September 11 Memorial Ride to the Flags- me and awesome sailors at Point Mugu Naval Base

I had the pleasure of participating in the Ride to the Flags on this past 10th anniversary of 9-11.
I think this is my favorite photo of the day where some of this countries finest took a moment for a photo op with me. Thanks to all who serve. I just can't say that enough!
I also took a moment to write a letter to a service person through the great program Operation Gratitude that was there.

A simple thing as a hand written letter can be special.

Anyone who makes things or gets things hand made knows this.

See what my fellow creators are up to:

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a chance to win a copy of the new book by Misty Mawn - Unfurling along with doodling tips, a Plaid Craft TV episode that features me and Steve making a Mod Podge bird house wind chime with a recycled sweater flower, some paint mixing tips and a recipe for watermelon granita.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi pulls out an older collage to revisit a technique that mixes digital and physical aspects.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Learn how to wind a spool of thread for serging with a Deluxe SideWinder.

About Family Crafts
This week's craft challenge is all about making apples. Do you have an apple craft to share?

Aileen's Musings
Still in the spirit of getting ready for Christmas gift making? Aileen offers you a faux hand blown glass ornament tutorial that can easily be adapted for other holidays as well.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi shares new Humphrey the Elephant 3D cards.

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
Feeling like your craft business isn't taking off like you hoped? You might just be a scrub pine. What's a scrub pine? Come find out on Cindy's blog!

Connie Gee's Designs
Connie's making plans for 2012 - find out what projects she is planning to stitch in the coming year. It's always nice to plan ahead.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy attempts to teach loom knitting to her college craft club.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Look at Eileen’s crafty solution to an accident waiting to happen.

How to use a Simplicity Deluxe SideWinder to wind thread for serging

I've got a fun little "Tool Time" share today. I scored myself a darling red cotton polka dot sundress at the thrift store but it had a ripped hem and anyway it was too long for my liking. So I thought I'd serge the two hems as it had a lining as well.
It worked dreamy but the "Tool Time" aspect I want to share with you is for some reason I only had 2 spools of red serger thread but I do have a handy dandy Simplicity Deluxe SideWinder and a stash of empty thread spools!
As it turns out thread spools fit on the assortment of bobbin holders that come with the Simplicity Deluxe SideWinder. All I had to do was manually with my finger guide the thread up and down the tall spool to load it as it should be.
Worked like a charm at the slow speed!

Wind on.

How to cover an umbrella with a spiral of ruffles

My coy little bunny peeks out from behind the ruffled covered umbrella to say, "hi!"
I decided I needed a shade umbrella to use in the summer and I thought I'd try dressing up a plain one with some ruffles.

The first step was to cut an old lace curtain into strips. This was super easy with my Simplicity Deluxe Rotary Cutter. I made them different widths starting at about 1.5-3.5 inches. I then just sewed down the center of each strip with a gather stitch (fancy term for the longest stitch length my machine will do).
I started to hot glue the widest ruffle strips at the outer edge of the umbrella and worked my way toward the center in a spiral pattern.
I sported my new set of Cathie Filian's fab new Hot Glue Gun Helpers which are so necessary when working with lace as the hot glue seeps through the holes in the lace!
I used a bit of dress makers chalk to sketch the placement of the ruffles.
I did make a tiny modification to one of my Hot Glue Gun Helpers as I have long fingernails so I cut a tiny slit in the top to let my finger nail pop out. I totally give these Hot Glue Gun Helpers a "thumbs up!"

Cherub and horseshoe photo du jour

Good luck little angle!

And good luck to all ya'll readers in your crafting!

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a tutorial on how to fold an origami mosquito and enter to win a copy of the book Origami 101, how to treat a dog when its overheating, dehydrated and sunburned, some art from Gary Panter, and how to make your own crackers with a dehydrator.

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
Looking for a unique idea to display your handcrafted jewelry? Cindy's here to lend you a hand!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy looks ahead at the school year that is already filling her calendar with oodles of projects and commitments.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Did you love finger painting as a child? Here’s a – sort of – grown-up version you might enjoy.

Mixed Media Artist
Shrink plastic buttons? Yes!! Consider all the possibilities...

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Spooktacular crochet eyeball pattern!

About Family Crafts
Take a moment to read some crafty money saving tips and then take a few more to publish your own!

Aileen's Musings
This week Aileen offers you a fun Altered Cabinet card tutorial and freebie downloads stop by and get inspired to make some fall art!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has a new card featuring a sweet elephant!

How to crochet eyeballs with Debbie Stoller's Washable ewe yarn

One set of eyeballs says to the other,"________________".
I really don't know what they are saying to each other but they do make me laugh.
Is it crazy that I am giving my Halloween decoration eyeballs costumes now? Howdy partner!
If you like my latest set of eyeballs and want to make yourself a set grab a hook and yarn and get crocheting.

I used a size "I" hook and some of the new Stitch Nation by Debbie Stoller Washable Ewe Yarn.

This is the general pattern, I'm not really exact about my crochet and I purposefully made my eyeballs slightly different sizes so they would have a bit more personality.

Black yarn:
Chain 1 and then 7 single crochets in first loop. Slip stitch into first stitch.

Change color to iris color:
Single crochet 2 rounds increasing approximately every other stitch to create a dome shape.

Change color to white:
Single crochet for 2 rounds again increase approximately every 2 to 3 stitches.

1 round of single crochet with no increases or decreases.

Single crochet decreasing approximately every 5th stitch until you have a hole about the size of a marble.

Add stuffing and a marble or two.

Finish crocheting and stitch closed.

Read, Craft, Repeat Spooktastically!