Well, Todd at Craft Edge has done it again. He recently released Sure Cuts A Lot version 2.0 and added a BUNCH of features that really should have been in Design Studio since the beginning. And Design Studio still doesn't have them. From what I've read there are still a few bugs, but Todd reacts very quickly to bugs, so I'm sure the program will be perfect very soon. Todd could give many companies a class on customer service -- he's just very accommodating. He added such great things as REAL grouping, layers, the ability to have more than one mat...those are the biggies, but I know he added more stuff too. The upgrade is $30 for a limited time, or $100 to purchase. If you bought SCAL since June 22, the upgrade is free. Upgrades are only available through Craft Edge, but I believe you can find a better price for the software at Cutters Creek. If you have a Cricut -- any size -- this software is well worth the price to expand what you can cut almost infinitely!
I received my Papertrey order from February's release a couple of weeks ago, but didn't have time to play until this weekend. And since my birthday was at the end of last month, what better thing to make than a Thank You card, to thank my family for their thoughtful gifts?
I would also like to take this moment to say that Papertrey cardstock is really heavy. And I'm not saying that like it's a bad thing, lol! I've been so used to working with the paper from Michaels that is sold in packs, which is fairly lightweight. After feeling the weight of this paper from my February order, I ordered the pack of all of their 2008 colors during the March release party on Saturday night, and other than layering here or there, I may never go back to the other stuff, lol! I have some Bazzill, too, and it has a nice weight, but I'd been to my LSS and touched Bazzill...I knew it was thick. I was very happy that the PTI paper has a nice weight as well. I'm digging their ink, too. The cardstock on this card was part of the Friends Till The End kit, which included ink, and it's very nice I must say!
I made two of these. Not sure who will get what, yet. I've always been good about writing thank you notes, so even if I make too many, they'll eventually get used. I have another one to show in a couple of days. I don't make many square cards because just about all of mine get mailed, and they're usually heavier/thicker due to embellishments. I don't want to get hit with the weight surcharge AND a square surcharge. I made sure this one would fit in a regular A2 sized envelope, so it'll just be the weight surcharge.
Supplies: grey Bazzill card blank; Raspberry Fizz cardstock, Papertrey Ink; black cardstock, Bazzill; white cardstock, The Paper Company; green patterened paper, Me & My Big Ideas; green Colorbox chalk ink; Raspberry Fizz hybrid ink, Papertrey; black twill ribbon, Michaels; silver ribbon (through button), Michaels; button from my stash; EK Success corner rounder.
