Crazy for Cricut!

I'm so lucky to be working with Nikki Sivils!  She is not only gorgeous, but so talented!  Her designs are so fun and versatile!  I love being on her design team!  We had the opportunity to be a part of a cross promotion with Provocraft!  As a HUGE surprise, we were to get a Cricut Expression and guess what arrived on my doorstep a couple weeks ago??? 

I opened that box and tore through the wrappings!  I was so excited to see all the goodies inside.  It took me a little while to find time to sit down and read up on how to use the machine, which was REALLY easy btw!  I put the blade in, plugging it in and chose the first cartridge to start with.  I'm in love!!!

Imagine the possibilities!  This was the first cut... Imagine on the Home Accents cart.  At first, I was setting the dial too large and couldn't figure out why it wouldn't let me cut!  After asking some other Cricut owners, I found out that the measurements are top to bottom not side to side!  SOLVED!  So, here is my first page using the Cricut Expressions:

The scroll flower cut out is from Home Accents and also the border design!  Gorgeous!!  I also cut the journaling shape too!  I'm loving this machine.  I can't wait to see what else it can do!  Thank you Provocraft!

Good things!

I'm so excited to share some exciting news....

I'm going to Sienna, Italy!!!!  June 30th - July 6th!  Matt got a very prestigious award at work and we are being sent to Italy for the Palio races and tour of some of the wineries! Not only am I so proud of his accomplishment and acknowledgment of his hard work for the company, but I'm over the moon excited to be going back there 13 years later!  I went to Italy the week I met Matt, for 6 weeks with Syracuse University and their Inclusive Education program.  I was a grad student, nervous, but adventurous!  I remember being in awe of the scenery, art, and people.  It was overwhelming as a young woman who had never been over the ocean... now I'm more experienced and am ready to see it through a more adult set of eyes.  I can't wait!!! What to bring, what to wear, what to do to prepare???? When Matt went 2 years ago, I was so mad that I didn't get to go with him, but this will be romantic, crazy, and just plain exciting! I better brush up on my Italian!

Along with that exciting news, I found out that I will be attending the Summer Craft and Hobby Show (CHA) in Chicago, IL in July (just 2 weeks after Italy)!  My first time at the trade show with a manufacturer!!!  SO very exciting!  I can't wait to meet people I have only "talked to" online and meet my other DT girls!  I will be working the DMC Faber-Castell booth there.  I will be doing a make-n-take project and helping at the booth and workshops.  It will be very exciting and very busy!  I can't wait!  I have lots to do to get projects ready for the show!  I am planning to stay an extra day to explore the museums there and have a little "me" time too... ;) 

Now, on to a few other announcements...
Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker has organized a scrapbooking supply round up for the Joplin community.  THe tornadoes destroyed homes, lives, and the community but they are rebuilding!  Nikki is collecting scrapbook supplies to send to victims who have lost everything.  Just to help them get started.. here are the details:

I will be busy making CHA projects and will be back soon with some more exciting news to share!