Cutting and writing with the Explore

I'm still learning how to use the Explore and the Design Space. Some things come easily and other things are a bit challenging. While trying to use a font from my computer I was having a hard time welding the letters together. I'll have to keep working on that to see if it can be done.

I was able to figure out how to cut and write though. The hardest part was finding the tag I wanted to use and then deciding on the sentiment.

I really like the font on the tags above, but wanted something a little more elegant for this box I made for my sister's wedding.

The tag was a layered tag, but instead of cutting layers I wanted to use the silver pen to draw the top piece. It worked out perfectly. The 'Thank you' is really pretty, but would look much better with a fine tip pen. I just didn't have one at the time. It's on my shopping list of things to get.

The box was made using Tags, Bags, Boxes and More. The Explore will cut and score, but I accidentally turned off the score feature and had to score it myself. That would explain why it isn't lined up perfectly.

There are so many possibilities with this machine. I love that I don't have to swap out the cutting blade for a pen anymore. Having a separate holder for each one is awesome.

Another Thank You Card

A friend is having a baby shower in a couple of weeks and I offered to help her with some of the decorations and the Thank You cards. She sent me a couple of pictures of what she wanted and I got busy with my New Cricut Explore and laptop.

Since this was my first real project with the Explore (starting from scratch) I thought it might be harder to figure things out. But guess what? It wasn't hard at all! I still need to make some adjustments to my work area to make more room for my laptop, but besides that, it was super easy to make this card.

I could have printed the text using the Explore, but I was in a hurry so I printed it on white cardstock from my printer. Even that was super simple since I now have my laptop, printer and Explore all in the same room.

The mustache on the front of the card was cut at 1" from the Artiste cartridge and 1/2" for the inside of the card. The bow tie on the front was cut from the Billionaire cartridge.

I can hardly wait to make more things with this new machine. Now if I could just hit the lottery so I don't have to work, then I would have the time.

Banner for Bentley

A new baby on his way and a new banner for mommy's shower. This one just popped in my head today and I felt compelled to make it. I hope she likes it.

I used the Close to My Heart Artiste cartridge for the mustaches and ties. The ties were cut at 11" and the mustaches were cut at 1.75" on my Expression machine. the letters and shadows were cut from the Nate's ABC's cartridge at 1.75". I used fishing line to hang them from the red ribbon.

National Scrapbook Day Weekend - Project 1

One of my projects for today.... a Mother's Day Layout. Stay tuned for more projects through out the rest of today and tomorrow.

For the pennants, scallop circles, scallop border and labels I used Stampin' Up punches. I really love how easy it is to grab a punch and get the shape I want.

For Happy Mothers Day I used the Cricut cartridge Quarter Note. That is my favorite font for welding pretty letters together.

The challenge on the Cricut Circle messageboard was to pick three items in a row from a tic tac toe board. I chose to use a flower image, buttons and ribbon (instead of ribbon I used twine though). I also used my Gypsy to weld, bling and brads which were in some of the other boxes to choose from. So I guess I used a row going down in the first column and a row going horizontal on the bottom from the challenge.

Say Cheese, Christmas Layout

Another Christmas layout using the Pear and Partridge kit from Close to my Heart. I am also using the Close to my Heart idea book and catalog for layout ideas. There are some wonderful layouts in the book. I'm just changing up the papers to fit my Christmas layouts.

Here's a look at the layout with pictures.

I'm not sure where she learned this or why she started doing this, but whenever she's having her picture taken she says cheese with a huge smile and eyes mostly closed. Sometimes it only takes the camera flash to get this from her. Even when it's not pointed at her. LOL.

The title Say Cheese was cut using the Cricut cartridge Opposites Attract. The oval type shape was cut from the Artiste cartridge and then cut in half to fit at the bottom of the page.

The journaling spot was also cut with the Artiste cartridge.

I still have some papers left so I'll be making some more layouts to share. Come back soon.

December Daily Cover and Day One

I finally finished the cover of my December Daily. I didn't go with the first album I chose. Instead I'm using the paper bag album and needed to make a chipboard cover for it. I've never made a chipboard cover like this so it was a little intimidating, but I got it done.

 

 

I used two of my favorite Cricut cartridges for this. Merry Christmas was cut at 3 3/4" from the Artiste cartridge. The tree was cut at 4 1/2" from Art Philosophy. The tag and 2012 were cut from Art Philosophy at 1" and 1 1/2" respectively.

 

The first of December and my first page include a picture of desk and the huge mess I made while making my December Daily album.

 

 

The page lifts up to reveal my journaling and an additional picture of my son getting our Christmas decorations out of the attic.

 

 

The picture is matted and has a tab on the side with a number 1 on it for December 1st. It pulls out of the pocket.

 

 

I will see you back here tomorrow with my December 2nd story and page. 

Little Man Layout

Awe, these pictures bring back some wonderful memories. My "Little Man" is all grown up now and I'm still trying to keep up with him. Where did the years go? These pictures aren't the best quality. I didn't have a very good camera at the time, but I'm so happy to have these pictures. My baby was only 8 months old here.

 

 

The Little Man part of the title is using the negative cut. I was going to use the denim paper to cut out the title and after seeing the negative with the black cardstock behind it I decided I liked it better. I used the Cricut Artiste cartridge to cut it out at 2". I cut the words 'on the go' from Artiste at 1 1/2".

The mustache was cut at 1" and is also from Artiste.  Isn't it super cute?

How do you like the corners on my journal box? I think they turned out super cute and they were super easy. I used a Martha Stewart corner punch and a square punch to make them.

I really like the way these corners turned out. I will be using other punches of mine in this same way to see what I can get from them.

The journaling box slips right under the corners and doesn't need adhesive. I love this idea because I tend to be a sloppy writer and sometimes need a new journaling box to start over with. (have you noticed the layouts I've been posting don't have journaling on them yet?) LOL.

Fun Layout

Okay, the 3rd layout is the charm :-) This one is my favorite. Probably because there are so many spots for photos. I tend to take a lot of pictures and need to put as many on a page as I can get.

One of the cool things about the Artiste cartridge is the collection of chipboard pieces that comes with it. To match the chipboard pieces there are clear stamps and cuts on the cartridge to match the shapes. This little pennant was cut from the Dakota paper at 2" and glued to the matching chipboard. After cutting the pennant pieces I cut the word 'fun' at 1 1/2" from the Artiste font. I then added twine to hang my pieces.

The sentiment is another epoxy sticker from Cloud 9. I still have some paper left so I'll be back with yet another layout using Artiste and the Dakota paper pack.

Cindy

Love Layout

Does this paper look familiar? Yep, it's from the Close to my Heart paper pack called Dakota that I used in my last layout. I also used the Cricut Artiste cartridge for the title and the wing. I Love You was cut at 2 1/2" from page 71. Isn't it beautiful? I will definitely be using that cut again. The wing was cut at 2 1/2" from page 48.

The clear epoxy quote sticker has been in my stash for years. It's from Cloud 9 and came in a package of 10. The blue cardstock that it is adhered to was cut from the Artiste cartridge. Page 71 at 1".

Here is a picture of the layout with pictures added. My two boys. The bottom box will be for journaling.

More to come...

It's a Boy thing layout

I've been playing with my Artiste cartridge again. At first glance I had no idea that I would use this cartridge as much as I am. This layout is the first of a series I will be posting with the Artiste cartridge and a paper pack called Dakota from Close to my Heart.

I still need to get my pictures printed so I'll have to post the layout with pictures later. For now I wanted to share the layout without pictures. I started with paper from the Dakota paper pack. I then went to my Artiste cartridge to find a title. I found 'It's a Boy' on page 64 and cut it out at 4". The word 'thing' was cut out of the font on the cartridge at 2". I also found the accent pieces on page 43 that match the paper perfectly. I cut them out at 2". 

This super cute pocket was made using a stamp set called Rugged Dude by Close to my Heart. I love it! There are 9 stamps in this set that give the pocket the look that it has. I glued it to my page leaving the top open so that I could slip a tag inside. The tag was cut using the Artiste cartridge again. There are a lot of cute tag cuts on this cartridge. I know you can't really see the one I used but it is from page 33 and was cut at 2 1/2".

I'll be back in a day or two with another layout. My goal is to use up this entire pack of paper so that I don't have miscellaneous scraps to store. If I have some small pieces left over I'll try to use them up on a card or two. Stay tuned to see what I come up with.

I'm back with pictures on my layout...

I still need to do the journaling, but for now I'm calling this layout done. Thanks for taking another look.

Pumpkin Place Settings and Home Sweet Home

Happy October 2nd. I know I haven't posted in a while. I've been busy with lots of projects, but haven't had time to get anything posted. But I do have a couple of things to share today.

For my first project I wanted to use my new Close To My Heart Artiste cartridge. I just got it in the mail a couple of days ago and I absolutely love it. There's an image for just about everything. With Thanksgiving in mind, which will most likely be at my house this year, I was looking for a way to make place settings. I found the perfect images on page 78. I cut the 3D pumpkins at 4" and 5". The patterned papers I used are from an old paper stack called Femme Fatale by Recollections.

Before assembling them I inked the edges with Pumpkin Pie ink by Stampin' Up. Once the pumpkins were put together I cut the leaves at 4" and 5". I inked the edges with Old Olive ink by Stampin' Up, added twine and a button.

I then cut some of the very cute tags on page 32 at 2". This cartridge has some of the cutest tags, not just the ones I used. Again I inked the edges and then stamped the names of family members using the Close to my Heart Type Face letter stamps.

For my other project today I would like to share an idea I found on Pinterest. (love that site)

This front porch planter was super easy to make, but was a big hit at my son's housewarming party. I used three planters stacked one on top of the other in 3 sizes (largest on the bottom). I then added the words Home Sweet Home cut out of vinyl from the Quarter Note cartridge. Each word was welded using my Gypsy and cut at 3 1/2", 3 3/4, and 4" respectively. I then added my plants of choice and that was it. Super easy. Thanks for stopping by today.