Scrapbook Trends Cricut Idea Book Call

Do you have an awesome Cricut idea that you have been wanting to share?  Now's your chance to get published!  Scrapbook Trends Magazine is putting together an entire publication of Cricut projects, and they have put out an open call for projects.  They want to see your layouts, your cards and tags, home decor, party items, vinyl lettering - just about anything you have made with your Cricut.

Unfortunately, there's not much time left to submit project ideas.  The deadline is this coming Sunday (September 5, 2010) at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.  Submissions should be sent to submit@northridgepublishing.com.  

Here are some other important details: [Read more...]

Have You Updated Your Cricut Gypsy Lately?

Provo Craft released a new Cricut Gypsy update on May 28th.  This weekend I updated my machine, and I am so glad I did!  There are a lot of new features, including the following:

The photo app is now available for everyone!  You can load photos or other images into your Gypsy.  I plan to load the scrapbook and card sketches into my machine, that way when I'm out and about, but want to do some design work, I can easily refer to them.  I haven't played with it too much yet, but as soon as I find time, I will be putting this app to good use!

Layering just got easier!  It's now easier to navigate through multiple layers using the added tabs at the top.  To keep your designs organized, the layers can be renamed with custom descriptions (instead of the standard Layer 1, Layer 2, etc.), and they can be reordered.  When working on a particular layer, you can chose to display or hide the other layers of the design.

Make custom designs using the hide contour feature.  There are times when you don't want to cut everything.  Now you don't have to!  From within the Cricut Gypsy design interface, you can select what you don't want to cut using the hide contours feature under the advanced tab.  It will still show on your mat, but it will be lighter than the other items, and when you go to cut, it will not be included, saving both your blade and your paper. [Read more...]

Cricut Companions – Coordinating Cuttlebug Folders for Cartridges

If you love to emboss (who doesn't!), you are going to love this - Cuttlebug Cricut Companions should be arriving in stores soon!  These embossing folders are specifically designed to coordinate with Cricut cartridges.

Here is a sneak peek...



Cuttlebug Cricut Companions



Right now, there are only about half a dozen different sets to be released, and it looks like each set has four different folders.  The first Cuttlebug companion folders released will coordinate with these carts: [Read more...]

Four Cricut Solutions Cartridges to Retire

Last week, Provo Craft announced that four of their Cricut Solutions cartridges would be retiring.  Here is a copy of their announcement:

Retiring Cricut Solutions Cartridges

As you can see from the picture above, these are the ones that are being discontinued:

  • Blackletter
  • Sans Serif
  • Street Sign
  • Christmas Noel

Three of the four listed are font carts.  Of those three, I think Blackletter will be the most missed.  Cricut describes it as a "traditional Old English style font".  It truly is unique.  I can't think of any other cartridge that is currently available that could take its place.   [Read more...]

Cricut Sports Mania: Colts vs. Saints

Who's ready for the big Super Bowl game this weekend?  I know we are - big Colts fans here!  Anyway, I thought I would put up a quick post about the pair of helmets I made with the Cricut Sports Mania cartridge.  First things first, here's a picture...


Cricut Sports Mania - Colts vs. Saints


My twelve year old needed these for a school project, and of course, his mom (yep, that's me!) looks for *any* reason to go play with her scrapbooking tools.  Anyway, these were super simple to make, and my son and his classmates were thrilled with how they turned out. [Read more...]

Cricut Paper Piecing with the QuickStik Tool

QuickStik ToolHave you heard about the QuickStik Tool?  If not, I have included a little picture of it over on the left, and I have a short post here to fill you in on all the details.

Although I love my Cricut (don't ever take it away from me!), one of the things that I dislike is all the paper piecing that is necessary to make some of the more detailed die cuts.  I usually just use my tweezers to pick up all the little paper pieces and glue them down, but I have always thought there should be a better way.  Well, there was - I just didn't know about it!

You may or may not have heard of QuicKutz.  They are another manufacturer of scrapbook tools and die cut equipment.  They have a handy little item called the QuickStik Tool.  Here's a link to the QuicKutz website, where they sell it: [Read more...]

Merry Christmas!

I'm just taking a quick break from all the festivities to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! May you have a safe and happy holiday, and if I don't post again until the new year, have a happy New Year too!

Have You Heard About the Cricut Rewards Program?

Have you purchased any new cartridges lately? If so, there's a good chance there was a Cricut rewards voucher tucked into the package. I have collected a few of these, and just recently took the time to find out what I could get with them.

Usually, when I find vouchers like these, I toss them, thinking that it's just another way for the manufacturer to get me on the mailing list. Well, I'm already on Provo Craft's email list, so luckily, I tucked them away until I could take the time to look into it further.

As a side note, if you do toss a voucher before redeeming it (or if it wasn't included in your purchase), you can re-create it. Just visit the FAQ section on the CricutRewards.com website for instructions.

There are actually some fairly good freebies you can "purchase" with the Cricut rewards. The one downside is that you will need to pay shipping and handling, and from what I have heard, this is fairly pricey (i.e. $14.95 for a t-shirt). You will also need to create a separate account, even if you already have one set up on the main Cricut website or message board. I know - it's a pain in the you-know-what, but it just might be worthwhile, especially if you have been wanting to get your hands on any of the exclusive cartridges that you normally can't purchase.

Anyway, here's a look at what you can currently get with your Cricut rewards: [Read more...]

Big Cricut Cartridge Sale at Michaels Next Week

There is going to be a big Cricut cartridge sale at Michaels next week. Here are the details...

I spend way too much time at our local Michaels Craft Store, but occasionally, my obsession pays off. I picked up a couple of things this week, and when I was checking out, the cashier gave me a small flyer with next week's featured sales listed. Anyway, to get to the point, all their cartridges are going to be just $39.99 next week (September 13-19, 2009). Yep, all of them! [Read more...]

Welcome 2009!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and safe New Year!

January is now upon us, and it's time to make a list of resolutions for the coming year! While most of my personal resolutions focus on eating healthy and finally getting fit (once and for all!), I do have some Cricut-inspired goals for the new year that I would like to share with you... [Read more...]