Poker Pop Up Card

Just before Christmas I had a voucher for Dreaming Tree who sell SVG files for use in electronic cutting machines. I purchased a few files including one for a Poker card which I thought would really suit my brother in law. 

I sat down Saturday afternoon to make it with my Cricut Explore, a new blade and a new mat (I didn't realise how blunt my blade was until I put the new one in)

The files were very easily to upload to Design Space but there were quite a few layers which also meant a lot of paper and card stock. 

And that's not all of it!

The instructions were really helpful for cutting the pieces. I then used the YouTube video on their site to help with the construction. It was pretty self explanatory but the video really helped with positioning. 

And this is the final card:

It took about 2 hours with all the cutting and layering. I also made the matching envelope. 

The only negative I would say is that it's hard to see the poker chips front the front (it looks more like a no entry sign front behind the queen) and also next time I'd used black card instead of the dark blue suggested. 

This file is usually $1.99 and can be found on 3Dsvg.com

Minnie Mouse Chevron Heat Transfer Vinyl - Cricut Explore

With just over five months until my trip to Disneyland Paris I decided to get my bum in gear to sort out some t-shirt designs. I have only used Cricut heat transfer vinyl before which was pretty expensive for a small amount so I ordered some vinyl from MDP Supplies. I was able to get 1 x 0.5 metres of iron on vinyl for less than the price of the Cricut vinyl. I decided to buy white and black vinyl for stretch fabrics (so it has some stretch to it), pink holographic/glitter and printable heat transfer vinyl. The printable one was in A4 sheets so it will go in my printer and I'm hoping to try and print and cut characters with my Cricut Explore from my Disney Cricut cartridges. 

The only thing that put me off buying from MDP in the past was the cost of postage as its via courier and dye to package size, although I could collect from store, but an option came up for Royal Mail for just over £5 and it arrived the next day (New Years Eve!)

So today I decided to have a go at making a design I saw on Pinterest which was a chevron Minnie. 

To make this I used the Mickey and Friends Cricut cartridge (Minnie's bow and Mickey Ears), and for the chevron I used Chevron Pattern Overlay from the Edge to Edge cartridge (in the Cricut subscription). Ignore the file name, I saved it quickly omitting the 'v' from chevron

I duplicated the bow and Mickey head. I then welded Minnie's bows to give me just one piece. 

With the Mickey head layers I made it so I only had the white outline and main Mickey head shape, highlighted them both and then used the slice button to give me a frame. Then with the other Mickey head I only had the White back layer and this is what I used to slice the chevron.

After highlighting the Mickey shape and chevron I sliced, and after removing the pieces I didn't want, was left with what I needed.

I then put the two Mickey pieces together and welded them.

If I just wanted a Mickey shape I would have stopped here but I wanted a pink bow to make it Minnie. I wasn't keen on layering my vinyl so I placed the bow on the Mickey shape where I wanted it, highlighted the bow and head shape and sliced them.

After removing the cut parts I was left with the below so both pieces fit together without overlapping.

I then cut this out of my vinyl. I found that the glitter vinyl is quite thick, and the vinyl for stretchy fabrics is quite stretchy (as you would expect) so found it best to double cut both times on the iron on + setting which helped when weeding.

My normal cutting mats are a bit unsticky so I decided to use my (very underused) light mat and it was just perfect for this so I think I'll be using that more now for vinyl projects. 

Now I just have to decide what to iron this onto! 

Alice in Wonderland Thank You Cards

For Christmas my parents gave me the Disney Classics Cricut Cartridge and I decided to use this to make my thank you cards. 

I used my Sizzix Texture Boutique with the embossing folder it came with for the based of the card. Due to its design I thought the sitting Alice image would be best and as I was making a few I decided to use the print and cut feature. I cut the sentiment from Cricut Vinyl and used masking tape to transfer it to the card.

I'm so glad I got the embossing machine as it makes a simple card much nicer.

Christmas Eve Treat Box

This year I'm not working Christmas Eve! Whooohooo! I actually decided to book holiday over Christmas so I'm off for 12 whole days with only taking 3 days holiday due to when Christmas falls and my Wednesday's off. However for my sister it's her first Christmas having for work Christmas Eve AND in retail! Because of this I decided to make her a little treat box for when she gets home but I ended up giving it to her last night.

I purchased some bits from Lush so she can unwind and get all cosy for Christmas. I purchased First Snow glittery powder, Lord of Misrule shower cream (which smells amazing), and soap that smells like marzipan! 

I made a box with my Crafters Companion big score using Snow White Centura Pearl card, wrapped it in a pink ribbon and added a Christmassy penguin and a gift tag.

The penguin was made using the print and cut feature on my Cricut Explore. To make the present tag I cut 2 base shapes ou of Kraft card and one one write my message with the write feature. I think glued the two pieces together sandwiching the ribbon in between. I stuck on the detail later in pink and then filled the sections with two way glue pen and then glittered it up using Stampin Up glitter.  

Merry Christmas  

Get well card

My Dad had an operation on his eye last week and I decided to make him a card. 

I didn't want to make it too bright and patterny so decided on some cool blues and the topper is from a paper pad from Hunkydory (Smudge & Mitten). I also added in some Kraft card to break up the pattern in the background. 

 

Happy Craftmas to Me!

When I started crafting I started out with some stamps and pens. I then got a Sizzix Big Shot so cut dies and used this for two years before it was replaced by my Cricut Mini and then Explore. As I didn't use my Big Shot I sold it as I only used it for die cutting and found my Cricut was more versatile and also took up less room (strangely!)

So recently I've been wanting to add texture to cards and was looking at getting a die cutting machine that didn't take up much room and then Cyber Monday happened and I found the Sizzix Texture Boutique for £20! A great deal in my opinion and perfect due to its size and that it only embosses.

It arrived last Wednesday afternoon and I had such a headache, bordering on a migraine, but I wanted to try it out! 

I looks so pretty and is a great size. I was also so surprised by how much stuff you got with it! In the box you get:

Two packs of card blanks (in white and cream) with envelopes

A stack of different coloured card (about business card size)

Rub on sentiments 

Three embossing folders 

The machine itself with plates and a shim

This would make a great gift for a new crafter or children as you can get crafting straight away. 

I tried it out quickly on a piece of card and it was so easy to use. I can't wait to use this now in conjunction with my Explore. I have a lot of coredination card stock so I'm looking forward to using it with this and sanding it back. 

Button wreath card

I have a lot of buttons and candi so decided to try and make some wreath cards this year. I started by drawing round a celotape roll with pencil as a guide and the stuck the buttons or candi round this. I finished with a bow or two. Simple yet effective