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.
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
