Print and Cut on the Cricut Explore

This is the first image I cut on the Explore with the new Print and Cut feature.  You print the image on your printer and the Explore cuts  it out.  I am so blown away.  I can think of a gazillion applications for this.  No coloring with Copics or markers.  No hand cutting etc.  Just a crisp clear image with glorious color.  Those of you who don't have an Explore better put it on your Christmas list.

Dancing Witches

Here's the other file I told you about from Megan Hardy.  I have the figures rather spread out (there is a cat on each end) but this is just to show you what a cute file it is. Click to enlarge it to see the wonderful detail, right down to the straws at the tip of the brooms.  What do you suppose they are dancing to???

Happy Hallow!

This little card was made using my Cricut and, originally, a Silhouette file.  I found out after the fact, that the girl who designs the files, Megan Hardy has her own Etsy shop where she sells some of the same files in .svg.  Halleluiah!  I used several paper collections and a rosette left from a project two years ago.  I hope you'll visit Megan Hardy's Etsy Store.  These trick or treaters are only one file of three all with different costumed trick or treaters.  And she has a dancing witches file to die for!

Amazing!!! Simply Amazing!!!

This beautiful cut was done on my Cricut Explore.  Be sure to click on the picture to see it up close and personal.  I found the file on a blog called Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky! by a girl named Marigold.  I could not believe the intricacy of the file and how beautifully the Explore cut it.  Get yourself one of these machines.  They are superb!

Tired of it yet???????????

I am having so much fun doing these mix media canvases.  It's also using up lots of charms and baubles I've been saving over the years.  Today I tackled one of those large thick paper mache letters like Michaels and Jo Anns sells.  I gessoed it twice as a base.  Then applied paper scraps with multi medium (love that stuff).  Then I covered it with texture medium and laid on some cheese cloth and did some stamping.  Then for the fun....I pulled out all the fun pieces and began laying them on.  I ended up using all silver which is not what I had in mind when I started but some things just "tell" you what to do.  I used both E6000 and hot glue to add everything then sprayed with Perfect Pearls mists Patina and Mister Huey's Sparkle.  I love that.  It adds sparkle and shine without color.  So much fun.  Needless to say this will have a spot of honor in my studio!

Mixed Media-I'm In Love!

After doing the mixed media piece I showed you a few weeks ago, I found I am really drawn to this craft.  It feels like "real art."  So I did two more pieces, show below.  One is about the things I love and the other I did for my husband's office.  It's a little more masculine.  Take a look.  I'd love to  know what you think.  My inspiration, of course, is Finnabair and her wonderful collages and techniques.

I find with these pieces you have to study them to see everything.  But they are so much fun!  Have a great weekend.

Haul Videos............yes I said Haul!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just wanted to ask you to please turn up your video.  I did not have my settings right on the audio for these two videos.  I'll be sure to correct it!

New Blog Topics

I've never been one to make my blog about personal things.  But recently I've seen several articles and Pinterest posts about depression. Some are accurate in their facts, some not so much.  I've suffered from clinical depression for 30 years.  Most of that time I have functioned very well and life goes on.  There have been very dark times when it almost wasn't worth living (distorted thinking).   I was fortunate that I had an excellent psychiatrist who was really into the pharmacy end of treating depression.  The first ten years or so I was on a drug that killed the terrible anxiety attacks but I almost have no recall of what happened then because I felt so "drugged."  My gynecologist suggested I go on a different drug and I discussed it with my other doctor and he agreed.  That is one thing you must remember in a medical situation.  You must be proactive where your health is concerned.  After all, you are in charge of your own body.  It may take awhile for you to get that way.  Over the years I have had ups and down and tried almost every drug on the market.  Finally for the last ten or twelve years I have found a combination of drugs that gives me great moods, good sleep (which has been a chronic problem), good energy and a better disposition.

You must remember that depression is like any other illness such as diabetes, lupus, or arthritis.  It is not a character failing or your fault.  It is a disease, a treatable disease.  The biggest thing with depression is distorted thinking, the kind that says you should commit suicide because nothing else will help.  The kind that keeps you from getting help in the first place because you are SURE nothing can be done to help you.  The kind that keeps you from being the best that you can be, stay close to your family and friends and the kind that says the world is coming to an end in the middle of an anxiety attack.

Please if  you suffer, get help. If you don't know where to start, contact your local hospital and they should be able to hook you up with a psychiatrist.  Don't depend on your primary care physician to treat this.  Some are excellent at doing that but most just don't have the grasp on the medication aspects or time for talk therapy.  Most insurance plans cover some or all of the fees associated with seeing a specialist.  Some of us will suffer with this for the rest of our lives.  But I am living proof that a better life is achievable.

Doing a little bragging here..............

My new door box for fall.

A little enticement..............

This picture is not so great.  The sun keeps coming in and out here today.  If you sign up to be a follower or if you are a follower and you get someone else to sign up, you could win this Prima Paper Doll tag.  Whichever group you are in you must send me an email and tell me you signed up or signed someone else up (both of you get a chance).  Have a great Labor Day!