Use Your Stuff!

Welcome to the Studio!

I've been cranking out layouts lately like a madwoman.  It feels REALLY good to get some done.  I'm so far behind it ain't even funny.  I want to finish my wedding album before our 10th anniversary.  A few years ago, that sounded like a joke; but we'll be celebrating that 10th anniversary in March of next year.  I need to get my rear in gear for sure!

I've recently found a challenge blog that I just adore and really gets me motivated.  It's Use Your Stuff.  Each week they have a new challenge that gets you to, well, use your stuff.  And believe me, I NEED to use what I have so I can make room for the new stuff I want.  The challenge this week is #38, Make It By Hand.  And I enjoy making my own embies when the usual store-bought stuff just doesn't work.

Well, I'm by no means bragging when I say that I used Scenic Route Paper, Charlotte Collection, for this layout.  I don't even think that company exists any more, but I'm just now getting around to using the paper I purchased like four or five years ago, if not longer than that.  I love the browns, reds, and peachy-pinks.

I used Heartfelt Creations Posey Patch stamp and die sets.  I stamped the flowers first, cut them out with the Spellbinders/Heartfelt dies, and then inked the edges before layering them and adding a bit of bling to the center.

I used CTMH Garnet to stamp the smaller flower (top pic) and inked with CTMH Smoothie and for the larger flower (bottom pic) I did just the opposite.  I also diecut my own ticket shape and added it as well.  Several of the circles are popped up on foam tape to give the layout some lumpiness and texture.

Supply List:
Cardstock: CTMH Garnet, Smoothie, and Colonial White
Inks:  CTMH Garnet and Smoothie
Stamps:  Posey Patch, Heartfelt Creations; CTMH, Just The Ticket SOTM
Pattern Paper: Charlotte by Scenic Route
Dies:  Heartfelt/Spellbinders, Posey; Spellbinders circles and scallop circles
Embossing folder: Provo Craft
Bling:  Recollections
Other:  Ticket cut file from Silhouette, converted and used with MTC & Ba-Zing-A, the Knk Zing 
             and well as my own creation for the Title/journaling block.
Sketch:  Becky Fleck, PageMaps 2

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Until next time, Scrap Sassy and Use Your Stuff;)

Provo Craft vs. Make The Cut...And WE Lose!!!

Welcome to the Studio!

Unfortunately, I have some bad news to share. Provo Craft (manufacturer of Cricut) has sued the owner(s) of Make The Cut. Due to a settlement in the case, NEW UPDATES of Make The Cut will not work with ANY CRICUT machines.

A little good news...if you have downloaded MTC prior to this week (Version 3.2.1 or lower), you will be able to use it on your Cricut as long as you do not update your Cricut firmware (Expression/Cake Version 2.34 or lower). Even if you only downloaded MTC's trial version, you can get the registration code and it will continue to work with your Cricut as long as you DO NOT UPDATE! So at least some of us can continue to cut to our heart's content for the time being. However, if you purchase any of the new cartridges that are being currently released, they may or may not work without updating the Cricut firmware. If I find out for sure, I'll be sure to post the info. Older cartridges are not affected.

My Two Cents...
This is only my opinion and it's the basis for my choice to boycott Provo Craft in the future. You should make whatever decision is right for you. I feel that I paid for my Cricut with my hard-earned money. It's mine, period. I also bought a printer and a scanner a few years ago. They are mine, period. All three of these products hook up via USB to my computer. My printer manufacturer does not tell me what I can and cannot print, nor does my scanner manufacturer limit what items I can scan. What right does Provo Craft have to tell me what I can and cannot cut or what program I can or cannot use to cut those items. I enjoy designing my own creations to cut out. Provo Craft's Design Studio does not give you that freedom. You are limited only to the cartridges they sell and that you own. I have about 20+ cartridges that I use occasionally. Most of them I purchased for a specific layout/album I had in mind. I like them, but even using the Gypsy, I still cannot manipulate the shapes to create what I want.

Pursuant to Provo Craft's choice to "attempt to stifle my creativity," not only will I not purchase ANY of their products in the future, including blades and mats - and yes, I can still get blades - but I am currently saving up to purchase a new cutter. I have been researching what's on the market and I have my eye on a Black Cat Cougar. The Lynx model is also pretty sweet. {link on side} That company is working with Make The Cut, as opposed to suing them, in order to grow their business and bring smiles to the faces of thousands of papercrafters around the world.

Thanks for listening to my rant. If you have any questions about MTC and your Cricut machine, please don't hesitate to email me. If I can't answer your question, I know several people who can.

Until next time, Scrap Sassy!