Gypsy Woes

THIS, my friends, is the error message I received trying to update the firmware on my Cricut Gypsy!  It all started when Cricut Support sent out an email last week announcing "Gypsy Linking" is now possible between the Cricut Gypsy device and the Cricut Craft Room design software.  Sounds great, right?!  Three simple steps is what the email stated.  I had to add a few more steps because I have a relatively new computer and needed to downloaded the latest Cricut Sync and Cricut Craft Room software.  No problem!  Once I began the process of updating my Gypsy's firmware, that's where the fun began!  About four hours later and multiple attempts, I now have a plastic brick!  Of course, this occurred on Saturday and their Customer Service is only open Monday through Friday.

The thing that is most frustrating to me is that error message!!!  Grrrr!!!  I have owned my Gypsy since 2009, when it first came out.  I actually pre-ordered it from HSN  before it was available to the general public.  Clearly the error message displayed is completely and totally false.   This Gypsy hasn't been touched EVER by anyone but myself and I own all 110+ cartridges that are linked on this machine.

Even if I did purchase another unit and was able to download all of my cartridges again (which I assume is highly unlikely, since cartridges can only ever be loaded to a single Gypsy), I have many project files which I created and have been working with..... which as of now are lost.   From what I have seen on the message boards, some people have partially fixed their "security breach" issue with a reformat of the Gypsy.  However, aside from all project files again being lost with a reformat, not all cartridges were restored either for those people.  I view myself as rather tech savvy, and have to say that I continue to be disappointed with Cricut Sync software.   Wish me luck!!

All Things Easter

I was going make a separate post for each item I was creating in prep for our family Easter dinner, but decided to lump it all together in one post.  I'm afraid all my holiday posts are starting to look the same!

As usual, we are happily hosting both our families for dinner - confirmed for five, tentative and prepping for nine.

Place cards are a must for our holiday meals, it helps me out with planning and it shows everyone where they are sitting when the crowd comes into the dining room all at once.  I chose that cute little bunny die from Papertrey to adorn each card.  I'm also happy to be using the pom pom supply from Christmas.  I don't even think I'm through a quarter of the way through my supply yet.  Since I'm not very happy with my own handwriting, I tend to rely on my computer to help me in that area.  I have a template all set up in Power Point for the 2-3/4 inch by 1-1/4 inch name cards.  Just a quick change of font each time if needed, and I'm ready to go!  I've attempted a few times to begin a new file in PhotoShop Elements, but I'm just not fast enough yet to whip something out from scratch on that program.

Last year I made a wreath using Peeps and loved the idea enough to do it again.  I choose purple and yellow this time.  In between each 'Peep section' I placed paper flowers that I cut using my Cricut to fill the gaps.  I love these colors together, but I like the way last years turned out much better;  I think it's because I decided to go with a smaller wreath form this year.  I like the spacing and placement of the larger wreath form.

Here are some little baskets I made using the Favor It Box 9 die from Papertrey Ink.  My sister loves old shaker boxes, so I thought of her when I saw this die.  I filled each one with Easter grass and some goodies.  I used the same colors as each persons place card and added their initial to the basket.

A few (probably 10) years back Martha Stewart had an online store, Martha by Mail.  I loved everything in her catalog - this was pre-Macy's.  That is where I found these plastic sugar/butter molds.  There are really cute Spring and Easter themed shapes in the set.  The sugar shapes could be made in advance.  Here's a link from Martha's site on how to make the sugar.  I added a drop of food coloring to some of the shapes to add a touch of color.

For dessert I'll be making a Banana Pudding recipe I saw on an episode of America's Test Kitchen. (I was going to post the link, but Cook's Country require you to register prior to viewing any recipe - sort of annoying...didn't want to annoy anyone.  You can find it by searching "cooks country banana pudding").  I have made this recipe before using the traditional trifle bowl and it was delish.  This year I decide to go mini and individual.  I found these glasses at Ikea a few weeks ago and thought they were perfect.  I'll use them again for sure!   I will edit this post after Easter with pictures of the dessert.

Happy Easter!

Sending Hugs Across The Miles

I finally found time to join in again for a Make It Monday over at Papertrey.  This week Heather showed us how to create inked backgrounds.  I chose to create a colorful card and started by first embossing the background, followed by using a mixture of purple inks.  After I was finished inking, I spritzed some water mixed with Perfect Pearls to add some sparkle.

(As I am typing this post, my mailman just rang the door bell with my newest order from Papertrey....begin happy dance!!)

Supplies Used:
Paper - Royal Velvet, White
Stamps - Fancy Flourishes, Everyday Photo Finishers
Ink - Royal Velvet, Winter Wisteria, Plum Pudding
Other - Perfect Pearls, Clear Embossing Powder, Double Ended Banners Die

Easter Card

Here is the Easter card we will be sending out to our family and friends this year.  I adore the little bunny in the new Polka Dot Parade stamp set from Papertrey Ink.

Leftover pom poms from the tops of my snowmen gift tags (here) were prefect for the little bunny's tail!

Supplies Used:
Paper - Lemon Tart , Spring Rain, Winter Wisteria Bitty Dot, Hibiscus Burst
Stamps - Polka Dot Parade, Egg Hunt
Ink - Raspberry Fizz
Other - Polka Dot Parade die, Jewels

February Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

Nichole over at Papertrey Ink is hosting her regular monthly Blog Hop.  February is my first time joining in with the fun.

This month the theme is Marvelous Monograms.  I love, love, love anything with a monogram and enjoy giving monogrammed stationary (here, here and here).  As soon as I saw the blog hop theme, I knew I was going to make something for ME!  I like to have blank stationary on hand to write a quick hello or for use as a thank you note.  A note card with a monogram just makes it more special...three little letters that are all your own.   I also love that my initials can be sounded out into a word.

Supplies Used:

Paper - Winter Wisteria card stock, Winter Wisteria Bitty Dot 

Stamps - Mat Stack 1 Collection stamp set, Fresh Alphabet stamp set, 

Ink - Versamark

Other - Fresh Snow velvet ribbon, Mat Stack 1 die, Mat Stack 1 Layerz, White Filigree embossing powder

Disney World Map Coasters

My DH and I just returned from a quick trip to Florida.  I was in Miami for work from Tuesday until Friday, so Thursday night my DH flew down to meet me so we could go to Disney World for the weekend.  Now, THAT'S the way to wrap up a work trip.  We drove from Miami to Orlando on Friday and stayed until Tuesday.  My DH is the 'guide map keeper' on each of our Disney trips.  I am not sure he knows that is his title or not, but it seems he always picks up a park map and I never do.  Why would I need one....he always has one!

During our last trip in October I decided a new project would be to cover tiles with portions of the park maps and make them into coasters.  I started the first batch of coasters using tumbled marble tiles, which were very inexpensive at the local Home Depot.  I never put the final sealer on the tiles as I got sidetracked with some other crafting projects.  While we were in Disney last week, I remembered my unfinished coasters and decided to pocket more maps and attempt the process with regular glazed tile (which we had left over from when our house was built).

Here's how I did it for both types of tile:  I wiped down each tile with cleaner and waited for them to completely dry.  While waiting for them to dry I cut apart each park map.  Since the maps are folded at about 4 inches, I was limited to which section of the map could be placed on the tile.  I would have loved it if each park 'icon' (e.g. Cinderella's Castle in Magic Kingdom, The Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom, etc) were in the center of an unfolded section, but I wasn't so lucky.  After cutting down the sections of the maps I ended up with two square pieces to choose from for each map.  Next I applied a thin layer of decoupage glue to the backs of the maps and placed them onto the tile.  I then ran a thin layer along the edges to seal them.  I waited a few hours for the the tiles to completely dry.  After the tiles were dry I sprayed a coat of clear acrylic sealer onto each.  I waited 15 minutes between coats and ended up spraying about 4 coats total.  When the coasters were dry I added felt pads to the bottom.
I think I like the size of the tumbled marble coasters.  I'll probably give the second set away to our friends who love Disney World as much as we do!

Baby's First Stationary Set

My cousin is (over) due to deliver her baby girl, Madeline. In anticipation of her arrival, I decided she needed her first set of personalized stationary!

I used Lavender Moon Cardstock (PTI) for the card base and Polka Dot Basics Stamp Set (PTI) for the background.  The scallop circle was cut using White Glitter Card Stock (American Crafts), the larger center circle was punched out using a 1 3/4 inch punch, the small circle created using a 1 1/2 inch punch from Stamper's Select White Cardstock  (PTI), and the "M" was stamped with Gemstone Alphabet - Recollections (Michaels) in Lavender Moon Ink (PTI).

I packaged the card set (with envelopes) in a clear box and wrapped it in Lavender Moon ribbon and topped it off with the same embellishment as the cards.

I sure do hope baby Madeline arrives before this box of cards reaches her mommy in the mail!