Gather your scrap papers, lace and such!  Get the biggest frame you can find at the second hand store.  Why?  To make a dry erase board for lists, thoughts, favorite quotes and dreams!

My friend, Anna, came over for a little crafting last night.  She didn't know what we were going to make and all I asked is that she stop and pick up a couple black dry erase markers.  That she did and away we went slashing and Mod Podging.  Put your finished collage in the frame. 3 hours later…

They're pretty nifty.  Both of us had recently moved and this was a great addition to our new spaces.

I asked Anna to write anything for this photo.  She looked at me straight faced, turned, and wrote: milk.  I laughed out loud.  Anywho, you can write right on the glass and erases like magic.  Snap.  I want to make one for everyone I know!

Now here comes the hard part.  I think it's kind of hard to see the marker on my crazy collaged background.  Soooooo.  I'm going to leave it for a few days and then (maybe) water down some ivory paint and do a wash over everything.  This way you can still see a faint version of the colors and texture along with your writing on top.

Someday I'm going to tell you all about how to start your own Crafty Book Club at your local library.  It's not hard, but I do have some tips and strategies.  In the mean time, let's cut straight to one of the projects I did for a CBC meet up.  Ok?   The project:  Sweet! Memory Boxes!

I run around snapping pics on my iPhone during the class and I apologize for the slight blurriness.  Ok, here's what you need:  Mod Podge, paint brushes in all sizes, Folk Art paints, scrapbook embellishments, flat back gems, memory boxes with glass lids (found at Michael's for $1).

Base coat the box however you like, then doodle around the lid, sponge, dry-brush to create layers.  There's no wrong way to do this!  You know me.

Then Mod Podge your paper embellishments on.  These are by K and Co.  I love all of their long strips because they wrap perfectly around the box's base.

This is what you end up with.  Pretty sweet, huh?  Or what about this one?

The frame boxes are cool because you can put special trinkets and such in side and they move around.  I love interactive elements!

Two hours later, there you have it!  This is a great craft to make with your children.  Have a super duper weekend!

This is my friend Emily.  She's uber talented in so many ways—from amazing actress to her special projects she puts together where she works—she is tip top! 

The necklace I'm wearing is a special project I made for Jewelry Making Daily to celebrate a new video of mine.  We are launching Remixed Media:  Transforming Metal Found Objects for Your Jewelry.  In the video you get tons of ideas for how to use those cool metals that you can't solder to.  The necklace is titled Stirring Up Sunshine because I used iced tea spoons for some of the components.  My mom was a big sun tea maker and I think of those bright days growing up every time I see those long handled, skinny spoons. 

I hope you are having a Happy Valentine's Day.  I know for us single people it can feel a little third wheel-ish.  :)  I'm focusing on loving my friends and family instead.  Seeing happy couples gives me hope that it's possible!  I sent little texts to my friends and tonight I'm helping my parents carry a big cabinet in from their truck.  Dad is making steak for his Valentine's (and help, LOL).  XOXO.  Candie

Signed.  Sealed.  Delivered.  I'm yours! Heart.  Ready to make one?

Collect some hearts.  I found these at the thrift store for 25 cents each.  I think their past life was spent at a wedding.  I'm reincarnating them into some Valentines.

Paint it how you like!  I used Folk Art Cardinal Red and Licorice.  I painted the edges with gold brushy stripes too.  Don't worry if your lines are perfect—let it be you!!!

You can find LOTS of old stamp lots on Ebay.  Then, break out the Podge and seal those stampers down.

A few black dots around the edge…then varnish, varnish, varnish.  Gloss or Satin.  You pick.

Signed on the back and delivered last night.  I tucked it into my friends decor and she didn't notice until later.  I love a good surprise! 

XOXO, Candie

The Craft and Hobby show was a blast!  This is where I hung out pretty much the entire show, here in the DIY jewelry/fashion area of the Plaid booth.  It was awesome!

Plaid Craft TV is coming out this Spring with Cathie and Steve!  There will be lots of inspiring guests and ideas you can check out right from your computer at home!

Pretty lines!  We used the two on far right to make necklaces for four straight days!  Dazzling Geodes and Beautifully Baroque.  I brought home some creations I made during the show too!

There are Make and Take stations all over the show floor where visitors can try new products, learn new techniques and take home a neat little finished project.  In the Plaid booth, you could learn jewelry making, glass painting with stencils, how to paint flowers on wooden surfaces, decoupaging with fabric and be on the new Plaid Craft TV.  IT was a party!

Happy "Minions" from Chica and Jo with their Beautifully Baroque necklaces!

Dazzling Geodes!  This piece looked so pretty!

This was her first time making jewelry!  Look at all those layers!  We both agreed, she's hooked!  No turning back now!

Be watching for Plaid's new Denim Destruction kit too!

There was a huge table with tons of jewelry made with present and past Plaid jewelry components….people loved checking out all the different looks.  I could have sold a lot of it too!

Beadalon let us use my favorite ergo pliers set and bead mats too!  Thanks, Beadalon!

I loved this person's design.  Her and her friend were the very last make and takers of the show and so nice.  It was a great way to end the day and show…

Girl-jewelry here finally got smart.  Instead of immersing a thousand shiny copper beads into the liver of sulphur solution, straining, rinsing and pouring into the tumbler full of a kagillion pieces of tiny steel shot followed by days worth of picking through the shot to find them….she opted to string them first.  Hello….McFly!!!  I tell ya, sometimes… (picture me shaking my head back and forth in astonishment at my stupidity).  

Second, a treat.  Do you ever finish every single bite on your plate and feel just full enough?  Not like sick, stuffed full, but instead so ABSOLUTELY satisfied?  That was me this morning.  It may have been that I was eating with my two favorite colors, aqua and red or maybe it was because  I whipped up a small batch of french toast.  The milk even had to take one for the coffee team for this French toast but it was worth it!  Ever since I watched the documentary on Shopsins, I've been hungry for pancakes and soup and strange breakfast creations.  This one isn't so strange, but it sounds nice and cheery.  The snow is coming down crazy time.  I'm off to make stuff.  Cozy day to you…