Promoting your website or blog.

I know it's hard to get new blogs and websites going and keeping them going. The name of the game is driving traffic to your site. You won't have readers or customers if you don't have traffic and plenty of it! It's not enough to just build a website or blog and expect anyone to find it. You have to promote, promote, promote to get a following. There are several ways to go about this. You can spend tons of money on pay per click advertising. Most of us do not have the advertising budget for this kind of marketing, so here are some other options.

First of all, it takes time, so don't get discouraged. It also takes effort on your part. Eventually you get out of it what you put into it. There are all sorts of free and inexpensive ways to get the word out about your website.

If you have a website, you should blog about it. Blogging has become a very effective way to get the word out about what you do and where your customers can find you. You should also find several blogs that are popular and relevant to what you do. Read them and comment often. Make sure that your comments are intelligent and relevant to the blog. Each comment creates a link back to your blog or site.

Join forums. Again make sure the types of topics discussed run along the same line as your business or blog. Intelligent comments not only create interest, but a link back to your site.

Join Top Sites. Their are tons of Top Site Lists out there. Find some good ones and join them. Top Sites are lists of websites usually in a specific category or categories such as Crafter's Top Sites or Sassy 100 Boutiques. You must follow through and vote for your site daily to get and stay on top, but it's a good way to get free targeted traffic to your site.

Add your site to free plug boards. There are many, many free plug boards out there. Find popular websites that are similar to yours and ask them to trade links with you. You add a link to their site to your site and they add you to theirs.

Traffic and Banner exchanges such as Free Banner Exchange and TCH Traffic Exchange.

There are also many sites out there that offer inexpensive banner ad space. For about $2.00 to $10.00 a month your banner can be on their homepage for all their customers to see and link back to. Make sure that you pick and choose your ad space wisely. Be sure you choose site that get a good flow of traffic and attracts the kind of people that could be your customers. It just wouldn't make sense to pay to advertise on a crafter's marketplace website if you are selling industrial janitorial supplies, so use common sense there.

The trick to all of this is persistance. It takes work and it takes time, but you can draw the right kind of traffic to your website without having a huge budget.

Primitive Promotions is a crafter's free marketing website with tons of top site lists directories, plug board directories and resource materials to help you get your site noticed. I encourage you to go to Primitive Promotions there. website and take advantage of all of the information available

Until next time...God Bless,

Celene

Free Cross Stitch Patterns

Hi everyone, I am back! I haven't been blogging much lately, but I am going to remedy that. Here are some great free cross stitching patterns. There is a site called The Cross Stitchers Club. They have lots of free cross stitch patterns. Most of them are pretty advanced, but they have daily pattern freebies and you can earn credits to get more freebies.

I have a free pattern for you from Twigs N' Sprigs. Here it is:

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Snow Stitchery

Pattern Directions

Twigs Gathering List:

1 yd Muslin

Needle

Small Black Beads

DMC Floss

#838 Very Dark Beige Brown

#902 Very Dark Garnet

#613 Very Light Drab Brown

#823 Dark Navy Blue

#310 Black

#400 Dark Mahogany

#729 Medium Old Gold

Mark B Gone Pen

Tea, Coffee or Vanilla

Deco-Art Americana Paint

Antique Gold DA9

Deep Midnight Blue DA166

Buttermilk DA3

Cranberry Wine DA112

Terra Cotta DA62

Tools

Scissors

Paint Brushes

CUTTIN'

Muslin: Cut 2 layers of muslin 16 x 10 inches. I happen to like to stitch through 2 layers of
muslin, you may wish to use Warm & Natural, or flannel or a layer of felt, to give it that
extra layer to where you don't have your stitchin showing through.

TRACIN'

Trace pattern onto top layer of muslin, using a mark b gone pen.

STITCHIN'

I use 2 strands of Dmc floss for all my stitchin'.

*NOTE: if you are going to be dry bushing your stitchery to be colored in, stitch detailed
items such as eyes, noses, plaids on dresses, stars on flags, & words on dresses after
you have painted that specific area.

Twig Arms: Backstitch with Dmc floss #838 Very Dark Beige Brown

X's on Stripes of Flag & Scarf: Backstitch scarf, x stitch flag with Dmc floss #902 Very
Dark Garnet

Snowflakes, Snowman Body, 1776 on square of Flag: Backstitch with Dmc floss #613 Very
Light Drab Brown

Words Give me Liberty or give me snow & Blue section of Flag: Backstitch Dmc floss #823
Dark Navy Blue

Eyes, Eyebrows & Mouth: Cross stitch mouth, french knot eyes with Dmc floss #310 Black

Nose: Satin stitch nose with Dmc floss #400 Dark Mahogany

Stars & Bell: Backstitch with Dmc floss #729 Medium Old Gold

Bead Eyes: Stitch Beads for eyes with matchingthread. if you decide not to do french knots.

FABRIC DYIN'

Dye fabric by using tea, coffee or vanilla. Dunk stitchery into dye & lay flat to dry.

PAINTIN'

If you choose to color in your stitchery do the following.

Using a dry-brush method as listed in Twig-Niques,

paint the following.

Star & Bell: Dry brush with Antique Gold DA9

Blue Section of Flag: Dry brush with Deep Midnight Blue DA166

Snowman: Dry brush with Buttermilk DA3

Scarf & Red stripes on Flag: Dry brush with Cranberry Wine DA112

Nose: If you choose to not satin stitch nose Dry brush with Terra Cotta DA62

Now you are ready to either sew your stitchery into a pillow, wall hanging or frame in a
picture frame.

Go to http://www.freecraftz.com/twigsnsprigs.html for this pattern.

Thanks Twigs n' Sprigs for sharing with us! Thanks to FreeCraftz.com as well.

Until next time...God Bless,

Celene

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends! I wish you a wonderful and blessed Christmas. I would love for you to share with us your Christmas plans and celebrations in the comments. It's fun to see what others are doing to celebrate. I hope you all laugh too much, eat too much, play too much this holiday season. Remember to slow down, take deep breaths and enjoy this time of year. When you start to feel stressed out, just remind yourself that it's not about the hustle and bustle or the gifts you have to buy. It's about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

God Bless,
Celene

New Shops Galore! Online mall in time for Christmas shopping season.

Well this has been a real whirl wind couple of months. I've only posted on my blogs a few times and I've really miss it. I opened my new jewelry store called Unique Boutique Jewelry and I have been spending all my spare time building Shops Galore! online shopping mall. I have been going at it frantically for weeks so it could be ready in time for the Christmas Season. I'm really excited about this project. There are all kinds of shops and boutiques in Shops Galore! Crafts, jewelry, electronics, clothing stores for baby, mommies to be, men and womens and plus size shops, as well as shoes, handbags and toys. Told you I've been busy! We are adding more stores every day. If you have a website I'd love to list it for you for free. This will not always be a free membership, but I am listing them at no charge for now. Go to Shops Galore! and click on the "add your site" button and follow the directions.

My crafting buddy Pam and I have had booths in several craft shows and fall festivals this season. We had our first Christmas craft fair last weekend and another one on Nov. 22nd. That will conclude the craft booths for 2008. Whew! I'm glad that's almost over, we're tired. It has really been hard work, but lots of fun. I will have a Christmas Open House at my shop Celene's Treasure Chest in Coffeen, Illinois on Sat. Dec. the 6th. I'm thinking about doing something to coincide with the open house on my Celene's Treasure Chest website, but don't know what yet. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd really appreciate hearing them. Head on over to my other blog to see how the shop Christmas decorating and Christmas crafting projects are coming along.

Well that's it for now. Don't forget to take a trip to Shops Galore! and if you haven't checked out Unique Boutique Jewelry yet come on by. A special thanks to Mandie at Life in the Craft Lane with Mandie for many of the buttons I am using that you see on this blog. Love ya Mandie, thanks!

Til next time....God Bless,
Celene

Jewelry Giveaway Winner

Hi y'all. We have a winner for the Unique Boutique Jewelry giveaway! The winner is, ta ta da da... Cindy at The Gathering Room. Congrats Cindy! She chose the black onyx bracelet. Don't forget to check out the bargains at Unique Boutique Jewelry where you can do lots of quick and easy Christmas shopping for all the gals in your life. Unique Boutique offers handmade and vintage jewelry at very reasonable prices and the shipping is always FREE! Most items are priced under $10.00, so what are you waiting for? Get on over there and start shopping.

I am also a winner. I won 1st prize at The Chocolista's. The contest was to name their latest chocolate dessert and they picked mine! I named it the Decadent Dunce. You have to go over and take a look at it and let me know what you think of the name.

Til next time...God Bless,
Celene

Unique Boutique Jewelry Free Giveaway

Hey, everybody, It's Giveaway time at Wood n' Whimsy! I have just opened my new website Unique Boutique Jewelry. At Unique Boutique Jewelry you will find beautifully handcrafted and vintage jewelry at very affordable prices and you'll never pay shipping! Yep, always FREE Shipping.

Here's How to Enter:

Come on over and take a look around, then come back and let me know your favorite item by leaving a comment on this post. If you are the winner, you win the item you selected. That's right, you get to choose! What other giveaway lets you pick your own prize? If you add a link back to this post and mention the giveaway in your blog or site I will give you 3 extra entries. Just email me and let me know so I can give you your additional entires. I will be announcing the winner on Oct 17th. Good luck to all and have fun with it!

God Bless,

Celene

Halloween Freebies

Hi all, don't forget to enter my jewelry giveaway in the previous post.

Thought I would give you crafty moms who make your kids Halloween costumes some ideas.

Halloween Makeup Recipes :

For Halloween, use makeup instead of a mask. Masks obstruct vision and children find it hard to breath when wearing them. Here you will find three recipes to make your own makeup.

Corn Syrup Blood

16 oz. White corn syrup 1 oz. red food coloring 1 oz. washing detergent 1 oz. water A drop of blue food coloring
Mix the ingredients together and voila - blood. Remove the washing up liquid if you want to make edible blood. Adding condensed milk makes it less transparent and more like real blood. The blood is extremely sticky and can stain skin and clothes so makes sure its washed off quickly. Use a stain remover on clothes.

Face Paint Recipe

1 tsp corn starch 1/2 tsp water 1/2 tsp cold cream 2 drops food coloring as desired
Mix ingredients and apply.

Clown Make-up
2 tsp white shortening5 tsp corn starch1 tsp white all purpose flourglycerin as directedFood coloring as desired
Mix together the shortening, corn starch and flour. Add 3 to 4 drops of glycerin to make the mixture creamier. Apply.

About the Author:Rose Smith is the owner of HalloweenHowl.com and author of several ghoulish party ebooks. Designed for "trick or treaters" of any age, we invite you to come visit. Create creepy crafts, discover interesting tips and tricks, play spooktacular games and take part in many other hauntingly fun activities.

Thanks to rubyglen.com for this article

Got Halloween costume ideas of your own? We'd love to hear them! Please leave them in a comment.

Til next time...God Bless,

Celene

Thistle House Primitives: October Give Away!!

Thistle House Primitives: October Give Away!!

Check out this great giveaway!  I just love this penny rug.  

Fall festivals, Free Doll and Wreath patterns

Hi y'all!  I just love the crisp cool autumn mornings, don't you?  I am working hard to get ready for 2 craft fairs this weekend.  Yep, you heard me right.  I'm actually  nuts enough to have a booth at 2 fall festivals this weekend!  Certifiable.  Wood n' Whimsy (Pam and I)  are going to have a booth at the Lebanon Fall Festival on Saturday and Ripson Bridge Festival on Sunday.  Both of these festivals are in south central Illinois about 30-60 minutes drive from St. Louis.  They are both awesome and we look forward to these two craft fairs more than all the rest!  Maybe we'll see you there!  This weekend promises to be sunny and in the low 70's,  so what better weather for taking a drive and enjoying the sites?

I also wanted to tell all you crafters about a great new blog called Prim Friends Network.  It's a great place to list, display your wares and connect with other crafters and potential customers.  Go on by and tell Shari hello and let her know what a great job she's doing with Prim Friends Network.

I came across this cute Little Prim Lady doll at Lillie Mae's Crafts   Go on over there and download this and many more free pattern for yourself!

FREE birdhouse wreath Pattern.

Materials Needed:

Wood Birdhouse
Wreath Mod Podge,
Mat Finish
1/8 yd. Fabric
Assorted Brushes
Curly Raffia (Colors to Co-ordinate with Fabric)
Glue Gun
Barnwood Crackle
Masking Tape
Ceramcoat Paints,
Small Sharp Scissors
Sandpaper
3 1/2 yds. Cording
Wreath Hanger Directions:

1. Sand wreath to take off rough edges, dust off wreath with a large soft brush or tack cloth.

2. Basecoat fence front and edges with 2 coats of burnt umber. Let dry thoroughly.

3. Mask off edges of birdhouses that come in contact with fence areas to prevent barnwood crackle from overlapping onto edges or roofs of birdhouses.

4. Apply one generous coat of barnwood crackle to front and edges of fence, allow to dry according to package directions.

5. Using a flat brush, apply ivory paint to fence portions in vertical strokes. Allow to dry.

6. Remove masking tape and touch up any areas you missed with a small round brush.

7. Paint the roofs and edges of birdhouses using a color thatcoordinates with your fabric. Apply two coats.

8. Use pattern piece to cut out fabric. Make sure you line up the pattern pieces in the same direction for all birdhouse fronts. Transfer the 2 marks onto fabric. Cut small slits into fabric at marks. Place fabric piece over perch on birdhouse. Line up fabric, mark any overhanging edges with a pencil and trim excess

.9. Apply 1 medium coat of mod podge to front of birhouse, place fabric onto front of birdhouse and using a small scrap of cardboard smooth fabric in place. Cut X through center hole, place a smalll amount of mod podge around inside of hole and press in the triangular pieces.

10. Cut six 3/4” x 3” pieces of fabric. Fold in half lengthwise, tack in place with a few drops of hot glue. Insert fabric pieces intobirdholes, adjust so they are even with front of birdhouse. Tack in place with hot glue.

11. Cut a length of cording long enough to fit around outside edge of birdhouse. Starting at the peak of birdhouse, attach cording with hot glue,following the edge of birdhouse.Repeat for all houses.

12. Using curly raffia, tie a simple bow and attach to bottom of wreath with hot glue. Attach wreath hanger on back of wreath if desired.

Please let me know in a comment what type of craft patterns, recipes and resource info you would like me to post about.  I'd also love to hear from you if you have a free pattern or craft you would like to share with us so plese  Email me and I'll post about it with a link to your site.  Do you have marketing ideas or advice?  We want to know!  

Til next time.....God Bless,

Celene

Blog and Crafters Website Marketing and Promotion

Hi Y'all.  I ran across a new website that I hope makes it big.  It's called On The Craft Table.  It's a crafters auction site.  It boasts free listing and free stores and the final value fees are much lower than eBay.  I wish them lots of success.

Speaking of success,  whether you are just starting a blog or your are an old pro,  Blogging Basics 101  is an excellent site to help you build, improve and promote you blog.  It's a very informative and helpful site.  

If you need help getting your crafters website off the ground, visit me at Primitive Promotions

where you'll find tons of free information and DIY resources to market your website.  We also offer budget friendly plans to do the work for you.   Either way, come on by and take advantage of the website marketing information you'll find there.

Til next time....God Bless,

Celene

How to make a spicy dried apple wreath.

Spicy Dried Apple Wreath
Thanks to http://www.vickichicagomarsh.com for this craft idea and photo.

Materials:

Juice of 9 lemons 2 teaspoons salt 8-10 large firm apples

Ground spices:

6 teaspoons cinnamon 2 teaspoons allspice 1 teaspoon cloves 2 teaspoons orrisroot powder (found at natural food stores) 8-10-inch heart shaped wire wreath frame that can be opened or closed by unhooking the two ends (or make you own with a 10-inch length of heavy gauge wire)

We began by pouring freshly squeezed lemon juice into a bowl, adding the salt and blending well. We then peeled, cored and sliced the apples horizontally into 1/4-inch thick circles. We placed the slices into the lemon juice mixture for 10 minutes, turning once. (Be sure that slices are covered completely with the lemon juice). After removing the slices from the bowl, we placed them on paper towels and patted them dry to absorb excess liquid.

Next, we combined the ground spices well and dusted the apple slices on both sides with the mixture, using a small strainer. After gently removing excess spice mixture with a pastry brush, we placed the slices in a single layer on a broiler pan. We placed them in a 150-200º oven until they were evenly dried, which for us took about 6 hours. We allowed the slices to cool on the pan. At this point, the apple slices will be pliable.

After straightening both ends of the heart-shaped wire frame with a pair of pliers, we folded the apple slices into halves, then into quarters, and threaded them onto the frame. When our frame was completely covered with slices, we used pliers to bend both ends back into hooks and reconnected them.We added a pretty bow made from ribbon with a loop for hanging to the top of our wreath.

This wonderfully scented wreath looks lovely hung on an entryway door or on an inside wall, and will fill your home with it's spicy scent until Thanksgiving.

Yummy, I can smell it from here! Hope you enjoy this free craft recipe.

Until next time...God Bless,

Celene

Salt Dough Pumkins

The air is getting crisp at night and fall is in the air. Here is a cute salt dough pumpkin recipe from AllFreeCrafts.com. Hope you enjoy trying your hand at making punkins. This would be a good one to do with the kids. Please share some photos of the process and the end results with us!

Til next time.....God Bless,

Celene

How to Make Salt Dough Pumpkins

Mix up an easy batch of salt dough and make yourself a patch of bright, sparkling pumpkins for Halloween. It's important to note that this recipe for salt dough makes a lot of projects. If you only plan on making a few, cut the recipe into fourths or in half.

Salt Dough Pumpkin Patch by Amanda FormaroSalt dough is a great medium for fun and creative crafting. Take this sparkly pumpkin patch for instance! Salt dough recipes aren't just for kids. Make these fun and festive pumpkins this Fall for your holiday decorating.

You will need:

1 cup salt

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup water

orange acrylic paint

paintbrush

Gold glitter

paint

2 green toothpicks, broken or cut in half

What you do: Preheat oven to 250 F. Mix together, salt, flour, and water until a dough is formed. Knead the dough on a floured surface until the mixture is elastic and smooth. If dough is too sticky, sprinkle with flour, continue to do so until stickiness is gone. BE CAREFUL. Do not add too much flour, this will dry out the dough and will cause it to crack before you get a chance to bake it. THIS DOUGH IS NOT EDIBLE, though it won't hurt you or your kids, it just won't taste very good!Roll dough in your hands to form different sized balls. Line them up on a cookie sheet, touching each other so that they will be one piece after baking. Use a toothpick to draw lines on the pumpkins. Insert toothpick halves, point size down, into the top center of the pumpkin to create the stem. Be sure to do this step BEFORE baking. Bake for approximately 2 - 2.5 hours. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. For best results, allow to cool and dry overnight, or for at least 4 hours.Paint pumpkins with two coats of orange paint, allowing to dry in between coats. When dry, paint with a coat of gold glitter paint or glitter glue. Let dry.

About the Author:Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children. She is also the Chief Editor and Craft Expert of FamilyCorner.com Magazine.

FREE Crafts, Potpourri Pie

Hey y'all! A special thanks to Lisa at Cranberry Flats for giving me my first blogger's award! Prim hugs, Lisa Lou! I'd like to thank the little people who made this award possible.............OK, I'm back now. Whew! It's a little heady up here.

Anywayz, here is another terriffic FREE crafters recipe from Ruby Glen Crafts. I hope you'll give it a try and send me photos of the finished product! Don't forget to add your site to my plugboard.

Til next time...God Bless,

Celene

Easy Potpourri Pie Craft
Want an easy gift that smells wonderful and looks like it took you days to make? Or maybe one that appears to have been purchased in an expensive gift shop? Look no further -- make a potpourri pie using salt dough!


What You Need:
1 cup flour, 1 cup salt, Water, Pie tin (any size), Cooking spray, Potpourri, Butter knife
How To Do It:
1. Mix together flour and salt, and stir in enough water to form a workable, but not sticky, dough.
2. Spray tin with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 250° degrees.
3. Roll out dough into large circle about 1/4 inch thick, just as you would for making a normal pie, and line tin with the rolled out dough. Wrap up remaining dough for later.
4. Cook pie crust for at least 30 minutes. Let cool.
5. Fill cooled crust with potpourri.
6. Take remaining dough scraps, roll into a large circle, and cut into strips for lattice top crust.
7. Arrange strips over potpourri, in the same way you would make an edible lattice crust pie. Dampen dough to "glue" it down to already cooked crust.
8. Let top crust dry for 1-2 days. Decorate top of crust anyway you wish. Some ideas are fabric or ribbon bows, dried apples, and cinnamon sticks.
©2002 Brandie Valenzuela
About the Author: Brandie is a wife and homeschooling mom to three children, who also works fulltime from her home designing custom scrapbook albums and teaching scrapbook classes. For more information, visit: Brandiev Designs

Free Primitive Hang Tags

These wonderful Tags were donated from Huckleberry Arts please be sure to visit their site. I got this great freebie from the August issue of Primitive Times Magazine. Hope you enjoy them!

If you have a good how-to craft you would like to share or a freebie please let me know. If I use it I will link back to you in the post and give you a FREE ad on all of my sites and blogs!

Til next time...God Bless,

Celene

Free Stitchery Craft Pattern

Hey y'all I found this really cute stitchery pattern on the web and thought I'd share it with ewe! (OK that was corny, but I couldn't help myself =) LOL) I just love prim sheep, don't ewe? (sorry) If ewe (sorry again) have a free primitive craft you would like to share and I use it, I will give you a FREE Banner ad on all my sites as well as link back to ewe (I just can't help it!)

Til next time...God Bless,

Celene

FreeCraftz.com presents:
God Bless Ewe Contributed by PRIMITIVE BLESSINGS by TWIGS N SPRIGS http://www.twigsnsprigs.com/





God Bless Ewe Stitchery Pattern Directions:





Here's the link to the full size Pattern: http://www.freecraftz.com/FreeCraftz.data/twigsnsprigs/gotblessewe.gif



CUTTIN'
Muslin: Cut 1 layer of muslin & one layer of Warm & Natural. You may wish to use 2 layers of muslin, or flannel or a layer of felt, to give it that extra layer to where you don't have your stitchin showing through.


TRACIN'
Trace pattern onto top layer of muslin, using a mark b gone pen.
STITCHIN'
I use 2 strands of Dmc floss for all my stitchin'.
*NOTE: if you are going to be dry bushing your stitchery to be colored in, stitch detailed items such as eyes, noses, plaids on dresses, stars on flags, & words on dresses after you have painted that specific area.
Stripes on Flag: Back stitch with Dmc floss #902 Very Dark Garnet
Sheep: Back stitch with Dmc floss #613 Very Light Drab Brown
Blue section of Flag: Back stitch with Dmc floss #823 Dark Navy Blue
Sheep Nose, Ear, Legs & God Bless Ewe: Back stitch with Dmc floss #310 Black
Stars on Flag, Star Flowers: Back stitch with Dmc floss #729 Medium Old Gold
Grass & Flower Stems & Leaves: Back stitch with Dmc floss #319 Very Dark Pistachio Green
Button Eye: Stitch button for eye with matching thread.
FABRIC DYIN'
Spray stitchery with tea or coffee & let dry.
PAINTIN'
I only use Deco-Art Paints .
I use Royal Golden Taklon Brushes:
Deer foot series 650 Size 1/4" 1/2" (use to dry brush)
If you choose to color in your stitchery do the following.
Using a dry-brush method as listed in Twig-Niques,
paint the following.
Stars: Dry brush with Antique Gold DA9
Blue part of Flag: Dry brush with Deep Midnight Blue DA166
Leaves & Grass: Dry brush with Hauser Dark Green DA133
Sheep: Dry brush with Buttermilk DA3
Stripes on Flag: Dry brush with Rockwood Red DA97
Nose & Ear: Dry brush with Lamp Black DA67
Now you are ready to either sew your stitchery into a pillow, wall hanging or frame in a picture frame.
OTHER IDEAS
You may wish to cut out of wool-felt and appliqué sheep onto a pillow.
God Bless Ewe
Stitchery Directions
by Tiffany Twigs Carnal ©2001 http://www.twigsnsprigs.com

How To Make Grungy Primitive Hang Tags

Hi y'all! I am switching gears on my Wood n' Whimsy Blog. I'm going to add more DIY prim craft ideas for you to use! Sound good? I will be showing you step by step how-to's from our Wood N' Whimsy crafts as well as those really good ones I find on the web, so bookmark my blog because I intend to make it THE great go-to crafting blog of all times! If you have any good crafting ideas of your own that you want me to share, please let me know and I'll post it here with links back to your site or blog and give you credit for the idea. If I choose your idea I will also give you a free ad on all my sites. Here's my first contribution. Please leave a comment and let know if you liked it.

Microwave Hang Tags:
A recipe for grubby hang tabs. It works great, and you don't need to turn oven on.

2 cups of hot water
1/4 cup instant coffee (dry)
2-3 tea bags (let seep for a bit)
3 Tablespoons imitation vanilla scented oil is optional and amount depends on strengthdesired.

Mix together. Soak tags in coffee mixture for 5-10 mins. Lay on paper plate lined with paper towels. Microwave in intervals of 40 sec, checking to make sure they don't burn. Sprinkled lightly with real cinnamon before microwaving. You can stamp on them or write on them. A really great look is old time pictures applied with decoupage. Add pic of your kids to the hang tags and use as gift tags.

Kids tip:
Let the kids personalize them and they can give for Valentines, Mother'sDay, Father's Day, Grandparents Day or for any special event.
This recipe can be used to stain muslin also, apply with sponge brush. Sprinkle the wet muslin with cinnamon and rub for a great grubby look. Air dry the fabric.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let's get grungy!! Tea bag trick!
I want to share this quick tip with you. Do you have lampshades that need that fast prim touch? Take a few tea bags (may need more ready depending on the size of the shade) Throw a cup of water in the microwave on high to get nice and hot, let your tea bags steep and gently wring out a little to get excess water off. Simply dab or blot your tea bags directly onto your shade! Yes, it's that simple. You can do as many layers as you'd like depending on how dark you want your stain.

Written by Angie Wenke
Primitive Times Magazine

Til next time...God Bless,

Celene

Hang tag Heaven

Hi y'all! I just finished the cutest hang tags and I had to show them off. Pam and I, as many of you know, call our prim craft making venture Wood n' Whimsy. We sell them at my website, my little country store in Coffeen, Illinois called Celene's Treasure Chest and local craft fairs. We have focused on primitive crafts made of reclaimed wood, but I'm coming down with a case of creative cramps. Yep, it's that time! Time to branch out it other directions. I feel the need to try other crafts as well. We will still continue to do the woodcrafts, but we are doing some different things too, hence the new hang tags. Take a look and let me know that you think!

Well? Til next time...God Bless,

Celene

By the, way I used free graphics, but can't remember where I got them. If anyone knows, could you let me know so I can give them credit. Thanks!

Hey Ya'll! Check out my new plugboard in the sidebar on the left. All you primitive crafters and prim bloggers are welcome to add your plug for free! It's so easy to do. It's a great way to advertise your website or blog. If you don't have a plug, Laura over at Penney Layne Graphics can hook you up with one for only $1.50! Add a plug to the plugboards at my other sites as well.

My country store Celene's Treasure Chest
My other blog Wood n' Whimsy

Let me know in a comment if you have a plugboard and I'll come on over and and add my plug yours!

Til next time...God Bless,
Celene

Bloggy Giveaway Winners

Hey ya'll! Here are the winners of the Bloggy Giveaways

on Wood n' Whimsy:

Marie at A Little Bit of Country won the cute heart bowl fillers.

Linda at Linda's Kitchen won the barn star ornie.

Here are the winner's of the Bloggy Giveaways on my other

blog Celene's Treasure Chest:

Katy at The Country Blossom won the 14K Rose Gold Filled Chain

Mommiof4 at Tadpole Lane won the primitive americana sign.

I'm having trouble reaching the winners by email. When I click on the email button in your profiles, I get an error message from my email provider. Please contact me at celene-@hotmail.com with your addresses so I can send you your goodies!

Thanks to everyone who entered. Please add me to your favorites or your blogroll as I will be doing giveaways regularly on my blog.

Til Next time... God Bless,

Celene

Prim Homespun Heart Bowl Fillers Giveaway

Hi friends! Todays great giveaway at Wood n' Whimsy are these 4 adorable prim homespun heart bowl fillers. They are so cute with their sentimental sayings, gingham and wooden buttons. Follow the rules on the sidebar to enter. Make sure you tell me your favorite item on Celene's Treasure Chest website by commenting to this post. Be sure you check out Celene's Treasure Chest blog for more great giveaways including a 14K Rose Gold Chain! Good Luck and God Bless,

Celene

Monday's Bloggy Giveaway

I just love Bloggy Giveaway Carnival! I will be posting new giveaways all week so keep checking back for more freebies. Don't forget to stop by my sister blog Celene's Treasure Chest Blog. I'm doing seperate giveaways there all week, too. The rules are on the sidebar on the left. Make sure you comment back to this post to enter and follow the simple rules.

Here's today's giveaway!

Today's giveaway is a tin barn star ornie decorated with homespun and pip berries with a jute hanger made by yep, you guessed it...Wood n' Whimsy. We sell our wares in my little country store in rural Illinois and my online website at Celene's Treasure Chest. Don't forget to go there to choose your favorite item and comment on this post to enter to win this cute little ornie. Check back daily for new giveaways.

Good luck and God Bless,
Celene

It's Flea Market Friday over at Celene's Treasure Chest

I hope you'll take a look at my other blog where we're celebrating Flea Market Friday. We make primitive hand-did purties of all kinds, vintage and antique goodies and handcrafted candles and jewelry. Come on by for a visit, we'd love to have you! Also bookmark this blog for next week's Bloggy Giveaway Carnival. I will be giving away several things next week on both this blog and Celene's Treasure Chest Blog, so you don't want to miss out! Don't forget to check out my website Celene's Treasure Chest. Thanks for stopping by, please leave a comment and visit my other blog to check out the goodies.

Until next time...God Bless,

Celene

Hand-dids from Wood n' Whimsy

Hey, ya'll. I haven't shown any of our work recently. My friend Pam and I make primitive woodcrafts. We call ourselves Wood n' Whimsy. Wood n' Whimsy is sold exclusively at Celene's Treasure Chest and at craft shows. Come on by my other blog to see photos of my little country store in Coffeen, Illinois.

I hope you like what we make. Please let me know what your favorite is in the comments. We do more prims than just woodcrafts, too. These items and much more are for sale at my shoppe and my website Celene's Treasure Chest. Come on by for a visit. I just finished building this new website so a few of these things are not listed yet. If there is something here you would like that's not on my site, please email me. Until next time...God Bless,
Celene

I'm back!

Hi everyone. I'm back from my vacation in California and ready to blog away again! We had a great time, my mom and 3 sisters! We spent 10 days in Sacramento area, San Francisco and the Napa Valley. Taking a trip with your 82 year old mother and 3 siblings can be trying, but it was worth every excruciating minute. We had fun and laughed alot. We got reacquainted with cousins we hadn't seen in years that had become virtual strangers. Funny how easily the bonds and closeness returned. We are going to do this again in two years. The reunion will be on my turf next time. You can see the slide show of my trip on my other blog.

Since coming home I have been busy building a new website. It's finally finished! Please come by Celene's Treasure Chest for a look and let me know what you think. Until next time...God Bless,

Celene