Cricut Imagine - Best Friends Princess Card

Don't worry I promise I will be posting projects made with my Cricut Expression, too.  Right now I'm just exploring the new Imagine and it's possibilities.  I must check out all the new cartridges for it...I just can't resist. ;)  Lots more regular projects to come.  


For now here is a cute little princess card made with the Best Friends cartridge.  With the exception of the base of this card and the crown...everything was printed on the Imagine.  To give the dress a little more flair I added sheer dotted ribbon.  Of course you could put a little handbag in her hand to add even more to this card.

Inside of card

A little experiment...full image below was printed on white cardstock.  The image of just the dress was printed on pale pink cardstock to see if it would add more color.  The paper in the background is the pink paper I printed on from Paper Trey Ink.  It did make the top part of the dress a little darker, but there was not a huge difference.  I will play around with this a little more and let you know what I come up with.

Cricut Imagine - Cup of Tea Layout from Kate's Kitchen

This if my first layout using the Cricut Imagine.  All pattern paper and images are from Kate's Kitchen.  This is the most Adorable cartridge and I just love the papers on it.  I will be doing some video tutorials on the Imagine...soon.  Click on pictures to enlarge. 

Scallop border is cut from Plantin Schoolbook.  With the new update we will be able to print full 12" borders.

Is that little tea pot not the cutest you've ever seen?!  It reminds my DD of the little tea pot from Beauty and the Beast.  Love the rich colors they chose for this paper...Adorable. 

I left the base cardstock of my photo mats a little longer so I could stamp my sentiments on them.  I like this look and will be doing more photo mats this way.

Love the note card paper on Kate's Kitchen.  Perfect for journaling tags.

Cricut Nursery Tails, Country Life & Straight from the Nest - Celebrate Today Card

My daughter has a pretty heavy load this semester at college and this week was especially heavy with tests and papers.  My advice to her... take it one step at a time and enjoy every single day.  All of this inspired this card for her.  I love the sun coming up or setting ...however you choose to perceive it, over the acres of land.  Of course the sentiment goes back to what I was telling her...enjoy or celebrate today and everyday. :)  Needless  to say...she did well on all of her tests and got all of her papers written. : )

Cricut Cartridges:

Country Life - sun and hills

Straight from the Nest - Photo Corner

Nursery Tails - Tree and the pattern paper on the hills

Butterflies are a Martha Stewart punch

Cricut Imagine - Kate's Kitchen & Preserves

Here's another quick card using a regular Cricut cartridge combined with an Imagine cartridge.  I cut the pear from Preserves and printed pear pattern paper from Kate's Kitchen.  Love, Love, Love having my own little stash of pattern paper! : )  I am just loving this machine.  Added Glossy Accents to pear stem and seeds.  Seeds are still wet and might look a little cloudy.   

I am getting more comfortable and think I'm ready to try my hand at a bigger project.  Although I am  having so much fun making quick cards.  More projects to come so be sure to check back soon!

Cricut Imagine & Create a Critter - Happy Harvest Card

I got a request to show an image from a regular Cricut cartridge that was printed with a pattern from an Imagine cartridge...see I do listen. ; )  The pumpkin from Create a Critter is cut at 3" and printed with a pattern paper from the Imagine More cartridge.  The more I use the Imagine the more I LOVE it!

Cricut Imagine - Butterfly Kisses

Here is my 2nd project on the new Cricut Imagine.  I think this new machine just might be addictive.  I still have a lot to learn, but once I get it broke in and feeling like that old pair of sneakers...well I don't think I'll be able to leave it alone. :)  This image was print and cut from Nursery Tails.  

Every butterfly needs a little bling so I added small gems to the wings.  Look at the dimension you get by adding pop dots and folding the wings up.  I left the dragonfly flat which adds even more dimension to the popped butterflies.  I Love the look of the printed sentiment and hope to see lots more sentiments on future cartridges. You warm my heart is a stamp from Paper Trey Ink.

Another observation...you will still want your regular Cricut for those really quick projects as it does take longer on this machine when printing and cutting.  Well worth the extra time, but I can see myself bouncing back and forth from my E to this, depending on what I'm doing.  Especially when I'm working with the regular Cricut cartridges and not going to add printing.  So yes, my E will still have a place on my crafting table too. ;)

Cricut Imagine...First Project...Simple Card

Here it is...my first project ever on the new Cricut Imagine.  I will be posting videos once I get better acquainted with this machine.  Although it is pretty simple to learn... it is way different than what I'm use to and going to take some time to really learn and hopefully get good with it.  Base card and background paper was not printed on the Imagine.

The printed oval image is from Nursery Tails and OMG, that is an Adorable cartridge!

Inside of card from Imagine More and the print only feature

My reviews after one project...

Love the ability to print and customize images...So Fun!

Stylus is plastic and nothing like the Gypsy stylus :(

Having issues with the mat not holding cardstock in place...had to wipe down with a baby wipe and then it held the cardstock.  If you print and cut... the cardstock must be stuck down good or when it goes from print to cut, it slides the cardstock off the mat as it goes under the bar to cut.

  

Have not figured out how to move images around on the mat, but sure hope this can be done or is in the update.

Overall I think this is going to be a great machine, but there is a definite learning curve.  I know PC will continue to do updates and make improvements so it can only get better...just like the Gypsy.  Right now I'm a little on pins and needles figuring it all out, BUT I am very excited about the possibilities!  I just need time to play, play, play. ;)  I will post more soon!

SOUS - My Life Layout

Here is a very, very simple layout for my first challenge over at  SOUS.  I was not sure how far we could stray from the sketch so as you can see if you go look at the sketch...I didn't really stray at all. :)  Now that I know I have some freedom I will mix it up and add my own twist next time.  There are lots of fabulous layouts so be sure to go check them out http://www.stuckonusketches.blogspot.com/ .

Paper is from K&Company's Wild Saffron stack

Cricut was used for the title, tags and flowers

Sentiment is a rub on

Fall Harvest - A Shaped Card Using Doodlecharms...

I entered this card in the Cricut Circle fall card / layout challenge and it was one of the winners, woo hoo! :)  Winners get the Speaking of Fall Cricut cartridge.  Believe it or not... even though this is an older cartridge...I do not have it.

For my card I used Doodlecharms.  It too is an older Cricut cartridge, but is still one of my favorites.

Inside of card

I created this card on my Gypsy by welding two bushel baskets together to form base of card.  Then cut top layers and embellished.  I have really been using my Gypsy a lot lately and am loving the fact that I don't have to load all the cartridges into the machine to cut.

USTREAM Class Tonight...Shaped Explosion Box...

My good friend and fellow crafter Kathy over at Paper Phenomenon is going to do a live Ustream class tonight on a shaped explosion box.  She is not doing a barn, but a spook house! If you have not been to one of her classes you don't know what you're missing.  We have so much fun.  She is a blast and teaches a great class.  It's tonight at 7:00 central standard time.  Just click link...http://www.paperphenomenon.blogspot.com/ to go to her site and click the ustream link below the post and it will take you where you need to be.  It will give us something to do as we all wait for the big launch.  Hope to see you there!

3 Birds on Parade...Fall Card

I can't believe I questioned if I needed this cartridge or not...Gasp!  It is Adorable.  Lots of cute birds and lots of extras.  The wing tip below the scarf was my own little addition and not part of the original cut.   This is my first project from this cartridge, but it won't be my last.

HSN and K&Company...

I just found out that K&Company will be showcasing their new paper lines on HSN this Monday night.  From what I understand it will be right after the launch of the Imagine so around 11:30 central time.  The Imagine and more great paper...what more can one ask for. : ) 


On a side note...some of you may remember me posting about the yearly crop or kyrie krop in this case, that I go to.  Kyrie is a little girl that lost her battle with pediatric brain cancer.  After her death her parents got busy raising awareness and money for pediatric cancer research.  Megan who is showcasing the new papers on HSN, is also Kyrie's aunt.  She is a big part of the Kyrie Foundation.  Be sure to watch for the new paper line and check out the Kyrie Foundation by clicking the link...   http://kyriefoundation.org/Kyrie_Foundation/The_Kyrie_Foundation.html

Happy 16th Birthday Card...

For my DS.  I'm not the best with teen guy cards so  I kept it simple and tried to use bright colors to make it pop.
   

Happy Birthday Brent!

 This is a 5x7 card.  The red mat (looks pink in the photo) was embossed with the Happy Birthday Cuttlebug embossing folder.  The number 16 is cut from Base Camp Cricut cartridge.  Although I had to cut the shadow and top layer at different sizes to get them to line up (think my cart might be defective...this is my first time to use it).  The flame is from Straight From the Nest and topped with yellow Stickles for bling.  The stamps that border the edge are Mega Mixed Messages from Paper Trey Ink.  Border punch is by EKSuccess.

Overwhelmed with Projects and Life...

Do you ever get so many projects going at once that you get lost?  Well that's how I am right now.  I have several projects at different stages and wonder if I will get any of them finished.  Why do I start another project when I'm in the middle of one...I don't know, LOL!  Not to mention life has been very, very busy and I've not had much time to put into my projects lately.


Today my baby is 16 years old...WOW!!  I can't believe he's almost grown, but I can't say it makes me sad either...just surprised.  I look forward to the next chapter in my life.  Kara is off to college and doing amazingly well and Brent will be out of high school before you know it.  It's so rewarding to sit back and watch the fruits of your labor as your kids flourish and grow.


Something new...aside from the many projects I'm working on I also have a new product I'm testing and can't wait to bring it to you.  It's something that is working wonderful in the Cricut and will be great for many projects.  There is something else I want to be able to use this product for, but am still in the trial and error stages of testing it.  I'm also working with a supplier on availability and pricing.  It's a specialty material so it's not going to be cheap, but should still be affordable for those special projects.  I will post more on it soon.


Well enough rambling.  Fun projects coming...Soon!  By the way...who's on pins and needles waiting for the launch of the Imagine?  Normally I don't get too caught up in the hype when a product launches, but this machine has me mesmerized and I can't wait to see more.  Won't be long now.  Have a Great Day Everyone!    

Stuck On U Sketches...

I just found out I made the design team over at Stuck On You Sketches.  It's a fun and informative challenge blog.  I am so excited to be a part of this amazing group of designers.  Congrats to the other new DT members too!  Be sure to check us out...  http://stuckonusketches.blogspot.com/

Snail Mail

My sweet daughter Kara, a junior in college this year informed me... I had not even mailed her one card, yet!  What was I thinking, lol.  Of course she is accustom to mom's handmade cards and I could never get away with anything less.  ;)  Here's her first card for the year...yes, I will be sending many more. ;)  I'm happy she wants cards from her mom. :)

I must give credit to a circle mb member for suggesting I do a snail or turtle card since DD thinks I'm so slow sending them...thus inspiring this card.  Snail mail gets slower all the time, ha, ha! 

Cricut cartridges are Mickey and Friend for the fence, mailbox and sun.  Paisley for the snail.  Flowers are a Martha Stewart punch.  Card is 5x7 inches.  Sky is embossed on the Cuttlebug with the D'vine Swirls folder.  Face stamps are from Peachy Keen.