NOT A GREAT PICTURE BUT ....

Ok, So here is the first Capri Sun project.  I am a Barn Star freak.  I just love them.  So the first thing Rory and I came up with was this Capri Sun Barn Star.  Rory laced the whole outside with lime green plastic RexLace and the star was cut on a the Cricut using Make the Cut software.  We cut a white paper star and used the new Xyron Creatopia on the Capri Sun material. We are not sure where to hang our star but we sure had fun collecting the juice box holders and coming up with at least one project that used a recycled medium.  Hopefully we will move onto a purse project next but the pool and beautiful weather seem to call us to the outside of the house.  Summer is passing so quickly and I am beginning to realize that maybe just maybe I am a winter crafter.  No can't be as I have to make a diaper cake this weekend.  Thanks for visiting and if anyone wants to leave me tips on taking pictures I would sure appreciate it!
Lysa

Capri Sun - The Summer Project!

Wow People, can you believe May is coming to an end!  I have been so busy with getting the house in summer mode that it seems crafting has taken a back seat.  BUT NO! because while I was spring cleaning and getting all the outside goodies going things were growing in the craft room.  Yes it's true, I said to the little one (fave and only grandchild) "you should save all those Capri Sun juice pouches you drink, maybe we could make something out of them".  Yeah well, can someone explain this?  Had I said "maybe you should turn your socks right side out before putting them in the hamper"  Yeah, you know I would get no response, but ask for Capri Sun pouches?  WOW, you should see the response.  I'm pretty sure she would mug someone in the streets to secure what is now a precious commodity.  All kidding aside,  the summer project for 2010 will be a Capri Sun juice pouch tote bag.  It's perfect.  I was looking for something that Rory (fave and only grandchild) could work along with me on.  Then in my own head I started thinking about that plastic craft lace.  You know like 2 or so posts ago.  I was going to teach her a  spiral lanyard stitch, make a key chain, and call it a summer.  But then it hit me, Plastic lace, Capri Sun pouch! Well that's just a marriage made in heaven.  Now I know these tote bags and purses have been around for like 10 years or so.  I have done my best not to look for a pattern or any other info online.  I do know that people have been sewing these pouches together to create great little crafty goodies like purses and pencil cases etc.  So my goal along with the fave Rory is to make something fun and colorful. So check back to see what we have made. Thanks for visiting!

Lysa

An Apple For The Teacher

Teachers are such a large part of all our families.  I am a grandmother and my grand-daughter attends the same elementary school that her Mother, Father, Uncles, Great Uncles and Grandfather attended.  Wow, how cool is that!  Though trough the years the Teachers changed and the building itself has gone through some minor changes it remains an important part of our family.  This past week was Teacher Appreciation and we sent in these apples for my grand-daughter's teachers.  I only wish I could have made one for the entire school staff.  I just love them.  I purchased the cutting file years ago from www.paperthreads.com and try to use it as much as I can for the teachers I know.  I used a cuttlebug embossing folder for embossing and the tag is from the Platin Schoolbook and Wildcard cartridges. I made the box out of recycled clear acrylic report covers.  Oh and please notice that oh so luscious striped paper by Basicgrey called "Figgy Pudding".  I purchased the solid red at the end of Christmas last year from Michael's.  How about that, Christmas papers filling my apple needs. Oh and of course there are those Hersey nuggets again.  I love them too!  If my memory serves me correct the same Paperthreads designer who made this apple sliceform also made the Easter egg sliceform file that I had purchased.  Sliceforms are amazing.  I did make a Christmas tree and it took forever to figure out.  They are just little wonders of the math world, and did you know they fold flat!  Yup, you can make these bad boys up, pop them in an envelope and mail them off.  There are pattens for baby bottles and wine bottles, all kinds of fun shapes.  I have seen snow globe patterns too.  Just so cute.  Try to make one, you will be glad you did.  Thanks for visiting.  Lysa

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

Spring Is Here and So Are Bunnies!

Oh Yeah, Spring is here! I was outside with no jacket, no gloves, no scarf and was wearing a short sleeve shirt. Can this be true or a mere treat for the weekend? But one thing for sure is, it was time to have a look at those Lindt bunnies. Ok so I was so overtaken by the warm weather and I had to put up some Easter decorations and then there was the cleaning of the house and last nights dinner and laundry too. (ok let's just blow of the laundry) so I finally get into the craftspace and I have 30 Lindt bunnies looking at me and I'm thinking Geeee what am I going to do with you guys. So thanks to a total lack of basket - box inspiration, I thought to myself - "self, this looks like cheat'en time!" So I took said adorable Lindt bunnies out of their happy, lovely package, scanned in said package and created the .... are you still with me ... the same package, only a house for one happy little Lindt bunny. I LOVE IT! I have to do this more often. Sure, no more brain stress. I will simply take the package that the big company designed and copy it with my own spin. OK I'm just kidding. I was just pressed for time and needed 30 of these, so every now and again we all have to draw some inspiration from something that is right in front of us. I like the way these favors came out and I might just add a little something to the space in the lower left corner. Hope you like them too! Thanks for visiting, Lysa

This Picture Is All Me!

I have been looking through pictures to post, and I came across this photo. I have to tell you that this picture describes me perfectly. I could not stop laughing. I did feel the need to edit out the (oh so hideous ashtray) but I really think that is shows my true calling to the crafting world. 2 VAIOs ... 2 Wisblades! oh (ah ha moment enters into my crafty brain) so this is where all the money is going. Oh please just wait till I show you the Brother Flashstamp machine! I really do need to get a grip. But I gotta say MACHINES seem to float my boat! If I can plug it in to an outlet I am on Cloud 9! This picture comes from the wedding bubble project for Heather and Anthony. and to be honest while all of this was cutting there was an HP Desktop bouncing CD's for the Music CD place cards. So funny, but ya know this is the stuff that I choose to make my memories out of.
Thanks for visiting, Lysa

Old Records = Crafty Goodness

Well yet again I have to dig into the past. A craft project, any craft project is good. but when the person who is making a craft has a thought process it sort of transfers to a bit more. Now others might not see this but the person I made it for did. My friend Kathy (Hi Kathy) had a lovely cat name Dolly. Dolly left this world after a happy life and wonderful care by her family. If I don't tell you anymore can you figure it out. I think you can. On a lighter note did you know scroll saws cut old vinyl records. Yep those blades just eat through vinyl. I love cutting up old records. The next time you are at a garage sale, pick one up, break it, crack it, cut it, or even melt it (a 250 degree oven for like 1 minute works) and make something fun. Ya know what you can take a fav album go to the craft store and buy a clock movement and make a clock (the hole is already drilled). Whatever you do with it you will enjoy what you have made. Have a great night and thanks for visiting!
Lysa

An Armchair Trip To Deadwood

A travel'n friend of mine name Donna (Hi Donna!)took a road trip this past September. First I have to say she is an avid reader and great supporter of our local library. Donna loves to read so a bookmark is always a sure bet for her. When she returned from the trip she had many stories and treasures to share with all of us. But my favorite thing was that she had visited Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood, South Dakota. Along the way she picked up some clover and grass from Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane's grave site. Now ... one might wonder why someone would think to do that. It didn't strike me as unusual at all. My mother picked clover on her trip to Ireland. I myself have little jars of sand from favorite beaches I visited. I know someone who has volcanic ash from Hawaii. We all have a reason for what we do. Face it people if I ever get to the rose bowl parade ... I am nailing me a rose petal. Well anyway Donna asked could I somehow preserve the clover and being a book lover a bookmark was the way to go. Now I know I am being long winded but here is the point. Wild Bill Hickok was a name I knew, I mean I heard over the years. I knew he was some dude from somewhere west. OK so I knew absolutely nothing about the man. Or that Jane woman either. But now after making this bookmark I'm here to tell you all that I can hold my own any day, anytime, in a Wild Bill trivia contest. It was great. From the internet getting all the pictures to make the graphic I visited the current Municipal website, along with the cemetery's website and the local Adams Museum website. I had a blast even before I started the project. My point in all of this is crafting is more than just the act of art and assembly. It can take you to a place where you might not otherwise go. And my thanks to Donna for this project. I learned so much about America in the 1870's and about the Gold Rush too. I am looking forward to making the Calamity Jane bookmark next. Thanks for visiting.
Lysa
ps - Did I mention she picked wildflowers from the feet of the Jolly Green Giant!!! Literally!

Diaper Cakes Revisited

Diaper cakes always are a winner. No matter how they are made. No matter if they are a gift for the new Mom or a centerpiece for the tables. I just love them. I know the cost of making them is through the roof. But people they make a hit!! I love when they are themed to the new baby's nursery and in the color scheme of Mom's choice. This pink and chocolate cake matched the nursery it was going to and because the diapers are a larger size there is no need to dismantle the cake right away. Here is a quick shout out to the you tube watchers who saw the video and were so nice to comment. I really wish I had the time to get into making instructional videos but time for me seems to be a premium these days. If you need any tips on making a diaper cake or any other project you see here, leave a comment and I will help anyway I can. Enjoy and thanks for visiting!
Lysa

Another Miche

Ok so here is the thing, I tell the hubby, Dude I should just stay home and sew for a living, then I go to work and I tell the Bosslady, You should fire me so that I can stay home and sew for a living. Well both of them think I am just crazy. Ok so I really don't want to stay home and sew for a living but if I did....I would make things like this Miche cover. Here is how I did it. I took my all time fav Dead album and scanned the front and then the back of the covers. I fit it into a template that I made from measuring my Miche bag pattern (which I made from a brown supermarket bag). Then I went to A C Moore and bought a roll of printable cotton fabric. (oh so coooooool!!!)printed it and then sewed the bad boy up. It's my favorite Miche cover EVER!. The pictures don't do it justice. Ya know its got my signature skull on it so you know I think its a winner. But really get yourself some of this printable cotton, it is color fast and only needs heat setting with an iron. I have printed photos on it and they look great. I think I paid about $14.99 for 8.5 inches by 3 yds. I probably had a coupon. Hope you grab some when you can. Thanks for visiting.
Lysa

It's All About The Favors

Yeah, That's the thing with me. I love the favors. If I have to make 10 of something I am thrilled. If I have to make 75, well then it's even better! I have to say quantity gets me going. One thing I really love is when I am making favors and I can incorporate a persons handwriting into the favors. Here are 2 examples of that. I feel like it makes the favor more personal, almost like the person had their hands on the project. My grand-daughter was moving from preschool to kindergarten and the favor for the teachers had a photo of when they met her as well as when they waved her off to "big girl shcool" in addition to her words of thanks. Max was leaving home for new adventures at college and even though a formal "Thank-You" needed to be sent, these favors were an instant thank you on the dessert table in his own hand. So easy to do, just have the person or people (in a couple event) write on white paper in black ink, scan, and import into your project. I just love this added touch. I hope you will consider this the next time you are faced with making the tag for your favor project. It truly brings a new level of personality and homemade goodness to your craft project. Thanks for visiting!
Lysa

And There's Those Bunnies

Hey All,
Oh those Lindt Bunnies, Ya gotta love 'em. And please notice the lambs and chicks too. These sliceform eggs were a file I purchased from Paperthreads a few years back. I loved it so much that I bought the apple too. I cut them with my KnK and the paper is Bazzil I studied this file over and over and finally came up with a Christmas tree. I mean these sliceforms are all about math. yeah math. like uh no ... I don't do math. Nope it was a struggle to say the least. but when it was all said and done I broke down and talked to the Hubby and of course he got it going and I had success with the tree. But I gotta say this file and the apple file were so worth the money. For non designers I highly recommend getting some sliceform files. People love how they fold flat. You can mail them or work them into cards. They are so cool. Notice these are from my pre inking days.(oh the shame of no ink!)and need I mention that they are not embossed either! Well those days are so O-V-E-R!! Hope this gets you going for making some Easter goodies. I know I better get going as the Bunny is on his way. Have a great day, Thanks for visiting!
Lysa

The Little Black Cat That Started It All

So addiction has to start somewhere. For me it was this little black cat. When I got the blue wishblade in 2006, this was the first die cut I made. I think back to the software and laugh to myself because everything I did was hand traced. This cat was a Broderbund Print Shop software clipart graphic that I imported as a .JPEG and traced. I can't tell you how many of him I made. Facing left, Facing right, With a name, No name, Sprayed with glitter and some left plain, On a sign, and hanging on the Halloween tree. He was everywhere. I still love the little guy. and he was my very first file share on the Paperthreads forum. I was so proud when I uploaded that file. I really felt like I had a handle on the software when I made him. Always remember we all need a starting point, you know that jumping off point we all have been at and then when you least expect it you begin to answer more questions then you are asking. I love making something out of paper. Almost all of us have been handed a sheet of paper when we were small. By a Parent or a Teacher. We write thoughts, we doodle, we cut it, fold it. Come on people we folded it into paper airplanes, fortune tellers, and footballs in school when we were young. Its only rival is possibly a cats cradle string. Paper has my heart and always will. I never see it as flat or of no color. I see it with dimension and flair. Keep in mind a simple poem on a page can add all the depth needed. Have a great evening and grab some paper, a pencil, and someone close by, draw a tic tac toe board and play a game, you will be glad you did. Thanks for visiting!
Lysa

Favors I Love Party Favors

Wow, Look at me ... 2 posts in one night. I have been taking pictures of things that I make for years so I have a bit of catching up to do. Party Favors have always been a thing I loved. They just seem to add something to the table. A friend of mine had a butterfly theme as the background of their wedding. These were the bubbles. I really enjoyed when these were passed out at the outdoor ceremony. I made these with my Xyron Wishblade using the print and cut feature. Don't ask me what the paper was as these are from 2007. All I can say is that I constantly watch the cutting industry for a printer/cutter system that does not require registration marks. I so wish that the industry would produce a home version of a printer/cutter system that can print then cut without the paper being moved from one machine to the next. We home crafters just can't afford to play with the machines that are out there now for the professionals. The Wishblade is cool and I still use mine now and again but it just does not have the pressure settings I need for the media I cut. Thanks for visiting.
Lysa

A Paper Project

See I really do play with paper. I had the pleasure of attending a baby shower for a relative back in February and I made these for the table. I got the file from lkc over at the SCAL forum Her blog is http://thealliancetrader.blogspot.com/ How generous is she to share this great box file. I gave her a shout out on the SCAL forum. She does great files. Need I say they cut like BUTTA. Check her out if you can. I used the cricut and SCAL to cut these. The paper is from the Martha Stewart pink stack, which I got at Walmart. The candles that went inside were scented "clean linen" and here is a little tip. I got them all packed into boxes and put "clean linen" scented wax melts into the box along side of the favors. After being in the boxes over time the paper absorbs the scent and they smell really pretty. I do have to say that making large quantities of a favor is something I really enjoy. Wish I could get a handle on taking better pics but hopefully that will come in time. Have a great night and thanks for visiting!
Lysa

Some White Vinyl and A Cricut with SCAL ... Now Thats Crafty-licious!

Wow this weekend is flying by .. but as always there is time to get CRAFTY! Our local ACE Hardware was closing out these bar stools for $19.99. Pauly had a need for them in the music area. (there is a reason why I say area instead of room) So we nailed four of them. So here are pics of the first two. I used cricut vinyl (way to pricey, but I was out of white) and it was all I could get my hands on at a moments notice. The graphics were pulled from .PDF catalogs from the internet. Not bad for a quick craft and spruce up for cheap bar stools. Next up is one honoring the Mesa Boogie Amps that he loves so much. Sorry for the quality of the pictures but the stool tops are so reflective that I couldn't a good shot. Have a great day and thanks for visiting.
Lysa

The 2009 Bunny Box

Here is last years Lindt Bunny Box. I had so much fun making these last year. I loved the chocolate ribbon. Hopefully this week I will look into file sharing so that I can post the cut file for this box. I cut all of these boxes with the cricut expression through Sure Cuts A Lot. The paper is K&Company (My Favorite Paper!)And the ink is Stazon Timber Brown. I am not great with my camera yet and I was looking at cool homemade light boxes. So hopefully that will also be coming down the pike shortly as well. Wishing you a great weekend and thanks for visiting!
Lysa