Cricuit Creations - Loads To Share!

For All Your Die Cut Challenges !



 I was given my Cricuit Machine over two years ago and I am ashamed to say that I don't use it so much as I should.  I know my hubby doesn't get upset about it, but I am sure that he wishes that I would utilize this resource more than I do.  So for further encouragement and support, I met a wonderful lady name Leanne while I was a Design Team Member of Deedee's Digis Company.  I was so enthralled with the fact that any dimension or depth that was added to her cards and altered projects, was largely due to the fact that she added many die cuts.  These die cuts were cut out with her Cricuit machine and she always adds something extra to even provide more texture or dimension. Her work is outstanding and to show you what I mean, just look at this at this Masterpiece! Make sure to check out her link above to see all of her amazing projects. She has a wide group of followers and once your there you will know why!

Featured With Permission

 After much thought and searching through my SVG Files, I decided to get back into using my SCAL Program. Well some of you might be wondering what that really is and how it works.  Well, I will try my best to explain.  For someone like myself who is on a tight budget, I decided that once in a while I would purchase a Cricuit Cartridge but only when they came on sale. I am sad to say that I haven't seen an whole lot of them that are inexpensive to begin with, so therefore I would have to always wait for what I needed to go on sale. So to make a long story short, I heard about SCAL ( short for Sure Cuts A Lot Program) and the more I researched it the more I felt it was right for me and my budget.  I will try to provide you with an explanation of what this program is and how it works.

Sure Cuts A Lot is an extremely easy program to allow you to cut your True Type fonts, SVG Files, and various shapes on your Cricut Machine. This software will allow you to create your own designs by using an on-screen virtual cutting mat as your workspace. The on-screen mat will prove to be very powerful and useful, as you can visually see all of the shapes laid out on the mat, before cutting anything. Once you have everything laid out the way you want, simply choose "Cut With Cricut" from the "Cricut" menu or click the Scissor toolbar button, and the Cricut machine will start cutting your entire design.  The on-screen virtual cutting mat allows you to adjust the properties of each shape laid out on the mat. Simply select a shape on the mat with your mouse cursor and it will be highlighted with 8 blue circular selection handles. These handles will allow you to set the position, size and angle of the shape, just by click and dragging one of the handles. 

Some of the Key Features of Sure Cuts ALot are:

· Works with the Cricut Personal and Cricut Expression Machines

· Works with your installed True Type fonts

· No special cartridges required
· Cut additional shapes from the Sure Cuts A Lot Library.
· WYSIWYG Interface - What you see is what you cut
· Save your design layouts, so you can save your work to allow you to make changes over time


Vector Files or SVG Files of many varieties can be used with this program. These files are really just commands that are sent from your computer to your Cutting machine and cuts out what you need, which is faster and more time efficient.  I need to add that you do need a USB Port 1.1 or 2.x cord to connect both your computer and cutting machine. I have loads of files to help me cut out what I need, wither it be a set of tags, flowers, or just words.  Whatever the case I always have my files. I also make back up files so I don't lose my orginals and save them on a memory stick. I purchase my files from a variety of places and the things that are free on-line is amazing. For example I get a lot of files from places like http://freesvgs.blogspot.com/  I love this site so much. There are files that you can purchase also, but she also gives so much away. There are over 400 followers right now and growing.  I do want to add that she is an affiliate to Sure Cuts A Lot, and does get a small commission if you purchase it using her link on her site. She will also convert any personal images that you may have into SVG Files for just $ 4.00. A really great deal.
This is one of the images that I recently got there and I think it really sets the scene for what I want my Christmas cards to look like this year.

It is just beautiful and so precious!  The selection is so great and she really does share so much with everyone. I actually found a Elvis Presley file at http://dscrapbookingroom.blogspot.com/ another great site, the other day. I almost cried I was so happy. Yes, that is sad, but to know that I could get it for free and not have to pay $30.00 or more was a blessing. The creator of these files are just so talented and I am so thankful for folks like them.

So I guess you know where I am going with the The DieCut Divas Challenge site picture at the beginning of this post right! Lol!  Well, I joined this group a while back and the ladies there are just wonderful.  Right now they have a Christmas Challenge on and it extended to include both November and December. Make sure to check it out. You can even join our Flickr Group and join in the fun.  It doesn't matter what kind of Die Cutting Machine you have! Each month there is a new challenge asking you to use Die Cuts in some way or another. And of course there is always prizes. Lol!  Just make sure to click on the link below and it will take you to their Flickr Group page so you can sign up and have loads of fun.

We like the way you've used your Die cutting system! You are INVITED to post it in Die Cut Divas

Here are some cards that I made for this month's challenge. They are nothing extra special but cute just the same. I haven't been feeling well but still needed to make a few cards and this was the fastest way to do it. So here are my Christmas Minis.

And here are some close ups of each individual card. These were all cut out on my Cricut using the SCAL Program and svg files.  I would like to add, that if you do decide to purchase this program that it is best to buy the newest and latest version. A lot of the files that you buy are made for the latest version. I really need to up size to the new one due to the fact that it was a little more tricky to use these files that made these cute mini cards. Due to the fact that I have a husband who is a Saint and helped me to re-do some sizing issues, these cards are being shared with you now!

Santa's face was shaded with dark peach chalk and the white parts with grey.

Antlers where shaded with Ranger Walnut Ink and cheeks rubbed on with pink chalk.

The Penguin's face was chalked with grey and cheeks with dark peach.

Snowman's scarfed was stamped with a mini snowflake from Stampin Up.

The blue background was stamped using Hero Arts Cling Dot stamp.

Shading around the head was with dark grey and cheeks with dark peach colour chalk.

So there you have it folks, mini cards that were much faster to create, than say if I had to cut them all by hand. These are so great for teacher gifts, or for little kids. You could actually use the Penguin and Snowman for invitations for those birthday parties that fall in the winter months. 

I am so happy that you are here and I hope that on this visit you learned something new, and that you were inspired to use your cutting machine that maybe just sitting in a corner, waiting to be used again. They really are wonderful tools if you just take the time to research things a little, and practice, practice, practice. Lol!

Yes, I know! One minute I take a break and the next minute I don't know when to let you go! Lol! Well, I will bid you ado and say "Sweet Dreams"  Thanks for dropping bye! I so do appreciate you being here.

Hugs & Blessings

Dana

Holiday Thinking Inking Week 2

Hi Everyone:
Just wanted to share with you the cards that I made for the challenges that were presented to our class in the Holiday Thinking Inking Class with Jennifer McQuire.  Please do not feel that you can't take part because you still can. You may have missed a few classes for chances to win prizes, but you can still submit cards using those techniques along with this week's techniques.  Just make sure to submit it to week 4 okay.  It needs to be uploaded to their gallery by Nov.1st.  It is always great to win scrapbooking supplies, but I have to say that I am just as happy to learn new ways to use my stamps and to get more bang for my buck.  So here are the cards that I made, including close-up shots.

The first technique that Jenn taught us was called Block Background. This is when you use an acrylic block to make your very own watercolored background.  This was a little tricky but after a few tries I got what I wanted!  These techniques work the best with Ranger Distress Inks by Tim Holtz.  Why you might ask?  Well they are made so that you can use them like watercolours,  which really comes in handy when doing a technique like the one used in this card.  I had a friend ask about exactly how this is done so I will try my best to explain it to you.  You take any size acrylic block and you cover it with various distress ink colours. Once you have the desired amount, you than spritz it with water. Depending on the effect your going for, you can either spritz close to the surface, which will give a more pooled water effect, or spritz further away, which is what I have done here. The closer the bigger splotches, the further away, the smaller the splotches.  Hope this helps.

Close-up Shot!  Sorry about the frayed ribbon here, but my scissors became dull apparently! Lol!

I used Broken China distress ink and Stampin Up chocolate chip brown. The stamps used were from Autumn Leaves, Stampin Up & Hero Arts.  I really love how this turned out.



This next card maybe small in size but there were many techniques used here. The background was first watercoloured in Broken China. Then splattered with watered - down white stamping ink. The trees were then stamped in a technique that Jennifer McQuire calls Generation Stamping. This is where you ink your stamp once and then continue to stamp until all the ink is gone. This is the technique used here to stamp the trees.  I then dipped the end of my Mister bottle in white paint to make the moon.  I then shaded around and above the trees to create the feel that the trees were in front of the snow and sky.  I then did a Painting technique to create the snow called Mopping/Stippling which gives such great texture.  I then stamped the cling dots to the green background and distressed the edges.  Liquid Pearl was added to water in my Mister bottle and then I misted the entire card.  I then added the sentiment and ribbons. This was so much fun to create!

Close-up Shot!

This shot really shows how wonderful spritzing Liquid Pearls can be on your cards.

It gives such a warm and glimmery effect.

Now this next card was one of my favorite cards to do.  Here I did the "Bleeding Technique" that Jenn taught us.  I decided to do it on a bigger stamp surface and I am so glad that I did.  I used this wonderful Bold Flourish on my card.  I just loaded the stamp up with different fall colours and stamped it on my watercolour paper. Then stepped back a little and spritzed it with my Mini Mister. The effect was amazing.  I then added Ultra Embossing Powder to it to give it more dimension and then inked all around it.  My background was stamped with the cling dot stamp and inked around the the edges and center to tone down the brightness of the paper.  I so love the colours here and that ribbon really helped to make this card look elegant.

Close up to show the bleeding of inks and to show embossed texture.

These cards were so fun to create and the fun is not over yet.  We are on our fourth week now and I will share pics of  weeks three and four with you early this week.  I trust that you are all doing well and spending some time together enjoying the fall weather.  Thanks for dropping bye and hope to see you again soon.

Hugs & Blessings
Dana