Angela's Must Have Craft Tools for 2019

Happy New Year Crafters!

As I was cleaning my craft room today, I was thinking about the tools that are most important to the kind of crafting I do.  So I thought I would share with you my "Must Have Craft Tools for 2019":

A Cutting Machine:  My personal favorite is the Silhouette Cameo because the software is really, really good.

Self-Healing Cutting Mat:  I use the Olfa 24x36 mat  and even bought my 13 year-old daughter one for Christmas.

Rotary Cutter:  I use the Fiskars Comfort Loop Rotary Cutter.  It's an absolute must for cutting fabric, deco mesh and ribbon!

Cutting Ruler: I use an Omnigrip Acrylic Ruler in conjunction with my self-healing mat and rotary cutter.  It really is a great tool for cutting fabric and vinyl!

Permanent Adhesive Vinyl: My preferred choice is Oracal 651.  I try to purchase in 10 yard rolls.  I find it is more economical.  My go-to vendor is Sign Warehouse.

Heat Transfer Vinyl:  Glitter and smooth.  I typically use Siser Easy Weed vinyl.  I purchase this in various places.  I do have a local vinyl store that I frequent, but I have recently ordered from Vinyl Spectrum and was very pleased. I am also pleased to see that Michael's has started selling Siser heat transfer vinyl as well!

Pliers/Wire Cutters:  I bought these Southwire Pliers over a year ago, and they are AMAZING.  They snip all kinds of wire with incredible ease!  If I ever lose these, they will promptly be replaced!

Deco Mesh Holder:  I have two different versions of this tool, The Susie's Original Single Mesh Roller Holder and the Ultimate Mesh Roller.  They take a couple of weeks to receive as they are made by the Etsy Seller, SusiesWreathShop, but they are definitely worth the wait.  I use them for holding ribbon as well as deco mesh.

Steelpix Professional Stemming Machine: Now this stemming machine is a serious investment.  It's definitely not cheap. I was able to use my Hobby Lobby Coupon for this purchase; however, that doesn't always seem to be the case.  I have to say that this machine is really helpful in any kind of wreath, centerpiece or other floral design.

Bow Maker: I have used several over the years, but my favorite is the Pro Bow The Hand.  It's simply genius. I have the large as well as the deluxe.

I encourage you to check out these amazing craft tools.  Let me know what you think.  What's on your "must have" list?  I'm always interested in new craft tools!

Thanks for visiting!

Angela Davis

Kids Kraft Day Supply List

Happy Saturday Crafters!

As I previously announced on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube yesterday, I will be hosting a Kids Kraft Day YouTube LIVE event on Monday, June 26, 2017 at 8pm CST.  I came up with a craft to do with your kids for Independence Day...a table place card arrangement...or you could use it at as a decoration.  My youngest daughter, Lucy, and I will be creating them together with you.  I want to get kids crafting! In case you missed it, here is the YouTube LIVE video from last night where I discussed the supplies you will need to make this craft with me on Monday:

Now here are some close-up pictures of the supplies which were all purchased at Hobby Lobby.  You don't have to buy the same ones, but I wanted to give you an idea of the things you will need.

Container, Foam, and Floral Picks--These were found in the floral section.

Filler from the Holiday Section

 Flags and Floral Picks from the Holiday Section

(I ended up not using the flags, but my daughter did.)

 I used one of these in my arrangement.

 I used one of these in my arrangement.

 I used three of these.

Some Floral Picks from the Floral Section (Not shown is an addition white curly pick...see video).

I used one of these blue firework-looking picks in my arrangement.

I used two of these in my arrangement.

A Floral Pick from the Party Section and chalkboard picks from the Scrapbook Section. 

I used one of each of these.

If you want to add a bow, you will need some ribbon of your choice.  Additional supplies that you need are a hot glue gun, glue sticks, scissors, and wire cutters (great for cutting floral pick stems).  I just recently purchased these diagonal cutters  HERE, and they are AMAZING!

I hope you and your kiddos will join me and my daughter to make this fun craft!

Thanks for stopping by!

I don't trust people that aren't on Pinterest.

Ok, so the blog post title isn't exactly true. But If you want me to say it, I do inwardly have a "You've got to be kidding me" moment when I hear that someone doesn't have a Pinterest account. Irrational and judgey? Maybe. Will it keep me from being your friend?  Heck no!  Especially if your one of those friends that likes to do all the cooking and potluck stuff for moms like me that go into convulsions when we see a snack or dinner sign-up genius email in our inbox. Cooking is not my gift.

I have a few reasons for loving Pinterest:

1. I learn how to do stuff from cool people. I like learning. There are times when I see something on Pinterest and think, "That's brilliant, and that person was willing to share their talent so that others could be blessed!  Cool!"
2. I save things for reference, which I do often whether it be a recipe or instructions or even to remind myself of how I did something on my own blog. Yes, I've actually consulted my past crafter self. 
3. It makes me laugh. I'm telling you, memes never get old. 
4. It's pretty. I like looking a pretty stuff!

So, yesterday I sat down and curated my boards. I've been putting it off for months because moving boards around on Pinterest is a bit tedious. Why is there no "alphabetize boards" function in Pinterest!?  I deleted some old boards and moved some pins around. Did you know you can make some boards secret?  Just tap on the board you wish to make secret, click on pencil icon at the top of the board which will open up the edit menu. Then just scroll down to the "Make Secret" option, and switch the toggle on.

My username for Pinterest is PrettifyUrLife.   You can check out my boards HERE.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Crafters!

As I have a rare "don't have to do anything" day (except that I'm ignoring the laundry), I thought I would chill out in my craft room (which I seriously need to give a name, yep) and blog a little...talk about the upcoming year.

It drives me crazy that there isn't more of a crafting presence on TV, and why is that?  Is it that the people making programming decisions don't understand the satisfaction of making something instead of buying it, or learning a new craft that you never thought you would, or the excitement people get from learning from others (myself included)?  Crafting seems like the redheaded step child, which is completely stupid because people have been crafting for centuries!  So, in this absence, I am so thankful for the internet and YouTube and Pinterest!

This PYL world I've created isn't where I want it to be.  I lost my mojo with the move from Oklahoma to Texas.  It was a challenging move, probably because I was just so tired of moving...and this house...well....I'm still figuring out smart storage solutions.  But, I'm bringing my mojo back!!!   Because creativity is one of the things that makes me happiest, and I love being in a community of people that get that. I love sharing my hits and misses, and, you know what, I love that people PM me with pics of their creations. It's really cool.  So how am I going to get PYL where I want it to be? I'm honestly not sure yet.  What do you want to know about my crafting life?  Do you want more videos, and, if so, do they all need to be instructional, or can they be about me discussing projects, products or whatever?  IDK...  Does my blog matter, or should I focus solely on my YouTube Channel? What is going to help YOU the most?  What is going to be of interest to crafters out there?  I don't have the answers yet, but these are the things I am focusing on in 2015.

Some things I DO know, my resolutions if you will, are:

1.  MORE videos/blog posts.  I have to interact with you guys more!

2. I absolutely HAVE to get my craft room done and videoed.  I've got Ikea money burning a hole in my pocket!  Alex Drawers, you will be mine!

3.  Make more of my own embellishments out of wood, so they last!

4.  Take more pictures of my family!

5. Tweet more...not going to lie, Twitter is a bit perplexing to me.  :-P

6.  Hang out with my gal pals in my craft room more.  It was so cool chilling with some ladies last night up here...away from it all...talking about crafting.

7.  Continue to notice creativity, art and style in people whenever and wherever I am.  Here's a gift from my BFF, Rachel.  I love how she used the clothespin to attach my tag.  Her theme for this year.

So, let's have a craftastic year people!

<3

Crafting for a Cause

I have a friend named Brenda.  My husband and I used to be in her husband's Sunday School class a few moves ago.  :-)  Well, Brenda has gone on several mission trips to India to minister to the women saved from human trafficking.  The other day she posted a comment and a link on Facebook with the tagline "Can you buy a rescued girl a sewing machine?"  While I haven't gone on mission trips, human trafficking is an issue that speaks to me heart.  Add that with something crafty, and I had to click on her link.  Check it out HERE!

The organization that Brenda has dealt with is called Sari Bari.  Sari Bari rescues these Indian ladies and gives them jobs sewing, "trained as artisans".  For more information, please check out their website http://www.saribari.com/. So, I asked Brenda if she had actually BEEN to where these women sew?  Her response was, "Several times.  They are an amazing group of ladies!" She assured me that this organization was the real deal.  She said, "Yes sadly we must do our homework because there are some crazy schemes out there.  But the SB ladies are truly some of my heroes.  I have hugged them, cried with them, prayed with and for them, played bunko with them (we taught them in January!), eaten a ton of spicy food with them, etc."  

I'm a woman.  I have two girls.  Human trafficking is rampant.  Just look at the recent raid of girls in Africa.  It breaks my heart.  I craft for fun.  These Indian women craft for a cause. They craft for their livelihoods, for their freedom.  So, I just wanted to pass along an organization to my fellow crafters that is fighting for women and helping them make a living through CRAFTS!  If any of you out there feel led to help, I'm sure it would be most appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by!

Take time to "Prettify Your Life"!!!

~Angela~