Cheap Can Be Good!

So in the world of cheap, what can be good?  I started to think about this.  I mean I have had my share of cheap clothes (do-able, though they never last), cheap wine (also do-able after the first glass), cheap camping tents (ummmm, not so do-able in a thunder storm) oh how about cheap craft supplies? Yes, cheap craft supplies, a whole world of crafty goodness packed into $2.00.  Yes I can see it now.  A mere investment with a large return.  Now we are talking.  So here is my most favorite, most used, cheapest craft supply EVER.  Are you ready .. here it comes. YES it is in fact is the humble spool of PLASTIC CRAFT LACE.  Yes for $4.00 you can go to town with just two simple colors and make like 100 key chains.  This is my favorite thing to pass out to the kids in the summer.  It is the perfect pool and ocean side craft supply.  Children take to it so quickly.  I remember teaching my daughter and her friends a simple box or spiral stitch and they took to it like a gardener to a pack of seeds.  So much fun in so many great colors.  I stand before you in my virtual craft world to tell you (oh here goes that patriotic music again) to run don't walk but run to the craft store and get yourself some plastic lace.  There is almost always free directions for knots and you will have a blast teaching some 'young'en to lace a lanyard.  Did I mention I have a six year old grand daughter who is prime picken's to teach this fun and oh so classic craft to.  My lord people this summer is going to be my walk down camp memory lane.  I can't wait to sit by the pool with my little grand daughter and start lacing up some crafty-licious key chains for her to give to her Mom.  Hope this gets you thinking about a laid back summer craft that is easy on you and the kids while enjoying the great outdoors.  After all summer is just a breath away.  have a great night and thanks for visiting.
Lysa

I May Die Broke 'Cause I Cut Corners!

This post is a bit of a laugh at myself, You see I made the book favors for friend Donna. See how each cover has those nice rounded corners. Yeah well, when it comes to cutting corners I am not just good at it, I am what you might call a pro. Sure every crafter needs a corner rounder but no .... Lysa needs .... three! I mean this goes back to the thought process of a master carpenter has the right tools. Yes, I can round corners on cardstock for cards, yes,  I can cut the perfect corner on an entire pad of post it notes with my GATOR(then add a decorative cover) and yes,  I can round the corners of a circa 1972 record album that I have cut in half to make a purse with the corner chomper. PEOPLE .. Please help me. There must be some crafting groups out there that help the addict work through the addiction. There must be a group that says "it's ok ... when the bright pink handle does not match the orange hand punch" ... Why oh why Martha Stewart do you make your punches (made by ek success) in ivory when they (ek success) make their papershapers punches in basic black?! You manufacturers are blowing my craft room mojo right out of it's color coordinated rhelm. It is OK that my husband made me an ink pad caddy out of a recycled cassette holder.(here is where the patriotic music starts to play) It is OK that my ribbon is stored in a 10 drawer putty colored file cabinet that matches absolutely nothing else in the room. I will no longer slave to the 50% coupon from A.C. Moore or Michael's. I will no longer allow the product to effect the art of the craft. I will stand up and say No, I will not stock my craft room with one "do dad" after the next just to feed the addiction. I will move forward by returning to my roots of simple decoupage and quilling. I will not buy the next cool, slick machine that hits the market. (oh except for the new ecraft cutter...no carrier sheet needed...bottom of line people were looking at about $499.. come on... gotta get it..gotta.. like I gotta..really it's OK  I have been saving for it. like for a year and a half.)I think the music is doing whats is called a fade out. OK face it. I am going to use my A.C. Moore coupon, I am going to hit Michael's for their next sale. I simply am a crafter who loves the industry and the products it produces. When I was young I went to camp and my favorite thing was crafting. I treated each basic supply like gold. I loved bringing home to my Mom a silly key chain or braided bracelet. Craft supplies to me were like a magician who learned a new trick. Yes people craft supplies are just that special. And no I don't need a support group, I just need to keep creating. Thanks for helping me laugh and thanks for visiting. Enjoy the evening,
Lysa

The Book Box

Ok, So my friend Donna is a big big book person. Not only is she an avid reader she is a volunteer with a local library group. "The Friends" have this blow out book sale once a year, make a bunch of $$'s and then sponsor all kind of great programs for the children. They also help our Township's many libraries to stay up to date. Truly a wonderful group of people who give of themselves to give back to the community in which they live. I always thought anyone who gives a bit of time deserves a bit of a thank you. Donna and I had talked last year about a little favor that she could give to the volunteers that help her so much with the Annual Book Sale. I of course go right to candy. It is my favorite and usually an affordable token gift to give. And one of my all time favorites is Hersey Nuggets. I love 'em!! Donna asked if I could make a box that was shaped like a book being this was a book sale gift. Here is what we came up with. I had a blast with this box. I am already thinking of other occasions to use it. How about next Valentine's Day when it morphs into "The Book of Love". Ummm, that should work nicely. We had some time constraints, so in keeping it simple no inked edges, and all black ink for the printing. The inside lid could have (should have) had a sentiment of thanks. Next time round we will allow more time for the project. Just as a shout out to my fav cardstock, I have to tell you that the books were made from k & company double sided cardstock. Best paper EVER!!! and the base boxes were made from recycled black presentation covers. I hope all the volunteers like their little books and have great success at this years sale. Thanks for visiting and have a great day.
Lysa

Looking For The Frog

Hi All,
Happily living in my basement is basically the remaining contents of my folks home. Now deceased, I just can't seem to part with these remaining items. Most of the things that are still around are utilitarian items, Ya know like kitchen things. Yup, got the dishes, the silverware, their coffee mugs. All the stuff that reminds me of the home I grew up in. My Mom was big into fresh cut flowers and loved her rose bushes. We always had cut flowers around. Mom also kept beautiful lilac bushes too. So last week I go looking for one of her flower frogs. I noticed along the blogging way that other bloggers uses them to prop up the cards and things they make for their photos. Well I know I must have 4 or 5 of them down in the basement. I know they are down there somewhere! Yeah well after searching for like 3 hours or so I gave up. but as I was leaving the basement out of the corner of my eye I see this cigar box, a really nice cigar box, kinda tucked up on the shelf on the far right side. ok so now I am climbing to reach it. I had to see what was in it. Finally I get my hands on it and pure joy washed over me. As you can see by the pictures this is a prime example of one woman's JUNK being another woman's TREASURE. I spent hours looking at these buttons. I can even remember some of the clothing that the particular button came from. Oh, and for sure I can see myself digging the rhinestones out of some of them. I just can't wait to go back down to the basement to look for the frog again, mostly because I know I will find something fun.
Have a great week end and a Happy Easter.
Lysa