Can't Get Enough of DSA2

So I ran home from work today to start to play with the kids Florida pictures.  Maybe this is not the best digi scrapbook page but I am learning this software and boy is it ever fun to use.  I practiced bending text and adding decorative edges to the photos.  So much fun.  Check out the Sarif website 'cause there is free (yes FREE) download version of this software and the vids on youtube are the bomb! LOVE IT!!!!! Thanks tonight go to Melinda for the vids and to ducky designs for her oh so cool graphics.  Thanks to you both for sharing, I'd be no kinda crafter without you all.  Have a great night!
Lysa

SHOUT OUT!!!!

Here we go People!  My weekly SHOUT OUT!
Today's shout out goes to (wait for it) (here it is)
www.thescrapcastle.com
I so love these guys (girls) ya know what I mean!  What a great online shopping experience. I placed my order for some MME Halloween paper that I needed on Saturday at about mid morning EST and I got home from work on Monday and my paper was here already.  Along with a little bonus I might add.  This website was pure costumer service at its best and I can't wait to place another order.  So to you Scrapcastle here is a SHOUT OUT and a note of thanks!!  I appreciate your service and wish you all the best for the coming crafty season!
Lysa
ps Did I mention that even with the shipping I got a better price than when I bought the paper at my local Michael's store.(which by the way is not so local) (gas does cost $$$!)

Halloween - 2010 Treats, DONE!

Hi All,
I am so excited that I have a handle on this years Halloween crafty goodies.  Each year I try for three items to make as a little give away to family and friends.  Now that I know what I am making it is easy to start really pushing out a large quantity.  I started with the pad cover (which I love!). Next was the Ghirardelli box to hold three Ghirardelli chocolates. I love the sides of the box that say "TRICKS" & "TREATS".  Last, was the little pouch to hold two Ghirardelli's. Yum....I just love all three.  I ended up using DSA2 for all the graphics.  The boxes were all cut on the cricut using SCAL.  The paper on the candy holders is from My Mind's Eye spider web collection that I ran through my HP printer.  The pad cover paper is Martha Stewart. And of course (what I consider my) signature spider is everywhere.(He is a fav of mine!!)  The only thing missing is that there is no Hersey nuggets.  Last night I placed my Stampin up paper order for the fall holiday season, so maybe, just maybe when I get my hands on the new wicked paper I will have to add a nugget project into the mix.  Have a great day and thanks for visiting.
Lysa

A Second Look

I had some time to take another look at the Halloween graphic I made yesterday.  I left it posted even though I saw things that I wanted to change. First off I had printed it on photo paper and had tried to add some marker ink.  The photo paper didn't take the marker as well as I hoped. I also needed to work on centering the parts and adding some shadows.  I also felt the entire graphic was way to large and needed to be smaller.  I took out the background and this time I printed it on some Martha Stewart card stock.  I like it much more with no color added to it.  I think this would make a great bookmark to go along with a scary paperback non edible treat for Halloween. Ummm, I could see it now! Thanks for visiting,
Lysa

 

Halloween Is Kind Of Crazy!

I had so much fun today playing with DSA2.  I learned so much from videos on youtube and I knew this would be a great graphic for some note pads that I bought at A.C. Moore at the end of Halloween last year.  Sorry for oh so sad pictures I take!  I am really starting to feel the Halloween Mojo now!

Have a great evening and thanks for visiting,
Lysa

A Shout Out To Serif Digital Scrapbook Artist and Denise Too!

Hi All,
Happy Weekend To Everyone!!  I have been falling behind on so many things lately, one of which is all of my pictures. Last winter I had made a commitment to myself that I would keep up on the 2010 year of pictures.  After all it was the start of a new decade.  Well, true to form I don't think I printed one picture this year and here we are in August.  I got bit by some inspiration from Denise (Hi Denise) over at Purple Paper Paradise when she started to get going with her digital pages.  They are awesome!  Denise is doing hybird pages combining digi with the traditional layout style. AWESOME!!! So inspired by her blog I put down the Halloween paper and went back to my friend Huey.  I had bought DSA2 back in I think February.  I have been using it to make bookmarks and coasters.  Melinda over at the yahoo Funtime group has made some great youtube videos.  Please check out this software.  I think it is fantastic.  I think the company is in England but I am not sure.  They even have a free version available.  I have been enjoying playing around with the software and only wish I had hours and hours to spend learning everything it can do.  I think the next page I make I will try Denise's technique and and add some traditional embellishments to my page. Thanks Denise and thanks to DSA2 also.  Have a great day and thanks for visiting.
Lysa

And For When You Need A Quickie!

Nothing but nothing can beat the Sour Cream Container.  I just love this favor.  So super simple for any occasion. There are instructions all over the internet for these but really all you need is a piece of paper about 5 by 4 inches.  Though,  I have made them in all sizes.  Some bigger than others.  I have even done a photo template of my granddaughter as a birthday party favor.  You don't even really need the crimp-er as you can set a piece of sticky strip in the end seams and use your score board to create the crimp.  The crimp-er does make it go a bit faster. You are simply creating a tube that you fill and crimp in opposite directions.  I love these because when I need a last minute favor or even filler for a group of favors, they are quick and easy.  Enjoy the evening and thanks for visiting!
Lysa

Trick or Treat ... Something Sweet

I had a blast with this carrier box and tag from last year.  I just loved the saying "Eat, Drink, and Be Scary". I mean I aspire to these three things on daily basis.  I saw the saying as a rubber stamp (pretty sure it was Stampin up) but I needed my own take on it.  So Huey, the vaio helped out.  The carrier was the sizzix die that I made digital so that I could cut them with the plotter.  I made 20 or so of these.  The names and tags were all done on the computer and then hand punched with Stampin Up punches.  I think these came out great.  The carrier base is recycled report covers and the designer paper is Stampin Up "Cast a Spell" from last year.  That paper is now available as a digital download from them.  I just loved that paper and was so excited when I was able to get it as a digi paper.  I think my favorite part is the silver thread and the spider.  The side you see has the Ghirardelli chocolates and on the other side is 6 wrapped Hershey nuggets.  They went over big.  This year I am thinking a coffin box and have started working on them.  I have a few days off from work next week so I plan on really getting organized for the fall crafting season.  I feel the summer is coming to a crashing halt, and I am so not ready for the cooler weather.  Hope you all are enjoying the day and thanks for visiting!
Lysa

Signs of Halloween

Hi Everyone,
Welcome to the weekend! I have been digging through old pictures to find pictures of Halloween crafts that I have made and I must say I get side tracked.  I have been loving seeing pictures of family and friends from past years as I hunt for pictures to use on the blog.  My goal was to focus on pictures that I could post but it has been wonderful to see all these great pictures from the past.  I also have come to the conclusion that I should take a photography class.  Really I can't take a picture worth a darn.  So please look past the poor photography and try to imagine how nice the object looks up close.  I hope to really start banging out some Halloween treats this weekend.  I made this sign back in '06.  The font is my most favorite Halloween font called "Agatha".  I just love it and use it for almost all my Halloween text.  I used my KnK to make these signs and I have the file if anyone wishes to have it. The text has been converted to path so if you don't have the font you will still be able to cut it.  Just leave a comment and I will be more than happy to share. Have a great weekend and thanks for visiting. Lysa

It's August and We Know What That Means ....!

... For all who know me it simply means ... HALLOWEEN
Yes I have already started.  I make a lot of Halloween crafts and if I don't start in August it would "spell" disaster.  So because I was not involved in blogging this time last year, I feel the need to throw in the old with the new.  I know I already posted my paper ribbon witch and now here comes one of Halloween 2009 sweet little treats.  I need to say I am a candy specific kinda girl.  Most of the treats I make are for adults.  I can't really see lollipops (though I do love them) for my particular target audience. As you may know I am a Hersey Nugget freak but I also love, love, love Ghirardelli chocolates.  I use them all the time.  I have to wonder if all the families that receive these year after year are thinking ..."oh no, not the Ghirardelli's again!!" yeah I bet they don't and I always mix things up a bit.  There is always an array of chocolate.  I make sure there are dark chocolate, and milk chocolate, almonds etc.  People ... I do know my chocolate!  So here is a simple fold over for a Ghirardelli chocolate.  And please note my little plastic spider. He is a fav of mine.  I also had the pleasure of using my xyron creatopia, which I love but as usual I can't find a adhesive refill locally.  This had become a pet peeve of mine.  I know the internet allows me to freely buy, buy, buy but I really do want to just walk into a store and be able to purchase the product without using my credit card.  I hope you like this project and my tip is that if you have a favorite candy and want to make a simple fold over all you need to do is measure your candy.  I find when you use a simple base and focus on the outer decorations you will come up with something fabulous.  If you want the specific measurements for this leave me a comment or send me an email at LhueyC@aol.com.  And please take a minute to ahhhh over the stampin up designer papers.  I so love their paper!!  Thanks for visiting, Lysa

Paper Raffia Ribbon - Why Can't I Find It?

Hi Everyone,
I remember doing lots and lots of paper twist crafts back in the late '80's and early '90's.  I loved that stuff.  I wove baskets and made wreaths and even life size dolls out of it (the base was a tomato cage).  It was fairly inexpensive and oh so available.  Well while looking for pictures of Halloween projects I have done I came across a picture (as always not a great picture) of this little witch. Her body is made from the paper raffia ribbon and her cloak is made from regular paper twist.  I've done angels like this as well for the Christmas season.  I still have this witch and was thinking I'd like to make some new ones as mine is getting pretty frail in her old age. I also would love to make a few as gifts for Halloween this year. Sadly, I am pretty sure its not going to happen.  I have been all over the internet looking for the paper raffia that was made by MPR ribbon.  I am having no luck what so ever.  I also could not find a source for the regular paper twist.  I will try on Monday to see if MPR in High Point N.C. is still in business and try to give them a call.  In the meantime if anyone can clue me into a source for the paper twist I would be one happy crafter!  Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Lysa

CHA is almost here

Hello All,
Yes, CHA summer is upon us.  Soon all of us who are not attending can watch video reviews and read about all the fall crafty fun that will soon be available in a store near us.  I am on the edge of my seat waiting for a glimpse of the new Cricut Imagine.  Now we all know the boards are a buzz with info and even a picture.  There is rumor of a contest.  I myself have posted all over the place that I will be first on line for this.  Yeah I don't even have a clue about specs or what it can do. But I am telling you now I am on line to buy.  Yes, that would be me.  Printing and cutting my heart out for the fall and winter '10 season.  I am on board!  A long awaited stand alone printer cutter. Why. that's every papercrafter's dream.  Really it has been my dream since the wishblade.  I love that blue machine.  It works, but not good enough.  I waste paper due to alignment issues.  I have also used my KNK and gee it is a bit complicated for print and cuts, and yes I have used the hinge method with the cricut but .... none of them are on the mark.  I know that there are industrial versions on the market that can fulfill my needs but  a whopping price tag of about $3000.00. I just can't swing it.  I mean I am an average Joette.  I can't do it. So if Provocraft can bring that into my space for under $1000.00 then I am thinking they may have a winner.  Without any info I need to say it would have to be able to import any .jpeg or .png file.  I would have to be able to draw my own cut lines to surround the imported image.  I would like to be able to export in a standard file format like an .svg.  I would like to be able to buy replacement ink locally. I would like to be able to use the cartridges I already own.  Will it fulfill these hopes?  Ahhh, time will surely tell.  I know I can't wait.  Sorry for the rant but my family and friends just don't want to hear me talk about it anymore. Thanks for visiting and check out the just a scrappin link and joy's life link for updated info on the Imagine.  Those girls have it all goin' on.
Lysa

Hello HALLOWEEEN!!

OK, so here is the thing, I started writing this post like an hour ago.  I keep erasing because I am not sure what I am trying to say.  Let me start off with - "Don't you just love this candle holder?" come on, sure you do. Well it comes straight out of  a Better Homes and Garden magazine from Halloween 2000.  I fell in love with it from the minute I saw it.  If I wanted to make it I would have to buy 5 rubber stamps, a glass vase, numerous specialty papers, and an array of basic craft supplies. People please it was the year 2000.  Did ya hear about Y2K.  My daughter was in like 5th grade.  Who had money?  Well I didn't. Mostly because of, well ya know taxes, braces and oh yeah...CRAFT SUPPLIES.  So trying ever so hard not to be disrespectful of the magazine and the designer and the rubber stamp manufacturer and of course my parents who raised me to not take what is not mine ... I did the worst thing ever.  I scanned in the pictures from the magazine and then cleaned them up with Kai's Photosoap (Really ... who even remembers that software) printed the cutouts onto card stock with my Canon bubblejet BJ-10 printer and cut them out by hand.  Even the spider web background. Yup, thought I was as slick as a counterfeiter do'in $100.00 bills.  I made 5 of them for friends.  When I get sued I know just where to find them and I am going to give 'um back.  Well now its 2010.  I still got the magazine.  The designer was Roberta Royce (sorry Roberta) The rubber stamp manufacturer was Visual Image Printery (sorry VIP, I tried to track you guys to buy the pumpkin stamp but alas you are gone) So to all I say I am sorry but boy does that luminary so look sweet every Halloween, glowing.
So by now most would think that this post was about my need to purge my soul of my rip off tendencies. Yeah, NO its more about how I discovered how to blend my computer with my crafts.  I find that I love Arts and Crafts but always felt a bit skewed.  I always looked at items and thought I can make that.  I seemed to struggle with my own ideas and seem to find it easier to put my spin on things that I see.  My point (as wordy as it is) is if you can't create an original idea from within, do your best to interpret something you've seen.  There is no right and wrong in crafting.  There is simply a feeling of "Hey, I made that".  I've grown as a crafter and do more original things now then I did in the past but I will never forget my starting points because when we forget our beginnings that is when we fail at our futures. As always thanks for visiting.
Lysa

And The Bead Goes On ....

Now I know for sure I am avoiding a purse project with all these CapriSun pouches.  I mean it is for sure, I am totally avoiding the thought of sitting down at the sewing machine and sewing these foil squares into a tote bag.  It's not that I don't like tote bags.  It's more like ... "It's so been done"  OK, it's true, I have absolutely no CapriSun crafty tote bag Mojo.  At night, I have thoughts of throwing out all the CapriSun pouches or better yet dreams of folding them into little origami birds so that whilst I'm asleep they fly away. My heart was in the right place, I know it was.  It all seemed so cool. All those silvery pouches lined up, Just sitting there waiting for me to add in bit of this and a pinch of that and they would somehow transform into some sort of crafty-licious goodness.  People, I was wrong.   I do not love the oh so shiny, hard to work with CapriSun foil pouches.  I do however, still love my Rexlace plastic lacing.  I thought back to the early days (daze) of cutting up my Mom's magazines to create paper beads.  I thought back to the hours of rolling paper onto toothpicks to create some of the nicest beads I had ever seen.  So, I said to myself, let's give it a try.  Here are pictures of the results.  I just want to say one thing ...... Forget the glue stick and white glue.  You will need crazy glue to stop  these bad boys from unwinding.  I did have fun making the beads but I am so putting the rest of the pouches into an envelop and putting the purse project on the back burner.  Hope you like the beads and the bracelet, and thanks for visiting.  Lysa

WOW that's a lot of holes ...

OK, so the new Cinch binding punch came to live at our house.   So of course now all my focus is on punching a lot of round holes in just about anything that crosses my craft desk. YES, I did try to punch a record.  NO, it didn't work.  But  it was worth a try.  The Cinch did eat right through the chipboard and card stock that I used on this post it pad holder.  I like the Cinch well enough but to be honest I like my GBC square hole office binding system better.  The upside to the Cinch is its ability to control the punch dies, meaning you can somewhat control the spacing of the hole punches.  The GBC at my work has that feature but my home one does not.   I love  the post it pad size that is in this little notebook.  It is a 4X4 square.  Rory has staked her claim to it already.  Now in reality I probably would have punched smaller holes by hand but our goal was to play and experiment with the Cinch and of course use a capri sun pouch as well.  I have two other capri sun projects happily floating around in my head but the weather has been so nice that we are hardly in the house.  We will see if they get done as my crafty mojo is already turning to thoughts of Halloween.  Have a great day and thanks for visiting.  Lysa

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