Thursday 30 December 2010

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.

Tuesday 28 December 2010

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.

Sunday 26 December 2010

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.

Saturday 25 December 2010

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.

Sunday 19 December 2010

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.

Friday 17 December 2010

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!!!

Sunday 5 December 2010

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.

Saturday 4 December 2010

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.