Quick Tip Tuesday: Cartridge inspiration

Welcome to another Quick Tip Tuesday! I’m Kate from Small Bits of Paper and I’m thrilled to be taking over this weekly feature at Fantabulous Cricut. As I’m just starting out in this position, we are going to go back to the basics for the next number of weeks.

To begin with, I would love to draw your attention to the list of Cricut cartridges on the left sidebar of our blog. If you are looking for inspiration with a particular cartridge, just click the name of that cartridge to be taken to all the design team submissions which have been created with it. I also love to look at projects made with particular cartridges I am considering to purchase. It’s a great way to see what’s available and how images and fonts can be used. If the list is long, be sure to view the older posts (by selecting that option at the end of the list) for further inspiration.

One more thing for this week – Fantabulous Cricut has some amazing sponsors, all of which are listed on the right sidebar of the blog. By clicking on their images, you will be taken directly to their sites. This is a great way to get more inspiration and to find products to use to create your projects.

Happy crafting!

Challenge Me Monday #25

There may be time for another family road trip before the weather gets too cold outside... this weeks Fantabulous Challenge...

Challenge #25
Road Trip
Create a card or project incorporating a vacation or travel.

As always there needs to be an image cut using your cricut on your project to be eligible for the prizes.

Design Team Projects

Brenda

50 States, Graphically Speaking
Jamie
Disney Cars
Lori
Just Because Cards
Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder
Melin
Disney Cars, Hello Kitty, Summer Vacation
Michelle
Learning Curve
Robin
Locker Talk, Zoobaloo
Sharon
Summer Vacation
Valerie
Everyday Paper Dolls

This weeks Sponsors are...

Walmart -Cricut Lite "Block Party" Cartridge
Oh My Crafts -a Fall Mini "Pumpkin Carving" Cartridge

Oh My Crafts -a Fall Mini "October 31st" Cartridge
REMEMBER to click on our sponsors blinkies on the right hand sidebar and view their great products.... we appreciate their sponsorship of FCCB!!!

Participate in this weeks challenge for your chance to win one of these great prizes.

PLEASE NOTE:Only new projects can be added to the challenge to be eligible for the prize (no older than a week prior to current challenge). Also, your project may be added to a FCCB challenge only once, with a new project for a new challenge.
If you have any questions please contact Robin at: fantabulouscricut @ yahoo .com (remove spaces)

Scrappin' Saturday: Free Trial of DS & SCAL!

Happy Saturday to everyone!
For today's Scrappin' Saturday, I want to share two awesome programs that you can use with your Cricut, in conjunction with your computer, to get the most out of your cartridges and to give you the ability to cut images/fonts that you don't have on a cartridge!

Design Studio is manufactured by Provocraft (maker of the Cricut) allows you to modify shapes and fonts on any cartridge you own. It also allows you to see every image available in the entire Cricut cartridge library (though you have to actually own the cartridge to be able to cut images from it using DS). You can move, rotate, skew and weld any shapes or fonts to create your own unique masterpiece for your next layout!

Sure Cuts A Lot is manufactured by Craft Edge and also gives you a lot of creative flexibility with your Cricut machine. The difference between DS and SCAL is that SCAL allows you to cut any true-type font or SVG file you download to your computer, all without having to own a bunch of separate catridges. With the thousands of free fonts and SVG files out there on the web, you'll never run out of new, unique titles and shapes to cut for your layouts!

I found FREE trial versions of both of these programs and wanted to share them with you. If you haven't tried them out for yourself, now's the time!

To download your free trial of Cricut Design Studio click HERE to be taken to the Cricut website and follow the on-screen instructions.

To download your free trial of Sure Cuts A Lot click HERE to be taken to the Craft Edge website and follow the on-screen instructions.

Hope this information sparks your creativity and helps you to keep creating those FANTABULOUS layouts!
Happy Crafting!!! :)

Fantabulous Friday #24

I love doing stitching on layouts! I do have some embroidery templates, but it is much nicer to be able to make your own custom template.

Cut a shape out with your Cricut, and trim around the negative space of your cut.

Next, use a needle and punch holes on your cardstock using your new template! Hint- if you have some foam, stick it under your cardstock, it will be much easier to punch through.


I'll admit, stitching is the time consuming part. I love to stitch while watching a favorite show, or just rocking out to some tunes at night :) Once it is completely stitched, cut around your shape leaving a small edge. I then like to ink it for some definition.
Happy stitching!
-Valerie

Thursday's Tutorial #24

Happy Thursday! Today's tutorial will put you in the Holiday spirit. Today we are featuring Suzy and her tutorial that she did for The Paper Variety

Suzy used the Winter Frolic Cricut cartridge to make this cute project.

Keep reading to view the video tutorial. Here's a view of the inside. It includes a sentiment and a pocket for a gift card.

Here's the video for more instructions.

To see more details of this project click HERETo visit Suzy's personal blog click HERE Please be sure to comment below and let us know how you liked Suzy's tutorial! Also, if you have a project that you would like to see featured for future Thursday's Tutorials please email me at:
cokiepop@yahoo.com

Have a Creative Day!
Angi

wednesday Winners #23

Wow we had fantastic submissions for "The Great Outdoors" challenge last week included were Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall seasons, and tons of creations from gift bags to scrapbook layouts and even wall decor. Thank you to everyone for joining us for our challenge, you all amaze us!

This Weeks Winners

Joy's Life's -"Lot's of Pun" Stamp Set

#16 Jen -Jen With Sprinkles

Oh My Crafts -H2O Seasonal Cartridge

#32 Anna -Anna's Paper Crafts

Congratulations Jen and Anna!!!

Please contact Robin at... fantabulous cricut @ yahoo .com (remove spaces) to claim your prize.

You have two weeks to claim your prize. If anyone knows the winners of our challenge this week, please let them know they won at FCCB.

Remember to grab your "FCCB Winner" blinky to display on your blog! You can fine the blinky code on our right-hand sidebar.

Design Team Top 5

#2 Amy -Scrapping Mommy

#7 Janet-The Paper Playscape

#13 Marcia (on Cricut MessageBoard)

#20 Melissa -Moe Creations

#34 Jenny -Jenny's Scrapbooking Haven

Congratulations Ladies!!
Remember to grab your "FCCB Top 5" blinky to display on your blog! You can fine the blinky code on our right-hand sidebar.

Thank you to all those who played with us this week!

Come join us for this weeks "HOT -Tropics" challenge -HERE

Quick Tip Tuesday: Maximizing Shape Cartridges

Happy Tuesday!

For today's Quick Tip, I want to share some ideas I found at Cricut.com, on how to maximize your Cricut cartridges and alter cuts to make new images!  Here are some of the ideas listed for Doodlecharms, which I consider a must-have cartridge:

1.  Use the one of the snowflakes (cut in multiples) and circles as a bouncy ball and jacks game

2.  Turn the waterglobe upside-down, flatcut the rounded bottom and you have a shapely vase or pot

3.  Cut multiples of either heart and layer in a circle for a 3-D flower

4.  Trim the bunny ears to a point and your bunny looks like a cat (not to be confused with the cat on page 113)

5.  Trim the handle off the Easter basket for a pot o' gold or flower pot

6.  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.

7.  Turn the scoop of ice cream upside-down, add ribbon handles, and you have a darling cinch sack for your layout.

Aren't these super-creative?  There are tons of ideas for lots of different shape and font cartridges, so go check out Cricut.com today and maximize the cartridges in your own stash!

Challenge Me Monday #24

In many places in the world it is still hot outside, so let's create a with that in mind.
Challenge #24

HOT ~Tropical Theme:

Create a card or project using a tropical theme… hibiscus, rain forest, exotic style etc...

As always there needs to be an image cut using your cricut on your project to be eligible for the prizes.

Design Team Projects

Candace
Life's a Beach, Storybook, Tags Bags Boxes and More
Joyce
Life's a Beach
Kate
Summer Vacation
Leigh
Life's a Beach
Michelle
Life's a Beach
Penny
Create a Critter, Walk in my Garden
Sherri
Sweethearts
Swiss Dots cuttlebug embossing folder
Sharon

Disney Tinker Bell and Friends

This weeks Sponsors are:

Memory Miser -Cricut Cartridge of Choice (in stock item)

Kristen Long Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstartor
$25 Gift Certificate

Cut Above Scrappin' -$25 Gift Certificate

Participate in this weeks challenge for your chance to win one of these great prizes.

PLEASE NOTE:Only new projects can be added to the challenge to be eligible for the prize (no older than a week prior to current challenge). Also, your project may be added to a FCCB challenge only once, with a new project for a new challenge.

If you have any questions please contact Robin at: fantabulouscricut @ yahoo .com (remove spaces)

Scrappin' Saturday: Cricut IMAGINE!

Happy Saturday to you!

I'm sure by now most of you have heard of the Cricut Imagine, right?  There's been a terrific "buzz" surrounding this new "bug" (sorry, I couldn't resist!)...

Here is a video from "Cricut Cartridge Library", of the Imagine at work at CHA this summer:

And, Joy over at Obsessed With Scrapbooking (go check out her website...it's awesome!) has posted a video from CHA as well...the Cricut Imagine up-close:

WOW!  You can use plain white cardstock to make such beautifully printed die cuts....now that's FANTABULOUS!!!  

Additional features of the Cricut Imagine:

- Cricut Imagine cartridges are enhanced by Cricut Pattern and Cricut Color cartridges to add dimension and layering


- Cricut Imagine is fully compatible with all original Cricut cartridges.

- Easy-to-use LCD touch-screen navigation so that all information is right at your fingertips

- Access to a vast new library of content and artwork: Over 150 original Cricut cartridges (with several new cartridges introduced each month), 12 new Cricut Imagine Art cartridges specifically for this new machine, plus 12 new Cricut Imagine Colors & Patterns cartridges

- On-board color and pattern selector - choose your own colors, sizes, and much more

- Works with paper sizes up to 12” x 12” and make cuts from .25” to 11.5”, making large-format print and cutting possible

- No computer necessary

- Uses same blades and blade housing as current Cricut products

Can't wait to see the beautiful layouts that are created when this amazing machine is released.
Happy Scrappin'!