He threw in the Cricut logo for good measure.

Here is a performance that he did at a different event.

We left the night feeling inspired, uplifted, and happy! Provo Craft does a great job with their product launches and I can't wait to get my hands on the new Imagine machine when it will show up at my house in a few months! The product is supposed to be in stores in October.

Several years ago, President Gordon B. Hinckley (of the LDS Church), gave a talk where he outlined what are now known as "The Six Be's".  He later added a few more but I decided to use the original six for this project.

Using my Gypsy, I laid out all of the text (from the Simply Sweet font cartridge).  To make it big enough for my wall, divided the saying into two parts. The first bit of text goes until "Be humble".  I used brown vinyl, my Cricut, and a 12" X 24" cutting mat.

This photo gives a little more perspective on the size.  It is on the wall by our dining room table and is a nice reminder for our family to see several times a day.  I'm planning on adding some flourishes to the corners or maybe a frame around it, but I'm having a hard time deciding which ones.  So, for now, I'm leaving it be until inspiration strikes.

Click the link if you need a reminder on how to cut and apply vinyl using your Cricut.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

THE PROCESS:

1. Measure your mousepad.  Mine was 7.5" X 7.75".  Using my Gypsy and my Cricut, I cut out a frame background shape with those approximate dimensions.  This particular shape is from the Songbird cartridge.  I cut it out using the Provo Craft black vinyl.

2.  Because this was one solid piece of vinyl, I didn't bother using transfer tape.  I just applied it to the top of the mousepad like a giant sticker.

3.  I cut out "toolulu.com" using green vinyl.  I set the letters to cut at 1.5" tall.  I used the Simply Sweet cartridge.  HINT: there isn't a "." on this cartridge.  I set it to cut out "toolulu!com" and then just didn't use the top of the exclamation point.

4.  You'll definitely want to use the transfer tape if you're doing a design like this one.  I show how to cut and apply vinyl in a video post I did a few months ago.

5.  Use your mousepad!  I tested out the mouse I was using on vinyl before I applied it to my pad to make sure it would work.  Vinyl is a nice, smooth surface and works well.  If you're planning on adding a lot of different layers, you'll want to keep those along the outside of the mousepad so it doesn't interfere with the main path of the mouse.

This is a really fun project because it is quick and non-permanent.  If I decide I don't want a Toolulu mousepad anymore, I can just peel of the vinyl and add on something else!

Most of the jewelry was made incorporating felt beads and glass beads.  The colors were amazing and the designs had a modern whimsy that drew me in.

What really got me excited, though, were the displays.  These were really clever and could easily be replicated.  It would make for a gorgeous vendor booth display.

I've been knitting quite a bit on this trip.  I spent a couple hours on this project during our train ride from Venice to Geneva.  I had some licorice, a Coke Zero, and some amazing views.

The knitting is pretty easy once the pattern is memorized.  It's definitely not a project for beginners.  But I think any advanced beginner could follow along with the pattern no problem.

I've been doing some shopping, too.  This picture gives a hint to one item that will be going in the August craft challenge packet. This is a cute little stationery store that I found near Campo Del Friari in Venice.  I have a limited number of packets available for August, so if you want to participate--get your packet before they're sold out.

I made my traditional friendship bracelet but decided to add a little bling.  I added three pink beads in the center of the bracelet.  To do that, all you do is place the bead on the middle two strands of floss when you get to the place where you would like one, and then continue on.

Last night as I was packing, I realized that I didn't have a good knitting project to bring along.  I did a search on Ravelry and came up with this project that fit perfectly with this skein of mystery yarn I got from Julie.  I'm modifying it a bit to suit my taste.  I'm making it into a scarf so instead of 15 repeats of the wavy pattern, I'm only doing 5.  I didn't have enough yarn to make a shawl, anyway.

Sorry for the poor quality of the picture.  It was late at night and all I had was my camera on hand (the other camera was packed).  You can't really tell how beautiful the yarn is.  I should be able to post some in progress pictures over the next few days.

It's been a long time since I've been so excited about a project!

]]> http://www.christynelson.net/2010/06/summit-travel-knitting/feed/ 0 http://www.christynelson.net/2010/06/netbook-sleeve-version-1-0/ http://www.christynelson.net/2010/06/netbook-sleeve-version-1-0/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 02:18:56 +0000 christy http://www.christynelson.net/?p=3371

I bought a netbook this week.  My husband decided it would be a pretty good thing to have so we wouldn't have to haul two big laptops to Europe (we both need to work a bit while we're there).  He'll be taking his laptop for work, and I'll be using the netbook.

I used some canvas from my stash.  It is a pretty cool pattern and once I make it just how I want it (without my silly mistakes), I'll share it with all of you.

Do you notice my first major mistake?  The width isn't quite big enough for my netbook to fit in the correct way.  Not is all lost, though.  It fits nicely standing on its side.  There is also a pocket inside to keep the power supply from rubbing against the computer.  I meant for the pocket to be on the outside.   Oops.  That may have been a happy mistake.  I think I like it inside better.

I'm working on version 2.0 tonight.  Maybe I'll have the tutorial up tomorrow!

The day I saw the post on Fresh Nest about these bean bags, I knew I needed to make them.  You see, my kids sit on a kitchen chair and an old office chair if they want to watch their little TV or play video games.  Did I mention this is right in the middle of our family room?  I've been looking for a bean bag solution but they are so expensive!  I wanted to make one myself but didn't have the time or energy to figure out how to do it without a pattern.  This pattern was perfect!

My daughter loves it.  She calls it her "favorite pillow, EVER!".  Before I had the outside finished she would sleep and play with the inside.  Speaking of the outside, I used the leftover fabric from my table skirt.  I didn't have quite enough to make two using the same fabric so I had to go and do some shopping for the 2nd one (that hasn't been made, yet!).  On the inside I used some cotton twill fabric that I had in my stash that was gifted to me.

The stuffing was the most difficult part.  I used a combination of polyfill and cut up foam.  The foam was purchased already in bits from Hancock Fabrics for $.25/bag.  It was really hard to work with but since it was practically free...I went with it.

This project also includes my most successful zipper in all of history.  I pulled the tab out here just so you could see that there actually was a zipper.  It is pretty much hidden and works like a dream.  I don't know why I've had so many problems with zippers in the past.  This one was a breeze.

I have all the supplies on hand to make the next one.  Looks like I better get on that!

This project is a true collaboration with my daughter. Today is her last day of preschool and we are going to miss her teacher, dearly.  Her teacher loves coffee so we thought a coffee cup sleeve would be a good idea.  I was just going to make a generic one with some cute fabric and then I had a grand idea!  I had my daughter draw on some felt and then I embroidered her drawing.  Genius, right?

Supplies:

Felt

Embroidery floss

Needle

Elastic hairband

Button

Washable marker

1.  Cut two pieces of felt into the shape of a cardboard coffee sleeve.  You can go and get your own coffee sleeve next time you're at the gas station or coffee shop and trace that (allowing 1/2" seam allowance on all sides).  I also found a few templates online.

2.  On one piece of felt, draw your design using washable markers.  Eva wrote her name and added a flower, heart, and a butterfly.

3. Begin stitching your design using the embroidery floss and a needle.  I use a combination of stitches to add some variety to the design.  It will really depend on what you have drawn out on the felt.  Eva picked out every single color on this particular project.  I think she did a great job!

4. Sew a button off to the side.  Eva chose this button as well.  I attached it using embroidery floss and I tacked it down pretty securely.

5.  Get your second piece of felt and place them right sides together.  On the opposite edge from where you placed the button, place your elastic hairband in between the two pieces of felt.  Pin it in place so about 1/2" of it is sticking out.  The picture below shows what it will look like after it has been sewn.

6.  Time to sew!  With your sewing machine, stitch around all four sides of the coffee sleeve leaving a 2"-3" gap so you can turn it right side out.

7.  Once it is turned right side out, use a needle and thread to stitch the opening closed.

Eva wants to be an artist when she grows up.  I think she's well on her way!

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