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Showing posts with label Cricut. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cricut. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Cricut: Crafting with Fabric starts today!


Have you been secretly longing to use your Cricut machine to cut fabric but are afraid to try? Maybe you've tried, but gave up in frustration. There are some limitations, but with just a little know-how, you, too, can successfully cut fabric with your Cricut. Create fun little shapes for cards, T-shirts, pillows, tote bags, aprons, quilts, and more! Take your crafting to a whole new level!


Friday, September 26, 2014

4 Product Challenge: Cricut - Projects




Hello again! Shirley Pando here. Did you join me this week in the 4-Product Challenge using your Cricut (or other die cut machine)? If you missed the challenge, check out my post from Monday, HERE.




Here is a list of the products I used:

  1. Cricut "Lite Bloom" cartridge
  2. Scrap papers in various pink colors
  3. Vintage music papers
  4. Trim

Monday, September 22, 2014

Sept. 22nd Topic: Cricut - Getting the Best Use From Your Die Cut Machine


Hello! Shirley Pando here! I'd like to welcome you back to the My Creative Life 2014 challenge blog, the official blog of Craft Classes Online. We've taken a little hiatus to change gears and reorganize but we are now ready to bring you the best in crafting and creativity. We have a new website, new projects, new workshops, and, of course, new blog posts! :-)



Jeri's original mission for this blog is pretty simple:

  1. To inspire you to make creativity a daily priority...or weekly or monthly...whatever works best for you.
  2. To motivate you to use all of the supplies you have collected over the years. (Oh, goodness, I have so much it's embarrassing!!)
  3. To explore the concept of creativity and practical ways for adding more creativity to our lives.
  4. To find ways to lose the perfectionism, comparison, and pressure that are creativity killers. (I resemble that remark and I feel a new blog post coming on!)
  5. Oh, yes, we will also offer a few online workshops along the way.

Now, let's get on with the show!

Cricut: Getting the Best Use From Your Die Cut Machine

So you made that big purchase of a die cutting machine. It can do some amazing things. And you are a crafter, so you tell yourself that it will make your life much easier, right? You may have purchased it many years ago or just a few months ago. You bought (most all of) your favorite cartridges with the adorable little characters and/or lovely fonts. Life is sweet!



Sunday, August 31, 2014

16 things your Cricut can do...besides cut paper!


Did you know that your Cricut machine can do much more than cut little paper die cuts? Oh yes, my friend, it's true. Of course, there are some limitations, but don't let that worry you. ;-) The more you learn about your Cricut, the more you will come to love it!



Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Online class giveaway!




Hi, I'm Shirley Pando, instructor at My Creative Classroom and part of the website support team. In fact, if you email the MCC help desk (support.mcc@gmail.com), I'm the person you'll hear back from. :-)






For each of the first four months of 2014 I've introduced another brand new online Cricut class:
I call these mini classes, but if you  know me you know I don't do anything in a "mini" way. All my classes are packed to the gills, and these will be no different. A lesser price, sure, but no less info and projects. You just can't lose! :-)

****************
Our fourth and last class in the series, "Cricut: Crafting with Fabric", begins on Monday April 21st and I'd love for you to join me.

http://www.mycreativeclassroom.com/course/info.php?id=824 

Course Description

Have you been secretly longing to use your Cricut machine to cut fabric but are afraid to try? Maybe you tried, but gave up in frustration. There are some limitations, but with just a little know-how, you, too, can successfully cut fabric with your Cricut. Create fun little fabric shapes for cards, T-shirts, pillows, tote bags, aprons, quilts and more. Take your crafting to a whole new level!

In this class students will:

  • Learn which fabrics and Cricut images will work the best
  • Learn how to prepare and cut fabric with their Cricut
  • Create several projects of their choice using the fabric appliques
In this class students can create projects which require absolutely no stitching or finish off the projects with hand stitching or your sewing machine.Please see Supply List for specific lesson projects. Students will receive two downloadable Cricut Craft Room file for the various projects. Use any Cricut machine and any cartridge you own. Students must have basic knowledge of their Cricut machine and the Cricut Craft Room (CCR) if they will be using it in class.
The course materials and projects in this class are totally new and different from the lessons in "Crafting with the Cricut: Beyond Paper".


****************

GIVEAWAY!!
Enter for your chance to win a FREE seat to the brand new class, "Cricut: Crafting with Fabric".  There are three ways to participate in the Giveaway. Do all three and increase your chance of winning!

  1. Leave a comment on this post below and let me know if you've used your Cricut to create with fabric before.
  2. For another chance to win, head to MY BLOG and follow me. Just click the little blue "Join This Site" button on the left column. If I see you in my list of followers, your name goes into the hat another time.
  3. Comment on ANY POST on my blog and get another chance...your name goes into the hat once again!
So what are you waiting for? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! ;-)

This giveaway ends on Sunday April 13th at midnight. I will post the winner on Monday April 14th. Already enrolled in class? No worries! If you are the lucky winner we'll refund your tuition.

Good Luck!

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

And the winner is....

And now, the winner of a free seat to the brand new online class, "Cricut: Crafting with Vinyl" with Shirley Pando is.....

I have tried using chipboard on my Cricut and have not been successful. I even used the heavy duty blade. I would love to be able to do more with chipboard.
Congratulations, Tigerberry, please email us at support.mcc@gmail.com so we can get you into class right away.



http://www.mycreativeclassroom.com/course/info.php?id=888

If you didn't win, there's plenty of time to register for class. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.  I hope to "see" you there! ;-)

Remember that during the month of March at My Creative Classroom we are celebrating National Craft Month where you can earn free seat(s) to our online classes. Click here to find out about National Craft Month

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Online class giveaway!




Hi, I'm Shirley Pando, instructor at My Creative Classroom and part of the website support team. In fact, if you email the MCC help desk (support.mcc@gmail.com), I'm the person you'll hear back from. :-)




For each of the first four months of 2014 I'm introducing another brand new online Cricut class:

I call these mini classes, but if you  know me you know I don't do anything in a "mini" way. All my classes are packed to the gills, and these will be no different. A lesser price, sure, but no less info and projects. You just can't lose! :-)

****************
Our third class in the series, "Cricut: Crafting with Vinyl", begins on Monday March 24th. and I'd love for you to join me.


Course Description

There are loads of ways you can use your Cricut machine to create projects with vinyl and vinyl-like materials. Choose a self-adhesive product in just about any color or pattern. Put it on your walls, a glass votive, or an artist canvas. You can even cut an image
with heat transfer vinyl in either a matte or fuzzy texture and iron it onto a fabric item like a T-shirt or tote bag. The possibilities are almost endless.

In this class, students will l
earn how to cut adhesive vinyl, contact paper, heat transfer vinyl, and flocked heat transfer vinyl and create a project with each of these materials. Students will receive downloadable Cricut Craft Room files for the various projects, but I'll also share tips on how I create my files. Lessons offer several project options!

Use any Cricut machine and any cartridge you own.
Students must have basic knowledge of their Cricut machine and the Cricut Craft Room (CCR).


Lessons Include:
  • Lesson 1: Introduction to Vinyl and Other Vinyl-Like Materials
  • Lesson 2: Adhesive Vinyl/Cricut Vinyl/Oracal 631 - Project #1: Subway Art Canvas (several options)
  • Lesson 3: Contact Paper - Project #2: Refrigerator Chalkboard/Menu Board
  • Lesson 4: Heat Transfer Vinyl and Flocked Heat Transfer Vinyl - Project #3: Your choice T-shirt, tote, etc.
The course materials and projects in this class are totally new and different from "Crafting with the Cricut: Beyond Paper".

****************

GIVEAWAY!!
Enter for your chance to win a FREE seat to the brand new class, "Cricut: Crafting with Vinyl".  There are three ways to participate in the Giveaway. Do all three and increase your chance of winning!

  1. Leave a comment on this post below and let me know what other type of materials you like to use with your Cricut...besides paper. Is there a super project you've made with fabric or chipboard? Let me know.
  2. For another chance to win, head to MY BLOG and follow me. Just click the little blue "Join This Site" button on the left column. If I see you in my list of followers, your name goes into the hat another time.
  3. Comment on ANY POST on my blog and get another chance...your name goes into the hat once again!
So what are you waiting for? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! ;-)

This giveaway ends on Monday March 17th at midnight. I will post the winner on Tuesday March 18th...in plenty of time for class, March 24th! Already enrolled in class? No worries! If you are the lucky winner we'll refund your tuition.

Good Luck!

Monday, February 24, 2014

We have a winner!

And now, the winner of a free seat to "Cricut: Crafting with Coloring Tools" with Shirley Pando.....drumroll,  please...
 
"Best Wishes on your Birthday Shirley! Appreciate this chance to win a FREE seat to "Cricut: Crafting with Coloring Tools". Would like to learn how to cut fabric with my Cricut Expression."
 
Congratulations, Girl Scout Belle, please email us at support.mcc@gmail.com so we can get you into class right away.
 
 
course photo
 
If you didn't win, there's still time to get in on this fun class. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Online class giveaway!!



Hi, I'm Shirley Pando, instructor at My Creative Classroom and part of the website support team. In fact, if you email the MCC help desk (support.mcc@gmail.com), I'm the person you'll hear back from. :-)

 
 
 
Do you own a Cricut machine? Maybe you are looking for more to do with it...or maybe it's gathering dust...gasp! Well, no more, I say. Come join me on a journey to discover what your Cricut machine can do for you. It's more than just little die cuts. :-)
For each of the first four months of 2014 I'm introducing another brand new online Cricut class:
I call these mini classes, but if you  know me you know I don't do anything in a "mini" way. All my classes are packed to the gills, and these will be no different. A lesser price, sure, but no less info and projects. You just can't lose! :-)

****************
 
Our second class, "Cricut: Crafting with Coloring Tools" begins on Monday February 24th, my birthday! So let's have a giveaway!



Course Description
Using coloring tools with a die cut machine sounds like such an oxymoron to me. They don't seem like they should go together. But, oh, they do! Maybe you received Cricut Color Markers with the purchase of your Cricut machine and are stumped as to what exactly to do with them. If you need a little inspiration, then this class is for you. Join me in this 4-lesson class to learn how to use Cricut Color Markers, mini gel pens, and mini Sharpie markers with your Cricut machine while making several cards and other projects. Take your crafting to a whole new level!

Students will receive downloadable CCR files to use in class projects PLUS I will show you tips for creating your own files. Use any Cricut machine and any cartridge you own.
Students must have basic knowledge of their Cricut machine and the Cricut Craft Room (CCR).
Lessons Include:
  • Lesson 1: Introduction to Coloring Tools
  • Lesson 2: Basic Use of Coloring Tools
  • Lesson 3: Four Cards - Borders, Backgrounds, and Images
  • Lesson 4: Lots of "Little Extras"
The course materials and projects in this class are totally new and different from "Crafting with the Cricut: Beyond Paper".

****************

GIVEAWAY!!
Enter for your chance to win a FREE seat to "Cricut: Crafting with Coloring Tools".  There are three ways to participate in the Giveaway. Do all three and increase your chance of winning!

  1. Leave a comment on this post and let me know what type of Cricut class interests you. Have you secretly wanted to cut fabric? Markers? Vinyl looks like fun? Let me know.
  2. For another chance to win, head to MY BLOG and follow me. Just click the little blue "Join This Site" button on the left column. If I see you in my list of followers, your name goes into the hat another time.
  3. Comment on any post on my blog and get another chance...your name goes into the hat once again!
So what are you waiting for? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! ;-)

This giveaway ends on Sunday Feb 23rd at midnight. I will post the winner on Monday February 24th...just in time for class! Already enrolled in class? No worries! If you are the lucky winner we'll refund your tuition.

Good Luck!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Jan 17th-Cricut Projects

Happy Friday,

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:
  1. Please post your work using the link below.  Enter as often as you like, but it must be a Cricut project.
  2. 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


Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Online Cricut Workshop Series + Giveaway!!



Hi, I'm Shirley Pando, instructor at My Creative Classroom and part of the website support team. In fact, if you email the MCC help desk (support.mcc@gmail.com), I'm the person you'll hear back from. :-)






Do you own a Cricut machine? Maybe you are looking for more to do with it...or maybe it's gathering dust...gasp! Well, no more, I say. Come join me on a journey to discover what your Cricut machine can do for you. It's more than just little die cuts. :-)

For each of the next four months I will introduce another brand new online Cricut class.:
I call these mini classes, but if you  know me you know I don't do anything in a "mini" way. All my classes are packed to the gills, and these will be no different. A lesser price, sure, but no less info and projects. You just can't lose! :-)

The first class, "Cricut: Crafting with Stencils" begins January 27th. So how about a giveaway??!!

Stencil class


Course Description

I love to create art with stencils, especially ones I can make myself using my Cricut machine! Come join me for this 5-lesson class to learn how to design Cricut Craft Room files and cut stencils using Cricut Cuttables Stencil Material, cardstock, and freezer paper. Students will create astenciled artist canvas, stenciled card backgrounds, and a stenciled fabric item of their choice. Take your crafting to a whole new level!

Students will learn about other stencil materials you can use with your Cricut and will
will receive nine CCR files to download and use in class projects. Use any Cricut machine and any cartridge you own. Students must have basic knowledge of their Cricut machine and the Cricut Craft Room (CCR).

Lessons include:

Lesson 1: Introduction and Inspiration
Lesson 2: Designing Cricut Craft Room Files
Lesson 3: Stenciled Artist Canvas using Cricut Cuttables Stencil Material
Lesson 4: Stenciled Master Board for Cards using Cardstock
Lesson 5: Fabric Item Stenciled with Freezer Paper

The course materials and projects in this class are totally new and different from the lessons in "Crafting with the Cricut: Beyond Paper".

Class begins: Monday January 27, 2014
Price: $15 for 5 Lessons
 

****************************************************
GIVEAWAY!!
Enter for your chance to win a FREE seat to "Cricut: Crafting with Stencils". There are three ways to participate in the Giveaway. Do all three and increase your chance of winning!
  1. Leave a comment on this post and let me know, honestly, how often you use your Cricut. Time to confess!! :-)
  2. For another chance to win, head to MY BLOG and follow me. Just click the little blue "Join This Site" button on the left column. If I see you in my list of followers, your name goes into the hat another time.
  3. Comment on any post on my blog and get another chance...your name goes into the hat once again!
So what are you waiting for? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! ;-)

This Giveaway ends on Monday January 20th at midnight. I will post the winner on Tuesday Jan 21st. Already enrolled in class? No worries! If you are the lucky winner we'll refund your tuition.

Good Luck!


Monday, January 13, 2014

Our 1st topic is.....electronic die-cutting machines!

Happy Monday Crafters!

It has finally arrived....our 1st challenge topic.  This week we will focus on electronic die-cutting machines.  I will be specifically focusing on the Cricut.  But maybe you have the Silhouette or Eclips or The Slice.


If you are like me, you may have a love hate relationship with your die-cut machine.  I fall in and out of love with my Cricut so fast it is almost like a soap opera.  I purchased it the very 1st week it was available, even though I said I wouldn't.  Which is kind of a theme for me and die-cut machines.  After several moves and starting a company it sat collecting dust.  I then upgraded to the Expression and purchased the Gypsy and a lot of carts.  The Gypsy helped a lot and I started using the Cricut again.  Maybe there is hope for this relationship after all.

But then I went through 2 more moves and again it started to gather dust.  It just felt too time consuming.  Then last year I started scrapbooking again and I remembered why I purchased the Cricut in the 1st place.  I have since learned how to use Cricut Craft Room and that has made it much easier.  Unfortunately, my Gypsy died when I tried to sync it to CCR.  UGGGG!  I have to get that fixed so I can link all of my carts.  So the relationship continues.  Stay tuned to find out if we can make it work this time or if we finally head towards a divorce. :)

This week I will be focusing on scrapbooking and a ATC card for my inspiration board.

See you in the classroom,
Jeri