We will continue to add daily project inspiration on both our Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/cricut) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/officialcricut) pages.  Stay tuned for even more exciting announcements on additional project inspiration we will provide to our valued consumers!

We would like to take this opportunity to publically thank our talented design team who has done such a wonderful job inspiring us as a company and you as our Cricut consumers.  We thank you all for making this blog such a success!

Our best,

The Cricut Team

Using a plain album, I decided that using spray mist would help me add background color, without the difficulty of trimming off paper at the edges of the cover. I used a lime and a jack frost color, then added in a spray and larger drops of  turquoise across the front and back of the album. There is a touch of glitz as well. Then I cut some bright colorful letters for the title, adding in a bright sun as well, and I used brown for the rest of the title, so it would stand out, but not be the strongest color on the front.

I created the inside album pages by cutting 8.5 x 11 paper to fit, punching holes where I would thread the album together later. Next, I thought about which photos I wanted to use, printed them out and searched in Cricut Craft Room for images to go along with my page. Details on each page include banner pieces. These are easily cut from strips of paper that with a triangle shape notched out from the ends with scissors. Add bright coordinating buttons tied with twine bows. I kept my journaling simple, handwriting it with a journaling pen.

Simple, easy, and colorful. I hope you have enjoyed my summer album. I have left space to add more pages as we continue our summer activities.

Take care!

Kristen Swain

Designed by: Kristen Swain
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, Gypsy Handheld Design Device, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Campin’ Critters, Carousel (Digital), Life is a Beach, Lite Crocs Rule, Art Deco, Something to Celebrate, Gypsy Font
Other Supplies Used: Cardstock (American Crafts), Buttons, Twine, Wiggle Eyes, Album (Creative Imaginations), Pen, Glitter, Spray Mist (Tattered Angels & Maya Road), Adhesives

Here is the empty container before I decorated it. I want to say thanks to my Dad for drinking so much coffee and being willing to part with a few of his empty containers. He uses these to store all kinds of things, but was happy to share a few with me for my crafting projects.

I selected images from Create A Critter and Animal Kingdom and then laid out my design in the Cricut Craft Room using the fill mode to select colors. This always helps me decide what colors to use because I can see it before I cut it! I love that!!!

I pre-cut small pieces of the vinyl, just larger than the image to be cut and placed them on my mat in the same place as they are on the Cricut Craft Room cutting mat.

One way to apply small vinyl cuts is to peel back part of the lining to help you place the vinyl on the surface. It worked equally well to peel off all of the lining and put it on just like any sticker. It was very easy to remove the vinyl and replace it on the coffee can surface. However, once you start sticking vinyl on top of vinyl it is not so easy to remove because it sticks more and the vinyl tends to stretch if you are not very careful.

Now that the yellow panels are in place we will begin to decorate the container.

Add your wording first. I wanted the dog images to slightly overlap the words so it is important to put the words on first because it is hard to lift up the dog to get the words underneath without stretching the vinyl as I mentioned above.

Add your dog silhouette.

A great tip I found in adding the top layer for the dog was to peel off the image and then use the scrap lining from the yellow pieces. I placed the dog image just off the edge and then I was able to place it just how I wanted on the black silhouette. I wanted to slightly offset the top layer so this worked perfectly!

Here are some up close images of the dalmatian

and the poodle!

Maybe you don’t have pets either, but this same idea could be used for so many things. These containers are huge and would work well to hold all kinds of crafty, scrappy goodness too! Think how cute these would be decorated to match your scrappy room!!! Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed this little workshop!

HUGS!

Juliana Michaels

Designed by: Juliana Michaels
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Create A Critter, Animal Kingdom
Other Supplies Used: Cricut Vinyl in Yellow, Peacock Blue, Cotton, Raven, Chocolate, and Latte; Ribbon, Buttons, Twine

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Hi Cricut Friends! It’ Amy Mitchell sharing a fun layout of our little dog Maya as she joined our family. We adopted her from a family that just couldn’t keep her anymore. Lucky for us!

I love this little face and I wanted to create a layout to show off a couple of my favorite pictures. I love banners and I totally love adding them to my layouts. This is a perfect way to welcome her home!

Using the Cricut Craft Room makes it easy to place names inside the banners. Help them “POP” by backing your cuts with coordinating colors and tie everything together.

Designed by: Amy Mitchell
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Art Philosophy, This & That, Bridal Shower, Type Candy, Chip Decor, Elegant Edges, Doodlecharms and George & Basic Shapes – Digital
Other Supplies: Bella Blvd Tail Waggers & Cat Tails collection, Cardstock, Buttons, Brown Bakers Twine, Foam Squares and Brown Chalk Ink

Have fun personalizing your pet joining your family! Add your own journaling and just tuck a little yellow behind the roof. Add Brown behind the small banner.

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 Jana Eubank here to share a page with you about my favorite furry friend . . . our family pet, Kiki! This little dog has stolen our hearts. She is a friend to my kids when there is no one else around to play with, is always there to offer a snuggle, and is always happy to see us. She has blessed our lives and we are so grateful for her.

The pet food bowl and puppy are from the Nate’s ABC’s cartridge. I added definition to the dog with chalk and created his nose and eyes using pearl stickers. I added rhinestones to the blue holes on the dog bowl. The circle cut behind the dog was embossed using the Cuttlebug machine and the Traffic Jam embossing folder.

Have you scrapped your favorite furry friend lately?

Designed by: Jana Eubank
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, Cuttlebug Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Nate’s ABC’s (1″ pet bowl, 3.5″ dog), Plantin SchoolBook (4.5″ circle)
Cuttlebug Embossing Folders Used: Traffic Jam
Other Supplies Used: Cardstock (dark brown, brown, kraft, white, dark red, dark teal, aqua, yellow, green), Patterned Paper (Echo Park Paper), Rhinestones (My Mind’s Eye), Vellum, Pearls (KaiserCraft), Flower Brads (American Crafts), Photo Corner Punch (Stampin’ Up), Brown Distressing Ink, Chalks (Pebbles Inc.), Needle & Brown Floss, Black Journaling Pen, Trimmer & Scissors, Foam Squares, Adhesives

The WINNER of the July Hello Thursday Giveaway and $100.00 of credit to Cricut.com is . . .

CONGRATULATIONS, Kristine! We will be contacting you through the email you left along with your comment and arrange to have your $100.00 of credit added to your Cricut.com account. Have fun!

Hello! Kristen here today with you with a loving memorial that I created for our beloved Casey. We adopted Casey a few years ago and even though she was only with us for a couple years, she became a huge part of our lives. Our family was devastated when she suddenly took ill and we had to ease her pain and put her to sleep. It’s been a little while since she’s passed, but we still miss her and I thought that a lovely memorial frame would be a nice addition to our bookshelves to remember her and still think about the wonderful times she brought to our family.

I used a plain wooden frame and added a basic patterned paper it. I sand the edges when I cover items to help keep the paper stuck down better, then I ink the edges so that it blends well with the paper.
Since my photo was smaller then the inside of the photo cutout, I added a stick frame cut from Camp Out digital cartridge. I added a simple dot paper behind the photo and popped up my frame and photo to stand out better.

To the bottom of the frame, I added a silhouette dog cut in black, along with the phrase I created in Cricut Craft Room. I also tied on some twine as additional decoration, but of a more simple nature.

I finished the frame with a couple brown buttons, and added Casey’s name to the top of the frame. I feel this is an elegant way to keep our memories of our sweet girl around us.

Designed by: Kristen Swain
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room, Gypsy Handheld Design Device
Cricut Cartridges Used: Camp Out – Digital, Country Life, Gypsy Font, A Child’s Year
Other Supplies Used: Wood Frame (Provo Craft), Cardstock (American Crafts), Patterned Paper (Pebbles Inc, American Crafts), Twine, Buttons, Foam Tape (Glue Arts), Adhesives

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WELCOME to the JULY Edition of Hello Thursday! We have such fun NEW releases to share with you today. Let’s get started, shall we?!

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 Cricut^® Everyday Cartridge, A Frightful Affair

Turn your Halloween into a delightfully spooky time with the A Frightful Affair cartridge! You will love the retro feel and mid-century style of the monsters, images, phrases, and font on this cartridge. Create party décor, window clings, scrapbook layouts, ghoulish gifts, and other projects in no time. Use the latest Cricut^® cartridges to create unique and engaging designs for every occasion. The versatility of the cartridges will surprise even the most imaginative crafters.

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN FRAME by Juliana Michaels

Designed by: Juliana Michaels
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room, Cuttlebug Machine
Cricut Cartridges Used: A Frightful Affair
Cuttlebug Folders Used: Midnight Hauntings, Haunted Damask
Other Supplies Used: Cardstock (American Crafts), Spray Ink (Tattered Angels), Ink (Ranger Distress Ink), Black Pen, Adhesives

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EEK! CARD by Michele Kovack

Designed by: Michele Kovack
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: A Frightful Affair
Other Supplies Used: Cardstock, Patterned Paper, Ribbon, Ink, Sewing Machine & Thread, Glossy Accents (Inkssentials), Twine, Spider Stickers, Cheesecloth, Red Glimmer Mist, Rhinestones, Black Pearls, Pop Dots, Silk Ribbon, Adhesives

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Cricut^® Everyday Cartridge, Fontopia

Revel in the elegant and sophisticated designs of the Fontopia cartridge! This unique cartridge features an intricate, layered monogram alphabet with numbers that was inspired by illuminated letters, 1930s signs and ads, and vintage deeds and documents. The coordinating crests and cards expand the possibilities even further when combined with the monograms or layered font. Use the latest Cricut^® cartridges to create unique and engaging designs for every occasion. The versatility of the cartridges will surprise even the most imaginative crafters.

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THANKS A BUNCH by Michele Kovack

Designed by: Michele Kovack
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Fontopia
Other Supplies Used: Cardstock, Patterned Paper, Silk Ribbon, Rhinestones, String, Pop Dots, Phrase Sticker (SRM Press), Adhesives

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MONOGRAMMED FRAME by Cindy Royal

Designed by: Cindy Royal
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Mini Personal Electronic Cutter, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Fontopia
Other Supplies Used: 12 X 12 Frame, Acrylic Paint, Spray Mists, Mesh Tape, Inks, Clearcoat Spray, Twine, Adhesives

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Cricut^® Famous Friends Cartridge, Artiste by Close to My Heart

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Leave a comment along with your Full Name by Midnight, Sunday, July 22nd, 2012, telling us which projects and cartridges are your favorites. Next week we will randomly select and announce a WINNER from the comments to win $100 of Cricut.com Credit! Good luck!

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Growing up, I remember being jealous of all my friends with names like Melanie, Melissa, and Jennifer because they always came to school with super-cool, personalized stuff. I just didn’t have that popular of a name to find a mug, keychain, or stickers with “Jana” on them. Recently, my husband and daughter were grocery shopping and came across bottled water called “Jana.” They bought me a case of it and brought it home. I was as tickled as could be! I FINALLY had found something with my name on it!

On this page, I used my Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machineto cut out the “Hello, My Name is” tag from the 9 Months Lite cartridge as the title of my page. I added my name using the font from the Birthday Cakes cartridge. All the patterned papers were created with my Cricut Imagine machine. I was able to print out coordinating cardstock swatches in which I used to cut out my title pieces.

Tha notebook paper background is from the Imagine Notebook Doodles cartridge. The asterisk paper, striped paper, pink loop paper, and blue dots paper, along with the flower, butterfly, word bubble, and journal spot cuts are all from the Imagine Better Together cartridge. I added the journaling to the journal tag by first typing it out on my computer and printing a sample sheet. I held that paper up to a window (or light box) and adhered the blank journal spot in place. I ran it through my printer again and waa laah! A printed journal card.

I also used my Cricut Expression machine to cut the zig zag cardstock piece from a coordinating piece of cardstock. The zig zag is actually the negative cut from a background shape I found on the Mother’s Day Kid Cards Cricut Craft Room digital image set. I used Cricut Craft Room to “hide” the rest of the image so that only the zig zag piece would be cut. I really like the sharp points of this particular zig zag!

Finally, I accented my Imagine cuts with a little bit of bling to make them really POP!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at my page today! Don’t forget to stop back tomorrow night for the July Hello Thursday announcement. See you then!

Jana Eubank

Designed by: Jana Eubank
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Imagine Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: 9 Months, Birthday Cakes, Imagine Better Together, Imagine Notebook Doodles, Mother’s Day Kid Cards (Cricut Craft Room Exclusive)
Other Supplies Used: Cardstock (brown, white, dark yellow), Patterned Paper (Imagine Better Together cartridge, Imagine Notebook Doodles cartridge), Washi Tape (Target), Rhinestones & Twine (My Mind’s Eye), Computer & Printer (Journaling), Foam Squares, Adhesives

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CLASSROOM – AUGUST & SEPTEMBER

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BACK TO SCHOOL PENCIL HOLDER by Ginger Williams

Made by adding a bottom to the 3D schoolhouse and cutting a hole in the top of the roof.

Designed by: Ginger Williams
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room, Cuttlebug Machine
Cricut Cartridges Used: Classroom – August & September (Cricut Craft Room Exclusives)
Cuttlebug Embossing Folders Used: Polka Dots, Cain Back Chair, Distress Stripes
Other Supplies: Cardstock (Creative Memories), Ribbon (Creative Imaginations), Rhinestones (Queen & Company), Adhesives

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PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE FRAME & TABLE NUMBER PENCIL HOLDERS by Michele Kovack

PENCIL CUPS

Designed by: Michele Kovack
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Classroom – August & September (Cricut Craft Room Exclusives)
Other Supplies: Tin Cans, Cardstock (black, cream, kraft), Patterned Paper, Felt, Tacky Blue, Copic Marker, Black TWine, Rhinestones, Brown Ink, Pop Dots, Black Glossy Accents

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PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE FRAME

Designed by: Michele Kovack
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Classroom – August & September (Cricut Craft Room Exclusives)
Other Supplies: Wooden Frame, Black Paint, Cardstock (black, kraft), Patterned Paper, Pop Dots, Brown Inks, Black Twine, Rhinestones, Black Glossy Accents, Copic Marker, Adhesives

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CLASSROOM – OCTOBER & NOVEMBER

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OCTOBER CALENDAR BULLETIN BOARD by Jana Eubank

Designed by: Jana Eubank
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Classroom – October & November (Cricut Craft Room Exclusives), Cricut Craft Room Basics (Circles & Numbers)
Other Supplies: Cardstock (brown, kraft, olive, dark red, orange, yellow, cream), Brown Distressing Ink, Adhesives

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HALLOWEEN TEACHER NAMEPLATE/TREAT HOLDER by Cindy Royal

Designed by: Cindy Royal
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Mini Personal Electronic Cutter, Cricut Craft Room, Cuttlebug Machine
Cricut Cartridges Used: Classroom – October & November (Cricut Craft Room Exclusives)
Other Supplies: Cuttlebug Chuck 12″ Embossing Border, Cardstock, Orange Core Black Cardstock (Core’dinations), Glitter Glue, Black String, Black 3D Paint, Sandpaper, Embossing Powder (Ranger), Adhesives

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NOVEMBER PENCIL HOLDER by Cindy Royal

Designed by: Cindy Royal
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Mini Personal Electronic Cutter, Cricut Craft Room, Cuttlebug Machine
Cricut Cartridges Used: Classroom – October & November (Cricut Craft Room Exclusives), Cricut Font & Basic Shapes - Digital, Tags Bags Boxes & More 2
Cuttlebug Embossing Folders Used: Wicker Weave, Retro Kitchen Embossing Set, Wedding Set
Other Supplies: Cardstock, Patterned Paper (Cosmo Cricket), String, Inks, Metallic Gel Pen, Adhesives

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CLASSROOM – DECEMBER & JANUARY

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LET IT SNOW BULLETIN BOARD by Juliana Michaels

Ideas for Snowflake Classroom Activities:

Grades 2 – 4 Language Arts/Writing: 

Write about snow or winter using similes. (You could have the students write them on thelarge white snowflake or on a piece of paper and use the snowflake label fortheir title and name.  These could thenbe hung on the bulletin board.)

 Grades 2 – 4 Writing:

Write a creative storyabout a day in the life of a snowflake. (You could again have the students write oneither piece mentioned above for their assignment.)

Grades 2 – 4 Science:

Write about how asnowflake goes through the water cycle.

(You could again have the students write oneither piece mentioned above for their assignment.)

Books that could be used as part of the lesson plan/activities:

• Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
• The Snowflake: A Water Cycle Story by Neil Waldman

Designed by: Juliana Michaels
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room, Cuttlebug Machine
Cricut Cartridges Used: Classroom – December & January (Cricut Craft Room Exclusives)
Other Supplies: Cardstock (Navy Blue, Blue, White), Adhesives

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MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BULLETIN BOARD by Juliana Michaels

Ideas for Martin Luther King Jr Birthday Classroom Activities:

Grades 2 – 4 Writing:

Write an “I have a dream too” speech using a fill in the blank form.

Designed by: Juliana Michaels
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room, Cuttlebug Machine
Cricut Cartridges Used: Classroom – December & January (Cricut Craft Room Exclusives)
Other Supplies: Cardstock (black, white, cream, brown), Adhesives

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CLASSROOM – FEBRUARY & MARCH

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 FEBRUARY CLASS HELPERS by Kristen Swain

Designed by: Kristen Swain
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Classroom – February & March (Cricut Craft Room Exclusives), Cricut Font & Basic Shapes – Digital
Other Supplies: Cardstock (American Crafts), Patterned Paper (Bella Blvd.), 12 x 12 chipboard, White Gel Pen, Buttons, Clothespins, Black Marker, Foam Tape, Adhesives

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CLASSROOM – APRIL & MAY

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HOMEWORK BOARD by Kristen Swain

Designed by: Kristen Swain
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Classroom – April & May (Cricut Craft Room Exclusives),  Create a Critter (grass)
Other Supplies: Cardstock (American Crafts, BoBunny), Chalkboard Paint, Adhesives

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CLASSROOM – JUNE & JULY

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SUMMER FUN TREAT BAG by Jana Eubank

Send your students home for the summer with a sweet treat topping off the school year. (using the Father’s Day bag)

Designed by: Jana Eubank
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Classroom – June & July (Cricut Craft Room Exclusives)
Other Supplies: Cardstock (white, gray, blue, orange, yellow, kraft), Patterned Paper (pink – Bella Blvd, blue – My Mind’s Eye), Brad (Making Memories), Rhinestone (Darice), Kraft Twine (Karen Foster Designs), Aqua Baker’s Twine (My Mind’s Eye), Patterned Scissors (Fiskars), Salt Water Taffy, Adhesives

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JUNE CALENDAR by Cindy Royal

Designed by: Cindy Royal
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Mini Personal Electronic Cutter, Cricut Craft Room, Cuttlebug Machine
Cricut Cartridges Used: Classroom – June & July (Cricut Craft Room Exclusives)
Other Supplies: Cuttlebug Botanicals 12″ Embossing Border, Cardstock Calendar (SRM Press), Inks, Glitter Glue, Sanding Block, Adhesives

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RISING STARS CHART by Cindy Royal

Designed by: Cindy Royal
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Mini Personal Electronic Cutter, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: Classroom – June & July (Cricut Craft Room Exclusives), Cursive 101 Classmate, Cricut Font & Basic Shapes – Digital
Other Supplies: Cardstock, Patterned Paper (Pink Paislee), Epoxy Stars (Epiphany Crafts), Seam Binding Ribbon, Glitter Glue, Inks, Adhesives

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K-12

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KINDERGARTEN by Jana Eubank

Designed by: Jana Eubank
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, Cricut Craft Room
Cricut Cartridges Used: K-12, Plantin Schoolbook - Digital (apple)
Other Supplies: Cardstock (gray, kraft, green, navy blue), Patterned Paper (Die Cuts with a View, red/pink – My Mind’s Eye),  Sewing Machine & tan thread, Adhesives

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Hello, Everyone! We are back to announce the WINNERS of the 6 Month Cricut Magazine Subscriptions. The two winners will each receive a 6 month subscription magazine, beginning with the July 2012 issue.

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DRUMROLL, please! . . . and the WINNERS are . . .

and

CONGRATULATIONS, Ladies! We will be contacting you shortly through the email you left along with your comment to collect your shipping information. Enjoy!