Talk to Me Tuesday #6 - Cricut, Peachy Keen, and Pink!

Hello Everyone!

Sorry for posting this so late. I have been busy these past few days. The good news is I have 2 papers, 1 presentation, and 1 exam until I graduate!! I'm so excited. I also recently accepted a full-time position where I am currently interning. It's been a crazy past couple of days. Also, I am in the process of moving (boo!), so I may not have as many crafty things for a little bit. This move is temporary, so I am going to be with limited crafting supplies...lets see how creative I get. Thank goodness for my gypsy  Onto the updates!! There are a lot, so I have sectioned them out for you.


Cricut
Speaking of Cricut, they have released some news recently. First, they have addressed the issues surrounding third-party software and Cricut. Click here to read the official statement from Provocraft.  Notice in the last paragraph they say they are going to update Cricut CraftRoom to provide customers with the ability to cut their own images!!  Side note: I have been beta testing the Cricut CraftRoom...and it is amazing.  You are going to love it!


Also, Michaels has a promotion going on for US and Canada residents.  If you are a US resident and purchase three cartridges from Michaels you get one free (from a selection)!  If you are a Canada resident and purchase two cartridges from Michaels, you get one free (from a selection)!  Also, Michaels is having a sale on cartridge this week ($34.99/US and 44.99 in Canada).  The selection of free cartridges are limited in quantity, so be sure to take advantage of this offer soon!! If you are a US resident, click here to view the promotion.  If you are a Canada resident, click here to view the promotion.

Peachy Keen Stamps
Peachy Keen just announced their new spring releases.  They are super cute.  You definitely do not want to miss these (there are stamp and FACE releases!!)  Click here to view.  

My Pink Stamper
My Pink Stamper is hosting her annual National "Pink" Scrapbook Day on Saturday, May 7th from 10am-10pm.  She will have a new challenge (with a give away) every hour.  I participated in this last year, and it was SO MUCH FUN!!  Sadly, I will not be able to fully participate this year, as I am graduating on that day.  However, I will be making the projects and uploading them later (generally she keeps her challenges open for the week for those who are busy).  Click HERE to see my projects from last year!!  

Look for my "Make Over Monday" post to show up later in the week.  I made a project...just been too busy to upload it I guess.  Check back for more fun soon!!

Tutorial Thursday #2 - Gypsy Imagine App: How to load a cartridge

Hello Everyone!!

Here is a quick video tutorial on how to load an imagine cartridge on your gypsy. In order to do this, you will need to update your gypsy to make sure you have the imagine app and update your Imagine to make sure you have the latest update.

If you are not sure how to update your gypsy or imagine, download the Cricut Sync software. When the software is finished downloading, hook up your machine to your computer and follow the instructional prompts.

I hope ya'll enjoy the video. I'm sorry for the blurriness. I had difficulties getting the flip to focus on the gypsy screen. If ya'll have any suggestions, please let me know.

Watch This Wednesday #2 - Diaper Cake

Hello Everyone!!

I wanted to do a quick post (complete with video tutorial) abut my diaper cake!!  Some of my coworkers and I threw a surprise baby shower for our boss and his wife.  We have been planning this for about a month, and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to make a diaper cake.  I have seen them everywhere, but have never had the opportunity to make one.

 I looked at several different tutorials (I can't remember who's...google it) and meshed their tips and tricks to come up with my own method.  In my search, I had a difficult time finding a good video on how to make a diaper cake.  It would start off fine and then leave you to know how to finish it.  Therefore, I wanted to create a video that went from start to finish.  As you can see, I added a few extra toys between the time of the video and the shower.  I hope you guys enjoy!!

Talk to Me Tuesday #5 - Cricut Cake Classes with Jinger

Hello Everyone!!

I wanted to do a brief Talk to Me Tuesday to share that Jinger Adams, the spokeswoman from Provocraft, will domonstrae all of the uses of the Cricut Cake.  This is a FREE online class available to everyone.  There are four classes to choose from :
         Wednesday March 30th 11am Mountain Time
         Wednesday march 30th 6pm Mountain Time
         Thursday March 31st 11am Mountain Time
         Thursday March 31st 6pm Mountain Time

Even though this is a free event, you still have to register.  Click here or go to the Cricut website and click on the Cricut Cake Class button. 

Also, be sure to check back tomorrow.  I have an awesome watch this Wednesday (complete with video) and a Tutorial Thursday you won't want to miss!!

Talk to Me Tuesday #4 - Hello Thursday Cartridges

Hello Everyone!!

I wanted to share the NEW March Hello Thursday cartridges.  For those that don't know, Hello Thursday is the third Thursday of every month when Provocraft releases new cartridges.  This month, provocraft released 4 full cartridge (including the new Cricut Circle exclusive) and 3 seasonal cartridges.  I wanted to post the pictures for the new releases (in case you missed them).  Click on the name of the cartridge to see the entire handbook.

Damask Decor 

Elegant Edges

Everyday Pop-Up Cards

Father's Day Seasonal Cartridge

Happy Graduation Seasonal Cartridge

Luau Seasonal Cartridge

Pop-Up Neighborhood Cartridge

If you would like to see projects made with these new cartridges...check out the Hello Thursday bloggers: Robyn, Tammy, Joy, and Melanie.  They are four awesome bloggers who bring their own, unique style to the cartridges.  I find inspiration from each of them, and they are definitely worth a second glance!!

I am planning on doing a video tutorial series on the new Imagine app.  Look for the first video on Thursday!!

Makeover Monday #2 - Clock Wall Art

Hello Everyone!!

Welcome to my second makeover Monday.  My friend made a tie clock and used the innards of a clock.  He was going to throw the rest away, but (in true crafty spirit) I convinced him that I could make something cool out of it.  I thought it would make a cool piece of wall art.

When my cricut circle cartridge came, I saw that it had some pretty cool phrases on it.  I thought that I would make something for my craft room.  Here are some before and after pictures.

Before: 

 After:

Supplies Used:

Recollections Solid Paper

The Paper Studio Patterned Paper

Wall Clock from Wal Mart

"Everyday Cricut" Cricut Cartridge

White gelly roll pen

I hope ya'll enjoyed my makeover Monday!!  Be sure to come back tomorrow for the next "Talk to Me Tuesday."  I am also *trying* to record a video involving the new Imagine app for the Gypsy.  Look for that on a Turtorial Thursday coming up in the near future.  Hope to see ya'll soon!!

Tutorial Thursday #1 - Wine Glass Charms

Hello Everyone!

I have a project for you!! Since I missed "watch this Wednesday," I decided to do a Tutorial Thursday to make up for it.  Maybe one day I will be on schedule again.

I wanted to share more of the fun things I made for my aunt's party- WINE CHARMS!!  We wanted to make wine charms that had traditional New Orleans icons.  I used four background colors (pink, purple, green, and gold) and transposed the leopard print (part of the party theme) and the icons.  These were so much fun to make, and they turned out super cute.  It did take a little bit to get used to; it was the first time I used shrinky dink paper.  Everyone loved them.  Below the pictures are step by step instructions on how to make them.  Sorry the pictures are so poor...they were taken with a camera phone.

Instructions

1. Make an image on the computer.  I used word to create the image pictured.  These were 2 inch circles and they shrunk to dime size.
2. Use ink jet shrinky dink paper (make sure it's ink jet and the sticky side is the on the printable side) and print your images.  
3. Cut out your images
4. Punch a hole in the image. 
5. Place your cut out images on a cookie sheet lined with a paper bag
6. Place in 300 degree oven for 10 minutes.  It may take shorter.  Watch them in the oven...they make some funny shapes as they shrink. 
7. As you take them out of the oven, press them down so they will be flat.  If you need to, heat them up a little again so they are easier to mold. 
8. When they are cool, place the silver connector ring (found in jewelry sections) in the whole. 
9. Place beads of your choice on the wine charm (I would use earrings...these charms were difficult to connect) then the charm, then more beads
10. Close the wine charm

I hope ya'll enjoyed the wine charms.  Shrinky dink paper is pretty awesome, and I am definately going to try to incorporate it more in my projects.  It work well in the cricut as well (so I hear).  You can also purchase paper to stamp and color.  

Don't forget to check out the new Hello Thursday cartridges from Cricut.  They are super cute!! You're not going to want to miss this one!!