Cut around a design using centre point on your cricut expression

My friend Sheila was looking to buy some new nestability dies. I told her that she could cut the same shapes around her image with her cricut expression using centre point as long as she didn't want the embossed edge. She said that would save her a lot of money as she has lots of nesting shapes on her cricut carts. I said I would put together a video tutorial to show her how it's done.

Well here is the video as promised Sheila.

I used the Jasmine cart as it had a nice oval with decorative mat. I cut a shadow layer and I then increased the size of the cut to 5.5" once finished the main design and cut a contrasting oval to the layer behind the main image. The stamp I used was from stampin up.

Cricut Hoot 'n' Holler Owl card

Here is a card made using the Cricut Hoot 'n' Holler cartridge. I saw this card technique as a sample on the web using circles. I thought I would try it with shapes. I cut the little owls at 1" and 1 3/8" to put randomly on the card. The feature owl I cut at 2 1/2". I used my Stampin'up scalloped border punch for the mat layer. This punch has never really punched properly since I bought it, it leaves the edges a bit feathery. I used a decorative paper for the body of the owl and 3 birds flowers from Crafters Companion as an embellishment.

All's well that ends well!!

We had our Christmas dinner eventually at 7pm. I decided to cut the turkey joint into slices to speed up the process. The centre was virtually defrosted so only had to wait a little while before popping them in the oven.

Using FRESH next year!!

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas day.

Christmas Dinner disaster!!!

I decided to buy a boneless turkey joint instead of a crown this year. I bought it quite early on in case I had a job nearer the time getting one and put it in the freezer. It was just a small piece 1.33kg. I took it out and put it in the fridge to defrost through the night. When I took it out this morning it was still as frozen in the fridge as it had been when it went in. I have had it in the lounge near the radiator most of the day and it is only defrosted on the outside. Will give it another wee while and we may eventually after the 100 mins cooking time get our Christmas Dinner!!!
We have just had our soup to keep us going for now.
I never use frozen chicken or turkey always buy fresh. Will know next year to wait until nearer the day to purchase it.
Hope you all enjoyed yours!!

Merry Christmas!!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas on this Christmas morning.

We are at home this year. Spent the morning opening our pressies. I got some new pyjamas, scarf and gloves set, a new bead for my pandora bracelet and some flavoured hot chocolate packs.

I also got some money and will be spending it on craft in the new year!! Well there's a surprise!!

I managed to buy 2 sets of Grand Nestabilities from ebay.com for £21 each so a great saving. My new friend Bev takes delivery in the US for me and sends them on. Thanks Bev. Only need to buy the Grand Calibur now. I will get this from Crafters Companion in January with my Christmas money.

Will be cooking Christmas dinner today so hope it's ok!!!!

Didn't become a Euromillions millionaire last night but did win £7.40 yipee!!

We have had yet more snow this week and more yesterday. Hope it's finished now it's such hard work walking in it.

Our School was closed on Wednesday due to water leaking into the building. They had to turn off the electricity so no heating or hot water. It was a shame as it was the children's last day and they didn't get their Christmas craft things home.

I went into school anyway as there was lots to tidy up. The fridge had to be emptied and cleaned, decorations and tree taken down. We also had a few members of staff leaving so wanted to say bye to them. Most staff came in which was good.

We didn't get secret santa done either as not everyone was there. Will do it in the new year instead.

SNOW!!

I decided to let you see the snow for yourself. Can't believe it's still falling. I was up at 1am this morning and it was really falling heavily again. I watched it until 2am and then went back to bed. By morning a lot more had fallen, it had filled in the footprints which were there earlier last evening! It is so cold. I've had to turn the heating up.

SNOW AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First picture is last night around 6.00pm at the front of the house and second is this morning about 10.00am around the back.

Can't believe we have more snow again. It's back with a vengeance!! Deeper than last time in a shorter period of time, and more to come they say!

Our school was closed today for the first time due to the dangerous driving conditions for parents, staff and pupils who come on school transport. The police were advising everyone not to drive unless absolutely necessary. Even the local bus station came to a standstill with no buses leaving Aberdeen. The airport was closed for several hours too.

Last night I left work at 3.50pm and didn't get home until 5.50pm. A journey which would normally take 25 - 30 mins. The whole of Aberdeen just came to a standstill as the snow began to fall very heavily. I decided to take the bus rather than walk the 40 mins to get home. A decision I regretted later.

We worked from home today. I have been recording a children's show called 'Something Special' which helps children with communication problems learn about their surroundings and it uses Makaton signing which lots of ASN children use. I have been making DVDs so we can watch them at school. Just finishing transferring last show on my sky box to my computer so I can make the 3rd DVD. It has taken a while today as there were about 10 shows to transfer, each 24 mins long. Then the editing takes a little while too.

Meeting my friend for lunch tomorrow which will be nice. May walk into town this time!!!

Planning for Valentine's Day

This is one of the cards I plan to do with the children at the school card making club in the new year. The next class is on the last Wednesday of the month. This will take us near to Valentine's Day so that is why I chose this design. The bear is a digital stamp from http://www.digistampboutique.co.uk/ and the papers are from Crafters Companion Swalk cds. I used my Martha Stewart border punch to add detail to the cut edge of the card. I will make sentiments for them to add on, I may use mine for Mother's Day.

Christmas shopping finished in one day

Spent today in town determined to get all christmas shopping done.

I bought the same thing for my mum, dad, niece, sister and husband. I got a bargain too as the shop only charged for 4 instead of 5.

For secret santa at work I got the person a T-shirt from M&S.

Just have to get the food I need for christmas day now.

I have not done any crafting for the last couple of weeks. My craft class was cancelled last week due to the severe snow. Hopefully it will go ahead this Wednesday.

The children at school did well at the christmas sale we had at the end of the month. They sold virtually all they had made. £75.00 was what they made, they were delighted with themselves. I have already bought the 3 birds box of stamps on Create and Craft recently and some photo glue. We will be able to build up some supplies, at present I take in my own materials.

In January we are making never ending cards. The children should love the effect of these.

Clarity Stamps Christmas card

Saw Barbara making a version of this card on Create and Craft. Bought the stamps at the SECC and decided to have a go. It took several attempts for me to get it to stamp properly. Had to really press firmly to make sure the sky printed properly. Barbara used shrink plastic for her deer, she also stamped smaller deer nearer the house. This is my version which my craft class will be having a go at on Wednesday!! I didn't have enough glitter paper to give everyone a piece so I just used 160gsm white card and thin double sided tape around the edge, then glittered it. Saved a whole piece of glitter card just for the edges to be showing.

Poor little Harvey

Poor little Harvey died on Thursday. He was nearly 2 years old so it was expected. Still I shed a little tear as he was so cute and friendly, he used to come over to see you when you spoke to him in his cage. Thought Daniel would be upset but he was ok. Don't think we'll get another one for a while now.

Card-io inspiration

I bought the Card-io swirl tree stamp set at the SECC along with the Festive Bouquet stamps on the purple card. There was a sample at the SECC so I tried to replicate it. I didn't have the stamps she used so I tried using the stamps I had. I am hoping to do this card with the kids at school at card making club on Wednesday. I glittered the swirl of the tree once finished.

A Card I saw at SECC

I saw a card done on the Cardio stand at the SECC. I decided to try and replicate it. I used ribbons I had already. The ribbon they used was a striped ribbon and the same ribbon was used throughout the card. I decided to use different colours and widths. I used the Cardio stamps to make this card. I coloured the pot with 'pear' promarker and used some vintage photo distress ink to shade the side. I used the same ink on the tree, edges of card and the greeting.

Lili of the valley - Baby Boy birthday card

Another cute stamp from Lili of the Valley. 'Baby Boy' stamp. I coloured with promarkers.

Used my nestabilities to cut the frames.

Checked paper is from the new Swalk cd from Crafters Companion.

Lili of the Valley baby card

Another stamp I bought at the SECC craft fair. A lovely cute Lili of the Valley Stamp 'Baby Blanket'. I used my promarkers to colour it and my nestabilities to cut the circles. I used various different papers in the same shades. Ribbon is Certainly Celery from Stampin up.

Sympathy card

Stamp is from 'My Cute Stamps'. I stamped with green ink and coloured the flowers with a salmon pink ink using cut-n-dry pen nibs to get into the small areas. The 'with sympathy' stamp in from Crafters Companion new Swalk stamp sets. Backing paper is also from a Crafters Companion Cd. I finished off with a ribbon.

Christmas angel card

This is a stamp from 'Stamp Addicts'. I have had this stamp for several years now and it is one of my favourite christmas stamps. There are 2 stamps in the set, one angel with a normal halo and the second has a slipped halo. I stamped snowflakes with a gold ink. The verse was printed on the computer. I coloured the angel with promarkers.

Another Lili of the valley kids christmas card

Here is a card I made with another Lili of the Valley stamp I bought at the SECC. Coloured again with promarkers.

Lili of the Valley Baby Christmas card

I bought this stamp at the SECC the other week and decided today to give it a go.

I really like the effect that you get from the promarker colouring.

I used my Martha Stewart snowflake punch to make the strip along the middle. I used my cuttlebug snowflake die for the large snowflake and a punch for the small one.

The background papers are from Crafters Companion Cute Companion Adorables cd by Jayne Nestorenko.

Popcorn Souffle the Duck Baby cards

Saw this project as a notebook on Crafters Companion Popcorn Souffle cd. I decided to change it to a new baby card.

I used my craft robo to cut out the layers of the image which saved a lot of cutting time.

I used my Martha Stewart border punch to decorate the matting strips and my nestability scalloped circles and rectangles to frame the images.

First Serif Scrapbooking Artist 2 page....

This is the first page I have created with my new Serif Scrapbook Artist 2 software. It took a while as I watched the programmes on it I recorded on Create and Craft and designed at the same time. I printed it on white 160gsm card. I may try printing it on my HP semi glossy photo paper and see what I like best.
I like the shadow feature and all the embellishments you can add to your page. This software I think was well worth the money. Although I scrapbook properly I think I will use this a lot too!!
Daniel had chipped a bone in his elbow on holiday a few weeks previously and had just had the cast removed the day before. His arm was a bit stiff and sore, this is why it looks bent. It was also his birthday the day he started Harlaw Academy.

Nappy fold Christmas gift bags...

When a the SECC last weekend Lilian and I joined a Stampin'Up class and made this little red nappy fold gift bag. It has a few peppermints in a bag but you could put chocolates if you wish. This bag was made from a 6x6 sheet of double sided paper. I made the tree one when I got home using a cute companions cd and printed both sides of the card. I have made several more using 8x8 card so just a bit bigger for those special chocolates........

Stampin Up party

I had a Stampin'Up party the other night. There were 7 of us and we all enjoyed making this lovely simple christmas card. It is using the new Delightful Decorations set of stamps plus the Ornament Extra Large punch. They had a special on this month so if you bought the stamps and punch together you got a free roll of ribbon. A few of us bought this deal....... Linda and I used the joy stamp for the card just to be different from everyone else who used the one with the snowflake, they added a pearl to the centre. I managed to get this deal using my hostess allowance from the party.

Fun filled weekend

Back from our 'Girly' weekend to Glasgow. Lilian and I the hardened crafters spent 2 days perusing and purchasing, while the others went shopping all day Saturday and came to the SECC for a couple of hours on the Sunday.

I managed to get several Martha Stewart punches at knock down prices, a few cute Lili of the Valley stamps, yet more promarkers and a couple of templates.

Lilian was a bit more reserved although she did purchase more than usual!!

It was a good job that we had an extra hour in bed on Saturday night/ Sunday morning, as at 1.45am the fire alarm in the hotel went off and we all had to evacuate to the street. Fortunately it wasn't raining and was pretty mild for the time of day.

The culprit was caught on CCtv so hopefully they will be able to track him down......

I was lucky enough to get a sample made for me by Sheena Douglas...I had won a card on Create and Craft but never received it so she kindly made me a topper with her new stamp sets... Here is a pic of Sheena and the sample she made.... Pic is not very good as she moves all the time!!!!

We saw the new Imagine from Cricut being demonstrated at Oyster Crafts. Still wasn't tempted.... I also spoke to the chap at the Craft Robo stand and he showed me how to download the latest drivers and now I have the welding features, etc. I only had the basic programme as it is a while since I purchased my Robo. Still looking at the Pazzles machine though!!!!!!!

Going to have tea now but if I think of anything else from the weekend I will let you know!!!

Something different I saw

I was looking at different blogs and I came upon a lovely card that had a topper that was embossed and glittered. I had a stamp from Lavinia stamps so I tried that instead. I inked it with versamark and used a sparkly embossing powder. I then cut out the image with a nestability die. Paper is from 'The wobblers'. I made the card in two different colour ways.
Hope you like them.

Hooray I have reached GOLD!!!

At last I have reached gold membership with crafters companion. Thank goodness for their birthday celebrations this week and double points. I don't think I would have made it otherwise. I now receive 15% discount and next day delivery. I have ordered their glue gel which is 3 for 2 this birthday week, so with my discount only £8.50 for 3 tubes. I may even order more before Sunday. You also receive a free popcorn bear stamp with every order placed this week too. I am waiting for the new swalk set which will be released on Friday can't wait for that.
Home late on Saturday as I will be stopping of at Dunfermline go visit my friend Sheila. She has managed to get me cricut country life, so another one to add to my collection and load onto my gypsy.
Good news for gypsy owners too cricut are releasing a download on 1st November which gives you 6 free carts. I already have 2 of them.
http://www.pinkcricut.com/2010/10/gypsy-owners-free-cartridge-downloads/
Been stamping and colouring while I have been away preparing things for my classes.
I have lots of craft items waiting for me at my mums when I get home. Being on holiday doesn't stop you buying I'm afraid. That's the downside of an iPhone or laptop on holiday. I have asked mum to take everything out of the packaging and put it in a bag so it doesn't look to much if tubby sees it!!!
Bye for now......

Crafters Companion Blog Hop new Swalk stamps

If you want a chance to see sneaky peaks and win some goodies visit the blog hop. Can't wait for the new Swalk stamp range to be released on Friday I have all the stamps and cd from the last release. I also bought 3 cds and the full set of stamps to share with my 3 friends for their Christmas presents this year.

Beading project

I went to a bead stringing class in Haddington this afternoon. This is the necklace I made. I will probably keep it as a christmas gift for someone. I also bought some beads to make some cute bookmarks. Will post these later.

Cottage details

Here is the link for the cottage we are staying in. We are in the Cloverknowe cottage.

On Holiday

I apologise for not having been posting lately. I have not been well, came home from work on Tuesday and went to the doctor as I just felt awful. Have been feeling under the weather for the last 3 weeks. Was signed off the rest of last week with Viral Gastroenteritis. I am only now managing to eat normally! Still don't feel 100% with a thick throat and slight cough. Can't believe I have had so many things lately.

I am currently on holiday (schools off for 2 weeks) in the Scottish Borders at a place called Cockburnspath. It is a lovely cottage we are staying in situated on a farm. This is our 4th visit to this cottage it is like a home from home. Just love it.

Will try and upload something while I am here as I did take some crafting stuff with me to do.

I have bought several things from Create and Craft over the last couple of days..... Serif Scrapbook Artist 2 multibuy and several Clarity stamps which were on on Sunday. I will have lots of parcels waiting when I get home.

There's another pick of the day tomorrow so hope it's not something I NEED as I have spent enough lately.

Bye for now.......

Jayne Nestorenko Adorables Cd sample

Had a go at one of the projects on the new cd from Jayne Nestorenko 'Cute Companions Adorables' available from Crafters Companion. It was one of the frame card projects. The frame was easy to assemble but the instructions said you needed the medium decoupage. After printing off the medium and finding it was too small I then had to print another sheet at A4 size. Will use the medium decoupage sheet for another project, can't let it go to waste!! The rabbit was part of the decoupage sheet. I added my own flower and ribbon. The project was actually made as a christmas card but I didn't put that greeting on as it works well as an everyday card.
I also made a box to put it in. Hope you like it.

Post it note holder and pen

Made this post it note holder and pen at 4am this morning!!! I have had a bad cough and couldn't get to sleep for it. My husband went to the lounge to sleep so at 4am I went down and said he could have the bed as I was going to get up.
I used my Stampin'Up 'Bird on a Branch' stamp set to decorate it. I got the gel pens from Asda which were 8 for £2.oo. I'm sure I will get them cheaper somewhere else. I saw an advert for Poundland saying a whole tub of mini gel pens for £1. If anyone finds these and can send me some I would be very grateful. (Will reimburse of course.) The layout and design was from a You Tube video by Dawn. She does some fab video tutorials. I used my nestabilities to give a nice seal for the pack.

Cricut Imagine mmmmmmmm............!!

I have been looking at You Tube videos of this new print and cut machine from Cricut. The ink cartridges are quite expensive and unless you were to source compatibles ( which would void your warranty on the Imagine) it would put me off buying it. It does seem quite good that you can use all your original carts with it and choose patterned of plain colours to print the image. I think for the money they will be asking I will continue to use the papers I have or print my own. They say it saves on paper but it doesn't really as if you are using white paper with the Imagine or your own patterned paper then there is always waste around the design.
My friend Sheila is considering getting the Imagine but for now I think I will pass.

Some more Decorated Paperclips

Really like this simple idea to decorate a paperclip so it's not so boring. These are 77mm paperclips. Images from Digitalstampboutique and Popcorn the bear men's cd. I used papers from Crafters Companion cds for the backing cut with Stampin' Up scallop circle.
I will be making some of these with the kids at school at the next craft class. I am hoping they will be able to make several cards and things too for a school sale evening which is coming up in November.

Another Beatrix Potter Competition Entry

I thought I would make another entry for the Crafters Companion Beatrix Potter 'A Winter's Tale' collection. I would really like to win this set to add to my other BP sets.
These are paperclip bookmarks or just decorative paperclips for your documents. Hope you like!!

Do you like Shoes?

This was a black and white digi stamp design from Sketching Stamper. I used my paint shop pro programme to change the colours. I copied and pasted one shoe onto a clean page and reduced the opacity. I then copied and pasted the paler shoe all over the page, then printed it for my backing paper. Hope you like them.

Crafter's Companion new Beatrix Potter A Winter's Tale

I was looking at Crafter's Companion Blog and they have a competition to win the new 'Winter's Tale' range by Beatrix Potter. They also had a link to a free download sample from the new CD. I downloaded the samples and made this mini milk carton with some of the elements instead of a card. You can fill it with Christmas sweets or a wee present. Close it with the ribbon or glue it closed to make it more secure.

First sample with new Adorables cd...

Here I am again in the wee small hours..... Once again I can't sleep so came down to watch tv on my computer and have a look through my new cd. I used a few of the backing papers and one element from one of the decoupage designs. I cropped and printed the bottom layer twice and decoupaged the image. Even though this is a Christmas cd this image can be used all year round. So sweet.............. After printing the decoupage I noticed a very small black mark near the cat's head hence the impromptu flower.... I used my graphics programme to print an exact colour match for my mats....
Hope you like it....

Christmas Card Challenge Entry

Saw on Just Inspirational Challenge a challenge to make a Christmas card. This is a card I made as a sample for a Papercraft World Create and Craft tv show. Hope you like it. Papers were from Papercraft World 'Winter Wonderland 2' cd. I used my Cricut to cut the tree and the sentiment is a piece of ribbon I bought at the SECC at a Hobbycrafts show.

Giordano Christmas Cd

Bought this cd the other day and am awaiting delivery of it. I missed the show on C&C and am hoping there will be another. I found this video of some samples on Joanna's site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qB9e4-aPAs&feature=player_embedded#!

Here is a video showing you around the cd: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGGB3tRp-l8&feature=player_embedded

Sorry!!

I am so sorry I haven't posted for a while but I have been in bed since Sunday with a bug!! I had a runny nose and sneezed from Thursday 'til Saturday until I got a decongestant from the chemist. Then I got a sore head and sore sinuses and an upset stomach. Last night I was up until 4am as my skin decided to itch and I couldn't get to sleep. There are several bugs going around school at the moment so it's hard to avoid them. I am feeling a bit better today and am planning on returning to work tomorrow.

Hopefully I will get some crafting done and post something for you all.

ADORABLE!!!

Watched the new POTW from Create and Craft. Jayne Nestorenko has done it again. Stamps look great and the cd is even better as it has some of the stamp images to print on it. I decided not to buy the stamps and just to get the cd. This way I can print the images any size I want. Maybe in the future she will put digistamp images on the cd for us to colour ourselves too.

I do like the stamp sheet with the bannister on it so my get that one at a later date.

BOUGHT THE FOILING MACHINE!!

Gave in and bought the foiling machine I have been looking at for the past 18 months. Create and Craft were selling it today at a much more attractive price than at the SECC because of my 10% discount. Also I have flexipay so 3 months to pay it and the postage was only £2.99 compared to £12.50 with the company direct. Can't wait to try it out. Have tried foiling using my own laminator but it leaves it speckled.

Stamps for sale

These two stamp sets were bought several years ago from http://www.rubbadubbadoo.co.uk/ and are still uncut in the packet they arrived in. If you are interested in purchasing these sets please contact me using my email address in my profile. The cost of these stamp sets is £10 each plus P&P. They are currently for sale at the above site for £14.99 each.

Great Day!!

I had a lovely birthday yesterday. I got another charm for my Pandora bracelet from my husband and son - it was a swan this time. (Had already received 2 new lite cricut carts earlier in the year too). My trip to the theatre to see Calendar girls was fab. Even better second time around. Colleagues at work appreciated the white chocolate fudge and cheesecakes I made and took in for them to enjoy.

Winner of Birthday Give Away...............

There were only 2 entries for my birthday give away. I put the 2 numbers in a pot for the draw.....and the winner is .....................

Lilian Lindsay

Please get in touch to claim your prize. Well done!

Fun Friday Challenge- 27th August

This weeks challenge is to design a men's card.
Here is my card. I used my new Handyman Cricut Cartridge and the Design Studio to make this drill easel card. I used the Crafters Companion Mens disk to get the brick work backing paper.
Let's see what you come up with!! When you're done upload using the link below.

Delicate cakes

I am still preparing craft packs for the children at the school. I have to make sure the cards are quite simple to do as some of the children have special needs. Our first craft class this session is the end of September. I decided to get them to make this delicate looking card with a cup cake in the middle and one with a cute girl on. I used my Martha Stewart border and corner punches for the centre piece. The cake is a digital download from digistampboutique. You can print them in colour or outline to colour yourself. I printed and cut out the colour version and glittered the icing and heart. We only have an hour so it gives them a chance to get two cards made. The other card has some colouring to do and will take them a little while. The papers are from Crafters Companion SWALK cd and a digital download from The Clip Art Fairy. The second card is made with SWALK papers and SWALK Stamps. I used my Martha Stewart punch and 3 Birds flowers from Crafters Companion.

Stampin' Up start to finish!!

Thought I would have a go at using my Stampin' Up rollers and some of my new Stampin' Up stamp sets. Took a few attempts to get it to roll properly, I used the Stampin' Up ruler to keep it straight. I made it in a blue theme after seeing a similar layout on the net. I may try and do this card at either my craft classes or with the children at my school craft club.

Cricut Wall Decor cartridge

Managed to win this new cart on the Ebay.com site. I have a friend from the Cricut message board who said it would be ok to send to her and she would forward it. They can be won quite cheaply as there are thousands of carts on the site. Most of them offer free postage to USA addresses. I paid $13.00 plus $4.99 shipping to USA. Think it will cost about $6 to send it to me. Works out about £16 so a good bargain.
It has some lovely images.

Beatrix Potter - Two bad mice baby card

I saw this cute sample on one of the Crafters Companion Create and Craft shows and decided to give it a go. I used my own baby embossing folder which was different from the one they used. Not used the verse writer on the CC cds before and it took me a couple of goes before it actually printed with the verse on it!!