WORLD CARD MAKING DAY

The first Saturday of each October is World Card Making Day. This day began in 2006 and was originally National Card Making Day. Its founders initiated the day to bring card makers together at the beginning of the holiday season. It became so popular that the holiday became known as World Card Making Day.

Hand crafted cards really are something to celebrate. They easily create a personal connection between people, and are an extension of the giver’s heart. The exchange of greeting cards dates back many centuries in many cultures of the world. Here are some interesting little tidbits from the World Card Making Day website:

• Today, card making is a worldwide hobby, especially popular in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• 1 in 6 U.S. households participates in making cards
• 86% of scrapbookers also create handmade cards
• 92% of paper crafters create cards more than any other type of project
• The top occasions/themes for making cards are:
• Birthdays
• Winter Holidays (Christmas, New Year’s, etc.)
• Thank You
• Valentine’s Day
• Mother’s Day

There are a plethora of fun ways to celebrate and participate in the fun of this holiday. Categories of cards to make could range from: anniversary, baby shower, bar mitzvah, birthday, Christmas, Farewells, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Engagement cards, Get Well soon, graduation, holidays, housewarming, I’m sorry, retirement, sympathy, thank you, thinking of you, wedding cards, and many, many more. Some craft stores are even hosting activities for the day. What a fun and productive way to spend the first official weekend of Autumn!

Be sure to check out Crafty Kimber's cartridge exploration of the Autumn Celebrations and Phrases Cricut Cartridges in today’s Chirp. Read about helpful Cricut tips and glean great crafting ideas from Cricut message board members in this week’s newsletter.

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

Lonna Joy Smoot- Editor, Cricut CHIRP!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TIPS TREASURE CHEST

Today’s tip is from message board member Coah’sNana.

Q: “I am a new user. I am just wondering if I am able to connect the Circut^® Expression 2 to my computer and print from cartridges in order to get more design detail. Are you able to print a Tinker Bell or Batman out on paper if connected to your computer and then put it through the Circut^®Expression 2 to cut? Any tips are appreciated.”

A: Hi Michele, As Barbara stated, you cannot do this for two reasons.

1. The Circut^®Expression 2 is not compatible with Circut^®DesignStudio (neither is the Imagine).
2. The Circut^®Expression 2 does not print.

Only the Imagine prints and cuts, but it is not compatible with Design Studio either. You need Cricut Craft Room and/or Gypsy to design.” -Coah’sNana

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Andrea Sherman

About Me: I am a SAHM of 4. I have a BS in business, and am currently putting it to work promoting my blog GIRLplusPAPER.blogspot.com. Most of all, I am in love with my Cricut and the Art Philosophy cartridge!

Instructions: Using only the Cricut^® Art Philosophy Cartridge, I cut 6 scalloped lacy circles, folded them in half, & joined them at the edges. Folded 6 pointed flower and attached to top of joined circles, used negative cut from lacy circle for curly vines, cut 2 leaves, cut a small scalloped rectangle and rolled it up for a stem and attached everything to the top of the pumpkin. Great details on my blog 4 instructions.

Cartridges Used: Art Philosophy

MESSAGE BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

This week's highlighted threads are:

• Witchy Woman
• Toaster Card (Kitchen things series)
• Tri Shutter Album for a Baby Boy
• You're the sweetest friend (scene card)
• Beehive Larry & Cut File
• Princess Cards/drawer box

CARTRIDGE EXPLORATION

Did you know that there is a day called “World Card- Making Day”, this was news to me but I loved the idea? This special day was September 25th, and I spent the day creating cards to feel part of this special day. I set aside the whole afternoon so that I would not be in a rush to just get the cards done, if you know what I mean. I also made a wonderful way to display my cards, by using an old frame, some wire, and a staple gun. I saw this idea somewhere and thought it was great, now I have “Framed Card Art”- as I like to call it. This week I also explored the cartridges “Autumn Celebrations” and “Phrases”. Both of these cartridges were perfect to make cards with, specifically the “Phrases” cartridges, both of these have a wonderful selection of art and phrases for an of the holidays that are vastly coming upon us.

“Phrases” is a wonderful cartridge full of different phrases that we say or use a lot for cards, projects, or scrapbook pages. As I played with this cartridge, I thought of many words I could use for a wood project that is perfect for the coming holidays. A few examples of the words included in this cartridge are: “Happy Day”, “I Love You”, “Remember When...”, “Family Fun”, “you make me smile”, “Happy Earth Day”, “The Big Day”, “Let’s Get together”, “Greetings”, “Thank You, Grazie”, “Hugs and Kisses”, “Happy Mother’s Day”, “You & Me”, “Happy Halloween”, “Sorry you’re sick”, “Get excited!”, “Dear to my Heart”, “let’s do lunch”, “Please come”, “Welcome Baby”, “RSVP”, “Just Because”, “Forever with you”, “Happy Christmas”, “Many Thanks”, “4th of July”, “in Recognition”, “With Gratitude”, “thank you, Merci”, and “Forever Friends”. This is just a small sample of the phrases that come on this cartridge. The creative features also help you to cut out the layers that come with the phrases, these features are Layer, Phrase 2, Phrase 2 layer, Phrase 3, Phrase Layer, and Tag. The tag feature is great; because it gives, you tag shapes, banner shapes, and cards to help in creating the perfect card. I cut out a few of these tag shapes and used them in my cards (see photos). This cartridge is being added to my favorite’s collection, because it has so many wonderful phrases for whatever project I am working on. Just had an idea, cut out the “Trick or Treat” phrase in vinyl and place it on a wood block for a quick Halloween project. Pick this up wherever you can- you will not be disappointed.

The other cartridge that I explored this week was “Autumn Celebrations”. This cartridge also provides tons of art or phrases for events in our lives that happen in the fall. Since I was making cards I also made a fall card using the acorn that was on this cartridge, my card turned out so cute (see photo). The creative features that come with this cartridge are Layer 1, Layer 2, Phrase, Phrase Layer, Tag, and Card. Some examples of the images included are Dracula, dead dancer, witch, Frankenstein, Columbus, pumpkin, books, bus, pilgrims, turkey, Bagpiper, school, sign, cat, skull, ship, pilgrim hat, Hamburger, ribbon, school locker, trick or treaters, hunted house, and football. Note: there are some images that when looking in the handbook you will see a 5” red circle under neither it. This means the image cuts the best at this size. You can cut it smaller but you might run into some ripping or other damage. If you are cutting an image and having some problems- check your handbook to see if it has a “5” red circle next to it. The tag and Card features use the same images only the image has a border around in the shape of a tag or a small card. These make fun quick cards if you are in a hurry. Some examples of the phrases you can cut with this cartridge are; “Breast Cancer Awareness”, “Labor Day”, “Fall”, “I’m Thankful For”, “Grandparents”, “Happy Thanksgiving”, “Witching Hour”, “Boo”, “New Class”, and “Hero”. This is a fun wonderful cartridge to have in your Cartridge collection, pick it up when you get a chance.

HELP FROM THE EXPERTS

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!
Customer Support

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
- Leo F. Buscaglia