Cooking with Cricut

I've known this for a little while but had to wait to share it with you all! I'm part of the amazing Cooking With Cricut Design Team.

We'll be sharing cards and projects that contain cutting files and digital images created by Melin. There is a talented group of ladies that have created some beautiful projects so be sure and check them out.

In honor of the Sweetest Day-- October 16th this weeks' challenge is love.  Visit Cooking with Cricut's site today for a chance to win a $10 Gift Certificate.  I designed this page with her cute Dancing Mice and images from Cricut Cartridges: Tie the Knot & Sweethearts.  I used the DCWV Black Currant paper stack for the paper and made a Celebrate Love page for wedding pictures.  Hope you like it!

Updates for Imagine/Gypsy Coming

These updates will be available on October 18th.
Gypsy/Imagine Update (PHASE 1 COMING OCTOBER 18)
1. Edge to Edge printing (Imagine only update)
- Full bleed (may leave a small boarder on your paper depending on how well it is aligned)
- Overspray: this will print just beyond the edge of the paper leaving a bit of ink on your mat which can easily be rinsed out with warm water – this assures a full bleed.

PHASE 1 Gypsy/Imagine Compatibility
1. Allows you to cut your classic Cricut Cartridges with Cricut Imagine using Gypsy (no printing using Gypsy, yet)
2. Cricut Imagine and Gypsy bug fixes: this will be standard with most upgrades to ensure you have the best experience with your machines.
3. No special Gypsy design features with Imagine content (like welding, stretching, etc.), just yet.

The winner is.....

Hello Friends---sorry this is late in posting.  We held our drawing from among all those that posted comments the last two weeks and our TOMBOW Marker set winner is

TANYA....please email me your contact information so I can get your markers to you.

 Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments--your support and enthusiasm makes the hours on the computer worth it!! Happy Cutting :)

Cricut Search

We were talking this past weekend about a great new website that helps you locate a character , shape and even sayings form your Cricut Cartridges.  This website is called:  Cricut Search and I will post a link button on the sidebar so you can access quickly.  I've had great results-hope it helps you with your crafting projects.

New Layouts

Created this weekend:

October 8-10

A Tisket A Tasket
A Green and Yellow Basket...Well we had green & blue goodie baskets for our Nursery Rhyme Themed Retreat

 The challenge project involved just a few embellishments, some nursery rhyme paper and a little basket the ladies could decorate.  As you can see they all created some adorable versions.

We had a Fun & Enthusiastic group of 10 ladies that joined me for this Getaway and boy did we have fun.  Movies, Bubble Baths, Peace & Quiet, Fantastic Meals, oh yeah and scrapbooking--lots and lots of scrapbooking.  Everyone had project goals they were working to complete, we had 3 chances to win prizes( two of which Denise won: challenge project & Grand Prize) and a SUPER Mom Susan that raced back to Roy at 6:00 am to watch her kids play soccer before joining us again and sneaking in some much needed relax time.  Some enjoyed a glass of wine to relax, some picked up a good book or took a nap in the middle of the day, and we all enjoyed the movie Letters to Juliet &and let's not forget the peaceful surroundings.  As you can see the weather was great and best of all we have a Group that will remain friends long past this weekend!  Thank you ladies for the friendship & the Fun---I can't wait for your return for Molly's Birthday Party in June!!l

CREATIVE CUTTER CRUISE!!!!!!!

Lower Rates on the Creative Cutter Cruise 5/7/11.

Great news...Cruise & Crop has lowered your cruise rates.  Cruise rates have been adjusted to $100 - $150 per person less than your original rate (Applies to 1st/2nd passengers only).  The rate decrease was based on which category you booked.  We will be sending out new confirmations to everyone showing the changes. 

     In some cases, your insurance also went down.  When necessary, we've issued refunds.

     If you had paid in full, a refund will be issued by NCL within 7 business days.

Thinking of upgrading?  Since the rates are so much lower, why not upgrade!  Oceanview cabins start at just $449 pp, Balcony cabins start at just $819 pp.  Give us a call if you are interested.

Bring a Friend!  Have your friends & family been thinking of going on this cruise with you?  Now that rates are lower, maybe they will join you.  Encourage them to book soon before rates go up.

Gypsy Sale

I received an email saying Gypsy is on Sale this week at Michaels for $150.00.  If you don't have this great tool this maybe when to get one!!!

Halloween & Christmas Gift Idea

I created these blocks last year for Roberts but they make such a Cute & Easy gift idea for the Holidays that I thought I would share them again this year.  I used different Acrylic Stamping Blocks, Modge Podge, Patterned Paper & Vinyl.
Any size block is fine-My craft store had a wavy edge Acrylic Block with grid lines.  As you can see the lines don't really affect the look but if you prefer clear ones those come mainly in square or rectangle shapes.
Cut your patterned paper and Modge Podge to the back of your block.  Add another coat of Modge Podge to the back to seal the paper to the block.  If you want to add a photograph then I recommend using a color copy printed on regular copy paper or lightweight cardstock.  The photo paper tends to be a little too bulky and does sometimes discolor.  For my photo block I simply matted the picture with cardstock and the created a mini layout that I then glued to the block.  Once your paper or picture is on and dry--Use your Cricut to cut letter, shapes, flowers, flourishes, anything you like to decorate block from the front.  You can also use a clear wet glue to attach bling or paper flowers.  Most blocks are nice and thick and will stand on their own for a great Home Decor item.  My Halloween block had grooves all the way around so I added ribbon and bow to hide them.

Talk Time Tuesday-Happy Birthday

Momo (Made by Momo blog) is having a 10 day birthday celebration leading up to her ACTUAL Birthday on Sunday.  She is posting some really great giveaways & projects that you will want to check out.  I have donated a Black Tool Kit that she will be giving away this week.  This got me thinking that even though its a day late the subject for Talk Time Tuesday would be BIRTHDAYS.  Do you still celebrate them?  What is your best B-Day memory?  How do wish you could spend them?  I LOVE my Birthday--its Christmas Eve and I celebrate all month long--its so nice that the rest of the world celebrates with me decorating their homes-putting out lights to celebrate and making everything so shiny & cute!!!  My hubby starts with the gifts a week or so before and at our house we call it Mom's Birthday week.  He is AWESOME isn't he!  It's no secret that I LOVE Christmas-I love SNOW-I LOVE the whole CRAFTY mood.

I hope you like the card I made for MOMO  and I hope she is having lots of fun on her 10 day celebration.  She is so sweet to be the one giving the GIFTS.  I made a step card using Bazzill Cardstock & Chloe's Closet paper by My Mind's Eye.  The measurements are below for creating your own Step Card.

Use 5.5 x 8.5 Bazzill Cardstock
Score at 4 1/4 and Fold
Open Fold & Turn longways.
Then Score at 3.5 inches.
On the Score line move trimmer blade up to 1 1/4 and cut from that point to 6 1/4
Turn your card and Score from 1 1/4 mark to the cut line
                               Score at 2 1/4 mark to the cut line
                                Score at 3/14 mark to the cut lilne
From the opposite end Score at 2 1/4.
Fold all score lines creating steps on only one side of card.  The other side will make a peak
Cut paper to fit on each section.  You can decorate each step with cutouts, flowers, or Cricut shapes.

Halloween Mini in a Box

This project makes a great home decor item that you can display for Halloween year after year.  Kits will be available next week.

Crop Room Change & Contest

I will be at Ladies Night Out at the Orem Roberts Saturday evening from 5-9pm so cropping will end a little early Saturday for anyone coming at Noon.

Can you believe we have reached 100 Followers!!!!  Please post a comment this week on any of the Posts and I will draw out a Random name to win a set of TOMBOW Markers.  Thank you ladies for your support I hope you find future Posts & Projects enjoyable.