Ok so I mentioned that I'm going to be doing a series of posts on three cards you can make from one Cricut cartridge. Some of them will be easy, like today's featured cartridge (I'm going to post a few more than three actually....this is one of my favorite cartridges to use for cards. More on that later.)....others, well, I might have to get creative. Like, here's-a-card-for-Arbor-Day creative. We'll see what happens.
Here are the rules I am setting for myself:
1. Use scraps when possible.
2. Everything on the card must come from the featured cartridge...NO cheating.
3. I cannot use the "card" function that is one some of the cartridges. While this function can make some super cute creations, for my purposes that's cheating. For example, this is not allowed (but seriously, HOW CUTE ARE THEY!?!?! These are from the card function on Stretch Your Imagination).
4. I can use any embellishments I have, utilize the Cuttlebug, and use my rubber stamps as well.
So....let's get started. Here is the list of cartridges I'll be going through:
Yep, that's 21 cartridges!! I left out two of the font cartridges I have because there's literally only fonts on them....and that would be a really boring card. Plus, I wouldn't be able to turn out three of them. I also left out two Solution cartridges because there is not enough on them to make a card with, much less THREE cards. Maybe I'll do a post on using them to make gift tags or something....we'll see. In the meantime, let's dig in to the first one up to bat: George and Basic shapes.
This cartridge comes with the Cricut Personal Cutter. And, while it IS basic, I use it for EVERYTHING. It's my favorite Cricut font, and it's super versatile! I've used it for birthday cards, wedding cards, anniversary cards, Christmas cards, thank you cards, and graduation cards. The font is both playful and elegant, so it's perfect for just about anything (I did a vinyl project in our old church's bathroom with it....we put "LOVE", "LIVE", and "LAUGH" on the stall doors in the ladies room. ADORABLE!!). Also, I've made some serious banners with this font, thanks to the shapes and the "slot" function. Even if this is the only cartridge you have, you are UNSTOPPABLE.You just need to creatively think about how you use it sometimes, such as using the shadow function if you need a larger shape or want your font bolder.
So, I'm going to post three layouts and some other cards I've made from this cartridge.
Card #1:
This card is roughly 6"x4" (I suggest getting a box of invitation envelopes from Wal Mart or something. They are cheap and the perfect size for making cards). Using the tag shape on George, I cut the tag at about 3.5". I cut a strip of complimentary red paper at about 1.5" wide, then cut a "thanks" out at 1". Cut the end of the strip in a 'V' shape, and paste those suckers down to your base. Add a small bow (made from a spool of $1 ribbon), and you are done. How cute is this?!? And it is definitely all-purpose for any occasion, just pick your paper to reflect what you want it used for (ie Christmas papers for Christmas cards). You can swap out the greeting, or use a rubber stamp instead of the "thanks"....you can run the tag or the strip through an embosser...the possibilities are ENDLESS!! Here's another card in the same template with a different look entirely (on this one, I ran the base paper through my Cuttlebug first for some texture):
Both of those were made from scraps leftover from other things. Seriously people, SAVE YOUR SCRAPS.
Ok....card #2:
So for this one, I used a pre-made blank card that came in a pack of 8 from Michaels' $1 rack. I dug out complimentary scraps, and cut four 1" squares. I cut 1" strips of ribbon to glue vertically on each square, then tied another piece into a knot and glued on the top of the squares. They look like cute presents!! Then using a stamp, I put "happy birthday" on it. This would be a super cute Christmas card as well....just change out the papers, ribbon color, and little greeting. It really doesn't get easier, and it's so cute!
Card #3:
So for this one, I took white card stock and made 6"x4" base cards. I then cut purple cardstock into slightly smaller rectangles and ran them through the Cuttlebug. Using scraps (monochromatic ones at that!!), I cut one 2" circle (the darker purple dot paper), one 1.5" circle (the dark plaid one), and then the other scraps were cut at 1". I arranged them in an overlapping design. Using a $1 spool of ribbon I wrapped it around the purple rectangle, tied it off with a button, and then glued it all down to the white card and stamped the little "thanks" on it. EASY! This is one of those that have literally limitless possibilities....for example, here's the same concept with different features:
I didn't emboss anything for this one. I just used some crazy paper.
Different stamp for this one, and arranged vertically instead of horizontally, and no button. Honestly, it doesn't matter how many circles you have, or even the range of sizes you cut, just remember to use odd numbers (which I didn't for this one....oops!) :). This format would make cute Christmas cards, cute birthday cards....again, just change out the papers and little greeting on it.
Here are some others I've made with this cartridge. I encourage you to take advantage of that tag function too....it makes for a seriously easy and cute card.
1.5" rounded squares, 3-1" squares, stamp in the fourth, and then the dotted line around the edge with a gel pen.
1" Balloons in a variety of papers, ribbon, and stamped greeting (the stamps came from Michaels' $1 card rack that they have near the front of their stores. LOVE that rack!).
1" hearts in a rainbow of colors....stamped greeting...the only thing I wish I'd done differently on this card is cut white cardstock for the clouds and glittered that instead of just putting the glitter on the card directly. That would make it stand out more. Oh well....next time!
One of my go-to wedding card designs....cut the rounded rectangles out (one at 2.5", 2", and 1.5"....or whatever sizes fit your card base best), run them through the Cuttlebug, and embellish.
Ok....last one, I promise:
I made this for a friend who just needed some encouragement. I used the shadow function to cut out the white tag at 3.5", and then the regular mode for the pink tag....stamp a greeting on it...add flowers (just a simple little bow would be cute too) and you are done.
I hope you see all the possibilities that this cartridge has. It's my favorite, as you can tell (I have more cards I've made from it, but this post would never end if I posted them all!!). I actually did not have to make cards for this post specifically since I have so many I've already done....this is not the case for all of the other cartridges! Also, as you can tell, I don't always strictly follow my rules of card making (specifically, the odd-number rule), but they come out cute anyways. And most of these don't take up a ton of time to make....it usually takes me longer to pick out the paper I want to use than it does to cut the shapes and put it together. And if you don't have tons of embellishments available, or no Cuttlebug, that's fine....these cards turn out cute anyways!
I'd love to see what you've done with this cartridge....post some pics!
Sola Deo Gloria!
