My name is Char and I have a serious problem with my email inbox.

How serious?

SEVEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND FIFTY.

Anybody have a similar problem?

Give me your best tips on taming the email insanity.

Ready?

Go!

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My guest post over at Kristen Duke Photography on Sunday was the motivation I needed to finally get my crap together and complete a project I’ve been meaning to do for ages.

I saw the idea online (Google it, there are a bunch of images to inspire you) and even bought the clipboards.  But, I’m a procrastinator.  And the pictures I had up in that space were great…other than the fact they were missing a kid.

They’re also a little tame for my current style.  My old age is making me gaudy, I think.

I usually make paper cut outs in the shape of each frame and tape them to the wall to figure out my arrangement.  Since I only had 2 shapes of clipboards and I was hanging them in straight rows, I decided to try a different method this time.

Using painters tape, I taped off an area on my rug the same size as the space above my piano.

Then I laid out my clipboards and played around with the spacing until I had an arrangement I liked.

Then I measured how far from the top tape line the picture hangers would need to be placed and transferred those measurements to the wall.

The small clipboards that are hung sideways are propped up on 2 finish nails.  I used some of that white rubbery sticky stuff (that I can never thing of the name of) to stick the top corners to the wall, just in case.

I like the idea of hanging certificates and artwork and other schoolwork on the clipboards as well and I’m excited to see the pictures change as our lives change.

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You guys are familiar with Jess from Allora Handmade and Mique from 30 Handmade Days, right?  They also do the Queen Bee Market (including the one that will be SNAP! next April).  Well, a childhood friend of theirs needs help.

Miq and Jess have rounded up some delightful tutorials, printables, and patterns from many of your favorite bloggers, with ALL the proceeds going to help.  You can read more here or just go here to shop.

I didn’t here back from the original My Only Sunshine Design winner.  The new winner is Kelly.  If your name is Kelly, check your email.  You’ve got 48 hours to respond.

And, the winner of the Kona cottons bundle from Canton Village Quilt Works is Carla G.  If you’re Carla G, check your email and respond to claim your prize!

Happy Monday!

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I’m guest posting today over at Kristen Duke Photography as part of her Decorating with Portraits series.

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Sometimes there are things that I don’t share on the blog.  Like how (in a moment that can only be described as insanity) I took BC’s truck and drove to IKEA and came home with a couch because my kids are disgusting and I NEEDED something that could go in the washer RIGHT THAT SECOND.  And my poor unsuspecting husband was sitting at football practice the whole time.

So, the couch needed pillows.  I bought a bunch of delightful aqua linen on clearance several years back.  If it looks familiar, it’s because I’ve used it a couple of times for pillows in my family room (see here and here).  I decided that this was also the perfect excuse to try a few more of the products in the Martha Stewart Crafts Decorative Paint Line.

For this project, I wanted a subtle tone on tone look, so I used the craft paint in Sea Lavender (which is not lavender).  I also used the Arabesque laser cut stencil, the tintable fabric medium, as well as a stencil brush and the specialty sponges.  ***The stencil brush provided a much more even application.  Don’t bother with the sponges.***

I centered my design on the pillow fronts and got to work.  One coat was plenty and the stencil covered all but the very edges of my pillow fronts.  I used binder clips to make sure the fabric didn’t blow away whilst it was drying.

Once the paint was dry, I heat set and assembled my pillow covers with a simple envelope back.

Since I already had the fabric and the pillow forms and the paints, this project was basically free.  Good thing, since I just bought a couch. 

Have you tried painting/stenciling on fabric?

How’d it go?

What’d you make?

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So, as most of you know (especially those that follow along on Twitter and got BOMBARDED with tweets), I spent 5 days last week in Minnesota attending The Creative Connection as part of the social media team.

I found Pyrex at Bubba Gump’s

experienced the Mall of America with some of my favorite people

made several hundred new friends

learned a thing or two about blogging

ate a lot of dessert

crafted with Cathe Holden

sewed with Betz White and Patty Young (and didn’t take any pictures!!!)

sang with Becky Higgins

shopped until my suitcase couldn’t hold anymore.

and had the time of my life.

Thanks, Creative Connection.

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Tina’s 24 hours are up.  The new winner is Carolyn.  If your  name is Carolyn, please check your email and get back to me ASAP!!

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The winner of the My Only Sunshine Design giveaway is Tracy P.  I’ve sent you an email.  you have 48 hours to respond to claim your prize.

And, the winner of the ScrapMaBob and the entry into the grand prize Original ScrapBox drawing is Tina S.  TINA, YOU HAVE 24 HOURS AND 24 HOURS ONLY TO RESPOND TO MY EMAIL WITH YOUR FULL NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER.  The big daddy drawing is on Friday and we need to get all the preliminary winners squared away before then.  The grand prize drawing fir one EZ View Craft Desk will take place on The Original ScrapBox BLOG, click here to visit and find out who the incredibly fortunate person is on September 23, 2011.

Lifestyle Crafts is releasing their Be Splendid line today (Christmas stuff).  Remember you can always take 20% off using code “CRAP”.  I’ll have a project up for you a little later.

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