Monday, November 24, 2008

New Cell Phone


I don't have anything craft related to post because I've been busy getting acquainted with my new cell phone. The Palm Centro. Got if for free at Best Buy last week. Yaaay for Free stuff! So far I love this baby even though there is a learning curve and I've never used a phone with so many features before so, yes, I am catching up with new phone technology here.
I also found out that Pushing Daisies has been cancelled. So sad. It is such a beautiful story and if you loved Amelie you would've loved the Daisies. I am hoping a cable network will pick it up (like USA) because I don't think it should be completely removed from tv just because it did not reach the ratings the networks expect (lousy good for nothings).

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

New Layouts

Here are a couple of new layouts I created with sketches from Inspired Blueprints. I love sketches because they make it easy to just get creative without having to plan the layout first.

This first page is going to be the title page for my new album of a decade of Christmas memories from 2001 - 2010. Products include: KI Memories, Fancy Pants, Cricut Cart. Christmas Cheer (I'm having fun with my Cricut) and Home Essentials, Brenda Pinnick and misc embellies.




I just had to create a page for these cute pictures of my nephew.
Products used here are: Cosmo Cricut, DCWV, and Core'dinations, 7 Gypsies and misc embellies. The new Core'dinations paper is pretty cool. I tore the paper with a tearing ruler and I like how the orange middle came through.



Thursday, November 13, 2008

Oprah & Dr. Oz Strike Out on Beauty Tips

This week's Oprah Show with Dr. Oz was a huge disappointment for me. For a week the commercials led me to believe that we would learn about new and wonderful tips for looking young, and having clearer skin. Well, I was so excited to see this episode that I made sure I would have uninterrupted time to watch it. However that excitement ended after about 15 minutes into the show.
Most of the hour was spent looking at audience members skin through a Visia Skin Analysis System. Not only was that boring, but showing the Visia did not accomplish anything other than show us the damage that was already there and supposedly is going to surface in the future. That was all well and good to demonstrate once, but over and over....booooring! They were so busy analyzing the ladies' skin for 10 minutes or so and not telling us the solutions or tips needed to correct the problem. So he gave some tips on using vitamins and antioxidants and niacin, so what! That's nothing new. His last tip was to see a dermatologist for other treatments. Whatever! Do you know how much it costs just to have the analysis done with that stupid machine?! Let alone the office appointment and the prescription meds. And most of it is not even covered by insurance! In this economy, not very practical.

Another loser part of the show was the lady with acne. My word, has that lady been living under a rock or something? Did you see her beauty routine?! She is 40 years old and uses hand soap to wash her face with a body puff and uses neosporin and ponds heavy cream to moisturize her skin! I was, as the English say, gobsmacked! Why in the world would you use that stuff on your face with all the acne products and information in the marketplace today? She was causing her own acne! As a lifelong acne sufferer myself, I was totally insulted by her ignorance and the fact that they would show her as an example to the millions of acne suffers out there. Being a skin care specialist I would not insult my clients in that manner. I would assume they were intelligent and knowledgeable about most of the options out there today. Needless to say Dr. Oz did not offer any advice on how to treat it. Another let down.

The only applause I give the show is Paula Begoun. I have her book and check out her website Beautypedia and suggest you do the same. There is more useful information there.

A final note: I love Dr. Oz and love watching him on Oprah. I have learned so much about health and our bodies from him. I just hope he doesn't disappoint us like this again.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Crafty Creations

Well, I finally finished my holiday wall hanging. One side is all about Christmas and the other side is winter. This way I can turn it around after Christmas is over and have something up during January. As you can see I played with my Cricut on the winter side. These are some of my first cuts. I embellished the cuts with puff paint, Magic Scraps Ice (remember that? I still have a bunch of it), glitter and embossing.


















I used the Christmas Cheer cartridge, Brenda Pinnick paper and embellishments, Making Memories embellishments and Colorbok embellishments and other misc supplies.



















I also altered this composition notebook for my sister. I used My Mind's Eye paper, 7 Gypsies gaffer tape, 3 Birds embellisments, vellum quote from DCWV and Imaginisce flowers (brad is unknown and so is paper under quote). Since I've been unemployed it's been fun rummaging through my supply stash and actually using it. I've been mixing the old with the new to make it all more contemporary.




Since I've been unemployed it's been fun rummaging through my supply stash and actually using it. I've been mixing the old with the new to make it a little more contemporary and not outdated. Let me know if I'm accomplishing that. Anyway, stay tuned because I may be having my first giveaway soon. I just have to figure out what it will be. Also, I've discovered a couple of cool blogs you should visit if you get a chance http://everythingcricut.blogspot.com/ and http://inspiredbyamelie.blogspot.com/ ( I love everything Amelie). And Angie, I'm sorry I missed your giveaway, I love your blog too! Thanks for commenting!



























Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Surprise! I got a Cricut!


I received a surprise last Thursday and I'm so excited! It was a Cricut Expression! It came with all these cartridges and the ink pens! I've been pondering getting an electronic cutter for a while. My sights were set on the Pazzle first but then I saw the Cricut Expression and was very impressed by the ease and all the things you can do with it. I didn't expect to get one for a while but Greg surprised me with an early Christmas present. He's the best - I love him. I made a couple of sample cuts but haven't had a chance to play with it yet. I'll be posting projects soon, I hope.

In the meantime, here's a project I'm currently working on. It's a Christmas wall hanging. I want to make it a double sided project where one side is Christmas and the other side is winter. I plan to use the cricut for the winter side. I'll post it whenever it's all done.