JOURNALS

Many people are beginning their new journals for the year 2010. Not all journals are the same, however. They are your very own personal account of events in your lifetime. They tell your story and preserve your very own personal history...the way you saw it and the way you want it to be remembered. I consider scrapbooks to be a special type of treasured journal with a personal flare that speaks for itself.

Benjamin Franklin said, "If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write something worth reading or do things worth the writing."

Record your life your way, whether it's a picture journal, craft journal, or the good ol' "Dear Diary" type. Journaling is more fun now than ever with Cricut. Be sure to tell your story.

Happy Crafting,

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Don't miss the opportunity to see the Cricut and new cartridges and consumables in action! Here are are the dates and locations for the next month:

Mt. Prospect, IL ~ 1/22-1/31
Commerce, MI ~ 1/22-1/31
Columbus, OH ~ 1/22-1/31
Tukwila, WA ~ 1/29-2/7
Orem, UT ~ 1/29-2/7
Bedford Park, IL ~ 2/5-2/14
Livonia, MI ~ 2/5-2/14
Springdale, OH ~ 2/5-2/14
Lacey, WA ~ 2/12-2/21
Salt Lake City, UT ~ 2/12-2/21
Overland Park, KS ~ 2/12-2/21
Shelby Township, MI ~ 2/19-2/28
Cincinnati, OH ~ 2/19-2/28

FEATURED PROJECTS

MESSAGE BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

This week's highlighted threads are:

• Cross-Post-Journal Jars
• Mom's Hat Box and Purse Box Set
• Memo Pad cover
• KISS ME
• All u need is love ? Zooballoo
• Adore Scallop Fold Card

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Jenny Titus
About: I love my Cricut! It has changed my life. I use it for myself, my children, school things, church things, and for lots of fun things. It really has become so much of who I am. I have met so many friends through the Cricut and it brings me a lot of happiness. I am blessed and have a great life.

Jenny's Project: SpongeBob Playmat

YOUR NOTABLE TIP

Today's tip comes from message board member Patty. Thanks for the clever tip!

"I brush the powder lightly over my page, then wipe it off with a soft cloth. It covers all those tiny adhesive places that you miss with the adhesive eraser, etc. keeps the page from sticking to other stuff. I saw this on TV - don't remember which show."

CARTRIDGE EXPLORATION

This week?s highlighted cartridges are Heritage and Destinations. The Heritage cartridge is one of my new favorites ? there?s just so much I can do with it. All those antique photos will finally have a home. The special features of this cartridge are: Word, Frame, Charm, Font, Font Shadow, Shadow. The images on this cartridge are distinctly Old World and include a quill, parchment, bath tub, telephones, sewing machine, lamp posts ornate iron gates, as well as 19th century to mid 20th century style homes, furniture, toys, clothing, and modes of transportation. There is also a script font and words like ?legacy?, ?ancestry?, ?journal?, ?lifetime?, and ?journey? available with the Word creative feature. There are an assortment of frame and charm options, but, by far, my favorite thing about this cartridge is the cameos. They?re just so elegant and classic! Pinklady50 from the message board created a super sweet card using a cameo (see photo or click here). She also made a tri-fold shutter card that is definitely worth a look.

The Destinations cartridge is great for anyone who travels. It?s handy for making pages for trip or vacation. The creative features are: Layers, Sites, Locations, Words, Country 1, and Country 2. The Sites feature is my favorite as it allows you to cut out famous landmarks and sites like: the Space Needle, the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty, Easter Island, Mayan ruins, Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, Red Square, the Parthenon, the Sphinx, the Dome of the Rock, the Tajmahal, the Great Wall of China, the Sydney Opera House, and so many more. Perhap what this cartridge is most handy for, however, is making little tags for luggage, postcards, or travel logs. You can cut out a defining landmark and combine it with text and a border with only a few easy steps. OhhhSnap from the message board created a series of cards using featuring the Eiffel Tower (see photo or click here).

For more ideas on what to do with these cartridges check out the www.cricut.com message board. Happy Crafting!

Crafty Kimber

HELP FROM THE EXPERTS

Here are the top question/answers in Customer Support this week.

From Brightly:

Q. Can I use my deep blades in my regular blade housing?

A. No, we really don't recommend that at all. The housings are different and the blade length and slant are different. If they are mixed up you can void your warranty.


From Michelle:

Q. How do I receive my rewards points for my Gypsy?

A. Once you register you will receive the rewards certificate by email. You will need to enter the certificate number into your Cricut rewards account to redeem them for the points.

How to register your gypsy

1. go to www.cricut.com/gypsy
2. click on the new Gypsy owners start here green arrow
3. click on register
4. download the Gypsy Sync software for PC (XP or vista you must at least have Microsoft service pack 3 and Microsoft .net framework 3.5 SP1) or MAC (10.6)
5. Run the PC or MAC download
6. follow installation
7. connect your Gypsy to your computer (in the back of the tower) using the cable provided in your box (looks like a digital camera cord)
8. Turn the Gypsy on 9. Open the Gypsy Sync software by double clicking on the icon on your desktop
10. Continue registration
11. Finish the update with the Gypsy Sync.

From Mark:

Q. I'm missing new carts on my Cricut DesignStudio.

A. Download the font pack and get the latest updates. Newest releases include the following:

DesignStudio Content V100122 Change Log ? January 22, 2010
Added support for the following cartridges:
-Cake Basics
-Once Upon A Princess

DesignStudio Content V091216 Change Log ? December 17, 2009
Added support for the following cartridges:
-Love Struck 2010
-Mothers Day 2010
-Easter 2010
-Songbird
-Heritage
-Tie the Knot
-Forever Young
-Sentimentals

Have a great week!

From your Customer Support Sweeps:
Mark, Brightly, Michelle, and Becky, "The Floor Sweeps"

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson