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.

"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!

Sports Decals for Car with Wallpops and Sports Mania

Here are two "Sports Decals" I did for my car. My DD plays volleyball and my DS plays football for their middle school. The football team orders decals and magnets for the parents' cars but we don't for volleyball. So, I wanted something for each of my children. I created these using the Sports Mania Cartridge for the volleyball, the volleyball player and the football. I used Basecamp for the font for the name of the school and their names and his number. I used white wallpops. These were cut at around 3 inches I believe. I originally did 5 inches and they were way too big!!!

I am not including a .cut file as they should be fairly simple to recreate. However, do not hesitate to ask for one or for help should you have problems with it. Simply layout the design on your DS screen and "cut". Then "weed out" the excess pieces of your vinyl that you don't need. For example, remove the pieces "inside" the volleyball, the "lines," the player, and the actual letters (be sure to leave the "insides" of any letters like the "B" and the "a"). Then remove the extra pieces around the outside of the cut.

Once you have your "design" as it should appear on your window, transfer it to the transfer tape per the tape's instructions. This should put the "outside" of your design down on the transfer tape with the sticky part of the vinyl up. No go place it on your car window and "rub" the design down. Note - this method is done on the OUTSIDE of the car window. Mine has been on the car for almost a month now with LOTS of rain and is still sticking no problems. No fading since I used the white wall pops to start with.

Be creative and do this for most any sport or activity your child participates in! Have fun.

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 Card or Gift Card Holder - Locker Talk Cartridge Used

Here is a "graduation cap" card that I made using Design Studio (DS). Due to its size, you will need the Expression machine and the 12x12 mat. It uses the Locker Talk cartridge. I took the "easy way" out by using this cartridge since it already had the Graduation Cap cutout. You can use the card as a simple "card" or you could use it as a gift card holder (it is big enough as you can see to slip a gift card in). If you want to use as a gift card holder just add slits or hand cut slits for the corners of the gift card or use piece of double sided tape or a dab of repostionable glue on the back of the gift card to attach to the inside. You can fold the card so that the tassle is either on the left or the right which ever way you prefer. Also, I hand cut the tassle off the back side of the card in my pics but you don't have too you could leave the back tassle on the card if you want. (You have to hand cut it off because there is no way to hide it in DS to cut without it because it is one image with the cap!) :( I've had this idea "dancing" around in my head for weeks, just hadn't had time to lay it out and try it until now! Let me know if you do anything with the .cut file. I like to see what others do with my files! DOWNLOAD the Graduation Cap Card .cut file.

What is a .cut file, a .scut file and a .svg file and what does it matter?

I see a lot of confusion on the Cricut MB about .cut, .scut and .svg files and what they are used for. I will see if I can give a brief explanation that will help you understand. First, Provocraft (PC) created a software for use with your cricuts that is called Design Studio (DS). DS allows you to create new images/objects by using images/objects from those that are on PC's cricut cartridges that you purchase. You do this usually by joining them (welding them together to cut as one new object). You can not "draw" your own objects with DS. You can only use objects from the cartridges. It is also important to note here that you can DESIGN or CREATE objects with ANY cartridge that PC has out and that is loaded in your DS software (note: PC is slow to update the software so it is possible that a cartridge may be out for a little while before it is available for use in the DS software). HOWEVER, you can only CUT the designs you create IF you OWN (or can borrow from a friend) the cartridges used. When you create a file using the DS software and save it, it creates a file name with an extension of .cut. A .cut file can only be used with DS software. It cannot be used with SCAL (Sure Cuts a Lot). Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) software is not a PC product. It was created by Craft Edge to be used with your Cricut machines. You do not have to have DS software to use SCAL. However, you do need to have the most recent "firmware" version on your cricut to use SCAL, and in order to get your firmware updated, you must use the DS software to do that. However, you can download the trial version of DS from PC's Cricut website in order to update your firmware. SCAL was created so that you could use any true type fonts, dingbats and .svg files you might have on your computer to create objects to cut with your Cricut machines. SCAL DOES NOT allow you to use objects from the Cricut cartridges and it CANNOT use the .cut files created by the DS software. When you create a file in the SCAL software and save it, it creates a file name with an extension of .scut. A .scut file can only be used with the SCAL software. It cannot be used with the DS software. However, SCAL can also IMPORT a .svg file (scalable vector graphic). A .svg file is a file extension for some graphics programs. I am not sure what all graphics programs give you the ability to save as an .svg file. I use Inkscape which is a free program available on the Internet. I believe that Illustrator also allows you to save to a .svg file. With an .svg file, the objects are treated as a 2 dimensional "shape" and thus are more easily resized without any distortion of the image. Text is also treated as an "object" or "shape" when it is in a .svg file. Design Studio (DS) CANNOT import or use in any way a .svg file. However, SCAL (Sure Cuts A Lot) can IMPORT any .svg file that you can find or create! This means that you can "draw" your own images and cut them with your cricut. If I have a picture or object that I would like to create and cut out with my Cricut, then I simply get it into my computer in some way (draw it, download it from the internet, scan it into my computer) and then IMPORT the image into Inkscape and then with a few simple steps in Inkscape, I can have a .svg file to IMPORT into SCAL and cut with my Cricuts. For example, if you have a stamped image that you would like to create and cut out with your cricut; you can stamp the image, scan it into your computer as a .jpeg, .gif, .tiff or other graphics file, IMPORT that file into Inkscape, do a few steps in Inkscape to create the "parts" and "pieces" you need, and then save it as an .svg file. You then open SCAL and IMPORT that .svg file into it and then "cut" with your Cricut. So now your stamp collection can be used in more ways! The picture posted is an example of a stamped image that I used to make a "die cut" using this method and cut with my Cricut. Sorry, can't share the .scut file for this image. Just posted to show you what the end result looked like! So to recap: .cut files - created and used only with Design Studio (DS) .scut files - created and used only with Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) .svg files - created with a graphics program like Inkscape - can be used with SCAL by importing it; cannot be used with DS. You can scan an image in, draw it on your computer, or download it from the internet. Any file that you can get into your computer you can make into an .svg image with a little work. Hope this helps someone to better understand these file types and what they can be used with.

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!

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.

Easter Basket - Treat Bag

Sorry for the "time lapse" in posts. Not sure where all my time is going. Seems like if you take a vacation - it takes you two or three weeks to "catch up"!!

Here is an "Easter" basket treat bag. My DD Kaitlyn and I made the cut file last year for Easter. It uses the Expression machine (sorry! :( ), Plantin Schoolbook for the bag and circle cut, and Doodlecharms for the basket. I then embossed the basket using a cuttlebug embossing folder in my original big red sizzix with the adaptor plate. (Yes, you can use the cuttlebug dies and embossing folders in the both the original sizzix machine (with the adaptor plate) as well as the Big Kick). You will need a piece of acetate or thin plastic of some kind to cut the circle for the "see through" part of the bag/basket. I use overhead transparancies. The "chick" was a die that was cut out in black, scanned into my computer and saved as a .jpeg image, then imported into Inkscape, converted to an .svg file, and then IMPORTED into SCAL. It was then cut with SCAL on my Cricut. To get the "shadow" just select the shadow feature when the image is imported into SCAL. It is quite easy! The bag may end up a little "long" (about a 1/4") on one side, not sure why since we did this last year and I don't remember this problem. If it does, just trim it off with scissors. I haven't had time to "figure" it out at this time!

Download the Easter Basket Treat Bag .cut file for use with Design Studio and the Expression.

Downlaod the Chick .scut file for use with SCAL and any of the Cricut Bugs.

Yudu Machine - Screen Printing and my Cricut

Okay, so I wasn't going to purchase this machine. I really wasn't. However, I did! LOL. I have created a few items with it. Have other ideas to do with it. Just haven't gotten there yet! The machine is fairly large as shown in the pictures here. I have used my Expression machine in the pictures to give you some perspective on its size. We have created some items with the emolsion on the screens. I would reserve that option for when I had "several" of something that I wanted to create. I have also created an item using a "paper stencil" taped to the screen. I would recommend this method if you want to create a "one of a kind" item. I will post more "info." as I can in relation to this machine. The first project I am posting used my Yudu and supplies as well as my Cricut machine, Design Studio, Wedding, Paper Pups and Storybook cartridges. I created my design in DS with the 3 cartridges. I then cut it out on black paper and "copied" it on my all-in-one copier onto a Yudu transparency. I then followed the Yudu instructions for "burning" the image onto a screen that has been prepared ahead of time with the emolsion sheet following the Yudu directions. I called this Design the "Paper Pups Queen". I did it for my good friend from the Message Board, Dazycutr (Rheba), who is known as the Queen of Paper Pups because she loves to use the Paper Pups cartridge in her card designs! I then put the design on a t-shirt, a bag, and a print for framing as a gift for Rheba.

Downloading & Saving a Cricut Design Studio .cut file that has been uploaded to the MessageBoard as a .txt file

Double click on their uploaded “Attachment” that is showing in the bottom of their posted message: This should open up a pop-up Right click on the file name: For example: “name.txt” and do a “Save Target As. .” (Note: it should have the .txt extension, if it doesn't - it probably isn't a .cut file but a picture). This should pop-up your save window. Make note of where you are saving the file. NOTE: At the bottom of the pop-up window are TWO Boxes. One says “File Name” and one says “Save as type”. You have to change the file name to include the .cut extension, for example : “name.cut” and THEN you have to CHANGE the “SAVE AS TYPE: from “Text Document” to “All Files”. Then hit the save button. Open up your Cricut Design Studio software, go to the menu to open your file, locate your file on your computer and open it. You should now have the .cut file open in your software and ready to proceed!!

Saving a .cut file as a .txt file to Upload to the Cricut Message Board

On your Circuit DesignStudio Desktop do a “File – Save As” This should open up a pop-up window on your computer screen. Note the “File Name:” box and “Save as Type” Box at the bottom of the pop-up window. Rename your file name to be “Filename”.txt instead of .cut and change the “Save As Type” to “All Files” instead of “Cricut Files (*.cut). Now hit “SAVE” button. This should save your file as a .txt file.

Now TO UPLOAD the .txt file to the Cricut Message Board: Go to Cricut Message Board and sign-in and go to the forum where you want to post a new message and add your .cut file (I would usually do this in the Design Studio Forum as this is where most people looking for .cut files would look). Click on the “New Post” button at the top of the screen: This should open a new popup window on your computer.

Note underneath the “Message” area where it says “File” then next to that it says “Click here to upload” and then a check box and then “embed picture in post”. You want to click on where it says: “Click here to upload”. You will get another smaller popup windown on your computer screen. Click on the “Browse” button - it will open another popup window to “Choose File” and locate the .txt file that you created in the previous steps and highlight it and hit the “Open Button”. Once you open you will go back to the previous smaller popup window. Note that now the previously empty box next to the “Browse” button has now been filled in (it is listing where on your computer to upload the file from). Now hit the “OK” button. If the file uploads successfully you should get another popup window on your screen. Click on Okay. This will return you back to your original “New Post Screen”. Make sure you have finished your “message” and then click the “Okay” button. Hopefully, you will then get a final pop-up like you do when you post a normal message that says your message has been successfully posted. Congratulations. You should now have a cut file saved as a .txt file as an attachment to your post. People who visit the message board can download this file and save it as a .cut file instead of a .txt and have your .cut file that you designed without having to go to an outside server like MediaFire!!