If only...

I just finished watching some youtube videos introducting the new Cricut Cake at CHA...how fun! Just think what I COULD have done with this one if I'd used a Cricut Cake machine!

This was a retirement cake I made for our school custodian. We (my daughters chimed in on the action one Sunday evening) molded the "tools" out of fondant and let dry before applying them to the cake.

Go to http://www.youtube.com/, search for "Cricut Cake" and have fun!

P.S. The Cricut Cake machine is to be released in May 2010 according to the youtube video.

CUTE, NEW Alert!!

Bug Junkie is at it again! She's created a darling "Hiding Spots" Magnetic Shape Album. Check it out with the link below!

Hiding Spots Shape Album

Couldn't Help Myself!

I just HAD to try these Meander Books! After watching the tutorial on Bug Junkie, I whipped up a few. These are not quite finished yet. They are SO easy and fun! Gee maybe I'll stash some away for a quick gift giving idea! I'll repost when covers and insides are complete.

Bug Junkie Meander Book tutorial

Progress

Nativity book progress thus far...

Cutting out chipboard and paper backings...

Working on text (I'm still revising and editing) and gluing layers (front, chipboard, inside page)...

A sneak peek at what it "might" look like!

My First Real Cricut Project

This is the bulletin board I made (and was a winner at Oh My Crafts!) for the beginning of the year for my 1st/2nd grade combination room. I used Paper Doll Dress Up (PDDU), Accent Essentials (cookies and choc. chips-tips of a leaf), and Cuttin' Up (lettering). We cut Halloween costumes at Halloween, all students were "elves" at Christmas time, and are now awaiting "winter clothing" the from Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge (I'd better get busy before spring)! Thanks to my sister, Ronda and daughter, Casey for helping dress the dolls!

eCraft Excitement!

If you haven't heard already, the new eCraft cutting machine will soon be revealed at CHA! Keep up with sneak peeks and info at Kreative Kim's blog (see link on my Link List) and the eCraft yahoo group! It sounds intriguing, exciting and enticing! Geez, I'm wondering if I should start saving more pennies!

UFO Sighting!

A project our quilt group (The Must-Quilteers) is working on (and have been for some time now!!). Even without the borders, it sure is cute up on the design wall, huh?

First Visit

Can you believe it? I went to my first scrapbook store! Sunday was just that...a day full of sun here in Michigan! Even though it was in the teens it was a beautiful drive to Scrapbooks Galore & More in Midland. My mission was to find out what "chipboard" was. I purchased some Stickles, 2 Imaginisce stamps (on sale!) and some rhinestones. When I asked about chipboard, the owner kindly gave me some! I picked out pieces on the lighter side for my Nativity book. I also picked up some cardstock and ribbon at JoAnn's. A fun day!

Other things

We're taking my mom to the airport today so no time to craft. I thought I'd post pics of other things that have made their way across my craft table!

These are (mostly fusible web) banners I made for our church. I used my Cricut to cut out the "Follow Me" letters.

Thank you blackbearblackbear and Bug Junkie!

I'd like to take a moment to thank the good Lord for snow last night enabling me to work on creative things at home today (SNOW DAY- no school)!

I'd like to thank blackbearblackbear on the Cricut.com message board for inspiring me with her Nativity book. I decided to tackle one but how to do it was the next question! I downloaded and used her free cut file with Design Studio (which I love!), lengthened the pieces to allow the baby Jesus to peek out when the book was closed, cut the pieces in the colors of my choice and assembled them. Now what?

Enter Bug Junkie! Her incredible video tutorials about how to make a word/shape book helped me move on to the next step. Today I layered chipboard on the back piece of my book, covered the inside and now have the other pages to do (I tried using cereal boxes but found that to be a bit too heavy for my liking-I think I'll use posterboard for the others).

I also learned more about how to customize my blog layout. I have a feeling that'll be a never ending process!

I saw a quote today I liked..."The creative process takes its own course. If it did otherwise, it would not be creative." F. W. Martin

...and here it awaits for more chipboard, inside page coverings, the text, binding (that's what my Bind It All is for!) and maybe some bling. I am  planning to write the Nativity Story inside before giving it to my sweet granddaughter, Quinn.

Today I enjoyed the 'creative process!'

New Tool Alert

I just received a Zutter Bind It All and can't wait to give it a try. I'll be binding a Nativity book and posting its progress as I get to it!

It's Sunday

Today we're hosting coffee and fellowship time after church so I spent yesterday afternoon preparing goodies. Peanut butter cookies with white chocolate drizzles over top, Peanut Butter Truffle brownies (thank you Betty Crocker for this new recipe), Andes Mint chocolate cookies, bagels with cream cheese, and veggie pizza are ready to be packed into the car. Today my craft table will get lonely as I have to work at school on lesson plans and then the "Must-quilteers" will be here in the afternoon for work on our barn quilt. Tomorrow I return to school, Christmas vacation time is over. I will miss you, craft table, but will come as often as I can!

In the beginning...

It's the beginning of a new year and what better time to try something new! I have designed a web site for my classroom but have never blogged. I intend for this blog to be a running record of sorts of my blog learning experiences and craft projects this year. Maybe it'll keep me on course. Maybe it'll help me finish those UFOs waiting in earnest in corners of forgotten location. Maybe it'll inspire more creating! Well, here I go (just what I need at 11:50 pm!)...