Archives for January 2011

CHA 2011

January 31, 2011 by 7 Comments

Erin and I just finished up day 2 of the show and we are both so tired.  We spent the first day wandering all over, but today we started walking the show at one wall and are working our way towards the opposite side of the hall. 

Of course we began the first day at Provo Craft’s booth, and judging by the crowds in their booth, it is one of the more popular spots.  Provo Craft is doing a raffle at 3 p.m. each day and they are handing out tickets that have to be validated in order to be entered in the drawing.  To validate your ticket, you have to do fun things — like participate in a Make & Take, attend three of the many demonstations in their booth, or participate in a  survey.

When you receive your tickets for the raffle, Provo Craft is also giving away a cute stuffed Cricut.  They have a contest to see where you take Cricut and to enter this one, you need to take a picture of Cricut somewhere in L.A.  Today they announced three winners of the photo contest and each received a new Expression!  I loved one of the photos — the woman held her Cricut alongside a police car, capturing Cricut and the LAPD logo on the side of the car. 

Erin took lots of pictures the first day of the show.  Here are some from Provo Craft’s booth.  I’ll begin with a shot of the new Cricut logo:

Here are some pictures of new Cuttlebug folders coming soon.   They are bringing out some fun new ones called All-In-One Embossing plates.  I was able to give them a try today at one of the demo stations.  You begin with the All-In-One 6″ x 9″ folder.  There are several different plate sets that you arrange on the folder to make your own custom embossing folders.  You can pick and use the pieces you want, or each set comes with an overall embossing plate too.  Because the All-In-One 6″ x 9″ folder has a thicker base, you just need to use the two “B” plates on top of it when running it through the Cuttlebug.

Close-up shots of the new Cuttlebug products:

I got to meet two of the Cricut Circle Design Team members today, Shantaie Fowler and Cindy Royal. 

On April 27, the new Cricut Expression 2 will debut on HSN.  This machine has some cool new features.  It uses both regular Cricut cartridges and also the Imagine cartridges.  It will be able to cut the images and layers from the Imagine cartridges, but obviously it will not print. 

It has a new touch-screen feature that will eliminate using the overlays.  It also will also have Wi-Fi capability.  The “shoulders” on the machine (the colored end pieces) will be interchangeable so you can switch colors. 

The Provo rep we talked to yesterday told us the new Expression 2 will initially be available on HSN and then may move into other markets, but the anniversary release will be a limited edition machine. 

I asked today if we will be able to use the Gypsy and Jukebox with the new Expression2 and was told yes, it will be compatible with both products.  Check out the light by the blade on this new machine.

Another new exciting product is called Cricut CraftRoom, which will be an online site where you can design.  The rep said it will be compatible with both PC and MAC.  And the best part, it’s free!  I was able to sit and play with a Beta version for quite a while on Sunday.  While I was working in CraftRoom, the rep told me they are working on a shadow feature where you will be able to automatically add a shadow to any of your cuts.

Ok, so while exploring CraftRoom I looked at the list of cartridges and noticed some names that are not familiar to me.  I was able to look at some of the images on the screen, so I am wondering if these are going to be some new cartridges.  Here are the names:

American Alphabet

Beep Beep

Bump in the Night

Crocs Rule

Damask Decor

Elegant Edges

Happy Graduation

Love You a Latte

Luau

Martha Stewart Nature

Recess

Spring Fever Holiday

Spring Fever Seasonal

Storks Delivery

Summer Bliss Holiday

Summer Bliss Seasonal

Sweet Shop

Ultimate Creativity

Winter in the Air Holiday

Winter in the Air Seasonal

Yee Haw

There are two Make & Take stations set up in Provo Craft’s booth and the projects change daily.  Yesterday we made a pirates wood frame and a cupcake holder, complete with a yummy cupcake.  This is from the cupcake station.

Provo Craft offers several classes daily, but you have to arrive early to sign up.  The classes fill up fast.  Erin and I arrived at the show around 10:30 a.m. this morning and the classes were already gone.  We are going to try and get there at opening tomorrow and see if we can get a class.  This picture is from a class Jinger and Robyn (My Pink Stamper) were conducting on Sunday afternoon.

As I stated above, Provo Craft is doing a daily raffle in their booth at 3 p.m.  These are pictures from the first day’s raffle.  Jinger drew a ticket and the winner came onstage.  Then the fun began — the winner could chose to take a cartridge (Birthday Bash) or spin the Cricut wheel, where prizes ranged from an Imagine to a high-five from the Cricut himself. 

The first name drawn was Erin’s, which was such a surprise because she says she never wins anything.  Since she already has Birthday Bash, she chose to spin the wheel.  Round and round it when until it landed on the Your Story Photo Machine. 

Everyone chose to spin the wheel and most were lucky — one won the new Yudu Cardmaking Machine, another won a Circle membership, but only one lady did not win.  Well, she won a high-five from Cricut himself, but as she was walking off, Jinger handed her the Birthday Bash cartridge.  So everyone was a winner!

Filed Under: CHA Tagged With: , ,

Snow Bird

January 16, 2011 by 22 Comments

 

Here’s another card that I made for several challenges and I had a lot of fun making it.  Unfortunately it will be my last card for a while.  The next couple of weeks are going to be filled with embroidery and trade shows.  CHA is coming up at the end of the month and Erin is flying home from Taiwan to attend with me. 

There’s lots of sparkle on this card as the little snow bird makes his winter home in a warm mitten.  The solid cardstock is from Bazzill and the patterned paper is called Snowflake Waltz and is from Daisy Bucket Designs.

I wanted to do a cardinal for my bird, but I wanted a chubby little guy and I couldn’t find one on any of my Cricut cartridges.  I found a cute bird on Straight from the Nest and decided to use him.  As I was laying out the card in Design Studio, I kept trying to figure out how to make the bird into a cardinal shape.  My solution was to use a lower case “v” from the Mickey Font cartridge.  I turned it upside down and welded it to the top of the bird’s head.  I used Copic markers to color the dark spot on his face.  I’m pleased with how he came out.

The circles are cut from the George and Basic Shapes cartridge and I used my Cuttlebug to emboss both of them.  The mitten is from Simply Charmed, the large snowflake is from Joys of the Season, “Snow Bird” is from Straight from the Nest, and the bird’s scarf is from 3 Birds on Parade. 

I added lots of bling to this card.  I heat embossed the large snowflake on the front using holographic embossing powder.  I put some fine snow on the sentiment using Martha Stewart glitter.  The coarser snow is also from Martha Stewart.  The small snowflake on the mitten is a Martha Stewart punch.  I added rhinestones to the centers of the snowflakes.

While I was working on this card, the song “Snowbird” by Anne Murray kept running through my head.  I printed part of the chorus and put it on the inside of the card.   The snowflake on the inside is from Joys of the Season.

 Here are the challenges I am entering and the requirements for each:

Jitterbuggin – For the Birds Challenge – follow the sketch, add a Cricut bird and use something pink.

Fantabulous Cricut – Challenge #42 Winter Warmies – create a project using some type of winter clothing or accessory.

Cooking With Cricut – Glittermania! – glitz up your project.

The Cuttlebug Spot – Inspired by a Song – find inspiration for your project in a song.

  • Bazzill cardstock
  • Designer paper – Snowflake Waltz from Daisy Bucket Designs
  • Cricut cartridges:  3 Birds on Parade, George and Basic Shapes, Joys of the Season, Mickey Font, Simply Charmed, and Straight from the Nest.
  • Cricut Design Studio
  • Cuttlebug
  • Copic markers
  • Ranger holographic embossing powder
  • Martha Stewart punch
  • Martha Stewart glitter
  • Rhinestones from stash

 

 

Filed Under: 3 Birds on Parade, Card Challenges, Cooking With Cricut, Copics, Cricut, Cuttlebug, FCCB, Jitterbuggin, Joys of the Season, Mickey Font, Simply Charmed, Straight from the Nest Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Provo Craft Card Making Contest

January 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Provo Craft is going to be announcing a new product on HSN on January 20, 2011.   Anna Griffin is also going to be introducing a new product on the same day.  Provo Craft is sponsoring a card making contest and the winners will receive both new products.  After each airing on HSN, two winners will be posted on Jinger Adam’s Facebook Page.

The requirements for the contest are that you create a card using at least one Anna Griffin product and one or more of these Cricut cartridges:  Don Juan, Wall Decor & More, and Winter Lace.  Entries have to arrive at Provo Craft offices no later than Tuesday, January 18, 2011.

I just mailed my card today, January 13, and I am hoping it arrives it time.  I sent it priority mail and it just has to go from CA to UT, but with this being a holiday weekend I am going to be holding my breath.

I went searching through my stockpile of cardstock because I was pretty sure I had some Anna Griffin paper somewhere.  I found two different paper pads, one with soft, subdued pastel prints and the other with bright, wild prints.  I opted to go with the bright prints and paired them with Bazzill solid cardstock.

My card is 5.5″ square and all cuts are from Wall Decor & More, with the exception of the tag.  The tag is cut from Don Juan.  The sentiment is computer generated and says, “When I am with you….My heart takes flight.”

I cut several layers for the butterfly and pop-dotted him on the front of the card.  I used Stickles for the butterfly’s body.  The ribbon is from Michaels — I got it on clearance at 70% off.  I attached the tag to the bow using a cell phone charm strap.

The inside of the card features more Anna Griffin paper and  hearts cut using Wall Decor & More.

  • Anna Griffin cardstock — Peyton Collection
  • Bazzill cardstock
  • Cricut cartridges:  Wall Decor & More, Don Juan
  • Stickles
  • Ribbon from Michaels
  • Cell phone charm strap
Filed Under: Cards and Projects, Cricut, Don Juan, Stickles, Wall Decor & More Tagged With: , , ,

Bring It On — 1st Card of 2011!!

January 9, 2011 by 31 Comments

 

I haven’t posted in a quite a while.  I’m still busy with the business, so that is a good thing.  I decided to take a little down time and make a card.  The nice thing is that this card fits so many challenges that are starting off the new year. 

I made a whimsical snowman, who is looking up and telling Mother Nature to “bring it on!”  He is all prepared — he has his snow shovel at the ready.

The patterned paper is by Die Cuts With a View (DCWV) — from one of the holiday stacks that I picked up at Jo-Ann’s.  I cut the snowman with my Cricut using the Doodlecharms cartridge.  I used Design Studio to hide his face so I could move his nose to the top in order to have him looking up into the sky.  I sure hope this is what he looks like, and not some strange looking snowman/unicorn creature.

The snow shovel is cut from the Sesame Street Friends cartridge, the snowman’s scarf from 3 Birds on Parade, the large snowflakes from Accent Essentials, and the snow flurry swirls are from Calligraphy.  I printed the sentiment on the computer using a free font that I downloaded.  It has little snowmen faces peeking out of the letters.  I colored the letters using Copics.

I cut the flurry swirls from a transparency sheet (acetate) so they would be clear.  I then took some white paint and dabbed on them to give them a little opacity, but not too much.  I wanted them to remain in the background when I glued on all the small snowflakes, which I made using a Martha Stewart snowflake border punch.  I used the negative cuts (the part that usually gets thrown away).  Gluing those little snowflakes was a tedious job.

The finishing touches include a small metal star charm hanging from the snowman’s scarf and some rhinestones in the centers of the large snowflakes.  The charm was gold but I thought it looked too stark on the card, so I took my Copics and changed the color. 

 

I placed three of the large snowflakes on the inside of the card:

Here are the challenges that I am entering :

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #15:  Feeling Frosty!  The requirements are to use white paint, a snowflake and something metal.  I think I covered all of those bases with this card.

Jitterbuggin’ Challenge – Sketch 29 – Let It Snow!:  The requirements are to follow the sketch, use blue somewhere on the card, and include something snow related.

Fantabulous Cricut – Challenge Me Monday #41 – Snowy Delights:  The requirements are to create a project using snow or snowflakes.

Cooking With Cricut – Snow Fun!:  The requirement for this challenge is any project with snow or winter-time activities.

Made By Momo:  Make something with a snow theme.

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #39 – Winter:  What winter means to you. 

  • DCWV patterned paper
  • Cricut cartridges used:  Accent Essentials, 3 Birds on Parade, Calligraphy, Doodlecharms, and Sesame Street Friends
  • Clear acetate (transparency)
  • Martha Stewart snowflake border punch
  • Charm from stash
  • Rhinestones
  • Copics
Filed Under: 3 Birds on Parade, Calligraphy, Card Challenges, Circle Challenge, Cooking With Cricut, Copics, Cricut, Doodlecharms, FCCB, Jitterbuggin, Martha Stewart Punches, Sesame Street Friends Tagged With: , , , , ,