First Project with Cricut Explore Air

Hello, crafters! It's Grace from Grace Notes for Today. I'm happy to share my first card made with the help of Design Space and my new Cricut Explore Air. 

Flower Pot Pocket Card

For the pot, I created my own template. After checking some similar styles online, I found that I didn't like the shape or smaller sizes. There are several flower pots available on cartridges but again, I wanted a cuff that I could decorate.

Details

Size:  The pot, full length before gluing sides is 11 inches long, 4-1/2" wide.

Flowers: 1 @ 2.79"w, 1 @ 2.89"w, 1 @ 2"W. Flowers are all from Forever Young.

Name plate on pot: Cut from Heritage, name was written with Explore Air. Attached with silver heart brads.

Butterfly:  Butterfly from Imagine More Cards, cut at 1.7"

I stapled a piece of green ribbon at the top, to indicate that the flower card needs to be pulled out. For the message on the card, I used the writing feature in Design Space. Sorry I don't remember what fonts as I tested many.

If you would like my template for this flower pot, please become a follower of my blog (click blue "Join This Site" button in right side bar) and leave me a comment requesting the template. Don't forget to give me your email address so I can send it to you. I'd love for you to visit my blog at GraceNotes4today.blogspot.com.

Sympathy Card

Good morning, I am so excited to be able to put a card together for my stash. Usually I am doing a card party or a card for something I need right now. I have to admit I had no desire to design anything after a few days on Pensacola Beach, but I did the next best thing and turned to the Make It Now section on design space. Since I am always short sympathy cards this one was great. So let's get going and let me share the good, bad and ugly of this card.

Now that wasn't too bad but as you can see you must be prepared for this cut. My mat was a mess and it really gave me a hard time on getting a clean cut. Also remember to use your score pen it will really help get a great card.

This is the inside of the card. I used a CTMH set, please check the video for the number and name.

I used liquid pearls, the pictures were taken while the were still wet. The did round out. The card called for a silver sheet of glitter paper, I used a sheet from the Lemon stack from DCWV.

Another close up, I love how this paper just shines.

I hope you like today's post, I enjoyed spending time with you. Thank you for your words of encouragement. Your comments continue to inspire me.

True Love

Happy Sizzling July Sassy People!

It’s Kenya here on this beautiful July 3rd! I had so many 4th of July plans to share BUT my plans crumbled. Love can bring metaphoric fireworks right? I know, kind of a stretch! Well, I have an anniversary card to share today!

My pastors celebrated 16 years of marriage. I would say some kind of fireworks had to be ignited…at least sparklers? If you knew them, you would understand the love and affection they share with each other.

Ok, enough with puns, on to the project! I used Design Space to design the card. I used the Sweethearts and Beyond Birthdays cartridges. I selected the images I desired and imported them onto the virtual mat. I made the frame by inserting a shape (square) and resizing it into a rectangle. Once  I was satisfied with the size, I duplicated the shape, aligned it and sliced the shape. 

Then I took the word “Love” and duplicated that twice and lined it up inside the frame. Then I added “True love” to the bottom and welded the words and shape together. After I was happy with the design, I cut them out using the Bo Bunny Crush collection and solid white Neenah white card stock. The little hearts were on the side and cut later. I also cut the “L” for love in a solid black. I later added “16” to represent the number of years of marriage. 

Once everything was cut out, I layered the pattern paper on the card stock for stability. I added the transparency to build a shaker card (last minute decision). I used the hearts (which were going to be added to the front) as the confetti and added some sequins to the inside. I also have the “16” peaking out at the bottom. For a finishing touch and shimmer, I added a little Wink of Stella to the “True Love”. 

Here is the finished card:

I hope you enjoyed today’s project! Remember to check back regularly to see more awesome projects from the talented DT! Enjoy the holiday! Kenya~

~~~~PAPER/CARDSTOCK~~~

Paper Trey Ink-White (card base)

Neenah-White (love cut)

Bo Bunny- (Crush Collection)

Recollections- (black & red)

~~~Supplies~~~

Sequins

Foam Tape

Tombow Adhesive

Transparency

Wink of Stella- (clear)

~~~TOOLS~~~

Cricut Explore

Cricut Design Space-(Beyond Birthdays, Basic Shapes & Sweethearts)

Martha Steward Scoreboard

Handsome Fellow

Hello Sassy People!

I believe there is a time in every crafter’s life when he or she gets burned out or lose their creative flow. I was there about a year ago. I would get ideas, but when I would go into my crafting space, things would not go right and I would be frustrated and leave. Although I was afraid, I took a well needed break. The reason why I was afraid was because I did not want to be so far gone that I did not return to something that was once enjoyable for me. 

After not even going in the room for months, I entered the zone. I felt on papers, I organized some items, I purged, and then something happened. I was inspired again! I rediscovered old items and rekindled love for machines I pondered on getting rid of. I was in love with the craft I started to despise! 

One of the first things I did was enter a challenge on one of my frequently visited forums. I had not used my Explore except for once (just to make sure it worked) and there is sat. The Cricut Challenge Forum allowed, actually forced, me to learn Design Space and use the Explore. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it cut. While the program lacks some features I use in other software, it is easy to use. This month, I joined a “lift” challenge as well. 

Why did I share all of this? Well if you ever get to that place, it is ok to take a break. When you finally feel inspired, join a challenge or two. Challenges make you accountable for creating (at least for me) and you can have encouragement from fellow scrappers! It was exactly what I needed after my slump.

Today, I am sharing a “lift” from a young lady who goes by Liljenny1. The challenge is to lift a layout of the person who signed up for the challenge ahead of you. While there was a lot to choose from in her gallery, I chose this one. It is a pretty clean and simple design. This is the first traditional scrapbook page I made in over a year and the first one of my son! This photo was taken on Resurrection Sunday. Here is my version:

I used navy Bazzill cardstock as the base. The photo was matted on white Bazzill cardstock. The pattern papers came from the DCWV Guy Stack and the Swagger stack by Fancy Pants. I did a few fishtails on the ends of those to add to the design (and to make it my own). I used brads I had in my stash to add a little interest to the page. The sentiment is from the Lovely Floral Cricut cartridge. It is on foam squares for dimension. I also added a little journaling to the page in a white gel pen and that is it! 

I hope you enjoyed today’s project! Remember to check back regularly for more inspiration, Kenya~

Congratulations Wedding Shaker/Easel Card

Hello Sassy People!

June is filled with weddings and graduations! With that said, I am excited to share today's project with you!

My mom asked me to make a wedding card for her bosses’ daughter. Talk about pressure! I wanted to make a “pretty” card, something the couple can cherish, but also something interactive. Hmmmm what to do? I had a lot of designs in my head but none of the felt right. Plus I did not have a color scheme to go with. I went with white with silver accents. 

Shaker cards are all the rave right now! What else are we going to do with all of those sequins? I also wanted to play with my new Anna Griffin Minc (a review is coming soon). I decided to do a shaker easel card. It is something interactive but can sit nicely on the mantel. 

For this A2 sized card, I used the Cricut and Design Space. While the heart, rings and “congratulations” were cutting on the machine using the ink toner sheet included with the Minc, I embossed the mat with a Cuttlebug folder and cut out a circle frame. I used one of the backgrounds which also came in the Minc bundle. This was the first time I used it. Again, a review is coming! Anywho, all of the elements were cut out and I assembled the card. The Anna Griffin background adds the silver foil element I wanted and it is also the backing for the sequins (iridescent and silver) in the shaker portion of the card. I also foiled the sentiment and the rings. The heart is mounted on recycled packaging I had. I threaded the rings with the shear ribbon and added faux pearls to the heart. 

In the inside, I stamped a wedding poem. To help the easel stay propped up,  I stamped a ring and popped it up with a pop dot. That’s it!

I hope you enjoyed today’s project! Remember to stay sassy! Thanks for stopping by, Kenya~

Supplies:

Paper Trey Ink- White Cardstock

American Craft (Anna Griffin) Foil-Silver

Shear Ribbon

Viva Decor Pen-White

Paper Studio-Sequins (Silver & Iridescent)

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder-Hearts

Stamps- Cloud 9-Wedding Simple Thoughts Stamp & K I Memories Just Married #2130

Momento Black Ink

Tools/Dies:

Cricut Explore

Cricut Design Space-Martha Stewart Elegant Cake Art, Life’s A Party, & Wedding

Anna Griffin Minc

Spellbinders-Classic Circle Dies

Fiskars Fuse

Learning How To Use The Slice Feature On Design Space

Isn't this little southern belle bear just adorable? I just love playing with my Explore and Design Space as it offers so many features to make designing easier. I never thought I would set aside my Gypsy Woman, but I have. Join me today and learn how you too can make a project using the slice feature. This is just a short video and it will help you.

Now wasn't that easy? I always put my project back together when I adjust it so it is easy to remember just what it looks like. Then I play with the colors to make sure it will look ok using the paper I have.

Well I hope you enjoyed today's post and learned something along the way.
Thank you for your sweet-sweet words of encouragement.  Your comments continue to inspire me. Have a blessed day.

Learn To Weld On Design Space

Hi, Sheila here. I hope all is going well with you today.

Learn how to weld letters in design space quickly by watching this short video. Learning this will help you in card making and scrap booking.

Now wasn't that easy? Just practice and it will get easier each time. Thank you for joining me today. I hope you learned something new and can put it into practice with your projects.

Thank you for your sweet-sweet comments, they continue to encourage me.

Learn How To Make A Shape Card On Design Space

 

Here is my cute little hedgehog. All you have to do is make an inquiry on your design space and then choose the artwork you like too.

 

 

 

Now wasn't that easy? The programmers for Provocraft did a wonderful job designing this program. It is so much easier than the Gypsy I can hardly believe it. This is the first time that I did a video capturing my screen so please be patient. There is one thing that the video cut off (it will only do 10 minutes) and that is to attach the score line. So after you group it also use your attach button in the edit box and it will work out great.

 

 

I hope your enjoyed this video. See how easy it was to put together....

 

 

This is a closeup of the paper I used. It is from My Minds Eye and it is so nice and shiney I love it. The photo on Design Space was solid colors but I thought I would Sass it up a little.

 

I did use glossy accents as you can see and it is still wet but you can see it looks adorable.

This is the inside of the card. I used a stamp from Joy's Life, the Barnyard Punny set.

Well I sure hope you liked today's post and learned a little something from the two videos. If there is something you would like to learn or can't figure out on DS just contact me.