Cricut American Alphabet VIII

'MY Cricut Cartridge Alphabet' this is number 8 (we are no longer in alphabetical order, as I've bought more cartridges since starting this series... AND I got confused!!!)

CRICUT AMERICAN ALPHABET' sometimes called simply 'CRICUT ALPHABET', only comes with the Cricut Expression 2 (pre-loaded), although this may change in the future. 

    

 

The creative features on this cartridge are... 'blackout/shadow', 'font 1', 'font 1 shadow', 'font 2', 'font 3', and 'font 3 shadow'. From this you might be forgiven for thinking this cartridge contains nothing but letters... you'd be wrong, there are, in fact, some lovely images on this cartridge.  Among them - hearts, shoes, flowers, a guitar, light bulb, rabbit, dog, swirls and cupcakes, I could go on, but I won't, there is even a cowboy boot, the range of images is as wide as it is eclectic. I suspect this is to allow new users to get as much of a taste of the Cricut range as possible.

 

My View... I think this is a great 'starter' cartridge, its got loads of simple cuts that encourage you to explore more.  There's a couple of things that I dislike about this cartridge, firstly the images are a bit 'swirly', that's fine if you want a whimsical look but not for the more serious creativity.  I'm sure this is deliberate on Cricut's behalf, to encourage you to buy more cartridges and therefore to push you in the direction of cartridge financial suicide!  The other thing that I dislike (although its more of a general complaint directed towards the booklets themselves), and that is the colours used in the booklet to demonstrate the various cuts, are exceptionally garish, I don't think  shows off the images to their best advantage.

 

My Verdict... If you buy the Cricut Expression 2 you will, undoubtedly be using the 'CRICUT AMERICAN ALPHABET', and since you have no choice (its just there), you might as well explore and enjoy it!

 

An example of MY usage is here.

 

 

 

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CINDY LOO VII

'MY Cricut Cartridge Alphabet'... number 7

'CINDY LOO' cartridge release June 2010 was originally aimed at providing a whole host of images and borders to finish your projects based on other cartridges.

     

 

The creative features are:- 'layer', 'border', 'frame', 'font', 'font layer' and 'shadow'.  I think this cartridge is a GREAT one.  I love the whimsical images that are not too complicated but have a big impact.  There are some lovely floral designs and some art deco styled borders that would look lovely on any project.  The font is great and the frame feature is very, very versatile. There are Cuttlebug Companion embossing folders available for this cartridge and you can even purchase individual images from Cricut.com using the 'Cricut Craft Room'.

 

My View... this is a great cartridge for both beginners and more advanced crafters, the frame feature alone will be used again and again!  I'd wanted this cartridge for a long time, when I finally got it... I was not disappointed.  There is a nice variety of words available from p. 65 onwards, making this a good all-rounder.  It also has some lovely doily shapes which are very 'IN' at the moment.  The cartridge has an envelope cut and a gift card cut, both of which are very handy.

 

My Verdict... Get it, you wouldn't regret it.  This is one of my top 5.

 

Here's what I'd like to share with you today, a very simple but stunning card...

 

 

CARD BASE - A6 green scalloped edged card blank - from stash

1ST MAT - cream textured CS (3 5/8" x 5 1/2")

CRICUT CUT - green CS 'CINDY LOO' cartridge p.65 <Tree1> (3"); pink CS <Tree1-s> (3") - the pink cut has been embossed using 'TIM HOLTZ' 'Woodgrain' embossing folder

EMBELLISHMENTS - pink 'heart' ribbon and gems - from stash

SENTIMENT - 'Mixed Sentiment' set by PERSONAL IMPRESSION

As always the inside is decorated using up any off-cuts, here I have also added a row of pink gems, I just love this colour combination.

 

Challenges...

 

SISTER ACT CARD CHALLENGE - Ch. #2 - 'Anything Goes

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Thursday'

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

CHRISTMAS CHEER VI

'MY Cricut Catridge Alphabet'... number six

 

'CHRISTMAS CHEER' cartridge...  released April 2006 now discontinued (retired May 2010), designed by rob and bob studio.

       

 

The Creative Features are:- 'tag', 'square', 'circle', 'place card', 'blackout' and 'shadow'. This is one of the earlier cartridges, which usually means the images to cut are simpler (not quite so detailed), I personally like this, sometimes the amount of layers you have to cut makes it too complicated for me. This cartridge is, as its title would suggest, primarily a Christmas cartridge, all of the cuts are themed towards the holiday season although some can be used for other occasions, but not many!  All the usual suspects are here... Santa, reindeers, Xmas trees, decorations etc.  Cricut also have a paper pad available for the 'CHRISTMAS CHEER' cartridge along with a very nice set of 'Cricut Companion' embossing folders called 'Christmas' (if you can find them!). More cards from this cartridge can be viewed here.

 

My View... When I first discovered the Cricut cutting machine, this was THE cartridge to have, and it was VERY hard to get... so naturally I HAD to have it.  Since then (several years have passed), I have, in fact, very rarely used this cartridge!  I only have two Christmas themed cartridges (this being one of them, 'JOY OF THE SEASON' being the other), and if I'm going to do anything Christmassy I use my other cartridge!  Enough said really.

 

My Verdict... Although its a must to have a Christmas cartridge, I feel this one is not the best.  It does have a great selection and variety but I personally don't find the cuts all that appealing, in comparison with my other Christmas cartridge.  On the plus side, the place card feature is extremely handy.

 

I decided to show you a card I have made using this cartridge which is non-Christmas... 

 

 

CARD BASE - Kraft card blank (5 1/4" x 5 1/4")

PATTERNED MAT - 'TERESA COLLINS' 'Fabrication' 'plum damask' - scraps from stash

CRICUT CUT - 'CHRISTMAS CHEER' p.97, 'shadow' <hearth> (2 3/4"),  <hearth> ( 2 3/4"), <hearth-s> (2 3/4") - hearth was cut several times, using different papers and cardstock in order to layer it up a little, the 'fire' was raised using foam pads

RED MAT - red cardstock (2 3/4" x 1 1/2") - corners rounded and edges inked using a black promarker

PATTERNED MAT -  brown patterened paper by 'HOT OFF THE PRESS'  'Red Velvet Artful Card Kit' (2 1/4" x 1") - corners rounded and edges inked using a black promarker

SENTIMENT - computer generated

1ST INSIDE MAT - brown patterened paper by 'HOT OFF THE PRESS' 'Red Velvet Artful Card Kit' (2 3/3" x 4 3/4")

2ND MAT - white cardstock (3 1/4" x 4 1/4") -  punched using 'X-CUT' 'scallop'

3RD MAT - 'TERESA COLLINS' 'Fabrication' 'plum damask' - scraps from stash

EMBELLISHMENT - peel offs, stickles

 

Challenges -

 

MOVING ALONG WITH THE TIMES - 'Lets Get Krafty'

 

CHALLENGES 4 EVERYBODY - Ch. #17 - 'Anything Goes'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Sunday'

 

 

MAY ALL YOUR BLADES BE SHARP!

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

Celebrations V

'MY Cricut Cartridge Alphabet'... Number Five

 'CELEBRATION ' cartridge... release April 2006 now discontinued, designed by rob and bob studio. 

   

The Creative Features are:- 'tag', 'banner', 'card', 'border', 'blackout' and 'shadow'. This is one of the earlier cartridges, which usually means the images to cut are simpler (not quite so detailed), I personally like this, sometimes the amount of layers you have to cut makes it too complicated for me.  This cartridge may be called 'Celebrations' but it really is all about birthdays and parties, balloon, party hats, candles, cakes and numbers are the main focus.  Naturally the card and tag features are very, very useful, but for me this cartridge's best feature is the banner.  I have made several banners in recent years and they have always made a great impact, from very small ones for my nieces (on a very small scale) to extra large display banner for our business, I think this is a great feature and only available on a couple of cartridges.

 

My View... I think this is a lovely cartridge, especially for beginners, the cuts are simple and the creative features useful and adaptable.  The presents and parcels are always handy but there are really only so many balloons or party hats you will ever wish to cut!  Most things 'birthday' are covered with this cartridge and if you want to make a very quick card, simply use the card feature with the appropriate birthday age - it couldn't be easier or more effective.  This is what I've done here...

 

My Verdict... I don't think this is a 'must-have' cartridge, but the banner feature does make the cartridge very appealing.  I have used this cartridge many, many times and have never been disappointed but I do feel there are better ones out there, with perhaps more versatility.

 

 

Here's what I decided to enter into 'MY CRAFT SPOT' Monday Challenge #89 - 'Tasty Treats'...

           

I used the 'card' creative feature button and cut the '<candy>' (p. 111) to cut out the card base, I cut it from an A4 sheet of black cardstock with the 'fit to page' button on my Cricut Expression.  The 'innies' from the card cut, I stuck to the inside of the card (in the same position as the cuts) and outlined them with a white pen.

 

I cut the sweets using '<candy>' at 4 1/4" from some holographic cardstock (stash pile) I cut it three times and used my 'Gypsy' to delete any cuts I didn't want then I adhered them to the from of the card. I didn't have ANYTHING in my stash for a sentiment (oh dear I can feel a shopping trip coming on!), but I did find a rub-on saying "sweetie'.  A couple of pearls and some glitter and my 'Tasty Treat' card is ready for consumption. 

 

Thanks for stopping by...

 

 

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Boys Will Be Boys IV

'MY Cricut Cartridge Alphabet'... Number Four

 

Released in September 2010, BWBB is one of those cartridges you return to again and again.  It has lots of boy-themed images (naturally), but also two great fonts. 

       

 

 

The Creative Features are:- 'layer', 'arrow font', 'block font', 'phrase', 'phrase layer' and 'shadow'.  The images are everything little boys could wish for, bugs, worms, snails and sports, although many of the images can be made girl-friendly with the simple use of girly colours and papers.  I love the 'shift layer' feature (circle or square block background), I think it makes the image one that can 'stand alone', particularly good for cards, but I think this cartridge really comes into its own when its used for scrapbooking, especially the fonts.  The cuts are very simple, which makes this a great cartridge for beginners.   There are also some embossing folders available out there for this cartridge (and the Robotz cartridge) called 'Cuttlebug Companion'.

 

My View... one of the best out there, both for scrapbooking and card-making, the images are bold and very versitile.  You will never be without an idea with this cartridge in your collection, especially if you make anything for children.  Your biggest problem will be... deciding what to cut first.

 

My Verdict... just go and get it.  It is definately in my top five!  Love it, love it, love it!!!

And just to prove that, it may be called 'Boys Will Be Boys' but that doesn't mean the girls can't get a look in!

 

I managed to use up aload of scraps doing this (pat on the back, please). The aeroplane is cut at 2 3/4" and the sentiment says.. "You're Just PLANE Cute", the edges are inked with Tim Holtz (victorian Velvet), I think my ribbon is a little skew-wiff, but what can you do? I'm not perfect! Another one for my niece's birthday, at this rate she'll have a box full!

 

Challenges:-

 

FANTABULOUS CRICUT - #150 - 'FCCB's Fun With Puns'

 

PAPER CRAFTING INSPIRATION - CWC #123 - 'Things With Wings'

 

CELEBRATE THE OCCASION - Ch. #101 - 'Girl's Birthday' ~ must use pink

 

CRAFTY CARDZ CHALLENGE - Ch #126 - 'Make a Wish' ~ make a child's birthday card

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

 



Animal Kingdom III

Number three in 'MY Cricut Cartridge Series'

Release April 2006 now discontinued, designed by Marie Cole, 'ANIMAL KINGDOM'.

 

The creative features are:- 'head', 'sound', 'bookmark', 'border', 'shadow' and 'blackout'.  The images are great and very detailed without being overwhelming.  I love the bookmark feature.  This cartridge allows you to cut out the head of the individual animals or the sounds that they make, included are also various phrases, such as "wild thing", "monkey business", "splish splash"etc. The border feature means you can create a veritably 'herd' of animals should you wish. Cricut have also produced a paper pad (6x12) to go with this cartridge, it contains various animal prints and co-ordinating papers.

 

My View... at some point during your crafting you ARE going to need this cartridge (or at least animal images), whether you could get away with one of the other cartridges? I'm not sure.  I think this cartridge would be especially good for scrapbooking and for producing teaching aids for children.  The whole animal kingdom is covered in one go here, but since this cartridge is now discontinued perhaps it is a moot point anyway!  It may be available 'digitally' to use with the 'Cricut Craft Room' however.

 

My Verdict... lets just say, I'm glad I've got this cartridge!
 

 

 Here's what I decided to do... the bookmark feature is really nice, but I only gives you the block image (as in the first picture), in order to get some detailing in there I consulted my 'Gypsy'.

 

On the Gypsy, firstly I loaded in the image of the lion bookmark at 6 1/2" (p.112), then I added another 'page' and loaded the image of the lion and it's layers.  With the first page (lion bookmark) silhouetted in the background I adjusted the size of the lion (and the layers) to fit correctly over the bookmark, in this case the size turned out to be 1.9".  I then used my Cricut Expression to cut the lion with the bookmark feature key pressed (to make the bookmark) at 6 1/5", next I used the gyspy (connected to the Cricut Expression) to cut the lion and its layers. 'A bit fiddley, I know, but worth it if you want more than the standard bookmark.  I used 'Echo Park' 'This & That - Charming' paper pad 'Vintage fans' and 'border strips'.  I didn't have an appropriate stamp to make the face so I just free-handed it with a 'black' promarker (though I did need to use a fine nib - available in packs of three from Letraset), I also added some shading to the body of the lion with a 'sandstone' promarker.  I hope you like it, next time I'm gonna give him a royal crown!

 

Challenges:-

 

ALLSORTS CHALLENGE BLOG - #195 - 'Animals'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - Wednesday

 

 

MAY ALL YOUR BLADES BE SHARP!

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

 

Alphalicious II

The Cricut 'Font' Cartridges come in orange boxes, 'Image' Cartridges come in blue boxes and 'Classmates' Cartridges come in green boxes. There are some exceptions to these colors, when the cartridge is exclusive to certain companies. Recently new cartridges have been released that have a variety of coloured covers. You'll need to check the front to see if they are marked "Art" cartridge. That means they are mainly "image" cartridges.  'Solutions' Cartridges only have about 50 images on them. 'Seasonal' Cartridges only have about 25 images on them. Neither Solutions, nor Seasonal Cartridges have handbooks with them.  Cricut 'Cake' Cartridges can be used with any Cricut machine, not just the Cricut Cake.

So here's the second of 'MY Cricut Cartridge Alphabet' -  'ALPHALICIOUS', this is a font cartridge and is designed by rob and bob studio.

 

     

 

The creative features are:- 'short stack', 'crown tag', 'matchbook', 'crest card', 'shadow' and 'short stack shadow'.  The font styles are great, very modern in design and the different creative features make this a pretty versilite cartridge.  The 'matchbook' feature is really good for something different, particularly if you like to put small gifts and/or sachets into your cards.  I also like that there is both a 'card' and a 'tag' feature.  As well as this, there are some phrases towards the back of the booklet, although I think it would have been nice to include some kind of 'love' phrase.

 

My View... as font cartridges go, this is a good one (it can be difficult to make a card using ONLY a font cartridge unless you are making something very simple), but I come back to this cartridge time and time again when I need an alphabet. 

 

My Verdict... if you get it, I have NO DOUBT that you'll use it!

 

 

 

 

This is cut using the 'card' feature button (p.121) with 'ALPHALICIOUS', I love the shape of it.  Here I have used it for a 'love' card but I think it would work particularly well for a 'halloween' card.  The dogs are cut using 'BOYS WILL BE BOYS' and the hearts are from 'ACCENT ESSENTIALS', the flowers are from my stash., with added sparkle (stickles) of course!

 

Challenges...

 

PAPER CRAFTING INSPIRATION - #122 - 'Love Your Pet'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - Tuesday

 

CRAFTY CATZ - 'Dies and Punches'

 

PIN AND TACK - #6 - 'Anything Goes' - "Spark Your Creativity Now!"

 

CARDS TV - #125 - 'Critter Cuties'

 

FAB 'N' FUNKY - #159 - 'Flower Power'

 

HECK OF A CHALLENGE - ' Love Is All Around Us...'

 

ALLSORTS CHALLENGE BLOG - #195 - 'Animals'

 

THE PINK ELEPHANT - TPE 188 - 'Anything Goes'

 

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

 



'My Cricut Cartridge Alphabet'

ACCENT ESSENTIALS I

So today (after work, although I haven't got too much to do today), I feel the need to go through my Cricut cartridges and try to make a card with each one - sound good?  I would like to do this in some sense of order... but which order?  Do I do it alphabetically? Or chronologically? Or some other way?

 

Alphabetically... then it will not be alphabetical when I buy a new cartridge (which I KNOW I will)

 

Chronologically... when they came out? Or when I bought them? Decisions, decisions!

Answers on a postcard, please!

Anyway my first cartridge will be 'ACCENT ESSENTIAL' (because it starts with an 'a'), so what can I tell you about this cartridge?

According to the Cricut Gods this cartridge is available only when you buy a Cricut Expression machine (yeah right, ebay?) and is designed by  rob and bob studio.

   





I suppose nowadays we'd call this cartridge a 'lite' or 'solutions' cartridge as it only has one creative feature - 'shadow'.  But it does have some great cuts, although it is easily overlooked for some of the more complicated cartridges.  It is a testiment to how easy it is to ignore that my booklet has not even been opened! And yet, the snowflake on p.44 and the swirl on p.47 are two very versitile images, as is the hexagon on p.76 this shape is very 'IN' at the moment.

My view... the accent essential is probably not very 'essential' but most people who have a cricut (or at least who have bought it new, unlike me) have got this cartridge as it was part of the Cricut Expression bundle, so why not give it a bit of a study, you WILL find some great cuts to use. 

My verdict... you COULD do without it, but if you've got it USE IT!!!

So the first in 'My Cricut Cartridge Alphabet'...

Accent Essential Cartridge

CARD BASE - white cardstock (5 7/8" x 8 1/4") - scored and folded in half
1ST MAT - pink 'Cricut' paper (5 3/4" x 4")
2ND MAT - 'Helz Cuppleditch' 'Bazoo', sparkly leaf design (5 1/2" x 3 3/4")
3RD MAT - 'Echo Park' 'Dots & Stripes - Candy Shoppe', Mango Small Dot (2" x 3 3/34")
BORDER - pink 'Cricut' paper (1" x 3 3/4") - 'X-Cut' border punch 'sparkler', faux stitching

CRICUT CUT - 'ACCENT ESSENTIALS'
1ST CUT - 'Echo Park' 'Dots & Stripes - Candy Shoppe', Mango Small Dot - p.34 <accent3s>  (3")
2ND CUT - pink 'Cricut' paper - p.34 <accent3s> (2 3/4")
3RD CUT - pale green cardstock (from stash) - p.34 <accent3s> (2 1/2")
4TH CUT - 'Echo Park' 'Dots & Stripes - Candy Shoppe' Lemon Drop Small Dot - p.66 <accenr35s> (2 1/4")
1" circle punch for the centre circle with a Peachy Keen 3/4" face stamp

SENTIMENT - 'A Loving hello' from stash
RIBBON -'American Craft'
All edges inked with Time Holtz 'Wild Honey'

CREATED WITH LOVE CHALLENGE - #30 - 'Mid Winter Break... Bright and Cheerful'

MAY ALL YOUR ESSENTIALS BE ACCENTED!

 

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