Let's All Get Our Batty On!

Hi Everyone,
As the Labor Day weekend comes to a close I was able to get some craftn' done.  I made this cute triangle box that holds two Hershey Nuggets perfectly.  I didn't try but I am pretty sure that three Hershey kisses (maybe even four) would also work great too.  This box was so easy and came together so fast. Look how silly it looks!

I made it in my KnK Studio software just by making 4 rectangles the size I needed, I converted it to curves and pulled out the sides on 3 of them. Then I lined them up and welded the whole thing together.  A simple copy and paste into my MTC software and I was cutting.  Here is how they came out:

Click for larger image

And here is the side.  I just love how it closes to hold the candy in:

Click for larger image

You can see I am still stuck on Stampin up Cast a Spell paper.  It is a favorite of mine and I have the digi file so I can print to my hearts content.  I do plan on changing these up just a bit and making them in black and white. I also used my Martha bat punch.  I made the tag in DSA2.  I like this project because I will be able to bang out a large quantity in a short time.  Thanks for visiting, and enjoy whats left of the holiday.
Lysa

The Halloween Mojo (It Has Arrived!)

Hi Everyone,
What a fantastic weekend it has been.  Paul and I went to a birthday dinner for a our friend Bill last night and we had a blast.  I had a chance to relax a bit and clear out the cobwebs. So when I woke this morning I made a b-line to Huey and boy did I hit on some crafty goodness.  First I have to say that I am so excited about this box that I am not even finished with it and I have to post a picture.  I fell in love the minute I saw it.  Now I have to tell you I stumbled on this box on a blog post from "Addicted to Stamping".  You can view it here and there is a video too!
http://jackietopa.typepad.com/addicted_to_stamping/2010/10/boo-box.html

Thank you Jackie Topa, I have now added you to my list of crafty muses!!

Now that's is a crafty good box, but I am a digital girl and I didn't have the Stamp'in up bitty box die to make the box.  But what I did have was Qbee's (Brenda Quintana, she's famous!) peek a boo box from her splitcoast stampers post and you can find it here:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/templates-f143/qbees-peek-boo-box-t289773.html

And that is a super crafty good box, but I need to change it just a bit for this purpose. So Huey and I redrew this box using my KnK studio software and it came out great.  Here is a picture of the sizzix die cut (Angie over at chick n Scratch had sent me one as a gift) and my box

Once I had the box shaped the way that worked for me I cut it using MTC and the expression out of Fellowes Presentation Covers. Here is how it came out:

The box will hold 3 wrapped Ghirardelli chocolates (a true favorite of mine). Now I really want to do more to this box.  I was thinking of adding a sentiment to the inside of the shutters and a tag to the outside of the shutters on the lower right side.  I love this box! Its a cutie.  I want to give a shout out to both Jackie and Brenda for their inspiration.  "Thanks Crafty Girls....may the HALLOWEEN mojo be with you both!"



Thanks for visiting, Lysa

Halloween 2011 - Finding The Crafty Mojo

Hi Everyone,
Oh my, it's August 13th.  My summer is melting away just like the witch in the Wizard of Oz!  I have completed all my crafty obligations for the summer and now I can start to bring on Halloween.  I cleaned up the craftspace and brought out the Halloween craft supplies (rubber stamps, paper, embellies, etc.)  I even organized my digi files.  Angie over at Chic n Scratch (her link is on the sidebar) started her 12 weeks of Halloween this past Wednesday.  Wow, she made the cutest box for week #1!  I made it already.  But even after getting all my goodies together and making Angie's awesome box I still am lacking in the Halloween Mojo.  So I thought I better get going and find it.  I know it's here somewhere.
So have you all seen the video for K&Co. SMASH book.  I loved the video.  I love the song too.  Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PFsArr4Z1s

Most of us have been using notebook journals for years.  I always have and I keep them all.  Just like an old fashion scrapbook. So I love the word SMASH and I knew I would have more fun making one than buying one.  Even though they do look so nice.  I just wanted to make one.  I have a great paper stash and all kinds of good stuff, so why not?  So being I was looking for my Halloween Mojo I thought I'd make a Halloween SMASH book for myself.  And here it is:

Now keep in mind I am just starting to add to it and by this time next year it will be bursting with crafty goodness.  I made the chipboard cover and did all the punching with the CINCH.  I used a recycled spiral coil from an old pad I had.  I printed some of the paper as well as used some from the stash.  One of my favorite papers are from a column journal that I cut down.  I can't wait to start jotting things and adding to it.
Can you see the picture of  little man on the inside cover? He is here with me in the craftspace all year long to remind me of Halloween.  The only time he leaves is at Halloween to go upstairs so he is by all the decorations.  He is a great muse.  I smile every time I look at him.  The book was so much fun to make.  I think I will have to make a Christmas specific SMASH as well.  I think I really did find my Halloween Mojo because making this book really got me thinking and making my list of things to make.  Enjoy the weekend and thanks for visiting.
Lysa 

Bats At The Bar Mitzvah

Hi Everyone,
Yes, it's true the Bar Mitzvah has bats!  Bats everywhere! No silly, not the flying kind.  The wood kind!
I loved this project.  I have never really done a large quantity vinyl project in the past so I thought this was a great time to give it a try.  First I have to tell you all the labeled bats are only a component of a larger table centerpiece.  My part was just to get the logo on the bats.  I will get a photo of the completed centerpiece at a later date.  I used my MTC software along with my cricut expression to cut all the vinyl.  All the vinyl cut with no problems and it was so easy to transfer the logo to the bats.  I just loved cutting vinyl and I can't wait to try another large project. Here are a few pictures I took along the way.  I hope everyone enjoys the weekend.  I know I am taking off this weekend to enjoy the pool and catch up on some chores as our summer weekends are fading fast.  Stop back soon because my next post will be something Halloween for sure!

CLICK ON THE PICTURE FOR A BETTER VIEW

CLICK ON THE PICTURE FOR A BETTER VIEW

Thanks for visiting,
Lysa

And Here They Are!

Hi Everyone,
Wow, I finished the ping pong ball party favors without a hitch.  I am so glad they are done.  I really wanted to take a great picture but once again my photography skills got in the way.  I like to think its the camera and not me.  I really did have a blast with these.  I just love the clear boxes.  I didn't even have to use any adhesive to hold them together.  When you slip the belly band off the box opens.  I am always happy when I use the crafty good tools I own.  Kinda makes me feel like I was right to buy them.  I used my new TC rubber stamp maker, the cricut expression to cut the boxes, the HP large format for the printing and even my fiskers cutter got a work out.  I really liked making these favors because I don't often make party favors that don't use candy.  Now I think I can think a bit further out of the candy box and start to think of other things to stuff into a cute box.  I love when I make a project and it sparks another thought in my mind.  I also don't usually make something geared toward this age group.  I do a lot of little girl style things because of my grand daughter. I make so many holiday style items too.  This project allowed me to stretch a bit.  I must say the tag is a tad rude but come on this is a party for the 20-30 set.  They deserve a laugh.  I hope Anthony and his friends like them and get a kick out of them.  I hope they all have a great time at the birthday party.(rumor has it that there will be a bouncy house and a dunk tank too!)

Thanks for visiting,
Lysa
Next up on my project list:
"Oh my, there are bats at the BarMitzvah"

I Am So On The Ball (the ping pong ball that is!)

Please just indulge me as I continue to work on Anthony's 30th ping pong ball favors.  I was not going to be happy until I somehow got his name on 100 ping pong balls.  I know, I know they can be ordered online for about $1.00 a ball.  I know the printing would be fabulous but really, is that the crafty way to go?  I ask you ... Had I just ordered them I would have never taken apart the Barbie nail printer and explored  all the fun of that!  I would have never tried to put a different ink into my Brother flash stamp.  I also tried printing on a plastic transparency and using the rub on method.  I tried some old fashion store bought rub on letters.  I even tried a printable vinyl sticker.  I was going to try an ink jet water slide decal paper ... but I didn't have any. As you can see I was failing.  I knew a rubber stamp was the thing that would work best but my flash stamp machine is really for things like address stamps.  It makes those self inking stampers that are in a plastic holder.  You know like a return address stamp.  So even though it made a great stamp I just could not stamp the ball.  So my last shot was the Teresa Collins polymer stamp maker from Photocentric.

WOW!! Not only do I love this product, It worked first time!  I can't wait to make my next stamp. In five minutes, using the small polymer packet I had four tiny stamps in four slightly different sizes.  I did this as I just was not sure which would fit the ball the best.

 As you can see the smallest (1/2 X 1/2) inch is the size I needed.  I used my DSA2 to print my negative on my HP 7500 wide format printer (after market ink system) and it came out perfect the first time using the recommended printer settings. I did stamp with stazon ink which is not the recommended ink (I think it is because the solvents to clean the stamp effect the polymer over time) But hey I will most likely never use this stamp again.  This was a very cost effect way to go as the cost was less than $2.00 for all four little stamps!  I first mounted the stamp to my smallest acrylic block but I was having a hard time rolling it across the ball and then it hit me (like a ton of bricks) get a glue dot and stick the stamp to your finger.  YES ... it worked like a charm!  I stamped 100 ping pong balls in about an hour or so with only a few mistakes here and there.  After all the failed attempts it was the Teresa Collins Stampmaker  that was the winner. And true to form I have the picture to prove it.  And here it is:

Now, just wait because by the end of this week all 100 boxes will be filled, decorated, bowed and ready to go! Thank you Teresa Collins and Photocentric.  You guys saved me! Everyone check out this stamp machine it is amazing.  Here is a link:
http://www.photocentricusa.com/
Thanks for visiting and please stop back to see the finished favors!

As The Ping Pong Ball Bounces...

Welcome to the next episode of "As The Ping Pong Ball Bounces" ... Yes, my friends now we move to the production of 100 ping pong balls happily stuffed into little plastic boxes.  OK, I think of this little blog page as my diary so I can pretty much say what I want.  I love quantity.  Yes, I said once and I'll say it again ... I love to make a lot of the same thing.  I don't really know why.  I think it has to do with my OCD!  There is just something about lining up all the parts.  It's just CRAZY, I know but hey like I say "I 'yam what I 'yam"!  So I thought it might be fun (for me anyway) to follow this ping pong ball project (yes, it's a project now!) from start to finish.  I am laughing to myself because there are 60 blank wooden bats in a box up in the living room that need to be labeled with vinyl stickers for a Bar Mitzvah.  Come on people, this is crafty goodness at it's best.  Did I mention I work full time. (please take this jokingly as I could never really be happy if I was not in crafty turmoil) So really it is all good.  So this weekend I started the ping pong ball line up.  All went well.  I have to tell you if you have a cricut and either SCAL or MTC you can cut boxes to your hearts content.  I don't want to step on toes here but ProvoCraft made a big mistake by suing those companies or at best not making an open source software for their plotters.  I love the the expression and use it more than my other plotters. So sad that they felt the need to shut out all the creative mojo people have.  The expression is really a work horse and I cut 100 boxes (2 on a 8.5 X 11) acetate sheet in less 3 hours.  Wow ... I didn't have a glitch ... not one!  Now about the boxes:

Yet again, I am using the favorite bakery box(3rd in a row).  Same one I used at Easter and for Emma's graduation.  I rarely use the same box 3 times in succession but it just seemed to work out that way. I am pretty sure I killed this box for Halloween or Christmas 2011.  Oh well, 2012 is just 'round the corner if you know what I mean. So like I said I cut the boxes using SCAL and so far I have printed the larger front graphic (25 to a page) using DSA2.  I also printed and deckle cut the "solo cup belly band" (pics to follow) I also finished hand scoring the boxes (thank you Martha Stewart for your oh so awesome scoring board) I just can't wait to start to get all the parts of the whole in place.  I also have a new plan in regard to printing on the ping pong ball.  I am determined to get that done too (can you say Teresa Collins Stampmaker)  Well, OK, we'll see it's my last shot and like I said I am determined to get Anthony's name on the ping pong ball!!  I am really into this favor as it steps outside my normal crafting. A little bitty favor with the target demo as 30 somethings ... NOW THAT'S CRAFTY GOODNESS!!
Thanks so much for visiting,
Lysa

Funny Story!

Hi Everyone, Ok, so I just could not think of the right title for this post.  I tried them all, things like "How I Print On Odd Objects" or "Never Give This Girl A Screw Driver!" maybe even ... "Don't Leave Your Toys Where Nonna Can Play With Them" So I just settled on "Funny Story" and here it is.....
So Donna (remember Donna, sure you do .. she is the friend, co-worker and library volunteer that I always mention) needed a favor for her son Anthony's 30th Birthday bash.  So true to form if there is a party you know I believe it needs a favor. Yes, it is a belief not a need!! So we went back and forth with a few ideas (s'mores) REALLY, S'MORES!! People the mass of the party is 20-30 somethings.  I can't relate. Well maybe I can.  Anthony and his peeps are big into beer pong.  I so don't promote drinking games (pause to take a sip of my martini) no really I so so so do not promote drinking games. (But, somewhere in the back far reaches of my mind I remember playing a simple drinking game called THUMBER!) Enough!!! I just needed a favor that these kids might get a kick out of and this is what happend ...
Lysa said "Paul, how do you think I can print on a ping pong ball"
"try rubber stamping with stazon ink"said Paul
And it worked, but the rubber stamp was a flower and sadly I had no rubber stamp that said Anthony's 30th Birthday. So then Paul said ..."make a flash stamp with your Brother flash stamp machine and fill the stamp with stazon ink."
Wow, that worked too but I could not apply the stamp to the ball correctly .  Round objects are rough!
Then Paul said "check youtube, maybe you'll get an idea"
and that's where it really starts ....
so I see on youtube all these printers that print on rounded objects.  For like a thousand dollars you can buy a cool printer that prints on anything from coffee mugs to tote bags.  But wait! the little girl that lives in my house (and happens to be on vacation at the beach!) has a printer that prints on finger nails.  Finger nails are kinda round ... kinda! Darn the ball is to big for the slot. OK get a screw driver and let's take the housing off of the printer guts and then we can just hold the ping pong ball up to the print head.  Did it work? You tell me. Here are the pictures .....

                                                                               In my own defense I was able to get the Barbie Nail Printer back together and in working order. Rory is never going to know what happened to her printer while she was happily playing on the beach in LBI. (well that would be true as long as she does not read this post when she comes home)

Busy, Busy, Busy! But Always Time For Favors!

Hi All,
Here we are almost to the end of June 2011.  So much has been happening around the ole homestead with the end of the school year and numerous home repair issues. Blogging and computer time have been put on the back burner for just a bit.  I have been working on some crafty goodness but just have not had the time to sit down and blog.  I did a large project for my "real" job that took up a lot of time and ink. No pics for that but I also have been having fun with more bakery boxes.  I JUST LOVE THIS BOX!  I have always used it for Rocher candy at the holidays and more recently at Easter for the mini eggs.  Now, I sized it to fit a perfect piece of Rosa's Fudge ... YUM! I just knew it would be perfect for this little treat.  I have the pictures to prove it.  I wanted to print my paper so I used DSA2 to print on the HP and SCAL with the Expression to cut them. The card stock was Staples brand index card stock. Here are the links for the others supplies
I purchased the Graduation Cap Box that I used for the topper from a wonderful artist that I stumbled upon. Here is the link:
http://www.creativityinprogress.com/blog/2011/04/graduation-cap-box/

You can buy great fudge for favor making here:
http://www.rosasfudge.com/
I love this fudge and have been buying for years!

I made these favors for a party I am attending next week.  I hope everyone enjoys the treats as much as I enjoyed making them.

 Please click on the pics for a better view(darn, wish I was a Photographer)
Thanks for visiting and HAPPY GRADUATION EMMA!

Another Sign

                                                                                    Hi All,

This is the sign I saw

I sure have been busy the last couple of weeks.  So many chores around the house to do for spring clean up.  Add in work and some family time and the ole' craftspace has been dark!  So today I found some free time between laundry loads and made another sign.  I saw this in an online catalog and just loved it.  I again used some recycled chipboard and my friend Huey the VAIO to print the graphics.  I left out the & sign because I just didn't like how it looked.  I like how my version came out and best yet I save myself from another purchase.  I am having a lot of fun playing with ink and sanding the paper.  And the new HP large format printer is amazing.  I am using the new after market ink system and I think that the colors are even nicer than the HP ink. I hope you like my sign and give one a try.
Thanks for visiting,  Lysa


 AND HERE IS THE ONE I MADE:

click on the picture so you can really see it

A Sign Of Things To Come ...

Hey All,
So for Mom's Day (like most other Mom's) I asked for a large format printer. Well I didn't ask (that would just be rude) I hinted! and sure enough the hubs(best dude alive) shows up with not just the printer but with an after market ink system! Gotta love the guy, he is right on with my crafty mojo! So I have been happily printing away with all kinds of digi fun stuff.  I have been playing with all kinds of downloads and even trying to create my own goodies.  Along with all of this we have gotten the ole' homestead ready for summer fun. Away went Easter and out came Summer (yeah, the pool is OPEN!) All the red, white and blue stuff is all over the house.  While browsing all the catalogs I kept seeing all these great wooden beachy crabby signs.  Gee I just love them.  After all we eat shellfish all summer long.  I just wanted a sign for the side board in the dining room.  So I found a picture in one of catalogs for a crab shack and made it my own. (OK, not really I copied it, for the most part)  I think maybe I could have spent a bit more time on it but for now I am happy with it.  I saw a 4th of July sign that I loved too and I think I will try to put my own spin on that one.  I just love this digi interpretation of these wood signs and I hope to do more of them because it helps me to learn a new technique.  That's all I am really after as I travel down this crafty road.  For this sign I pretty much copied a picture I saw and I designed it and printed through DSA2.  I used a sanding block and stampin up chocolate chip ink to distress it.  All I did was print and mount it to some chipboard.  I just attacked it with the sanding block and the ink.  I would like to make more signs like this so that I can refine my hand for it. But you know what?  If I do I do and if I don't I don't!  This is what I like about crafts ... Maybe I will start to paint on tin or maybe I will never make another sign.  Who knows,  Crafting is just all about playing with the resources that live in your craftspace.  I hope you like my sign and I hope you try something new and share it too!
Thanks for visiting, Lysa

A Last Minute Easter Treat! and a Shout Out too!

So as always I am running behind schedule.  Not because I am so busy mind you.  It's more because I can't pull myself away from the internet and all the crafty goodness it has to offer.  So while browsing the crafty websites I stumble across the frugal crafters blog
Here is her link:
http://thefrugalcrafter.wordpress.com
and she has a posting about this you tube video for making homemade bakery string. Here is the video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvg6pr6gNQs&feature=player_embedded
OK, PEOPLE PLEASE!!
Who would not stop what they were doing to start making homemade bakery string.  Well, OK, so I am one of the few that would.  It's all good though because I like me, I really really like me.  I am over 50. I can pretty much do what I want as long as it's legal. All I really have to do is show up for work and write to the IRS once a year.  I just love this string.  It was kinda like a "should of had a V-8" moment.  And I am not stopping there! No Way, I am going to start dying all kinds of stuff, like seam binding in all my fave Stampin up colors. and ribbon roses too.  I think I will even start buying only white ribbon so I can marker it up in my all time fave Stampin up color - baja breeze. YEAH .... I like it!!! Alrighty then with that said let me move on to the bakery boxes.  I love bakery boxes, I (apparently by my pant size) also love what is inside of the bakery box. So I set my mind to make a box for the crafty good bakery string.  I already had my mini cake box that I have so often used for Rocher candy at the Christmas holiday so a quick rework for size and I was good to go.  The paper is index cardstock from Staples but I took the bunny from Stampin Up's So Sweet stamp set and made it a digi stamp.  Once I printed the paper all that was left to do was to cut them (using SCAL and a cricut), fold them, fill them(yum ...Dove chocolate) and tie them.  So did you know there is a right way to tie a bakery box.  Yep! There sure is and wouldn't you know I have that you tube link too! and here it is:
EDITED ON 6/16/11.
SORRY CRUMB BOSS HAS REMOVED THIS VIDEO!!! IF SHE PUTS IT BACK I WILL REPOST
 THE LINK!

This little project made my day off from work a blast.  I just want to thank the frugal crafter, ukmaryanne and the Crumb Boss for their input to my little bakery box.  Without them I would not be nearly as excited to be bringing the boxes to the family on Easter. 

Happy Easter Everyone, Thanks for visiting,
Lysa

Bunnies! Easter Is Here ...

Lindt Bunnies .... they are my fav!  Who could not love a 1 by 1 3/4 inch chocolate bunny?  I have been crafting with this little chocolate bunny for a while and I never once have put him in a basket. Go figure, why would I put this little Easter bunny in a basket? Well this year I did.  I kept the basket as simple as I could because I had so many that I needed to make.  My new habit is printing paper so that just added to the time frame.  I have now become a fan of Stampin Up digital downloads and have added a after market ink system to my HP printer so I feel like I can print my little heart out and not worry about the cost of ink.  Now if only I could just learn to take a decent digital picture of the crafts I make!!!  I hope everyone has a fantastic Easter weekend and blessing to everyone.  Thanks for visiting.  Lysa

Friends Of The Libraries! Volunteers Rock!

I just want to give a shout out to my friend Donna and all of her volunteers at the Friends of the Libraries of Woodbridge.  These volunteers ROCK.  I hope they have a banner book sale this year and make lots and lots of money!!!  These are the favors I made for the team of volunteers that come to help the "Friends" at the sale.  I hope they all enjoy this years little book.  I had a major blast making these but my most favorite part was the bookshelf itself.  Now for my crafty friends I have to tell you all the chipboard for the bookshelf was cut with my cricut using SCAL. The sides and shelves are all three layers of chipboard glued together (using the new xyron of course) and then painted and inked.  I just loved making the bookshelf and it reminded me how much I loved model making when I was younger.  I know it came out great because Paul asked me what was my next chipboard project.  The little books are Tic Tac holders. The paper is home printed digi paper from Stampin Up called Elegant Soiree. The center paper(kinda looks like pages) is my fave K& Company (oh no that's the end of it). I am sure I will find a work around for next year!  I will have to wait to make my next chipboard project because all the Lindt bunnies are talking to me and telling me that I need to get the Easter favors done for this coming Thursday.  Again, I just want to thank Donna for allowing me to contribute to the Friends and the fabulous job that they do. I am already thinking about next years favors.

Thanks for visiting and remember if you are in Woodbridge the last week of April please stop by the Woodbridge main Library to check out their sale.
Lysa

WOW! I WON!!

Look what came to play in my craftroom!  I am so excited!  Craftcritique had offered up this oh so cool xyron 9 inch adhesive runner as a prize for entering a tutorial for any project you have made.  So I posted the diaper cake video from 2007.  AND I won!!  It was so exciting watching the voting for over a week.  Everyone here was glued to the website.  I must say there were so many neat projects and entries.  I voted for Valita's heart couple.  Paul and I have actually made the heart punch couple from her tutorial.  Valita does amazing things. What I love so much about her art is that she shows you how to use punches you own in a different way.  People please the woman can make flowers out of the stampin up owl punch.  Now that is an artist!  I entered my diaper cake video.  To be honest it is the only tutorial I have.  I would love to make more videos and more tutorials.  Maybe I will now.  I just wanted to thank everyone who voted for my video and give a special shout out to my daughter Samantha, and my best girl Nadine, my hubs Pauly and my friend Jason for their constant support, friendship and for putting up with my twisted self.  Thanks again to everyone and to craftcritique too.  I just can't wait to play with xyron runner.  I am blessed to have so many people around me who continually inspire me to keep on crafting.  THANKS TO EVERYONE .....Now go make yourself a diaper cake or CALL ME and I'll make one for ya!

If This Is The Spring Bucket List, Then, Why Are The Snowmen Still On The Mantle?

I am siting here at the computer and I can't believe that I can hear hail hitting the aluminum siding on the back of the house.  This would not normally have an effect on me except for the fact that it is March 23rd!! and it has been snowing and hailing on and off all day long.  I just sat down and took pen to hand to make a list of my needed crafty mojo for the next few weeks.  I have some fun and much needed crafty goodness knocking at my door.

FIRST AND FOREMOST is Donna B's. friends of the library favors.  You may remember them from last year.  This is a large group of dedicated volunteers that hold a large book sale in our community.  They use their proceeds to fund many outstanding programs for the children in our community as well as assist our local libraries to maintain their collection of books as well as maintain the atmosphere of the building itself.  Today we are all so digital and even with all the convenience of a kindle or other digi reader you and I both know that nothing beats the feel and smell and hands on love of a real book.  I am happy and honored to contribute to my friend Donna's endeavor. And I have a plan. OK, So I don't really have a plan but I am thinking something in the shape of a book (like last year) but this time no candy.  Stay tuned to see what I come up with.

THE BUNNIES ARE COMING!! so true to form I scoped out the Lindt bunnies at Walgreens and A.C. Moore.  I have a plan.  OK, So I don't really have a plan but I am thinking something along the lines of a itty -bitty basket this year.  All I know is once the bunnies land - the swimming pool is only a breath and a heartbeat away.

A SPRING/SUMMER RE-PURPOSE, REUSE, RECYCLE PROJECT - I have two or three things that I would like Rory and I to try this year.  If you remember last year we tried some capri sun juice projects.  This year I was thinking I would like to try something with plastic soda bottles and maybe something with newspapers.  And yes, I have a plan.  OK, So I don't really have a plan but I am thinking something along the lines of seed planters? maybe? not sure!!!  Only time will tell how this pans out.

THIS MUCH I CAN TELL YOU even if it is snowing this week-end and we get 10 inches, the snowmen are coming down off the mantel and going up in the attic!! For sure, Putting away the snowmen is at the top of my Spring Bucket List!!!
Thanks for visiting,
Lysa

St. Patricks Day Is Upon Us

After St. Valentine's and before Easter a favorite holiday in this house (and in this town too!) is St. Pat's!  Next Sunday is parade day here in Woodbridge and it is major fun.  Now keep in mind we have someone named Rory who lives here so you know there will be wear'n of the green for sure.  And I can't wait for dinner on parade day as well.  Lots and lots of corned beef and cabbage. Yum, I can't wait!!! In the meantime some quick crafty fun and a few decorations around the house make for a festive weekend.  As you can see Rory and I made some paper cutouts (modified from cricut celebrate with flourishes) that we hung on our tree that usually sports our family pictures. A few pots of gold completes our little scene.
Enjoy the season as spring is upon us and the warm weather is on its way.
Thanks visiting,
Lysa

Time To Look Back

So now I find myself in somewhat of a crossroad.  I had wanted to use this blog as a diary of craft projects. The treat favors that I make throughout the year.  The Halloween treats, the Easter treats, Christmas and Valentine's as well.  I think I mostly wanted to catalog the things that I have made so that family and friends could see what I was doing at any given moment in time.  I had no intention to be a business or even make vids of techniques.  I simply needed a digital format to post what I was doing at any given moment.  So as I was stumbling through the internet I came across a familiar name in the crafting industry.  Understand this is not someone I have ever met but a someone I have enjoyed watching and have learned tips and tricks from over the years.  Her name is Sandi Genovese.  I will so put her in a class with Carol Duvall and believe me she is in good company.  Back in the day when I was a stay at home Mom these were my crafty gurus that really made me not just a happy crafter but a super crafty PTA Mom.  I shared everything I learned from these gals. I am not just a better crafter but a fuller more experienced person because of what I have learned from them. Please know these are just two names in the industry that have taught me and brought me to where I am today.  OK enough of the mushy stuff. Sandi has a new internet show and it is fab.  Here is the link www.scrapbookshowgram.com
So while watching her technique vids I come across this rolodex project.  It was love at first sight.  Sandi was using a address rolodex to catalog a year.  I so fell in love with this project of hers that I was laying in bed at night thinking how I could put my own personal spin on this cool project.  Really it was pure inspiration. You all should go check out what this artist did with a rolodex.  OK, back to me. So here is the thing. I am a Nonna, yes the Grandmother. So somehow in the past seven years I have taken 4 yes 4 thousand pictures of my granddaughter. Oh my that's 4,000!!! YES I have printed many, they are pretty much everywhere!  In the house, at the job, wallet, car, nightstand, etc.  you know they are everywhere. but now I want some form of a quick reference of my favs.  Enter Sandi's great idea.  So I spent about 3 weeks looking for a vintage rolodex file and came up with the "Rolodex V file"  I began by cutting the dividers and labeling them by year with vinyl writing that I cut with my cricut using MTC.  I haven't stopped talking about this project at work and I even left  message for Sandi on her blog telling her how excited and inspired I was.  So this week I really got started and I am loving the journey of selecting and printing all these great pics of Rory.  Jumping from 2003 to present, viewing, picking and choosing all the great pictures and watching her grow from birth to present day has been awesome.  I tell you this because I am so into this project that I just may be blowing off a lot of my normal crafting and I will probably be posting some pics here and there as well.  Did I mention that I bought the Stampin Up Sizzix die so that cutting the pics has been a breeze.  I am using Digital Scrapbook Artist 2 to make the mini digi scrapbook cards.  I hope you all follow as I dive feet first into this awesome project that will most likely take me a year to complete.  Here are my first pics.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit!
Lysa