Christmas Presents and Sales

The first few days after Christmas are exciting when you have new gifts to try out.  Our son got a special electric tea kettle and did an impromptu tea tasting for some of the family at our party on Monday.   New clothes are usually worn right away and all of the tasty treats must be sampled.  As a child, it was always a great feeling to have school vacation and free time to enjoy the gifts we received.

Yesterday I had planned to do a lot of projects around the house but things didn't go according to plan.  I have to admit that I got sidetracked by the new books that I got for Christmas, started reading and finished one of them.  I love to read but don't seem to find the time often enough - maybe I will add planned reading time to my list of things to do next year.

I did get my new Vagabond out of the box and cut a few trial projects.  First I used some Sizzix dies for a three dimensional five point star and a globe made of circles scored and folded to make a triangular shape with flaps.  I used 140 pound watercolor paper and it cut and scored beautifully.

I have always been fascinated by these globes and have tried cutting circles with the Cricut and scoring them around a triangle template but the die makes it so much easier and faster.  I know I could make a file for the Silhouette with perforated lines for the scoring but the smooth creases created by the die make a nicer looking finished project.  The right tool for the job can make a big difference and I love to collect the tools - that is why my craftroom is overflowing with "stuff" (and desperately in need of a good cleaning and organizing session!).

I had heard that the Vagabond was great with the thin dies, like this "English Tea Party" doily from Cheery Lynn, and it's true.  I found it so much easier to cut the doily with the electric motor doing all of the work.  I did send it back and forth a few times just to be sure that all of the details would be cleanly cut.  When I used these dies in my Cuttlebug, it was hard work to crank them through.

I'll be posting more detailed information about my impressions of the Vagabond after I get to do some more trial cuts.  It is very heavy compared to the Cuttlebug or the Big Shot and the motor is quieter than I expected (a nice plus).  The machine is expensive (retail price $249.99) but it has been out for a while now and prices have dropped.  Blitsy had it for $164.95 but it is sold out now.  I saw it on Oh My Crafts for $189.99 (with a $10 Oh My Crafts Gift card).

Someone had a question about where to find the Memory Box dies I have been using lately.  I have purchased mine at a local store.  If you go to the Memory Box site you can use the store locator and choose your state to see if there is a seller near you.  They are also available at a number of online retailers - click "Web Stores" at the top of the store locator list to see where you can buy the dies.

The Creative Memories Year End sale is on with savings from 20 - 50% on select items.  The sale lasts only two days (December 28 and 29) and you can see all of the details on my CM website HERE.

The StoryBook Creator 4.0 software that I use is on sale for $51.95 (download or disc) and there are great prices on a couple of Disney items (a punch and mini paper album).  Please let me know if you have any questions about the items on sale.

Remember, Blitsy is also having a second chance sale with all of the items they have offered since they opened listed again and available (while supplies last) until January 3, 2012.  I checked yesterday and while some items have been "blitsed" (sold out), there are still lots of great items available.  If you aren't a member yet, you can use my link to sign up http://blitsy.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/989/   and then get your own link to refer your friends and family - when they make their first order of $10 or more you will get a $10 credit to spend on the site.

We had stormy weather last night but it was rain and not snow - that's a good thing!  I hope you are getting a chance to have a break for the holidays.  What are you doing New Year's Eve?

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