You Color My Life Beautiful Scrapbook Layout with Cricut Explore

 Many of you know I became a grandma (or Lolli) a month ago today.  This is my sweet grandson, Ace.

I had so much fun creating this layout.  It's been a long time since I've had new photos to scrap and this little man was just the inspiration I needed to get back into the craftroom and try something different.   I cut the title out of watercolor paper using my Cricut Explore.

Here's a video of this layout.  I encourage you to try the watercolor paper on the Cricut.  LOVE IT!

New Features Coming to Design Space!

Cricut has been working on Design Space and will be releasing an update which will be live on April 23, 2015.  Check out this quick video to see a preview of the new features!

Lighted Birdhouse With Cricut Explore

 Hello and thanks for stopping by!  Today I have a fun project for you using Lori Whitlock birdhouse SVGs from Loriwhitlock.com (link to exact file below).

 

To make this birdhouse I simply slightly altered a birdhouse SVG file by slicing out a circle in the bottom of the birdhouse with the Cricut Explore.  I then placed it over a battery operated tea light candle.   Wouldn't these be cute with the entire set of 5 birdhouses (which come in the set) all light up together?!!

Here's a quick tutorial to walk you through how to make this on your own!

Products used:

Lighted Bird House with Cricut Explore

Products Used
Lori Whitlock 5 Birdhouse Set

Lori Whitlock Hello Summer Paper by Echo Park

Battery Operated Tealight Candle

Wink of Stella Glitter Brush

Thermoweb Tape Runner

Thermoweb Foam Squares

Thermoweb Super Tape (red tape)

The Story of Us Canvas

I'm so excited how this project turned out.  I prepped a white canvas with white acrylic paint.  I then used my Cricut Explore to cut "the Story of Us" out in canvas.  I applied the vinyl to the canvas, painted over the entire canvas again with white paint.  After the canvas had dried thoroughly, I painted the teal paint over the entire canvas.  Once dried, I peeled up the vinyl.

If you'd like to make one for youself, you can buy the sentiment in my Etsy shop 

Super Easy!

Thank you Card - Step outside of your comfort zone

It's been awhile since I played around with different techniques.  It's so fun once you just let go of "what if I mess up"... doesn't matter if you "mess up".  It's art.  There is no right way, no wrong way... it's ok.  Allow yourself the freedom to try new techniques, step outside the box, out of your comfort zone.  Every card does not have to be your favorite.  I can guarantee you, you are your own worst critic.  Just try.

Graduation Card with the Cricut Explore

 Graduation will be here before you know it and with that comes the need for Graduation Cards!

This is a repeat of a card I made last year using the Silhouette.  This year I used my new Cricut Explore Air!

Here is a quick tutorial describing how I designed this card.  Below the video is also several other versions of this card base

Get Well Soon with Thermoweb Icraft Deco Foils

Thanks for stopping by!  Today I have a tutorial for you using Thermoweb Deco Foils.  Have you tried these yet?  They are so fun and there are so many ways to use them.  All the products used are linked below.

I used two different methods on this card.  First I used the Stencil Method which involves applying a layer of Deco Foil Adhesive over a stencil on a vellum background.  Secondly, I printed the sentiment with my laser printer and ran it through my laminator with Deco Foil.  To hold everything together I used my Favorite Small Zot Adhesive glue dots

Products Used:

Thermoweb Icraft Gold Deco Foil
Thermoweb Deco Foil Adhesive
Zots Small Adhesive Glue Dots 

Want to see the entire process?  Here's a quick video tutorial.

I saw a video of Carissa making a cute card using a "Thanks" die.  I thought, I can do that with the Cricut Explore, so I gave it a shot.

These cards were so fun!  I LOVE, LOVE the embossing!

Here's a video tutorial in case you'd like to give these a shot!

A warm Hello card with Distress Markers

I recently invested in Copic markers.  It's harder than it looks and I am so not ready to use them on cards.  I tried this image with Distress Markers a while back and it's just been sitting in my "practice book" for awhile, so I took her out and decided to add her to a card.  I had this piece of die cut Heidi Swapp paper also on my desk from another project that didn't quite work the way I planned.  When I brought the 20's girl to my desk I noticed the paper matched perfectly.

It's good to try new things, learn new techniques.  Practice makes perfect and though she is a really rough practice... I think she will make someone's day just a little brighter.  Don't be afraid of imperfection... it just adds to the charm.

Thermoweb Deco Foil Thank You Cards

Hello!  After a few months vacation I am back with Thermoweb.  My first assignment?  Thank You cards with Deco Foils!

Have you tried Deco Foils?  If you haven't.. You really need to!  See all those Thank You sentiments in yummy gold and silver?  Those are the Deco Foil

There are several ways to apply Deco Foils.  This card uses two methods.  On the Thanks I used a laser printer and laminator, and the silver dots are simply Zots (glue dot adhesive) and Deco Foils... Easy Peasy!

I used Icraft Adhesive Sheets to cut the "thanks" using a Die and my Big Shot.  I cut the word mirrored so that the adhesive side would be up.  Simply applied Deco Foils over the top.  The foiled stripes were created using two strips of Thermoweb Super Tape and again, applying gold Deco Foil on top.  A quick blast of Gold Glitter Dust finished off the card.

Lastly, I created this card using the Zots method for the gold dots and my laser printer and laminator.  You can watch me create this card in this tutorial:

Happy Birthday Card with Cricut Explore

 Hello and thanks for stopping by.  Today I thought I'd share a quick tutorial to make this tri-fold label card with the Cricut Explore and Design Space.

Though I made a birthday card, you could easily adapt this style for most any occasion.

Here's a quick video tutorial with instructions to make this card

Chalkboard Art with the Cricut Explore

I created this Chalkboard Art with the Cricut Explore!  Yep.. that's right.  A little Cricut Chalkboard Vinyl, A Chalkboard Marker and the Cricut Explore did all the work!
Here's a tutorial for you!

Chalkboard Vinyl Kitchen Labels with the Cricut Explore

I used the Cricut Explore, Chalkboard Vinyl and Chalkboard Marker to make new labels for my canisters.  This was super quick and really fun!!

Here is a video tutorial:

Cricut Iron On Shirt and April - Tutorial and SVG file Included!

Here's a fun project for you!  I made this shirt and Apron in no time at all.   Check out the tutorial below for all of the details!

Bird House Thank You Card - Cricut Explore

I haven't made an actual craft project in quite a while.  I whipped up this quick card using the Cricut Explore and images from the subscription.  It was super quick and lots of fun!  Here is a tutorial if you'd like to give it a try!

How to set up the Cricut Explore

Setting up the Cricut Explore is SO EASY!  I've got two videos for you.  The first one is the instructions.. it's a super quick, super short video.  The second video is of me actually setting up my Explore from Box to Cutting without rehearsing or practice... (it only took me 4 minutes and 10 seconds!)

 

 

 

Cricut Design Space 2.0 - Basics

Cricut Design Space is about to get a facelift!  I'm so excited to provide you with this Basics lesson on the new Design Space.  The updates in Design Space 2.0 were mainly focused on performance, and what a difference!  The software runs like a well oiled machine and you are even going to find a few new changes in Design Space like Docked Edit, Layers, Color Sync and Canvas Panels, Larger previews of Cricut Images, New ways to filter images and a few more!  Watch the video above to see up close what the new Design Space 2.0 is all about!

Die Cut Crafts Facebook Group

Come join our facebook group Die Cut Crafts.  All machines are welcome.  We have Silhouette, Explore, Zing, KNK, Pazzels, Revolution, Big Shot, etc.  We share projects, ideas, inspiration, tutorials, tips and tricks and much more.  Weekly free SVG files are also included. 

Click the link below and I'll add you as soon as I can.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DieCutCrafts/

Happy Birthday Shaker Card with the Cricut Explore

Exclusive Free SVGs in the Facebook Group Die Cut Crafts

Come Join us in the Facebook Group Die Cut Crafts.  

Our group is for all machines users Cricut, Silhouette, KNK, Pazzles, etc.  We share ideas, tips, tricks, tutorials and SVGs

 

 

Pocket Crisscross Card with the Cricut Explore - Birthday Card

 Another version of a Crisscross card.  This is super simple to make and perfect for any occasion.

Watch the video and find out how to make this card in Cricut Design Space with the Cricut Explore

Criss Cross Card with Cricut Explore

I made this fun Criss Cross Card with the Cricut Explore.  This card base can be used for any occasion, but I thought the XOXO SVG was perfect for Valentines.  You can get the XOXO in several of the Cricut Facebook Groups.

Here is a another version I made.  

I have added a video tutorial showing how to make the base card layer as well as the extra embellishments.

How to Curve Text In Cricut Design Space / Cricut Explore Tutorial

This is a super quick video demonstrating how to curve text in Cricut Design Space.  I've also added a Cheat Sheet below with the step by step illustrated tutorial

Win a $15 Gift Card to the SVGShack on Etsy - Pay it Forward Challenge

Want to win a $15 gift certificate to SVGShack on Etsy?  It's super easy to enter to win!
Stop by our Die Cut Crafts group on Facebook to find out how you can win.  Contest ends on January 31 at Noon Eastern.

Cricut Design Space Cheat Sheets for quick reference to frequently asked questions

I have been working on a few cheat sheets for Cricut Design Space - These are frequently asked questions.  I've consolidated them all for you to download right here/

I've been busy filling my Etsy Shop with lots of new Files.  You can get this one HERE.

SVG Shack

I have lots of new SVG files in the SVG Shack.  The SVG files are Vector Cutting files and work with almost any digital cutter such as the Cricut Explore and Silhouette (Silhouette requires the designer edition of Silhouette Studio).

Time to start on those Valentines~

Christmas Owl Tag

Happy Holidays!  This is the last of my Christmas Projects (I think).  I needed a cute gift tag for a special little one's package.  I created this owl using the Cute Owl, Cricut Design Space and my Cricut Explore.

It' Cousin Eddie here to wish you a Merry Christmas!!

I was hopping along with the SVG cutting files blog hop when I saw this card!  OH My Gosh!  I just knew I had to make it!    The hop was featuring Christmas Movie projects and Christmas Vacation is one of my All Time Favorites!     I really wanted to put, "oh Crap, Sh^**er's Full", but I didn't think that would go over very well!  :P  

I cut this card with the Cricut Explore and the SVG file by Michelle at ScrappinwithmyBug.  Thanks, Michelle!!

It's Ornament Week at Thermoweb!!

 I'm up on the Thermoweb Blog today.  This week we are featuring homemade ornaments by both the paper and fabric design teams.

I chose these fun ornaments.  They were cut using SVGCuts Christmas Ornament cut files and the Cricut Explore.

 

I used Thermoweb SuperTape to assemble this Christmas Tree and to give it some added shine I sprayed a coat of Thermoweb Gold Glitter Dust over the completed project.

 

The snowflake was assembled using a combination of Thermoweb SuperTape, 3D Zots and Mini Sticky Dot Runner.