I won a Cricut Explore! Which is better than winning a new car!! (to me, but not the hubs)

 

I am dreaming of winning a Cricut Explore!

AND . . . I did!

 

Cricut - The Official Page!

26 July

Let's congratulate Nancy G., today's featured #imadeit winner!

I entered my DIY pocket journal card photo into the Instagram Contest!
(you may remember this card from the blog post here)

Below are some shots of the same card I entered.

I am still squealing with delight!  I just can't hardly believe it still!  Here is a photo of what I won:

Cute, huh?

This is how it looks opened up!

Cricut Explore is a design-and-cut system for making amazing, affordable DIY and craft projects. It’s our easiest way ever to turn an idea into a finished project!

Cricut Explore allows you to create DIY crafts and projects from wedding invitations to DIY home décor to scrapbooking.

Featuring Cut Smart™ technology, the Smart Set™ dial for easy material settings, and the ability to upload your own designs, Cricut Explore is our easiest and most innovative design-and-cut system yet. Use Cricut Explore with Cricut Design Space™, the free cloud-based software, to make your ideas a reality. - See more at: http://us.cricut.com/Shopping/detail--Cricut-Explore-Machine-949-12470.aspx#sthash.2WRUV4XS.dpuf

and a description in a nut shell:

Cricut Explore is a design-and-cut system for making amazing, affordable DIY and craft projects. It’s our easiest way ever to turn an idea into a finished project! Cricut Explore allows you to create DIY crafts and projects from wedding invitations to DIY home décor to scrapbooking. - See more at: http://us.cricut.com/Shopping/detail--Cricut-Explore-Machine-949-12470.aspx#sthash.2WRUV4XS.dpuf

"Cricut Explore is a design-and-cut system for making amazing, affordable DIY and craft projects."

Cricut Explore is a design-and-cut system for making amazing, affordable DIY and craft projects. It’s our easiest way ever to turn an idea into a finished project! Cricut Explore allows you to create DIY crafts and projects from wedding invitations to DIY home décor to scrapbooking. - See more at: http://us.cricut.com/Shopping/detail--Cricut-Explore-Machine-949-12470.aspx#sthash.2WRUV4XS.dpuf

Cricut Explore is a design-and-cut system for making amazing, affordable DIY and craft projects. It’s our easiest way ever to turn an idea into a finished project!

Cricut Explore allows you to create DIY crafts and projects from wedding invitations to DIY home décor to scrapbooking.

Featuring Cut Smart™ technology, the Smart Set™ dial for easy material settings, and the ability to upload your own designs, Cricut Explore is our easiest and most innovative design-and-cut system yet. Use Cricut Explore with Cricut Design Space™, the free cloud-based software, to make your ideas a reality.

- See more at: http://us.cricut.com/Shopping/detail--Cricut-Explore-Machine-949-12470.aspx#sthash.2WRUV4XS.dpuf

Here is their link so you can see what the heck I am going on about here!  Cricut

But wait . . . there's more!  I stopped their Facebook page just for fun,  it's true, I do stuff like that all the time!  There was my picture and my project!  (see above)  and a ton of likes and lots of sweet comments  . . . it was AWESOME!  I think I like that part even more that winning the Cricut!  What a lovely bunch of women.   Thanks for the congrats and the warm welcome!  I can hardly wait to get started!

My friend, Julie at  Juliechats has a colleague, Kim from Today's Creative Blog and Inspiration DIY who Instagrammed about this great contest.  So I jumped right on it and I am so HAPPY I did!

A GIANT BIG THANKS & HUG TO YOU BOTH!

I had submitted a project (here) on her sit not too long ago, and have been following her blogs since, so I knew she was legit and had some great stuff on both her sites!

(Plus both these ladies are local, right in the Portland area . . . we've got lots of talent here, that's for sure!  So that's my happy story.  Here is the link to to all the winners of this contest!  I can't wait to get it in the mail so my friend Julie can help me out!  Right Julie? ♥  I think I see a new Pinterest Board for my account.  Here's the link so you can follow along with me.

Do you have any favorite projects?  What would you suggest I try first?  Let me know in the comments and I'll be sure to check them out!  Thanks, ladies!

xoxoxo,

Nancy

I did it! I went for it! I applied for the CraftWarehouse Design Team!

I actually put myself and my work "officially" out there, in the world of craftdom, to be judged!  

Yikes!  

It was kind of scary and exciting and awesome with a little touch of nausea on the side!  

I know . . . I've entered contests and such and I even won one this past Monday with Cricut, Yay! (I'll blog about that amazing day in my next post!) But this was a totally different ballgame to me.  It was huge, even.


I mean really . . . it's Craft Warehouse! In case you don't know of them, (really?) this is their website:  Craft Warehouse.  They are a local pacific northwest company, which I love because I am a native Oregonian.  I only wish that part of every dollar I have spent at Craft Warehouse could roll over into some kind of stock option or retirement fund. . . wouldn't that be great?! [says my husband]

And while it would be super, over the top and out of this world amazing if they chose me as a member of their design team, I am just super proud of myself for getting up the gumption and going for it! Thanks for all the encouragement from friends and family. My Grandma Esther, from whom I get my crafy genes, would have said, "Nancy Marie . . . you've got moxie!" Thanks Grams.♡

Oh, and my friend Julie at JulieChats, put her application in as well . . . go Julie!  I thought that if it were a tie between us for a spot, that we could have a scrap-off or a craft-bout knockdown and hold it here at Domesticraft.  Yes, I know I would have the home court advantage, but she's a bit younger than me, so I say it evens out!  You know what she said?  "Bring it on!"   I am secretly hoping it comes to that, cause that just sounds like a good time to me!  I love a good challenge! Here is a gorgeous example of her work!  I know, she's got skills!

 

They are making their decision in August sometime, so I'll be on pins and needles for a bit. :) (and, no . . . I did not make this card specifically for this blog post, really guys, I didn't)
 
2 The photos below are what I submitted to Craft Warehouse with my application.  The DIY Project Life cards were so fun to make! (I love sewing on paper!)  The other photos were just to give them an idea of my style.  My favorites are the funny monster cards.  What's your favorite?  Tell me in the comments! ♡ Big me up! ♡ (that's what they say in Jamaica, kind of like a shout-out)

xoxo
Nancy

Summer Dreaming . . . eating, drinking & crafting = bliss

Ice Cold Lemonade . . . perfect for a summer craft party!

This is what I'll serving up at the Potluck Picnic and Papercraft Party in a couple of weeks!  Do they look refreshing or what?  My friend Mayi Carles of Heartmade Blog is the inspiration behind this lovely beverage.  She did that little illustration you see washi taped above the dream banner.  I know!  It's so cute!  Check out her blog, she is one talented lady and a very smart cookie to boot!

I took an accidental nap out here one day as I think I mentioned a time or two.  It was the best nap. . . ever!

This photo is an example of what the picnic setup will look like.  It will be a bit different, because no two picnics are ever the same!  I like to try different arrangements and flowers and banners hanging from the tree!  And no sack lunch like in this photo. (that was last month) 

When you guys bring your dish for the potluck, I will put it in a cute serving dish and set up a lovely display of the bounty that we will feast on!  So, if you'll be home making the dish you'll be bringing, you may as well just put it in a disposable container, and if you're bringing store bought . . . then you are good to go!

Still Life Food Collages.  Whet your appetite?

I am thinking I will hit the Farmer's Market in Gresham and this cute little fruit stand out by Corbett. The little roadside delight has the yummiest watermelon I've ever eaten.  Seriously delicious!  I'm heading out that way again this Wednesday, so I'll get the name and exactly where it is, cause I am not kidding about the watermelon.  The corn, green beans, peaches and lemons were nothing to sneeze at either! Those are the produce in the above photos.

The fresh flower on the bottom right were from the Gresham Farmer's Market.  Herr's Family Farm whom I wrote about here.  The sad looking Gerber daisy on the left with the baby's breath was from Fred Meyers, which are good when there is no Farmer's Market. I still think there is beauty in that daisy. Here's one of my favorite photos and the hero of the picture is surely the flower.

Isn't the lighting gorgeous in this shot.  It is around dusk.

See you tomorrow for some more Potluck Picnic and Papercraft Party happenings.  I think I'll show you some buntings, banners and flags and if time allows, I do some wrapping and packaging shots too!

XXOO,

Nancy

Domesticraft Potluck Picnic and Papercraft Party!

Ladies . . . need to unplug and recharge and take just a wee bit of "me" time?  This  mini-event is sure to feed your creative paper loving soul and have you energized and refreshed and ready for the rest of your crazy summer schedule of family, friends and fun!  Here's the scoop! Hey, and while your here, enter your email addy for VIP Status, (it's which means you'll get the low down about all things Domesticraft without even asking! Score!

Advance Registration is required.  Register here!

 Potluck Picnic
and
Papercraft Party

MAKE TONS OF PAPERCRAFT DIY PROJECTS
AT A ROCK BOTTOM PRICE OF ONLY $25

SUNDAY, JULY 27
2:00PM - 6:00PM

DOMESTICRAFT
7705 SE SHORT ROAD
GRESHAM, OR 97080

(off Orient on Short Road, right down the street from Skipper and Jordan Nursery.  I'll have arrows and banners and signs to make it easy to find.)

Projects will be available at DIY stations, so you can mill about at your own pace and make whatever or however many strikes your fancy!  Just bring what you need back to your table and get to crafting.  These are all fairly easy, but super cute and fun papercrafts.  There will be written instructions, however if you find you need a little help or have questions, Nancy, your craft coach for this event, will be happy to assist you! ;)

The projects will be . . . drum roll please:  

1. Mini buntings, banners & flags
2. Wrapping & packaging
3. Paper mache confetti bowls
4. Mini junk journals
5. Tags
6. Flower embellishments
7. DIY Project Life/journal cards
8. Bookmarks
9. Paper & Washi Tape feathers

Advance Registration is required, and includes all the crafts listed above.  Simply click here to register.  This is a women's only gathering and is limited to 20 participants. Make tons of DIY Papercraft projects at a rock bottom price of $25.00.  If you want to make it an even better deal, bring in a donation of one or two (or more) :) canned goods and receive 20% off!  Yep, that's $5 bucks you'll get back when you walk in the door!  Ca-Ching!  Yay for donating!! 

Bring one dish of your choice for the picnic.  Sweet or savory, store bought . . . or not, it's all good.  This bash is all about sharing and making stuff and enjoying the company of crafty kindred spirits. Domesticraft will be providing ice cold lemonade and fresh well water for your parched throat, but please feel free to bring your own go-to beverage if you'd like.(no alcohol, please)

Now, let's get this party started!  

I will be posting an actual example of the completed projects that you will be making. Starting tomorrow, I'll post photos of the mini buntings, banners and flags and the wrapping and packaging goodies.  So stay tuned, because after tomorrow's post, I'll keep going with each consecutive DIY project on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sunday up until the event on the Sunday of July 27th.

 Here is a sneak peek!

Got any questions or comments?  Feel free to email me domesticraft@gmail.com or any of the social media posted above.  

This is going to be epic!

 

xxoo, Nancy

Photo credits for infograhic are as follows:

1. www.rosiesimons.blogspot.uk

2.  Domesticraft.blogspot.com

3.carolynshomework.com

4. etsy.com/velvetsoup  

5.etsy.com/ilovedielinestudio

6.lisadickenson.typepad.com 

7.twogirlsstuff.blogspot.com

8.ihanna.nu 

9.craftcakemama.com

 

Farmer's Market Adventure

I do so love the farmer's market!  Anywhere, big or small, foreign or domestic.  The people are friendly and interesting.  The produce is amazing.  The flower displays beat any fireworks show in my book! And the prices are incredibly reasonable!  This post is going to be a bit photo heavy . . . a feast for your eyes!

These gorgeous flowers are from Herrs Family Farm

Same vendor . . . aren't they superb?  The owner was super nice & her prices ranged from $10-$15.  Amazing, I know!

This is a shot from an earlier Farmer's Market . . . not super fresh, but pretty nonetheless, right?  That grape is actually from Freddies, weird looking, like it was trying to be a squash or something.

This is a dish I had with dinner. The marionberries were the star.

The marionberries:  Act 2  (there was no Act 3 for these lovely berries, I ate them) They got rave reviews!

The Pie Man . . . and yes, he was humble.  Very gracious gentleman.  My photo doesn't do justice to his pies, they looked so awesome, like my Aunt Donna used to make them.  (She was the best pie baker I ever knew.)

I love their sign!  And look at those clouds & the ones in the pie photo!  So pretty, almost like they were photoshopped. (no, they most certainly were not!)

Row after row of beautiful golden local honey.  Yes, I'll take one of each, thank you.  (I wish)

Aren't these delightful?

Here's a shot with their sign.  Planters N' Such.  ♡  Can you believe those prices?  Sweet!

Okay guys, that's it.  Hope you enjoyed my trip to the farmer's market as much as I did.  Tell me about your favorite delight at the farmer's market.  What would you buy if you could only purchase 1 item?  I obviously couldn't decide, not easily anyway.  Probably the flowers, I am a sucker for fresh flowers. (and the marionberries) How about you?  Okay, pick 2 items, then. :)