Craft Ideas for Kids - Kids and Pasta

Craft Ideas for Kids – Kids and Pasta



Pasta is not just for tomato sauce. My kids loved pasta for many different art
projects. Next time you find a sale on pasta grab several varieties. Here are
just a few ideas of what kids can make with pasta.



Photo frames - We use either the bow tie pasta or the shell pasta. Start with
thick cardboard. I tend to use white so that we can add any color we want. Your
frame can either be circular or square. Cut out the frame, this is the actual
full size you’ll want at the end. Then cut out the middle to fit the size of the
photo you want to put in there.



Now decide if you want to spray paint the pasta or use food coloring. Gold
metallic spray paint looks great. We have also made various colors of pasta and
made rainbow frames.



If you want to turn your frame into a magnet, add some magnetic tape to the
back.



Necklaces and Bracelets – Penne pasta and macaroni noodles make wonderful
necklaces and bracelets. I suggest using fishing line. It just doesn’t break. As
with the frames, you can use multiple colors of pasta by adding food dye or you
can spray paint the pasta, allow it to dry and then string the pasta onto your
fishing line.



Decorative Jars - Save empty jars. Then fill the jar with an assortment of
shapes and colors of pasta. These jars make pretty decorations for bathrooms,
bedrooms or even end tables.



Pipe Cleaner Figurines - Grab a pipe cleaner. Now arrange pasta on the pipe
cleaner to create people and animals. Mix and match shapes and sizes and then
bend to create almost anything.



Self Portraits - Use spaghetti and linguini. Boil just until soft. Then press
the pasta onto construction paper and into a self portrait. You can also create
landscape scenes using the soft long noodles.



These are just a few ideas of how to use pasta to create great art projects made
by kids.

Article Source:
http://www.wahm-articles.com

 

Article Written By: Audrey Okaneko is mom to two
girls. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at

www.scrapping-made-simple.com

Thirteen Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Blog

A lot of online business woman
take for granted the benefits a blog has to their business, and a lot of them
choose not to use a blog because they simply can't see the benefit it has to
them and their business.



Well in this article you will learn thirteen very important reasons why your
business needs a blog!



1. Networking - Blogs are a great way to build relationships and networking with
those looking for your services and/or goods.



2. Information - Blogs are also a great way to get information out about the
products or services you sell!



3. Fun - Blogging is a great way to build your business while having fun. Really
it doesn’t even feel like work!



4. Affordable - Sometimes having a blog can be more affordable to get set up
than having a website. 1. Because the Wordpress Blogging platform is free to
install on your own hosting and domain, and 2. you don’t need expensive software
like Frontpage or Dreamweaver to maintain your blog.



5. Easy Maintenance - Using blogging platforms like Wordpress and the like make
it so much easier to add content to your website, through the art of categories
and the like, you can easily organize your content and make it easier for your
visitors to find what they are looking for and therefore encouraging them to
stay and visit for awhile!



6. Friends - While you are networking you can also make friends!



7. Interactive - With blogs you can be more interactive with your visitors by
making posts, asking for comments, and then replying to the comments, all
through your Wordpress admin dashboard! You can’t do that with a “regular”
website!



8. Easy RSS - It is super easy to create an RSS feed with a blog which means
more readers for your blogs!



9. Plug Ins - Plug ins add value to your blog by making it possible for you to
host podcasts on your blog, and even generate Google sitemaps too! With regular
websites you would either need to know alot about javascript, and a whole lot of
code mumbo jumbo, but with Plug Ins all you have to do is intall, configure, and
have fun! So much easier, and so much more fun!



10. More Search Engine Traffic - With the write Wordpress template and plug ins
- your traffic will be streaming in no time at all.



11. Flexibility - With Wordpress you have the flexibility to create posts,
pages, and you even have the control over what appears on your home page (like a
sticky post or even a specific page) which provides you with the flexibility to
either create more of a blogging type website, or a static type website.



12. Community/Partnerships - Wordpress blogs are a great way to create community
blogs! So say you have a team of employees, or business partners, Wordpress
makes the ability to have multiple authors of the blog seamless, which is a
great way for your team to grow their business!



13. Perfect - All around Wordpress is the perfect choice for you and your
business, by giving you the opportunity to communicate with your guests and to
help build strong relationships that will in turn help you grow your business.
No business should be without a blog, period!

Article Source:
http://www.wahm-articles.com

 

Article Written By:
Heather Bixler is the owner and Lead Designer at
Girly Blog Designz.

Some FREEBIE E-Patterns

These are Free E-Patterns ©Denise Bailey KKL Primitives Click on Photos to Download FilesFiles are in pdf format, you will need Adobe Reader to open them.http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/ Prim Fabric Sunflowers TutorialThis tut is for sunflowers only. Directions for making box light are not included. Photo is for display purpose only.

Wooly Sheep Ornie Hanger

Fabric Scrap Prim Easter Eggs

KKL Primitives
Allegheny Primitives
The Krazy kraft Lady Blog
KKL Primitives Blog
KKl Graphics Blog
Promote For Free Blog
Menopausal Monster Blog

Advertise Your Websites For Free At Qassia

I was introduced to a website called Qassia that is a credit-driven intelligence engine coupled to a cascading tag-based web directory.



At Qassia, you can add your websites for free, and without having to add reciprocal backlinks. You'll get unlimited quality backlinks. You can also add intel. Short for "intelligence", intel is a tidbit of information. Qassia rewards users who add intel in three ways.


1. Backlinks You get one backlink for every piece of intel you add. Every intel will carry a direct backlink to one of your sites. So the more intel you add, the more backlinks you get.

2. Credit When you add intel, you also get credit, in the form of Qassia dollars. Your net worth in Qassia dollars determines how well your websites rank in our directory.

3. Revenue When your intel is displayed, you get 100% of the advertising revenue generated by that page. ( Revenue is used in $ signs but is NOT actual money, it is credits that is applied to your listed websites - the more credits/revenue you have, the higher rankings your sites gets).

What is Intel? Intel is information that you provide for others to read. It can be taken from your blog or website ( you are the original author or have been given permission from the original author to publish 'anywhere'). My article here may not be used as Intel because the information is about Qassia.

Intel may consist of any information, provided that copyright is not violated, and the intel is:
1. in English.
2. comprised of sentences as opposed to keywords.
3. non-pornographic.
4. not about Qassia.

What happens is when you publish Intel on your Qassia site, you receive credits. After it is submitted, it will be screened and rated by others ( outstanding, good job, etc.). The readers also receive credits towards their sites for each read Intel.

You will also receive credits for each referral from your site. For example when you click on my Qassia Site and sign up and then validate your email, I will receive $200 referral credits. The same will apply to you when you refer someone and they click on your Qassia Site, sign up and validate their email.

It seems like an interesing concept, and it's free, so what do you have to lose? Stop by my Qassia site and have a look for yourself.

You can click on other links provided to give you more indepth to what Qassia is all about.

I've listed my crafts website, graphics website and Zazzle website and plan to add my blogs as well. Every little bit of free advertising helps!

How To Create Fabric 'Prim' Sunflowers'

Materials needed:
muslin
scissors
Mark B Gone pen
needle
upholstery thread
1 small coffee can plastic lid
1 lid from pringles can or similar size
coffee stain*
cookie sheet & foil
polyester filling

*Coffee Stain
3 Tablespoons instant coffee to 1 cup hot water
2 Tablespoons vanilla
note : for grungy sunflowers add approx. 1/4 cup or more of cinnamon. Mix and let sit. After a short while the cinnamon will form a 'sludge' on the bottom of your pan. This sludge is what you apply to get the grungy dirty look.

Directions:
With your Mark B Gone pen, trace out 4 large circles using the larger plastic lid as your template. Trace 1 small circle with the smaller plastic lid.
Using the tracing line as your cutting line, cut out all circles.

Place the 4 larger circles on top of each other. Center the small circle over these and pin in place.

Thread needle with upholstery thread, knot and come up under the small circle to hide the knot. Begin basting the small circle, being sure to go through all layers of muslin. Leave about a one inch opening to insert polyester fill.

Stuff lightly with polyester fill as shown in photo

Stitch opening closed.

With scissors, cut from outer edge of larger circles just to the beginning of the small circle, being careful not to cut through it.

Continue cutting all the way around circle.

Emerge sunflower into coffee stain, being sure to flip so both sides are soaked through. Let sit a minute or two.

Take sunflower out of stain, squeeze excess moisture out and place on foil on cookie sheet

Place cookie sheet in low oven (about 200 degrees ) to dry. Turning often so sunflower won't burn. When dry remove.

Start pulling apart the 4 layers of 'petals'

To finish:

You can leave sunflower as is, or you can grubby it up by painting on the sludge and more coffee stain and returning to oven to dry.

You can paint the puffed up inner circle with a brown paint. When dried, dry brush the edge with black paint. I added some orange and gold to this one as well.

For variety, instead of a muslin center, use homespun.

This is a sunflower & crows cheesebox light I made with my sunflowers

To make a larger sunflower you can use dinner and dessert plates as your template like I did for this sunlower nodder.

technorati tags: blogging , webblogs , online shopping , primitives , prim decor , country crafts , crafts , hobbies , Shopping , decor , Creativity , Internet , Advertising , Christmas, Holiday, gifts, presents,
Posted by: Neenee
KKL Primitives
KKL Kreations
The Krazy Kraft Lady Blog
KKL Graphics Blog
KKL Kreations Blog
Menopausal Monster Blog
The Crafter's Lounge
Unique Boutique Graphics Community

Blogs, Blogs, and More Blogs!

BLOGS, BLOGS, AND MORE BLOGS!

Have any of you noticed how many blogs there are now for individuals, crafters, small business, corporations, etc.?

Everyday when I'm listening to the news I hear someone say, "Just go to so and so's blog at....." And, I love hearing that!

That tells me that blogs have become more and more commonplace as tools for individuals and families to stay in touch, as tools for small businesses and their customers, as tools for the news media, as selling tools, and as tools for mainstream businesses. Everyone and their brother has a blog and I think it's FABULOUS!

What I also love is how many crafting bloggers there are out there. And, most are around my age - which I also think is FABULOUS! WAY TO GO BABY BOOMERS!

If you key the word blog into Google you'll get 1,030,000,000 results. That's a LOT OF BLOGS.

There's a reason why blogs have been increasing in popularity exponentially over the past few years and it's because they are FREE, they are easy to use, they are extremely easy to update, and they are highly personal - which most customers LOVE. If you were to apply the reality TV versus regular TV analogy to blogs and websites you'd understand why reality TV and blogs are so popular. They are both highly personal and both involve people interacting with each other.

Plus, they can and do function for some bloggers as very professional websites. You can have your own domain name and you can use a shopping cart. In fact, I'd say that there isn't much you can't do with a blog. There is a way to do just about anything you want to. That makes blogs much more versatile than a website as they are much more flexible. And, they are a LOT easier to change and update.

The Internet is ever changing and to be in business on the Internet you need to be fluid and ever changing. That means utilizing what's popular with users and customers. BLOGS are extremely popular and easily adaptable to any kind of commerce, especially e-commerce and e-products.

I, personally, love shopping with someone who has a personal or small business blog. I love the feeling of getting to know the person I'm buying from. I don't know if you feel the same way, too, but I always feel more comfortable buying from someone who has taken the time to tell me something about their product(s) and their life or business. By doing so they make me feel feel more comfortable doing business with them. And, that's what writing blogs for small businesses does. Hopefully, if the blog reader is comfortable with the blog owner they will buy their product.

If they do that's FABULOUS! Bring on the blogs. The more the merrier!


Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns, and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer. http://lindawalshoriginals.com

The Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall=Showcase Shoppe

We are showcasing a wonderful online craft mall called the Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall.

The Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall is a wonderful place to advertise your Primitive or Country Business and gain a lot of exposure and attention today.

Online Craft Malls are a wonderful way to enjoy shopping for your primitive and country decor without having to leave the comfort of your own home. Simply stop by one Craft Mall like Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall and you can shop from all the many varieties of stores inside. Some of the Shopping Catagories to shop from include:

Business Resources
Candles N Fixens
Home Decor
Sewing
Primitives
Raggedies
Woodworking
Bath N Body
Florals
Crafts
Lighting
Jewlery
Patterns

Here is a brief description of their site.

Are you looking for a way to advertise your website and increase your sales? If so you have come to the right place.

We welcome you to join our family of crafters.

Advertising Package includes:

Your website name and picture listed in 3 categories of your choice.
A description of your site (50 words or less).
A link to your website.

Each month we will also chose a new featured crafter. If you are chosen you will receive a full page dedicated just to you and your store.

April Special:

Check out all the great products our crafters have to offer! We are running a special for April and May. One year of advertising for $15.00. Join now and save ten dollars off our regular price.










Stop on by Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall

*Free* Stick Horse Pattern

To make this prim stick horse, download the pattern below by clicking on the link. This size stick horse is for using with dolls or can be used as large ornies.

click here to save Pattern

Materials needed:
muslin fabric
*Coffee Stain
jute string
2 rusty bells
black embroidery floss
thin tree branch - approx. 8" long ( can substitute dowel rod )
paint brush
sewing needle
*Coffee Stain Mixture
1 cup hot water
4 T. instant coffee
2 T. vanilla
1/4 cup ground cinnamon

Stir well and let this set while you cut and sew your pattern. You want the cinnamon to settle at the bottom of your bowl.

Directions:
Trace pattern onto muslin. The outline is the sewing line so be sure to leave at least an inch around the horse when cutting out to sew. Sew only to the small x's on the bottom of the pattern, leaving the bottom open for stuffing. You will not be sewing this closed. Trim to within a 1/4 inch of the seam and clip where needed.

Stuff horse with polyester fiberfill til firm. Stuff only to broken line indicated on pattern.

Stitch the eye with 6 strands of black floss.

Wrap jute string around muzzle and neck several times to thickness desired for the harness.

Attach two rusty bells as shown in pattern.

Place horse head over your stick/branch and with the jute string, wrap firmly beginning at the dotted line. Wrap about 10 times and tie off.

With your paint brush, brush the coffee mixture over the horses head and jute strings.

Place in warm oven ( not higher than 200) until the head is dry. Turn over every few minutes.

Thread your needle with 6 strands of black floss. Beginning in front of horse's ear, attach the 'hair' for the mane. Clip to desired length. Continue down the back of the horse's neck to the wound jute.

With your paint brush, again paint the horse with the coffee mixture, this time wiping the bottom of the bowl with the brush to pick up some cinnamon. This will give you the 'dirty' or grungy look to your horse, brush over the mane too. When completely dried, the mane will be stiff.

Place horse stick back in oven and dry. Turn over every few minutes.

Terms Of Use
You may not offer this pattern for download, instead, you may link to it. Do not sell this pattern. The copyright belongs to me and I'm offering it for free, it should stay that way.
You may sell your completed project in craft shows only. If you sell, please give credit to me as the designer. (©KKL Primitives) Thank you.

technorati tags: blogging , webblogs , online shopping , primitives , prim decor , country crafts , crafts , hobbies , Shopping , decor , Creativity , Internet , Advertising , Christmas, Holiday, gifts, presents,

Posted by: Neenee
KKL Primitives
The Krazy Kraft Lady Blog
KKL Graphics Blog
KKL Kreations Blog
Menopausal Monster Blog
contributing editor for:
Primitive Times Magazine a free downloadable magazine for crafters
Primitive Times Magazine Blog

Quilts By The Contented Kitty

Meet Jeannie of The Contented Kitty.

Jeannie has been sewing for over 30 years. She loves to quilt, and she loves her cats! She's combined her two loves and created the The Contented Kitty where she sells her beautiful array of quilts. You will find in her shoppe, wheelchair quilts, kitty quilts, canine cuddlers, pillows, neck pillows and beautiful quilted sweatshirt jackets.

Jeannie also makes beautiful curtains, swags and balloon curtains. To see her curtain gallery, click here.

Meet Jackie, Jeannie's inspiration for The Contented Kitty.

Jeannie shares with us these instructions that she uses for making a tied quilt. Thank you Jeannie!

Tied Quilt

You will have 3 layers - your top layer, middle layer which is your batting, and bottom layer which is your backing.

Place the backing layer down, wrong side facing you.

Place batting on this layer.

Place top layer down on top of batting, right side facing you.

Using big quilters pins, pin these layers together.

Using either yarn or 6 strand embroidery floss, tie about every six inches or so. A regular knot will work fine.

Then cut strips of fabric 2.5" wide by the width of the fabric (usually 42-45"). Sew these together until you have a very long piece 2.5" wide, times the length all around your quilt.

Machine sew this "binding" onto the quilt right sides together. Fold over, turn under, and sew. I like to hand sew this part so the stitching doesn't show on the right side of the quilt.

I have never mastered a nice corner, so I just sew 4 different binding pieces, one to each side of the quilt. I like to do the sides first, then the ends.

Have fun with it!

These are bed sized quilts made by Jeannie
To view her quilt gallery click here

http://www.thecontentedkitty.com/

technorati tags: blogging , webblogs , online shopping , primitives , prim decor , country crafts , crafts , hobbies , Shopping , decor , Creativity , Internet , Advertising , Christmas, Holiday, gifts, presents,

Posted by: Neenee, contributing editor

KKL Primitives
The Krazy Kraft Lady Blog
KKL Graphics Blog
KKL Kreations Blog
Menopausal Monster Blog

I Finished My "Linda's How-Do-I Series? - FREE Helpful Tips For Crafters" YIPPEE!

I thought you all might like to know that I finished my "Linda's How-Do-I Series?" on my "Tips For Crafters On The Web" blog. YIPPEE!!!

Why did I create this series?

Well, I get asked a lot of the time by other crafters with websites or blogs "How do I do this?" or "What's the html code for that?" so I thought it would be better if I just posted the articles on my "Tips For Crafters On The Web" blog then everyone could then see how to do it. Plus, it will save me a lot of time as I can just reference the articles versus re-inventing the wheel and creating separate emails.

So, a little sharing and a little self preservation. And, I thought I'd post the links here so our Primitive Times Magazine blog, Primitive Times E-Zine, and Primitive Times Magazine website readers could have the FREE tips, too.

I think I have everything but the kitchen sink in there! If not, just let me know and tell me what else you think would be helpful.

In any event, I'm done. YIPPEE!!! Here's all 43 of the articles:

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Handle Different Size Banners Within A Table?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add Wallpaper Or An Image To The Background Of My Table?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add Clickable Text Links To My Table With Centered, Padded, Spaced, and Bordered Clickable Images?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add Padding, Spacing, and Borders To The Images Within My Table?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Center Images Within A Table And Make Those Images Clickable?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add Images To A Simple Table?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Build A Simple Table?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Create A Simple Name Banner Out Of HTML Code?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? What About Banners? How Do I Know What Size To Get?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? What Are The Names And #'s For The Sixteen CSS Named Colors?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add Color To The Border And Color To The Background Of Two Rows Of Clickable Banners?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add Borders To Two Rows of Clickable Advertising Buttons?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Build Two Rows of 3 Clickable Advertising Buttons Each?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add A Background Color To Boxes Surrounding Two Clickable Banners Of Different Sizes?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Space Two Banners Of Different Sizes Evenly Within Their Boxes?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Change The Background Color Between The Borders Of My Pictures or Banners?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Change The Background Of The Area Within My Border?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Make My Banners With Colored Borders Clickable?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add A Colored Border Around My Banners?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add Color To My Borders and Text?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Create A Clickable E-Product Ad?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Draw A Line, Skip A Line, Add A Paragraph, and Underline?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? Why Would I Want To Create Generic Posts?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? What's The Difference Between All Those Picture File Types?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Use Margins, Padding, and Borders?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Create A Promotion, Copyright or Bio Signature?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add Horizontal Advertising Buttons?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Widen My Blog?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add Wallpaper To My Blog?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add Vertical Advertising To My Website?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Provide A CLICKABLE Link To Another Section On The page?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Create An Email Link?

Linda's How -Do-I Series? How Do I Change My Font Type, Size, and Color?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add A Text Link?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add A Scrolling Banner?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Center My Banner, Button, Text or Picture?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Make A Clickable Link List?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Set-up A FREE .PDF File?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? YIKES! My E-Patterns Files Are Huge!

Linda's How-Do-I Series? Can I Make My Plugboard Bigger?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Take A Screenshot Of My Website?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? - How To Set-up Forum Signatures or Siggy's?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Set-Up An Email Signature?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add a Banner Rotation To My Website?

I hope all of the above is helpful to not only new crafters just setting up websites or blogs, but to some seasoned crafters as well.


Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns, and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer. http://lindawalshoriginals.com

Meet Our Newest Editor - Denise Bailey (aka NeeNee) from KKL Primitives

As mentioned in our previous post we have two brand new editors at Primitive Times Magazine - Kassy from Prim Country Market and Denise Bailey from KKL Primitives. Both individuals are very talented and creative business women and we are thrilled to have both of them as contributing editors.

We already told you about Kassy from Prim Country Market. Now we'd like to tell you about Denise Bailey (aka NeeNee) from KKL Primitives.

Denise is affectionately called NeeNee by all her online friends and she has been on a whirlwind of activity during the last year. NeeNee has set-up so many blogs and websites that she's giving both Angie and I a run for our money. Personally, I think she's got her eye on my "The Blogging Queen" crown. But, she'll have to fight Angie for it first. Then again, she may just have to fight me for it. I'm not sure I'm ready to give it up yet. Hmmm.....

Denise has accomplished quite a lot in the past year. Between websites, crafting, blogging, traveling, and her family she's had a lot to do. I'd suggest that she take a break, but I'm afraid Mrs. Hyde will appear.

You see, Mrs. Hyde is NeeNee's alter ego on her "Menopausal Monster" blog and she can be very devious at times. If you are of the "menopausal" age then you definitely want to bookmark NeeNee's "Menopausal Monster" blog. It's hilarious. NeeNee always adds her comic touch to every article and is a very talented and gifted writer.

But, NeeNee has a lot more going on than just her "Menopausal Monster" blog. She has her main website KKLPrimitives which sells primitive & country handcrafted dolls and decor and her eBay website The Krazy Kraft Lady which sells crafts and collectibles.

She also is an accomplished blogger. I already mentioned her "Menopausal Monster" blog above which is "A Day In The Life Of A Menopausal Woman" Well, she has many more than just that. There's her main blog called The Krazy Kraft Lady which has all sorts of posts about NeeNee's various crafting projects and dolls. Did I mention she was a gifted crafter and doll maker?

Then there's her KKL Graphics blog which contains all sorts of wonderful FREE graphics and FREE tutorials. Did I mention NeeNee was a talented graphic artist?

Then there's her KKL Kreations blog which offers "Free & Low Cost Advertising Options." Did I mention that NeeNee has wonderful ideas for helping small business crafters to promote their businesses?

She also has a KKL Kreations2 website that also offers "Free & Low Cost Advertising, free graphics, websets, & more."

And, if all of that isn't enough - she has her Unique Boutique Group which is an MSN group where you can "Create Your Own Graphics", her Tubes4Us Group which has free PSP Tubes, and her Neenee's Tubes- PSP Tube Depot where you can get "Free PSP Tubes created by Neenee." Did I happen to mention that NeeNee is a gifted artist?

I told you that NeeNee was a whirlwind of activity last year - didn't I?

Here's what NeeNee had to say about herself:

I'm a 54 year old wife, mom and gramma from Western Pennsylvania. I've been married to my soul mate for 33 years, we have 3 beautiful grown daughters ages 33, 30 and 25 and 3 gorgeous grandbabies, ages 7 years, 3 years and 2 months.

I've loved to craft ever since I was a child, and as a young mom I would craft things for myself, family and friends. I was bit by the primitive bug two years ago and ventured into selling my crafts at local craft shows. This area however, doesn't seem to appreciate primitive crafts like I do, so I came to the www to see if I could reach a larger audience. I opened my eBay Store, The Krazy Kraft Lady and haven't done too badly, and by accident came across a Prim crafting forum where most everyone had an online store. I wanted one too! I opened my little shoppe, KKL Primitives in April of 2006 and while I have sold a few things, I've not yet hit the big time, lol.

The other editors and I are thrilled to have NeeNee as a new contributing editor. She has a terrific sense of humor which will fit in really, really well with the terrific group of editors we have on Primitive Times Magazine.

Welcome aboard, NeeNee.

Oh, buy the way, if Mrs. Hyde behaves we may let her join, too!


Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns, and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer. http://lindawalshoriginals.com/

Linda's NEW "Linda How-Do-I-Series?"

I thought you all might like to know that I'm running a NEW "Linda's How-Do-I Series?" on my "Tips For Crafters On The Web" blog and on my "Testing The Blogs and Helpful Blog Tips" blog.

Why a new series?

Well, I get asked a lot of the time "How do I do this?" or "What's the html code for that?" so I thought it would be better if I just posted the articles on my "Tips For Crafters On The Web" blog and on my "Testing The Blogs and Helpful Blog Tips" blog then everyone could then see how to do it. Plus, it will save me a lot of time as I can just reference the articles versus re-inventing the wheel and creating separate emails.

So, a little sharing and a little self preservation.

In any event, here's the articles I've posted so far:

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Create A Clickable Product Ad?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Draw A Line, Skip A Line, Add A Paragraph, and Underline?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? Why Would I Want To Create Generic Posts?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? What's The Difference Between All Those Picture File Types?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Use Margins, Padding, and Borders?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Create A Promotion, Copyright or Bio Signature?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add Horizontal Advertising Buttons?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Widen My Blog?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add Wallpaper To My Blog?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add Vertical Advertising To My Website?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Provide A CLICKABLE Link To Another Section On The page?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Create An Email Link?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Change My Font Type, Size, and Color?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add A Text Link?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add A Scrolling Banner?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Center My Banner, Button, Text or Picture?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Make A Clickable Link List?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Set-up A FREE .PDF File?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? YIKES! My E-Patterns Files Are Huge!

Linda's How-Do-I Series? Can I Make My Plugboard Bigger?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Take A Screenshot Of My Website?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? - How To Set-up Forum Signatures or Siggy's?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Set-Up An Email Signature?

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How Do I Add a Banner Rotation To My Website?

I hope all of the above is helpful to you. There will be many, many more "how-do-I" tips to come. Stay tuned.


Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns, and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer. http://lindawalshoriginals.com

Everyday Magic

~*~Living For the Last Time~*~

The Russian poet Anna Akhmatova declared to fate that......"I warn you, I am living for the last time." How does that sound to you? Can you stand up right now and say to yourself that this is your one and only life and that by all means necessary you are going to enjoy it?

I don't know if you believe in past lives, that we are destined to continue to live the same mistakes, the same regrets, over and over again until we get it right. I don't even know if you need a speech like this. But, I know I do. I am at a point in my life where the road forks and I'm standing in the middle, looking from left to right, wondering which way will lead me to my authentic self.

If I've learned anything from my mistakes, from my regrets, it's to be happy. To "seize the day" with everything I have and not let one second go by without acknowledging that it very well could be my last. Do I adhere to this as often as I should? Probably not. Do I have moments where I just feel like quitting and giving into my doubts and fears? Certainly. But to know these things, these miniscule delays in my journey to happiness, makes me even stronger. Helps me carry on, helps me to pick up the pieces and put them back together.

It also helps me to know when those pieces need to stay apart. When some things just can't and don't need to be mended. Because, let's face it, sometimes destiny gets in the way of our plans. Much like the old saying....."God laughs at your plans." When something does fall apart, I've learned that sometimes it's the universe's way of forcing you to come into the light. You go kicking and screaming every inch of the way, but when you finally get there you understand why you're there instead of where you "planned" to be. And as much as I'd like to say that I'm a planner, I am not. Although a year ago I had a very different picture in my head of where I would be right now.

But, guess what.....I understand why I'm here instead of where I thought I would be and I'm happy. Life can throw you lemons but you don't always have to make lemonade. Sometimes it's more fun to throw them away.


"The past is not only that which happened but also that which could have happened but did not." ~Tess Gallagher~

*written by Missy Sue of Whisper Moon

What The....Are Plugboards?

It seems like everyone in the online crafting crafting community is getting a plugboard for their website or blog.

A what?

A Plugboard!

What's that?

Well, basically they are FREE remotely hosted boards that you can create using customized HTML code that allow users to add their advertising banner themselves onto the plugboard on your website or blog. Their banners remain on your plugboard until they are bumped off, in which case, they can return and plug their banner again. This creates traffic for your website as the users keep coming back to your website to see if their banner is still there.

Using plugboards is very, very easy. Users just need to enter two pieces of information into the two clickable boxes on the bottom of your plugboard. They enter their button or banner URL and website or blog URL and then click "PLUG". Their banner is then added to your plugboard.

Where can you get a plugboard? At Plug-Board.com

They are easy to use and can host 4 different size banners: 88x31, 88x15, 50x50, and 468x60. Most plugboards house 88x31 size banners. Each plugboard can hold 60 buttons. However, this can be adjusted so your plugboard can hold more or less buttons. You can change the "Buttons per row" and/or "Number of rows" of buttons in your settings. 10 buttons are archived at any point in time so if you need to delete a button then you won't have a blank hole in your plugboard.

Each plugboard can be easily customized and controlled through a simple easy to use control panel that you can access on the plugboard website. You can edit and control who uses your plugboard by deleting buttons you don't want, ban users IP's you don't like, and ban domains. There is also a "Flood control" feature that holds the specified seconds between plugging times to help prevent spammers. You can also set you account up so that you are email notified when someone plugs on your board. You can even decide what background color you'd like to use for your plugboard or make it transparent.

After you establish an account and sign-in you will be brought to your "Posts" page where you will see all the banners on your plugboard. If this is a brand new plugboard they will all be blue in color with the text "Plug Your Site Here." You will also notice that there is a horizontal menu just above plug administration at the top of the page. The menu has the following options: Posts, Settings, Restrictions, HTML Code, Account, and Logout.

Each of these pages allows you to do different things to control your plugboard, which are as follows:

Posts - Here you can delete a banner, ban an IP address, ban a domain, and edit the IP of the button. The latter is useful if someone accidentally enters a URL or a website or banner with a typo and would like you to correct it.

Settings - On this page you can change your plugboards settings. You can change the background colour, disable posting, enter the number of seconds you want for flood control to prevent spammers, change the button size, change the number of buttons per row, change the number of rows, and edit your email notify.

Say for example you want to change your plugboard which uses 88x31 size banners from having 60 buttons set-up as 10 buttons per row and 6 rows to fit the sidebar of your blog. You would change the number of buttons per row to 2 and the number of rows to 30. If you want a really large plugboard on your website you might change the number of buttons per row to 8 and the number of rows to, say, 15 so your plugboard now holds 120 banners.

If you want to change the background field then just type the hex code without the # into the box or leave it blank for transparent.

If you don't want other people to post on your plugboard then click in the disable posting box and it will add a check mark there which will prevent users from posting their banner to your plugboard.

Flood control helps with spammers and contains the number of seconds you want to allow between plugs. Leave the flood control field blank to disable it.

If you want to be notified when someone adds their banner to your plugboard then check the E-mail box.

If you change anything in your settings then you need to click "Update" so your settings are changed.

Restrictions - On this page you are able to remove the ban on multiple IPs or URLs that you may have previously banned. Each row shows either an IP being blocked or a URL being blocked. To add an IP, enter the IP under "IP" and click Update. You do not have to enter a URL to ban an IP or vice versa.

HTML Code - This page contains the customized HTML or Alternate Javascript code you need to add to your website or blog based upon the settings you chose. All you need to do is to copy and paste the HTML code from the first box to wherever you would like your plugboard to be displayed. If you know HTML you can edit the code on your website. For example, the default for the plugboards is "center" alignment. You might want to change the code so the alignment is "left" or right" to better suit your website or blog.

I have found that the HTML code is the best code to use for most websites and blogs. There is an Alternative Javascript code in the second box. I have used this as well. However, I have found that when there is a problem with the plug-board.com website that the Javascript code tends to freeze the plugboard and not allow the rest of a blog to be displayed. If there is a problem on the Plug-board.com website the HTML code will leave the plugboard blank or show an error message.

Account - This page has your plugboard account information on it and it can be edited. Leave the password field blank if you do not want to change it.

Logout - For signing off your plugboard account.

You might be wondering if there are any rules for plugging. Who may or may not plug on your plugboards is entirely up to you. You determine the criteria for plugging and then remove those plugs that don't meet your criteria. Just make sure that your rules are clearly posted near your plugboard. For example, your rules might be as follows:

RULES: Please feel free to plug your website or blog if you are in craft related industry. We are a family-friendly website. Any non family-friendly plugs will be removed. Please only plug once and then wait for your banner to be removed before plugging again. Enjoy the plug.

Plugboards are a lot of fun and I should know. I have 8 of them. So, come on! Start plugging!!!!! You don't want to miss out on all the fun - do you!


Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns, and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer. http://lindawalshoriginals.com

AD:Link Popularity

What is the best way to link popularity on the web? Google is a great way to improve your website popularity but understanding Google can be very confusing. Google is the number one search engine currently and drives the most traffic to websites, so it is adviced that you concentrate your advertising on marketing with Google.

Google looks at several factors when advertising sites on their search engines such as, link popularity. Google also uses a page ranking system which shows you how your site ranks in the Google data base. One of the most important factors Google looks for when is link popularity! Meaning how many sites are linking back to your site. Google will weight more importantance on a site that has 1000 links versus a site that has a 100 links. Google also looks at where your links are, how you have them arranged, your meta tags for each page and keywords.

Therefore it is a good idea to receive links to diffrent sections of your websites, offering popularity for more than just your front opening page.

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