Art books and Magazines... OH, how I love thee!

I use to think I had a problem, you know... a little thing called "hoarding".  I thought that until 2 things happened:

1. I watched Hoaders and realized I didn't have blue tarps in my back yard covering old cars and butter tubs.

2. I found all of you other artists with ever more "stuff" than I had... but I'm trying to catch up, I swear!!

I have stacks and stacks of art magazines, but to PROVE I'm not a hoarder I've got a stack (or 10) of  scrapbooking magazines going to Goodwill (6 years worth my friends)!  Yes, I thought about keeping them and making rolled paper beads, but I resisted knowing full well I'd never do it!  But gee, now that I think about it...

So here's what I'm reading now and watch out, some of the pages MIGHT be wet due to drooling!

I just got this last night from a gal on ebay!  She was selling it to make room for new books, gotta love that!

I have REALLY REALLY REALLY been spending a LOT of time thinking about my blog and who she is and who she wants to be...

I have grand plans :)

I got this book from the same lady and had to have it because I THINK I can sew!

I can't, but I think I can...another problem I have!!

Ok, not really a book or magazine, but a catalog!  Stampin' Up catalogs are FULL of fabulous ideas and inspiration so if you haven't seen one and are into card making or scrapbooking, give it a lookie!

You can see the catalog online at:

http://www.stampinup.com/

and IF you want something email me at:

chinamommy_04@yahoo.com

Ok, this last book...

Gorgeous, gorgeous pictures and ideas! 

If you like to make jewelry, go grab this, it will give you so much inspiration!  I've literally spent hours pouring over each and every page.  It goes in the car with me (when I'm the passenger),  and it sit ons my passenger seat when I'm the driver but know I'm going to be waiting somewhere for someone.  For a moment I thought about making a fanny pack to carry it everywhere with me, but that thought went as soon as it came- Whewww!

Seriously, I LOVE this book!!  Eye candy galore!

Book buying tips from me:

1. check ebay for awesome deals

2. Joanne Fabric and Crafts lets you use their 40% off coupons on books

3. Amazon used books- often like BRAND NEW!

So, what are you READING??

Any other art books that I MUST have??

Let me know!!

xoxo

Oh my gosh... is this cute, or what?

I'm trying to flood my brain with inspiration and for me, it's by looking at CUTE stuff!!

So check out this CUTE stuff!

glitzy octo earrings by anthropology 

this ADORABLE bicycle built for two by Jenni Horne

I'm in love with bike prints, you can find tons of cute examples on etsy too!

Helen Dardik... always love everything she does! Is this sweet treat picture the cutest ever?

I swear everything she does is magical to me.  Can you imagine your mom making invites to your birthday that look like this?

and this is from Urban Outfitters:

I would love this for my desk, so me!!

These stamps are from Stampin' Up.  Stamps.... so addictive!!

and this... 

I guess because it's PINK it gets to go in the "cute" category (and the sparkly and the glitzy and the EXPEN$IVE category... at $32,999.99, I'll take 2!).

and then this... this gets my #1 Cute vote for today-

Eeeek, I seriously screamed when I saw it!  I've been begging the Mister on a daily basis to build one in the back yard!!  He didn't say "no"... so I'm going to start hand cutting wood shingles for the roof!  I wonder if I can use my cricut?!

Have a GREAT day!!

ok, before I forget: I DO read all your comments (and LOVE them) and I always respond to them, the problem: I respond in my head!  I always wonder if people come back to see if I've responded to their comments- which I sometimes do... but I'm curious: IF you comment, do you come back to see if I said anything?  Just curious... 

and:

a little plug about my BABY HAT DRIVE 

As most of you know, my daughter was adopted from China and I left a little piece of my heart there.  I'm collecting hats to keep the children and babies warm in the winter.  Many live in orphanages that are without heat.

1. make a baby hat, toddler hat, or kid sized hat (you can take the non-crafty way out and buy one if you must)

2. email me at: chinamommy_04@yahoo.com for my address.

3. I'll take care of shipping them to CHINA next fall (I'm shooting for a Sept deadline).

any questions- please feel free to email me!!

Don't cry for me fellow bloggers....

Sung to the tune of:

"Don't Cry for me Argentina"
(you know you just went back and tried it, I DID!).

Girls, let me tell you... my allergies are KICKIN MY BUTT!

Snot is pouring down my face, my head feels like someone threw a brick at my face, I'm grouchy and I just want to sleep but I can't quit sneezing (think in reps of 12-15!)...

attractive, I know!

Yesterday I worked on my "chandelier" after my drugs had kicked in... let me show you what I've done so far... I'm finding it rather fetching if i do say so myself!
My little assistant, Rambo

She's helping me take my $1 store baskets over to get painted!

I chose French Lilac paint because it's going in my studio.

I've got them all wired together and hope to finish it up today...

Here is the one "Brassy Apple" did for her daughter's room!!

Click on the link below for ALL the detailed directions!
http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/2010/05/diy-chandeliertutorial.html/
I like to think I'm pretty crafty, but who in the world see's these baskets at the $1 store and thinks:
CHANDELIER!?
I got mine at a store called "Dollar Tree".  Honestly, I've never really been into $1 stores, but I've been introduced to some of their benefits lately!  I just don't like to shop places where I'm pretty sure someone in a foreign country is cranking out this crap for .30 a week!


Even in my weakened condition (I know, "give you a break", right?!) I listed some things on ebay (my seller name is: chinesebabydoll).  If you're into rubber stamping (or just general craft collecting like the rest of us), check them out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stampin-Up-Bitty-Birthday-4-stamps-Never-been-used-/170491820145?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b21ab871#ht_500wt_1154/

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stampin-Up-Expressive-Flexible-Phrases-Never-been-used-/170491813529?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b21a9e99#ht_500wt_1154/

http://cgi.ebay.com/Clear-Winter-Holiday-Stamps-Autumn-Leaves-BRAND-NEW-/170491830018?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b21adf02#ht_500wt_1039/

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stampin-Up-Classic-Alphabet-56-stamps-Never-been-used-/170491815534?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b21aa66e#ht_500wt_1154/

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170491832651&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_500wt_1154/

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stampin-Up-Polka-Dot-Punches-4-stamps-Never-been-used-/170491821513?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b21abdc9#ht_500wt_1154/

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stampin-Up-Perfect-Princess-7-stamps-Never-been-used-/170491818121?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b21ab089#ht_500wt_1154/

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stampin-Up-Simple-Shapes-10-stamps-only-3-ever-used-/170491825209?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b21acc39#ht_500wt_1154/

Most of them haven't been used, most are "Stampin' Up" brand and they all start at .99! I'm my very own $1 store right now!!
Happy Sneezing!
and...

a little plug about my BABY HAT DRIVE 

As most of you know, my daughter was adopted from China and I left a little piece of my heart there.  I'm collecting hats to keep the children and babies warm in the winter.  Many live in orphanages that are without heat.

1. make a baby hat, toddler hat, or kid sized hat (you can take the non-crafty way out and buy one if you must)

2. email me at: chinamommy_04@yahoo.com for my address.

3. I'll take care of shipping them to CHINA next fall.

any questions- please feel free to email me!!