Cricut Circle Meet Up in Pennsylvania

Today I went to the Cricut Circle Meet Up in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  It was in a hotel conference room at the location of a Creative Keepsakes Scrap and Play event and there were quite a few people there, some from very far away.  Several of the Circle Blog and Magazine Design Team members were there along with Shannon from ProvoCraft.  Shannon told us that in the future these events will probably be more like crops and last all day since people come from great distances to join in.

It was fun to meet some more Circlets and some of the people I "know" from my blog and the message boards.  The few photos that I took in the room did not turn out very well and, for some reason, none of us thought to get a "group shot" while we were all there.  I do have a few photos to share to provide some creative inspiration.

We were asked to bring flowers and ribbons to swap along with our "calling cards" which are 3 x 3 cards with our details that are used for door prize drawings and to exchange with each other to keep in touch..  Here are the ribbons I received in the swaps - I can't wait to use them. 

There are so many flowers on various Cricut cartridges that is was difficult to choose one to make.  Here are some of the flowers I received in the swaps.  Unfortunately, most of us didn't label the swap items so I can't tell you who made these (if you are one of the people I swapped with and want to identify your flower for me just leave a comment here).

More flowers, the one at the top left is a shrink plastic printed Imagine flower on a chain.  Several of the flowers were multi-layered and curled to make a 3D embellishment.

A couple of the flowers I received were suitable for a bouquet with stems and even some leaves!  I am inspired to try something like this for a Thanksgiving table decoration.

The flower on the left had a copper foil layer - a little hard to capture with the camera but I think you can see how shiny it is.

This amazing flower was made by cutting many flowers from Accent Essentials in several sizes and cutting partway into the flower to create the sections.  The layers were coated with Mod Podge and as they dried they curled.  The flower is assembled with some layers curling down and some curling up.  I wish I could remember the details a little more clearly - if you are the person who made this (see, I forgot already!) please leave a comment if i have this wrong or missed a step.

It was a lot of fun to exchange cards and to see all of the creative ideas.  Some were seasonal - don't you love the bat flying through the circle logo!

All sorts of things are possible in a 3 x 3 space and the variety of choices was very interesting.  (I blurred out some personal details on a couple of these for privacy).

A few people used the Imagine to create their cards.  My machine arrived but I haven't been able to get it set up since I have been away so much.  That is my project for next week after I am home again.

Here are my calling cards - I had to assemble them at my Dad's after the drive yesterday and this photo is taken with them spread out on his carpet!  I designed business cards digitally last summer and had them printed for CHA.  I used these and made 3 x 3 holders for them.  I have to confess that the pansy strip that holds the cards in place is done with a Martha Stewart edge punch and not a Cricut cut.  (That punch was so perfect for matching my card and blog header design).  I did create the circle with my number welded inside using my gypsy and Plantin Schoolbook for the back of the card since that information is not printed on my business card.

 I also brought all of the bits and pieces for my flowers to my Dad's  The flower cut is from Straight From the Nest but I altered the design a bit by taking the cutout from the center, flipping it and adding a jewel.

Here is a close view of the finished flower.  I did not adhere the shadow and base cut but instead I folded up the petals on both and used a foam dot to raise the second flower, turning it so the petals alternated with the shadow layer.

This was my basket of swaps and cards - and a map to help me find the way!  I was lucky enough to win one of the door prizes - a new cuttlebug with one of the quilling sets for flowers and the extended plates you need to cut these.  I can't wait to give it a try once I get home!  There were lots of prizes including some of the new cartridges and even some Imagine cartridges.

Thanks to Shannon and the team for listening to some of the suggestions that the members had for improving the Circle.  We got a peak at the new Smiley Cards cartridge that is one of the free cartridges included in the Gypsy promotion going on right now.  If you buy a Gypsy and register it by October 31st you will get six free cartridges in addition to the two Gypsy cartridges when you update the Gypsy in November.  This applies to anyone who has registered their Gypsy so all owners will get the same benefit.  Here is a LINK for more details.  The six cartridges are Smiley Cards (new, exclusive and very cute!), Tags Bags Boxes and More, Blackletter, Christmas, Printing Press and  Indie Art.  The other five cartridges are all retired and hard to find so this is a great deal.

Tomorrow I will have a chance to meet up with a blog reader who lives in this area - she is showing me one of her favorite local scrapbook stores.  I am looking forward to this since there are not very many stores other than the large chains in my area.  I hope you are having a nice weekend!

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