Crafty App Review: Michaels "Where Creativity Happens"

Like any true crafter I make sure I go to my craft stores with coupons in hand.  I happily/unfortunately live about 2 miles from a Michael's so the temptation is always there.  I love that store.  The paper, the smells, the sparkly things, the new craft tools you never knew existed.

I had a craft mission that day.  I planned my route, had my list and was printing out the latest Michael's coupon.  Who doesn't love their 40% Off Any Regular Priced Item?!  Anyway, once again like any good crafter I also reuse when I can.  If I print out a pattern and it doesn't work out then I use the back side to print on again.  Having worked in retail I knew if any lines got in the way of the bar code you're SOL.  I frantically though "What do I do?" this was not part of the plan for that day.  Then like a light bulb above my head I remembered Michael's has an App for smart phones.  I grabbed my phone, went to the App store,  searched for Michael's and like that the FREE (Yes FREE!) Michael's App showed up.  I quickly downloaded it and was thrilled to have not only my 40% off coupon but every other coupon and the deals for the week.  I knew I was ready to shop with my smart phone and my smart brain.

I recommend any crafter and frequent Michael's shopper to download this App and have it ready at all times.  As I mentioned you get all the coupons for the week and their weekly deals, which by the way sows more than the fliers do.  You can also find other Michael's locations, make your crafty shopping list which will go great with the Projects feature they have as well.  Good thinkin Michael's!  The other part I love is the Products section.  You're able to navigate by category or search bar.  Each category tells you if there are new items and how many new items.  Once you have found your product, tap on it to get reviews, images and details.  Plus you are able to add it to your list so you're prepared when you just happen to find a Michael's location cause you typed it into the location finder because you saw that there are new Martha Stewart products AND it just so happens it's Buy One Get One Half Off on all Martha Stewart crafts.  Hey that sounds like a good time...mind if I join :)

So to all those crafty geeks and nerds or the techno-savvy or just anyone download the Michael's App and have a great time!

Happy Craftin :)

Love at First Light: The Journey to Makeover a Lamp

My mom and I decided it was time to check out the new Salvation Army store in Manassas, VA. It is one big store full of stuff. In the furniture displays they have it set up like you would have it at your house. I saw this lamp on a side table and thought how cute and funny it is. We continued to walk around the store looking at items such as wedding dresses, jewelry and mouthwash (Yes! Mouthwash with the plastic seal around the cap unbroken. Still I’ll pass). BUT I couldn’t get that cute lamp out of my head. I started thinking about all the ways to make it over, dress it up, breath a new life into this beautifully odd lamp. I told my mom I was going to buy that funny lamp. But then you think “if it’s not there then it’s not meant to be,” you get yourself ready incase it’s not there cause of course if you think it’s cute so does everyone else. My walking speed picked up as I neared furniture……”must get lamp”……”hurry” as I leave my mom in the trail of dust behind me. And there is was. Sitting pretty on the end table just waiting. I grabbed it….looked at the price…….and it was only $8.99. It made the find that much more worth it. It’s the only thing I bought there that day. Now what do I do with it?

Stay Tuned for more Crafty Mayhem!! Duhn Duhn DUUUHHHHHNNNN!!!

Get Your Veterans Day Craft ON!!!

A holiday is always the perfect time for Craft Time!!!!! OK everyday is perfect for craft time so here are some fun Veterans Day craft ideas. I am partial to the Statue of Liberty crafts.

Statue of Liberty Torches

Use old newspapers and roll them in a large cone shape. Let the children paint the cones. When dry, stuff with red and yellow tissue paper to be the flame of the torch.

Statue of Liberty Crowns

Cut crowns from stiff paper to fit around the child's head. Let them decorate them and then with their torches do a parade.

Stars and Stripes collage

Give each child blue construction paper(9x12) with strips of red and white paper cut 1x9. Have them glue the strips on and add silver star stickers. Cut the stars BIGGER for more fun and added effect.

Red, White, And Blue Puffy Paint Pictures

Materials:

Flour, Salt, Water, Red and blue food coloring, Empty mustard squeeze bottles or at least one with a pointy top like an old empty glue bottle, Cardboard

Directions:

1. Mix equal parts of flour, salt, and water to make the puffy paint.

2. Divide mixture into three different bowls and color one bowl of mixture blue, one bowl red, and leave the last one white.

3. Fill the mustard bottles with the mixture (one color per squeeze bottle).

4. Let the children squeeze the different colors onto the cardboard.

5. Allow the children's artwork to dry. When it is dry, the design will be raised and will sparkle!

Have Fun and Keep Craftin!!!!!!

You know you’re a crafter when……..

• You know the craft store better than the sales associate


• You direct other customers to the brads


• You enter the store with a list of 5 items and leave with 10, just cause you know you would need it later


• You buy Christmas decorations in July


• You go to 3 different stores to find the right black spray paint


• You buy sale items just because their on sale

The Art of Multi-Tasking

As I become more excited about LeslieGallery I have to figure out how do work school in to the schedule. Hooray for Multi-Tasking!

• Everything that needs to be dyed has to sit in a dye bath or at least an hour. I have found this to be an excellent time for reading.


• During online guest speakers and recorded lectures is when I paste the paper backing to the fabric to make the book cloth


• Thursday is my TV night. 8pm Big Bang Theory and then from there the NBC comedies such as The Office, Parks and Rec and my fav 30 Rock. Ironing, folding, stitching and anything to prepare fabric to be dyed is when this is the best period of the week.

Yes School should be the main focus but it's nice to have my hand doing something while I read how the Smithosian is making their museum for user friendly.

Happy Crafting :)

~Crafty Wednesday~

Hello and Welcome to another addition of Crafty Wednesday.

Today's craft comes to us from everyone's favorite handmade marketplace, Etsy. It was presented in one of the How-Tuesday's video through You Tube.

Parchment Flowers

Super Cute and Super Easy.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/article/4207/
Grab your supplies and get craftin!