The Crochet Dude:
Drew talks about his latest hook/needle find in an All Boye Review!

The Impatient Crafter:
Learn how to make beaded wire circles with Madge!

Vickie Howell
Create customized cards out recycled fabric and keepsake images!

Weave a butterfly on the potholder loom
Here’s a tutorial on how to make wonderful butterflies with the potholder loom and spool knitter. They can be stitched to all kinds of other things, like pillows, curtains, bags, etc, or are wonderful just on their own.

About Family Crafts
Help needed: Looking for creative graduation decorations… Ideas anyone?

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen offer’s another great Mothers or Father’s day gift idea using more bottle caps!

Cathie Filian
Cathie volunteered to make 40 centerpieces for an Awards Gala - Check out her trip to the flower district and step-by-step instructions on how to make the arrangements.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside’s got a crochet pattern for a pop art roll of toilet paper cozy, a detailed tutorial on how to make a photo based painting, a free dress silhouette template from the new book: Cloth Doll Artistry, and a couple of necklaces made from some very unusual recycled elements.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Go shopping in style with your own crocheted tote bag. The Crafty Princess shows off her latest finished fiber project.

CraftyPod
In her latest podcast, Sister Diane interviews Sarah Hodsdon about the future of the design profession in a global, digital economy.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Connie’s latest fun, fabulous, and did we mention FREE Cross Stitch pattern.

Make your own Reed Scent Diffusers
You can pay $15 and up for reed scent diffusers or follow Eileen’s directions and make your own for mere pennies.

Naughty Secretary Club
Jen does a little painting, searches for vintages images and boils a pair of eyeglasses all in the name of creating a necklace with a little specs appeal.

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
See how to make stitchless embroidered fabric from the cool new book: Fabricate by Susan Wasinger.

All the artsy news from around the blogosphere!

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Earth day Jewelry Making Inspired by Heidi Boyd’s Simply Beaded Bliss- making charms from button covers and advertising buttons.

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares some thoughts about copyrights, artist’s rights and intellectual property theft in this thought provoking post.

About Family Crafts
Why not make a special May Day treat for your neighbors!

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen has a Bottle Cap project just in time for Mother’s Day or for that end of the year teacher gift!

Cathie Filian
Cathie Filian has lots of spring garden projects! Pop by her blog to learn how to recycle paint stir sticks into a garden planter, blend up fresh fruit smoothies, easily create wood burn garden markers and ideas for painting a garden set that is perfect for mom.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside has a call for entries: 1000 Artisan Textiles, a tutorial on how to upcycle an old promo charm with stamped polymer clay, fusing plastic bags from the soon to be released book: Green Guide for Artists, and two asymmetrical jewelry designs made from recycled elements.

Crafty Princess Diaries
More about YuDu - If you still aren’t convinced after seeing Margot Potter’s video on how to use this interesting contraption, then here is some more information for you to consider.

CraftyPod
Sister Diane is super-excited to launch her new ebook, Making a Great Blog: a Guide for Creative People. It’s all about how to write and photograph compelling blog posts, and how to keep the inspiration flowing.

Cross Stitch at About.com
See how Kitchinstitchin used an old window and a piece of crazy quilt for an unusual framed Cross Stitch project.

Naughty Secretary Club
Jen shows you how to wear your stuffed animal collection as a bracelet. Plus enter to win a free copy of her book The Naughty Secretary Club!

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
You’ll have a “ball” stitching yarn scraps into beads with a little help from the new book: Strands by Jacqueline Myers-Cho.

The Impatient Crafter
Check out the new YuDu home screen printing machine in this brand spanking new The Impatient Crafter video hosted by Madge. While you’re there, follow the link to her interview with fellow crafty blogger Sister Diane of CraftyPod on personal branding!

Vickie Howell’s Pop Goes Crochet
Vickie’s latest book, Pop Goes Crochet, hits stores in 2 weeks! Get a sneak peek of 5 accessory projects now though, including designs by The Breeder’s Kelley Deal, The Stitch Diva and The Crochet Dude. Give ‘em a gander and enter to win a free, signed copy!

About Family Crafts
Discover many creative projects all made using paper plates.

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Create a very cool, colorful accent wall on the cheap using scrapbook paper!

Cathie Filian
Cathie Filian is calling all Colorado crafters! Stop by the Colorado Women’s expo April 25th & 26th. She will be doing presentaions on both days - the topic is…Living Creatively by Re-Crafting and Recycling.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside is in full bloom with an inside look into the soon to be released: Collaborative Art Journals and Shared Visions in Mixed Media by L. K. Ludwig along with a full tutorial on stitching a bird cage on a card, a how-to for embroidering barbed wire, cleaning and cutting Acrylic and how to paint a checkerboard floor.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Become a professional crocheter with the help of an organization designed for those who are interested in make yarn craft a j-o-b.

CraftyPod
Sister Diane reviews Betz White’s new book, Sewing Green.

Another fun peek behind the scenes into what’s going on all over the artsy world!

Cathie Filian
Cathie Filian has a step-by-step guide for making boutonnieres - perfect for wedding and prom season and a super $$ saver.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is an inside peek into the new book Sculpting Mythical Creatures with some Easter Bunnies thrown in for the season, a Mother of the Bride box project, a photo standup Easter Eggs decoration and an interview with Quilt Artist Robbi Joy Eklow author of Goddess of the Last Minute.

Crafty Princess Diaries
2 Fun New Jewelry Projects, Glue, and You - Tammy has two new jewelry projects that involve a little glue and a lot of fun.

CraftyPod
Sister Diane reviews the new Heather Ross book, Weekend Sewing.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Childhood memories influence the name of Connie’s new free pattern. It is a Dilly of a chart.

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
See how to make “For the Love of Flaming Hot Coffee Cozy”- Inspired by the Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing

The Impatient Crafter
Check out this fab free mixed media collage jewelry project Madge created for Beadalon.

About Family Crafts
Not only is recycling good for the environment, it can help save you money, and, with the projects I have gathered, you can find out how to recycle creatively!

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen’s getting in the Easter spirit with her quicky Easter card project.

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Alexa shares how to make glam graffiti earrings out of gift cards!

June 26 - 29, 2009

Art in the Rough ~ Art Retreat for Women is an intimate gathering of like-minded souls, set in beautiful up-country Maine. If you enjoy creating, celebrating simple pleasures, exploring new techniques and want a truly unique experience…join us for a fabulous weekend of funky art & friendship. As the name suggests, this is a camping retreat. But do not fret about roughing it…you will be provided unique & elegant amenities. We like to call it “high-style camping” while others call it “glamping” or glamour-camping. An “all-inclusive” art retreat, Art in the Rough includes lodging & amenities, all meals & snacks - including a lobster bake, 2 full day workshops, special evening events, gifts, goodies & extras. An Artistic Journey ~ Luxury in the Rough ~ Let Nature Nurture

For workshop details, registration and more information please visit Navel Jelly Studios

My friend Aileen Roberts just let us know that she had posted a sneak peek of the doll that’s being put together to raise money for ovarian cancer research.  The project is called the Ties That Bind, and is an art doll using decorated neckties and handmade charms.  I am excited to see the final doll.  You can go to the site to see the sneak peek if you’d like, but I’ll refrain from posting it here in case anyone wants it to remain a complete surprise until it’s done 

Join me this Friday morning for a look into what other artists across the country are up to!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Swelldesigner gives new life to a plain paper lantern with tissue paper!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week there is an Andy Warhol inspired scrapbook page and ATC’s, an interview with Lisa Kettell author of Altered Art Circus!, a super cute clay pot hedge hog how-to, and a link to two free bottle cap graphics.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Expose yourself….in a good way that is…Tammy tells her thoughts on the process of creative exposure.

CraftyPod
Learn how to turn an old paperback book into a cool picture frame.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Would You Stitch With Scented Floss? Vote in the poll and be sure to read the comments and add your own.

Naughty Secretary Club
Get felt up with Jen and her customized felt baby booties how-to.

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
With inspiration from Cathi Milligan’s new book Mod Knots a soda bottle goes under the knife and becomes a mod cuff.

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares one final project from her new book Beyond the Bead! Plus she’s giving away a free copy of the book and a crystal stash!

About Family Crafts
Discover how you can create an entire fairy village using items from nature.

Aileen’s Musings
Check out which names won for Aileen’s Color Mist Sorbet Collection and help BREAK THE TIE by voting once more! An additional winner will be chosen once the tie is broken.

The Impatient Crafter
Check out this video to kick off Craft Month at Crafty Nation. Madge shows you how to make a jaunty mixed media nautical pendant!

About Family Crafts
Discover how to make your own craft suppies.

Aileen’s Musings
Make it a banner day and enter Aileen’s blog challenge and giveaway!

Cathie Filian
Get poppy and modern with Cathie’s easy technique for making one-of-a-kind “Warholesque” art.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
There are a couple of fabulous tutorials on how to sew a cuffed hem and a paper bead, wild photos from my night with the stars at Robert Vetica’s Book launch party for Good To Great Hair, an interview with Garth Johnson author of the upcoming 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse and if you want to be a part of the book the deadline for submissions has been extended to March 13th!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Exercise your brain by crafting. That’s right. According to a recent study, you can make your brain smarter by crafting.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Connie has charted her favorite Irish Blessing for you to stitch and enjoy.

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Cell phone car chargers get revamped with help from Jennifer Perkins’ New Book-Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl’s Guide to Handmade Jewelry.

Help for left handed crafters
Are you a lefty who has problems with embroidery patterns? Check out this tutorial of basic embroidery stitches - made specifically for left handed embroiderers.

How to Rescue Family Heritage Photos
Eileen just completed a photo restoration class and made an exciting discovery in the process.

Providing Bird Nesting Materials
The best materials to provide, plus a creative way to house them.

Each month, I’m choosing a fragment of scripture from one of the Psalms and using a heart shape to create a little 4 x 4 inch beaded piece that illustrates the feeling of that verse for me. Here is my piece for February:

Psalm 90:2
From everlasting to everlasting, You are God

There is no trouble or struggle that is as big as God.

Here are all three of my Winter pages together: December, January, and February

My previous pieces for the Bead Journal Project
Information about the Bead Journal Project
Bead Journal Project blog