Cricut Cartridge Car Decals Overview

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a couple of days.  My husband came down with pneumonia and so I was busy keeping him comfortable. I meant to post yesterday buy since I haven't used the Car Decals cartridge much, I wanted to take it for a spin before I sat down to write.

So today we are looking at the Cricut Cartridge Car Decals PLUS I would like to spend a little time talking about Cricut tips, tricks and lessons learned. 

Yesterday, I was tinkering with Car Decals so I could offer some hands on feedback about the cuts and features. In the process, I ran into a couple of hiccups which can happen when you are working with a new image. It occurred to me that I should really write down the problems I run into and keep track of the lessons I learn along the way both, so I don't make then again, and so I can share them with you. 

Above is the sample sheet that is on the back of the cartridge box.  Aren't these images super cute?  I love the whimsy and playfulness of these little characters.  Along with these cuties you also get a font, phrases and many additional images.  

The cartridge includes 0 - 9, A - Z and the all of the punctuation elements that come with a font. There are capitol letters only, no lower case.

Let's spend a minute talking about the primary or main  images on the Car Decals cartridge. Below is a page out of the handbook.  To the left, in color, is the primary image for the key on the key pad.  Below the image is a mini key pad image that shows you the location of the key on the overlay.  I *LOVE* this feature and wish it was in all of the handbooks.  With the main image it isn't too difficult to locate the button on the keypad overlay, but when you apply shift, or go into a layer or other feature keys, it can be hard to "see" which key to push for additional layers, phrases or fonts that are also a product of that key.  It makes it so much easier to have a quick reference on the handbook page. 

To get the primary image you cut the baby girl outline (at the bottom on the left), then press shift and cut the shadow that goes underneath (next to the outline on the right).  The primary image is an outline so once cricut cuts it, you will be left with both the outline and the internal pieces. USE YOUR SPATULA WHEN YOU REMOVE THIS LAYER.  Save the eyes and smile so you can adhere them in the face  Unless you are cutting the image pretty large, the eyes may not be perfect circles as shown in the sample, so I use a 1/16 inch hole punch to get the tiny dots.

The outline portion of the primary image is more difficult to cut when the image size gets smaller, but it is not impossible. I had to tinker with my pressure, blade and speed setting so that the fine details like the little curl below the bow, didn't tear.  After a couple tries with regular scrapbook paper I switched to cardstock to see if I could get a cleaner result and it was much smoother. I'm sure if I had played with the settings a little more, I could have gotten the cut with the scrapbook paper but I liked the cardstock color better. I set the blade at 5, the speed at 4 and the pressure at 5.

Below is the same page but with more details about each of the key features.

 This is another page in the handbook with similar information.

Next we 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 Car Decals here:

CAR DECALS PDF

A few issues and observations with this cartridge:  

• When working with any image, with this cartridge or another, I keep a little notebook and pen next to my cricut. When I cut an image I try to jot down the size of the cut so that if I go onto something else and then later, realize I want to add a shadow, I know what size the original cut was.  You can spend a lot of time trying to figure out what you did when you want to recreate something and unless you are using Design Studio, Gypsy or Cricut Craft Room, the machine memories of project are gone when you move on to another cut.
• Use post it notes to jot down information you learn after you make a cut and attach the sticky notes to the handbook page.  I made sure I noted that the curl on the baby girl image tore with scrapbook paper and than wrote down the blade, speed and pressure setting that worked for me with cardstock.
• Check your blade to make sure the arrow is in the front and centered.  Sometimes the little guy gets twisted to one side or another and your cuts will be rough around the edges.
• Use a wet glue like Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue to adhere the top layer to the one underneath.  The edges of that top layer, the outline image, are very fragile so a tape runner can be trouble.  I actually put the wet glue on a piece of plastic and then dipped my paper piercer into it and dabbed it around the edges.
• Be patient.  These images are not as easy as they seem.  Finding good color combinations besides monochromatic took me some time and I found that I had to increase the size on a few of the shadows to make them pop.

That's all for today.  I'll try to write again tomorrow if my hubby and family can spare me for a few hours.  If not, I will share another cartridge overview in the next couple of days!  Have a great weekend!

Cricut Imagine Cartridge Better Together

Hello again!  Today we are going to look at the Cricut Imagine Cartridge: Better Together.  In this post you will get

• a close look at the papers/ patterns included on the cartridge
• a sample view of the cartridge images
• a look at a handbook page with some explanation of the possibilities
• a link to the PDF of the handbook
•  a look at the cartridge icons
• a peak at the cartridge bonus projects 
• 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 blue owl paper at the top is my favorite.  You can print these out into 12 x 12 sheets of paper or you can use the patterns as fill for objects, fonts and shapes.

This is the sample that Cricut prints on the back of the box.  It shows most of the images you get on the cartridge, but not all and these images are in their entirety.  For each of these images, you get 3 - 5 separate layers that can be printed individually as you will see on the handbook page below:

The comments I wrote around the page edges explain how the cartridge layers work.  If you would like to look at the entire handbook so you can see what all of the image layers look like, click HERE.

In addition to the papers and images (with lots of fun phrases) you also get a handful of icons.  Like the individual layers, they are not shown on the cartridge summery sheet either.  I'm not sure if there is a specific reason for the icons.  If you do, will you leave a comment and let us know?

There are also BONUS PROJECTS on this cartridge!

I love the card with photo frame on the end!

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 Better Together here:

BETTER TOGETHER PDF

 

Cricut Cartridge- Boys Will Be Boys Comprehensive Overview

Today we are looking at the surprisingly versatile cartridge Boys Will Be Boys. In this post you will find information about:

• the fonts
• the images
• the handbook and cartridge features
• cartridge overlays
• a comprehensive list of cartridge content (images and phrase) including a PDF version for download

The Cricut Cartridge, "Boys Will Be Boys" is a lot of fun.  Cricut has other boy and kid oriented cartridges, but I really like this one for two reasons: 1) each of the images comes with a mat which gives the images a different "personality" than other cartridges; and 2) because there is not just one, but TWO fonts!!  And it isn't like you get one adorable font and one that you can only use in specific types of projects either.  Both fonts are fabulous and the arrow font fits perfectly with the "personality" I mentioned about the images.  Below you will find 4 copies of each letter and number.  The arrow font and font shadow are on the left and the block font and font shadow are on the right.

You can mix and match the two different fonts or use them on their own.

The cartridge also includes a variety of different arrow signs going up, down and all around.  The arrows are not shown on the sample page (below) that comes on the back of the cartridge box.  The sample only shows the primary images.

Aren't these fun??  But there is even more to this cartridge than the two fonts, all the images you see above (+ the mat shapes of circles and rounded cornered squares).  You also get a bunch of great phrases!  Take a look at the two different handbook pages below.  I have written comments around the pages to help explain the different features that are available for each key on the cartridge overlay.

To see the entire handbook click here.

Some of you who are newer to the cricut world might be asking, "What is who is an overlay?"  The overlay comes with the cartridge in the box.  If you have an older machine like the 1st Expression or "Baby Bug" Personal Cutter, you place the overlay on the face of the machine so you know which buttons go with which images. 

 By selecting the feature keys on the left: Layer, Arrow Font, Block Font, Phrase, Phrase Layer and Shadow you are able to cut the other items you saw on the handbook pages above.  Selecting a feature key and then shift tells the machine to cut the image/ phrase in the upper right corner instead of the one on the bottom left.

The newer machines do not need the overlay because they come with a computerized operating screen which presents a digital overlay.  But either way, the layout of the real or virtual overlay is how you are able to communicate which your machine.  Below are the overlays that appear when you select a feature key.

Below you will find a "table of contents" for Boys Will be Boys.  It has every image and phrase you will find on the cartridge along with its corresponding page number. 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 by clicking here:

BOYS WILL BE BOYS PDF

Thanks so much for popping in.  Please let me know what you think about this series.  Your feedback helps me know if my instructions make sense. :o)

Comprehensive Overview Of Cricut Imagine Cartridge "Blast Off"

Good Morning Crafty friends!  Today we are going to look at the Cricut Imagine Cartridge "Blast Off" which is a font!!  I think there are only 2 Imagine fonts- Blast Off and Country Carnival and they both offer a bunch of layers to use alone or with other layers.  What is special about Imagine fonts is that you can change the colors of any or all of the layers to create different looks.  I usually print/cut the layers separately and then decide what combination works best with my project.  I like to use just 2 layers together and sometimes, just one layer by itself.  Here is a look at the sample sheet produced by Provocraft:

Besides the paper/ patterns, it includes the alphabet, both lower and upper case letters, numbers 0-9, all the punctuation signs etc. and a few bonus icons.  Everything on the cartridge can be printed as a single flat image or as layers to stack or use separately.

 

One of the fabulous features is that you can use the patters from the included papers as fill in the font layers so instead of using the yellow and blue print in the 4th column layer on the lower case "r", you could fill it with the blue on blue pattern used in the upper case "R."  Nifty right?

This is a page from the handbook showing the layers for two of the bonus icons.  You could print/cut the finished image flat to use on a birthday invitation, or print/ cut the layers separately and use some pop dots in assembly to give it dimension for a scrapbook page or party decor.

Below find a jpeg of the papers included with this font.  I am bananas about the palette!

Below you will find a comprehensive overview of the cartridge (images only) with page numbers. This will be useful when you stack all the cartridge spreadsheets into one jumbo spreadsheet (1 for images; 1 for phrases) and then sort it alphabetically.  Every castle from every cartridge will clump together, with the page numbers, so you can quickly look at all your options to find the image / phrase that will work best for your project.

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 by clicking here:

BLAST OFF PDF

Cricut Imagine Cartridge, BEST FRIENDS

Best friends is such a treasure of a cartridge.  There are so many unusual images and the paper patterns ready for print are fabulous.  Take a looksie...

 

What is so cool about the patterns above is that you don't have to use them to make 12 x 12 sheets of paper.  You can also use them as a fill for fonts or fill for the preloaded images like a heart, scallop circle or a frame.  I like to use them as photo mats on top of a neutral 12 x12 background paper.

The images included are so fun.  Here is the sample sheet the provide on the back of the package:

Each of these can be print and cut as the complete image OR... can be print and cut as layers.  See Below:

To top all of these awesome images off, The "Best Friends" cartridge has 4 bonus projects.  I am so happy I switched from my expression to the Imagine, because these cartridges only work with the Imagine machine and I love the whimsy style they offer.

 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 Best Friends here:

BEST FRIENDS PDF

Happy Saturday!

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.

Cricut cartridge list of content - Baby Steps

Happy 4th of July!  Today we are looking at a must have cartridge if you scrapbook babies. This post is a comprehensive overview of the Cricut Cartridge, Baby Steps. I used to struggle with scapbooking my kids baby pictures because everything out there is generally in a pastel palette.  All you have to do is spend 5 minutes with my kids and you'd know that Eva (our Diva) is hot pink all the way and Aidan is much more of a primary color kid.  With the Baby Steps cartridge, I was able to make adorable and relevant titles in whatever color I wanted.  Another HUGE bonus is that this cartridge has a FONT!
As with my previous cartridge posts, I will discuss 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, I'll post a jpeg of and link to a spreadsheet that lists all of the images and words/phrases on Baby Steps-  with their page numbers!
   

First lets take a look at the "sample" sheet (above) 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 and as a thumbnail in online shops. You should note that the sample does not show ALL of the content on Baby Steps (as is the case with all of the sample sheets designed by Provocraft).  The sample is designed as a marketing piece to give you a taste of what you will get. 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.

 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!
The handbook colors are used as a sample.  You can do the exact same set of die cut layers using red, blue and yellow instead of light pink, dark pink and green.  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.
For example, you can flip through the handbook to find the image you want, but the phrase on that page isn't right for what you are doing, so you have to flip through the book again, this time only focusing on the bottom center box which shows the phrases. That is a lot of flipping and after a few layouts, you can get dizzy!

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 Baby Steps cartridge.  Then I went through the handbook, page by page, box by box and added the page numbers.  How is this helpful? First lets assume that you have an excel version of the database. (I am happy to give you one - just leave me a comment below.) Now, lets say I want to do a layout about my baby nephew eating.  First I use the "find" function in excel to search the database for keywords like "eating" and "food".  The spreadsheet says I can find "baby eating" images on pg 27 and 47.  Page 47 has a baby boy, so I select that image.  The phrase on that same page says "fun food" but that isn't what I am looking for so I type the word "eating" in the find box and hit return....I get a couple options but no, I don't like those phrases.  So I think of other words that associate with eating?  Ok, I type in "hungry," hit return and I get an adorable layered phrase that works perfectly.  This process took me a few minutes while if I had done it by hand I could have been at it for an hour or more!
You can download a PDF copy  of this spreadsheet by clicking here:

BABY STEPS PDF.

I will be posting a new cartridge daily with this information. 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.  Tomorrow, I intend to post "Birthday Bash".  Have a happy and safe 4th of July!