justBeConnected

***Call for Contributers***

Although I have loved reading about all the Creative Bloggers who shared their stories at justBeConnected this first half of 2008, I feel it is time for a change!

July 1st marks the second half of 2008 and with it I hope to implement a new format.

Our Creative Bloggy World is HUGE! As much as I enjoy Connecting with Creative Bloggers I don't spend much time as I use to browsing blogs, but I would still like to know what is going on in our Creative Blogging Community.

Wouldn't it be just great if we had regular contributers at justBeConnected to share about what is happening in our Creative Blogging Community?

I was thinking how wonderful it would be if...

• once a week or so a Creative Blogger published a post about what is happening on Creative Challenge blogs. Like what the topic is for a bunch of different Creative Challenge Blogs that week and maybe share some links to great posts associated with those challenge blogs like SPC or Sunday Scribblings or Wishcasting or...

• once a week or so another Creative Blogger published a post about what needs are out there in the community ~ like what blog sponsored charities need help or donations...kind of a Community Activist Blogger.

• once a week or so another Creative Blogger published a post about what blog posts moved them that week. I love when my favorite bloggers link to stories that inspired them.

• once a week or so another Creative Blogger published a post about what images moved them for the week or what video or podcast.

You get the idea!

I am extremely open to any suggestions you have about being a regular contributer.

I will still post periodically about anything I know is happening in the bloggy world and I will still host a Seasonal Random Re-Gift Swap {Sign ups for the Summer Random Re-Gift Swap will be in a post next Sunday May 25th at justBeConnected}. and of course I will still be adding blogs to our ever growing Creative Blogger list ~ I love getting your emails asking to be added to the list!

If you are interested in contributing to justBeConnected email me!

I would love to hear from you!

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm!!!

XO ~ Melba

Crown Making Class – Part 4

Crown Making Class – Part 4

MATERIALS

Glue gun, glue sticks

Embellishments:

Flowers and leaves

Monograms

Metallic trims

Metallic cords

Sequins

Ribbons

Yesterday you learned how to make paper pleats which add so much interest to a design. Today you will learn how to design a mini flower bouquet for your crown.

In regards to embellishments, you can use as much as you can. I used millinery forget me not flowers as I wanted a crown for the spring. And I named it “Vintage Garden Crown”. Most students made paper pleats and also decorated with flowers. In this particular design {which I made for my class at Tinsel Trading} I chose light pink, bright pink white and light blue flowers. And for the focal point a big flower surrounded by velvet leaves.

Let’s make this bouquet with your materials

The first thing you need to do is select your flowers and greenery, your leaves.

Lightly cut and shorten some stems. You will build a mini bouquet and then will transfer it to the crown. It’s important to work on a surface and get a nice composition before you glue it to the crown. Place leaves as a background, combining two different colours for more depth. Then start filling with small flowers in different lengths until they take the shape of a bouquet.  Just like in this photo. I would say you will achieve a “fan” shape. It’s all about balance and you will design your very own bouquet probably quite different than this one.

Then place the big flower or two if you have a smaller one as well on the very front and your bouquet is finished! All you need to do now is to make two holes on the side of the crown about 2’’ from the bottom with the hole punch.

If you love sequins as much as I do, you can use a few and glue {with the glue gun, just a tiny drop of glue} them where papers meet. Form a line, a design.

Cut your ribbons long as the look more elegant and use two different colours as ties.

And your crown will be finished! Just tie it and place it on a table. Admire your creation.

Wear it or give it to someone who deserves to be crowned.

Thank you so much for joining me on the Crown Making Class.

Gabriela Delworth

Visit my blog.

Email me

Crown Making Class – Part 3 - Embellishments

Crown Making Class – Part 3 - Embellishments

MATERIALS

Glue gun, glue sticks

Embellishments:

Flowers and leaves

Monograms

Metallic trims

Metallic cords

Sequins

Ribbons

Lace

This is probably the most fun part of the Crown Making Class. You will now decorate and style your crown using embellishments.

PAPER PLEAT: I am going to teach you how to make a paper pleat wheel. You need to cut a strip of paper {handmade paper is the best to use for this as it’s flexible} about 2’’1/2 and start forming an accordion {each fold is about a little more than a ¼”}. Form the wheel and to secure it together in the center, add a few glue drops with your glue gun.

TIP: You can also “cheat” and make two half wheels and then glue them together.

To give them more dimension “dust” the edges with glitter. And add using stampings or flowers.

*Tomorrow you will learn how to assemble and glue a mini flower bouquet like the one on my “Vintage Garden Crown”.

 

Crown Making Class - Part 2 - Glittering

Crown Making Class – Part 2

MATERIALS: White glue {tacky glue even better if you have it at hand} An old brush {thin} A spoon to “dust” the glitter Glitter {flakes or German glitter – your colour choice, I do use gold and silver}.

Do you know where glitter is coming from or how is it made? Read more...

Now your decorative papers should have dried already. But before going any further, you will need to finish the back of the crown. Use the same papers or choose some that match your colour theme. While they are drying, you could start adding some glitter to the other side. And you will start “glittering” {one of the most important verbs in the Craft Language} the edges, all around it.

TIP: The best way to glitter is to assign a box {if plastic with a cover even better} for this. You will save your surfaces, clothes and floors from unwanted sparks!

To glitter, you will need a spoon; any kind would do the job. And “dust” the edges of the crown. I was actually using a plastic spoon in this photo and it was silver German glitter. While you are waiting for the glue and glitter to dry, you can start gathering your embellishments. What do you have? Ribbon, millinery, silk, velvet flowers, leaves, metallic trims, cords…What would be the style of your crown? Would it be a crown for a Tea Party? Perhaps a crown for a Garden Party? There are so many options to choose from.

*The key to a beautiful composition is to balance and combine colours and textures. Tomorrow you will design your crown’s focal point and sides.

I will see you then.

Should you have any questions or if you want my crown kits, please email me.

Or visit my blog for more information.

Visit my Paper Crown Queen's Blog and read about crowns in history.

Crown Making with Gabriela Delworth

 

Crown Making Class – Part 1

What is it about wearing a crown that feels so good? Crowns haven been worn throughout history for the longest time and they are a symbol of victory, achievement, power and royalty. I believe that there is always a reason to crown someone.

Do you know the names of medieval crown types? Here they are:

CIRCLET

CONSORT CROWN

CORONATION CROWN

CORONET

IMPERIAL CROWN

IMPERIAL STATE CROWN

PAPAL TIARA

STATE CROWN

DIADEM

You can read more about it on my blog.

This is the "Her Majesty Crown" template that you will be using to cut your crown.

It measures 13" X 13" and you would need to print it 8 ½ X 14 legal document to be able to fit the whole template on a sheet of paper.

Once your template is cut, you will then start combining your decorative papers for your layout design. You would want your papers to "blend" together into your crown design. High contrast of colours and prints work beautifully. Use scrap papers!

TIPS: Gather your papers and think about what predominant colour you would like to see on your crown. Also have a look at prints and texture. You will then cut and glue them to the crown template using a glue stick {ideally you should use white glue, but glue sticks dry much faster}. And place a few books on top to flatten the surface.

It should be dried in a few hours.

Here are some photos of the crown designs I made for my Crown Making Class in NY:

{And then please, place the fotos of my crown details}

Hope all is wonderful with you.

Warm regards,

Gabriela Delworth
Graphic Designer - Instructor - Crafts Designer
Visit my Blog: http://gabrieladelworthclasses.blogspot.com/
Email: gabriela.delworth@gmail.com

"HER MAJESTY CROWN" TEMPLATE

MATERIALS

glue sticks

glue gun and glue sticks

decorative papers such as scrapbooking, gift wrapping, vintage wall papers

glitter {gel glitter, flakes or German glitter}

flowers {plastic, silk, paper or millinery}

hole punch

scissors {two sizes, you will also need a small one to cut around template}

New crafty places to visit

Just a quick post now to fill you in on some of my favourite crafters. I hope you've all heard of Craftster the ultimate community for crafters looking to show off their wokr and receive tips. If not run, run as fast as you can to join up there where themed challenges are often occuring and everyone is really friendly.

Now a quick run down of some of my favourite crafters (again all women sorry chaps). Able Mable is always full of craft creating stories from a woman who runs a house, a business and a blog as well as helping her mother out with her craft enterprise. There are lots of signs, purses and light switch cover pictures but the best thing about the blog is the energetic voice behind it.

A coule of artists now for thos eof you who like to draw and paint. Both Razorberries and pkillustrations have their own styles (so different I think you'll agree) and both where really friendly whenever I contacted them. I think one of my favourite things about Etsy and craft communities is that you get to see new, surprising artists that you would never usually be able to find.

Weirdbuglady who I absolutely could not love more has a great blog. She makes large insect and animal soft sculptures and is an Applied Zoology student so she always has something interesting to say. At the moment she's busy making the most of summer and if you want confirmation that there is no bounds to her creativity I should pop on over now to see what she's made. She really shows that beauty can be found in every aspect of our earth.

Obviously I'm not going to leave you without showing off my wares a little bit. My Etsy shop is in full flourish mode at the moment and I'd love to know what you think of my creations.

It will be my final post soon and I just wanted to say how much fun I've had being a hostess here. I hope you've enjoyed my chattering (in real life I'm more of a listener so blogging is kind of a nice way to get my thoughts out in the world). The challenge is coming up next and I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with :)

Feminista, Fashionista, Crafty Diva - Can they all co-exist?

{Hi it is Jodie again.} As you may have guessed from my all female blog line up I get along best with women. I don't really know why, I have some theories as to why I don't get on as well with men but I don't think it's a massive loss that my best friends are all made up of women. I like my gender and I want to be involved in its community. I'm also very excited about feminist theory, especially history (as it was my degree subject) and literary criticism. I think every section of the female community should be able to respect the opinions expressed by different groups but many people think that this isn't possible. Not only do they think it isn't possible they positively delight in creating ructions among the gals. If they're not pushing some celebrity rivallry on the poor wippets then they're explaining why it's unattractive to be a feminist, influencing girls who haven't yet formed a coherent opinion to mock and revile their sisters. So what do you think, is there room in the world for feminists and fashionistas, craft girls and catwalk worshippers? Do we even need to seperate them into these categories? Couldn't a feminist be fashionable, a straight girl be strong and business like? And do we need to seperate feminism into nationality or race with women in countries where equal rights aren't available left to liberate themselves or should western women be helping? I'd like to hear what women and men are thinking about feminism in general whether it be history, art, politics or fashion. If anyone wants to rant about how women are marketed and sold products in an inferior way you'll find me jumping on the band wagon waving a big banner with the name of a razor company in pink. Feel free to disagree though, we'd all grow bored without debate.

Bookaholic Linky Love

{Hi it is Jodie again.} Phew finally the jet setting life is over. During the last month I've been to Kenya, Italy, Southampton and Leicester which has been a blast (except for that last one as manning a booth at a work convention is not anyones idea of fun). Anyway it's now bank holiday weekend and I'm determined to cram in as much bookishness as possible (carefully scheduled around drinking plans tonight for a friends birthday). See I'm a definite book lover at heart. You know how some people complain about working but say if you took away their job they simply wouldn't know what to do with their time I just can't understand why those people don't take up reading or sport, painting or gardening. Everyone needs a hobbie that consumes them, something that makes them value their free time and guard it even a little jealously at times.

Reading and crafting tie up nicely for my top hobbie spot and these are where most of my linky lovely links will be coming from. I think the reason I like blogs about books so much is because it's like reading the bookish conversations that you wish you could have in real life.

I write a column about Britlit at an literary ezine called Estella's Revenge . It's run by some very motivated ladies called Andi and Heather and all the different projects they're involved in have me in worshiping in awe. If you'd like to know the true extent of Andi's productivity you can read about it at Tripping Towards Lucidity where you'll be inspired (or shamed) into getting up and doing something.

Another great ezine for women is Della Donna concerned with women's stories, writing and art it's a great mash of life affirming content, with room for everyone's views.

Bookslut is quite possibly the best online book magazine available. Its outrageous, it's intellectual and it has a poetry section! Also the accompanying blog is one of the most gloriously snarky things in the world.

Now we move on to my favourites among the massive crop of book blogs out there. My top blogs are all written by women although there are some very literary fellows out there in internet land. These ladies words should be the ultimate inspiration to trot over to your bookcase, pick up a classy book and let the authors transport you into their story.

Eve's Alexandria is written by five great friends who love books to the extreme (you should see the Christmas bookpile from last year) and who express their opinions on a range of books thoughtfully and with great intelligence. Their posts are nice and long too so you can indulge your book loving just a bit more.

Illiana at Bookgirl's Nightstand, Danielle at A Work in Progress are both crafters as well as readers. Illiana makes journals and is interested in papercraft while Danielle likes needlework. Also Bookshelves of Doom, which focuses on the best in YA fiction has its own book related Etsy shop.

Ok so I could go on and on about great book blogs so just three more before we move on to the crafty portion of the linkiness. So Many Books how can you resist the lady training to be a librarian? Classical Bookworm is an amazement to me, a woman schooling herself through the classical education she never had. This involves learning Latin and reading original Greek and Roman classics.

I do lift weights regularly but that really feels more like a task I need to complete than a fun hobbie, although I know for some people exercise is a joy I just can't get into that mindset. Dorothy at Of Books and Bicycles is the kind of woman who makes you wake up at eight in the morning to try to sort out your fitness regime. If you're like me you'll soon be on the sofa with your laptop and some popcorn reading about her racing exploits but at least you tried.

I hope you've enjoyed this new slant on linking into the love and the next post will be all about crafty links I love, full of sellers who inspire me with their original take on life. Oh and I'm always looking for new book recommendations!

Blogging - Fighting the power of beige

Hurray I'be been looking forward to being a hostess here for ages, this is such a great little community and such a well designed one, seriously styling.

Hiya I'm Jodie, a 23 UK based craftaholic currently masquerading as a marketing assistant for a small firm (for top secret non dull reasons don't you know). I have an original form blog at Blogger where I try to explain to everyone just how many amazing and diverse handmade products there are out there. The blog is tied into my etsy shop and is called Pretty Little Love Objects because that's what I try to create, love tokens in the form of jewellery or paper products that bring a person joy when they receive them. I think everyone shoudl have a multitude of love objects in their life, whether in the form of a journal, a pendant or a wooden sculpture, something that they adore and want to caress and carry with them, something that makes them feel loved just by looking at it.

The large corporations have spent valuable marketing money trying to convince us that not only are they the best option but that they are the only option. Now all good crafters know there is a whole world of quality handmade goods in pretty much every country and countless shop communities on the web but Ms non crafty doesn't necessarily understand this and the chain stores aren't exactly going to bring it to her attention. Sadly although we'd all like to believe that companies care about us (and they certainly spend enough money making cuddly warm adverts to try to convince that they do) they just want to make as much money with as little fuss as possible.

Buying handmade is such an amazing awakening for consumers who have never done it before. Suddenly they relaise that they don't have to walk around in the same skirt all their friends have in a different colour there are other fashiontastic worlds out there and people are making items they will simply have to have right now. Buying handmade is an exclusive experience like dropping into Camden market or a designer store full of one offs but the great thing is that anyone can get the amazing things they desire at an affordable price. People can talk to the designers and to a certain extent verify how well made items will be. When they begin to relise that they can also get custom work that translates their vague imaginings into a masterfully made dress or necklace they're ready to tell the big brands where to go.

So I'm inspired to blog by the fantastic array or crafters and products that are available. I have a pretty good eye for discovering things. I was using Badger Balm when it was just a small unnoticed line in Boots and I pre-empted the current UK love of Modest Mouse. I like to flatter myself that I have a bit of an eye and it thrills me to find fabulous unique items to display at my blog. I also love making crafty connections with sellers out there. I just took part in a swap here and it was great to connect with a fun individual and find out lots of things about them.

That's it for now, I'll be popping back a few times this week and I hope to see lots of fun people pop up in the comments and to keep you all entertained.

Connecting our Community

Happy Sunday!

So many wonderful Launches that I have came across this week~

My lovely friend Mindy launched her WishStudio BlogZine. I especially Love the wish manifesto. If you are interested in submitting a piece you can email the wish studio at wishstudio@comcast.net.

The very talented Christine Mason Miller of Swirly Girl and Sparkletopia announced you can pre-order her limited addition book Ordinary Sparkling Moments. The pages you can pre-view are so beautiful and inspiring!

Kara ~ Mother Henna always has alot of exciting projects going on. Check out her most recent post where she is hosting a raffle for Bloggers helping Jeni.

and...

You tell me. What fabulous news do you want to share about yourself or another Creative Blogger?

Leave a comment here or email me and I will include it in my next Connecting our Community post.

Sometimes our hostesses go MIA but I assure you starting Monday the wonderful Jodi has a week worth of posts ready for you!

If you would like to be a hostess email me. Thank you!

Have a great week! XO, Melba

Be a Spark available Here.

Connecting our Community

Hi!  Since there is such a plethora of inspiration in the archives that whenever someone new stumbles upon justBeConnected (or someone visits after a long absence) I get such awesome feedback. So Thank you! You Rock!

I love getting your emails!

and Thanks for your continued support despite the fact that posting has been a bit sporadic lately.

Here are some great links I want to share:

My friend and co-active coach Jamie Ridler introduced Starshyne Tarot recently. I was fortunate enough to have my tarot cards read in person by Jamie. An enlightening experience! You should give it a try!

I bought this awesome book by Artist and Creative Blogger Andrea Edwards. Her book is full of original poems and paintings that really resonate with me.The quality of the book blew me away. You all have got to check out Blurb where she published her book.

If you have anything you want to share please email me!

I have had the BEST time sharing with other Creative Bloggers through the Random Re-Gift Swap. I will definitely be hosting a Summer Random Re-Gift Swap. Check back for details coming soon!

Have a great week!

XO, Melba

I am glad and grateful for all of you!

available here.

What Inspires Me...

Hi ya'll!

I am so EXCITED because they finally fixed my internet connection today!  YAY!  It feels like Christmas for me... silly, right?

I thought for my last post as hostess, I'd answer a question I actually posed on my blog last week.  Normally, Fridays are "Inspiration Friday" over at A Beautiful Abode and I post photos or links of things that capture my imagination or inspire me.  Last week I was lucky enough to interview the authors of a great new book, Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design.  Carrie and Danielle were gracious enough to offer a signed copy of the book as a giveaway to A Beautiful Abode readers; anyone could enter, I only asked that they leave a comment or create a post that answers the question "What inspires me?" 

Of course I can't enter my own giveaway!  But I'm going to answer that question here anyway because it gives me a chance to share links with ya'll of blogs and sites that really brighten my day.  So on to the inspiration!

One of my absolutely favorite design blogs is The Inspired Room.  Melissa is a professional interior decorator, and she's so very talented at creating rooms that are comfy, cozy, and beautiful.  Her blog is just so pretty and always chock full of inspirational ideas.  And she's completely the sweetest woman to boot.  Which is why you should definitely go visit her!

Another design blog I love is Sanctuary Arts at Home by my friend Jen.  Jen is an AMAZING artist who transforms old, worn furniture into gorgeous pieces of art.  I met her while looking for a person to interview for my blog and we just instantly hit it off.  I tell her I'm her biggest fan and I was thrilled when she was offered the opportunity to host a local entertainment show in her hometown.  One day you'll see her EVERY where, I just know it!  If you're in the Illinois area, you gotta check out her work in person-- she's got the best prices too.

Another person I fell in LOVE with immediately upon "meeting," who also happens to be my design twin on the other side of the country, is Courtney of Nesting Instincts.  Courtney is a professional redesigner who has the best taste!  (Well, of course I'm biased, since we share a similar design aesthetic... but still, her taste is fabulous, I'm telling ya!)  She has such a great eye; seeing the before and afters of her redesigns is what gave me the desire to try my hand at redesigning my downstairs.

Yes, I am a LITTLE obsessed with design.  But not ONLY.  I also love book arts.  I can spend hours (and have) visiting the various artists members of the International Society of Altered Book Artists.   Right now my favorites include Joy Bathie, Emma Powell, and Carol Macht.   Oh, and I CAN NOT forget a book artist that I just discovered late last week - who also, amazingly enough, just discovered my blog too -  iHanne of the blog Heavan & Earth.

I'm always finding inspiring images just by browsing Flickr and, not to toot my own horn too much, if I'm having a really bad day, I often go back and browse all of the "In the Trenches" interviews I have archived at A Beautiful Abode.  It makes me so happy to review all the great budget decorating tips I've had a chance to learn and share with my readers from this group of amazing real life decorators.  Even though I worry sometimes that the interviews will grow stale, each new person I stumble across shares a different perspective that inspires me just that much more.  Which keeps me on the hunt for even more real life decorators  to feature.  (That's my ultimate favorite part of blogging... sharing the incredible talent I run across with my readers!)

Finally, a great source of inspiration for me lately have been the ezines that Erin of Design for Mankind has been publishing each month.  I CAN NOT find the words to tell you how fantastic her ezines are.  She has them to download for free each month, but if she started charging for them, I would happily pay for them.  The most recent issue is exceptional and my favorite so far, so you really should go download it!

Whew!  I think that's plenty for now.  At least enough to keep you busy through the weekend!  : ) 

Thanks for letting me share myself and my creative passions with ya'll!  And thank you to everyone who has sent me well wishes and kind thoughts.  I am going through a tough time right now and every good vibe is definitely appreciated!  That's one more reason that I love the blogging world... I've had the opportunity to meet the best people in the world, people that I would never have had the chance to meet any other way and every day I look forward to meeting more.  Blogging helps me to remember that no matter what, the world IS a good place.  And there's no better inspiration than that!

Happy weekend!

Shauntelle

Come Play with Me!

Hi ya'll!
I'm still posting from my cell phone! :( It's been a hard week, mostly cutoff from the web. I'm a stay at home mom with a workaholic husband... The net is my connection to the world, my sanity keeper, and, since I started A Beautiful Abode, a way to express MY passion... You know, that thing that belongs to me outside of my responsibilities to my family. The net also offers me solace in times of stress- and this week has been full of that as my husband and I determine if our marriage has a future. Definitely a bad week to be internetless.

And that's why I'm inviting you to come play with me! Today is the perfect day to play too. The sun is shining, the sky is bluer than blue, and the pollen count is low. Plus play doesn't cost a thing! (You know I'm all over low-to-no cost activities!)

So let's play! I'm 34 years old (practically -just two weeks away!) and I'm gonna learn how to turn a cartwheel today if it kills me. My digital camera is charged and ready to go. After I turn a cartwheel or three, the kids and I are going on a digital scavenger hunt. I'm fascinated by color, texture, and juxtiposition so that's what we're looking for. And if I'm not too worn out after we get back from our walk, I have plans to play with paint.

Yeah, I know play won't fix the internet, find me a job, or save my marriage. But it will give me a mental break and an attitude adjustment. Like a little positive energy booster shot! Which is why I have to create- write, color, knit, sew, paint, or photograph-in the first place. Just my way of shining some light into the darkness.

Won't you join me? I'll come back and post a link to our photos once I can upload them to flickr. I'd love it if ya'll would share your play day results in the comments too!

Happy playing!

Shauntelle

My Story

Hello there!

My name is Shauntelle and
I'm your blogging hostess this week. I had all these plans to make pretty posts in keeping with the fact I have a blog devoted to interior decorating, but my network disagreed with me and decided to break down. So my posts are coming from my Blackberry instead...

I know we just met, but may I ask a favor? Imagine I've just greeted you with a big plate of goodies, ok? Brownies, baby cheesecake, and these great tarts I bought at Trader Joe's. And there's homemade lemonade and sweet tea. All for you, so help yourselves, alright? :)

I love to feed people! If I didn't blog about decorating, I'd blog about food. But there are so many good food blogs out there already...that's why I started A Beautiful Abode. See until a couple of years ago, I wanted a pretty home but I thought I couldn't make that dream a reality until we had more money.

So I was trying to make due with hand-me-downs that were so awful, the junkman didn't want them! My living room looked like the landfill threw up. And it made me so depressed! Especially after I turned 30.

One day I had an epiphany- as a one income family of five, our income was always gonna be stretched tight. If I wanted to have an attractive home that I felt good about I'd have to get creative. And that's what I did!

My home has come along way since then and I'm really proud of myself. Along the way, I've developed a passion for design- especially budget decorating. I believe that feeling good about your environment positively influences your life and I began A Beautiful Abode to share inspiration, tips, projects, and resources with others who might be longing for a beautiful home but think they can't achieve it because of their tight budgets.

Beautiful is only three months old, but I get so much satisfaction from the great response it's received-over 10,000 visitors as of last week! If you're interested in design I hope you'll stop by sometime...

'Til next time!

Shauntelle

Connecting our Community

Don't you just LOVE justBeConnected's new  banner by made by Hanna!?!

I DO!

I was very excited when the VERY talented author and artist Hanna Anderson emailed me her creation after I wrote about wanting a new banner for justBeConnected.

Thank you Hanna!

Have you seen this article on Etsy? I posted about it on my blog the other day. I am kind of surprised more Etsians have not gotten behind this project started by the Crafty Chica.

All you have to do is pledge that you you will donate the proceeds from the sale of your designated item to idol gives back ~ all the money you donate will go to charity.

Here is my contribution

"Again" available Here.

More contributions available Here

I would love to see yours!

If you have anything you want to share with your fellow Creative Bloggers please leave a comment here or email me and I will spread the word in a future Sunday; Connecting our Community post.

Email me if you want to be a guest hostess.

Have a wonderful week!

XO, Melba

{If you want to be added to our list of Creative Bloggers email me~ melbamcmullin@comcast.net.}

You have a voice we want to hear at justBeConnected; Please Share Yourself!

all is well

Hi~  Melba here for my last day of hostessing, but I will be back most Sundays posting about happenings in our Creative Blogger Community.

I am part of a tele group called Circe's Circle*** led by the fabulous co-active coach Jamie Ridler. Each week we give ourselves, with the help of the group, homework. My homework this week was inspired by my Circe's sister Jessie. Recently Jessie posted on her blog about her dream studio space. I know from experience that when we ask the universe for what we want, the universe delivers. Everytime. My homework was to write a wish list for my dream home.

Although we have lived in our home for 7 years we still have not fixed or changed many of the things we thought we would when we bought it. Right now there are some things about our home that are not meeting our needs or my desires, but before we do anything drastic we must first figure out what we do need and desire. I realized after the call that this homework needed to be something I share with my husband. I want us to co-create our ideal home. Sean is not really a "wish list" and "vision board" kind of guy.

and then a chain of events happened that kind of helped, but also put my homework on hold...

About a month ago our power went out. I remember it was a Monday and I was excited that I would have my Circe's Circle call that night. Feeling inspired I decided to hang all my art on the wall of my studio (aka our living room). My children were delighted to help me and were very encouraging. Six hours later when the power finally went back on our television seemed a bit off. The voice would come on and a few minutes later the picture would show up. Eventually the picture disappeared all together. For a few days my husband researched what could be wrong and tried to fix our seven year old television himself. What fun it was moving our 170 pound TV into my studio so he could take it apart!

He couldn't fix it.

I don't really care about the size or kind of television we own, and although my husband doesn't watch much television other than sports, he does care. For about a year Sean has been researching televisions telling me that we would soon need to upgrade to an HDTV. Usually it takes him a long time to make a purchasing decision so I was surprised when he said he wanted to buy a high definition flat screen television he found a great deal on. I encouraged Sean to buy it because he works very hard to support us all rarely spends money on something he really wants. Our Big TV was delivered this week and as Sean had warned me it did not fit into our existing armoire. Now we have to buy or make something to house this new television and it's components.

This open a whole series of discussions...

I am always doing more than one thing at a time, but this week I was suddenly forced to just sit and talk to my husband. Just sit. Not drive and talk or eat and talk or shop and talk (although we did all of those things) We just sat in the family room and then in the living room and talked and day dreamed and it was really wonderful. Eventually we will make a wish list of all we want in our home, but for now our focus is on creating a space for the kids to play, a space to watch TV as a family or with guests, a space just for the kids to watch TV, a space for my studio, a space for the computer, and many spaces for storage...all within the family room and the living room that is separated by a wall and the kitchen. In the next few weeks (I wish it would only take a few days, but I am being realistic here as rooms are difficult to rearrange with two children about) furniture will be moved, things will be given away, stuff will be thrown out, stuff will be purchased or made and needless to say I won't have my homework done by Monday ~ our last Circe's Circle :( ~ but in the end all will be well!

I encourage you to make a wish list for something you want in your life.

Please share here in the comments or on your own blog.

Normally I would go crazy with our house in disarray~ Instead I have been embracing the messiness of life. When I clean and organize I often think about titles of books...the books I would like to read or write.

This week mine would be

What would be the title of the book that would describe your life right now? either one you would want to read or write.

Please share here in the comments or on your own blog.

Hope this weekend is Full of Goodness for You!!!

 

***Jamie is getting ready to lead a new Circe's Circle group. All the information is here. If you have any questions about what the group was like from a participants perspective you can email me. I would be happy to share with you all the details of why I would recommend joining Circe's Circle.***

Blogging Moments

Hi! It is Melba again ~ When I sat down to write this post of "linky love" I kept thinking about the blogging events that have been the biggest catalysts.There have been many "Big Moments" for me. Here are three events/links that I want to share...

What intrigued me the most when I started blogging was the creative challenge blogs ~ specifically Illustration Friday and Self Portrait Tuesday (now called Self Portrait Challenge)

Those two sites not only inspired me to create, but the participants left comments on my posts and encouraged me to leave comments on theirs.

Comments opened a Whole New World to me!

About six months into blogging my Life Transformed when I participated in Leah's Blogging The Artist Way Group. Reading the book was ok, but completing the exercises, readings Leah's posts, and connecting with other Creative Bloggers was what made the experience fantastic. Many of my blogging friendships formed over that group ~ friendships that still continue today. (I tried to find a list of who participated in the original Blogging The Artist Way group but I couldn't ~it has been over 2 years, but if anyone has a link to a list of participants please share it~ thank you!)

I haven't been participating in creative challenges as much as I did in the past. Now I create and write more based on my mood than a prompt. I list my favorite Community Blogs on the sidebar and my personal Links I Love (this moment) page.

I would love for you to share...

What Blogging Moment has had the Greatest Impact on You?

What are your favorite Community Blogs...either as a lurker or participant?

I read my first two months of posts which consisted mostly of SPC and IF contributions.

It took me 3 weeks to show my face for SPC.

September 14, 2005

September 20th, 2005

 

September 28th, 2005

Here are a few of my first contributions to Illustration Friday...

September 4th, 2005

September 12th, 2005

September 17th, 2005

Hi! It is Melba again ~ When I sat down to write this post of "linky love" I kept thinking about the blogging events that have been the biggest catalysts.There have been many "Big Moments" for me. Here are three events/links that I want to share...

What intrigued me the most when I started blogging was the creative challenge blogs ~ specifically Illustration Friday and Self Portrait Tuesday (now called Self Portrait Challenge)

Those two sites not only inspired me to create, but the participants left comments on my posts and encouraged me to leave comments on theirs.

Comments opened a Whole New World to me!

About six months into blogging my Life Transformed when I participated in Leah's Blogging The Artist Way Group. Reading the book was ok, but completing the exercises, readings Leah's posts, and connecting with other Creative Bloggers was what made the experience fantastic. Many of my blogging friendships formed over that group ~ friendships that still continue today. (I tried to find a list of who participated in the original Blogging The Artist Way group but I couldn't ~it has been over 2 years, but if anyone has a link to a list of participants please share it~ thank you!)

I haven't been participating in creative challenges as much as I did in the past. Now I create and write more based on my mood than a prompt. I list my favorite Community Blogs on the sidebar and my personal Links I Love (this moment) page.

I would love for you to share...

What Blogging Moment has had the Greatest Impact on You?

What are your favorite Community Blogs...either as a lurker or participant?

I read my first two months of posts which consisted mostly of SPC and IF contributions.

It took me 3 weeks to show my face for SPC.

September 14, 2005

September 20th, 2005

 

September 28th, 2005

Here are a few of my first contributions to Illustration Friday...

September 4th, 2005

September 12th, 2005

September 17th, 2005

My Blogging Story; Share Yours~

I haven't been a hostess this year because I thought there might be a week where a Scheduled Hostess would be unable to post and I could fill in for them. This is the week~ Now I get to be a hostess!

  After Maggie was born in the spring of 2004 I was searching for a way to express myself creatively. I was feeling isolated and stifled as a stay at home Mama of two children under two. (Ethan was born in the fall of 2002). As always I had my journals and books to keep me company, but I needed more. My usual trips to the self-help/metaphysical section of the bookstore failed to help me find the comfort in pages that I had so often been content with in the past. I wanted to connect with someone who understood and could validate my feelings of love and longing.

I began reading my old journals. I decided to create a visual book out of copies of my old journals, papers I bought from the local craft store, and scraps from my past I had collected over the years. The result was a 100 page mixed media memoir called Be Alive Believe Be You based on a poem I wrote about my life experience. (you can read a few pages here.)

I thought if I could publish my book either on the web or in a more traditional way I would finally get to connect with all my sisters I felt were calling out to me.  In the summer of 2005 my search began for how to publish a book. Every article I read said how it was important to have your own web site. I knew nothing about web sites or code or domain names. When researching host sites I came across information about a blog ~ an online journal. This seemed like a great idea to me and looked much more natural than the static web page that I saw created by many authors.

I chose TypePad because I liked that you could have a custom banner and look of your blog without knowing any code. After 6 months I upgraded to TypePad Pro because I wanted to have more than one blog. I purchased the domain name Be Alive Believe Be You and then mapped that name to my TypePad account. I used a different domain hosting company at first, but their service was horrible so I switched to GoDaddy.  My 5 domains are all with GoDaddy. They have very good customer service. I was intimidated at first by all this~ by little by little I figured it out. and remember you can too! Don't be afraid to ask for help!

In late August 2005 I created my first post and then sent a mass email to everyone I knew about the launch of my blog. This...well...I don't like to say regret, but I definitely would not recommend it. I would slowly and carefully tell the people I want to tell in my real life about my blog. Sometimes I feel I hold back on my blog because so many of my family members read it...I never want to offend anyone, but it is my blog and therefore comes from my perspective.

Soon after I published my first post I began reading other blogs. In most cases I think this happens the other way around~ someone reads blogs, comments, and then finally starts their own blog. But I started reading blogs after I began posting.  Right away I was addicted! I read and commented and it all felt...very natural. 

  I sent out a query letter to Red Wheel Press about publishing my book. I got rejected. Then I created and sent out the cutest mini-book query to Chronicle Books. I got rejected again and cried. I also sent my book to The Oprah Winfrey Show and let my mom and sister read it. 

and then I put my book away. Not because I was giving up but because by this time I had already found what I was looking for. It soon became evident that the community I hoped to find by publishing a book could be found right here through blogging.

The bloggers I have connected with are my teachers, my friends, my support, my loves.

Everything isn't always rosey in my cyber world. There are times bloggers have made me mad, been mean to me, or disappointed me. But I love that! I love the richness, the fullness, the realness of blogging.

I am looking forward to sharing more of my story this week with you.

It is fun to look back and remember how it all began.

I would love for you to share in the comments or in your own post how your blogging journey began. and it would be great fun if you would link to your first post in the comments here!

Here is mine from August 12, 2005 ~ Be A Spark

XO, Melba

Help & Thank you ~

Sometimes when I am feeling like I need to stream line my online activities, I think of taking a break from justBeConnected, But ~

each week I get so inspired from the hostesses, your comments, and emails~

How could I possibly stop this!?!

Thank you for your continued inspiration & support!!!

I changed the banner this week because sometimes during the week a blogger new to justBeConnected will think that I am posting instead of the guest hostess. So I want to include the gist of the blog in the banner.

But I am not loving the one I made.

Want to make a banner for justBeConnected?

I would be so grateful if you did!

email me your creation as a jpeg. (ofcourse credit for the banner will be given to you on the blog)

The banner should be about W 850 pixels x  L 200 pixels.

The banner should include the same information that is there now, but it does not have to be word for word.

The Hostess Schedule is filled for the next 6 weeks ~ If you interested in Being a Hostess please email me.

Thank you!

Have a great weekend!

XO, Melba

P.S.  ~ justBeConnected really is a community, collaborative blog ~ I am VERY open to any suggestions!

Spring has DEFINITELY sprung!

Sprintime is my favorite time of the year. I love the aliveness of everything in springtime.

I spontaneously decided to take a trip to visit my sister who lives in Arizona. I live in Nevada so it's a short drive. It is a drive I normally loathe because, as readers of my blog know, I am no fan of the desert.

But this drive was amazing! The wildflowers are in bloom and to bright oranges and pinks and yellows and reds and purples against the giant saguaros and light green hills was simply amazing. I enjoyed the drive very much. Even the deadest of places bursts forth with life in the sprintime.

It reminded me that there is beauty everywhere, in everyone, in everything. This is something I forget living in the desert. A place that seems so dead and empty gently reminds me each spring - I am alive, I am lovely.

I am.

And so it it in us too. We all suffer from creative constipation from time to time. When I feel stuck, one of my favorite things to do is take out Taro Gomi's doodle book and do some pages - usually with my daughter because let's face it - kids have NO shortage of creativity. They are never cut off from the flow of the creative river.

The never forget that they are FULL of life.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------>>

I was going to post links, but I think we all have enough.LOL. But - do you listen to http://www.craftcast.com/ ? I love Alison's podcast. She is a great interviewer and has fabulous guests.

Thank you Melba for allowing me to share this time with everyone!

in-joy - Cheryl

cherylol.typepad.com