::A Year in Review::

WOW! What a great year for Cricut Lovers, huh? 

When Provo Craft (the makers of the Cricut) announced earlier this year that there would be new Cricut machines coming out and over 100 *new* cartridges many of us were very wide eyed and said "huh???"....are they serious???....well, YES, they were!!!!

  When I bought my first Cricut (which was an Expression) nearly 2 years ago I never knew it would take me to another level of crafting....and I love it even more today than I did when I first bought it.  This year we've seen the introduction of the Cricut Cake (a machine used for cutting frosting, fondant and gum paste) to decorate the most beautiful cakes ever.....as well as the super popular Cricut Imagine.  How about the awesome new colors of the Cricut Expression sold exclusively at Wal-Mart including plum, yellow, green, or turquoise??.  They even introduced us to the Cricut Lite cartridges (which are also exclusive to Wal-Mart).  Now, for real ......how many cartridges are considered enough???! hmmmm.....nope.... no need to worry because 2011 will be filled with new stuff for Cricut enthusiasts along with many new cartridges.  Let's not forget about the ever so popular Gypsy, Cuttlebug, and YourStory machine.  ....these are made by Provo Craft too. 

Oh yes.....and what about the Cricut Circle club?? 

In addition, Die Hard Cricut fans were introduced to the Cricut Circle in the Summer of 2010 and were promised exclusive cartridges (only available to members and ebay customers HA!) along with a brand new blog and exclusive Circle message board.  Members (affectionately known as Circlettes) have been joined together from all across the US to unite in a way that is beyond anyone's imagination.  There is also planned and coordinated Swarms held in various states that is open to Circle members first and then any available spots are opened to the anyone interested in attending.  A Swarm is basically a gathering people who primarily enjoy working with the Cricut and Provo Craft products.  Swarms are held all across the world and the Cricut message board closes in those gaps between land and water to bring crafters closer together.  It really is a beautiful thing.  Check out the Cricut message board to see what I am talking about.  There are also Circle Meet-Ups that may be offered in your area.  There is a section on the Cricut Circle message board to see if one is held in your state or area.  The first large Swarm was held in Utah in early fall of this year and the next large Swarm will be held in my home state of Texas in March of 2011 - called the Texas Cricut Stampede.  Tammy and Angela from Creative Critterz are coordinating the huge event and it will be chocked full of wonderful food, fun, friends, and will show us a good ole Texas time.  As they say "Everything is bigger in Texas!"  I plan to be there and can't wait to meet you if you are going too. 

2010 also introduced us to the Hello Thursday girls who are Tammy, Robyn, Joy & Melanie.  Hello Thursday is held on the 3rd Thursday of each month and the girls are the first to introduce us to the new cartridges released for that month.  Most of us would wait patiently (or impatiently) for their project posts to go up on their blogs showing us the new cartridge, images, and projects each created.  WOW!  What a treat. 

So......

What was your favorite cartridge in 2010?  Gosh, it's hard for me to pick just one....because when there is anywhere between 5-24 (when the cricut lites were introduced) cartridges released at one time it's hard to pick one.  If I'd have to say.....my favorites of 2010 include Create a Critter, Sweet Treats, Country Life, and Simply Charmed.  My all time favorites also include Old West, A Child's Year, Doodlecharms, Forever Young, and both Paper Doll cartridges including Everyday Paper Dolls and Paper Doll Dress Up. To see a complete list of all Cricut cartridges please click HERE. 

Here is one of my favorite card projects I created this year....this turtle is from Create a Critter and the "What's Up" stamp is by Robyn - My Pink Stamper. 

Click HERE to get the details of this adorable card.  Ü

Sorry to talk your ear off today.....but in closing....

2010 was good for me...I was able to join the Cricut Circle and purchase the Cricut Imagine as well as numerous cartridges.  I have been to a couple of Swarms hosted by The Cricut Lady in Houston, TX as well as attended my first Circle Meet-Up this past October.  Mike, a Cricut representative flew in from Utah to spend the day with us chit chatting and tell us some top secret stuff....shhhhhhh.  LOL - just kidding.  He did say that 2011 will be filled with wonderful things to come.  So, fasten your seatbelt Cricut fans....this Cricut plane is about to take it high in the sky. 

I had my first Design Team call and was THRILLED to have so many CJToo Friends send in submissions. 

Thank you to my wonderful DT members who shared so many wonderful projects with us week after week. 

 

Thank you to EVERYONE for a wonderful 2010. 

As a thank you to my wonderful and loyal fans of CJToo I'd like to offer a chance to win a Cricut Lite Cartridge - Four Legged Friends.  Just leave me one comment on this post and a way to get in touch with you - (ex. craft junkie too at g mail dot com). 

I will draw a winner on Sunday January 2nd. 

The only criteria is that you must be a follower of my blog.  I will have to go on the honor system....because only you know it to be true. 

Many hugs from CJToo and Spencer and we are looking forward to creating with you in 2011.

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