Scrapy Hearts

Michaels Coupons

2009-08-22T06:18:00.001-07:00

Michaels Easter Coupons

2009-04-03T03:13:00.001-07:00

Titles of the Month SWAP

2009-02-20T06:56:00.002-08:00

I'm hosting a SWAP with the Titles of each Month. They're done using the Cricut. Here's what I have received so far!

2009-02-20T06:56:00.001-08:00

ACMoore 50% and 20% off coupons.

2009-01-18T05:05:00.001-08:00

2 Free Cricut Cartridges when you buy the Cricut Expression Machine

2008-12-11T14:59:00.000-08:00

Cricut is offering two free cartridges when you buy the Cricut Expression:

Buy the Cricut Expression at any retailer to receive the Printing 101 and My Community cartridges for free. Valid October 15, 2008 to December 15, 2008
(Must purchase the Cricut Expression between 10/15/2008 and 12/15/2008)

This is what you can cut with the free cartridges:

Check this layout about the Three Piggy Opera where Lisa uses the "My Community" Cartridge.

A $7.95 processing fee applies. Click here for the Rebate Form : https://www.creativexpress.com/rebate/index.php

www.customcrops.com has a great offer on the Cricut Expression right now, it's selling for $219.99 and includes two cartridges. If you add the two free cartridges for $7.95, you get the big cricut, and 4 cartridges for $228. The cartridges themselves are worth at least $120.
This is the best price I've ever seen.

40% off Coupon at Michaels

2008-12-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

50% off at The Scrapbookers Dream store in Tewksbury MA

2008-12-09T05:59:00.000-08:00

For those of you in MA, The Scrapbookers Dream Store has a great sale this week, 50% off. See the add from Laurie, the store owner and for more details, offers and events, check the website: http://www.thescrapbookersdream.net/

The store is awesome, she has tons of paper and the latest and greatest products. I went to the Black Friday sale , there was 40% off the entire store and goodie bags for the first 25 customers. I also got entered into a raffle. I have my fingers crossed! If I win the price ($250 in supplies!), I promise to share... not the price, but the pictures of my creations! just kidding, I'll share it with my scrapbooking friends.

I went back yesterday to the 50% off sale, and this time, I had promised myself to get something other than paper, so I got lots of ribbon and a calendar kit .

Last night, I started working on the calendar and I realized, I don't have any Christmas themed paper!! I'm going to have to go back! :-)

_____________________________________________________________________
Starting at noon on Monday, December 8 and continuing until 6 p.m. on Monday, December 15, the
ENTIRE STORE WILL BE ON SALE 50% OFF! (some exclusions do apply)

Joann Fabrics Specials

2008-11-27T13:54:00.000-08:00

See Friday-Sunday specials here

Michales Coupons!

2008-11-21T09:41:00.001-08:00

Cricut Cartridges will be on sale for 29.99
Saturday, November 29, through Sunday, November 3

Additional coupons:
http://mic.michaels.com/holidaymadnessa.aspx
http://mic.michaels.com/DoorbustersNE11-29.aspx
http://mic.michaels.com/HotBuysNE.aspx
http://mic.michaels.com/DoorbustersNE11-28.aspx

Free Photobook from Snapfish.com --> http://www.snapfish.com/freebook2008

2008-11-14T08:35:00.000-08:00

I got this email from my friend Theresa. I think it would make a great gift and much easier that traditional albums!

_______________________________

Hi-

Just thought I’d pass this along in case anyone was interested. If you go to Oprah’s website, you can get a free photo book from Snapfish.com worth $30. It is an 8 1/2 x 11in book w/ 20 pages. (can have multiple pictures on one page). The only ‘catch’ is that you have to complete the book by this Sunday.

So…could be used as a great ‘free’ Christmas gift - - will just have to pay shipping, I assume. Once you create an account on Snapfish (if you don’t already have one), the book shows as a credit in the ‘Your Account’ information.

http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081029_tows_messyhouse/7

The book was promoted as a way to store children’s artwork (take a picture of it and then store in a photo book, rather than keep the original) - - but can be used for anything. Since my in-laws don’t get to see the kids in their daily lives, I’m hoping to make a ‘day in the life’ book - - -starting when the kids wake up today, going to the busstop, picture of their schools, etc. and ending at bedtime. (that’s if I can be organized enough today to get the photos I need)

Have a good day-

ACMoore Coupon 50% off

2008-11-10T12:41:00.000-08:00

Here are two coupons for ACMoore, one is for 50% off one item and another one for 40% off one item!
http://images.acmoore.com/Coupons/46_08%20coupons.pdf

The cricut cartridges are also on sale for $39.99 !

http://images.acmoore.com/FlyerImages/46_08%20a.pdf

ACMoore 50% off coupon.

2008-10-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween Card

2008-10-12T20:16:00.001-07:00

I made this card using the Paper Dolls Cricut Cartridge. The letters are GoreFont downloaded from the internet and cut using SCAL.

Disney

2008-10-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

These were the easiest pages ever. I got these pre-made pages at the NH convention. They're from Keller's Creations. Unlike the "Time Flies" series, these pre-made came all cut. READY to use! I like the good quality paper that she uses too. I honestly can't remember how much I paid but the sticker says $12.

After I finished the layouts, I still have 10 extra circles to use !

Happy Halloween

2008-10-02T20:18:00.001-07:00

I used the Paper Dolls Cricut Cartridge for this pages. I cut the letters with the Cricut using the software SCAL and the font is GoreFont.

Fire Engine

2008-10-02T20:03:00.001-07:00

This is yet another set of pre-made pages from Time Flies. Don't judge me, they were on sale that day at the CM Scrapbooking convention!. Besides, this was from my "happy birthday present budget". And I'm not a very talented scrapbooker either, so I have to use other people's creativity too.
I have to admit that I was tired of cutting everything by hand and I ended up cutting the letters from the title with the Cricut.

Truck Day (2)

2008-10-02T20:02:00.001-07:00

This is another set of pre-made pages by Time Flies.

Truck Day

2008-10-02T19:52:00.001-07:00

Last year there was a Truck Day at the Cummings Office Park here in Woburn, MA. I took the kids and they had a great time. Well, Danny was a little scared.
I got these pre-made pages at the CM Scrapbooking convention in NH. They're made by Time Flies .

They looked really nice at the boot but I didn't realize that all the shapes came uncut! I had to cut everything by hand which was a lot of work.

If you're going to scrap with your girlfriends, these pre-made pages come in handy because you don't need to bring all your supplies, all you need is your scissors and glue and you can spend a nice afternoon scrapping without having to think of a nice layout. It's already there ready for you to cut. I still have a train design waiting for me...

Sea World

2008-10-02T19:51:00.001-07:00

Sea World

2008-10-02T19:47:00.002-07:00

I got these layouts at the CM Scrapbooking Convention in NH. They are laser cuts from EZLaser Designs. They make scrapping very simple. Is that cheating? Well, maybe. I have so many pictures from our Disney vacation that I want to scrap that I have to use some pre-made pages, otherwise, I'll be scrapping this for the rest of my life.

Sesame Street Live

2008-10-02T19:47:00.001-07:00

Michaels 40% off Coupon !

2008-09-24T06:57:00.001-07:00

Here's a coupon you can print! Enjoy!

Cricut Solution Cartridges for $37.49

2008-08-10T13:44:00.001-07:00

Joann has the Cricut Solution Cartridges on sale for $37.49 and many others for $59.99.

At www.joann.com, I tried adding one Solutions Cartridge to my shopping cart and applying a 40% off coupon and I was surprised to see that it worked!. The shipping and handling was 7.95 and.

Adding shipping and the price of the cartridge (with coupon), the grand total was $37.94!
The code for online 40% coupon is EED236 and the coupon that you can bring to the store is this.

The Solutions Cartridges include:

Baseball Cricut Solutions
Basketball Cricut Solutions
Blackletter Cricut Solutions
Camp Out Cricut Solutions
Christmas Cricut Solutions
Stone Script Cricut Solutions
Soccer Cricut Solutions
Street Sign Cricut Solutions
Wedding Cricut Solutions
Home Accents Cricut Solutions

Another website with good deals on Cricut Cartridges is www.customcrops.com

Free Cricut Design Studio from Michaels

2008-08-07T19:31:00.000-07:00

Ladies,

Cricut is offering a free copy of the Design Studio (full functionality, not just the trial version) with the purchase of 3 cartridges from Michaels.

The Design Studio is a software that allows you to create your own designs using the shapes and fonts from the cricut cartridges. You can weld, rotate, flip, etc. the images and then cut the design with your cricut.
For more information, see the Cricut website: http://www.cricut.com/getDSfree/

The offer is valid July 26, 2008 to August 8, 2008.

Angelina

Sale at the Scrapbookers Dream Store

2008-08-04T18:31:00.000-07:00

For those of you in MA, the Scrapbookers Dream Store is having a sale on August 16th:

Christmas & Halloween in stock items are 50% off, papers &
embellishments included.

Check out the website for more details.

Melissa's Family Album - Part 1

2008-07-29T17:09:00.001-07:00

My friend Melissa created a family album. She must've done around 50 pages in all. Here are some of them.

Cricut Cartridges $38.99 at www.customcrops.com

2008-07-28T16:53:00.001-07:00

Custom Crops has a huge sale until 7/29th. Check out their website: http://www.customcrops.com/index.php

Cricut Cartridges $40 at Michaels

2008-07-27T10:19:00.000-07:00

Michales has all Cricut Cartridges for $40 each.

Look at today's advertised specials

Cricut Cartridges 50% off at ACMoore

2008-07-19T12:23:00.000-07:00

This week, ACMoore has the Cricut Cartridges and accessories (not including the machines) at 50% off (no coupon needed). I think it's a good opportunity to get replacement blades, cutting mats, paper and cartridges (also www.customcrops.com has always good deals on cartridges and machines).

Here's this weeks specials.

More Fonts and Shapes for your Cricut Machine

2008-07-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

I recently installed the software "Sure Cuts a Lot" by Craft Edge on my computer. It works with the Cricut machine in a similar way than the Cricut Design Studio does. The difference is that you don't need to buy cartridges to cut shapes or fonts when using Sure Cuts a Lot (SCAL). The software lets you cut any True Type Font font available on your computer.

Also any shape available in Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format can be cut.
I've been using it for two days and so far, I'm very pleased with the results.

The software costs $75, which may sound like a lot of money, but considering that, out of the box I had 75+ different fonts to choose from, that's about $1/font (compared to $50 or more for a cartridge), the cost of the software seems like a bargain.
Besides, there are hundreds of free fonts available online to expand your collection.

What about the shapes?

a) You can use some of the shapes that people share on the Craft Edge's message board.
http://forums.surecutsalot.com/viewforum.php?f=9

b) You can try some free SVG's available online:

http://www.openclipart.org/downloads/0.12/openclipart-0.12.zip
They claim to have over 3100 images submitted by over 200 artists from around the world (although not all are suitable for cutting in the cricut unless you edit them).

c) You can also create your own designs. I tried using InkScape (free software) and it worked perfectly. I draw a dump truck that I copied from a pre-made page and considering that I’ve never used the software before and I’m not at all a graphics artist, the results were awesome. I’ll be adding this layout later and you will see for yourself.

I have to tell you that InkScape was a little intimidating at first but I found two tutorials available online that took me step by step into making my first creation.

Is there a trial version of Sure Cuts a Lot?

Yes, you can use a trial version of SCAL. The downside is, that it cuts a few straight lines across the design as a "watermark" before and after your design is cut. Some people have found a way around it by setting the blade on the Cricut machine to depth 1 when it stats cutting because the straight line is cut first and at the end too. I tried it and although it is possible to get your design without the watermark, it's a bit of a hassle.

In a nutshell, these are the steps to get everything installed on you computer:

1) Install Cricut Desing Studio (CDS)

- Download and install a free trial version of the Cricut Design Studio available at
- Follow the install guide.
- Once the installation is complete, open the Design Studio and follow the instructions to "Update Firmware"

- That's all you need to do with the CDS, of course you can also use it to cut shapes included in the cartridge that came with the machine (George Basic Shapes if you have the Cricut and Accent Essentials and Planting Schoolbook if you have the Cricut Expressions)

2) Install SCAL
- Download a trial version of SCAL from the Craft Edge website:

http://www.craftedge.com/download/download.html
- Install the software
- Create your first design and Cut!

I’ll be adding a How To guide with images later on. Thanks for looking!

Angelina

Higgins Armory Museum

2008-06-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

We went to the Armory Museum a few months ago. These are some of the pages that I've made so far.

ACMoore 25% and 50% off coupons.

2008-06-13T12:11:00.000-07:00

ACMoore Coupon 50% off May 31st.

2008-05-21T06:16:00.000-07:00

CKC Scrapbooking Convention - 2008 Latest & Greatest with BasicGrey

2008-05-20T06:27:00.000-07:00

2008 Latest & Greatest with BasicGrey
This class was sponsored by embellishIT. It was a 1 hour class and the cost was $21.
We worked on 4 double page 12x12 layouts using some of the newest products on the market from BasicGrey Papers, Bazzill Cardstock and Imaginisce Embellishments. The class moved fast but we had time to complete one page of each layout (without pictures). The other half of each layout was sold separately at the boot.
We used a white ink pen to decorate the scallop borders on the brown paper (sold separately for $2) and I loved it. I even go a second one for my sister.
The instructor was Shelby Dredge. She was great!
The class kit included the materials to make 1/2 of the following layouts (4 12x12 paper, 3 12x12 sheets of stickers, all the cut to size pieces of paper, paper flower, brads, etc.)
Of all the classes that I took, this had the best paper.

Here are the pictures of the layouts with and without pictures.

CKC Scrapbooking Convention - 20 page abum by SEI

2008-05-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

This is the 20 page album that we made at the "4 Album Enhancing Techniques" class sponsored by SEI. http://www.shopsei.com/
It was an 8x8 album, all the materials were included with the exception of glue and the paper trimmer.
We made all the 20 pages during the class. It was fast paced but most of the paper was precut and the layouts were easy to follow. What I loved in this class was using different materials instead of paper (linen, ribbon). The techniques were:

1. Template and/or free-hand DOODLING on all 20 pages (template and pen were included.)
2. Add the texture and grain of genuine linen for a rich upgrade.
3. Embroidering a pattern on stabilized linen (needle and thread were included).
4. Digital Scrapbooking: We didn't get to do anything with the computer but we got a CD containing trial version of FotoFusion with album template included.

The instructor gave lots of prizes unlike the other classes that I went to. She must've done 10 drawings or so!
There were 4 of us sitting at one table and 3 of us got a prize! I won a second class kit with the complete album/paper/embellishments!

When I got back home and finished the album with pictures of my kids I added some more boyish themed elements like trucks, bugs, balls because it looked to plain for a "boys album".

Here are the pages.

ACMoore Coupons 50%off

2008-05-07T17:49:00.001-07:00

Jo-Ann 40% off Coupon

2008-05-06T19:24:00.001-07:00

ACMoore Coupon 40% and specials.

2008-04-30T08:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.acmoore.com/images/upload/19_08%20internets%20a.jpg

Logo Contest for our New Image

2008-04-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

We plan to launch a new website for scrapbookers to share their creations in the middle of May.

We launched a Logo Contest and would love to get feedback from you on the designs.

Take a look here. Thank you for your participation.

Snow Tubing

2008-04-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

How to cut an apple.

2008-04-20T12:07:00.000-07:00

I'm always amazed by the creativity of some people. Lisa made these perfect apples by cutting just circles and using a whole punch for the bites. Aren't they great?

ACMoore 50% off Coupon Sat. April 19th Only!

2008-04-19T12:25:00.001-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Erin

2008-04-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Jen

2008-04-16T18:46:00.001-07:00

Jen had a whole album (8x8) on their camp vacation. I took pictures of all the pages. Here are some of them.

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Jen

2008-04-16T18:44:00.001-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Jen

2008-04-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Melissa

2008-04-15T19:04:00.001-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Melissa

2008-04-15T19:02:00.000-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Angelina

2008-04-15T19:00:00.001-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Sandra

2008-04-15T18:58:00.000-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Sandra

2008-04-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Paige

2008-04-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Lisa

2008-04-15T13:29:00.001-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Sarah

2008-04-15T13:26:00.001-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Sarah

2008-04-15T13:00:00.001-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Heather

2008-04-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Heather

2008-04-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Heather

2008-04-15T12:53:00.001-07:00

Scrapbooking Weekend. Pages by Erin

2008-04-14T19:27:00.001-07:00

Here are some beautiful pages by Erin. I love her choices of colors and layouts.

Sarah's Scrapbooking Weekend

2008-04-14T10:20:00.001-07:00

We just got back from the Spring Scrapbooking Weekend at Kennebunkport in Maine. It was so much fun! I have tons of wonderful pages to post! Here are a few.
Circus by Melissa Swift.

Budding Beauty by Jen.

Please come back soon!

Angelina

ACMoore 50% off Coupon, April 6th to April 12th

2008-04-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

Nature Trails

2008-03-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

This is another of Sandra's layouts. The letters are from George Basic Shapes Cricut Cartridge.

Preschool

2008-03-30T19:04:00.000-07:00

My sister made this page about her kids in Preschool. She used the Locker Talk Cricut Cartridge

ACMoore 50% off Coupon for March 26th to 29th!

2008-03-29T05:41:00.001-07:00

Learning to Swim

2008-03-29T05:29:00.000-07:00

We went to the pool at the Y with the kids. I wish I had better pictures.. maybe I need a new camera. I used one of those DicaPack to keep my camera dry in the pool but the lenss cover kept getting in the way..

The Aquarium

2008-03-27T19:25:00.001-07:00

The title is made using the Mini-Monograms Cricut Cartridge.

Cookie Swap

2008-03-26T20:18:00.000-07:00

My sister Sandra hosted a cookie swap last December. There were 7 of us. I made a typical spanish recipe: madalenas.

See all recipes here.

I loved all of them! I've never tried freshly baked biscotti before: They were delicious, not dry and hard like the ones you buy on stores.

I made the Apricot Cream Cheese Thumbprints for a school party. They were very easy to make and came out great. Those were my husband's favorites.

I think the easiest ones to make are the Poppy Seed cookies and they were delicious.
The Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies are beautifully shaped and had a little bright candy in the center. I don't think I'm talented enough to make those perfect stars.
I usually wouldn't eat a gingerbread cookie but this ones were very good. I think Abbe could sell them.
I would buy them! They're perfect for special occasions!.

The M&M cookies were gone before I could eat one at home. Those were the kids favorites.
I love cherries, so the Cherry Snowballs were a perfect treat for me!

I made the girls using the Paper Dolls Cricut Cartridge.

I have 7 pages in total, here are two of them.

Amazing Jellies

2008-03-26T20:07:00.000-07:00

We went to the New England Aquarium a few weeks ago. They have a wonderful exhibit about Jellies.
I made my Jelly using the top of an umbrella from the New Arrival Cricut Cartridge and the shapes under are from the Accent Essentials cartridge.

Ballerina

2008-02-27T19:49:00.000-08:00

These are some pictures of Jackie's recital. The ballerina's are made using the Paper Dolls Cricut Cartridge.

We found a nest!

2008-02-27T19:31:00.001-08:00

My sister Sandra made these beautiful pages with the pictures of a nest that they found under the deck. She used the Zoobaloo Cricut Cartridge.

50% off coupon from Joann

2008-02-25T09:56:00.001-08:00

Product Review: Design Runner by XYRON

2008-02-14T19:39:00.000-08:00

Design Runner by XYRON

This product has been introduced to the Crafter’s market as a portable printer. It is indeed very portable. Its ergonomic design allows easy one hand operation. A portable printer which is as small as this one is a great idea. Unfortunately such great idea has been poorly executed.

The Pros':

Its Compaq design and light weight makes it a great ‘printer anywhere’.
It has a great ergonomic design which allows easy one hand operation.
Battery operated – which makes it more portable. Especially when you’re away from home.
Beautiful designs to choose from and print.
Very easy to assemble. Clear and concise directions with ‘pictures’.

The Cons:

Battery operated only. It would be better if it had the option to use electricity as well. When I’m working at home, I always have an electrical outlet I could use. I hate to be wasting batteries unnecessarily.
There is no option to change the size of the image or any option to change anything else ~ except for an option which allows you to print the same image several times.
The quality of the printed image is poor. You’re not going to get the quality of a regular desktop printer. The printed images look more like if you had made them using rubber stamps.
There are 3 possible ink colors available thus far: black, green and red. The printer comes with black only. If you’re using black and want to switch to red, you have to remove the black ink cartridge and store it in an air tight container to protect it from drying out. Then insert the red ink cartridge. This process will have to be repeated as many times as you wish to change the color of the ink. It’s sure to become tedious real soon. While changing cartridges, the ink might soil the area a little bit, or at least your hands ~ so watch out!
You can only print the designs that are available in the disk, which leaves little room for your personal creativity.
There is another tool which allows for you to create your personal messages and store them in a disk. Then you can use this disk in you little printer. The problem is that this ‘disk maker’ is very pricey ($99.00) and at the same time it is also constraint by the lack of character selection or other options.
The Design Runner is very pricey ($99.00). Then you are likely to buy the tool to make your own disks, which will add $99.99 more. Then each disk costs around $35.00. Let’s not forget the cost of ink. All that money to get just ‘Rubber stamp’ quality.
The printer does not print the image right away. You pick your image, press the little button to print (which you have to hold down while you drag the printer across the target area) and nothing happens! Then after a few seconds, finally the image appears in the paper. The time/distance the printer travels across the target area does not seem to be consistent. Sometimes the image is printed sooner. Some other times you have to repeat the process because nothing was printed. This is a big problem. You don’t want to miss your target area. To save your beautiful creation from permanent damage, you might want to print the design in a separate paper, then cut it out and add it to your craft work.

Other comments:

It comes with a starter disk which contains 39 different designs to choose from. If each different disk has an average of 40 images to choose from, and we consider that each disk costs about $35 plus tax, we’re talking about 91 cents per image/design.

Conclusion:

This is a battery operated rubber stamper. Although there is not rubber anywhere, but that’s get quality you’re going to get.

Advice:

You might want to invest in a good set of rubber stamps and a good set of colorful pens (for rubber stamping) to go with it.

OR

Wait until the price comes down or improvements are made ~ whatever happens first.

Sandra Sosa

50% off ACMoore Coupons Feb. 12 & 13

2008-02-10T17:34:00.001-08:00

Click for the 50% off Coupons

or paste the link:

http://www.acmoore.com/images/upload/02_12&13%20swthrtspec.jpg

Valentine's Day Pages

2008-02-01T16:53:00.000-08:00

I made this Valentine's Day pages using the Cricut Paper Pups cartridge.

Cricut Expressions on Sale at ACMoore.

2008-01-30T07:48:00.001-08:00

If you've been thinking about getting the Cricut Expressions, ACMoore is going to have it on sale for $319. Including 4 cartridges and 7 color inks.
If you do the math, the 3 extra cartridges that you get with the bundle are at least a $150 value (assuming that you get them on sale for $50 each) and you get the bigger machine for $169.
Sale runs from Thrusday January 31st. to Wednesday, Feb. 6th.

Tree House

2008-01-28T12:31:00.001-08:00

This is the last set of pages from my all day crop. We went to the Lookout Farms in MA and they have a big playground for the kids. There's a tree house, which is not really on a tree, it's more like a log house. Maybe I should change the title...

Apple picking pages

2008-01-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday I went to an all day crop event. I didn't stay the whole 12 hours (I stayed 9 hours) and I was able to produce 6 pages from our apple picking day.. I don't think I'm going to impress anyone with just 6 pages because that's 1.5 hours per page; but I think they came out nice and I caught up with the latest gossip which is even more important! haha!

I bought a Decorative Trimmer from Creative Memories and I love it. I also have the Ultra ShapeXpress Starter Sets from Fiskars and there's no comparison, creative memories is much easier to use.
Here are my pages. Thanks for looking!

Happy Halloween

2008-01-08T20:19:00.001-08:00

I made this layout using the following Cricut cartridges:
Letters - Zoobaloo
Tree, ghost, owl, cat, spider, bats, pumpkins - Paper Dolls
Circle - George
Green under the pumpkins is from Celebrations

Cricut Cartridge for your Summer pages

2008-01-04T22:15:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for a Cricut Cartridge for your summer pages, this might help you:
There are two cartridges that cut "summer" shapes : Doodlecharms and Paper Dolls.

Doodlecharms can cut:
- Sand castle
- Palm tree
- Bus (back to school?)
- Sun
- Dragonfly
- Rubber Ducky
- Seahorse
- Watermelon
- Popsicles
- Ice Cream
- Backpack

For more images, see:
http://www.cricut.com/shopping/productdetails.aspx?id=17&s=1&sc=17&t=ip&img=A4

PaperDolls can cut:

- Clam shell (3 different)
- Coral
- Fruits
- Lolipop
- Wagon
- Suitcase (if you go on vacation)
- Grass (4 styles)
- Waves
- Bikini (for girls)
- Pants that look like swiming suit (for boys)
- Palm tree island
- Palm tree (two styles)
- Flower borders

Another great cartridge is "Stretch Your Imagination". with shapes for Summer, Winter, Spring and Autumn. See below.

ACMoore Coupon 40% off Jan. 3rd. to Jan. 9th.

2008-01-04T18:01:00.000-08:00

http://images.acmoore.com/Coupons/Store_69.pdf

Cricut Cartridges $44.99 each at Michaels

2008-01-04T16:41:00.001-08:00

Michaels specials for next week include the Cricut Cartridges @ $44.99. Sale goes from Jan. 6th to 11th.

Scrapbook Convention May 15 2008. Mark your calendar!

2008-01-03T13:21:00.000-08:00

The Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Convention is coming to Manchester NH on May 15th 2008.

Last year I tried to sign up for the classes about 2 weeks before the event and the best ones were already booked, so I didn't go to the convention.
Some of my friends went and took some classes. They said that even without taking any of the classes there was a lot to learn (and buy!).

Here's a list of the classes:

Thursday, May 15, 2008

* Special Album in a Day class, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
* Preview Crop, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
* Evening classes, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
* Thursday Night Album Crop, 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
* Note: Vendor Faire is closed on Thursday

Friday, May 16, 2008

* Daytime classes, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
* Vendor Faire, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
* Celebrity artist sightings, times vary
* Evening classes, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
* Fun-Filled Friday Night Crop, 7 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

* Daytime classes, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
* Vendor Faire, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* CK Page-Layout Contest entries due, 12 noon
* Simple Scrapbooks Page-Layout Contest entries due, 12 noon
* Paper Crafts Card Contest entries due, 12 noon
* Celebrity artist sightings, times vary
* Send-Off Saturday Night Crop, 7 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

For more details:

http://www.ckscrapbookevents.com/manchester2008/

ACMoore 20% off on Jan. 1st.

2007-12-27T19:18:00.000-08:00

ACMoore is having a New Year's sale on Jan 1st. See the flier online :
http://images.acmoore.com/FlyerImages/StoreFlyer_69.pdf

There's a 50% off coupon on Dec. 31st. online also:
http://images.acmoore.com/Coupons/Store_69.pdf

Cricut Expressions for $299

2007-12-27T19:11:00.000-08:00

Custom Crops is offering the Cricut Expressions for $299. It includes two cartridges of your choice. They also have many of the cartridges (not the newest ones) on sale for $38.99.

http://www.customcrops.com

I've bought several cartridges from this website, they also sell on ebay. They're reliable and ship fast. All items have arrived in perfect condition.

Joan is offering the same deal but without the choice of cartridges. It usually ships with Accent Essentials (shapes) and Planting Schoolbook (font) thru Dec 29

http://joann.shoplocal.com/joannsalesflyer/default.aspx?action=entry&storeid=2412362

See Last Minute Gifts Flyer.

Great deal on 4 cricut cartridge bundle at ACMoore.

2007-12-19T08:13:00.000-08:00

If you're planning on buying Cricut cartridges, this is one of the best deals you can get:

ACMoore has a 40% off from Dec. 20th to the 24th on all cricut cutting products (that includes cartridges).

They also have a $25 off if you spend $100 or more.

If you get the 4 cartridge bundle (they're going to stop selling the bundle but some stores still have it) with the 40% off and $25 off; you pay $132 for 4 cartridges including the wonderful paper dolls. That’s $33 per cartridge!! This is one of the best deals I’ve ever seen.

Furthermore, the Cricut website has a promotion this month, if you buy two cartridges, they'll send you one for free ($14.95 for shipping and handling applies). I have the details on another posting below.

Cricut Discontinued? I hope not...

2007-12-18T19:15:00.000-08:00

I've been looking for information about the Cricut original being discontinued (according to a salesperson in Michaels) and so far what I've found out is:

- ProvoCraft states that they are not discontinuing the Cricut original. See their FAQs:

Q: Are you discontinuing the first model of the Cricut?

A: Rest assured that the first model is not being discontinued. Cricut Expression is the next extension to the Cricut Electronic Cutting System and does not replace the original Cricut Cutter. In fact, many users will find the need for both depending on the type of projects they will do.

- Michales has been pushing the Cricut Complete bundle instead. So I guess they may be discontinuing the single machine + one cartridge.

I'll post additional information when I find it.

Specials from ACMoore 50% off

2007-12-18T18:32:00.000-08:00

ACMoore has two 50% off coupons this week! Here's the link:

http://www.acmoore.com//images/upload/52_07%20coupons%20thurs.jpg

Also from Thursday Dec. 20th to the 24th all the Cricut cutting products will be 40% off at the store.

More Zoo pages

2007-12-12T19:28:00.001-08:00

I found this great zebra strips paper at Joan Fabrics the other day. The also have the Giraffe and Leopard spots. I thought it would be perfect for my zoo pictures.
Cartridges used:
Lion: Use the Animal Kingdom
Zebra: ZooBallo
Letters: ZooBallo
Alligator: ZooBallo
By the way, the ZooBallo is a great cartridge because it has all the letters and also shapes in one cartridge. It also includes some phrases (congrats, welcome, baby, it's a party, happy birthday) as well as waves, clouds, mountains, and other nature landscapes)

Zoo

2007-12-12T19:21:00.000-08:00

This past July, we went to the Stoneham Zoo and took this pictures of the kids. The leaves on top are made with the Zoobaloo cartridge and the ZOO letters are from the Mini Monograms cartridge. I was too tired to make the animals and I used stickers instead.

Happy Birthday Danny

2007-12-12T19:15:00.001-08:00

This is a page that I made for Danny's 2nd birthday pictures. I used the Makin' the Grade Cricut Cartridge (normal + shade in light purple) and I used the Celebrations cartridge for the party hats. The bright balloons are dimensional stickers.

Cricut offers one free cartridge (+ shipping) after you buy 2 from retailers

2007-12-10T13:01:00.000-08:00

Get one of 8 cricut cartridges for free ($14.95 for shipping and handling ) from Cricut when you buy two cartridges from your favorite retailer.
From Dec. 5 to Dec 31st. The form can be found on: http://www.cricut.com/images/promotions/CricutMailInRebate.pdf
There don't specifically exclude any retailers or set minimum purchase price for the cartridges! Combined with the 40% off that ACMore has and $25 off in the purchase of $100 or more is a good deal.
On the down side, you have to pay $14.95 of shipping and handling and you may not get your first pick of cartridge.

The list of possible cartridges include:
Paper Pups
Stamped
Going Places
My community
Cursive 101
Printing 101
All Mixed up
Tags, Bags, Boxes and More

Some of this cartridges are not very popular (like Stamped, I've seen it on sale many times) or All Mixed up, but there are nice things you can do with them. I'll be posting a page where I've used them soon.
The Paper Pups contains the Witch Dog, very cute that you can cut for window decorations for Halloween.

Halloween scrapbook page using cricut

2007-12-07T19:24:00.001-08:00

This is a Halloween page that I made using the Paper Dolls Cricut Cartridge:

Using the Paper Dolls Cartridge, cut the haunted house once in purple and once in black.
Cut the 4 black triangles for the towers and use the rest of the black house to make the shade behind the purple house.
For the windows, just cut little pieces of yellow and stick them to the back . The same goes for the black door: Cut a little black square and stick it to the back of the house.
Using the same cartridge, cut the fence, the little bat and the ghost (mark the eyes and mouth with a black fine marker.
The cat and letters and spider web are just stickers.
For the pictures, cut 4 squares or rectangles to the size of the pictures that you are going to use.

Awesome Cricut Paper Dolls

2007-11-13T08:12:00.000-08:00

I recently bought the Paper Dolls Cricut Cartridge (ACMoore bundle). I brought it to my bi-annual scrapbook weekend and everybody loved it.
There is so much that you can do with this new cartridge. It has something not only for every season but for special occasions and kids themes too:

Wedding

Christmas (Santa, reindeer, and you can even make a nativity set!)
Thanks Giving
Columbus Day
Halloween
Magician
Circus (the little clown is adorable)
Cowboy, cowgirl
Dinosaurs
Hawaiian
Native Americans
Ballerina

It's different from the previous cartridges in which you can only cut two shapes (or letters) with each key, with the different variations like shade, blackout, tag, etc. With paper dolls you can cut 10 or more different shapes with each key!. It's amazing.

I'll be posting some of the projects that my friends have made using this cartridge soon.