Off to the Races

Crafty Blog of the Day: DancingMermaid
This blog is beauty and creativity epitomized.You will really be missing out if you don't go visit...and be sure to drop a comment
and tell 'em Barb the Craft Junkie sent ya!

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I don't know if I've ever talked here about the fascination my hubby and I have with NHRA drag racing.  We LOVE to watch the drag races but we especially love to go to the drag races...not the local stuff but the REAL professional races.  We go to the ones in Memphis and in Atlanta every year.

Richie, the hubby, loves the cars and the sounds and smells of the track...I, on the other hand, love the personalities and rooting for the underdogs.  Yea, I'm a girl, what can I say?

Anyway, over the 3 years since we've been together and since I've gotten hooked on drag racing, I have become a huge fan of one of the team sponsors, Marty Yacoobian...also known as "Marty, Marty the one man party!"  I adore this man.  He stands at the starting line and roots on the drivers he sponsors like no one else out there...he hoots and hollers, he dances and jumps for joy.  He is a true one man party...and his excitement and exuberance make me laugh and give me joy.  I am his biggest fan!  Really.

I was lucky enough to get to meet (and hug) him at the NHRA race in Atlanta back in April of this year and it absolutely made my year!  Can't you tell by the look on my face?  I am one happy girl, I tell ya!  Marty looks like he should have a starring role on "The Sopranos" but no, instead you'll never see a race without him there, doing his dances and giving high fives for his drivers.

And because I'm his biggest fan and we are heading to the NHRA races in Memphis this weekend, I couldn't let it pass without showing my love for Marty, so I will be wearing this wonderful creation of a tshirt to the race on Sunday.

I plan on having my picture made with Marty and having him sign it, too!

So, what do ya think?


Fun, huh?  I can't wait to wear it...and for Marty to see it, too.  He is such a hoot, I know he will howl with laughter about it, too.  I told him I was the President and founding member of the "Marty the Party" fan club and he thought that was so funny.  Now he'll have evidence that I really am his biggest fan, huh?

Anyway, I think this shows that I am trying to be creative again and have something to look forward to, too...our little vacation to Memphis and the races.

Maybe when we get back, I will feel like updating more often.

Until then....

Happy Crafting!!!

Peace & Love,


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More of the Same

Crafty Blog of the Day: Daisy's Mom Knits

Daisy's Mom is a good friend of mine and she loves
to knit! Duh, right? Anyway, she is a knitting whiz and I
envy her abilities...go visit and be sure to drop a note
and tell her Barb the Craft Junkie sent ya!

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It's more of the same from me right now.

More ATCs.

Why? Well, they are small and easily completed in one sitting without droning on for days...days when I don't know if I will be feeling like getting back to them.

I don't guess that's a bad thing because at least I am trying to be creative, even if only in short bursts...but I do know that there are sewing and jewelry projects that I want (or is it NEED) to do that I just can't seem to focus or concentrate enough to start, much less finish.

Anyway, here are two new pieces that I've put together in the past few days.

This first one was inspired by a Zetti clown that I found in my stash of goodies. (If you don't know what Zetti images are, check out their WEBSITE of stamps and collage sheets...to say that it is very original work is an understatement...it is whimsical and yet very mature at the same time.)

Anyway, there are days I feel like that clown so I decided that she needed some color (she was just black and white) and some beads to give her some LIFE and some color...some uniqueness!

Then I realized that what I did to her really boiled down to being true to yourself...just being who you are at your core, never you mind what others say or think.

Each of us is one of a kind...this card is the epitome of those things. Just be yourself. Who else better to be you than you, right?

This one is made from one of those background thingies that comes in a picture frame (the fake picture to show what a great frame your buying - Yea, that thing) that I had saved for-ev-er. It was a plain pen drawing on white of a tree. A beautiful and intricate tree. I have a thing for trees.

Anyway, I took the drawing and used markers and watercolors to color the tree a beautiful shade of summer green. What goes better with summertime than play? Besides, this tree just begs to be the hangout for the neighborhood kids and needed a tire swing. So that brought on the hemp cording and a tiny rubber o-ring.

Once that was done, it just looked right. The summer I turned 4, 1969, this would have been THE place I would have loved to have spend my days playing, I'm sure.

For those of you thinking about picking up doing ATCs, do it! They are small works of art that you can unleash your creativity on but not be tied to it for days and days. And if you want to trade cards with me, let me know....I'd love to get our trade on! LOL

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Happy Crafting!!!

Peace & Love,


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Newest Art Form

Crafty Blog of the Day:
Sorry...no crafty blog of the day today...I'm just too tired and ill to find a one.(Know of a crafty blog for me to feature?  Suggest in a comment...I'd love to have the input!)
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I did want to share the small things I'm working on lately, thought. 

Being ill has kept me out of my craft studio for the most part over the past month...that would explain the lack of crafty posts.  I suffer from panic/anxiety disorder, depression, diabetes, and on and on, blah, blah, blah.  Well, they've all had me in their grip lately and it's really done a job on my creativity, as well as my energy.

But, I'm still thinking of things and have found that small projects are things I can accomplish, even with limited energy so I give you: ATCs...Artist Trading Cards.  These are my creations in a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" form.

They can be done in any medium...paint, pencil, paper, collage (my favorite!), ink, fabric, and on and on...the only real rule is that they must be 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" and on a stiff enough backing to withstand whatever treatment you're going to give them.  I use heavy watercolor paper or chipboard.

I have found this is a good way to be creative without feeling like I am bound to my studio for hours on end.  Plus, it's fun.

If you're interested, I have joined a web-group called ATCsforAll that trades ATCs, so come join in on the fun.  (I can loaf the 'net all the time...that takes NO energy.)

I hope you're all doing well and crafting up a storm.

Happy Crafting!!!

Peace & Love,


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Yummy Bag!!!

Crafty Blog of the Day: Pink Lemonade Bags
Now, y'all know I'm a sucker for all things free, right?Well, I'm also a sucker for all things GORGEOUS! Caroline has gorgeous in spades over at her site soclick the link above and go visit her (read about the free below)
...and be sure to drop a comment
and tell her Barb the Craft Junkie sent ya!

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Hey everyone! I'm still here, trudging along and making it, day by day. My book of project ideas is growing by leaps and bounds so that when I do feel better (soon?), I will never be bored for a lack of ideas of things to create.

For now, I read (LOTS), jot down ideas as they come to me (sometimes even with sketches...Ooo! lol), and do a lot of internet surfing. I have found some really great sites over the past few weeks that have fueled my creative ideas. Then there are my tried and true favorites that never fail to amuse, inspire or just leave me in awe.

Caroline at Pink Lemonade Bags has, not only some of the most awesome purses I've ever laid eyes on, but the most fabulous thing is going on over at her site! She's having a great contest to win one of the unbelievable bags from her shop (Pink Lemonade Boutique Bags)!!! It's the Kiwi Pink Retro Dots bag and it is gorgeous! Just look:

See? Isn't it be-u-ti-ful??? I so want to win it but hey. part of the rules are that I have to tell my friends about her contest. *sigh* And we all know I'm a stickler for rules (except those that involve using priority mail shipping boxes in my crafts, but I digress LOL) so I'm doing my part, like a good girl should.

But hey, if you win it and you want to donate it to me, I won't turn ya down! Just let me know if you need my address to ship it to me, okay? I'm just sayin...

Hey, don't look at me like that! I love the bag and you can't blame a girl for trying, can ya? Yea, that's what I thought.

Anyway, go see Caroline and check out her excellent hand crafted bags...and enter this great contest, too.

In other news....

Believe it or not, I am working on a couple of small things to show you guys so I will hopefully have a crafty post tomorrow or Sunday. It takes me forever to accomplish things these days.

Until then...

Happy Crafting!!!

Peace & Love,


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Don't miss a crafty thing!