esign something. Now, when you buy the software, you can only install it on one computer, so I installed it on the notebook that sits on the Cricut table and is connected to the machine. But . . . that notebook is small and hard to see, so I installed a trial version of the software on my PC. What this means is that I can design whatever I want on my PC, save the design, and then open it on the notebook and actually cut the design. I decided that I'd like to try to design a window cut on a box or a bag. I used the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge that already had a "shopping bag" image for me to use, and I chose a flower image on that same cartridge to place where I wanted a floral-shaped window on my bag. I placed the flowers where I wanted them but wasn't sure if they'd be cut windows or what. Much to my surprise, I did it!!!!! I designed the size shopping bag that I wanted WITH a window in the shape of a flower!!!! This may not be big news for you, but it's HUGE for me! You can't tell from the picture, but I have placed acetate on the inside of the bag behind each floral window so whatever goes in the bag won't fall out. Because I wasn't sure my design would cut as planned, I used scrap card stock that had some stamping on what is now the inside of the bag. Still, I decorated the bag as if it was perfect. I used the "Priceless" stamp set with Pretty in Pink and Pink Passion Classic inks.
Showing posts with label Cricut Expression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cricut Expression. Show all posts
Saturday, March 8, 2008
CAN I TOOT MY OWN HORN????
I am so proud of myself! Ever since I've had my Cricut Expression and the DesignStudio software, I haven't had time to sit down and really study either--the machine or the software. The machine has been super easy to use; however, I have wanted to explore all the creative options available to me with the software. Today, I decided to try to d
esign something. Now, when you buy the software, you can only install it on one computer, so I installed it on the notebook that sits on the Cricut table and is connected to the machine. But . . . that notebook is small and hard to see, so I installed a trial version of the software on my PC. What this means is that I can design whatever I want on my PC, save the design, and then open it on the notebook and actually cut the design. I decided that I'd like to try to design a window cut on a box or a bag. I used the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge that already had a "shopping bag" image for me to use, and I chose a flower image on that same cartridge to place where I wanted a floral-shaped window on my bag. I placed the flowers where I wanted them but wasn't sure if they'd be cut windows or what. Much to my surprise, I did it!!!!! I designed the size shopping bag that I wanted WITH a window in the shape of a flower!!!! This may not be big news for you, but it's HUGE for me! You can't tell from the picture, but I have placed acetate on the inside of the bag behind each floral window so whatever goes in the bag won't fall out. Because I wasn't sure my design would cut as planned, I used scrap card stock that had some stamping on what is now the inside of the bag. Still, I decorated the bag as if it was perfect. I used the "Priceless" stamp set with Pretty in Pink and Pink Passion Classic inks.
esign something. Now, when you buy the software, you can only install it on one computer, so I installed it on the notebook that sits on the Cricut table and is connected to the machine. But . . . that notebook is small and hard to see, so I installed a trial version of the software on my PC. What this means is that I can design whatever I want on my PC, save the design, and then open it on the notebook and actually cut the design. I decided that I'd like to try to design a window cut on a box or a bag. I used the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge that already had a "shopping bag" image for me to use, and I chose a flower image on that same cartridge to place where I wanted a floral-shaped window on my bag. I placed the flowers where I wanted them but wasn't sure if they'd be cut windows or what. Much to my surprise, I did it!!!!! I designed the size shopping bag that I wanted WITH a window in the shape of a flower!!!! This may not be big news for you, but it's HUGE for me! You can't tell from the picture, but I have placed acetate on the inside of the bag behind each floral window so whatever goes in the bag won't fall out. Because I wasn't sure my design would cut as planned, I used scrap card stock that had some stamping on what is now the inside of the bag. Still, I decorated the bag as if it was perfect. I used the "Priceless" stamp set with Pretty in Pink and Pink Passion Classic inks.
Friday, February 15, 2008
WANNA SEE THE "COWBOY LOVE" BOOK?
I put some finishin
g touches on my book during the wee hours this morning, but I hope to add more embellishing . . . as I think of what to do. I'm not thrilled with the binding
, but it will suffice for now. I really like how this project turned out, and it has been quite an obsession! There's not a lot of stamping in this project, but SU's retired "Bareback" stamp set really came in handy! I said to no one but me, "I do believe this one just paid for itself!"
Sunday, February 10, 2008
"LOVE" WORD BOOK/ALBUM
How cool is this???? I love the way this book came together, and it isn't even finished . . . or together . . . just yet! There are four pages, of course, and the pages get progressively larger. The first page, the "L", is the only one that has holes punched (and jumbo brads) for now, but I'll eventually add 
pictures, journaling, and embellishments to the whole thing. I just haven't figured out what I want to do with it. I had an idea, but Chadrick--politely, yet adamantly--asked me not to go with that idea. ;-) I used the Cricut and DesignStudio software to cut each of the pages from thin chipboard and then cut each letter/page two more times from designer paper so I co
uld cover the front and back of each page. For this, I used a decoupage glue. One the front and back of each page, I used a sanding block on the edges to distress them a bit. This word book is 6" tall, and the largest page ("E") is 11" wide. SU products used to create this book include "Outlaw" designer paper (retired), jumbo antique eyelets, and the Crop-a-Dile. BTW, the "Eastern Sky" designer paper in the current SU catalog has the same patterns/designs as the retired "Outlaw" designer paper--it just has different colors.
pictures, journaling, and embellishments to the whole thing. I just haven't figured out what I want to do with it. I had an idea, but Chadrick--politely, yet adamantly--asked me not to go with that idea. ;-) I used the Cricut and DesignStudio software to cut each of the pages from thin chipboard and then cut each letter/page two more times from designer paper so I co
uld cover the front and back of each page. For this, I used a decoupage glue. One the front and back of each page, I used a sanding block on the edges to distress them a bit. This word book is 6" tall, and the largest page ("E") is 11" wide. SU products used to create this book include "Outlaw" designer paper (retired), jumbo antique eyelets, and the Crop-a-Dile. BTW, the "Eastern Sky" designer paper in the current SU catalog has the same patterns/designs as the retired "Outlaw" designer paper--it just has different colors.Thursday, January 31, 2008
6x6 "LOVE YOU" PAGE
When I was making the cuts for the last "love you" project, this was actually the first one that I made. It was too large to use on my card, so I decided to use it on a 6x6 scra
pbook page! I still need to find the perfect picture for it (and I have one in mind), but I need to find it. SU products used to create this page are Close to Cocoa, Purely Pomegranate, and Whisper White card stock, Stampin' Dimensionals, Berry Bliss designer paper, Boho Blossoms punch, and the 5-Petal Flower punch.
pbook page! I still need to find the perfect picture for it (and I have one in mind), but I need to find it. SU products used to create this page are Close to Cocoa, Purely Pomegranate, and Whisper White card stock, Stampin' Dimensionals, Berry Bliss designer paper, Boho Blossoms punch, and the 5-Petal Flower punch. ETA: The finished product . . . I found the "perfect" photo of Renee and Malena, so I guess I'll have to give this page to Renee. ;-)
Sunday, January 27, 2008
CUT & WELDED
I had a little fun playing with the Cricut this evening. I recently purchased the DesignStudio software for the machine so I could hook it up to the computer, but I haven't read all the ways to use this software. This card is proof positive that reading instructions is, sometimes, optional. ;-) Come to think of it, I haven't even read the manual that came with the machine yet! Bad girl, I know! Anyway, I wanted to try "welding" letters, which is the software's way of allowing you to create attached letters/phrases. The letters and two white hearts in the "love you" phrase are all joined (welded) together, which is awesome! It's much easier to adhere the whole kit and kaboodle without having to work with the letters individually. The floral image is from the "One of a Kind" stamp set, and I used Stampin' Dimensionals on all of the cut layers on this card. That gorgeous paper, of course, is from the "Berry Bliss" designer series paper collection.Wednesday, January 9, 2008
A CRICUT FOR CHRISTMAS
Ignore the fact that we're well into January . . . my Christmas gift just arrived yesterday . . . a Cricut Expression Electronic Cutter. 
Of course, Fadi and Chadrick were very good to have some fun Cricut accessories for me at Christmas--I just didn't have the machine in time. I didn't have a lot of time to play with my new gadget, but I did manage to try cuts from my three cartridges. While I don't know even a fraction of what this machine can do, I can tell you that it's seemingly easy to operate, and its precision is AMAZING! In this post, I'm uploading just a couple of pictures of my "test" items. The letters are 1.5" high, the box is 2.5" square, and the paisley accent is 3.5" x 2.5". To cut the paisley accent, I first cut it from white card stock and then decided to cut the same image using the "Shadow" feature. For the shadow, I used Regal Rose textured card stock. How awesome is that??? I had a good idea tonight. Since the Cricut can cut some pretty big letters, I'm thinking that the next time 
Fadi makes me mad, I can spell out . . . on the wall or his bathroom mirror . . . the words I'd like to say! Of course, I could spell out "THANKS SO MUCH!" That would probably be most appropriate at the moment. Goodness knows, that man has been quite tolerant and supportive of my creative interests and all the gadgets that "I just have to have."
Of course, Fadi and Chadrick were very good to have some fun Cricut accessories for me at Christmas--I just didn't have the machine in time. I didn't have a lot of time to play with my new gadget, but I did manage to try cuts from my three cartridges. While I don't know even a fraction of what this machine can do, I can tell you that it's seemingly easy to operate, and its precision is AMAZING! In this post, I'm uploading just a couple of pictures of my "test" items. The letters are 1.5" high, the box is 2.5" square, and the paisley accent is 3.5" x 2.5". To cut the paisley accent, I first cut it from white card stock and then decided to cut the same image using the "Shadow" feature. For the shadow, I used Regal Rose textured card stock. How awesome is that??? I had a good idea tonight. Since the Cricut can cut some pretty big letters, I'm thinking that the next time 
Fadi makes me mad, I can spell out . . . on the wall or his bathroom mirror . . . the words I'd like to say! Of course, I could spell out "THANKS SO MUCH!" That would probably be most appropriate at the moment. Goodness knows, that man has been quite tolerant and supportive of my creative interests and all the gadgets that "I just have to have." ETA: I realize my "paisley accent" isn't really a paisley--I'm just not sure what else to call it. Just squint until your vision is blurred, and maybe it will look like a paisley. ;-)
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