Archive for the ‘Lydia's Crafts and Creations’ Category

A Thank You Package

November 6, 2008

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Last week, my mom had me send out a few thank you packages for her, much like the “Bake and Ship” gifts I’ve done before!

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I had a ton of fun with them!

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Enclosed in each package, was a set of folded, 3 1/2″ x 5″ personalized, dotted-circle stationary (which I have used on previous pieces of stationary and invitations)…

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and a matching set of 5″x7″ cards and 4″x6″ recipes cards.

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Each set was tied together with a corresponding ribbon and then packed to ship.

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I loved the how the matching stationary and recipe cards turned out!

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Sometimes I think I enjoy making the packaging look cute, more than even the process of designing the note cards!!

Sewing!!

October 8, 2008

I think I may have a new obsession!! I’m so excited……SEWING!

Not that I really know anything yet, but today I decided that I need to learn to sew. I went to the local fabric store and found a few fun fabrics, came home, and decided that a baby bib would be a good starter project.

So granted, I’ve never really “learned” how to sew, I’ve only played around with a sewing machine a few times, but it was a baby bib (which wasn’t too complicated).


The stitching is a little crooked and it ended up not being as smooth and uniform as I would have liked it to,…but it’s a BIB! And you can pretty much tell it is, right?! I love how it’s two different fabrics.

I didn’t have any needle and thread (I told you I was new to this sewing thing!), so I couldn’t sew on the button and make the buttonhole, but I’ll be finishing that tomorrow,… once I head to the store to make the purchases.

Now, I must take this time to thank Sew and So who has motivated me with all of her many fun sewing projects…and the rest of the blogging world who has constantly posted beautiful projects with gorgeous fabrics…the fabrics are pure motivation, alone, to learn how to sew!!

Angel Stationary

June 23, 2008

I’m at it again,… more stationary designs!

If the invitation thing doesn’t work out, maybe stationary will!

I’m LOVING it!

I would like to introduce you to Angel Stationary. Made for my good friend,.. yes, you guess it, named Angel.

Angel is wonderful. I have known her for almost 6 years now and she, along with her precious family, has been such a wonderful blessing in my life. She is truly someone who encompasses the idea of a “magnetic personality”. Everyone loves Angel. I can’t think of a person who could have one bad thing to say about her. Maybe it’s her name. I’m sure that has to help, but I know it is who she is, deep down, as a person.

For her birthday this year, I decided to make her personalized stationary. Everyone can use that, right? (And sorry friends, pretty much expect stationary from me, as gifts, from now on!)

I hand drew this popular pattern, seen in many places; even in the Anthropologie window display the other day (I absolutely ADORE that store, by the way!!) and then added her handwritten name for personalization.

Like always, scanned, vectorized, and adjusted in Adobe Illustrator. I’m thinking, the more I write about my adventures in vectorization and Illustrator, the more I should start posting tutorials for others who are like me….those who love art, but get intimidated by crazy, computer programs. There is so much out there to assist artists, but I think it gets overwhelming to learn.

Hmmm…..maybe that will be a next adventure. Anyone interested?

Update…

June 19, 2008

I had some fun the other day, making stationary for my soon-to-be (in just a few days!) sister-in-law!

You may recognize this design, as it is the same style as S and D’s wedding invitations. It’s so fun to just go into Illustrator, take the designs you already have all set up, tweak the colors a bit, add a different name, and VOILA!! Cute Stationary!

In other news, I am in desperate need of updating my Pen and Paper site. It needs some work! Now that a lot of my large invitation jobs have come to completion, I’m excited to have some time to work on building up the more “business-y” side of Lydia’s Pen and Paper and Lydia’s Cozy Corner.

Amanda’s invitations went out with great success! I was so happy with how they turned out and it was such fun working with her.

Things have been busy. We’ve, pretty much, moved all of our things out of our Little Italy place and will soon be residing in the more, San Diego “suburbs” area.

Now, it’s off to the East Coast for my younger brothers wedding and then back to a house that will needs LOTS of unpacking.

Wish me luck! I’m gonna need it…

Framed Wedding Invitations!

June 9, 2008

Here’s a fun idea,…

Framed Wedding Invitations (The cheap way!!) in six easy steps!

Step 1:

Go to Aaron Brother’s website and print out a 40% off coupon.

Step 2:

Drive to your local Aaron Brother’s and find the most beautiful frame you can (preferably a 12 x 12 sized frame) !! Use your coupon and make the purchase! Most frames range from $18.00 to $30.00, with a 40% off coupon, you’re paying almost half the price!

Step 3:

Head over to your local Michael’s Craft Store or Dick Blick and walk to the scrap booking section. If you purchased a 12 x 12 frame, you can find a sheet of 12 x 12 scrap booking, card stock paper to fit your frame perfectly.

Alternate Plan: If purchased a larger frame, then head over to the poster board section. Purchase a large sheet of poster board and cut it to the dimensions of your frame.

After finding the paper, grab a UHU stic (gluestick) and make the purchases!

Step 4:

Once you have gotten home, arrange your wedding, keepsake pieces on your card stock. Test the borders of your paper by putting the frame around the layed out piece. Make sure to check that the frame won’t cover any of your pieces that are showing on the card stock, once glued down.

When it seems perfect, grab your glue stick and cover the entire back surfaces of your keepsakes. Gently press it onto your cardstock and then glue the rest of your keepsake pieces on the card stock.

Step 5:

Once all of your pieces are glued on, place it inside the frame and securely fasten your frame shut.

Step 6:

Enjoy your now, beautiful piece of artwork and hang it on your wall for all to see!

(If you don’t have an Aaron’s Brother’s near you, you can always find a frame at Michael’s and use their 40% coupons too, however they are not available online, so purchase a Sunday paper instead and cut out your coupon!)

HAVE FUN!