Craftsy Unlimited FREE 7 day trial at Craftsy.com
Happy Cloud Quilt Batting by Fat Quarter Shop
Cricut is Easy as 123
Loralie Designs

Sunday, September 30, 2012

My weekend Project

Here is what I did this weekend.... 
I still wasn't feeling to well.....
so here it is! 

This is a table decoration for a women's service group that I belong to.
 I made this as the center piece for our Christmas event. 

I used New Testament at 5" to cut the gold vinyl. 
I used Creative Memories Divine Wedding for the font "Oh Holy Night"







Side view 




Here is the back. I used the gold Vinyl to make a Cross at 6"





Saturday, September 29, 2012

My concept to FINALLY share!!!

I am so excited.... 
I am SO proud of myself!!!!! 


When I was in Utah in July I was a 
guest at Provo-Craft.
 I have always loved the company and everything that they stand for. It is a small company that you would think has several thousand employees, but actually has less than 200! It is amazing how many people you would think do all of the work that we see and help us to craft. 

I had spent 2 days there with the Vice-Presidents, CEO and tech staff, as well as some who do graphic design, the actual paper crafting and basically everyone who works there! They were such wonderful hosts to myself and my daughter. While I was there I was a 'crafter' an actual person who sits down with the handbook and wanted to create something. It totally simplified things how I would teach my daughter (4 years old) and my Grandma (we can say 70+ years old) 
I wanted to convey to them what crafters think about from the time they see and image that they want to the time that it takes to make it. 

Most people see a cute... PIG and just want to make the Pig and put it on a card. They might not want to learn all about Craft Room and everything else. They just want to ENJOY making a card with a pig on it! VERY SIMPLE. I think people like myself (and the tech people there, over analyze things) Sometimes we just need to take a step back and make it OVERLY simple. No one I know wants to spend an hour trying to figure out HOW TO make the pig..... They just want to make the pig! 

My first suggestion was for those who have never used Craft Room have a video pop up and just get them started (they have that now) 
Next the man who does programming with Craft Room showed me an app in his I-phone to make a card. He finds the shape he wants, clicks on the picture he wants, moves it into the window and for $1.99 it is printed and MAILED to the recipient..... I said why can't you do that.....  
Let's say in Create a Critter, i just want to make the pig. I want a ONE TOUCH button to make the silly little pig! Why can't craft room do that. I also suggested to make it in color so we knew what  each part of it looked like in color. SO........
I hope you have seen the single images or small groups of images that you can get instead of the entire cartridge. Other die cutting machines allow you to buy ONE image.... I said why can't Provo-Craft do that.... SO............ here it is!!!
I might not always have paper crafts to show..... 
but this is why.....
I would rather teach than to just display! 


In this first view you can see the little pig there called CAC-5 And he is there in all of the correct colors.... no thinking needed! The light purple ring shows you what to click on to make the images bigger so you can see them better :) 

Here is the smaller pig, click at the light Purple circle to make the images bigger (this works on all cartridges not just those in color right now. 






So just click on the pig and drop it on the virtual cutting mat. 
There is my cute little pig in COLOR!!!! 


 





 Now click on it the see the grey box around it. at the bottom of that is a green box that says 
EDIT IMAGE. Click on it. 




Then on the far right click SEPARATE 






You will then see it expands it all out into each of the colors that you will need to cut. 



Next select UNGROUP.  






Then I love the pieces around so I can put a 6x6 piece of paper in each square







I like to have the image cut as the base for me to build on as well. 
So I added another piggy to my mat. 






Then I select what machine I am using. I was currently using the IMAGINE, you do not have to cut with the Imagine..... but that is how you can see and work with the colors.  Then you can see my purple circle on the left where I selected Expression as my machine that I wanted to cut with.  




Now you can see it took away all of my pretty colors and instead of printing in color, it will now just cut. BUT at a later time if I want to go and use the Imagine.....  You can always go to the Machine and Mat section and select IMAGINE, and it will put your color back in! 








There is it, this was ONE of the things I proposed while I was there.... and they did it!!!!!
I am so proud of myself and that I can share all of this with you. I hope I spoke for many crafters and that this concept will make your Cricut crafting easier and less frustrating!!! 

ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS?????? 


Here is also the link to help you if you want to learn more about Cricut Craft Room


Also don't forget to comment here and 
share with a friend.....
 if a friend comes here and says that you sent them, YOU get a point and an entry to win the BRAND NEW.... Create a Critter 2. 

Don't forget to check out my webstore for Cartridge sales and SPECIALS on paper! 



Don't forget to come back here each 
Hello Thursday 
as I am already working on projects with next month's cartridges and I cannot wait to share them when Cricut announces them!!!
SO CUTE!!!! 












FROM THIS SUMMER>>>>>> July posting.....

How great of a Cartridge Handbook would this be????

Well I am headed to Provo Craft now for this below. My proposal for the handbooks. I have many of them done. Wouldn't you LOVE to see all handbooks done like this so you know EXACTLY how to make each image? Wouldn't you use your Cricut more?
Wouldn't you buy more cartridges if they were all this easy to see HOW to put it together???
Please comment on this post as this post is going to Provo- Craft and they can see your feedback!!!
This shows you which color of paper to use and which buttons to press.




Friday, September 28, 2012

Headed to Provo-Craft to hopefully bring this to you soon!!

How great of a Cartridge Handbook would this be????
(This was one of my other pitches in July) 

Well I am headed to Provo Craft now for this below. My proposal for the handbooks. I have many of them done. Wouldn't you LOVE to see all handbooks done like this so you know EXACTLY how to make each image? Wouldn't you use your Cricut more?
Wouldn't you buy more cartridges if they were all this easy to see HOW to put it together???
Please comment on this post as this post is going to Provo- Craft and they can see your feedback!!!
This shows you which color of paper to use and which buttons to press.




Scrapbook Friday September 28, 2012 Fall recipies scrapbook pages or mini albums






Mary M used Art Philosophy,Elegant Edges and Imagine Enjoy The Seasons to create this 2 page lay out. All the details are on the blog: http://mary-fortheloveofart.blogspot.com/2012/09/apple-pickin-and-cookin.html






Christina used her Gypsy and the Printing Press Cricut Cartridge to make her mini album page.
Please visit her blog for all the details.






Tammy has used Freshly Picked, Create a Critter and From My Kitchen to create a trade size page for her favorite cookies.  For more information check out her blog at http://cuttinandstampin.blogspot.com/2012/09/scrapbook-friday-fall-recipe-layout.html






Jodie Used Cricut Craft Room Exclusives Labels and Germany to create a 6 x 6 Recipe
page for her favorite Fall cake.  To see her full post, go to:


A contest and voting.....

We are looking to add ONE person to the Design team for the year. This is NOT the seasonal design team call. This is just a fun project! 

Please make it a FALL themed project 

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Theme DayThursday September 27, 2012- Theme Halloween Party items







Jamie L. used Create A Critter 2 to make these invitations. To see more details on how she made these please visit her blog here: http://babyjaydensmommy.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-cricut-craft-room-theme-day-thursday.html






On this project Shelley used Cricut A Frightful Affair Cartridge.
To see the full project please visit her blog at:   
http://shelley-scrapbookingforfun.blogspot.com/2012/09/welcome-everyone-todays-project-was-to.html







Ashley used the Artiste and Mini Monsters cartridges to make this treat box. For more details on how the project was made, please visit her blog http://especiallymade.blogspot.com/2012/09/halloween-party-treat-box.html





Cathy used Art Philosophy,Martha Stewart Seasonal cake art, Artiste and Simply Scarecrow to make her project.  For more details on how the project was made, please visit her blog http://cathyplus5.blogspot.com/2012/09/mccr-theme-day-thursday.html





Angie used Happy Hauntings and Artiste to make this Welcome picture frame. Check out her blog for all the details at
http://crazyscraplady-angelpie.blogspot.ca/2012/09/theme-day-thursday-halloween-decorations.html




Janet used Phrases to create this Party invitation. Check out her blog at http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/2012/09/hi-its-theme-day-thursday-and-today.html




Here are today's events around the web! 

THURSDAY CHALLENGES

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

List of challenges, giveaways, design team calls, blog hops and more... Want added to the list, Read on...


So here is my new thing.... 

There is so much information on my blog and there is about to be A WHOLE LOT MORE......
So to help you find things and navigate the blog, I have done some housekeeping.... make sure that you stop by to see all of the great things! 



 
Down on the right :

Past blog postings  

Postings by the name of the Cricu
t cartridge.


I have posted down the left by day of the date

Upcoming blog hops, 

Daily challenges..... 

If you would like your event or your favorites added to the list, 

Please join the group to get them added. 

Also if you are planning a blog hop and want to find people to be in it.... 

this can be done inside the group as well :) 


We will publish Daily or weekly.....
Blog hops, Design Team Calls, Challenges, 
Giveaways, Contests, Coupons and Swap groups. 


Here are today's Challenges around the web.

WEDNESDAY CHALLENGES

Would You Ever Guess Wednesday September 26, 2012 – National Shamu the Whale Day



It is National Shamu day! So we thought we would have a little fun with it. Also note we have turned pink early to honor Cancer Awareness Month. 
As you know we have turned pink early for Cancer awareness month 
(so you have time to create inspiring cards or anything you would like)
Every project from now until mid-October will have some pink in it.

I found this great cause... Even if you only $1 to donate.... it adds up.
I just donated $1 on its own so I know it will take it. 



  • Cleaning For A Reason is a nonprofit organization partnering with maid services to offer free professional house cleanings to improve the lives of women undergoing cancer treatment



Lisa Made this Shamu page please visit her to see 4 more pages! 






Nadja used Create a Critter for this card. For more details visit her blog at  http://nadjarobbins.blogspot.com/2012/09/would-you-ever-guess-wednesday.html





Jessica used Dr. Checkup for her card. For all the details, visit her blog at http://www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com/2012/09/would-you-ever-guess-wednesday-with-my.html







Claire used Garden Soup to make her card. For details, please visit her blog, http://threewaterscreations.blogspot.com/2012/09/black-white-and-pink.html







Robin used Life is a Beach to make her card.  For complete details please visit her blog at...






Tess used Sweethearts to make an Anniversary card.  Please visit her blog to see the details...



Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Card CreatingTuesday September 25, 2012- Christmas Cards



Seriously we are 75% of the way to Christmas!!! Oh my!!! I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!
So this is a great time to announce that we are going to do the same thing that we did last year.... here is the problem that I saw with it.... It was December 1-25 (the 25 days of Christmas) 
But it did not give you all time to make the projects that we showed.... 
So we will be doing this in November!  
November 6- December 7, for 25 days. 12 Projects each day! 
Each day we will show you 12 projects a day with a Winter/Christmas theme.


This will be a SEASONAL DESIGN TEAM position... 
This is NOT a blog hop.... 
1. You will need to create ONE project each week From November 6- December 31.  
2. You will be on the Design Team from November 1- December 31
3. December 7- December 31, Only the seasonal team will be posting.

4. At the end of your December 31st term you may be offered to continue into 2013.... 
5. You do not have to have design team experience


Please submit an email to apply for the Seasonal Design team. 
Email to ContactErica@aol.com with the subject line SEASONAL DESIGN TEAM
Please send in the email the following:
1.. Make a Winter/Christmas theme project (never seen before.... must be a NEW project)
2. Your BEST Cricut created project 
3. A link to your blog or facebook album. 
4. Your Blog address (You do not need to have a blog yet) 
5. Your facebook name 
6. Design teams that you are on (You don't have to be on one)
7. Design teams you have been on (never having been on one is ok)
8. Do you sell anything? Paper, Cartridges, Close To My Heart, Creative Memories, Avon......etc. 





 I know not everyone celebrates Christmas.... 
So we are also going to have a Happy Hanukkah HopDecember 8-16 Technically 9 days. So we will be looking for AT LEAST 9 people to be a part of this hop. One for each day. I will post each day one or more  Hanukkah  projects. But I know nothing about  Hanukkah , so I would LOVE if some of you can help me. Please comment here if there is a daily theme or symbolic things that we should set as each daily theme. THANK YOU in advance. I am also looking for people to be in the hop. I NEED 9, but I can add more than one project each day.... the more the merrier!  Here is the facebook group if you would like to make a project for this Blog Hop..... 
you do NOT need to celebrate  Hanukkah  to to be in this hop, ANYONE can do it.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/289855361120816/




Heather Lynn used A Quilted Christmas to make her sparkly Christmas card today. Please stop by her blog to see how she made it 





Jamie M. used Create a Critter 2 to make this cute Christmas card. Check out the details at http://craftygirl21.blogspot.com/2012/09/mccr-pink-christmas-card.html





Kathy used the A Quilted Christmasto make her card today.
Please visit her blog to see her entire project at
http://3spoileddogs.blogspot.com/2012/09/card-creating-tuesday-christmas.html





Miranda used Jolly Holidays to make her card today. 
To see how she made it, please visit her blog  Nana's Scrap Spot.






Jenn Lorist used Joys of the Season to make her card today.
For details please visit 





Teresa added some pink to her Christmas card using the Holiday Cakes cartridge.  Please visit her at http://www.createenjoyshare.blogspot.com/2012/09/its-beginning-to-look-lot-like-christmas.html to get all the details!
"Gosh, as soon a I came here to upload my project, I see that it is so similar to Miranda's!  Sorry Miranda...I did not see your project before I designed mine!  Great minds think alike!! " -Teresa

 

Monday, September 24, 2012

My IMAGINE-ation Monday September 24, 2012 Imagine cartridges and Letter M




Over the weekend I have heard so many things about the Cricut Imagine
(one of my favorite machines, the other one is the Cricut Mini)
I have put together a forum for your comments....

Please click here to add your comments and requests for ProvoCraft where the Imagine is concerned. I also added to it how to be able to print and cut with Imagine content....
please see this post....
http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com/2012/09/rumors-cricut-imagine.html


Now on to some great projects from the Design Team!


Sarah used Snow Angel Cricut Imagine Cartridge to create this "snowadorable" Christmas card. To see more Please visit her blog @ http://craftingwithsarah.blogspot.com/2012/09/imagine-ation-monday-with-my-cricut.html









Marji used the Create a critter cartridge to make her card today.
Please visit to see all the details.
http://www.fstampaholic.blogspot.com/2012/09/letter-of-day-is-m.html







Melissa used Nate's ABC's to make this card. Please visit her blog to see how she made it. http://papershenaniganz.blogspot.com/2012/09/letter-of-day-m.html





Jessica used Jasmine and Slumber Party for her altered notebook.   
Head over to her blog for all the fun details: