Do I or Don't I?

I've been pondering this new Cricut Imagine machine - trying to decide if it is right for me. My Cricut Expression works just fine and cuts everything I ask of it so I don't NEED the Imagine. For the most part, I prefer multi-layer cuts so I design my own and cut using SCAL. I'm assuming I would not be able to use SCAL with the Imagine so I would have to keep both machines.

Anyone have the Imagine yet? Other than being able to basically make a colored die-cut image, what are the great things you've been able to do with it? Would love to see some examples if anyone has some - post a link below if you have Imagine projects to share!

It's almost the Weekend!

Have to work tonight - I close so won't get off until around 8:30. As soon as I get home, we are headed out to meet-up with Jenn, Tom and the kids for the weekend. We are meeting in Clarksville, IN so that tomorrow we can take the kids to the pumpkin patch. We lived at Fort Knox, KY for several years when the kids were younger and used to take our kids to the same farm - I even took my scout troops there. In addition to the pumpkin patch, they have a petting zoo, corn maze, pony rides, a big slide, a small "mining" operation, mini-tractors for the kids to ride, etc. They offer a traditional farm market selling seasonal fruits/veggies. They also have an on-site bakery, ice-cream shop, winery and deli. Saturday, they are even featuring live music on the patio. The farm we are visiting is Huber Orchard and Winery in Starlight, IN.

The weather is forecast for mid 70's and no rain so it should be a much more enjoyable visit than last time. 3 years ago the temps were pushing 90 - and we all got a bit of heat exhaustion from being out all day in the sun.

After dinner, we are planning to cross the bridge into Louisville in order to go to the Louisville Science Center - another place we used to take our kids when we lived in the area. It's a science museum that features a lot of interactive activities for kids - I know many cities offer something similar.

Taking my new camera and hopefully will get lots of great pics.

Have a great weekend!

Cricut Mats

I don't know about all of you, but I have been very disappointed in the stickiness of my Cricut Mats. Half the time they don't seem very sticky when I buy them and they surely don't stay sticky very long. I've tried the washing and letting it air dry trick - it cleans the fibers and stuff off the mat and helps for a while but really doesn't restore the sticky. Same with the baby wipe trick.

As for trying to apply new adhesive, I've tried the wide 2-way Zig adhesive but it was hard to get a nice even coat - seemed like I got too much on and ended up ruining a mat. Then, I tried taping off the edges and using a repositionable spray adhesive - this gave a pretty good result but was messy.

Last week one day, browsing various forums, I found another method and it has produced, BY FAR, the best result. It's economical - 4.99 for the glue, you mix 50/50 with water and since it is thin, you don't use much. You can paint it on with one of those cheap disposable foam brushes and it is easy to get just the right amount. I did one mat as a test on Saturday night. I cut all day Sunday on it, did the Nurses cuts this morning, and IT IS STILL STICKY! What is this miracle glue? Aleene's Tack-It Over and Over. Here's the video.

Nurses Call the Shots

NOTICE: Please go to the SVG tab at the top of my blog for important information regarding SVG downloads. 

I am posting a file this morning as the result of a request on the Craft Edge Forum. I made this last year as a special request. I took the time this morning to cut this before posting it so I am sharing a pic of the cut file below. Pardon the roughness of some of the cuts - I need to get some new blades for my Cricut. I cut a lot of glitter cardstock this weekend and it sure seems to kill the blades quickly.

Need to get some pics of my SIL in her nurse garb so I can use this!

Pics of previously shared files

I finally got some of my desk cleared off and found a couple of the layouts I promised to share - not the greatest pics but you can get the idea of how they look in use. The links will take you to the original post that includes the link to download.

Here is the Under Construction layout:


And, this is the We've Got Spirit layout:

Teapot Card

NOTICE: Please go to the SVG tab at the top of my blog for important information regarding SVG downloads. 

My grand daughter loves tea parties so I thought this card might be the perfect choice for her next birthday party invite. (Don't mind the mess - going to get it cleaned eventually!)

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Snap Lock Beads

NOTICE: Please go to the SVG tab at the top of my blog for important information regarding SVG downloads. 

I made these by hand for a layout before I got my Cricut - these are sure much neater and more uniform than the ones that I hand cut. There are 4 different bead shapes in this download.

Doesn't every child play with these at some point?