Saturday, September 24, 2011

Selling

The following blog is purely my opinion.  I do not want anyone to take offense to what I say or how I feel as they are my own thoughts and feelings.

I feel like a lot of people are confused as to why I am selling my Cricut stuff.  This really is a hard one to explain as it has a lot to do with my own personal feelings and opinions.  I do love my Cricut in a lot of ways but I have been getting really frustrated with several things.  Examples; cutting quality, expensive carts, limited image choices, etc.

Recently, I decided that I really wanted a machine that would give me the option to cut and print which made me hopeful I would find what I was looking for in the Imagine.  When I started to research the Cricut Imagine I found a lot of negative feedback.  This made me hesitant to spend my money on something that was going to be quite spendy when there were such awful reviews.

So I started searching the Internet for other machines that offer print and cut capabilities.  Recently I have found many of my favorite blogs use svg files and programs like SCAL.  I did not really understand all of it until I found one blog that was particularly helpful at answering all of my questions.  Please give her blog a visit if you are curious.  Under a Cherry Tree  Jin was extremely helpful for me and she is so informative about exactly what I have been looking for.  She use to be a huge fan of Cricut crafting and she switched to the Silhouette machine.  I had never heard of the Silhouette before and I am so sad I didn't because I feel I would not be in the position I am in now.

I would like to make it clear that the Silhouette is not the sole reason I came to the decision to sell my Cricut stuff.  When I first talked about it with my husband we discussed keeping both.  After some more time of thinking he asked me a question that really made me think.  He asked, "If you get the Silhouette will you still use your Cricut stuff?"  At first my response was, "Yeah!  Of coarse I will!"  Unfortunately, after some time thinking about it I am just not so sure of my initial response.  (I hate when husband's are right)  The truth is I am so frustrated with some of the things my Cricut struggles to cut out and how much money I have put into it.  So then I am left to think if I keep it, and it just sits there, it is a waste of money.  If I try to sell it all, yes I will lose some money, but at least I would get some kind of payback for it instead of it sitting untouched and unloved.  There are so many Cricut lovers out there that would love what I have and I want to give them the opportunity to spend less money for something they love and are passionate about.

I go back and forth a lot because I really do love the Cricut and some of the carts I have I will have a hard time parting ways with.  However, in the end I know it will get pushed aside and forgotten about and I do not have that kind of money to lose.    I have loved my Cricut and it is hard to part ways but it is for the best.

The Silhouette provides a lot more of what I am looking for in a die cutting machine.  I just feel it is a better fit for me and my life.  And in the end I could use the money I will make from selling my Cricut stuff and the money I will save from not having to buy expensive carts.  That is where my conclusion lies as sad as it may be.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Saddest Post EVER!!!

There are going to be many of you that read this post and will be left looking shocked!  This is going to sound so awful to so many, that I am nervous to even post such a thing but I am at a loss of what to do. 

I need to sell my Cricut Expression, Gypsy, and ALL my carts (which are linked to the gypsy).
I would love it if someone wanted the gypsy and all the carts but it will be pretty spendy and I am not even sure what I would charge.

I am getting sick just thinking about it. 

I really need some input from all you wonderful cricut lovers because all my cricky stuff needs a great home where it will be loved.

I have loved every second over the last year with all my cricut goodness but times have changed and I need to sell them now.

Carts:
Flower Shoppe
Word Collage
Paper Lace 2
Cricut Car Decals
Four Legged Friends
Nifty Fifites
Birthday Bash
Winter Frolic
Rock Princess
Simply Charmed
Country Life
B is for Boy
Block Party
Hoot 'n' Hollar
Cindy Loo
Mini Monsters
Create a Critter
Just Because Cards
Once Upon a Princess
Sweet Treats
Sentimentals
From my Kitchen
Everyday Paper Dolls
Winter Woodland
Sweethearts
Life's a Beach
Hello Kitty Greeetings
Storybook
Accent Essentials
Paper Doll Dress Up
Zooballoo
Opposites Attract
Mother's Day Bouquet
Nate's ABC's
Wrap it Up
Life's a Party
Everyday Pop-Up Cart
Kate's ABC's
Campin' Critters
Summer in Paris
Plantin School Book
Gypsy Carts:
Smily Cards
Bags, Tags, Boxes and More
Blackletter
Indie Art
Christmas
Gypsy Font
Gypsy Wanderings

That is 48 carts total with the gypsy... (sigh)

I am way in over my head at the thought of selling but, I need to.  Please give me any input on the best way to sell. If ANYONE would be interested... What to do... what to do????

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Baby Girl

I was asked by my sweet mother-in-law to make a diaper cake for a baby shower.  I, of coarse, was excited to do so.  I had made one before and was excited to improve on some of my ideas.  My mother-in-law helped out a ton by paying for a lot of the stuff.  I am super happy with how it turned out and it was a hit at the shower.

I of coarse had to add some cute paper cut outs.

 Lots of cute fabric and ribbon were involved.

 Add some cute baby essentials that make it cute and decorative.  I used baby wash clothes for some rolled roses.  CUTE!!!  I know you love those little boot slippers too huh?

 I am really happy with how it turned out!  I love the colors and everything.  

Matching card!  Wa-Hoo!

Cute huh?  I really enjoy making diaper cakes because the end result is always so cute!  I urge each of you to try one when you have a baby shower.  You will not regret it!

Card Recipe:
Standard A2 Card 

Two Mat Layers
Mat Layer 1: 4" x 5 1/4"
Mat Layer 2: 3 3/4" x 5"

Simply Charmed Cart - Binkie: 4"
Ribbon - Michaels
Kraft Paper - Papertrey Ink
Scrap Paper
MPS - Everyday Sentiments

Paper cut outs on cake:
Simply Charmed Cart
baby and bottle - 4"
Scrap paper
irock tool
peachy keen face stamps


Diaper Cake Materials:
1/2 yard fabric
Ribbon
59 total diapers - size one or two
Assorted Rubber Band pack
pins
hot glue
cardboard cake board - Michaels
Lots of cute baby essentials

Cake:
Base - 34 diapers
Second Layer - 18 diapers
Third Layer - 7 diapers



Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Balloon Card

Still working on those cards with lots of scrap paper.  I wanted to do a cute simple balloon card and I think I pulled it off with this one.  I have been trying to use pretty vague sentiments so the cards can be used for different things. 


 Aren't thos cute little embossed polka dots cute?

 I also love all the bling on the balloons.



Recipe:

Birthday Bash Cart
                Balloons – 3.95” x 4.88”
Card Base – 4 ¼” x 5 ¼”
Mat Layer – 4” x 5”
Polka Dot Embossing Folder
iRock Tool
Michael’s Stamp (sentiment)
Papertrey Ink Kraft Paper
Floss
Scrap Paper
Sakura White Gelly Roll Pen
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Pop Dots