Laura Ashley, the label who has shaped a long history of home furnishing, has just launched an exciting new blog.

The blog has fast become the go-to destination for lifestyle inspiration, creative musings, style advice, interior tips and much more.

Currently gracing the blog is a blend of posts to inspire, educate and communicate all aspects of the brand.

Olivia Gregory, Deputy Decorating Editor of House and Garden bestows her pearls of wisdom on this high-quality blog, imparting some helpful suggestions for turning a House into a Home. Her 'lived in lux' approach advocates simple and stunning furnishings, pioneered by Laura Ashley.

Their ranges of candles, boldly upholstered sofas , lamps and throws, are key design features referred by the blog as home furnishing style choices that can bring character and texture to the home.

The Laura Ashley blog also sees them utilising their extensive back catalogue to create an authoritative hub of information for their advocates, to further enforce their dominance in the clothing and home decorating space.  Bursting with fun and engaging ideas, the blog boasts everything from arts and crafts to delicious recipes and artisan interviews.

The Laura Ashley brand is ripe with history and innovation. The blog exhibits all of its fine qualities, brightly communicating them to customers through a thoughtful and illuminative platform. With customer guides ranging from Kid's Corner to Make and Do, Laura Ashley offer an extended sense of community for their customers, while inspiring a rich lifestyle and tapestry of inventive ideas.

Laura Ashley is a quintessentially British lifestyle brand founded on a rich design heritage and on the traditional values of quality and originality. We use prints and designs that evoke the English countryside, for the way you live today.

As an innovative global brand, Laura Ashley extends to encompass the broader lifestyle concept, from fashion to home decorating, furniture and accessories.  Lauraashley.com

Join more than 700 of the country's top contemporary jewelry, clothing, furniture and home décor artists from across the country gather under one roof to present their latest masterpieces at the largest juried, indoor craft show in the nation!

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

HANDMADE UNDER $100:  BRAND NEW IN 2011! A perfect category for people just starting their addiction to craft! Don't miss out on this fabulous collection of items for $100 or less.

LAWN & GARDEN: Features artists who craft furniture and decorative accessories to compliment and withstand the fluctuations of the great outdoors.

GREEN CRAFT: As a reflection of our social responsibility to the environment, this category features artists who incorporate recycled or found materials and use eco-friendly techniques into creating their work. 

ALTCRAFT:  The Council invited artists whose work illustrates the innovative techniques and materials of the burgeoning new handmade craft movement to apply to a special section of the show.  The Council is proud to present a national stage for these artists who tend to exhibit at smaller, local craft shows.

DEMO STAGE: Lively demonstrations, with topics ranging from ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry and wood techniques, will be presented by local experts.

SCHOOL-TO-MARKET: To help bridge the gap between educational programs and the marketplace for sculptural and functional craft, the Council has invited craft students from California College of the Arts to curate a section of their work. An unparalleled opportunity, students will gain first-hand experience in booth design, installation, and interacting with the public.

LOCATION
Baltimore Convention Center
One West Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21201

RETAIL DATES AND SHOW HOURS

Thursday, February 24 from 10 am - 6 pm

Friday, February 25 from 10 am - 9 pm

Saturday, February 26 from 10 am - 6 pm

Sunday, February 27 from 10 am - 5 pm

ON-SITE ADMISSION

$16 one-day pass

$25 two-day pass

$30 four-day pass

SPECIAL FRIDAY EVENING ADMISSION:  $6 after 6pm.

Or you can purchase tickets online here.

A recent customer survey by Michaels, North America's largest arts and crafts specialty retailer, shows that 85 percent of respondents think handmade gifts are more sentimental than store-bought. To help customers make unique, heartfelt Valentine's Day gifts and cards for their loved ones, Michaels announces it will host its largest-ever slate of in-store Valentine's Day events.

The events begin on Friday, Feb. 4 at all U.S. and Canada Michaels stores, with a Knack Free Family Event from 4 - 6 p.m. where families can make a Valentine's Day candy photo holder, and continue through Sunday, Feb. 13 with a free card-making event. For a complete schedule, go to www.Michaels.com/ValentinesDay.

"Of all the holidays, Valentine's Day is the most sentimental and it's a great time to show someone how special they are to you with a handmade gift or card," said Michaels' Chief Marketing Officer Paula Puleo. "All of our in-store events - from the candy photo holder workshop to the Valentine's Day puppets - offer creative, fun ways to give gifts from the heart."

In addition to its family-friendly events, Michaels debuts a new Valentine's Day webisode featuring Creative Expert Jo Pearson showing how to make a heart-shaped candy box with a special bonus - a sweetly hidden chore chart that kids can make. Dozens of additional ideas and inspiration for Valentine's Day are available at www.Michaels.com.

For classroom card exchanges and parties, Michaels offers Creatology foam card making supplies, foam and tin mailboxes that kids can decorate. Michaels also offers a wide range of holiday decor, themed gift packaging for handmade treats and gift cards.

Source: Michaels

Memory Keeping Collection, the premier source for all your Scrapbooking needs, and a division of The Ashton-Drake Galleries, has officially launched its digital presence at http://www.MemoryKeepingCollection.com and on Facebook.

The Memory Keeping Collection Web site offers the finest Scrapbooking products and a forum where Scrapbookers and Crafters alike can talk about their passion, share ideas, and meet others with similar interests. Combined, these features help Scrapbookers create inspired personal projects that preserve family memories for generations.

Memory Keeping Collection is dedicated to bringing Scrapbookers the most current and up-to-date Paper Craft tips and techniques in the industry.  With creative ideas and advice, daily blogs feature well-known Scrapbookers and crafters such as Lisa Bearnson, Eileen Hull, Jennifer Goode, Michelle Cummings, Candice Windham, and Lisa Rojas.

Plus, Memory Keeping Collection offers exclusive Scrapbook and Card Making kit programs from top designers.  These kits, designed by experts, provide Crafters with coordinated, themed layouts, custom materials and instructions to help them complete beautiful creations destined to become family heirlooms.

"At its core, Scrapbooking is all about preserving your memories and having fun while you do it," says Memory Keeping Collection's Jeri Glowicki. "Scrapbookers have told us what they want in a Scrapbooking resource - something that's easy to use, but totally creative and yielding expert guidance for impressive results.  With our focus on design, that's exactly what Memory Keeping Collection delivers."

Memory Keeping Collection was developed for all Scrapbookers - regardless of their level of experience - to support all aspects of the hobby.  Articles are focused on the cutting edge of the latest in Scrapbooking techniques and feature how-to tips to make Scrapbooking and craft projects with timeless appeal and unique flair.

Continuing its mission of sharing everything Scrapbook, Memory Keeping Collection has extended its vibrant and dynamic Scrapbooking community to Facebook, where it has just launched its Fan pages.  The Facebook Fan pages provide yet another venue for Memory Keeping Collection to help hobbyists share their love of Scrapbooking.

Fans will have access to contests, sweepstakes, drawings and prizes, as well as special product promotions exclusively for the Facebook Community. Through October 31, 2010  Scrapbooking enthusiasts can enter an exclusive drawing to win a Cricut Expression® Cutting Machine just for being Facebook Fans.

Hang pretty fall leaves from your windows with suction cups.



You'll need:
* Golden Leaf Frames
* Suction Cups
* Tissue Paper
* Scissors
* Glue Stick
* Pencil

Instructions: Gently punch out inner sections of leaves. Trace around open sections of leaves on tissue paper in fall colors. Cut out leaving a 1/4" border all around for gluing. Glue sections in place. Younger kids can glue the whole leaf and trim around the frame afterward. To make the backs neater, glue another frame to back (white side out so they line up.) Put the hook of a suction up in the top slot to hang from the window so the light shines through.
Source: MakingFriends.com

The Art & Apples Festival, Paint Creek Center for the Arts'  (PCCA) renowned art festival, now celebrating its 45th year of hosting over 125,000 visitors in Rochester Park, has been named one of the Top 20 fine art festivals in the U.S. by Sunshine Artist Magazine.

"Being named one of the top 20 festivals in the U.S. by Sunshine Artist Magazine was fantastic news for the staff and board members of Paint Creek Center for the Arts," said Ellen Hughes, Marketing Director. "The Art & Apples Festival is a year-round effort and the #20 ranking gives merit to our hard work and dedication."

The second largest fine art festival in Michigan, Art & Apples boasts more than 265 artists from across the nation showcasing a wide variety of mediums including textiles, watercolor, woodworking, glassblowing, pottery, jewelry and more. "We have to thank the 2009 Art & Apples Festival artists for ranking us so highly against other festivals and will continue to present them with a fabulous platform to exhibit and sell their works," said Laura Bates, Events Manager at PCCA.

According to Sunshine Artist Magazine, "The 44-year old Art & Apples Festival has jumped between our Fine Art & Design list and our Classic and Contemporary Craft Shows list in the past, it has begun carving out a place among our fine art rankings. And not only that, the show is rising fast. On the 2009 fine art list, the Art & Apples Festival leapt to #29. This year, the show climbed up to #20."

The 2010 Art & Apples Festival will be held in Rochester Park in Downtown Rochester from September 10-12.  Parking shuttle service is available at Rochester High School. The festival also features the popular Kids Art Zone, Activity Zone, live entertainment, great food and an apple pie and dessert contest. Proceeds benefit Paint Creek Center for the Arts, a regional, nonprofit art center.

For additional information about the Art & Apples Festival, please call (248) 651-4110 or visit www.artandapples.com.

What Charity Will Benefit? Customers will Decide as they Craft for a Cause!

It has often been said that crafting has many therapeutic benefits. From the repetitive motions of knitting and crochet that can aid in memory function, to the general stress relief that is often achieved while sewing or crafting a project, it's not surprising that 56% of American households* are home to crafters.

Beginning on August 15, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, the leading fabric and craft specialty retailer in America, will add one more reason to feel good about crafting -- Craft for a Cause.  "Our customer research has shown that many of the items purchased in our stores are used to make crafts to support charitable causes," states Brent Beebe, vice president of crafts merchandising for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.  "We recognize that there are many organizations that can benefit from the donation of crafted projects.  Craft for a Cause is one way that we can make a difference -- together."

How You Can Win

• Create a craft for your favorite charitable organization using materials purchased from Jo-Ann
• Donate the crafted item to your favorite charitable organization
• Log onto Joann.com/craftforacause to complete an entry form and submit your receipt and photo(s) of your donated item(s) by October 30, 2010
• A panel of sewing and crafting experts will then judge all eligible entries and will select five (5) winners based on the quality/workmanship, creativity and functionality of the item for the chosen organization, as shown in the photographs
• The top five entries will each win a $1,500 Jo-Ann gift card

How Your Favorite Charity Can Win

• The three charitable causes receiving the most donated items will become Craft for a Cause finalists
• Starting November 7, 2010, vote at Joann.com for your favorite finalist
• Jo-Ann will donate to the top vote getters:
  • 1st prize - $50,000
  • 2nd prize - $25,000
  • 3rd prize - $15,000

"Craft for a Cause will bring together the crafting community for the benefit of the charities that mean the most to our customers," said Beebe. "We are very excited about the impact that our combined efforts can make." For more information on how top participate in Craft for a Cause, log onto Joann.com. Your favorite charity could win $50,000.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores (NYSE: JAS) the nation's largest fabric and craft retailer with locations in 48 states, was founded in 1943 as a single retail store. Today, more than 750 Jo-Ann stores across the country provide consumers with creative inspiration. For additional information, visit www.Joann.com.

More than 250 new and established artists will present their latest handcrafted jewelry, clothing, furniture, home décor, and more at The American Craft Council Show in San Francisco. Celebrating its 35th year in the Bay Area, the Council's one and only west coast show is expecting to draw a crowd of 10,000 visitors. Guests can indulge in wine tastings from top vineyards and be part of entertaining and informative demonstrations throughout the weekend.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

HANDMADE UNDER $100:  NEW in 2010, this new feature highlights craft at more affordable prices. Artists in this category offer many of their one-of-a-kind pieces at $100 or less.  Perfect for those starting a collection.

LAWN & GARDEN: Also NEW in 2010, this category features artists who craft outdoor and lawn-specific furniture, décor, accessories and more. 

GREEN CRAFT: Artists using found, recycled, eco-friendly materials and techniques will be featured throughout the show.

ALTCRAFT:  This section features rising indie craft artists whose work illustrates the innovative techniques and materials of the burgeoning handmade craft movement.  These twenty artists have been selected through a special jury process and will exhibit their work in a loft-like space at the show.

$5 AFTER 5 EVENT: On Friday, August 13, show hours are extended until 8pm and admission is just $5 beginning at 5pm.  Shop the show, sample wines and participate in the Museum of Craft and Folk Art CRAFT BAR with ETSY Labs - a live, hands on workshop where you create your very own object to take home!  CRAFT BAR will take place in the demo area in Festival pavilion beginning at 5pm on Friday.  Seating is on a limited first come, first served basis. 

CHILDREN'S CRAFT WORKSHOP:  San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design bring their popular MakeArt Children's Workshop to the show floor.  Children can create their very own work of art to take home!  Saturday, Aug. 14, 1-3pm in the Demo Area in Festival Pavilion. 

 

LOCATION
Fort Mason Center, Herbst and Festival Pavilions.
Enter Fort Mason at the corner of Marina Blvd. and Buchanan Street.
Click here for directions.

DATES AND SHOW HOURS
Friday, August 13 (10am - 8pm)
Saturday, August 14 (10am - 6pm)
Sunday, August 15 (10am - 5pm)

ADMISSION
$12 per person
$18 for a two-day pass
**Special Friday night admission: $5.00 at 5pm! Starting at 5:00pm admission drops to $5.00 for the remainder of the evening (8pm). No discount offers apply.

In celebration of the network's fifth birthday, Sprout, the first 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers, will premiere its first-ever, long-form original series Noodle and Doodle on Saturday, September 25 at 9:00 a.m. ET. Produced by Sprout, this new series (26 x 11' episodes), featuring arts, crafts and cooking for preschoolers and their families, will debut within the network's signature, live morning block, The Sunny Side Up Show, which is expanding to include weekends. Noodle and Doodle will air every Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and again at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Hosted by Sean, Sprout's co-host of The Sunny Side Up Show and master artist, Noodle and Doodle features arts, crafts and healthy recipes inspired by real preschoolers' experiences. With his new friends Noodle, a loveable puppet who likes to help in the kitchen, and Doodle, a virtual, electronic friend who lives in a tablet style device, Sean leads real preschoolers and viewers at home to make all kinds of kid-friendly creations. Sprout viewers will discover healthy recipes and clever crafts that families can create together using materials from around the home, as well as recycled elements from the items used in the actual recipes. All of the cooking and crafting takes place inside a whimsical double-decker bus where Sean and his helpers demonstrate step-by-step "how to" creations in an engaging, simple way that families can recreate at home.

Also along for the ride is Sean's dog Doggity, an adorable beagle with the special ability to take viewers into his imaginary, animated world where culinary canines use teamwork to solve problems and cook up treats in their own kitchen. This segment on Noodle and Doodle is called Doggity's and was created in conjunction with series creator John McCoy working with the design and animation team of Ka-chew!, a division of Klasky Csupo, the production company behind smash hits like the Rugrats and Wild Thornberrys.

"Noodle and Doodle is the perfect addition to weekends on Sprout as we expand The Sunny Side Up Show - our top performing original program for viewer engagement - to seven days a week," said Andrew Beecham, senior vice president, programming at Sprout. "Since the live block launched in September 2007, Sprout has collected over one million viewer submissions, and we anticipate even more viewer interaction now with the launch of Noodle and Doodle."

He continued: "We are so excited to be debuting this first-ever, long-form original series. This is also the first time that Sprout is making an original program available for international licensing."

A companion website with sharing galleries, how-to videos, games and more will be available at SproutOnline.com after September 25. For additional information on Sprout programs or schedules, or to play games, download free coloring pages or find great activities for kids, visit SproutOnline.com. To find out where Sprout is available in your area, call 1.8.SPROUT.411 or go to SproutPlease.com.