Stocking Gift Card Holder

Here is a stocking gift card holder just in time for those last minute Christmas Gift Cards.  Due to its size, you need the Expression and a 12x12 mat and I only used the Christmas Cheer Cartridge.

This idea has been bouncing around in my head for a little while.  Just hadn't found the time to set down and try it.  Stockings can be hard to figure out the proper place to weld I can tell you that!!  LOL  Anyway - I finally got a couple done that I liked. I used one of the stockings from the Christmas Cheer cartridge.  So as to not cause the need for multiple carts, I then decided to use only shapes from that cart to do the "insert" for the gift card.  So the rectangle for the insert along with the welded package and the candy cane also came from Christmas Cheer.  You could recreate this idea with any other stocking from any other cart and just "add" any "gifts" to the top of the insert of any other carts as well.  Thought a doll peeking out of the top of the stocking would be cute for a little girl, maybe a nutcracker for a boy! When I decide who these will be used for, I will add their names to the cuff on the stocking.

I decided instead of making a "pocket" for the gift card to slide down onto that I would just make it so that the card could be attached to the insert with a repositionable glue strip down the backside of the gift card.  You could make a pocket for it or you could add slits for the corners to slide into if you prefer more "attachment".  I took the easy way out!  LOL  Hope that someone finds a use for it.  Please let me see your project if you do use it! Please let me know if you have any questions.

You can download the stocking gift card holder for the Gypsy file or download the stocking gift card holder .cut file  for Design Studio.  Both use the Expression with 12x12 mats. 

I did not check the Gypsy file yet.  I just converted it after finishing the design up on Design Studio.  This means that it has all dumped onto 1 page too!  I believe there are at least 4 "pages" in the DS file. (Forgot about that part! - Sorry!  Easy enough to "fix" just copy and paste to different pages.  I will try and do that at some point BUT I haven't yet!!  Sorry!!) If you try the Gypsy file be sure to check the placement and the weldings.  I used hide contour to hide the extra packages and ribbons (because I couldn't delete them) on one page and the tack on the another page.  These will show up in the Gypsy file.  :(  You can just discard the "extras" not needed or use for some other project. I did this so I could "layer" the backside so that the stocking and "gifts" looked the same from either side. See PC why they need to work the same with all the same features!!  Grrrrr..  . . . . . . . . :(

Gingerbread House - Card or Gift Card Holder - .gypsy or .cut files available - George Cartridge Used

Hello.  Hope everyone in the US had a great Thanksgiving.  We did.  We had 28-30 people to our house to eat on Thanksgiving.  That means I spent all the earlier part of the week cleaning my house!  LOL  Then about half of them were back on Friday for leftovers!!  So - I just finally got around to posting this today!

Here is the "GingerBread" House Card that I made last week.  I found it while perusing an old copy of  a PaperCrafts magazine. It was in the November, 2007 edition on page 45 entitled, "So Good You Could Eat It" and was designed by Valerie Pingree.  When I saw it I thought - "hmm . . . . that is cute and would be very easy to do in Design Studio and/or the Gypsy."  I designed my original file on my Gypsy with the George cartridge.  I used the Gypsy so I could "group" and easily resize if needed.  I used the George cartridge for two reasons.  First, like BugBytes - I think my Gypsy Wanderings shapes are wonky for some reason - at least they look that way on my screeen!!  Then, I wanted to be able to share this file with people who didn't have the Gypsy but did have Design Studio so I went with George.  If you don't have George, you can use the template option on the Gypsy to recreate the file using another cartridge with basic shapes you do have. DS doesn't have the "template" option but you can still recreate it in DS with another cartridge simply by using another "page" and the preview mode to allow you to do the same thing like the template mode on the Gypsy. You can also leave me a comment if you need help recreating this file with another cartridge on either the Gypsy or DS and can't do it yourself and I will be happy to try and help you.

Both files, the .gypsy and the .cut, have 2 pages.  The first page is the house card base.  Cut it out in any brown or tan cardstock that you want.  You will want it to be fairly heavy cardstock.  Once cut, fold the left and right "flaps" in to overlap the card base.The 2nd page is the "snow scallop" for the bottom of the card and then the 2 roof scallops.  Note that the circles are welded together but the rectangles are not welded to the circles.  This is correct as you simply want the rectangle to cut the circles so that they are "flat" on that side for placement on the roof line or the base of the card.  The first scallop is only 4 circles - this is for the "snow" on the base of the card.  Once you have it - cut it in half to put half on the bottom of one "flap" of the card and the other half on the other flap of the card so that you can still open the card. The other two longer "scallops" are for the roof "shingles".  They overlap on the peak of the rooftop.  I used stickles for the red "dots" on the roof line.  You could also add small circle cuts to each circle (without welding) and they would cut the "dots" out.  You cold then add paper to the back to get a different color "dot".

The file doesn't include any other "decorations".  The candy "circles" in the middle of my roof is cut from paper I had and then stickled.  I also stickled the snow and roof shingles.  I used my crop-a-dile to add two eyelets on the "flaps" to run the ribbon through.  The ribbon is some I had in my stash.  Create and decorate as you would any Gingerbread house - the limits are your imagination.

To simply use this as a card, write your greeting inside. You could add a small piece of colored cardstock inside to write on if you wanted a little more color inside.  If you want to use it as a "gift card" holder, you can either simply add a little repostitionable glue to the back of your gift card and place it inside on the card base or cut some "slits" for the corners of the gift card to slide into.  I think I am going to use it for my niece who is moving to NC to her first real job and apt. just before Christmas.  As always, I love to read comments and see what people do with my files.  I'm happy to answer any questions as well.  Hope everyone has a Joyous Holiday Season!

You can download the .cut file using George for Design Studio or you can download the .gypsy file using George on the Gypsy.

DazyCutr's Corner - Pagoda Cart Taking Flight

This card was created using my new cartridge Pagoda and my Gypsy.

I chose this stork because I liked the layer cut that went with it.

In the end I wasn't able to use the layer. I used the "slant" feature on Gypsy for the bird and could not get the layer to fit.

Let me tell you what I did.
I used a rectangle from George and using width and length I made it 6 x 9. that's my card base. I selected the stork and and sized it at 3 1/2", flipped it, moved it to the right edge of my card, slanted it and then welded.......it all worked !!!!!
I copied and pasted the bird to another spot on the mat so I could cut another layer, the black bird.

Melanie guided me through this, she's so good with Gypsy and DS.

The tree I cut @ 3" just using Cricut. Kangi cut @ 2".

On the inside I will put....May your dreams take flight.

I think it would make a good graduation card.

Thanks for looking

Sweet Treats Cricut Cartridge - Couple of Sample Cuts

Hello.  I got several of the new cartridges in the past week or so.  One of those I picked up was the "Sweet Treats" cartridge from our local Michaels.  I was excited about this cart because I like to make bags, boxes, containers.  I tried a couple of them.  I cut out 2 "cupcake holders" and 1 "Party Favor Boxes".  I cut 2 of the cupcake holders trying  to figure out the sizing for a cupcake.  You would "think" that they would give the basic sizes to cut to get the correct size for something like this!!!

My biggest issue with this cart is what I feel like was deceptiveness on PC's part with this cartridge. At first glance you would think you had 50 cupcake holders.  However, in fact, there is only 1 "cupcake holder" and 49 more IDENTICAL cuts.  There is NOTHING DIFFERENT on any of those cuts.   The shift function gives you "emblishments" to add to the cupcake holders that make them "different". Then there are a large number of identical cuts on the Party Favor Boxes.  There are 3 of 1 and 5 of another that are identical on the word cuts.  They are actually the same boxes but just 2 different sizes, 3 one size and 5 of  another. Then there are 10 identical cuts for the "candle" party favor boxes.  So you don't have 50 different "Party Favor Boxes" you get far fewer. Again, the shfit feature for each gives you "emblishments" that make them different.  However, I don't need 10 or 50 of the same cut for that.  Just give me one cut and then the different embelishments.

At first glance, I thought hey, these look identical - then I thought no they wouldn't do that.  So, before I accused them I decided to make sure that I was correct and I cut them all out to verify they were in fact identical as I suspected.  Sad to say, I was right.  :(  Then there are a number of "not available" spaces (23 or more based on my account!!!)  Plus, this I didn't verify, but I believe that some of the cards and the tags may be the same as well.  Again, just with a different emblishment with the shift feature.   :(  So when you start adding it up, there are probably well over 100 that are blank or identical.  Compared to the newly released Old West and Pagoda that has no identical cuts or N/A's on them so they have a full 700 images!  Sorry PC but I don't see that as acceptable.  If you can't do a fully loaded cart with different images, then make it a soulutions cart!

With that said, here are the 3 items that I made with the Sweet Treats cartridge.  The first 2 are the cupcake holders.  The first one the purple one with the crown I loaded the mat with a 12x12 piece of paper and told it to "fit to size"  (at the moment, Sweet Treats and Paisley are not avialable on the Gypsy or DS software - maybe tommorrow or soon!).  With fit to size, it said it was cutting at 11".  When the cut is completed and the holder is folded up and glued together, you get a completed holder that is fairly large.  It gives you a 4"x4" square bottom and its width is 4" wide at the bottom, 4 1/2" wide at the top.  It's height is 3 1/2".  To get the "crowns" you use the shift function.  It cuts out 2 side panels leaving 2 sides undecorated.  You can do all 4 sides by cutting it again. I think this size is probably even still too big for a jumbo cupcake.  However, it would make a nice size box for other treats.

The second cuupcake holder I "guestimated" the size to cut based on my results from the first one.  I cut it at 7".  This gives you a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square bottom. It is 2 1/2" wide at the base and 3" wide at the top.  It is 2 1/4" in height.  I used the shift function to cut the scalloped border.  This cuts 4, one for each side.  This is probably the right size to hold a regular size cupcake or muffin.

Finally, I tried one of the Party Favor Boxes.  I cut the number 6 ice cream cone.  Again, since for some unexplainable reason, PC does NOT provide sizing guidelines, I had to "guesstimate" or try a "fit to page" and just see what he end result was.  I put in the 12"x12" paper and told it to "fit to page".  It then cut this Party Favor Box at 5 3/4".  As a result, it only uses 1/2 the page of paper but it takes the full 12" width to cut it out.  If you could use DS or the Gypsy.  You could manipulate this a little to get more height if you wanted.  The "favor" part of the box ends up being approx. 3 x 2 3/4" in width and a little less then 2 1/2" in height.  Not a huge box by any means!  You then need to cut the layers of the ice cream out.  Since you will need "2" of them, you will need to "flip" some of them for one side.  Not a problem if you use plain one color paper, but an issue if you use a print (as I did for the strawberry ice cream).  If you do that you will need to "flip" the ones for that side.  I found it easier to mark mine as I cut L for left and R for right.  I then embossed with the Cuttlebug "swirl folder" so I had to make sure I was embossing the "correct" sides as well!! They also have added the "holes" for adding a handle.  I don't know that I would have added a handle, but without it being loaded on DS, I couldn't do a hide/contour feature on it to prevent those holes from cutting, and the Gypsy doesn't have that feature so I wouldn't have been able to do it on there at all.

End result, I like a lot of the things on this cartridge. However, I do feel that PC "short changed" us by giving so many identical cuts!  I would not pay full price for this less then complete cartridge!!  Glad I got mine on a sales price match!!  Please let me know if you have any questions or want to see a particular item cut out from this cartridge. There is of course no .cut or .gypsy files for this since the are direct cuts from the cartridge and they are not yet avilable on on the DS or Gypsy cartridge listings for use.  Have a great day!

Gas Pump Money or Gift Card Holder for 16th Birthday

Here is the money or gift card holder I made for my Nephew's 16th Birthday a couple of weeks ago.  Since he was turning 16 and getting his license soon and they prefer money at this age as a gift anyway, I decided to make a money holder around the "driving" theme.  I used the gas pump from the Cars cartridge.  I created this on my Gypsy now that they have finally fixed the welding a flipped image issue!  Thanks for that PC!  I was also able to use the grouping feature with it to resize it to make it smaller.  Once I had it made and cut the first one out, I decided it needed to be a little smaller in size, with being able to group it all as one object on the Gypsy it was a snap to make smaller! Thans for that too PC.  However, you still can't group in DS.  Please PC, can you give us the grouping feature in DS tooooooooo. We have been asking for that since it was first released.  I don't see why that is difficult to do, especially since it is now on the Gypsy!!!!

To create this money holder, I used the Disney Cars cartridge for the gas pump, created a 2nd one and flipped it and welded them together on one side.  I then created the pocket on the bottom by adding a square from another cartridge (I probably used George) and welding it to the bottom of the right side of the money holder, created rectangles and welded them on the sides of the square to fold in and adhere pocket with when folded up.  I cut the base money holder out of a cream color cardstock.  Then I cut one of the pump in a silver cardstock and applied it to the front of the money holder.  I then cut off the front pump handle so that there was only the one on the back of the card. I used markers to color the pump handle.  After I had already adhered the front silver pump, I thought, dang, I should have embossed Happy Birthday on the front of it first.  So, I cut a small square to fit, embossed the happy birthday with a sizzix embossing folder and adhered it to the bottom front.  I then sanded it and inked it. Please leave me a comment if you have any further questions about how I did this or what either a .gypsy or .cut file of this project.  I have not yet saved it to my computer so I don't yet have it available to share.  I will probably only do that if someone asks for it. It should be fairly easy to recreate on your own however.

Volleyball Gift Card Holder

Here is a volleyball gift card holder I created a month or so ago. I used the Sports Mania cartridge (and maybe George for the square for the pocket). I used the volleyball shadow to create the front at I  and back black base and welded them together in DS.  I then added a "pocket" to the back base to hold the gift card.  This is done by welding a square to the bottom of the back circle base and then rectangles to the left and right of the square to fold in and glue to the base to form the pocket. The font volleyball shape was then cut out in white and added to the front.  I created this to give to my DD's Volleyball Coach for her end of the season gift from the team.  It could also be used to give a gift to your favorite volleyball player!

It could easily be adapted to be a basketball, baseball, tennis ball, etc.  Any "round" ball sport.   Just simply cut the front to be the ball shape that you need. I don't recall what cartridge the "Thanks" word came from off the top of my head!  You could also use congrats, You Did It, Way to Go, etc.  LOL




If you are interested in the .cut file for this leave me a comment and I will try to get it posted in the next couple of days.  It would be fairly easy to recreate without a file from me but I'll be happy to share if anyone wants my file, just let me know.  My comments are setup to be done anonymously so leaving a comment shouldn't be a problem!  I haven't had time to work on cleaning up the file and making it ready to post and its on a different computer which is why I'm not posting it right now!  LOL  Plus, this way I see who really wants the file! LOL

DazyCutr's Corner - Cards made with MS Punches

Welcome to DazyCutr's Corner! Rheba a.k.a. DazyCutr on the Cricut MB is going to share my blog. She will post her beautiful card creations here as often as she wants. I'll encourage her to post other things too!! Here is her first sharing with us. They are cards made with MS Punches. She learned this technique from Becca at AmazingGrace. You can find Becca's website here http://www.amazingpapergrace.com/. Becca refers to these as "circle frames". This first card was created using a MS around the page punch, fall leaves. To create this frame I cut a circle 3 3/4", and using Becca's directions I marked the back of the card stock in 1/8th sections. I used the corner punch from the set and went around the circle. I really like the look of this.

The cornucopia is cut from Speaking of Fall @ 1 3/4". The pumpkins, apple and cherry are part of the cut. I added glaze to them

"Give Thanks" is cut from Don Juan @ 1/2".

I used the border and corner punch for the background paper.

This is a real fun technique with endless possibilities. I have created a few more.

This second card was made using the MS cupcake punch. I had to make the circle a little bigger for this one, 4" The cupcakes around the circle are punched out and what you are seeing is the background paper through the cupcake cut out. In the center is the actual punch. I added a little glaze to them and doodled the edges.

The scalloped circle is from Mini Monos.

Happy Birthday is a stamp.

Here are some additional cards made with this technique. One has deer and one has snowmen. The "winter" is from Stretch Your Imagination, "Season's Greetinngs is from Don Juan. The tree is a cricut cut but can't recall which cartridge! Anyone care to guess?!! The snowman head and hat are from Speaking of Winter.

These last two pictures are not very clear, but you can click on all of the pictures for a larger image.

Transfering my DS .cut files to .gypsy files

I hope to start transferring my DS .cut files to .gypsy files soon.  If there is anyone out there who would like one of these files converted sooner then later, leave me a comment here and I would be happy to do that as time permits.  Some of my files have multiple pages in DS and will need some work to recreate them with multiple pages for the Gypsy since multiple pages do not transfer that way but get transferred all on one page!  I really have to go back and see what files I do have and where to start!  Thanks for stopping in!

Hello Again!

Just wanted to say hello. I knew it had been a while since I had added anything to my Blog, but I hadn't realized that it had been more then a month.  I'm sorry if you are a "follower" who has been looking for new projects.  I haven't had a lot to share lately and didn't seem like anybody was missing me any way!  LOL

My last post said that my cervical vertabrae issues had reared their ugly head again.  I was having lots of pain issues at that time, they have abated some what.  Surgery is probably coming BUT I hope later then sooner.  We are doing the wait and see for now.  Right now I am doing okay with it all.

Anyway, in addition to that, I then went out of town to Disney World with my Family for a mini Fall Break  (getting used to not being able to ride the roller coasters and other rides anymore!) :(, then we returned to host an exchange student from El Salvador for 10 days including over Halloween.  We are now getting ready for DD to cheer for her MS Baseketball teams and to play on a competitive traveling Volleyball team while DS is playing league Basketball and getting ready for MS baseball team tryouts next week.  DS left today for a school trip to Barrier Island, SC for the week.  So, as you can see I haven't had much time to create.

I did get the Gypsy as noted in my last post.  I was somewhat disappointed in it and its lack of some of its basic features initially.  However, I was willing to have faith in PC to fix the problems.  The biggest problems that I saw was the flipping/welding issue and the inability to swap files between DS and the Gypsy.  Even with those major concerns, I did decide to keep it and uploaded ALL of my carts to it.  However, after my initial playing with it, I hadn't done a lot with it because of the issues it had and little time on my part. However, last week PC finally released a new update to the DS software and the Gypsy Synch software that seems to have fixed the major concerns/problems.  That has made me happy and I have done some new projects with the Gypsy.  I will post them later this week along with some other projects I had done previously but hadn't gotten posted.  I would suggest that if you have the Gypsy that you get the most recent updates - they will make things run much more smoothly.

Finally - DazyCutr (Rheba) from the Cricut MB may share my blog to post some of her beautiful card creations.  I have mentioned it to her before, I'm hoping we can start to do that soon.  If you haven't seen her work on the MB before, you are in for a treat.  If you are familiar with Rheba's work, you know how wonderful her creations are.

If anyone's out there reading this - thanks for checking in and I hope to have more projects to share with you soon.  If you have any ideas/suggestions that you would like to see or have created leave me a comment and I'll see what I can do!

Gypsy is here and I like it!!

Just wanted to give a quick update to my blog.  I probably won't have any other posts this week.  I did get my Gypsy last Thursday from HSN.  I didn't get it until late Thurs. night when I got home from DS's MS football game (darn UPS man!!!).  Then our school carnival was Friday so I was at school on Friday for about 15 hours getting it set up, having the carnival, and tearing it down then sitting through our HS major rival football game (we won!!  YEA!!).  That combined with my cervical disk issues rearing its ugly head again last week and well I haven't had too much time to play or create and when I did, I was playing with the Gypsy!!  I think I have a good handle on it now.

 I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND - downloading the user manual from the gypsy's site and reviewing it ALL carefully!!!  You can find it here.

I would also RECOMMEND that you "think before you link".  I have had mine for almost a week now and I have not linked a single cartridge that I own.  I wanted to make sure I loved this tool BEFORE I LINKED. I will probably start linking carts by the weekend at the latest.  Remember, linking your carts makes it not possible to return your Gypsy if you don't like it.

Couple quick notes about using the Gypsy:  **First, the Power button IS NOT the small silver button on the right top side.  It is a black button on the SIDE of the Gypsy on the right! Hold it in briefly. **Second, you don't have to keep "tapping" the screen - you can tap once and hold and it will continue until you untap.  For example:  increasing the size of something, tap and hold on the round size up or down circles will continue to increase or decrease size! ** You don't have to click precisely on a line of an object to select it like in DS. Just click somewhere on the object. ** Finally, you can change the default height of the cursor while nothing else is selected on the screen - this changes the "default" size of the images that you add to your screen.  (See page 28 of the on-line user manual!).  HTH

There are glitches with it, as there always are with the first release of any technical tool like this.  They have given one update to add the copy and paste feature it was missing (couldn't believe that!) BUT you still can't swap DS .cut files to the Gypsy or Gypsy files to DS.  They are suppose to be working on that and hopefully it will be coming soon.  I do believe that PC will keep working to improve this product. I promise to come back soon and share what I have been learning!  Take Care!

ITunes Gift Card Holder - Any size bug - George, Plantin SB, or My World Carts

 Happy Wed!  Plus, Happy, Happy, Happy!!!!  Just a little more then 12 hours before the Gypsy Premier is launched by ProvoCraft on HSN!!  Are you waiting with baited breath?!!  I am, as I have already pre-ordered mine from HSN yesterday and it is SUPPOSE to be delivered to me tomorrow!!!!  Can't wait!!

In the interim, I have had the idea of an "itunes gift card holder" shaped like an ipod dancing around in my head for a while now.  Just hadn't gotten around to it!  The story of my life it seems - getting " around to it!" Well I finally took the time to do one.  I was feeling so good about it once I had it made that I then proceeded to make sure that I have hopefully taken care of most everyone with a Cricut machine!  I have created files for the smaller bugs and the Expression.  I have used George, Plantin Schoolbook, or My World cartridges to create 4 files.  Hopefully, one of them works for you.  If not, you can always use one of my files as your "pattern" and recreate it with a cartridge you do have.  If you don't have George or Plantin Schoolbook, they would be a great "gift" to yourself from the Cricut Rewards site.  So many people use these two cartridges to create a lot of their .cut files that they share.

As always, I don't require a comment to get my files but I do like to get them and even more so, like to see what people do with my files.  It encourages me to keep creating and sharing!

If you have one of the smaller bugs like the Personal (Baby) or Create machine I have created one file using the George cartridge.  You can Download the BabyBug Itunes Gift Card Holder here.

If you have the Expression machine, you can pick between 3 files that I have created. 

The first file was the first one I created using the actual IPod image from the My World cartridge.  You can Download the Expression/My World ITunes Gift Card Holder here.

The second file I have available for the Expression uses the George Cartridge only.  You can Download the Expression/George ITunes Gift Card Holder here.

The third and final file I have available for the Expression uses the Plantin Schoolbook Cartridge only (although the "This Project" will show George and PS! - it's only PS I promise!).  You can Download the Expression/Plantin Schoolbook ITunes Gift Card Holder here.

Note:  This fits the "smaller" size ITunes gift cards that are a little bigger then 2 x 3.  The final completed size of the gift card holder is approximately 2 1/2" x 4".

I just did a couple "quick" mockups to make sure my cut files all worked and to show you what they would look like if you were "playing a song" on the Ipod. I would spend a little more time on my "buttons" and "screen" when I made it to give as a gift. 

They would make great stocking stuffers at Christmas!

The final picture shows you where to score and fold should that not be obvious to you. Have a great day!

"Interactive Card" - .cut file for Expression or Smaller Bugs

Here is an "interactive card" that I made based on information I found on-line with the Paper Crafts Magazine.  The article was from October, 2008 and was entitled "Boo Bats Card".  It can be found on-line at http://www.papercraftsmag.com/articles/Boo_Bats_Card_pc1008.   The Designer is listed as Bonnie Billings. The card has a large round "window" cut out of the front  with "strings" in the window to which you attach an "accent" that will then "spin".  In their card sample, they used bats.  In mine, I used ghosts. 

In the other sample card I'm posting I "messed up" and attached my front cover paper before I had added the string!  Since I was using my Xyron perm. adhesive there was no getting that paper back up to put in the string!  LOL  So, on the "Bewitching" card, I added an "inside" layer to the top of the card to be my "moon" and then added my flying witch cut with SCAL to it so it doesn't actually move on that card.  However, it does show another way to use this card base .cut file!  LOL  If I had remembered to have added my string first, the witch would have been "flying" on the string and the orange "moon" paper would have been the liner on the inside back of the card and you would have "seen" into the card.

The "ghosts" on the Ghost card are from Everyday Paper Dolls I think.  The blue paper had "ghosts" on it but then I stamped more ghosts and the wording onto the front cover and used stickles around the circle edge and paper edging (because I didn't get my paper lined up straight!  LOL) The "flying witch" is a .svg file I created and is available from last Friday's post here on my blog.  Here is the .cut file for the card base:

Download the "Square with Interactive Circle cut  Card Base" .cut file for the Small Bugs here. Note:  the .cut file for the small bugs cuts one 1 card.  Finished card size is 5 1/4" square and will need a square envelope for mailing.  I believe this also requires extra postage when mailing.  :(

Download the "Square with Interative Circle cut Card Base" .cut file for the Expression here. Note: the .cut file for the Expression macine cuts 2 cards.  The finished card size is 5 1/4" square and will need a square envelope for mailing.  I believe this also requires extra postage when mailing.  :(

Notes:  I used a strong light gray embriodery thread for my string.  I would have used fishing line but didn't have any handy!  LOL  They used "elastic cording" in their directions.  Any "string" you have that you like should work just fine.   They used 2 pieces of string and applied 3 bats.  I used 2 and applied 2 ghosts.  You could use only 1 and apply one object or more and apply more. *  You will need to cut 2 of any object that you are applying to the string.  You will "back" them together with the string running between. 

Supplies - paper for card base, paper for outside card "top" and for inside "liner".  String, wire or elastic cording. Die cuts of choice (make sure you have two of each to layer them together with string in between.) Other items as desired to finish decorate card (stamps for wording, etc.).  Envelope for 5 1/4" Square Card.

Flying Witch Silhouette .svg file for SCAL

Yes, I am in "Halloween Mode"! Here is a Flying Witch file for use with SCAL.  As always, I am providing the .svg file as well as the .scut file.  Remember you IMPORT .svg files into SCAL and OPEN an .scut file with SCAL.  Neither .svg or .scut files will work with Design Studio (DS).  The .scut file was created with SCAL 1.

Please show me any projects that you create with this or any of my other files.  I like to see people are getting a use from them.

You can download the Flying Witch .svg file here.

You can download the Flying Witch .scut file here.

PC continues to Celebrate their 100th Cartridge Release

Don't forget, PC is continuing to celebrate their 100th Cartridge Release, Winter Woodland, by giving free cartridges away.  For details, see the Cricut Messageboard at www.cricut.com/messageboard.   To see all 100 of their cartridges you can go to their products section at http://www.cricut.com/shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?id=361&s=1&sc=2.  If you are new to the Cricut, go back to the beginning and see some of the first released carts, many of those are "can't live without".

Pyramid Favor Box for SCAL Users

I found this instruction sheet for a Pyramid Favor Box at Jo-Ann's some time ago.    It notes that it is courtesy of Inkadinkado (I think because the project sheet has you stamping on your project after you have it cut out but before you put it together.) I finally got around to tracing the pattern off the back, scanned it in, pulled it into Inkscape and made an .svg pattern with it for use with SCAL.  I had to handtrace the original since it is printed lightly on the back with the written instructions over the top of it. (Hate when they do that - makes it hard to use!)

I usually use the red liner tape available at Walmart or any craft store to put my boxes and or bags together so that I know that they will "stay" together once I have put treats in them.

Special Notes: * the "sides" where you do the folds seem to be a little longer (taller) then the front and back sides (maybe it's just my folding). Once you fold them in and glue the "sides" to the front and back trim off any extra length by hand.  It's just a quick snip. *  Also, you'll need to "pinch in" the sides of the box to allow for the front closure flap to pull over the top correctly. * see the attached photo that shows you where to score and fold (basically you score on the triangle sides and the middle square). Click on picture to see it better and in larger size.

Here are two sample boxes that I made to try the pattern out. 

Notice in the last  picture posted here how I have "pinched" in the sides of the box to allow for the top flap to come over and down properly.

You can download the Pyramid Box .svg file here.

You can download the Pyramid Box .scut file here.

Remember, you IMPORT an .svg file into SCAL.  You OPEN a .scut file with SCAL.  Neither .svg nor .scut files can be used with Design Studio (DS). 

Thanks for looking.  As always, I'd love to see any projects that you create with this file.

Approximate finished size of the project is 3" x 3 1/2" x 1 1/2"

My Rolling Yudu Cart designed and made for me by my DH Jeff

Just wanted to share a photo of my new cart that my DH Jeff designed and made for me for my Yudu machine. 

It is on wheels so that I can roll it to where I want it for use or storage.  The wheels then lock down so that it won't move while actually using it.  It has a drawer for storage of paints and other supplies as well as the bottom shelf for more storage. 

The only thing he has left to do is add "hooks" to the ends for holding the plantins while they are drying or for storage.  We haven't found the hooks we want to use.  He's thinking about making those as well. 

Thanks for looking.  I just love my new cart and my DH for his hard work in making it!

Eyeore Card with DS and Any Cricut - Pooh & Friends Cartridge & George

Here is an Eyeore card that I made back around the end of March for my sister's birthday.  I love the Mouse.  She loves Eyeore.  We were out of town (at Disney I believe!) on her birthday so we "missed" it.  I made this as a birthday card for her and on the inside I put - "we missed your birthday - hope it was happy" or something like that. 

Well, I've had the .cut file since then but forgot to take a picture of the card to share with all of you.  I finally got around to cutting a new one so I could take a picture!  I've left the inside blank at the moment so I could "adapt" it to any need like another missed birthday, an illness, an apology, etc. 

I have files for both the smaller bugs and the Expression.  You will need the Pooh and Friends cartridge and George.  The rectangle used to join Eyeore's head for the base and the bottom of the card are from George but could easily be replaced by ones from another cartridge if you don't have our friend George.  I used the Pooh Font for the words "oh bother" so you could easily redo that with another font you had. I used the shadow of Eyeore to make the card base, then cut the full head and then the "pieces" and layered them.  See your Pooh & Friends handbook if needed in figuring out the layering.

Download the Eyeore Card .cut file for the Smaller bugs here.

Download the Eyeore Card .cut file for the Expression here.

Dachshund Silhouette - (Weiner Dog) for SCAL

Seems like I am on a SCAL role.  LOL  I'm sorry to my DS only friends.  I'm not ignoring it but these images are just so much easier to recreate with my scanner, Inkscape and SCAL!  I wish it were as easy with DS and we had no need for SCAL but until that day comes, I will continue to use both.

Here is a silhouette of a dachshund.  My BIL and his wife have always owned dachshunds.  I wanted to be able to have a cut of one to use to make them a card or other things.  The .svg file will need to be IMPORTED into any version of SCAL.  The .scut file is one I created with SCAL 1.  You open it with SCAL.  Neither of these files can be used with DS.

Download the dachshund .svg file here.
Download the dachshund .scut file here.

DS File by GJ now available for Witche's Shoe Card Previously Posted

Hello.  Just a quick note to let you know that I was contacted by GJ on the Cricut MB asking if it was okay for her to remake the Witch's shoe card that I had made as .svg and .scut files and previously posted.  I said sure, I would love for her to do that for our DS using friends.  So she did and has kindly agreed to let me post it here on my blog for those who wish to download it.  Both GJ and I have cut the file and it works great.  Here is a picture of GJ's card.

You can follow this link to see my original post and to find GJ's DS .cut file that she has kindly shared.  Thanks GJ!

http://meflickcricutandmore.blogspot.com/2009/08/happy-halloween-witchy-footwear-card.html

NOTE:  On GJ's card she has used the "hide contour feature".  Her first page with the card tells you what should be "hidden".  Make sure these are "hidden" before you go to cut the file.  You will probably have to "hide" them again in the file.  I did.  Nothing GJ did wrong - just one of those "bugs" in the software - a hidden contour doesn't always stay hidden!

Broken Picket Fence - SCAL

Here is a Broken Picket Fence file for use with your Cricut and SCAL.  I have created the .scut file using SCAL 1.  As always, this is easily done by scanning the image into my computer, importing it into Inkscape, doing a few simple steps and saving it as an .svg file.  You then IMPORT the .svg fle into any version of SCAL.  The .scut file is the file created after the image has been pulled into SCAL and saved.  You OPEN a .scut file with SCAL.  Note:  .svg and .scut files CANNOT be used with DS (Design Studio)

Note: I don't cover the steps of creating the .svg file in Inkscape here on my blog as there are several places with great tutorials on doing that and, as I've said before, I try not to reinvent the wheel.  This means that if I know something already exists out there in the online world as it relates to Cricuts, DS, SCAL and Inkscape I won't cover it myself.  That doesn't mean that sometimes you won't find something here that others have - it simply means that I was unaware of it already being done!  LOL

Download the Broken Picket Fence .svg file here.  Download the Broken Picket Fence .scut file here.

Treat Bag - SCAL file

I love magazines with patterns!  I had picked up the Sept/Oct 2009 edition of the Paper Crafts magazine.  It has several cute ideas in it for Halloween.  One idea was a "Haunted House Treat Box" designed by Daniela Dobson on page 44 of the magazine.   The pattern for the "Treat Bag" was available to download from their website, http://www.papercraftsmag.com/index.html. It is really just a simple little bag who's finished size is about 3 1/4" x 5 1/4" x 1 3/4".  The "Haunted House" part was just decorative paper added as a "wrap" to the bag.

I downloaded the pattern, scanned it into my computer, imported it into Inkscape and converted it into an .svg file to import into SCAL.  I have also created a .scut file with SCAL 1.  The .scut file is sized to approximately the same size as the bag in the magazine therefore it will require the Expression to cut it.

Here in my sample file I created, I added the witch brewing in her caldrun .svg file that was posted yesterday to the middle of the bag to cut out the image.  I then added a piece of acetate or clear plastic to the inside of the bag over the "hole" left by the witch cut out. This allows you to "see" into the bag.  I then used my MS drippy goo punch to punch out a strip that I added to the top of my bag.  I then cut a larger "wrap" to add to the bottom and stamped "Boo to You" and wrapped it around the bag.  I then added some stickles to the drippy goo and the "boo to you".

You can download the .svg "treat bag" file here.  You can download the .scut "treat bag" file here.  Note that this .scut file was created with SCAL 1.  It also has the witch brewing in her caldrun included on the bag to cut out.  If you don't want the witch to cut out, simply delete it from the file or replace it with a different object, a cupcake with a candle, ballons, a snowman, etc.  Anything that would fit your "theme".

Have fun and let me see what you create with the file.  The score lines are not marked.  Again, I think that they are "obvious" but if not, you can find the original pattern with the score marks online at Paper Crafts magazine's website listed above.  However, it is missing one scoreline on the bottom flap.  In addition, the way this pattern is layed out and cuts, you will need to hand cut a little more the two side "flaps" up to the score line to fold properly.  Please let me know if you have any questions or problems!  Thanks for "popping in".

ProvoCraft Celebrates their 100th Cartridge Release

Hello.  Just a quick note to say Congratulations to ProvoCraft for their 100th Cricut Cartridge Release. Winter Woodland is their 100th cartridge! They are celebrating by giving away 100 cartridges over the next few weeks.  How exciting!  The good news for me (and PC) is that I have almost all of those 100 and am eagerly awaiting the next 100!  LOL  Of course, having purchased the original baby bug right after it was first released I have had over 3 1/2 years to amass my collection!!  LOL

To see all 100 of the cartridges presently available you can go to the Cricut Product page here:
http://www.cricut.com/shopping/productList.aspx?sc=2

What is your favorite?  I don't have one favorite - I love them all!!!

Halloween is "Brewing" - SCAL file

Here is an image of a witch brewing her potions in her caldrun.  You will need SCAL to IMPORT the .svg file  for cutting with your cricut or you can OPEN the .scut file directly with SCAL.  I used SCAL 1 to create the .scut file.

You can download the .svg file of the witch and caldrun here.  You can download the .scut file of the witch and caldrun here.

Note:  .svg and .scut files will not work with DS.  You must have SCAL 1 or 2 to work with these files.  Any size bug can be used to cut it out.

"Pencil Box" created with Design Studio, Plantin Schoolbook and Expression Machine

Okay, I admit it. I like to create "boxes". This "Pencil Box" was created after unloading some pencils from a box bottom. There was only the bottom, not a top. I thought, ooh - that would make a cute box and would be so easy to do! So, here it is. Due to its size, you will need the Expression Machine which is why I used the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge to create it. Even with the 12x12 mat, I had to alter the design from the orginal box a little. They had "extra" end flaps on the ends that folded back over for extra support. I have not marked or "ticked' the score lines, I think that is obvious. If you have problems with it, let me know.

It would make a great "pencil box", treat box, or simply a little rectangular gift box. You decide what to use it for. If you download the file and use it, please send me a picture(s) of what you did with it. I'll even post your pics to show off your work! I like seeing my work put into "action" by others! Of course, I think many of you are more like me, a "collector" of other people's .cut, .scut and .svg files for that "just in case" moment in the future. LOL - its okay to admit it - I have!! LOL

You can download the Pencil Box .cut file here.

Note that the file contains two pages for the "top" of the box. One Top page is a solid top, simply cut and assemble. The second Top page has an oval cut out so you can "see" into the box. Just choose which Box Top you want to use and cut 1. If you use the Oval cut out, the 3rd page has the oval enlarged to cut from transparency (or contrasting or coordinating paper) so that you can adhere it inside the box top easily. You could always find a different shape and replace the oval with one you like - the sky's the limit - or maybe that should be your designs on your cartridges are your only limits! LOL

Note: this file is a .cut file created with DS.  It will not work with SCAL.  It requires Plantin Schoolbook and the Expression. Thanks for stopping by!

Some Simple and Quick Birthday Cards

My DD and I made a lot of simple cards that we gave to my mother-in-law at Christmas for her to use to send out to friends and family. She recently mentioned that she needed "more" birthday ones as she had sent out the last one! LOL So, I went to work making some quick and simple cards. I used card bases that I had previously purchased. Some were plain white, others had a design already on the front that I "added" to. Here are a few samples of some of those cards.

The first card used a plain white base, cut a piece of "dotted paper" to fit and applied to the front of the card. Then added a cupcake cut from A Child's Year to it and used stickles on the cupcake and around the edge of the dotted paper. Inside it says "Happy Birthday Cupcake."

The second card also used a plain white base, cut a piece of paper with different types of ice cream (including a popcicle on it, used a marker to "outline" the edges (Be careful when you do this - I used one that "bled" through to the inside top of the card and so I then used an inside liner paper to cover that up!). The popcicle cut was cut from the Doodlecharms cartridge (I think!). I added some marker around its edges and some stickles to it. The small blue oval was cut out for the "saying" I wanted on the front which is "how old would you be if you didn't know how old you were." I lked that as most of us remember having popcicles as children. Inside it simply says Happy Birthday.

The third card had "birthday" grettings all over the front of the card already. So, I simply added the silhouette cut of 3 children playing together from A Child's Year cartridge to the front of the card and inside again used the stamp that said "how old would you be if you didn't know how old you were."

3 simple but quick birthday cards. Hope someone likes them! I do these "simple" because I figure they are "looked at" and then tossed so I don't put a lot of work into them!

Halloween Cards

Here are a couple of Halloween cards. Both of them used the A Child's Year cartridge to cut out the base and the "topper" (the orange piece with the border edge). On one, I used the Frankenstein head I created as an .svg file from a scroll saw pattern and the "Happy Halloween" is one of the $1 stamps. I added "wiggly" eyes. See Frankenstein post below for the .svg or .scut file for Frankenstein's head. Remember, you must have SCAL to use .svg files and you must IMPORT them into SCAL not OPEN. DS (Design Studio) cannot use .svg files or .scut files.

The First card says "Have a Mice Halloween" and has 3 House Mouse. The saying and all 3 Mice in Costume came from a set of clear stamps I found on clearance at HL! I used my Copic Markers to color them in. I wish I had "popped" them off the card with pop dots to add some dimension. These were just some simple cards that I did "playing" around with my new cartridge A Child's Year, the Frankenstein Head .svg file I created, some House Mouse stamps and my Copic Markers.

Remember, you can click on the photos to see a larger image!

Halloween - Frankenstein Head .svg file to share

Here is an .svg file of a Frankenstein head. This is one of the images that I found in the scroll saw magazine that I thought would make a cute cricut die cut! I again scanned the image into my computer from the "pattern" provided in the magazine and saved it in an appropriate format like .jpeg, .tiff, or gif. I then imported it into Inkscape and converted it into an .svg file and "broke apart" the different parts for cutting in different colors with the cricut.



Here on this sample I have added in the "whites" of the eyes with a white pen and drawn in the stitch line on his forehead and his mouth. You can Download the Frankenstein .svg file here. You can Download the Frankenstein .scut file for SCAL 1 here. You can Download the Frankenstein .scut file for SCAL 2 here.



Remember, you IMPORT an .svg file into SCAL. You simply open a .scut file in either SCAL 1 or SCAL 2 as created in. You cannot use an .svg file or .scut file with Design Studio (DS). I apologize to all my DS using friends but it is just so much easier to recreate an image in SCAL then in DS at this time! Thanks for stopping by!