My Craft Space

Its a room I spend most of my days. It has the creature comforts of my everyday routine - TV, DVD player, Computer, printer, a corner for my sewing and of course my paper crafting supplies and my Cricuts! When I moved into my current apartment, I figured since I spend lots of time crafting and creating, I made the master bedroom into my Studio. Its taken nearly 10 years to get it to the way I have it now and its a very enjoyable, comfortable space for me.

The window faces north so I don't get direct sunlight, but the room is bright on sunny days. The far corner is my computer area, the shelves above it store my Cricut cartridges. I have found that a U shape work area works best for me. I also like having many of my tools and accessories within reach, so I have the shelving above my work space and the rails and cup system (from Ikea) also above my work space. I like this arrangement because I prefer an uncluttered work area. My E2 is one one side, and in the lower left corner you can see my Imagine. Just out of the photo is my sewing area (I avoided this area because its a bit of a mess, as I've been helping my daughter with costumes for a play she's working on and skirts for my granddaughter's dance recital. Also out of the photo on the right side of the room is a row of Jet Max cubes. These are great for storage and look good too!

And here I am, smiling because I'm in my "happy place"!

Thanks for stopping by!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

My E2 Is HERE

Well, it arrived last Tuesday, but this is the first chance I've had to write about it! This is one slick machine! Even the new packaging is pretty nice!

First impressions - It seemed lighter in weight when I took it out of the box. Its profile is lower than the Expression and it is much more colorful! The front door, when open, rests higher than the Expression. I am thinking this is so the mat stays flat or even slightly higher than the roller so the paper does not bend off the mat. But this is just my own observation. Other differences I noticed - the silicone cover for the touch screen, and the silicone "plugs" for the connections for the Original cartridge, the Imagine Cartridge and for the add on to make the E2 wireless.

It was very easy to set up and once I pushed the power button, I noticed how bright and clear the touch screen is.
Because I'm a long time Gypsy user, I did have to re think how to cut not using the Gypsy. I wanted to try out the new cartridges that are included in the E2. The Owners manual for the E2 is very handy, listing all the buttons and what each function is for those buttons.

Within minutes, I was cutting a card using the pre loaded cartridge, Just a Note.

All in all, I do love my new E2 and can't wait to use it more and create projects to post here.

Tomorrow, I'll post card that I made using the E2.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Wearing My Other Hat

I've been doing a little more sewing lately and wanted to post a few things. I have sewed for over 35 years and enjoyed that time, but don't sew as much as I used to. My first love is papercrafting, but occasionally will make things for my grandchildren.

I made sailor dresses for my granddaughters when they were little and I wanted to make some for the twins. These are for my twin grandchildren, Jack and Juli. I will be shipping them to Japan tomorrow. It will be my first overseas package! I can't wait to see a picture of them wearing them! They've gotten so big since I last saw them in January.

I will be posting more in the coming days and weeks. I received my Expression 2 and Saturday is National Scrapbooking Day, so lots of fun things coming up!

Hope you are enjoying spring!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Want to Win a Cricut E2??

In about 24 hours, Home Shopping Network will launch the Provo Craft Fifth Anniversary Expression 2! Almost everyone in the Cricut world is anxious to too see the E2 in action. The ladies at Everyday Cricut are giving away a brand spankin' new E2! If you would like to get in on the fun, go to:

http://www.cricutholiday.com/

so you can find out the many ways you can have a chance to win the new E2!

I can't wait!

Have a great day!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Fifth Anniversary of the Cricut Challenge

Happy Friday everyone!

This year, the Cricut celebrates its 5th anniversary, and in celebration, Provo Craft has released the E2, a new version of the Cricut Expression. The launch date is April 26 on Home Shopping Network.

As part of the celebration, Provo Craft had a contest to win an E2. Entries were to be a Birthday themed 12 x 12 layout, made with Cricut and our choice of cartridges.

I'm not one to do challenges, but I thought I would give this one a try. The first layout was quite challenging, the ideas were difficult to come by, but once I got started, I was able to complete 3 layouts (we were able to enter a maximum of 3). Five winners will be selected and many will be selected to be shown on HSN Tuesday.

Here are my entries. I've seen some of the others so far and they are fantastic! So many creative Cricuteers out there! I would be happy if mine are shown on HSN during the day of the launch.

This one was made using the Imagine. Using the Yummy cartridge, I cut the woman holding the cake and the flourish corners, border and "Celebrate" The photo mat sized to fit a 4 x 6 photo and the photo mat was cut using Elegant Edges (my FAVORITE Cricut cartridge), printed on the Imagine. Background paper is embossed Core'dinations.

This one was fairly simple. I cut balloons from the Celebrations cartridge, using various papers. Font is Zooballoo, "5" is from Mickey Font. Photo Mat is from Elegant Edges. Papers from Core'dinations and Die Cuts With A View.

This was the first one I completed and took the longest. I used the following cartridges: Elegant Edges for the photo mat and oval mat for the cake, Paper Lace for the font, Martha Stewart All Occasion for the banner flags, cake cut using Smiley Cards, and "5" candle from Sweet Treats. Papers from Core'dinations and Paper Studio.

Good luck to all the entries! It will be fun seeing all the different Layouts celebrating one of our Favorite Bugs - Cricut!

Have a wonderful weekend! Happy Easter and Happy Spring to all!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

SPOTLIGHT ON: PAGODA, Part 2

Here is another card I created using Pagoda. A truly unique cartridge with lots of potential.

I cut the screen at 5", at this size, it fit the width of an size A2 card. Flowers were cut at 4". I didn't put any greeting on this card, as it would be great for any occasion.

Tomorrow is Hello Thursday at the Cricut message board, where they show new cartridges. Its always fun to see the new cartridges that are coming out, even if I don't buy any, its always fun to see them.

Have a great day! Thanks for stopping by.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

SPOTLIGHT ON: Cricut PAGODA Cartridge

I purchased this cartridge for the Kanji characters on it, but discovered some really beautiful shapes on it.

This card is made with glazed cardstock that I inked to bring out the design. The fan was cut with the Cricut and the Pagoda cartridge. Happy Birthday was cut from Lacy Labels .

The next week or two will be exciting in the Cricut world. Thursday this week is Hello Thursday - where Provo Craft announces new cartridges. Next week, the Expression 2 will be launched on HSN in celebration of the 5th anniversary of the Cricut. I'm very excited about this updated version of the Expression. Later in April or early May, depending on how the beta testing is going, the Cricut CraftRoom will open up to all. Its a on line software to design and create to cut to our Cricut machines. I'm excited about all these happenings!

Hope you are having a great week. Its been gloomy and very rainy here...we even had some snow yesterday. Lets hope we have a nice day for Easter and that it won't be long before we are enjoying the blooming trees and flowers and warm, summer breezes!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy