Getting creative inspiration from a crafty girlfriend - like KATIE HACKER

I'm so lucky - my girlfriends inspire me so much! I was inspired to a marathon by my 'jock' girlfriend, Allison. Becky ("the Kitchen Goddess") inspires me to be a better cook (although admittedly I don't try often!). Jill inspires me with her jewelry designs. I love that about girlfriends. Together we have more fun, learn more and become more 'ourselves' through our female friends.

My girlfriend KATIE HACKER is creative, kind, talented and inspiring. She is author of more than 20 craft books including Hip to Bead, Katie's Basics of Beading and 30-Minute Beading. She also presents Beading Lessons on the PBS show Beads, Baubles & Jewels, is a regular columnist for Simply Beads magazine and teaches workshops at national shows like the Bead & Button Show. Although she is best known for beading, she does lots of other crafts and she has some wonderful ideas for crafting with and for your girlfriends.

Just listen to our NEW podcast with Katie and she'll inspire you - to craft for and with your girlfriends, to make time for your friends, to connect with your creative girlfriends through the internet and just to be more comfortable with your own creativity!

Check out Katie's blog for updates, creative ideas and her recent Ornament Round Robin (see following blog).

Do your girlfriends inspire you? Please join in the Girlfriendology December CONTEST - which asks for stories on girlfriends you're thankful for. Spread the girlfriend gratitude! Honor your girlfriend by telling everyone how much she inspires you! (and win prizes in the Great Girlfriend Gift Giveaway!) Thanks Katie!

Sparkly Girlfriend Ornaments for the ORNAMENT ROUND ROBIN

As you know, Girlfriendology is all about 'appreciation, inspiration and celebration of girlfriends.' GirlfriendologyToo is for the creative side of girlfriends - like those who like to share fun creative ideas ... hmmm, like a SPARKLY ORNAMENT to give your girlfriends!

This easy project takes flashing (from a hardware store, plumbing dept.), tin snips, double-sided adhesive (like Double-sided Super Tape, by Therm O Web), awl, glitter, beads and wire. I also used some metal letter stamps to personalize them.

Draw and cut patterns from paper - mine were for a star, purse and heart. Using the tin snips (don't use scissors, it may ruin them!), cut the tin shapes and use the awl to make holes to hang them from. If you want to personalize, hammer metal alphabet stamps in the flashing. Cut the double sided tape to cover the tin (like for the purse and star) or in shapes (like the heart) for the first glitter color and apply to the tin. Remove the tape backing and apply wire words (like the star "Dream"), rhinestones or beads. Then cover in glitter. Apply any other pieces of the tape and add other colors of rhinestones. Cover the back with tape and glitter. Use the awl again to open up the holes (going through the glitter and tape) and insert wire (with beads, like for purse handle or curled) for hangers.

TODAY is an ornament round robin so you can get lots of ideas, like:

Framed Memory Art - Katie Hacker
Fun spoon snowmen - Candie Cooper
Joyful stamped dovie - Margot Potter
Pretty bead embroidery - Linda Augsburg
Scented clay cookie - Melanie Brooks Lukacs
Dual purpose art bead ornie - Art Bead Scene
Jingle spiral - Cindy Gimbrone
Charming art bead ornies - Heather Powers
Stamped poly clay & beads - Polymer Clay Craft Gossip
Glitter paint and glass - Alexa Westerfield
Starry stamped polymer clay - Elaine Luther
PMC & kid's art ornie - Melissa Lee
Painted glass orbs - Michelle McGee
Super bright starburst - Jennifer Heynen
Stephen Colbert angel - Hali Chambers
Vintage cone - Kriss Kramer
Peppermint decor - Lisa Liddy
Sweet snowy guys - Brandy Lung Gill
And there's a cool star ornament at Beading Daily

And some that will be posted after this writing...
Jenny Harada
Rebecca Peck
Jean Yates
Sara Naumann
Lynn Kvigne
Suzanne

Just some fun ideas from crafty girlfriends! Girlfriends add sparkle to our lives, so why not make an ornament to match?! Have fun Creative Girlfriends!

TIP TUESDAY #6 - Girlfriend advice for making gifts

Tip Tuesdays (even when posted on Wednesdays!) are meant to bring out the collaborative, helpful, sharing side of girlfriends. You know - the tips you learn while shopping, walking, eating, driving ... do anything together.

Last Tuesday Laura offered the greatest tip. I do plan to take her girlfriend gift advice and encourage you to read on - it is our great fortune that she left her comments?

Who will leave comments this week for our TIP TUESDAY Question?

You're creative. What is your advice for making gifts? Stocking stuffers, big/small gifts - what do you make for your friends?

Please add a comment. And, if your thoughts on this lead you to being thankful for your girlfriends, check out our December Girlfriendology Contest and "Great Girlfriend Gift Giveaway" - we need your stories on how thankful you are for girlfrineds (and you have a very good shot at winning a prize!). Happy Holidays Girlfriends!

Creative girlfriends are thoughtful girlfriends!

Robin shared about a wonderful memory book and charm bracelet given to her for a special birthday. Another scrapbook was created with funny blooper pictures from Heather's wedding, presented to her by a wonderful girlfriend. Veronica is learning chainmail from Jezka, who noticed that Veronica was especially enamoured with one of her necklaces which, of course, she gave her friend.

Creative girlfriends ARE thoughtful girlfriends! I know from experience. These stories and more are on our new Podcast - taken from your response to our November Girlfriendology Contest (which asked about your favorite gift given to or from a girlfriend).

I wish we could give everyone a prize (several won Starbucks gift cards to take their girlfriend out for coffee on Girlfriendology), so we launched the "Great Girlfriend Gift Giveaway" for December. (A prize every day for entries to our December contest!) Just send us your comments on which girlfriend(s) you're thankful for and you could win! Show your girlfriend gratitude!

Girlfriend Gifts are Timeless!

Want to make a girlfriend gift that is personalized and will remind her of your friendship 24 hours/day?!

Inspired by a vacation with friends a few years ago, I took photos from the trip and decorated a clock. I added some thin scrapbook embellishments and stickers (to not interfere with the hand movement). It was a really fun gift to make and give.

Several companies sell clock pieces that allow you customize them - from different shapes, styles of numbers, hands, etc. I just found one that I worked for who posted my ideas on their site.

Really, it doesn't take that much TIME! Make your girlfriend a gift with pictures of the two of you and/or elements that make it uniquely HER. Have fun!

TIP TUESDAY #5 - Creative ways to wrap girlfriend gifts?

I'm sure, being creative, organized and thoughtful, that you've already made all your girlfriend gifts for the holidays. Without spending time in shopping malls, you've enjoyed long knitting sessions with your cat and re-runs of Dr. McDreamy. Life is good, right?

Well, if your creative life isn't quite so organized and your schedule not so serene, and you haven't finished a lot of your gifts and/or shopping, that you can't even allow yourself to think about the gift wrapping process. Here's where we all chip in to help each other - right?!

This week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

"What creative ways do you wrap gifts for your girlfriends? How do you personalize packages? Do you make greetings to go with your gifts?"

Here's mine (with a little history): 1995. Living in cold, COLD Minnesota where they're very nature-lovin'. I thought - hmmm, we waste a lot of paper in gift wrap so why don't I make cloth gift bags? I started making and selling them. I loved decorating the end of the drawstrings, adding little plastic sleeves for the TO/FROM cards, making my own labels, etc.

I still have some around and now I keep them in the house for our gifts because I love using them and they not only are pretty, personalized and 'green' but they also make wrapping gifts (especially tough shapes/sizes) easy and fast.

Now it's your turn ... How do you wrap those special gifts for your creative girlfriends, family, etc.?

New Girlfriendology Podcast - you or a girlfriend needs to hear this!

There isn't a 'creative girlfriend' angle but there is a very strong girlfriend lesson and, since it impacts all of us, I wanted you to know about it.

Our new podcast features ELLEN SHUMAN an emotional eating coach who has been Oprah, featured in O Magazine, etc. Her web site is www.aweighout.com and she offers a free teleconference seminar on emotional eating. Not sure what "emotional eating" is and why it is so important? Check out our podcast or our other Girlfriendology blog. Thanks girlfriends - for being supportive, caring, loving people!

Ideas for Girlfriend Gifts ... and an opportunity to win some too!

I love that feeling when I open a gift from a special friend and it is PERFECT! Something she puts some thought or time into. Something that was so ME and so perfectly from HER! And admittedly, I'm partial to handmade gifts from my creative, crafty girlfriends. Anything my craft girlfriends make me is priceless and better than store-bought gifts!

Every month Girlfriendology has a contest for girlfriend stories. The theme changes monthly and for the November contest, in preparation for the holidays, the theme was on 'gifts.' What gifts have you given to or received from a creative girlfriend that was special?

We were blessed with lots of great stories from wonderful female friends. From simple acts of kindness to those wonderful, special creative gifts; from thoughtful expressions of friendship to personalized presents that recognized the individuals personal style and celebrated their special day - it was inspiring! (Just in time for holiday shopping!)

Our dilemma is that we only have room for five winners!* There were many, many wonderful stories. It was a challenge to judge the monthly Girlfriendology Contest!

Interested in what girlfriends shared on their favorite gifts to give or receive? Listen to the podcast (that will be posted by 12/3/07) to hear all the stories - the winners and those who still are winners because they are/have great girlfriends!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the November Girlfriendology Contest! Winners are: Christine - for her Thanksgiving basket, Cherie - pregnancy pampering girlfriend story, Jenny - for her caffeinated and thoughtful friend, Robin - with her charming charm bracelet story and Beth - for her beautiful best friend poem. Each of these winners will receive a $10 Starbucks gift card (to take your girlfriend out for coffee on Girlfriendology!) and Beth also receives the Girlfriendology Journal for her top entry girlfriend story. (See the other Girlfriendology Blog for her best friend story and poem.)

The creative submissions included:

- Robin is super creative so it must be hard to be her friend and give her something she couldn't make herself! For a 'special birthday' (ended in an "0"), her friend Ana presented her with a book of photos and letters from friends and family. She also presented Robin with a charm bracelet filled with charms selected by all those friends and family who wrote for her book. (Love that idea!) Check out her blog for more creative ideas!

- Veronica was admiring the beautiful chainmail jewelry that her friend Jezka was making. The next time Veronica got a gift from Jezka it was this necklace. Jezk noticed this longing and thoughtful shared her creative talents with her good friend!

- Heather shared: "The best gift that I have ever received from a girlfriend was a scrapbook that she made for my wedding. She put pictures that you wouldn't normally contribute to a wedding. It was full of all the bloopers pics and natural fun." (Another great idea!)

All these stories and more will be on the Girlfriendology Podcast - just check out the November Contest Winners podcast. Check it out - you might get some great ideas for your holiday girlfriend gifts!

* All these great stories and only five 'winners' - that is a dilemma! So, in honor of all these girlfriend sharing their stories we've designated December as the Girlfriendology "Great Girlfriend Gift Giveaway"! Every day in December, everyone who submits a girlfriend story will go into a drawing for a free book/gift. In addition, the top five stories will win a $10 Starbucks gift card (to take you and a girlfriend out for coffee) and the top over all will win the Girlfriendology Journal. See Girlfriendology for the rules/information. Then write us! I'm sure you have a girlfriend who deserves to be recognized for her friendship (and you deserve a great girlfriend gift!).

Sparkly girlfriend gifts (and easy to make too!)

I love candles at the holidays and throughout the year. I've given candles in the past but, without time to actually make the candles myself, I feel like a store-bought candle needs a little creative help!

In anticipation of the holidays and wanting to make girlfriend gifts, I found/bought small glass tealight and votive holders for the past year. I have quite a varied collection. Time to get crafting!

Inspired by the Craft Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo (who talked with us on a Girlfriendology Podcast) - who just happens to LOVE glitter, I decorated several with lines, dots and solid coverage using DecoArt's Craft Twinkles Writers for great glitter colors and coverage!

Also using DecoArt's products, this time Liquid Beadz, I decorated the tops of these glass home accessories. Actually, this is the pair I made for my friend Terri (who inspired the article on giving great girlfriend gifts). She entertains a lot and I thought they'd be fun little accent pieces for her home.

Like the embellished gloves below, what can YOU personalize for a present for your girlfriend, mother, sister, coworker? Make a little effort and I know you'll get a BIG response! Happy Crafting Creative Girlfriends!

P.S. Don't have time to make a gift? Girlfriendology has selected fabulous items to give your female friends for holidays, Christmas, birthdays, etc. Stop by our Girlfriend Gift Shop!

Quick idea for making a warm and unique girlfriend gift

Last year I decided to give a bunch (like 30-40?!) of girlfriends a gift that I made. How did I do it? I made something easy where I just modified a store-bought product. Fortunately, it got a great response so I thought you might to try it.

First, go the the dollar store (or Wal-mart, Target, etc.) and purchase the plain knitted gloves. (They come in lots of colors but I tend to stick with a lot of darker colors so your hands don't look too Mickey Mouse-ish!) Being a crafty girl, I have lots of beads, pompoms and embellishments in my studio (aka: basement office/crafting area!).

With a rather large needle and clear, stretchy beading string, I sewed embellishments around the cuff of the glove. For some girlfriends I made a specific design, for others I made a bunch of random designs and then let them pick their own. For example, my girlfriend Angie wanted a ring for Christmas. On her white gloves I stitched colorful mini pom poms around the cuff and attached a larger yellow pompom on her ring finger! (Congrats Mrs. L!) For my fellow Bengal fan Amy, I added bright orange pom poms on black gloves. On some I sewed buttons, fake pearls, beads, charms, scrapbook embellishments, even bells!

Like my girlfriends, each pair was like them - unique and beautiful. And, like their friendship is to me, I hope they feel warm and loved.

Look around. Maybe there are other things you can buy and just add embellishments to personalize. What about one of cheapo journals at Michaels? Glue on some beads, yarn, glitter or whatever she would love receiving. Or, buy or make a scarf and add creative elements to make it a unique gift. Have fun! She'll love it!

P.S. There is only one day left to enter the current Girlfriendology Contest that asks the question: "What is the best gift you've received from or given to a girlfriend?" (or that you've made for a girlfriend!) Go for it! Take your girlfriend to Starbucks on Girlfriendology!

TIP TUESDAY #4 - Share your craft organization tips

The holidays are officially HERE! WOW! I have lots of ideas for girlfriend gifts, little time and a messy craft working space (aka: studio/basement - where the mess can hide from others!).

No only are making your own gifts for girlfriends or family fun and special, but, during this budget-blowing season, it also can help you not go too crazy on spending. With some creativity and miscellaneous supplies from projects throughout the year, you can create personalized, unique gifts for all the people on your list. We'll explore more ideas on that in the coming blogs but since today is TUESDAY, let's get your ideas too!

This week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

"How do you manage to keep your crafts organized - so you can create gifts and greetings without stressing over where things are? What is your secret for organizing your craft space?!"

TIP TUESDAY was started to get women to do one of the many things that we do best - share information and our lives, and make things better for each other. Well, this question definitely can make our lives better.

My tip for craft space/materials organization? Hmmm - that isn't my speciality (but will be for our upcoming podcast with organizational guru Debbie Williams!) As I mentioned, my craft studio is in the basement so that gives me room to spread out, keep lots of supplies and not to worry about when friends come over. I have big, clear plastic bins that separate beading materials (that are then in smaller containers to keep them grouped by style/type) that are labeled by craft materials - paper, wire/foil, scrapbook embellishments, hardware craft materials, etc. And, I try to take 20-30 minutes every week or so to just put things up - return the scissors to the correct hanger on my pegboard, clear off the surface areas so I have more space to work, etc.

Now, we NEED to hear from you! What do you do to organize your craft materials? How does this help you in holiday crafting? Thanks girlfriends for sharing. I need your help!

Get creative and get traveling - with your Girlfriends and Travel Expert MARYBETH BOND

Did you know that the growth in the travel industry is a result of women traveling and women's travel companies? Where do you start when you want to travel as a single female or with a group of girlfriends.

You're in luck! Girlfriendology talked with the #1 Women's Travel Expert in the World - MARYBETH BOND, the "Gutsy Traveler." Marybeth is the author of nine books (and more coming!) including: 50 Best Girlfriend Getaways in North America, A Woman's World and Gutsy Women. She's been on Oprah, CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, etc. and has won awards for her travel writing.

With Marybeth's ideas and information, you and your female friends will find the perfect shops and actitivies all over the globe. In our podcast interview Marybeth shared shared wonderful ideas from her most recent book (50 Best Girlfriend Getaways, published this year by National Geographic) - like the best cities to visit for girlfriend trips to shop, what destinations are best for bonding with your female friends or where to go to heal (from a relationship, from losing a job, etc.). Great info for women travelers! Think of the creative girlfriends you could travel with and the adventures you could have!

Listen to Marybeth's podcast or read one of her helpful, well-researched books. Then email us at Girlfriendology with any questions, comments or podcast requests.

Get creative with your travels and have a blast going with your creative girlfriends! Have wonderful, creative adventures - all over the world! And, thanks Marybeth!

Happy Thanksgiving Girlfriends!

Let the season of thanks begin! I'm thankful for all my creative girlfriends who inspire, encourage, support and cheer me on! Thanks to ...

Jill MacKay - my dear friend who helps me with business decisions as well as creative jewelry designs!

Katie Hacker - for her supportive friendship and wonderful beading inspiration!

Lisa Galvin - the other half of my designer girlfriend mastermind group (along with Katie) for her encouragement and helpful assistance!

Vicki Schreiner - a wonderful friend and amazing artist! (Check out the Bazooples on her web site!)

Tammy Browning-Smith - legal guru (aka, my lawyer!) who creates beautiful art and sends the best gifts and greetings!

Julie Stephani - editor of Today's Creative Home Arts and director of the Creative Home Arts Club, for her friendship and creative inspiration. (And for being interviewed in a recent Girlfriendology Podcast!)

Linda Peterson - for her always fun and inspiring blog on the creative life!

My Creative Canadian Girlfriends - Marie Browning, Debra Quartermain and (the TV personality and all-around fun person!) Sue Warden for their creative inspiration and friendship! (And Karen too!)

I know I'm missing others but it is time to run to Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks to all of you girlfriends for inspiring, appreciating and celebrating girlfriends - at Thanksgiving and all throughout the year!

TIP TUESDAY #3 - Creative Girlfriends get ready for the Holidays!

Wow - two days until Thanksgiving! Last chance creative women, to help each other through the sometimes stressful, always hectic holidays. So ...

You (like me!) make cards and gifts for girlfriends. You decorate the house (and come up with some really cool ideas/decorations!) You do it all. But how do you survive when the creative pressure is pressure cooker hot?! This week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

"What is your secret for sanity during the holidays? What do you recommend for taking care of you when you have way too much on your 'to do' list?!"

What is MY tradition for getting through the holidays? Well, the annual card mailing ritual is pretty wild - expectations are high and hectic. This year (just a warning to you on the holiday card list), the goal is to simplify and to think about the important things - like just recognizing and appreciating my friends, and taking care of our planet and each other. Keeping in that line, the important things in the holidays are seeing friends and making them feel special, loved and, basically, well ... happy! (As in "Happy Holidays!")

What does that mean for a creative woman who is committed to her girlfriends? Some gifts won't be handmade this year - but I do love to embellish things, so I think that counts! Cards may not be as labor-intensive but they are just as deeply felt and expressed. And, I'm getting away from giving 'stuff' to giving things we can do together. I'm thinking of beading materials for a girlfriend with a coupon to spend the night together making jewelry. (And I'll check out my friend Katie Hacker's site for cool ideas and my girlfriend Jill MacKay's site for wonderful beading products!)

Remember, one of the great benefits of girlfriends (personal friends or those found through Girlfriendology) are the lessons we learn from each other. Share your ideas in our comments. Or, ask a question. Be thankful for your female friends. Show your gratitude for girlfriends. Share your creative ideas with other creative women or ask them what they'd recommend. We're here for each other. Be a girlfriend. Have a girlfriend. Be thankful for your girlfriends. (And girlfriends - HAPPY THANKSGIVING early!)

New Girlfriendology Podcast - "Choose to Inspire your girlfriends," says life Coach Debbie Lundber

Starting out in a male-oriented industry, life coach DEBBIE LUNDBERG noticed women either supported each other to grow or held other women down. This initiated her life coaching (to primarily women, but also to men and organizations) as well as her active role in fostering growth in women.

Now MBA, author, trainer, speaker and Life Coach Debbie talks with Girlfriendology on our most recent podcast regarding her philosophies on women and in the importance in inspiring each other.

As our previous podcast authors and experts have advised, she just 'did it.' She started a women's group - the Tampa VEGAs (for Vision, Experience, Growth and Appreciation) who encourage each other to grow, learn and be their best self. Their recent event, Choose to Inspire, inspired women to be empowered through organization of their home, meals, finances, life and spirit.

Maybe now is a good time to start your creative girlfriends group (like Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo advised in her podcast with Girlfriendology)! And maybe now is a great time to hear Debbie's advice for supporting other women, for starting a girlfriend's group and for making a difference in women's lives in our new Girlfriendology podcast. Thanks Debbie!

TIP TUESDAY #2 - Share your Holiday Crafting Tips with Girlfriends

Okay, girlfriends! Now it's your turn. You share your opinions, ideas, funny stories, shopping tips, recipes, favorite books, reality show updates, crafting techniques, store sales, celebrity gossip ... whew! We share A LOT, especially when it comes to girlfriends!

Now every Tuesday Girlfriendology is asking for YOUR TIP on a selected topic. For general topics, visit our other Girlfriendology Blog. But, for GirlfriendologyToo (the creative side of girlfriends) we'd like your crafty comments.

So, this weeks question is:

What is your holiday crafting secret?

Do you start early? Simplify? Embellish store-bought products?

Okay, I'll start first ... You already know, if you're a friend or a 'bleader' (blog reader) that I make my own holiday cards which I try to at least start thinking about the theme early in the year. For gifts, I try to make something little for a lot of my girlfriends. Last year I sewed pompoms, buttons and beads on cheap gloves (I'll share a photo in an upcoming blog). This year I plan to add glitter (thanks to our podcast conversation with the Crafty Chica!) to some glass tea light holders. Again, simple. Same project for lots of girlfriends but with variations (like color, decor elements - circles, swirls, words in glitter paint). Now, it's your turn!

Girlfriend Greetings - More ideas for holiday cards

It was my first house. I bought it on my own without even tell my parents until it was mine. (I told my mom, "guess what I bought that's older than you?!" She never guessed it, but I wanted to do it on my own and I did.) So, of course to celebrate it I had to make my holiday card about having a home of my own.

This simple card featured my home but I wanted it to be somewhat colorful and year 'round. I did a pointilism image of the house and printed it on vellum. Underneath I did watercolors to fit the drawing of spring blooms, summer grass, fall leaves and winter snow. Inside it read:

The animation of spring, the vitality of summer, the beauty of autumn, the peace of winter ... may each season refresh our joy of friends. season's greetings.

What does this have to do with girlfriends? Well, as creative girlfriends we like to share our crafty ideas with each other so I hope someone finds some inspiration in this artwork that I did over 15 years ago. My cards have always been my expression of my appreciation for all my friends. So I wanted to express it to you too.

Have special friends? Take the time to make them a special greeting this holiday season. Is your BFF the best friend ever? Make her a custom card to show your love and appreciation. Life is short. Celebrate the good stuff - like holidays, girlfriends and happy memories together.

Talking Crafting, Creative Women and Marie Osmond - with JULIE STEPHANI

Creative girlfriends - this podcast is for you! You know how your creative female friends 'get you?' They understand why you take time to craft and the amazing satisfaction in working on and completing a creative project. Well, JULIE STEPHANI gets us!

Sure, JULIE STEPHANI is editor of Home Arts magazine and The Creative Arts Club (with over 340,000 members!). She's written craft books, hosted her own Scrapbook TV shows (and guest hosts on "Scrapbook Memories"), has been in the craft/hobby industry for over 20 years. You might wonder if this woman even has time to craft, much less talk with Girlfriendology. Thankfully for us, she does and she did! Check out our latest podcast as Julie inspires us to get together with our female friends (creative or who think they're not creative!) And, hear her insight into crafting given to her by Marie Osmond!

Thanks Julie for inspiring us to enjoy, appreciate and create with our girlfriends!

TIP TUESDAY #1 - Share ideas with girlfriends all over the world!

Hang out with a group of female friends and you're likely to get some advice. It is just what we do - share information among our friends to help each other solve problems or have a better life. That is one of the greatest benefit of having girlfriends!

I've heard/shared information with my female friends on new restaurants, make-up tips, recipes (generally those my husband has tried!), crafting techniques, good books, sales and specials, etc. Just thought quick phone conversations, my girlfriends have helped me improve my life by offering web sites that might interest/educate me, magazines and TV shows I should check out and what stores have great paper craft supplies, and much, much more.

So, in an effort to solicit ideas from you and to see what all we can share together, I've created TIP TUESDAY. Each week I'll post a topic and question. I welcome (beg?!) you to participate and give your feedback so we can all learn from each other's experiences. So, here goes your creative girlfriend challenge ...

This GirlfriendologyToo TIP TUESDAY question: What magazines do you recommend for the latest crafting techniques and projects? What publication would you HAVE to have with you on a deserted island?!

Share a TIP! Leave a comment. Give some girlfriend advice! Or just send on to a girlfriend you know who has an opinion they might like to share. And come back next Tuesday for more!

And ...
* Not to sway your votes on this, but JULIE STEPHANI of Today's Creative Home Arts Club (and editor of their magazine) will be our next podcast interview! Send us any questions you have for her and check out the other podcasts!

* The other Girlfriendology Blog also has a TIP TUESDAY. Check it out for less crafty questions and tips! And please share your comments so we can all learn from each other!

Girlfriend gifts, holiday greeting cards - what are you making this year?

I just recorded the most recent podcast with the winning entries from our Girlfriendology Contest. It was fun just to share the stories of female friends who have been there for their girlfriends - just when they needed them the most to wonderful friends who have fun and funny traditions of doing life with their girlfriends. All of them were so inspiring!

This month's contest is about "girlfriend gifts" - what wonderful things have your girlfriends given you or done for you? GirlfriendologyToo is all about the creative side of girlfriends so I'm really looking forward to your inspiring ideas and stories!

Football games and cooler weather make me start getting excited about the holidays. What will I make for our holiday card? I have a ridiculous tradition of overproducing a card at the most hectic, stressful time of the year! I thought I'd share this and will show my progress in future blog entries to inspire you or to show you what NOT to do! Shown here is my first card. It was back in the 80's and I made my own stencils on a cardstock postcard.

Unfortunately this is my only one and it suffered some water-damage but it is still fun to have and look back on! In fact, it reminded me of blogs some of my creative girlfriends wrote on old crafts that they now laugh about. (We all have those non-timeless designs or goofy projects that we love even if they're not perfect!) Get inspiration and fun ideas from my creative girlfriends (who wrote those blogs) - Katie Hacker and Linda Peterson.

I also try to give handmade gifts to my girlfriends. I'm looking for inspiration! Anyone have great ideas for girlfriend gifts? Do you have a creative holiday tradition to share with your Girlfriendology girlfriends? Has a girlfriend given you a special present? Maybe her time, or a handmade gift or a wonderful surprise. Share that too in our contest. Girlfriends are a blessing - share your stories and ideas!

Are your girlfriends a GIFT? (Want to win one too?)

Our October Girlfriendology Contest was about special girlfriends and we received several really inspiring stories (including T and all those rubber stamps!). (Thanks to all of you!) Today is November 1, we're off on a New CONTEST and a new way to win prizes just for having thoughtful girlfriends - or being one yourself. Maybe you'll be able to take your girlfriend out for a Starbucks on Girlfriendology! So, drum roll please ...

NOVEMBER CONTEST: Has a girlfriend ever given you a really special gift? Or, have you had the opportunity or a great creative* idea to give your girlfriend something that she really, REALLY appreciated (and that you loved giving)?! Tell us about it! (*I'm really looking forward to the GREAT responses by all the crafty, creative women reading this!)

And what perfect timing for girlfriend gift ideas, right? The holidays are right around the corner and we all love ideas for making our friends feel as special as they make us feel. If you're one of the five top stories, you'll win a $10 gift certificate for Starbucks to take your girlfriend out for a coffee on Girlfriendology. Also, the top overall story wins a Girlfriendology Journal.

And, as you may know, the October Contest ended with a big BANG! Seal Press ("groundbreaking books by and for women!) generously provided five copies of Rosie Molinary's book, "Hijas Americanas: Beauty, Body Image and Growing Up Latina" (featured on our recent podcast) for the next five girlfriends to share a story on their girlfriends.

Another drum roll please! This months winners are:

Another drum roll please! This months winners are:

Our Monthly Contest Winners: Tammy, Carol, Michele, Brooke and Elizabeth*. All receive a $10 Starbucks card to take their girlfriend out for a coffee on Girlfriendology. *Elizabeth also won the Girlfriendology journal for the best overall girlfriend story. Congratulations Girlfriends!

Our Special Prize for entries at the end of the month (they win a free copy of Hijas Americanas): Debbie, Rochelle, Jane, Michele and Brooke.

Want to hear their great girlfriend stories? Listen to our new podcast for their inspiring tales of appreciation of their fabulous female friends. Like the quote from As Good As it Gets, these stories make me want to be a better girlfriend. Thanks to all of you inspiring women!


Send in your story today, then think about it and send in another story tomorrow. What great gift has a girlfriend given you? Her time? Her friendship? A personalized present? A shoulder to cry or a reason to laugh? Share your story. Inspire other women. Then be the girlfriend that shows her female friends how much she appreciates and loves them. Thanks girlfriends!

Fun Halloween Treat Bag to Make (or give to your girlfriend with a bunch of candy!)

Sorry creative sisters! A few blogs ago I promised an upcoming pumpkin project. Now it is the night before Halloween and I just got my camera to work!

Actually I made this a few years ago when I was demonstrating a glue on QVC. (It was really fun to be on there!) I keep it around for each Halloween and that glue works!

Basically I took a round cardboard box and cut felt to cover it (orange on the outside, black on the inside. I cut out the face and used pinking shears to cut the fabric for the handles. The glue (actually "Perfect Glue"tm) worked really well to hold it all together.

Now, every year I bring it out for my candy holder or to hold a dried flower arrangement. I'd definitely recommend it for a fun way to give your girlfriend her own treats at Halloween. (Or change the look to a snow-woman or Santa ... really easy to do!)

Have fun celebrating tomorrow! Watch out for ghosts and goblins! And don't forget to celebrate your girlfriends every day of the year. A world without girlfriends ... now that would be scary!

Girlfriend Advice: Organizing your Crafts

Talking with Kathy Cano-Murillo (The Crafty Chica) on the podcast inspired me to not only start a girlfriend crafting group, but also to get my messy studio and start messing with my glitter! (Kathy takes the love of glitter to a NEW level!) (I've already started planning ahead for some glittery glass candle holders for girlfriend gifts for the holidays! So, those of you who will receive them - act surprised!)

So ... then I'm doing research on an author and organization expert who is going to do a podcast with Girlfriendology in the coming weeks, Debbie Williams. On her site I found a great creative girlfriend article that I thought you might enjoy and benefit from. Check out her advice for organizing your craft space and her books. And, if you have specific questions for her for our podcast interview, please send them to us!

Perhaps it is our creative, female brains that takes one idea and smushes it into another?! Now I can get inspired by Debbie to organize my craft studio then get inspired by Kathy to mess it up again or, being organized as I will be after applying Debbie's sage advice, have more fun creating beautiful girlfriend gifts in my nicely organized, everything-in-its-place studio! Thanks Kathy and Debbie! Thanks girlfriends!

P.S. My girlfriend Debra Quartermain has written several crafty books and is a self-proclaimed "stitch chick." Check out her blog for info on her books and creative adventures.

Hey Scrapbooking Girlfriends! Enter this CONTEST - Quick!

Hey Creative Girlfriends! I just found out about this great contest and thought I'd share the news with YOU!

Epson is inviting scrapbookers and crafters to submit a winter holiday-themed greeting card, scrapbook page or holiday paper craft created using a patterned page from any CreativeZone project. Entries will be evaluated by well-known scrapbook and craft divas, including Rhonna Farrer, Renee Pearson and Jessica Sprague. Winning projects will also be featured on the Epson CreativeZone during the holiday season.

All contestants need to do is visit EpsonCreativeZone.com and download a free patterned page from any of the CreativeZone projects and use it to create an original holiday greeting card, scrapbook page or holiday paper craft. Then, just send an e-mail to EpsonHolidayContest@walt.com and include the following:

A photograph or scan of your winter holiday-themed greeting card, scrapbook page or paper craft, A list of supplies used in the project, Step-by-step instructions explaining how the project was created and your name, mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address.

You only have a few days to participate in Epson’s fun holiday scrapbook and craft contest. Prizes include an Epson Stylus Photo R1800 printer ($549 value) or a PictureMate Dash ($99 value)! The deadline is coming up next week on October 31, so enter and forward the contest details along to any creative girlfriends who may be interested!

For more info, see the official contest rules. Good luck, Girlfriends!

Start a Girlfriend Group - now! (Kathy Cano-Murillo tells how in our new Girlfriendology podcast!)

Do you have a girlfriend crafting group? Or a book club? Entrepreneur group? Maybe you should start one. Hmmm, but how does one go about starting something like that?

Listen to our new podcast with the Crafty Chica herself, KATHY CANO-MURILLO and she'll tell you! In fact, she's so enthusiastic and helpful that your creative brain will start rolling and all of a sudden, you're on your way to a great girlfriend group.

Kathy was busy designing her new line of craft products (can't wait to see those!) but she still took time out to talk with Girlfriendology about her fun, creative girlfriend group, "The Phoenix Fridas," on our weekly podcast. You have to listen! I was smiling during the whole conversation! Her creativity is contagious. Her enthusiasm for her girlfriends is gregarious. Her sweet, kind, encouraging spirit is just what a girlfriend longs to hear. She rocks!

Just to share a bit about Kathy, she recently wrote her first novel and has several creative/crafty books which inspire people all over the globe. She has designed home goods for Lowe's and has fun, funky jewelry on Target.com. And, she has a Crafty Chica Cruise coming up in March 08. Wow!

Overall, she is fabulous! Listen. Enjoy. Then get inspired and start your own girlfriend group. And, share your stories with Girlfriendology. Muchas Gracias Kathy! You're a real girlfriend!

Fun stuff coming! Get ready for La Crafty Chica!!

Hey - creative girlfriends! I took a quick trip to northern WI. (YES, that far north!) Now I'm back and jammin' on some fun stuff for GirlfriendologyToo.

Get ready to meet La Crafty Chica herself - KATHY CANO-MURILLO! Check out her web site and you will find all kinds of creative ideas, links, books and wonderful ways to get crafty with La Chica! She has a new show on TV, new books (and a novel coming!) and tons of creative ideas for girlfriend gifts, fun and funky home decor, jewelry and more. AND, Girlfriendology is going to chat with Kathy for our next podcast.

What questions do you have for this cool, creative, CRAFTY CHICA? Should we ask about her inspiration? Best girlfriend gifts to make and give? About her crafty girlfriend group she meets with in her hometown? Or what things she hasn't put glitter on? Let Girlfriendology know your questions! (Email us at ideas@girlfriendology.com!)

And come back and visit us at GirlfriendologyToo! Next project: Easy, pleasy Pumpkin Treat Bag!

Inspiration, pumpkins and girlfriends ... a perfect Autumn combination!

Funny how ideas and events coincide. Fall arrived this week. On Wednesday. In one day, it went from air conditioner weather to 'where did I put my sweaters?!' temperatures. I felt drawn to decorate for Fall. I filled the flowerbox with mums and now - I need pumpkins!

An email from my creative girlfriend Linda Peterson brought me to her blog on clay, crafts and creativity. There on her top 'story' was her version of baking pumpkins - Fimo pumpkins (shown here, using scrap polymer clay!). Wouldn't that make a great decoration for you or a girlfriend?!

Along with the great creative ideas (thanks Linda!) was Linda's blog about loving fall, craving pumpkin pie, enjoying the cool weather and anticipation of fall leaves. Sharing that sentiment with my girlfriend many states away was like a little visit together. Like sharing a cup of tea and laughing together as we wrapped ourselves in blankets and enjoyed the cool weather.

Thanks Linda for the great ideas and for sharing your creativity through your site. And thanks for the tea and pumpkin 'recipe.' Fall is a perfect time to create. Why not call a girlfriend to join you? Or create something special for someone special? Or make this pumpkin and send it to a friend in another state? You'll get to enjoy Fall together - now that's perfect! Happy Fall, Girlfriends!


P.S. Just a girl-friendly reminder ... It is almost officially half way through October and the 1st Girlfriendology Contest is going on! And, it is bringing in some great stories on girlfriends. Don't miss out! Share a story about your best friend, your childhood girlfriend, your girlfriend group - "whatever-girlfriend" and be eligible to win coffee at Starbucks with a girlfriend on Girlfriendology. Not only do you get time together, but we'll spotlight the wonderful gift of her friendship on the blog to recognize her. Join in girlfriend!

Finding creative inspiration from Katie and the internet - gotta go create!

Beading with the girl scouts this week got me energized to pull out my beads and create! For further inspiration I also checked out my creative girlfriend Katie Hacker's site. Katie has written more than 15 books on beading, writes tons of articles and also 'stars' on the PBS show Beads, Baubles & Jewels. Her blog follows her creative life with her precious daughter Lily, her travels for fun and work, her crafting adventures, etc. A visit to her site is like a visit with Katie - always fun!

Did you know that you can watch segments from that show and other creative shows the Internet? HowToTVOnline.com has beading, kids crafts, scrapbooking and cake decorating videos - so you get to pick what show you want to watch on your own schedule. You can see lots of Katie on this site - check it out! (I always learn so much from these shows!)

Now, it is off to create! What fun projects are YOU working on? Where do you get your inspiration??

Girl Scouts, beads and crafting together - what a fun night!

Last night I had the honor of teaching the local Girl Scouts how to do beading. Actually the theme was more about individual style and how to apply it to beading or jewelry making. We had a great time creating together and I learned some cool ideas from these wonderful young teens. (They really were amazing!)

Just last week I interviewed best-selling author Kris Radish for my podcast about her books and her girlfriends. She even mentioned Girl Scouts as a way of making girlfriends when she was growing up. (It works! You don't have to 'make the team' - you're always welcome and included. A very positive experience for young women!)

Remember what it was like to be in Girl Scouts or to be that age? Your girlfriends were your LIFE. They still are. Yes, you may have husbands, boyfriends, kids, careers ... but the fact remains that you're a girlfriend and you hopefully always will be.

Reach out to other creative women of different ages, races, neighborhoods, educations. Take time for women of other interests or hobbies. Stampers hang out with knitters! Croppers meet the beaders!! We're all women. Women who need friends. (Girlfriends!) Women who have creative passions. Women who appreciate a good handmade gift. Girls (at heart!) who love a creative solution to a craft problem!

Thanks Girl Scouts! Thanks creative girlfriends!

Share your creative girlfriend stories in our October Girlfriendology Contest and win Starbucks for you and your girlfriend (and a Girlfriendology Journal!). Love ya Girlfriends!

Girlfriends are the spice of life, right? Then add some flavor to your life and make this fun girlfriend hostess gift!

This polymer project keeps it simple with black and white salt and pepper shakers. I used three colors - white, black and translucent. (I used Fimo and found the white polymer a little stiff to work with so mixed it with the translucent.) Condition your clay. Probably the hardest part is keeping the white (mixed with translucent) - white! It seems to pick up any color remnants from your clay space/pasta roller so clean before using. Then prepare your black clay.

Apply a thin cover of polymer over your glass salt and pepper shakers. (You can get a package of several sets of these shakers at Wal-mart.) Make sure you cut around the opening so that the metal cap will fit back on. Then I made very simple canes - checkerboard and jellyroll* and applied them to the shakers. Flatten these elements (into the clay covering) or leave them dimensional. Bake per the clay guidelines then cool. You can either leave them like this or apply a glaze. Polymer glaze is available in a craft store or you can use floor wax before to add a shine and cover up any fingerprints.

Make a whole bunch of mix and match sets to have them on hand to give to your friends. Your girlfriends will love them and think of you each time they spice up their food!

* If you'd like to find out more, my creative girlfriend Donna Kato (she is a blast to hang out with!) wrote 'the book' on polymer clay - The Art of Polymer Clay AND her new book The Art of Polymer Clay Creative Surface Effects - very cool!