More projects this week from the Arts Bloggers that you won’t want to miss.  If you don’t have time now, tuck them away for future use.
Heather at A Creative Journal  links to the amazing 1000 Journals Project, in case you’ve missed it so far.

Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork wonders what you think of the proposed Orphan Works Bill in the US Congress and how it will affect artists, writers, and artisans. 

The incredibly talented Judy Coates Perez has done an artist profile for Layers Upon Layers! 

If you have a die cut machine and some pretty cans, you can make your own embellishments from aluminum cans. Just don’t cut yourself to ribbons while you’re making them! warns Katelyn from Stamping Mad.

Noreen Crone-Findlay, of Hankering for Yarn, has posted pics of some of the ways that she organizes and figures out storage solutions for her yarn stash.
Advice from Eileen at The Artful Crafter: If you save precious photos on your computer, you need to know about Carbonite online backup subscription service. 

Chloe, from Tangled Thread had finished the memorial textiles created in honor of her grandmother. 

Peggy, at Junk Creation is being very creative by reusing a sour cream container as a planter and scrapbook all in one.

ENJOY!  And share your creative ideas with us.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Journals, Memorial Textiles, Scrapbooks & More from the Arts Bloggers

As much as we enjoy posting on our blogs, sometimes life interferes and we have to put this on hold temporarily.  I’ve often referred to my daughter’s Meandering Threads blog, showcasing her quilting and fabric art work.

If you visit Meandering Threads, you’ll notice that Beth hasn’t posted anything new lately.   She has had a health situation to deal with the past month, so has not been up to quilting, writing or taking photos of her work.

 I’ll let you know when Beth is back to blogging. You may want to visit and enjoy some of her previous posts though. 

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Meandering Threads Quilting Blog on Hiatus

More creative ideas from the Arts Bloggers: 

Noreen Crone-Findlay, of Hankering for Yarn, designed a quick and easy market bag to crochet in honor of all the ‘WOW MOM’s! out there. And it’s good for dear old mother earth, too!

Eileen, at The Artful Crafter,  shares instructions for a decoupage Byzantine cross pendant made from cardboard – of all things!
Heather, at A Creative Journal, links to a simple Digital Photomontage Demonstration

Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork wonders what you have on your dream list of quilting gadgets.
Peggy at Junk Creation, gives us quick review on a great resource for gourd decorating.

Cyndi, at Layers Upon Layers, shows us how to  take one cheap piece of felt and transform it into “leather”!

Inspire kids to start sewing with this easy felt flower from Chloe at the Tangled Thread.

Chloe from the Creative Bride suggests painting charming & inexpensive wooden boxes to give as wedding favors.

What ideas do you have for crafty projects?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Arts Bloggers – A Creative Community of Crafters Share New Ideas with You

The Magic of Patchwork, my book about quilting, is the prize for the drawing mentioned in the Bloggy Giveways. Readers at Quilting and Patchwork were to:

Leave a comment about your quilting experiences by April 24 (deadline), and I’ll put it in a random drawing for a copy of my book, The Magic of Patchwork.

There were so many interesting comments.  I thank you for sharing your quilting experiences and aspirations.  Even though only one could win, I’d like to include some of the comments in future posts at Quilting and Patchwork.

 I utilized a random drawing system. The handy, dandy Random.org drew the name of……Sarah A.  I’ve notified Sarah and am waiting for her to send me her mailing address.  I hope you enjoy The Magic of Patchwork, Sarah.

(If I don’t receive Sarah’s address by Sunday, May 11, 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, I shall announce the second name on the random draw list as the winner.) 

I’m planning future drawings….so keep tuned. 

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

The Winner is….of The Magic of Patchwork Book

 Deborah Ng at The List Mavin, had a fun idea the other day, What’s in Our Purses?  She asked various bloggers to send her photos of what they carried in their purses.  Others left comments.

I began wondering…do quilters carry quilting supplies in their purses…or tote bags?

Since I carry a black leather fanny pack all the time…not stylish, but very useful since I do a lot of flying (not flapping wings, but on planes), I don’t have much space for quilting supplies.  It’s a waste of time to change everything over to a traditional purse between trips, and I can sling this over my shoulder when it’s not around my waist.

However, my hubby says I carry more in those three zipper compartments than anyone he knows…date book, lip balm, lipstick, loose change, business cards…mine and those I collect, checkbook, credit card/license/medical card holder, grandchildren’s photos (of course!), cell phone, notepad for jotting down writing and quilting ideas and “to do” memos, 2 pens (one might not work), paper clips, vitamins, and receipts.

Also, I might squeeze in a sample of fabric I want to match…or a couple of those pieces from my mom’s Wedding Quilt I’m trying to find fabric for.  Of course, some of the business cards I collect are from quilters/fabric artists/quilt shops.

I do have a denim patchwork tote my daughter made me.  So when I want to take some quilting work with me, a quilting magazine or Elm Creek Quilters novel, that seems the appropriate one sling over my shoulder along.  I also can squeeze in a water bottle, food bar, pens and note pad.

Do you carry quilting supplies in your purse?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting & Patchwork Wants to Know…Do You Carry Quilting Supplies in Your Purse?