Sympathy Card

I recently participated in a Sympathy Card swap. Sympathy cards are generally difficult to make, and most of us don't have them on hand for when we need them. Then, suddenly, we need one and just have a difficult time making one at the last minute. We are dealing with our emotions or helping the one who needs it or any number of things. It is hard to make a card for such an occasion when card-making normally brings us joy.
So when it was suggested to do such a swap, I jumped on it. It completely made sense and made me happy to know that I would be able to have cards on hand to bless someone in such a difficult time.

So, here is the card I created:



I started with a cream colored cardstock card base. The purple paper is from one of the cardstock 6x12 paper pads from ProvoCraft. The filigree cross is from Easter 2010 cartridge. The cross shadow was created using my Gypsy and Elegant Edges cartridge. I layered and welded them, stretching one box for the longer portion and then cut. I used a Tim Holtz embossing folder Swirls #2 and lightly sanded the raised portion to give it more dimension. (and those who know me know how much I can't stand sandpaper!) Then I used a Martha Stewart border punch for a lacey look on the edge.


The cross is adhered with pop-dots to give it dimension.


I did not add an interior sentiment for many reasons: first- depending on the need, a different sentiment may be better than one I picked, so I felt it was better to leave it blank and allow the giver to write or stamp a sentiment inside; second- as I looked at it I realized it would also be a good card for Christenings, Baptisms, Dedications, Memorials, or any number of occasions that are not limited to a Sympathy need.

Christmas Card - Santa's Visit

I recently attended a Cricut Circle Event and they hosted a Christmas Card contest.
"Christmas/Holiday/Winter Card Contest. Bring an originally designed card using at least 2 Provo Craft products. Three (3) Cricut cuts must be used on each card."

For the PC products, I used: the Gypsy, E2 (thanks Angie), paper, and Cricut Cartridges. All of the cuts were from PC Cricut Cartridges: Joys of the Seasons, Christmas Village, and Paper Doll Dress Up

The stocking were hung from the mantle with care;
The holly was fresh and put "just there."
Time for bed for Santa is sure to be here soon;
Oops! Looks like someone forgot to put the fire out in the fireplace!
Poor Santa!
The really cool part about this card is that it is interactive. See the little button down there that is tied on to a string? You pull on it (gently) and Santa's legs jump about.


Here is a close up of the top of the card. I used Liquid Pearls for the dimension on the stockings and as the holly berries. Studio G glitter glue (similar to Stickles) was used on the holly leaves.


A closeup of the lower part of the card. Again Liquid Pearls for the berries and the cuffs of Santa's pants. Chalking for the soot on his pants, as well as for shading on different areas of the card. Studio G glitter glue on the leaves, Walmart irridescent glitter glue for the fire sparkle and embers (I couldn't find my red Stickles!). The fire was colored using a blending pen and inks from Close To my Heart (CTMH). I also used a CTMH marker for some shading along the fireplace.

I really love how it turned out. And I may try to put together a tutorial on how to make interactive pull toy-type projects, if you are interested.

Oh - and I won third place!

I just love to look at this card - but I don't think I will make all of my cards like this - probably? But what should I do with this card?

Your Story Paper Trimmer Refills for the Blade Cartridge

Does this look Familiar!!!!!?????



Yep - I did it. I found refills that will fit the Your Story Paper Trimmer that was included in the bundle.

You know : This trimmer?

The one ProvoCraft had bundled with the YourStory originally on HSN, then sold through a few spots for about $20 as it is being discontinued. An awesome trimmer, though it doesn't have an arm for cutting the 12 inch paper.


Well, after much searching, I finally located the RIGHT refills. I received them in the mail today with much hope, that turned to elation when I RAN into my scrap room to try them in my trimmer. "Pop" and they fit!!! Cuts beautifully.


And the best part!!??

Is that they have not just the straight, scoring, and scallop blades; but also the pinking, score, and decorative blades as well!

This is the company and website: American Crafts CutUp

They have a list of retailers who carry the product. I ordered mine through 2 Peas in a Bucket, but they charged $6 shipping for that little pack in the picture and sent it in a 12x12 box! What a waste!
(FYI - The trimmer that these go with, retails for $50!!)


Hope you enjoy!!

Just You Wait!

I'm a so excited!

First: I will be traveling to Ohio to ProvoCraft's Circle Event there, where they will be showing off the exciting items they will release at CHA this week!

Second: While in Ohio, I will get to meet some of my online friends and I can't wait! This is going to be a great weekend.

Third: I am finishing up my projects that I will be taking with me to Ohio, so I will be autoscheduling them soon.

Do you want some temptation?

Okay - (not necessarily in this order) My pennant entry for the Ohio Roadtrip contest; My Calling Cards; My magnets < both for the swaps at Ohio; plus my container for the magnets.

If everything works properly, I hope to finish another project before I leave, but I'll play that by ear.

Also, I will be posting pictures at some points of all the fun stuff there. Unless we are told we can't show pictures yet, I plan to get them up on Saturday(maybe even Friday night). And cross your fingers, because we are supposed to get to do a Make-n-Take with the second quarter Circle cartridge, so I plan to post pictures for that as well!

Stay tuned for more!

Random Floral Blank Cards

Here is a card I created initially for Mother's Day, but decided that it would be great for an All-Occasion blank card. Once I settled on the design, it was super easy to produce a bunch of these in an hour.
It was really great because I was also able to use up a bunch of paper that I REALLY didn't like.

I had bought a big paper stack several years ago because it was on clearance and I quickly discovered that I did not care for the printed papers in the slightest. Thankfully, I only paid about $4 for a 250 sheet stack. The large white flower was from the George Cartridge that was run through the Cuttlebug machine and embossed with the Swiss Dots folder. The center flower is a Prima with a Skittle center.

I used another Martha Stewart border punch for the lacey trim. I love those punches.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

This layout is being entered into the Cricut Circle Blog Monthly Contest. In honor of Earth Day (April 22nd) we would like you to recycle, reuse or repurpose 3 items on your project. For example, cut a shape from junk mail found in your trash can. Reuse something found in a junk drawer, or whatever! Use your creativity! Create a layout, card, altered project, etc. The choice is yours ! I had to use at least 3 items that were "recycled" so I went digging in my trash can! I had just thrown some items out from a previous few cuts. The blue border around the page was left over from a design I created on my Gypsy. The title cut was being discarded by another scrapper at a crop and I rescued it, plus 3 more, from the waste bin. Also, the two curls behind the title were pulled from my trash can. The light blue paper I used to mat the photo was 100% recycled paper that I got at an expo. I "think" it was ele-poo paper. The silver medallion was cut from my Everyday Cricut cartridge (a Circle exclusive). Can you guess what I recycled that from? The packaging of a bag of Fig Newtons!!! Once the yummy-ness was gone, I cut the bag open and washed it. Then cut it to fit on my mat for my Cricut. After cutting the image out, I ran it through my Cuttlebug machine with the Morroccan Screen folder. The picture is our Christmas Picture from 2010 with my THREE children - lol. Yes, I have become one of those whose pet is their child. To make the page pop more, I used a silver paint sharpie to outline all the edges, then added bling on the Prima flowers and here and there around the page. Hope you enjoyed and Thanks for looking!

The Cricut Imagine!

Have you heard about the Cricut Imagine?
No?
It is an interesting product from ProvoCraft that allows you to print and cut an image. It is very much like the Cricut Expression machine, but they have added a printing component.



Why am I posting about this machine - which has been out for 6 months? Well, two reasons.
#1 - it is currently on sale for a much more reasonable price. With a retail value of $499, the sale of $299 is amazing. (plus, if you are a Circut Circle Members, you get a 20% discount and bonus rewards points)
and
#2 - I just WON ONE!! lol

I truly have no clue what I'm getting into here. I refused to even look at the cartridges that are created exclusively for the Imagine because I knew I could never afford one and had made up my mind. I kept saying "I'll never have an Imagine, UNLESS I WIN ONE!" - I was at peace over that decision, too

I guess God has a sense of humor.

Awesome Gypsy News!

If you have a Gypsy or are planning to get one - this latest news from Provo Craft is right up you alley!

Register a Gypsy by Cricut by October 31 and receive 6 free cartridges downloaded to your Gypsy including the exclusive, all-new “Smiley Cards” cartridge (and don't forget about Gypsy
Wanderings and Gypsy font cartridges that come pre-loaded on the machine).

Free cartridges include:

Smiley Cards (new and exclusive to this promotion)

Tags, Bags, Boxes and More (not available in retail)

Christmas (not available in retail)

Blackletter (not available in retail)

Printing Press (not available in retail)

Indie Art (not available in retail)

All current Gypsy owners included! Simply register your Gypsy prior to October 31, 2010 and get access to all downloads. Register at www.cricut.com/gypsy.

Downloads will be available through a special update to your Gypsy starting November 1st.

New Gypsy cartridge downloads are easy! Just connect your Gypsy to your computer and you'll automatically be prompted how to start. In just a few steps, you'll be able to download all six cartridges containing thousands of images! And with Gypsy, you'll have all the cartridge artwork and keypad overlays on your Gypsy screen, so there's no actual cartridge, handbook, or packaging.