NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN

Birthdays are big occasions in my family, particularly the birthdays of the younger kinfolk of our clan. This is probably because the wee ones are so good at reminding everyone around them, well in advance, that their special day is approaching.

I will attend my nephew's 8th birthday party next weekend. A lovely party at home with plenty of cake, ice cream, and games is planned. Four generations of family will be gathering for the big day and some parties throughout the weekend. A festive event in a house full of family members ranging in age from 90-years to 5-months can never have a dull moment.

Although it is not likely that the games called "Button, Button, Who's Got the Button?" and "Watch Grandpa Remove His Dentures" will be events at your party, be sure to celebrate life in your own way. Birthday events provide great ideas for scrapbooking, card making, and invitations, but don't forget the cake! With Cricut Cake, whipping up a fabulous birthday cake has never been so easy. Make the big day even more sweeter and share a little bit of yourself in the process. It won't go unnoticed. They'll thank you for adding something special to their day.

This week, be sure to read Crafty Kimber's in depth cartridge exploration of the new Cricut Imagine Machine and the Imagine More cartridge. As always, I wish you well in your crafting adventures!

:-)Lonna Joy Smoot - Editor, Cricut Chirp!

**Header project made by Mary MacAskill using the A Child's Year cartridge.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FEATURED PROJECTS

MESSAGE BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

This week's highlighted threads are:

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Crystal Wooten
About: I am a 53-year-young grandma, that loves crafting and flower gardening.

Crystal's Project: Paper Purses

Cartridges Used:
- Forever Young
- Walk in My Garden
- Lacy Labels

Instructions: Use colored/patterned cardstock and paper of your choice. The purse is from the Forever young cartridge. I did get a little creative and added the accordion folds on the sides instead to make it more boxy so I could add a gift.

For the purse base:
- 12 x 24 cardstock is needed for the base. I cut a purse base at 6 x 18, three times.
- I cut six 4 x 10 solid pieces for the accordion fold on both sides of the 3 purses.
- Each purse takes two 1 1/2 x 11 in solid for the purse handle.
- Each purse will take 1 sheet of patterned paper for the base layering and handle layering.
- I cut 5 1/2 x 17 for the top layer of the base of purse in patterned paper.
- I glued it to the 6 x 18 solid cardstock base, and used a "corner round" on just one end of that base. I left the other end square.
- Score your base starting on the end where you did not round off the corners. Score at 3 1/2", 6 1/4", 9 1/2" and 12". 3 1/2 x 10 for the accordion folds for the sides.
- Use the Cuttlebug to emboss as you choose.
- The flower was cut 2" from Walk in My Garden.
- The scallop was cut 3" from Lacey Labels.
- I cut another flower at 1 1/2 " and embossed it with swiss dots. I assembled the flowers to create "3-D" effect with glue dots and pop dots. I used pins in the center of the flowers to give them some bling.
- I put the flowers aside for later to attach to the finished purse with a craft magnet or craft Velcro to hold the purse closed.
- Use a corner punch or score board to double stick tape to fasten the purse card.

The accordion sides:
- You can use just your plain cardstock or you can layer. If you layer, glue the patterned paper on top of the solid which (would be the 4 x 10 solid with 3 1/2 x 10 patterned paper).
- Score at 1" and every inch after to make the folds. Glue both ends of the accordion folder accordingly to the purse base.
- Attach your magnet or Velco to the center inside and top flap of the purse to make the closure, using thin permanent glue dots.
- Attach the 3-D flower you made earlier to the front of the flap.
- Now add the 1 1/2 x 11 purse handle. I did layer mine. You will need to score both ends of your handle at 1" for a nice neat look.

YOUR NOTABLE TIP

Today's tip comes from message board member scrapbookingfool. What a clever idea!

"I love to use mulberry paper. To tear the edge, we all know you need to wet it slightly. I was using a cotton swab and had a small cup of water sitting on my desk. I was always worried that the water might get turned over on my work. For Christmas, my son got a toy from Santa with a water pen. I use it on my papers--no mess or spills. It works great! Replacement pens are sold at common retail stores in the toy section for about $5."

CARTRIDGE EXPLORATION

This week I finally get to explore the new Cricut Imagine Machine When you first open the box, the machine can be a little overwhelming, but think of it this way: it's the same width size as the Cricut Expression, it's just a little taller because of the printer inside.

A few tid-bits about this machine: 1) Yes, you can use all your current Cricut cartridges with this machine. You can even flood the images of those cartridges with any of the patterns or solid colors that come on the new Cricut Imagine Colors and Patterns cartridges. 2) This machine has its own collection of cartridges. They come loaded with premade projects and designs ready to be cut. You can print and cut them as they appear on the cartridge, or you may change the color palette as you see fit. These cartridges also have some 3-D projects, like bags, for example. All you have to do is print, cut, and assemble. It's so easy! Also, they come with a few solid colors and pattern papers so you can change any project to fit your color scheme or scrapbook layout. All you need for the Cricut Imagine is standard white cardstock paper--the machine will do everything else. To edit an image, simply click on the image. A will box show up with a pencil in the left hand corner; click on that pencil to make your changes.

My first worry was that I would probably go through the inks quickly. Then I found out that you can print various sizes of images on 12x12 paper, and it averages out to 120 pages per ink cartridge. If you are printing just background/pattern paper then you can print about 70 12 x 12 pages. Something else to keep in mind is that this machine has its own mats. Mats for other machines will not work in the Cricut Imagine because Provo Craft put black markings around the outside of the mat that the printer needs to register everything. A little tip I heard about the mats: once your adhesive becomes less sticky, simply wash them gently under warm water and then let them air dry. Once dry, you can reuse them.

Your machine may get off in it's calibration; this is common between changing the cartridges and it's very easy to fix. I had someone show me how to use this feature, and I thought I would pass that information along to you. You can find this feature under "Settings". Click on "Blade" and then press the "Start Calibration" button. The machine will then print a bunch of black lines and images. Once the machine is done printing and putting cut marks on the page, do not pull the paper out of the tray--this is very important. Instead, look at the vertical and horizontal marks on the page and take note of the letters and numbers that correspond with them along the sides of the mat. Reference the corrordinates of the cut line that should be on the black print line, then fix it on the machine. Basically, you are telling the machine where you want it to cut around the images. Once that is done, you will press the "Test Cut", and the machine will cut around the black image in the middle of the page. If it does this correctly, accept the changes you have made on the printer; if not, try again. Be sure to calibrate the machine before you cut your first images.

Cartridge Exploration Featured Project The machine comes with 15 different basic shapes (I made a banner to hang in my craft room; see pic), and any of these shapes can be flooded with a pattern or color of your choice. If you like looking at an overlay view, or you want to view all that comes with this machine simply click on the drop down arrow and view "All", "Fonts", "Icons", "Images", or "Keypad". This nice feature provides you a quick way to print and cut out the icons that are on the provided projects.

The Cricut Imagine Art Imagine More cartridge comes with the machine. This cartridge provides 50 pre-made projects that can be printed flat or cut out in layers. You are probably wondering how this works. After you have clicked on the project you want, at the top of the LCD screen you will see two boxes. If you click on the one that says "Layers", it will split the project apart, and you can change any of the different layers to colors or patterns of your choice. Then click on "Next" and the machine will display all the different layers at the top of the screen. Now is the time to delete anything you don't want the machine to print and cut. You can move your cursor around to the correct layer then press the "Backspace" button. This will delete that image so it won't print and cut. All in all the Cricut Imagine is very fun to use, and it's easy to make things yours.

Well that wraps up this Cricut exploration for this week, check back next week and see what I play with next. Happy Crafting!

Crafty Kimber

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HELP FROM THE EXPERTS

Cricut Cake and Halloween - from AdminBecky

"Who would have thought to use the Cricut Cake to cut out spooky shapes? Apparently you folks! On the boards, I have seen you cut festively-shaped cheese to place on top of chili or soup. I have also read on the boards of Halloween cuts using tortillas. Grab Mini Monsters, Happy Hauntings, Pumpkin Carving, and October 31st cartridges and get prepared for that Halloween dinner! As always, we'd enjoy seeing pictures."

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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

"There are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents...and only one for birthday presents, you know."

~ Lewis Carroll

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