Daycare sign using Zooballo

My daughter loves to work with me in my craft room. She has informed me that the craft room is OURS and not mine. She keeps me right in line. So we worked on this day care sign together. The hippo is from Zooballo and I used core card stock so I could sand it some. Then I put faux stitching around the hippo. We used the Gypsy to mess with the proportions of the letters to get them to fit in the space we wanted them in. For the font we used Cuttin' Up. So we put the day care name on the sign in vinyl to finish it off. What do you think?

Follow your dreams. They know the way. Pinterest inspired project

My aunt found this picture online:

One of her friends had posted in on Pinterest and she wanted it as a gift. 

I tried to make it exactly the same... yeah that didn't go over well at all.  Imagine cursing out your Cricut repeatedly and only making matters worse once you involve the canvas.  Yeah, not pretty, not fun, not gift worthy. 

Finally I admitted to myself that I couldn't make it exactly as the photo showed it.  This is what I came up with:

The Grinch on Canvas

this is on 2 pieces of 16x 20 canvas.  I think I am going to hang it with green ribbon between the 2... when I hang it I will update the pics!

I saw this on Etsy and HAD to do it.  Seriously, how fun is this?!  I love the Grinch and all things Grinch.

I used my Nursery Rhyme Cricut cart.

Thanks for visiting!!!

Challenges:
Frosted Designs- Happiness is... Who new happiness better then those in whoville?!
My Sheri Crafts- Tis the Season

Black Friday 2012 Cricut Deals

How many of you have been waiting for a good deal on your Cricut?

I am obsessive about Black Friday.  It is a bit crazy but judging by the weirdos I am in line with waiting for these sales each year I am far from the worst.

The days leading up to Black Friday are the best.  I pour over the released/leaked flyers looking for great deals- even on stuff I don't want or need.  Sound familiar?

Some of you are looking for Cricuts.  I wanted to post some of the deals I have seen here.

If you are a Cricut virgin here are some basics you need to know before buying.  Not all machines are created equal.  I never pay full price for anything.  Beneath each description I have included some sale prices I see out and about.  I personally wouldn't pay more then that price.

Types of Cricuts  (these are some basic comparisons there are other differences but I could go on forever and really who cares?):
Cricut V1 - You don't see these out very much anymore but I think some "special" ones are being released for Black Friday.  This is the simplest of the Cricuts.  It cuts in 1/2 inch increments starting at 1" going up to 5.5".  You use a 6x 12 cutting mat in this machine.
I have seen regular sale prices on this under $75.

Cricut Create-  Just like the Cricut VI except it cuts in 1/4" increments.
I don't see this one anymore.

Cricut Mini- This is a new machine.  I haven't used it.  Of course I am curious about it.  This one you need to hook up to a computer.  It cuts on an 8.5" by 12" paper.    It is a small machine because most of what you need is right on the computer and you hook it to that.
I have seen regular sale prices on this for about $100.

Cricit Expression-  Cricut Expressions are bigger machines and cut on a 12x12 mat at 1/4" increments.  It is very similar to the Create just bigger.  I don't care what anyone tells you- size matters in my craft room!
I haven't seen these around lately.  Given there is an updated version I wouldn't pay more then $175.

Cricut Expression 2- This is a newer machine it is an updated Expression.  This has a touch screen and updated capabilities and is more computerized in the machine itself.  I have this one and I love it.  I have used all but the mini and this is my favorite machine by far.  Of course, it comes with the bigger priced tag.
I have seen sale prices on this for $199

ALL machines come with some images so be careful if they are telling you that is an added bonus ;)  If it is I will indicate below.

BLACK FRIDAY DEALS I HAVE SEEN-

Walmart Expression 2 bundle
Their price on this tomorrow is $199.  I think this is a good deal because it comes with a tool kit a $20 value and a spatula a $6 value.  Both of these are must have tools!


This one is one of the 1st 2 that I was talking about that you don't usually see for sale anymore-
Cricut v1 at Joanns
Priced at $89  (I think better deals can be found)

Amazon Expression for $169
This isn't a bad deal at all.  This is the first Cricut Expression.

Amazon Expression 2
They have 2 options here one without a starter tool kit bundle and one with.  It appears as though the starter kit is 2 bonus maps, a deep cut blade, and a spatula- well worth the $10 add on.
This is a reasonable deal.  I have seen it on the lightening deals this week for better so if you have time to watch it could pay off, no promises.

Amazon Cricut Mini $99

AC Moore has the mini for $88.  That is a great price if you are looking for a mini!
AC Moore also has an Expression 2 for $160-  nice deal on that too!

Mini Bundle at Walmart
This is only $99 and comes with the tool kit and some other options.  I think this is a better deal then A.C. Moore's if the $10 is free to spend ;)

Michaels has an Expression 2 for $179 and it looks to come with a bonus cartridge.  Not a bad deal on this.
They also have a mini for $99.
Michaels has a buy one Cricut supply get one for free.  That is a good deal.

Cartridges and More
They have some good deals going on here!
Expression $160
Expression 2 $178
Mini $99
Not to mention some cartridges on sale

So this is a ton of information I realize.  If i was buying a Cricut for someone that doesn't have one I think I would lean towards one of the bundles.  That way they have some fun essentials to get started.  If you have any questions let me know!

In this house we do

I keep seeing these on Pinterest and wanting one.  So I finally made one :).  I wish I had spaced it out better but now I know that for next time.  I used my Cricut, of course, and my Gypsy.  My two machines I can't live without.  I love that when I use the Gypsy I can mix all my fonts.

There are so many other things I wanted to include on it but 16x20 is just plain too small!  Of course some of the things we do I don't want in permanent paint LOL!  Pretty much our life between 6am and 7 am shouldn't be a part of it.  Of course everyone else has smooth mornings and bakes 5 course dinners at night.  I love all those FB status messages.  Mine are more like "Yay, I made it through the day and didn't lose my mind until 7!"

This is on 16x20 canvas.  I used Contact paper to make the stencil for the letters and painted them in.  It worked out well for the most part, I actually expected more of an issue with it!

Thanks for visiting!

Monster Parts- Halloween Party

When my 6th grader came to me and said he wanted a Halloween party I was so excited!  I have an entire Pinterest board of ideas I told him.  He rolled his eyes and simply said "NO!"  Of course the crafty mom in me thought for sure I would be able to convince him that I could make things for his party.  He made it very clear I was to making NOTHING or craft nothing for the occasion.  I pulled out Cricut handbooks and rubber stamps to show him all the possibilities but I was denied again.  Clearly a crafty mom isn't as cool as speakers and Grooveshark :( 

Oh well :(  He did let me pull out some white vinyl and put a few ghosts on the side of the house.  (We were able to party outside because it as unseasonablly warm.)  He also allowed me to do ONE game.  He made that VERY clear.  So we played guess the monster parts.  I used my Cricut and white Dollar Tree contact paper to label buckets from the Dollar Tree.  My son helped pick out what to put in each bucket.  Then his friends reached inside to feel what was in the buckets.  It was dark when we played and the kids had a blast. 
Bones were pretzel rods, toes were mini pickles, eyes were semi mashed grapes, intestines was wet cooked spaghetti, toe fungus was crushed and mashed pinto beans and they smelled nasty which was perfect, and brains was Jello not quite completely set.

Lots of fun!  Maybe my daughter will have one next year and she will let me craft!

Vow Renewal card

This is just a quick and simple card made for a vow renewal service.  Some occasions are really hard to make a card for!

Help me get a pencil sharpener!

Ok so this is a shameless plea for money.  I know it sounds crazy and none of us really have extra money. However, if you can spare a dollar or two I would REALLY appreciate it.

I just started a new grade with my teaching this year.  I inherited a classroom with 3 broken pencil sharpeners.  Someone gave me the one I left in my old room.  I have also purchased some inexpensive ones.  Needless to say we are in the 2nd month of school and I no longer have a reliable working sharpener!

So I filled out a project on DonorsChoose.  Any funding I get this week Kia is willing to match if I can get all my funding this week.  Please check it out right here.  It only takes a minute to visit and think about it.  PLEASE :)

I started a new blog for my teaching... it is small and only has a few entries so far but you can find that here.

Vinyl in the bathroom- less laundry?

I hate laundry.  There are a lot of things I would rather not do but laundry is something I HATE.  Of course I have kids and a husband who just don't seem to understand that.  One would think with my CONSTANT whining reminding they would commit it to memory.  Somehow in my house we go through 9 million towels a week.  I wish I was kidding but it is insane.  I also believe I am going to lose my sanity over this.  We have a teeny tiny bathroom that we redid awhile ago.  My husband took out a closet that was next to the bathroom and made the bathroom longer.  Then he moved the toilet and sink and gave us more space.  However, it is still a narrow space with no storage.  So hubby put this shelf up for me to hang towels from.  Well, nobody ever uses the towels that are hung on the hooks because they are so paranoid that the towel has touched another person's body before theirs.  So, FINALLY I put labels on the hooks.  Now they can hang their towels and have no fear that their towel touched another body!

Of course in my happy bubble this means there will never be a towel on the floor again and I will no longer need to wash a load of towels each day.  However, reality always has a way of kicking my butt!

I used Don Juan cartridge with my Cricut and repositional vinyl.

What crafting magazines do you read and/or subscribe to?

Lately I have been browsing more and more craft magazines.  Each really has there own distinctive style.  Some aren't for me and some I love everything in them. 

What crafting magazines do you read/subscribe to?!

My first published piece- September Cricut magazine

Awhile ago I mentioned that I was getting published by Cricut magazine.  I was SO EXCITED.  Frankly, I still am ;).  They kindly requested that I remove the project from my blog until October 1st.  So I am so excited that I can repost it now with you! 

I used a Cricut box and altered it for a gift for my daughter's teacher.  Inside we put some cards and pens.  I love the durability of the Cricut boxes plus the magnetic closure. 

If you want my measurements and things for what I did just let me know and I will post!

The card stock is all Coredinations cardstock... which always makes for a beautiful project!

I have something in the November issue, 2 projects in the holiday idea book, and a March project in!  I am so stinking excited!!!!

Thanks so much for visiting!

Who needs a place to eat when you can craft?!

WARNING-  9 MILLION PHOTOS HERE!

Remember my dining room make over?  You can check it out here. You know you are curious about this paint color!

Before- orange walls, purple curtains, and brass light

Yellow walls, brown curtains, and spray painted light

other end of dining room

 Remember my craft room makeover?  Yes, I have a messy issue... this is a long standing issue.  If you want to see part of it here.  I did that as a slow reveal.  I just knew everyone in the world was on the edge of their seat to see me transform an itty bitty space.  Admit it, you were.  Well, maybe you weren't but you can amuse me ;)

So, in a moment of daringness I asked my husband how important he felt the dining room was.  We have a counter we sit at for meals and space in the kitchen (if you suck in while trying to walk through) for the table.  So I was careful how I manipulated proposed the situation.  I suggested to him how wonderful it would be for him to have a room to tie his flies in for fishing.  A place with a desk for doing bills.  He thought that was a great idea.  So I graciously offered to move out of my craft room and into the dining room.  Wasn't that nice of me?!  Seriously, how many wives would be willing to leave a 5 by 5 space and go to a 12x10ish space?  It was a public service of mine really.

I even offered to set up his office for him!  That is pretty much the nicest thing I could do for him right?

So, it has taken a few weeks but I managed.

I didn't want to spend money on this endeavor... asking for money surely would have put a kibosh on the process.  So I spent under $4 on this little move!  I bought a can of spray paint for my jar lids so I could sort of pull some stuff together.  Everything else is stuff I had.  I don't care for the fact that everything is all mismatched but I did the best I could and didn't spend money so hubby is happy.  I mean of course he is happy, I so generously made the move!

I used a paisleys everywhere as my sort of unifying thing.  Just enough to try to make something consistent.  So the robin's egg like spray paint on a few recycled cans and jar lids along with paisley paper was my ATTEMPT to pull stuff somewhat together.

There was no place else for the hutch so it stayed in here.  I used it for my books though.  Ignore the pile of crap treasure to the side of it, that all needs to go to my classroom.

I put little paisley labels on all my boxes, you can't really see it in the photo but just pretend ;)  Over my desk are my cutting mats... I clipped them all together with binder clips and hung them from 2 nails.  The table to the right is a drop leaf table for the kiddos to do their homework.

My table/working area.  Ok, my clever move here- see the baskets hanging to the table.  Yeah, I am a genius I know.  Every time I craft I am losing everything I am working with.  So I keep a cup on the table for scissors, Gypsy pen and all that.  I had these two things from when I tried to hang them in my kitchen cabinets.  Well, my cabinet doors don't hang with them on.  So I hooked them to my table.  So you can see my ATG and Cricut Toolkit are in there now.  I can stick my cell phone in there, and other stuff I just need to set somewhere while working.

I keep a trash can on my table always and you can sort of see the can I spray painted with paisley paper around it back there too.

This is a black DVD shelf.  It fits mason jars perfectly.  I spray painted all of the lids, made paisley labels for the buckets, and put paisley paper on the back of the shelves.

On the labels I used chalkboard paper.  It is fun and as close of a match in color as I could get to the lids;)

You can sort of see the labels here :)

Some of my ribbon ;)

This is just one of those cheap plastic drawer things that I put paisley paper in to hide my  junk treasures.

 

This is a piece of furniture I didn't want to take out.  My husband made it for me.  He isn't just cute, he is handy :).  The best part is that is where all my wine glasses, martini glasses, margarita classes wine, alcohol  responsible adult beverages are stored.

My husband did this on the tin panels.  Sometime, I will tell you the significance  of the lupine in my life.

So now who wants to come over and play?!

Free for the taking!

Last summer I saw this gem on the side of the road with a free for the taking sign!  I was SO EXCITED because I knew just what to do with this- I learned about it on Pinterest.

Now, for those of you who don't know me let me give you a little insight into my mind.  I don't do manly work.  By manly work I mean lifting, mowing, transporting cargo, shoveling, snow blowing... pretty much anything I don't want to do.  Now, I don't think I am too good for it.  I am not lazy.  I just don't DO it.  I married the perfect man that would truly rather I don't but that comes with me being responsible for inside the house stuff.  I digress.  Anyway, I don't do lifting and taking trash off the side of the road.  However, my dad and husband do.  I mean this was one hot gem.  So I found myself rapidly dialing both of their phone numbers for them to pick it up ASAP!  I mean this was going to go fast and I was going to be very angry if it was gone.  So of course I told them it wouldn't fit in my SUV.  I am still a bit fuzzy on if it would or not but clearly it is WAY too heavy for me even if it would fit ;).  So, understanding my sense of urgency regarding the matter,  knowing I am a complete spaz and wouldn't let him forget if it was gone, my husband rushed right over to pick it up for me.  He was disgusted and told me there was NO way it was going in the house.  I plead with him, but it was FREE!  Of course he made some comment about how I say things are free but they always end up costing money- men!  So I was DETERMINED not to spend a penny on this baby.  I succeeded.

So, it sat in the garage for a year, under a bunch of hubby's stuff.  I finally made him pull it out for me a couple weeks ago.  Remember, I don't do man's work.  So he had to put it in the house for me and all ;).  I did manage to dust it and wash it but he had to rough it up.  He wanted to put an oak top on it but his router died mid project.  I insisted I wanted it now anyway.  Patience is a virtue yes, but I have never been accused of being super virtuous so phew off the hook on that one.

So on Pinterest you see all of these fabulous projects.  I found one with scrapbook paper modge podged to the front of drawers.  So I painted it white and tried it.  Yeah, not loving the look at a all-

Still determined not to spend a cent I got some brown glaze out of the garage to dim the whiteness.  YEah, my son accidentally dropped the entire thing all over the floor! YIKES!  So I used left over paint from another project.

I need to touch up a couple of white spots ;)

Not perfect but not bad.  Check it out the door on the bottom right fits 12x12 paper!

So do you know what project that paint is from?!
It is the paint from my cabinet makeover!  Remember that? See it here.

Rockstar Classroom

This year I am moving from Kindergarten to 3rd grade.  I am VERY excited.  I have done my classroom up with a rockstar theme.  I made a ton of guitars with Indie Art on my Gypsy.  There are other spatterings of Cricut cuts throughout my room.  Here is a photo of the room.  If you want to see more you can visit my new 3rd grade blog, Learning and Lattes.

Step Card

Excuse the poor lighting in the photo!


The first time I saw a step card I thought "WHOA! There is NO way I can do that!"  Turns out I was so wrong.  These are the easiest things to make!  The hardest part is picking how to decorate it :)!

I try to use things in my craft room that collect dust... like my rubber stamp collection.  So I found this stamp and viola!

What is your favorite kind of card to make?

Dog Lover Sign

I made this sign for my sister and brother in law.  Moses, their Dachshund is their life.  I cut the dog from the Paisley cartridge.  The letters are done in vinyl on the glass. 

It was an inexpensive yet personal gift, less then $15!

Thanks for visiting!

ProvoCraft you are KILLING me!

Ok... where to start...

These are made with Noah's ABC Animals cartridge

Today I worked for a couple hours at our local craft store to demo this new cartridge.  Here are a couple of the animals I made before the demo.  (All the ones that were made at the demo went home with kids... and the kids LOVED this table!)

ProvoCraft is getting into the 3D side of things which is super fun if you have a good use for things.  The entire time I played with this I kept thinking about all those dioramas my kids were creating in Kindergarten through 2nd grade.  These would be perfect!  

However, I feel like the layers are getting crazier and crazier with the newer cartridges.  The learning curve is steep!  It takes a long time to create one of these guys, so I will need to get more practice with them I guess.  On some of the animals I just plain couldn't figure out the layers.  I have seen this with a few cartridges lately.  I think I am just going to need to get used to it.  is anyone else feeling overwhelmed by the complex layers?  Am I alone?

I am one of those people that is NOT a visual learner.  I like to read the directions and create my own visual.  When I look at pictures telling me what to do I am actually confused... so maybe that is my problem? Who knows :)

Challenges:
All Sorts Challenge- circles (horse's back end ;) )
2 Sisters- On the farm... You would find a horse on the farm. Maybe not a blue one but a horse :)
Challenge Up Your Life- anything goes
Pause, Dream, Enjoy- Around the Farm

Posts from the Past Day 2

This was another popular project on the blog in the past: 

Welcome to our blog hop!

This is your first stop!  Thanks for coming by!

This was my first diaper cake.  I actually found it to be far more simple then I expected.  The thing that took the longest was figuring out what to put in the center.  I used 20 oz coke bottles in the end :)

Thanks for visiting!

Project from the past Day 1

I apologize in advance for being heavy in pics for this post.  This thing is hard to photograph!

I went through the stats on my former posts and this post has been a popular one.  Here is a another post with a tutorial on making the boxes.

My intention with this explosion box is to give it to my daughter with her birthday gift. Part of me wants to add more to the box and part of me wants to leave it as is.  Decisions decisions.

The animals are all cute with Create A Critter and so are the words in the center.  I used one of my punches for the edging on the cover of the box, I didn't like my first cover at all!  The paper is all from a K&Company pack... and I LOVE it!!!  My sister and I worked on this together-  You can check out her  blog at Crafty Gator.

 

My blog feels.... neglected...

... and we just can't have that!  Lately I have had so much going on that getting pictures on my blog hasn't been a priority.  I MISS IT!  So, this week I am reposting some of the projects that have been favorites of people stopping by!  Then next week be prepared to see some fun new projects!

This week you won't see new projects because I am sitting here looking at this for the week-

Certified Scrapbook University Instructor

I finished my certification to begin teaching a 4 week scrapbooking class.  I am very excited about this new adventure!  I am offering my first classes in May.  Has anyone taught or taken these before? I would love to hear from you!