Scrapbook Friday April 20, 2012--

Happy Friday.... in just a bit I will post this month's scrapbook challenge......

Here are today's projects....

Janet used Celebrations to make this one page layout with brads!

Please visit her blog at http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com

Christina used the Martha Stewart Seasonal Cake Art Cartridge to make this banner for her scrapbook page. Please visit her blog at http://cema1cema.blogspot.com.

Theme Day Thursday April 19, 2012 Theme- BEACH/ Vacation!

Today's theme is VACATION!

My little 2 cents today is about clear stamps....

scroll down to read about them.

Tonya used Cricut Classic Font on her project. You can find all the details on her blog ittybittyladybugs.blogspot.com

Liz used the Paper Doll Dress up Cartridge to make this vacation layout. To see her project visit her blog at http://tryin2craft.blogspot.com

Mary used Lifes A Beach and Luau to create her layout from a trip to Hawaii. You can find the details @ http://Mary-fortheloveofart.blogspot.com

Tiffany used Plantin Schoolbook and Art Philosophy to create this project. To see the completed project, please visit her blog at www.angel4ever-thecraftyteacher.blogspot.com.

Lisa Chamberlain used Destions, Traveler & Hello Kitty cartridges to make these Vacation themed scrapbook page. Please visit her blog http://lisacustomscrapbooking.blogspot.com/ to see more projects like this today.

Candice made a card using the stamp feature of Pack Your Bags. To see the details, check out her blog at http://stampinpearls.blogspot.com

Clear Stamps......

What about them? Why do they yellow???

Well now the trend has switched from red rubber stamps on a wooden block

to a thin sheet of clear photopolymer stamps.

What on earth is that other than an easy way to take a ton of stamps somewhere with you?

Well the new clear stamps are a sheet of clear 'rubber' but the Photopolymer is a proce

ss in which light (photo) cures the Polymer (Clear material) into a shape. Now if you only have a cast (shown below) on one side your image - it would only cure on one side. .... if you apply a 'cast' to both sides you image would 'cut' on both sides.....

In housewife english---- I will give an example with the Teresa Collins Stamp maker.

I take an image that I want to make into a stamp on my computer and I invert the colors.

So where you would normally see BLACK,

you would then see nothing (white) see picture....

In this picture this is what you want your stamped image to look like....

But to get it to stamp that you have to invert the colors and print it like this.....

I then take this image and put it on ONE side of the polymer pack- gel.

The light then treats the "White" part and cures the gel and makes it 'hard'

The photo polymer does not cure under the black part.

So when I take it out of the light unit, the part under the black is still 'liquid' gel.

So I put it in water and brush it away to remove the excess around the letters.

I then put it back in to finish curing it. If I put it in for too long it will ruin the image with light exposure..... Same when you leave your clear stamps out they can 'yellow' this is because the light is 'treating' the photo polymer AGAIN.

****** My opinion*****

They say it does not hard the stamps, but I think if it made the stamp with light and the light is changing the color of that stamp, maybe it would change the image as well

****** My opinion*****

Fact.... they tell you to store your stamps in a cold, dry DARK place.... so if they recommend dark there must be a reason why.

I actually store my stamps in the little binders from Staples. They are cheaper than the ones that the craft stores sell and I think they work better.

The book is about $6.99 and you get 25 sheets for $3.99

So for $11 you get the book and 25 sheets

Now at a craft store you spend $18 on the book and $9.99 for 5 refill sheets.

The books/sheets fit perfect the following stamps that I PERSONALLY own....

Peachy Keen

My Minds Eye

The Scrapbooking Queen

Pink By Design

K. Andrew Design's Stamps

Scrappy Moms

My Creative Time

I do not mean to leave anyone out, but these are just what I own.

So I use these books to keep my stamps organized and out of the light.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Who knows what I will want to share tomorrow!

Current events!

Happy Thursday Everyone!!!

There are a few things going on that I would like to remind you of....

First don't forget about the weekly card challenge I have EVERY week there is a new challenge. The winner is picked at random so even if you are a beginning, it is a great first step to sharing your work with others and you can win something in the process.

http://ericascraftroomchallenges.blogspot.com

Next our design team is having a garage sale!!! Whoo-Hoo! What fun! Next Thursday our sale will kick off. Right now the group is "closed" please request to be added to the group and once we have all of our items listed I will APPROVE you into the group....

The crafty garage sale is Thursday April 26- Saturday April 28

EVERYONE will get approved into the group on Thursday the 26th.

This is the crafty one

http://www.facebook.com/groups/135244386606507/

Our anything but Crafty Garage Sale will be Sunday April 29- May 2

and this is the non-crafty sale

EVERYONE will get approved into the group on Sunday April 29

http://www.facebook.com/groups/226289120806147/

At this time it is only open for Design Team members to sell their items. This is a temporary group and will be deleted after the event.... I know there are other crafty sales and crafty auctions. This is not to replace any of those. This is a one weekend only event.

OK now on to the good stuff......

I got a box Yesterday from Theresa The Scrapbooking Queen---

I got my new stamps and the stamps for the giveaway from last weekend's blog hop.

In my box was 400 ACTION WOBBLES......... YES 400!!!!! Wobble Wobble Wow!

That is over $200 in WOBBLES!!!

So here is what we are going to do with them....

Because they were a gift and we have to say 'thank you' for our gift...

we have to use them for the Wobble Wednesday challenge blog....

So Basically you get something for free, to enter to win something for free.....

come on I know you all can do that! So I have 400 wobbles to giveaway.....

I would like to give each person 3 of them.

One to use, one to share with a friend and one just in case of a mistake!

So I have 133 people to share these with.....

33 of my design team will get them,

then 50 who place an order from me and add the note "Action Wobbles Please"

Then there is the sign up for 50 people on my blog.

It will close at 50 people....This is over on the right hand side of my blog.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Look at the top of my blog over on this side >>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

All you have to do is send me a self addressed stamped envelope and

I will mail you back your 3 Action Wobbles.....
Please see the full detail on the right of my blog to sign up AND where to send your envelope to.

You will know if you are one of the 50 because you will sign up for it to the

right of this post on my blog....

Once you add your name, send in your self addressed stamped

envelope to me and I will get them back out to you.

I will also attach the website and instructions for the challenge

and how to get more Wobbles!!! Trust me you are going to LOVE them!!!!

Here is the link to check them out if you have never seen them

before and also this week's Action Wobble challenge....

http://wobblewednesdayschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/04/wobble-wednesdays-challenge-6-pet.html

How would you like to double up on your project???? Networking and double dipping :)

Here is the sketch for MY CARD CHALLENGE.....

We both have pets in our challenge this week (Great unintentional timing)

Obviously you might not get your Action Wobbles in time for this week's Wobble Wednesday Challenge....

but check every Wednesday for the winner and the new Wobble Wednesday Challenge.

Would you Ever Guess Wednesday April 18, 2012

So have YOU ever wondered what is Would You Ever Guess Wednesday??!!??!!??!!

Here is what it is...... We take some of the feature keys of a Cricut Cartridge, you know on the keypad layover the keys on the far left on the top three rows.... sometimes called layer, tag, card, font ...etc.

We use ONLY those keys, and not the image or its shadow. Basically if you can see it on the back of the cartridge box.... we don't use it! Or its shadow which is about the same thing ;)

We might also use a Cake cartridge to make a paper creation (All cake cartridges work in ALL cricut machines) But sometimes people forget about those cartridges. So we want to show you some of those and make you say "I would never have thought of that"

Beginning tomorrow ALL prices in my store will be marked down to 33% off for an entire month! In honor of Mother's Day --- I also know some have payday at different times of the month and some pay weeks we pay our bills....etc. We are just like everyone else, we pay certain bills with certain paychecks- We have dance, swim class fees, Easter baskets, and prescriptions just like everyone else :) So hopefully knowing the items will be on sale for a month you might be able to treat yourself to a little shopping :) If not hopefully you will see an idea on here someday that you like and you can make with supplies that you have at home for free. There are so many GREAT ideas here every week. I hope that you do find something you like.

Tomorrow (Thursday) the prices will be updated to reflect the sale prices.

Sheila used Tie the Knot cricut cartridge on her project. Check her blog at http://www.2pawprints.blogspot.com for details.

Marji used the Art Philosophy and Simply Charmed cartridges to make this project. Please visit her blog for details. Www.fstampaholic.blogspot.com

KathyJo used Designer's Calendar and papers available from Erica's Craft Room Store to create this desk sign. Please visit her blog http://skrappindiva.blogspot.com for all the details of her project.

Heather M. aka Bunnyfreak used the Art Philosophy Cartridge to make her card. To see the full project please visit her blog at http://digipage-blog.everything-digital-scrapbooking.com

A message to parents......

I know there are some codes in texting that kids use....

please take the time to look at this site and see what they are "really" saying.....

Please check out this list.....

http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php

For those with younger kids....

I know it is only April but Summer is going to be here tomorrow!

Just a few tips for parents..... for some economical adventures.

There are libraries with free book readings and crafts to go with them and sometimes juice and cookies. Fire stations do have kids days where you can tour the fire station and meet the firemen. Our local town has an event called Safety City- where the kids go and learn about bike safety, fires, stranger danger, 911 (even with cell phones they still should know 911)

Matinee movies--- Make something simple an event. When they wake up or at Breakfast present them with tickets or a piece of paper saying we are going to see such and such movie. Then look into the theme on the Internet learn about it talk about it find coloring pages with the theme. Go outside and see if you can connect the theme to outside and go for a walk and play pretend and make it an adventure. Then sit down and color with your child.... most kids even older ones still like to color believe it or not. If you are sitting down with them to color even if you are bad at it, it is time to talk and bond with your child. In this day and age sometimes we need to take a step back and reconnect with people instead of computer

(I know I am sending this message with a computer..... but my #1 job is being a mommy)

When my little one asks me to play.... and she says "You can bring your computer Mommy" that to me is a message, close my computer and go and play dolls, or Strawberry Shortcake or La La Loopsy. OK so getting back to the "movie adventure" Later in the day go to walmart and get the $1 candy in the big things in the middle of the isles. It is the same size as the movie theater and you save about $4 on each one. Then that night go and see the move.

You have made a day long activity for under $5!!! Oh I am only giving these tips because I was 3 months away from graduating with Honors with my Masters Degree in Elementary Education when I had my daughter. So I might know a thing or two about kids and education. Wink Wink!

Card Creating Tuesday April 17 2012 Sketch Challenge

Well I asked yesterday about splitting up our 100 Cricut Cartridge blog hop instead of 20+ blogs on one day and 20+ blogs the next day.... We ARE going to split up the hop and make it every Saturday we will showcase 25 different cartridges.... There was 100% agreement between you all and the Design Team.... I can't go against 100%. This way there are 10 or less blogs to go to. This also means more prizes :) Now I do realize that there will be other hops on some of those days. But I will do my best to keep them sorted out and make it easy for you all. Today's card sketch challenge is posted, please remember to use the sketch given AND the colors of the month. I had Inlinkz pick a random winner but I have no idea who it picked. So you all who entered should have gotten an email today, can you please let me know if you got an email and if you won. Thanks. I am still new to the Inlinkz stuff. So I will let you know tomorrow if a winner was auto-picked or if I need to pick a winner with random.org

The BIG news.... Who won the Cricut Mini this weekend on our April Showers, Full of Flowers blog hop?

Here is the blog that the winner was picked from.... remember how I said you had to comment on all of the blogs.... there was a reason why. I did not pick the winner from my blog I picked it from a comment on one of the other blogs....

http://thecrafterscottage.blogspot.com/2012/04/welcome-to-april-showers-full-of.html#comment-form

AmyJRockstarApr 15, 2012 01:06 PM

Hi Jessica! This is sooooo cute! Be sure to enter it in tomorrow's challenge at http://fantabulouscricut.blogspot.com. Our challenge will be April Showers and you totally nailed it with this adorable project!!! Love it! I'm a new follower. :)

XO ~ Amy Jo (new follower)

amyjrockstar at gmail dot com

http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.blogspot.com

Amy Jo- Congrats and please email to figure out shipping for your new Cricut Mini Machine!!!

EricaCraftRoom@aol.com

On this card Shelley used Cricut cartridge Freshly picked, Imagine Cartridge Contemporary Nature and Craftroom Basics. To see more information about this project please use the link below to go to her blog.

http://shelley-scrapbookingforfun.blogspot.com/

Jenn Lorist used Flower Shoppe for her project for Card Creating Tuesday ~ Mother's Day. To see her entire project please visit her blog at http://www.jennspapercrafts.blogspot.com/

Today Ava made her card using the Mothers Day 2010 Cartridge

for more photos and details please visit her blog

http://scrapbookdesign4u.blogspot.com

ClaireR used three Cricut cartridges, Everyday Pop Up Cards, Flower

Shoppe, and Tags, Bags, Boxes, and More to make her Mother's Day card.

To see the complete project, please visit her blog at

http://threewaterscreations.blogspot.com/

Heather E used the Storybook cartridge to make this Mother's Day card. To see the rest of her project please visit http://pinkpunkcosmo.blogspot.com

Lisa used Garden Soup cartridge to make this card for Mothers day. You can see her completed card at http://ourcraftingcorner.blogspot.com/.

Kathy used the Ole Cricut Cartridge to make her Mother's Day card today.

Please visit her blog to see her entire project at http://3spoileddogs.blogspot.com

Amber made this easel card using Walk in My Garden. To see her entire project please visit her blog http://pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com.

My IMAGINE-ation Monday April 16, 2012 and the Letter P

Happy Monday everyone. I hope you were able to see all of the great April Showers, Full of Flowers projects from this weekend's Blog hop! Such GREAT projects. It was nice from my point of view having only 8 blogs to hop along. I know our big hope the first weekend of each month is exhausting...... I would love to hear what you all think about it.... should we split it up more? Right now it is two days, 20 blogs on Saturday and 20 blogs on Sunday.... Maybe the first Saturday of the month we cover 25 cartridges, then the next Saturday another 25 cartridges.... We could do 10 blogs each weekend. Obviously the Design Team, I would love your opinion but also those who look at this blog, I would love to hear what you have to say about this.

Oh also..... from this weekend's blog hop.... I am giving away the Cricut Mini Machine..... I will announce that winner tomorrow!!!

Another announcement.... we will soon be starting SVG Sunday..... I LOVE my Cricut and its cartridges (Obviously ;) But I have been making some items with my Silhouette Cameo and I LOVE her too :) Yes my machines are all women. Except the machine I sold last week, that was a MAN>>>>> enough said! Let's just say it was not a Cricut and not a Silhouette..... it did NOT use cutting mats..... I did not have the patience for that machine. So I sent HIM to a new home.... But I have found some great SVG designers and we are collaborating on a big project..... We still need 3 more partners for the project. I am looking for SVG designers or Clear Stamp designers. More details to follow..... But if you are interested in being a part of this project.... please email me, EricaCraftRoom@aol.com with the subject PARTNERS. I will explain more VERY soon!

On to our Cricut designed projects!

Sarah W used Kate's kitchen cricut cartridge to create her card. To see more of her card please visit her blog at www.craftingwithsarah.Blogspot.com

Jenny R used Greeting Cards Inside & Out to create this card.

Please go to her blog at http://myimagitivity.blogspot.com for details on how this was made.

Doris has created a card using the Nursery Tails Imagine cartridge. Please visit her blog at http://mybugandmcreate.blogspot.com to see more.

Teresa used the Pack Your Bags cartridge to make her tropical drink card.

Please visit her blog at www.createenjoyshare.blogspot.com for all the details!

YUMMY! I recently found out that she was a Margarita Lady- I knew I liked her for a reason :) CHA - Beware we will be there :) Don't check our crop cups :) Hey we are over 30 and I might have a cocktail 4 times a year..... so I deserve it when I do....

Tracy from http://scrappininthewoods.blogspot.com/ used the E2 cartridge, Just A Note to create this card. This card was also created to enter into the card challenge on http://ericascraftroomchallenges.blogspot.com/ (check it out to see how you can participate!)

Miranda used Paisley Cricut Cartridge for her project today. To see the full project please visit her blog http://www.nanasscrapspot.com

Claire S. used Once Upon A Princess to make this Positively,Precious, Pretty,Pink Princess page.

Please visit her blog Scrapmyway to see how she made this "MAGICAL" layout.

http://scrapmyway.blogspot.com/2012/04/letter-p.html

April Showers, Full of Flowers blog hop, Day TWO

Welcome to our April

Showers, Full of Flowers blog hop!

On the first day we will show you a project with the
theme,April Showers, then on Sunday we will either transform our project
into a"Full of Flowers" project. Or we made a matching item with the theme
of Flowers....

Erica's Craft Room is sponsoring this blog hop
with ONE of theprizes being a Cricut Mini machine.

Be sure to comment on ALL of the blogs both days to be entered to win the Cricut Mini
Machine!

www.shop.ericascraftroom.com

I used Flower shoppe to make all of the flowers. I cut them at 2, 3 ,4 " sizes and jsut mixed and matched them randomly. I got the sparkle bling in the $1 section at Target and the Watering can was $2.50 in the $1 at target as well.

The paper is DCWV

Don't forget I also have a challenge blog to win a gift
certificate to my webstore.
http://ericacraftroomchallenges.blogspot.com/
Also I am giving you a 30% coupon for anything non-Provo Craft
(Non-Cricut) in the store

SUNDAY is the code for 30% off your total purchase (Cricut/Cuttlebug items are not included, as they are already so low---- $15-$33 for ALL cartridges)

www.shop.ericascraftroom.com
But I am giving away a Brand New Cricut Mini Machine on this hop!

Next you should go
to Claire's blog http://www.scrapmyway.blogspot.com

Erica- http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com/

Claire- http://www.scrapmyway.blogspot.com/
Janet- http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/

Lisa Peters http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/

Jessica Bashaw - http://thecrafterscottage.blogspot.com/

Doris Parker - http://mybugandmecreate.blogspot.com/

Ashley http://especiallymade.blogspot.com/

Kathy Jo Page Ritchie http://skrappindiva.blogspot.com/

Haidee Shableau http://created2bunique.blogspot.com/

April Showers, Full of Flowers blog hop -Day ONE

Welcome to our April Showers, Full of Flowers blog hop!

On the first day we will show you a project with the theme,
April Showers, then on Sunday we will either transform our project into a
"Full of Flowers" project. Or we made a matching item with the theme of
Flowers....

Erica's Craft Room is sponsoring this blog hop with ONE of the
prizes being a Cricut Mini machine. Be sure to comment on ALL of the blogs both days to be entered to win the Cricut Mini Machine!

I am almost embarrassed to post this project... it is by far the worst thing I have ever made....

My Crafty mind was out to lunch :)

I used Create a critter for the rain, rainbow and clouds.

I used Noah's ABC Animals for the Phrase.

I cut all items at 2 3/4"

Tomorrow's flowers will hopefully make up for today's poor project.

Don't forget I also have a challenge blog to win a gift certificate to my webstore.

http://ericacraftroomchallenges.blogspot.com

Also I am giving you a 30% coupon for anything non-Provo Craft (Non-Cricut) in the store. You have to come back tomorrow to get the coupon code for 30% your purchase.

www.shop.ericascraftroom.com

But I am giving away a Brand New Cricut Mini Machine on this hop!

Next you should go to Claire's blog
http://www.scrapmyway.blogspot.com

Erica- http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com/

Claire- http://www.scrapmyway.blogspot.com/

Tanya- http://little/-scrapper.blogspot.com

Janet- http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/

Lisa Peters http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/

Jessica Bashaw - http://thecrafterscottage.blogspot.com/

Doris Parker - http://mybugandmecreate.blogspot.com/

Ashley http://especiallymade.blogspot.com/

Kathy Jo Page Ritchie http://skrappindiva.blogspot.com/

Haidee Shableau http://created2bunique.blogspot.com/

Scrapbook Friday April 13, 2012-- Friday the 13th- HALLOWEEN!!!!

I know most people see Friday the 13th as a bad thing. I am lucky enough to have Friday the 13th be a great day for me. I was born on a Friday the 13th.

I also was born at ELMendorf air force base, my initials were ELM (like Elm Street).

My middle name was misspelled causing me to have-

13 letters between my first middle and last name.

I am luck that the number 13 has always been a good thing for me. So for those who have not had lucky 13s I will share some of my Friday the 13th luck with you all today!

Here are some great projects with our LUCKY 13 theme!

I also I have decided to open my retail shop today.... being Friday the 13th I couldn't help myself. I don't have much inventory because my online customers are wonderful to me.... but at least I can start scheduling my classes and use of the crop room :)

Tonight I am open from 5-8:00pm EST

Tomorrow I will be open from 10:00am- 4:30pm

I will also have a FREE open crop anytime I am open AND

Saturday night from 5:30-9:30pm EST

Erica's Craft Room

3312 S. Main Street Unit A

Akron, Ohio 44319

Jenn Lorist used Stamped for her scrapbook layout. To see her entire project please visit her blog at http://jennspapercrafts.blogspot.com

Christina used cuts from Cricut Lite Celebrate with Flourish, and Simply Charmed for her layout today. Please visit her blog: http://cema1cema.blogspot.com to see the complete project.

Lisa Chamberlain used Mini Monsters cartridge to make this Halloween themed scrapbook page for Friday the 13th. Please visit her blog http://lisacustomscrapbooking.blogspot.com/ to see more projects like this today.

Sabrina used the Graduation Cartridge. Please visit her blog

http://Sabrinabellabeautiful.blogspot.com