THANKFUL JUST TO BE ME

I am a nerd. And I'm comfortable with it. I've spent a lot of time trying to get into the "in" crowd during my life and have found this to be similar to chasing rainbows. What does being "in" amount to anyway if it doesn't float your boat. If you really want to know the truth, most people are truly nerdy or geeky in one aspect or another. Why, we're all just one great big nerd herd. Many times, the idiosyncrasies and foibles of our nerdhood are what make us unique and memorable. Our true friends love us because of, and in spite of, our beautiful quirks.

More particularly, I'm a crafty nerd with a beloved collection of Cricut bugs and a Gypsy that can come with me wherever I roam. I haven't named my Cricut as many of you have, but perhaps I should....

This week, be sure to enjoy clever crafty tips on making a Christmas Angel, and check out Crafty Kimber's in depth cartridge exploration of the new Nifty Fifties, Berries and Cream, and Ancestry cartridges. As always, I wish you well in your crafting adventures.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FEATURED PROJECTS

MESSAGE BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

This week's highlighted threads are:

• Harvest Supper
• Calendar Pages
• Aargh Pirate LO
• Block for Friend's Baby
• Re-purposed Cabinet Door

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Laura Charko
About: I am 25 years old, and while it is difficult to find time to craft with a full-time job, I find it relaxing and satisfying. I am lucky enough to have my own space in which to imagine and create; I just wish there was more time to spend there! I absolutely love creating custom projects as gifts for special people in my life, and feel so rewarded when I see a piece completed.

Laura's Project: Nursery Tree

YOUR NOTABLE TIP

This weeks tip comes to you from message board member NCScrapAddict!

"Here's how I made my angel:

• For the body -- I cut the shadow of one of the Christmas trees on Christmas Cheer at 3".
• For the wings -- I cut the flames from the fireplace on Christmas Cheer at 2" (Real Dial Size).
• For the head -- I just cut a simple circle from George and Basic Shapes cut at 1".
• For the halo -- I cut the long slender oval from George and Basic Shapes at 1 1/2" with the Silhouette creative feature pressed."

CARTRIDGE EXPLORATION

This week the dogs and I spent a lot of time together relaxing and watching TV. I find I never have time to relax, so this week I decided to make time. The only other way I spent my time this week playing with my Cricut. I made a bracelet! I wanted to see if I could use only Imagine images: the Berries and Cream cartridge provided the backgrounds, Imagine More the icons, and letters are from County Carnival. I'm really proud of my first jewelry project (see pic!). This week I explored the Nifty Fifties, Berries and Cream, and Ancestry cartridges.

The Berries and Cream cartridge is for the Cricut Imagine. This cartridge also belongs to the Colors and Patterns, category and provides you with 20 patterns and 14 solid colors that all coordinate. The colors for this cartridge are bright pinks, yellows, purples, greens and a light orange. Patterns include: flowers, diagonals, paint brush texture, tiny flowers, diamond flowers, and scalloped stripes.

Nifty Fifties is one of the newest full Cricut cartridges. This cartridge is full of that old '50s style, and is absolutely adorable. Images include: cat, sewing machine, old-fashioned car, roller skates, glasses, soda pop, gas station pump, sneakers, records, drive-in sign, boy and girl dancers, shoes, truck, and a juke box. The creative features that come with this cartridge are: Layer 1, Layer 2, Font, Font Shadow, Phrase, and Shadow. Wow, this cartridge comes with phrases, a font, and images that you can layer. I love it when the artist creates a cartridge that provides a font to let me create my titles or own phrases. Some of the phrases that complement this cartridge are: "Cool Cat", "Hang 10", "Mixer", "Juke Box", "Chill Out", "Kicks", "No Sweat", "Threads" and much, much more that fit the fifties theme. Another great resource for this cartridge is the Cuttlebug companion folder set designed just for this cartridge. I found an adorable card made with this cartridge on Obsessed with Scrapbooking (see pic or click here).

The last cartridge that I explored this week is Ancestry. It is also part of the Colors and Patterns category of the Cricut Imagine cartridges. This cartridge has 14 solid color images to complement the patterns that are provided with this cartridge. Some pattern examples are: diamonds, polka-dots, birds with flowers, flowers, circles and diamonds, roses, and stripes. I would say the color palette are reds, browns, greens, and blues. When I look at them I get a warm fuzzy feeling!

I hope you have enjoyed this week's exploration; I have loved playing with these fun cartridges. Good luck on your holiday projects! (If you haven't started yet, like me, it might be time to get a move on.)

Crafty Kimber

WEEKLY SURVEY

Don't forget to take this week's survey!

Click here.

HELP FROM THE EXPERTS

How to use Etching Cream

1. Clean the glass or mirror thoroughly to remove all grease, dust, and fingerprints. Avoid cleaner solutions that advertise that they are "finger print resistant" as these cleaners leave a film on the glass that hinders the etching process. Dry glass or mirror completely.

2. Choose the design from the Cricut machine of your choice using a cartridge and cut it out with vinyl. Carefully take the outside of the cutout of the vinyl and place it where you want.

3. When placing on the mirror or glass, make sure there are no bubbles in the vinyl.

4. Watch when you are applying the vinyl; be careful not to overlap any part of the design. This overlap prevents the etching cream from contacting the glass and etching unwanted areas. If there are areas of glass that you don't want the cream, you will need to protect it. Cover that with pieces of tape.

5. For best etching results we recommend that the etching cream and the object you are etching be over 70 degrees. Shake the etch cream thoroughly. Work in a well lighted and well ventilated area near a water source. Wear plastic gloves and protective eyewear if you would like. When applying, dab the etching cream on with a brush. You must apply a thick layer of etching cream in order for the chemical to react properly on the glass or mirror. Stay within vinyl area.

6. To know how long you need to leave the etching cream on, please read the bottle as some creams are different. Immediately wash off all the etching cream under luke warm water; you do not need to scrub. After all traces of the etching cream are washed away, remove all the vinyl, clean the glass using window cleaner, and dry completely.

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Need some help? Provo Craft Customer Support is here for you! Never hesitate to call in (1-888-922-4725 or 1-888-92ccircle for Circle questions); we have people ready to help you! We are currently open Monday through Friday 7am to 6pm Mountain Time. If these hours do not work with your schedule, please send an email to support@provocraft.com.


Have a great week!

From your Customer Support Sweeps:
Mark, Colby, Brittany, and Becky, "The Floor Sweeps"

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude."

~ E.P. Powell