Cricut Design Space

*This post contains affiliate links and may be compensated if a purchase is made after clicking it, thank you for your support.

When I first began crafting, I tried my best to create projects that were easy for all to do.  I used free hand to cut my designs, while many other crafters used machines for cutting and designing their projects.

I was bummed out knowing that their projects turned out so perfect and mine had imperfections. I wondered, how did they achieve perfect cutting and design?  After much research, I discovered Cricut.  I have mentioned Cricut in a few posts here on the blog, only because I want those of you who have a hard time achieving certain crafts to be creative without the hard work of design and cutting.  Cricut offers two awesome machines that do the work for you.

Not only that, but what bridges the gap between the creative ideas in your head and the Cricut machine is the Cricut Design Space™. 

Cricut’s Design Space™ is software for PC, Mac®, iPhone® and iPad® that you get for free with your Cricut machine of choice. 

Instead of trying to figure out how to make your project, Design Space gives you the ability to focus on what you want to make. Your Cricut machine takes it from there and brings it to life. 

With Design Space, you can start designing from scratch on your computer, iPhone® or iPad®, or you can use a pre-designed, Make It Now™ project. These ready-to-make projects are created by professional artists and include everything from home décor to fashion to paper crafting, and even a variety of FREE projects. 

If you want to use one of Cricut’s 50K+ images, you can try them out in the Design Space to see which will look best in your project before you commit to purchasing it. 

Uploading Images 

When you’re ready to start designing, you can either use one of Cricut’s 50K+ images or easily upload your own using the “Upload Images” tool in Design Space. You can upload and cut .svg, .jpg, .png, .bmp, .gif, and .dxf files absolutely FREE. You can even use fonts already installed on your computer. 

Cut What You Want® tool 

The Design Space’s Cut What You Want® tool makes it easy to convert your design into a cuttable image in just a few clicks! 

The Cricut Design Space™ app for iPad® and iPhone® 

Cricut’s easy-to-use app for the iPad® and iPhone® makes it possible for you can design anytime and anywhere inspiration strikes you.

It also allows you to access all the project’s that you’ve personally designed, whether on your iOs device or your PC or Mac, and gives you access to all the Make-it-Now projects. 

With this app, you can start a project while at the beach, enhance it at the ice-cream shop, add some embellishments while cozying up on your couch, and then cut it on the Cricut Explore in your craft room. Plus, it’s cloud-based, so your projects are always synced across all your devices. 

P.S. Cricut is working on an Android™ app right now, so don’t feel left out if you don’t have an iPad or iPhone. 

In a nutshell, Cricut Design Space™ gives you the creative freedom to design just about anything! Make party invitations, decorations, and favors. Create seasonal home décor or personalize wedding gifts. Add embellishments to your favorite photo memories. 

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! That’s why sometime next week, we will focus on some really fun and interesting projects that people have created using their Cricut machine and the Cricut Design Space. 

So Stay tuned! 

Natural Bridge

I have been out and about and just want to share some of the places I visited during these
travels.  Unfortunately, I did not carry my camera with me, but I used my phone to photograph
what I saw, so the quality may not be it's best.

Let me begin with this amazing Natural Bridge. As we drove up north, we decided to
make a stop and take a nature walk with our son.  My boys love the outdoors and enjoy
exploring new things.

When we walked down the path, we never imagined the Natural Bridge to be as enormous as it is.
It is quite a sight!  Story mentions that our first president, George Washington, actually carved
his initials on this bridge.

I didn't post all the creatures we met along the way, but here is one of my son's favorites,
the short millipede and one of my least favorites, snakes.  The snakes are said to be harmless,
I was inches away from this one, I noticed it before placing my arm on that rock, yikes!!
Did I scream?  You bet!  My son loved this adventure.  It was like a scientist or explorer
out on a mission to discover all that nature offers.

If you have kids that love a good nature walk and that love to explore creatures of all sorts,
this is a stop that must be made.  There is so much more to explore in the area including caverns.
Here is a link if you want to learn more about Virginia's Natural Bridge.

See you on the next stop.
I hope that you are enjoying your summer, what have you been up to these past days?

Opportunity to Earn Money with "Cricut"

I have some great news for you!  For those of you looking for affiliates, Cricut is now accepting bloggers to their affiliate program between the dates of 5/20/15 and 5/26/15.  It is easy to join and will cost you nothing.  Join the Cricut affiliate program by clicking this link!  

They provide all the tools you need to promote Cricut, such as banners, deals/coupons, text links, data feed products and so much more!  

If you know others that may be interested, please let them know.  This is a great opportunity for them, especially for craft bloggers, DIY bloggers  and so on.  Tweet it, Facebook it, Instagram it or Pin it, so that your blogger friends can have this opportunity as well.  

It doesn't hurt to make a little money off your blog from time to time so join today!

*This post contains affiliate links and may be compensated if a purchase is made after clicking it, thank you for your support.

Easy Strawberry Donut Cake

So it’s after dinner and you forgot to make or buy a sweet dessert for your friends or loved ones, or you just want a late sweet snack, no problem.

A quick and easy way to satisfy the sweet tooth is by having a package of fresh, ready made donuts available, fresh strawberries, whipped cream and it’s optional to have some strawberry glaze…this adds extra flavor and sweetness to this dessert.  This is so easy. that your little ones can do it. 

Grab your favorite donuts and either cut it in half or leave it as is, then layer the strawberries in the center hole, on top, and sides of donuts.  If you have glaze, go ahead and sprinkle glaze over your strawberry donuts.  Lastly, cover with whipped cream.  For those who really want sweetness…a little side of ice cream wouldn't hurt…oh yeah! 

If you do not have donuts on hand, perhaps fried biscuits like the ones made here, and then the above can work too! 
I hope that you enjoy!!!

Sharing Creative Inspirations

*This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Over the past few weeks I've been sharing how and why Blurb is such an incredible source for
telling your story—whether it includes photos, words, or both. I realize that not everyone has the
desire to write a novel or sell a book of their photos. Some people just want to commemorate a 
trip, an event, your own blog, or a special occasion. Others may want to visually capture a 
business concept or life experience. Whatever the inclination, Blurb makes it easy and affordable 
to realize it. 

Chances are you already have an idea for the kind of book you want to create. But in case you 
need a little inspiration, here are a few ways people have used Blurb to create their own creative 
and useful books: 

Gifts
A beautiful, custom-made book is one of the most thoughtful, meaningful gifts you can give. 
With Father’s Day, graduation, and wedding season just around the corner, this type of book 
can make the perfect gift that keeps on giving. And with Blurb’s cutting-edge book-making 
tools, you can add photos, words, stories, drawings—anything you want—and make 
something that’s truly one-of-a-kind. Ideas include: a favorite recipes book, a baby’s first 
year book, a book of poems, a senior year book, etc. 

Memoirs
You have a story to tell. Okay, so you may not have hiked across the Sahara or been on 
Broadway, but that doesn't mean that you haven’t impacted lives or had interesting life 
experiences. And it certainly doesn't mean that you don’t have valuable insights to 
impart. Even if you have no interest in sharing your memoir with anyone, the process of 
reflecting on your life and writing down some of your thoughts and experiences can be 
incredibly eye-opening and cathartic.  In my experience creating my own book with Blurb, 
I've captured simple everyday memories that I can look back to.

Pet Books
What better way to showcase your best friend than with their very own book. It could be 
something as simple as pictures and quips of trips to the park, naps on the couch, playing 
with a favorite toy, or basking in the sun, to a more in-depth life story book about your pet. 
These can be shared as gifts, sold to fellow pet-lovers, or just kept for your own personal 
enjoyment. 

Non-Profit Fundraising Books
With Blurb, non-profits can share their story with compelling words and images and 
then sell them via Blurb’s Sell & Distribute option to fundraise for their organization. 
For example, Gerrit Greve’s Hearts for Healing book showcases how kids interpret a 
giving heart through art. It also chronicles how Greve’s students gained new confidence 
in themselves and their abilities knowing that their art could make a difference in someone’s 
life and health. This beautiful book is an example of how Blurb’s platforms can be used to 
support a cause that’s important to you. 

These are just a few ways that you can use Blurb to share your story or promote a purpose, 
but know that there are many, many others. Get creative! Honestly, the most important part 
is just clicking on the “Get Started” link on Blurb.com. As you start the process of creating 
your own book, you’ll be surprised at how quickly the creativity floodgates open!  

And when it does and you've created your own book, be sure to tell me about it—if you’re 
okay with me doing so, I’d love to promote it to other readers. Who knows? You may inspire
someone else to create a book of their own! 

Just In!
Exciting news! Starting today, you have to check out the Blurb Flash Sale! You can get 35% off now through Monday, May 18th, when you use code MAYFLASH35. That is right - 35% off any Blurb book you make! I'm talking photo books, cookbooks, trade books, magazines ... whatever type of book your inspiration calls for! Here are the details: 

Offer: 35% off at Blurb, five days only!
Valid: 5/14 - 5/18
Code: MAYFLASH35

So hurry on over to Blurb and start creating! This offer ends soon!