Sew Darn Crafty Party...Week 59

I know I say it every week, but you are all just the best for sharing your wonderful posts each week. I love them!! I know how much time it takes to put together a post and then for you to pop over here and share it...so nice. Big {{Hugs}}

Big {{Hugs}} for every one who stops by for a visit too. We can't do it without you!!

If you're NEW to Sew Darn Crafty, then grab a cup of something tasty, sit back and join in on the fun (starts Sunday and lasts all week long here at Sew Many Ways).

If you want to add the button to your blog's side bar or your list of parties that you're in each week...Click HERE for a tutorial for adding a button

WHAT IS A LINKING PARTY...

I subscribe to a linking service, which provides the ability to link thumbnail pictures on my blog. The picture is a link that other bloggers provide to share their projects.

Two things can happen at a linking party...looking and/or linking

• you can be greatly inspired by wonderful projects, ideas or vacation pictures (looking) and/or
• you can share what you've been up to (linking)

If you want to be inspired by all the great ideas...just click on a picture and it will take you to that post from a wonderful blogger who was willing to share her thoughts and ideas.

HOW AND WHAT TO LINK TO THE PARTY...

Sew Darn Crafty is all about YOU!! Show off your projects, share a tutorial, show us your vacation pictures, share a family favorite recipe...share anything. Not only does linking inspire us all, it also brings lots of new people to your blog for a visit. Click here for past parties and lots of inspiration

Easy steps to join in on the fun...

• link up to the specific project post, not your whole blog. Makes it easier to link right to that post and not  search through all your entire blog. To find the http address to a specific post, just click on the Title of your post. Copy and paste the address that's at the top of your computer into the linky steps.
• link as many projects as you'd like...old or new
• anything goes...cooking, sewing, knitting, crafts, organizing, remodeling projects, vacations, parties etc...
• visit other links to share some blogging love! You know we all love comments!
• linking is open til Saturday night, so plenty of time to join in
• just click the blue "click here to enter" button below and follow the easy steps

Have fun linking up! Don't forget to come back and take a look at all the great projects during the week

~Karen~

Blog Buddy...The First Picture Means So Much

If you're new to Sew Many Ways, I have a feature called Blog Buddy. Click HERE to read all of those posts. There you will find helpful tips and tricks for your blog.

I have one more tip to add to that list...

Pictures, photos or those captured moments in time.

The "first" picture actually.

Did you know the first picture you add to your blog post is the first picture that shows up on your reader's blog roll, their reading list, their google reader etc. The first picture you post is also that little picture on their blog side bar if you are on their blog list.

If you want to "grab" someone's attention to click on your blog post, in that first second they are scrolling through their list, that first picture can do it. All your pictures in that post might be great, but pick the one that best represents the post itself.

That is particularly important when doing a tutorial. I always start a tutorial post with a picture of the finished item. This helps because it not only shows up as the feature picture, but it's a visual draw for what the item is. It helps your readers see what to look forward to.

It's not crucial that you have a certain picture "first" in your post...it just a little extra touch that can help!!

Hope this Blog Buddy tip helps,
~Karen~

Find A Friend Friday...

Hello everyone and welcome to another Find a Friend Friday...a great place to share your blog and maybe find other great blogs to follow.

Just need your opinion on this...do you think I should still make this a weekly feature or switch it to the first Friday of each month? 

What do you think?

If you are new to FaFF, it's a simple linking party to share your blog with everyone. Once everyone links up throughout the week, come back and browse through all the wonderful blogs...you might "find a friend".

If you tell your blogging friends about the linking party more will join in too!

Welcome to "Find a Friend Friday...FaFF

This is an easy one to participate...you are just linking to your own blog. No projects to sew, furniture to paint or cookies to bake and take a picture off. You are just sharing your blog and then friends will stop by for a looksy.

• click on "click here to enter"
• copy and paste or just type in your blog address
• enter title of link...your blog name or phrase to grab attention
• add a photo of you, your profile picture or your blog button or whatever you think will grab some one's attention...(I'm thinking a picture of a big piece of strawberry cheese cake, but that just me LOL)

That's it...super easy. Just think of the possibilities of finding some wonderful blogs.

Thanks for participating,

~Karen~

Thoughts on Thursday...

Since we strolled down memory lane last week in the candy store, how about your favorite television show when you were younger.

I played outside when I was little, but believe me I had my fair share of TV time. LOL

• The Walton's
• Brady Bunch
• Gilligan's Island
• That Girl
• Hawaii 5-O
• Bewitched
• Star Trek
• Quincy
• Get Smart
• Mission Impossible

Oh my gosh, I could go on...maybe I didn't play outside, because I could seriously add more shows!!

What was your favorite television show in your part of the world?

Happy Thursday,
~Karen~

Frugal Fanny...Easy Marinade For Veggies

You know how I always think twice before I throw something out. Hmmm...can I use this for something else? Well, I had an idea for a jar of marinated artichoke hearts.

When I finished the artichokes, there was still all that yummy marinade in the jar. I had frozen green beans in the freezer, so I thought I would give it a try.

Yup...delish!! They are great in salads too. I didn't even cook them. Just threw them in the jar frozen and stored them in the refrigerator to marinate for a few days! I did add a little more vinegar and crushed garlic.

Give this a try with other veggies too!! Being a Frugal Fanny isn't just for crafting!

Take care,
~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Spray Painting Easter Eggs

On Tuesdays, you'll always find something fun to make or some great "tool" to use. Well, today it's both. We will be spray painting Easter eggs with a great painting tool I've been using for a while. By the way, they are plastic Easter eggs, not the hard boiled kind!! Lol

Doesn't this egg look good enough to eat? Yummy chocolate? Nope...painted plastic Easter egg!

A jumbo plastic Easter egg from Walmart and my favorite paint...Krylon really sprays on nicely and looks great.

It's a big egg...great for decorating.

Here's the paint name. I've posted this color before for a bunny I painted. It's a satin finish.

OMG...it looks like it was just dipped in a chocolate fondue!!

These 2 part eggs are great for putting little gifties or treats in.

Here's the bunny I painted last year. Click HERE to see that post. They both make a cute arrangement.

I realized the egg has little holes on the front and back. Not sure why, but I took advantage of the situation.

Ribbon!!

Thread the wired edge ribbon through the holes.

and tie into a cute little bow.

Now the arrangement is all decked out for the holiday.

Here's the tool I was talking about. It's a spray can nozzle with a trigger.

Slides over the top of the can.

When you pull the trigger, the mechanism inside pushes the spray button.

Really saves your fingers and no messy paint on them either.

Have fun painting your eggs. Just make sure you tell people it's not real or they may take a bite out of it!!

This would be great to paint all the little plastic eggs too and display them in a pretty bowl or Easter basket.

Have a happy Tuesday,
~Karen~

Pinterest and Copyright...My Head Hurts!

I've been dreading writing this post, because it is such a touchy subject...Copyright. I've had a ton of emails asking whether people should delete their Pinterest accounts. I just want to mention, whatever I write here is my opinion and my own thoughts on this subject. Be kind in the comments section...I might cry!! LOL

The definition I found online is...

cop·y·right

   /ˈkɒpiˌraɪt/ Show Spelled[kop-ee-rahyt] 

noun

1. the exclusive right to make copies, license, and otherwise exploit a literary, musical, or artistic work, whether printed, audio, video, etc.: works granted such right by law on or after January 1, 1978, are protected for the lifetime of the author or creator and for a period of 50 years after his or her death.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

We all know what copyright is, but boy is it confusing...more so with the ease of information through the internet and computers. The new HOT website Pinterest has brought the topic of copyright to the forefront, especially in blogging. Many of us have Pinterest accounts and talk about it on our blogs.

 

The concept is awesome and that part I won't back down from. It's brilliant actually. Pinterest allows its users to have "virtual" cork boards where you can "Pin" your favorites. Favorites in any category you create...cooking, sewing, quilting, home decor, style, crafting etc. You can follow other Pinners and they can follow you...just like blogging. The wealth of inspiration that flows through Pinterest is astonishing.

 

You can "pin" something directly from the Internet and Pinterest automatically links the picture you have chosen to the actual site it came from...giving credit to that person, blog or owner of the picture, idea, recipe, tutorial etc. You can also "repin" something that you see on one of the other pinners that you follow. Just make sure if you repin something, the actual true link is still there to give that person the credit. (I know confusing, but once you start, it's like inspirational caffeine!! LOL)

 

Here's the MESS, what I can decipher from all the chatter on the tv, radio and blogs...when you take a photo or idea and copy it some place else, without permission from the author...you are violating copyright rules. We know that part, but I assumed since it automatically linked back to the author that was enough. Is it?

 

For ME and I mean for ME ONLY...I love sharing what I do. When I started this blog, I knew that once I clicked the "Publish Post" button, whatever I put out there was out of my hands to some degree. You have to really understand that, if you publish something on the Internet, it's out there for the world. Do I have a copyright paragraph on my side bar?...yes. This just covers me so I don't see one of my projects or patterns mass produced in the millions and some one else profiting from it. What I do want is someone to make and love the things I share on this blog. Make things for you, your family,  friends and even make a few and sell them at craft fairs or etsy shops. I even have a "pin it" button on each post, so you can pin the idea to your boards.

 

Blogging is inspiration and sharing of ideas, so I'm not sure why someone would be upset if their picture is "pinned" to some one's inspiration board. They LOVED it that much, they PINNED IT!! It's also linked back to you and your site. If they found your project on the Internet, then it must have been posted by you, so it's "out there" for all to see anyway. Posted for the world to see...really, the WORLD. If it's linked back to you to give you credit...no harm done. Right? (This is where I might find some opposition)

 

There is a new HTML code that you can add to your blog as a gadget. It will pop up if someone tries to pin something. Something like... This site does not allow pinning. Click HERE if you want to see that from Pinterest

 

I don't have any hard facts for this next part, but I feel most Pinterest users are like me (I am naive though)...we pin something because we love it and want to refer back to it at some point. I will NEVER use a picture I have pinned for profit...NEVER. and to think that I was violating copyright rules...NEVER. Will I ever find the time to make all the things I pin and find inspirational? Definitely not. I just love collecting ideas. Pinterest is just like all those magazines I rip the pages out of and save for future reference. Pinterest compared to my saved magazines pages is like comparing the Jetsons to Little House on the Prairie. Lol

 

Here is another point I am confused about...you take a photo and save it to your Pinterest account. What makes pinning something to Pinterest any different than...

• placing or saving the picture in your "favorites" or "bookmarks" on your computer or saving the photo in your photo section
• or sending the picture to a friend through emails or texting
• sharing a picture on your blog even if you put the source
• using sites like Stumble
• using Evernote which is a free program to save things on your iPhone or iPad...no difference, just on your phone or iPad instead of Pinterest. You are taking inspirational photos from the web and placing them some where else.

The other issue with Pinterest is their terms of use. There has been so much hub bub about it, they changed their terms. Click HERE if you want to read the new version. Seems like they are really trying to keep this concept fair for everyone with the new changes.

Not sure what the point of this post was other than to explain what I've been feeling and to see what others are thinking too.

What's on your mind about this topic?

So, so confused,

~Karen~

Sew Darn Crafty Party...Week 58

Another wonderful week has come and gone, but there are seven more days of inspiration ahead. You can be a part of that inspiration! Join in on the fun here at the Sew Darn Crafty Linking Party and show off what you've been up to.

If you're NEW to Sew Darn Crafty, then grab a cup of something tasty, sit back and join in on the fun (starts Sunday and lasts all week long here at Sew Many Ways).

If you want to add the button to your blog's side bar or your list of parties that you're in each week...Click HERE for a tutorial for adding a button

WHAT IS A LINKING PARTY...

I subscribe to a linking service, which provides the ability to link thumbnail pictures on my blog. The picture is a link that other bloggers provide to share their projects.

Two things can happen at a linking party...looking and/or linking

• you can be greatly inspired by wonderful projects, ideas or vacation pictures (looking) and/or
• you can share what you've been up to (linking)

If you want to be inspired by all the great ideas...just click on a picture and it will take you to that post from a wonderful blogger who was willing to share her thoughts and ideas.


HOW AND WHAT TO LINK TO THE PARTY...

Sew Darn Crafty is all about YOU!! Show off your projects, share a tutorial, show us your vacation pictures, share a family favorite recipe...share anything. Not only does linking inspire us all, it also brings lots of new people to your blog for a visit. Click here for past parties and lots of inspiration

Easy steps to join in on the fun...

• link up to the specific project post, not your whole blog. Makes it easier to link right to that post and not  search through all your entire blog. To find the http address to a specific post, just click on the Title of your post. Copy and paste the address that's at the top of your computer into the linky steps.
• link as many projects as you'd like...old or new
• anything goes...cooking, sewing, knitting, crafts, organizing, remodeling projects, vacations, parties etc...
• visit other links to share some blogging love! You know we all love comments!
• linking is open til Saturday night, so plenty of time to join in
• just click the blue "click here to enter" button below and follow the easy steps

Have fun linking up! Don't forget to come back and take a look at all the great projects during the week
~Karen~

Blog Sale Week 4...

Thank you again for stopping by last week's blog sale!!

This week I just have 2 different panels of quilt labels...Check them out below.

EMAIL ME if you are interested. The comments section will be turned off for the sale to make it fair for all.

email me at
sewmanyways@gmail.com

Guidelines...

• first come first serve through email only
• I will turn OFF the comment section for the Blog Sale. I have many people who do not have a blog and end up commenting as anonymous which doesn't show their email address. I also have people who subscribe to this blog through email. Saying you want an item through "Email Only" makes it fair for all. Helps me with communication too. Guarantees me your email address not the dreaded No Reply
• I will ship world wide
• buyer pays shipping. I will only charge what it costs to ship to you according to your zip code
• email communication will decide HOW you want it shipped (regular, priority etc)
• I ship Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
• item will be shipped from Rhode Island
• payments made through Paypal. I will send you Paypal Invoice after sale.
• Just starting out with this Blog Sale idea, Paypal is the easiest for me and for you too. If you do not have a Paypal account, it's fabulous...safe, secure, easy and free if your are buying something. You can attach a credit card, bank account or debit card to your Paypal account. If you're still worried, open a separate bank account just for "fun" money...like shopping online. That way you won't worry about your regular bank account being involved. Paypal only charges ME a small fee for receiving the payment. They don't charge you anything for shopping. Look into it...it's worth it. CLICK HERE to a link to Paypal. I have no affiliation with them.

ITEM #1  SOLD THANK YOU!!!

THIMBLEBERRIES QUILT LABELS
$4.00 FOR THE PANEL PLUS SHIPPING
PANEL HAS 14 LABELS OF VARYING SIZES

ITEM #2 SANDY GERVAIS FROM MODA QUILT LABELS  SOLD THANK YOU!!

$4.00 FOR THE PANEL PLUS SHIPPING
14 LABELS TOTAL...10 LARGE, 4 SMALL

Thanks for stopping. Just email me if you are interested in either set.
Have a great day,
Karen

email me at
sewmanyways@gmail.com

Find A Friend Friday...FAFF

Last week's Find a Friend Friday (FaFF) was a huge success...149 of you joined in on the fun!! Thank you so much.

I know you're thinking...I just linked last week? However, there are new visitors to Sew Many Ways everyday, so if you link up each Friday, someone new might stop by your blog.

If you are new to FaFF, it's a simple linking party to share your blog with everyone. Once everyone links up throughout the week, come back and browse through all the wonderful blogs...you might "find a friend".

If you tell your blogging friends about the linking party more will join in too!

Welcome to "Find a Friend Friday...FaFF

This is an easy one to participate...you are just linking to your own blog. No projects to sew, furniture to paint or cookies to bake and take a picture off. You are just sharing your blog and then friends will stop by for a looksy.

• click on "click here to enter"
• copy and paste or just type in your blog address
• enter title of link...your blog name or phrase to grab attention
• add a photo of you, your profile picture or your blog button or whatever you think will grab some one's attention...(I'm thinking a picture of a big piece of strawberry cheese cake, but that just me LOL)

That's it...super easy. Just think of the possibilities of finding some wonderful blogs.

Thanks for participating,
~Karen~

Thoughts on Thursday...

source

Did you have a penny candy store near you when you were growing up? The store where I grew up was called Bettez Candy Store and was literally the "corner" store. Even the door was on the corner of the building...on an angle. So cute, now that I think about it!! The screen door slammed when it closed.

I can still picture the inside of the store. Short counter on the right, old fashioned register and then rows and rows of candy loose in cute little boxes.

• wax lips
• candy cigarettes...remember blowing the confectioner's sugar?
• flying saucers...wafers with the little beads in them
• pixie stixs...the paper straws with...well, pure sugar in it.
• wax bottles...bite the top off, drink the liquid and then chew the wax forever
• caramel creams or bull's eye...these were my favorite. Still are.
• squirrels...nutty caramels with the waxed paper wrappers
• bubble gum cigars
• Necco wafers...my mom always had these in the bottom of her purse. I ate them even with the purse lint. Lol !! Loved the black licorice flavor

What was your favorite penny candy? What nostalgic candies are from your past?

Happy Thursday,
~Karen~

Thread Organizer...Soda Crates

Thread...we all have it and we all try to organize it. I know I've had "sew" many different ways of storing it, it's ridiculous.

Well, here's one more way...old soda crates.

I found these soda or bottle crates years ago in a flea market. I've used them in so many ways over the years...

• stacked them up on the front porch and filled with flowers or evergreens for the holidays
• saved empty water bottles and then used the crates for a ring toss game for a carnival party we had
• stacked them up and had them next to a chair as an end table. Cute with a lamp and books on them
• you can also plant wheat grass in them for an Easter center piece with eggs in the grass
• use the crates for wall decorations to display little collections

Here is one way I had the crates set up. The tower of crates works great for small spaces. If you lack wall or floor space, always go up...vertically.

Warning...This way is fine for me...no small children around. You can also SECURE it to the wall if needed

I used zip ties or straps to secure each crate to the other.

Just had hooks to the back if you need to attached the crates to your wall.

Each little compartment holds a spool of thread and the matching bobbin.

This is how I finally have it...four of them inside the wall unit. I have a sad thread collection :(  but it works for me!!

I do love the tower too...hmmm...might go back to that. Maybe I'll find more crates, so I can have both ways!!

Look around your house or yard sales and flea markets to see what you can use for a thread organizer!

Happy Sewing,
~Karen~