When using the Cricut machines it is important to have a cartridge. There are several types, font, shapes, licensed, solutions, classmate and the Beyond birthdays cartridge is a great example of a shape cartridge. Cartridges have a tendency to be themed orientated linked to a particular event but as this cartridge’s title indicates this is not just one thing but has a little of many ideas.

Its creator is Cecelia Harris and she has decided upon a great gathering of greetings, symbols, phrases, icons and of course shapes. The manufacturers have also added creativity devices like framed in square or oval, shadow and shadow blackout and card in square and rectangle. This cartridge is perfect if you want to design a gift wrap, make a scrapbook, create a greetings card or cut out personalized invitations.

The following events and special occasions are included on the cartridge, baby showers, birthdays, graduation, weddings, mothers and fathers day, july 4th, valentines and so many more. Greeting cards are a great way to reach out to people and with this Beyond Birthdays cartridge you can create a personal card for any occasion you can think of and say whatever you want, sorry, congratulations or thanks!

There are so many different projects you can take on using the Beyond Birthdays cartridge. For example how about getting a simple and plain calender and using the cartridge to personalise it into a great desktop calender? Each month can have different signs and inspiring words on it and the main picture can relate to a person’s birthday that month. Don’t have any birthdays that month? How about a family picture or using the theme of your children. The possibility in designs is endless and it would also make a great Christmas gift.

Then once the calender has served its purpose take those decorated pictures and put them up somewhere. Or if you don’t have a desktop for a calender use it as notice board by pinning to cork. Great for tracking family appointments.

Alaska was purchased from the Russian Empire after Western Union discontinued construction of its first electric telegraph line which ran from California, up the coast of North America, across the Bering Strait, continuing to Moscow and into the European telegraph network. This happened 50 years ago, now Alaska is celebrating its 50 Anniversary of Statehood with an Alaska Fiber Festival

On March 5 to March 14 there will be a semi-annual 9 fiber extravaganzas. The festival will start off with a Quilt walk at the downtown area then will go from there. The Fiber festival is to celebrate the Alaskas 50th Anniversary of statehood.

With Alaska Fiber festival objective which is to provide greater visibility for quilts and other fiber art by offering various textile art events like non-juried & juried competitions as well as exhibitions. Educate the general public about fiber art & quilting as an art form & show the individual creativity of people in Alaska. Provide learning resources for people to learn new techniques or refine existing talents

Amazing International Fiber & Mixed Medias Exhibitors, exclusive Alaskan Challenges and Exhibits will be attending the festival. Besides from showing what the textiles artist can offer there will be a Wearable Arts Fashion Show then a Quilt & Fiber Art Show to show off their work of art. These artist are invited to join in celebrating Alaskas 50th Statehood Anniversary by making art blocks that will reflect the peoples spirit and nature in regards to the Anniversary.

After the 58 blocks that reflects Alaska peoples spirit and nature about becoming statehood have been done. Then these 58 blocks will make up the nine panels Alaska Statehood Quilt. There will be a total of 140 quilters in 26 communities making this quilt.

Once the panel has been made it will now go on tour. The panel will be displayed at the museums, libraries, and arts councils throughout Alaska. Anyone who has questions or wants to book the quilts needs to contact: Morgan Grey, Project Coordinator wilderhaven@gmail.com.