12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop (Day Four)

First of all... I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and you were able to enjoy your friends and family. I also hope you are not currently incurring injury from the Black Friday masses. And with that...

Welcome to the back to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop (Day Four)! This hop will take place  November 24th through December 5th. Each of us will be posting something Christmas related each and every day at 8:00am, Eastern time (so for my Pacific Time Zone peeps... that's 5am... But don't worry, you can sleep in, and we'll all be here waiting for you, too!)... for 12 WHOLE DAYS! Let us inspire you to finish up that layout, make some special Christmas cards, or wrap that gift in a fun and festive way. If you've already started, you probably came from Barbara. She is so awesome, isn't she? Let's continue this 12-day crafting party!

As I've said in Day One, I'm starting my portion of the hop with paper things. Things that are simple and easy to do. As with Day Two and Day Three,  I took a cut from Design Space (covered by either my subscription or purchases -I don't remember!). Today, I created two cards. As usual, things didn't quite go my way, but if you know me... and you frequent here often, you knew that already. At this point, I've come to the conclusion that nothing will EVER go my way. And I fully intend to contact Cricut (both Customer Service and Tech Support) on another day, when the week isn't so hectic with all things Turkey-and-fixin's-cookin'. (btw... it was quite yummy at my house... How was yours?)

This one really truly brought out my frustration. Ugh. Ugh. I'm surprised I have any hair left.

I brought in a hexagon card from Design Space. I was going for super simple, no extra cutting, and just using the card cut and have Design Space do the writing of both the graphic and the sentiment on the front. Easy, right? Ugh. Ugh.

Let's start at the beginning... I added the hexagon card image and re-sized it according to what I wanted (5.5" wide, as I was going to duplicate it and get some more Christmas cards out of the way).

 Found an AWESOME "written" snowflake and added that and the sentiment in different colors, so the program would prompt me to change the pen, when it needed me to. I attached the snowflake to the sentiment...

Then placed that where I wanted and attached it all to the card...







It looks good, right?

 Sent it to the mat, changed the "1" to "2", clicked "Apply"... Still looks like it should....Wait for it...

And the writing stops...



The machine kept writing... It was "ghost writing". So I switched pens... Shouldn't have had to do that. It was a BRAND NEW PEN. And yes... they are all Cricut Explore Pens.

And it wrote again... Not in the same places, as it didn't line up. I don't know why. And kept skipping, as the pen kept popping up. Yes. I did make sure it was completely clicked down in the first place, the second place, the third place, the fourth place, the fifth place, and the sixth place. It popped up SIX times! And the dumb thing wouldn't even pause. And then it would (pause) when I hadn't even hit the pause button. BTW... when that happens... just hit the Cricut button on the machine, and it will (hopefully) resume. Mine did.



And if you look really close... it's not an illusion and doesn't change with the light! The color and pressure thickness look different. It really is. Why? This is WHY Customer Service and Tech Service will be getting a call! But hey! It cut just fine.

And now I had to do perform the Great Christmas Cover-Up... I added embellishments to both cover the blank spaces and distract the eye from the inconsistencies or massive lack of perfection.


Then I got over the major flaws (not really) and added Faber-Castell Gelatos in white to soften the effect and the harsh contours of the cut.

I blended the Gelatos with a finger sponge... and Voila!

Here are the end results... I'm not really happy with them... They will do...

I am hoping... the next time I decide to show my friend how "GREAT" the Cricut Explore Air is and all the wonderful things it can do, it will behave appropriately and do what it's supposed to...

There is more in store for you, so hop along and please comment on each and everybody. 'Cause you know we all love a little love... And BE SURE to check out the "other" Lisa, as she's the one with all the blog candy and sponsor info! Have a great time, and don't forget to come back tomorrow!

Here's the Line Up for Day 4:
  1. Lisa P. - http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com <==== the "other" Lisa!
 ** Beth -  http://thecraftyscrapyard.blogspot.com  (Guest Designer)
  2. Madge - http://www.thescrappinlounge.com/blog
  3. Ashley - http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com
  4. Sandy - https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/scrapbook-blessings-club-5722003
  5. Elizabeth - http://CraftsByHappyStamper.com
  6. Angela - www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com
  7. Alicia - www.goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
  8. Miranda - www.nanasscrapspot.com
  9. Daphne - http://craftyscrapsofstuff.blogspot.com
10. Rhonda - craftingwithblue.blogspot.com
11. Charmagne - http://www.sanurascraps.blogspot.com
12. Barbara- http://barbarab3.blogspot.com/
13. Lisa F - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/ <=== You are HERE!
14. Sharondalyn - Http://www.clippingsbysharondalyn.blogspot.com <=== Next stop!
15. Jessi - http://www.mylifeinartsncrafts.co
16. Heather - Http://www.paper-junkie.blogspot.com

Marissa's School is having a fundraiser... Woohoo!

Marissa's school (Moreno Elementary) is doing their annual fundraiser. If you need some gifts, wrapping, decos for the holidays, something for your pet... or something for yourself, please check this out! Be sure to order from the link, so that she and her school get the credit. Thanks in advance, and as always... no pressure...

Please help our school's fundraiser: MORENO PTA is having a fundraiser. You can shop online at Students First! website...
Thank you for your support.

If the link above does not work, please use the following link and enter the student ID: mre2476 at: http://www.westcoastfundraising.com/store/index.phpbr

Marissa and her fellow students and school thank you from the bottom of their heart!

Boxing Day? December 26 - What Do You Do?

In early England, December 26th was labeled "Boxing Day", in order to give the "help" time with their families, since they usually worked on the holiday. I used to think "Boxing Day" was the day they put Christmas in a box... But, I have never done any of that stuff. Personally, I believe it should be named "Shopping Day".

Traditionally, I take all of my gift cards and money (if I get any of those) and go "After Christmas" shopping. I hit the stores and get the best deals on can, getting ahead for next year.

Stocking Stuffers are a must on this day. At 50-75% off, I save a ton of money, especially since I stuff 6 stockings! I get all kinds of loot. However, I do not purchase candy. We have extreme heat temperatures in the summer months, so candy... regardless of the form, can melt or mis-shape itself. 

I also purchase Christmas and holiday/winter-type shirts. Great buys! And even more wonderful gifts for others.

Decorations? Heck ya! I don't ever purchase those things at full price! But those just go with the decorations, and I weed out stuff I no longer like, is broken beyond repair, or never ever use...

I run home, catalog and separate my purchases (I keep a journal - $.50 in the Michael's Dollar bins, at a discount, too!). I list the items purchased, the location where it is stashed and who it could possibly be for or a blank for no designation. Stocking Stuffers go in a double bag and are placed in a box, along with other Christmas/holiday gifts and marked "GIFTS". This box (or boxes) go up in the rafters, with the Christmas decorations, ready for next year.

The journal stays in a hidden spot throughout the year. I add to it when I find deals. The journal also serves for "inventory" for non-Christmas related gifts I purchase throughout the year.

I have found that keeping a journal (rather than a spread sheet on Excel or other program) is portable and keeps my budget low. I do not duplicate gifts and can keep all the kids as equal as possible. I added the "where located" column a couple of years ago, because, well... I'm really good at forgetting where I stashed stuff and had lost LOTS of things, only to find them a year or two later. Oh what fun!

This year, because of a total brain fart on my part, I will be adding my crafting items that I buy specifically for making specific gifts on the list, as well. This will keep me more on time, and not searching for that thing that I got to make so-and-so such. (I'm good at that, too!)

Every year is a development of my system. I am trying every year to be more organized and get ahead of the game. This year is the year I hope to perfect it.

And so... on this day... What did you do?

The e-mail that is going around re: gift cards and stores closing

Do you remember that e-mail...? Most of us received it via a forward from friends, family, etc. Well... I didn't give it a question mark, as the economy is kinda out of it... Now, I'm definitely giving it a second thought.

I receive a news bulletin through a "crafty" site, and yesterday's article alerted me to the actual Snopes.com article regarding this e-mail . It's really too bad people feel the need to overexaggerate the situation and make today's economy worse than it already is.

I just thought reading this might help some of you throughout the holidays, as I know some folks are hard to shop for. Good luck to you all, and have a happy holiday season! Toodles for now! lisa