15 Seconds School

I realized a few weeks ago that I spend 70% of my day running after Leon in some form or another - trying to show him how to make some craft, or teach him something about what we find daily on the beach. I also typically record these moments with my phone - so the next natural idea was to make them into little bit sized lessons on my social media platforms. 

I upload episodes of '15 Seconds School' 3-5 times a week that highlight easy crafting ideas, facts about nature, decorating tutorials - and so many other cute and fun things!

You can follow along on your fav platform, and please share with any other moms or teachers that might find this useful!

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/linzerlane/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/linzerlane/

or TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@linzerlane/

x Ashley

Dollhouse Valentines

I was in need of some actual valentines to add to my dollhouse this week, so I thought it would be fun to make some little greetings with art supplies that I already had hanging around my desk...

Pictured here is a heart paper punch from Flying Tiger - but you can get one at any craft store. You'll also need super tiny stickers - these finger nail stickers from OOLY are perfect!

 This satin heart ribbon trim (also from Flyer Tiger) is perfect for mini 'puffy valentines'. All you need to do, is carefully cut out each heart shape with sewing scissors.

So there you have it - it couldn't be any easier to make 1:12 scale valentines! All you really need is a heart punch, some scrap paper and heart trim.

Display your mini valentines prominently in your favorite room. My mom just found this adorable handmade, blue box of chocolates for me at a dollhouse shop in Lancaster, PA. Isn't it cute?

I hope you enjoyed this cute idea for your own mini space today. 

By the way, I've just started an Instagram feed all about Zoe's Dreamhouse! 

You can follow along here.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
xo Lady Lucas (& Zoe!)

Cute & Easy Hot Air Balloon Craft

I've been making art with kids non-stop for the past few weeks in my studio here in Jersey City and this craft in particular I thought came out pretty cute - so I wanted to share with you how to make it at home. Pinterest offers many variations of this idea, but I enjoyed using the cardboard tube instead of a paper cup, etc. like many of the other examples show online.

This craft is great for toddlers and preschoolers - as adults can help with the tricky part - and the kids just get to do the decorating.

You will need:

paper plates, assorted cut paper, glue, a hole puncher, scissors, string, pom poms, pipe cleaners, cute animal stickers, markers and an empty cardboard roll - a stapler or hot glue

Punch a hole at the top of a paper plate and feed through some string as shown above.

Have the kiddos add a pattern to their balloon by gluing cut paper, tissue paper and pom poms.

Cut an empty toilet paper roll or paper towel roll into sections for the 'basket' of the hot air balloon. (This part - an adult definitely has to do!) Afterwards, tie two pipe cleaners to the cardboard basket as shown to form the balloon strings.

Kids will enjoy decorating the balloon baskets with markers and stickers. Animals stickers work great as the tiny passengers for the balloon ;)

Attach the basket and strings to the plate balloon with a few staples or hot glue if you have it handy.

Ta-da! My preschool morning class did a lovely job of decorating - I especially like the round circle of pom poms featured on the left.

Bonus - add some balloon coloring pages to the table as a treat after the craft is over!

xox Lady Lucas

A Trip to Tender Buttons NYC

I can't believe it's taken me so many years to visit Tender Buttons in New York City. Tender Buttons is the only store in America exclusively dedicated to the sale of buttons (I found this out via their website). 

Because I'm planning to write my next picture book about some very avid button collectors (the book's working title is 'Zoe's Button Club') - I thought a visit to this store could be written off as important research.

You can't get any more direct than this sign outside. No words needed!

The window display features antique buttons and assorted vintage pieces showcasing men's fashion.

I was a little nervous snapping photos inside, because I always had the impression that this store would be very pretentious. I know it's a favorite of Martha Stewart's - and I always get a little intimidated shopping on the Upper East Side. I can tell you - it wasn't. The owners were very sweet and patient as I tried to decide which novelty pieces I couldn't live without. I was pleasantly surprised by just about everything concerning this store. It's a must see for any creative passing through NYC.

Here are the buttons I chose. I absolutely love the egg cups and the little dressed rabbit! My bill came to a little over $12.00 - which I think was fair for five rare and adorable keepsakes.

Have you ever been to a button store? Or something like it? Let me know in the comments!

xox Lady Lucas

PS - Here's the future star of 'Zoe's Button Club'. This design will soon be available as a limited edition brooch. *note the little heart buttons*

Day 5: Character Crafting eBook Giveaway

Today's Prize

One Digital Copy of Character Crafting

Printable, PDF craft book featuring adorable 'character' crafts for all seasons.

How to Enter

1) Leave a comment below telling us about your favorite craft. Maybe something you loved to make as a child - or something you love to teach your own children.

2) Become a follower of Lady Lucas Art on Instagram

**OPEN TO US & INTERNATIONAL READERS - ALL YOU NEED IS AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO ENTER!!**

Winners Will Be Announced December 14th.

The Story Behind Today's Prize
After teaching arts & crafts to elementary aged children at a Montessori school, I was compelled to put together my favorite lesson plans in this adorable eBook! Featuring 24 cute or 'kawaii' projects, this book offers sweet ideas to make for different holidays as well as seasonal ideas. Perfect for elementary aged children, this book offers a little something for any age! Just some of the many fun projects included in this book are: little snowies, squirrel toast, pastel peeps and a silly apple wreath.

xo Lady Lucas

A Dollhouse Haunted House You Will Love

This is another repost from my former blog Cupcakes + Owls - but I love this dollhouse haunted house, and I don't want you to miss it! I now display it every year and it reminds me of childhood ;)

Ok, I am feeling like a child again right now as I reveal my haunted dollhouse to you this week. It took a little over a week to complete {about an hour or two a day}... but it was totally worth it! 

In my previous posts (see Cupcakes + Owls blog), I told you that I bought the dollhouse puzzle kit at Michael's, and the paint I used was from DecoArt.

As far as the interior and exterior decorations, I used stickers from Michael's and rubber stamps from my own line of 'Lady Lucas' designs carried by Craffiti Direct.

The miniatures were collected for many years by me from various stores. The cute little crystal ball I made myself from a marble and some polymer clay!

A.C. Moore, Michael's and Hobby Lobby all have great minis that would look fabulous in your own haunted dollhouse... small gift retailers also have awesome additions this time of year.

As far as the ghosts... I'll be posting a little 'how to' for you here next week!

I bought these tiny lights at a store in downtown Lancaster and they work perfectly to light my spooky space up at night.

I had a blast creating this Halloween house for my readers! If you enjoyed it, please consider following this blog by email {check out the box in the upper right column} and don't forget to like my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter!

xo Ashley