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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Butterfly and Pearls

Hi there...

Well I finally got back from the Doctor's surgery.  What a place, can you imagine voluntarily going into a germ riddled room hoping to get well? 

 

And yet that is precisely what we do when we visit the doctors!  The waiting room is a mass of virus and bacteria just waiting to attack the already weakened immune systems of the various unsuspecting sick people in attendance. 

 

I am grimacing in pain (everytime I move - my back really is painful), when a little boy approachs me, he's holding out a book (sticky from his runny nose) with a hopeful expression on his face, my face-pulling sends him screaming back to his mother complaining that "the scary lady in the corner is going to get him!"  (well at least I had peace and quiet from that quarter!). 

 

And then SHE comes in... you know the one.  That person, the one who is attending the doctors but looks as fresh as a daisy, with perfect make-up, perfect clothing, perfect everything, and you look at her and think what's she doing here anyway? she doesn't even look sick!  You hope she says something mean to someone so that you know she's not that perfect, but no, she's kind (especially to the little boy still staring at me as if I'm Hannibal Lecter) and she polite (and you hate her even more) and then you feel guilty for being so mean (excusing yourself... you are ill after all).  That is until she is called in before you, and then you go right back to thinking horrible things about her!  You can see I had a fun time in the doctors.

 

I made this putterfly and bearly card, sorry (I'm a little high on the pain killers!)...

 

 

CARD BASE - white card stock (4 1/8" x 5 7/8") - embossed with a 'SIZZIX' embossing folder

SCALLOPED CIRCLE PUNCH - black cardstock (3")

CIRCLE PUNCH - 'FIRST EDITION' 'Dreamcatcher' (2 1/2")

CRICUT CUT - 'CRICUT AMERICAN ALPHABET'

EMBELLISHMENTS - pearls,butterfly and ribbon -  from stash

 

Challenges -

 

MY CRAFT SPOT - Monday Ch. #91 - 'Embossing or Glossy Accent'

 

PIN AND TACK - Ch #7 - 'Anything Goes' SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY NOW!

 

LOVE TO CREATE CHALLENGE BLOG - Ch. #57 - 'Anything Goes'

 

CHALLENGES 4 EVERYBODY - Ch. #16 - 'Anything Goes'

 

GO FISH CHALLENGE BLOG - Ch. #37 - 'Ribbon'

 

 

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No Cold Turkey For Me!

 

I am becoming positively obsessed with craft challenges, it seems to me that once you start it is VERY hard to stop!  Why would you wish to stop? Because they start to take over your life!  Its not that I'm dreaming of them or anything (although I might be about to), or that I haven't showered in a fortnight with my obsession taking over ALL aspects of my life (now that I think about it, as soon as I've posted this, I'm going for a long soak in the tub!). 

 

But you know its beginning to get out of hand, when you are putting post-it notes (virtual ones) on your desktop to remind you when a challenge starts, when it finishes, what the requirements are and/or what 'linky' number you are.  AND your desktop now looks like its been wallpapered with lots of little square, you know its time to give it up!  Do I sound obsessed... yes I think I do.

 

But worse... it has now got to the point where, not only am I 'piling it on' (that's more than one challenge for only one card/project) but I am tailoring my cards to fit half a dozen challenges!  The other day I made a card that a.) followed a sketch; b.) followed a colour combo; c.) Incorporated a digi stamp; d.) incorporated punches x 2; e.) matched a 'bingo' or 'tic tac toe' and f.) was masculine! What is going on... obsessed much? 

 

I think the challenges are beginning to 'suck' the joy out of crafting.  Although it is nice to follow, say? A sketch or a colour combo, (the operative word here is OR), I'm beginning to confuse myself (what goes with what, when, how, why, why, why!).  So this self-confessed challenge-aholic is going to cut-back on the challenges (or at least the combining of said same), and concentrate on simply 'making', for making's sake...

 

MY NAME IS KAREN... AND I AM A CHALLENGE -AHOLIC

 

I draw the line at 'cold turkey', I'm not that good!  And I DO so like to hear comments from other experts and crafters, and let's be honest here... you (or is it only me?) get 'loads' of comments when you've entered a challenge.  That, in itself, has reduced me to a challenge freak of epic proportions!  And if you should win? WOW don't get me started on that one... Oh, the joy of having your name randomly picked as the best (huh?, how can it be the best if its random? It doesn't matter does it, oh no, 'cause you're the best!).  Or being chosen as a 'top pick' and getting a blinky... is it any wonder that I'm becoming obsessed, when they (the challenge sites) prey so disgracefully upon my poor weak soul! 

 

"If Music Be the Food of Love, Play On"

From Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, 1602

 

My current list of challenges (remember all those post-it notes), requires... a 'manly' card; which follows a sketch; that has a tag and features a cut from my 'CRICUT', so...

(great sketch)

 

 

 

(... those are not little aliens you can see, but headphones! You most certainly could be forgiven for thinking otherwise!)

 

 

The card base is a piece of dk. brown cardstock, scored and folded in half.  To this I have added a patterned paper mat,  where the paper came from, is anybody's guess!  I followed a sketch and cut pieces of 'KANBAN' cardstock ('Retro Sounds' and 'Retro Music' from the 'So Feminine/So Macho kit) and mounted these onto more dk. brown cardstock.  Everything has had its edges inked with 'TIM HOTZ' distressed ink ('Tea Dye') and layered with foam pads. 

 

The tag was very simply cut 'free-hand' and been layered with both the patterned paper and more 'Retro Sounds' cardstock.  With a piece of ribbon and a 'Dad' peel-off for added effect. Oh and some faux stitching around the sentiment (just so you know its there!).

 

The 'CRICUT' cut was achieved with the 'CRICUT AMERICAN ALPHABET' cartridge.  All four cuts were used - 'shadow', 'shadow+shift', '<radio>' (p.45) and '<radio-s>' all cut at 2 1/4".  I love the simplicity of the cuts on this cartridge.

 

Its a shame my camera (or rather my phone) cannot pick up the beauty of this 'KANBAN' cardstock, it is foiled, and really is quite lovely.

 

No Cold Turkey For Me, challenges...

 

DIE CUTTIN DIVA - Ch. #105 - 'Try A Sketch'

 

CRAFTS AND ME CHALLENGES - Ch. #123 - 'Tag It'

 

CARDS GALORE CHALLENGE BLOG - March Ch. - 'Music'

 

CRAFTY CARDMAKERS - Ch. #86 - 'Masculine Birthday featuring Technology or a gadget'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Wednesday'

 

... and repeat -   MY NAME IS KAREN

... AND I'M A CHALLENGE-AHOLIC

 



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S.W.A.L.K.

I purchased the 'Crafters' Companion' complete S.W.A.L.K. stamp digital collection a while ago and have finally got around to doing some colouring-in with my promarkers!

 

My Aunt is not very well at the moment and is going through some rather nasty treatment, I thought this might cheer her up a bit...

 



I used a 'Hunkydory' A4 piece of cardstock (very pretty pink) and scored and folded it in half.  I did alot of matting and layering using black (courtesy of our local pound shop), pink (cricut paper) and a gorgeous piece of 'Echo Park' from the 6x6 paper stack - 'Country Drive' (this has got to be my all time favourite... so far).  The 'Thinging of You' was cut using my Cricut Expression - 'CRICUT ALPHABET', I tried to match this to the little girls dress but I didn't quite get it right - its a couple of shades out - but hey ho, I didn't do it again 'cause, its Sunday... I'm allowed to be lazy, !

 

<--- LOVE THIS, TRUELY, check it out!

I used 'Clover Meadow'

 

 

Entered into...

 

RAISE THE BAR - Challenge #131 - 'Anything Goes'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - Sunday

 

STAMPIN WITH THE DRAGON - Blog Hop With a Twist - 'Anything Goes'

Code Word...STAMPING DRAGON

 

CHALLENGES 4 EVERYBODY - Challenge #14 - 'Anything Goes'

 

PIN AND TUCK - Challenge 6 - 'Anything Goes' 

 

"Spark Your Creativity Now!"

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

No Rhyme Nor Reason!

... to the order of card making.  I shall simply 'go with the flow'!  So today may I present to you, for your delectation, scrutinization and (hopefully) enjoyment...

 

 

 

 

My daughter needed a birthday card for a co-worker ("in a hurry").  With 'Tip Top Toppers Things' 's son Samuel in mind - he had recently adventured into the realm of baking - I thought I'd put a cupcake on it!  A simple black card blank, with ribbon, sentiment and topper... and of course a little bit of sparkle.

 

Have a great weekend everyone...

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24-7

That's my job... because I work in the 'family' business, not only does my job cover a multitude of responsibilities but it also covers a wide variety of hours. 

 

For instance - Monday merely involved cleaning the clubhouse and answering telephones; Tuesday covered the organisation of workmen to various locations and tasks, answering the telephones, as well as attending a meeting for licencees; Wednesday was taken up with answering the telephones in the day, cleaning the clubhouse, checking the bird feeders on the caravan park and maning the bar in the evening; Most of my "work" today has had to fit round my trip to the dentist this morning and my taxi driving duties for my father this evening! I've also been trying to organise entertainment for the OAP's Christmas party.  If variety is the spice of life... I must be sizzlingly spicy!

 

Now... back to that stack of Cosmo Cricket 'Social Club'.  I haven't had a lot of spare time today, sooooo... I made just a very quick, simple ensemble.

 

 

You never know, I may get round to something else whilst I wait to be called to duty!

 

Whilst on facebook I came across a lovely group called "A Card A Day Blogging", so natually I asked to joined in the hopes of having some lovely like-minded co-conspirators crafters to inspire and create with.  BUT (yes I know, I know, there's always a but - with me), I think I'm supposed to link to them, and then them to me!  Hope I get this right!!!

 

 

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Everyday? A Learning Curve!

Right... so that worked!  I think I'm getting there!

 

I'm going to enter into another challenge (surprise!), this one is a 'Created With Love' Challenge.  I stumbled upon this site quite by accident (like most of my surfing!), But the challenge sounded interesting and since I knew I'd use the card after (not just create for create's sake - who am I kidding LOL).  I'm having a go. 

 

So... the focus is on 'birthdays' and the twist is that it MUST have a 'number'...

 

 

 

 

The shaped card is cut from the 'Wild Card' cricut cartridge and the '50' is from the 'Alphabet' cartridge (pre-installed on the Expression 2).  I used My Mind's Eye  'Wild Asparagus' paper pack on a 6x6 card blank, with a little bit of velvet rik-rak ribbon and a peel off, here is my entry...

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