Comprehensive Overview of Cricut Cartridge Locker Talk

I apologize for the "recess" from posting comprehensive cartridge overviews.  I purchased 6 new cricut cartridges over the last month and have been spending some time getting to know them better.  I have been particularly focused on Everyday Pop up Cards which has proven to be more challenging than most. More on this when I have completed my research.

Today I am presenting the Cricut Cartridge Locker Talk. In this blog entry you will find:

• a sample view of the cartridge images
• a look at all of the phrases offered on the cartridge and a PDF reference sheet download
• a look at all of the cards offered on the cartridge and a PDF reference sheet download
• a look at a handbook page with explanation of the creative features offered on this cartridge
• a link to the PDF of the handbook
• a spreadsheet with a list of the images, words and phrases, cards and projects with their pages numbers including a link to download the PDF version.

The sample sheet on the back of the cartridge box is posted above.  Locker Talk is a goldmine of artwork, especially for teachers, parents and students.  This cartridge includes 2 primary images with layers, shadows and blackouts, a phrase, a card and a book cover!  I really like cartridges with detailed primary images like what you find on Locker Talk.  The extra touch of a shadow and a blackout can make a die cut look so much more professionally constructed.  The phrases are also more elaborate than on many other cartridges with layers that offer lots of dimension.  Below I have posted a view of all of the phrases included on this cartridge:

 

You can download a PDF copy of the Locker Talk Phrase Reference Sheet by clicking the link below. If you would like to share this information on your blog, instead of copy and pasting this info, please post a link to my site.

 

LOCKER TALK PHRASE REFERENCE PDF

 

This cartridge also offers a card feature which is actually just a smaller version of the book cover.  There are two cards available- 1 for each of the primary images.  The cards themselves do not have artwork, but rather provide a platform for the primary image.  Take a look below:

The primary images on this handbook page (key on the overlay) are the scissors and the glue (add shift).  The cards provide windows for the primary images to be adhered and would not be very identifiable on their own. In this case, both cards open vertically with the windows in the center, while the book covers are designed to open horizontal and the window is in the lower right corner.  The feature buttons "Layers", "Shadow" and "Blackout" are tied to the primary image.  The "Phrases/Layers" feature is designed to stand alone without needing any of the other features to support or accent it.

Below you will find images of all of the cards on the Locker Talk cartridge.  

 

You can download a PDF copy of the Locker Talk Card Reference Sheet by clicking the link below. If you would like to share this information on your blog, instead of copy and pasting this info, please post a link to my site.

LOCKER TALK CARD QUICK REFERENCE SHEET

You can download a PDF version of the Locker Talk Cartridge Handbook but clicking HERE.

Last but not least, here is a list of all of the images and phrases on this cartridge with their page numbers.  If you find any errors in the spreadsheet, please let me know so I can correct them. If you would like to share this information on your blog, instead of copy and pasting this info, please paste a link to my site. The spreadsheet image below as a JPEG but you can download a PDF version of the Locker Ttalk table of contents here:

LOCKER TALK TABLE OF CONTENTS & PAGE #S PDF

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Overview of Cricut Cartridge, "Life's a Party"

Cricut has a whole line of Project and Events cartridges that offer specifically themed party decorations and elements.  What I love about the "Life's a Party" cartridge is that it offers a variety of different party themes, a nice selection of projects plus a font!  In this cartridge overview we will take a look at:

• a sample view of the cartridge images
• a list of the various themes this cartridge can work with
• a look at all of the cards offered on the cartridge and a PDF reference sheet download
• a look at the font and a PDF reference sheet download
• a look at all of the phrases offered on the cartridge and a PDF reference sheet download
• a look at all of the projects offered on the cartridge and a PDF reference sheet download
• a look at a few handbook pages with photos of completed projects completely assembled
• a link to the PDF of the handbook
• a spreadsheet with a list of the images, words and phrases, cards and projects with their pages numbers including a link to download the PDF version.

Above is the sample sheet that is on the back of the cartridge box.  Below is a list of the various party themes included on this cartridge which include coordinating cards/ invitations, phrases, cupcake wrappers, scrapbook pages and 3-D projects.

Party themes includes:

• Birthday/ celebration
• Princess
• Rock Star
• Pirate
• Outer Space
• Zoo or Animals
• Sports
• Over the hill
• Baby shower/ New baby
• Bridal shower/ Wedding

First lets take a look at the cards included in this cartridge:

 

There are 5 cards for each theme which can be used for invitations, greetings and thank you notes.  I created a quick reference sheet so I can quickly look through my options when I need a card. You can download a PDF copy of the Life's A Party card reference sheet by clicking the link below.  If you would like to share this information on your blog, instead of copy and pasting this info, please paste a link to my site:

LIFE'S A PARTY QUICK REFERENCE PDF

Next, lets take a look at the font that comes with the cartridge.  I use this font all the time.  I love its playful tone and weight. It is perfect for scrapbook page titles, cards and banners!

 

I have a hard time judging how a font will look as a word unless I see the letters next to one another so I created this Font Quick Reference Sheet. You can download a PDF copy of the Life's A Party Font Reference Sheet by clicking the link below.  If you would like to share this information on your blog, instead of copy and pasting this info, please paste a link to my site:

LIFE'S A PARTY QUICK REFERENCE PDF

This cartridge also offers a category (creative feature) called phrases although many of the cuts in this category are images rather than words.

 

You can download a PDF copy of the Life's A Party Phrase Reference Sheet by clicking the link below.  If you would like to share this information on your blog, instead of copy and pasting this info, please paste a link to my site:

LIFE'S A PARTY PHRASE QUICK REFERENCE SHEET

Believe it or not this cartridge also has a variety of projects including gift boxes, crowns, hats, glasses and scrapbook pages.

 

You can download a PDF copy of the Life's A Party Project Reference Sheet by clicking the link below.

LIFE'S A PARTY PROJECTS QUICK REFERENCE PDF

There is also a cupcake wrapper and topper for each key on the cartridge that coordinates with the primary image. 

 Here are a few examples of completed projects:

 

 

 

 

To download a copy of the Life's A Party handbook visit the Cricut website here.

 

Last but not least, here is a list of all of the images and phrases on this cartridge with their page numbers.  If you find any errors in the spreadsheet, please let me know so I can correct them. If you would like to share this information on your blog, instead of copy and pasting this info, please paste a link to my site. The spreadsheet below is saved as a JPEG but you can download a PDF version of Life's A Party here:

LIFE'S A PARTY TABLE OF CONTENTS & PAGE #S PDF

Birthday Bash Font, Cards and Tags

I looked all over the web...EVERYWHERE! ...and I could not find one single full alphabet sampling of the Birthday Bash font nor a jpeg of the cards and tags included on the cartridge so... to truly live up to the promise of a "comprehensive overview of the Birthday Bash cartridge... Below you will find:

• a jpeg of  the Alphabet in the Birthday Bash Font
• a jpeg of all of the cards and some of the shift options that provide additional layers, mats or card details
• a jpeg with all of the tags
• and... a jpeg of the flags that are also available

On the cards, flags and tags samples, each one has a number for a file name.  That is the page number where you can find the image.
I have to tell you all, I had not done something like this for a cartridge before, but now I am stoked!!!  I had a heck of a time trying to document the images on the Just Because Cards cartridge.  My spreadsheet entries said things like "wonky rectangle horizontal card" and "flourish with star rectangle card." Now I can skip that whole enterprise and just provide a jpg with the card shapes and page #'s!

I really do have a life and I am not some cricut wacko I swear.  The truth is that I bought my first cricut to use with a specific client's album.  Then I opened the box and started working with it and I kept making mistakes.  I just did not know how to use it right away and I sure as heck didn't know what I had on the 4 new cartridges I had bought.  Sure, I had scoured the handbook pages for hours trying to memorize the content but you can't know something until you know it.  I spent SOOOOO much time trying to get my arms around everything cricut so that I could hurry up and get cracking on my clients scrapbook.  Needless to say, it was a daunting task since I had such high expectations and on a ridiculous schedule.  It took time, but I eventually figured out my Cricut, then Design Studio,then Gypsy and now I have an Imagine too.   I guess I have made it my mission to be the resource I had been searching for.  I hope it helps a few of you enjoy your Cricut so much more!!

Cricut cartridge list of content - Birthday Bash

It is time to look at another Cricut Cartridge!  This is a comprehensive overview of the Cricut Cartridge, Birthday Bash. I have included a little about the sample that you find on the back of the cartridge, a bit on the handbook pages, and, at the bottom of the entry, a spreadsheet that lists all of the images and words/phrases on Birthday Bash-  with their page numbers. 
 First lets take a look at the sample sheet which is designed to give you a general idea of the content on the cartridge.  You can find this on the back of the box. This sample does not show ALL of the content - it just shows you a bunch of the adorable images included.  In my opinion, this is a powerhouse cartridge because it also includes a GREAT FONT and it has fabulous shaped cards that can be used as invitations, birthdays, thank you notes or any other sentiment.  To see all the images, phrases, fonts, words, projects, cards and/ or paper designs (depending on the type of cartridge) you will need to review the handbook which we will talk about shortly.

 

I just love these animals - they are so original plus you can leave out certain layers so they are appropriate for subjects other than birthdays.  

I *love* the font that comes on this cartridge!  It includes upper and lower case, both with shadows which create really nice contrast and dimension. Below is a little sample:

 

 Below is a summary of a handbook page from the Birthday Bash cartridge handbook. As you can see, there are many more goodies on this cartridge than just the birthday images and they can be used in more than birthday oriented projects.

Take a quick look at the notes I have written on the edges of the handbook page.  By understanding what the function keys do, you will get a lot more from your cartridge and save a lot of time and paper trying to figure it out on your own!
I have used the bird on the flag banner image several times but have cut the bird off after it is cut.  You could also use the bird by itself for another look. This images has a layer 1 and layer 2, (both with a 2nd feature when you use it with the shift key) which gives you the opportunity to create something with a lot of color.
There is also a phrase option znd an additional layer with the use of shift.  The layer + shift option can be used several times to add additional bits of color.  For example; You may cut the base image in white.  Then cut the phrase + shift option 3 times: in orange, yellow and blue.  You could cover the beak and legs with the orange pieces; use the yellow on the tail; and the blue for the letters in "a little bird told me...".  This phrase could be used on the front of a card or as a page title or anything else you can dream up.

The card option is great - I use it all the time.  You are in control of the size so you can cut small for enclosure cards or big for extra fun cards.

Each page in the handbook will offer the same kind of information which can be a little confusing when you want to do several things. I use the spreadsheet below to help cut back on the manual searching.  What I have done is borrowed from the database at cricutcheatsheet to get a list of all of the images and phrases/ words on the Birthday Bash cartridge.  Then I went through the handbook, page by page, box by box and added the page numbers which really helps reduce time flipping through the handbook.  For more information on how it is helpful, refer to the Baby Steps entry which offers an example.

The spreadsheet below is saved as a JPEG but you can download a PDF version of the Birthday Bash here:

BIRTHDAY BASH PDF

 I will post the spreadsheet for the Birthday Bash font and the card designs tomorrow. If you find any errors in the spreadsheet, please let me know so I can correct them. If you would like to share this information on your blog, instead of copy and pasting this info, please paste a link to my site.

A little of this, a little of that

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I have been dieing to do another piece of jewelry but I just cannot commit to the first bead. I find myself staring at my bead organizer, considering, debating, completely unfamiliar of my style. I'm so new to this art form that I often feel clumsy and intimidated. So I closed my eyes and let the inspiration come to me. I saw the colors of the Ocean and I could almost feel the sea breeze on my face. This is what came of it...
Inspired is just two weeks away. I'm so excited yet feeling the pressure because i have several swaps to complete, all of my class supplies to pack and I need to put in some extra hours on my current work project so I don't fall behind while I'm away. I started doing work for a new client last month and it is an absolute delight. I am archiving four generations of photos and memorabilia which includes scanning, restoring, cataloging, and scrapbooking their incredible family history. Needless to say, my office is a disaster:

I have to report a breakthrough I had last night. I have really been struggling with the back page of my art journal page design for the swap. I have started and discarded a number prototypes, but last night it came to me and I am feeling a huge relief. What a goofy thing to feel stressed out about - right? Here are a few of my attempts...

and here is the design I've decided to go with although I may still do some detailing...