PIECE 'O CAKE

Remember the little blue oven with which kids could make mini cakes and cookies? I do! My eldest sister received one many Christmases ago. With much curiosity, I watched as my sister baked her very first personal-sized mini cake. I observed every detail of the process closely so I could duplicate this baking feat again after she had left the house to play with her friends. While the "training" oven was unguarded, a cake was mixed up and baked through my best four-year-old efforts. The process was easy and the product was pleasing to my little self. However, the by-products of my covert operation (an opened package of cake batter and a dirty mini cake pan in the sink) were soon discovered--but not until I had finished licking my fingers. I have enjoyed baking and eating cakes ever since!

Something I enjoy even more than a delicious cake is a delicious decorated cake! With the Cricut Cake, and now with the Cricut Cake Mini, anyone can use any Cricut cartridge to make beautifully trimmed cakes and pastries. If you are feeling adventurous, try using a Cricut Cake to cut other edible goodies such as tortillas, or sliced cheeses. It's easy to add a special touch to themed parties and events this way. With the holiday season approaching, you and the Cricut Cake will have plenty of opportunities to decorate cakes, make edible crafts, and whip up delicious goodies.

This week, read tips about easy and affordable cartridge storage using household items, and meet the new Cricut Cake Mini. Be sure to read Crafty Kimber's in depth cartridge exploration of the new Nursery Tails, Hopscotch, and Best Friends Cricut Imagine cartridges. As always, I wish you well in your crafting adventures.

**Header project made by Lauren Arrington using the Elegant Cakes cartridge.

ANNOUNCEMENTS - Like the Cricut. Only Tastier.

Make it perfect. Make it with Mini.



The perfect companion for every occasion just got a bit smaller! The Cricut Cake Mini delivers the same quality and the same great results as the Cricut Cake while taking up less of your precious counter space so that you have more room to build your beautiful cakes and pastries.

Get precise, professional-looking results every time you create something special for an event, holiday, or just for fun. Cake decorating has never been easier or more fun. The Cricut Cake Mini works with all the Cricut and Cricut Cake cartridges.

The creative possibilities are endless! Get yours November 1st, exclusively at Jo-Ann's!

FEATURED PROJECTS

MESSAGE BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

This week's highlighted threads are:

• Fall Leaves--Fun
• My Pumpkin Topiary
• Halloween Handsoap Bottles
• Pumpkin Carving and DesignStudio
• Happy Thanksgiving Cards
• Christmas Lantern
• Sleigh Ride

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Foua Her
About: I am a mom of five kids. I won the Cricut Cake during the winter CHA giveaway on the Cricut Messageboard. I was thrilled to win this machine! I used to decorate cakes, but after having kids, I stopped to take care of them. I finally had the time to play with this machine and I love it! This machine makes cake decorating so much easier and faster!

Foua's Project: Cake for Sister

YOUR NOTABLE TIP

Today's tip comes from message board members InMyHeart and ShannonVary. What a great idea!

"I bought the snap and store containers and cut strips of plastic canvas to go front to back of the storage unit. I put four in each container so I would have five rows and I can store nine carts in each row. I have three of the storage units stacked together, and in the bottom one there is extra space for my markers and a few other tools."

CARTRIDGE EXPLORATION

In today's exploration I am continuing my exploration of the Cricut Imagine cartridges. I will be writing about Nursery Tails, Hopscotch, and Best Friends.

Nursery Tails is the perfect cartridge for baby invites, shower decorations, cards or scrapbook pages! The images that come with this cartridge include: skunk, doe, giraffe, lamb, rabbit, frog, turtle, snail, baby bottle, baby bib, onesie, baby dress, socks, and overalls. The bonus content that comes with this cartridge is four scrapbook page layouts. Each layout is ready to go; all you have to do is print the pages and apply your pictures and accents. The Icons are a striped border, a mushroom border, a flower border, a fork and knife, and each of the animals in a circle. This cartridge comes with 20 different patterned papers that coordinate with the images. Some pattern examples are flowers and mushrooms; the colors are pastel blues, pinks, greens, and yellows. You receive 21 solid colors that complement the projects and patterned paper on this cartridge. We used one of the premade project invitations for a baby shower, and it turned out so cute!

Hopscotch is part of the Patterns and Colors cartridge collection. This cartridge can be used to fill any of the images that are part of the original Cricut cartridges. You receive 20 different fun, happy patterns with a variety of bright red, blue, and golden yellow hues. A few examples of some of the patterns included are: banner flags, yellow/golden checkers, alphabet, clouds, strips, and circles. This cartridge also comes with 14 different solid colors that compliment the patterned papers. To use this cartridge, simply plug it in the machine and click on one of the images that comes with the machine. Press the pencil button to edit the image, and then click on a pattern or solid color that is provided. If you are using one of the original Cricut cartridges, plug in the classic cartridge on the left side of the lid (make sure that the Hopscotch cartridge is plugged in on the right side of the lid). Pick your image from the original Cricut cartridge, then click on the pencil to edit the image. Select the pattern you want, then look at the screen to see your image in the pattern you picked. If you decide you don't like that pattern, simply pick another, or even a solid color, until you find the one that suits your project. Print and cut to see your finished creation.

Best Friends is designed for anyone who likes to create with paper dolls. This cartridge has girls in a variety of different outfits. The outfits that you can choose from include: princess gown, basket ball uniform, jeans and sunglasses, ballet tutu, dress, pajamas, and swimming suit. You can cut the girls out with their hair in pig tails, short, long, and with a tiara. Some of the other images that can be cut out are: cat, dog, "Dear Diary" book, "Slumber Party" tag, "Meow" with cat image, "Love You" tag, table, chair, bathtub, scooter, tree branch, balloons, and a kite. The bonus images included are: an oval purse, scrapbook page with balloons, and two additional scrapbook pages. Icons that can be applied to any project that come with this cartridge are: helmet, cowboy hat, three purses, locket, and three borders (one of birds, one of flowers, and one of tea cups). There are also 20 coordinating patterns that complement all of the images and projects, plus 20 accenting solid colors.

Happy crafting to all of my fellow Cricut lovers, and may you all have a wonderful Halloween!

Crafty Kimber

WEEKLY SURVEY

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

Click here.

HELP FROM THE EXPERTS

Message Board Reminder

Be sure you are placeing your posts on the appropriate board. Remember that you checked a box that you would follow the Provo Craft rules.

Quick Summary (Not an exclusive or exhaustive list):
1. Be nice to and respectful of Message Board Administrators and your fellow Message Board Members;
2. Have fun;
3. No unauthorized or offensive content;
4. No content that interferes with the ability of others to enjoy the Message Board;
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We want the message boards to be an enjoyable place to come for all. If you would like to read the rules again, follow this link.

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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

"Eating rice cakes is like chewing on a foam coffee cup, only less filling."

~ Dave Barry