Time to post our projects! I believe my love/hate relationship with my Cricut is well documented. So I won't bore you again. LOL! But I must say it does excel at one thing. It has helped a ton with my son's martial arts pages. No one really makes supplies for martial arts, but I can usually find general accents that work for his pages.
Then to my surprise I notice they had a Karate cart for sale in Cricut Craft Room! It only has a handful of images, but it is perfect. Looks like this machine may be winning me over.
About a year ago, I create a file on my Gypsy of arrow, tags and banners in various sizes and shapes. Since I generally create mini-albums I cut the file from the paper I plan to use before I get started on the mini-album. I have also cut it in white and craft paper. It is a great way to have some basic die-cuts to use for each project. Kinda like the ones included with packs of paper today. But much cheaper to do it myself.
Unfortunately my Gypsy recently died. And of, course I did not have the file backed up. So I will be recreating it as I would on mini-albums this year. It is a great way to get more use out of your machine. I often find it too much work to use the Cricut on a single layout....unless I have a specific need for a specific cut. But having a file of basic cuts I can use on any album is very helpful. I also have files to cut mini-album pages for when I start a new album.
Project #1-Brown Belt
These pictures are few years old now. My son now has his black belt...a whole new album to create. I know it is dirty work, but someone has to do it. :)
Supplies: Die-Cuts/tags and arrows (Cricut), ribbon, sewing machine, brads, pattern paper, card stock, stamps (Little Yellow Bicycle), ink and black pen.
Project #2: New Dojo
After we moved 2.5 years ago we had to find a new martial arts school. I wanted to document the event. We are very happy with our final choice.
Supplies: Die-Cuts/tags and arrows (Cricut), circle punch, pattern paper, card stock, stamps (Fiskars), ink and black pen.
Project #3: ATC Card-Project Inspiration
This week's ATC card uses the arrows and tags I created for my 2011 yearly review album. Learn more about Project Inspiration here. 
Supplies: Die-cuts/arrow and tags (Cricut), pattern paper, card stock, button, stamp, eyelets, black pen, floss and ribbon.
Project #4: CAS Card
I just could not help myself. I had to make a quick card this week too. :) After a year of making cards it is like putting on a warm blanket. I really struggled with the scrapbook pages. It shows that I have not been scraping regular. If you joined me last year, then you know that I share what I create....the good, the bad and the ugly. Doing is how we get better. I know in a few months I will be much happier with my work. I hope you bare with me as I work through the practice stage. :)
Supplies: Flower die-cut (Cricut/Home Accents), Stamps (Tim Holtz/Background and Just Rite/Sentiment), paper (Club Scrap), ink, embossing powder, tag and epoxy sticker.
********Class Giveaway!********
If you like CAS cards, be sure to join me for NEW! Cricut: Clean and Simple Cards. To add to the fun I am giving away one free seat to the class. Already enrolled? NO worries, you can still enter. We will just refund your tuition.
NEW! Cricut: Clean and Simple Cards (Jan 23rd) with Jeri Parks
In the world of card making there are many different kinds or styles of cards, but they tend to fall into three categories. Cards that focus on products, cards that focus on techniques and cards that focus on design.
It is that last type of card that is the essence of clean and simple (CAS) cards. CAS cards have been taking the card making world by storm.
One should never confuse quick and easy with clean and simple. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. When I create a CAS card I know the design has to be perfect. So while the card may come together quickly, in the end it takes a lot of planning. Sometimes small changes can make a HUGE difference.
The Cricut is a wonderful tool for creating cards. Unfortunately, it lacks a bit when creating CAS cards. Many of the designs are fussy and the sentiments too large to create eloquent CAS cards. With a little extra planning we can overcome these shortcomings.
By the end of this class you will:
- Learn how to best use the Cricut to create CAS cards.
- Learn the design basics of balance, focal point, scale, composition, rule of thirds, weight, contrast, symmetry, texture and repetition.
- Compare and contrast good and bad design to learn how to improve your work.
- Learn how to work with CCR & MS Word to create CAS cards.
Enter the giveaway!
There are two ways to enter this giveaway:
- Please post your work using the link below. Enter as often as you like, but it must be a Cricut project.
- Please to this post. Let me know how you use, or don't use, your Cricut.
Giveaway ends on January 23rd at Midnight. Good Luck!
See you in the classroom,
Jeri Parks
I use my Cricut often, usually in spurts. But to be honest , sometimes it just sits there, cuz I need a little bit of inspiration to get it going.
ReplyDeleteCongratsGrandmato19! You are the winner of the seat giveaway. Please contact us at support.mcc@gmail.com so we can get you enrolled.
DeleteEnjoy,
Jeri
I use my Cricut each month when we have our monthly scrapbooking event. I also used it non stop for about 10 days since Christmas while I was making my tags for next fall's tag class. While I had a little down time after the holidays, I decided to get with it so that I wouldn't be rushed later to get them done. so many cute ideas for tags. I also use it a lot in the summer months helping daughter get stuff ready for her school classroom. haven't used it as much on cards but need to start.
ReplyDeleteI love my cricut for scrapbooking projects. Wouldlove to use it on cards. I have had my cricut for six years and donot think ihave ever used it for a card.
ReplyDeleteI use my cricut mainly for holiday creations. I intend to use it on my scrapbook pages - when I start doing them again!! I also used it for school projects when my son was in college. He will be (hopefully) starting the teaching credential program and I'm sure it will get use for projects again!
ReplyDeleteI'm ashame to say my poor cricut doesn't get used very much . :( I think I need some inspiration !!
ReplyDeleteI use my cricut for card making and on scrapbook pages. I also like to make mini albums with it.
ReplyDeleteI use my cricut for many things, scrapbooking, card making, projects, grandkids b/d parties, but as of late I just haven't had the mojo to use it for anything. So I'm truly hoping this helps me get back in the swing of things. By the way your layouts aren't bad at all. I am trying to get my first layout done, wish I could post but don't have a blog and not real sure how to.
ReplyDeleteNice job on all your projects. After designing files or turning images into print and cut I do use them over again. I even borrow bits and pieces from previous files after all why invent the wheel again if you don't need to. I'm waiting for the Dimensional Magic to dry on my print and cut image. I messed up my first two. :-( I do like the ability to make my own embellishments with my Silhouette.
ReplyDeleteI use my cricut for special projects, when my granddaughter is over or when I don't have a stamp of an image I look and see if I have a cricut image.
ReplyDeleteI haven't used my cricut in months. I like to use it to cute chipboard and make cards but haven't had time to pull it out to craft.
ReplyDeleteOpps! Hope I didn't goof posting my card. I didn't see where it said it had to be a Cricut and I don't have a Cricut so used my Silhouette Cameo. The Cameo is a die cutting machine. ;-)
ReplyDeletecan we submit something from a Silhouette machine if we don't have a Cricut?
ReplyDeleteI love to use my Cricut Expression for both scrapping and card making. What an innovative way to have so many options at my fingertips, especially since I have to travel 40+ miles to get to any type of craft store!!
ReplyDeleteI am a cardmaker so I tend to use stamps and dies. I can't fit my Cricut in my craft space so have to use it on the dining room table - I therefore use it in fits and starts!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I don't get a chance to use my Cricut very often, usually just for school projects. I don't have space to leave it out, so even though I have lots of great cartridges I would love to utilize more, I only bring it out for special occasions.
ReplyDeleteI use it quite often for both scrapbooking and card making as well as home decor. I tend to get in a mood to cut things. So I cut a lot of borders and embellishments from white cardstock so I can color them whatever color I want when I am ready to use them.
ReplyDeleteMy Cricut got used a fair amount of times but when Mom got alzhimers and DH took sick on me my crafting took a back seat. Mom's alzhimers is worse but DH is making positive progress so my intention is getting back into my crafts and using my toys.
ReplyDeleteI use the Cricut for both scrapbooking and card making. Like to use my cricut with co-ordinated stamp sets. I also like to pre-print sentiments before using the cricut to cut shapes around them. Just learn to do it with photos as well. Now that I've learn to use CCR, I only need to load and unload the mat on the Cricut. Can't wait to learn other neat tricks I can use the Cricut for.
ReplyDelete