Got inspired by the Cricut Cake samples!

Looked at the new Martha Stewart Craft kits by EKSuccess.

Checked out the Craftwell machine- electronic die-cutting without a mat!

Saw this cute purse made from the new Spellbinders"Grand Nestabilities" dies!

Got inspired by Tim Holtz' new dies, too!

Still loving the mix-y jewelry look! (Vintage Groove)

Checking out the Smootch paints- they look like fun!

Wyatt working wire! (And touting his new book!)

My buddy Lisa Falduto at a make-n-take!

So that’s the overview for today! I realized that I spend most of my time today at booths looking/trying/talking about DIES! Guess what we’ll talk about tomorrow??

Here’s PART of what I got- YouTube will only allow 10 minute videos, and this was a bit longer, so it had to be gracelessly chopped so that I could upload it. But I figured you’d still want to see, right?

The other thing that was amazingly cool was the Gala Reception. Provocraft is known for great parties, good shows, and tasty treats. This year, they hired an amazing performance artist named David Garibaldi who, along with his live DJ, thoroughly entranced the audience as he moved, grooved and PAINTED these amazing portraits…oh, yeah….did I mention he did it under 6 minutes?? I shot this footage on my iPhone, so it’s not great, but you’ll get the idea.

Such an awesome night!

Waiting for the show floor to open. With bagpipe music!

Newly redesigned Cuttlebug, featuring a flip-up handle.

The Cricut Imagine, which prints AND cuts.

Suede from Project Runway, season 7- an Ohio boy!

"The Crafty Chica" Kathy Cano-Murillo works the tie-dye!

Dan shows off the NEW Slice Elite- cuts faster and cuts thicker materials, too!

Crafty Soul Sistahs!

OK, that’s all for right now,crafty friends! More fun tomorrow!

YES! It cuts AND prints!

So, the new Cricut machine was leaked out to the Cricut Circle members last night, and debuted at CHA today to consumers and the media. Yes, the rumors were accurate- this is a machine that can print AND cut! This is the info I got from ProvoCraft:

As a Cricut Circle member, we wanted to introduce you to the exciting new product being revealed and celebrated at CHA. Let’s hear a warm round of applause for Cricut Imagine, the world’s first tool that precisely prints and cuts with the touch of a button, requiring no computer or software.

With print and cut together, now and you can add color and dimension to your creative projects, bringing them to life like never before. Cricut Imagine saves you time since you no longer have to use three different tools to get designs, print, and then cut projects. The new machine helps you add more personalization and creativity to projects with a new library of content including shapes, patterns, and color. In addition, Cricut Imagine is easy to use and is built upon award-winning cutting and printing technology from Provo Craft and HP. Cricut Imagine is currently on display at the Craft & Hobby Association Summer Convention and Tradeshow in Chicago.
Cricut Imagine gives new life to all your original Cricut cartridges! Now you can add colors and patterns when pairing the original cartridges with NEW Cricut Imagine Colors and Patterns cartridges.

“Cricut Imagine is not only unique to the crafting industry, but to the world of technology. There is not another device that incorporates printing and cutting the way this machine does,” said Jim Thornton, CEO of Provo Craft. “The pairing of print and cut technology could only be done by the leaders in each category—HP and Provo Craft. We’re eager to see what our customers can now do with a simple sheet of white paper and Cricut Imagine print and cut technology.”
Cricut Imagine features include:

• Cricut Imagine cartridges are enhanced by Cricut Pattern and Cricut Color cartridges to add dimension and layering
• Cricut Imagine is fully compatible with all original Cricut cartridges.
• Compatible with Gypsy by Cricut handheld design studio
• Easy-to-use LCD touch-screen navigation so that all information is right at your fingertips
• New detachable accents to be able to personalize your machine with colors and textures
• Access to a vast new library of content and artwork: Over 150 original Cricut cartridges (with several new cartridges introduced each month), 12 new Cricut Imagine Art cartridges specifically for this new machine, plus 12 new Cricut Imagine Colors & Patterns cartridges
• On-board color and pattern selector – choose your own colors, sizes, and much more
• Works with paper sizes up to 12” x 12” and make cuts from .25” to 11.5”, making large-format print and cutting possible
• Retractable paper tray
• No computer necessary
• Uses same blades and blade housing as current Cricut products
• Uses a separate mat than original Cricut machines

Suggested retail for Cricut Imagine is $599.99. To learn more about this unique machine visit here. For more information on Provo Craft visit the Provo Craft Home Page or follow us on Twitter.

Other interesting points:

• You can still use your regular carts in the Imagine, but of course you won’t be able to use the patterns, etc. You can “fill” a shape with color, though.
• You CANNOT use your Imagine carts in the Expression, V-1, or Create, however.
• Replacement cartridges for the black printer cartridge will run about $34.99
• Replacement cartridges for the color printer cartridge will run about $39.00
• Other HP printer cartridges will NOT work in the create.
• The new mats will work in the other Cricut machines, but not vice-versa.
• The new mats are priced the same as the older ones.
• You can use the same blades in the new machine.

Pretty cool, right? YES! So I’ve got more to come on the Imagine!

There will be a slew of new releases (check out Nancy Nally’s Scrapbook Update site for cool sneak peeks), and of course, the most buzzed-about even is the Cricut Gala, where they’ll be unveiling the new “Imagine” machine. Rumor has it that it’s a new print-and-cut machine. Intriguing!!

I’m also looking forward to checking out the designer’s showcases. This year my crafty BFF and fellow blogger Vicki O’Dell (The Creative Goddess) is going to be entering! Can’t wait to see what SHE comes up with for a display! I’ll make sure to post pics!

And if you aren’t in the “industry” and won’t be able to go to the trade show, never fear! You can go on Friday or Saturday to the Supershow, which is open to the public. And there are going to be some GREAT make-and-takes, celebrity appearances, and even a whole area for kid’s crafting- so bring them along, too!

	Show Highlights SHOW DATES & HOURS Friday, July 30: 12pm – 8pm Saturday, July 31: 10am – 6pm TICKET PRICES: $20.00 – 2-Day Pass $15.00 – 1-Day Pass Children Under 10 – FREE CLICK HERE for Ticket Discounts

Here’s a LINK to the workshops- geez, these look so fun, I wish I could go to them all!

So, my fell0w craft-a-holics, I’ll be on the road for a few days, but tune in Monday for CHA coverage!

While I didn’t get to talk to everyone, here are some of the folks I met and great displays and wares I saw.

I have a few more in-depth posts coming up soon…but I hope you enjoyed the eye-candy! (PS, some of those pics are click-able and will take you to the vendor’s sites.)

If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know I love Yo-Yo’s. (The fabric ones, not the toy things.) I even reviewed the Clover Heart Shaped Yo Yo maker and the Clover Shamrock Yo Yo maker. But today, I’m keeping it simple with circles.

I won’t bore you with the whole post here (after all, the nitty-gritty of how to cover the snap-type hair clips with felt is the meaty part, and you’ll fine the step-outs and photos over at CraftsUnleashed.) But what made my heart happy was whipping up these cute little concentric circles and topping them with a cute button.

Aren’t they just yummy? Really?

So, another side note, this version of hair clip is  based on “snap” type hair clips that I cover in felt to finish them. But I have another tutorial, the Valentine Heart-Shaped Yo Yo hair clip, which uses a single-prong type, if you like that better. And there are instructions on how to cover those with velvet ribbon on that one.

Lastly, if you need any other Yo-Yo projects, click HERE and you’ll see all the posts I’ve done!

Do you use yo-yo’s in your crafting? Wanna try them? Leave me a comment!

The lovely Christy from ProvoCraft, Rocking the Hat!

OK, let’s be clear- I’m not giving away my Cricut Cake, but I AM giving away a cool CricutCake logo chef hat in honor of my week of “Cake” posts last week!

I have to be honest- I thought of doing two more– and then just ran out of steam and time. But that’s OK, because I know I’ll have a few more cool ideas for later in the summer.

So here’s what we’re doing today: to win the awesome chef hat (given to me by the cool folks at the ProvoCraft booth last winter at CHA- you can’t buy these anywhere!!!), leave a comment here on the blog.

If you’d like extra chances to win, leave a comment or comments on the Cricut Cake posts I published last week.

Here’s a handy-dandy round-up of them all:

• Craft Product Review: Cricut Cake
• Food Craft Product Review: Frosting Sheets by Provocraft
• Cricut Cake Review, Part 2: Cutting Fondant Sheets by Wilton
• Cricut Cake Review, Part 3: Cutting Bologna and Cheese
• Cricut cake Review, Part 4: Cutting Tortillas and Fruit Rolls

I’ll pick a winner on Wednesday, July 14th, around noon EST. One comment per post, for up to SIX chances to get your name in the “hat“– get it????!!!!!

OK, kids! Go comment and HAVE FUN!

This was the ice sculpture at the CHA gala in January! Cool, right?

THANKS FOR READING, BUT THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.

Wanna know who won? Click HERE to find out.

Such is the case yesterday. I got to share a “sneak peek” into the CHA trade shows on The Creative Goddess blog, as well my philosophy of “Craft as Storytelling”  In Her Words on The Creative Connection Event Blog.

Please click on over to read my full articles and leave a little comment.

Thanks to Paige and Vicki for asking me!

What is that, you say? Well, it’s a new club- supposedly exclusive- that will offer benefits such as free cartridges, invites to swarms and galas, chances to get sneak peeks and before-market access, and a spiffy charm bracelet. (Yeah, I know, right?)

The thing is, I’m not sure I NEEDED to join. The cost of the club is comparable to buying a new Cricut Expression or 4 full-price cartridges. And, while I really like ProvoCraft (I’ve demo’d for them in the past) I take pride in not needing to have EVERYTHING that they have to offer…in otherwords, I like being a fan, not a fanatic.

SO. Why did I join, you ask? Well, they are pretty skilled at their marketing techniques, and when I hear “exclusive access” and “pre-market” I start to salivate. I LOVE getting scoop, and being able to share information FIRST…well, that’s what makes me tick.

So, that being said, I’m guessing that I’ll get my welcome packet before CHA, and I’m hoping that being a Member will get me some cool product and or a ticket to an awesome party, at least.

I’ll let you know…..