Sunday, February 22, 2009

Cricut Expression


Okay, so, I had to do a blog about this. This is the Cricut Expression. I've wanted to get one for the last several months and I FINALLY was able to get one. This is such a cool die-cutting machine. Prior to this, I only had the Xyron Personal Cutting System. The main things I disliked about the Xyron are that it will only cut out shapes and letters as big as about 3 1/2" and each time you want to use it, you have to cut out 4"x4" pieces of paper and put them on the cutting mat. You can also only do one letter or shape at a time. Now, with the Cricut Expression... you can print a shape almost as large as 12"x24". You can also do more than one letter or shape at a time (depending on the size you're cutting). With the Expression, you can also position the cutting blade where you'd like it to cut on the paper so that you can use almost an entire piece of paper, very easily and it's much less wasteful. So far, I've only been able to do a little with the Expression as life hasn't been very eventful so there hasn't really been much to scrapbook. I am, however, very excited about all of the projects I can do over the next several years, using the Expression. I'd say that the biggest "problem" with the Expression is just that the cartridges are very expensive ($50-$100 each). However, at least we have eBay. :-) So, you can get the same cartridges for half the price (or better). I also think that owning an Expression can save lots of money in the long run. Some of the main things I spend my scrapbooking money on are stickers and paper embellishments. With the Expression, I don't have to buy as many stickers or paper embellishments because now I can just make everything I'd like to use on a page very easily. It's pretty cool. I'm SO glad that I got this machine and I look forward to many, many years of creative scrapbooking projects with it.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Denver 3-Day- 2009

This year, I'll be participating in a very special event called the Breast Cancer 3-Day.

I'll walk 60 miles over the course of three days with thousands of other women and men. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

I've agreed to raise at least $2,300 in donations. I've set my personal goal at $2,300. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation of $10 or more? Keep in mind how far I'm walking - and how hard I'll have to train. You can give online at http://www.the6day.org/ or just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage and make a donation. You can also call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone.

I'm walking for several people. I'm walking in memory of my Aunt Barb (who lost her battle in 2001), in memory of my Great-Grandma Jo (who was a survivor), in support of my Aunt Robin (a survivor), in support of Zac's grandma who is a survivor, in support of my Grandma Stover (a survivor) and in memory of Betty Wood (one of the New Kid's mom's who lost her battle), as well as all of the other women out there who have survived or lost their battle and the many others who know people or will have to fight this battle at some point in their lives.

According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, approximately 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease. That's why I'm walking so far. To do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sincerely,
Hilary

P.S.Ask your employer if they will double your donation through a matching gift program! Click here to visit my personal page. If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:http://www.%20the3day.%20org/site/TR/Walk/DenverEvent?px=3098521&pg=personal&fr_id=1310&et=UpqPMHdOCFDZBQCvH_58Qw..&s_tafId=85236

Click here to view the team page for Rocky Mt.Cover Girls. If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:http://www.%20the3day.%20org/site/TR/Walk/DenverEvent?team_id=71640&pg=team&fr_id=1310&et=2sVwbMOKzRfMUY5i4fr_ww..&s_tafId=85236

For more information about the Breast Cancer 3-Day, Susan G. Komen for the Cure or the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, visit http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnRoZTNkYXkub3JnLw== or call 800.996.3DAY.