Look what's happening this week around the handmade and crafty web sites... clip art images, contests, crochet tips and free patterns, etc...

I was browsing around and checking emails this morning, only to find some awesome new ideas, links, and fantastic contests that I thought you would all love to check out, too!

Some really unique bangle bracelets up for grabs here:

Time for the Fall Giveaway! Win one of three comfy...

Now for my friends who are addicted to yarn (and crochet)- About. com has opened up the forum for you to add your thoughts on some different techniques! Also, a ton of free patterns that are really unique and different! Getting my needles out tonight to get busy with them...


Foundation Row – Your Opinion

Here is a great collection of some freebie Thanksgiving clip art you can use for your projects or just to get in the Holiday spirit! Check out this well put together list at:

Plan Thanksgiving Early, with 10 Great Resources for Thanksgiving Clip Art

PS if you did not know it, you can subscribe to the feed from the above site so you can get the latest articles and tips from some of your favorite writers!



Oh... and here is just a great idea! some fun crochet clip art designs that would make very cool cards for your craft loving friends!

Crochet Life: Clip and Catch up

So, that is what I have explored this evening... Do you have something you would love to share- comment with your url or link! Feel free to comment, email, or hop over to my website and sign the guestbook- I am always giving something away or adding new sites to my list of links and buttons!



I wanted to show off a few new items I just added to my shop, also! I started each project with a basic pattern that I either found on the web or that I purchased from my favorite Etsy shop, and then I just added my own finishing techniques, twists, turns, or stitches! What do you think?




Find more photos like this on twitter moms: the influential moms network



Make sure you come back this week as I start my "Mommy's Marketing for the Holidays" series with tips, links, and creative ways to help you market yourself and product for the holidays! Sell on Etsy? Artfire? Did you know they both feed to google differently and that the keywords needed to move you up to the top are completely different? I didn't either, but I do now and my visits have increased over 15% since I made a few simple changes... Come back to see what you can do to turn visits into sales, too!

Halloween Crafts for you and your Kids! Fun!

Halloween Wreath Craft for Pre-School and Kindergarten Students

This is a fun project that you may want to break up across a couple of days, so be sure to start a few days before Halloween. Mom, you can join in the fun as well and make a Halloween wreath of your own too!

Material List

• Paper Plate (One per child/adult)
• Scissors
• Leaves
• Glue Sticks
• Orange Construction Papers
• White Construction Paper
• Black Construction Paper
• Washable Black Marker
• Black Yarn (optional)

Adult Preparation: (To Be Done Prior to Actual Wreath Making)

Cut the center from each paper plate prior to giving one to each child. These will be the base for the homemade wreaths.

Day 1: Grab the kids and head outdoors.

Gather as many fallen leaves of different shapes and colors as you can find. Once you’ve collected enough leaves to cover each paper plate, head back inside and glue them to the paper plates. You can glue the leaves to cover the entire plate, randomly around the plate or even as a border around only the edge, whichever you prefer. Once you’ve glued the leaves to the paper plate, leave the plates to dry for 24 hours or at least overnight.

Day 2: Creativity

Depending on how much time you have to complete this project you can have the children do the next step after the leaves have been glued on, while you’re waiting for them to dry or you can make another day of it.
Let the children draw Halloween images on the construction paper. Here are some ideas for each color of paper:

Orange – Pumpkins (Use the black marker to draw the face on their pumpkins)

White – Ghosts, Mummies, Bones

Black – Cats, Witch Hats (You can use the yarn to put a tail on the cat and hair on the witches head if you’d like to put that under the hat)

Once the children have picked out and drawn which decorations they’ll be using, carefully cut them out and paste them to the wreath.

Tip: Pre-placement (before gluing) will give the child an idea of what the wreath will look like once it is all glued together. When the children are happy with the way the decorations are placed, it’s time to glue them to the leaves.

Again, allow the decorations to dry completely.

Day 3: Decorating Time

Congratulations! You’ve made your very own homemade Halloween wreath. Enjoy your child’s creation by hanging it on the front door or his or her bedroom door for all your friends and family to see and admire.