PRINCESSES, NINJAS, AND VAMPIRES...OH MY!

There are only three weeks left until until little munchkins dress up like little goblins, princesses, vampires, ninjas, and whatever else the little folks fancy. Parents and neighborhood organizations are gearing up for "trunk or treat" gatherings and school carnivals. Some like the adorable costumes best, while others enjoy the opportunity to socialize with other parents. Most like the candy and treats, but none enjoy dealing with "sugar hyped" monsters on the morrow.

Luckily, the loads of candy are gobbled down within two days to two weeks and things return back to normal--or semi-normal. I feel educators should be paid double during the week preceeding and following Halloween. Alas, you and I both know this is not the case. Instead of sending a lone shiny apple to show your appreciation, show your child's teacher you really care by passing along a little card or clever "Thank You!" or "You're Great!" gift. Better yet, click here to learn more about our special offer to benefit schools in a Cricut kind of way!

From now until November 15th, you will be able to "purchase a Cricut Imagine, donate your current Cricut machine (any model) to any accredited K-12 school of your choice, and qualify to receive two (2) Cricut Imagine Cartridges: Enjoy the Seasons and Industrial Glow."

Think about it and check it out! This is definitely a gift that keeps on giving and one that your teachers will never forget.

Also, this week, be sure to read Crafty Kimber's in depth cartridge exploration of the new Country Carnival, Imagine More Cards, JT, and Better Together Cricut Imagine cartridges. As always, I wish you well in your crafting adventures.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FEATURED PROJECTS

MESSAGE BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

This week's highlighted threads are:

• One More Fall Card
• Giving Thanks
• Halloween Wizard
• Trick or Tweet
• Fall Card Sunflower
• Frankly, Spooky

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Cathy Martin
About: My career as a Packaging Engineer is what led to my love of paper crafting. It's only been about five months since I bought my first Cricut, but since then, a day hasn't gone by that I'm not working on a project or thinking about my next project.

Cathy's Project: Halloween Lanturn

YOUR NOTABLE TIP

Today's tip comes from message board member Scrapnquiltgramma. Thanks for sharing your clever repurposing ideas!

1. Coffee filters are great for catching glitter or embossing powder--easy to pour excess back into the containers.
2. Old mouse pads are nice cushions for punching little holes for brads.
3. Roofing nails can be used as a hole punch (combine with mouse pad).
4. Push pins (the kind used on bulletin boards) also work great for punching small holes in paper, cardstock. This works especially well to start holes, then enlarge with the roofing nail.
5. Double sided tape is great for adhering photos, paper, etc.
6. Wood putty is perfect for sculpting embellishments--it dries hard and can be tinted or painted.
7. Plastic credit cards that you get in the mail (or even your own old cards) make great mat scrapers, or can be used to adhere paper to a mat. You can also use them in place of bone folders for scoring or making sharp folds in cardstock.

CARTRIDGE EXPLORATION

Now that we have the Cricut Imagine, I will be exploring these cartridges as well the original Cricut cartridges. In this week's exploration I will talk about Imagine More Cards, JT, Country Carnival, and Better Together.

Imagine More Cards is a collection of ready-made cards, but you can change any parts with textures or solid colors however you like. Some examples of the phrases on this cartridge are: "Miss Ewe", "Thanks a Latte", "Good Luck", "Thinking of Ewe", "Happy Bird-day", "You Take the Cake", and "Snail Mail". You receive 42 different projects, most of which are quick cards, but some others include: three-fold card, three-fold card with window, tags, an oval frame, a paper game, envelopes, and post cards. The bonus content that comes with this cartridge is two 3-D boxes and two paper bags. The Icons on this cartridge are borders, roses, a butterfly, and a tag. You also receive sixteen patterns and 24 solid colors!

Country Carnival is fast becoming one of my favorite cartridges for background patterns. I love the way the artist created each of the patterns to have a rustic roughness painted into the pattern. This cartridge is classified as a font cartridge; the letters and numbers are a wide solid block style, and come with multiple colors on each design. You can cut each of the letters in whatever pattern or color you want. Simply click the image, then click on the pencil that opens up the edit area. Next click on the layers button and start trying on patterns or colors. Watch your letter change according to the pattern or color that you have selected--it's so much fun to see what it will look like before you cut the image out! I love that about this new machine. The bonus content that you receive on this cartridge is a card, an envelope, a 12x12 scrapbook layout with border, and a 3-D purse. The Icons you can print are: a bird, flowers, an old fashioned key, a cowboy boot, a butterfly, paisleys, and a rose. There are nineteen different backgrounds and 23 solid colors to choose from on any letter or project. Rorysnonna from the message board created this adorable word book (see photo or click here).

JT's style of art is very boyish. Examples of art are: skull, lion crest, paint blobs, guitar, stag, oriental dragon, fleur de lis, headphones, wings, fishbone, and many masculine teen type images. This cartridge also includes a few phrases: "Epic", "Attitude", "Wicked", "Sweet", and "Dude" are a few examples. You also get 23 solid colors and 20 patterns (these patterns compliment the cartridge style and have the edgy style add to each design). The bonus content includes: a triangle, a file folder, an oval tag, and a child's 3-D car. Icons are: flame border, crown, dragon's head, eagle crest, bird, and square picture frame.

The last Circuit Imagine cartridge I explored this week was Better Together. This cartridge is very girly; some image examples include: birds on a branch, owl, flowers, girls on the phone, cupcakes, bear, tea cup, presents, and hearts. A few examples of the phrases are: "Berry Special Friend", "Thanks", and "Let's Hang Out". You receive 20 fun bright patterns, and 23 solid colors to choose from to help personalize your projects. The bonus content that comes with this cartridge is: a purse, card envelope, picture frame, fortune teller ready-made game (this image brings back so many memories!). Icons are: "I Miss You", world, snail, flower, shoe, present, and bow. Jeannie Phillips from the message board created this cut card using the Better Together cartridge(see pic or click here).

I hope you have enjoyed this exploration of Imagine Cricut Cartridges. Check back next week as I continue exploring the new Cricut Imagine cartridges and new original cartridges. Happy Crafting!

Crafty Kimber

WEEKLY SURVEY

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

Click here.

HELP FROM THE EXPERTS

How to use Etching Cream

1. Clean the glass or mirror thoroughly to remove all grease, dust, and fingerprints. Avoid cleaner solutions that advertise that they are "finger print resistant" as these cleaners leave a film on the glass that hinders the etching process. Dry glass or mirror completely.

2. Choose the design from the Cricut machine of your choice using a cartridge and cut it out with vinyl. Carefully take the outside of the cutout of the vinyl and place it where you want.

3. When placing on the mirror or glass, make sure there are no bubbles in the vinyl.

4. Watch when you are applying the vinyl; be careful not to overlap any part of the design. This overlap prevents the etching cream from contacting the glass and etching unwanted areas. If there are areas of glass that you don't want the cream, you will need to protect it. Cover that with pieces of tape.

5. For best etching results we recommend that the etching cream and the object you are etching be over 70 degrees. Shake the etch cream thoroughly. Work in a well lighted and well ventilated area near a water source. Wear plastic gloves and protective eyewear if you would like. When applying, dab the etching cream on with a brush. You must apply a thick layer of etching cream in order for the chemical to react properly on the glass or mirror. Stay within vinyl area.

6. To know how long you need to leave the etching cream on, please read the bottle as some creams are different. Immediately wash off all the etching cream under luke warm water; you do not need to scrub. After all traces of the etching cream are washed away, remove all the vinyl, clean the glass using window cleaner, and dry completely.

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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

"I don't know what to say so I'll just say what's in my heart...badoom, badoom, badoom."

~ Mel Brooks