Birthday Card with Cricut Explore using the Pen Tool

Today I made this fun birthday card using the Cricut Explore with the Pen Tool Accessory.  There are so many ways to use the pen tool.  In the video below I show you how to use the pen to create an outline around a cut out image, how to use the pen to add a sentiment and how to use the pen to create a border.

Hey Foxy! Card

Hey foxy! 
This card was so fun to make.  I used the Fox from Lori Whitlock's SVG shop, and my Cricut Explore.   I don't know what it is about this little guy, but I want to put him on everything.

I used the Cricut Explore pens to write the sentiment using Lori Whitlock Tall Sketch Font.

Merry Christmas Card with the Cricut Explore

I did it.  I had to make a Christmas Card.  I don't know why.  It's 70 degrees here today and I've got Christmas on the brain.

This card was made from start to finish with the Cricut Explore and Cricut Design Space using Cricut Images.

You can watch the video below and recreate it as I walk you through step by step.

Who Says Halloween has to be spooky?

Hello and thanks for stopping by!

I've got a new post up over at Lori Whitlock's blog.

Today I'm featuring a non-spooky Halloween Gift set.  Who ever said Halloween had to be filled with witches, ghosts and goblins?  I turned this simple everyday occasion card and crate into a Halloween set simply by changing the papers.

I cut the Lori Whitlock Wooden Crate Svg file and the Kolette Hall Floral and Flag Card with my Cricut Explore.

Using the pen tool in the Cricut Explore made it super simple to add the Halloween sentiment using Lori Whitlock's Dot Sketch Font

 

Isn't this wooden crate the cutest?  It's the perfect size for a bag of candy corn or other Halloween treat.

Merry Christmas Card

Hello there and Welcome to my Very First Christmas Card of the Season and my Very First Cricut Christmas Card

this card was made using the Winter Wonderland Image set as well as the Heidi Swapp Christmas Collection from Winter 2013.

Thanks for stoppng by!

Print then Cut with the Cricut Explore

Hello everyone.  I finished Video #4 in my Cricut Basic Videos.  This tutorial focuses on the Print Then Cut feature recently released for the Cricut Explore.  This series of videos are for the beginner and guide you step by step through the Design Space software and getting to know your Cricut Explore.   Click here for the entire video series

Free SVGS!

Hello everyone!  I've been adding free SVGs over on our Facebook Group "I LUV MY CRICUT"
If you'd like to grab them, head over to Facebook and join our group. 
This week I've added the following

Welcome to the Lori Whitlock October Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Lori Whitlock October blog hop!

It's October and, of course that makes me think of Halloween!  I made a super fun Halloween treat box and matching card.  I love to find cut files such as the Patriotic Mason Jar and repurpose it into a totally different holiday.  It was super easy to do but cutting the jar in black and adding a Halloween sentiment to the front.  I paired it with the Bracket Tri Fold Card by Lori Whitlock.  This is the cutest card! 

This card as this fun belly band and then it opens to reveal plenty of area to write a message to the recipient.  I added the Trick or Treat Sentiment (Lori Whitlock Cute Spooks Digital kit) to the front panel by using the new Print Then Cut feature with the Cricut Explore.

Thanks for stopping by!  Now it's time for the fun stuff!

Here's a couple of coupons for you.  One is for the SVG shop and one for the digital shop over at Snap Click Supply.  Grab your coupons and then check out the rest of the blog hop.

While you're there, grab your adorable freebie

Don't forget to enter to win Lori Whitlock's Echo Park Christmas Collection!!!

Here's a list of the entire blog hop!  Please stop by each one and see what these lovely ladies have created for you!

Lori Whitlock

Corri 

Mendi 

Traci

Lorrie  YOU ARE HERE
Cathy

Linda 

Tya

Chrissy

Stephanie 

Ashley
Rachael 

Halloween Tag Card with Thermoweb

Hello there!  It's Lorrie here with a Halloween tag card.  Halloween and Christmas are my two favorite cardmaking seasons.  I wanted to do something a little different than a basic card.  I came up with this tag that was inspired by the absolute cutest birthday card I recently received from a super crafty friend.

This is simply several different types of tags layered together to create a lot of dimension and fun things to look at.


I just love interactive cards.  They make you want to get in there and see what's happening in there.

The first page is a clear page with some fun embellishments sewed right on the acetate.

Next we have a chevron tag with a simple owl/moon die cut.  I adhered this delicate diecut to the tag with Liquid Fabric Fuse.  Yes, that's right.. FABRIC fuse.  It is the perfect adhesive for paper projects, especially those tiny pieces.  It has a very narrow tip which makes it easy to control the amount of adhesive going on your project.  I'll show you another place in this card I used it in a few more photos below.


The page below was made by using the Thermoweb Mini Dot Runner to adhere the 31, I added a couple of staples to make it interesting and the cat was adhered using Thermoweb 3D Foam Squares
The cute part of this card is that it is all tucked into a brown paper bag simply by sliding the tag down into the bag.  The bag serves as an envelope.. (sort of).

Those cute glittery photo corners are Thermoweb Glitter Dust Black Nickel Glitter Photo Corners.  I LOVE these!

Ready for the last page of the card?  This is the tag that was tucked into the bag.
I used Thermoweb 3d Foam Squares to pop the pumpkins up and add dimension, the Thermoweb Sticky Dot Runner to add the Skeleton to the tag, and the Liquid Fabric Fuse to add the ring to the tag




That completes the tag card.  Super simple to make and a great way to use scraps!

Facebook Group - Cricut

Hello there!  I wanted to take a minute and invite you to join our Facebook Group "I LUV MY CRICUT".  Karin Adamczyk started this group quite some time ago and graciously invited me to team up to provide tutorials, share projects, and have friendly Cricut conversations with other Cricut Users.  If you are new to the Cricut or thinking of getting one, join us! We "LUV" our Cricut Explores and really enjoy watching the group get excited about them.   We have lots of fun and there are some really cool free SVG files.

Here are a few that I have added to the files

Cricut Explore Basics - Tutorials to help you get started with Design Space and Cricut Explore

A series of videos to help you get started with Cricut Design Space and the Cricut Explore.  I will be adding #4 soon.

6 Things You Should Know About the Cricut Explore

Hi there!  I wanted to answer a few questions and clear up a few misconceptions regarding the Cricut Explore/Design Space.  The following questions are taken from responses to my review on Facebook as well as here on my blog.

1.  Does Design Space (The Cricut Explore software) only work with cartridges?
   
     No.  The Design Space Software allows the use of third party images, such as SVG, DXF,
     jpg, png, gif and bmp.  As a Cricut Explore/Design Space user you do not have to use a
     Cricut Cartridge ever if you don't want to.  Should you just want basic shapes, there is a free basic
     shape cartridge available in your Design Space library.

2.  How does the Subscription plan work?  Are you only allowed to "rent" images?

     The Cricut Subscription plan allows you access to over 50,000 images (recently increased by the
     addition of Imagine Cartridges).  You have access to those images as long as you are subscribed.

     There is an option to purchase individual images which are mostly $0.99 (some are more).
     Purchased images are yours to keep with or without a subscription.

     Cartridges which you already own or purchase in the future are linked to Design Space.  Those
     images are yours to use anytime with or without a subscription.  There are also digital
     cartridges available for purchase.

3.  I don't know if I would like web-based Design Space, what are the advantages?

     There are several advantages to having Design Space as a web-based software.  The first
     would be that Design Space allows you access to all of the images you own and all of your
     projects no matter which computer you are on and no matter where you are connected to
     the internet.  Your images and projects are stored within the Design Space library, which allows
     access from any computer.  No more downloading an image on your desktop, only to find when
     you switch to your laptop you either have to download the image again, or wait until you can
     access it.  Everything is available to you no matter what computer you are on, no matter where 
     you are using the software.

      You can use Design Space on an unlimited number of computers.  You are not limited to 
      2 licensed copies as most softwares are.  

      All of the tools in Design Space is available to every user without charge.  There is no upgrade, or
      special edition which allows you extra tools.  Cricut has given everyone the entire tool library to 
      use on as many computers as you want.
  
       Updates to the Design Space software happen while you're sleeping (for the most part).  All you
       need to do is log in.   Some updates require firmware (updating the machine), or plug in updates
       which are simply prompted when you log in.  

4.    Can the Explore cut Chipboard thicker than cereal box weight?

        Yes.  The Cricut Explore offers a deep blade accessory which allows cutting of  heavy 
        chipboard, leather,  acrylic, acetate, balsa wood, fun foam just to name a few.   

5.     What is the advantage of the bluetooth adapter? If you have to use the computer 
        anyway, I don't understand why I need a bluetooth adapter.

        The advantages of bluetooth are as follows:
        a.  Allows you to put the Explore anyplace in your craft area.  I, personally, have mine set up
             on a table behind my desk.  It allows me to not have a cord going across the room, and allows
             me more desktop work space.
      
        b.  The bluetooth adapter allows you access to the Make It Now IPad Application.  The 
             Make it Now App provides  you access to lots of ready to go projects with your IPad.

6.   What is the Print Then Cut Feature?  Does the Explore Print?  Do I need a special printer?

       The Print Then Cut feature allows the user to print and image, and then cut the image out.
       The image is printed on your regular home printer, just as you would print anything from your
       computer.  You then take that printed image, put it on your Cricut mat and the Explore will cut 
       the image.  You have some control as to where exactly it will cut the image (outlines, or more
       detailed).  No special printer is required, an ordinary household inkjet or laser printer works fine.

OK, now that you know the "6 Things You Should Know About the Cricut Explore", are you ready to win one?

Here's your chance!

HSN and Anna Griffin have some incredible packages coming up on HSN, including Anna Griffin Cuttlebug content for 2014 and a brand new CRICUT EXPLORE IN WILD ORCHID!

 This little beauty comes with the following bonus cartridges 3D Floral Home Décor and Pretty Packages feature special scoring lines and drawing content that ONLY Explore owners can see and access.

 

This spectacular reveal will be on HSN on October 7th.  Watch this video for details on how you can win $3,000 worth of Anna + Cricut goodness— which includes the BRAND NEW Cricut Explore in Wild Orchid, as well as the Anna Griffin Cuttlebug and ALL Anna Griffin Cuttlebug content for 2014!

 

You can read more here on Anna Griffin's blog.

 

 

   

Halloween Water Bottle Gift Set

Halloween at my house has changed.  The kids are grown and living on their own and I live on a street that doesn't get any trick or treaters.  I know, sad.  So, I get very little change to make Halloween treat boxes.  I used Lori Whitlocks Water Bottle Hang Tag to make this adult Halloween Treat!   

Stop by Lori Whitlock's blog today and add your link to the Link Up party.  We are showcasing any Halloween/Fall project using Lori Whitlock Silhouette Cut Files or SVG files.  Can't wait to see you there!

All of the files are listed on the Link Up!