What is a Cricut?

A Cricut is an electronic, personal die-cutting system. It requires the use of cartridges to program images, shapes, or fonts for cutting. The technology allows for you to cut layers and images for everything to cards, scrapbooks, bulletinboards, and more. You simply plug your cartridge in as shown below or you can purchase the Cricut Design Studio. The computer software allows you to manipulate the images in size and shape. It allows you 'weld' your letters together so you are not always cutting out individual letters. This is a great time saver not only when it comes to peeling off the letters, but also when glueing them down to your project.

I know this is starting to sound a little like an info-mercial, but I just want to share the tools I have to make the projects possible. This is the Cricut Expression - it cuts up to 12x12 and 12x24 inch projects

I also have the original machine that cuts 6x12. I convinced my cute

husband I needed to upgrade because it would 'cut' the time I spent on

my projects down considerably. I have to admit there are times when I have had

both machines plugged in and cutting. (Trust me, it's gotten me an eye roll or two)

With the help of little fingers (my adorable twin daughters)

helping me peel the images off the mats, I have been able to get some of my work done

in much less time. And it's a bonding experience - the girls still love to help

Mom at this point in time. I love it!!

Just a few of the cartridges I have used on some of my projects.

You do have to buy them individually. I always watch

for sales. They have some great ones...but I have found the best deals on e-bay.

I would by no means consider myself an expert on e-bay, but I do

have my system and refuse to pay over a certain price. I also

have a great source who doesn't mind sharing her cartridges.

Once again...thanks Mom!! :)

Here is the Cricut in action, cutting my latest project.

It's time to get rid of the boring birthday poster and make it a

little more festive in my room with a birthday cupcake wall.

I will be posting it later, when it's completed. It is an idea I 'borrowed' from

a few other sites: www.scappingwest.blogspot.com and www.scrappingwest.blogspot.com.

When it comes time to post, I will be sure to give credit the inspiration. :)

I promise the next post will actually include a project...it's time to get this baby off the ground! :)

Why Did I Finally Join the Blogging World?

After many years of taunting from my friends (you know who you are), I have FINALLY decided to join the world of blogging. Not to necessarily share all of my inner most thoughts or post the beautiful faces of my loved ones, but to share what I couldn't find this summer when I searched the internet for ideas.

***Disclaimer: I am by no means internet savvy, so the fault is my own. I have definite ideas of what I am looking for and want immediate results. I am not patient enough to search past page 3 or 4 when doing a Google search. So if you have done something similar to what I am trying to achieve, I apologize profusely for not being able to find your fabulous site and would love a link!! :)

Rather than trying to keep my family and friends up to date on the events of my family's lives I am starting this blog to share the ideas I have developed or borrowed and tweaked in my classroom.

As a teacher I like things highly organized (those who visit my house, might claim otherwise). I am a self admitted control freak. Everything is color coded and has a place. Office supplies make me giddy. Paper clips, folders, markers, glue pens, paper, and markers...bring them on!!

I have used my Cricut here and there to make a few items to use in my classroom. But it was this summer that I truly caught the 'Cricut bug' so to speak. Though I put in A LOT of long hours to make it a go...I can see the benefits and even time saved once implemented in the classroom. And my students love it!! Which is truly what it is all about.

So I hope through this blog to share some of my ideas and would love to if you shared yours as well!!

What's in a Name?

Where did the name of my blog originate? My very clever husband. You see he does not quite appreciate how a teacher's work is never done. When I walk out the door at 3:45...or 5:00pm it is with a heavy backpack and a list of things to complete before I start the next day.

Over the summer I spent some time researching and putting together what I thought would make life much easier for a full time teacher and mother. What did that entail? Hours upon hours of cutting paper on my cricut while monopolizing not only the computer, but the entire loft. But I have to say the mess (which I should have documented) and all the long hours paid off. Not only is my cinderblock room..I mean my classroom...very cute, but it is much more efficiently run. I owe it all to my cricut, a few ideas I found online and tweaked to make my own, my mom for sharing her cartridges, and my patient family who put up with the mess, late dinners, and general chaos.

So my cute husband came up with the name...because that's all he saw me do...'stick it in my cricut' all summer long.