After tonight, my summer break officially starts (for real). Tonight is the college’s commencement ceremony, which means faculty and administrators get dressed up in the old gown and funky hat. As I ironed out the wrinkles in my scholar get-up yesterday, I still felt a great deal of pride when I pulled out my hood. It’s the silky thing that goes around your neck and hangs back over the gown and has the colors of your college on it. In my case, they are gold and royal blue. Let me tell you, I worked hard for that hood, and it just reminds me again and again that hard work and determination does pay off.

Believe it or not, some of the hardest working folks I know are professional craft designers. Projects can take a lot of time to perfect. Getting your work published or landing a paying craft job takes time and can often lead to rejection after rejection before the stars align and you finally hear a “yes.” So I’m very proud to offer you some wonderful links today from my fellow pro-crafters.

The Artful Crafter
How to navigate the sea of digital file extensions.

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Alexa shows you how to make Fontalicious Wall Art that is bold, graphic, and fun! And definitely cheap and easy to do!

About Family Crafts
Let’s celebrate Half-Way to Halloween! Some people may think that it is too early to think about Halloween, but actually, Halloween seems to top the of list of people’s favorite crafting holidays.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside’s got a great tutorial on how to paint on fusible web, a photo of a beautiful Roman Stripe quilt from the book-The Quilt, fun photos from a bee field trip with author Kim Flottum and a “Mean Girl” Logo from the book Letterhead & Logo Design 10.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge reviews Jean Campbell’s gorgeous new book Steampunk Style Jewelry.

Cross Stitch at About.com
One of Connie’s friends says the free When This You See pattern looks like a brain. Connie was inspired by the pocketbook plant. No matter what you see, the abstract design with traditional saying will be a fun stitch.

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Linda cut out the pieces for another of her Grandma Paper Doll quilts. Check out Violet’s design.

Mixed Media Artist
A wonderful quote by Dorothy Day inspired Cyndi to make a little canvas board assemblage.

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Paper Jewelry inspired by The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry Making Techniques by Vannetta Seecharran.

Crochet Dude
Drew has just released the names and addies of the Michaels test stores nationwide that will be carrying his new line of crochet tools and kits – starting THIS weekend!