September 18, 2010

Gypsy Made Simple - Today We Make A Box

Hope you are having a GREAT DAY! It is Saturday and I am so excited to be able to show you some basic maneuvers on your Gypsy today. Now before we get started I want you to get comfortable, get your Gypsy turned on and lets create a box together! All you need is a cart linked that has a basic square on it like George, Plantin or you know even Gypsy Wanderings has a square. I will be using my favorite George and then Mini Monsters for the little pumpkin. Isn't this box adorable? And so simple that you will make one too!  Now remember you do not need Tag, Bags Boxes or More or any other cart to make a box other than a cart with a square or a rectangle.  Are you ready, well let's get started. If you get lost or fall behind just pause the video catch up and restart. These videos are to help you understand, and remember YOU WILL MAKE A MISTAKE and that is ok and is NORMAL, just go back and fix it and move one to the next step.
Now the first video we learn to make the base of the box, concentrating on the size, shape and weld for a perfect little gift box. In this video I refer to and X or Y axis, to understand I want you to look at your mat for your cricut on the Gypsy, one side will refer to X the other Y. So all you are doing when altering these numbers is lining up your artwork to a precise position on your Gypsy which inturn lines up to that exact position on your mat.
This second video takes us a little further in the base by adding flaps that will hold it together. You will also learn how to add to your welded item. Don't be aftaid to check the preview after you weld. what you see in red and black is going to be the actual cut.
This third video is completing the box and its lid and preparing it for a cut.  Are you ready?
This is the paper I chose, don't you love it?  This is DCWV Fall stack and I love it. The paper shimmers yet does not have glitter in it so it's safe to put candy in it. Now its time to cut so while the paper is cutting we'll answer a question I received in my email this week.

QUESTION: How do you move from mat to mat; small to large and large to small?

To find this screen just hit the little round silver button on the face of your Gypsy. Tap on the desired mat.
This is a photo of our project on a 12x24 inch mat. To make it smaller or fit it on a 12x12, first you need to position your design. Know that what you see on the right of the photo (the lid) will disappear from site if you change to a 12x12. So to prevent losing your hard work all you need to do is select the lid, then the plus sign, and when the next page comes up just hit copy and the lid will appear on your page.

This is what the two layers look like. To go to a larger mat just do the same thing and if you are like me you will delete any excess layers.

Lets put this box together. The first thing I did is scored all my pieces. I don't like the little score mark as I think that it looks tacky and weakens the paper. So just look at the box and score where they intersect.
This is the lid, see how nicely the little tabs fold in. Note, I am going to make the next tabs a little larger as I want more of an area as I think the box would be stronger. To do this just increase the width of your tab/flap it will not compromise the rest of your design.

See how nicely they will fit together. Now I used the DCWV and although I love that paper line it has a white core so I am going to ink the edges with my Marigold Distress ink (thanks to my enabler buddy - you know her as Makeupgirl217 she showed me all about inking!)
I made sure all my edges were done and I even inked the little pumpkin so I can make a little matching card!
I then used some acetate that was left over from the packing on one of my carts. I placed plenty of glue with my Glue Glider Pro around the pumpkin hole so no candy would sneak out.
And then positioned the acetate.
I can't believe it, my Glue Glider Pro went empty and I didn't have a refill! Love that Zip Dry Glue! I added plenty as you can see and waited for it to get tacky before putting together. It worked like a charm.
I then used left over scraps to make a little card. Didn't this little box turn out cute? I did make a mistake that I did not realize what until I looked over the videos.... Just before I cut I clicked the increase size button twice on the lid so it would be just slightly larger than the box. When I looked at the video I realized that I had already done that and checked the size! Oh well it still turned out great and I just adjusted back down for the next box.

I stopped at CVS Pharmacy on the way home for some shampoo and picked up a bag of Candy Corn. Don't they look yummy? Well, I was amazed it took the whole bag to fill the little box and I could have put more in it! This is one of my favorite candies for this time of year.
Then I mad e a little card with scraps. The base was a 3x6 inch folded in half, a 2x2.75 scrap of the lid paper and then the little pumpkin from the window that I inked the edges on. Isn't it cute?
So here is my little gift, a 3x3 inch box filled with yummy corn candy and a  matching card made from scraps. How cute is that? And just as easy to make. Now I want to see yours. All you need to do after you make your little box is take a photo. It can be decorated or plain like mine, your choice. Then either post on your blog or the Cricut Message Board. After you do that click on the McLinky below and follow the instructions. It will link you right to this site and we can all see your newly designed box.
Be sure to return back next Saturday too, we will have another Gypsy Made Simple session featuring My Gypsy Woman! And remember if you have any questions email me at ShesASassyLady@hotmail.com and I will get back to you as well as run the answer on next weeks post.
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Thank you for joining me today. I hope you enjoyed today's little project and learned something new at the same time. Thanks for your continued support and sweet words of encouragement. Your comments are what keep me sharing with you.

24 comments:

Beatriz Farquhar-Guzman said...

Very nice project. Love that candy!!!!

Debbie said...

Very clever Sheila. Your instructions are detailed and would make it easy for any gypsy owner! Maybe one of these days I will take the plunge and buy one! Have a great weekend!

paperscissors said...

i agree with debbie, these detailed instructions and the resulting creations are encouraging me to take the leap to purchasing a gypsy especially since i have noticed prices coming down!!!

Mary said...

Okay, Sheila. I played along and have a file ready to cut. I hope to have time to cut it tomorrow! I made a box once in DS, but this was my first time with the gypsy. I think I liked working on the larger mat so I don't have those shadow lines under my work on the second layer. Is there any way to make those invisible from one layer to the next if you don't want to see them?

mfc.melissamade2 said...

Oh Sheila - this is so wonderful! Thank you for taking the time to make a video that helps people with some Gypsy steps. I can't wait to make a box and link it up! Ladies on the fence for a Gypsy - you won't be disappointed - I couldn't use my Cricut now without it!!! Great little box and card Sheila - thanks again!
Melissa

Sheila aka SassyLady said...

Mary the only way is when you preview your work. I agree the lines are annoying and that is another reason I like the larger mat. Thanks for asking.

Barb Craft said...

Sheila... great directions!! You are so brave to make your own box!! Totally adorable!!
Barb :)

Suzy-Q21 Crafter said...

Great Job have you ever shared your cut files would love to get this file! I have a Gypsy too!

cricaholic said...

SUPER FANTASTIC VIDEO!! THANK YOU!!! I've ALWAYS wanted to make a box but I couldn't figure out the tabs....NOW I CAN MAKE A BOX!!!
I'm SUPER EXCITED that your doing a Saturday video series!!!!I'm not very creative on my own,I get inspired by others!!! Your really going to inspire me to be MORE creative with my gypsy!!
Saturday mornings are going to be SUPER FUN watching "shesasassylady" and I get to play along too...WWAAHHOOO!!!and drink my coffee... NOTHING could be better.... THANKS Sheila

Sandy from Ukiah said...

I love your videos Shelia, you always make it look so easy. Thanks for sharing your amazing talent with us. hugs

Angi Barrs said...

Such a cute project. I need to make some of these for my students:)

flowerdisco said...

sassy...i am very tired tonight but i will look at the videos as soon as i can and try to make one with you.

busy with family here :)

Java Jen's Creations said...

Wow!! You did so much work to share this with all of us!! You are such a great teacher!! I love seeing your work and watching your videos!!! Thanks again! I will post a box as soon as I can!!

Carrie said...

Thanks so much, your tips, plus the Gypsy DVD I bought from craft-e-corner.com I am on my way to gaining more comfort with my gypsy.
I'm a fan of their blog since they share their sales on their great products.

Granny said...

Oh my that is a lot to learn but I think I can do it. Can't wait for my Gypsy to arrive as this looked like even I can do it.

Audrey Frelx said...

Cute box, great Gypsy tutorial and a great job overall!!!

Sandy Hentzel said...

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!

I don't have Bags,Tags and More and was bummed with not being able to do boxes and such. I can't wait to get stared on this!!!!

Sheila aka SassyLady said...

Mary I want to revisit your question regarding you not wanting to see the objects on other pages.... You can and I don't know why but I obviously had a blond moment when I answered previously!!! LOL All you need to do it tap on the little eye on the tab to make it disappear. In other words lets say you have 3 pages or layers on your machine; the blue is the one you are currently working on so on the red tab tap the little eye and the gray lines will not be seen on the page you are working on. That should help you.

Shari said...

Thank you for these videos. I just ordered my Gypsy, not in time to get the "smiles" cart for free but I will get Bags, Tags Boxes & More. I still like knowing how to create boxes manually because you can make the size & shape you need. thank you, thank you, thank you. I am so excited, I can't wait. Thanks again.
Shari

Anonymous said...

Hi Sheila, I don't have the George cartridge! What should I use for the flaps? I tried using a rectangle but left a little gap at where it meets the other 3x3 box, and I DONO why, but when I put my box together, two sides are long and two short even though they are all 3 inches long! It is SOOO frustrating! I would appreciate any feedback!

Sheila aka SassyLady said...

You need to have your real size button selected to make sure your sizes are actual. Gypsy Wanderings has a conderful square and rectangle you can use, just make use that button is on.

Anonymous said...

Sheila, Thank you for the video! I am new to the gypsy and am not quite sure what you meant when you said make sure the lines are "over" when placing the 2nd box to ensure proper welding. Did you mean overlap? Thank you! Kim

Sheila aka SassyLady said...

Yes Kim I did. Pause that video and go back and watch it again if unsure about anything, cause that is the best part about videos, you can watch them over just to be sure about any point. That's what I do all the time. But please don't hesitate to ask any questions.

grammy deed said...

OMG, I am so glad I found your blog. I ordered a how to Gypsy video and it doesn't help as much as your video does. You are so good at teaching. I am even taking a class at a scrap booking store and I don't feel I get what you have to offer. Thank you thank you thank you. I will be watching you all the time.