Letter to the Blog (and it's Readers)

Hello!!

How’ve you been, my dear blog?

I’m so sorry I missed your birthday… It was an important day. That was really rotten of me. Here, I brought you some cupcakes. Can we have a talk?

*silence*

Aw, come on…I know you’re upset and you should be.

But, you also love cupcakes…

Look.

 Sprinkles.

*quiet munching noises*

I wanted to tell you that I’ve been making things and every time I do, I think of you.

We need to fix our little relationship here, don’t you agree? This tend to you every few months thing just isn’t working. It’s making you sad. It’s making me sad. This is supposed to be our happy place!

You should know that I’m different now from when I started you. No worries, I still love mushrooms and ninjas. It’s just that some things have shifted inside of me—patterns are constantly being made and remade and I think differently now.

I want to share more than just DIY projects and crafts now. I want to share more about me and the things that I love. I want to become part of the online community of crafters and handmade lovers across the world. I want you to be a part of that.

So, let’s do a little experiment, shall we?

For the next month, I’m going to follow a loose blogging schedule. I’ve made up a list of things—both crafty and not—that I want to write about. I’ve even started a few of the blog posts already. For the next month, I’m going to just write about what I want to write about. But don't worry! I'll fill you in on what I did while I was gone with some back posts for the months of February, March, and April (one per month). I’m also going to give you a little makeover. Maybe a new banner and layout? I know this is all very fast. We can talk about that part later. :)

So, there will still be posts about ninjas and mushrooms and about making ninja and mushroom related crafts. There will just be more stuff, too.

Want to try it out with me?

Much love,

Julie

Big Plans and a Mushroom Scarf for 2011!!

Hi! How've you been? I've been....up to stuff. Stuff that I had a lot of fun making. And stuff that I will be sharing throughout the course of this weekend and next week!

For instance, stuff like finishing the mushroom scarf.

And playing outside

while wearing the mushroom scarf.

I have big plans for 2011 and the list is growing all the time. Which reminds me--I really do need to sit down and write the list down before I forget it...

Stay tuned for more posts and projects in 2011. More frequency, more fun, and more ninjas and mushrooms! This is one of the things on my list. What's on yours?

Link-a-Dink!

With the busy, I missed that on Tuesday my You've Got Mail! journal cover tutorial was linked to over at the 3 f's blog!

Here is Ajjah's blog badge:




Isn't it adorable!?!
I totally need to get one together for this blog, too.

Her blog is just as adorable as the badge, too. I'm definitely going to have to head back to read more later.

A big thank you to Ajjah for linking up to my post.

Now head on over and show 3 f's some love!

Contain my excitement? Never!!

Because I totally suck at acting like nothing is going on when I'm  bursting from excitement inside, I just thought I should let you all  know...

That badge you see above is posted with pride.

I sent in my journal cover tutorial (You've Got Mail!) for consideration and it was accepted and posted over at the Totally Tutorials blog!

This was a fabulous way to start Friday!!

Go show the Totally Tutorials blog some love if you have a free moment.

And of course, thank you for posting my tutorial, Dotty! :)

It's Banner Time!!

(Not to be confused with Hammertime--although that is fun too.)

My blog was pretty plain until last week. There was just

Made in My Free Time

Sneak some creativity into life!

in big letters at the top.

Well, slowly I've been adding things like a Who That? page and a Blogtastical Goodness page. Take a look around. You might just catch me in my kookiness...you never know...

Anyway, part of this was designing the banner that you see above. Or (for when I change the banner in the future) this:

Click the image to see a larger version

I couldn't decide between a ninja and my rocker mushroom for a mascot. And while I'm a sucker for all things mushroom, I'm going with the pixelated ninja for now.

Also, since I am without Photoshop, I used Microsoft Paint to design the ninja. Ah, Microsoft Paint, how do I love thee and yet not at the same time. And then put it all together in Publisher. Not a bad way to go, but not the best either.

Honestly, I am just not happy with the quality that I've got going right now. It's too soft. But it's a start because it's more than just boring old words.

The ninja lets you know that you've got to stay on your toes. You never know what could pop out to thwack you with a throwing star. Because that's just rude.

Feedback? Good, bad, and indifferent: Bring it on!!