A COMPLETE SURPRISE

I am sprouting flowers and vegetable seeds indoors due to the daily changes in the weather, and mostly just because I needed to plant something. Seeds were planted in trays of pellets and are now sitting in a sunny spot near the window. They had to be moved to another sunny spot in the house the other day and now I don't remember which tray is which because this savvy gardener failed to label each tray's contents.

My plan is to continue watering the seeds and wait for all of them to sprout. Perhaps at that time I'll be able to distinguish a tomato plant from a sunflower. But, if a Roma tomato plant ends up next to the Marigolds, it really won't be the end of the world. They say that some pesky insects do not like Marigolds. Hmmm, that might keep the bugs away from my tomatoes.

I guess I'll be mixing it up a little with my garden project this year. It might not be all that different from how I use fonts and shapes of various Cricut cartridges together in my projects. Sometimes the outcome is predictable and sometimes...it's a complete surprise.

This week, be sure to read Crafty Kimber's cartridge exploration of the "Just Because" Cards cartridge. You'll also enjoy practical advice on decorating drinking glasses. As always, I wish you well in your crafting adventures.

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:

Silverdale, WA ~ 3/26-4/4
Lehi, UT ~ 3/26-4/4
Chico, CA ~ 4/2-4/11
Livermore, CA ~ 4/2-4/11
Bakersfield, CA ~ 4/2-4/11
Rancho Cucamonga, CA ~ 4/2-4/11
Lake Elsinore, CA ~ 4/2-4/11
Victorville, CA ~ 4/2-4/11
El Centro, CA ~ 4/2-4/11
Tucson, AZ ~ 4/2-4/11
Avondale, AZ ~ 4/2-4/11
Sacramento, CA ~ 4/9-4/18
Puyallup, WA ~ 4/9-4/18
Clackamas, OR ~ 4/9-4/18

FEATURED PROJECTS

MESSAGE BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

This week's highlighted threads are:

• Egg shape card with bunny
• EASTER BONNET GATEFOLD CARD
• Easter Side step card
• Flower Card
• Easter Card for my Son

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Amy Morris
About: I've been married for five years to a wonderful husband and we have two amazing boys. I love crafting of any kind. I've been scrapbooking off and on for ten years now, but since I bought my Cricut I do all kinds of paper crafting.

Amy's Project: Easter Baskets

YOUR NOTABLE TIP

Today's tip comes from message board member Kut-n-Print. Thanks for sharing your tip!

Q. "Does anyone know what type of vinyl to use that will stay on drinking glasses? I would like to decorate some as a wedding gift. I tried the decor vinyl but it doesn't want to stay after hand washing. Or is there a technique I am missing?"

A. "A lot of people on the vinyl section of this board have had success with outdoor vinyl on glasses that go through the dishwasher (top rack), but it's not 100%. Etching is a much more elegant look and you can't go wrong with that."

CARTRIDGE EXPLORATION

First off, I want to wish everyone Happy Easter in anticipation for the weekend. This past week, every time I walked into my craft room I cringed; I have got to spend some time organizing all my stuff. I don't feel very creative when I can't find anything because it is buried under papers, boxes, and yarn. In this exploration I got to explore the "Just Because" Cards. This cartridge is so cute! It has tons of phrases that will fit any scrapbook page or quick card. You can use the images and shapes for other projects or even journal tags.

The six creative features of this cartridge are: Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3/Shadow, Word, Sticker, and Stencil. The Sticker and Stencil features also come with solid shapes that you can cut by using the Shift key with the feature key turned on. Use the Sticker feature with vinyl and create special stickers for your kids' wall! Then when the kids leave the room you can pull it off--hehe.

Just a few examples of the Word feature are: "thanks a melon", "you quack me up", "sweet as honey", "cute as a bug", "catch you later", "get whale soon", "when life gives you lemons make lemonade", "you are my sunshine", and "you take the cake". Any of these phrases would make a great t-shirt with the Yudu. HappyHappyJoyJoy from the Cricut message board created a variety of cards that are just adorable (see pic #1, pic #2, pic #3 or follow the links).

Some examples of images that come on this cartridge are: sunshine, cake, duck, whale, apple, old-fashioned truck, flower with leaves, pie, dog, car, kid?s wagon, chick, bicycle, and a corn husk. The lacy image with the cake saying would be adorable for a wedding or bridal shower invite. Or you could make the cake image look like a birthday cake. This cartridge comes with tons of cards and 10 different envelopes to compliment them. A tip that I pulled from the message board (thanks fellow Cricut fan): when deciding which envelope to use with which card, make sure that you look at your overlay. The overlay is set up so the bottom row of buttons is where all the different envelops are located. Each envelope button will work with all of the cards that are above it. To clarify, there are 4 cards that will work with each envelope.

It's time to wrap up another exploration and I have enjoyed this cartridge. I know I usually don't like to tell which cartridges are my favorites but this cartridge is joining my top five list. I just love this new cartridge!

Crafty Kimber

HELP FROM THE EXPERTS

Here we answer the top questions in Customer Support this week.

From Becky:

Clarification and Reminder: Cricut Rewards Member Agreement and Program Rules

Please read these Program Rules carefully before accessing, using, or registering for membership in the Provo Craft Cricut Rewards Program (Cricut Rewards). By accessing, using, or registering for the Cricut Rewards Program, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth below, as if you had actually signed them. If you do not agree to the terms and conditions set forth below, you may not use Cricut Rewards.

You acknowledge and agree that this Member Agreement and these Program Rules is a legally binding contract between you and Provo Craft & Novelty, Inc. (Provo Craft). Provo Craft may modify the terms and conditions of this Member Agreement as described below, and you agree to familiarize yourself with any modifications.

1. The Provo Craft Cricut Rewards membership is open to legal residents of the United States and Canada who, at the time of registration, are 13 years of age or older. By joining Cricut Rewards, you represent that you are 13 years of age or older and you agree that you are bound by the Rules of the Cricut Rewards program. Your Cricut Rewards membership is subject to present and future Cricut Rewards terms, conditions, procedures, regulations, and program rules.

2. The Cricut Rewards program is VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Each household may maintain only one Cricut Rewards account. Corporations, groups and/or associated entities cannot enroll as Cricut Rewards members.

3. Employees of Provo Craft, and its subsidiaries are ineligible to participate in Cricut Rewards as well as others who are eligible for employee-based discounts.

4. Accrued points do not constitute property of the member. Points accrued by a Cricut Rewards member are for the member's benefit only and any membership or points are nontransferable. Points are transferable to a legal spouse or partner only in the case of documented death of the member. Points are not transferable to another person for any other reason, including divorce or inheritance. Certificates are property of Provo Craft; copying and/or duplication of certificates is prohibited. The points have no cash value and are only redeemable for offered rewards through the Cricut Rewards program.

5. Respecting your privacy is a priority for us. However, in order to keep you apprised of your Cricut Rewards membership status, it is important that we send you certain program information necessary for administration; printed or email marketing materials from Cricut and/or Provo Craft which will inform you of special offers and products we believe would be of interest to you. The information you provide to us when enrolling in Cricut Rewards and redeeming points is processed in our computer system in the United States. As a participant in Cricut Rewards, you have consented to receive all of the kinds of information described above. However, you will be given the opportunity to opt-out of e-mails from Cricut and/or Provo Craft. Your information will not be shared with third parties. Provo Craft, as part of the Cricut Rewards program, does not intend to collect any personal information for individuals under thirteen (13) years of age. In the event any personal information from individuals under thirteen (13) years of age is collected, such information will not be disclosed to any third party by Provo Craft.

6. You may cancel your membership by notifying Provo Craft, in writing, at the address listed below. In addition, any name or address changes must be made by contacting:

Cricut Rewards Program
151 East 3450 North
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Telephone: 877-727-4288
Fax: (801) 794-9001

Name changes must include supporting legal documentation, signature, and date.

7. Participation in the Cricut Rewards program is subject to all Program Rules that Provo Craft may, in its discretion, adopt from time to time. Provo Craft may amend the Program Rules at any time without notice. Provo Craft has the sole discretion to interpret and apply the Program Rules.

8. Participants are responsible for shipping and handling costs associated with the delivery of redeemed merchandise. The shipping and handling cost includes certain processing and material costs.

9. Each Provo Craft and Cricut product is indentified with a unique Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) number. Each account may redeem a given SKU number only once.

10. The accumulation of points is subject to the Cricut Rewards Program Rules. Each member is responsible for understanding his or her rights, responsibilities, and status in the program.

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12. The right to earn points and redeem the points for rewards may end with or without prior notice from Provo Craft, no matter the extent of member participation in the program.

13. An account may be closed at Provo Craft?s discretion if no points are accrued during a twelve (12) month period. All points in the account will be forfeited at that time.

14. Cricut Rewards points, and rewards earned through participating in Cricut Rewards may be subject to tax liability. Any tax liability, including disclosure, connected with the receipt or use of Cricut Rewards points, or rewards is the sole responsibility of the member.

15. In the case of fraud or abuse involving Cricut Rewards, point credit, or reward use Provo Craft reserves the right to take appropriate administrative and/or legal action, and all points earned through Cricut Rewards may be forfeited and the account closed.

16. By registering in the Cricut Rewards program, each Cricut Rewards member agrees that Provo Craft and each of their respective agents, representatives, parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, and legal advisors, and each of their respective employees, shareholders, officers, and directors are not responsible or liable for, and shall be released and held harmless from: (i) late, lost, delayed, damaged, misdirected or otherwise, mail, packages, or other correspondence; (ii) any condition caused by events beyond the control of Provo Craft that may cause the Cricut Rewards program to be disrupted or otherwise; (iii) any printing, human, typographical or other errors or ambiguities in (or involving) any materials associated with the Cricut Rewards program; and (iv) any and all losses, damages, rights, claims, and action of any kind in connection with or resulting from registering, enrolling, or participating in the Cricut Rewards program.

17. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of the Cricut Rewards program, or the rights and obligations of any Cricut Rewards program member in connection with the Cricut Rewards program, shall be governed by, and construed pursuant to the sole discretion of Provo Craft.

18. Each Cricut Rewards member agrees to be bound by the Terms of Use as provided and stated at www.provocraft.com and such Terms of Use are specifically incorporated by reference into this Member Agreement and Program Rules.

Have a great week!

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

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"For I remember it is Easter morn,
And life and love and peace are all new born."
~ Alice Freeman Palmer