January 12 - Creativity Month

Pretty sure I used up all my creativity getting ready for Christmas. Until I get my mojo back, here's a pic of one corner of the crafty area in our house.

November 1 - Digital Scrapbooking Day

I've not yet ventured into the world of digital scrapbooking; I'm more of a paper and glue stick kind of girl. There is a lot of info out there (google it!), but I thought I'd show you two sites I've recently discovered.

Jessica Sprague offers courses on how to digitally scrapbook, and some free tutorials as well. I'll actually be participating in her upcoming course "Stories In Hand." It's not directly related to digital scrapbooking, but I'm sure looking forward to it.

Ali Edwards is a very creative designer who combines digital and traditional scrapbooking methods. I am so in love with her style! I've been doing a project based on her "Week In the Life" project and I'll (attempt to) do her "December Dailies" album this year.

Happy November 1st and happy scrapbooking!


Whoops! I forgot to show you the official site for Digital Scrapbooking Day. Here you go!

March 16 - National Craft Month

March is National Craft Month
Official Sponsor

Un-official song: She's Crafty!

When I was young, I used to think it was dorky that my mom enjoyed arts & crafts. Now that I’m older, I think that arts & crafts are fun. Then again, I am a dork.

I enjoy many different crafts, and crafting in general, but my favorite hobbies are painting and crochet. Currently I trying to teach myself how to knit and hope to soon pick up on sewing. I am using Craft Month to finish up some projects that got set aside. One thing I like about my hobbies is that I can do them while watching television. This keeps me from eating while I watch television.

If you are one of those who still think that crafts are dorky, you need to check out Craftster, stat! On Craftster, you will find some of the most talented people sharing their projects and ideas. It ain’t yo momma’s crafts.

If you’re like me and Jo-Ann Fabrics or Michaels is one of your favorite stores, you may already have a favorite crafting site online. If you haven’t already, you need to check out Craft magazine and Anticraft.

Don't forget to look online for how-to videos. When I began knitting, I turned to YouTube for beginner lessons.

My favorite crochet website
My favorite cross stitch website
Amazing embroidery patterns
Best craft fair ever

Here is a sweater I crocheted for myself last year:

March 12 - Girl Scout Day

March 12 - Girl Scout Day
Girl Scouts of America official website
Find Girl Scout Cookies near you
Holiday Insights

On this day in 1912, Juliette Gordon Low assembled the first Girl Scout meeting in Savannah, Georgia. Eighteen girls attended. Approximately 73 years later, a cute little blonde girl joined her local Daisy Girl Scout group. OK that little girl was me. And I was kind of cute. Except for the 80s hair.

Anyway, I don't remember much about being a Daisy Girl Scout. I remember that we met at my friend Jackie's house (her mom was the troop leader). I couldn't say what we did during those meetings, but I do remember that Jackie had a bunny rabbit.

After kindergarten, Daisies become Brownie Girl Scouts. I was always jealous of the girls that got the full GS uniform. My parents could only afford to buy me the sash. The sash that I never filled up with badges.

We seemed to do a lot of crafts. We went camping once or twice, nothing too rugged though. Of course, I remember selling the cookies, and going door-to-door with my Dad.

One time, we had to cook a meal at home for our family. My parents took pictures of me as I did this. I think I may still have those pictures somewhere. I remember that we used them on a poster board to show what I cooked for my family.

December 1 - Cookie Cutter Week

December 1-7 - Cookie Cutter Week

Christmas preparations are officially underway! Here in my small household, the Christmas season begins the day after Thanksgiving. I don't go shopping on Black Friday, but I begin to write out my cards and start thinking about my plans for the next month. So I've been working at Christmas for over a week now. I have lights up already, and some of my crafts are already completed.

Today kicked off cookie cutter week. If you haven't already, go dig up your cookie cutters this week.

Sugar cookies or shortbread cookies are good recipes to use for cutouts. However, I know that many people just don't want to deal with the hassle. (I don't blame you, I only do one small batch myself.) So I thought I'd remind you of some other ways to use your cookie cutters this season.

Christmas-themed cookie cutters make good ornaments. Tie a ribbon on the cutter and hang on your tree or wire to a wreath. I have an area between my dining room and kitchen where I've hung some cookie cutters and ornaments from the ceiling.

You could also use cookie cutters to make a wreath. See this project. You can put them together as a temporary wreath if you want to be able to use the cookie cutters at a later time.