Almost an Imagine Owner

So, I did it, I keyed in my credit card and ordered the Cricut Imagine. Now I just have to wait for it to arrive (7-10 days). I can't believe I've finally done it.

The Canadian circle members have been waiting awhile - US launch was on Sept 15 and we've thought we'd be ordering the 1st week of October...but the day finally arrived - Oct 30...phew!

I just hope that it WORKS so I don't have to ship it back to the US for a new one.

This is what it looks like:

I still have to figure out where I'm going to put it...its larger than my Cricut Expression.

Perfume counters at department stores

Don't you hate it when the perfume people (ladies) jump out at you spraying their latest perfume your direction?

I normally run for the hills and say...no thank you...to keep from being sprayed. This week, however, a lady asked if I wanted to try a sample of a new perfume, so I said, sure...and she handed me the sample card. It smelled very nice, which is what I said...and she offered to give me a squirt. I actually agreed...and got a small squirt on my wrist.

She said...I made sure I didn't douse you with it...and I immediately got a flash-back to my grandmother. Every time she went to a department store, she couldn't help herself with all the perfumes. She would pick up one, get a huge squirt on her wrist...walk a bit, grab another one and got a huge squirt on the other wrist...then onto another one, squirting in another area on her body etc until she totally smelled like the whole perfume counter. We'd try to stop her, but she just kept doing it...she loved all the different smells and didn't find them contradict with each other.

Nice flash-back, but I almost burst into tears - I wish she was still around...but, I was so lucky to have her to love until she passed at 97 years - not alot of people are that lucky.

Here are a few photos of my favorite person:

Cricut Circle Blog - Weekly Challenge #4 - Oct 22, 2010

On the Cricut Circle Blog, they have a weekly challenge. Here's this weeks:

Weekly Challenge #4: BOO! Challenge

Create a Halloween project that incorporates some kind of transparent element (vellum, acrylic, plastic packaging, overlay, etc.)

Create a project of your choice (card, scrapbook page, home decor project, . . . the sky’s the limit!). Project must be newly created for this challenge and must include at least 2 different cuts to qualify. This challenge is open to Cricut Circle Members only. Submit your entry using the InLinkz tool found at the bottom of this post. Please post your full name along with your entry. You must submit a project to be entered into the drawing. Entries are due by 11:59 pm MST on Thursday, October 28th, 2010. This week the winner will get to choose their prize from three options! The WINNER will be able to choose whether they want to a) have $25 added to their Cricut.com account, b) receive the BRAND NEW Nifty Fifties cartridge, OR c) receive the BRAND NEW Paper Lace cartridge!

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I had decided to make treat-bags for PJ's pre-school class (for their Halloween party) - so this challenge came at the right time. It needs to be halloween theme (duh) & include a transparent element (mine is the vellum ghost) and 2 different cuts (mine are the word BOO & the Ghost).

I used Mickey font for the BOO and PDDU for the ghost. I designed it yesterday and printed out 10 of each element. Then I used a white sakura gelly roll pen for stitching on the word and to highlight the ghost's face. This is my 1st treat bag and its alot of fun!

Scrapbook Layout - 2008 Crop Chat & Create - Cricut Circle Blog - Monthly Challenge #1 - October 2010

On the Circle blog, they have a monthly challenge, which is:

OCTOBER MONTHLY CHALLENGE: CELEBRATING CREATIVITY
The theme for this month’s challenge is all about celebrating the reasons why you love to create! Please create a scrapbook page or home decor project CELEBRATING CREATIVITY. Project must be newly created for this challenge and should include atleast 2 cuts to qualify. You must also:

• Use the Shadow Feature
• Use Patterned Paper (purchased, printed, or created with stamps, etc.)
• Use Embellishments to Enhance One of the Cuts (pearls, buttons, gems, glitter, etc.)

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Here is my submission - a 2 page spread showing my friends & I scrapbooking in December 2008 (and January 2009). I have several cuts (words, with shadow) and flowers. The background paper is patterned. I have glitter on the flowers.

Page 2

I'm going to be a Cricut IMAGINE owner!

I can't believe I signed up for an Imagine...but I did.

The deal given to the Cricut Circle members was too good to pass up....that AND GJA purchased yet another double bell euphonium (please tell me why we need 4 of these) which is more than 2x the price of this new toy.

I haven't actually parted with my $ for it...but I've signed up to get one and it should becoming in October...heh...that's THIS MONTH!!

This is what it looks like:

Here's information about it:

Cricut Imagine lets you design, print, and cut together to take all of your creative projects to the next level. Now you can add full color, textures and patterns, for one-of-a kind handmade, professional-looking projects that reflect your creativity and personality.

With HP, the world leader in inkjet printing, combined with Provo Craft, the world leader in paper crafting, Cricut Imagine offers vivid, full color, photographic quality artwork that adds a new level of detail and dimension to your projects. With Cricut Imagine Art cartridges, Imagine Colors & Patterns cartridges, together with all Original Cricut cartridges, you’ll get a vast library of artwork, with hundreds of thousands of images, fonts, and full phrases for more creative control and personalization than ever before.

Save time on all your projects by simplifying the layering process, or you can add detail to your layers in minutes. Easily match all the different parts of the project you’re working on – no more searching around for the perfect materials that match.

The easy-to-use LCD touch screen lets you customize your designs in minutes, without a computer. For even more customization, combine images in new ways with the Gypsy™ Handheld Design Studio for Cricut.

From beginners to experts, you’ll have fun making a wide variety of projects, including scrapbook layouts, cards, home or office décor, education materials, special event signage, and much more!

Now I just have to figure out where I'm going to put it...its larger than my expression.

Cricut Circle Blog

OMG - I joined this Cricut Club in June and PJ's school won a cricut imagine - which I mentioned before.

Now, they've setup a blog for us to look at new ideas & work on crafting challenges & win give-a-ways. Its just opened yesterday and TODAY they are having a give-a-way every hour for club members.

Non-members can view the blog for 1 week - feel free to come and take a peek (and click below).

Cricut Circle Blog

In case you haven't heard or know about The Cricut Circle here's a little more information about it:

The Cricut Circle is Provo Craft’s affinity program. Provo Craft launched the Cricut Circle on July 1, 2010. The Circle is a place to Inspire, Educate and Create. This program enables crafters to see Provo Craft products first, be involved in specialized focus groups and surveys, receive special pre-launch specials on select Provo Craft products, a private blog and message board for Circletes to foster a special crafting community. Additionally, Cricut Circle members will enjoy 4 exclusive cartridges—one each quarter, instructional webinars and double reward points for purchases on Cricut.com.

The Cricut Circle is available for annual or quarterly installments. To purchase a membership to the Cricut Circle visit cricut.com. Annual memberships are $274.99 and quarterly memberships at $79.99.