Friday Friends!

Wow! It's Friday already!Time for some new Friday Friends. First up is Alisa Burke. She has a very nice blog that's a combination of craft, fashion and photography, a little of this and a little of that. While you're there, browse her whole blog. You'll find some great ideas! She's also going to be giving an online class called Create Daily. It's 30 days, a post a day, of simple ideas, projects and lessons, and it only cost $30! $20 if you register by Oct. 31. Anyway, the project I picked for you today is a wreath made from canvas circles and it's one that I definitely want to make for myself! So go on over and check out http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2009/11/canvas-layers-holiday-wreath.html and see for yourself.

Next in our line-up is Lynn Stevens from Trash to Treasure. If you go to her site right now you will see some of the most amazing Halloween stuff. She participates in a lot of swaps and posts really nice photos of what she sends and what she gets in return. If you scroll all the way down to the bottom, you'll find her archives and you can dig around in there and find some outstanding ideas. I found one in November of last year that I thought was really beautiful and I would love to make it if I can find an old ice skate. http://trashtotreasureart.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html

Our next friend is Julia at Vintage with Laces. Her site is an eclectic mixture of home dec and craft, and it's truly lovely. As the blog title implies, she uses a lot of vintage laces in her projects and makes some gorgeous items. The one I picture here is one I especially like. Go visit her and be sure to leave a comment. Bloggers love comments.

And our final Friend for today is Julie Ann Shahin over at Julie Ann Shahin2. Her blog is full of paper crafts and art journaling and things that are interesting. I found a Smash book that I really like and that's what I'm sharing today, but go browse her blog and you'll find all kinds of goodies. http://julieannshahin2.blogspot.com/2011/07/homemade-smash-book-its-okay-just-smash.html.

Well, that's it for today. I hope you will visit all our friends and leave comments telling them you saw them here. Comments are good for them AND for me! And remember......the greatest artist was once a beginner, so don't be afraid to try anything! Until next time,

Friday (Saturday) Friends!

Wow! How easily time can get away from us. Friday Friends are Saturday Friends this week. I have been a day behind all week. I know you know what I'm talking about. I started the week on Tuesday instead of Monday, and I've been playing catch-up ever since!

Here is our first friend this week. It's Kara from Happy Go Lucky and she has the most delicious looking cupcakes ever! They are Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel Crunch Cupcakes. Take a look....

Aren't they to die for? I want some right now, but I'm in the middle of making dinner, so I can't do it. Oh my gosh, I think I just drooled on my keyboard! Go to http://www.happygoluckyblog.com/2012/05/peanut-butter-chocolate-pretzel-crunch.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+happygoluckyblog+%28Happy-Go-Lucky%29 for the recipe and directions. And eat one for me!

Next up is Rachel over at I {heart} Crafty Things. She has made the cutest teacher appreciation gift for her son's teacher. She calls it Sticky Pop, and when you look at the photo, you'll know why. Go to http://iheartcraftythings.blogspot.com/2012/04/sticky-pop-teacher-apreciation-gift.html and see her other ideas. She's got some great ideas for doing crafts with your kids.

Our next friend is A Brooklyn Limestone in Progress, or Brooklyn Limestone for short. This post is about a year-and-a-half old, but I love these napkin rings, and I'm betting some of you will. too. Go to http://www.brooklynlimestone.com/2010/11/chic-on-cheap-vintage-forks-napkin.html to get the full story.



Fun AND beautiful! What a combination.

Our last friend for today is Mandy at Sugar Bee Crafts. She has made some glass tile pendants that would make really nice Mother's Day gifts! And they're easy to make, too. Even a little one could make these. Go to http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2010/04/glass-tile-pendants.html and find out how.

Looks like some really good ideas today, so go visit and try them out. Be sure to leave a comment so they know you liked what you saw. They'll appreciate it! And remember, as you go through your day and week, that one of the advantages of being disorderly is that you are constantly making new discoveries! This is my excuse for not being TOO organized. Have a great weekend, and until next time,

Friday Friends!

Good Friday morning!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!! I wrote this post last week and forgot to publish! I am so sorry! That just goes to show how busy I've been lately, that I could forget to do that.

I am happy to be back! Even a little break leaves me wishing to be here. Today's findings are great and I hope you will all visit them and explore their blogs.

First up is Blog a la Cart. She's got some really cute crochet beaded bracelets that you are going to love! Now, some of you may be thinking crochet bracelets? UGH! But I promise you, these are CUTE! I'm going to be trying my hand at some of these. Go to http://blogalacart.com/2011/07/beaded-bracelet/#comment-5779 and see what I mean. Check out her other tutorials, too. There are some really good ones.

Next up is Grace at Whimsey Loft. She has a bunch of cute ideas and some good info, too. This little sock owl is the bomb! I need to find some cute socks, right now! Go to http://whimsyloft.com/2010/02/tutorial-socks-owl/ and check it out, and peruse the rest of her blog, too. You'll like what you see.

I can just see him in an argyle, can't you? Next on the list is another Grace, this time at Design Sponge. She had a guest post from Mandy Aftel, who is an artisanal creator of natural perfumes. In this post, she creates a solid perfume locket out of an old pocket watch, and it is really beautiful. The tutorial is easy to understand for those of us not experienced in such things. Got to http://www.designsponge.com/2011/07/diy-project-solid-perfume-pocketwatch-locket.html to check out the tutorial, and visit both websites for more info.

And our last friend for today is Ilene over at come on, ilene! She's got some super recipes on her blog, including this one for doggie treats! Aren't these little doggie gift bags cute?

I'm going to get out my ingredients and make some as soon as I'm done! On second thought, I'm going to do it right now......

I made hearts because I can't find my dog bone cookie cutter! I might have gotten rid of it, but I don't think so......?  Go to http://www.comeonilene.com/2011/05/31/homemade-dog-treats/ to get the recipe. My Molly dog is going to love them! (And she does! This stopping in the middle of blogging to make dog treats is probably what made me forget to publish. :) )

Okay, there we are for today. Some great ideas from some exceptional ladies! Be sure to come back next Friday for some new Friends! Remember this......."Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone." Pablo Picasso

Until next time,

Friday Friends!

We've got a good selection of blog friends today. Some really good Easter ideas and one that's not Easter at all, but it's cute. So we'll start with Paula from JCs Loft. She did a guest post at the CSI Project that is really cute. I would give you a link to her, but it seems she's missing. I can find her on Facebook, but her blog seems to be gone. BUT...........the project is still on CSI, so go check it out. And check out the CSI Project while you're there. It's a weekly challenge that's kind of like a linky party, but it's a lot more than just a linky party. Anyway, here's the cuteness.

http://thecsiproject.com/2011/03/15/easter-candle-holderguest-post-by-jcs-loft/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheCSIProject+%28The+CSI+Project%29

These eggs are made with rubber bands! Aren't they beautiful? I want a bowl full just like this on my dining room table. These are from Inkspired Musings and there are about 6 other Easter ideas in the same post. PLUS, there are more Easter ideas in the archives on the sidebar, so go on over and see!http://inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com/2011/04/more-easter-egg-fun.html

Next are the cutest egg salad sandwiches you ever want to see! Beth over at Hungry Happenings has come up with a darling way to eat all those Easter eggs. I don't have the cream horn molds like she use, but I think I could make a foil cone to use instead. I'm going to try it and see what happens.

http://www.hungryhappenings.com/2011/04/fun-idea-for-easter-brunch-carrot.html

Last today, but definitely NOT least, is this cute little album from Rhonda at Nuts in a Tree. She is an elementery school teacher and has some really cute ideas. I bet her classroom is a wonder for her students.  I'm trying to talk her into doing a guest post for us. Go to http://nutsinatree.blogspot.com/2012/03/zoo-album.html and see some of what she does. And maybe we'll see a little more soon.

Well, that's it for today. If you see an idea that you'd like to see featured on Friday Friends, maybe even one of your own, let me know. I am open to a little help from my friends! Thanks for stopping by, and remember what Ralph Waldo Emerson said. "Write it on your heart that everday is the best day in the year." Until next time,

Friday Friends!

Hello! I still can't get those pictures to come through from my phone to my email! I'm going to have to go dig out the cord that hooks the phone to the computer. Dang it! Why does it have to be so difficult?

Anyway, our first friend today has the cutest pictures with real live nests on them. They are beautiful! Of course, I love nests, so these are right up my alley. Yvonne at Stone Gable gets 5 stars for these two pictures. Go check them out at http://www.stonegable.blogspot.com/2012/03/nest-picture-tutorial.html .

I want, I want, I want!

Over at Cindylu's Scrapping Room, there's Easter stuff going on! She's got some Easter treat boxes that rock! They have windows so you see what's in them and they are decorated really cute. Hop on over and have a nibble. You'll like what you see. http://scrappingroom.blogspot.com/2012/03/easter-treats.html .

MeiJo's JOY has the cutest non-fattening lollipops you ever did see. They are made out of T-shirts or T-shirt knit fabric, and they look good enough to eat. There are plenty of other ideas on her blog, too, so be sure you meander when you get there. Go to http://meijosjoy.blogspot.com/2012/03/old-shirts-repurposed-no-seam-is-waste.html and have a peek.

Last but not least today is The Seven Year Cottage. It's an easy-to-navigate blog with lots of cute ideas and good recipes. In fact, the link I'm posting today is for a recipe. It's a Carrot Patch! And it's really cute. Kids will really like this one! And it doesn't look too hard, so give it a try. Go to http://thesevenyearcottage.com/2012/the-carrot-patch/ and get the recipe.

Well, that's it for today. I know I'm giving you a lot less information on some of these bloggers than I did when I started out, but I'm finding a lot of blogs where I can't even find the name of the author, let alone much info, so I give you what I can and focus on the ideas instead of the authors. I hope you will visit these bloggers and look around their blogs. Leave a comment let them know you saw them here. Until next time, remember.....you don't have to brush all your teeth - just the ones you want to keep. Bye for now,

Friday Friends!

Happy Friday! It seems like this week has gone on forever! The tests on hubby are done for now, so we just have to wait for results. I did take one day out for creating some art. I go through these cycles where I have to create art or go crazy, and Wednesday gave me great joy! I didn't get everything finished that I started, but I'm getting there. I think I'll work on it some more today.

Our first friend today has a blog called la dolce villa. Her name is Amanda and her blog is all about furniture and home decorating, and she has this tutorial for coffee filter roses that is great! The roses are so pretty that I want to make enough to fill a wreath. You can check them out at http://ladolcevilla.blogspot.com/2011/06/diy-coffee-filter-roses.html . Aren't the beautiful?

Next is a darling garland (I would call it a swag) from Jo-Anna at A Pretty Life in the Suburbs . In her profile, she says she loves to eat, cook, bake and create, and her blog reflects all of those. It has a quiet, simple look and feel, and I found it almost relaxing to go through it. The tutorial I'm linking to here is so pretty. Go to http://www.aprettylifeinthesuburbs.com/2011/03/easter-inspired-yarn-ball-twig-garland.html and see what I mean. She's got some great-sounding recipes, too.

Easter is a really fun time for kids, and this little bunny will make it even more fun! (Give a treat that won't rot their teeth.) You could adapt this to any size tin you have, from an Altoids tin or a gift card tin, to larger gift tins from the Dollar Store or Michael's or JoAnn's. Diana from the Closet Crafter has loads of ideas to share, so hop on over and give her blog a peek. http://closetcrafterohio.blogspot.com/2012/03/bunny-in-tin.html

Our last friend has an idea for a really cute bunting. It's bunny butts! Jenn from Clean and Scentsible got the idea for her bunny from the side of a box of macaroni and cheese! It just goes to show, we can find inspiration anywhere. I'm going to make this with my grandchildren, and we might use something fluffy for the tails. Maybe not. Those tails are pretty cute. We'll see. http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/2011/04/bunny-bunting.html .

That's the line-up for today. I hope you like them. If you do, be sure to let them know. Now it's time for me to go to bed. I haven't been sleeping well and I'm on the verge of exhaustion, so I need what sleep I can get. Remember.........a woman's strength is demonstrated by her gentle touch, and we all need some gentleness in our lives now and then. Until next time,

Friday Friends!

Today, I am sleeping in. Being lazy. Veggin' on the couch. Maybe. I have to finish my new project so you can see it, and I have a duck to finish, and a junk journal to make and two swaps to finish and send out.......the list goes on. So maybe I won't be as lazy as I thought I would be. Darn it! Oh well, down to business.

Our first friend today is Karla at My Serendipitous Life. She is discovering the life of a crafter and having a ball! She a new blogger, but I think she's getting the hang of it quite nicely. She has a Spring wreath, made from junk mail, that is really cute, so go check her out. Leave a comment so she knows you were there.  http://www.myserendipitouslife.com/its-easy-being-green/junk-mail-spring-wreath/

Our next blogger is Chelsea Ann at itty bitty birdie. She lives in Idaho, lovely place that it is, and says her blog is meant to remind herself and others not to take life so seriously. Well, her stuff is seriously cute! She does a lot of things with fabric yo-yos, and in this post she even patches a pair of jeans with yo-yos.    http://ittybittybirdy.blogspot.com/2011/07/patching-things-up.html. She has lots of great ideas for you to check out!

Katie and Reuben, over at House of Humble, are living a life of simple ways and big but simple dreams in Australia. They have put together a post of ideas for recycling plastic bottles. Now, I know there all kinds of these ideas out there, and I've seen some of the same ones before, but they have some I've never seen, and they are terrific! I especially love the flowers and the greenhouse. Go see what else you can do with a simple plastic bottle at http://www.houseofhumble.com/2012/03/reclaim-plastic-bottles/ .

To finish up for today, we have Mollie at Wild Olive. She has a very nice blog with some super ideas, one of which is this little bunny pin. Go see for yourself, and find out how to make this pin while you're there.  http://wildolive.blogspot.com/2012/03/project-vintage-bunny-pin.html . With Easter coming up, these would be great in a little tiny basket to give to someone special.

That's all for today. I will start looking for Easter ideas this week, so come back next Friday for a look at what I find. Until then, remember..........there are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

Friday Friends!

Good Morning! It's Friday and it's time for another installment of Friday Friends! I slept in this morning so I'm a little late getting started, but I've been surfing blogland this last week and I have some super blogs for you to visit.

First up is Saving 4 Six. Carrie has a good-looking blog and some great ideas for saving your hard-earned dollars. This post gives you ten ways to save, and some of them are being talked about all over blogland, such as homemade laundry soap, but some you might not think about right away. She also has other great ideas. And she's given herself an organizing challenge. She is working on organizing her whole home, one room at a time. There are pics and tips, too, and it's looking fab! Go see what she has to offer at http://www.saving4six.com/ and you won't be disappointed.

Our next got-to-see blog is Crafting Rebellion. Oh My Gosh! Have you ever made silk tie eggs? Me neither! And they are beautiful! How anyone ever came up with this idea I'll never know, but WOW! Go to http://craftingrebellion.blogspot.com/2012/03/silk-tie-easter-eggs.html and check them out, then check out her other ideas and tutorials. She's got some great ones. The only thing I can see that's missing from her site is info about her (or them?). But go visit anyway.

Over at do stuff! blog, Lee Meredith is all about the title of her blog......doing stuff! She is a knitting designer, among other things, and has some cute patterns along with her other cool stuff. The post I'm linking to today is fun-a-liscious! Have you ever died your own yarn? Or wanted to? Well, here are the directions to die yarn in a crock pot with....wait for it......KoolAid! Yep, you read it right, KoolAid! And the yarns are so beautiful, you will want to make them into something right away! Hats and scarves, and the occasional pair of mittens, are the only things I knit, but I can see how beautiful they will be with this yarn. Go check it out at http://www.leethal.net/zine/?p=764 .

I found a blog called Garden Therapy, and again, I don't know who she is, but her blog is wonderful. She has some of the best photography ever, and lots of ideas to get you out in the outdoors. The blog is mostly about gardening, but includes recipes and crafts, too. My favorite post is this one, where she teaches how to make seed paper. I know, hers are valentines and that is past, but they wouldn't have to be valentines. I think they would make super Mother's Day cards. I think I might make some of these with the grands, to give to their mom. We could make them in the shape of a heart or flower and write something mushy about moms. What do you think? Oh...I forgot to tell you what seed paper is! It's handmade paper impregnated with seeds, and you plant the paper and the seeds grow! How cool is that!?!

That's it for today. I have been in a lot of pain for about a week and a half now, and I can only stand to sit at the computer for little bursts of time. And I can't get into the doctor until April 3rd! I hope I can stand it until then.

I hope you will all go visit these blogs, lend your support, try some of the projects, or just read the information they give. And leave comments. Let them know that you saw them here, but most of all, let them know they are being heard out there in that giant blogland that is getting bigger by the day. And leave me comments, too. I love comments! Until next time, think about what Albert Einstein said. "Life's real failure is when you do not realize how close you were to success when you gave up." Sometimes I feel like giving up on this blog, but I'm hanging in there. Hopefully, I will experience success someday soon.

Friday Friends!

It's a beautiful Friday here in southern Oregon. The weather can't seem to make up it's mind. One day it will be bright and sunny and the next we'll get snow. I am so ready for Spring!

First, we have a light weight jacket you could wear in the Spring. (Notice how I got Spring in there?) It's from Meggan at Megpie Designs. She has some cute tutorials you need to check out while you're there. Here, she has painted a denim jacket for her daughter. I could see my granddaughters wearing one of these.

Go to http://megpiedesign.blogspot.com/2012/02/painted-denim.html to see more ideas.

Next, we have a really cute Spring wreath for you. I saw the picture on the Grow Creative blog, but didn't realize what she had used until I read about it. I actually have some acorns hanging around, too! If you go to http://growcreative.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-wreath-tutorial.html , you'll see what I'm talking about. Elise has some very good ideas, and I love her artwork, too. I'm going to try some of the watercolor techniques, because I've always wanted to watercolor, but never had the nerve to really give it a try. Be sure to look at the Art Gallery. And leave her a comment if you like what you see. Everyone loves comments!

It's a good thing hearts aren't just for Valentine's Day, because I love these earrings! I am going to make a pair for myself, maybe tomorrow! Stephanie at Henry Happened has a very nice blog and some great ideas. There are some other jewelry ideas I think I'll try for my girls. I wonder how hard it would be to shape a paperclip into a shamrock? lol :) Go to http://www.henryhappened.com/diy-paper-clip-heart-earrings.html and see what's cookin'.

Our last friend for today is Amanda at Amanda's Crafts. She has an abundance of ideas on her blog. She has a cooking blog, too, and she's involved with several other blogs, including Family.com. In this post, she has made some darling herbs plaques that are easy and fun. I think the idea has a lot of possibilities, including name plaques for kids' rooms. Or a long plaque that says Family to go with a group of family photos. Lots of possibilities! And she uses a product I've never even heard of to make them, so I'm going to have to try it out.

I'm giving you a bonus today, too. Amanda has the cutest bread tag monsters and snowmen. I love them and know you will, too. I can see some of these on cellophane gift wrap, or bags of hot chocolate, or........

Go to http://craftsbyamanda.com/2010/09/recycled-bread-tag-monsters.html to see the snowmen and the tutorial and have fun making some of these cuties.

Well, that's it for today. Hope you like. Until next time,

Friday Friends!

Friday has come again and I'm actually on time today! I have been working on some more swaps, and I found some good blogs while roaming the internet for information.

The first one is a re-visit to one of last weeks friends, Hani at Craftionary. She has a post with 60, that's right, 60 St. Patricks Day FREE printables! There is everything from signs to cupcake toppers and goodie bag toppers to subway art. You have to see it to believe it. And there are cute ideas to go with each one. Go to  http://www.craftionary.net/2012/02/60-st-patricks-day-free-printables.html and see what I mean.

There's even a cootie catcher!

I've been looking to the future for holiday inspiration, and I found this post that's for a holiday near and dear to my heart......the 4th of July! I know, I know, it's a ways away, but if you want to have a neighborhood parade, you might want to start thinking about it now. Jo-Ann gives wonderful parties and she shares her ideas on her blog, Pumpkin Petunia. She invited the neighborhood kids over and turned the whole thing into a part.y They decorated the bikes and had lunch and everything! So much fun. I really like this idea.   http://pumpkinpetunia.blogspot.com/2009/06/independence-day-bike-parade.html . Go check it out so you can start planning yours.

Over at i am very mary, Maryann is making some phenomenal jewelry! I love jewelry, but don't wear it as much as I used to because I have neck problems and necklaces give me headaches. But I might be willing to take the risk for some of her designs. I had a hard time picking just one to show you, so go to http://averymarydesign.blogspot.com/ and see which one you like best. I bet you can't pick just one, either!

To finish up today, we have a beautiful-looking brown sugar body scrub. Jessica is the mother of two gorgeous little girls, and she'll be able to keep them that way if she keeps coming up with recipes like this! I am going to try this right away, and pass it on to my daughters.
http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2012/02/diy-sugar-body-scrub.html

I hope you'll visit these blogs and look for other great ideas. Everyone loves comments, so be sure to leave one and tell them you saw them here.

Are you looking for any particular ideas? Anything you want to learn? Leave me a comment and tell me what it is, and I'll see what I can do. I'm always willing to be of service. :) And remember......be today who you wish to be tomorrow, because tomorrow will be here all too soon. Until next time,