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Cricut® shape cartridge tips & tricks
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Complementary Cartridges # 1
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CARTRIDGE EXPLORATION - Complementary Cartridges # 1 By now, many of you have had the happy opportunity to play with the new releases. With the addition of these sets (2 fonts, 2 shapes) to your library, there is so much more to choose from when laying out a new project. One of the things I love about the Cricut is the great balance of font and shape cartridges. Every set has at least one other cartridge that, when used together, increases your creativity exponentially. Whether it's a font and shape set, two font collections, or two shape sets, it's so easy to find cartridges that perfectly complement one another. Let's take a look at two shape cartridges that, IMHO, go as well together as chocolate and ice cream, Fabulous Finds and Tags, Bags, Boxes & More. How many of you have discovered the harmonious compatibility that exists between this couple? The paper clips, pogs, and luggage tags from FF are a terrific embellishment for the purses and shopping bags in TBBM. This is the perfect time to use your paper kits; having several papers in the same color scheme cut in a variety of shapes and sizes adds the POW! factor you want. 
Tabs and hinges in FF add dimension to the tags and hangers in TBBM. Using different ways to adhere the tabs and hinges, such as eyelets, snaps, and dots will add to the visual effect of your projects.
Use the slide holder (FF) to hold a name tag or photo on the darling boxes (TBBM) to personalize them. The slides (FF) are an easy yet clever augmentation for the boxes and matchbooks (TBBM), too.
Of course, you can always reverse the process and use the buttons, heart, and flower (Tags, Bags, Boxes & More) on almost anything from Fabulous Finds. Mix and match components from both sets 'til your heart's content and these two cartridges will become constant companions. The fun awaits.
By the way, have you tried using the file folders (FF) as gift card holders?
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Features
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Who let the dogs out? David Walker STUDIOS, that is. Paper Pups is one of the cutest cartridges released to date and has something in that will appeal to almost everyone.
Here’s a great example of what you can create:
The “Puppy with Leash” was first cut in its natural (outline) shape from brown cardstock, then, out of white cardstock using the Blackout feature. Added to it are a few touches of chalk to add some color. Voila! You have a sweet, expressive puppy guaranteed to make you smile.
One of the Creative Features on this cartridge is the Border. Each of the shapes are arranged in a single row, in either twos or threes of the same shape. Some of the borders have extra little shapes added for more dimension and charm.
As a final thought, have you looked at the fire hydrant in Paper Pups? What a lovable little robot it would be using the Solid feature or maybe an artichoke or leaf when the Shadow key is used. What else do you see? Care to share? Go to the Paper Pups Message Board Forum and add your input.
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Do you Doodlecharms?
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As I was planning a couple of spring craft projects I pulled out Doodlecharms to see how I could use it. Although I've played with this cartridge many times, I'd forgotten just how fun it is! IMHO, it's one of the must-haves for everyone that has a Cricut.
While each shape is perfect at face value, if you look at them, flip them over or turn them around, you'll soon see other uses for them. Here are some alternatives I've found for the shapes in this set:
Use the one of the snowflakes (cut in multiples) and circles as a bouncy ball and jacks game
Turn the waterglobe upside-down, flatcut the rounded bottom and you have a shapely vase or pot
Cut multiples of either heart and layer in a circle for a 3-D flower
Trim the bunny ears to a point and your bunny looks like a cat (not to be confused with the cat on page 113)
Trim the handle off the Easter basket for a pot o' gold or flower pot
Cut 4 bugs (page 92) and line them up in a row, all facing the same direction.
Cut off the antennae of three bugs and glue the heads of those three underneath the bottom of the bug in front of it. You should end up with a centipede-like creature. If you use brads instead of glue, you'll have a bug with a movable body.
Turn the scoop of ice cream upside-down, add ribbon handles, and you have a darling cinch sack for your
layout.
Cynthea Sandoval, the designer behind Doodlecharms, has given us a fantastic collection of shapes that is versatile and inspires creativity. Do you have your Doodlecharms yet?
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Time for Gardening
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In every Cricut cartridge, there are treasures just waiting to be found. I’ve been
using one of the new releases, Walk in My Garden, and discovered a treasure that I’m excited
to share with you. Being a Northwest girl, I’ve grown up seeing expansive, well-kept
gardens and specifically, lush, colorful hydrangeas. The hydrangea in this cartridge
is so beautiful and intricate that people will be amazed that you made it! This
kind of cutting brings a whole new phase of professionalism to your projects.
Cross-creating (combining cuts from different cartridges) will bring even more value
to your cartridges. After cutting out the flowers in Walk in My Garden, use the individual stems from this cartridge
with flowers from other ones to make your bouquet more full. Using all of the cartridges
that have insects in them will give you a bug collection that would make an amateur
entomologist proud. Use your imagination and create… you can do it!
One of the cutest things I’ve made from this set was a friendship card. Along the
bottom of a card blank I adhered various sizes of the grass. I cut a large leaf
(leaf 1) and glued it on top of the grass. Then, I cut
out small ladybugs (ldybg1 and ldybg2)
and glued them inside the cutout circles. Finally, I cut a caterpillar and the phrase
thinking of you and put them on the card. It was a simple
but eye-catching project that looks like I spent hours on it.
There are a total of nineteen different flower shapes in Walk in My Garden, as well as vases, a flower pot, a darling
wheelbarrow and watering can, garden tools, leaves and stems, a beehive, ten bugs
and animals you might find in your yard, and a sign and seed packet. When you add
the sentiments and words found in this shape set, you have a wonderful collection
of garden whimsy you’ll cherish. The designer, Brenda Birrell, is the founder of
Pebbles in my Pocket and Pebbles, Inc.
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Words & Phrases
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a bunch, be, for you, friends, from:, happy, love, of you, smile, thanks, thinking, and to:.
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Non-Christmas Cuts
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This tip comes to us courtesy of message board member Patty from West Virginia. Way to think outside the box, Patty!
“Just a few ideas for making Christmas Cheer oh so much more versatile. I have included ideas for basic cuts, but there are more possibilities using the creative feature cuts. I hope someone finds this useful. God bless.”
lc = lower case uc = upper case
1. SANTA
lc: elf
uc: mustache, socks, mittens, strip for misc. uses
2. SCROLL
lc: towel
uc: bird head
3.SLEIGH
lc: flourish (remove sleigh body)
uc: antique baby buggy (add Wheels)
4. RNDR1, RNDR2, RNDR3
lc: Chihuahua or other dog (remove antlers and round off hooves)
uc: tree branches, shrubs, dog or cat collar
5. TREE1
uc: woman's flared dress (remove bottom set of branches and add head and legs), misc. star embellishment
6. STAR
uc: flourish
7. STCKG1
lc: sock (remove cuff and loop), use cuff and loop as tag with loop
uc: tack/nail, rough-edge rectangle, leaves
8. STCKG2
lc: cornucopia (cut cuff off diagonally
uc: tack/nail, skirt
9. STCKG3
lc: sock (remove cuff and loop), use cuff and loop as tag with loop
uc: tack/nail, rounded rectangle
10. HEARTH
lc: flourish (top of fireplace), fancy front door (add double door to cover fire)
uc: campfire, torch flame (remove top of fire and put it on top of a "stick")
11. SUIT
lc: dress (alter as desired with paper piecing)
uc: hanger, belt, boots/socks/shoes, "fluffy" pieces for embellishments
12. ORNMTS
uc: flourishes, star embellishment, bells (bottoms can be rounded)
13. PRSNT1
lc: generic present
uc: flourish, abstract flower
14.BULB
lc: olive, lemon, avocado (remove bulb base
uc: hat
15. HOME
lc: generic house (trim roof piece to straight edges), photo window (trim house away to make rectangle)
16. CANDY
lc: generic candy
uc: embellishments, spiral clip
17. SNWFLK
lc: generic embellishments
uc: generic embellishments
(To be continued…)
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Words & Phrases
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baby (two different layouts), Baby Shower, bath time, congratulations, For, date, time, Place, RSVP (invitation bullets), for you, i am big, i am small, It’s a Boy, It’s a Girl, Little One, Love, new arrival, name, date, time, weight, length, parents (announcement bullets), Sweet, Sweet Pea, thank you, twins, and welcome.
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More than Pups
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Being an animal lover, I was excited to see that one of the new cartridges had different
dog breeds in it. Like some of you, I wondered if I would ever use enough canine
die cuts to justify owning it. Now that I’ve seen and played with Paper Pups, I’m here to say, “You’re going to love it!!”
There’s something for everyone and every kind of project.
While they’re drawn in a clever cartoon style, using the Solid
Creative Feature changes the shapes to a more classic look. As many of the shape
sets, Paper Pups has a Card Feature that takes
the guesswork out of the measuring and hand-cutting of traditional card-making.
Can I get a big “Boo Ya”?
In addition to the dog breeds and situations, the set includes:
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Words/Phrases: |
hi (on a box), puppy love, sleepy, woof, Happy Birthday, Yappy
Easter, Boo!, Miss You, hug?, love (in a heart), smile, happy (under a box), Bird
Dog, Water Dog, Huntin’ Dog, Sick as a Dog, Hot Dog, Walk?, Show Dog (with a star),
Relax, Wag-o-meter (in a gauge), Best in Yard (in an oval banner), Best Friend (in
a banner), I love you (in a banner), All Bark (in a cloud banner), Bow Wow (in a
talk bubble), and finally, Yum (in a dog bone) |
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Other Shapes: |
Scottish tam (hat) and sweater, bath accessories, daisy, crown,
butterfly, bow, gifts, party hat and present, balloon, heart, umbrella, hat and
bone, bag of dog bones, a paw, an award ribbon, moon and stars, sun, clouds, hydrant,
tree, birds, doghouse and food, airplane, dog carrier, dog bone, dog collar and
buckle |
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Events: |
Mommy dog and puppies, sleepy dog, bathing dog, bunny dog (Easter),
witch dog (Halloween), stocking dog (Christmas), Santa dog (Christmas) |
But wait! There’s more! Using the Foundation Keys (dog tag and
card/envelope) will add even more versatility and value. These dogs are cute, expressive,
and even holiday-appropriate, and come from the talents of David Walker
Studios.
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Words & Phrases
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all Bark, (variation = Bark), Best Friend (variation = friend), Best in Yard (variation = Best), Bird Dog, Boo!, Bow Wow (variation = Wow), happy, Happy Birthday, Hot Dog, hug?, Huntin dog, i love you, love, Miss You, Puppy Love, Relax, Show Dog, Sick as a Dog, sleepy, Smile, Wag-o-Meter (variations = wag, waggy), Walk?, Water Dog, woof, Yappy Easter, and yum.
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