I recently purchased a Cricut (actually 2). I did this with the idea of loading my own files and cutting out cute cards, vinyl appliques and heat transfers. Okay, I can do this and I also can find tons of free ones online. But in the beginning, I was uploading png files with clear backgrounds. But the cricut was cutting each lines twice. I have finally solved this problem.
First, it works better with svg files.
Also, if there is a line on the outside of each section, it has to be removed.
Each section that is to be cut out of the same color, should be saved as the same color.
Cricut will put those sections on the same "cut" mat page.
If you have lines to be drawn in, change from cut to draw once added to a project. Then put it with whichever section it should be drawn onto and "attach" them together.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me. If I don't already know the answer, I will certainly be happy to learn it with you.
Toodles!
totavi.toodles@gmail.com
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Where to stop
I am having a bit of a problem knowing where to cut off a project. I have quite a bit of clip art for community helpers, which I created during the year while working in pre-k. The problem is, when I begin to put it specifically into a packet, and then into a bundle, I ask myself, should I create clip art for community helper, or is this enough? Should I use the clip art I have and create new activities? I wonder, should I add more to it, is it worth the price I am considering for purchase of the packet?
Well, I will at this point, continue on with trying to put together what I have, and look at the finished product and decide then, if in fact, it seems to need more. Just wondering if there is a better way....
Toodles all....Totavi
Well, I will at this point, continue on with trying to put together what I have, and look at the finished product and decide then, if in fact, it seems to need more. Just wondering if there is a better way....
Toodles all....Totavi
Saturday, April 9, 2016
2016...my year to connect the dots
I am working on my latest creation of design work. I am calling it “2016...my year to connect the dots”. In the past several years, since my retirement from education in 2008, I have had many changes in my life. Some expected and planned, some not expected and some not wanted changes took place. Upon retiring, I thought I would walk out of my computer lab and land a job doing something fun and easy that paid really well. Shocker...the bottom fell out of the economy! Not only were there not any fun, easy and well paying jobs, there weren’t many jobs available at all!!! Well, my less than well planned financial plan took a huge hit. It took me over 2 years to find a job of any sort and when I did, the hours were okay (mostly) and the pay was...less than great. But I liked it, the location was close to home and I worked for friends I had known for over 30 years.
I moved across town with two of my adult children in tow, and both my sons married in the same month...wow was I a busy retired person! A little over a year later as I thought things were settling down again, I went in to have a swollen gland checked and several visits and tests later, found out I had Stage 3 throat cancer (left tonsil and back of the tongue). After 3 chemo and over 30 radiation treatments and a 30 lb weight loss, I waited for the damage to my throat to subside so a PET scan could be administered and I could find out if my cancer was gone. We call it our cancer as if we own it, when in fact, it owns us. But when the scan results, were read, it was gone! Celebrate! At least until the next scan in 6 months, when again, you wait to see if it has returned. And this goes on until your insurance decides it isn’t going to pay any more. At this point, you just rely on your prayers, without the reassurance every 6 months to a year.
When I began my treatments, I talked to my employer about my treatments and explained that I had no idea if I would be out for a month, or two, or three. His words to me were reassuring “Don’t worry about your job. We will get a temporary person to fill in for you. Just take care of yourself and get well. Your job will be here when you get back.”. I had a private disability insurance policy, so as soon as it began to get tough, I went out on disability and began drawing my allowed amount. This way, my employer could hire someone full time without having to worry about when I would be out for appointments. I continued to pick up bills and enter them from home to help out and I helped to train the temp. I had hoped to be able to come back a month after finishing treatment, but I was still in such pain with my raw throat, it was closer to two and a half months before I felt like returning. I went to talk to my boss about working half a day for a couple of weeks so I could see any differences in the way the temp was doing things and how I usually did it. I was planning for a smooth transition. I was never more surprised than when my employer told me that he didn’t think it would be fair for them to let the temp go after she had worked for almost 4 months and that they were going to let me go, oh and he didn’t mind if I drew unemployment from it. Hello? He didn’t mind? Per the state, I was entitled to 12 weeks of medical leave. But who wants to sue to get a job back where you aren’t wanted? This was a very small company, run by a couple I thought were my friends. So, not only did I still have physical healing ahead from the cancer, I had emotional healing ahead also.
I did draw my unemployment and began looking for another job. I began doing volunteer work at the hospital once a week. This was awesome. I enjoyed it tremendously, working one to two days a week. I also signed on for a couple of long-term substitute teaching jobs. During the time I was doing my volunteer work at the hospital, a part-time job opened up in the unit I was working in, and I applied. I got the job and loved the time working in the unit I had been volunteering in. However, the job included substituting in another department when that worker was absent. That worker was supposed to train me to do her job. Now, I am an intelligent person, who learns easily, especially anything to do with a computer. But from the beginning, this person made no secret of the fact that she did not select me, did not like me and was only training me because it was required. Nearing the end of my 90 day probation period, I was given a 30 day extension because I had not met the requirements of the job to the satisfaction of the supervisor in the “other” department. Nearing the end of the 30 day extension, I was called in at lunch one day and let go. I was surprised but at the same time, not surprised that I was a bit relieved. The job was a bit more stressful than I had anticipated, especially with Miss Thang breathing down my neck and wanting me to train every day I should have had off. My original job was two days a week/12 hour shifts. I was working that plus all other time up to 40 hours a week. The 12 hour shifts were exhausting and working the other hours in addition, I was staying tired all the time. I wasn’t enjoying my new job or my life. So again, I was a bit relieved to be let go.
I immediately began calling around to see if anyone needed a long term sub for the coming year and found a back to back pregnant teacher due date / pregnant assistant due date in a pre-k class (my favorite!). So I just killed time and relaxed until that temporary job began.
Now I have left out a couple of important events that I need to go back and add to this narrative. While I was recovering from my cancer treatments, my daughter bought me a precious little Yorkie and we named him Milo. He is a momma’s boy for sure, spoiled and loving! After we had him for a little over two years, we “rescued” a very small female Yorkie. She was being sold by a breeder who was getting out of the business. From the way she was physically and emotionally, we think she was abused but by being neglected not hit. As we loved on her and Milo began accepting her, she became the sweetest little, cuddly baby girl. She had her feisty moments, but for the most part, was a real sweetheart. We had hoped when we decided to get a female, that we could breed her with Milo. But she only weighed 4.5 lbs and he weighed nearly twice that. We did have a friend who had a Yorkie Poo about Belle’s size and we decided to breed them instead. She had 3 pups, 2 lived. The friend took the female and we kept the male, as we didn’t intend to breed her again. I realized it was stressful to wait for puppies to be born to a tiny little mom who couldn’t even tell you when she was going into labor. So now we have Gideon to add to our fur tribe.
I mentioned earlier that my sons both married the same month. The older son and his wife live about 30 miles away next door to his father. I don’t see them near as often as I would like, but they do seem to have full and happy lives. They have been trying to have a baby for over 3 years with no success.
My other son and his wife, bought a house this time last year and moved from the basement apartment in my house to their new home. That lasted about seven months and then she decided she wasn’t happy and wanted a divorce. It crushed my son, and he didn’t want to accept it. After some time and some unhappy events, he saw he could not change her mind and they are now divorced. They have sold their house and he is back in the apartment in the basement of my house.
So here we are ready to begin a new year. I have recently lost 30 lbs and hope to keep it off and lose about 10 more. I create educational and inspirational clip art, worksheets, games, activities, etc., and sell on an online store Teachers Pay Teachers. One of the items I have created is a Teacher Planner in different college themes (mostly SEC as I am from the south). As I began to look at the new year just around the corner, I thought, I should create a planner for me. Yes, it might be costly to print some of the pages, but some could be used again next year, like the monthly divider pages, the front and back covers and the divider pages for sections. So began the formation of my idea for my theme. I wanted a classic color scheme I could alter each month, but would be consistent throughout the year. Since I was creating for myself, I wanted a spiritual theme in some areas. I decided I could alter the spiritual theme on the monthly covers and offer both so a user could choose. This, of course, will be time consuming and will probably delay me getting it out before the first of the year (since today is December 31st, I certainly won’t meet that original deadline). But as this is for me, foremost, and others if they choose.
I personally like the Levenger notebook system, but it is costly to set up. As I am boycotting Staples, I will not recommend their version and will no longer purchase from them for any reason. This planner could be used in a 3 ring binder. I am as of right now, only creating the full notebook / letter size pages, but hope by next year to create it in the “junior” size. With the Levenger products, this would be 8.5” x 5.5” size pages. I have a junior size Levenger I would like to eventually use with this hence my additional size pages will happen.
I have the cover and back page created, along with the monthly divider pages. I have also created some generic background pages to be used where desired. So now, I am beginning to add divider covers and pages for additional areas such as Monthly Bills, To-Do Lists, Projects, Gift Lists, Schedules, Medical Information, Contacts, Emergency Information, etc. As this will be a work in progress throughout the year, I am going to be open to feedback and suggestions.
I moved across town with two of my adult children in tow, and both my sons married in the same month...wow was I a busy retired person! A little over a year later as I thought things were settling down again, I went in to have a swollen gland checked and several visits and tests later, found out I had Stage 3 throat cancer (left tonsil and back of the tongue). After 3 chemo and over 30 radiation treatments and a 30 lb weight loss, I waited for the damage to my throat to subside so a PET scan could be administered and I could find out if my cancer was gone. We call it our cancer as if we own it, when in fact, it owns us. But when the scan results, were read, it was gone! Celebrate! At least until the next scan in 6 months, when again, you wait to see if it has returned. And this goes on until your insurance decides it isn’t going to pay any more. At this point, you just rely on your prayers, without the reassurance every 6 months to a year.
When I began my treatments, I talked to my employer about my treatments and explained that I had no idea if I would be out for a month, or two, or three. His words to me were reassuring “Don’t worry about your job. We will get a temporary person to fill in for you. Just take care of yourself and get well. Your job will be here when you get back.”. I had a private disability insurance policy, so as soon as it began to get tough, I went out on disability and began drawing my allowed amount. This way, my employer could hire someone full time without having to worry about when I would be out for appointments. I continued to pick up bills and enter them from home to help out and I helped to train the temp. I had hoped to be able to come back a month after finishing treatment, but I was still in such pain with my raw throat, it was closer to two and a half months before I felt like returning. I went to talk to my boss about working half a day for a couple of weeks so I could see any differences in the way the temp was doing things and how I usually did it. I was planning for a smooth transition. I was never more surprised than when my employer told me that he didn’t think it would be fair for them to let the temp go after she had worked for almost 4 months and that they were going to let me go, oh and he didn’t mind if I drew unemployment from it. Hello? He didn’t mind? Per the state, I was entitled to 12 weeks of medical leave. But who wants to sue to get a job back where you aren’t wanted? This was a very small company, run by a couple I thought were my friends. So, not only did I still have physical healing ahead from the cancer, I had emotional healing ahead also.
I did draw my unemployment and began looking for another job. I began doing volunteer work at the hospital once a week. This was awesome. I enjoyed it tremendously, working one to two days a week. I also signed on for a couple of long-term substitute teaching jobs. During the time I was doing my volunteer work at the hospital, a part-time job opened up in the unit I was working in, and I applied. I got the job and loved the time working in the unit I had been volunteering in. However, the job included substituting in another department when that worker was absent. That worker was supposed to train me to do her job. Now, I am an intelligent person, who learns easily, especially anything to do with a computer. But from the beginning, this person made no secret of the fact that she did not select me, did not like me and was only training me because it was required. Nearing the end of my 90 day probation period, I was given a 30 day extension because I had not met the requirements of the job to the satisfaction of the supervisor in the “other” department. Nearing the end of the 30 day extension, I was called in at lunch one day and let go. I was surprised but at the same time, not surprised that I was a bit relieved. The job was a bit more stressful than I had anticipated, especially with Miss Thang breathing down my neck and wanting me to train every day I should have had off. My original job was two days a week/12 hour shifts. I was working that plus all other time up to 40 hours a week. The 12 hour shifts were exhausting and working the other hours in addition, I was staying tired all the time. I wasn’t enjoying my new job or my life. So again, I was a bit relieved to be let go.
I immediately began calling around to see if anyone needed a long term sub for the coming year and found a back to back pregnant teacher due date / pregnant assistant due date in a pre-k class (my favorite!). So I just killed time and relaxed until that temporary job began.
Now I have left out a couple of important events that I need to go back and add to this narrative. While I was recovering from my cancer treatments, my daughter bought me a precious little Yorkie and we named him Milo. He is a momma’s boy for sure, spoiled and loving! After we had him for a little over two years, we “rescued” a very small female Yorkie. She was being sold by a breeder who was getting out of the business. From the way she was physically and emotionally, we think she was abused but by being neglected not hit. As we loved on her and Milo began accepting her, she became the sweetest little, cuddly baby girl. She had her feisty moments, but for the most part, was a real sweetheart. We had hoped when we decided to get a female, that we could breed her with Milo. But she only weighed 4.5 lbs and he weighed nearly twice that. We did have a friend who had a Yorkie Poo about Belle’s size and we decided to breed them instead. She had 3 pups, 2 lived. The friend took the female and we kept the male, as we didn’t intend to breed her again. I realized it was stressful to wait for puppies to be born to a tiny little mom who couldn’t even tell you when she was going into labor. So now we have Gideon to add to our fur tribe.
I mentioned earlier that my sons both married the same month. The older son and his wife live about 30 miles away next door to his father. I don’t see them near as often as I would like, but they do seem to have full and happy lives. They have been trying to have a baby for over 3 years with no success.
My other son and his wife, bought a house this time last year and moved from the basement apartment in my house to their new home. That lasted about seven months and then she decided she wasn’t happy and wanted a divorce. It crushed my son, and he didn’t want to accept it. After some time and some unhappy events, he saw he could not change her mind and they are now divorced. They have sold their house and he is back in the apartment in the basement of my house.
So here we are ready to begin a new year. I have recently lost 30 lbs and hope to keep it off and lose about 10 more. I create educational and inspirational clip art, worksheets, games, activities, etc., and sell on an online store Teachers Pay Teachers. One of the items I have created is a Teacher Planner in different college themes (mostly SEC as I am from the south). As I began to look at the new year just around the corner, I thought, I should create a planner for me. Yes, it might be costly to print some of the pages, but some could be used again next year, like the monthly divider pages, the front and back covers and the divider pages for sections. So began the formation of my idea for my theme. I wanted a classic color scheme I could alter each month, but would be consistent throughout the year. Since I was creating for myself, I wanted a spiritual theme in some areas. I decided I could alter the spiritual theme on the monthly covers and offer both so a user could choose. This, of course, will be time consuming and will probably delay me getting it out before the first of the year (since today is December 31st, I certainly won’t meet that original deadline). But as this is for me, foremost, and others if they choose.
I personally like the Levenger notebook system, but it is costly to set up. As I am boycotting Staples, I will not recommend their version and will no longer purchase from them for any reason. This planner could be used in a 3 ring binder. I am as of right now, only creating the full notebook / letter size pages, but hope by next year to create it in the “junior” size. With the Levenger products, this would be 8.5” x 5.5” size pages. I have a junior size Levenger I would like to eventually use with this hence my additional size pages will happen.
I have the cover and back page created, along with the monthly divider pages. I have also created some generic background pages to be used where desired. So now, I am beginning to add divider covers and pages for additional areas such as Monthly Bills, To-Do Lists, Projects, Gift Lists, Schedules, Medical Information, Contacts, Emergency Information, etc. As this will be a work in progress throughout the year, I am going to be open to feedback and suggestions.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Lots of new items listed on TpT
Hi!
I have been soooo busy working on clip art and packets. I uploaded a Dolch Word List / Sight Word packet with over 300 pages! I had to take breaks from working on it and create other things, just because some of the pages were duplicates with just the words changed. That got boring!
I had planned to take today off from the TpT thing and go to eat with the teaching assistant who worked in kindergarten with me for 21 years. But she cancelled again. She has Alzheimer's. It is so hard to watch her become so different than the person I knew. I know it has to be so scary for her. She is scared to go places she isn't familiar with and with people whom she doesn't know. (That is just about everyone now...she doesn't remember her children and grandchildren all the time.) I am just heartbroken now thinking how soon she really won't be here. It is like mourning someone who is still here physically but their person, their soul is almost gone.
So for those of you who pray, please pray for her and for her friends and family who love and miss her.
Toodles!
Friday, July 17, 2015
Ups and Downs
Following through with blogging is just not something I have been able to do. I think of things to write about but then decide no one really wants to read it. Well, now I am going to just write and whoever wants to read it can, and if not...their choice.
First to play catch up on the news. The new job at the hospital I wrote about did not work out. Now I just have to figure out how to adjust my budget to living just off my retirement. I just am not ready to go back out and try again any time soon.
I got a Yorkie in November of 2012. He was a gift from my daughter near the end of my treatment for throat cancer. His name is Milo and he is a real sweetheart. He has some bad habits (we are still working on a few things!!), but I just love him. This past January, we added another baby to our household. Belle, another little Yorkie, was sort of a rescue puppy. The family that had her before us, for a year, didn't take much time with her. She was undernourished, matted and was content to just sit in a little playpen all day, she didn't like being held. Milo didn't really take to her and she pretty much ignored all of us. She would play with a little ball and lay by herself. She has really come out and gotten attached to me. She sleeps with me and wants to lay with me every time I sit down for a few minutes. She and Milo get along well.
And we let her have puppies with a friend's dog who is a Yorkie Poo. According to the internet, the puppies are Yoo Yoo Poos. Well, she had 3 and 2 lived. One boy and one girl. The owners of the daddy dog wanted a girl and we kept the boy, Gideon. So we now have 3 dogs. Yikes, they do keep me busy.
Another bit of news is the job front. I was doing volunteer work at a nearby hospital. I ended up taking a part-time position doing a good bit of the same type work, but also had to learn a completely new job, so when needed, I could fill in. Well, lets keep it simple and say after 4 months of probation, it didn't work out.
So now I am back at home with the fur babies full time.
I am trying to get back into my Teachers Pay Teachers creating, but my computer is giving a little trouble. I have been trying to work out whatever this latest kink is on my own. Hopefully I can, because I really do not have the money to take it in.
This month has had vet bills (puppies), grooming (big dogs), tags and trash permits. Also, I have to renew my teaching certificate (fee) and my TpT annual fee came out of my account. So my computer has got to get going so I can!
I have some good ideas for new products for teachers to use when school begins....so off to work I go!
First to play catch up on the news. The new job at the hospital I wrote about did not work out. Now I just have to figure out how to adjust my budget to living just off my retirement. I just am not ready to go back out and try again any time soon.
I got a Yorkie in November of 2012. He was a gift from my daughter near the end of my treatment for throat cancer. His name is Milo and he is a real sweetheart. He has some bad habits (we are still working on a few things!!), but I just love him. This past January, we added another baby to our household. Belle, another little Yorkie, was sort of a rescue puppy. The family that had her before us, for a year, didn't take much time with her. She was undernourished, matted and was content to just sit in a little playpen all day, she didn't like being held. Milo didn't really take to her and she pretty much ignored all of us. She would play with a little ball and lay by herself. She has really come out and gotten attached to me. She sleeps with me and wants to lay with me every time I sit down for a few minutes. She and Milo get along well.
And we let her have puppies with a friend's dog who is a Yorkie Poo. According to the internet, the puppies are Yoo Yoo Poos. Well, she had 3 and 2 lived. One boy and one girl. The owners of the daddy dog wanted a girl and we kept the boy, Gideon. So we now have 3 dogs. Yikes, they do keep me busy.
Another bit of news is the job front. I was doing volunteer work at a nearby hospital. I ended up taking a part-time position doing a good bit of the same type work, but also had to learn a completely new job, so when needed, I could fill in. Well, lets keep it simple and say after 4 months of probation, it didn't work out.
So now I am back at home with the fur babies full time.
I am trying to get back into my Teachers Pay Teachers creating, but my computer is giving a little trouble. I have been trying to work out whatever this latest kink is on my own. Hopefully I can, because I really do not have the money to take it in.
This month has had vet bills (puppies), grooming (big dogs), tags and trash permits. Also, I have to renew my teaching certificate (fee) and my TpT annual fee came out of my account. So my computer has got to get going so I can!
I have some good ideas for new products for teachers to use when school begins....so off to work I go!
Saturday, March 14, 2015
WOW! It has been quite a few weeks since I posted.
I have been busy training with my new job. I have just not had the time or energy to keep up with this. Hopefully I will get my life into some kind of order. I am finally getting back into my drawing...my computer is fixed and my new software installed! I have created some St. Patrick's Day clip art, Easter clip art and a couple other miscellaneous items. May the Luck of the Irish be with you!!!
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Blessings Abound!!!
Okay, I did not get my February packet completed and uploaded. I have begun work on my March packet! Yay!!! AND my drawing software (which was lost in my computer crash) was on sale this morning for $24.95! I am SO excited to get this. I was running the trial copy to be able to go ahead and work.
I just have to write something a little personal. I have been working as a volunteer at Tanner Hospital in Carrollton for about a year. I will no longer be doing this because....I will start work tomorrow in the same department with the same great people! I am thrilled with this opportunity! And I am a little nervous, but this will pass once I make it in to work on time tomorrow morning!
2015 is really turning into a super great year! Lunch today with friends!
I just have to write something a little personal. I have been working as a volunteer at Tanner Hospital in Carrollton for about a year. I will no longer be doing this because....I will start work tomorrow in the same department with the same great people! I am thrilled with this opportunity! And I am a little nervous, but this will pass once I make it in to work on time tomorrow morning!
2015 is really turning into a super great year! Lunch today with friends!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)