31.12.10
Some New Year's Zen...and Then Some.
I'm not sure why it is that as we age, time flies faster and faster. This scientifically proven fact* seems to fly in the face of the ancient citizens living in my corner of Tennessee who have taken slow driving to a whole new level of frustrating. You'd think they'd be racing to keep up with the ever accelerating pace of the passage of time, but it appears that slowing waaaaaaaaaay down is a deeper form of denial.
"No, time is not going faster as I get older. See? It took me ten minutes to make that turn. Ten minutes! Take that, hourglass!"
It's just that Christmas seems to be here again before you can say Kris Kringle and I could swear it was just New Year's yesterday and the time keeps slipping into the future so rapidly and so inconsequentially it's positively baffling. Almost, but not quite as baffling as that run on sentence. One wonders, meaning this blogger wonders, exactly how to stay in the moment when the moment is so fleeting?
Ah, grasshopper, this is the question. Where is that Zen Master when you need him?
I have gained an ongodly amount of weight this year. Welcome to menopause, Madge. One can only hide behind so many drapey sweaters and large planters. It has been slowly coming on over the past two years, but this summer with the move and the stress and the excessive eating at restaurants...well SHAZAM. My ass is billboard worthy, and no, it's not worthy of putting on a billboard. It is however worthy of renting out as prime advertising space. It's Madge's Ass-o-gram. Got something you want to say? Let my posterior help you say it with attitude!
Call now, operators are standing by. So is a team of structural engineers who doubt these jeans are going to hold on much longer.
That's all I have to say about that. Suffice it to say, Madge is getting her smaller ass back this year. Operation Booty Shrink is about to take flight.
Besides I refuse to buy a larger size of jeans and I really like my clothing collection.
I'm a Leo, we are vain and silly creatures.
I usually have some profound advice to share on New Year's and I swear I would pull some out of the old kit bag, but I'm fresh out of profound. Here's all I've got and there ain't no more.
Life is short. People say that often and it's a trite little thought that actually rings true. Most of the things we think are important aren't even remotely real. The only thing that is real is love. The love you share with those around you and the love you allow others to share with you is real. Do go ahead and allow others to share it with you, even when you don't much feel the love. Think of it as a chain, now you be the next link and share it with someone else. See how that works? You can't be a link if you can't accept the love and pass it on.
That's a kind of profound little thought there, maybe you can mull it over with your New Year's champagne. You can't be a link if you can't accept the love and pass it on. If you just pass it on like it's a hot potato and don't allow it to wash over you and through you and make you feel that rush of being alive, you're not really living.
All of the things we do every day to feel important are for the most part illusions. It's the smallest gestures of kindness that matter. It's the moments we let go of our ego and our attachments and our concerns about the size of our asses in which we shine. Those moments seem to go far more slowly, have you noticed that?
So I raise my glass to you and wish you all of the joy you can stand and then some. You deserve it. And big ass or small, so do I.
Love
Madge
*Don't consult Lord Google, this is not a scientifically proven fact. I was just exaggerating for literary effect.
29.12.10
Mixed Media Redux: As Time Goes By Necklace

"You must remember this,
A kiss is just a kiss,
A sigh is just a sigh.
The fundamental things apply,
As time goes by."
As Time Goes By by Herman Hupfeld
This is one of my favorite mixed media jewelry projects from last year, just change the date, the sentiment is timeless!A sigh is just a sigh.
The fundamental things apply,
As time goes by."
As Time Goes By by Herman Hupfeld
Click here for instructions! Last I heard, Ornamentea got these fab faux watch fobs back in stock!
Is it just me, or did 2010 go by far too quickly! Blink of an eye, anyone?!
Love,
Madge
27.12.10
A Christmas Tale
Ah, the holidaze. So much preparation, so much futile racing around and around to make it all so perfectly perfect. So many hours spent pouring over the pristine pages of Martha Stewart Living magazine feeling woefully inadequate. We bake, we decorate, we thoughtfully purchase, we wrap every item with care...and then it's over in a blink of an eye, isn't it?
We had a turkey malfunction on Christmas Day. Well, let me rephrase that, K. Roger had the wrong directions on their turkey breast package. I should have followed my instincts, I knew there was a problem and yet I thought to myself, self, how can this possibly be wrong? Why would K. Roger want me to have an epic fail holiday dinner? I mean, what would be in that for them?
So I marched bravely forth into the fray with my Christmas spirit in tact and a goofy grin on my face, only to watch a full pot of boiled potatoes turn to glue while the turkey stubbornly took an entire hour longer than promised by said aforementioned faulty package to cook. The stuffing was...unfortunate. The broccoli met an untimely death. Were it not for the defiantly moist and delicious turkey and the amazingly unburnt Pillsbury crescent rolls, all hope would have been lost.
Thanks a lot, K Roger. Way to go.
We did, however, have a White Christmas, and that was a treat indeed. In fact, if Santa is listening, I'd like a White Christmas annually followed by a dearth of snow until the following year. Forever and ever amen.
Christmas has come and gone and now New Year's lurks around the corner. We hosted a family party every year for the past several, but we're too far away now. I've always felt New Year's was a holiday that came with far too much pressure to have fun. I'm afraid this year we'll be snoring in front of the TV covered with potato chip crumbs before the clock strikes midnight...
Another year bites the dust. Here's to a clean slate and to trusting our instincts. If it feels wrong, it probably is. That goes for turkey packages and major life choices. Oh and for the record, being fortunate enough to have a warm home in which to have a turkey malfunction for the holidays is a gift I treasure.
Love
Madge
25.12.10
22.12.10
ILoveToCreate Teen Crafts: Joyful Christmas Ornament

(Note from Mom: Avalon does it again! Love this sparkly glass ornament using Tulip Fashion glitter and Aleene's Tacky Glue Spray! Check out her latest teen craft project for ILoveToCreate. Am I proud? Does Santa like cookies?!
Uh, yes, yes he does.)
ILovetoCreate: Joyful Christmas Ornament
Avalon Potter
"Teen created, Mom approved."
I thought I would squeeze in one more holiday project because it is one of my favorite seasons. A few years ago my mom took a clear glass Christmas ornament and put crystals inside making a snow globe for your tree. It was one of my favorite projects she ever made, so I thought why not adapt her old project into something new! My project is a clear ornament that you spray wit Aleene's Tacky Spray Glue and coat the inside with Crafty Chica glitter! I enjoyed making these as gifts for my little cousins because it is fun, easy, and you can personalize each ball with different colors and tag to make it special for the person you give it to.
Materials
Clear ornament with opening top (preferably plastic in case of accident)
Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Spray
Tulip Fashion Glitter (green and red or colors of choice)
Colored paper to match glitter
White printer paper
Paper to make funnel
Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue Stick
Ribbon to match color of ball
Tools
Printer
Hole punch
Scissors
Instructions
1. Gather your materials.

2. Open up your ornament and lightly coat the inside with the Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Spray.
3. Make a funnel with a piece of paper and insert the bottom into the opening of the ball.
4. Pour a sufficient amount of the color(s) of glitter you choose into the ball. Feel free to mix colors or choose different colors then I used.

5. Close the ornaments top and shake until the ball is completely coated with sparkles. Shake the excess sparkles out of the ball.
6. Using a font you like print out in large letters the word or name you want as the tag. Use a similar color as the one you used in the ball. If you used two or more colors chose one for the font and another for the colored paper behind it.
7. Cut out the word and cut out your colored sheet of paper a slightly bigger into a rectangular card for the word to sit on.
8. Use your Aleene’s tacky glue stick to glue the word to the colored paper.
9. Punch a hole in the corner of the tag.
10. String some colored ribbon that matches the ball through the hole and tie a knot.
11. Tie onto the top of the ornament in a bow to complete the ornament.

20.12.10
Monday Tastylinks and Retrofabulous Redux!
"I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date. No time to say, "Hello, goodbye."
I'm late. I'm late. I'm late."
My sincere apologies to the White Rabbit.
Oh busy day, calloo callay!
Yes, I'm busy. So busy that I'm just now finally getting these dang links up. Dang the links, full speed ahead!
Don't ask. Sometimes there is no making sense of the drivel that flies from my fingertips.
Here's the link to the fabulous and fast last minute holiday jewelry project from last year in the photo above and here's what the Crafty Bloggers have in store for your craftertainment!
The Crochet Dude Drew once again dazzles with his themed Christmas wrapping!!
Mixed Media Artist Cyndi shows off some stenciled fabrics that she painted and foiled for future use!
Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter Join Madge as she shares her latest project for JTV's Jewel School on the blog and in a new video!
Eileen - The Artful Crafter Need a few more ornaments for the tree or some last minute gifts? The Artful Crafter shares 5 easy techniques for decorating clear glass ornament balls.
Cross Stitch at About.com Up for a challenge? Connie's Kaleidoscope Cross Stitch Patterns are just the thing. Stitch them in holiday colors or alter the selection to your favorite colors or even your school colors for a fun project.
Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy is making a list of crafting and non-crafting must-do's as she heads off for her holiday school break.
Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside there are two fabulous prize packages of Windham Fabrics Fat Quarter Stacks, Westcott Scissors and quilt books along with tutorials on how to sew a Roman Stripe Quilt, quick gift bag stockings made from socks, a stamped polymer clay journal with a dowel binding system, and a cute tiny pear pocket pattern.
Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi makes some Christmas themed magnetic present toppers.
Aileen's Musings Tags, Tags, Tags--Aileen has some ideas to inspire you to create your own altered Christmas tags using old Christmas cards and other embellishments you have left over.
About Family Crafts If you are looking for an almost instant Christmas gift or activity, check out these free, printable Christmas pages.
15.12.10
Andy Warhol Ornapendants
I'm usually pumping out Christmas crafts like a madwoman this time of year, but alas my new job has me so busy there hasn't been much time. Instead I'm going to share some projects from years past that I think are still pretty dang craftacular, if you ask me, which you didn't, but I'm just sayin'...
I think these Andy Warhol Ornapendants are one of my favorite projects ever. You can either wear these around your neck or hang them on your tree. Whatever floats your proverbial boat, my fine friend!
Rock on,
Madge
10.12.10
Holiday Sentiments Wire and Crystal Ornament Video Tutorial for Jewel School!

Okee dokee...take two! The video is playing now and all is well! Follow this link to see my latest video tutorial for JTV's Jewel School! I share a fab Artistic Wire and SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Holiday Sentiments ornament, see the Joy ornament above. This is really easy to customize using any words or names you like. You can use thicker wire or larger beads, whatever tickles your fancy, Fancy.
Until next time...craft on with your bad selves!
Cheers,
Madge
One of Those Kinda Weeks!
Well I've been having one of those weeks in which I have the opposite of The Midas Touch, if you catch my general drift. If not, please let me clarify, everything I touch this week seems to be turning to doody. I thought I was good at juggling, I did so much of it when I worked for myself. Yet, it's beginning to be clear to me that I need some practice. I think I may need to take a few classes at the local Circus college.
Seriously.
Either that or I really need an assistant! Maybe I need to talk to the folks in charge and see about that...
I had posted a link to my new Jewel School video earlier, but it's not loading. So stay tuned and I'll repost when it's fixed!
Yes, it really is that kind of a week!
Love
Madge
Seriously.
Either that or I really need an assistant! Maybe I need to talk to the folks in charge and see about that...
I had posted a link to my new Jewel School video earlier, but it's not loading. So stay tuned and I'll repost when it's fixed!
Yes, it really is that kind of a week!
Love
Madge
8.12.10
ILovetoCreate Teen Crafts: Blue Christmas Holiday Card
(Here's another fantastic teen craft project from the world's craftiest 12 year 0ld! Yup, I'm a proud mom.)This week I wanted to do something that is fun for the person to give and fun for a person to receive. So not only is it a gift for someone else, it's a little gift to you. I decided on a holiday greeting card. You can easily make many of them if you have a time crunch on gifts or you just want to make something simple but nice.
Materials
White Card Stock (or holiday colored)
Blue Card Stock
Tulip Dimensional Fabric Glitter in Crystal Icicle
Foam Dimensional Stickers
Tulip Fashion Graffiti Big Phat Black marker
Large Snowflake Stamp
Aleene's Acid Free Tacky Glue Stick
Tools
Scissors
Paper Cutter
Tulip Sponge Pouncer
1. Cut your white card stock into an 11.5"x5.75" rectangle.
2. Use your marker to color the entire stamp and press down firmly in the middle of the card stock.
3. Re-apply the marker to the stamp two more times and stamp half of the stamp on the card stock in the upper right hand corner and again in the lower left hand corner.
4. Repeat step two on your blue card stock making two snowflakes. Cut the snowflakes to fit in the two empty corners.
5. Put a few dimensional stickers on the bottom of the stamped blue snowflakes and attach them to the two empty corners.
6. Once the ink has dried, take the tulip silver sparkle paint and apply to the blue snowflakes and to the snowflakes on the white card stock.
7. Put a personal message inside of the card by printing it out on the computer, cutting it out to the size and shape you like, and applying to the card using Aleene's Tacky glue stick.
5.12.10
Plum Tuckered TastyLinks!

Madge is plum tuckered. Seriously folks. My Ho has lost it's Ho Ho.
If you see it, please direct it to the Smoky Mountains.
Did you know that I have a huge collection of Christmas Crafts you can access from this little ol' blog 'o mine? Well I do...and you can! I've shared one of them above from last year's Retrofabulous Craftabration! Follow the link for instructions!
Here's what the crafty bloggers have whipped up for your craftertainment:
Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how to make recycled sweater and zipper Christmas trees (or hats)
Mixed Media Artist
The Bead Journal Project is starting up again for its fourth year! Registration ends soon...
Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares a Pink Ribbon Necklace project she created live on Jewel School at Jewelry Television!
Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Calling clay and gourd crafters: do you have any suggestions to help Kathy with a cracking problem on her wonderful her clay Santas?
Crafty Princess Diaries
Ta da! The 10 inch squares crocheted baby afghan is done!
Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there are tutorials on how to make a pop up gift card holding greeting card, a Steampunk style mixed media bracelet, tips on creating art everyday, and a bunch of cute pastry decorating ideas.
Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi downloads a cute Christmas graphic to make this fabric ornament.
Aileen's Musings
Check out part 2 of Aileen's Pomegranate Liquor and download a freebie background while your at it.
About Family Crafts
If you are in search of a special gift for a crafter or a wannabe crafter, check this collection of ideas and resources.
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