CYBER MONDAY CRICUT CARTRIDGE SALE CRAZE!!!

You need to hop over to my CTMH store and check out our Cricut Cartridge sale, today only!!!

Close To My Heart Cricut Cartridge Madness Sale

[VIDEO] New City Sidewalks Close To My Heart Holiday Cricut Cartridge Walk Through

Close To My Heart has done something they have not done before.  They put out 2 Cricut cartridges in the same year....  they came out just a month apart.  The new Christmas one is a mini cartridge and it is digital.  You do need Cricut Design Space and the Cricut Explorer series machines to use this digital cartridge.  Just wait until you see the cute images on this gem.

Here is the link to the cartridge followed by a video.
City Sidewalks

New Close To My Heart Cricut Cartridge City Sidewalks

OMG  Close To My Heart has yet another new cartridge out.  It is not as big as the regular release cartridges but still full of awesomeness.  This one is City Sidewalks, just released in our new Holiday Seasonal Idea Book.

This cartridge is digital only.  It will only work on the Cricut Explorer in Design Space.  My copy is on order and will be here soon.  I have the City Sidewalks paper pack and can't wait to start some Christmas projects.

Here is a picture of the matching paper pack

Close To My Heart Retiring Cricut Cartridges

Good morning.

URGENT!!  URGENT!!!  Close To My Heart is retiring 3 Cricut Cartridges on July 31, 2016.  If you want them, head over to my shop and get them before they are gone.



Below are direct links to the cartridges that are retiring and to the main Cricut page on my site.

Cricut Collections
Art Philosophy  -  great all purpose cartridge. It has a little of everything.  One of my all time faves and go to cartridges
Artiste -  mostly 3D items like flowers, boxes, purses, envelopes. But does have a few elements that can be used on cards or on your layouts.  Has a couple cards too.
Artfully Sent - a must have for cardmakers.  This has cards for every occasion.  Loads of embellishments too that can also be used in scrapbook layouts, project life, art journaling and more.

Really....  I know I am going to get questions on which one I would choose (of course I have them all)  but if I didn't have any of them, my first choice would be the Art Philosophy because of how versatile it is.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or leave a comment below.
Have a great weekend.

Christmas Card Created on My Explore Used Print Then Cut

Good morning...

Here is a quick post before I have to head off to work. uggggg  wish I could stay home and play in my craft room.

I cut this card out on my Cricut Explore and I took advantage of the print then cut feature.  I have to admit that I got this idea from a YouTube video I saw and had to make one myself.

I was pretty happy with the way that it turned out.  

I am entering this into the following Challenges:

The 12 Months of Christmas

Card Shares

Hey everyone.....

I just wanted to share come cards that I made this past week.  I had a lot going on and didn't get to record  videos on these.

The first card I made for my step son.  He needed some invitations made for his birthday party.  I used a stamp set from Close To My Heart that is exclusive to the Art Philosophy Cartridge.  I stamped the cupcake, the sentiment and on the inside the date time RSVP Etc. all from the same stamp set.  I had Adrian color the cupcake with our Shinhan Twin Tip Markers. He picked out the color scheme and paper.

The next card I made for my mother's birthday.  I used paper from my stash and I had all these layout plans but changed them because the paper was too pretty to cover up.  The Label was created using coordinating cuts and stamps from Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge by Close To My Heart  The inside leaf is from the the same Art Philosophy Cartridge that the previous card used.

Close To My Heart New Artistry Cartridge Overview

Ok..  another video here.  This is an upclose look at the New Cricut Cartridge Artistry from Close To My Heart.  You can check it out in my Close To My Heart Store

Give Mom The Gift Of Creativity With Cricut

Cricut Explore Air™ for Mother's Day

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Looking for the perfect gift for a crafty mom for Mother's Day? Well look no further than Cricut! Their incredible Explore Air™ machine takes cutting, writing, and scoring to a whole new level. It'll be the Mother's Day gift that keeps on giving!

For starters, it has built-in Bluetooth technology, which makes it wireless. That means that mom can take her projects wherever she goes and save her projects to the cloud. It's also compatible with Cricut's Design Space iPad app, so mom can lay all of her cuts in the Design Space and see everything she's cutting all at once on her iPad. Adios paper-based handbooks!

Here are a few other neat notables of the Explore Air™ machine:

• It can cut over 60 different materials, including leather, balsa wood, fabric, vinyl, tissue paper, craft foam, and even silk! Mom just sets the dial to the material that she needs to cut and the machine keeps track of the settings.
• For cutting layers, mom can just print them on her printer and have the Explore Air™ cut it out.
• Fonts and images can be uploaded for free so projects can have writing on them that looks just like handwriting.

The Cricut Explore Air™ machine has an unbelievable amount of helpful, time-saving features. And if that weren't impressive enough, Cricut is taking $50 off their Explore Air™, officially making this one of the best gifts to give crafty Mom's this Mother's Day!

******************************************************

Letter From Ashish Arora Extending Trial Subscriptions

Hello!

Millions of projects have been created in Design Space, and every day we are adding more and more users and tens of thousands of projects. For the past year, we have had very few unscheduled outages and our systems have been very stable. In the past three weeks we have had a couple of outages for a few hours. We recognize that this is unacceptable to both you and us.

As a growing company, we have been upgrading our systems to scale for the increased activity and to get ready for hundreds of thousands of new users. In the process of these enhancements, we inadvertently introduced some issues that have resulted in a few unscheduled outages. We take this seriously and we understand that in addition to this being a creative passion, you also depend on our systems to meet your personal commitments.

We are working with our leading technology providers to identify the root cause. In the next few days, you may see a few more brief outages as we test different parts of our system. We will try to minimize these outages. We assure you that we are building a rock-solid infrastructure to help match our customers' growing needs.

Please accept our apology with a free 2-week extension to your trial subscription.

This additional 2-week subscription was added today, Tuesday, March 31, 2015.

If you would like to see how many days are left in your trial subscription, log in to Cricut.com, click on your name at the top right, and then choose "Subscription" at the bottom left. Your remaining days will display under the heading "Time Remaining." 

We want to help you take full advantage of your extended subscription. A few ways to identify projects and images included in your subscription are:

1. Projects: Go to the Design Space landing page at www.cricut.com/design and choose "In Subscription" from the menu in the upper right corner of the screen.
2. Images: On the design screen, click "Insert Image." Open the Filters menu in the upper right corner (the funnel icon) and select "Subscription" under the Ownership section.
3. Fonts: Once you've added text, select it and open the second menu in the Edit panel to view the list of fonts. Fonts that are yours or are part of subscription do not have a price next to them.

Please enjoy your extended subscription access!

Happy crafting,
Ashish Arora, CEO

Pink Expression Machine

This is my deal for today. 

So, you are sitting there and not totally sold on the Cricut Explore because of the internet connection required issue or you just want a back up machine in case you have no internet.  I have the machine for you.  It is on sale right now. 

The good ole Cricut Expression.  But it isn't just the Expression but the Pink one...ooooo how pretty.
You can get yours here

Make your crafts impressively expressive.

Whether you’re designing a scrapbook of your family vacation or making 200 wedding invitations for your best friend, the Cricut Expression® easily ensures your creative possibilities are truly endless.

Larger than the Cricut® Create or the Cricut® Personal Electronic Cutter, the Cricut Expression® precisely cuts letters, shapes, and motifs in impressive sizes using the 12" x 24" mat or the 12" x 12" mat. You can also create bigger die cuts for classroom decor, scrapbook layouts, signage, and so much more.

Buy your Cricut Expression® today and start exploring the depths of your creativity.

Includes:
-Pink Cricut Expression® Machine
-USB and power cables
-Cartridge NOT included (shown for demonstration purposes only)

Order Here

The Explore Air Now Available!!! FREE SHIPPING in March

 

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Just when you thought that Cricut's Explore® machine couldn't get any more amazing, they are now introducing their Cricut Explore Air!

 This new machine has all the incredible features of the Cricut Explore®, but now it has built-in Bluetooth technology - so your projects can go wherever you go! In addition to being able to cut just about anything, including leather, balsa wood, fabric, vinyl, craft foam, and even silk, cartridges are also included in the software. So anytime you want to use a different cartridge, you just do a quick search on your iPad and it brings up all the images on the cart. How efficient is that?!

By far this is the most advanced electronic cutting machine on the market with an unbelievable amount of helpful, time-saving features. While there are almost too many to mention, I can't resist sharing a few more of my favorites:

• It's wireless and compatible with Cricut Design Space iPad app.
• Since it's wireless, all projects can be saved to the cloud, which allows users to conveniently swap between their laptop and iPad.
• Cartridges are linked to your Cricut ID and delivered over the cloud. So once you've loaded a cartridge, you have it everywhere you go.
• There's no overlay simply because it's not needed! You just lay all of your cuts out in the Cricut Design Space app and you can see everything you are cutting all at once. So goodbye handbooks!
• It comes with a ton of "make-it-now" projects. You just send them straight to the machine and they are ready to go. You can also customize them with your own font and images!
• Fonts and images can be uploaded for free - the machine can actually print writing that looks just like handwriting! You can also draw and upload pictures to the machine without having to cut anything out.

The Cricut Explore Air is really just amazing - and so fun to use! If you've been thinking about upgrading your cutting machine, now is the time to do it! Especially since you can get free shipping with the code MARCHSHIP. Now you can really cut a rug to celebrate!

Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection (Z1686)

Cricut^® Art Philosophy Collection (Z1686)

 

Product Description

Featuring hundreds of basic, versatile shapes and fonts you'll use every day, many of which coordinate with dozens of our My Acrylix® stamps, this collection is a must-have for every crafter!
Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection includes:
1 – Cartridge (700 images: font, shapes, and 3-D items)
3 – My Acrylix™ D-size stamp sets
3 – 9" × 12" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)

Creative Feature Keys: Layer, Decorative Layer, Tag, Card, Font, Font Layer.

Recommended blocks for included stamp sets: 1" × 1" (Y1000), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 2" × 3½" (Y1009), 3" × 3" (Y1006).

Cricut® is a registered trademark of Provo Craft & Novelty, Inc. All rights reserved. 

Digital Handbook

 

Cricut® Artiste Collection

Cricut^® Artiste Collection (Z1790)

Product Description

With just the touch of one Cricut® Artiste key you can take your creativity over the top with wonderful 3-D projects, party favors, interactive cards, awards, and more! From robots and spooks to weddings and Valentines, your cupcake wrappers, invitations, and party essentials will coordinate and come together for any celebration! Includes a step-by-step assembly booklet for the 3-D projects.
Collection includes:

• 1 – Cartridge (700 images: themed projects, cards, fonts, shapes, and 3-D items)
• 3 – My Acrylix™ D-size stamp sets
• 3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)

Creative Feature Keys: Accent 1, Accent 2, Accent 3, Accent 4, Card, 3D Object.
Recommended blocks for included stamp sets: 3" × 3" (Y1006), 2" × 3½" (Y1009), 2" x 6½" (Y1010).
Cricut® is a registered trademark of Provo Craft & Novelty, Inc. All rights reserved.

Digital Handbook

Close To My Heart Artbooking Cricut Cartridge Kit

This is a scrapbooker's dream  --  Video at the end of the post
Cricut^® Artbooking Collection (Z1906)

Product Description

Take your scrapbooking to never-before-seen levels with the new Cricut® Artbooking collection! With oodles of images in each of 15 layout themes, you can create several coordinating pages for each theme using just two keys and one dial size. Images include accents, borders, titles, overlays, photo mats—in standard photo sizes!—and more. The Cricut® keys are optimized for creating 12" × 12" pages in a jiffy. You'll also love creating 10 themed mini books, also optimized for several different sizes using just two keys and one dial size. When you're finished cutting, use the coordinating stamp sets and Dimensional Elements shapes to add even more pizzazz!
Collection includes:
1 – Cartridge (700 images: Font, Mini Books, Layouts)
3 – My Acrylix™ D-size stamp sets
3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)
Creative Feature Keys: Title, Photo Mat 1, Photo Mat 2, Icon, Border, Overlay.
Recommended blocks for included stamp sets: 1" × 1" (Y1000), 1" × 3½" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 3" × 3" (Y1006), 2" x 3½" (Y1009), 4" × 5" (Y1012).
Cricut® is a registered trademark of Provo Craft & Novelty, Inc. All rights reserved.

Digital Handbook

Love Word Mini Album

Good morning.  I wanted to share a mini album that I made.  I cut it from a Design Space file on my Cricut Explore.  In my video below, I walk through from starting in Design Space through assembling the album.




The glue stick that I used in most of the video is Close To My Heart Item 1512

Make It Now Design Space Cricut Explore Card

Here is a video on one of the Make It Now card projects from the Cricut Explore Design Space site

Free SVG Orange and Yellow Pedal Flower

Just a quick post.  I upgraded my SCAL to the latest version....  couldn't resist and tested out the new svg export that has the box to check to make it Design Space Compatible.  I thought I would share it with you.

Click Here To Download

#svg #flower, #scal

Enabler Alert!!!! Cuttlebug Stuff On Sale

OMG...  there is a great sale over at Cricut.  Cuttlebug supplies are 40% off.  I was browsing some of the embossing folders....  unbelievable what the price is.  I am ordering a few myself.  The sale ends on March 10th.  Just Click Here to go directly to their Cuttlebug section.

http://goo.gl/PXAtjC

Patreon

Good morning.  We have another coooollllllldddddd morning.  Woke up to a -13 degrees F and that is not a wind chill factor but actual temp.  Right now it made it up to -4.  Kids have no school again because of the cold weather but they are in good hands.  So, I didn't get out of going to work this morning :(

I have some big plans for 2015.  I set up an account as a creator on patreon.com.  I was inspired to do so by Melody Lane.

What is Patreon?
Patreon lets fans support their favorite creators by becoming patrons. Unlike other fundraising services, which raise for a single big event, Patreon is for creators who create a stream of smaller works.  Other platforms you help pay for much bigger projects.  With Patreon, the artist chooses whether you help support single small projects of your choosing or the artist sets up a monthly subscription for their content.  There are several levels with various rewards or perks.  It is kinda like giving a tip.

You Are Not Paying For Videos
You get to see my videos earlier than anyone else.  However, if you decide not to become one of my Patreons, that is ok.  I know that some can not afford it.  My videos will always be free to the public.  It is just a matter who sees them first.  My files that go along with the videos are available to my Patreons only from this day forward.  Don't worry, I will still offer a freebie now and then to those who can not or choose not to become one of my Patreons.

For more info and to see my subscription levels (rewards)  click here or go to:  http://www.patreon.com/paperthisandthat 

One of my milestones includes giving away a Cricut Explore Air and another an iPad!!!!!

Cricut Design Space 2.0 File Share and Projects For Yesterday

Good morning on this frigid morning.  It is about 2 degrees F out this morning with a wind chill of -10.  The kids school closed today because of the cold temps and I got to call off today.  No one was able to stay with the boys today.  You know what that means?  I am going to be crafting some more today.

Yesterday I had a vacation day at my main job because I had some real estate business to do.  I have a closing on Monday and had to fax stuff to the closing company.  Someday, being a Realtor will be my main job :)

Anyhow, just wondering what you all thought on the new Design Space.  I created a couple things yesterday.  I made a little notebook using my bind it all and I cut my first piece of chipboard on my Cricut Explore.  It cut great.  I set my dial to custom and there are a couple chipboard settings, one for light weight and one for heavier chipboard.  I cut the key out.  Then I used copper metallic craft paint to paint it.  The notebook measures 4 x 5 inches.  I made chipboard covers and covered the front with a vintage advertising designer paper.

My second project yesterday is a round shaped card.  In Design Space, I welded 2 circles together.  Then I chose the top layer cut from the image library.  It is a scalloped circle with trees, a baby deer and a squirrel attached to the circle frame.  Next, I did a Melody Lane thing and got out my Pebbles cream chalks and colored some of the die cut image to add interest and depth.  The cream chalks are much richer in color.  On my wish list are some of the Pebbles classic chalks.

I am going to share my file for the above card. I do have a score line attached to the base card.  If you don't have the scoring tool, just go through the motions and let the machine do its thing.  You can score it on a score board later.  Let me say also, subscribe to the image library.  It is soooooooo worth it.  Click Here for the Design Space File.  You need to be logged into Design Space so that you can save it.  Or you can copy and paste the following into your browser window

https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/25127811

Lastly,  leave a comment below telling us what your favorite new feature in Design Space 2.0 is.