Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Simple Cricut Lettering
















I wanted to share with you some very simple lettering with the Cricut. I only have 2 font cartridges for my Cricut. I keep thinking I am going to invest in the Sure Cuts A Lot software that would allow me to use any font program on my computer on my Cricut, BUT I haven't done that yet. So, this was an experiment to prove to myself - and all those who have EVERY cartridge under the sun, that less can be more. These pages have all been completed in the last couple of weeks. I am ashamed to admit that they cover a vacation that happened a year ago. In my world, less has to be more because I keep getting more and more and wishing for less and less! Can I get an amen?
Starting with the top left 'Backlot photos", this was done with the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge, using the basic font in red and the shadow feature in gray. Next, I switched to the Opposites Attract cartridge. For the word "Zaniness" I used the upright round feature and then the Trapezoid feature for "Muppets". Instead of using the actual trapezoids, I used the negative space from the cut. This created a really nice contrasting line across my page. In "POP Century" I combined my two cartridges using the Plantin Schoolbook for the POP, with the shadow feature as previously shown, and then the upright lettering on the Opposites Attract cartridge for the "Century". Finally, on "Disney World" I used the basic lettering on Opposites Attract and then went back over the lettering with a glitter pen. I loved how closely this mimicked the Disney font without paying for a whole new Disney font cartridge. The point of this lettering is to create a feel, a theme, a look, and not to be an exact replica. For me, keeping $30 in my pocket is worth the "knock off".
What I am most interested in is ideas for adhering the lettering to my pages and cards. I have tried the mini tape runner that Creative Memories used to sell. It worked OK, but my understanding is that they have discontinued that product. The glue pens from Zig tend to be messy in my opinion. What I am using right now that seems to be working very well is the Xyron 1.5" sticker maker. The only downside to it that I can see is the time it takes to get the letters to align in there so you are wasting as little sticker tape as possible. If you have any other ideas or suggestions I would love to hear your comments!
For those Cricut Addicts out there, I have a chalenge for you: How many projects or layouts can you do using only 2 cartridges before you get bored or hit a wall?

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Cupcake Girl Scrapbook Layout







The gals over at the new BBTB2 blog have posted lots of cute cards using two different cupcakes from two different Cricut cartridges. So, I wanted to share my use of the cupcake with you. The cupcake is from the Celebrations cartridge cut at 4". After cutting all my layers, I spiced the frosting up by using Glimmer Mist - a newer product I was able to try out thanks to an Archiver's gift certificate from my bestest girlfriends in the whole world!!! (Hugs Jeana and Linds) The Minnie is made from my newest cartridge - Mickey and Friends - as are the lollipops on the journaling block.



These pictures are from our trip to Disney World last spring break. Considering that this Saturday kicks off Spring Break '10, I thought I should make those Disney pics a higher priority on the "to do" list. It's so much fun to relive the trip through scrapbooking. Somebody asked me today if we were doing anything as exciting as Disney for this year's break. Nope - going to my cousin's farm in Halstead, Kansas. But hey, she did promise me some scrapbooking time. So maybe it's a close second! Or not!