New Cricut JOY mini CRICUT

I just saw the new mini Cricut and am in LOVE !!! (It goes on sale March 1st) As soon as I can get my hands on one I will be more likely to include Cricut projects for my card class to try since it is so portable. I just wish that Cricut had participated in CREATIVATION 2020 so I could have gotten a peek and included it in my budget before spending money on other things not as important. I also would have loved to meet Melody Lane and Ashish Arora in person. Use this link to get a look:
 https://cricut.com/en_us/machines/cricut-joy.html

Tim Holtz at CREATIVATION 2020

THERE'S AN EXCITING NEW ELECTRIC EMBOSSING MACHINE

     Somehow I missed seeing it on display at CREATIVATION 2020, but I noticed it advertised after I got home. It is made by SIZZIX and is called the BIG SHOT SWITCH. What makes it so exciting is that you only need basic plates. Unlike other electronic and hand-cranked models, the SWITCH is able to sense the height of the sandwich and apply the appropriate pressure. The BIG SHOT SWITCH sells for $259.00 which is a bit steep, but, if this would be your first and only purchase of a die-cutting and embossing machine I would say it would be well worth the price.

     Unfortunately for me, I already own four embossing machines. I carefully researched my first purchase when I began card making several years ago and purchased the Evolution Advanced. I chose that one because it accepts a wide variety of dies and embossing folders and has the option of an electric motor.

     Next, I added the Sizzix Big Shot Plus because it accepts up to 9inch dies and larger embossing folders. However, it is not as portable as the Evolution Advanced which folds closed.

     My third machine is the Cricut Cuttle Bug, which I inherited from my sister who stopped crafting, I really like this machine for its portability and relative ease of use. And it handles Anna Griffin dies and embossing folders beautifully. ( I have lots)

     And, finally, I recently bought the Tim Holtz Voyager 2 because I love the Heartfelt Creations products and noticed that they use that machine exclusively.

      I will say that, since I often need to transport my gear to classes that I teach, the Cuttlebug is my go-to machine. So if I were buying my first and, hopefully, only, machine I would have to consider how and where I would be using it. Having not actually seen the Big Shot Switch I don't know about the size and weight of it or if it comes with any kind of carry case. I will be watching carefully to see If this is an item I will be aspiring to in the future. (just kidding. I know I want it now, but can't justify buying)

     If you want to see it in action check it out on youtube

Thoughts on Creativation 2020

Let me start by saying that I am over the moon about having been able to attend CREATIVATION 2020. I first became aware of it by following Melody Lane and Crafts by Two. They drove to Creativation together and made it sound so exciting. I watched people videotaping Tim Holtz and hoped that someday I would get to do the same.
Well, my time finally came, and I attended this year. My daughter accompanied me so that I wouldn't be alone in my journey even though she could not attend herself.
I signed up for classes, but not too many as I hadn't realized that the show floor didn't open for the first three days of the convention. In hindsight, I could have made better use of my time by taking more classes.
I did follow the advice to get and give business cards and was amazed at how many I gave and collected.
So on the positive side, I learned a lot and met so many wonderful people. And even snagged some product on the last day. I got to be one of the people who got to video Tim Holtz , got personal advice on cardstock from Gina K, and a selfie with Donna Dewberry.
On the negative side, Melody Lane was not in attendance this year and there was no Cricut presence. People that I met who had been to Creativation in the past all said that it was much smaller and less well attended than in years past.
So, while I am grateful to have had the opportunity to attend and experience the wonderful city of Phoenix, I will probably not attend again.

Reflections on New Years Eve

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!!!
I have been spending the morning refecting on 2019 and planning for 2020.
Despite my two hospitalizations, I have been well pleased with the past year. I enjoyed card making and teaching as well as teaching Cricut classes at JoAnn's and Micheals. And, just as I was hoping to expand my teaching capacity, I met someone who offered me a perfect teaching venue. I was able to join Creativation and am currently making arrangements to attend the convention in Arizona.
So, all in all, 2019 has been a very good year.
As is the norm, I am thinking about my New Year's resolutions and what I hope to accomplish. My biggest goal is to become confident in my video making and editing skills. I started making videos three years ago, but have not mastered editing. I was excited to join Melody Lane's class on doing live streaming and even tried one. I was so traumatized by that attempt that I was afraid to try again. So my plan and hope is, that this time next year, I will be the proud producer of a weekly Youtube offering.

Here's hoping that all of your New Year's wishes come true.

I Can't Believe I Made the Whole Thing !

Two days ago I posted about my resolution to turn all of my embellishments into cards. Well, I am proud to say that, today, I made 19 cards. Nine 4.25 x 5.5, three 5.5 x 5.5, and seven 5 x 7.

If I have the energy I will start on the notecard size. Otherwise, I will complete that tomorrow.

I kept my vow to complete the layering on the inside of each card except for the stamping, as I want to be able to personalize them when I am ready to use them.

YEAH ME !!!

Review of We R Memory Keepers Foil Pens

I am in love with the We R Memory Keepers foil pens. I must admit I was quite resistant to trying them. Early in my transition from scrapbooking to card making I bought the We R Memory Keepers original foiling pen and found it awkward to use and got inconsistent results. When the foiling machines came out I immediately became enamored and had to have one. I love it when it works well but get frustrated by having to manage the embossing sandwich. In addition, the foil stamps can be expensive, so I had to question why I would need to go back to using a pen. Well, thanks to Tuesday Morning and the half-price deal, I gave in and bought two pens. I watched a youtube on how to connect them to my Cricut and plunged right in. I used my GoPress and Foil gold foil and the results were perfect the first time. I used it again last night with equally great results.

What makes this GREAT is that I don't have to buy more "stuff" because I can use designs that I already have through Cricut Design Space. So, while I have no intention of abandoning my Go Press and Foil machine, the WeRMemory Keepers pens will be the more frequent choice.