Really big project!

Yesterday, after the women's Bible study, the director came down to my office to talk to me about the Advent Event on Dec. 2. She showed me the invitation cover. It has a coin purse with coins spilling out, and paper dollars and the words, 'The Cost of Christmas." It won't be about what Christmas will cost us in a monetary sense. It will be about what it cost those who lived through it, and what it costs us spiritually today.

She asked me to come up with an idea for the celebration favors. She wants something that has coins on or in it, and preferably can hang on the Christmas tree as a reminder. I thought and thought last night, and even surfed the web after work. I couldn't come up with a thing. So, I just let it go and went to bed.

This morning I woke up to a thought that just may work. How about a purse that has chocolate coins in it? I brought my Cricut to work with me, and diecut a 4" and a 4 1/2" purse. If you have the cartridge "Tags, Bags, Boxes & More" check out page 118. I made the prototypes in a lime green cardstock, which is what I had here to use. But I would like to make the actual purses out of Christmas cardstock that had small Christmas patterns on it. I figure I can get 4 from each 12 x 12" sheet of paper. Still need to figure a way to close them temporarily. Would add some ribbon for the handle (hanger), and maybe some bling to the flap. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Tell me what you think of the whole idea.

Change in plans: After writing this the director called and said she loved the samples, wants them in the larger size in Christmas red with gold metallic handles, glitz on the flap and no closure. And, get this, I'll be making 140, yes, 140. {{sigh}} When I get the red sample made, I'll add the picture.

My First Cricut Card

I'm ashamed to say that I've had my Cricut for over a year, and this is my first REAL attempt at making something more than tests! I used a pink textured card stock for the base, and a lightwieght pink mica paper for a layer. The fairy & tooth are from A Child's Year and again made from a lightweight ivory mica. The shadows are black matte card stock. This card is for my grand-daughter who lost her first tooth last night.

It took me a few tries to get the size right but I like how it turned out. The card size is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" or A2.

Cricut Cart Pictures (2)

Since that last post about the pictures, I've created a few PDF files, too. My link is at the bottom of Patty's original. She put mine in red. :)

Cricut Cart Pictures

I've been collecting Cricut cartridges and was pondering how to keep track of which pics are in which cartridge. The black & white pics in the book didn't give me enough. I went to Cricut.com to ask how to do this when I saw a post by PattyGolden. She has created a PDF file for many of the cartridges on the market, with 6 colored pics on each PDF page (or 9 pages that hold about 50 pics). You can print them off as is, or back to back, which is what I did. I put the pages in sheet protectors and into a 2" binder. I didn't have enough page protectors, will get more later, but my estimate is that you can get pics for 50 carts in a 2" binder. I have 49.

The link to her PDF files is here. 

Enjoy! Here's a pic of what my book looks like. :)

Quote

“When a habit begins to cost money, it’s called a hobby.”

—JEWISH PROVERB

How to Begin?

I've come to the realization that to begin to scrapbook, I actually have to start. My dear mother gave me a 12 x 12 scrapbook for Christmas 2006, after we talked of me making one of my son's high school years. I believe she wanted me to keep the memories of the family - past, present, and future - preserved. So here I am 2 1/2+ years later, missing my mother who passed away, and realizing the only way to get it done, is to do it!

Solution Cart Storage!

A few days ago I mentioned getting some VHS cases for the solution cartridge sortage. I finished a few of the boxes, and thought maybe you'd like to see what I did.

I saved everything inside the cartridge packaging: warantee, instruction, cardboard insert, and the clear plastic part that held the cartridge. I cut that part down to fit the case. Made a label for each case, on the computer, and after trimming it down inserted it so I can see the name. Placed the cardboard insert in the front cover.

One disadvantage to these boxes, is that they don't fit in the drawer I have the regular Cricut carts in. Have to find a new place to put these. A never-ending search for storage solutions. LOL

Provocraft Promos & Rewards Points

A couple weeks back Michaels had a sale on Cricut carts. I bought 4 that I wanted and had been waiting for: Wild Card, Life is a Beach, Celebrations and Lyrical Letters.

A few days later I got an email from Provocraft offering a few cart with the purchase of 4 from Michaels. I'm still waiting for this one, but in the meantime, I've gotten "Daisy Chain" from my rewards points on Tuesday. It's a simple cartridge with only two options: letters with a daisy between each, and dots between the letters. I'll use it but it wouldn't have been something I would have purchased retail.

I also took part in the "Buy 2 carts, and get a Jukebox and markers free" with one payment. That also came on Tuesday. I've been checking out the Jukebox, but haven't opened the markers yet. Don't know what I'd actually use them for. I'll have to think about this. The carts I got in this deal are Jubilee & Home Decor. I have been wanting Home Decor, and Jubilee is a fun cart, too.

The last promo was a mail in one that involved buying four carts, and sending in proof, to get another cart. I should be getting the "Teardrop" cart for this one.

Now just to find the time to try out all my new toys.

One last thing. I have to laugh. Today I got an email from Provocraft telling me that a package had been mailed, and what the tracking number was. I had to wait until I got home from work to check it out, but it was the single cart that I got on Tuesday, that they were informing me of. I wrote back and told them that, too.

God provides!

I was trying to find a way to store the Circut Solutions carts, as they don't come in a "box." Well, last week I was cleaning the women's study closet at our church and found a dozen brand new VHS tape cases. (They don't do VHS tapes of the women's study sessions any more. They've gone to DVDs.) I talked to the director today, and offered to buy them from the women's study, and she said that because of all the work I do for them I could have them gratis. Yippee. Now I can organize the carts.

Mat Conditioning

I have been having trouble getting paper to stick to my mat, and mentioned that on one of the boards. Someone posted this link, which I think is great. Check out how we should "season" our mat before we use them here.

Taking A Class!

I took another step today!

My friend, Sharon, called last night to catch-up on life in general. She mentioned she was taking a class at our local scrapbooking store. I asked her which class and she said it is a beginner's class using the Cricut. I didn't even know she had a Cricut, and told her so. She got hers at Walmart when they had the great deals on the "Create." She also didn't know I had the Expression. She told me that the class is next week Tuesday, March 31st.

I called the store today to get additional information, and decided to take the class. It's at 6 p.m. and will cover how to use the machines (both Create & Expression) in the same class.

I'm really excited about this, and so was Sharon when I told her that I'd be joining her there. I'm hoping this will jumpstart my scrapbooking efforts. I told the store owner/manager about some of my page ideas, and she said I had some really great ideas. Hope that continues.

Inspirational Quote!

“Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or doing it better.”—JOHN UPDIKE

Antique Table?

My DH's aunt passed away in 2006 and we "inherited" whatever we wanted from her house. It's hard to pick out things you want, when you have a houseful of your own. ((sigh)) We selected several things, among them was this table, and another that was a 1/2 version, but same style. Many of the pieces, including the tables, were very dry, with not much varnish left. There was an obvious inlay pattern on the top, but not in good enough condition to save. We saw that they had potential but didn't want to have to totally refinish them. I suggested we spray paint them glossy black. We took this table outside and sprayed it two or three times, to get the coverage we wanted. Now it is in my craft room holding my Cricut.

Today's Quote!

“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”
—JULIA CHILD

That applies to anything and everything in life!

Saying Goodbye!

I'm sorry I haven't been around lately. My mother passed away on Sunday, September 7th, following a fall down the steps at the front of her home. I haven't had time to do anything as of late. I'll be back eventually, so we can visit.

Just an FYI: I did get a chance to try my Cricut, and I love it. I also bought three new carts when Michaels had their $39 sale.

See you soon!

It's Here!!!

My Cricut Expression arrived today. I've got it unpacked, and have been looking it over. The owner's manual jumped out of the box before it was shipped, so I need to wait for that, but I can check over the cartridges, etc, in the meantime. I got the following cartridges: George and Basic Shapes; Plantin Schoolbook; Christmas Cheer; Tags, Bags, Boxes & More; Beyond Birthdays; Accent Essentials; and Fabulous Finds. I won't be reading the newspaper tonight. LOL

One More Day!

Hopefully tomorrow the UPS man will bring my Expression! Can't wait to unpack it, and read the owner's manual. And yes, I will read it, unlike my DH who hates instructions. But then doesn't every guy? LOL

Getting More Excited!

My Expression was shipped Wednesday, and should be at my home on Monday! Every mile closer gets me more excited. I just need to have patience when I unpack it, and begin to learn what it will do.

New Expression - sort of!

I bought the Cricut Expression from a friend, and she's shipping it to me UPS. I'll be getting 7 cartridges, tools, and mat. I can't wait to get it, but I'm also a bit apprehensive about it, too. Will I be able to make it work? Will I use it enough so it will be worth what I (or rather DH) paid for it? I also wonder if I can make some of the things I see others make. But then I remember that they had to start from the beginning, too. So here is my Cricut blog, and as soon as I make something, I'll let you see what happening. :)
Kathleen