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Whether you had a staycation close to home or took an actual vacation, I hope you saved up lots of good memories and photos from summer 2010.

We visited my hubby’s family in Ohio early last month as well as in June. His Mom will be 93 this month, so we go as often as we can.

I have a bunch of fun photos to scrapbook from our visits. The older she gets - and truth be told, the older I get - the more important it seems to preserve those memories. I look back at old photos passed on to us and think what a shame it was that no one took time to put the names and dates on the back.

Artistically scrapbooked pages are even better than simple notations on photos because of the journaling aspect. Since scrapbooking as defined today is a relatively new art form, I wonder how future generations will look at our lovingly put together pages.

In August, I decorated a couple of tote bags, made some Haiti House epoxy pins for charity and played with my new portable Xyron X sticker machine. But I’ve yet to take my Xyron Creatopia out of the box! Too many toys; too little time. Lol.

I also corresponded with many readers. You’ll see some of those letters below. I’ve "met" so many lovely crafters and genuinely beautiful people through The Artful Crafter that it humbles me.

The Artful Crafter turned six years old in August.If I haven’t told you lately how much I appreciate you, let me tell you now. You are a real blessing in my life. You contribute to The Artful Crafter by subscribing, joining and following; by submitting your photos, blog comments and ideas. You drive our content with your questions and suggestions. You visit often, just like friends do in person :-D

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

We have some new projects on site as usual. Plus you’ll find lots of other projects to inspire you in our Craft Ideas Section.

Please read on for all the fun details.

Eileen

New Articles Added Last Month

How to Determine if Media are Compatible and Suitable for Your Decoupage Project

3 Tips for Someone New to Wood Decoupage

Graphic Software Recommendations All Depend on ...

Options for Printing Greeting Cards on Glossy Photo Paper

Things to Know if You Want to Try Graphic Design for Profit

Homecoming Mums are Bustin’ Out All Over!

Making Ends Meet with Hand Made Crafts

NEW WEEKLY FEATURE: Totally Tote Tuesdays

Do you love totes? If you love making them, decorating them or giving totes as gifts, stop by the Artful Crafter blog on Tuesdays to see featured tote bag ideas.

Would you like to have one of your designs featured?

Any type of bag qualifies: fabric, fiber, paper ... big market tote, beach bag, diaper bag, gift bag, purse ... you name it.

Just reply to this newsletter with a note telling me about your bag and load your bag photo(s) to our Members Gallery. Let us know if you have an Etsy store, website or blog and anything else interesting about your bag design.

Each Tuesday, when possible, we’ll feature a tote or two on the blog and let readers know how to contact you if you so desire.

Free For All Fridays

Mark you calendar and be sure to stop by The Artful Crafter blog each Friday or become a Follower so you’re automatically alerted to all new posts.

We’ve featured some great prizes, as well as freebies which you simply download.

For example:

Free crochet patterns
Free e-books
Free fonts
Free jewelry making tutorials
Free digital scrapbooking products
Free apps to make your work or crafting easier

Is Mod Podge All You Need?

Rene wrote asking if she needed anything other than Mod Podge for a project her daughter wanted to do: glue some photos onto a wood box and give it a nice finish.

Do you know how versatile Mod Podge is? Need glue, sealer, decoupage medium ...?

All you need is Mod Podge. One of our readers put this to music with the Beatles song, "All You Need is Love". It goes, "All you need is M-odge ... da-da-da-da-dah ... all you need ..."

How to Put Photos on a Wood Box

Brush on a coat of Mod Podge. While it’s still wet, lay down the photos or photocopies. Brush on two or three coats of Mod Podge, allowing each coat to dry to the touch before adding the next.

I always recommend using photocopies because:

1. Plain computer paper is the perfect weight and thickness for decoupage;
2. You save your precious photos; and
3. Layered photo papers may bubble and separate when moistened.

If you use laser photocopies (like from a copy center), you don’t need to do anything else. If you use inkjet copies, it’s a good idea to pre-seal the ink with two coats of clear acrylic spray.

Reader Letter of the Month: Craft Ideas Welcome - No Matter Where They’re Found

Hello,

You have put together great craft resources. I work with a kids’ summer camp in upstate NY and have used many of the ideas and links made available from your pages, thank you!!

I also wanted to mention this page I've found lots of projects on: Coupon Cactus

As I was browsing the thought occurred to me that others may also find it a useful addition to your great stuff in your Craft Ideas section.

Enjoy the rest of summer!

Lauren

Hi Lauren,

Thank you for the kind comments. I'm so glad you're finding some fun projects on The Artful Crafter.

I checked out Coupon Cactus and - wow - you're right. It's a terrific resource. I never would have thought to look for craft ideas at a coupon site ;-)

Thanks for sharing!

Wooden Letters
Family Stickers