tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58524081485660918902015-01-25T22:47:41.365-05:00P.Lynne Designs It's where my creations start.Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-38951263421525053252015-01-16T02:51:00.000-05:002015-01-16T02:51:38.827-05:00New Etsy Listing: Gift Card Holders<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MPLKnyjNX5k/VLjCP90HJDI/AAAAAAAAKcQ/AJXYYrw9QP8/s1600/2%2BDouble%2BHeart%2BGift%2BCards-%245.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MPLKnyjNX5k/VLjCP90HJDI/AAAAAAAAKcQ/AJXYYrw9QP8/s1600/2%2BDouble%2BHeart%2BGift%2BCards-%245.00.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(c) 2015 P. Lynne Designs</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I hope you enjoyed last week’s layout, Snow day. I had fun making it, and it was freeing to just go through my stuff, and let loose. Even though it was a simply layout, the only thing new came from my Cricut Explore, and thus, it saves me tons of money in the long run. I got my machine last February, and it paid itself off in about 6 months. Score. I will post in a later post on why you need to invest into tools like the Cricut Explore, The Silhouette Cameo, Sizzix and Cuttlebug embossing machines.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Etsy shop</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have an Etsy shop, but I have not made and posted anything for it in about a year, and that is sad when ideas stop flowing. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, a few weeks ago, I was thinking about what I need to go in the shop. At the moment, I have five journal notebooks, which I just renewed for 4 more months. As I was renewing them (which cost $.20 to renew, unlike Ebay’s hefty fees for just listing anything), I thought, “why did I stop making projects, and why can’t I start back?” That is when it dawned on me to start back, but do something simply, but not too simply that people will not buy products. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So two days ago, I completed <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/218680365/gift-card-gift-card-holder-set-of-2?" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">14 simply crafted gift card holders for Valentine’s Day</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The gift card holder and how is it made</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UpxOT70xOjA/VLjCd9X54DI/AAAAAAAAKcY/WBQ2unLa4aY/s1600/Pink%2BDouble%2BHeart%2BGift%2BCard%2Bon%2BEtsy-%242.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UpxOT70xOjA/VLjCd9X54DI/AAAAAAAAKcY/WBQ2unLa4aY/s1600/Pink%2BDouble%2BHeart%2BGift%2BCard%2Bon%2BEtsy-%242.50.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(c) 2015 P.Lynne Designs</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was watching Dawn5377, a YouTubber, who is also a Stamping up Demonstrator, and she came up with the template behind my gift card holder, and I recreated it exactly how she did it. The only difference is that I cut out the double hearts, the V day title, and the squares with my cricuts (I tag-teamed the Explore and Design Space with my Expression 2 machine and Cricut Classroom-nice). Hey a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do, LOL. Anyway, if I had one, it would have taken me 5 minutes to complete the project after cutting, but like I said, I completed 14 of them. I choose the “love” colors-reds and pinks (with white).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Something new is coming to the Etsy Shop and Website</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am leaving Blogger and going to WordPress. I have enlisted the help of Renae Christine to help me with this. I have been on Blogger since I started the blog in 2009, and I have been very unhappy with Blogger for some time. That is one of the reasons why I have not been posting. I have watched Renae for a few years, and she is the person for the job, having her own stationary business, and several businesses after that. She struck a chord with me, she said that I (and several others in the webinar) were doing our businesses a dis-service if we are treating our companies like a hobby instead of a actual business.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have other blogs on Blogger that I will be switch to WordPress, as soon as I work the bugs out of this one. I will let you know when the transformation is complete. In the meantime, I will be posting here. I am also getting a updated logo and tagline. It will be completed soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-51857500063111058742015-01-08T16:34:00.000-05:002015-01-08T16:34:39.399-05:002015, new affiliates, and a new shop (and a Layout too)<div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6fcipyYeAek/VK7uF8UeqoI/AAAAAAAAKMU/Vup6xjbJDvg/s1600/downsized950215141646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6fcipyYeAek/VK7uF8UeqoI/AAAAAAAAKMU/Vup6xjbJDvg/s1600/downsized950215141646.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Snow Day picture used in the layout<br />Snow Day (c) P. Lynne Designs</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Hello, and again, happy 2015. I want to start out by say that I am so glad that 2014 is over with. I will not say why, except to say it was not a good year for P.Lynne Designs. I let a plot of person items get in the way, and I was not make very many things, except playing with Cricut Design Studio, which is amazing. I cannot wait to begin cutting them out. Also, I have just been reviewing and promoting Cricut all year. (Due to the burnout I experienced in my life.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">It is a very cold day here in Columbus, where I live. So cold that bible study was cancelled. Yesterday, my niece and nephew had an unexpected snow day, which was unusual for the one of the major school systems to close its door due to snow, but the night before, it was really coming down hard. Winter has really reared its ugly little head, and then some, but not like last year. I remember last February spinning my wheels just trying to fit my car into the garage, without hitting a wall. I went to my parent’s house upset, and my dad, just went back to my house, rolled over the spot a few times with his bigger car, and I was able to get in the garage. I pray that I do not have to go through that experience this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Snow Day:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">So to commemorate the snow season and the Polar Vortex of 2014, I decided that I was going to do my first scrapbook layout of the year. There were several reason behind it. First of all, I have not done one in over a year (yikes). Sometimes as crafters, we get into a funk, and I commend anyone who crafts during their funk period. In case you are wondering what a funk period is, it is a time when you just do not feel like crafting anything, altering anything, the ideas just stop coming, or get too busy doing other things. In my case, it also put a serious damper on my Etsy shop. I have had the same 5 journal notebooks sitting in my shop for the past 6 or so months. I get traffic, and followers, I am sure they are wondering when I am putting up something new and fresh for them to look at.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The second reason is I had this picture of my niece Nine’na sitting in my phone for over a year. The moment my sister took and sent it to me, I had to scrapbook it, no doubt about it. Third is I was commissioned by a lady at my church to make a scrapbook album for her 105-year old mother around August (her mother’s birthday month), and the only thing I did was the monogram for the cover. I needed the motivation to get started and do what I always tell people, who are contemplating about starting something, JUST DO IT! I guess I was just fretting over it, because I want the album to be just as good as the last one I made, when she turned 100 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The Layout itself:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">I did not buy anything new. Unless it paper, or something that I cannot make with my Cricut or emboss with my Cuttlebug or my new Sizzix machine (which I had to get because of the letter<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cssz_26czPU/VK7sN-RIJHI/AAAAAAAAKMI/eNYFG6oxYUw/s1600/Snow%2BDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cssz_26czPU/VK7sN-RIJHI/AAAAAAAAKMI/eNYFG6oxYUw/s1600/Snow%2BDay.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Day (c) 2015 P.Lynne Designs</td></tr></tbody></table>press option a few weeks ago). Everything on the layout was in my stash. I love the minimalist look of scrapbooking pages now, and that was the concept of this page, except the more blank spots I saw, the more I had to fill up, LOL. So typical of me. Anyway, I decided that I was going to pull out the blues in this layout, and I have 4 different types of paper (2 blues, a putty grey, and a teal paper that looks like a bookkeeper’s pad). I ended up using a 3<sup>rd</sup> blue for the lettering of “Snow days” and a tag (which you cannot see the snow flake cutouts on the tag, but the reverse of them you can see on the layout.) Those I cut out with my Cricut Explore, as well as the boots and mittens on the page. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">I saw a trick On You Tube that another crafter used on one of her layouts, and for this you really need removable adhesive for this trick (which I did not have). You use one little piece of tape and stick it where you think you are going to place it permanently. That way, you can move it around, tuck elements under it, and when you are happy with the outcome, you put more permanent tape down to hold it in place. I place the photo and one element in place, then started tucking, and I know I am going to love this tucking method. It creates this temporary pocket, and I just love how the bigger snowflake (which was a sample from a die cut machine I did not buy) is peeking out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Comments<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">I loved how this layout turned out. There are a few more things that I needed to add, but I will add over time (I will sometimes go back and update a layout). But it is good for now.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Zazzle Affiliation and Shopify<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Last year, I fell in love with the different sites that allow a person to custom make their own t-shirts, binders, phone cases, even pillows and deck of cards. You can even make a business out these sites by just designing your own t-shirts and placing the link on your website. It is super easy, once you get the hang of it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">I do three of them, and it is Zazzle that I have an affiliation with. So check out the site, and if there is there is anything you want me to have, just let me know.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">I also opened up a Shopify store in addition to having the Etsy shop. It is still called P.Lynne Designs (Plynne-designs), and right now, I have only one design from Zazzle that I created on there. In addition to my designs like on my Etsy Shop, I will also include some retired Longaberger products that I no longer want, but would be happy to send to a new home. As you may not know, I am also an Independent Longaberger Home Consultant, where I sell baskets, pottery, wrought iron, and their accessories. Most of these products are samples that I bought for that month, and that product has gone into the retirement stage (no longer selling). I am also placing anything from my Shoplocket shop on there as well, and will eventually close down that account. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, that is it with this long post. Sorry for the MIA, but it was so worth it now that I am back into the swing of things to come.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-13907326892454387202014-12-31T22:04:00.002-05:002014-12-31T22:04:55.851-05:00Happy New YearHappy New Year Everyone!!!!Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-38635661811550632392014-12-30T22:06:00.000-05:002014-12-30T22:06:14.859-05:00The Best of 2014 on SALE now @ Cricut<em><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">(sponsored post)</span></em><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><b>The Best of 2014 on SALE now @ Cricut</b><br />Is your new years resolution to be more crafty? Lucky for you, you can ring in the New Year right with the Best of 2014 sale at <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=567915&u=463870&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cricut</a>! Right now, you can save on their top selling products in 2014, cartridges, supplies, digital sets, and more through January 6th and you can get <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=245514&m=51766&u=463870&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Free shipping @ Cricut use code: FREESHIPDECEMBER</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5OI2f7woSg/VKNnFaOdVNI/AAAAAAAAKHg/c55qGH76DCY/s1600/december%2BCricut%2Bpromo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5OI2f7woSg/VKNnFaOdVNI/AAAAAAAAKHg/c55qGH76DCY/s1600/december%2BCricut%2Bpromo.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=567915&u=463870&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cricut</a>is the #1 brand of electronic cutting machines in the world. You can unleash your creative side by using their hundreds of ready-to-make projects. Grab this deal now and make 2015 a great year!</span></div><br /><br />Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-26657232005560245062014-12-01T02:48:00.000-05:002014-12-01T02:48:00.047-05:00Have you ever been Craft Project Stuck?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6rOkfcxjm8/VHbo_AXEA3I/AAAAAAAAJj8/4XJCYSTuGyQ/s1600/Have%2Byou%2Bever%2Bbeen%2BCraft%2BProject%2BStuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6rOkfcxjm8/VHbo_AXEA3I/AAAAAAAAJj8/4XJCYSTuGyQ/s1600/Have%2Byou%2Bever%2Bbeen%2BCraft%2BProject%2BStuck.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">2014 is starting to become a distant memory. In one month, we will be ushering in 2015, and it is time to put away the old and start with the new. Have you accomplished everything that you need to do in 2014? I know I haven’t for I would not be writing this post on being stuck. I will not tell you my problems, but the problems I had this year, were enough to make me stuck in my craft making. I had ideas on making certain cards, certain scrapbooks, and other projects, but when I had to put them aside for other things in my life, I forgot all about them. That is when I realize the importance of doing the following preparations, in order to not feel stuck for 2015. They are as follows:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Forget about what you needed to do in 2014. Experts have found that once a person does not get to a project, they will never completed. If you really want to complete that particular project, scheduled it in 2015, but treat it as a new project. That brings me to another subject...</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Plan all projects. When you plan your project, you know exactly what materials you need, how long you plan on creating the project (start date, end date), and any layouts for templates you plan on using with the project. This is your time to think about the project, tweak the project before you get started, and to see what kind of finances you need.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Work on one project at a time. Once you start the project, do not stop until completed. This is self-explanatory, but it helps you to focus, if you are working on one project at a time. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Ideas</b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you have a project you would like to work on, but have no idea on where to start, here are some places for you to look.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/plogan721" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>– this is the perfect social media to check out any projects that you think you might want to work on. Use Pinterest for scrapbook layout ideas, mini book ideas, card ideas, and other DIY projects.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Blogs – craft blogs often show a project that the blogger has worked on, or is currently working on. They will often show the materials used, and any difficulties they ran into along the way.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->The library – yes, there are still libraries, and they are free to use. You do not have to go to a bookstore, all you need to do is to go to the craft section of the library, and find a book on scrapbooking.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-eBooks/b?ie=UTF8&node=154606011" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">E-books</a>and audio-books – I put them in the same category, because Amazon has a new program, where you can read an e-book to their Kindle system, and if it comes with audio, you can also get the audio version through Audible, which is part of the Amazon family. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">As mentioned before, the best way to getting all of you project done in a timely manner is to plan and do one project at a time. Create folders will help with the organization. You can do this by day, weekly, or monthly, depending on the type of project you are doing.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">So in closing, don’t worry about 2014, but embrace 2015 with the idea that you will finally get all of your craft projects done for all to enjoy.<o:p></o:p></div>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-21628404816844635552014-11-27T02:06:00.000-05:002014-11-27T02:06:26.199-05:00Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals at Cricut<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=673454&u=463870&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><img border="0" id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://static.shareasale.com/image/51766/Black-Friday-Banners-3.jpg" /></span></a><br /><br />Just in time for your holiday crafts, Cricut is hosting amazing sales on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and on Cyber Monday. See all the details below:<br /><br /><b>Thanksgiving and Black Friday:</b><br /><b>Valid:</b> 11/27-11/28<br /><a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=234049&m=51766&u=463870&afftrack=" target="_blank">Thanksgiving & Black Friday Sale: Cricut Explore $219 + $30 off all Explore Bundles</a> <br /><br /><b>Cyber Monday:</b><br /><b>Valid: </b>12/1 Only<br /><a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=234051&m=51766&u=463870&afftrack=" target="_blank">Cyber Monday Sale: Cricut Explore just $229 & $20 off all Explore Bundles</a><br /><br /><b>Additional Coupons:</b><br /><b><br />Valid: </b>11/21-12/1<br /><a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=233090&m=51766&u=463870&afftrack=" target="_blank">$5 Off Orders $50+ with code: CRICUTBF5</a><br /><b><br />Valid: </b>11/1-11/30<br /><a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=228737&m=51766&u=463870&afftrack=" target="_blank">Get free shipping to the U.S. all month with code FREESHIPNOV</a><br /><br />Happy crafting!<br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></span>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-67078689038931180692014-11-06T01:51:00.000-05:002014-11-06T01:51:32.510-05:00What’s Trending in Scrapbooking: Keepsake Boxes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PBsOABm9cCE/VFsZ7KUNrKI/AAAAAAAAJUA/xKPsNPDGhTE/s1600/propeller_planes_keepsake_box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PBsOABm9cCE/VFsZ7KUNrKI/AAAAAAAAJUA/xKPsNPDGhTE/s1600/propeller_planes_keepsake_box.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wonder what memories this box held?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">It has been a long time since I have written a post for P.Lynne Designs. In fact, I can recall that the last post was in August, and it is now November. I do want to apologize for not posting in such a long time. Okay, with that in out of the way, I shall move forward. I am going to start by introducing a new segment in my blog called What’s Trending and Scrapbooking.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">In this segment, date to be determined when I post on this subject, I will show you that you do not have to always use paper in order to keep a memory. This should be fascinating. Today’s subject is something that I found while searching through my emails. Today’s subject is called keepsake boxes.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Keepsake boxes isn't a new trend at all, in fact it is a practice that probably dates back to around the 1700's. It is also called a memory box. In this keepsake or memory box, you keep memories of an event in a person’s life such as a wedding, a birth, or even a death. Some of the most common things kept in a keepsake box are a lock of hair, a baby blanket, information on the baby’s birth and name, foot and hand prints.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The practice sort of went away for a while, but now it is making a comeback. I think one of the reasons is there is also another trend out called a smash book. In a smash book, you can also put memories of importance and it as well. The difference between a smash book and a keepsake box, is a smash book holds items such as ticket stubs, the napkin from a restaurant simply visited, a note, a card from a friend, and anything that is small enough to put in a book. However, a keepsake box keeps larger items like those that I mentioned in the previous paragraph. You can, however, merge the two ideas into one keepsake box.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The other reason why I am covering this subject, is because I ran across <a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Family/Features/2014/10/31/Box-up-your-memories-to-show-them-off/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">an article of a mother, who was creating a keepsake box for each of her three children</a>. In each of the boxes, she started from the time each child was born, and started keeping items such as their special blanket, and she found out that her children were collectors. So things such as seashells they collect on the beach, to little feathers and other things started going into their boxes. Next thing she knew, she was starting her own scrapbooking business. In fact, she had started this business back in college, but had to close it when she got married, only to reopen it when she started the keepsake boxes. The business is called Chronicles.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">You do not have to open up a scrapbook business in order to make beautiful memories. If you are not creative enough to start a scrapbook of your memories, try starting a keepsake box. All you have to do is find a wooden box that is big enough to hold your memories. Start by adding things such as ticket stubs, a napkin from your favorite restaurant, all the things that I mentioned that are needed for a smash book. I would also add in things such as fabric from your favorite blouse when it’s worn out, your college yearbook, your diary from when you were 13, or if you’re inclined, anything that your parents saved for you. If you want to go bigger, you can always collect sand from the favorite beach, the first dinner date, or even a favorite blanket. These are just examples of what you can put in a keepsake box. Some people do not have keepsake boxes, they have the biggest of them all called a hope chest.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">This is just something for you to think about, that is also trending in scrapbooking.<o:p></o:p></div>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-6590571910848371972014-08-19T06:00:00.000-04:002014-08-19T06:00:01.833-04:00New changes, new ways of thinking.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvGklEbz3wo/U-qB6-5ivPI/AAAAAAAAIdE/Bt1iMyRiLCY/s1600/Mail%2Blabel%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvGklEbz3wo/U-qB6-5ivPI/AAAAAAAAIdE/Bt1iMyRiLCY/s1600/Mail%2Blabel%2B1.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I hope you enjoyed last week’s summer Mason jar project. I will be posting at least once a week on a Tuesday with either a SVG cut out that you can cut on your Cricut Explore, a review of some sort of crafting tool or crafting line, a tip or a project that you can either make yourself, or purchase on my Etsy shop, which is a finished project or a pattern to build from. It may not happen all at once, but these are my plans at the moment. Please make a comment on anything that you have tried, liked, hated (be gentle, but I won’t bite </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">J</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> if you think it is the worst project you ever seen), or think I should try. I am relearning. I have lots of habits to break, such as consistency of blog posts (taking a lesson from being away for so long). I have learned a lot from a couple of classes and reading articles on the etiquette of social media. So I am taking it slowly, and building back my momentum, by first posting once a week, and writing a schedule. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Soon, Blogger will be going away from me slowly, and this blog will be going to a mostly WordPress platform. I keep saying this, but the true of the matter is I am scared, and I am scared on so many levels right now. I am scared that in the mist of this move, Google will decide that my blog is no longer good enough for them, and they take it down. I am scared that while I trying to re-build this blog (and I have 4 others that I have been typing in more than this one), some random hacker(s) will come to steal the very content that I have been writing on this platform since 2009. But you know what? I am not worried, because I know someone who is bigger than the universe, and who will protect my integrity, and knows that I will produce good works, and that is God. I am going to stop right there, because I know I have just offended someone, but I do not care. This blog was founded on my belief system, and I love doing what I am doing, and believing in who I believe in, because I am a survivor, and I am not going to give up, as the old Destiny’s Child song rings out. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Sorry, I went a little off-topic.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I have been playing with my Cricut Explore, especially the Design Studio, and learned that I can share what I create. Last week was a preview of what I can do. This week, it is shipping labels. We all need them, at least I do. This one is a little fancy, but Postal ready. If you are having problems opening this or last week’s file, please let me know.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">This is file is formatted for US addresses.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/project/16232179" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mailing label</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-75731738988440423322014-08-13T04:00:00.000-04:002014-08-13T04:00:02.448-04:00Sign Up for the Cricut Newsletter and Enter to Win a Cricut Explore™!<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Caution: Affiliate Links ahead...<br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mGxPW7wzBmM/U-rgXRvBEzI/AAAAAAAAIdQ/RyziKuLbtes/s1600/Cricut%2BExplore%2Bgiveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mGxPW7wzBmM/U-rgXRvBEzI/AAAAAAAAIdQ/RyziKuLbtes/s1600/Cricut%2BExplore%2Bgiveaway.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></div>Have you ever thought to yourself, "Man, if only I didn't have to cut up all this paper/vinyl/vellum/cardstock/chipboard/aluminum/leather/felt/acetate/fabric by hand! What I wouldn't do for a <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=604303&u=0&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cricut Explore™</a>!" Here's what you do! Sign up below to receive the <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=633030&u=0&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=">Cricut</a>Newsletter by August 19th, and you'll be automatically entered into a drawing to win a <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=604303&u=0&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cricut Explore™</a>! Use your email or login with Facebook and you will automatically sign up for the Cricut newsletter and be entered to win the giveaway. <br /><br />In the meantime, get yourself ready to receive that winning <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=604303&u=0&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cricut Explore™</a> and go shopping on <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=633029&u=0&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cricut.com</a>. You can get <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=616077&u=0&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">free shipping on all orders of $35 or more</a>, when you use the promo code: <b>FREESHIP35</b> at checkout. <br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--><br /><ol start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b1045e471/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <o:p></o:p></span></li></ol>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-75631627988366452112014-08-12T16:03:00.000-04:002014-08-12T17:09:23.825-04:00Summer share-time: Mason Jar Cutout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uzbEW3C6qHw/U-pym7rjaLI/AAAAAAAAIc0/eIBSGQtx5ms/s1600/Mason%2BJar%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uzbEW3C6qHw/U-pym7rjaLI/AAAAAAAAIc0/eIBSGQtx5ms/s1600/Mason%2BJar%2B2.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s August, and it is almost time for going back to school, getting to know your teachers….that sort of thing. Well, just because there are lot to do during the day, that does not mean you can be lazy at night. I am talking about putting down the electronics, go outside (especially if you live in the country or out in the suburbs), grab a mason jar, and fill it full of fireflies.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Of course, before attempting these things, the following has to be done:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Dinner<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Homework<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->And of course, get ready for bed.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Moms (and a few helpful fathers) can use this free for personal use Mason jar cutout, if they have a Cricut Explore to cut out a sign, so that each child can know whose batch of fireflies is whose. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Not into fireflies? No problem. You can use this cutout to make a layout, labels, or even a mini book. The possibilities are endless.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://us.cricut.com/design#/canvas/project/19549159" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mason Jar cutout</a><o:p></o:p></div>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-4258794374539937062014-05-26T00:55:00.000-04:002014-05-26T00:55:00.052-04:00Did you know...Cricut Free Images/Project<em><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.</span></em><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br /><b>Free Images and Featured Projects at Cricut</b><br />Sometimes all we need to get the creative juices flowing is a little inspiration, and at Cricut they have just the thing. Each week Cricut posts <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=604307&u=463870&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=">free images of the week</a> that you can download and use to create hundreds of new projects—from iron-ons for fabric to vinyl stickers for furniture—each one paired with an exciting project that you can make. In addition to the image, they also <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=606704&u=463870&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=">feature projects from their online community</a>, both easy and moderate in complexity, everything for all levels of DIYers. All of these cutout designs can be made with the <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=604303&u=463870&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=">Cricut Explore™</a>, a design-and-cut system for making amazing, affordable DIY craft projects. It’s the easiest way to turn an idea into a finished project right in your own home. Check out Cricut to jumpstart your own cutout art. <br /><br />Here are the free image and featured projects for this week... <br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=604299&u=463870&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.shareasale.com/image/51766/CricutFreeProjMay14TU.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=604297&u=463870&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.shareasale.com/image/51766/CricutFreeProjMay14.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=604298&u=463870&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.shareasale.com/image/51766/CricutFreeProjMay14bag.png" /></a>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-59369047403012594562014-05-25T00:39:00.000-04:002014-05-25T00:39:24.155-04:00Want to try something new? Register for a mini class.<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: #61ab9d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Try a Free Mini Class at Craftsy <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.</span></em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /><br />Are you looking to take your crafting to the next level, or perhaps branch out and learn a new skill, but aren't sure where to get started? Check out the <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=560685&u=463870&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=">Craftsy Free Classes</a>, mini classes that allow you to sample everything from food classes (Who couldn't use <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=565391&u=463870&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=">Complete Knife Skills with Brendan McDermott</a>?), to quilting (How fun would <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=546381&u=463870&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=">A New Look at Longarm Quilting with Mandy Leins - FREE! </a>be?), to photography (Seriously, <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=541567&u=463870&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=">Learn How To Take Professional Family Portraits with Craftsy for FREE!</a> could only help us all.) and more! Just register for your <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=253536&u=463870&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=">Craftsy</a>account and get started!<br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></span>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-5224597048563490622014-04-15T03:56:00.000-04:002014-04-15T03:56:46.158-04:00Making your first project from your new Cricut Explore…<div class="MsoNormal">Last month (yes it has been that long, sorry), I talked about taking the machine out of the box. I have been delayed for a couple of reasons. 1) Life got a little crazy, and 2) I was learning the new machine, which is a little different than what I was used to. Today, let’s make our first project.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the first things you may want to do, is to clear some space on your hard drive for some SVGs if you do not want to grab images from your cartridges all the time (if you are a previous cricut owner). I will be speaking from the point of view of a person who has never owned a Cricut machine at all.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">When you first log into Design Space, you will see this window:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/></v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1029" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:.5pt;width:245.1pt;height:137.85pt; z-index:251658240;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square; mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:left; mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:text'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Patricia\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png" o:title=""/> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"/></v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ayn7kypW0Gs/U0zkrfTSxyI/AAAAAAAAHAg/pxSto2xj5-4/s1600/opening+screen+to+CDS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ayn7kypW0Gs/U0zkrfTSxyI/AAAAAAAAHAg/pxSto2xj5-4/s1600/opening+screen+to+CDS.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p>On the upper left hand corner, click on the green log-in button, and a pop-up screen like this will show up (I am assuming you have already signed up for an account before you get to this point.) If you have another Cricut machine, the information you gave when you first started using Cricut Classroom software (if you decided to hook your machine to the computer), has already transferred that information when you registered Cricut Explore.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1028" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:.2pt;margin-top:-.1pt; width:207.6pt;height:103.4pt;z-index:251659264;visibility:visible; mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0; mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0; mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text; mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Patricia\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.png" o:title="" croptop="1695f" cropbottom="27403f" cropleft="12023f" cropright="12366f"/> <w:wrap type="square"/></v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]-->Type in your user name and password and click the green button on the lower right-hand side of the screen. You are now ready to start your first project, and the login screen will disappear and you will be back to the first screen.</div><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBuAzupFoGQ/U0zk50j7OpI/AAAAAAAAHAo/E2GAz8hIzWQ/s1600/Login+shot-CDS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBuAzupFoGQ/U0zk50j7OpI/AAAAAAAAHAo/E2GAz8hIzWQ/s1600/Login+shot-CDS.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Hit the blue square to make a project from a blank canvas, or make a project from the pictured windows below the blue square.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Let’s tackle a ready to make project first.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">One thing to say about these projects is there are project for every aspect of your life: cards, jewelry, flowers, home décor, and decorating your electronic equipment to name a few. I am going to pick a card. I am going to be working on an explosion card.<o:p></o:p></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When you first get to the project sheet it will look like this:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EEyqmfcWVnM/U0zlXlwcZWI/AAAAAAAAHAw/GG4IPQS3oho/s1600/make+It+Now+shot-CDS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EEyqmfcWVnM/U0zlXlwcZWI/AAAAAAAAHAw/GG4IPQS3oho/s1600/make+It+Now+shot-CDS.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:2.7pt; width:212.45pt;height:173.65pt;z-index:251660288;visibility:visible; mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0; mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0; mso-position-horizontal:left;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin; mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Patricia\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.png" o:title="" cropbottom="5747f" cropleft="11917f" cropright="12472f"/> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"/></v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]-->Every project sheet will have the name of the project, how difficult it is, and how long it will take you to complete it from start to finish.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The description describes the project, which includes what size the project is supposed to be when you finish it. Please note, these are all the suggested size, you are welcome to change the project. More in detail later.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">On the right hand side, you will find the materials or ingredients needed to make this project, as well as the instruction. Oh, I almost forgot the important part of the project, the template, (or images). It will be listed below the project and what image you will need to cut out. What I like about this is also tells you how much it will cost to download the image. In this case, it is free. If you get the subscription, most of your images are free with your subscription (which is optional). More on that later as well. On the right lower part are three things, the price, customize, and Make It Now. The customize button allows you to determine what size, shape or saying you want. Make It Now means there are no changes, and you are ready for the cutting mat. I am going to customize it…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ME_6TBzG8k/U0zli02tJUI/AAAAAAAAHA4/n0534hF9m1E/s1600/opening+screen+to+CDS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ME_6TBzG8k/U0zli02tJUI/AAAAAAAAHA4/n0534hF9m1E/s1600/opening+screen+to+CDS.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:-11.6pt;margin-top:.5pt; width:255.7pt;height:150.5pt;z-index:251661312;visibility:visible; mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0; mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0; mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text; mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Patricia\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.png" o:title="" croptop="6026f" cropbottom="2927f" cropleft="53f" cropright="106f"/> <w:wrap type="square"/></v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]-->So, at this point, it does not matter if you are going to customize it or now, because now you are on a screen which looks like a cutting mat. It is your virtual mat, and if you have seen this on Cricut Classroom or on another die-cutting machine program such as a Silhouette, this is where you do all your work from start to finish cut, and it looks like this. As you see here, the background is white, with tool bars on the top and to the left. I will explain the screen in further detail in the next post, but for right now, I want to point you towards the editing portion of the screen. You will also determine how big or small you want you project. Canvas Properties shows you how big you project will be in width and length, what type of fold to expect, and the size of the card. Layers shows you the different layers of the card, and what layer you want to cut, write, or score. Also in the layers feature, you can group and ungroup a project, work on what needs changed, and then attach it to cut, write, and score all on one mat. I am also going to into this in more detail when I get to make your own project. I was just introducing you to the canvas.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Next time, I will show you the finer details of cutting out an already created project. Oh, you will also find out what a powerful little green button can do to a machine, otherwise known as the little go button. <o:p></o:p></div>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-35232858822879509052014-03-24T02:45:00.000-04:002014-03-24T02:45:51.360-04:00How to unpack and get going with your new Cricut…<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vmVBcqg_iFI/Uy_ULLalWmI/AAAAAAAAG0E/kr43EiFyqTk/s1600/c.explore+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vmVBcqg_iFI/Uy_ULLalWmI/AAAAAAAAG0E/kr43EiFyqTk/s1600/c.explore+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Gizmag.com</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">I got a new toy. Actually it is a helper toy, as that is how I want to look at my new Cricut Explore. Over the past few weeks, I have explained how I got talked into (for those of you still banning ProvoCraft-snookered) buying this machine, on FlexPay through HSN (Home Shopping Network for those of you not in The States or Canada). Next, I explained that my newest electronic baby was in the house. Well now, it is out of the box (after a week of stalling), and I will explain to you how to prep your machine for use.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Yes, you heard me right, prep my machine. According to ProvoCraft (PC going forward), you should be able to just plug in and go, right? Not if you have a stubborn system like mine---computer system that is. Let me explain a little bit about my computer system.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I purchased my computer system in an emergency in 2008. The reason for the emergency, my last computer crashed without warning. It was a Dell Dimension system. Loved it to pieces. I was not much for being a techie at that time Anyway, I was working on something, and the computer would not act right, so I turned it off. Turned it back on moments later, and I got a checkerboard pattern on my screen… not good. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I had something important, and I needed a computer fast. There was no damage to the hard drive, so the tech was able to transfer everything to this current system. So now, 7 years later, I need a new system, and so far, so good.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, what does the computer has to do with the Cricut? If you have been watching the development of the cricut machines over the years, all machines up to the new one has software that if you choose to, can allow your Cricut machine to cut with or without the computer. They depend on the cartridges, which cost at least 4 credit card payments, unless you catch them on a sale. After all, that is why most people who have the machines, love them. With the new one, it is totally internet dependent. You cannot work this machine without the use of the computer and internet. Trust me, I have tried it already. If you are scare of the computer, I suggest that you stick with the Expressions, Expressions 2, and Mini machine if you do not want to be totally computer dependent.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Well, if you bought into the HSN deal, and you have not registered your little baby, let me guide you the next step:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Once you thank the nice UPS person for bringing your box (yes, mine was nice…after all, this thing weights a ton), it is going to come in the ugly, box, that takes a blowtorch to get into it (do not try this, a nice box cutter or your craft knife will do). Turn the box over and gently shake your machine out of the box. Oh look…another box, and this one comes with a handle!!!! Do not panic, the first box is for UPS (Fed-ex, or whoever does the shipping in your area) to ship your precious machine to your home. Open the second box, which does not need a box cutter for it, and you will see your shipping label. This is your return label, in case want to return the machine back to its home (or where the sun don’t shine…Etc…). The machine is a keeper <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Next, you will find a plastic tray with a set of instructions that says, “Start Here.” Next to it is a big 12 x 12 folder. Start here contains the instructions for setting up your machine and the other contains your papers and a mat. I will get to that in a moment. Lift that tray out of the box and you will find the star of the show…your machine in a grey bag. In case you want to show off your newest find, you have something to carry it in. A first for PC. Take it out and set it on a flat surface. Under the machine, you will find a small box. This contains the USB cable to connect your computer, an electrical cord to plug up your machine (white) and your pen. Start by plugging your machine up and once you plug it in, turn it on. I like to do that, in case something go damaged in the shipping. If anything is wrong (like it won’t turn on), you can call PC, and pack that puppy up and they will ship you a new one. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Plug in the USB plug. Now this is tricky if you are not used to plugging up these things. After all, most electronic devices do come with them. There is a short stubby end. Plug that end to the machine itself. On the other end is a sort of fat, flat metal plug. Plug that into the computer. My computer has four USB ports in the front. One is used my wireless mouse, one for network cable/WIFI, another for my Expressions 2 to connect to Cricut Classroom (more on that software later…), and the last one is for the Explore.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Once plugged, go to <a href="http://www.cricut.com/design" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.cricut.com/design</a>to get the software. One thing to note, this is not software that sits on your hard drive, so no space will be taken up, except to hold your SVG designs. For that, I suggest you get a free cloud to hold it all. I am not going to get techie on you, but a cloud software is the latest thing out there. It is just a big hard drive and like any hard drive, you are given so many gigabytes to store any of your projects, documents, and such. If you never had an account with PC before, you will be asked to create one. I have one, so it was a matter of transferring a copy of my information to the new software. Turn on your machine, and the software will detect it. If you have taken HSN’s deal to use 2500 images for the next three months, free, it will detect that too. After the setup, you are finished. Time to enjoy your machine.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">If this your first time in the world of Cricut, I have a review of one the other machines. You can view it <a href="http://plogan721.hubpages.com/hub/Product-Review-Cricut-Expression-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. You can also find all sorts of reviews by just search for Cricut. The machines have been around since 2005 or so. So I hope that has been educational as well as entertaining. I thought I was banning it because of the Imagine boo-boo, but nothing can tear me away from this thing called The Cricut Explore Die Cutting Machine. <o:p></o:p></div>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-57081886673678708012014-03-13T20:21:00.001-04:002014-03-13T20:39:55.112-04:00“Graphic 45 Design Team 2014 AuditionNormally, when I submit a post to my blogs, I will type up my post in MS Word, proofread, then put in the finishing touches on Blogger (or WordPress), but for a post like this, I am typing as I go along. Why? Because I am applying for a position on the Graphic 45 Design Team. It is a wonderful honor to participate, and I have always wanted to be part of a design team for a company. I have made things (mostly cards) for a blog, but I had use my own supplies. I have also designed for Archiver's, but I was also an employee, and the rules changed shortly thereafter. Since I was not an instructor, I could no longer make the demo cards and layouts needed for the store.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCeGp6wzFOA/UyI5RS4gIQI/AAAAAAAAGj0/oYXtpmaX_JE/s1600/Baby+Antics.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCeGp6wzFOA/UyI5RS4gIQI/AAAAAAAAGj0/oYXtpmaX_JE/s1600/Baby+Antics.JPG" height="148" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Antics</td></tr></tbody></table>I love to create, and I look forward to what I can creates further, especially with the new machine I just got. I also love to show people any ideas they need for a layout or card.<br /><br /><b>Baby Antics Layout</b>. I will admit that my camera did what most camera's do, create red eyes. I played on that affect, and made it look like that my niece and older nephew was picking on the baby, then acting like they did not do a thing. I used a decorative sheet of paper and letters from American Crafts Thickers collections. The only other thing that I put on the layout is the journal block explaining what was going on in the layout.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5qvCvtM6hE/UyI8k7e0U2I/AAAAAAAAGkE/zTQxKoTb2eI/s1600/Mickey+layout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5qvCvtM6hE/UyI8k7e0U2I/AAAAAAAAGkE/zTQxKoTb2eI/s1600/Mickey+layout.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by P.Lynne Designs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />Next on the list is <b>a blank layout</b>. This is just simply Mickey, and I used a Minnie paper, and cut Mickey's head out with the Cricut machine. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eGojbnMs_u0/UyJCx507ioI/AAAAAAAAGkU/7FQ401Q3WYs/s1600/Main+Street+activity.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eGojbnMs_u0/UyJCx507ioI/AAAAAAAAGkU/7FQ401Q3WYs/s1600/Main+Street+activity.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walk down the Middle of Main Street<br />U.S.A Photo by P.Lynne Designs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>Another Disney layout</b>, this time I centered a photo I took in 2004. The way I positioned it was to have everything surrounding it was what you could do back in 2004. I also showed that you do not have to use embellishments to make a layout work. I cut up brochures to make a point. I also took a white pen and made stitching and wrote my journaling in white. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Cards....<br /><br />I love making cards. You can save tons of money by making cards. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJDrb7sHpOc/UyJFiYDeYuI/AAAAAAAAGkg/dzKT-ZI6nmM/s1600/Grad+Card.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJDrb7sHpOc/UyJFiYDeYuI/AAAAAAAAGkg/dzKT-ZI6nmM/s1600/Grad+Card.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by P.Lynne Designs</td></tr></tbody></table> This is a real<b> simple graduation </b>card. I folded a card and made a pocket on the inside. I took a tag from Ranger and EK Success's Grad stickers and place them along the bottom. I took a big "E" from my stash (which happens to stand for Excellent, The school the student graduated from and his last name) and put it in the middle of the card. I stuck another EK Success Grad sticker on the top of the card. I also decorated the card and the envelope the same way.<br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGcwyzw-9rI/UyJHW8k093I/AAAAAAAAGks/nXvbv3cCHXg/s1600/Sofisticated+ladies+Card.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGcwyzw-9rI/UyJHW8k093I/AAAAAAAAGks/nXvbv3cCHXg/s1600/Sofisticated+ladies+Card.JPG" height="148" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by P.Lynne Designs</td></tr></tbody></table>Even though I love Graphic 45 papers, to my regret this is the only card I have in my stash where I used the papers. I cut the flower out from the Cricut Pagoda Cartridge, placed black ribbon and lace behind the flower. This is a thank you card. I did distress the lace up a bit with Tim Holtz's distress inks.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fg2zGYWhhso/UyJInRQsAgI/AAAAAAAAGk4/SHNM_aJ0IdA/s1600/Note+cards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fg2zGYWhhso/UyJInRQsAgI/AAAAAAAAGk4/SHNM_aJ0IdA/s1600/Note+cards.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by P.Lynne Designs</td></tr></tbody></table>The last card I made was a set of papers from Close to my heart. I wanted to help a friend out and get her business started as a Close to My Heart Rep, so I made these cards for her to place on her blog. She sent me the packet, which was a Summer 2013 pack, and I these cards, as well as the holder for it. The circles are popped up for interest.<br />Thank you Graphic 45 for allowing me to showcase my work.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-22431305473276570612014-03-12T16:07:00.001-04:002014-03-12T16:07:43.907-04:00Cricut Explore is in the House<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YCBZclWz78/UyC9dJdiPsI/AAAAAAAAGjA/eljYpCqWtR0/s1600/c.explore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YCBZclWz78/UyC9dJdiPsI/AAAAAAAAGjA/eljYpCqWtR0/s1600/c.explore.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by ProvoCraft</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">This is a short post. My Cricut Explore is here. It arrived yesterday by UPS. Just in time, because of the following reasons:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>I was on a 4-day vacation from last Thursday until Monday. If I was scheduled to come back home yesterday, No telling where my Explore would have gone.</li><li>I checked my funds Monday, and according to my bank, $59.99 was taken out of my account by HSN via Paypal. Good thing I had cash with me.</li><li>I started watching YouTube videos non-stop since Saturday.</li></ul><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">So there is no doubt that I will enjoy this new machine. Now I have three again, and I am going to use them in different ways:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ol><li>For my Expression 2 machine, I am going to continue to design with Cricut Classroom, especially if the project I am making does not require me to alter much with the cartridges.</li><li>With my Explore, I am going to use SVGs, the carts, anything that is allowed with the Cricut Design Space software. The only thing I do not like about it so far is if my internet service goes down, so does the ability to design with the software. Other than that, I am excited to try this software.</li><li>Now for the elephant in the room, my Imagine. I do have one thing to say about my Imagine, and Cricut lovers, do not take this the wrong way. I love my Imagine, and I was very excited when I got the machine (used), I could not wait to use it. I did not have any problems updating it the first time I got it. In fact, I updated it two or three times before March 2012. I have not been able to update since then, but that is OK, because I decided that instead of calling and screaming at ProvoCraft, I will be hooking up my Imagine to Cricut Classroom ever again. I am OK with that decision.</li></ol><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The way I look at it is this: Yes, so many people are disappointed with PC, but to me, PC does not hold my tomorrow. I KNOW who holds my tomorrow, and it is not a man-made company. This company can go bankrupt any moment now (despite the new machine coming online and hitting the stores for everyone else in April). I can move on from this. Yes, I am sad that the Imagine, Gypsy, Cricut Cake, and the baby Cricuts are no longer supported, but that is just the way business, ANY business works. People change, companies change. When the Explore was introduced last month, I watched like everyone else, and yes, I did consider the Silhouette Cameo, but I wanted to stick with the same company. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I looked at pricing (which Cameo did come out ahead slightly than the Explore), subscription price (OK, I have to give a slight edge to ProvoCraft with their deal with HSN/Anna Griffith), and if it supports sending projects to the printer or not (available right now for Cameo, coming later for Explore). The biggest edge was to have the ability to cut SVG files and to see how the new president of ProvoCraft was going to handle everything. This is his first project, and I hope when I open the box, read instructions, put it through “Patricia” paces (my cute little saying for seeing how the machine works with me), the machine will live up to the name “Cricut”. If it does not work out, it is going back on the first train smoking, and I will get a Cameo sooner than later. <o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">So, if I have the time tonight, I will open the box, but for now, it is protected. I need to clear some space, and set it up. I also need to register it (I already downloaded the connector software to Designer Space), and start playing. I hope that this machine does not become another Imagine that does not have the support after it does not perform up to par with PC’s customers. I need it to come out of the box and do its thing, just like the Expression 2 did when I first took it out of the box. <o:p></o:p></div>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-46930647048343517192014-02-13T02:16:00.000-05:002014-02-13T02:16:31.976-05:00An update to the last post and a cute little heart you will love to make…<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bk58sEwoKGA/UvxwwqUV5nI/AAAAAAAAF4c/kSekh8eQA2M/s1600/update_active_directory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bk58sEwoKGA/UvxwwqUV5nI/AAAAAAAAF4c/kSekh8eQA2M/s1600/update_active_directory.jpg" height="154" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Update-directory.net</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">OK, now that all the crafting negativity is out of my life, I can make a decision that I know that some people will not like, but I know deep down I made the right one for me and my readers. I decided to go ahead and buy the Cricut Explore, but first I had to make sure this was the right decision. I had finished watching most of the YouTube videos on the machine, and now it was the matter of money and timing. I had not used my Cricut Expression 2 machine in 4 months, partly because I had lost my power chord when I remodeled, and I really was not in a crafting mood. I made Christmas cards, but I made a very simple, non-die cut card, which was a departure for me. True be told, everyone was starting to say that Christmastime was the one time of the year that a Cricut (either my Expression 1, baby bug, Expression 2, or Imagine) was always attached to my hip. It had been 6 months since I used my Imagine. Then I prayed, because this is what I do when I come into a decision I needed to make, no matter how small it was.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, midnight came, and like everyone else who made the decision to buy one, I watched the presentation. You know what? HSN (Home Shopping Network) always have the heavy hitters out for a premier event, because they want to make sure that they can tell you why you need it. Well buddy boy, I had already made that decision BEFORE you ever started talking. So, I am not that type of person. Cricut was having a party, and the guest of honor, besides the machine itself was Designer Anna Griffith. She had partnered with ProvoCraft on some design cuts exclusively for anyone who is going to buy the machine. Now for the PSA: host announces how many they have left in stock, and I have not looked on my computer yet, I was just watching the presentation.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Next, they threw in the hook (you know they always need a hook.). A 3-month free subscription to their SVG files. Even though you do not need it, because you can cut out any SVG files on the internet, they decided to throw it in anyway. Now it is down to fewer than 1,000 machines, and I am still watching. I finally ordered when they were down to 500 machines, and I saw a cute rosette on the wall. Welcome, home décor, come to mama!!! So click, click, click I went on the keyboard and mouse, making sure that I have my account pulled up, and that all of my info is correct from the last time I ordered something (E2). <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Did you know you can link up your Paypal account to HSN now? Great option for anyone with one, and take the flexpay option, which I did. Now, all I have to do is wait on my paycheck to hit today, and I am set. The machine arrives on March 18<sup>th</sup>. I will have a review shortly after I get it. In the meantime, enjoy <o:p></o:p></div>this cute little heart for Valentine’s Day. <br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FGz2Tsaglks/UvxvDVwF4xI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/aYGnel7paYA/s1600/Heart+on+a+stick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FGz2Tsaglks/UvxvDVwF4xI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/aYGnel7paYA/s1600/Heart+on+a+stick.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo By PLynneDesigns</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">Heart on a stick…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here a fun way to address the issue of “what to decorate with?” I made these hearts “on a stick” this way:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Ingredients</u>:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>Die cut hearts (2)</li><li>Straws</li><li>Adhesive (glue)</li><li>Marker (optional)</li><li>Quotes (optional)</li><li>Computer and printer (Optional)</li></ul><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Cut out two hearts. You can use a die cutting machine, such as a cameo, a punch, or free-hand. I used the Cricut machine with a cartridge called, <u>Love Struck 2010</u>. I made 17 sets, 2 hearts each. You will need to stick the two hearts together to form a stronger die cut. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Optional: Once you made your hearts, you can either write or use a word processing program on your computer and use a font about 8pt or smaller (depending on what size the die cut is) and print words of love on the hearts. Since I was making this for a church V-day party, I did scriptures from the bible with references on where to find the verse, but any affirmations of love would do. I would put them high enough so that the straw will not cover the words.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Glue your straw on the back, somewhere in the middle. I used 1/8” scor-tape, but any double-sided tape or wet glue will do.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Options:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>Make harlequin masks with bamboo skewers in place of the straws. Place to the side rather than the middle.</li><li>Make cupcake toppers with a shorter straw or bamboo skewers. Stick in the center of each cupcake.</li><li>Instead of straws or skewers, cut several hearts or other shapes and make a banner. Stick the string in between the two die cut pieces. Hang in place.</li><li>Make a windmill and make a child smile with delight.</li><li>Other holiday shapes in place of the heart:</li><ul><li>Trees, Santa, or snowman for Christmas</li><li>Small Nativity scene, wise man mask, or any of the manger animals for Christmas</li><li>Dreidle or menorah for Hanukah</li><li><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Easter egg or Bunny for Easter</span></li><li>Flower for spring or Mother’s day</li><li>Beach ball for summer</li><li>Turkey for thanksgiving</li><li>Roman candle for the 4<sup>th</sup> of July or any country’s independence day.</li><li>Golf clubs for Father’s day.</li></ul></ul><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">So many ideas, I cannot put them all here. Have a happy Valentine’s Day Friday, and blessings to all of you. Be crafty. <o:p></o:p></div>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-87912781642088632202014-01-27T00:00:00.000-05:002014-01-27T00:00:05.303-05:00In Preparation for a New Machine…<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OVQjaab8v0k/UuS35VG6JAI/AAAAAAAAFws/0ocgau3Lt1A/s1600/Cameo+vs+Explore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OVQjaab8v0k/UuS35VG6JAI/AAAAAAAAFws/0ocgau3Lt1A/s1600/Cameo+vs+Explore.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Explore vs. Cameo. Photos from Google images</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Hello, this is a quick little note as a follow-up to my last post. I have decided that I have been in the dark too long, and since I had one little problem with my Cricut machines, I decided that I am going to get this new thing after I see it at launch on HSN. I just love the idea of doing SVG files, which brings me to an explanation on why I did not choose the Cameo. Hold on to your hats, folks, did I say that I was going to buy it on launch preview day? You have to read between the lines, because I only have seen what everyone else has seen of this little demo on You Tube, and anything else that head honchos at ProvoCraft (PC) have allows them to show. I still have to do a comparison between the two, a pros and cons analysis of the situation. I cannot just go by my gut feeling. Without knowing much about the Silhouette Cameo and too much about the ProvoCraft Cricut line (a pro and con within itself), I have to take me out of it for a minute. Yes, it will be MY machine, and I have to be happy with what I buy, but on the other hand, I want it to be long lasting, get great support 2-3 years down the road, and I can use it for anything without limitations (other than copyright issues). So the first thing I have to do in order to prepare for purchasing either machine (I am not rich enough to buy both, besides that, isn't that hoarding?), is to see what I have in inventory. I enlisted the help of MS Excel and Access for that. I listed all of my cartridges, what type they are, what current and future machines that can work them. (This is I have and planning to buy-not the whole fleet, which excludes baby, E1, Create, Cake, and Mini). I also listed Cricut Classroom and Cricut Space, the new one.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">You should do that for anything that you do in papercrafting. You should see what you have in generic stuff. You all have seen them, the video of a person’s craft room. Looks beautiful, right? Until you see that she has 20 rolls of Scor-tape, and all of them are ¼” rolls. No variety at all. What is she storing them for? A nuclear blast? Armageddon? The closing of a scrapbook store? A person should not have no more than two rolls at a time, and that is only if you are doing a big project, or you 20 rolls are of different widths, and you are about ready to run out with the current roll. OK? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">(Ok, as usual, I got a little sidetracked. I have been watching way too many YT scraproom makeovers lately). Shall we move on…?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyway, if it wasn't for PC and their way of thinking about a potential new feature after the fact on their current machines, they could have been a great competitor for the Cameo. Nope, they had to get lawsuits out of the way first. That is called, “playing nice with the neighborhood children (Sure Cuts Alot and the make the Cut software). <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I am on a couple of Cricut Yahoogroups, and a couple of the ladies on one group thinks that PC is a little late in the game to have a machine that cuts SVGs. I happen to agree, and I am also putting that as a con on PC’s side. What I am also putting as a con is PC customer service and support for the last 4 years when it comes to Imagine. You cannot make a person pay $599 at launch preview date, have all kinds of problems with the machine, give up, and cut people off at the knees when they need help. The same goes for Gypsy (the little handheld that allows you to design a page, and hook it up to your cricut and then with a touch of a button, it tells the machine to cut.); and the Cricut Cake line (allows cake designers to make all sorts of fondant designs by cutting it with a FDA, food-safe Cricut Machine). They have also let go of key people who customers have grown to love.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Pros of getting an Explore is something new (the idea of cutting with cartridges AND SVG files appeals to me), and maybe the price (6 flex pays if I buy on HSN, and I have an account, and I get the machine right away).<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The only 2 cons I see to the Cameo is it will be a learning curve for me, but I am a fast learner. Giving up on being an all Cricut owner would be another, but I can adapt. The Pro of owning a Cameo would be that it is a tried and true machine, and the owners have not had too many complaints that I have heard of. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">So I have less than a month to decide what to do. I have finished my research, prep my inventory, and check the finances, and I am ready.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">So that concludes this segment. Be blessed my friend, and make something.</div><o:p></o:p>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-56028427097630036372014-01-23T19:20:00.000-05:002014-01-23T19:20:03.505-05:00Technic Thursday: Cricut Explore<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPWxqDQhN9I/UuGvfg_b-vI/AAAAAAAAFus/tXOPvzLofTE/s1600/new+machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPWxqDQhN9I/UuGvfg_b-vI/AAAAAAAAFus/tXOPvzLofTE/s1600/new+machine.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Capadia Designs</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">It has been quite a while since I have done a review on the Cricut machines, and I realize that I am still getting hits on my article on <a href="http://plogan721.hubpages.com/hub/Product-Review-Cricut-Expression-2">Hubpages</a>, and there has been lots of changes in the Cricut camp (namely ProvoCraft) since I published it. For instance, Cricut Imagine has had its issues (such as long software updates), and PC has decided to no longer make it and support it. This makes it the biggest and the heaviest paperweight I have ever owned. No love for the Gypsy or Design Studio either. PC has even replaced beloved key people (like Jinger Adams) with people who could care less if you are happy sending that third machine back to them or not. People were mad, furious, and they started to gravitate towards the Silhouette Cameo, making it the star of the electronic die cutting world.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Who would blame them? I, myself started thinking about doing the same thing. In October 2013, I did a little updating to my condo, by adding new carpet and painti<o:p></o:p></div>ng the walls downstairs and my upstairs hallway. I had to move everything out to do it. In the process, I lost two major cords; the cord to my musical keyboard (it takes ‘D’ batteries) and the cord to my Cricut Expression 2. I know, tragic. It was either upgrade to the Cameo or replace the cord. I replaced the cord, but I am still thinking about replacing the CI with the Cameo. That is, until I heard about the new Cricut Explore this week. <br /><div class="MsoNormal">I am partial to the Cricut line, so much until I gave a friend of mine the Cricut Expression 1, and I have not looked back. She loves it. So what makes this new machine so special that it would make a former Cricut user switch back? We will have to wait and see. <o:p></o:p></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2JxT-Yo994/UuGvz9S330I/AAAAAAAAFu0/nmqr4WhFx24/s1600/c.explore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2JxT-Yo994/UuGvz9S330I/AAAAAAAAFu0/nmqr4WhFx24/s1600/c.explore.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://cricut.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cricut.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Cricut Explore is being claimed as the easiest design and cut system in the world, according to PC. You can go from a design in progress to a complete design in just a few clicks (so yes, you will need a computer for it). This new machine does it all: It cuts, embosses, it allows you to design with brand new software called Space. You can cut with the cartridge you already own and will get in the future, and it draws. (Unlike the Imagine which just prints and cuts.) The main complaint that customer have had in the past with PC was not being able to use SVG file with the machine. The good news is, with the new machine, you can without buying the special software that PC sued other companies about in the past. You can even use it with your Ipad and other tablet computers. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Like a kid in a candy store, I cannot wait to try it. It is supposed to debut on HSN (Home Shopping Network) in Mid-February, stores in March. Like everyone else who have had problems with their current machines and with customer support on those machines, it is a wait and see for me. I need to see this thing in action. So it is one thing to have this thing become Cameo’s main competitor, it is another to have this machine work for you on day one. If I get it on launch day, it will be with HSN’s flexpay.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">When I get my new machine, I will do a review on it for those of you on the fence by the time it launches on HSN. In the meantime, I will once again play with my other two (I can get by without updating the Imagine if I need to cut and print). And you stay safe and warm in this frigid weather. Be blessed, my friend, and create something wonderful. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/G9x4mrvmCBY/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/G9x4mrvmCBY&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/G9x4mrvmCBY&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-41841412950897310242014-01-14T01:30:00.000-05:002014-01-14T01:30:50.274-05:00a crafty 2014...A redo<div class="MsoNormal">Happy New Year, Crafters<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Today is one of those Q and A sessions, which is part “get it off my chest” and part everything else. My intention was never to unload, which I am not, but I have to say something.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Do you feel the scrapbook/crafting world and industry is changing? The reason why I am asking you this question can be answered in 3 problems I see:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]--> Every time I close my eyes, and LSS (Local Scrapbook Store) is closing. I was on Facebook two weeks when I read a comment from my friend and former manager informed me and anyone who scrapbooks that Archiver’s was closing. I sat there to let the news sink in and let out a great big, WTF? Yea, it was that kind of night. Archiver’s has been in business for 14 short years. That is a teen for goodness sake. I should have known this when my hourly salary stopped at $8.15 and I was cut down from 35-40 to 20 to 4 hours a week by 2010, but I thought as I had my last hours as an associate on January 17, 2010 they would bounce back. I should have known this when the Mall of America location closed in July 2013, making it the first time Archiver’s did not have a Scrapfest in that location since it opened. The final “nail in the coffin” act was when Memory Lab opened in every location. They already had a machine that could print out pictures for you. It was there before I started working there, but in a way, I thought the memory lab was a way of increasing customers who did not have a computer. I will miss this store. Now in my area there will only be three LSS other than the Michaels/Joann/Hobby Lobby, which I really do not like to shop at. I will tell you later.</div><a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Digital anyone? One of the reason why Archiver’s and the others are closing is digital scrapbooking. It seems that nobody wants to take the time to get down and dirty. What do I mean? Look at this: You have Shutterfly and other companies like it, who make it easy for a non-crafter to make a layout, but pointing and clicking one. Print it out on your printer, and you have instant scrapbook that you can email or Facebook to family and friends. $7.99 and up should do it. Send out Cards do digital for greeting cards. All you have to do is to find a personal greeting card, complete with information you type on your computer, and they will mail it for you. It saddens me that no one wants to glue, embellish, or use a die-cut machine anymore. “Too much time,” they say. I love home-made stuff. No two are alike.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]--> Speaking of alike, have you been in a Michaels/Joann’s/Hobby Lobby lately? Here is the average person’s visit to the store: When you go in, you must have a list. If you do not, you may miss something, like you ad that the company conveniently forgot, because it is on a smartphone that you conveniently do not have. “We cannot have paper coupons, oh no, because it cost too much to produce.” That’s fine for me, because I am constantly in my text messaging and social media, but your average senior is not. I would love to see a mixture again. Also there are no associates who can help a person anymore. They are hired to stock only in my opinion. At Archiver’s I stocked, greeted customers, demoed products that a customer had a question about, answered the phone, called customers to remind them the product they ordered is ready or their class was the next day, and rung up customers when they are ready to purchase. That is the mark of good customer service. What these associates do in these three store chains isn't customer service. And last, they are chains. No personality there. If I really want something, I have to order it online. This is why I really do not like shopping at these stores.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Well that is it. I do not want to take up any more of your time. Have a blessed 2014, and happy crafting.<o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lRAi1yxnBOs/UtTYF_4btoI/AAAAAAAAFrI/LhL9_4Mxt9Y/s1600/20131222_020834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lRAi1yxnBOs/UtTYF_4btoI/AAAAAAAAFrI/LhL9_4Mxt9Y/s200/20131222_020834.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Card #1 By P.lynne Designs</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3A5ZNgpVAKY/UtTYFwGI3GI/AAAAAAAAFrI/YIskVZCPwuc/s1600/20131222_020807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3A5ZNgpVAKY/UtTYFwGI3GI/AAAAAAAAFrI/YIskVZCPwuc/s200/20131222_020807.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Card #2 By P.Lynne Designs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsC0ytFywuA/UtTYF-EtgjI/AAAAAAAAFrI/XpH7ihtC5c0/s1600/20131222_020745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsC0ytFywuA/UtTYF-EtgjI/AAAAAAAAFrI/XpH7ihtC5c0/s200/20131222_020745.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Card #3 By P.Lynne Designs</td></tr></tbody></table>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-49990701985918848902013-12-17T03:37:00.000-05:002013-12-17T03:37:26.430-05:00A little late than never<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A6tlGeuLIf4/UrANDFi2I8I/AAAAAAAAFQI/Ho13BTSddpY/s1600/minibook+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A6tlGeuLIf4/UrANDFi2I8I/AAAAAAAAFQI/Ho13BTSddpY/s200/minibook+5.JPG" width="200" /></a>I am starting to do custom orders again. I know it is a little late for this Christmas (which is next Wednesday), but it is better late than never I still have my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PLynneDesigns" target="_blank">Etsy</a> shop, Ebay, <a href="http://www.zibbet.com/" target="_blank">my Zibbert shop</a>, and a couple others, but I will be adding one sites like this new one (at least new to me) called <a href="http://selz.co/1dIB1GD" target="_blank">Selz</a>. I have place a link to it, and the prices will start at $20, depending on how detailed I have the Mini albums. I also will be selling my retired items from Longaberger as well on Selz. More on it later.</div><o:p></o:p>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-10344421111202732282013-11-24T17:11:00.000-05:002013-11-24T17:11:00.684-05:00On My Etsy Shop: Black and White Covered NotebookWhat's Black and White and read all over? in this case it is not a newspaper, and that kiddie riddle suggested when I was a child. In this case the riddle should read, "What's Black and White and WRITTEN all over. In this case it would be a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/170427013/back-and-white-covered-notebook" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Black and White covered notebook</a>. I am putting this up on my Etsy Shop as well. Perfect for anyone. The description on the list reads:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIE7hflMugo/UpEpTHrCXJI/AAAAAAAAFDc/pSGGHsEZIBc/s1600/Covered+Notebook+%235-Black+and+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIE7hflMugo/UpEpTHrCXJI/AAAAAAAAFDc/pSGGHsEZIBc/s320/Covered+Notebook+%235-Black+and+White.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Black and White items are part of a trend, and it has been for several years. One of the reasons why I love black and white is it goes with everything and they are neutral.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">So i was thinking, why not have a covered notebook so that everyone, man , woman, and child can use it. it is not too girly, not to manly, and not too childish. Just right, and Goldilocks would say in the Three Bear's story.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Just like in the Amore Notebook, there are two pockets, one in the front and one in the back. The one in the back it for when you wan to slide papers in, while the front pocket is your traditional pocket. I hope you will enjoy you notebook if you decide to purchase it. All orders can be customize to fit your taste. Just let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy!</span>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-34340938412909601932013-11-24T09:30:00.000-05:002013-11-24T09:30:01.823-05:00covered notebook: positive wordsI must admit that I love this paper when I created this notebook. It gives so many positive messages from love to dream. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/170362181/positive-words-covered-notebooks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My description on my Etsy shop</a> is as follows:<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Everyone needs a little encouragement, and positive words will do it each and every time. It lifts the spirits, and it makes a person fill good. I think that what happened when I picked out this paper. I had another purpose for the paper, but this worked out fine when I re-purposed it.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Some of the words on the notebook are "Love", "Cherish",and Dream. Red embossed with a little sparkle.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Have fun writing in this notebook and enjoy!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pqhlaYkp34/UpB2D__ErII/AAAAAAAAFDM/T7Xd0-7jxTM/s1600/1465284_10202390109775947_2026397041_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pqhlaYkp34/UpB2D__ErII/AAAAAAAAFDM/T7Xd0-7jxTM/s320/1465284_10202390109775947_2026397041_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-87614660353691426862013-11-23T18:00:00.000-05:002013-11-23T18:00:00.340-05:00On my Etsy shop: Covered Notebook: AmoreAnother notebook is up on My Etsy Shop is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/170361315/covered-notebook-amore" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amore</a>. it shows love, but you can use it any way you want to. The description is as following:<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Love is the strongest language I know of. Love is one of those things that you do not have to say a word, just show it. You can also receive love as well.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">This notebook reminds me of that love, and it also have this collage-feel about it. that is what I love about this cover. The inside has two pockets, one for the front and one for the back. You can place little notes or hold a pen. Enjoy!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQctQWs_GpA/UpBvXKJybII/AAAAAAAAFC8/-wXlMzSa57E/s1600/Covered+Notebook+%233-Amore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQctQWs_GpA/UpBvXKJybII/AAAAAAAAFC8/-wXlMzSa57E/s320/Covered+Notebook+%233-Amore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852408148566091890.post-74808965491909084222013-11-23T15:00:00.000-05:002013-11-23T15:00:01.147-05:00Up On Etsy....World TravelerThis is my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/170345850/world-traveler" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">second notebook </a>which will be posted on my Etsy shop. The description reads as follows:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3kKIoeCSP8/UpBpPDpvAcI/AAAAAAAAFCs/1GnZRHicOhE/s1600/Covered+Notebook+%232-World+Traveler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3kKIoeCSP8/UpBpPDpvAcI/AAAAAAAAFCs/1GnZRHicOhE/s320/Covered+Notebook+%232-World+Traveler.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">I love traveling. For me, it is good to just get away and see how the rest of the world lives. Right now, my traveling is restricted to just the United States, Canada, Mexico, or a cruise, but I would love to visit other places someday, like Paris, Italy, African, and maybe Japan. LOL, I have not decided yet where to start.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">This notebook reminds me of those travels I would like to take in the near future. The patterned paper covering the notebook is that of an old world map, perhaps the kind that people like Magellan or Columbus would had. A red ribbon represents a book mark. A stick tag is so you can name your journal. Enjoy!</span>Patricia L. Loganhttps://plus.google.com/110590754073790074568noreply@blogger.com0