CRAFTING MEMORIES

My family has recently begun a project to restore the final resting place of a relative who had been long forgotten. With Memorial Day approaching, my thoughts have been turned to those honorable men and women who have gone before me and to whom I am indebted for the wonderful life and freedoms I am blessed to be enjoying today.

I am also aware of those individuals in my life who do so many wonderful things for me and others and never really expect anything in return. I'll bet you know remarkable people like this as well. We are surrounded by so many very wonderful unsung heroes. Even the smallest of deeds can at times mean the world to us.

All too often we can become accustomed to these benevolent acts and forget just how meaningful the "do- gooders" in our life are and what a blessing the doer of the deed is. The world becomes a bit brighter of a place when we show appreciation and gratitude to those who we sometimes take for granted. Use your Cricut today to create something that will express just how much you really appreciate the beautiful angels in your life.

As always, I wish you success in your crafting adventures.

**Header project made by Georgina Jarvie using the Legacy cartridge: Pink Journey.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MESSAGE BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

This week's highlighted threads are:

• Smooches
• Teacher Gift
• Thy Word Is a Lamp
• Flower Card
• Graduation Card

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Leanne Garner
About: Hi! I'm a 43 year old stay at home mom! My husband and I have been married for 19 years. We have one teenage son who is 17. I purchased my first Cricut (baby) in 2007 and then upgraded to my Cricut Expression^® a year later. I absolutely love my Gyspy and honestly don't know how I would survive without it now! I love scrapbooking, making cards, and occasionally I like to alter things and make mini albums! I LOVE my Cricut and gladly shout it from the roof tops!!

Leanne's Project: Photo Frame

YOUR NOTABLE TIP

Today’s helpful tip comes from message board member Narelle. 
Thanks for the tip.

Q.  I'm not new to Cricut but the "lite" cartridge Bloom is giving me fits.  I'm getting so very confused when trying to cut the different layers. I understand that some of the layers are used with the "shift" (the grayed ones) and some are used without the "shift" (the black ones). BUT how do I cut the other gray and black ones? I tried using the "layer/shadow" button with the "shift" or no shift, but it just cut the same two pieces that I had cut without using the "layer/shadow".  I see on the chart, for example, <Flwr14> (in black, so no "shift") + <Flwr14-s> (in gray, so use the "shift" and I see an "s" that probably means "shift"), but how do I cut the other two pieces? There is a black circle and a gray solid flower that I can't get the Cricut to cut. What am I doing wrong? Please help

A.“Make sure you're pressing the Layer button and the shift button before you select the shape from the keypad.

You can't add the layer/shift feature to a shape you already have on the screen.” -Narelle

CARTRIDGE EXPLORATION

This week I was lucky to explore the Buccaneer cartridge for Cricut Imagine. Playing with this cartridge came at a great time because my sister was helping her son’s kindergarten class discuss the letter “P” and they were talking about pirates.  This cartridge was perfect to help her in her class discussion; she even cut out the treasure chests and helped the kids to assemble the fun 3-D treasure chest.  I found out later that the whole class had a great time making the treasure chests.
This cartridge makes the perfect accessory for a boy’s party, with the theme being centered on pirates. A few ideas that I thought would be fun for a party are: use the flag—add a toothpick and place in a cupcake, decorate drinking cups with a skull & crossbones, use the map as a real party treasure chest or like a game with pin the “X” on the pirate map.  Give the kids treasure chests full of candy for a thank you gift and cut-out pirate hats for everyone to wear at the party.  Here are a few of the images that you can use with your Cricut Imagine machine: pirate with sword, captain, pirate crew, a female pirate, mermaids (have a fish pond at the party and decorate the curtain with the mermaids), monkey, shark (cut him out of vinyl and decorate a wall), fish, crab, turtle, pelican, alligator, toucan bird, three pirate ship, octopus, rowboat, treasure chest, eyeglass, anchor, cannon, sword, and pirate flag. The phrases included are: “Pirates!”, “Heave Ho!”,  “Shiver me Timbers”, “Scalley Wag”, “Walk the Plank”, “Happy Birthday Matey!”, “No Trespassing”, “Marks the Spot”, and “Yo Ho Ho”.

The bonus content is a pirate’s map (which would make great placemats for a birthday party ,a fun pretend treasure hunt game, and a great background page for your scrapbook page).  You can also cut out a treasure chest, a pirate’s hat (it’s so cool, it would be perfect for the birthday boy) and an invitation plus envelope.  Icons that are included are: banner, flag, swords, rope, bag of change, palm tree, and a skull and crossbones.

Don’t forget that this cartridge comes with twenty fun, creative backgrounds.  Some of the patterns that are included are palm trees, red stripes, orange stripes, black stripes, red polka-dots, anchor patterns, pirate ships, skull and crossbones, phrases layout, and an old fashioned map.  As well, there are twenty solid coordinating colors.

A few reminders that when you are using Cricut Imagine cartridges you can also cut out the different layers to make your projects 3-D, this cartridge is a must-have if you have little boys.  Pick one up at your local craft stores or on line. These images would be great for fun vacation photos, parties, water photos, or plain old dressup photos. My nieces and nephews play dressup all the time, I love the imagination of a child and all that they can come up with.  Remember to upload your projects to http://community.provocraft.com/Cricut-Community_topics36_Cricut-Crafts.aspx for everyone to check out what you have created with our cartridges.  Happy Crafting!!

Crafty Kimber

HELP FROM THE EXPERTS

Tech support Nook:
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 Cricut 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.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored." 
~Daniel Webster