Printable Michael's Coupon Thru Oct.31, 2009

Get your printable Michaels Coupon here.  It is 45% off one item from October 8th through the 31st!

Alert! Michaels Increases Gypsy Promotion

Go here to see the details.  Get 800pts in Cricut Rewards!!!!  Hurry, offer ends Oct.31st!

I'm Wandering

I got my Gypsy last night!  My husband found it on HSN.com when they had a one day special as their second release of the Gypsy.  I am looking forward to learning how to use it.  I went to the Cricut website and registered my Gypsy.  I also went under the FAQ and found the user manual. 

I am trying to find as many tutorials as I can to make a reference list for Gypsy sites on my blog.  If you have any that you'd like to refer to me, please do!

I am so excited to use it and make some great creations!

Fun Printables, Templates, Clipart, Tags, Boxes, and more!

Here are some sites I found or others have shared with me for holiday ideas, printables, and die cutters.
Disney Family Fun Site
Do It Yourself Christmas Cards and Stationary
Bag Templates
Teacher Help  Just click through the sites for templates and coloring pages.
http://alittlehut.blogspot.com/
Coolest Holiday Parties
DLTK 
Kaboose 
Thanksgiving Printables 
Thanksgiving Clipart
Holiday Clipart
Coloring Pages
Craft Ideas
Tag Templates
Box Templates

These are just some.  All you need to do to find more is enter "templates" "printables" "tags", or "boxes" after the holiday you are looking for in Google.  Ex.  "Christmas printables"  or "Gift tags" or even "Halloween box templates".

Free Mini Albums 2008 Idea Book

Visit here for a free download for a  Mini Albums 2008 Idea Book.   This book is from Scrapbook Trends Magazine.  Be sure to go into the options and download an offline version of it.

My Rendition of Sketch #41 at 52 Sketches 52 Weeks

This weeks sketch #41 at 52 Sketches...52Weeks can be seen here.  This is my take on their sketch.

I am still trying to break out of the mold a little.  Instead of doing a circle I did a flower under DDs picture.  I also did individual embellishments as a border along the top instead of a single scalloped border.  I did 5 lines of journaling instead of three.

I thought at first, and you might agree, that the colors would be too bold.  However, I think that they worked well as a focal vortex to focus your eye on the less busy part of the LO which is the picture of my DD.  The print on the paper in which the picture is on resembles the print on her shirt.  She loves butterflies and calls them "Yi-Yi's" with a long "i" sound.
This is my first entry over at 52S52W and I hope my work inspires some others as they inspire me.
I used K&Co paper, and embellishments from their "Berry Sweet" collection.

Another Book I want!!!

Outstanding Mini Albums: 50 Ideas For Creating Mini Scrapbooks (Paperback)

by Jessica Acs (Author)
Listed at Amazon.com

UPDATE! I entered to win a Gypsy: A couple days left

 Well, I did not win another Gypsy!!!  I have lots of luck, don't worry!  Bad luck!  Ha ha ha ha ha!  I want to congratulate the new winner!  Her blog is My Little Spot of Sanity.  Stop by and see what great things she's been up to.
Cartridge Helper is a great site!  They are having a contest to win a Cricut Gypsy!  The contest goes until the 15th.  I went there and they have really quality images of the die cuts on the Cricut Cartridges.  They also support Pazzles and Slice.  Check em out!

Birthday Card

I made a Birthday Card for my friend using K&Co. paper, and the Storybook, Home Accents, and Home Decor Cricut Cartridges.

I cut out the heart shaped keleidescope shape from the Home Accents Cart.  Then I cut out the bottom shape which was on the Home Decor Cart.  It is a flower with a solid circle and a circular ring.  I wove the circular ring around and inbetween the hearts on the first shape.  I used sticky foam circles to elevate the top shape.

 I Then cut out the marquee shape and the "Once upon a Time" from the Storybook cart.  I used K&Co. sticky jewels for embellishments.

 This is the view from the side. You can see how it looks in 3D.  I love the wild colors.  I think they are fit for celebration.

Card Making Book from Annies' Attic

I received an e-mail from Annie's Attic regarding a book they have for sale: Fabulous Folds for Cardmaking.  It looks like it is a great book and it is also available as a PDF electronic download. 

I am not endorsing this book; however, it looks like one I would look into buying. If you are interested in it, try to find reviews on it.  Reviews usually help me decide whether or not I should buy a book.

If you have this book, let me know what you think of it.

(UPDATE!) This competition ended. Congrats to all who won. Die Cutters and Cricut's 100th cartridge Week #5: Final Week!

I use two cutters.  The Craft ROBO with Funtime Scrapbooking Pro and ROBO Master 5.1.  I have had to take a lot of time to learn this machine, but with the help of all the great Yahoo! Groups and various websites and blogs I am learning how to do more than cut words and weld.

I also have as a new edition to the craft family at my house, the Cricket Create with "Don Juan" cart.  I also got "From My Kitchen".  I love them both!  I have been trying to follow the groups that use this machine and learn how to get the most out of it as well.  I love the cartridges as much as creating my own.  It is the best of both worlds.  If you haven't already, you should check out Provo Craft's Cricut website as they are coming out with new cartridges and innovative gadgets all the time.

Right now they are celebrating their 100th cartridge (Winter Woodland).  Here is a copy of their announcement to win a cartridge.

Help us celebrate our 100th Cricut cartridge—Winter Woodland! That’s right, we reached 100 cartridges. As a thank you for our great Cricut community members we want you to celebrate with us. So, we’re giving away 100 cartridges over the next five weeks (20 per week).

Here’s how it will work.

Each week we will be posting a thread. When you respond to the thread you will be entered to win. You can enter once by replying and you can enter a second time by posting on your blog about the celebration and linking back to the cartridge product page. Here is the link to include in your blog. Once you’ve posted on your blog with the link back you can post again to this thread.

Cricut's 100th Cartridge Product Description

Have a great week.  Natalie

Provo Craft has a new September Special for the Cricut Expression

Oh, if I could only own one!  "You just got the Cricut Create!" my husband says.  Hee hee.  I know, I know.  I just didn't think I wanted an Expression.  I really didn't and truthfully we can't afford it right now.  I am so spoiled.  I will get one someday.  I didn't know I would want it to make the big bracket cutouts or the scalloped edges on my papers.  I feel like I have had my scrapbooking eyes opened.  Oh the humanity! 
On that number, I saw this great new bundle that PC is putting out.  Here's the link to the special.  Sigh.....
I need a cup of Night on Glacier Bay tea.

New Files Uploaded

Picnic times have passed in some areas but are still enjoyable down south.  Here are some things you may find at a picnic. A blanket, a table, a fly, and an ant.  Please give Timeless Legacy Designs the credit for the picnic blanket.  The other images are from Printmaster 17 and I altered them.

Click here to download the files. The password is nopirating.

Please let me know if you cannot download this for any reason. I am new to this file sharing business.... I can always e-mail you the file.  Also if there are any that you would like me to try and create or change from a j-peg to something else, I'll do my best.
Natalie

Ordered My Gypsy Today

I am so excited.  My husband ordered a Gypsy for me off of HSN.com.
They were having a one day sale and we also used a 15% off discount.
Gypsy by Cricut personal design studio with Accessories

This Event is for Today only.
Sorry I didn't post it earlier, but I just found out!

Item: 567-277Sorry

HSN Price: $349.95

 Event Price: $314.95

 | You Save: $35.00

MSRP: $483.96

FREE Shipping & Handling

Experience crafting freedom right at your fingertips with the Gypsy by Cricut personal design studio with Accessories. Liberate your inspiration and design anywhere—work on projects in the waiting room, on a plane, in the backyard, or at a friend’s house. Gypsy stores all your cartridges and makes them easily searchable so you find just what you’re looking for. Save any unfinished designs and work them later. Once it’s completed, just connect to your Cricut Machine (sold separately) and cut.

Gypsy by Cricut personal design studio with Accessories Include:

• Gypsy personal design studio with 2 pre-loaded full content cartridges (Gypsy Wanderings and Gypsy Font)
• Destinations full content shapes cartridge with keypad overlay and handbook
• Decorative black and pink Gypsy protective cover - measures approx. 8-1/2"L x 3-3/4"W x 1-1/3"H 
• Stylus
• Black and pink carrying bag
• AC adapter
• Car charger
• USB cord
• Cartridge connect cord
• Instruction start card

Product Features:

• Easy-to-use - create your very own designs; when you're ready to cut your projects simply connect (with the included USB cable) to the Cricut machine (sold separately) and press the cut button.  Allows you to design on the go.
• Large memory - stores thousands of cartridges and your own custom projects
• Easily preview and manipulate the full library of Cricut cartridges - no need to use the keypad overlay or manual; use the shift key to quickly flip through the variety of cartridge images; select images from the library of Cricut cartridges and once you find one you like, purchase the cartridge and use for everyday crafting
• Variety of features for each image - easily rotate, stretch, flip side-to-side or flip top-to-bottom; group the images to make them easier to move or edit; weld 2 images together for 1 large, unique image
• Choose your size of paper mat based on the Cricut version you own (6" x 12", 12"L x 12"W or 12" x 24")  
• Built-in layout board - view your project before you cut the paper
• Search function - allows you to search through all of the images by keyword (even those you haven't yet purchased) or all cartridge names
• Open existing saved designs as templates - use as a basis to create new designs
• 2 exclusive pre-loaded "electronic" full content cartridges - equivalent to 2 physical cartridges; Gypsy Wanderings Shapes and Gypsy Font (available only on the Gypsy)
• 4.7" touchscreen display
• Black and pink carrying bag - zipper open, top carry handle, adjustable/removable shoulder strap, silvertone hardware, interior mesh zipper pocket, interior divider and flat bottom
• UL listed
• Made in Philippines
• Comes with a manufacturer's 6-month limited warranty

Note: This item is for use with all versions of the Cricut Cutting Machine (sold separately). Gypsy allows you to search and design with the entire Cricut cartridge library. If you design with an image from a cartridge you do not own, you’ll need to purchase the cartridge in order to cut your designs. Once you load a cartridge into the Gypsy it cannot be used with another Gypsy machine; however, the cartridge remains active for use with other Cricut machines.

For warranty information, please call HSN.com Customer Service at 800.933.2887 (8 am-1 am ET).

Decorated Recipe Box

This box was given to my by my mother.  I added the embellishments and the title.  It matches the colors in my house.
The title is supposed to be French for "The Queens Delicious Cuisine".
I had to do some reinforcing of the box with glue, but I think it turned out to be a functional and decorative addition to my kitchen countertop.

Home & Garden Crafty Halloween Ideas Candy Bar Costumes

Home & Garden Crafty Halloween Ideas Candy Bar Costumes

Here is another "sweet" project.  Of course I would make them with a pound of embellishments on them!!!

Shared via AddThis

Home & Garden Crafty Halloween Ideas A Pumpkin Treat

Home & Garden Crafty Halloween Ideas A Pumpkin Treat

Shared via AddThis

I think this would be a cute, easy project that you could use any of your die cutters to make the face pieces.
I am going to go to Wal-Mart and see if I can find any chocolate oranges. 

Home & Garden Fall Front Door Decorations A to Z A is for Animals

Home & Garden Fall Front Door Decorations A to Z A is for Animals

Shared via AddThis

Last Stop for Me on the Blog Hop Challenge

I am not sure if I met the time deadline or not.  For me in PST it is still 10:07 pm and technically I still have till 12 midnight to get this in!  The challenge did not say which time zone.....so with that said, without further ado..here is the card I made for the Peachy Keen Stamp Challenge.

I used Que Sera Sera paper by K and Company. The heart stamp is by Autumn Leaves Clear Stamps: Scribbles Hearts and Stars by Rhonna Farrer.  The "Many Thanks" sentiment stamp is from SU! I got it years and years ago.  I love this card. It made me feel like I had just gotten back from traveling in France and wanted to thank my cat-sitter!  Hmmm.