A Reason to Ground your Teenager.

I've said it before. Parenting is hard work. Throw in a teenager and the work doubles. Welcome to thecraftjunkieblog.

I love my teenage daughter more than life itself, so as a consequence for poor behavior I recently grounded her from her cel phone FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK! That sounds like a contradiction I know.

A couple days went by. She was angry with me for cutting her off from her friends. Apparently she thought they would forget her existence. Apparently she also forgot how to use a traditional land line phone (but I wasn't about to show her).

She hated me (in a teenager sort of way), and I felt sick (in a mothering sort of way). When I spoke with her, she would only reply in one syllable grunts.

My children think I relish passing out punishments. I really don't.

Then...something miraculous happened. She began to create artwork during all the free time she had.

This is what she made:



That skull? I think it represents my head.

Those missiles? I think she wanted to toss some my way.

Those peace signs...maybe she felt bad for what she'd done.

Yeah right.


When I asked her about it, she told me it represented what was going on politically in the world.
(secretly I think she was just being polite).


None the less, I love this piece of artwork. For me, it represents so much on many levels. I want a T-shirt with it plastered on the front.

I feel validated for grounding her- knowing that if I hadn't done my job, the world would be less one amazing piece of art.
for other art related stories, visit thecraftjunkieblog.

Photoshop Before and After

Before Photoshop...

After Photoshop...



Photoshop Actions:
MCP High Deffinition Sharpening
MCP Color Magic

A great craft for boys...

I'm always on the hunt for something fun I can do with my 9 year old son. Something that holds his interest as well as mine.
I recently found an exciting project: Blinky Bugs! These clever little guys are made of simple componants and when you bop their antenae, their eyes blink.


Everything comes in a kit you can purchase online for $14.00


Pipe cleaners, battery, wire, and simple electrode eyes.


The only things you have to provide are scissors, needle nose pliers and scotch tape.


My son thought they were totally cool. We spent a good hour working side by side on this project and I thought THAT was totally cool.

About the junkie

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Crummy Camera, Amazing Photos!

My family took a trip to Canada over Spring Vacation. The scenery was stunning.

I snapped pictures along the way - mostly from the back seat of our moving car, (with a broken point and shoot camera). Really. I had to hold the bottom together to keep the battery in place.

With scenery this beautiful, it's hard to take a "bad" picture. Even with a broken camera.


My kids kept yelling at me "stop rolling down the car window" - it was cold.

I duck taped their mouths shut and kept on snapping pictures (just kidding).


I took some of the photos through the glass of the car window, then ran them through photoshop to eliminate window glare. I boosted the color and cropped out the guardrail.

This photo is Before Photoshop...


After...


Before...


After...

It's a lesson that you can get beautiful photos with a crummy camera while zipping along in a car.

The important thing is to take the photos while you have the chance.

I still want a new camera. Is anyone having a camera give away?

Thankyou Kim!

A warm thankyou to Kim Demmon of "Today's Creative Blog" for featuring me on her blog yesterday. Kim, these are for you.

My teeny weeny blog has never had so many visitors and it's been exciting for me to watch. It went from less than 10 visitors per day to over 150. And thanks to all of you for taking the time to wander over to my little corner of the universe. I hope you'll come again soon.

Plastic Charm Card Cuties

Welcome to The Craft Junkie Blog. This is a class I teach at a local Scrapbook supply store.
It would seem I'm addicted to shrink plastic. It's just so much fun, so easy, and something I can do with my kids in a short amount of time. The results are always great. If you haven't tried it, you should.
Please see below for class details, and watch my blog for future templates!.






Class description:

Did you think Shrink Plastic was only for kids? NO WAY! In this class we'll design multi layered charms (from shrink plastic) that move and shimmer with the slightest touch. We'll hand emboss a gift card for our charms and write a clever sentiment. The recipient of your card can leave the charm on the card, or choose to remove it for a handmade pendant. How awesome is that? The possibilities are simply endless and you'll go away from this class with ideas galore and enough inspiration to last for days. I'll even bet you have more fun with shrink plastic than any kid you know – or I'll buy you a latte.

To learn more about this class or to register:
http://www.diylounge.com/

Class title: Plastic Charm Card Cuties

Pop Art

Here is The Craft Junkie's attempt at soda pop art. I call it Pink Tab.

Over 200 teeny tiny nails.

The Craft Junkie highly recommend this project if you have some hostility you need to "pound" out. Just remember to wear ear plugs.

Other related articles about soda pop can art, visit thecraftjunkieblog.

Meet Mt. Park Labradoodles

Hi. I'm Shyla the dog. This is Anna, my human sister,
from Mt. Park Labradoodles - that's where I was born.

Anna came to visit me recently in my new home.
We used to play Scrabble together at
Mt. Park Labradoodles.
She's a Scrabble Champion.

Anna gave me the nickname. "Pinot."
She says I was a whiner. I don't get it. Do you?


I used to jump on Anna and smother her with juicy wet kisses.
We were in love.

This is my doggy mom Paisley. She's pretty special.
In this photo I'm telling her, "GoodBye Mom. I'm leaving the nest here
at Mt. Park Labradoodles."


This was my human mom
at Mt. Park Labradoodles.
Her name is Debi Martin. She helped bring me into this world.


I left my home at Mt. Park Labradoodles when I was 7 weeks old. I've moved in with a groovy family who adores me - I have them wrapped around my little paw. They've taught me some cool tricks: SIT; STAY; COME; and to walk on a leash. I'll be learning how to cook next week.

Life is good.


I have a couple brilliant sisters and a really hot brother
looking for awesome homes like yours.
Did I mention the name Mt. Park Labradoodles before?

Click on the logo below and it will give you a zippy ride there!

Remember Milk Bubbles?

They are simply magical.

My son has discovered this classic joy of childhood.
It makes him smile.

I have found an adulthood joy...

...called Photoshop!

It makes me smile.

Spring Makeover

Every year about this time, I find myself with an urge to redecorate my WHOLE house (not that my urge will get satisfied mind you). Everything seems a little gray and dull. Spring is around the corner. Time to liven things up a bit. Especially my living room.

I make a trip to Walmart. Pick out 4 bright pillows. Things are looking up and I'm starting to feel better.

I purchase tulips (my favorite), instead of pork chops, when I do my grocery shopping and stick them in a vase with some black rocks. Instantly I become Martha Stewart.

The next transformation happens when a ray of sunshine pierces through my window. Warmth is spread throughout the entire room and everything is changed from dull gray to full technicolor! I feel as though I've been reborn and everything in life is good. I am complete. The birds are singing sweetly and my living room has been redecorated.


Now...I wonder if anyone in my family will notice.

Need Some Green?

St. Patricks Day is around the corner. It's also my dad's birthday. It's also the day you get pinched if you aren't wearing green.

Did I mention self promotion really isn't beneath me?
These are my latest "Green" pendants in case you need that color in your wardrobe soon.
www.monicamarie.etsy.com