Creative Xpress Blog

I used the Old West cartridge for all of my cuts on both invitations.  I love the great cuts on this cartridge and I knew they would make perfect kid’s invitations.  On the Wanted invitation, I used the great cuts and fonts to make a “Wanted” poster for a western themed birthday party.  I carried on that theme with the farm party invitation by using the great barn cut.  When I saw those barn doors, I decided to make them actually open and find the wording inside the barn.

Cut sizes for Wanted:
Wanted 1.25”, Cowboys & Cowgirls 1”, Boot 2.5”, Guitar 2.5”

Cut sizes for You’re Invited:
Barn 5.5”, Words 1 1/8”, Animals 2”

Wanted Comprehensive Product Supply List:
29-0300    Cricut Expression Machine
29-1549     Cricut Old West Cartridge
03-3280    Bazzill Chocolate Fourz
03-5264    Basic Kraft Collection by Basic Grey
03-5333    3D White Foam Squares by Therm O Web

You’re Invited Comprehensive Product Supply List:
29-0300    Cricut Expression Machine
29-1549     Cricut Old West Cartridge
03-3280    Bazzill Chocolate Fourz
03-4796    Crude Cardstock by Basic Grey
03-4799    Happy Cardstock by Basic Grey
73-7529    Two Tipped Memory Markers #4 by American Crafts
03-5333    3D White Foam Squares by Therm O Web

Karen Pinsonat
September 2010 Project
Kid’s Birthday Invitations
Title:  Wanted & You’re Invited
Time to complete: 2.5 hours
Approx. time to scraplift:  1.5 hours

Tags: Design Team, Karen Pinsonat, old west

Let’s face it, glitter can be messy.  They make craft trays to catch the glitter and pour it easily back into the bottle, but you can achieve the same effect just by using a sheet of paper.  Take a sheet of paper and fold it in half, making a crease.  Unfold it, lay it flat on your work surface, the pour your glitter over the object you are covering.  After you remove your object, you have a nice creased piece of paper to pour your glitter back into the bottle with a lot less mess!

Tags: Karen Pinsonat, tips and tricks

This month, my assignment was to use the Wall Decor cartridge and Design Studio to create a background for a layout.  This is actually much easier than it sounds.  First, decide which image you want to use and what size you want it.  Open it in Design Studio, and place as many as you want to use onto your virtual mat.  Next, use the nudge feature to position all of your images so that they are touching one another.  Make sure you check the “welding” box for each image, then simply cut it out.

I chose the butterfly image, set at 1.5 inches.  I layered this over the mustard colored paper, which was over another sheet of black cardstock.  Then I matted my photos, positioned them on the page, and added the flowers.  The title was cut from the Home Decor cartridge set at 2 1/8″.  The orange scalloped border was made using the Accent Essentials cartridge set at 1″, and then manipulated and welded together using Design Studio.

Supplies used:
29-0500   Design Studio by Cricut
2000270  Wall Decor and More cartridge by Cricut
29-0695    Home Decor Solutions cartridge by Cricut
00-0000  Accent Essential cartridge by Cricut
03-1558    Indian Summer Collection Paper Pack by Basic Grey
03-3270   Yellow Fourz by Bazzill
03-3327   Raven by Bazzill
03-5339   Earthtones Fabric Flora Doodles

My assignment this month was to create a mini album using the new Summer vacation cartridge. I was drawn to this cart right away. There are so many neat die cuts on this cart, for so many different vacations and summer activities. I was originally going to do a “summer vacation” themed album with our road trip to L.A., beach trips and camping, but once I went through pictures from last years summer camping trip, I found that I had enough pictures to create a 20 page mini “camping” album. I hope you like what I did here. I also got to work with the awesome new Basic Grey line “Max & Whiskers”. I was able to showcase this amazing “animal” themed line in a totall different way. I love the bright yet muted colors. Now onto the tutorial. Make sure you click on the images to make it larger so you can see more detail.

Cover-
1.) Cut patterned paper to 5×5 1/4, round edges on right side, ink and add to cover.
2.) Cut blue patterned paper to 5×4, ink edges and add to the cover.
3.) Ink scalloped frame and add to center.
4.) Cut out title “camping trip” at 1 1/4 o an inch. Ink and add to the center of the frame.
5.) Next add chipboard fishing pole to cover.
6.) Free hand draw and cut an oval shape (1 3/4 x 1 1/4 inch). Ink and add fish chipboard to center.
7.) Last, add inked striped patterned paper to the right of the cover and the blue pearl.

Page 1-
1.) Cut dot 6×6 patterned paper to 5 x 5 1/4, ink and add to the page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 patterned paper into a strip. Ink and add to the right of the page.
3.) Ink the bird note card with the scalloped edges, back with the brown bone patterned paper. Ink and add to the layout. Add your picture.
4.) Next add circle tag.
5.) Cut out the “car” die cut at 1 1/2 inches.  Using the 12×12 orange dot paper. ink. Back the orange car with blue patterned paper. Next cut the car out with the black patterned paper. use the wheels. Add car die cut to the page. Add the journaling strip.

Page 2-
1.) Cut patterned paper to 5×5 1/4, ink and add to page.
2.) Cut striped patterned paper into a strip, ink and add to the right of the page.
3.) Next ink the note page writer’s block die cut and add it to the left of the page.
4.) Cut the arrow die cut out at 1 1/2 inches on the red solid patterned paper. Ink and add to the page under and over the picture.
5.) Cut the other striped patterned paper to 4 3/8 x 1/2, ink and add to the page.
6.) Freehand draw another oval on the brown patterned paper. Ink and add to the page.
7.) Ink and add the turtle stickers.
8.) Add journaling.

Page 3-
1.) Cut flower patterned paper to 5×5 1/4, ink and add to page.
2.) Cut striped patterned paper into a strip, ink and add to the left of the page.
3.) Take the bird note card writer’s block, ink and back it with white cardstock. Cut out scalloped pattern and ink it, add to the left of the page.
4.) Cut out strip at 4 5/8 x 3/4 from the blue plaid patterned paper. Ink and add to the page.
5.) Add picture to the page.
6.) Cut the tent die cut out at 1 1/2 with the blue patterned paper. Back with the white cardstock, ink. Add to page.
7.) Add journaling.

Page 4-
1.) Cut the plaid 6×6 patterned paper to 5×5 1/4, ink and add to the page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 patterned paper into a strip. Ink and add to the right of the page.
3.) Add the pictures.
4.) Cut the first arrow out at 1 1/2 out of the red solid patterned paper. Ink and add to the page.
5.) Cut out the second arrow die cut at 1 inch with the light orange patterned paper.
6.) Add journaling

Page 5-
1.) Cut 12×12 patterned paper to 5×5 1/4, ink and add to the page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 patterned paper into a strip, ink and add to the left side of the page.
3.) Cut the striped 6×6 patterned paper to 4 1/4 x 2 1/2, ink and add to page.
4.) Add your picture.
5.) Using the solid brown patterned paper, cut the campground die cut at 1 1/2 inches.
6.) Add sticker border (inked).
7.) Add journaling

Page6-
1.) Cut the 6×6 dot patterned paper to 6×5 1/4, ink and add to the page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 patterned paper into a strip, ink and add to the right side of the page.
3.) Place the pictures on your page.
4.) Cut out the arrow die cut at 1 1/4 inches, ink and add to the page.
5.) Cut the blue plaid 6×6 patterned paper to 5x 3/4, ink and add to page.
6.) Cut out map die cut at 1 1/2 inches with the 12×12 tan patterned paper. Ink and back it on white cardstock.
7.) Cut another map onto the red 12×12 patterned paper.
8.) Cut out arrow and add it to the first map die cut. Ink and add to the page.
9.) Add dark blue pearl to page.

Page7-
1.) Cut 12×12 patterned paper to 6×5 1/4, ink and add to the page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 patterned paper into a strip, ink and add to the left of the page.
3.) Add pictures to the page.
4.) Cut white flower 6×6 pattern paper to 5x 3/4, ink and add to the page.
5.) Cut brown solid patterned paper to 5x 1/2, ink and add to page.
6.) Add border sticker to it.
7.) Cut compass die cut out at 1 3/4 on the blue solid patterned paper, ink and add to the distressed white patterned paper.
8.) Cut out, ink again and add to the page.
9.) Add journaling

Page 8-
1.) Cut 6×6 flower patterned paper to 6×5 1/4, ink and add to the page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 patterned paper into a strip, ink and add to the right of the page.
3.) Add your pictures.
4.) Cut out two freehand drawn ovals (1 3/4 x 1 1/4), ink and add to the upper right of the page.
5.) Cut 5 x 1/2 x 1/4 of an inch strip from the 6×6 dot paper, ink and add to the top of the page.
6.) Cut right bottom flower from the sticker, in the stickers and arrange it so it fits on the to of the page. Add chipboard flower stickers to center and rhinestone to flower center.
7.) Cut arrow out of light orange pattern paper at 1 1/2 inches, ink and add to page.
8.) Add felt flower.
9.) Add journaing

Page 9-
1.) Cut 6×6 white flower patterned paper to (6 x 5 1/4) ink and add to the page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 patterned paper into a strip, ink and add to the left side of the page.
3.) Cut striped paw print patterned paper to 5 x 3/4, ink and add to bottom of the page.
4.) Add picture to the page.
5.) Next cut striped paw print patterned paper to 5 x1/4, ink and add to top of the picture/page.
6.) Ink and add sticker frame.
7.) Cut die cut fire out at 2 1/2, ink and back with orange solid patterned paper. Now cut die cut  fire out at 2 1/2 inches from the brown solid patterned paper, ink and cut out the wood piece. Place over red fire die cut. Glue die cut to the center of the sticker frame.
8.) Add journaling.

Page 10-
1.) Cut 12×12 blue weave patterned paper to 6 x 5 1/4, ink and add to page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 patterned paper into a strip. Ink and add to the right of the page.
3.) Cut the white 6×6 flower patterned paper to 5 1/4 x 1 inch, ink and add to the bottom of the page.
4.) Add your pictures.
5.) Add a 5 1/4 x 1/4 inch strip of the brown bone patterned paper to the top of the pictures.
6.) Add a die cut arrow, cut a 1 1/2, from the red patterned paper to the left picture.
7.) Add a die cut arrow,cut out at 1 inch, from the light orange paper, ink and add to the top of the right side picture.
8.) Add canvas tag.

Page 11-
1.) Cut 12×12 white dot patterned paper to 6 x 5 1/4, ink and add to page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 patterned paper into a strip, ink and add to the left side of the page.
3.) Cut striped 6×6 patterned paper to 5 1/4 x 1, ink and add to bottom of the page.
4.) Ink and add two of the ‘Cat meow’ writer blocks to the right of the page.
5.) Ink and add the ‘note book’ writers block to the left of the page.
6.) Add the picture.
7.) Add add the top strip of the striped paw print patterned paper, cut out and inked at 5 1/4 x 1/2 inches.
8.) Add the two chipboard stickers.
9.) Add journaling strips.
10.) Add felt flower.

Page 12-
1.) Cut 12×12 weave patterned paper to 6 x 5 1/4, ink and add to page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 patterned paper into a strip, ink and add to the right of the page.
3.) Cut 12×12 striped patterned paper to 5 1/4 x 3/4, ink and add to the left of the page.
4.) Cut blue checkered patterned paper to 5 1/4 x 2, ink and add to page.
5.) Add pictures.
6.) Cut arrow die cut at 1 1/2 from the red patterned paper.
7.) Cut arrow die cut out at 1 1/4 inches, out of the light orange patterned paper, ink and add to the page.
8.) Add journaling.
9.) Add blue pearl.

Page 13-
1.) Cut 12×12 blue weave patterned paper to 6 x 5 1/4, ink and add to page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 patterned paper into a strip, ink and add to the left of the page.
3.) Cut 12×12  striped patterned paper to 5 1/4 x 3/4 of an inch, ink and add to the page.
4.) Cut orange dot patterned paper to 5 1/4 x 2 1/2, ink and add to center of the page.
5.) Cut out two 5 1/4 x 1/2 inch strips from the 12×12 white dot patterned paper, ink and ad to the top and bottom of the orange dot paper.
6.) Add picture.
7.) Cut palm tree out of the brown solid patterned paper at 4 1/2 inches, Cut palm tree out of the light tan/green paper at 4 1/2, ink and add top half of the tree to the brown die cut. Add to page.
8.) Using the brown patterned paper cut the “arrow/beach”  title out at 1 1/4, back it with white cardstock, ink and add to the page.
9.) Add journaling strip and epoxy sticker.

Page 14-
1.) Cut 12×12 yellow weave paper to 6 x 5 1/4, ink and add to page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 paper into a strip. Ink and add to the right of the page.
3.) Cut 12×12 striped paper to 5 1/4 x 3/4 of an inch, ink and add to page.
4.) Cut 6×6 white flower paper to 5 1/2 x 3/4, ink and ad to the page.
5.) Add pictures.
6.) Cut “Trip 2 the beach” title out of brown paper at 1 1/4 of an inch, back with distressed white patterned paper. Ink edges and add o page.
7.) Add felt flower.
8.) Add journaling strip.

Page 15-
1.) Cut the 12×12 weave paper to 6 x 5 1/4, ink and add to page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 paper into a strip. Ink and add to the right of the page.
3.) Cut 12×12 striped paper to 5 1/4 x 3/4 of an inch, ink and add to page.
4.) Cut blue checkered paper to 5 1/4 x 2 inches, ink and add to the page.
5.) Cut the dark flower paper to 5 x 3/4, ink and add to page.
6.) Add picture.
7.) Cut arrow out at 1 1/2 inch, ink and add under and over picture.
8.) Cut out water tin tag at 1 1/2 inch, ink and add to page.
9.) Add journaling strips.

Page16-
1.) Cut the 12×12 blue weave paper to 6 x 5 1/4, ink and add to page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 paper into a strip. Ink and add to the right of the page.
3.) Cut 12×12 striped paper to 5 1/4 x 3/4 of an inch, ink and add to page.
4.) Add pictures to page.
5.) Cut the yellow/orange 6×6 dot paper to 5 x 3/4, ink and add to page.
6.) Add felt flower.

Page 17-
1.) Cut the 12×12 blue weave paper to 6 x 5 1/4, ink and add to page.
2.) Cut striped 6×6 paper into a strip. Ink and add to the right of the page.
3.) Cut 12×12 striped paper to 5 1/4 x 3/4 of an inch, ink and add to page.
4.) Cut large 12×12 weave paper to 4 3/4 x 4, ink and add to the page.
5.) Add picture.
6.) Cut blue checkered 12×12 paper to 5 3/4 x  3/4, ink and add to layout.
7.) Ink and add sticker flower border. Add pearls to centers.
8.) Ink and add the four writers block tabs. Add the three chipboard flowers over the two tabs on the right upper side of the picture.
9.) Add canvas tag (ink it first).
10.) Add journaling strip.

Page18-
1.) Cut the 12×12 brown dot paper to 6 x 5 1/4, ink and add to page.
2.) Cut large 12×12 striped paper to 5 1/4 x 1 3/4 , ink and add to page.
3.) Cut striped 6×6 paper into a strip. Ink and add to the right of the page.
4.) Cut the 6×6 plaid paper to 6 x 3/4, ink and add to page.
5.) Cut blue solid paper to 4 x 3 1/2, ink and add to layout.
6.) Add pictures.
7.) Cut striped 6×6 paper into a strip, ink and add to the page, under the photos.
8.) Cut arrow out of the red paper at 1 1/2 inch, ink and add under and over picture.
9.) Cut arrow out of light orange paper at 1 1/4, ink and add under and over picture.
10.) Add journaling strips.

Back Cover-
1.) Cut flower paper to 6 x 5 1/4, ink and add to back cover.
2.) Cut solid blue paper to 5 1/4 x 1 3/4, ink and add to back cover.
3.) Cut striped 6×6 paper into a strip, ink and add to the left of the back cover.
4.) Add the four silver jump rings and you are done!

Supplies Used-

29-0300- Cricut machine Expression
2000318- Summer vacation seasonal cart
03-1311- Chocolate chip mini album by Basic Grey
03-5258- Max & Whiskers writer’s block by Basic Grey
03-5257- Max & Whiskers  bloomers by Basic Grey
03-5256- Max & Whiskers Epoxy stickers by Basic Grey
03-5255- Max & Whiskers canvas tags by Basic Grey
03-5247- Max & Whiskers chipboard stickers by Basic Grey
03-5241- Max & Whiskers paper pad 6×6 by Basic Grey
03-5240- Max & Whiskers collection pack 12×12 by Basic Grey
73-7505- Max & Whiskers white cardstock by American Crafts
03-1499- Indigo sky half pearls by Basic Grey
33-9338- Espresso earth tones dye ink pad

Thank you so much for looking

Nikki

Tags: June assignment Nikki, Max & whiskers Basic Grey, Mini album, summer vacation cart

The Mini Monsters cartridge is chalked full of cute little monsters, Phrases, and 3D objects. Since I was a little girl, one of my most favorite holidays has always been Halloween. This Mini Monsters cartridge would be perfect for Halloween theme creations, but I am going to show you how to use it for other themes. Here is a card with a movie night theme, and a card with a Birthday/party theme.

Instructions-

1.) Start out with white 12×12 cardstock. Cut in half to 6×12, ink edges in black and fold in half.

2.) Cut black dot patterned paper to, 5 ½ x 5 ½ ink edges and add to card center.

3.) Using the George and basic shapes cartridge cut out a 4 inch circle from the orange dot patterned paper. Ink the edges and add to the left of the card. Next cut out a 3 ½ inch circle from the cream dot patterned paper, ink the edges and add to the right of the card over lapping the orange circle.

4.) Cut a strip of the striped patterned paper to 5 ½ x 1/2 ink and add to the bottom of the card.

5.) Cut tree die cut out of the black patterned paper at 4 inches, ink and add to card.

6.) Cut out “monster” at 2 ½ inches from the black, orange, white and purple patterned paper and cardstock. Ink and glue the monster together. Add to the center of the cream circle on the card.

7.) Cut title “Monsters” out of white cardstock at 1 ¼ inches. Ink and add to the card over the monster.

8.) Cut journaling strips out, fold in and cut ends to look like ribbon, ink. Add pop dots to the ribbon journal strip to add 3D effect. Add journaling strips to the card and we are done.

Supplies list-

29-0300 – Cricut  expression machine

2000192 – Cricut  mini monster cartridge

03-5093 – Basic Grey Sugar rush collection pack

73-7423 – Dimensional dots by American Crafts

73-7505 – White cardstock by American Crafts

36-4842 – Black soot distress ink pad

xx-xxxx – George and basic shapes cartridge

Card #2  “Beware, it’s a party”

Instructions-

1.) Start out with white 12×12 cardstock. Cut in half to 6×12, ink edges in black and fold in half.

2.) Cut black dot patterned paper to, 5 ½ x 5 ½ ink edges and add to card center.

3.) Using the George and basic shapes cartridge cut out a 4 inch circle from the orange dot patterned paper. Ink the edges and add to the right of the card. Trim sides.

4.) Cut the light cream dot patterned paper to 5 1/2 x 1 1/2, ink and add to the bottom of the card.

5.) Cut out the fence twice using the purple patterned paper at 1 3/4 inches. Ink and add to the center of the card.

6.) Next cut the tree out with the black patterned paper at 4 inches, ink and add to the card.

7.) Cut the lamp/street sign out at 5 inches using the black and orange patterned paper, ink, using the cream dot patterned paper mat the back of the top of the lamp/street sign. Add to the card.

8.) Cut the mini monster “Beware” out of the green, light green, pink, black and white patterned paper at 1 1/4 inches. Ink, piece together and add to card. Add pen detail.

9.) Cut the Title “Beware” out at 2 inches. Ink and add to card.

10.) Last print your title “it’s a party” on the light green patterned paper, ink and fold to look like a ribbon banner, cut ends and add foam dots to back. Add to card and you are done

Supply List-

29-0300 – Cricut  expression machine

2000192 – Cricut  mini monster cartridge

03-5093 – Basic Grey Sugar rush collection pack

73-7423 – Dimensional dots by American Crafts

73-7505 – White cardstock by American Crafts

36-4842 – Black soot distress ink pad

xx-xxxx – George and basic shapes cartridge

Thanks for looking

Nikki

I was so excited to get the chance to work with the new Mini Monsters cartridge for the Cricut. This Mini Monsters cartridge would be perfect for Halloween themed creations, but I am going to show you how to use it for other themes. Here is a layout I did about my son. it’s not spooky at all. It’s adorable! J

Instructions-

1.) Start off by inking a 12×12 sheet of white cardstock.

2.) Cut the red dot patterned paper to 11×11, ink with black ink and add to the center of the white cardstock.

3.) Cut two strips of the striped patterned paper at 10x ½ ink and add to the top and bottom of the layout.

4.) Cut two strips of the orange flower patterned paper at 10x 1 inch, ink and add to the top and bottom of the layout.

5.) Cut the orange dot patterned paper to 6 ½ x 5, ink edges and add to the left of the layout.

6.) Cut the cream dot patterned paper to 6 ½ x 5, ink edges and add to the right of the layout.

7.) Machine, sew around the layout.

8.) Cut the black dot patterned paper to 1 ½ x 11, ink edges and add to the layout.

9.) Add white cardstock to the back of the picture, ink edges and add to layout.

10.) Add the chipboard flower vine to the left of the picture. Add the inked “Made with love” circle sticker to the layout using foam dots.

11.) Cut the “Spooky” monster out of the purple patterned paper at 1 ¾ of an inch. Ink and add over the flower vine and circle sticker using foam dots. Add pink felt heart over it.

12.) Ink heart sticker strip and add to layout.

13.) Ink large heart sticker, add foam dots to the back and add to the layout. Ink Basic Grey black alphabet stickers add “our” to the layout add “love” to the center of the heart.

14.) Using the Street sign cartridge cut the word “little” out of the red patterned paper at 1 inch. Ink and add to the layout.

15.) Monsters-

Big Monster- Using the Black, purple and orange patterned paper cut the monster out at 2 ½ inches. Also use the white cardstock for the eyes and teeth. Ink all pieces, glue together and add to the layout.

Gross Monster- Using the pink, black and purple patterned paper cut the monster out at 1 ¾ inches. Also use the white cardstock for the eyes. Ink all pieces, glue together and add to the layout. Add pen detail.

Ooky Monster- Using the red, pink and black patterned paper cut monster out at 1 ¾ inches. Also use the white cardstock for the eyes. Ink all pieces, glue together and add to the layout. Add pen detail. Add to layout.

Mummy Monster- Using the purple, green, black and orange patterned paper cut monster out at 1 ¾ inches. Also use the white cardstock for the eyes. Ink all pieces, glue together and add to the layout. Add pen detail. Add to layout.

Goblin Monster- Using the green and black patterned paper, cut the monster out at 1 ¾ inches. Also use the white cardstock for the eyes. Ink all pieces, glue together and add to the layout. Add pen detail. Add to the layout.

16.) Last cut the title “Monsters” out at 1 ¼ inches. Clip of the “s” so it just says “Monster”, ink and add to the center of the big monster.

Supplies used-

29-0300 – Cricut  expression machine

2000192 – Cricut  mini monster cartridge

29-0547 – Cricut Street sign cartridge

03-5093 – Basic Grey Sugar rush collection pack

03-5097 – Basic Grey sugar rush chip stickers

03-5116 – Basic Grey sugar rush pieces

03-5098 – Basic Grey sugar rush woolies

73-7423 – Dimensional dots by American Crafts

73-7505 – White cardstock by American Crafts

My assignment this month was to showcase the new Wall décor Cricut cartridge. I soon got this idea to try the designs on a lamp shade.  I wanted to show you all that this cart is not limited to just wall art. You can use it on so much more. I went to my local Walmart looking for a plain white lamp shade for this project. I found an off white Fabric lamp shade. The fabric looks just like canvas which gives it a nice texture. The lamp shade size is: TOP- 4 inches, Bottom- 11 inches and Height- 8.5 inches. Okay now on to the tutorial.

Instructions-

1.) I started out with the plain off white lamp shade. I liked the texture and knew I wanted some of the lamp shade to show that off. So what I did first was I lined a sheet of 12×12 cardstock to the seam that runs down the side of the lamp shade. I matched it up perfectly and taped the cardstock to the shade. Next I folded the cardstock over so it smoothed out to the form (like a triangle) I taped that side. Next I used a pencil and outlined it to match the taped seam side. I took the template I just made off and cut out the penciled side. This template should be 11 3/8 at the bottom and 4 ½ at the top. You only need to cut one that you will use three times later.

2.) Next I cut this template. I cut the bottom piece first, measure from the middle/center of the template. You will need to cut it to 3 ¼ from the bottom up (middle/center of the template). I then cut from the top piece. You will need to cut the top piece down at (middle/center of the template) 2 ¾ . Throw away the center piece that came from that. Now you have the Top and Bottom piece of our template to work with.

3.) Using the Bottom template piece, trace it on the back of the flowered patterned paper three times. Three pieces will be enough to cover all the way around the lamp shade, if you add an extra ¾ of an inch to the last traced piece. Just use the template to extend the end. Now using the top template piece, trace it on the back of the flowered patterned paper three times, following the step we did above to extend that last piece. Add adhesive to each strip. I was able to use my paper piecer  to pull the bottom and top fabric over lap (we will be adding ribbon to this later) away from the lamp shade a little to ease the paper under it. Add all the strips to the shade. You may need to play with them a little to get them on but they should go on pretty easy.

4.) Next I cut strips out of the striped patterned paper  at 3 x ¾ . I inked each one with brown ink (for a distressed look) and over lapped them on the bottom of the lamp shade. I also tucked them under the fabric strip.

5.) Cut 4 (Dnrset) borders out at 1 ½ from the green solid patterned paper. Ink them and add to the top middle of the lamp shade over lapping the top flower patterned paper. The last piece will need to be cut down a little to fit and not cause over lapping onto the other border, I added a foam dot to every middle piece for each border to add some pop to the shade. Now cut 5 (Dnrset) borders out at 1 ½ from the solid patterned paper. Ink them and add to the top middle of the lamp shade over lapping the bottom flower patterned paper. Again the last piece will need to be cut down a little to fit and not cause over lapping onto the other border. Also I added a foam dot to every middle piece for each border to add some pop to the shade.

6.) Using the same Wall Décor and more cart, I cut out 5 dark purple butterfly die cuts at 1 ½ inches. I inked them. I then cut 5 light purple shadowed butterflies at 1 ½ inches. I added foam dots to each butterfly to give the effect of flying and put them on the lamp shade over the border frills.

7.) I inked three Basic Grey writer block labels and added them around the lamp shade. I then added the three bloomer flowers to the centers of the writer block labels.

8.) The last thing left to do is glue the blue ribbon around the top and bottom fabric liner.

Supplies used-

2000270 – Cricut wall décor and more cart

29-0300 – Cricut expression machine

73-7423 – Dimensional dot by American Craft

03-5198 – Basic Grey Kioshi 12×12 Collection pack

03-5215 – Basic Grey Kioshi Writers block

03-5214 – Basic Grey Kioshi Bloomers

33-9338 – Ranger expresso stamp pad

73-7368 – American craft leafy ribbon card

I have to admit, I was a little hesitant about cutting fabric in my cricut machine.  I actually found out, it’s quite easy!  Just make sure you back your fabric with heat and bond to make it sturdier.  Use a fresh blade and a fresh mat.  I set my blade depth at 6, my pressure at 3, and my speed at 3.  Also, use the multi cut feature set at 2, to make sure the cut goes completely through the fabric and the heat and bond.  That’s it! Easy enough, so don’t be afraid to try it.

If you look at the new 2011 Seasonal cartridges this month, you will find a whole host of images and designs to work with.

I loved the look of the birdhouse and decided to create a wall hanging to celebrate the coming of spring using the April Showers Cartridge and the Spring Holiday Cards cartridge.

Cut the birdhouse twice from chipboard at fit2page resulting in an 11 ½” birdhouse

Glue chipboard pieces together

Cut birdhouse twice from white cardstock at fit2page and adhere to front and back of the chipboard pieces

Ink all edges

Cut birdhouse from brown embossed pattern paper at 11 ½”

Cut out the roof and base from the embossed pattern paper and adhere atop the white base

Cut birdhouse front twice from chipboard at 11 ½”

Glue chipboard pieces together

Cut white cardstock at 11 1/2″ to fit birdhouse front and back

Ink all edges

Cut birdhouse from striped pattern paper at 11 1/2″ and adhere

Ink all edges

Die cut bird in cage at 5” and again at 4” from brown pattern paper

Die cut bird layer at 5” and again at 4” from brown embossed pattern paper

Assemble birds, adding brads for the eyes

Ink all edges

Glue some shredded fiber or raffia to birdhouse creating a “nest” for the birds

Assemble birdhouse, using foam pop dots and foam lines for a 3 dimensional effect, allowing some fibers to poke out of the sides

Die cut “Welcome Spring” at 2 ½” from yellow pattern paper

Close up:

The sign:

Use Spring Holiday Cards cartridge:

 Die cut background10 twice from chipboard at 5 ¼”

Glue chipboard pieces together

Cut yellow pattern paper at 5 ¼” from background10

Ink all edges

Cut green pattern paper at 5”

Ink edges

Emboss with Cuttlebug Floral embossing folder

Adhere to sign

Add “Welcome Spring” to sign

Add brads to some of the flower centers

Punch hole in top of birdhouse and add ring

Tie assorted ribbons to ring

Punch holes in bottom of birdhouse and top of sign

Add jumprings to attach sign to birdhouse

SUPPLIES

 Die cut:           Cricut Expression

Cartridges:      April Showers

                        Spring Holiday Cards

Cardstock:       American Crafts

                        American Crafts Pearl Paper

Pattern paper:  American Crafts Botanique

Brads:              American Crafts Glitter brads

Ribbon:           Dear Lizzy and American Crafts “Lively”

Ink:                  Ranger Distress Ink

Embossing:      Cuttlebug Floral Embossing folder

Punch:              We R Memory Keepers Crop-a-dile

Other:              Chipboard

                        Shredded fiber

Tags: American Crafts brads, American Crafts buttons, American Crafts cardstock, American Crafts Pearl Cardstock, April Showers cartridge, Cuttlebug Floral embossing folder, Spring Holiday Cards

Making a shaped card is so easy with your cricut and design studio.

First, decide which shape you want to use.  I chose the pear from “Joys of the Season”.  Next, place your pear on your virtual mat in design studio and check the welding box.

Now place a second pear to the left of the first one on your mat:

Third, check the Flip Shapes box for your second pear:

Now drag the second pear so that it overlaps with the first pear:

Check the Welding box for you second pear:

Now cut out your welded card and this is what you get:

Score along the welded spot and fold over:

Now you can make your own shaped cards with pretty much any shape you want!

Tags: design studio, Design Team, Karen Pinsonat, tips and tricks