Enamel Paints and Crafting with Kids

We dropped our son off at camp on Sunday. Every summer he goes to Mt. Cross for a week of boy, boy, boy. They build forts, learn archery, swim, have cookouts under the stars and commune with nature. We arrived a little early this year, so we stopped at the park to let the kids play.  Since it was Father's Day, we let Dad have some fun too!

I used to get a little weepy after we dropped Aidan off, but this time was a lot easier. Grandma came with us and I bragged how the next week was going to be "easy-peesy-mac-n-cheesey... that I could manage one kid standing on my head." I hadn't realized that my daughter was at an age where she gets bored easily and wants constant attention.

It is Tuesday and I am already worn out. I don't mean that in a negative way. Eva is a joy and we will have a great week. I just needed to adjust my expectations yesterday. It was 10 AM and we had watched TV, colored, played cards and looked at books. She was bouncing off the walls with summer vacation energy and already bored, so I decided to set up a painting project.

 

I have been wanting to play with enamel paint for a while now. After I saw this post (below) on Pinterest, I bought some enamel paints at Michaels but had not used them yet. Now would be the perfect time to feel them out and determine if this would be a good activity to teach at summer camp.

The link and owner info for this great project doesn't work

A little background - Every year for the last 7 years I have taught art programs at summer camps. The first few years were actual workshops that came with prepared class kits and high-end supplies. This program was quite lucrative but it seemed silly to be sending my kids to one summer camp and then driving across town to teach at a different one. In the end, the money I made went to paying the tuition for the other.

Three years ago, upon completing my fellowship at the Institute for Innovation, I presented this program to St. Timothy's and I have been teaching there ever since. I only teach three hours, twice a week and in exchange, both kids get to go to camp all summer long, 5 days a week for free! It is a win-win-win because St. Timothy's summer camp is able to add a unique class to their camp description, the kids get two months of fun (and structure), and I am able to play with my kids and their friends without worrying about the carpet.

It is from my summer camp program that Create and Innovate was born, but that is another story.

Once I had the table set up and some slick rocks for us to paint on, Eva declared that "this is the best day ever!" and we began painting.  She had a little trouble at first because of the curves and small pits on the surface of the rock.

When you are used to painting on flat paper, it takes a little while to adjust to unexpected dips, even if they are very slight. 

 

Eventually she got the hang of it but it was an excellent bit of information for me to consider before teaching something like this to 6-12 year old kids.  

I found the enamel easy to work with but I did need to pull out my nice brushes.  Kid paint brushes did not work at all.  Maybe I wouldn't teach this at camp.  

Still, I wanted to explore the layering and texture capabilities of this medium.  I cannot imagine how the artist from the Pinterest photo made those perfectly round dots in consistent sizes.  I tried to carefully lay down the paint with some pretty fancy round brushes but I couldn't duplicate her work.  I know the tricks for larger polka dots but could not apply these techniques to small ones.  The only solution I could come up with was to use the Cricut to create the design, lay it over the rock, and use it as a stencil.  This way you would have both the consistency in size and the precise spacing.

When we were finished we put our rocks in the sun and Eva went on to build a fort.

Since she was occupied. I thought I'd paint a garden stone that my husband had poured but was suddenly distracted, leaving it to dry without a mosaic design.

First I wiped it clean, then covered it with a top coat of gesso, the let it dry for 30 minutes. Next I used masking tape to divide the shape into nine rectangles.  I thought creating a mosaic of painted "squares" would go well with the other mosaic garden stones.

Next I painted each "square" (I am calling them squares even though they a variety of shapes) with a different colored background.  I tried to mix colors like red and yellow to make orange and blue and red to make purple.  I found that these color combinations were flat and dirty.  The yellow and green did make a nice lime however.

Once the squares dried, I painted simple patterns over the top thus creating the first layer.

Then I removed the tape to reveal relatively clean edges around each square. I would clean up the wonky edges later in the project.

Above, you can see the orange (lower right), the pink and purple (middle left) and the lime green (middle right).

You will notice that when I pulled up the tape, some of the gesso came off (below the upper left square) which tells me that A) I should have let the gesso dry much longer, and B) I will need to investigate concrete specific primers for future concrete projects.

I just loved the look of the tape after I took it off and decided to hold onto it to use in a mixed media project.

Isn't it groovy?

Next, I painted frames around each of the squares to shrink the large white lines and to embellish the existing squares.  I also added additional details inside of each square.  I wanted to spread the color around as much as possible in following the the mosaic motif. This was layer 2.

I decided that the flat colors were not working so I walked down to Michaels, (Yes, just 1 block from my house - a blessing and a curse) and picked up an assortment of enamel mini pots for $2.89 regular price.  Once everything had dried, I started laying down a third layer on top of the existing designs.  I used all the colors I had to work with except the purple, pink and orange I had made earlier. I loaded my small pointed round brush with a good amount of paint, trying to duplicate the texture of the Pinterest rock. I still had trouble controlling the distribution of the paint but perhaps that is a personal problem.

After three more layers (totaling 6 in all) I put the paint brush down and declared myself finished.

If I wanted this design to last a little while, I was going to have to seal it.  There are a lot of sealing products out there. Many websites suggest using a concrete sealer that is made specifically to seal porous materials but these products are highly toxic, the fumes are overpowering and they only sell them in larger sizes for $25 + which would be fine as an investment except that the shelf life is only a year.  I did some research and decided to go with Krylon UV-Resistant Clear Acrylic Coating which prevents against UV light rays and is moisture resistant.  It probably won't protect the paint for a century, but it is bound to last a season.  I'll keep you posted on how it holds up.

The projects were entertaining and informative.  Eva had a lot of fun painting with mommy, she was very proud of her rocks and the project seemed to transition her to play independently for a long period of time. I decided not to paint rocks with enamel paint at camp. I do, however, want to paint more of the garden stones.  It will make a great family activity and I think both kids will enjoy creating their own designs in layers now that I am better equipped to instruct them.

WINNERS!

Congratulations Gracie and Lynn!!  Gracie you are the winner of the bonus prize - please send me your email !  Thank you to the participants. I wish I could give something to each of you. Have a great weekend!

Tutorial: Gorgeous Flower and Bead Wire Wrap Ring

This is a fun and simple project using wire, beads and a faux or real flower.  I made these for a tea party as favors and for a jewelry trunk show as gifts with each purchase. They were such a hit that people have asked if they could pay me to make them for a baby shower and as Christmas gift toppers!  This is also a fun craft to do with your kids! 

Supplies:

12 gauge floral wire
26 gauge craft wire
Assorted beads
Small faux or fresh flowers
Wire cutters

• Cut 5" - 6" of the 12g wire (depending on your ring size) and wrap around a ring mandrel or a large marker.  The wire is very pliable so once you have the form, you can size accordingly.

 

• Next you cut off approximately 16" of the 26g wire, wrap it around the ring band several times, then twist it so that the thin wire is secure.

• Now create several whimsical loops from the band outward.

• Add a bead and twist the wire to secure the bead in place

• Then continue creating fluid, decorative loops and twists with the remaining portion of the wire so that the bead sits near the band and the twists flow around it.  

• Repeat these steps for the other end of the wire. 
• String the flower through the center and position it next to the beads.

NOTE: Sometimes the wire loops begin to look kinky or the beads and flower won't position correctly on the band.  I untwist the wires and use a flat nose pliers to straighten out the kinks. When I start again, I try to be extra patient, move slowly and be thoughtful in my looping so that the wire doesn't become kinky again. 

When using fresh flowers, select flowers that are flat, with sturdy centers. Hydrangeas and Wax Hoyas work well.  You can also skip the flowers and use a larger bead.

Pick your Prize Supersized- ends 6/15 at 5pm PST

Update!!  This giveaway just got

The Cricut cartridge prize has been supersized to include the brand new "Boho Classics" and "First Few Years" Cricut cartridges making that option a "Cricut Duo"!
The other prize has been supersized into a "Basic Grey Quatro Plus" with a BG "Hello" collection spiral bound journal, a BG "Hey You" collection of designer chipboard shapes, a set of BG "Curio" Lavaliere stamps, a BG Precision File Set and a Martha Stewart Circle Cutter  See below for more details...

Pick your Prize??  Yes maim!  I know that a lot of my readers are Cricut owners but just in case you're not, I have another prize for you!  I will be giving away a Cricut "Boho Classics" and a "The First Few Years" Cartridges to one winner 

and a "Basic Grey Quatro Plus" to another

"Basic Grey Quatro Plus" includes a "Hello" collection spiral bound journal, a "Hey You" collection of designer chipboard shapes, a set of "Curio" Lavaliere stamps, a Basic Grey Precision File Set and a Martha Stewart Circle Cutter

on

Saturday, June 15th at 5:00PM, PST. 

How to enter and pick your prize:

1. Become a follower by clicking the "join this site" button on the right

2. Pin something from my blog.  You can visit the Gallery to find photos of many of my projects and tutorials or you can scroll through my blog to find something you feel is "Pin-worthy."

3. Leave a comment and include which prize you would prefer.

4. BONUS: If you post about this drawing on your blog or your Facebook page with a link to my site and you are selected for one of the prizes above, you will also receive a Cashmere Daime Crepe Trim by Glitz and a Studio Calico Mister Huey's Powder Blue Color Mist with a Circle Graph Mask.  When you leave your comment be sure to let me know that you posted about this giveaway on your site with your url (I'll follow you too!).  (If neither of the winners posted a link we'll have a 3rd winner.) 

 

To enter: Follow me. Pin me. Comment... and for extra credit, post about the giveaway with a link to http://jillienedesigns.blogspot.com/2013/06/pick-your-prize-craft-goodie-giveaway.html.

In your comment: Let me know which prize you prefer and if you posted about the giveaway with a link...and please feel free to say hello, share a little about yourself including a link to your blog, your work in a gallery or any other plug you'd like to share.

Choose from: "Cricut Cartridge Duo" or "Basic Grey Quatro Plus"

 

Thank you for visiting.  I hope you will come again and I hope you win!

Living with Scrapbooking Guilt... Freedom from the Negativity

Scrapbookers deal with a boatload of guilt around shopping, spending, organizing and using their stash.  In fact, guilt is such a big issue, that you can find a thread on just about every page of the scrapbooking message boards that addresses this issue in one way or another.

This is an indiscriminate snapshot of page 1 from 2peas MB, 2:30ish on 6/6/13.

I have definitely struggled with these issues for most scrapbooking life but I now have a strategy I use to dispel my guilt when it pokes its nasty, little, bitchy head into my creative mojo.

Created by Mariah at Giggles and Galore

I have accepted that shopping, owning, organizing, rediscovering, contemplating and reorganizing is a part of MY scrapbooking experience. (Notice I left out cleaning...while it is necessary, I consider it like finding a bathroom at the airport...you have to do it but wish you didn't, and you definitely don't write about it in your postcards.) I love all of those tasks (more so when I am in the mood and have the time.) So, when I start to feel unsure about my supply situation and production levels, I compare "frequent uninterrupted scrapbooking time" to "a 1 week vacation in Hawaii" in order to see how the experiences measure up. 

Regular, Concentrated Scrapbooking Time vs A Week in Hawaii. 

 (based on spending the same amount of $ on scrapbooking supplies, classes and craft space over the year vs. air, hotel, car, food, tourist activities in Hawaii)  

I compare the Shopping experience in craft, hardware and thrift stores vs. gift shops in Hawaii  

I compare Owning crafty tools and products vs. photos and memories of the trip (OK, this is a tough one but it could rain or I could get my period)  

I compare Organizing my craft supplies vs. organizing my trip (logistics, money, tours and meals)  

I compare Rediscovering my old supplies vs. rediscovering that my husband gets really sunburned, even with sunblock.  

I compare Contemplating how I can use my products vs. contemplating what my body would look like if I only ate pineapple during our vacation.   

I compare Reorganizing my supplies so I know where everything is vs. reorganizing our return flight plans because we are detained at airport security for bringing a couple counterfeit Kate Spade purses home for my next door neighbor.

For me, scrapbooking wins every time.  (We just take local trips for our family vacations and since we drive, I even get to bring scrapbooking supplies!) I let go of my guilt and as they say...scrap on.  It is one of my favorite things to do in the whole wide world.  I'd choose it over travel.  I'd choose it over going out to a fancy dinner. I'd choose it over designer clothes.  This is where I put my money, free time and the energy I have left over after all of my "get to's", "to do's" and "have to's" (ie, family - gym - cleaning house).  Other people buy state-of-the-art bikes, restore old cars or collect stamps - I just wonder if their Message Boards are filled with guilt and self condemnation?  (Now that I'm thinking about it, I really do wonder... add that to the to do's.)

Warning! Enabler Alert! Or maybe not. Maybe this is a wake up call. It all depends on how you answer the next 20 questions...

1. How often to you scrapbook, craft, do projects that utilize your stash?
2. Do you have enough room in your house to store your craft supplies?
3. Do you know what you actually own?
4. Are your supplies organized enough that if you needed something, you would be able to find it? ("Eventually" counts as a yes if you would actually be willing to look that long.)
5. Does your stash motivate you to get crafty or overwhelm you so you feel paralyzed.
6. Are you stingy with your supplies, even with yourself, or do you use and share what you have?
7. Do you ignore your project ideas or alter projects because you don't want to use some of your stash?
8. Do you retreat from trying a new idea or duplicating an exciting project because you don't want to waste product on your "learning curve"?
9. Is your craft area and/or storage bulging or disorganized with the bits, pieces and scraps leftover from this or that project?
10. Do you own crafting tools that you don't really know how to use because you don't want to dip into your supplies to find out what it can do?
11. Do you buy stuff just because you have a 40% off coupon?
12. Do you buy extra such-in-such's "just in case " every time you shop?
13. When you experience buyers remorse, do you actually return the item you no longer want?
14. Do you use colors, trends, and collections even after they are no longer in style?
15. Do you spend more time organizing (folding in) your new purchases than you do crafting/ creating?
16. Do you feel your craft abilities expanding over time because of your new purchases?
17. Do you shop in hopes that someday, "the moon and the sun will align" and you will learn the techniques, styles, become artistically adventurous?
18. Are you more excited about the possibilities than you are about what you do?
19. Are you afraid to craft because you won't measure up/"will discover you don't have talent" and then you will feel bad about yourself?
20. Do you learn about new techniques/ mediums/ styles, then buy everything an enthusiast would own before you even know if you like it or not?

These are hard questions to answer honestly, but keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers. Here are mine:

The truth is that only you can determine if your situation is or isn't working.  I will tell you this; the only reason I could write these questions is because I have experienced every one of those scenarios. 

As silly as it may seem to the non-crafter, going through the feelings attached to those questions can be agonizing.  The first 4 or 5 of my "hard-core" scrapbooking years, I struggled over my competency and shopped at my paralysis. I kept thinking, "if I buy this such-n-such, I'll finally start that project" or worse; "this such-n-such is so expensive, that I will HAVE to use it."  

Even after attending a couple CKU's I was steeping with self doubt.  I used to panic in classes when I fell behind or my project didn't look exactly like the teachers.  But the worst, was looking around and seeing other student's work.  Every creation seemed better than mine. Many participants veered from the lesson plan entirely and created incredible variations of the project (which was just like a punch in the gut.)  I'd only find peace when, after scanning the room, I discovered one project that I thought was "less good" than mine. At the end of every workshop I'd fretfully wait for someone to compliment my work.  More times than not, I heard crickets.  I'd rationalize the visionary talent by pointing out that they had a better assortment of supplies, and so I would buy more.

At one point I became so dependent on my stash to qualify me as an "artist", that I started taking pictures of my products.  How weird is that?

Eventually I got a blog and posted photos of the new things I bought rather than my work.  In retrospect, it is sad that I wasted all that time beating myself up and letting fear regulate my creativity.  Especially when I look at some of my older work and see that it was pretty darn cute... dare I say innovative?

I did this page in 2005 for a client. Some of the RSVP's came via email instead of with the RSVP cards and she wanted to save them.

It took years, commitment and lots of courage to plunge through that dark phase of my development as an artist (artist, crafter, scrapbooker - it is all the same in my mind.  The net, net is that you give of yourself through creating beauty.) Some of the products I purchased way back then have been sold on ebay but I still own a lot of them and guess what, I'm glad.  Here's why:

When I want to go outside of my comfort zone, I often start with something old.  Some of my favorite creations started with a vellum envelope, a charm I got from a charm swap, the remnants of an old rub on sheet, a deconstructed 3-D sticker and a paper towel I used years ago to clean up paint.

I also love that when I discover an "OMG" tutorial, 9 times out of 10, I have all of the supplies in my stash.  This takes a trip to the store out of the equation which means I'm doing that project NOW!  It won't end up in my "projects I want to do" box (this box is real and it is really, really big but not as big as my "to finish" box... that is another post entirely.)

Most of all, my scrapbook room and ALL the stuff inside is my little slice of heaven. My very own. I am so *GRATEFUL* that I have something in my life I am passionate about.  Some people go their whole lives without experiencing the joy of passion.  Others are passionate about things that are really, really bad for them. And still others have passion-schizophrenia because they get bored with the newest thing.  Not me. I flippin *LOVE* scrapbooking all the way to my core.  It gives me something nothing else can.  What that is, I cannot explain except that is makes my stomach feel whirly turly whenever I think about it.  So I feel fine that I spend money on my passion, spend time on my passion, get my passion all messy so I have to reorganize it, sometimes, just stare at my passion because I don't know what to do with it and I take pride in my hoarding. Squirrels save nuts, I save paper, because it could be a long cold winter and you NEVER, EVER want to run out of the goods.

And that is all I have to say about that...

Modifying Cricut Images to Match Your Project - Tutorial PART 3

This is the final installment of my 3 part series about modifying Cricut cartridges, post cut, to suit your needs.

My first entry was an introduction to altering Cricut die cuts without the use of Cricut Craft Room, Design Studio nor Gypsy.  In that post I used the "family" image from the Cricut Cartridge "Pack Your Bags" as a test case for my changes.  My goal was to change the big sister to a little sister and the little brother to a big brother so that the family matched the demographics of my own family.

In that entry, I took you through the trial and error process.  I wrote about both my failed attempts, and successful, in hopes that this would help you approach your project changes in the right mind set.  I began the post thinking I could make my modifications in one way and ended the post understanding that I needed to look at the process with the layers, substitutions and replacement cuts mapped out prior to dissection.

My second entry followed the strategy mentioned above, still using the "family" image from the Cricut Cartridge "Pack Your Bags" as a test case.  I did not include my miscalculations and accidents in this post, but rather wrote a step by step process for altering an image successfully.  I included a cut summary and many photographs to help you see the process clearly so you could apply it to any image in a similar manner.

That entry left the "family" image at their vacation destination. Bon Voyage "family" - I hope you stay away for a nice long holiday because I'm tired of looking at you!

In this post we will look at a variety of other projects that I have altered and briefly discuss how these changes were made.  I will also talk about how tinkering with layers and images can open up so many more cut designs, dare I say opportunities, to the Cricut user.

This first example is from the Cricut cartridge, Kate's ABCs on page 40.

To assemble this sweet little purse you will need to cut 6 different images from 3 layers.  The Base image is the purse background, the Base +shift is the front bottom, Layer1 is the front top, Layer1 +shift is the large flower embellishment base, Layer2 is the purse handle and 2 elements for flower layers, Layer2 +shift is the top layer of the leaves.

This adorable example was made by the design team at My Paper Crafting.

Above is an example of the die cut fully assembled in a similar design as the book lays out for us.  I love how they switched Layer1 to patterned paper to give the die cut a more lively look.

This fabulous card was created by Cristi and Sandra Rosario at 365 Days of Cricut.

In the example above you can see how this assembled die cut can be used. In this case, as an embellishment on a card.  I love how they added bling to the design and then mounted it on embossed card stock.  Notice that both examples do not veer from the handbook design very much, yet they both have their own personality.

I made the next example by modifying the assembly.  I didn't cut an element nor did I change a layer size.  This is a very small adjustment compared to the changes made to "the family" in my prior posts, but it gives you an idea of how little you can do to make a design into something different.

 

I cut out the purse elements as if I were going to make the standard design but I used a different color scheme.  I cut layer 1 and 2 in two different colors of paper so I had multiple flowers and purse handles in pink and green.

Instead of adhering one layer on top of another to make a single die cut, I used Washi tape to create a hinge at the bottom of the purse between the base and the front bottom piece.

I made the cut at 3", so this little purse is actually the size of a gift enclosure card.  I used a rub on for the hello and outlined it with a white pen.

I flipped the front bottom piece (Base +shift) over so that the guide lines (Cricut automatically cuts tiny guide lines so you know where to place each additional layer) were on the inside of the flap.  I decided not to use the front top piece which is supposed to be the purse flap. I added rickrack in its place and outlined it to create the look of ruffles.  Instead of using the leaves from Layer 1 and 2 +shift, I cut out a heart in the same color cardstock as I used for the purse handle.  I felt like their leaves were too matchy, matchy and I wanted to transform the purse into a different look.  

I think it is the purse hardware that gives this card a truly original feel.  For one of the charms, I covered a piece of washi tape with an epoxy sticker and trimmed around the edges. I punched a hole into the epoxy and hung it on a lobster claw.  I also added one of the flowers from Layer1 and a pearl glued to a jump ring.  The final product is an enclosure sized purse card which was made from the same Cricut image elements as the other examples, but the look is quite different.

In the next example, I did a layout with four different stroller photos.  The title read "Out in the Stroller."  I wanted to make the 2 "L's" in the word stroller to look like little baby carriages so I combined 2 different cartridge cuts to make my own version of a stroller.

The wheels and the stroller bed come from the baby buggy image on page 71 of the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge.

I cut the base image then trimmed off the handle, heart, shade and wheels so I was left with just the bed of the carriage.  I trimmed off the top half of the carriage bed so I was left with the bottom horizontal portion of my "L".  I re-attached the wheels with shorter "legs" so the bottom part of the "L" wasn't elevated.

Next I cut the Base image from the baby buggy on the Baby Steps cartridge, page 32.  I discarded the full buggy cut but kept the bed overlay.  I trimmed off of the left side of the bed, then 1/3 off the top edge (with the rounded side facing down).  I flipped the bed over and arranged it so that the image was standing vertically with rounded edge facing left, straight edge facing right and the cut off flat edge lay perpendicular to the bottom left edge of the Stretch You Imagination bed to finish the "L" (see below).

 

Also from the Baby Steps cartridge, I cut the lower case, cursive "L", page 49 (at 2", a larger ratio to the rest of the carriage elements) in black.  I cut off the line criss-cross and their tails and then trimmed the side edges of the "L" to create the handle. I angled it towards the left and I tucked the bottom behind the carriage bed.  I cut a straight piece of black paper to line the bed and to pull the look together.

In this next layout, I had a lot of photographs of the twins wearing these adorable hats.  I wanted to create one layout that showcased their collection of lids rather than a bunch of different pages.  I tied the design together by re-creating the bumble bee and ladybug hats and including them in the title.  This was a pretty simple adaptation once I found a hat that would work.

I decided to use the hat from the cartridge Simply Charmed, page 57 (Layer 2).  I cut the hats in red and yellow and then used two different sized hole punches to create both sets of eyes and the spots on the ladybug.  I cut the bumble bee stripes and antennas for both hats, free hand.

HINT: FINDING IMAGES QUICKLY...You can go to My Cut Search to look for particular images amongst all of the Cricut cartridges ever made.  If you type in the word "hats," My Cut Search will give you a list of all of the cartridges that have hats.  They have pictures of every handbook page so you can see the images right there on their site instead of going through all of your own handbooks page by page.

I used my Cricut Cartridge Table of Contents MASTER spreadsheet (the link is for the Simply Charmed T of C only.) to locate all of the hats I have in my collection of cartridges. I assembled all of my cartridge table of contents into a single worksheet with 1 spreadsheet for images and 1 for phrases.  I use the "find" feature to locate a keyword; the spreadsheet tells me the cartridge name and the page number so I can quickly find the image in my handbooks.  To download all of the Cricut Cartridge Table of Contents Spreadsheets I have posted, look on the right sidebar near the top of the page.

This last example is also a simple one.  Now there are some modifications that cannot be done by hand like the "MY MOM THINKS I'M RAD" t-shirt below which was done in Design Studio.  However, I did create the tutu skirt by hand with the "Once Upon a Princess" cartridge.  I cut the Base +shift image on page 30, twice. One time in light pink and one in hot pink; then I split each skirt at the ruffle and layered them staggering by color.  The light on dark stagger mirrors the sheer hot pink tulle over the light pink skirt in the photos..

The truth is that when you buy a new Cricut cartridge, you are not just buying a collection of artwork, fonts, tags, cards, phrases, borders and/ or charms (etc, etc.). You are also buying image accessories and project potential.  I'm gonna be honest, I did not buy "Just Because Cards" for its witty puns, (uh.. uh.. ummmmm [clearing of the throat]) or because I am a big card maker.  I bought it because I loved that vintage car, the old school bicycle, the tree swing and that beat up truck (helllll-ooo ....loooove it!)

 

The minute I saw those images, I thought "I've got to change my life so I can take pictures that will go with those die cuts!"  Come on - you know what I am talking about... So the next time you are looking at your stash of cartridges and you think that you wasted your money buying a cartridge because you have never used it/used only once; take a second look.  You may have a treasure trove in there.  There may be phrases and images that could take your paper crafting to a whole new level.  That.... or maybe they will inspire you to change your life into something that will provide you with the material to use those cartridges.  Maybe you'll move to a farm so you can use your Country Living cartridge or put on platform shoes and boogie so you can get some mileage from Groovy Times. The possibilities are only limited by Provocraft's ability to generate new products and your imagination.