Archive for July, 2010

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Please Meet The New Cricut Named, Imagine!


2010
07.27

Posted in CHA - Summer 2010, Olive Juice Studio | 1 Comment »

See these awesome little die cuts?  Aren’t they purdy?  Believe it or not, all of these die cuts were colored and cut by the new Cricut Imagine!!!!  Did your jaws hit the floor?  Are you utterly amazed?!  I’m telling you it gave me goosebumps because this is EXACTLY what I have wanted for the past 10 years and it’s FINALLY here! 

 

See this paper…isn’t it gorgeous?!  REALLY look at it closely…do you recognize the brand?  Hmmm….it sure does resemble some of those fancy schmancy paper companies that charge up to $2.00 a sheet… Believe it or not, THIS piece of beautiful paper was made using the Cricut Imagine and a sheet of 12 x 12 WHITE PAPER!  No joke folks…this thing is amazing and I am beyond excited! I can’t remember the cartridge this came from but it is full of vintage looking stuff with faded colors – yes, the colors are supposed to be muted on this paper.  Can you see in the corners how distressed the paper looks?  It’s supposed to look that way – it’s not because of poor print quality.  Did you know that Provo Craft teamed up with Hewlett Packard to make this machine and it uses two ink cartridges (black and tri-color) by HP specifically designed for the Cricut.  (Ink cartridges will be approx. $29.99-$39.99).

Here’s a few more photos of some flowers that were colored and cut and an oval (of sorts) to show the patterns and colors… This machine will definitely redefine the scrapbooking industry- no doubt about it.  Can  you imagine only having white paper in your craft stash so that you can color and print EXACTLY what you want at the click of a button?  Think of all the space we’ll save!

Here’s a photo of the mats.  This is a 12×12 mat specifically made for the Imagine machine.  You won’t be able to use your old Cricut mats in the new machine BUT you can use the new mats in the Expression.  This new mat has the black lines that are used by the machine to line things up before printing and cutting – they act like a sensor to guide where the cut/printing is going to be.

And THIS is the new addition to my family….Provo Craft gave all of us who attended the Gala this evening a machine!  I am beyond excited and cannot wait to get this bad boy to  start playing.  The machine is supposed to be available for purchase in October – just in time for the holiday shopping season!  So far there are 12 color/pattern/shape cartridges available.  I don’t have any names yet but will sleuth that out tomorrow. *wink*

It was so crowded when I took these photos today that I will get some better close-up photos of the display screen tomorrow to add to this post.  I was a bit skeptical when I first heard about this machine a few years back but I can definitely say it is NOTHING like what I expected!  The  MSRP is at $599.99 . Personally, I see the price hovering on the higher side  simply because of what you are getting and the quality of the machine. I’m sure the price is going to come down significantly but I don’t expect this to be at Expression prices any time in the near future. 

I have TONS of photos to post and will continue adding them over the next week – is anyone going to enter the “mystery prize” contest going on this week ?  All you have to do is take a photo of something you made this week or recently and email it to me.  Make sure to add your name, URL and anything else I might need to know.  The contest ends Sunday at 11:00 AM and the drawing will be in the afternoon.

Keep watching for more fun and inspiring photos from CHA!

xKim

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Strawberry Patch Purse & Monkey Business Tote-a-Long Box


2010
07.27

Posted in Animal Kingdom, Chipboard, Funky, Funny, OLIVE KIDS!, Project Tutorials/Instructions | No Comments »

If you’re anything like me you probably have some of these chipboard purses stuffed on a shelf using up valuable space in your craft room.  It’s time to dig those space hogging things out of storage, dust them puppies off and git ‘em gussied up for someone  you love, or of course for yourself! :-)  

I have to admit, these purses and tote-a-long boxes ( you can’t call a boy’s purse A PURSE, ya know.)  are things I designed over a  year ago for a six year old’s birthday party with 16 children attending the party.  The kids were from age three to 12 - both girls & boys so it was important for me to come up with something hands-on and fun for all ages that the boys would like making as much as the girls.  I hemmed and I hawwed and I went about bonkers trying to think of the ”just right” craft for so many children and so many different ages/abilities.   Anyway, my youngest son has always had a fascination with small boxes, lunch boxes/buckets, etc.  One day my son came marching down the steps carrying one of these unfinished boxes.  He was on a mission to make it his official “Pokemon” box.  The aha moment struck  and I suddenly had the gimmes because I coerced the purse out of his hands while telling him I could make that tote-a-long box super special by decorating it for him.  At the time, everything was monkey business with him so that”s what he picked for the theme for the ”purse.” Do you recognize the Cricut cut?  Yeppers, it’s from Animal Kingdom!  Of course, after the monkey “purse” I had to make something more girlie and that’s how the strawberry patch purse was born. :-)   The party was a HUGE hit.  Every child made a purse – each unique to his/her own interests and every purse turned out to be absolutely adorable. 

 I offer craft parties and classes as a side gig  for children ages 1-109 and this purse and tote-a-long party has become an all time favorite that I still offer.  It’s quite funny because the boys spend more time matching colors and patterns for paper and picking out their “theme” than the girls.  The “purses” make perfect holders for the Nintendo DS, collector cards,  Hot Wheels, small toys to carry to appointments, great for storing crayons and scraps of paper for car rides, or even snacks, hair pretties, little dollies and their accessories, etc.

Tips for decorating chipboard purses:

* Remove the ugly plastic strap by unfastening from the inside.  Replace the straps with some groovy ribbon, twine, chain, etc.

* Paint the edges of all sides and inside of purse to coordinate with paper patterns and colors you plan to use. 

* Instead of paint, try using the Tim Holtz Distress Inks for the coloring – spread the color even more by misting with a light coat of water or with a sponge brush dipped in water.

* Trace an outline of each panel onto the paper you will be using to decorate with.

* When cutting the paper for covering the purse, cut it approximately 1/8″ to 1/4″ smaller so there is a small border of chipboard showing around the purse. 

*Apply the paper to the chipboard purse by using your favorite decoupage glue.  Spread an even coat on each side – work one side at a time. 

*Ink the edges of the purse and paper. 

*Decorate with embellies and then add an additional top coat of decoupage glue.  I used Mod Podge Brush Stroke for both of these which I just love!

(Strawberry Patch Purse- front) 

(Strawberry Patch Purse – back)

(Monkey Business – front)

(Monkey Business-Side ..don’t you just love the distressed look I was able to get

just from using Tim Holtz Distress Inks?)

(Monkey Business- back of tote-a-long)

This is a GREAT activity to use for a summer time boredom buster with your kids, for b-day gifts for friends, or any other holiday. The purses make great gift boxes to wrap a small gift in.

  I hope you enjoyed this and would love to see what you come up with if you make one yourself so please share! :-)

Olive crafty ideas, don’t you?

xKim

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Ta-Da! It’s ME!!!! I’m THE BIG Surprise for This Week….BUT THERE’S MORE!


2010
07.26

Posted in Master Olive Guest Designer, Random Posts | 2 Comments »

 

Hey Guys & Gals!  It’s CHA week here in Chicagoland!  Big time fun is to be had and I plan on sharing the excitment with you right here, each day as soon as I am able to get to a computer!  I will be attending CHA Tues/Wed and Fri/Sat. of this week – possibly Thursday too but not sure yet!  I purposely kept this week open with no designer scheduled because I wanted to hog the week with LOTS of awesome photos of the going-ons at CHA!  I’m hoping to meet a lot of my followers and other members from the Cricut Board and other craft websites I frequent.  I was one of the “lucky” ones to receive an invitation to the Provo Craft “Imagine” Gala on Tuesday evening so I promise to share as much info as allowed with all of you!!! 

Instead of having a guest designer this week, I’M GOING TO ACTUALLY BE THE DESIGNER FOR MY OWN BLOG!!! ROFL!!!  How ’bout them cookies, folks?!  That definitely deserves a “WoHooO!!!!!”  I’m even going to post a series of questions and answer them- some of the questions may be a bit different, but it should be fun for anyone who has been wondering who I am or what I look like, especially since I still can’t figure out how to post a photo in the sidebar using my new blog platform, WordPress!    I will be posting lots of photos of myself, my family and photos of where I live along with PROJECTS I’ve designed each and every day starting Sunday, July 25th (Uhhh….it’s Sunday now and I don’t have any projects ready to be posted sooooo we’ll start that….? Tomorrow?  Yeah, that’s it.  Tomorrow, which is today – Monday because it’s 2 0′clock in the morning – OMGoodness!  I didn’t realize it was that late until just now!  Confused yet?  You will be by the end of the week with me in charge of things!   I think we need to do a blog cocktail too while we’re at it – what’da all say?  The only thing is I don’t know what I’m going to give away but I believe it will be something(s) I pick up at CHA and the drawing will be on Sunday, July 1st.  What do you have to do to enter?  I have no clue because this whole idea just popped in my head!  How about anyone who can submit a project photo of anything that you have created this week or sometime recently that hasn’t been published (but can be on  your blog).  It does not have to be a Cricut-y made project either.  Send me a photo of your project, your name, email and your blog URL if you have one.  I will post all project photos here as they come in along with links to your blogs and I will put all participants names in a hat for the drawing of the mysterious prize.  It will be good -I promise.  I don’t usually do junk – at least I don’t think it is.  You don’t have to be a follower BUT I really do love my followers and have this thing with see so many smiling faces looking at me when I’m adding content to my blog so  please consider it just to make me feel like there really are people who like to visit! LOL!

I really thought I was going to be ready for the first project for today BUT….I’ve had a bit of a rough week since last Friday and I’m still playing catch up with the rest of life – PLUS, I’ve been slaving away trying to make some handmade calling cards to take with me to CHA.  Of course, this should have been done WEEKS AGO and I’m just starting them three days before the show.  Ugh.  Anyway, this past week has been a REALLY rough one for me and my family too because  I woke up motivated to clean my craft studio last Friday (the 19th).  The plan was to  clean up that awfully messy studio of mine that I tend to keep mentioning in the interviews with the designers.  (If I were brave enough I’d post a photo but I’m a chicken.)I worked for a total of an hour before the plans changed. I ended up putting my back out when I started vacuuming -go figure.  My conscious is telling me it was a ploy to get me out of cleaning the mess – try it, I swear it works!!! ROTFL!!!  Let me tell you, after the pain I’ve been through this week I would MUCH rather clean a pig sty than experience the pain I’ve had in my backside!  Well, that’s not even the best part of my story.  The best part  of this story is yet to come… I have a recent history  for the past five years or so of this type of back pain….so I dug around in my medicine cabinet until I found some Vicadin from the last time.  The bottle said 1-2 pills every 4-6 hours (they weren’t expired so it was good).  I took one at 11 a.m., another at 5 p.m. and then two at 10:30PM because only one was doing nothing.  About 15 minutes later I was hallucinating and feeling really loopy. My husband came upstairs to help me get to the bathroom but I couldn’t move -the pain was that bad.  He somehow got me off the bed and then I got so dizzy and nauseous.  My heart felt like it was going to explode, my vision got all weird and I felt like the room was going to suck me up – very very strange feeling.  Nex thing I knew, I was passed out on the floor…I came to and got up and passed out again.  Next thing I knew, I was on a stretcher headed to ER.  I was admitted to the hospital where I stayed for three days.  Ugh! I found out that I have pretty much no tolerance for pain killers anymore.  The reason I passed out was because the Vicadin caused a severe reaction with me and caused my blood pressure to plummet to 83/43.  Every time I sat up in bed or the nurse/doctor asked me to stand the same thing would happen.  Sooooo not fun.  I would definitely suggest doing this very thing if you are trying to get out of doing something you don’t want to do too.  It works like a charm and it sure got me out of cleaning my messy studio!  I was finally able to convince the doctors that I needed an  MRI and it’s a good thing because now I know what the problem is –  I have three bulged discs in my lower lumbar spine.  Owwwwie – very painful. I’m on third day of physcial therapy and it seems to be helping, plus I’m just generally feeling better on my own but goll darnit I WILL NOT MISS CHA this year!  I am soooo going even if I have to go on a stretcher or an electric Amigo scooter running over all of you and your feet! LOL!   As of today, I’m doing well.  I only have a little pain so I  am so going to CHA!  I’m so excited!   (It’s my new mantra….seems to be working….the back pain got me out of cleaning the messy studio but healed in time for the fun – perfect, wouldn’t you say so?)

Here’s a few photos of me and my family…ahem…..I’m the one with the crazy curly red hair – be nice now!  People who know me in person can attest to how crazy it gets when not pulled back- it can get REALLY REALLY BIG and REALLY REALLY WILD with no effort.  I realized recently I’m not in many photos because I’m always the one taking the pictures.  Here’s a few to start with and I’ll add more photos throughout the week if I find a few others.  I can show you a million plus photos of my kiddos  – aren’t they just the cutest little olives ya ever seen?


   
  

        

                

I really need to work on writing shorter blog posts.  I hear snoring.  It could be my husband since it is almost 2:30 in the morning but I thought for sure it was coming from here.. (can you tell I get really loopy the later it gets and the less sleep I get?)  BTW, the posts this week probably won’t be following the typical guest designer schedule -I’m allowed to mix things up a bit, right? *wink*  You neve know what you’re going to find at OJS….are you with me?

Please spread the word about the contest – we need to get things jumping around here and kick it up a notch!

Olive fun surprises, don’t you?

xKim

                                                                                                                                                                                                           

2 comments

Java Jen’s Baby Shower Owl Card and Tips For Cutting Multiples With Your Gypsy!


2010
07.23

Posted in Random Posts | 2 Comments »

Java Jen aka Jennie Barger is at it again when she designed these ADORABLE owl baby shower invitations!  Aren’t these just too precious?!  Here is Jennie’s project and tutorial that walks you through using the “Create a Critter” cartridge and your Gypsy to make multiples of these cards.  Easy Peasy and oh so delightful!!!  I’m sure it left everyone HOOTING! :-)

I decided to show you all how to use the Gypsy to design a project that you need to make multiples of. It seems that I always embark on projects that I need to make 20 or 30 of the same thing so I thought I would give you some tips to make it a much easier process.  I am currently making baby shower invitations for my daughter’s shower that will be in late September.  She loves owls so we found an adorable one on Create a Critter! The layers are so easy on this cartridge! 

This is the owl and layers 1, 2 and 3 on page 25 in the Create a Critter booklet.

 They are all cut at 4″H.  The first picture was where we tried different color combinations.

This picture is our final decision on the colors!  So cute!!

The “It’s a Boy” and shower invite stamps are from a Martha Stewart set.  The “Registered At” stamp is from MFT stamps.  I made a pocket for the inside where we will put additional information. I cut a onesie from the New Arrival cartridge, page 99, at 4.53″H .  I used the cricut markers first, then cut it so it would have an outline to it. I love how it turned out!

This next set of pics shows my Gypsy screens and how you can cut multiple images at once.  It’s very easy to put the images on your mat based on the size of the paper you are using.  (This first pic shows how you can cut just one owl by having all the layers on one mat.)

Thank you so much for allowing me to share my project with you this week!  If anyone has any specific questions, feel free to leave me a comment here or on my blog, www.javajencreations.blogspot.com .  I have enjoyed being here so much and am honored to be featured here at this amazing site!  Thanks, Kim for everything!

(Kim:   Jennie, I have enjoyed having YOU as my guest this week and hope that you had just as much fun!  Your project will stay posted on my blog, along with all of the other guest designers for visitors of OJS to view at their pleasure.  The links to all guest URL’s will remain active with your posts too!  I hope with time, you gain additional followers and that this gave you the chance to meet new crafters and for crafters who like your style to have noticed you too!  Thank you for all of your hard work!  I look forward to many more visits to your blog to see what other creative projects you have been working on!)

To all of you who have been following along, I have a BIG surprise for next week….!!! You’ll have to be on the lookout! :-)   There should be LOTS of things happening here the week of CHA.  I will be attending CHA four days next week – both the retailers show and the consumers show….AND…I got my invite to the Provo Craft Imagine Gala to see the newest PC products that will be revealed!  I will be taking MILLIONS of photos and plan on sharing as many as possible here at OJS and if cameras are allowed at the Gala I will share photos of the new reveals too!  IF you will be attending CHA please drop me a quick note either here in the comments section or by using the “contact us” at the top because I would LOVE to meet you!  Plus, it will  give me someone to hang out with during my long days roaming the floors! :-)

Have a great weekend!

Olive surprises, don’t you?!

xKim

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Java Jen’s Creativity and Random Answers, Part II to Her Interview


2010
07.22

Posted in Random Posts | 2 Comments »

Hi Everyone!  It’s Thursday and time for us to meet the final part of Jennie Barger that she will be sharing with us this week.  Today we’re going to hear the rest of her story which includes her creativity and answers to those famous random and sometimes silly questions.  I hope you had fun following along the past two days and that you enjoy what Jennie is sharing with us today!   

   

MY CREATIVITY

 

1.Do you consider yourself to  be a novice, seasoned or expert crafter? I would probably say seasoned crafter because I do it so much!  I am, by no means, an expert though so I must make that distinction! :-) (Kim:  I would say the same for myself because I think of an Expert as knowing everything.  I’ll never be able to claim I know everything but I’m always willing to try just about any type of craft) 

 2. What is your favorite craft item to make? I love mini books because they are quicker to get done, that is if I don’t go overboard on the embellies! They make a perfect gift too!  I also love to do stamping and card-making. A handmade card can certainly be a little work of art and means so much to the recipient, (at least I hope it does!) (Kim: I have a mini book that I started a few weeks ago that is still sitting on a worktable in my studio.  Your mini books on your blog have inspired me to crack the whip and git ‘er done! LOL! *smile*) 

3. What is your utmost favorite cannot craft without supply? Not sure if this counts as a supply, but I must have my Cricut!! It is my go-to tool for making a project just right! (Kim:  Supply=Cricut…sure, why not?!) 

4. Do you have a favorite adhesive?  If yes, what brand is it?  I use the Creative Memories tape runner and a mono adhesive but just recently saw a link for a pink ATG gun! I think that I gotta’ have it!  Pink’s my color! (Kim:  I’ve got the ugly yellow one that I’ve been itching to bling out….not sure what color I’d want to do though…) 

5. If you scrapbook, what do you find yourself scrapbooking the most and why do you enjoy it so much? I definitely scrapbook because our family, namely our daughter, takes tons of pictures!  Most of my scrapbooks are full of our family!  I scrapbook everyday events, happy and sad, as well as birthdays, holidays and vacations! I don’t want to forget a thing! (Kim:  Good for you.  I have been focused on cards for the past year and miss working on layouts.  I’ve done a few but really need to start making layouts a part of my weekly crafting time again.) 

6. Are you a card maker? I love making cards and have lots of sketches to jump start my creativity when I’m in a slump! (Kim:  And I’ve admired some of your darling cards  on your blog….really cute designs) 

7. Who inspires you and your creativity? (It’s me, right?! LOL!) Kim, I do get inspired from your creations – I mean that!!  I actually gets lots of inspiration from others. I love taking what I see and making it fit my style, colors, etc.!! (Kim: Awwww!  That’s so sweet of you to say something like that!  I have definitely been in a mojo funk the past few months which is so unlike me.  We’ve had a lot of extra stress in our life the past year and it’s taken up valuable creative space in my brain!  Hearing you say such kind words makes  me smile – thank you!  I also find some great inspiration from you so thank you for sharing your talents with all of us too!) 

 8. What do you do when the mojo is missing? Sometimes I start looking through pictures or sketch and idea books and before you know it, there it is! (Kim:  That always helps…so does a good healthy dose of blog hopping!)
9. If you were asked to put all of your craft items in one box what size would you need?  Ummmm………that box would have to be the size of one of those portable storage units – not kidding! When we moved to Texas last September, my husband kept loading my stuff on the truck and was like “we need a whole truck just for your stuff!”  He’s such a good sport!  I told him that I needed it all!! (Kim:  You can go back and review previous comments I’ve made to this question.  The amount of craft stuff I have is probably considered dangerous! LOL!) 

10. What is your style?  You know, like pottery-barnish, modern, eclectic,minimalist, romantic, funky,clean, classic, etc… I think my style is a combination of some classic, some simple and I’m definitely loving the whole vintage trend!  That’s the direction I’m starting to go with some projects that I’m currently working on!  So cool! (Kim:  I love vintage) 

11. Do you have a favorite color combination  you are often drawn to when crafting? I love pink, brown and green together! (Kim:  Very pretty color combo)
  

12.Do you find that you have to do one last thing to a project before it looks completed? If so, what is it? I’m the dot and dash queen sometimes!  My daughter used to say, “Enough with the dots, Mom!”  Now, I’m all about inking the edges of pages, labels, tags, etc.! (Kim:  You can never have enough dashes and dots or ink) 

13. How did you come up with your blog name, Cricut Board name, etc? If you remember in my little (big) bio, I mentioned that we used to own a coffee shop so Java Jen just kinda’ came naturally! That’s how everyone knew me! (Kim:  Yep, that’s right you did share that with us and it’s a cute story) 

14. Have you ever been published? Yes!! I have two projects on Megan Gravener’s Gypsy A to Z DVD!  I also have a card posted in My Pink Stamper’s gallery! (Kim:  WOW!  That is so cool!  Congratulations!) 

15.  Are you on any design teams? I am on the Weddings with the Cricut design team and it’s so much fun!  The site is all about DIY for weddings and there are always lots of great ideas! (Kim:  Yes, it is a great blog I’ve visited it several times.  No worries hubby, I don’t plan on getting married again unless remarried to you. *wink* The hubster enjoys reading the interviews each week…) 

16. What do you enjoy most about blogging? I love sharing a part of my own little world with anyone that cares! It’s just so much fun and rewarding! (Kim:  It is so much fun sharing and learning about each other and enjoying each other’s creativity.) 

17.Are you having fun being the Master Olive Guest Designer for the week of July 19th, 2010?  I really am humbled because there are so many people who are way better at this craft than I am, but I am honored to share my story!  Thanks, Kim! (Kim:  I think that you are very talented and I’m so happy to be able to feature you this week.  You are one of those gems I was talking about that I want people to hear about and meet.  *smile*) 

18How many hours a day/week do you typically find yourself crafting? Well, if we’re talking about last month – how about 10 hours a day, all week, because I was finishing up my kids activity projects for our weeklong family reunion!  I came up with some really awesome, albeit ambitious, ideas!  I had a ball, though, using all my resources to create some keepsakes!  If anyone is interested, they can be seen on my blog! (Kim:  If there the ones you have posted on your blog the mini books turned out fabulous!) 

19. Are you a Design Studio or Gypsy user? I have a Mac- so no DS but I love, love, love my Gypsy!  (Did I tell you that I love it??!!) It has totally changed how I create! I love being able to create when I get the idea and my Gypsy makes that possible! (Kim:  So tell me, do I need a Mac?  I keep hemming and hawing over it.  Everyone keeps telling me that’s what I need to be using for design work…do you agree?) 

 20. How many cartridges do you own? Ummmm……. ok, I guess it’s time to fess up!  As of the end of June I own 66 cartridges!  I use them all too! (Kim:  LOL!  Confession times stinks, eh?!  It’s all good as long as you’re using them!) 

21. How often do you use your Cricut each week? Everyday!  There is always something that I just have to cut!  That’s why I have my room set up so that everything is accessible so I can do a quick cut here and there! (Kim:  This Cricut thing  has taken over my crafting ….never did I think I would become so obsessed with a silly machine but I am and I have no intentions  on giving it up anytime soon!) 

22. What’s your favorite food item and drink to have beside you when crafting? A hot mocha latte for my beverage and some stove top popcorn for my snack! Yummy! (Kim:  Mmmm!  That sounds scrumptious!  I actually find crafting to be a great way to lose weight!  Obviously I need to be crafting more often! LOL! *giggle*) 

A FEW RANDOM QUESTIONS  WITH A FEW RANDOM ANSWERS…

1. If the whole world were listening what would you tell them? Don’t take your family for granted! You never know when your last time together will be! (Kim:  That’s a great message to share) 

2. If given the option to change professions what would you choose? I would love to be a singer/songwriter. (I am that right now – I’m just not paid to do that!) (Kim:  I bet if you try hard enough you will succeed.  I’d love to hear you sing!) 

3.What place outside of the U.S. would you like to visit?  Hungary – My Dad escaped from there in 1956 and his family is still there.  Since my Dad’s death in 2000, we’ve had limited communication with them because of the language barrier.  I hope to go there someday soon! (Kim:  Wow, that would be an amazing trip to make.  I hope you’re able to go there to visit and see your family.  I’m also very sorry to hear about your dad.) 

4. Coke or Diet Coke? Regular coke!  Don’t have it very often, but it tastes good when I do! (Kim:  I’m an H2O gal) 

5. If I were to look inside your refrigerator what would I find? Lots of cheese, orange juice, hot peppers, hot sauce and there are always frozen burritos in my freezer! (Kim:  Sounds like a bad case of heartburn waiting to happen! LOL!) 

6.  How do you manage stress in your life? I give it to God daily! I know that He knows every detail about my life already, so there is nothing that catches Him by surprise! I’m not saying that I never worry – I just have to consciously choose to not carry my worries around because God has never let us down!  EVER! (Kim: I need to listen and do this myself.  I know you’re supposed to hand your worries over to God but I still have a hard time not worrying! ) 

7.  What’s your favorite dessert? It’s a tie between homemade apple pie and coconut cream pie! (Kim:  Yummy!  I have  a thing for cheesecake and brownies) 

(Kim:  Wasn’t that entertaining?!  Now, take another few minutes before you start your day and buzz on over to Java Jen Creations.  It’s Jennie’s blog with all kinds of great inspirations!  Remember to leave a  comment for her here or on her blog too and to follow Jennie if you find her blog to be one you want to stay updated on!  I’m following her so come on, don’t miss out on the fun!!!  No pressure…really!  LOL!) 

 Olive a great blog, don’t you? 

xKim 

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Part I Of Jennie Barger’s Story….


2010
07.21

Posted in Random Posts | No Comments »

It’s JavaJen time!  Grab yourself a cuppa java, a latte, hot cuppa tea or Mountain Dew/Red Bull for your morning jolt of caffeine! Get comfy and pop a squat for a few minutes while learning about Jennie Barger and what makes her who she is!  Here’s Part I of Jennie’s Interview…

 

ABOUT ME:

 
1.Your full name: Jennie Marie Farkasdi Barger 

2.Are you married? Yes!!! I have been extremely happily married to the love of my life for 25 years!! (Kim:  Awwww!!  That’s wonderful!) 

3. Do you have any children? Yes!! We have 3 children: Heidi is 24, JJ is 22 and Gregory is 12. (Kim:  It sounds like you have a busy life with children and grandchildren all around you) 

4.What is your FAVORITE…color: Pink – I have always liked the color pink but even more so now because I am a 7+year breast cancer survivor!  HOLIDAY: definitely Christmas because of how much we get together with family! This Christmas will be especially wonderful because our daughter and son-in-law are expecting our first grandchild!! (Her due date is even on Christmas Day!)  DAY OF THE WEEK: probably Friday because since my husband travels, that is usually the day he comes home!  TIME OF DAY: evening when the days work is done and I can chill and usually ichat with my husband!  SEASON: hmmmmm……….that’s a hard one because there is so much to love about each one!  Fall’s crispness and colors, I absolutely love!  Spring’s freshness is amazing! But, I guess I would say summer because that’s when our week-long family reunion is and that totally rocks!! :-)   CRAFT SUPPLY: is without a doubt, my cricut and my gypsy!  Ok, sorry, that’s 2 but I don’t use one without the other! They have definitely taken my crafting to another level and have been so valuable in doing wedding invites for 2 of our kids’ weddings, just to name a few!  TV SHOW: pretty much anything on Food Network! My youngest and I get inspired to try new recipes and combinations often!  MOVIE:  A Man Called Peter – this movie makes me cry every time because it reminds me so much of my Dad, who has been gone for almost 10 years now.  It is the life story of Peter Marshall and since my Dad was an immigrant as well, it really hits home!! It’s really a wonderful movie! FOOD: Lesco, pronounced “Letcho”.  It is a hungarian stew that my Dad made with green peppers, onions, tomatoes, sausage and lots of different spices!  He always made it for me on my birthday and about 6 months before he died, he showed me how to make it!  Boy, am I glad he did!  It is so good!! BOOK:  definitely the Bible!! Don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for God as my Saviour! EVERYTHING else is secondary to that!  SONG:  It’s a tie between the hymn, “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” and “I Don’t Want to Go” by Avalon!  PLACE TO SHOP: All the stores that are close to where I live – Hobby Lobby, Joann’s, Michael’s and Archiver’s, although I really miss the local scrapbook store that I shopped at back in Tiffin, OH called Scrap Happy! It was always so much fun to go there!!  

5. What do you like to do in your free time?  In my free time, I , of course, am creating fun new projects for my blog and to give to family and friends. I embarked on an ambitious decision to make birthday cards for everyone in my family – both sides!! By the end of the year, I will have made over 90 cards! I have already made over 50 to date!  Needless to say, that keeps me hoppin’!!  My youngest son, whom I homeschool, and I, like to travel with my husband when we can. We’ve been privileged to see some pretty amazing places! (Kim:  That is quite the ambitious decision to make cards for everyone!) 

6.What is your favorite quote:  My favorite quote is one by Charles Spurgeon:  “I have heard of one man who said that he did not like to prejudice his boy, so he would not say anything to him about religion. The devil, however, was quite willing to prejudice the lad, so very early in life, he learnt to swear, although his father had a foolish and wicked objection to teaching him to pray. If you ever feel it incumbent upon you not to prejudice a piece of ground by sowing good seed in it, you may rest assured that the weeds will not imitate your impartiality, but they will take possession of the land in a very sad and shocking manner. Where the plough does not go, and the seed is not sown, the weeds are quite sure to multiply; and if children are left untutored and untrained, all sorts of evils will spring up in their hearts and lives.”    I know this is a little heavy, but, for me, it really points out the important job we have as parents!! (Kim:  I’ve read this once, twice …and now about five times and I just love this quote.  How true it is and what a wonderful quote to remember and live by) 

7.What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you? The one fairly recent event that sticks in my mind as the funniest event, would have to be when we went bridal gown shopping for my daughter!  My Mom, niece, daughter and myself walked into the store when my daughter was promptly “pounced” on by Dana, our sales lady!  She was a larger woman who kind of took over – like maybe SHE was the mother!  She even wanted to come into the dressing room and “help”! To make a long story short, by the time we left, we were ready to bust at the seams because we wanted so bad to laugh! My niece started saying things like,”We should just invite Dana to the wedding and have her sit beside you!”  To top it off, my niece and I were in the backseat of my daughter’s 2-door Honda, so every time we got out, we “acted” like we were being born and of course we were laughing hysterically! My Mom and daughter were laughing, in spite of the fact that they were seriously thinking that we had mental problems!!  I guess you just had to be there but I definitely have to count this evening as one of my funniest, most enjoyable and just plain greatest ever!  Whew!! (Kim:  That’s a very cute story and I bet one you will all remember because you enjoyed the same giggles!) 

8. What one regret do you have or one thing you wish you could do over again? To be honest, I really don’t know if there is anything that I wish I could do over again. Well, maybe- if I knew then what I know now about raising children, I may have done a few things differently. But that is just a process that all of us parents must go through.  It’s all part of the job description!  Haha!! I truly believe that everything that we go through and experience, makes us who we are today and makes us stronger! (Kim: Oh boy, don’t we all wish there was a golden book to have read with all the details of raising a child……) 

9. What is your most memorable moment that you feel comfortable sharing with all of us? Without a doubt, my most memorable event that I will NEVER forget, was when our youngest was born! I had a stillborn son nearly two years before, so we were very anxious in the delivery room, to say the least! All I wanted was to hear him cry real loud because I kept remembering how quiet it was the last time! When he started crying, so did I – this time from happiness!!  What a victory!  Our son has blessed our lives in so many ways! (Kim:  I can’t imagine what you felt when your first son was stillborn.  My hurt hearts for you every time I read this and cannot imagine what a parent must feel who has experienced this pain.  I’m so happy that it did turn out to be a beautiful story with the birth of your second son  though – you must have felt such a mixture of emotions the moment you heard his cry. :::hugs:::) 

10. Do you have any funny stories you’d like to share? Funny story – I never even had aspirations or dreams to be a coffee shop owner, but that is exactly what happened 6 years ago!! We have since sold the shop but that was my life for 4.5 years! Definitely one of the most time-consuming times of my life but also blessed in so many ways! The people we met, friends we made and things learned are invaluable!  This is the reason I have become known as Java Jen! :-) (Kim:  That is a cute story.  I was wondering when the JavaJen was going to come into the interview) 

11.What is one thing you are proud of? MY KIDS!  I am so blessed and love being called Mom to these 3 amazing, wonderful people!! (Kim: Awwww!  And I bet they are very proud to have you as their mom!) 

12. Do you consider yourself to be a risktaker? I don’t really consider myself to be a risk taker in the true sense of the word, but I do love adventure and a change of scenery when I can get it!  I do enjoy NOT mapping out every detail of my life and going with the flow! (Kim:  Same here!) 

13. Have you ever won anything? I actually won a DVD set of Little House on the Prairie from My Pink Stamper!! Fun! (Kim:  Well that must have been fun! I used to LOVE that show) 

14. What would you consider to be a fun day?  My idea of fun is a day spent with my Mom, my daughter and my sister-in-law CRAFTING – (of course!) We have so much fun together!! (Kim: Of course, CRAFTING! *grin*) 

15.What makes you happy? Honestly, it really doesn’t take too much for me to be happy!  I consider myself a rather low-maintenance kind of person!  What makes me happiest, though, is knowing that my family is happy, healthy and serving the Lord! Is there anything else!? (Kim:  That’s wonderful!  I think that’s what makes you such a great person!) 

16. What makes you sad? I am sad when others are hurting. I tend to take on how they are feeling. I’ve tried my best to turn that feeling into a way that I can truly help people who are going through something that I have been through. Sometimes they just need someone to listen to them and someone who understands because they have been where they are! That’s what I try to do. (Kim: I agree.  It’s hard to see someone suffering or in pain for whatever reason. ) 

17.Whart makes you angry?  I tend to get angry when I see blatent injustice!  I could probably go on about this for awhile so we’ll just leave it at that! :-) (Kim:  No kidding!  This is a great response to this question.  I have a real problem with this too>) 

18. Do you consider yourself  to be organized .  Rate yourself with a 1 being not at all and a 5 being super organized. Probably a 3.  I am one of those people who are constantly reorganizing because I find better ways to do something!! (Kim:  Attempting to be organized is what put me in the hospital last Friday for three days….I put my back out while vacuuming and organizing my studio (landfill).  Someone once told me cleaning your house was hazardous to your health – why didn’t I listen?! I found out I am the proud owner of three bulging discs…ugh…not from crafting or vacuuming but a tumble down a flight of stairs a few years ago.) 

19.What are your goals? My goals in life are actually pretty simple. I want to always keep God first, love my husband, love my children and all our families, never stop learning and have fun!  That fun always includes crafting too!!  I have always had aspirations to get a song published. (I have written songs since I was a little girl.) In five years, my first grandchild will be 4! Who knows, maybe I’ll have more than one!  In 10 years, our youngest will be out of the nest!  Sniff, sniff!!  Let’s change the subject!! (Kim: These are great goals!  I hope you are able to publish a song someday.  I bet you write some incredible heart felt songs too *smile*) 

   

My Childhood Memories…

1. What are your fondest childhood memories? As a child, I loved being with my family and having sleepovers with my friends! I was bubbly and started taking piano and violin lessons in the 4th grade because of my love for music! (Kim: That’s great.  I never learned to play any instruments but always wanted to learn.  Maybe in my “free time” I’ll start taking lessons) 

2.What did you enjoy doing for fun as a child? I enjoyed slumber parties and baking with my Mom! (Kim:  Me  too!  Seems like we were always having sleepovers or I was going to someone’s house for a sleepover…I used to bake all the time with my mom too – now you have to force me into the kitchen) 

3.What was your favorite cartoon? My favorite cartoon character was probably Bugs Bunny!  I just loved Looney Tunes – still do! (Kim: I’m not much into cartoons anymore after being traumatized by Barney a few years ago but I do still enjoy the classic Looney Tunes) 

4. What was your favorite outdoor activity as a child? Favorite outdoor activity was swimming! What about now as an adult? Now it would be laying out in the sun – (when no one else is around to see me in a bathing suit!)  Haha! (Kim: Hmmmm…a water baby, eh?  And now a sun worshipper….I require SPF 200+) 

5. Would you describe  yourself to have been a crafty child?  I always enjoyed doing crafts for as long as I can remember. Mom always had “crafty” things at our disposal so we could create when the urge hit!  I remember building things with craft sticks, painting, decorating cookies, coloring, drawing and woodburning.  Does anyone remember Fashion Plates!!??  They were so much fun! (Kim:  I was always making something too AND I had the Fashion Plates- they were awesome!) 

6. What was your favorite toy? My favorite toy at one point was my Barbie dolls! I had so many as well as lots of accessories!  My friends loved to come to my house! (Kim:  If you’ve been following along with all of the interviews this summer you probably recall my fondness of Barbie…) 

(Kim:  A wonderful interview, very uplifting that left me smiling!  Thank you so much Jennie for sharing this with all of us today.  Make sure to check back tomorrow for Part II of Jennie’s interview and on Friday to check out the fabulous project and tutorial Jennie is sharing with OJS readers! 

Until tomorrow! Happy Crafting… 

Olive a great interview, don’t you? 

xKim 

1 Comment

Please Welcome Jennie Barger aka Java Jen As This Week’s Guest Designer!


2010
07.20

Posted in Master Olive Guest Designer, Olive Juice Studio, Random Posts | 1 Comment »

Hi Everyone!  It’s Tuesday again which means it’s time for me to introduce to you this week’s Master Olive Guest Designer!  I’d like you to meet Jennie Barger aka Java Jen who has a blog called “Java Jen Creations”   I’ve been over to Jennie’s blog several times and I’m even a follower (I told you I’m addicted to blog hopping – by the way, if I’m not following your blog yet shoot me an email so I know and I’ll get on over to do just that!)  If you’re not a follower or have never been to Jennie’s blog you really MUST scoot on over there after you meet Jennie here!  Why? Because she has some of THEE most amazing mini albums!  They are just adorable!  Some of the latest  projects she has on her blog are some really cool mini albums she whipped up as craft kits for one of her family reunions – I’m telling you it is sooo neat and such a unique idea that I just might have to try it out myself (along with all of the other million things I want to make!)   Jennie is another one of those hidden gems that I really want people to see and know about –  just like every other designer that has been on here so far this summer!  :-)   Oh, and wait…just you wait until you see the adorable project and tutorial she has created for her week here at OJS!  She even uses her gyypsy and teaches us all a few neat tricks too… it’s REALLY super de-duper cute…. On that note….
 

Let’s Meet Jennie….


Hello everyone! This is Jennie Barger aka Java Jen and I’m really having fun answering all of Kim’s questions!! I haven’t had to think this much about myself and what makes me tick in quite some time!!  Hard to believe that anyone would want to know this much about me — but here goes!!
Hmmmm……… where to start?!  I am 43 and I have been married to the love of my life since I was 18! Yep, we got married 3 weeks after I graduated from high school!  He was 22!  That means that as of  June 22, 2010, we have been married for 25 years!!!  Wow!  All I can say is that marriage just gets better and better with every year! We have been through so much – good and bad – and I like to tell people that all that has “super-glued” us together! I feel so blessed to have the husband that I have!  OK – enough gushing about my dreamboat! Haha!  Now I’ll just gush about my kids! We have a daughter who is 24, was married in 2008 and is expecting our first grandchild!  Woohoo!  She and I are such great friends!  We love spending time together and crafting, of course! She has a photography business so she is a big source of some fantastic pictures that I use in my projects! Our older son is 22 and was just recently married in December ’09 to a wonderful gal whom we just adore!!  He still calls me and tells me that he loves me so I feel like we must  have  done something right!  Our baby, although he doesn’t like being called that, is 12 and has been a blessing since his birth! I homeschool him and love it!
I have come through some serious and potentially life-threatening things in my life, and while I won’t bore you with TMI, I’ll give you the condensed version of them because I truly believe that these events have made me who I am today.  When our daughter was born, I developed toxemia and after delivering her by c-section, my kidneys shut down and my doctors did not know what to do because the medicines they were giving me were not working. Then our Pastor came to the hospital and prayed for me and everything started working like it was supposed to.  I guess God decided He needed to keep me around for awhile longer!  We were expecting our third child about 9 years later and although I had a relatively uneventful pregnancy, near the end, I started having blood pressure problems. At 38 weeks, I was going to the doctor every 3 days for monitoring. This particular visit, the Dr. put that little heartbeat thingy on my belly and there was total silence. My heart dropped and I really thought that I was just having a bad dream.  To make a long story short, I had a c-section the next morning and our sweet little red-haired boy was stillborn. This was one of the toughest things that we have ever gone through but it was a miracle how God sustained us and restored us! (More about that in a minute!)  Then, almost 2 years to the day since our son was stillborn, it was time for our miracle!  See I told you I would have some happy news! I was again at 38 weeks and being watched very closely and was again expecting a boy! My blood pressure was again not behaving, so my doctor decided that it would be best to deliver him as soon as possible. I had another c-section and I have to tell you that hearing his loud cry in the delivery room was the best sound in the world!! He has been a blessing ever since! It’s so awesome how God used his birth to start healing our hearts! Fast forward to October 2002. I found a lump and, long story short again, found out through mammograms and a biopsy that I did, indeed, have cancer.  I was only 35 and shocked to say the least!  The surgeon was able to remove the whole tumor and it was just under the size that would have required chemo! What a blessing!  I just had 30 radiation treatments and have now been cancer-free for almost 8 years!! What an experience! I think it was harder on my husband than me! He is so wonderful!!

 
OK, I think I’m done with all that stuff – sorry if anyone fell asleep reading my book!  :-)
In 2004, we opened a small coffee shop across the street from a small university. What an eventful time in our lives! I actually became a barista and learned all I never knew that I needed to know about running my own business!!  My whole life was the coffee shop – 6 days and 70+ hours a week until we sold it when my husband’s job brought us to Texas!  I had a blast making so many new friends and learning so many new things!
Now, I finally have time to craft like I really want to and I’m loving it!!  My ongoing project for this year is handmade birthday cards for everyone in my family (both sides)!  So far I’ve made about 50 with at least that many to go before the end of the year!  Keeps me hoppin’!!  I love making mini albums and gifts for others. I have lots of completed albums of my family but I don’t know if I’ll ever be caught up!  Crafting is definitely my therapy. As I go through pictures for a project, I tend to get emotional as I remember happy and sad times.  More than once, someone in my family has walked in my room or called me when I was totally caught up and thought  that something was terribly wrong!  Nope!  Just me doin’ my thing! :-)   I guess that’s probably what I love most about all the craft projects that I do – how it stirs up my memories of all those that I love!  I don’t ever want to forget what they mean to me!  I may not have the most amazing creations ever seen, but I sure do have fun learning and creating new things!

Java Jen
www.javajencreations.blogspot.com

 

Wow!  You sure have had some storms in your life but with your fabulous attitude and postive outlook you have been able to put a spin on the negative by giving everything a reason for happening.  You’re definitely an inspiration to me, and I bet to many others,  after learning about all that you have been through, yet you continue to trudge on focusing on what makes you happy in your life. It makes me smile hearing so many fond stories about marriages and family from all of the designers who have been on OJS so far. :-)   Maybe there’s something more to being a crafter than just the fascination with creating “things”…maybe all of us crafters also treasure creating moments with our families to remember and craft about….  :-)

Olive a story with a sweet ending, don’t you?

x Kim

2 comments

A REALLY Neat Technique and Tutorial for Making Firework Embellies!


2010
07.16

Posted in Random Posts | 2 Comments »

Fireworks Embellishment Tutorial

by Clare Dempsey from Cricut Crafty Clare

 

I thought it might be fun to work on a Fourth of July embellishment and encourage other scrap bookers to scrap their most recent holiday.  So, here is a tutorial on making a fireworks embellishment on the cheap!

Supplies

Plastic packaging-from strawberry container, salad container, Cricut Clamshell or other clear flat packaging 

Cricut Machine

Cricut Deep Cut Housing and Blade

Cricut Mat (fresh mat is recommended)

Glitter

Xyron, or Zig 2 way glue

Bling (I used the nail bling from Walmart)

Accent Essentials Cartridge and George Cartridge (George is Optional)

Cricut DS Software or Gypsy (Optional)

Glitter or embossing tray (paper can be used instead)

Instructions:

Cutting your Fireworks (Cut six for a one page layout):

 1.   Carefully cut the edges off your plastic packaging using a scissors, so that you have a flat rectangle or square (corners may be rounded that is ok).

 2.   Replace your regular Cricut Blade housing with the Deep Cut Blade housing 

3.   Place your plastic rectangle on the mat and smooth flat with a ruler. I recommend a fresh mat for cutting packaging.   If you don’t have the DS or Gypsy, skip to step 7. 

4.   Using the Cricut DS or the Gypsy, pull up the Fireworks shape from Accent Essentials.  There are also some fireworks in Stand and Deliver if you don’t have Accent Essentials.  I found I can cut 6 fireworks motifs in my salad packaging cut two at 2 ½”, 2 ¼”, and 2” if you decide to make a page for a variety of sizes). 

5.   Hide select contour the large center circle.

6.   Using George, Basic Shapes, create a small circle (about 1/8” big) and center it over the hidden circle.  This will be used for inserting a brad so it is optional. 

 

7.   Set your Blade housing pressure to 6, machine pressure to maximum, speed to medium

8.   Load your mat with plastic and cut your Firework motifs

Preparing your Fireworks for Glitter:

Your firework motifs will need to be punched out of your plastic, but the plastic may be brittle, so follow the steps below.

  1. Cut around the edge of each individual fire work in a circle leaving some excess plastic around the cut made by your Cricut.
  2. Punch the fireworks out of the plastic carefully.  If your deep cut blade is dull you may have to snip to start with a scissors.
  3. Use an awl to punch out your center small circle.
  4. Run your punched out motifs through the Xyron, you can also use the Zig Two Way glue if you do not have the Xyron.  Wait for the Zig glue to dry before applying glitter. 

     5.   Using a toothpick, embossing stylus, or bone folder, carefully remove excess glue between fireworks spokes.

     6.   Remove the fireworks carefully from Xyron backing and if bling is desired, add BEFORE glitter (see photo above).  The bling will not stick to glitter!  I use the nail bling found in the beauty section  to save $ on bling.

Applying Glitter

  1. Place your firework, sticky side up in the glitter or embossing tray.
  2. Sprinkle with glitter.  I used Martha Stewart Glitter and LOVE the shaker top!  I shook out what I needed and not much more and it made clean up easier.
  3. Shake off excess glitter.

Now you can add your firework embellishments to your page.  Use a brad in the center, or a glue dot or pop dot on the back.  I used Karen Foster Sparkle Burst Brad in the center of the red firework at the beginning of the post.  I got them as the Wilton Tent Sale two years ago and am crazy for them! 

If you would like to scrap lift my page, here are the details:

Red Patterned Background Paper       

Basic Grey /Urban Prairie/bonnet

k I Memories/Hangman Navy

Blue Letter Lace Paper                 

Karen Foster/Sparkle Burst Brads/Holly & Berries                            

Sparkly Brad in the Middle (Red Firework)         

The Fourth Title  .cut File by Clare Dempsey available below!

White Lace Border .cut File by Clare Dempsey available below!

Glitter (Martha Stewart)

Here’s the .cut files Clare designed for the layout above that she is sharing with us!

The first .cut file is for the page title “The 4th” and requires George Basic Shapes, Accent Essentials and Base Camp:

Here is the link:

http://www.4shared.com/file/sZqYgzNm/4thgbsaebc.html

The next  .cut file is for the lace border. For this cut,  Clare created one cut file with two layers.  You cut one layer and DO NOT unload the paper, then change to the second layer and cut again.  Clare said she doesn’t  know how to weld images inside, images in the Gypsy ( I don’t eithe -yet…but just got a gypsy that I’m trying to learn in my “free” time).  This is Clare’s method to get the look  she wants.  This cut file require George, and Indie Art, and Tie the Knot. 

Here is the link:

http://www.4shared.com/file/BxFBOObf/bg_fancylace_border_ia_gbsgyps.html

(Kim: This is such a fun technique that you have shared with us and a wonderful layout WITH some VERY AWESOME .cut files!  Thank you so much for all of your hardwork and for taking the time to be this week’s Master Olive Guest Designer and for sharing this project and tutorial with us!  We have all truly enjoyed meeting you and learning your story!)

I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did!

x Kim

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June, 2010 – “Olive Crafts Challenge- FRAMES” Winner Is…..


2010
07.15

Posted in Random Posts | No Comments »

Week of July 12th, 2010

Sorry for the delay, I wanted to make sure all of the contest participants had worked up a sweat before revealing the winner! *wink* 

Drum roll please…..

The winner of the first ever Olive Craft Challenge – FRAMES is……

ELIZABETH CURRIE-MATSKO FROM 217 CREATIONS!!!

Congratulations are in order!  Elizabeth, I will be contacting you shortly to discuss with you the cartridges that are available to choose from AND to get your address!

Here’s a photo of the winning frame….

 

I’d also like to extend a great big hug  and, of course, a thank you to the rest of you who entered!  Several people who voted emailed to tell me that it was so hard because everyone did such a great job and I have to say that  I agree!  Great job and I promise to have a better voting system  before we vote for the July Challenge! 

 Julia from http://scrapellasblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/frame-card-for-olive-juice-studio.html 

 

   

Rita DeCook from Maryville, TN (does not have a  blog) 

 

Scrappy Jess from http://scrappyjess.blogspot.com/ 

 

Thank you for taking the time to vote and for leaving such nice comments!  Please take a peek at the July Challenge below for a chance at another Cricut cartridge! 

Olive a great challenge, don’t you?

xKim

******************************** 

Starting, July 1st until 11:59PM July 31st this month’s challenge is….
“DESIGN SOMETHING FOR YOUR HOME USING SOMETHING RECYCLED/REPURPOSED” 

This item/thing can be a decorative – totally useless item but original and crafty
It can serve a purpose
It can be an item that is cleverly repurposed to be used in a completely different way than originally intended 

Here’s the DIRTY DETAILS…. 

1. Must use at least 1 item from your recycling bin OR is an item that is repurposed by giving it a different function
2. Must contain fabric somewhere in the project (any size, texture, pattern…)
3. Must include at least one piece no smaller than 3″ x 3″ of corrugated cardboard
4. Must include at least two Cricut cuts from ANY cartridge – this can be cut from fabric, paper, vinyl – whatever you desire!
5. Must include these colors somewhere in your finished project (You may also use addtional colors)
 

***There are no size restrictions on this project but all entries must include all five requirements listed in the “Dirty Details” above*** 

Please comment to this post if you will be participating in this challenge. If you have a blog list your URL too! :-)  

All entries will be posted here for viewers to vote on – by July 31st. Voting is open for 48 hours. The entry with the most votes wins one of the new Cricut cartridges from Memory Miser! 

What do you have to lose? Join in the fun and let’s get this challenge started!!! 

Olive a great challenge, don’t you? 

x Kim

2 comments

Clare Dempsey’s Interview, Part II


2010
07.15

Posted in Master Olive Guest Designer, Olive Juice Studio, Random Posts | 2 Comments »

Hi Everyone!  Yeppers you guessed it!  It’s Thursday and it’s time to squeeze in Part II of Clare Dempsey’s Interview!  I am just finishing up the questions  and it’s almost 2 am.  Shhhhh!  Don’t squeal on me for staying up so late! 

 just had to share this fun photo with you again!  Remember?  “Please welcome Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary and MARY!” I just love it! (Won’t you share my humor?!)

  My Creativity….

  1. 1.   Do you consider yourself to be an amateur, novice, or seasoned/expert crafter?  Seasoned crafter, expert Cricuteer, sewer and patternmaker. (Kim:  Hook me up with the patternmaking.  I’d love to get better at this)
  2. 2.   If you could take a class with any crafty celebrity who would it be and why?  Penny Duncan, because I would love to know more about Inkscape.  (Kim:  I just checked out Penny’s blog and all I can say is wow!  She’s very talented and I’m now a follower! *smile*)
  3. 3.   What craft have you NOT tried yet but would like to in the near future?  Can I choose to play an instrument?  I would like to play the mandolin.  I know, bluegrass obsessed! (Kim:  I’m really intrigued by all of this bluegrass talk the past few days.  I’m going to spend some time one of these days listening to some of the groups you suggested yesterday.  I think playing the Mandolin is definitely a “craft” of sorts and REALLY think you need to pursue it.  Anyone as passionate about something as you are about the Mandolin and Bluegrass needs to follow their dream!)
  4. 4.   Do you scrapbook?  Why do you scrapbook and what is your favorite thing to scrap?  Scrapbooking all of my families Christmas cards and love the freedom of putting one picture on a single page. (Kim:  Hmmm…so you’re another one photo per page scrapper, eh?  I do this a lot too, not all the time,  but do know that many people frown on this.)
  5. Have you ever sold anything you’ve made?  Yes, I sell my Cricut Covers online, and at crops my Scrapbags are my best sellers. (Kim: That’s really awesome!)
  6. What/Who inspires you? (I know, I know it’s me!)  Music inspires me, I can’t imagine life without it!  I love to visit Gerry VanZant’s(http://www.gerryscrafts.blogspot.com_) and Lolly Chessies (http://www.lollychops.com/lollychops/) blog, your blog of course, there is great variety and funny stories too!  The idea of finding undiscovered talent appeals to me.   So, many beautiful items, may never been seen without blogs like yours! (Kim:  Awwww!  That’s so sweet of you to say that!  I feel like my blog is a mess right now and really have to apologize for the chaos.  I had a blog designer “working” on a new design but things just weren’t jiving so now I’m looking for a new blog designer – anyone know someone who works with WordPress? I’m loving all of the URL’s your sharing with us today – I’ll check out Gerry’s too…) 
  7. What do you do when the mojo is no where to be found?  Put on some music and clean the craft space.  When you see the stuff in your stash, you cannot help but be inspired! (Kim: LOL!  Thats why my studio rarely gets “completely”" cleaned.  I start going through my stuff and then have one of those a-ha moments and I’m sure you can figure out what happens from there.)
  8. What one thing needs to be done to pretty much every single thing you make before it looks like it’s finished?  Embellish it!  I am a space filler and tend to fill empty space, and love the layered look. (Kim:  Same here.  I have a hard time not filling every nook and cranny on my projects.  If there’s “white space” it doesn’t look complete to me!)
  9. How did you come up with your blog name and Cricut board screen name?  I am frequently too excited to try the newest technique or gadget, so when I discovered blogging, I was in a hurry to get online and share some cut files.  I decided it should have Cricut in it because I love my Cricut and use it daily and Clare and crafty seemed to make it a more catchy.  So, it became Cricutcraftyclare.  For the Cricut Message board, I chose Scrapincovers, to help promote my dust covers, it is the same name as my Etsy store. (Kim:  It’s a catchy name that I’ve remembered)
  10. If you had a choice between making a card, scrapbook page layout or altered art which would you choose and why?  Scrapbooking, because I can create a way for my family to hold onto their memories and have pictures of loved one’s too! (Kim: That’s definitely a great reason to scrapbook. *smile*)
  11. Are you on any design teams?  Yes, I am on the design team for Jill D Zines.  She offers products for the digital scrapbooker and digital cutter! (Kim:  Another website I’ll have to check out.  I visit so many each week that I find I’m already a follower on many without even realizing it!)
  12. What is your favorite thing about blogging?  I love that people like to use my cut files, what a compliment  and love when they leave comments.  I love that I have met new friends from as far away as Australia and from all over the US. (Kim:  It is an honor to know someone likes your style and uses your .cut files, tutorials, or let alone just the idea!  I do have to agree with what you said about meeting friends from all over the world too – it’s just amazing how a simple blog can build such genuine relationships with your devoted followers – I just love it!)
  13. List 10 of your favorite blogs/websites that you visit often. http://www.lollychops.com/lollychops/                         http://capadiadesigns.blogspot.com/    http://cutting.craftcrave.com/  http://www.cricutholiday.com/                                http://gerryscrafts.blogspot.com/           http://thegreenbeanscrafterole.blogspot.com/ (Kim:  I don’t recognize all of these so I will definitely be checking them out after our interview!)
  14.  How many hours a day/week do you typically find yourself crafting?  Everyday, for me it is like a cigarette break without smoking.  I do some housework, stop and create, I play with the kids, stop and craft, I make dinner and do the dishes, stop and craft. (Kim:  I love this answer!  “a cigarette break without the smoking”- exactly!)
  15. Are you a morning, night or all day crafter?  I feel most productive in the morning, and usually work on my Etsy shop items in the morning.  Then I work on other creative items throughout the day, in the effort to avoid housework.  (Kim:  And it’s so funny how easy it is to avoid the housework…If they would only come out with self-cleaning houses….:::sigh::: all of us crafters would be all set)
  16. Do you have a separate craft room/space in your house?  What do you like about it the most?  What do you dislike?  I have a small space in the basement, and am working to get the air hockey table swapped out for the computer desk.  The air hockey table, actually makes a great cutting surface for fabric, but I would like my Cricut DS and and computer IN my scrap space. (Kim:  You just need to do the “craft house” thing like I do – let your family live amongst the craft overflow.  *wink-wink*  )
  17. What’s the craziest thing you’ve done with your Cricut machine?  I am currently obsessed with cutting up my salad packaging and covering it with glitter to make flower embellishments. (Kim:  That sounds like fun….hmmm….neat idea!  I was on the pop/beer can kick a year or so ago.  I kept cutting  and flattening the cans to cut – I’m over that phase)
  18. Describe yourself as a crafter. What do you think about yourself and do you think people perceive you in the same way?  I am scrapbooking obsessed.  I think that my work has come a long way and I am experiencing my own personal renaissance.  It seems to me as if my sense of design, proportion and color have never been better.  I love that I can get such professional results from my Cricut machines and other tools at home!  Others would say I am the one to ask about how to use the Cricut Machine, DS software, and Gypsy. (Kim:  It’s a fun thing to be known for though, right?)
  19. What is your favorite shape and font Cricut cartridges?  Favorite cartridges are Storybook, and Heritage, but these change often. (Kim:  They’re both great cartridges.  I don’t know if I can pick a favorite.  I have some I rarely ever use and others I constantly reach for – I’m really having fun with some of the Lite Cartridges though!)
  20. How many cartridges do you own?  44 (Kim:  That’s a good amount)
  21. How often do you use your Cricut each week?  Daily. (Kim:  I was going strong using mine daily but it’s taken so much work with getting this new blog up and running and promoting all of the designers I’m finding that I’m only gettinga about 3 days of crafting time in right now.  I’m sure this will change once my kids are back in school and this blog fiasco is tidied up)
  22. What is your favorite medium to use when crafting.  Currently, glitter.  I put in on my embellishments and love to try stamping with glue and sprinkling it on. (Kim:  I just posted one of my glittering tips on the Cricut board a few days ago…I should paste it in a post here because it’s quite helpful….:::making mental note to self:::)
  23. If you were asked to enable every crafter reading this to buy just one craft tool/machine or supply that you think everyone should own… what would it be and why?  Oh, I think you know…the Cricut!  I love that I can use it on paper, vinyl, plastic, chipboard, craft foam, my projects, school projects, home decorating, scrapbooking, cardmaking.  I think it become as popular in homes as the sewing machine.  (Kim:  It definitely has earned it’s keep in my studio…)
  24. Bling or grunge?  Bling!  My mother used to say there were three things worth spending your money on, your teeth, your feet and fine jewelry.  I think that I tend towards the bling as jewelry is not in my budget! (Kim:  Can we say cubic zirconia? Maybe I should rephrase that by saying…can we say sequins and stickles?  That’s about as blingy as I get too)

 

Random Thoughts…

  1. If given the option to change professions what would you choose?  I would be a musician and sing and play mandolin in a country band. (Kim:  Clare, you REALLY need to start taking lessons, why have regrets about something you love so much?!)
  2. What place outside of the U.S. would you like to visit?  I have always wanted to visit Australia and Queensland. (Kim: I would love to do that too.  Can I travel in your suitcase?)
  3. Would you rather have a chef prepare healthy, yummy foods for you and your family for each meal 7x a week or a housekeeper who follows behind you during your crafting sessions and cleans up all messes AND puts everything away in an orderly fashion?  A housekeeper who follows my crafting and cleans up! (Kim:  Finally, someone who thinks like me!)
  4. Favorite dessert…  Strawberry Rhubarb pie! (Kim:  That sounds divine)
  5. Do you collect anything?  What is it?  Buttons.  I have fond memories of rainy day crafts and my Mother’s button box.   I love vintage buttons and think I started making my covers just so I could use the beautiful vintage buttons in my collection.  (Kim:  I collect buttons too! I have found some real gems too that I have a hard time using.)

 

I bet you didn’t catch it but did you know Clare LOVES Bluegrass and has always wanted to play the Mandolin? *wink* I think Clare needs to get working on her musical skills by taking some lessons, don’t you?  Make sure and check back tomorrow to see the REALLY awesome project and tutorial Clare is sharing with us here at OJS – You’re going to love it!

***Just a quick reminder to go cast your vote for your favorite frame for the Olive Crafts Challenge that ended last night.  You know me and my blogging skills with WordPress (still learning) I couldn’t get the voting poll widget to work that I had downloaded two weeks ago for this very reason.  I have to pat myself on the back though because I figured out how to use another program to allow all of you to vote so thanks to all of you who entered the contest and to those of you who voted!  Voting closes at 11:59AM CST today (Thursday, July 15th) so go vote if you haven’t and then come right back!

Hope you have a day of sunshine and smiles….And of course, a crafty one!

x Kim

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