I always use my families photo Christmas cards to make pages for our Christmas album. It's a wonderful way to see how each child grows and it's another way to decorate for the holiday's that tells my family how important they are when they visit. We can look through the scrapbooks and ooh and aah over how they've grown. I have also been known to display these pages in my Creative Memories framed box.
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Saturday, April 2, 2016
Cricut Explore Has Me Scrap Booking Again
I always use my families photo Christmas cards to make pages for our Christmas album. It's a wonderful way to see how each child grows and it's another way to decorate for the holiday's that tells my family how important they are when they visit. We can look through the scrapbooks and ooh and aah over how they've grown. I have also been known to display these pages in my Creative Memories framed box.
Friday, April 1, 2016
Teen Boy Birthday Card
I often struggle to make a birthday card for the teen boys in my life. But, I have the perfect idea if you need one. I used a fabulous cut from the Father's Day Cricut cartridge for a video game controller. The two phrases are also from Cricut, the birthday boy is from Cricut CTMH Artiste and the happy is from Cricut CTMH Artbooking.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Finish Your UFO's Challenge 13: Lace
Happy Easter! This basket was made with a Silhouette file designed by Samantha Walker. I bought it some time ago and didn't get to cutting it until this weeks challenge and Easter inspired me to get it done. I would post the link, but I can't figure out how to get to the file unless I am in the Silhouette software. I plan to fill it with some goodies for my niece.
This week I am continuing with my Finish Your Unfinished Objects Challenge. And working with the Anniversary theme, the 13th anniversary, this week's extra entry theme is lace. So work on a UFO that involves lace or paper lace for an extra entry this week.
To enter this challenge, leave me a comment with your blog post address, or comment in my Facebook UFO challenge group.
This week I am continuing with my Finish Your Unfinished Objects Challenge. And working with the Anniversary theme, the 13th anniversary, this week's extra entry theme is lace. So work on a UFO that involves lace or paper lace for an extra entry this week.
To enter this challenge, leave me a comment with your blog post address, or comment in my Facebook UFO challenge group.
Friday, March 25, 2016
How to Get the Perfect Rosette with Peaks and Valleys

The center sentiment was made with Cricut Lacy Labels, and Easter Cartridge using the Cricut Explore print and cut feature. Below is the photo of an oval rosette inside a Creative Memories oval. Use the link at the top of the post to get those instructions. I am going to enter this in the Bitten by the Bug 2 Challenge for the week. I won last week. Thanks so much BBTB2! I thought your followers would love this tip for cutting rosettes with their Cricut, so I am entering again!
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Finish Your UFObjects Challenge 12: Silk
This week I am continuing with my Finish Your Unfinished Objects Challenge. And working with the Anniversary theme, the 12th anniversary, this week's extra entry theme is Silk or any fabric. So work on a UFO that involves the fabric or silk for an extra entry this week.
To enter this challenge, leave me a comment with your blog post address, or comment in my Facebook UFO challenge group. Want more info on the card above? Check it out at this post here.
To enter this challenge, leave me a comment with your blog post address, or comment in my Facebook UFO challenge group. Want more info on the card above? Check it out at this post here.
Monday, March 14, 2016
A Letter to Ashish Arora, Cricut Product Development And My Followers
Just a note to let you know that I finally had a chance to use my ipad Cricut Design App and I love it!You and your products are much appreciated! I have been a loyal Cricut customer since the original Cricut came out and have had as many as five Cricuts (before my Explore). I hesitated to buy the Explore because, I had several Cricuts I was very happy with and money was tight. I was also not sure about the power of the first versions of the Cricut Design Space software. So, I waited and thought things had moved far enough this Christmas for me to invest in a new Cricut Explore. Since January, I have used the Cricut Design Space on my computer only, but today I tried the iPad app and I cannot say enough about how much I love it! I may never use my Gypsy again (and I love my Gypsy)!
In my career in fashion, I have had a chance to work with electronic cutters as early as 1989. These cutters were used in apparel production with industry specific Computer Aided Design software to cut fabric in long lengths and multiple layers. So, when I saw the original Cricut, I was so excited to use a professional machine at home for my paper crafts! I have worked with many Computer Aided Design and Computer Illustration software programs, including AutoCAD and cannot get over the quality of the Cricut Design Space App! It is easy to use and is so intuitive! I know from my Facebook groups that people have complained that you are moving away from supporting the Gypsy, but if they had a chance to try the app on an iPad I don't think they would miss their Gypsies at all! The Gypsy is a much slower, cumbersome device than the new app. I also love that I can use my iPad when every computer in the house is in use! I look forward to using this app at a Crop.
I actually did my master's thesis on computer anxiety and it's relationship with designer's creativity. Human nature leads many of us to fear the unknown, or change and want to cling to our first experience with Cricut. Please don't be discouraged by the negative comments, you are on the right track! I will continue to use and love Cricut products.
I have yet to try the print and cut and so have not actually filled out a customer survey. I will fill one out after I try this feature too. But while I wait, I wanted to let you know, you and your work are appreciated!
To give my blog followers an idea of the quality of the cut, this card is 5 1/2" large, was made by combining the image from the Damask Décor cartridge four times. I copied and mirrored the motif and then welded it. After welding, I copied it again and rotated it, 90 degrees. Using the align tool made this cut accurate and precise! Creating the card base with the mirror was a breeze! Now if I can just find a glue to live up to the fine detail! I made this card for a St. Patrick's Day birthday card using the Cricut Design Space app and Damask Décor. I am entering this card in the Bitten By the Bug 2: St. Patrick's Day Challenge and St. Patrick's Day Challenge at Cut It Up Blog. Stamps are CTMH and My Pink Stamper.
If you've been waiting to purchase the Explore because you are unsure of it's quality, I can tell you the it beats my Cameo for fine detail and is more quiet. The paper loading feature on the Cricut's side guides keeps the mat straight and accurate, while on the Cameo has no guides. This leads to inaccurate print and cut or reloading and cutting a partial cut paper piece on my Cameo. The Cricut Design Space software is easier to use and I love the iPad app option! So much easier for the Crop than bringing a Cameo and a laptop.
P.S. Please tell product development that I love the elegant designs Cricut is offering (like items via Anna Griffin) and you should offer as many of these options as your "cute" designs!
P.S.S. I miss still miss the message boards. I know that usage fell off and there were many people spamming the boards. I loved finding help any time of day or night and all the Cricut friends I made. The Cricut Facebook groups are just not the same.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Finish Your UFO Challenge #11
This week I am continuing with my Finish Your Unfinished Objects Challenge. And working with the Anniversary theme, the 11th anniversary, this week's extra entry theme is Turquoise. So work on a UFO that involves the color turquoise or something with Turquoise for an extra entry this week.
And speaking of Anniversaries, today is our 23rd Wedding Anniversary. The card I made above is made with Cricut Explore and the Simple Everyday Cards Cartridge. I added the 23 using a computer font Arial Black. To make the Anniversary stand out, I added a bit of sparkly pen. I just layered the 23 under the word Anniversary and inside the center circle of the design motif. What a great way to customize the Cricut design to fit the anniversary.
To enter this challenge, leave me a comment with your blog post address, or comment in my Facebook UFO challenge group.
And speaking of Anniversaries, today is our 23rd Wedding Anniversary. The card I made above is made with Cricut Explore and the Simple Everyday Cards Cartridge. I added the 23 using a computer font Arial Black. To make the Anniversary stand out, I added a bit of sparkly pen. I just layered the 23 under the word Anniversary and inside the center circle of the design motif. What a great way to customize the Cricut design to fit the anniversary.
To enter this challenge, leave me a comment with your blog post address, or comment in my Facebook UFO challenge group.
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