DIY WEDDING: SAVE THE DATE

With today’s economy, many are finding clever ways to save a little here and a little there without sacrificing quality and style. This is especially true when it comes to a do-it-yourself wedding. Cricut^® products are invaluable and can be used in just about every aspect of the wedding planning and preparations: from the “save the date” cards right down to the tiniest detail of the wedding décor. True, it is April, but the month of June is just around the corner!

Be sure to check out Crafty Kimber's excellent cartridge exploration of the Spring Cottage cartridge in today?s Chirp. You?ll also find helpful crafting tips and glean great crafting ideas from Cricut^® message board members in this week?s newsletter. 

As always, I wish you success in your crafting adventures!

Lonna Joy Smoot
Editor, Cricut^® CHIRP!

TIPS TREASURE CHEST

Today's tip comes from message board bug guide, Scrapalette.

Q: I just got my Cricut Expression^® 2 machine and have been a little frustrated with it. I can?t seem to get it to cut thinner paper (such as computer paper or construction paper). It just tears. I purchased the machine to use in my classroom, so I?m not looking to use tag board with it. I?m trying to use the resources that are at my school. My second issue is that I can?t find a cartridge that has basic shapes. Does anyone know the name of one that has simple shapes (i.e. square, circle, star, octagon etc.)? Thanks for the help.

A: When the paper is ripping or tearing, typically there is too much pressure. Your Cricut^® machine is pressing harder than needed, and it may even cut into the mat. (Your mat will show some cutting outlines and wear and tear after lots of use).

The pressure setting is for the amount of force the Cricut^® machine puts on the cutting arm (which holds the blade). The greater the pressure, the more force is used to push the blade through the material you are cutting. Think of it the same as if you were writing?if you press really hard with the pencil, you will leave indention marks in your paper as you write. If you press even harder, the pencil point may break, but if you press lightly, you won't have those problems.

The speed controls how fast the blade is moving. Slower speeds are used when the design you are cutting is more intricate and has lots of sharp turns or tiny cuts. You can use the faster speeds for simpler shapes such as circles and squares.

The numbers on the blade housing are the blade depth. If you look at the cutting blade assembly, you will see very little of the blade. By increasing the blade depth (turning the dial to the higher numbers), you increase the amount of the blade that will extend, which makes it easier for the machine to cleanly cut through your paper or cardstock. For thinner media, use a lower number, and for thicker media, use a higher number.

As far as basic shapes, there is a free set of images for anyone that uses the Cricut Craft Room? design tool. The set is called Basics. The George and Basic Shapes^® cartridge also has many simple shapes. You can find basic shapes on many Cricut^® cartridges. I just recently discovered a whole bunch of shapes on the Once Upon a Princess cartridge on the Gems feature! You can search for images in the Cricut Craft Room? design tool or on mycutsearch.com.

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Lisa Fish

About Me: My name is Lisa. My passion for Cricut^® products started a few years ago when I passed a display at my local craft store. I‘d watched the infomercial several times, so I couldn’t resist picking up a Cricut^® machine for myself. For Christmas 2010, I received the Cricut Expression^® machine and Gypsy^® device combo from HSN, and my passion escalated into a full-blown obsession. I love the creativity and freedom to be able to combine cartridges for every project. It has pushed my crafting to a whole new level.

Instructions:

I used my Gypsy^® device and Cricut Expression^® machine for this project.

1. Using the Doodlecharms^® cartridge, cut two 8" Easter baskets with shadows.
2. Construct a box from a sheet of 8 ?" x 11" paper.
   1. On the 11" side, score at 3 ?" and 7 ?". The center should measure 4".
   2. On the 8 ?" side, score at 1 ?" and 6 ?". The center should measure 5".
   3. Fold on all the score lines.
   4. Snip along the 3 ?" and 7 ?" score lines on either side to the middle score line.
   5. Fold the sides and apply adhesive to form a box.
   
   Tip 1: There will be a gap on either side, so cut two pieces of 4" x 7" paper and fold in half on the 7" side. Secure over each side of the box to cover the gaps.
   
   
3. Adhere the box to the basket base.
4. Using a Gypsy^® device, cut several 3" eggs from decorative paper. Fold each egg in half.
5. Adhere two eggs together by applying adhesive to the back of each fold to form 3D eggs.
6. Cut tags and apply sayings and quotes to the tags.
7. Decorate basket. I added crystal gems, ribbon, and pink tickle yarn

Cartridge Used: Doodlecharms^®

MESSAGE BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

This week's highlighted threads are:

• Easter Cards
• He is Risen
• Wedding Day
• 2 Wedding Tags
• Wedding Tags
• Bride & Groom Favor Boxes

CARTRIDGE EXPLORATION

Spring is in the air, and my daffodils are blooming more and more every day. I love tulips, so I planted a ton of them last fall. They will be popping up soon?I can?t wait to see how pretty they make my yard look! Another part of spring that I love is weddings, Easter, and Mother?s Day. These holidays are not that far away. If you haven?t got your cards finished, now is the time to get a jump on them. Playing with my Cricut^® machine is another favorite pastime that I squeeze in between gardening. For my Cricut^® cartridge exploration this week, I played with the Spring Cottage cartridge.

This is a delightful seasonal cartridge that is full of tons of spring images. Use them for Easter cards, Mother?s Day cards, scrapbook layouts, or a home d?cor project. Cut the images out of vinyl to create a bit of spring on your walls or windows. The cartridge images include a cottage, a water fountain, a gazebo, a window, daffodils, tulips, forget-me-nots, a wooden gate, mushrooms, ferns, a bird nest, eggs, and a berry basket. You can pick up the Spring Cottage cartridge here.

Each of the designs has layers that are really easy to figure out. Simply start at the top row on the overlay and work your way down. Each layer has its own button; the images on the bottom row are the only designs that are not a part of the layered designs. I created a cute bird card to send to a friend for Easter. I have a tree in my backyard, and the other day I noticed a bluebird perched amidst the budding tree. I think spring is one of my favorite seasons?I know my dogs love playing outside in the sun!

You can use the cut file if you want to create this project yourself. Download the file and then unzip it. Log in to the Cricut Craft Room? design tool and click the Import button. Select the unzipped cut file. Once that has been imported, click on “Spring” in your project list to open the cut file. I used the spring blossoms that came with the bird as budding leaves.

I hope you have enjoyed my cartridge exploration. Don?t forget to get a jump on those Easter cards!

Happy Crafting!

Crafty Kimber

HELP FROM THE EXPERTS

Need some help? Provo Craft ^® Customer Support is here for you! Never hesitate to call in (1-888-922-4725 or 1-888-92ccircle for Cricut Circle™ questions); we have people ready to help you! We are currently open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mountain Time. If these hours do not work with your schedule, please send an email to support@provocraft.com.

Have a great week!
Customer Support

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I want the big drama. I always said I don't want a wedding?I want a parade.”
—Star Jones