Collage Swap

I've never made a collage card until this month.  It was stressful, in a good stretching-my-crafty-muscles way.  For some people collage is super easy and no matter what they put on their paper or canvas, it comes out great. Not so for me.  I even tried using a set of Tim Holtz' stamps and putting them together all sorts of ways and it was terrible BUT I learned something form it and the final project ended up not having any stamped images at all but added layer upon layer creating a scene and I was happy with the results.  Was it perfect, no.  Was it great, no.  Was it an acceptable for a first timer, I think so and am sharing it here.

The background was made by taking 3 different sheets of alcohol inked paper.  All three sheets used the same 3 colors and each spotlighted one of the three colors.  The pages were cut into 1/4" strips and attached to a sheet of sticky paper leaving periodic gaps which were filled with Martha Stewart Orange Topaz glitter.

The large leaf on the left was made by using spray adhesive to attach regular household foil to card stock.  This was run through my Cuttlebug to emboss then cut out.  The foil started out with several wrinkles but they all smoothed out during the embossing.  The leaf was bent and molded a bit to add some texture and foam squares are under some parts of the leaf for more interest.

The other leaves were cut from several scraps using Emagination punches.  Some are above and some below the netting which originally held onions, garlic or potatoes.  The pumpkin was embossed and cut using my Cuttlebug.  The glittery highlights and the hand written word 'Autumn' were made with platinum Stickles.

I hope you enjoy it.

Craftily yours,

Marilyn

Gypsy - What cartridge is that image from?... TIP #2

Have you ever created something and not remembered what cartridge the image came from?  There is an easy way to have your Gypsy tell you.


Highlight the image you want to identify and click the mat in the bottom right corner of your Gypsy.  (Don't worry if the image is a part of a grouped or welded set.)  You will be taken to the overlay screen.


The image or images will be seen in the line on the of the screen above the overlay.  Touch the image you want to identify and the name of the cartridge will appear.  Click on the cartridge name if you want to see more images from that cartridge.  That's it.


Craftily yours.


Marilyn

Cricut - cutting small images... Tip #3

TIP 3a:  


When you are cutting images that are small, especially if they are layers for a larger image, make sure you cut a few extras, just in case.  


I have noticed that sometimes the cut doesn't go all the way through or perhaps the mat was too sticky for for the little bit and a part tears off.  The settings may have been "off" for such a small piece or maybe it cut perfectly and the little piece got mangled during gluing.  Whatever the reason, better safe than sorry.  Just cut a couple of extras with the ones you know you need and you should be just fine.


If you're using only your Cricut and filling up the entire page, it could become a problem IF you didn't make room for the little extras.  This is especially true if you are using the last of that particular pattern or special sheet of paper.  If you're using your Gypsy simply squeeze them in anywhere they'll fit.  Easy peasy.


TIP 3b:


SLOW DOWN your Cricut when the image is small.  I generally set mine all the way down to 1 for any small or intricate cuts and have had no problems.  Before I slowed down, I rarely had a usable small image.


Hope you enjoy this blog.  See you again.


Craftily yours.


Marilyn

Shaker Card made with the Gypsy and Cricut

The August swap for our local crafty group was "Surf's Up Shaker Card".  This was my first shaker and I really wanted it to be cute.  I looked online for some inspiration then on my Gypsy for images and came up with this.

The recipe:
   Size is 4 X 4  
   Cricut Cartridge used "Life Is A Beach"
   Base is a light blue Recollections CS  
   Swirly glittery background and dotted layer are DCWV Summer Dream Stack 
   Treasure chest is shimmery gold CS 
   Boy and his "equipment" are from old cs I had laying around  
   Shells came from Michaels.
   Dots are Adirondak either Pesto or Meadow
   Lots of foam tape (double layer due to using shells)
   Ribbon used around to outside of the card to finish the edge was Louisa Harding "Kimono Ribbon Pure" and was made in Italy.  It does have a yummy feel.  I know you can only see a glimpse of it in the photo but it really finish the cards off nicely.


I was warned that shaker cards take quite a while to make and they did just that but they certainly were quite gratifying to make as well.  I am on a journey to stretch myself and this was right up that alley for me.  I hope you enjoyed the card.


Thanks for visiting.  Come back soon.


Craftily yours.


Marilyn

Cricut Cartridge List with a bonus

Well this is a long time in the making but it's finally here and does include all the July 2011 Hello Thursday cartridges.  Yeah!!  I'm very excited to have this available now for everyone.
  
Some things you should be aware of regarding Provocraft and the cartridge names.  First, they aren't exactly consistent with the names or the way they alphabetize.  Also sometimes you'll see the name with the word "Cricut" and sometimes without.  I have indicated the alternatives with ( )'s.  


I discovered this out by comparing Cricut.com's online lists from:
1) the pdf's of the booklets 
2) the "for sale" area that shows the actual box the cartridges come and 
3) the way they are listed on my Gypsy


I knew they had a lot of cartridges but was really surprised to discover that they have created 278 original cartridges and 33 for the Imagine.  WOW, that's a lot of creating opportunities.


To download a copy of the cartridge list click Full Cricut Cartridge List  Remember, if you are having trouble, just copy/paste the link into your browser.


LINK:  http://www.mediafire.com/?294i9ha95v1hw


If you want to print it for your files, you may want to print it double sided.  


EXTRA BONUS:
There are already spaces available for you to add in the new cartridges beginning in August for the next few months AND there is a built in "OWN" and "WANT" columns so you can take the list with you when you shop online or at your favorite store.  How great is that!  (Yes this list will be updated.)


Thanks so much for visiting.  I hope you get as much out of this list as I did creating it.


Craftily yours


Marilyn

Scrapbook Page challenge for NSD

Here was my submission for the Scrapbook page challenge.  I'm a card maker not really a scrapbooker so I wanted something pretty easy and generic and I think I got that here.  I also made a couple of journaling blocks to go with it but will add them once I have the photos to use on this page.

I used my Gypsy with my Expression for this page.  


Recipe:  Lacy Labels Cartridge 
       Image shadow cut at 10.41" high and 11.39" wide
       Orange glitter glue 
       Martha Stewarts "fire Opal" glitter glue added in dots around image.   
       Ribbon was one I've had on hand forever.
       Paper gray & black cs.  Patterned cs is DCWV Pocket Full of Posies Stack.


Craftily yours.


Marilyn

Breast Cancer Card

For National Scrapbook Day another of the challenges was "Breast Cancer".  This was my entry.

I wanted it to be simple and focused on survival so I included the paper with the hearts filled with love and the words "My Hero".  The breast cancer ribbon and words were made on the Gypsy and cut with the Cricut Expression.

Recipe:  

     Stand and Salute Cartridge used for both the ribbon and words

        Ribbon shadow cut at 4.25" high and 2.73" wide

        Words cut at 1.82" high and 3.10" wide

    Paper black, blue and pink cs and unknown patterned cs

    Ribbon American Crafts

Craftily yours,

Marilyn 

   

Another National Scrapbook Day Challenge card

Here's another of the National Scrapbook Day challenges I did with My Pink Stamper, Robyn.

This was for the Cupcake Challenge.  I used my Gypsy to create the cupcakes and the words and my Cuttlebug for the embossing.


Recipe: 
   Celebration Cricut Cartridge for the cupcakes and the words
       Cupcake shadow cut at 2.31" high and 5" wide
       Word shadow cut at .8" high and .95" wide
   Cuttlebug folders used "Swiss Dots" and D'Vine Swirl
   Paper 
       Patterned paper from Pocket Full of Posies Stack from DCWV
       Black, Blue, & White CS
   Ink used was Tim Holtz Distress Ink (don't remember the color)


Craftily yours,


Marilyn

Perfection be gone

When I go for perfection in my crafting, I don't get very far.  There are no challenges, no final projects and no fun.  I either heard or read that instead of going for perfection go for "good enough".  Remember I'm talking about crafting here but it's also become a mantra with organizing things around the house and getting something done rather than waiting until everything's all set up perfectly before beginning.  Bottom line "good enough" with some things has given me the gifts of freedom, time, and personal satisfaction. 


I recently reclaimed a place to craft and have been organizing it, then tweaking as I found more items, then again as I sorted through what items I use more and which less.  It has been a learning experience and more than that, its been a growing experience.


The HUGE crafting benefit is that I can and do now use my crafty bits more than ever and am having a blast with it.  In adopting the "good enough" mentality and shedding the perfection of it all, I have been able to challenge myself and try things I used to shy away from in years gone by.  I have not settled into any particular "style" of card making but have been having a great time trying different styles.


Craftily yours,


Marilyn

Cricut "Cutting glitter papers and..." Tip #2

CUTTING GLITTER PAPER 


Have you tried cutting glitter paper and the papers textured with glitter and other materials?  Give up?  This paper actually can be cut and look beautiful.  The tips are with the mat and the settings.  The mat must be sticky enough to hold the paper well.  Set your speed to slow (1), pressure maximum (5 or 6 depending on your machine), and blade depth to max of 6.


GLITTER PAPER EXTRA


Glitter paper has a tendency to want to curl up (into the glitter).  Super easy fix - take some time straightening it out by running the backside of the paper back and forth over the edge of a curved table edge or anything similar.  Yes it can be coaxed by hand.  If your paper is curled/curved up and you don't do this it will most likely lift from the mat.  


Be sure and check out my glitter "Just Because" card from yesterday.  I used the settings mentioned above.


Craftily yours,


Marilyn

Card - Just because

This is the first year I participated in the National Scrapbook Day challenges hosted by My Pink Stamper.  There were 12 challenges in all and I will share some of them here but this first one is related to a tip I'll be sharing with you.  

This card was for the Glitz, Glam and Glitter challenge.  The base is shiny silver cs layered with black cs.  The floral paper is from K & Company Floral Dreams collection.  The glitter paper is lavender and from DCWV Fall Glitter matstack (4.5x6.5).  The lavender pearls are Queen & Co.


Hope you enjoy the card.


Craftily yours,


Marilyn

Gypsy 'What do I do when..." Tip #1

PROBLEM WITH DOUBLE CURSER

Have you ever experienced the dreaded double curser or have something turn yellow.  Sorry to have to say this but it's user error and indicates you went too fast for your little Gypsy friend.

Solutions:
1)   Slow down, take a breath so it doesn't happen to you
2)   Wait until your Gypsy has processed everything - this will actually take longer than you think
3)   Get yourself to a screen where the 'cut' feature is available - press cut, then when you get to the cut screen, press exit.  Your Gypsy should now be reset and you should be back where you started with your images intact.

Craftily yours,

Marilyn

Cricut 'What do I do when..." Tip #1

PROBLEM LOADING PAPER:


If you find that your Cricut didn't grab the paper correctly while loading...relax and press the 'unload paper' button, make sure the mat is lined up properly and hit 'load paper' again.

EXTRA's:

This button is especially useful when you are using a marker in your Cricut to draw an image then cutting that image out.

It can also be used (sparingly) if you have thicker paper and SHOULD have set it to multi-cut.  I would only do this with shadow images or basic shapes. 

Craftily yours,


Marilyn

Creative 'aha' moment

For years I used to say I wasn't creative.  I realize now that was untrue.  I am creative, we all are, we are simply creative in different ways.


My aha moment was this May while attending USC's med school graduation (yeah Ashley) when the speaker talked to the graduates about going out and practicing their "art".  The art of medicine.


Your art, my art, is ANYTHING we do creatively.  As in all things, some of us are more gifted than others, some use it well while others squander their talents.  Some, like me with paper crafting, love what we find challenging but push ahead and trust we'll continue to learn and grow.  With practice I'm now liking my creations more and more.  


I wish you peace in your creative pursuits.


Creatively yours,


Marilyn

My friend Blanca

My crafty origins are in rubber stamping.  Blanca, a friend since 7th grade, got me hooked in the early 90's.  We went to the Carson Conventions back when Stampa Barbara literally took center stage and when Dee Gruenig spent the weekend coloring the stamps with layer upon layer of color all while cooing and giggling.  Aah memories.


Blanca and I would go to lunch after the conventions and spread our respective hauls and across the table.  What's funny NOW is that for the unmounted stamps I bought I had to get rubber and wood to mount them myself.  Most of them are again unmounted.


Blanca even got me hooked on the 100 card Valentine's swaps hosted by RubberStampMadness.  Funny thing was year after year I would do them at her house while she watched and made suggestions but I don't have a vivid memory of her actually doing them.  Enabler, thy name is Blanca.


That was all the good part.  The bad was that I forgot how to use many of the products shortly after I got them home so they sat loved but unused.  (This began WAY before YouTube.)  Some things dried up, others crumbled, most were used but not many got used up.


Why am I writing about this you may ask.  Well this blog actually has 3 purposes: first to challenge myself creatively, second to get me to use every product and tool I own and third to share and learn with you.


Craftily yours,


Marilyn

Welcome

Welcome and thanks for coming by to see what this new blog is all about.  We will explore the tools and products we bought and never learned how to use, the Cricut and Gypsy buttons and features we just couldn't figure out and release our inner creative spirit.


This may sound silly but I once learned that I was using my watercolor paints incorrectly.  Didn't even know it was possible to mess up water and paint, but I managed to do it.  Since that time, I've been determined to really learn the in's and out's of the products I own and I welcome you along on the journey.


Craftily yours,


Marilyn