Peekaboo! Sneek a peek at the Saturday Tastylinks!

Peekaboo Mixed Media Necklace Copyright Margot Potter 2009

I got bored. So I made a new blog header. I felt like maybe I needed my actual design work in my header. This necklace is featured in my new book Bead Chic. Did you get your copy yet?! I'd put my picture in my header...but maybe that's just a little too much Madge. I'm feeling rather black and white and gray right now, which makes my 'i color outside of the lines' mantra seem slightly ironic. So be it.

I like irony.

I do not, however, like ironing.

Just for the record.

I did enjoy Iron Man though. The movie...and the song.

That about covers that.

How are you enjoying the videos? Do you like them? Is there anything you'd like to see? I've got to make one every single week, so if you've got ideas please, please share with the class. It's Jewel School...get it?

Har har.

And without further drivel, blather and ado... Here's what the fabulous crafty bloggers have for your entertainment, education and edification:

The Artful Crafter
Come one; come all. See The Artful Crafter Parade of Valentine Crafts.

Mixed Media Artist
There are lots of products that will give a translucent finish to paper. Cyndi experiments to see which ones work the best!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares basic beading techniques in this week's video on demand for JTV's Jewel School!

Cross Stitch at About.com
Join in the Cross Stitch Forum SAT, SWAT and don't forget about the January Forum Challenge and the Duh One Challenge. Learn about these opportunities and other stitchy wonderfulness going on on Connie's site.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy is duckie over some baby yarn she's using for a new baby afghan.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a free penguin graphic download, a doll boot pattern and sewing tutorial, a video interview with Carri Hammett author of Mittens and Hats for Yarn Lovers and the pros and cons of petroleum verses synthetic oil.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi tests glitter in a spray format to create beautiful sparkly cards.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen shows you how to make a glittery crown any birthday Queen would be proud to wear!

About Family Crafts
If you can't beat winter, celebrate it everyday with these simple crafts and activities!

Saturday TastyLinks and more Blather and Nonsense!

What I Learned at my Grandmother's Funeral Shoes for Art is Wickedly Good Retreat Class Copyright 2009 Margot Potter (and for copyright infringement FYI the pictures are of my actual grandmother!)

I finished my big project, it looks fabulous...though my anal retentive side wishes I had more crystals to completely cover the toe caps on the tennies...but alas I did not. One must work with the materials one is given. After CHA I'll share pics of the project. There are no teeth marks, FYI. Har har.

I also finished edits on my new book Bead Chic which debuts in Summer of 2010. I still haven't seen the romance pics or a cover and of course I can't wait. Books are a labor of love and so much of it is hurry up and wait. This is my sixth title and I'm just as excited as I was six years ago when I published my first one.

My class proposals for Art is You's October retreat Art is Wickedly Good have been accepted. Yay! I'm teaching among some of the biggest names in mixed media, altered arts and assemblage and my classes are really going to be cool. My classes are part design, part Craft Therapy with plenty of irony and copious amounts of humor. We'll be making a pair of altered shoes and a black hat. The concepts are based on posts from my other blog: What I Learned at my Grandmother's Funeral and The Tao of the Black Hat. The projects will be physical explorations of personal narrative as it relates to the theme. The shoes are about personal empowerment and the hat is about embracing the moments in our lives when we become the bad guy in someone else's story. It is inevitable, no matter how well we try to live that somewhere along the way we'll find someone who sees us as the bad guy. We can see the power and the gift in that role, or not. We all have roles we play in our families, and the shoes are about rejecting those roles and becoming our true selves. We'll do some writing and then we'll dive into the projects and make glorious messes! I can not wait. Everyone's finished projects will be unique to them...so my shoes are just for inspiration.

Clover has a new flower loom that creates Hana-Ami flowers! Check out this video from When Creativity Knocks!

Here is this week's sampling from the craftacular crew of Crafty Bloggers:

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Alexa gets back into her crafty groove with a cool & modern statement ring!

Aileen's Musings
Aileen has a blogoversary coming up and she's offering a fun giveaway!

About Family Crafts
Have a sick kid at home? Check out this collection of crafts Sherri has compiled to help entertain them while they get better.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Connie has a "handy" motif you can adapt for multiple uses. Stitch her suggested saying or choose one of your own.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Even though this crafty princess is from the South, she still needs a warm crochet hat now and then.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
The first week of 2010 at Craftside brings you ho-tos on crocheting broomstick lace and then framing it up to store your earrings, stringing up a ribbon and pearl zigzag necklace, and a call for entries for a new book-1000 Ideas for Decorating Cakes, Cupcakes & Cookies.

The Artful Crafter
Eileen went shopping in her closet and made a 20-something sweater new again. Here’s how to update a dated BIG sweater.

Mixed Media Artist
A new year, a new technique! Cyndi shares the first steps to making a shibori background fabric for a new quilt.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge opens up a rather sticky can of worms in this post about copyright infringement. Right click, save. Done.

TastyLinks and Cookie Chaos Bites

(Vintage French postcard from my personal ephemera collection...Merry Christmas!)

We're all more than a little sad here today because we had to cancel our Cookie Chaos 2009 party. We kept our hopes up that maybe a few folks could brave the snow, but it's turned into a blizzard. Have I mentioned that I don't really like snow? Because I don't. I like to look at snow. I know lots of people love it and they're entitled to that feeling. I'd love to move to Hawaii and look at pretty pictures of snow while sitting in the warm sun drinking a tasty beverage with a decorative umbrella from a pineapple.

Yes, I'd like that very much. Sign me up.

I did call it Cookie Chaos. Perhaps we need a name change!

Avalon is having a friend over for the weekend and they'll decorate some cookies together and I'll console myself with egg nog and fondue. We've decided to host Christmas so that's something.

I shall cease being a Debby Downer now and leave you with your weekly dose of crafty inspiration from the Crafty Blogger's Gang! Huzzah!

About Family Crafts
Find out how you can spread the holiday spirit throughout your entire neighborhood using this fun pass-it-on gift.

Aileen's Musings
As a gift to you Aileen's created 2 beauitful recipe cards for you to download and print.

Cathie Filian
Check out Cathie's quick video on how to make a Christmas tree from a tomato cage.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
The Holiday Goodness Giveaways are in full swing with lots of great answers to fun questions and a week more to enter to win free books along with a free knit placemat pattern with a plaid detail, ribbon and pom pom trimmed dish towel, apron and Christmas tree how-tos, and an inside peek into artist studio with some fun recycled storage ideas.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy has received the first submissions for her book's gallery, and talk about impressive! Wow! Some amazing metal jewelry by Victoria Tillotson.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Wishing you Merry and Bright holidays with a cheerful free pattern perfect for the holiday season.

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Where did December go? Linda's sharing her mantel decorations as she ponders her lack of handmade gifts this year. Yikes!

Margot Potter-The Impatient Crafter
Know someone bitten by the Twilight bug? Check out Madge's holiday themed Twilight silhouette ornament and pendant project for iLoveToCreate teen!

Mixed Media Artist
Make a stab-bound scrapbook or journal to hold all your Christmas cards and memories this year!

Stefanie Girard's Greeting Card Album Craftiness
How to decorate your Greeting Card Album for Christmas and recycle a card from last year with a fabric die cut.

The Artful Crafter
Eileen’s been elf-ed! Join in the fun and spread some holiday cheer. There’s still time for a few more elf-ings.

The Crochet Dude
Drew reveals his themed Christmas wrap and also announces a fantastic giveaway!

Check out these mini vintage postcard ornaments from When Creativity Knocks. Is it just me...or is everyone feeling Retrofabulous this Christmas?! Hee.

TastyLinks Saturday Giving Thanks Edition

I was thinking about the word Thanksgiving and it occured to me that it's an interesting compound. There's the 'thanks' part and the 'giving' part, obviously. What's interesting is the order of the words and also if you think further the words themselves, and whilst contemplating these things I had a small epiphany. One can give thanks figuratively, but one can also literally give...give something freely as a way of spreading our 'thanks' or gratitude to others. So today in gratitude for your support, I'm sharing with you a permission free image from my personal collection. This is a vintage Clapsaddle postcard, this particular postcard line is highly collectible. I have been collecting ephemera for many years and I find it endlessly fascinating. It never ceases to amaze me to hold a piece of vintage paper in my hands and think about the people who held it 100 years ago. This is a postcard sent in 1910 from Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Davis of Minneapolis to Miss Elsie Munson of Minneapolis. It's in excellent conditon and is embossed and artist signed. You are free to use this image in your design work. On a side note, I had to wonder if this turkey is really all that glad for Thanksgiving...what since he's probably the main course.

FYI-not all of the images on this blog are free for the taking, but this one is. Remember if you do click and save my blog images that they are all under my copyright or the copyright of the artist I've attributed. Everything on the internet isn't free...but this lovely postcard is!

This is part of my contribution to the blog round robin in which I'm participating this week. Please do click on the links and visit the blogs of the participants.

Without further ado, here are this week's Crafty Blogger Links. We're all of us grateful to you, our readers, for your support and encouragement. May you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

About Family Crafts Do you play with clay? If so, please take a moment and share your favorite stories, projects, recipes, techniques, and more.

Aileen's Musings Aileen is offering Vintage freebie images for you to download and use in your art. Get started on those digi holiday cards using some of them.

Cathie Filian Cathie has lots of Thanksgiving recipes, crafts and family activities posted. Plus tips for a smooth Thanksgiving!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Over at Craftside you can enter to win a Mixed-Media Doll by Linda O'Brien, Co-author of Who's Your Dada?, download a free intricate leaf paper cutting pattern, get a fun how-to on making a paper cupcake and a pretty pair of fall leaf earrings.

Crafty Princess Diaries Mix up altered books, glitter, and teenagers, shake well, and voila! You have a fun day of art combined with writing.

Cross Stitch at About.com Stitch a Simple Hanukah Menorah Motif for a card or ornament. Suitable for knitting or crochet projects too.

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style Linda shares one of the first quilts she designed and tells the first of many stories about lessons learned.

Mixed Media Artist Cyndi has finished a second Garden Quilt and is offering her tutorial!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Sweater Surgery attacks t-shirts and cuts them up into some cute gathered tops with the help of Generation-T Beyond Fashion.

The Artful Crafter Check out Eileen’s latest craft finds: lots of free stuff and free advice – well that’s usually free, isn’t it? LOL.

The Crochet Dude Drew kicks off the holiday season with a crochet pattern event!

The Impatient Crafter In this week's teen crafts blog for iLoveToCreate Madge makes a stunning mixed media necklace. You might just want to sport this one yourself!

TastyLinks Saturday!

I'm heading to New Jersey to teach a mixed media jewelry class tomorrow at Suze Weinberg's studio. This is the project which I've shared here before. It's a recycled fashion magazine necklace with sealed paper charms layered with inks and paints. You can use any sort of paper that catches your eye and you can of course make this in a smaller scale if you prefer or use different shapes. I've been obsessed with paper jewelry for several years now and I imagine that obsession will continue!

Here are your weekly crafty links. I'm sad to report that the aforementioned grumpy phlebotomist actually injured my arm with the rubber tie, I don't know what the heck she did but it still burns. I'm officially registering a complaint. I don't allow people to abuse me. Period. So there.

Enough about that for now, I'll be back next week with more fun filled ideas! Until then...craft on with your bad selves.

This week's When Creativity Knocks video is all about the Houston Museum Holocaust Butterfly Project, which I've mentioned here before. Go check it out!

Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love Make cool, graphic wall art using Ed Roth's Stencil Decor kit and a little imagination!

The Artful Crafter Eileen shares directions for some lovely polymer clay Thanksgiving napkin rings. You have a choice of one embellished with a cute clay turkey or a more formal looking ring stamped with a fall motif.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery How to make a Sweater Surgery Light up Christmas tree inspired by The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting Up Your Life

Mixed Media Artist Would you ever do an art show where you knew you wouldn’t sell anything?

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style How did you get introduced to your hobby? Linda shares the story on how she learned to quilt and where those skills have gotten her.

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy reviews a new book full of unique and earth-friendly ways to wrap your gifts this holiday season using scarves.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Over on the Craftside blog there are how-to ideas for casting and making a silver metal clay wing necklace and a recycled wool sweater Christmas needle book. There’s an Mail Art Call Out to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, tips for making a vintage rosary style necklace and a little Jimi Hendrix thrown in.

Cathie Filian Cathie shows you how to make a kids felt book. The book are perfect for airplane trips, car rides and rainy days. They make great gifts!

Aileen's Musings Aileen's on a mission to win a trip to NYC and to see the Martha Stewart show! Check out her under $20.00 Christmas project on Michael's craft site and rate it to help her win!

About.com Cross Stitch Connie's added a new pattern collection - Four Ways to Say Peace. These designs will make great holiday ornaments.

About Family Crafts Come play along with this Make-It-Over craft challenge! What can you make out of candy? This is a great way to use up any left over Halloween candy.

The Impatient Crafter Madge makes a festive Patchwork Paper decoupaged letter for your teen's bedroom door in this week's post for iLoveToCreate

Happy Halloweenie! TastyLinks Saturday!

Today was a dismal, rainy, dark and dull day. Perfect Gothically delicious Hallowe'en weather...unless you're trick or treating. We hit a favorite local antique shop that specializes in architectural salvage. We're searching for the right mantle/shelf/frame for our large gold Buddha in the Zen TV room. I mostly don't watch TV, but I love the room. It's warm cinnamon infused red with gold and off white accents...very cozy. I'm slowly adding an array of empty vintage gilt frames to the walls. It's very simple and chic.

We also scored a huge sign for the living room, a small sign for Av's room and a really neat rustic wooden shelf cubby dealio that's going to be PERFECT for my burgeoning collection of rubber stamps and inks. Every new craft skill brings a crap load of new supplies. We saw a spectacular vintage gas station sign that we coveted until we saw the 675.00 price tag...we talked them down to 475.00 and it's a piece of history that is sure to increase in value...but...that's a big chunk 'o change...so we're sitting on the idea. We need to save our money and finish up some big projects around the house.

Oh heck, I need an entire house just for my studio.

Is that asking so much?!

We also scored some great Halloween decor on super sale at Michael's. Our kitchen is bright orange and acid green, so Halloween stuff actually works in here year round. This house is a 130 year old former Union Hall and Amish School house...so it's got a primitive country vibe. I'm more of a mid-century modern kinda gal but I'm learning to love a quirky country decor. I'm ever mindful of not turning our house into a TGI Fridays...Drew said we're starting to get too much 'wall flair.' One of these days when we get it all together...I'll share some pics.

But enough about our shopping excursion...

Here's the All Hallow's Eve version of TastyLinks...all the good blogs wrapped up in one!

Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love Vickie shows how to customize photo mats to go with your favorite photos!

The Artful Crafter Make some romantic mood light candles with decorative tissue paper and decoupage medium.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Halloween Decoration using my craft supply stash to make Jack O' Lanterns

Mixed Media Artist Cyndi has started another small quilt, this time featuring pears!

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy found out crocheting chemo hats is trickier than she thought, but she found success.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world On the Craftside of things there is a free Japanese bunnies and moon piece of clip art, a cool video full of tips on altering a pattern, a how-to on folding paper ricrac, a cool source for vintage style findings and using research magazine pictures as ATC canvases in an altered book.

Aileen's Musings Aileen offers, just barely in time for Day of the Dead or Halloween, an easy peasy earring tutorial!

About Family Crafts Sherri gives you an excuse to craft every day during the month of November using this calendar of events.

The Impatient Crafter This is a story of a refugee who found her strength in creativity. Though she recently died, her story lives on. Please read and share the story of Haiffaa Ali.

Saturday TastyLinks™!

We interrupt the regularly scheduled blog post for a moment of Shameless Self Promotion. The fabulous Brini Maxwell and I are hosting a crafty cruise that is going to blow your ever lovin' crafty minds. In October 2010, we'll perform our Crafty Cabaret show, teach four fabulous classes (I'll be teaching a tiara class!), have an open craft studio for 24 hour crafty fun and you'll visit some of the best locations in the Caribbean. Nine craftacular days of fun in the sun with two delightful, divalicious hostesses. Here's the story, Mornin' glories. You go to the ScrapMap site to sign up. All you need to do is put down a small deposit and make monthly payments, you are not locked into the cruise and can pull out and get your money back up to 120 days before the ship sails. So...what on earth are you waiting for? We want you...we need you...let us craftertain you!

I now return you to your regularly scheduled blog post...

It's time once again to spread the Linky Love across the Blogosphere! Woo hoo! I'm back in the saddle big time this week. I've been assembling kits for my new book shoot, selling and shipping stuff from the newly replenished Etsy shoppe, doing freelance blogging and design and lots of networking post show to maximize my new connections.

Phew.

I woke up this morning with my head spinning like a ball in a bingo cage...

"Get drivers's license photo...do something about my hair first.
Make appointment to take daughter to doctor for vaccinations and school required check up
Finish packing supplies for book photo shoot
Take pics and load new designs into Etsy Shoppe
Work on proposal for big event
Create widget for cruise
Fine tune idea for pitch
Write some pages for my e-book
Plan a new The Impatient Crafter™ video
Herd dust bunnies out of studio
Finish follow up emails post CHA
Pay bills
Work on design and blog post for manufacturer."

Damn...it's Saturday...and my straw pile is still HUGE! Enough whining about all of the work I have to do...it's better than having none at all!

My friend and colleague 'Daliciuus™' Fernando DaSilva is running a great contest on his blog. He's looking for a few good followers...Go see!

Here's what the Crafty Blogger Gang has for your education, entertainment and edification this week:

The Crochet Dude Drew is giving away all his latest designs that are included in his new line of patterns that just launched nationwide! To enter you just leave a comment on his blog!

The Artful Crafter Eileen blogs about learning photography - one frame at a time.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Earrings made with something old, something new and a how-to from the new book- Simply Gemstones by Nancy Alden

Naughty Secretary Club Jen dishes up a recipe for making a pin cushion out of vintage tin.

Mixed Media Artist Cyndi has an imaginary friend named Jim...from 100 years ago!

Cross Stitch at About.com Help Connie decide a caption for her free Bat Cross Stitch pattern.

CraftyPod SisterDiane interviews a top Etsy seller who decided to downsize her business.

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy has a bag full of fun crafting ideas for the crafter with a birthday.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside has a how-to on making a Traveling Mail Art Kit from the soon to be released book-Good Mail Day, a tutorial on how to line a flap and step by step directions to make a painted fusible web postcard. Be sure to answer the week's questions to be entered to win free books while your getting your fill of crafty goodness.

Cathie Filian Join Cathie Filian on HSN August 17th where she will be showcasing the new formulas of Mod Podge, Chalkboard Paint and Texture Paint.

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner Alexa shares 3 great photography tips for taking better photos of your crafts. You don't even have to have an expensive camera!

Aileen's Musings Aileen is offering a book giveaway! See how many ways you can get your name entered in her drawing to win a Ties That Bind Collaboration of Love book...

About Family Crafts Hurry on over and submit your photos and ideas! Sherri is now accepting Halloween submissions. Share your costumes, haunted house ideas, more and browse through the photos everyone else has submitted.

The Impatient Crafter Make a super cute pair of flip flops with your kid or teen for your end of summer vacation! Madge shares the 411 in this post for I Love to Create

Saturday TastyLinks™

“Ain’t it funny how time slips away?”

It could not possibly have been a week since I last posted these links! Have I somehow and without my knowing entered a wrinkle in time?! I feel as if summer is flying at the speed of light, which makes me a little blue because winter seems to last forever. I simply must move somewhere warm and balmy.

Yesterday I dropped my daughter off at her last day of Shakespeare camp and I took a little side trip to one of our local antique malls in search of ephemera. I emerged triumphant! I found two magazines from the early 1900s in pristine condition overflowing with great images, one adorable postcard, a bag of slightly disturbing 1950s circus themed cardboard stand up cut-outs and this absolutely amazing photograph. I ask you. Is this a girl or is this a boy? I can not for the life of me decide. Note the hands and feet...and the awkward body language...and the hair which may or may not be short. I love it! This is a delightfully quirky picture!

I’ve been collecting these old photos for years. My former roommate Melody and I used to tell our guests they were our ancestors and concoct stories about them. I’m particularly fond of pictures of women and young girls wearing hugantic bows. In fact, I think I may need to create a collection of these bows for myself.

Ah, I blather on too much again. Good grief. Here’s your weekly sampling of TastyLinks™! Open wide and say, “AH!”

About Family Crafts I need your help! Be the first to submit a photo of this completed craft and be featured on the Family Crafts site!’’

Aileen's Musings Your help is needed...Please take a moment to help make a difference We have a chance to get our ovarian cancer charity project on the cover of a northern CA magazine. Your vote is needed! The project benefits the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Deadline for voting is July 23rd so hurry and cast your vote!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner Alexa shares the mental process behind creating a post on her swell craft blog.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside's got a how-to's on bleaching photos and juxtaposing images, a mixed-media journal out of a wide variety of recycled materials and a video with Scatha G. Allison where she shows the incredible designs from her book Jean Therapy. Be sure to answer the day's questions to be entered to win a free book!

Crafty Princess Diaries Have you thought about taking your craft hobby to a different level? Tammy has some thoughts to consider before crossing over the hobby/professional line.

CraftyPod SisterDiane is thrilled to unveil her new ebook, Weaving Un-Loomed: Simple Ways to Weave Cool Things.

Cross Stitch at About.com Have fun trying out these new free Candlewicking patterns Connie's sharing. If you use one, send in a photo to show it off!

Mixed Media Artist Using two very different book pages, you can create a found poem for an altered book...or just because!

Naughty Secretary Club Jen shares clever and crafty uses for suitcases that have nothing to do with holding clothing. Side tables, laptop cases and portable craft studios, oh my!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Drink Mermaids take the plunge into some silver paint and get transformed into some swimmingly fun necklaces inspired by the wonderfully innovative book A Charming Exchange.

The Artful Crafter Eileen shows you how to make a multi-strand fiber bracelet.

The Crochet Dude Drew reviews the new Simplicity Rotary Cutting Machine - offers up a free crocheted project using fabric strips - and he's giving away a Rotary Cutting Machine to one lucky commenter!

The Impatient Crafter Madge shows you how to make a quick and easy Altered Chinese Paper Lantern in her first post on Kid/Teen Crafts for I Love to Create!

Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love Check out Vickie's free pattern for a knitted lace iPhone cozy!

TastyLinks™ Saturday!

Click here to get the instructions for my Simply Lovely Bracelet at the Beadalon Website, you'll learn how to use scrimps and wire guardians! Copyright 2006 Margot Potter for Beadalon (You can find the bird charm at Ornamentea)
Join the Beadalon Fan Page on Facebook!

What a wild week! Up and down and all around and by Friday I was feeling like crawling under my covers with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and a trashy novel. Then I got some stellar news I can share as soon as the ink is dry and that perked me up a skootch. I was still feeling kinda bleh until I got an email from my publisher. Both of my new books Beyond the Bead and Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed have sold through their first printings! Beyond the Bead sold through within the first three months! That’s rockin’! Plus the email included a little Press Release they’d whipped up that said some awfully super nice things about me. I’m a Leo, we love compliments. In fact we eat them for breakfast every morning. Please pass the ‘pretty please with brown sugar on top’ and a side of ‘gee you’re swell’s.”

So thank you to everyone who has purchased both of the books, thank you to folks who’ve written up some great reviews and helped get some buzz going. Kudos to my fabulous co-authors Fernando DaSilva (check out Nando's great post on pricing your jewelry line) and Katie Hacker (Katie's got a great post on Bead Artists against Breast Cancer)! We popped the cork on some bubbly last night and celebrated. This just confirms my belief that folks are hungry for inspiration and for creativity in these trying times. So if you’re a creative, take heart.

I'll be riding on a horse drawn carriage in a fancy (and probably soggy due to the rain) hat this Sunday! My SIL invited us along to schmooze with the uber elite at a prestigious horsey event. As Joan Rivers would say, "Fohn, fohn, fohn...fohn." Just call me "Lovey" dahling.

Super Linky Love thank you to the gals from ScaryCraft for featuring my Mixed Media pin last week! Check out their craftalicious blog!

Ms. Jennifer Perkins did a very fun blog round up of crafty red heads this past week. She included yours truly, I'm a red head at heart no matter what color is on my locks. Thanks Jen!

A Linky Love 411: The folks from Max and Chloe emailed me a hot tip on a great giveaway! They carry some really innovative costume and fine jewelry lines. Click here to enter a sweepstakes for a 500 dollar shopping spree!

My friend Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio did a gorgeous design for Rings n Things last week. She was inspired by my simple wire wrapped lava rocks to make a mind blowingly cool wrapped design integrating her beautiful keyhole pendant as a focal element. Plus I love how she showed you first hand how to be inspired by something and then make it your own. Great work, Melanie! Also check out her thoughtful post about artists’ rights and copyrights here.

Without further ado...here’s this week’s sampling of TastyLinks™ open wide and say “AH!:”

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

Blisstree Arts Cyndi has rounded up all of her favorite posts on making background papers and fabrics for your projects.

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

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

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

A New Crafty Video AND Supersized TastyLinks!

My gal pal Inky a.k.a. Rebecca Peck and I made this video for Streuter Glue Film recently. She posted it on YouTube last night and it’s really a hoot in a handbasket! Plus it’s a revolutionary product so you’ve gotta watch!

This morning was one of those, why do I have to be the grown-up mornings? My kid is a world class slob. I call her The Slobovian. There is no surface in that room, including the floor, that isn’t covered with schtuff. We ask her to clean it quarterly. Is that so much? Is that so wrong? My maid who comes every two weeks just to sweep and mop for me because of my asthma can’t even go in her room because there’s that much crap on the floor. So this morning, it became a tearfest because Mom had the unmitigated gall to pronounce it time for a clean up. If only she’d let go of a few of her tchotckes and knick knacks...she’s a hoarder that one. I have absolutely no idea where she gets that...

Super Linky Love Shout out to Corrine at Articus Studio! She's got a great art and craft site and she's a delight! Thanks for your help with the wavy copper foil tape, Corrine!

Today’s Linky Love Post is SUPERSIZED with links from the Crafty Bloggers AND the Bead Babe Bloggers. The gang from Bead Bloggers were kind enough to post a link to the 411 on my classes and in return I’m sharing their links this week. They’re all incredibly talented folks and if you’d like a true craftstravaganza, grap a cuppa and get to clickin’!

xoxo
Madge

About Family Crafts Over the years I have learned some tricks when it comes to storing craft supplies and staying organized, and I am happy to share these with you.

Aileen's Musings Download some freebie Cabinet Cards from Aileen's Musings this week, and check out her gouache paint and altered cabinet card tutorial.

Cathie Filian Cathie Filian has a fun tutorial on recycling jeans into fashion cuffs with personalized patches.

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Kicking off the new year Craftside will theme each week with a letter from the alphabet and give away a book a week to a lucky commentor. This week there is ATC art, a free antler graphic from Design Parts Sourcebook: Romantic, photos from an appearance by Patti Medaris Culea with doll and altered book pocket design, and a sneak peek at some of the cool pages from Essential Fashion Illustration-Men.

Crafty Princess Diaries The Crafty Princess asks: Are you a tweaker or a tried and true crafty type?

Cross Stitch at About.com Be the first to stitch and submit a photo of Connie's free BGB Gizmo Pattern and have your photo featured as the stitched model. Get your 15 minutes of Cross Stitch fame!

Layers Upon Layers Fabulous artwork by a very motivated distance learner :-)

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Check out super cute pair of camo baby booties I knit from a pattern in the book Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting.

The Crochet Dude Drew kicks off the New Year with a free pattern. Check out his "Cafe Couture"!

The Impatient Crafter If you're attending the Tucson Gem Show or CHA, Madge would love to meet you! Check out her schedule and come take a class or get a signed copy of one of her new books!

About.com Jewelry Making Since many of us are trying to get our jewelry studios organized this year, Tammy collected some excellent ideas to help out jewelry designers and crafters of all kinds.

Art Bead Scene Art Bead Scene's January Challenge is ‘Inspired by Irises’. Enter a piece of jewelry and win free beads.

Art Jewelry magazine Jill's teaching at a retreat; check out the information.

Carmi's Canvas Flower Bracelet Carmi has a short demo using the new Sticky Back canvas.

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry Carter looks forward to the exciting year ahead and shares some photos from her time away from beads.

Jennifer Jangles Blog Gather some New Years inspiration from the Jangles Blog.

Jewelry & Beading Cyndi is hosting an educational blitz this month, and she's wondering if you know of classes she should add to the list.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Book Review from Jean: Add some sparkle to your New Year with Crystal Chic, a super pretty book by Debbi Simon

Strands of Beads Looking for new shopping opportunities? Melissa suggests visiting your local rock shop!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Andrew creates a buying guide of skull related beads and pendants.