New Video Updating your Cricut

I bought a new Babybug in the Pink Tuesday at Custom Crops. I thought I would share with everyone how to update your Cricut. Pin It

Another Scraplift from CWTC gals

The gals from Christmas with the Cricut did this layout a couple of weeks ago. I think they used From my Kitchen cartridge. I used Christmas Cheers and Christmas Noel for mine. I think this is the first time I ever utilized the all the layers of an image. It came out really nice. I did this while at a crop and one of the gals there mentioned the die cuts looked so professional. After the crop, I think she said she wanted an E for Christmas.

I just finished decorating my tree at home. So the foyer is decorated, except the art niche. Most of my cards have been completed. My walkway is decorated. All I have left is to finish the trees I am making from cones and pattern paper, a tree topper for my tree and the vinyl wall art for the fireplace. I should be done by New Years. hee hee

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They are done!

I finally finished the ornaments for my Bible Study group. It feels odd calling them by that description. We have been meeting for 8 months and we really are friends now, that happen to do Bible Study together. I have been truly blessed.

Last year I bought tons of vinyl when I realized you can cut it on the Cricut. I rarely used it but since I bought it after Christmas, it was on clearance. I love these two vinyls, Coarse Brushed Gold and Coarse Brushed Cherry Red. I read the directions that came with the vinyl and it said to cut at blade depth of 6 with pressure of 2 but I found it did not cut deep enough. So I increased the depth to 3 and it was perfect. But you may want to test it first. My blade was not new but I don't think it was ready to be changed.

Now on to the shadow box. I got the ideas from both of the projects from Christmas with the Cricut gals. If you haven't visited their site, run now. It is full of ideas and they have give aways each week.

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The Dreadmill was calling and I answered

Yes, I broke down and got on the dreadmill. I hate the dreadmill. It takes a while to get to a comfortable speed, I can't increase and decrease my pace as needed without pushing a button and well I don't like having only one thing to look at...the dusty tree decor. Sure I have the TV on but QVC only had jewelry and HSN had facial products (blah). Did I like it? No, but I did it, so I like me.

On a cute side note: My dog Reba saw me put on my gadgets (Ipod and HRM) and she started jumping up and down. She thinks me putting on my gear equates to her going for a walk. Poor baby, she looked so hurt when I turned on the loud dreadmill and she was left lying on her doggie bed. Pin It

Merry Birthday to me!

So today is my birthday. I turned 40 today. wuu huu!! So to celebrate, I decided to start making my gifts to my Bible Study group. SHHHHH! Thank goodness they don't read my blog. We did the balls today from Christmas with the Cricut.

I didn't know how the Pledge works but apparently it comes very tacky and the glitter adheres to the sides of ball in the Pledge. I discover that you have to shake the ball really hard so that the glitter gets all over ball. Otherwise, it becomes a clump at the bottom of the ball. I also made a funnel to guide the glitter to the sides of the ball. I just took a piece of paper and made a cone and taped it. My bottles of glitter had really big tops so I couldn't pout them into the top of the ball as easily as they did on the video.

Now it is time to get my G out and make the initials

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Happy Birthday to me!!

So today I turn the big 4-0. I wanted to become a runner and run a 5K before I turned 40 and I did. But it doesn't stop here. On to more 10Ks and 1/2 marys and maybe one day...when I grow up, I will do a marathon. But for now, my eyes are set on 10Ks in my near future.

So what did I learn in the past 40 years? That I should have started earlier. That it is never too late and I can't ever stop. This running thing isn't for a season or just a stage in life. This is something I want to do for the rest of my life. Sure, when I am old and hunched over...I'll start walking very slow but I am going to keep moving.

I find that my life is busy with family and work...so what? I may only be able to run for 20 minutes at a time (Christine, Rebekah and Kris.thanks for the suggestion). But I need to do it. Not just for me but for my daughter, my husband and for future generations.

My family has a history of obesity and lack of movement. We seem to pass on our love of fatty foods and hatred of movement to each generation and each generation just keeps getting bigger and less healthy. It is time to turn that around in my family. I will cook healthier, I will encourage my daughter to stay active but more importantly, I will become more active. I will become all that I want her to be and hopefully she will learn from example.

So, welcome 40! Look out 50! Pin It

I ran, Me, Reba and Joan Benoit Samuelson

I have been out for awhile. Between my ankle injury, the flu and then a horrible cold or second strand of flu...I have been under the weather. And life also got in the way. But I think things are getting back to normal.

I have a 5K this weekend in NASA. It is the 5K Reindeer Run. I can't wait. I really need to get back in the swing of things.

I have to say I haven't felt this good in a long time. It feels good to run. Well today I was being dragged by my freaky dog, Reba. I really need to socialize her. Poor thing, she was running as fast as she could away from any sign of life...a deer, a cat, another jogger, a rabbit. It was crazy but apparently it was great for my pace because at the end of my run, Joan Benoit Samuelson congratulated me on the best run ever. Wuu huu Reba! Pin It

Happy Thanksgiving!

Can you believe it is the most wonderful time of the year again? I love this time of year. I am reminded of the precious gift that was given to mankind over 2000 years ago. I see it in the lights that decorate the night...because light always penetrates the dark. I hear it in the songs we sing about Ole Saint Nick and Deck the Halls. Yes, I even feel it in the hustle and bustle of gift buying...giving to others because we love them.

So this year, thanks to the gals from Christmas with the Cricut, I am making all my gifts. They inspired me so much that I also made my own Christmas wreath. I went to Joann's and went crazy on their sale but if I budget correctly, I believe I will spend less than $200.00 on 13 great gifts, a huge Christmas wreath with lights and my Christmas cards. Can you believe it? Here is a picture of my buy and the finished wreath.

Over the next few weeks I will show some of the gifts I created and some of the decor I created with my Gypsy and my Cricut. I think I am going to buy two more wreaths (at 9.99 each at Joanns...I feel like I am stealing them) and decorate them using my G, my Cricut and my YourStory.

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Gypsy Goodie Bags

I went to a retreat this weekend called the Winds of the Revolution. By the way, God was there and he said to say, "Hi". I used a white gift bag from Walmart and included the following items:

• Prayer Journal (altered composition book)



• bag of chocolate (Angel Kisses)
• bottle of water (Living Water)
• Purse Card
• tissues
• pen
• gum
• mints
• small bottle of shampoo
• small bottle of cleansing gel
• disposable razor

I used composition books from Walmart and covered the inside, outside and front and back of each journal. I was a Valentine paper pack that I already had but never used. The candy bag was made with small candy bags from Walmart and I cut off about 3 inches from the top. Then I stapled it at the top. I then cut two circles from the same Valentine pack (one at 5.75 inches and one and 5.25 inches) and glued them together. I punched two holes across from eachother and pulled the ribbon through it and tied knots so that they couldn't be pulled out. I then stamped a sentiment from CDstamps.com and created a border around it with two pieces of cardstock from my scrap stash. I then, used my ATG gun and taped the folded circle over the top of the goodie bag. I created a purse card that is a tri-fold from GBS cartridge, using my Gypsy. I then borrowed an idea of wrapping the water bottle from Tammy with Christmas with a Cricut. She was a guest designer at Hallmark Scrapbook Blog. You can view the video here on how to make it. I made the goodie bag with things us gals normally forget when we go to a weekend retreat.

I have to tell you a little story about the prayer journal. As I was going over ideas in my head about how to decorate the journal, I couldn't make up my mind. I look through all my existing paper pads (you know the ones we all have) and just couldn't make up my mind. I went to stores and nothing stood out. So I decided to pray about it and ask God what He had envisioned. And He told me to make Love Journals. He said we are His Beloved and He wanted us to write to Him all our desires, hopes, dreams, joys, pains, and losses. So I took out a Valentines pack I purchased in January and never used (now I know why) and started to make the books. I knew He said "Love Letters" but when I went to the retreat website, I saw it was called "The Winds of Revolution". It didn't sound like anything to do with Love Letters and I started to doubt the word I heard. But in obedience I did it just like He asked. Well, on Saturday, after the morning a session, they gave us an assignment for the afternoon that we are to do in quietness with just us and God. And they said, "I want you to get out your journals that you brought to take notes and I want you to pen LOVE LETTERS to our Beloved. He has told me that He wants love letters from all of you. I just turned to all the women I made journals and my mouth just dropped open. We all had journals that said "Love Letters." Can I get an amen?

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Running with Reba

I really thought I wasn't going to get my run in today. I had planned to run after picking up my daughter from school. It was my understanding that another parent was going to drop off and pick up but no. I was dropping and the other parent was picking up. So I knew I was not going to have time to run before taking them, which means I would have to run in the dark.

Then I realized I don't have insect repellent and the mosquitoes were attacking me in the car. So I rush to drop the kids off and then rush to get repellent. Then I just cruise the streets looking for a park that is well lit. Apparently my area does not believe in being in parks after dark because none of them had lights.

So I came home and grabbed my biggest dog, which is my most psycho dog and went for a run in the neighborhood. Ya know, it is different when you are fighting a 45 pound dog and trying to force it to go forward. Oh, then she wants to chase rabbits and run from cars...it was very mentally taxing but I enjoyed it. And I think in the long run, so did she.

But I am worn. I have been on the go since 8 this morning and I am taking a short break to update my blog, read some forums..(Active.com is down again) and now I have to cook dinner and wash the sheets..and it is already 8PM. How does everyone do it? Pin It

Tomorrow I will run

So I am pretty psyched. Tomorrow I run. I check my ankle everyday and test my range of motion. Considering all the walking I have done in the past few days and all the up and down the stairs...I feel I am ready.

My world has really changed in two weeks. During my hiatus, my husband took on a new job that has him away for quite a few hours, my daughter started year round swim and we have had a time change. Not to mention, I have started making tutorial videos for the Gypsy, a handheld design studio for paper crafters. So I am feeling out of sorts.

I really need to sit down and look at my schedule and prioritize the things that I do. I want running to be at the top of the list. Well running and work, oh and driving my daughter to her practices, oh yeah and making my videos..and don't forget paper crafting and yes the holidays. See what I mean? So hold me to it guys...I want to hear from you...I want you to scream at me...where is the run Fluffy?

On a side note: Here is the From the Inside Out Gang at the MS 5K. We were our shirts, inside out.

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Kemah MS 5K Walk/Run

We had a perfect day for a run yesterday. However, I am not completely healed yet so I did the 1 mile walk with some friends. Two of my friends have MS. One was diagnosed 20 years ago when she was in her twenties and the other was diagnosed about 9 years ago. She was also in her twenties. Looking at them, you can' t tell they have MS. They are beautiful and full of life.

Our team name was From the Inside Out. You see MS is weird that way. You can look completely normal on the outside while your body is at war with itself on the inside. You can be running a marathon one day and then be paralyzed on one side of the body the next. We had about 12 people on our team. I was going to run but my husband said I wasn't ready. And he was right. After walking the mile then going to Woofstock with my sister, my ankle was acting up again. So next week I will start out slow with just walking and go from there.

If you still haven't signed up for a 5K... get off your rear and do it. You see, I signed up for one and only walked 1 mile. So what? There will be more 5Ks? No one looked at me funny or felt sorry for me or talked about me. We all had a great time and built memories. So get out there and do it! Pin It

My first blog award!

I am so excited. I received my first blog award. Thank you Jeannelee! Check out her blog MyTinHairMusings. Ok so here are the rules. I am to answer a few questions with one word and share the award with five fabulous people. And then go to their blog and share the love.

So here is who I want to share with:

Loves to Create-she has the cutest craftroom and does some great crafting

Bug Junkie--the most amazing shape books made with the Cricut

These girls I call the Gypsy Chics...everything you want to know about the Gypsy

TheBugBytes

Myamagoo

Alicia Garcia

So here I go:

1. Where is your cell phone? couch


2. Your hair? short


3. Your mother? Home


4. Your father? Home


5. Your favorite food? Menudo


6. Your dream last night? funny


7. Your favorite drink? cherry Limeade


8. Your dream/goal? famous


9. What room are you in? living room


10. Your hobby? Studying


11. Your fear? failing


12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Happy


13. Where were you last night? Bible Study


14. Something that you aren't? fashionista


15. Muffins? Banana Nut


16. Wish list item? creativity


17. Where did you grow up? Texas


18. Last thing you did? drive


19. What are you wearing? shorts


20. Your TV? on


21. Your Pets? 5


22. Friends? amazing


23. Your life? joyful


24. Your mood? bliss


25. Missing Someone? Stepson


26. vehicle? Pacifica


27. Something your not wearing? shoes


28. Your favorite store?By Design Scrapbook Boutique


29. Your favorite color? green


30. When was the last time you laughed? hour


31. Last time you cried?month


32. Your best friend? husband


33. One place that I go to over and over? cricut.com


34. Facebook? yes


35. Favorite place to eat? Spanish Flower

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Where's Waldo, uh I mean Fluffy?

I have been MIA for a few days. The good news is that I am 100% after my 10K. The bad news is that life has taken over my , well, uh running life. My husband started a new job this past week and is working long hours. We also run our own business and now I am doing it by myself...well and some employees also. My daughter has gone back to year round swimming so I am driving her around town in the afternoon. I am going to have to analyze my schedule and make time for running. It is a priority...like brushing my teeth and I miss it.

I have a 5K this weekend and I can't wait. I received my number this past week. So while I am contemplating whether to run or walk, I thought Iwould share some information for those that are signing up for their first 5K.

1. Don't wear your free Tshirt to the race. Save those for other races. They are usually cotton so you will probably want to wear a tech shirt anyway.
2. Have an idea about your pace and don't go to the front of the pack at the starting point unless you plan to run to win. People at the front are trying to win and to have to weave around walkers or slower pace people makes it difficult...you'll understand as you run and have to go around someone. I usually start near the back. You usually will get a timing chip, it doesn't start your time until you go over the mat at the starting line.
3. If you think you will take more than 45 minutes, take some water. There may not be water stops close enough to hydrate you.
4. Practice running and drinking out of a cup. I know it sounds silly but they handed me a small dixie cup on my first run and I found I couldn't get the water from the cup to my mouth...it ran down my chin.
5. Get there early enough to do a 5 minute warm up... you have a tendency to start running at the starting line because everyone else is running...but they probably did a warm up.
6. Adrenaline is your friend on this day. You will find you will run faster and longer on this day than on your training runs.
7. That being said...run your pace, not the guy's next to you. You could hit a wall if you start out too fast because you are trying to keep up with someone else.
8. It is okay to walk...there are no police to scoop you up if you stop to walk.
9. Most importantly, have fun and look for the free food at the end of the race...hey, you deserve it!

Happy Running!

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Shape Book Video

I have a three part series on how to create a shape book on your Gypsy. There are so many things going on in my life that it is hard to take a moment to make them. I may have follow up videos on how to complete your project. But right now, the main goal of these videos is to get you started on brainstorming your own shape books.

I have Bible Study tonight so I will get parts one and two uploaded before I leave, however, part three will come after Bible Study. They were really quick so kind of raw but you will get the idea. Hopefully in the coming weeks I will get to hone in on my video skills and produce better videos. I am new at this, so be gentle. :)

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There is an update today!

Here is a list of the items that were updated today on the Gypsy. I did the update and I am in the process of testing them. Here is what the update offers. I put my notes next to update if I tested it.

Cricut App Version 1.2 Build 0142: 11/04/2009
Added Features:

You can now share files between Cricut® DesignStudio and the Cricut App on your Gypsy™. Yes it works.

The Cricut App now supports multi-page design. Sort of. It will bring all images over to the Gypsy but they are all on one mat. I stand corrected. There is a little plus sign to the left of the mat that allows you to add pages. YEAH!!

By holding down the Zoom button and selecting an image on the keypad, Gypsy will now display a full screen preview of the image so that you can see the details of the image without having to go to the mat screen. Yes it works. You have to go to the keypad, hold the zoom button down, tap the image you want to see full screen (just tap, don't keep your stylus on the screen) the full screen image will appear, tap it to make it go away

The name of the cartridge displayed on the keypad window now shows in non-bolded red text if you do not own the cartridge. If you own the cartridge it shows in bolded dark green. This works. However, in order to see green, you have to tilt your Gypsy just so and tilt your head like this. However, the ones I don't own are in red.***this is on the Keypad screen

On the keypad screen, if you tap and hold an image in the image queue, the cartridge name to which that image belongs will be displayed. Clicking the cartridge name switches the keypad to that cartridge. This works...this is what you do. If you are on your mat and you forget where you got an image, highlight that image (make it blue), hit the keypad, put your stylus on the image on the top bar and hold it there until the name of the cart comes up in a little box, if you want to go to that cartridge, then tap the box, if you don't want to then just tap anywere in the white bar at top

Enhancements:

Welding preview is now faster and shows a progress bar. Yes it is faster and yes, love the progress bar...yeah

Welding preview no longer has to be redrawn when you zoom in or out (you can now enter preview mode and zoom without having to wait each time you zoom). This works.

Dragging large groups on your mat is now faster. OMG yes it is so much faster....yeah.

Load and Unload button on the cutting menu is now smart. If you have a mat loaded in the Cricut machine the Cricut App will only display the "Unload Mat" button. If you do not have a mat loaded it will only display the "Load Mat" button.

Updated keyword database. I tested "pumpkin" it did not use to show Gypsy Wandering Pumpkin and now it does...still may need further testing.

Updated the warranty to expand the warranty coverage form 6 months to 12 months (please read the warranty for details). I will wait until someone else reads. I didn't read the first one.

New firmware for the Cricut machine that enables some of the features above and improves the reliability of cutting.

You can now use the zoom and pan buttons to scroll up and down through your file lists when opening and deleting files. Yes that works.
Fixes

Reported welding issues have been fixed. I have not cut yet but it looks better on my preview

Selection boxes that appear around images and groups have been improved so that the show correctly even when they spill over the edge of the mat. The boxes display while they are being dragged. They do not show when at rest. Yes it works, you don't get a big black box around when you run off the page.

The Cricut machine remembers if you are in mm or inches after you shutdown and then restart. Yes this works.

Designs that contain templates, where the template contains images you don’t have the rights to cut, can now be cut*.
*Note: Previous to this Circut App release, if you attempted to cut a design based on a template containing an image you don’t have the rights to cut (even though the template does not cut) the entire design would not cut.

Gypsy Sync Software (MAC/WIN): 11/04/2009
Added Features:

• Add the ability to transfer files to and from your Gypsy. Files that can be transferred are *.gypsy files. Yes this works.

Know Issues:

• Skewing/SlantingWe are aware of an issue with Skewing/Slanting. This capability does not function properly when transferring files from Cricut DesignStudio and Gypsy. Files that have Skewing/Slanting in them may not have the same Skewing/Slanting or in some cases the Skewing/Slanting is completely removed. This only happens when transferring files. You can transfer files and then add Skewing/Slanting. This is known issue that we are still working to resolve. Images that have skewing/slanting that are transferred might not cut properly until this issue is resolved.
• Multi-page FilesTransferring designs with multiple pages from Cricut DesignStudio to Gypsy is available. You will also be able to create new multi-page designs on your Gypsy and cut them on your Gypsy. When transferring any multi-page design from Gypsy to Cricut DesignStudio the pages will all be combined into one page. This includes designs that were created in Cricut DesignStudio, transferred to Gypsy and then transferred back to Cricut DesignStudio. We recommend that you keep a copy of the original Cricut DesignStudio files when transferring them to the Gypsy and vice versa.
• Gypsy Sync (Mac)The installer does not automatically close the old version when installing the new version. You must close the old version when installing the new version.
• Gypsy Synch (Windows)The file list does not automatically refresh. You must refresh in order to see the updated file list.
• Gypsy HelpThe help files have not been updated since the previous version.
• Cricut Firmware Upgrades When Gypsy recognizes that the Cricut firmware needs to be upgraded the Gypsy will not tell you this until you hit the exit button. You can upgrade your Cricut firmware manually by pressing the menu button and selecting Upgrade Cricut.

I have a family to attend so I will be back later with a video of the updates and to test cutting. Off to church.

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It's not about the bike...Lance Armstrong

Ok, it's not about the book either. However, it was a very good read. On my list of must read books for anyone starting to run, bike or do anything to their heart's desire. But I digress, this is not about the book.

Yesterday for Halloween I went on a late night bike with a couple of friends and my husband. It was my first exercise endeavor since my 10K. Sure I have mopped, hobbled, ventured through Walmart (which seems like a 10K to get from pet food to trash bags), climbed up and down stairs to help people with their software issues in the scrapbook world but just moving for the sake of exercise...not yet.

But yesterday after a nice quiet dinner with friends and handing out candy to kids, we went for a bike ride. It was so nice. I love bike rides. I love the feel of the wind in my hair, cruising a new neighborhood listening to the sounds of just everyday life. But the best part is I didn't feel any strain on my ankle or leg or knee. So while I still feel a little discomfort while walking, I now can at least ride my bike. So I guess I will do that for a while. Mentally, I will tell myself that I am training for a bi-athlon. Yeah, that's it. I am training on a bi-athlon. And for the next few weeks I will be focusing on biking...except next Saturday because I have a 5k.

That is right, a 5K next weekend. I may have to walk it but that is okay..I have proven to myself that I can run a 5K and and 10K. So if I have to walk, that is okay.

Oh, and a shout out to my online pals, Mr. and Mrs. F, they just completed Couch to 5K, check out their blog A Fat Man Running .

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Warning: Running causes you to have more energy

Now normally I would consider that a positive outcome to running. You can do more with your family, keep a cleaner house, more energy for other hobbies, and yes, more energy for running. Gone are the days where I sleep for two hours after I get off of work. Wake up feeling dazed and confused and go buy some fast food to feed my family. Then, I would succumb to the drunken feeling from the carbs and fatty foods and go back to sleep.

No, those lazy hazy days are over for me. I rarely take a nap, unless I stayed up all night on the computer and had to wake up at the crack of dawn. Gone are the days when Whataburger was a delicious meal. No, now I love lighter things and I love that I am not left feeling drugged after eating them. I love that I have energy to do all my favorite things.

Unless....I have a bummed ankle and can't do much walking. Then it just drives me crazy. I can't just sit anymore. So I try to do housework, since I can't run...but that requires moving about. I can't craft because my craft room is in the bonus room, which is upstairs. I can't run because I can't really walk yet. So I am left to my computer and TV. Hopefully I can become a street walker this weekend and do some trick or treating. Pin It

Updating Cricut Firmware after CDS Update

It has come to my attention that when you update CDS, when you try to cut, CDS says you need to update firmware. So you do and guess what? It says to do it again and again and again. Well I hobbled upstairs to my craft room to test this myself and yup, you can't cut.

Fortunately, a Cricut Board member graciously called customer support and wrote down exactly what she needed to do to get her Cricut back up and running. So I did a brief video on doing the following steps:

1. First thing is to go to your start menu click on my computer click on local disk c:
2. click on program files click on cricut software
3. click on cricut design studio click on firmware releases There will be about 5 or so files that come up -
4. look for two files that say cricut v2_34.enc and cricut v2.benc
5. For the one labeled cricut v2_34.enc right click and select rename.
6. What you will do is add an a right after the 4 so it will look like this now cricut v2_34a.enc
7. click away from that and right click on the next folder labeled cricut v2_34b.enc.
8. right click and choose rename.
9. What you do here is only REMOVE the b.
10. Once you have done this open design studio and update your firmware and then all should be good to go.

I did a short video about me actually doing the steps above. My laptop runs on Vista 64bit.

I also opened up my SCAL2 and I was still able to cut files with it. wuu huu

Man going upstairs was such a tease. I wanted to stay up there and just craft away but alas, I had to come down stairs and sit on the couch and elevate my ankle.

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Updates to Gypsy and Design Studio

I have a new video up about the updates for Design Studio and Gypsy. Very exciting. You can now transfer files between the two. Now I have played with it just a bit more. If you have a multipage DS file and transfer it to Gypsy, when you view your file on the Gypsy, all the cut files will show on one page.

My Youtube name is MuchAdoAboutInking....will change soon but that is what it is for now.


Happy Gypsying! Pin It

OMG I did the Gypsy contest! Please vote

I can't believe I did the challenge. I entered two items into the challenge. After running my first 10K yesterday and being dog tired and injured ankle (I woke up with it swollen and not being able to put weight on it. Then I remember at noon today....the contest. I pulled myself up the stairs to my scraproom and got to work. It was good. I was able to work through more ideas for videos and I learned how to do other things on my Gypsy. On this layout I used Gypsy Wandering, Gypsy font and Joys of the Season.

Please vote for my layout CLICK HERE to vote. Thanks for all you kind words on my videos. I planned to do some this weekend but the 10K kicked my boody and then I spent all day today on the contest.

Oh and if you played in the contest, let me know.

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Nike Human Race 10K I did it!!

Oh my gosh what a rush. I woke up today and for the first time in a long time, I was scared to run. I knew that the Human Race was today and I had to log in a 6.2 mile run. You see I signed up for the 10K when I graduated from C25K. I even wrote an essay for Nike stating why I should be an ambassador. I didn't get one of the positions and I was glad. Over the last few weeks I have not been training as hard as I thought I should. And I was really relieved that they did not pick me. I didn't want that responsibility.

So I took off today and headed for the trail. Our trail is exactly 6.2 miles. It heads up to the ocean and then back to a park. My neighborhood is on the trail and I am smack dab in the middle. So I took off and headed North to the water.

I am so excited..so many things to share. So let me end this post with the letter I sent Nike on 07/28/2009. My reasons for being an ambassador:

It would seem crazy that I would even consider running the Nike Human Race 10K. I am not your typical lean athlete that you see running the Boston Marathon or gracing the covers of running magazines or advertisements. I am a middle aged, overweight, small business owner who has just discovered her running legs. Running has become my drug of choice for relieving stress. Being a small business owner, a soccer mom and a wife can be stressful. But in April I discovered Nike+ and the Couch to 5K training program and my whole world changed.

All of a sudden I was replacing my scrapbooking magazines for running magazines. I started to trade pancakes and eggs with yogurt and cereal. When I looked in the mirror I didn’t see an overweight defeated woman but a strong powerful Athena. Running had replaced lying on the couch. And loads of energy had replaced hours of feeling sluggish. Yes, running had changed me.

I found empowerment in all the small goals I accomplished. And they were small. First run 6o seconds at a time, then 90 seconds, What a rush when I could run a whole 10 minutes. I cried at the gym the first time I ran for twenty minutes straight and ran my first mile. My family stood around my treadmill as tears streamed down my face. I felt a huge sense of accomplishment and yes, dare I say I became a PR seeker. I found myself looking forward to hearing Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong or Joan Benoit Samuelson tell me that I had done well.

On July 18th, I participated in my first 5K. My goal that day was not to cross the finish line in first place. My goal was to just finish. And finish I did. I was second to last in my age group but that did not matter. What mattered was that I did it. I had a testimony of how this fluffy gal who couldn’t run to the end of her own block had just completed a 5K. I was proof that you can do it. You just have to try.

So on October 24th I want to run the Human Race 10K for all us fluffy girls. I hear them on different forums discussing the fear, embarrassment and shame the feel about themselves. They feel like they will be the only fluffy one in the race. They can’t relate to any of the runners they see in magazines or advertisements. My goal is to show them that they can do it. That I am right here, running the race for them and with them. I want to run to say “Yes YOU CAN!” From where you are standing right now, no matter where in the world, no matter what size, you can take one step forward and start running. Pin It

Just do it!!

I didn't run yesterday. You know, life just happens. You wake up, you don't quite "feel" like running. You work, you eat lunch and think, "Hey I should do just a quick 10 minutes." But you don't. Then you get home from work, wander into the kitchen, grab a bite to eat, check your emails and well you just don't "feel" like working out and then you go to bed. And you tell yourself, "Eh, I'll do it in the morning." Then morning comes and you hit the snooze button and say you will do it at lunch...but that is where you were yesterday.

Well that is how Monday started out for me. Then I had to go to a Mom In Touch meeting this morning so I knew I was not going to go running before the meeting. Then I am slapped in the face with a mom, sitting on a towel at the meeting because she is still sweating. She had just run before the meeting and was still in her work out clothes. And yes I will admit it, I was jealous. She did what I kept putting off. It was my first time at the meeting so I made small talk about running. And I got the impression that she thought I couldn't run. But that could have been me reflecting, because I felt bad for not running.

In any case, I got back home from the meeting and started to work and then about 2PM I decided to leave my desk and take a break. I went into the kitchen and started to look around. Then I pulled the ole switcharoo on myself. Before I could talk myself out of it, I threw on my running clothes and headed out the door. I didn't give myself time to talk myself out of it. I always try to keep all my running apparel and gadgets readily available so that I can do a quick change. So I did what my husband tells me to do every time I don't want to do something. Bring the body and the mind will follow.

My run was uneventful except for the fact that initially I didn't want to do it. It's a mental game folks. And sometimes you have to trick yourself into doing it. I did and it worked. Talk to any athlete and they will tell you that many times and I do mean many, they don't feel like working out but they do it anyway. Remember when your kids were small and they didn't want to try something. You would tell them to do it for 5 minutes and if they didn't like it, they could stop? Pretend you are a child, go out there and do it for 5 minutes. If you aren't feeling it, turn around and come home. Pin It

First Video Grouping with Gypsy

Hi Everyone. I have decided to start making Gypsy for Dummies Videos. My first ones are very basic. I am trying to keep them under 6 minutes because I know we are all busy and besides...too much information at once just means more information to forget. LOL So my first video is about Grouping. I hope you like it. I currently have 5 videos and you can see them by clicking them on the right. Pin It

Community

Have you every woke up to a perfect day? I did this morning. We had a rare day of low humidity, clear skies and cool temperatures. Let me define cool. It had not reached 80 degrees. Nuff said. So my run today was very freeing. I was free of exhaustive heat, high humidity and mosquitoes.

And can I just give a shout out to the men that work for the city and cut the grass at our city parks and along the trail? They are always so considerate to runners. If you run by them, while they are mowing or weed eating, they will stop their machines and wait for you to run or walk by them. I don't care if you are male, female, young or old. They will stop. I really appreciate that. I have bad allergies and try not to run on Tuesdays because that is their normal day to do the parks. But sometimes the rain prevents them from mowing on Tuesday and our schedules collide. Such was the case this week. So here ya go lawn men...Cheers for being so considerate!! You rock!!

It was a great day to run because I wasn't try to run from mosquitoes so I was able to focus on other things. I mainly focused on you guys. If you have never heard me say it before, when I run sometimes I think of you guys. All of you come to mind, Kris, Christina, Jen, Rebekah, Tina, Mr. And Mrs F, GoIrish, CarrieN, Bsrmm( i never get that one right), Libby and everyone else that logs into the sites that I visit. I think about how your last run went and what the weather is like on your runs. I do a little comparison. No snow here and no hills to conquer. I just have flat trails and great weather.

Last night at Bible study we talked about the church and aspects of church, such as community, accountability, encouragement and unity. And all of those traits ring true in our daily threads. We all encourage eachother when we have good runs, or when we can't seem to get out to run or just had, what we felt, is a bad run. We check in with eachother on Facebook or Twitter when we haven't seen someone in a while. We all seek to become more fit and to be more than what we already are. We check in daily in our thread to see how everyone is doing. Yes, what we have is community.

Now, you may not have the same belief system as I do or have any belief system but the good advice still rings true. If you haven't found a community of friends to share your running experience go out and get some. Go online to weightwatchers.com or active.com and make some friends. Or you can go to meetup.com and find some local running buddies. In either case, don't do this alone. You were built for community. You will find that as you run, you will do so much better when you aren't alone. Even if your running buddies are thousands of miles away.

Happy Running! Pin It

Race for the Cure thank you cards

Did I mention I love my Gypsy? I made this card using my Gypsy and the George and Basic Shapes cartridge. I cannot take the credit for the shape. JenC, a wonderful member of the Cricut forum, created this cut. She did it on Design Studio. Because DS is not compatible with the Gypsy, I had to recreate the cut in my Gypsy. It took a while but it I like it and I learned a lot about my Gypsy. I used paper from Basic Grey's Valentine line from 2009. The ribbon is from Michael's and the beads are from Paper Studio.

If you want the cut file for Design Studio, go to Jen's blog. If you leave her a comment, she will email you the file. She has some really nice cut files. So grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy her blog.

On a side note: I am in the process of recording Gypsy videos for beginners. I should have them edit ted and up by this weekend. Pin It

Race for the Cure thank you cards

Did I mention I love my Gypsy? I made this card using my Gypsy and the George and Basic Shapes cartridge. I cannot take the credit for the shape. JenC, a wonderful member of the Cricut forum, created this cut. She did it on Design Studio. Because DS is not compatible with the Gypsy, I had to recreate the cut in my Gypsy. It took a while but it I like it and I learned a lot about my Gypsy. I used paper from Basic Grey's Valentine line from 2009. The ribbon is from Michael's and the beads are from Paper Studio.

If you want the cut file for Design Studio, go to Jen's blog. If you leave her a comment, she will email you the file. She has some really nice cut files. So grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy her blog.

On a side note: I am in the process of recording Gypsy videos for beginners. I should have them edit ted and up by this weekend. Pin It

Hot and Steamy VS Cold and Wet

Someone posed the question, do you prefer to run when it is hot and steamy or when it is cold and wet. I have decided I prefer cold and wet. I ran today in a muggy 94 degrees and it was not fun. The humidity just seemed to weigh me down. And the mosquitoes, oh my goodness, they were so bad. You know my feeling about them...hey if they suck enough blood, maybe it will show on the scale as a drop in weight. I'm kidding.

We really didn't run today. It was really just a fast walk, which for me is a regular walk. But it felt good to get out and I am not going to become a running snob. I can go for walks and not feel defeated or less than. And when I see someone walking, I am not going to think less than them either. They are out there doing their thing. Good for them. It is better than my years sitting couped up in my house just watching TV or scrapbooking. Now, I am not saying to throw away your TV or stop your hobbies. Just do them in moderation if they require you to sit for hours at a time.

So, as I write this, I am listening to my playlist at playlist.com. It is all my running music. If you are ever in a rut and don't feel like running, surround yourself with running things. Have your playlist playing at work. If you can change your screen saver or desktop to something customized, change it to something inspiring. Have your workout clothes laid out somewhere visible. And if all else fails, go buy something cute to wear when you run. Nothing inspires me more than a cute Tee or pants. Heck in can be shoelaces or a headband. Check in with your running friends. If you don't have any, make some.

Happy Running! Pin It

I hear voices in my head

I went for my first run in a week. It rained yesterday and I couldn't bring myself to run on the dreadmill. So I just jumped into running. It rained so hard yesterday that parts of the trail still had huge puddles that you couldn't jump. What a rush to run through the puddles!! I felt like I was in a Nike commercial to "Just Do It".

But I realized tonight, as I was reviewing my run from this morning, I remembered the little voice that I had during the run. You may know him. He is a Debbie Downer...hmm he may actually be a she. But he/she usually shows up about minute three of my runs. And he nudges me on my shoulder and says, "Hey, I want to walk to now." "Can we stop now?" Gosh, he just won't shut up.

So this is what normal run can sound like. I will begin at minute 3 of the run. "Excuse me, I am tired. Can we stop?" I say, "No, not yet, we will stop in about 3 minutes." He seems satisfied for awhile. I start thinking about the song I am listening to or the rabbit that just crossed the path when he nudges me again, "Hey I thought you said we were going to stop." I say, "Oh yeah, I forgot...hmmm...lets go up to the skateboard park and then we'll stop". And when we get to the park he asks me again and so on and so on.

My husband was a runner in his younger days. He mentioned that he constantly wanted to stop but wouldn't. I thought he was just crazy. When my mind use to tell me to stop, I stop. Who knows better than my mind what is good for my body? But now I know what he means. Running is just as much mental as it is physical. There are many times that my mind will try to limit what my body can do. I can't give in to the mind. I have to do what is good for the body. Pin It

I will be a street walker in 24 hours!

I can't wait. Tomorrow is Friday and that means I get to test my ankle. Tomorrow I will try just walking a mile or so. If all seems good, then Saturday morning I am going for a run. I'll make sure to take my phone just in case. I don't want to get injured on the trail and then not have a way to call someone to come get me.

Send some good vibes my way!! Pin It

I am bored

I can't wait until I can get out and run or anything. I hate being injured. I really hate that I was not injured while running. I was walking to my car. Say, what? Yeah, you heard me right.

Anyway, I don't even trust my ankle to bike or even go up my stairs at home. I originally figured that since I can't run, maybe I would do some scrapbooking. However, my studio is in the bonus room, which is upstairs. I can't get up the stairs, so I am stuck on the ground floor with my sicko family.

I think I will try walking on Friday and if it goes okay then I will run on Saturday morning. Praying for a cool front to come through so that it isn't so hot and humid.

Happy running! Pin It

LAST WEEK TO WIN WINTER WOODLAND

Winter Woodland is ProvoCrafts 100th cartridge. To celebrate they are giving away 100 of this fabulous cartridge. All you have to do is go to the Cricut message board and reply to the "Cricut Celebrates Cartridge #100" in the Cricut chat forum. So go sign up and good luck!

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LAST WEEK TO WIN WINTER WOODLAND

Winter Woodland is ProvoCrafts 100th cartridge. To celebrate they are giving away 100 of this fabulous cartridge. All you have to do is go to the Cricut message board and reply to the "Cricut Celebrates Cartridge #100" in the Cricut chat forum. So go sign up and good luck!

Pin It

I love my Gypsy

I am so in love with my Gypsy! I am an SCAL user and I still love my SCAL. I had to use it this weekend to make my sign for the Race for the Cure board I made for our team. We had a fabulous time. If you want to know more about the race, go to SeeFluffyRun to get more details.

But at the end of Saturday I started to play with my Gypsy. I decided the best way to learn how to use my Gspot was to go to the Design Studio form at Cricut.com and see if I could recreate some of their designs. The above one is from LOLOGRL. She converted the Sizzix Scallop Favor Bag into a Design Studio cut. I then made it into a Gypsy cut. Eventually, you will be able to take DS cut files and convert them to Gypsy and vice versa. But until then I will play with them. Here is LOLOGRL's Blog. Thank you LOLOGRL!!!!

Pin It

I love my Gypsy

I am so in love with my Gypsy! I am an SCAL user and I still love my SCAL. I had to use it this weekend to make my sign for the Race for the Cure board I made for our team. We had a fabulous time. If you want to know more about the race, go to SeeFluffyRun to get more details.

But at the end of Saturday I started to play with my Gypsy. I decided the best way to learn how to use my Gspot was to go to the Design Studio form at Cricut.com and see if I could recreate some of their designs. The above one is from LOLOGRL. She converted the Sizzix Scallop Favor Bag into a Design Studio cut. I then made it into a Gypsy cut. Eventually, you will be able to take DS cut files and convert them to Gypsy and vice versa. But until then I will play with them. Here is LOLOGRL's Blog. Thank you LOLOGRL!!!!

Pin It

We Boob Troop, Why don't you?

So this weekend I ran in the Race for the Cure in Houston. Let me just start out by saying if you have not signed up for one in your area, leave my blog and go find one in your area and sign up. Here, I'll even make it easy for you: Click this Race for the Cure and find one in your area.

I don't care if you are a runner, a walker or just starting out. Sign up for the race. You wanna know why? Not just because I am a survivor, though that is a good selfish reason. Sign up because so many people run, walk or wog. There is no way you will feel out of place. There were over 30,000 people at the event here in Houston. That's right, 30K. Most people never run 5Ks except this one. They had a group of friends from work, church, school or some other organized group that said "hey you want to run with me in the Race for the Cure?" And they said, yes.

Now did they run? Well most of them walked, and I mean most of them. Why is that great? Because you won't feel pressured to run the whole thing. So you get the experience of a first 5K without the pressure of running the whole thing. Now, I am not going to get on my soap box about how your goal for the first 5K is to just finish. But you know how I feel.

So what better way to get the first 5K under your belt than to do one that is so unique and big that there is no way you will feel out of place. You know why? Because you will see all walks of life out there. Young kids, teenagers, moms, survivors, those still fighting, old men, old women, pink hair, no hair, size 2, size 22, tall, short, running, walking, skipping, walking with their dog, running with funny hats...you name it. There is no way you will feel "different".

Look I am fluffy. I totally can relate to being embarrassed by running in public. I have been there. I have been the one tugging at my shirt when someone past by or letting out a huge sigh when I thought I was alone on the trail and someone passes me or someone drives by me and they have to slow down to make a turn and in the back of my head I am thinking they are slowing down to get a better look at the fluffy gal that is running. Again, read my older posts.... don't worry about that. But if you still want to, then sign up for the Race for the Cure. You will never feel more accepted and loved than you will at this.

Every bridge you run under, every turn you make, heck every 10 yards, there are people cheering you on. There is loud music playing and people just having a good time. When you get your race bib, memorize your number. Every once and a while, turn the Ipod down and listen to them chant your number, "Go 264! You're doing great 264! You are amazing 264!" I even gave some of them my princess wave ( you know closed hand, just a slight twist of the wrist).

Now with 30K of people, it can take up to 30 to 45 minutes before you even pass the starting line from the time the gun goes off. That is okay. If you have a chip, then as soon as you touch the mat that runs across the starting line, your personal time will start counting. Then when you cross the finish line, it will calculate your personal time.

Oh and if you think it is too hard. There is so much activity going on around you, bands playing, people handing out goodies, different organizations performing, that you will forget you are running and just have fun....and running should be fun.

So on a personal note: my Nike+ failed me again and found myself running in silence at the end of the race. Of my team of 12, I was the last one in. I was about 7 minutes behind the person before me....so what? My finish time was 54:19. I finished in 3135 place out of 4142 competetive runners. And I am proud of it!! The longest time for the run? 2 hours and 24 minutes for the competitive runners. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!

Look, I am not trying to tell you what to do, well actually I am. If you are just starting C25K or any running program or maybe you are about to finish, sign up for a 5K. If you can sign up for the Race for the Cure, please do so. This race is unique because it attracts more than just runners and even avid walkers. It attracts all different levels of fitness or lack of fitness and you are guaranteed to feel comfortable and welcome.

If you sign up for one, let me know when you will be running and I will make sure to cheer you one and see how you did.

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Race for the Cure and so should you

I can't even begin to tell you what today meant for me. I went and ran with 30,000 other fabulous people. Yeah you got that right, 30K. My Nike plus failed me.....again. I was so upset. at mile 2.64, it just froze on me.

I will do a race post in a few hours. I need some sleep and rest. Pin It

You have got to visit Bug Junkie

You have to drop by BugJunkie's Blog. She makes the most amazing shape albums with her Cricut and Design Studio. I haven't scrapped in months and she has me going. Not to mention, I bought into the Gypsy. I bought mine at HSN on flex pay and received additional goodies. Okay, back to what I was saying. Bug Junkie's shape books tell a story by themselves. The one she is demoing on her blog is a Halloween Album. Now if you go to her blog, she will tell you the Cricut cartridges she used. I don't have many carts so I had to use SCAL to make my book.

I know, I know. Why did you buy a Gypsy if you don't have a many carts, or go to crops and you have SCAL 1 and 2? I don't know but I do know that I am on a quest to buy carts. Because I spent alot of time searching the Internet looking for free SVG files and finally had to create my own for the haunted house. I spent all day looking for them. As soon as I remember where I got them, I will come back and add the links for SVG files. As for the haunted house, leave me a comment and I will send you a copy of the SCUT file. Or I can send you the whole SCUT file for the book. I DID NOT ORIGINATE THIS BOOK. GO TO BUGJUNKIE AND LOOK AT HER GREAT VIDEO. I AM MERELY TAKING THE ONLINE FREE CLASS AND LEARNING AS I GO.

Not only am I making a great book but I am learning so much about Design Studio. We are about 75-80% done on the book. I'll put up more pictures when I finish.

Happy Scrappin'

Pin It

You have got to visit Bug Junkie

You have to drop by BugJunkie's Blog. She makes the most amazing shape albums with her Cricut and Design Studio. I haven't scrapped in months and she has me going. Not to mention, I bought into the Gypsy. I bought mine at HSN on flex pay and received additional goodies. Okay, back to what I was saying. Bug Junkie's shape books tell a story by themselves. The one she is demoing on her blog is a Halloween Album. Now if you go to her blog, she will tell you the Cricut cartridges she used. I don't have many carts so I had to use SCAL to make my book.

I know, I know. Why did you buy a Gypsy if you don't have a many carts, or go to crops and you have SCAL 1 and 2? I don't know but I do know that I am on a quest to buy carts. Because I spent alot of time searching the Internet looking for free SVG files and finally had to create my own for the haunted house. I spent all day looking for them. As soon as I remember where I got them, I will come back and add the links for SVG files. As for the haunted house, leave me a comment and I will send you a copy of the SCUT file. Or I can send you the whole SCUT file for the book. I DID NOT ORIGINATE THIS BOOK. GO TO BUGJUNKIE AND LOOK AT HER GREAT VIDEO. I AM MERELY TAKING THE ONLINE FREE CLASS AND LEARNING AS I GO.

Not only am I making a great book but I am learning so much about Design Studio. We are about 75-80% done on the book. I'll put up more pictures when I finish.

Happy Scrappin'

Pin It

If I turn my head just so and lift my left foot

I don't know what it is about my allergies. I felt great this morning. I got up, ate some breakfast, sat at my computer and put in a mean 5 to 6 hours. Then it just hit me, the headache. And I was down for the count. I tool some meds in the afternoon and laid down.

About three hours later, the urge, the guilt of not running came over me. I got up and got out. Surprisingly it felt good. Sure I was a bit tired. I had not run since last Wednesday and that wasn't good. So I got dressed and ignored the pressure I felt when I looked down and off I went.

Now, go back to the very first post I ever did and it will say anyone who runs with pain or illness is just crazy. It states I am not that "kind" of runner. The fact that I was constantly aware of tilting my head just so and watching my foot steps contradicts that first post.

Ok feeling woozy again...back to bed. Ah yes Sudafed. Thanks Mr. F. I forgot about that wonderful medication. Pin It

Where in the world is Fluffy?

I can tell you where she isn't. She isn't on the trails near her house. She isn't on the streets near her home. On the track? Nope. On the dreadmill? Nope.

She is in a coma on her couch. My allergies and sinuses have taken a toll on me. My head feels like it is going to explode. It hurts to turn my head, to look down or even to look up. I have slept all day. I got up to wake up my daughter for school. I worked for a few hours, picked up my daughter from school then took her to the library and came home and went back to sleep on the couch. I woke up at 9 pm. And if I hold my head just so.... it doesn't hurt as much.

I have to run. I have a 5K this weekend. I want to do 5k this week and then just a mile or mile and half on Thursday. "Only mile and half" hee hee. I remember when I completed Week 5 Day 3 of Couch to 5K and I cried, again. (It seems like I am always crying). But I cried because I had ran a mile for the first time. And now, my short run is a mile and a half.

So hopefully (fingers crossed) my head will be clear by tomorrow. So until then....Keep running. Pin It

It is here at HSN!!! Come get it!!!

Can you believe it! Todays Special Value at HSN is the Gypsy. You can't buy it yet at retail stores and even if you could, why would you pay full price and get just the Gypsy. I ordered mine at HSN and I can't wait until I get. For 299.99 and 5 flex pays of 59.99 I get the following:

• Gypsy
• Battery charger
• 2 preloaded carts (Gypsy font and wanderling)
• Don Juan Cartridge (previously exclusive to the Create)
• Battery charger
• travel sleeve
• Traveling case for Gypsy and battery charger (cute pink and black exclusive to HSN)
• Car charger

You don't want to miss this. Here is the link.

http://tinyurl.com/cmm2tw

Don't miss out.

Pin It

It is here at HSN!!! Come get it!!!

Can you believe it! Todays Special Value at HSN is the Gypsy. You can't buy it yet at retail stores and even if you could, why would you pay full price and get just the Gypsy. I ordered mine at HSN and I can't wait until I get. For 299.99 and 5 flex pays of 59.99 I get the following:

• Gypsy
• Battery charger
• 2 preloaded carts (Gypsy font and wanderling)
• Don Juan Cartridge (previously exclusive to the Create)
• Battery charger
• travel sleeve
• Traveling case for Gypsy and battery charger (cute pink and black exclusive to HSN)
• Car charger

You don't want to miss this. Here is the link.

http://tinyurl.com/cmm2tw

Don't miss out.

Pin It

I'm Fluffy and proud of it

You ever have one of those perfect days? You know, when you get up earlier than usual and feel rested, you get all green lights on the way to work, you get everything done on your to do list at work, and then you have a great run? That is the kind of day I had. It was a perfect day.

Fall came in all his glory today. I woke up to 69 degrees and low humidity. And it stayed that way all day. By the time I went for my run at 5pm, it was still a good day. It is amazing how much easier it is to run when humidity is not dragging you down. There were several times I hit my Nike+ and it read "current pace 13:26 or 14:17". That just doesn't happen to me. It was a good run.

Part of it was due to my playlist. For whatever reason, my Nike+ started in the middle of my running playlist. (Maybe it knew I needed a change.) But I heard songs I rarely hear, like Don't Slow Down, I Got it From my Mama, Here it Goes etc. I was rockin' and rollin' out there. When "I Got it from my Mama" came on, man, I was running with attitude. As I ran, I thought, "yeah that is right. Here I am, live and in person. I am beautiful. I am powerful. I am fast. I am a runner." It was a great feeling.

Get out there. Be an example for someone else. I promise you that while you run outside, in all your fluffiness, there is someone driving by and they are admiring you. Deep down they wish they had the courage to do what you are doing. You are running Baby and don't stop! Pin It

I've been on a Journey

So I have been MIA on my scrapbooking blog. Not because I have been busy making projects. I have been MIA because I was busy starting a new habit, running. And I love running. But before I start scrapping again, I had to establish a strong foundation in my running world. If you want to read about it, check out SeeFuffyRun.

I am excited about my next scrapping project: Race for the Cure. I am running in the Houston Komen Race for the Cure in October. I am an 11 year survivor and one of 18 women in my family that have heard those scary words, "you have breast cancer." I started a team: Team Boob Troop and I want to do a mini album about our run. I can't wait.

But even more exciting is the Gypsy by Provocraft. It is a handheld version of Design Studio that will hold all your cartridges in one device that you can take to any crop and hook to any Cricut and cut to your heart's desire. Here is a picture of it.



It is amazing and HSN will have it as their Daily Special on September 24th at 12:01 am. So for all us Central time gals, that is 11:00 PM on September 23rd.

Here is what it will include:
- Gypsy
- Preloaded Gypsy Font
- Preloaded Gypsy shape card
- black and pink carrying case
- black an dpink skin cover
- car charger
- USB cord
- ac adapter
- stylus
- Don Juan cartrige and overlay

$299.99 $59.99 flex pay with $11.20 for 4 day shipping! Pin It

I've been on a Journey

So I have been MIA on my scrapbooking blog. Not because I have been busy making projects. I have been MIA because I was busy starting a new habit, running. And I love running. But before I start scrapping again, I had to establish a strong foundation in my running world. If you want to read about it, check out SeeFuffyRun.

I am excited about my next scrapping project: Race for the Cure. I am running in the Houston Komen Race for the Cure in October. I am an 11 year survivor and one of 18 women in my family that have heard those scary words, "you have breast cancer." I started a team: Team Boob Troop and I want to do a mini album about our run. I can't wait.

But even more exciting is the Gypsy by Provocraft. It is a handheld version of Design Studio that will hold all your cartridges in one device that you can take to any crop and hook to any Cricut and cut to your heart's desire. Here is a picture of it.



It is amazing and HSN will have it as their Daily Special on September 24th at 12:01 am. So for all us Central time gals, that is 11:00 PM on September 23rd.

Here is what it will include:
- Gypsy
- Preloaded Gypsy Font
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Team Edward

OK, this weekend was crazy. I was surrounded by teenage girls Friday and Saturday. And with teenage girls came teenage snacks. It was too much for me. I have been doing really good on the not eating bad munchies thing. But I had Chex Mix, cupcakes, Cheetos, hot dogs, dark chocolate Chex Mix (yes you heard me right, Chex Mix drizzled in dark chocolate). OH and Pringles, licorice, blow pops etc.

Are you following me? The junk food was everywhere. So I don't think I had one decent meal the whole weekend. And I feel it. I have a food hangover. I have retained so much water that I could dry emboss my whole body with a Cuttlebug embossing folder by just pressing it against me. (If you scrapbook, you will understand).

So I ran this afternoon and it was overcast for the beginning of my run. That is a good thing because I hate the sun when I run. As soon as it peaks out from behind the clouds, I feel drained. I don't know why. I know it is completely mental. Hopefully it won't be the same in the winter.

I also realized that my headset is going out on me, which is why sometimes I can't hear the voices on my Nike+. I guess that is a good thing. All I need is a new headset. Pin It

Pride and how it can hurt

I started running with a friend of mine. I have always ran alone so this is new to me. Little things stress me out so the idea of having to plan my run against someone else's schedule is stressful. It shouldn't be but it is for me. So yesterday I met her to run. I ran on Tuesday morning so I wasn't expected to run again until Thursday. I figured I would meet her and she would run and I would walk. No biggie, right? Wrong!

There were quite a few people on the trail. It was during a time that I normally don't run so there weren't any of my regular group of people that I see during the morning. Well my friend, not a skinny mini but not my size, started to run and I started to walk faster. And then I left my insecurities take control. I started to think everyone was looking at me and they were thinking, "Poor fat woman. She can't even run along with her friend. Well at least she is out here." Ok that kind of thinking is so wrong at so many levels. First, no one really cares about me running. They got their own thing going. Second, being a runner makes you no better than a walker. They are just different techniques. So, I need to stop acting like a running snob. And third, even if someone thought that way....who cares!?!?!?

Because I let my mind take over my body, I started to run. And I started to run faster than normal. And I paid the price. I woke up this morning and my legs were sore and I felt it in my knees. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! So learn from me, if you are just starting out, don't do too much. Take your rest days from running. Walk, ride your bike, weight train or swim on those days if you feel a need to move. But by no means do you run. Pin It