art time in whoohoo!

I'm working on a banner and decided to make some rock salt/watercolor paper.

I sprayed the paper with my Color Mists and then sprinkled rock salt randomly onto the wet paper.
Once the paper had dried I shook the salt off.

Here's my finished backgrounds! Click HERE to see the whimsical birthday banner I created for my niece using them and a few other banners.

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Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day blog friends!

In honor of V-day I'm offering a love coupon for

Outside The Margins

when checking out use the coupon code "love"

and receive $3.00 off your order of $20.00 or more.

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Crafty Blogger Blurbs

About Family Crafts Find out how you can get your creatie ideas, tips, reviews, and photos published!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner Make sand heart Valentines or mix it up with a variation on the idea. Swelldesigner shows you how!

Cathie Filian Baby slings are all the rage and can cost a fortune in retail stores. Cathie Filian has a simple pattern that only requires 2.5 yards of fabric.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside is sharing the love with free knitted and crocheted flower patterns from Margaret Hubert's new book, Rejuvenated Jewels from the new book by the same name by Amy Hanna, a Valentine heart envelope how-to and an ATC from a box of Goldfish.

Crafty Princess Diaries The Crafty Princess has caught up on a little Etsy work, which means more star charms and a few finished piece.

Cross Stitch at About.com Do you ever find yourself in a stitching slump? Vote in the poll and read (and discuss in) the comments on Connie's blog

Layers Upon Layers Cyndi explores making small quilts from rusted fabric.

Naughty Secretary Club This week Jen is wishing Abraham Lincoln a sparkly birthday with 10 tips on creating wearable glitter portraits from Hot Pink Pistol.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery The four letter words are flying this week with a fun altered glove project using Wrights Iron-ons.

The Impatient Crafter Madge's new book Beyond the Bead has hit the shelves! Check out this sneak peek free project and leave a comment to win a free copy and a special prize!

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Light Bulb Moments & eBay...

I had one of those ah-HA moments....you know that moment when you almost can see a light bulb over head! I was brainstorming ideas for an game themed art piece I was contemplating using a cootie bug game. remember that game (see below)? I decide to do a search on eBay....if, and I can't imagine anyone hasn't, but if you are a virgin eBay looker/shopper then let me tell you that you can find darn near ANYTHING on eBay...things you've seen and heard of and things you never knew existed. While on my quest I ended up coming across this book called Revenge of the Cootie Girls by Sparkle Hayter....come on how could I resist that title!? I couldn't I succumbed and bought the book and it arrived yesterday in premo condition! I can't wait to use it in a project of some sort....that is after I read it! Yes, I have to read it now...apparently it has mixed reviews but my curiosity is piqued and I figure what the heck.

Check out the great book cover and what the booklist wrote:

Smart-mouthed news reporter Robin Hudson is back in another utterly outrageous adventure. Robin and her friends--fun-filled Tamayo; bald, tattooed Sally; sensible Claire; and innocent Kathy--decide on a girls' night out for Halloween. Then Kathy calls to say she's trapped in a married man's closet. Robin and crew set off to rescue her, but first they must complete a strange scavenger hunt that triggers memories of Robin's growing-up years in Minnesota, when she and her best friend were ridiculed as class misfits ("cootie girls"). By the end of the evening, Robin and her pals have taken a trip down Memory Lane, found a dead body, broken up a money-laundering ring, and rescued Kathy from certain corruption. The plot is thoroughly silly, but readers who like something different will find Hayter's in-your-face style, frenzied pacing, and tasteless but wildly funny humor a refreshing change.

Stay tuned...

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Be Mine

BE MINE

Just in time for Valentine's Day another digi piece. I used one of my freebie images and Corel's Paint Shop Pro for this piece.

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Winter Trees

Another Digital piece I did using the above picture (this is another picture my niece took on the campus of Notre Dame). Click HERE to download your own copy.

Winter Trees

Winter trees...
A blotter of inky branches against the sky.
A hazy blueprint of winged creatures in the night.
Memories growing, ring by ring.
They seed and stretch so effortlessly.
Winter trees...

-Aileen Roberts

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Crafty Blogger Blurbs

We have a new addition to the Crafty Blogger Blurb links, Jennifer Perkins from the Naughty Secretary Club and DIY's Craft Lab. Check out her link and check out the rest of the crafty bloggers projects and pictures from CHA!

Naughty Secretary Club Just say no to boring baby shower games, gather up your crafty friends and have a onesie making party instead.

About Family Crafts Whether you are an avid crafter or just want to be a crafter, a well stocked craft cupboard is a must.

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner Swelldesigner shows you how to make your own really "trashy" Valentine's!


The Crochet Dude Read Drew's review of the new book by Susan Wasinger called "Eco Craft" - and find out why he's saving all his milk jugs from now on!

The Impatient Crafter Madge is back from CHA and sharing the 411 before she heads off to Tucson!

Cathie Filian Cathie Filian has a yummy recipe for browine muffin bites. One batch will have your friends and family beggin for more.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside my heart is melting with a wicked cool free motion and melted Kunin felt valentine, a way to spiff up a plain envelope with a design from Paper Puppet Palooza and some tips for eating right to fight off Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Crafty Princess Diaries The Crafty Princess is toasty warm with her new crocheted scarf and fingerless gloves, which are super easy to whip up.

Cross Stitch at About.com Learn new stitches as you complete one of two Patterns for Pherenice (traditionally know as the first woman to see an Olympics).

Layers Upon Layers Cyndi is looking at snow-themed art this month. Got any you want to share?

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Stefanie shares photos from CHA 2009 of herself with fellow Crafty Bloggers and more stars of the craft world!

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Magnetic Background

Magnetic Paper Towel Background

(Click to enlarge)

Here's a twist on a paper towel background technique my son came up with. He had a bottle of iron dust he'd collected in sandboxes at school when he was a kid using a magnet (evidently sand has iron in it, who knew!).

Mix together

1 Tablespoon Iron Dust collected from sand using a magnet

1 1/2 -2 Tablespoons Future Floor wax (liquid acrylic)

Pour on and paint the paper towel with the mixture and allow to dry. I then drizzled gesso mixed with tar gel and a little bit of water. While it was still wet I sprinkled it with bronze mica powder and allowed that to dry. Last I painted the hearts and dots with gold acrylic craft paint. Notice the letters spelling out LOVE those are magnetic letters from the fridge. For those wondering-- the paper towel is still a little stiff but still very pliable.

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Soups on!

Life's a Bowl of Soup

(click to enlarge)

I was inspired by last week's Inspire Me Thursday's prompt "Soup". I used a combination of mediums--watercolors, paper ephemera, pen and ink, and a little digital mojo to finish it off.

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Your Invited To....

Exhibition at Arts on Union Gallery

I'm excited to announce Exhibition at Arts on Union gallery showing I'm participating in and your all invited if your lucky enough to live close by. You can read more about it below.

For the first time in herstory...the MMCA Marketplace Artists are appearing in a bricks-and-mortar gallery as a group. Although, we are a diverse group of women who meet often - on the World Wide Web - and most of us chat daily - via email, forum or cell phone - we have not exhibited together in a single location. Arts on Union in Middletown, PA will open its doors to host us as a group during the month of February. If you are in the Middletown area please stop by and visit our exhibition. Charter member, Christine Goldbeck is the owner of Arts on Union, a gallery & studio located at 203 N. Union Street.

Members participating include: Christine, Aileen Roberts, Amanda Davie, Elaine Brady Smith, Patsy Reeves, Roxanne Mendoza, Sue Minier, Sue Pieper and Debbie Overton.

Christine the owner of Arts on Union was kind enough to send some pictures of my pieces in the show:

Crafty Blogger Blurbs

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside there is a cool perspective drawing how-to and tons of photos from CHA of the Quayside authors, their designs oh, and Paris Hilton!

Crafty Princess Diaries What do you do with all that left over yarn from your yarn crafting? How about making some young animals safe and secure?

Cross Stitch at About.com Check out a new free pattern from Connie based on a vintage Valentine postcard.

Layers Upon Layers Wrapping up a month of focus on art education, Cyndi posts links to all the tutorials available on her own blog!

About Family Crafts You can make your own cards, party invitations, favors bags, place cards, napkin rings, gift tags, and much more using these free templates.

Cathie Filian It is time to paper and protect! Check out Cathie Filian's ideas for homemade lip balm, sugar and salt scrubs and easy melt and pour soaps.

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