I joined Close to My Heart

Hey Crafters,

I know that there was no Silhouette Thursday or 2nd Wednesday Cricut Cartridge feature.  But I am working on getting some out for August.  A friend of mine is having a party and I've been busy making the save the date cards, and starting on the invitations.  Also, I haven't played with the Silhouette as much, because I've been playing with the Cricut Explore. Hopefully I will be able to even out the love between the two soon.  But as I recall, my E2 got neglected when I first got the Silhouette, soooo that's just how it goes.

However, the big news is that I am now a Close to My Heart (CTMH) Independent Consultant.  Now before signing up with CTMH I heard a lot about the products, but had not used one thing.  Well that's all changed now!

I joined at the end of April, when they had a great promotion to join the company.  But I still had a lot of questions: Would I even like the products?  Would there be real support from the company?  Could I deal with the delay satisfaction of ordering products and then waiting to get them (this was probably the biggest problem)? Those were just a few of my questions.  Well the answers are (drum roll please) YES, YES and YES.

I do think that the CTMH product line will add that extra something to my projects. Especially with the inks, that coordinate with the paper, along with those stamps.  Let's not forget about those Workshop on the Go kits, home decor items, and so much more.  I can't wait to share all of the information about the Close to My Heart products.  

So you will start seeing mixed among the other things that I talk about, projects done solely with CTMH products, as well as all the other stuff I've collected.  I will still be doing my Cricut cartridge reviews (2nd Wednesday), let's face it I got a lot of cartridges and have not even dented in reviewing them all.  I will also still be doing video's about using my Silhouette and other random products, that I use to complete my crafts projects.

If any of you are already familiar with Close to My Heart and need to order something (2014-2015 Annual Inspiration Idea Book is now live) or if you are just curious about what it has to offer, you can click the Shop with me badge, and it will take you to my page. If you are interested in joining my team, let me know by sending me an email.  If you have any questions let me know.  

Happy Crafting!

Legalbeaglepanda Creations

2nd Wednesday : Happily Ever After & Dreams Come True Cartridge

Hey Crafters!

Yes, it is time for our feature Cricut Cartridge Post.  This month you are getting a 2 for 1 or you can see it as catch-up since we did not do one for last month.  One of the reasons I did these two cartridges at the same time is that they have the same layouts regarding the images.  Between the two cartridges they cover eight of the Disney Movies particularly the leads/princesses. CLICK HERE to see the video of the booklet review and the projects.

Now the first thing you should know is that the individual cuts that make up the images can be small.  These are not cartridges that you can make cuts at two or three inches.  Remember that the cut size on Cricut cartridges has to do with the height of the piece, and if you make the person that small, imagine how small the eyes or lips would be.  So don't forget when you are cutting out the characters, to at least start at four inches if not bigger.  This will ensure cleaner cuts.  Now the booklet recommends that you use the Cricut Expression, however I have used my Cricut Create.  By far the new Cricut Explore cuts these intricate and tiny shapes the best.

The other tricky part of putting these cuts together is the glue.  I used my Xyron 1.5", 5" and a 2-way glue pen.  Since some of the edges are so thin, be careful when apply and placing the cuts down.  I wasn't careful enough on my Seven Dwarf cards and got some scrunched up ends.

Now I did two different projects one involves cards (of course) using the Seven Dwarfs, and the other is a layout for a friend using some of the princesses.

Bashful

Happy

           

Sneezy

Doc

             

Grumpy

Sleepy

Dopey

Here's the layout:

I used so many piece of scraps and random papers from so many paper packs.  It took a while to finish the images since they did have so many small pieces.  I tried to keep track of the paper so I could tell you but, I think I threw the list away since it was on a piece of scrap paper.  However, I do know that I used some of the following paper companies:  DCWV, Core'dination, Recollections, Colorbok and Studio Calico.  I used stamps from different companies such as:  Hot of the Presses, Rubbernecker, Close to My Heart, Fiskars, TPC, and Studio G.  I don't remember who made the cloud embossing folder, and there were also random embellishments.  I know that the washi tape going around Doc's card is from We R Memory Keepers, and the pearls on Bashful's card is from Want 2 Scrap.  Anything else is anyone's guess.

Thanks for stopping by and .  . .

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

LEGALBEAGLEPANDA

Cricut Wednesday & Silhouette Thursday -- All at once

Hello fellow Crafter's!

Yes, Cricut Wednesday & the Silhouette Thursday video and blog post are being posted on the same day. 

 Let's start with the Silhouette.

Did you all see that Silhouette has come out with a new version and boy or boy does it have a different look. I went to the Silhouette Plus Forum and saw people talking about having the ability to run the newer version and still retain your older (legacy) version on your machine.  However, there appears to be a kink and it will not let you run designer edition on both versions at the same time.  Some have found a way to work around it and others have just removed the new version.  If you haven't checked out the forum you should, sign-up is free and you will get a lot of tips from the people on the board.

Well the video for this month talks about some of the other window you will find in the Silhouette Studio Software V2.  The video contains a brief overview of what I currently understand of the Move, Rotate, Scale, Shear, Align and Replicate windows.  It may serve as a refresher for some and new information for others. Either way I hope it's helpful.
I've read that Silhouette is working on doing some fixes to the new version, and are hoping to have the new and improved V3 out soon.  For those of you who have downloaded and started using V3 let me know what you think.

Now for the Cricut Feature Cartridge.  This month the Cartridge is All Sports.  When I originally got this cartridge I thought it would be good for doing memory books of all those sporting events my nephews attended.  But instead I did some sports inspired cards.  Click Here to check out the video showing a brief overview of the content of the cartridge, and some of the cards I made.  All of the cuts were made with the new Cricut Explore.  Hopefully this coming weekend I will have a little bit more time to play with the new machine and it's software. If I really get to play then be on the look-out for a more detailed review of what I think of the machine. 

HAPPY CRAFTING

LEGALBEAGLEPANDA

TALKED MYSELF INTO THE GETTING THE CRICUT EXPOLRER

What's up my fellow craft people?  If you checked in on the blog for the 2nd Wednesday featuring Cricut Cartridges you have noticed that I missed this month as well.  But in my defense I was clearing a spot for my new machine. 

Yes, Yes I talked myself into buying the Cricut Explorer.  It should be here tomorrow, and I can't wait. Now, if you read my last post you are probably wondering why I bought the machine.  Well here are a few reasons why I'm willing to try it out:

*I like the cut and write/score without having to change out blades or adjust settings.  This new machine has a place to house the blade, and another place to house the pen or scoring tool.

*I have the Cricut cartridges that I want (will buy the new ones I like) and most of my cartridges are already linked to CCR.  So I can buy an individual item if it appeals to me and not have to pay for the subscription. Plus I heard that the subscription can be bought on a month to month basis.  To me this means if I am doing a project that will require the use of cartridges I don't have, for that month I will pay for the subscription.

*Finally, they will allow you to cut and upload your .svg files for free.  I have a lot of .svg files since buying my Cameo, and its good to know I can use those same files on my Cricut Explorer with no problem.

I'm still a little bit worried about the cloud based system, but I figured I would get the machine, and see how it goes.  If after working with the cloud based system for a week or two I see reoccurring problems emerge, I'll just send the machine back.

I will keep you guys posted on how the machine works, troubles or joys and I will let you know how it compares to the Silhouette Cameo.  

Now the 2nd Wednesday review of a Cricut cartridge will definitely be back by April.  I will try my best to do one for March, but I know by April I will back in full swing.

HAPPY CRAFTING

LEGALBEAGLEPANDA CREATIONS 

2nd Wednesday - No Review this Month.

Okay guys, I have to admit that the weeks in this month got away from me, so there will be no 2nd Wednesday Video this Month.  Not to worry, it will be back next month, also I'm sure we will all be talking about whatever new machine Cricut reveals later this month.

HAPPY CRAFTING

LEGALBEAGLEPANDA

2nd Wednesday: Create a Critter 2

This month I decided to do some projects using the Create a Critter 2 cartridge.  I started off making some cards, and then I needed to dress up a gift bag for a party.  I threw in at the end cutting out cookie dough with the shadow shapes.  CLICK HERE  to see the You Tube video of the projects.  

This cartridge is fun to use, and just like the first Create a Critter cartridge you can use some of the Peachy Keen face stamps to add a different look to your critters.

HAPPY CRAFTING

LEGAGLBEAGLEPANDA

2nd Wednesday: Wild Card 2 Cricut Cartridge

Welcome to 2nd Wednesday, although this one seems to be more like 3rd Wednesday.  I'm determined to get these post out on the correct day, one of these times.  Anyway, this Month's Cricut Cartridge is Wild Card 2, this cartridge has a lot of fun cards that will make you smile.  You can click here to see a really quick overview of the cartridge and the projects that I made.  

Tomorrow there will be a video showing how I put together the Notepad.  So don't forget to check back.

HAPPY CRAFTING

LEGALBEAGLEPANDA

2nd Wednesday: Winter Wonderland Cricut Cartridge

I'm a little late with with the 2nd Wednesday post and video (sorry), but that's 'cause I've been sick.  This first 2nd Wednesday video is featuring the Winter Wonderland Cricut Cartridge.  I've posted a video which you can check out by CLICKING HERE.  The video goes over briefly what you can find on this cartridge, and three different projects that I did using the cartridge.  You find an idea for a layout or home decor project, two Christmas cards, and a 3-d ornament.  

In the remaining weeks of the month, I will try to post some photographs of other projects (mostly cards), that I made using this cartridge.

HAPPY CRAFTING,

Legalbeagle