Anna Creates . . .

Archive for September, 2009

Here’s some information I found about the Cricut Expression Machine…

Cricut Cutting Machine: A Versatile Cutting Machine

Cricut Cutting Machine:  Versatility in Cutting

The Cricut Cutting Machine was just what I’d been looking for.  I’m a TV products addict…I’m always looking at the As seen On TV commercials with the eye to buy.  So when I saw the Cricut Expression Machine advertised, I was interested for many reasons.  After doing some research on different cutting machines, we did buy the Cricut Expression Cutting Machine.

Cricut for Fun
First of all, I’m a grandparent with two of my granddaughters living around the corner.  We’re always looking for things to allow us to become more involved with them.  The Cricut’s ability to create all types of artistic projects for fun and for school, is a great way for Gramps and Mimi to be able to enter their world productively.  For example, after they got back from their visit to Disney World, we had a great time using the Cricut Disney Mickey and Friends Cartridge to make a poster of all the fun things they did on their trip.  For Mother’s Day, we experimented with flowers from the Walk in my Garden Cartridge and found some neat script to complete the message for their Mother’s Day card.

Cricut for School
They took their Disney poster to school for “show & tell”.  That afternoon, we got a call from their teacher wanting to know about the Cricut Cutting Machine and what it could do.  Although we’re still learning and experimenting with all the features, we invited her over to look at our machine.  When she came over, we showed her the 50 States and the Cursive 101 Cartridges that we were using for projects with our granddaughters, and we made a neat banner for her classroom using the Disney Pooh & Friends Cartridge.

Cricut for Profit?
Our daughter-in-law is extremely creative.  She has a knack for putting together great themed birthday parties for the kids.  The last one she did for her five year old daughter(who really believes she is a princess) was themed around…what else…a princess.  She hired a model to dress as a princess to come over and do the girls’ hair, a little make-up and fingernail polish.  All the little girls and their mothers were impressed not only by the theme, but by all the apropos shapes and themed cut-outs she was able to do on the Cricut Cutting Machine using the Once Upon A Princess Cartridge.  Afterwards, she was asked to do two themed parties for her friends, and they are insisting on paying her a decent amount for doing the decorations and shapes.  Could be the start of a nice little business for her.

For us as a family, the Cricut Cutting Machine has been well worth the bucks, as it has given us a new hobby and the joy of helping our granddaughters be creative.

About the Author

Cricut Expression Cutting Machine with Accessories

Preowned Cricut Expressions Machine $125.00

SIMPLY SCARECROW New Cricut Create Personal Expression Cutter Machine Cartridge $28.84

SEASONAL CAKE SAMPLER New Cricut Personal Cutter Expression Machine Cartridge $24.84

From Amazon…

Cricut Cake Machine Bundle $199.99 Cricut Cake, Kitchen Red Machine Bundle… Did you ever dream of making professional looking cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and other confections? Whether you are a professional cake decorator or not now you can!! It’s fast and easy!! With just a press of a button – in no time at all – you can have your own creative desserts! You choose your desired shape and size, just press CUT, and VOILÀ!! A perfec…

Silhouette Cameo Digital Craft Cutter Machine Printer for PC or MAC – Includes 51 exclusive cuttable designs and a $10 gift card to Silhouette Online Store – With a BONUS Replacement Blade $269.99 The Silhouette Cameo is an electronic cutting machine that is great for light-duty, creative use. Just like a home printer, it plugs directly into your PC or Mac with a USB cable, However, instead of printing it uses a small blade to cut paper, cardstock, vinyl, fabric and more up to 12″ wide and 10 feet long. The machine also boasts a quiet motor and the ability to register and cut printed materi…

Silhouette Cameo Digital Craft Cutter Machine Printer for PC or MAC – Includes 51 exclusive cuttable designs and a $10 gift card to Silhouette Online Store – With a BONUS 12 Replacement Cutting Mat The Silhouette Cameo is an electronic cutting machine that is great for light-duty, creative use. Just like a home printer, it plugs directly into your PC or Mac with a USB cable, However, instead of printing it uses a small blade to cut paper, cardstock, vinyl, fabric and more up to 12″ wide and 10 feet long. The machine also boasts a quiet motor and the ability to register and cut printed materi…

From Other Sources…

Photo Stamps And Small Business

It just is’nt easy to stand out from the crowd these days and when a small business is stuck in the crowd, the revenues of the business can be negatively impacted.

Innovation and uniqueness are the true hallmark of a business. While most people will assume that the innovation and uniqueness need to be launched on a grand scale, the fact of the matter is that many time, small scale subtle innovations can go a long way in terms of leaving a positive impression on people who may be potential clients or customers to a business. In fact, subtleties can prove more successful than overblown attention grabbers as people general do not like being hit over the head with promotional items.

Photo stamps are such a subtlety that can great help a business by adding a small touch that will not go unnoticed by people who receive a letter in which a photo stamps are prominently displayed. For those unfamiliar with what photo stamps are, they are simply a novel spin on the traditional stamp printing device. Instead of the postage printing spitting out a generic stamp where red ink displays the dollar amount of the postage, a photo stamp device will display any photograph on selects on the stamp. So, instead of having to go out and ask people to sign petitions as was done in order to get the Universal Monsters stamps and the Elvis Stamp, a person can simply print out a stamp that displays whatever image they would wish to have printed.

Such touches do not go unnoticed by the public when they receive a letter in the mail that is carrying a unique photo that they had never seen before nor expected to appear on a stamp. It is an eye catching trick that will separate the mail they receive from a company that employs such a concept as opposed to remembering those companies that utilize traditional, generic stamps.

This has a far greater impact than one would imagine as it speaks volumes about a company. It shows that the company is novel and hip and willing to take chances. It looks like the company is proactive as opposed to other companies that would not care enough to add little subtle personalized touches. A photo stamp machine will a business or company to stand out from the crowd and that is highly important for any small business to do.

When a business sets itself apart from the crowd, it will do better business than all those who are lumped into the generic crowd so it is wise to not overlook any possibilities that can lead to higher, better exposure. A photo postage stamp machine can be acquired quite easily and would be a tremendous addition to any business.

About the Author

Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on photo stamps and
custom photo stamps
at http://www.printingpostage.com

With All My Love Stamp Set Scrapbook Card

NEW Sizzix Framelits HERO ARTS Die and Stamp Set 6PK FLORAL 657776 $15.99

NEW Sizzix Framelits HERO ARTS Die and Stamp Set 7 PK CHANDELIERS 657777 $15.99

Cosmo Cricket – Mr Campy clear stamp set – brand new $3.19

70 Kinds Korea DIY Vintage Alphabet Capital Rubber Stamp Numbers Punctuation Set $23.99

Rubber Stamp Korea DIY Vintage Alphabet Capital Numbers Punctuation Set 42 Kinds $18.98

from AMAZON…

Norpro Ravioli Maker and Press $13.45 Make your own delicious ravioli at home. Use Norpro’s Ravioli Maker with Press to make up to 12 raviolis at a time, measuring 1.5 inches unfilled and 1 inch filled. Package includes easy to follow recipes for pasta dough and meat filled ravioli….

Oxo Good Grips Cookie Scoop Oxo Cookie Scoop Portioner Size Volume Diameter of Cookie Yielded 1044083 (Small) 60 2 tsp 2 1055893 (Medium) 40 1.5 tbsp 2-3/4 1044082 (Large) 20 3 tbsp 3-1/2 For easy scooping and consistently round cookies, try the OXO GOOD GRIPS Cookie Scoops. The Small, Medium and Large Scoops all have soft grips that absorb pressure while you squeeze to easily release your cookie dough. Dishwasher safe. Soft…

from OTHER STORES…