Your daily Martha Stewart tips return!

Quite some time ago, I went through a Martha-Stewart-obsessed phase, and quickly became frustrated with having no simple way to view the constantly updating content on MarthaStewart.com- at least, not without spending more time on her website every day than I have available! I was hoping to find some way to get that inspiration in fast, easy doses, where I could star the interesting ones and go back to them later, but it just wasn't out there.

So, of course, I started thinking that I wouldn't be the only one interested in that, and thus I created MarthaDaily.blogspot.com, a blog where I posted a few of the tips from the site each day, so everyone could have that easy-to-access Martha Stewart inspiration!

I'm pretty sure you can guess the problem with that....

It ended up taking way more time to post just a few tips than it ever did going and searching daily! And subscribing to the email newsletters was no help either- my Inbox filled up with them faster than I could read and delete, making it difficult to keep up with my regular email!

So, I quit updating Martha.Daily. and moved on with other projects, but it was always in the back of my little mind, bouncing around, craving a solution. And just this past week, a variety of tools and techniques I've picked up finally came together into a (very confusing, but) working solution!

I'm happy to share that not only does MarthaDaily.blogspot.com again update smoothly with every daily tip, but I've included much more of the sweet, sweet awesomeness than ever before. So go stop by the blog, or bookmark it right here:
 Subscribe in a reader


and enjoy!
 

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Love and Kindness digital print

Another custom order for a digital print!

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Custom ordered art prints

I created these three art prints this weekend for a custom order on Etsy. The customer knew exactly what she wanted them to say, and some colors she liked, and said that she loves my style, so the rest was up to me. I posted them for her yesterday in time for Christmas shipping, and she was delighted! I was so pleased to make her happy, and now she will have custom framed prints to give as gifts.

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Little Wallets

This is a cute little wallet pattern that I picked up in a little shop near Columbus called the Feathered Nest. It's a sewing card by Valori Wells, very easy to follow, and the perfect size to use up some of those fabric scraps laying around. Valori's blog is full of beautiful, colorful photos, be sure to check that out as well!



My "Little Wallets"

Black and white pattern, with sequin and bead flower




Vintage fabric from the 70s and matching flower

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Hilarious yet delicious-looking science cookies

"These cookies have a PhD in delicious."
Ms. Humble

Can you imagine my delight and awe when a friend sent me the link to these petri dish-inspired sugar cookies?

Petri dish sugar cookie

They were created by "Ms. Humble" from not so humble pie. Her talent is incredible!

Lab mice cookies

I love people who like science! And I am completely amazed by those who can bake and decorate like a pro. I'm completely food making disabled.

Gingerbread scientists in lab coats

Periodic table of delicious

And you must really be a nerd (or married to one) to enjoy these:

Gel electrophoresis cookies

Love them!

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Beautiful found objects holiday tree

Everything about this tree is stunning. The red and aqua colors really pop (and I love that combination anyway). Deers and birds and vintage objects- there is nothing not to love!

Via

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Ruffled Book Wreath

I posted before about this book wreath from Living With Lindsay, which I think is elegantly beautiful.



A few months ago I was lucky enough to find many old books at a yard sale for 25 cents each, so I decided to make one of my own. It took almost 100 pages, but was certainly worth the time! I also added a pearled tassel ornament from the bottom.





The tutorial given is quite helpful and I didn't really make any changes to it. I used a book from 1936, so I did not need to faux the antiqued pages edges- however, the old pages were brittle, and were more likely to crease and fold instead of curl into ruffles. The use of a new book may be easier from that part.

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Strapless Clutch with Ruffled Inset

I made this strapless clutch as a custom order for someone, and I changed my usual Pie Purse design a bit. I am really in love with all of the ruffled creations that are so popular right now, and wanted to add that touch of femininity into the purse. I ruffled the top and bottom of the blue inset, and it is still pleated on the sides so that the fabric tucks in, making the ruffles come out of the front just like I wanted. It is super cute.



I also added a zipper closure along the top instead of magnetic snaps, and it actually turned out making everything easier and went more quickly. And it is a bit more secure for keeping all of your things inside.



The fabric is heavier, Fresh Start by Amy Butler which is a home decor weight, but it is still eco-friendly, because I purchased the fabric as someone's scraps on Etsy.com, making use of what would be waste and supporting another artist at the same time.



It turned out to be one of my favorites!

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December desktop

This reindeer baby is an original illustration I made using Photoshop. I really had more plans for him, but just didn't have the time to make them happen. But I'd like to share him at least a little bit, so here he is gracing a winter desktop background.

You may also download either size and use as a free blog background!

1020x1680 size

1280x1024 size

1280x1024 with calendar

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Google+Art

It's no secret that I am a big fan of the Google web servies. I consistently view it as the best email, search engine, image search, home page, blog reader, etc etc etc, service available. Some may not realize how all of these different things are connected now by Google, by letting you use just your one email address to access dozens of websites, have each one easily link up with another, and keep it all together. Having it so connected really streamlines my internet use, letting me get at information faster and easier (like right on my home page, or easily networked from there).

Some of my favorite applications are iGoogle Homepage, Google Reader, Gmail, Calendar, Blogger, and I use each of them multiple times a day.

And it is expanding: Google now owns YouTube, Feedburner, and Picasa (pictures), and I also use it exclusively for maps and document sharing. Really, it just goes on and on and on.

The only Google application that I don't like is Google Groups, as I personally think it is extremely outdated as far as forum options go. Its only redeeming factor is that I can use my Gmail address to log in. And I am ambivalent towards Google Wave currently, I have an account but so far it seems to do exactly everything I can already to with Gmail, but only with people who also have Google Wave. But two apps out of the many that I use regularly are completely okay with me.

And here is what makes me love Google, instead of simply appreciating their services. They are funny. They are cool. They, as a company, have a personality and a sense of humor. Google is well-known for the always current logo changes, easter-eggs, and April Fool's jokes. And all of it pales in comparison to their Artist Themes.

Themes are used to decorate your webpage. Google has an entire category for artists, and I am really impressed with their selection. There is a wide range of styles, from Modern to Grunge to Pop to Scrapbook, and a variety of media, like photography, paint and digital. It is web browsing eye candy covered in awesome sauce.

iGoogle Homepage Artist themes

Shepard Fairey

Chapurin

Konstantin Gayday

 

Akira Isogawa

Michael Draves

Chihuly

Marc Ecko

Some guy named Sam

Each theme usually has 3 or more images, so you get some variety every time you load your page.

There are so many, I can't even list all the ones I love. In addition to fantastic art, they also have themes from some of the biggest names in Music (Bob Dylan, Beastie Boys, Coldplay), Fashion (Prada, Gucci, Kate Spade), Games (WoW, Zelda), Decorating (Martha Stewart)... pretty much any interest you have, you can decorate your page with it.

I even have a different theme for every tab in my iGoogle, which both helps me remember what page I'm even on, and gives me something new to look at in each place. There is so much variety offered in the themes that I change them often. I love it, love it, love it.

(P.S. If you are wondering, I don't get anything for posting this- I just like to share cool stuff that I enjoy with others.)

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Updated post: DIY Craft Desk

In response to further questions about my desk dimensions, I've updated my DIY Craft Desk Revisited post with additional comments. I think it is fantastic that so many people have used this as inspiration for their own desks- you all are so impressive!

I'd love to post pictures of any desks made from this project, please send them my way if you have built your own craft desk!

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Updated post: DIY Craft Desk

In response to further questions about my desk dimensions, I've updated my DIY Craft Desk Revisited post with additional comments. I think it is fantastic that so many people have used this as inspiration for their own desks- you all are so impressive!  

I'd love to post pictures of any desks made from this project, please send them my way if you have built your own craft desk!

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Favorite finds

I am waaayyyyy behind in reading blogs (and everything else)- here is a quick snapshot of some of my favorite finds lately.

1 here  2 here  3 here 4 here 5 here 6 here 7 here 8 here 9 here 

10 here 11 here 12 here 13 here 14 here 15 here 16 here

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