Monday, May 1, 2017

Happy First of May!


Happy First of May!  It is a thrill to see the spring flowers at last. I have so much to catch up with here on the blog.  Thanks to everyone who has checked in with me while I have been busy with other parts of my life.  All is well here and I look forward to more creative time now that my craft studio is almost settled and we are working on unpacking the last boxes in the garage after what may be the longest house move process in history!


I finally decided that I was never going to be "completely" finished and that getting back to blogging might help spur me on to organize the areas that I am still working on. There have been several times when I had a blog post drafted and nearly finished and then another distraction would interfere - like the huge snowstorm we had on April 1st. Winter was very pretty here in the woods but I am definitely ready for the warm weather and a chance to spend time outside.

 
I know that many of you are already having summer temperatures but this photo of a duck on our little pond was taken just a few weeks ago on April 10th - look at all that ice!


We were lucky to have a visit with our little granddaughter (and her parents) in April.  She started walking at Christmas time and now is a full-fledged runner!

image from Cricut.com blog 

For many months, the new version of software for the Cricut Explore machines (Design Space 3) has been in beta testing and last week the Public Beta was made available.  You can read some information about the development of this great new tool in a post by Ashish Arora, the CEO of Cricut, on the blog HERE and then get started with the new version by going to www.design.cricut.com and downloading the plugin for the new platform.


The layout of the work space has been updated and I think it is much easier to see the image choices for your projects.


The font menu now gives you a good preview of the font options so you don't have to remember what they all look like!

I have found that the new Design Space works faster and it has not been difficult to make the switch from the previous version.  Some tools are in different places on the screen but you don't have to switch between panels to find the functions that you need.  There are some other improvements that I am excited about and will share with you in future posts.


If you have questions or suggestions about the new Design Space there is a feedback option at the bottom of the menu on the left side of the screen.  Both the current Design Space 2 and Design Space 3 will be available for the next few weeks and your projects will show up in both.  The new version is not Flash based which eliminates problems some people had with shockwave errors.

I have lots more to share about some of the new things I am working on and I am looking forward to doing a craft room tour to share soon.  Getting settled in a new place is always a challenge but I do love my big, bright and comfortable studio here at our new house!

I am also working on digitizing a lot of family history items that have appeared in the "mystery boxes" that we are unpacking from prior generations.  This will be an ongoing project and one that I feel is very important for preserving a lot of information for future generations (it seems that becoming a grandparent makes you focus on these things with a new perspective!).


We are so lucky that Ramona's great grandparents were able to spend a little time with her at her 16 month birthday celebration at our house!


Has spring arrived at your house?  Leave a comment and let me know what is new with you.  What types of projects are you working on? Do you have any new craft obsessions? 


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12 comments:

  1. Diane I am so glad to see you back. Life does get busy and I just want you to know I appreciated all you have shared over the years.

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    1. Thanks so much Linda - it is nice to be appreciated!

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  2. Hi Diane! You mentioned you are planning to digitize your photos - do you have any programs in mind? I would like to also put a lot of photos on the computer, but would like to find a program that I can add names easily to whoever is in the photo, and also maybe a location and date. I haven't looked into any programs yet, but was wondering if you have and what your opinion is on some of the ones out there. Thanks!
    Rosy
    mr_conboy04@hotmail.com

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    1. Hi Rosy - yes, I have found a great system for long term storage and organization. I will be posting about it and will also send you an email with more details.

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  3. Great to hear from you. Adorable granddaughter. Hugs.

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    1. Hi my friend - we are biased of course but think she is pretty cute! It would be great to meet up now that I live a bit further north and closer to you. Now that the weather is nice maybe we can put something together. I hope your family is well. How are the violin lessons going?

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  4. Linda V. Said exactly what I was thinking! Can't wait to see more of your creations!

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    1. Thanks for the kind words - it's nice to know that you all have enjoyed my blog over the years. Lots of good stuff to come!

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  5. Hi Diane,
    Glad all is well with you and your family. It was a crazy winter here in GA. Unseasonably warm I did not care for the temperatures at all. Glad you all had a winter to speak of. Not really working on anything special right now. Some teachers appreciation cards for my daughters teachers this is her last year of middle school. 😢 Can't wait to see what you have been working on. Have a great week.

    Luria

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    1. Thanks Luria! It is fun to see familiar people again in the comments. Our winter was not as bad as a couple of years ago but we did have a few big storms and some very cold days. Teacher Appreciation and the end of the school year do have a way of creeping up on you - I am sure they will appreciate the cards. Good luck to your daughter next year at High School!

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  6. So great to see you back! I've missed your blog.

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    1. Thanks Debbie - I hope that things are settled down enough for blogging to become a habit again. For years I posted every day and now I wonder how I ever did that?! I Hope you are getting lots of chances to be creative.

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