Rudolph Treat Box

This is another one of the Challenges from the MTC forums before the holidays.  a file was shared for a piece of cake or pie box.  The challenge was then to make it into an ornament or something else.  I made them to be filled with treats that could also be hung on the Christmas Tree.  My favorite one I made was Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.  This is not my original idea.  I have seen it done several times before.  I just think he is cute!!  Google eyes and a red pom pom nose. The antlers are pipe cleaners and can be used to hang it on the tree.  Filled with small treats, it would make any child happy!!

Rheba's Notecard Organizer Box - ah la Cricut Bug

Here's a photo of the notecard/organizer box that Rheba made.  She added a cricut bug head to her's.  She is going to use it to store her beautiful cards in when she makes them!  Didn't she do a fabulous job! You can get a .cut file for this box/container in the post below.  Let us see what you do with yours.  Thanks again to everyone whois responsbile for me getting this file so I could make a .cut file from it!

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!

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!

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"

"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!

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.

Tower Box for SCAL (Sure Cuts A Lot)

Well - we made it back from visiting the big Mouse and his friends in Orlando. We had a great time. But good to be back home and back in the "routine" of school and life!

Here is a "tower" box that I created using SCAL (sure cuts alot). In working with SCAL to make this box, I realized that SCAL doesn't allow you to have multiple "mats" or pages in one file. You can in DS. This is helpful so that you can create different "items" that go with one file. For example, a full box on one mat and then the same box with a "cut-out" or "window" on another mat and then the "window" shape on another mat and the score lines on yet another mat! :( bummer. So, there is only one "box" in this file. I think where to score is obvious. If not, let me know and I will try to post directions or photos. Download the .svg file for the tower box here. Download the .scut file (SCAL) 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!

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.