Cricut Expression users need to READ THIS

• Cricut has announced that the Cricut Craft Room will CLOSE as of July 15, 2018. 
• Legacy Machines are NOT compatible with Design Space.
• Legacy Machines CAN continue to be used as stand-alone devices.
• Cricut is offering $75 off new Explore machine or bundle for customers who haven't yet upgraded.

Read complete details from Cricut here.

I started with Expression and currently use Explore Air. If you have any questions about differences and transitioning, feel free to contact me. The decision to discontinue CCR (as well as to drop physical cartridges) was made by Cricut, not Close To My Heart. In fact, CTMH advocated for keeping physical cartridges. If you have specific comments about the decision, contact Cricut/Provo Craft.

One of the main reasons people have not upgraded yet is because Design Space is an online program and scrapbookers often craft where there is no Internet availability. Cricut has been working on this issue and currently offers Design Space Offline for iOS.

One of my favorite features of Design Space (DS) is that you can share files! For the Pretty in Pink promotion in February, we offered a Butterfly Mobile project and supply bundle. CTMH gave the DS file for everyone to use. 

Files look like this https://design.cricut.com/#/design/80804880. When you click on a DS file link, or cut and paste into your browser, the link will open the Design Space program and open the file. As long as you have the rights to use the images from the file, you can cut immediately. What a time saver! You can also share files with friends. I can send you files for Cricut Coordinating stamp sets that you purchase or help you re-size images for a project. 

The Explore machines use the same tools, mats and blades as the Expression. 

Give Away Winner and Retired List

And the winner is...Courtney!! I'm sure she'll Celebrate With Cake for winning the stamp set.

The CTMH Corporate Office recently announced a list of products that will retiring These items will no longer be available after July 31, and are available while supplies last.

Here's a printable list that I will update as often as possible as things sell out.

Here's the list in a nutshell...

Page 16 #AllTheAlbums

Page 18-91 All the workshop kits, paper packs, compliments and matching accessories (as expected)

Page 112- 115 all PML cards except gold & silver overlays

Page 120-121 Cricut Collections Art Philosophy, Artiste, Artfully Sent

Page 123 all the embossing folders except Confetti and Confetti Stars

Page 126-127 Instalife albums, cards and roller stamps. NOT the Memory Protectors

Page 129 both Cut Above kits (expected, stamps are on the retiring stamp list)

Page 130-133 all of the Designer Creations and Designed Decor items

Page 137 the four style sheets

Page 140-41 the red hearts, white stars; all the right page items except sequins and bitty sparkles

Page 142 shimmer trim in pink, Aqua, blue, purple, bronze only

Page 143 the older four colors of EXTRA thick twine

Page 144 everything except the calendar

Page 145 the separate envelopes only

Page 150 the three border punches and the two Base and Bling adhesives

Page 153 the Rolling Tote

Here's the list of retiring stamps from a few months ago.

More Throwback Thursday Graduation Layouts

More celebration of Graduation season and Throwback Thursday...

in 2013 Tommy paper (still available on Studio J) came out in the perfect colors for my son's graduation!

Layout #8 from Make It From Your Heart Volume 1.
Info on how I used Flip Flaps to make the announcement interactive can be found on my Facebook page.
"Liberty" die cut from Artbooking.

Notice the color I added to the white cardstock using our Spray Pen? I  previously wrote a blog post about this technique.

"Sideline Surprise" layout from Imagine. This one can be a little complicated with the angled photos. You can always change them to squares. Mine got a bit busy so I used ribbon to separate the two photos on the left pages and highlighted the action with frame shapes on the right side.

Diplomas are just rolled paper tied with Baker's Twine.

"Simple Contrast" from Cherish. Flip Flips on both right side photos; instead of three, I have seven photos. This layout also includes paper from Lucky, and it too is available in Studio J.

"Contrasting Elements" from Cherish. 
Borders cut using Art Philosophy cartridge.

Flip Flaps on the photo and the program.

It's time for a give-away!!

It's time for some fun...a blog give-away!!  The prize is a brand new My Acrylix stamp set called Wild About Love. It was the Stamp of the Month last February and was VERY popular. Some of the images coordinate with the Art  Philosophy Cricut Collection.  This set is retired and no longer available for sale.

To be entered to win, simply comment on THIS POST.

For a second entry, make a SECOND COMMENT on THIS POST that you are a follower of my blog (either you already are a follow or are a new follower, all are welcome).

Sharing is Caring...for a third entry, spread the word about the give-away: you can Tweet It, post it to your Facebook page, take out a full page ad in the Oregonian if you'd like, then make a THIRD COMMENT to THIS POST and tell me what  you did. Share as much as you'd like, but only one entry for sharing, regardless of how or how often.

Speaking of Facebook...Like, Follow or Post to my Facebook page for The Scrap Buzz and then COMMENT again to THIS POST for a fourth entry.

You must comment to THIS POST for each entry because that's how I'll pick the winner on February 4, 2014...using a random number generator and counting the number of comments, then I'll see that the winner gets the prize ASAP.

Wedding Projects #4

Continuing the wedding projects!

CAKE BOXES

The cake boxes were used as containers for the Candy Bar at the wedding reception. 

Lots of scoring! Fortunately, the cake boxes were made 

after our Score Board came out.  Very helpful!!

The boxes and the flower are both made with Cricut Art Philosophy Collection. 

The boxes were cut at 3, 4 and 5 inches.

The rose maybe have been cut Fit To Page, I can't remember. 

So much easier than the little ones!

I also ended up edging the petals in Sorbet.

Cakes are trimmed with Colonial White Rosette Ribbon (retired).

                                     Here are the cake boxes on the Candy Bar at the reception.
                       One cake had four layers, the other had three. Each layer has nine boxes.
                                      I also cut tags on the Cricut to label the candy containers.

Do you, or someone you know, have a wedding in the future? I'd love to help! Contact me for help with design, assembly, decorations and most importantly, the scrapbook! 

Wedding Projects #3

I made several paper projects for our son's wedding. 

And when I wasn't able to get into the craft room, I was knitting this shawl for the bride.

I gave it to her at the shower.

SHOWER INVITATION

The flower is stamped using the Rock and Roll technique.

Stamp Set:  Girls Rock

Compatible with:  Cricut Art Philosophy Collection

Texture made with Cuttlebug using:  Damask Embossing Folder

Stamp Set:  Card Word Puzzle (retired)

Stamp set:  It's Your Day (retired)

The cute little bird is from Cuddly Salutations B1458, one of our exclusive Hostess stamp sets.

Coming Next:  3-D Cake Boxes

                                    

Wedding Project #2

Continuing with projects from our son's wedding...

REHEARSAL DINNER INVITATION

This time I edged the Claire paper in Outdoor Denim ink. 

Stamp Set:  My Sunshine (retired)

Compatible with:  Cricut Artiste Collection

Stamp Set:  Little Reminder (retired)

Colors are:  Sorbet, Outdoor Denim and Colonial White

For this invitation I used regular printer paper.  Print first, stamp second.

Stamp Sets:  Solo "2" (retired) and

D1497 from the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection

Coming Next:  Shower Invitation and gift