SUNSHINE INSIDE

Although we may currently be buried in mountains of snow and the temperatures remain at a steady deep freeze, there are still plenty productive activities to enjoy inside. Crafting and scrapping being at the top of the list!

It is easy for people to feel a bit glum this time of year and smiles make their appearance less often than usual. So create a card and share it with someone you care about. Say "hello", "thank you", "love you" etc. out of the blue. Chances are you'll create a smile that keeps spreading. Your Cricut card could be the very source which begins a contagious exchange of good will, hope, and smiles among friends, loved ones, and even strangers. With the Cricut, you can turn the ordinary into extraordinary. Brighten up life with your own brand of sunshine. Share a Cricut card, share a smile!

This week, be sure to read Crafty Kimber's cartridge exploration of the Mother's Day and Easter cartridges. You'll also enjoy tips about finding crafty uses for household items and glean savvy wisdom in "Help form the Experts". We hope you enjoy this week's newsletter and, as always, 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 for the next month:

Shelby Township, MI ~ 2/19-2/28
Cincinnati, OH ~ 2/19-2/28
Tumwater, WA ~ 2/26-3/7
Murray, UT ~ 2/26-3/7
Lenexa, KS ~ 2/26-3/7
Kirkland, WA ~ 3/12-3/21
Sandy, UT ~ 3/12-3/21
Silverdale, WA ~ 3/26-4/4
Lehi, UT ~ 3/26-4/4

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FEATURED PROJECTS

SWARM WINNER

Our children attend the same playschool. At the end of the year each child will receive a scrapbook of their time in class. We are the moms who will create this scrapbook. Our group is small, but we have a good time. This was our first meeting, and we loved using our Cricut. Thanks, Provo Craft!

MESSAGE BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

This week's highlighted threads are:

• Quick and easy St.Patrick's Day Treat
• easter peek a boo paper bag
• Easter Basket
• Kitchen mushroom clock
• Tea Anyone?
• New Home Card

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Maria
About: I am an air force wife and mother of a three-year-old little girl. I am a stay at home mom who has been scrapbooking for five years.

Maria's Project: Get Well Bouquet

YOUR NOTABLE TIP

Today's tip comes from message board member croppin_girl. Thanks for sharing your tip!

"I took one of my mats that was no longer able to hold anything, and used eyelets to secure about 5 baby wipes on top. It works great as a scrubbing pad for stamps."

CARTRIDGE EXPLORATION

The weather has been great this past week and I am so excited for spring to come. I can't wait to see all the tulips I planted last fall. I have spent the week crafting and finishing up my projects in time for my event. I enjoy coming up with a craft project that uses all or most of the machines that Provo Craft offer. In today's exploration I will talk about two new Seasonal cartridges called Easter, and Mother's Day. I don't know about you but I haven't even thought about the Easter holiday yet. I decided that since I was exploring this cartridge, now was a good time to make some cards for the family. Note: if you are not sure how to use the layer features, you can look on the inside of the included back card for instructions.

The Easter cartridge comes with some themed images, a few phrases, and three 3-D items. You can now make a personal cardstock Easter basket. Here's a fun family time project: cut out the baskets parts, then when you are dying eggs, let the kids decorate the baskets before you assemble them. Some of my favorite memories are dyeing eggs with my brothers and sisters. The phrases included are "Happy Easter" and "Spring". Images include: eggs, flowers, bunnies, grass, a chick, and a lamb. Now remember, with a Seasonal cartridge you don't have any creative features, but you do get layers to help your cut outs stand out better. You can even cut some quick Easter Egg cards (see pic).

The Mother's Day cartridge is another great addition to the Cricut Seasonal family. This cartridge includes phrases, basic and layered images, and comes with 30 total themed images. Some examples of the phrases are: "Happy Mother's Day", "Mama", "Grandma", and "Mommy". Images include: flowers, swirls, frames, as well as three lace doilies in each a flower, square, and circle shape. The frames would make great journal tags for your scrapbook pages. Not sure what to make for Mom for Mother's Day? Well, you can now make your own coupon book; you get a front cover and inside pages. This would also work great for a Father's Day gift or any other gift-giving occasion. Want to make cookies for someone special on Mother's Day? Cut one of the doilies and lay it on the paper plate. Then add your cookies (see pic). Now you have added a touch of color to your gift and used your Cricut at the same time.

I can't believe how fast time is passing. I figure I had better get on and make my Mother's Day Coupon Book and Easter Cards. I like to be prepared and it saves me stressing if I plan ahead. Well, I had better get back to my projects. Happy Crafting!

Crafty Kimber

HELP FROM THE EXPERTS

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

From Becky:

As our Response Team works on Customer Support emails, we find that more often than not some critical information is left out of the email. Please remember to let us know what machine you are using. If it's a cartridge issue, please give the name of that cartridge. Paper types and machine settings are also helpful. A phone number and good time to call you would help us to better assist you. If a phone call doesn't work we'll give the information through email of course.

Don't panic if you receive a "this incident is closed email". As we answer your email, the ticket automatically closes; it does not mean we've forgotten you!


From Brittany:

Settings guide for favorite materials

Scrapbook Paper and Cardstock - Standard Blade Machine Settings: Speed 2 (Low), Pressure 5 (High), Blade Depth 5, Multi Cut 1

Bazzill, textured paper/cardstock - Standard Blade Machine Settings: Speed 1 (Min), Pressure 5 (Max), Blade Depth 6, Multi Cut 1

Fabric (0.023"/0.58mm thick) - Deep Blade Machine Settings: Speed 3 (Med), Pressure 4 (High), Blade Depth 5, Multi Cut 1
Note: Use a thin iron-on interfacing with the fabric, set the iron at its highest temperature setting. Apply direct heat and pressure to flocking for approximately 30 seconds. Peel protective liner when cool. Wash and dry garment inside out.

Magnet (0.035"/0.080mm thick) - Deep Blade Machine Settings: Speed 2 (Med), Pressure 5 (Max), Blade Depth 6, Multi Cut 4

Stencil (0.0155"/0.40mm thick) - Standard Blade Machine Settings: Speed 2 (Med), Pressure 5 (Max), Blade Depth 6, Multi Cut 2
Note: Adhesive is repositionable. Replace liner to protect adhesive during storage.

Chipboard (0.059"/1.50mm thick) - Deep Blade Machine Settings: Speed 3 (Med), Pressure 4 (High), Blade Depth 6, Multi Cut 5
Note: A fresh mat is needed to hold material. Small pieces of chipboard may require tape to stay in place.

Emboss (0.0160"/0.41mm thick) - Standard Blade Machine Settings: Speed 3 (Med), Pressure 5 (Max), Blade Depth 6, Multi Cut 2

Stamp (0.0415"/1.05mm thick) - Deep Blade Machine Settings: Speed 3 (Med), Pressure 4 (High), Blade Depth 5, Multi Cut 1
Note: Use a fresh mat to keep material firmly in place.

Have a great week!

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

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it."
~ Benjamin Franklin