Brownie Mix Gift Box - Requires Expression 12x24 and George Cartridge

Okay, CrazyScrapper also wanted help with another file.  This one was a "Gift Bag Carrier" for a box of Brownie Mix with a side pocket for a spoon or whisk.  Due to the size to cut, you will need the Expression machine, a 12x24 mat with 18"x10" paper at least, and the George cartridge.  There are cut files here to share that I have created for both the Design Studio (DS) software and the Gypsy.  If anyone wants one for SCAL see the link below to Jamie Lane's blog. 

The paper I used was a piece of the 12/x24 K&Co. pad that I found at our local Michael's.  I'm not crazy about the designs in it but hey, its larger paper with designs. I hope they come out with more and better designs this size like some other K&Co. paper I do like!  The card was made with Wildcard and leaves from anothr cartridge (sorry, don't remember which one!)
CrazyScrapper first saw the idea for this box on NikkiGirl's blog which you can find here:

http://mypolarexpressions.blogspot.com/2010/01/brownie-boxes.html

Nikki mentions on her blog that she had created a .cut file in DS using the George cartridge to make her box. Unfortunately, for CrazyScrapper and me, she hadn't shared her actual cut file.  She did however mention that she had seen the idea on Jamie Lane's Blog but that Jamie only had the file for SCAL which Nikki didn't have.  So, I followed Nikki's link back to Jamie's Blog here:
http://jamielanedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/12/brownie-boxes.html

Since CrazyScrapper needed a Gypsy file, I followed the link from Jamie's blog to her word document which shows the basic layout with cuts and score marks.  (The cuts are the red and geen lines, the score lines are the black lines).  So, based on Jamie's word document, I also created my own DS .cut file using the George cartridge for this brownie mix gift box.  Once I had the DS .cut file (I used DS because I wanted to work with the bigger screen on my computer and thought it would be easy to convert), I attempted to convert the file to a Gypsy file.  Well, that was easier said then done for a lot of reasons (some of which I plan to report to PC as bug/issues!!).  However, not to be out done by a crazy Gypsy, I finally managed to get a .gypsy cut file for CrazyScrapper to use. (I basically went back to the "drawing board" and recreated the file a second time on the Gypsy).

Two things I will point out on the Gypsy file. First, all the cut lines can be seen in the preview mode when you first highlight the file but may not show on the screen when you open the file unless you Zoom in on those areas.  Second, it appeared from Jamie's file that her basic layout was about 17.25"x10".  This is what size I created the file in DS and it worked to hold the Brownie Box.  However, when I used those same measurements on the Gypsy file, the file cut shorter then 17.25".  I had to bump the size up to 19"x10" to get it to cut out to the same size as the DS .cut file!  HOWEVER, I only used a 12x18 piece of paper so no way did it cut out at 19"! As a matter of fact, I measured the cut out and it WAS NOT 19" but about 17.25".  I put together mockup cuts of both DS and the Gypsy files and they look identical in size!!  Go Figure.  (If anyone ever wants to know the other crazy things the Gypsy did when working with these files, bring over a bottle of wine or margaritias sometime and we'll chat!  LOL)

You can Download the DS .cut file here.  You can Download the Gypsy cut file here. 

If you have SCAL, you can go to Jamie Lane's blog link I provided above and download her .scut file from there.  She didn't provide the file in an .svg format so my Make The Cut friends are out of luck for now unless someone wants to convert it to a .svg and/or MTC file. LOL  (Sorry, I'm done with this file for now! LOL - I might do it later!)  As I already noted, you can go to Jamie's blog to get the scoring information in word format at the above link as well.

We have new neighbors moving into the neighborhood that we already know so I think that I will use this to take them a "welcome to the neighborhood gift"!  They know my kids keep me too busy for me to have time to actally bake the brownies myself!  LOL Thanks CrazyScrapper for pointing me towards this box idea.

Notecard Organizer Box - Expression and George cartridge needed

Hello.  Here is a great Notecard Organizer Box.  I have created it as both a DS .cut file and a .gypsy file. Due to its size, you will need the Expression, the George cartridge and a 12x12 mat.  I may try to get it into an .svg file shortly for my SCAL and MTC friends.  Just so many hours in my day however so it may be just a bit!  If anyone really wants it as an .svg, let me know by commenting here and I'll try to push it up more on the "to do list".  If I don't hear from anyone then I may just leave it "undone"!

The directions and information for this file was given to me by Margaret  or mlharrell on the Cricut MB.  DazyCutr (Rheba) and I went to Margaret's last week and we made some of these cute boxes. The box pictured on the top left is the box I made at Margaret's.  We used a hole punch for the scalloped edges on the half circle cutout.  I told her then I would probably be making a .cut file (since I am handcutter and ruler challenged) and so it would be easy to make more.  So here it is Margaret!  Thanks for sharing it with me!

 It is my understanding that the directions were given to Margaret from her Stampin Up sales woman/friend, Kathy Hines.  The directions/info. I have says the original file was created by Lauren Meader and modified by Kim Cagle.  So thanks also to all of you for sharing this cute box and I hope that no one objects to me creating files for use with the Cricut, Design Studio and/or the Gypsy.  Unfortunately, I have no information on how to contact the orginal creator.  However, besides crediting them here, you will find credit given to them on the last page of the .cut file (I deleted it from the .gypsy file since it just cluttered up the file the way the gypsy shows all pages!)

I am also including a PDF file that shows the three pages of the .cut file with the score lines marked and the sizing of each piece of paper.  I did combine the Front Decorative Mat layer with the Front Panel on the first page of the .cut file.  You will probably want to use two different pieces of paper here that contrast.  The PDF file also tells the measurements used so if you don't have the Cricut you could probably still use it to hand cut the pieces you need and make the box.

Please let me know if you have any questions or problems with any of the files.  I'm thinking about making a video of how to put the box together but not sure I am willing to go there just yet.  However, DH did get me a Flip HD last year for my bday so I have the equipment just not the guts yet!  LOL

So, without further ado here are the files you will need to download.


Download the Design Studio .cut file for the Notecard Organizer Box here.

Download the Gypsy file for the Notecard Organizer Box here.

Download the PDF file for the scorelines and other information for the Notecard Organizer Box here.

DS File Conversion to Gypsy File for Ghirardelli Candy Box

Hello.  Hope this finds everyone doing well.  It has been a while since I have posted any files.  Long list of reasons why that no one really cares about!  LOL  Anyway, I'm going to try to do some new stuff soon. If anyone has any "ideas" of things they would like to see, leave me a comment here and I'd be happy to try.  I have a baby bug, an expression, Design Studio (DS), a Gypsy, and those two other software packages that PC prefers not to be named on the MB (LOL), Make The Cut (MTC) and Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) (both versions 1 & 2).  They all are great and useful tools in our arsenol for getting the most from our Cricuts.

This post is a "file conversion" of a Design Studio file that was created by GingerSuttle and generously shared on the Cricut MB. The original file Ginger created used the George cartridge.  Upon the request of another Cricut MB member, CrazyScrapper, who does not have DS but does have a Gypsy, I have converted Ginger's original DS .cut file to a .gypsy cut file for use with the Gypsy.  CrazyScrapper needed help with the conversion because she didn't have a licensed copy of DS because she uses a Mac computer.  You need a licensed copy of DS to do file conversions between DS and a Gypsy.  The trial version of DS cannot be used to convert files.  I told her I would be happy to help if I could.  I then contacted Ginger to make sure that she was fine with me converting her file to the .gypsy format and then sharing it on both Ginger's original thread on the Cricut MB and here on my blog.  I assured Ginger that I would make sure everyone understood that Ginger had done all the hard work when she created the original .cut fle for DS. 

So please make sure to thank Ginger for all her hard work!  You can find Ginger's original thread about her .cut file and pics of her Ghirardelli candy box here:

http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=5922818&mpage=1

If you have DS and want Ginger's .cut file, follow the above link back to Ginger's original thread on the Cricut MB.  There you will find the link to her original .cut file in the first posting.

In researching all of this, I found that Ginger had gotten her idea from a post on the Cricut MB from SherylGreene.  Sheryl had made some of these boxes for Christmas.  You can find Sheryl's blog with pics of the boxes she made by following this link:

http://sherylscraftingcorner.blogspot.com/2009/12/treat-box.html

I didn't find Sheryl's thread on the Cricut MB, but I do remember seeing her post these cute boxes before the holidays.  I think I even thought, ooh - you could make that in DS.  I don't believe that Sheryl used her cricut to cut out the actual boxes, but she simply used it to cut out the emblishments she put on top of them.  On Sheryl's blog, she credits getting the idea for the boxes to "blog hopping" on old posts she had saved.  This particular idea she got from Shelly Hopps' blog.  On Shelly's blog, she shares detailed instructions on sizes of paper needed and how to manually cut and fold these ghiradelli  boxes - all without a Cricut! (Surely not!)  Her original post sharing this information was from 2 years ago in Jan. 2008!  You can find Shelly's blog with the detailed photos and directions here:

http://mochamemories.typepad.com/mocha_memories/2008/01/ghiradelli-choc.html

So, even if you don't have a Cricut but stilll want to create these cute little boxes you can.  Simply follow the above link back to Shelly's blog to get all the information that you need.  However, her instructions are also helpful if you are using your Circut but are not sure how and where to score, fold and glue.

So, thanks to CrazyScrapper who needed help converting Ginger's .cut file to a Gypsy file, GingerSuttle for creating the origianl .cut file for these boxes, to SherylGreene for posting her creations from Shelly Hopps' directions to give Ginger the idea for her .cut file, and Shelly Hopps for posting the original directions . . .

 here at long last is the Gypsy file for use with your Circut and your Gypsy.  Please note, the cartridge used is George, the file is on a 12/x12 mat, however, it can easily be converted to a 6x12 mat (in fact Ginger has it laid out already on only half of the 12x12 mat) so no matter what machine you have, the original Cricut (Baby Bug), the Create or the Expression you could easily use one of these files to create some of these wonderful creations!  Have fun and let us see what you create!  You can add pics of your creations to Ginger's original thread listed above or let us know where to see pics of your creations!

Download the Ghirardelli Box for the Gypsy here.

I cut both Ginger's .cut file with DS and the converted Gypsy file out and both worked fine.  My sample cuts pictured above are not as "pretty" as Ginger's, Sheryl's, or Shelley's as they were only meant to be samples to make sure the cut files were working properly. Please let us know if you encounter any problem with either file.  Thanks and have fun!

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

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!

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.

Joy Fold Card - .cut file to Share for Expression or Small Bugs - George Cartridge

Okay - seems like the "joy fold card" has become all the rage on the Cricut MB in the last few weeks. After DazyCutr (Rheba) shared how to make them with Kaitlyn and myself last week, I discovered a ton of them being done on the Cricut MB, especially in the Card Forum. However, I did not see where anyone had created a .cut file for them. Doesn't mean I didn't miss it, but I didn't see it!! Now, since I have trouble using a paper cutter to cut straight lines, I thought - hmmm. . . . . . I'll create a .cut file with Design Studio and share it with the Cricut World!! I have created two versions at this time. Both use George. One is for the Expression and one is for use with the smaller bugs (The Baby or Original and the Create). Even with the Expression file, you can use 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of paper. You need two sheets of cardstock or paper. One solid color and one contrasting color or coordinating print. The final finished size of the card is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" inches. I may try to make a "bigger card" later as well as I like bigger cards then this one!

There are two "bases" which you will cut in the solid cardstock. One is Large (8 1/2" x 4 1/4") and one is Small (7" x 3"). Then 3 "covers" are cut from the contrasting or coordinating print for placement on the "bases". You can see this best from the pictures above. You cut the two bases, then score and fold the larger base at 5 1/2 ", and score and fold the smaller base at 3 1/2"). Then adhere the pattern or contrasting paper to the bases, then attach the smaller base to the larger base to create the card. You then can apply a die cut or some other element to the side of the card to "hold" the card closed if you want (see post below of cards Kaitlyn and I did, one has a duck and the other a boat holding the card "closed".) Notice on the cards that Kaitlyn and I did that we also Did Not use the contrasting paper on the very top of the small base. So feel free to mix it up and use it or not on any of the three places it is cut for! Download the .cut file for the Expression Joy Fold Card. Download the .cut file for the Small Bugs Joy Fold Card. Remember, both use the George cartridge! Feel Free to modify to use another of the Shapes Cartridges if you don't have George! There are no die cuts for "holding" the card closed. Just pick what you want! I believe Kaitlyn's duck was cut at 2 or 3 inches and the boat was 3 I think. You will just have to play around with size to see what works for your element. You can find the original idea and instructions on the Splitcoaststampers site along with a photo gallery of lots of these cards.

Graduation Cap Gift Box - George & Expression .cut file

Hello. Did anyone miss me?

I was in Walmart today (looking for those deals on the Cricut Solution Cartridges - none in my area darn it!!!) and saw this cute little graduation cap box and thought - wow, I could do something similar I bet with my Cricut! Now granted, the one at Walmart played a song when you opened it and I haven't figured that part out but I did manage to create a small "graduation gift box". Just in time too as graduations should be starting soon! I have a niece Jessica who will be graduating from college the middle of May so I have plans for this little box already! The box its self is 5x5. The "morter board" is 7x7. I have "popped" the "tab" or "button" on the top of the morter board by adding a real button underneath the paper. I think where to fold the box bottom and pieces should be "self-explantory". If you have trouble, let me know and I'll post pics. Due to the size, it does require the 12x12 mat with the Expression and the George cartridge. Feel free to modify for the baby bug and/or Plantin Schoolbook or another cartridge. If you do, send me your file and I will post it here on my blog as well (giving you credit of course!) Download the Graduation Cap Gift Box.

Pencil Pals - George, Animal Kingdom & Expression (Great Teacher Gift!)

My friend Rheba (aka DazyCutr on the Cricut MB) brought me over a February 2006 Edition of the Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine put out by scottpublications.com. She had purchased it at a yard sale earlier in the week. In the magazine there was an article by Jeanette Foxe entitled "Zoo Pencil Pals". Jeanette had used a set of stamps from Close to My Heart called "Zoo Friends" to create some adorable "Pencil Pals". Rheba wanted to know if I could recreate something like them in Design Studio. They didn't look that difficult so I said I would give it a try! Here are some "samples" of the files I created. I created the giraffe, an elephant, and a lion. I used George for the rectangle, feet and small holes and Animal Kingdom for the heads. I welded the head to the rectangle (which makes the "facial features" go away) and then added another separate head to cut out to get the facial features. Although I have layed these out using the Expression and the 12x12 mat, I believe they could be done on the smaller bugs and 6x12 mats if you rotated them around and only put one on the mat. The .cut file has all 3 of the animals, the girafee and elephant are on one page, the lion is on another page. It would be very simple to create more of the animals from Animal Kingdom. just delete the lions head and replace with the animal of your choice or copy and paste the necessary pieces. (Note: the giraffe and elephant were my first test cuts, I then "tweaked" the file for the lion as far as the number of holes and size, etc. to work better - then I "fixed" the giraffe and elephant file. However, the picture shows my original samples which is why there is an extra hole or two on those, again - this is fixed in the .cut file).

If you want the file, you can download the Pencil Pals .cut file here. Thanks Rheba for this great idea!

Jelly Bean Prayer Cross Craft - Expression or Small Bug

This is an Easter craft from Oriental Trading Company. It can be found here. (If you download this file, you will want to go to that site to get the "poem" that goes on the Cross. I would suggest that you enlarge the picture and you will be able to read the poem to get the wording).

It's-ONLY-Money (Misty) on the Cricut MB had posted looking for help in making a .cut file for this craft. I thought, hmm. . . looks simply enough - except for maybe those jelly beans so I thought I would give it a try. I think I even got close enough on the jelly beans!!! I have created files for both the small bugs (Original or Baby and Create) and the Expression. It uses the George cartridge. (Could easily be recreated with Plantin Schoolbook - but left that for someone else!)

The jelly beans have one extra page with the first jelly bean I created (which I thought was way too big but I left it in case someone wanted "Jumbo" sized jelly beans. However, there is only one bean on that page! I didn't make multiples). The smaller jelly bean page has 12 jelly beans on the page (You could make more if you wanted). This is one of the frustrating parts about the DS software and its lack of a group feature and/or ability to copy a group of objects at one time. If that feature was available, it would be very easy to make lots of jelly beans quickly and fill the page! BUT it's NOT!!!! (The "Auto Fill" feature of the Expression cannot be used with DS either!) So, the only way to make "duplicates" is to copy each "object" and move it each time. The jelly bean has 4 parts so each one had to be copied and moved 11 times to get the 12 jelly beans I have in the file . (The best way to do this is to "count" the number of spaces you move with your arrow keys so you move them all the same number of spaces and they will line up properly!). (Also note, when you copy and paste something in DS - it "pastes" on top of the original object!)

This project requires 8 different colors of jelly beans for each Cross. The way the file is set up, you would cut the small jelly bean page 8 times in a different color each time. This would give you enough jelly beans for 12 children. Cut it 2 times in each color and you have enough for 24! If you were only doing for 1 child, just put small colors of paper where each jelly bean is.

Download the Cross and Jelly Beans .cut file for the Baby Bugs .

Download the Cross and Jelly Beans .cut file for the Expression .

Mickey "B-day" Invite - Baby, Create or Expression

PrincessScrappy-Do on the Cricut MB was looking for help with a Birthday party invite using one of my favorite things - Mickey Mouse! She didn't really give any details beyond a Mickey B-day party invite. So, this is one idea I came up with quickly. It's fairly large and would need an oversized envelope without sizing it down. (But sizing smaller could be done). Although it is laid out on an expression mat - you could rotate it side ways on the smaller 6 x 12 mat and it would cut out with the Baby or Create. It uses George, Mickey Font (for the head and face) and Mickey & Friends for the hands. Unfortunately - PrincessScrappy-Do wants a card that opens up and she doesn't have the Mickey Font cartridge so this file won't help her. :( However, I decided to go ahead and post it here on my blog in case someone wants it or to give "inspiration" for another idea. Download the Mickey B-day Party Invite .cut file here. (Picture to follow).

Small Square Treat Box or Cupcake Box

Here is my version of a cupcake box or small square treat box. There are many versions out there. Due to the size of the box, it does require the Expression to cut it out! It uses George, Plantin Schoolbook for the basic box, lid and inserts. If you only have George, you can replace the Plantin "parts" with similar George parts and vice versa if you only have Plantin, replace the George with similar Plantin "parts". Then I've included different "cut-outs" for the lid. The ones used in the picture is Storybook on the green box and Doodlecharms for the bunny on the pink box. The page of other items can be used to "swap" out the cut out on the lid, or just used as a "reference tool" to give you ideas as to what you could do. When you cut out the "object" on the lid, you just create a bigger size of it or a circle to cut out of actetate or thin plastic to "cover" the hole so it is "sealed" but you can still see into the box. I usually use overhead transparencies but any thin recycled plastic will do! If you want to use the box as a cupcake holder, cut out the "insert" to hold the cupcake in place. If you just want to use the box as a "treat" holder, you don't need to cut out the insert for the cupcake!
Download the Cupcake Box/Treat holder .cut file here.

Round Top Box - Look what you can do with it! Requires Expression Machine & George Cartridge

Hello. Here is my latest creation. The "credits" here are long so let me say the original PDF pattern for this "Round Top Box" was posted at the splitcoaststampers Website in their challenges forum by Lynn in St. Louis. You can find that thread by clicking here.

I "found" it when SusanW posted a "bunny box challenge" on the Cricut MB with a link to a bunny box posted by Sandi at sandimaciver.com. Sandi said she had gotten the pattern from Lynn's post at splitcoaststampers. You can find Sandi's thread and box by clicking here.

I am posting my version of the box and two creations that I made with it. I did a "bunny box" and then I did a Mickey Mouse box to show you that you could do other things with it besides create a "bunny treat holder". Due to the size of the file, it does require the 12x12 mat and therefore the Expression machine to cut it. The regular box file only uses the George cartridge. The bunny box file uses either George for the box and the bunny in my picture or, if you prefer, it has a page using the Doodlecharms cartridge's bunny. Finally, the Mickey Mouse Box uses George and the Mickey Font Cartridges.

There are links to other examples using this style box at the Splitcoaststampers link above. Besides my version, JodyP and Maria_Macias created versions and posted them on the Cricut Message Board in the Design Studio Forum as well. They both had a different take then mine.

There are 3 options to download my .cut files for this box. The first option is the plain, Round-Top Box .cut file. The second option is the Round Top Bunny Box .cut file. The third option is the Round Top Mickey Mouse Box .cut file. Once you cut out the box and put it together, you just "paste" the bunny head or Mickey's head into place on the round back top of the box.

Other ideas I had for this was items related to a baby, birthday, etc. Just haven't had time to get to those yet! Hope you can use my files. Don't forget to let me see what you do with them.

Thanks for stopping by!

Peek-a-Boo Pocket Gift Card

This last gift card holder is called a "Peek-a-Boo" Pocket. I saw the basic idea for it on the paperwishes.com web site back last summer and created the .cut file back then. Again, I think it's pretty obvious how to "fold" to get your gift card holder but I've included some photos to show you where to fold. Glue the bottom flap (the one with the oval) on the left and right sides after you have folded it up so that you leave it open at the top where the oval is cut out of it. This is where the gift card goes. The open circle on the band was cut with a Spell Binders Nestabilities die cut. Uses the George cartridge.

The final finished folded size is 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches. Download the Peek-a-Boo Pocket Gift Card Holder .cut file here.

"Tri-fold" Gift Card Holder

This is another gift card holder. It is a "tri-fold" gift card holder. As you fold it 3 times. First you fold it in the middle so that you create a "page" with the slit in the middle of that page. This is where the gift card is placed. Then you fold so that you have the "front cover" and then the "back cover". You glue down the back and sides of the middle fold making a pocket. There are 2 files in this one .cut file. There are files for a small holder which is approx. 4 1/4 x 3 inches and a larger holder which is approx. 5 x 3 inches. It uses the George cartridge.

I will have to update my post with the "where" I saw this. It was a You Tube Video from someone with Stampin Up. I created it and thought, oh - I could do that with the Cricut then created my .cut file. I hope you can find it useful.

I've uploaded a couple of pics for you to better "see" how it works.

Download the "Tri-fold" Gift Card Holder here.

Simple Gift Card Holders

I have created a number of different gift card holders. So I have several different .cut files for them. I will try to upload them all here.

The first one is a basic gift card holder. The .cut file has two files in it. One is a small gift card holder that is approx. 3x4 inches. The larger one is approx. 5 x 3 1/4 inches.

The front of each could be modified and have any "shape" added to it instead of the rectangle.

I think it should be obvious where to "fold". You fold twice. Glue down the 2 sides (top and bottom) where the gift card holder slides in leaving one "side" (where the half oval is cut) open to slide the card in and out. George Cartridge used.

Download the Basic Gift Card holder .cut file here.

Cards with detachable "BookMarker" - George or Plantin Schoolbook Cartridges

Here is a card with a detachable bookmarker. There are two files within the .cut file. The first one is the card created with Plantin Schoolbook cartridge and has regular corners. The second one is the card created with George cartridge and has rounded corners. To create card simply fold the full squares in half to make a card. Then fold the detachable "bookmarker" over to the left so that it lays over the top right of the card. Download the Card with Bookmarker .cut file here. I found the basic idea for this card last summer at Jo-Ann's Stores Website under their Ideas area and created the .cut file back then.

Triangle Box with or without "windows" - Expression Machine and George Cartridge

This is a triangle box. Due to its size, you will need the Expression and the 12x12 Mat to cut it. There are two "base" pages. The first page is the box without the "windows". The second page is the box with "windows" cut in it. The third page is the "window panes" for cutting the "windows" in a coordinating paper or vellum. I used a hole punch in the top corner of each triangle side and added eyelets. Then use ribbon to tie box up together. Download the Triangle Box .cut file here. I found the basic directions and template for this last summer on the docrafts.co/uk website under Projects. The original designer listed for this project there was Amanda Curtin. I used the basic information there to create the .cut file. George Cartridge used.

Enchanted Oval Card - George Cartridge

This is called an "Enchanted Oval Card". It will work with any of the bugs. It was created with the George Cartridge. It has two pages to the .cut file. The first page is the base card. You then score and fold the half circles in on the card. The second page is the inside square liner for the card and the half circle "overlay" for the outside front 1/2 circle on the front left side of the card. I then used the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing folder on the 1/2 circle before I attached it to the front of the card. I then punched two holes in each side of the front and applied two eyelets and then closed with a piece of ribbon tied in a bow. Download the Enchanted Oval Card .cut file here. I found the idea on Jo-Ann's Stores Website in their idea's area last smmer and created this then.