My new TOY

I was talking with a home-schooling friend about how I wanted to save my money up for a Cricut machine. I loved the idea of being able to cut out lots of shapes and make cool gifts for people.

I have a great scroll saw that I love to make things with, nativities, pinewood derby cars, and especially Name Puzzles for my girls' friends' birthdays (who doesn't love to have their name in solid form?) Miranda has loved her puzzle, and has played with it a lot. It's helped her learn her letters, and it's been a lot of fun.



So, I was super excited about getting a Cricut, but I always hesitated because of the cost of cartridges. After spending $250 on the machine (cuz I wanted to be able to cut tiny letters (1/4 inch) out), you then have to purchase all the different font types, shapes, etc. Not very economical, and really difficult to for storage purposes.

As I was talking with my friend, she said, "Oh! You should look at the Silhouette". She explained that it does what the Cricut can do, but it doesn't require cartridges, but uses a computer. It uses any TrueType font already on your computer (and there are hundreds of free ones available for download from the internet), you can purchase shapes online (about $1 each), or even draw your own stuff. It even allows you to print something first on your printer and then cut it out! Or replace the blade with a pen and us it as a plotter. Way Cool!

So, I did my homework and found some sites that compared the machines. I read blogs, looked at ideas, and saved my pennies. Thanks to some wonderful family that sent me birthday money (Moms and Grandmothers), I got my new toy! It works just as promised: huge learning curve, but amazing versatility and awesome abilities...

With some time and effort, I was able to design my own four-inch tall paper box that folds together (one glue strip required) and even added this melded cut-out design on the outside:


Ooooh, the possibilities! It cuts fabric, vinyl, paper, cardstock. It can't cut anything wider than 8.5", but it can cut longer banners! I'm having soooo much fun with this baby! I even designed a decal for our shirts for the members of our church who want to match while we run the Sunburst Race in two weeks (I'll post this later). I've got ideas for my "family reunion" this summer. Paper dolls, boxes, gifts, freezer-paper stenciling... ahhh endless possibilities! I just wish I had a more creative mind to think up better uses!

Oh yeah. About the running. Yup, uh huh, this person who hates running has signed up for a 10K. And, I'm really doing it. I've been running 4-5 miles, and although I feel drained, I can do it. So, I am pretty sure I'll make it through the 10K. But, I'm not going to worry about time, just about finishing the race.