Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridges & CTMH Stamp Sets

Okay, a week ago I was the proud owner of a Cricut Imagine machine and this week. . . I'm on the search for another!  The Machine in itself was great, however, after using the Cricut Expression, I was sadly disappointed!  Things I (the novice I am with Cricut) noticed: 

• Key pad was all on screen (Yipee loved this!) for Imagine vs. original Expression and having to put all of those key pad overlays on and pack them with me when I scrapbook outside of home!
• Could not manipulate the image on Imagine as for the location to cut on our page - loved this on the original Expression!   Saved way more paper with Expression vs. Imagine.
• MOSTLY what I did not like is all the CTMH stamps sets are set for increments of an inch, 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch the Imagine machine only works on increments of .1, .2, .3 . . . and so on.  This feature on the Imagine is great and gives you more flexibility for cutting out images with tighter frames IF the function was available to nest the individual fancy frame images - NOPE I could not figure this out with the Imagine.  So all those fancy stamps I ordered through CTMH which were 1/4 inch or 3/4 inch sizes - would not work (or you could "pass" it off but me being a little OCD - it didn't work for me).   
• Loved the idea of creating my own paper with the Imagine - but realistically is it worth spending the extra money on for the ink and paper to print on. . .personally I'm not prepared to figure it all out! 

As a result after owning the Cricut Imagine for one week, I'm sorry to say it went back to the store and they graciously accepted it back.  Now I'm trying to find out if the Expression 2 - is set up the same way for cutting increments as the original Expression.  If anyone knows, please e-mail me at pennystavast@gmail.com

Trying to get more creativity in. . . .

Ok, life has been hectic for me for awhile now. . . hopefully now that we are cleaning up all the little projects around my house renovations, I'm hoping to get to some of my personal goals.  One of them is to actually try and do a weekly project (maybe more) with all my scrapbooking supplies.  My first goal is to actually do the weekly Mojoblog card challenge.  If you don't know what Mojo is all about here's their link: http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/.  So having said that I actually sat down a few nights ago and did this weeks layout....

. . . and here's my take on the card:

All stamps, ink, ribbon and cardstock used are CTMH (Black, Sunset Orange & Bamboo).

Background and textured papers are My Minds Eye 6X6 pad

Stamps are CTMH Stamp of the Month for August (Wicked); December 25th and Scary (discontinued)

Techniques used are sponging and CTMH Art Philosophy is used as well (YES I broke down and bought a Cricut!) 

Women's Contact Society and Christmas Cards. . .

The Women's Contact Society is hosting a free evening with (me) Penny Stavast and we'll be creating a selection of great Christmas Cards, featuring Close To My Hearts Winterwonderland papers and co-ordinating stamp sets, to be given to family and friends!  Please join us on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.  Bring your friends, and good cheer to Women’s Contact Society #301-19 First Avenue North (Above Caribou Ski)

RSVP by Friday November 18, 2011 @ 4:00 pm to (250)392-4118

(Seating Limited to 18 people)

New Scrappy Challenge!

brought to you by Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine!

Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine has a  NEW monthly sketch challenge! Design a layout inspired by their sketch and email it to sketchy@canadianscrapbooker.ca  They will post your layout in their website gallery  for all their readers to enjoy!


Want a chance to be published? OF COURSE YOU DO! They will be looking for one or two or three layouts to be published in an upcoming issue of Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine. In order to qualify to be published you have to use ONE Canadian manufacturer on your layout! That’s right! Doesn’t matter if you are from Canada, England, China or Africa – if you use one Canadian manufacturer on your design, you could be the next person published in an upcoming issue!


If you decide to not use a Canadian Manufacturer on your design – no problemo! They will still post your layout for all their readers to see in their Sketchy Gallery! Sounds cool, eh?


At the beginning of each new month a new Sketch will be posted! You have until the end of the each month to submit your designs!


Let’s get Sketchy!

CTMH - Free Stamp Set!

I'm giving this stamp set away FREE!  You may notice it is the Stamp of the Month featured for August 2011 - but you will get it at the end of September if you are the winner!

Using all 3 Mojo Monday card layouts featured in August indicated below you are to create 3 cards in a series that feature the same color throughout and must have at least the following within the series:

 1 metal embelishment

Glitter

Gems

and

 use the following colors: orange and blue 

It's time to get creative!  Send me a photo of your creations to be entered by September 25th at Midnight!  Please give me a desription of products used for each of your cards to pennystavast@mail.com

CTMH - New Product Line

Wow!  I just can't tell you how much I love the changes CTMH has made to their paper product line!  I just receive a whole lot of new product and I can't figure out which is my favorite!  I truely love it all. . . . here's a sample of some of what is featured in the new Fall/Winter Idea Book:

feelin' alot like x-mas!  Lots of new toys to play with!

New Cricut Philosophy Package!  Can't wait to experiment!

Love the co-ordinating stamps and papers. . . which is my fav. . . .

. . . all these beutiful new papers! 

. . . more stamps!  Can't wait to start getting creative and play!!

I have a LOT of the new products featured in the CTMH catalogue - if you are interested in anything specific give me a shout and I'd be happy to show you my new toys!  

ImPATIENTLY waiting for the New Product Line . . .

. . . any day now I am expecting the newest line from CTMH to come in the mail!  Was hoping to have it for the weekend so I can 'PLAY' with all my newest goodies. . . but I will have to be patient and wait a few more days.  Cross your fingers that it will be here at the beginning of next week!   :)  Guess I will have to just play with one of the many other papers and stamps I have already to be creative with instead this weekend!