Headed to Disney World!

We are leaving tonight. Driving to Disney and you know I am going to be shopping for scrapbook supplies. I'll be sure to post pics here when I return and the kids have gone back to school.

Skittles and their storage

No, not the candy...although I do really like the yellow ones. Skittles are not really skittles. That is an adorable pet name someone gave them, not sure when. They are actually for home decorating, but have become popular for scrapbooking and card making. They are small plastic dots that are flat on one side. They come in many transparant colors. Many have learned to color them with sharpies and other markers to change the look, but I haven't tried that yet. I store mine in little glass apothecary jars that I got from Michaels. I love these because of the look, and because they are clear and I can see my beautiful skittles. I only have two so far, because I refuse to pay full price for them...then are $4, and I only but one when I don't need my 40% off coupon for something else. For now they are on my wire shelf...that may change.

Paper Storage

This is how I store my cardstock and some of my patterned papers. It is directly behind my L-shaped tables. When I need paper, I just lean back and find what I need. Very convenient. I do have a large piece of fabric that I planned on using to make a cover for the entire thing, but I haven't gotten to it yet. Honestly, dust has not been that a problem.



I keep some more patterned paper in my closet in plastic drawers. These sheets are mostly the individual sheets I buy at M's, ACM or J's. I try to store them by category.

More Cuts with Xyron Coated Paper

Last week, I tried something new. I ran my paper through the Xyron before cutting it on the Cricut. See the post with instructions below. Well, now I'm spoiled. It is sooooooooooooo much easier to run the paper through the Xyron first. I was concerned about the waste of the sticky stuff (technical term) on the Xyron, but then there is always some that is not used up anyway. And I also came up with a solution. After I cut out my Cricut cuts on paper already run through the Xyron, I used a punch in the extra space...and it worked. See first picture below. I also turned the mat around in the machine and guided the blade to the empty space to cut one more letter. See the second picture below. The multi-purpose tool is pointing to the ner that I filled in in that space. Oh my, am I just becoming lazy? No more putting each individual letter through the Xyron and going around the edges with a pointed tool...so much work.
BTW, I own the Xyron X, 250, 505 and 900. This helps cut down on the waste. I use the appropriate size Xyron. Last night I was cutting two different letter sizes...1 1/2 inch and 2". So I ran both strips of paper through the 505...a perfect fit.

Update 8-18-08: Someone asked if this made my blade sticky with the residue from the Xyron. I checked it today and there was no residue on the blade. Thanks for the question.

Disney 2002 Album Completed!!

I'm so excited! I finished my Disney 2002 album in less than two months. I had set the goal to finish it before I left for Disney next week, and I did it!! I had to post the entire thing here for all to see. I apologize for taking these pics with the album standing up...should have laid it flat. I still think it they out OK.

I used a lot of Cricut cuts. Some of the embellishments and papers were purchased from the scrapbook store in Downtown Disney. I'm not completely happy with those as they are older, but I didn't want to waste them. I have one more trip to put in an album before I can scrap the trip we are taking soon. For this trip, I have already have some great Creative Memories papers. Please enjoy!
Click on any picture for a closer look.

Cutting Xyron Coated Paper

Ted from the Cricut MB posed the question: Can paper be run through the 900 Xyron and then cut with the cricut to create instant stickers? So I thought I would test it out. I am working on my Disney album so I decided to cut several mickey heads. First I ran the paper through the Xyron 900.


Then I used my trimmer to cut off the excess xyron paper. Next, I peeled off the top plastic Xyron layer. Here is the end result. It worked great! I did discover that you need to use a new mat, or one that is very sticky. There may be some way to scratch up the backing of the Xyron coated piece to help it adhere better with an older mat. The brand new mat held it beautifully, though.


The final result.

The completed Disney Title page

I do reserve the right to go back and add more to it later.
I partially scraplifted this from Jennifer B. on the Cricut MB.
She created something similar last year and it has been in
my head ever since.
The Disney Font cart was used for everything except April, which is Opposites Attract.

What is a cricut?

I think I finally got it. A video showing the cricut. I had to use my digital camera, not my new camcorder, and the quality is not as good as I had hoped. I found out that my new camcorder, which is High Def, is not compatible for posting on Youtube. So until it is, I will use my camera. That means, however, that the videos must be short. Sorry I am talking fast, but as always, I have a lot to say. So here it is, a very quick demonstration of a Cricut Personal Cutting System machine. Enjoy! Don't forget to pause the playlist at the bottom of this page first.


My Disney cut with the red background and placed on the title page.

Redecorating...aaahhh the joy! Not!

We are in the process of redecorating our upstairs hall, master bedroom and master bathroom. The hall is finally painted and we started on the bedroom. Now, about 9 years ago I had the most lovely Laura Ashley wallpaper professionally hung on one of my bedroom walls, and a matching border around the entire room. It matched the bedding set we had. The remaining walls we painted a deep chambray blue (a Laura Ashley color). Not sure why. I don't really like blue. When I was a teen and young adult, everything I owned was blue and I now avoid it. Yet I have lived in a blue bedroom for 9 years.



Anyway, it is time for the wallpaper to come down and the blue walls to go. I have removed wallpaper before. Probably not the proper way, but it has always worked for me. This time, since the wall is so big...we're talking 19' long with a cathedral ceiling!...I would do it the right way. I bought the Dif wallpaper remover, bought a ladder, and scored the wallpaper. I applied the Dif liberally with a roller and waited the full 20 minutes. My husband, Craig, and I began peeling, and let's just say, it didn't go well. I think the guy who hung it used super glue to put it on.
Well, the kids got involved and we all spent about three hours picking away, scraping while using water to remove the paper backing. My bed is now in the middle of the floor as are my nightstands. The dogs were very confused at bedtime last night. I am going to try the Dif again today...and leave it on longer. Wish me luck!

Lion King layout

This is the layout that I was working on in my first video, which is still not completely loaded onto Youtube. The layout is done...unless I add more later. That is a habit I have. You saw the letters cut from Cuttin Up. I went over them with a little ink to brown them some. The circles I cut from George. I wanted scallops, but do not have a cartridge with them, so I cut the sunflower on blackout from Walk in my Garden. Not scallops but still cute. Can you believe that these pictures were taken with a 35 mm camera...not these days.

My first video...what is a cricut?

After many attempts, I am unable to attach a video. I may try again at a later time. I'll try to upload some more pictures in the next few days. Thanks for looking.

Well here it is, my first attempt at a video for my blog with my new camcorder. I created it mainly with my friends in mind. Most of them are unfamiliar with the cricut. It is kind of long, but I have not yet figured out how to edit it once I have it on the computer. At one point you will notice that I thought I could cut different sizes at the same time. I know that you can't...had a mind burp for a brief moment. I'll be happy just to get it on this blog. Before you ask, my scrap room used to be my youngest DD's room. It hasn't been redecorated since she was a baby. Enjoy! Don't forget to go to the bottom of the page and pause the playlist so that you will be able to hear the video.


This Video failed to upload, sorry.