My First Word Book

Wanting to try something new for my mother-in-law's Mother's Day gift, I decided to use my new Cricut Expression machine to make a word book. I used the Cricut DesignStudio Software to create the M-O-M letter pages - which actually worked really slick! After getting the pages designed, I hooked my Cricut Expression to my laptop and was able to cut my designs...and it actually worked...I was so proud of myself...I picked a rather large project for a new Cricut user, but that is me, I just jump in! After cutting the pages, I cut an assortment of cardstock and pretty paper shapes, frames, and letters...then got out the glue stick and went to work...I added photographs of Travis, Simba, and myself...rick rack, buttons, and a couple epoxy stickers. The back page was done using a color ink, instead of a cutting blade in my Cricut Expression - it actually draws the shapes instead of cutting them...it was my first time trying this and it amazed me! I punched holes in each of the pages, then used book rings tied with pretty ribbons and trims to bind the pages. It took a little longer than expected (and it looked like a bomb exploded in my studio), but I was thrilled with the results! Travis and I will sign the back page to commemorate the occasion. Shown below are each of the pages as you work through the book...

I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day...and find a little creative time for yourself...

A New Toy - A New Creative Spark!

A brand new toy arrived on my doorstep this week, courtesy of My Crafter Corner! My Craft Corner is an online community for all types of crafters and artisans - this community with over 1,500 members has all sorts of groups, forums, and member pages, all full of creativity and inspiration. Each year they have a "Meet & Greet" contest where the grand prize is a Cricut Expression cutting machine...and this year, I happened to be the big winner (I can't believe it - I am still in awe)! I never expected to receive such a generous prize simply for meeting other creative people. I actually received two prize packages - one containing two Cricut cartridges and one containing the Cricut Expressions machine (and it had two additional cartridges!). I am not a big scrapbooker, so I wasn't as familiar with this personal cutting system as I probably should have been...but once I watched the enclosed DVD and saw what it's capabilities were, I was blown away by this amazing prize! If you read my blog often, then you know I am a huge stationery fan and love to send notes in the mail - when I found out I could make my own cards and gift tags, I was over-the moon!

After looking at the manual and viewing the enclosed DVD, I jumped in and loaded a piece of white card stock - I just started cutting/trying different shapes and sizes, getting used to how the machine worked...oh my goodness, was I ever impressed...all of a sudden my mind was working overtime thinking of all the creative aspects and how to incorporate this machine into my already overflowing studio...I was inspired more than I ever imagined! After understanding how the machine worked and trying a couple different cartridges, I decided to jump in and make my first card - I opted for a thank you note - cutting a dark brown card and beige envelope...then cutting the letters for THANKS and a couple flowers and a heart - WOW, I made one on my first try - it is not the most exciting and it is far from perfect, but I am learning!

Okay - so now I have another new crafting addiction...I know, just what I needed...I have already purchased some beautiful papers and cardstock...and I have a couple more cartridges on the way. If you have one of these fancy schmancy machines and have any tips or tricks for me, please pass them along...and if you have favorite cartridges, I would love to know what they are, as well...

Thank you to My Craft Corner for such a phenomenal contest prize...and for sparking my creativity...