Autumn Napkins with Cricut Paper Trimmings Cartridge

I made these cute Autumn napkins quickly and easily with some inexpensive cloth napkins from Walmart and the new Cricut Paper Trimmings Cartridge.

Here's how:

Using the new Cricut Paper Trimmings cartridge, I cut leaf2 and leaf2 shift  at 3” and  at 3”.

Then, I followed these instructions:

1. Iron fabric using heavy starch.  Iron napkins where image will go. Then, Iron Heat ‘n Bond onto back of 8” x 8” square of green fabric and onto back of 8” x 8” square of brown fabric.
2. Set the blade at 6, speed at 3 and pressure at 6.  Multi-cut 2x. Using Cricut Paper Trimmings cartridge, cut at leaf2 shift 3” two times using the brown fabric.   Cut at leaf2 shift 3” two times using green fabric. Remove paper backing.
3. Carefully layer and and lay onto napkin. Iron on layered image to napkin. Repeat for other napkin. Do NOT over-iron as it won’t stick.

Remember, this cartridge is only available to Cricut Circle Members (see here for details on the Cricut Circle - warning: not sure if this is the first cartridge you get...).

Don't forget I am giving away the Happy Hauntings cartridge:

How can you win?

1) Leave a comment below letting me know how you store your Cricut cartridges.
2) Subscribe or follow the blog.

That's it!  Winner will be announced on Monday, October 24 and will have two weeks to claim their prize.


Want to see more of my projects?
Click HERE to see my gallery!
Click HERE to go to my Creative Memories Website!
Subscribe to Obsessed with Scrapbooking to learn more about ways to use the Cricut in your scrapbooking!

Trick or Treat Pumpkins

More fun vinyl pumpkins for you guys today.  Just wanted everyone to know that this week (Sept. 18-24, 2011), fake pumpkins are on sale for 50% off at Michaels!

When I made these decorated white pumpkins, I went ahead and layered the vinyl.  Check out the photo tutorial below.

First of all, I started with the Cricut Happy Hauntings Shape Cartridge and my trusty Gypsy.  I used the Gypsy to weld the words and also then to weld the shadows.  The files will be available at the bottom of the post for download later today.  I used orange, black and cotton colored vinyl from Expressions Vinyl (click HERE to order).   Why "cotton" colored instead of white?  Well, in real life,the cotton matches the color of the pumpkins better, although the photos don't show that.

I cut my vinyl out using the blade at 3, pressure and speed at 3 also - this gives the vinyl a "kiss cut", which means the vinyl is cut but the backing is not.  This makes it much easier to lift off the images and letters.

Then, I took away all the vinyl parts that I would not need so I ended up with these:

From there, I used transfer tape to lift the top word and then layer it onto the bottom word (black "trick" onto orange shadowed "trick").

First, I smooth the transfer tape onto the top of the word (black "trick" above).

Then, I carefully peel the transfer tape up so that the letters stick to it.

Next, I carefully lay the black layer onto the orange layer.  I don't start smoothing that down until I am sure it's where I want it.  In the photo above, you can see that it is still loose.

Then, I smoothed it down and lifted off the transfer tape.  I ran my fingers over it also to make sure the two layers were stuck together. Once I got all my layers done this way, using the same piece of transfer tape to be thrifty, I applied the transfer tape again to each word, making sure to pick up the entire two layers. Then, I lifted off the whole word section and applied it to the pumpkin.

Here's the end result!

Interestingly enough, I found these easier to apply than the solid shape items I made two days ago (the orange pumpkins in the photo below- click HERE if you missed that post).  I have no idea why that is but they went on a lot easier!

I placed both sets of pumpkins onto my hay bale at the front door - easy decorating!

I have a different Christmas-y post over on Everyday Cricut so be sure and head over there!

Gypsy files will be available later today.

This week's giveaway is:

Cricut Girl's Makeup Party Cartridge!

How can you win?

1) Leave a comment telling me your favorite fall food.
2) Subscribe or follow the blog!

Winner announced next Monday, September 26, 2011.

Want to see more of my projects?
Click HERE to see my gallery!
Click HERE to go to my Creative Memories Website!
Subscribe to Obsessed with Scrapbooking to learn more about ways to use the Cricut in your scrapbooking!

Finally, a new video! Pocket Card video using Plantin Schoolbook Cricut cartridge

I went a little crazy with the music - I just started adding all kinds!! Hopefully, it wasn't too scattered! Oh, well. Just trying to make it fun! Hope you enjoy it!

New Cricut Video Shows Mix and Match Button

I wanted to make a video showing how to use the Mix & Match button, but not use it with fonts. Why? Just to be difficult. No, just kidding. Because I thought it would be neat to see if you could. I decided to make the card above using Lyrical Letters (LL). Now, I know LL is a font cartridge but it's got tons of goodies in the back of the booklet, like all kinds of word art appropriate for card making! So, I figured out a way to use that Mix & Match button to make it work.

I also thought I should show an EASY way to glitter an intricate die cut using the Xyron machine. WOW! So much easier than the Zig 2-way glue pen. I spent close to an hour fiddling with that glue pen the other day as I glittered the swirly guitar on the Hannah Montana layout and it about drove me crazy. The Xyron is incredibly tacky, even if you make a little mistake along the way. See the video for the "oops" and then see how it all turns out.

You can download the written directions HERE!

See below for the video!

New Video - Cricut Dan demos vinyl cutting on the Cricut

At the Great American Scrapbook Convention yesterday, Cricut Dan very graciously allowed me to video the demos he was giving! He did a fantastic job and his instructions were so clear. It was such a easy video to put together since he is so professional. Below, you can see the first in a series of videos starring Cricut Dan!



Cricut Dan is the owner of www.scrapbookcorner.com, as well as a store in California by the same name. They offer incredible customer service! I overheard two people talking in the booth about how Cricut Dan and his fabulous wife Shelley were going to deliver the new Life's A Beach cartridge to their hotel since the shipment hadn't arrived yet. TO THEIR HOTEL! WOW! Dan also owns the site www.scrapbookingtop50.com.

More videos featuring Cricut Dan will be released over the next several days including a demo showing how to weld in Design Studio and create a mosiac layout using your Cricut with Design Studio! You don't want to miss those - the mosiac one especially is amazing considering another booth was selling those for upwards of $10 a page. So, check back or become a follower to the blog so you don't miss out!

Cricut Video on using End Cap Feature, Fit to Length Button & Centerpoint on the Cricut

I wanted to do a video on explaining how to use the end cap feature on the Plantin' Schoolbook cartridge. End caps are the hearts on either end in the photo above. However, I wanted to use a more girly font, like Storybook, so I set out to figure out how to do that. I found out how, through some trial and error and this video will show you how to do this also!

Confused?

Watch the video!

Also, you can download my directions by clicking on the picture of them below:

12 Quick Cards Using the Cricut

I am so thrilled with all the sweet comments I have received about my first video! Thank you! I really appreciate it! And of course, it also charged me up to make another one! So, here's episode 2 - 12 Quick Cards Using the Cricut!

A couple of things first before you view the video....I created two .pdf files to help you make your 12 cards quickly and painlessly! One file is a set of instructions and the other is a file of the "thanks" sentiment that fits precisely in the scrolly frame above. I made these so you could quickly print out the sentiments, cut them using the AutoFill feature on the Cricut Expression and be on your way making your 12 cards super quick! Click below to download the instructions and the "thanks" sentiment .pdf.



Secondly, the example on the video does not use the same paper as on the instruction sheet. I had already cut the paper before I took photos explaining the process so I had to substitute papers. Same concept, though, and the paper is also from the Die Cuts With A View Spring Glitter Stack.

Finally, something happens funny at the end that I decided to keep in - mainly because I had already taped it many times and kept getting interrupted, losing things, etc. Hopefully, you will find it funny also. I was certainly surprised!

If you have any ideas for other videos you would like to see, let me know! Thanks!

My First Video - Layering Vinyl with the Cricut!

A reader, Kelly, asked me a lot of questions about creating and layering vinyl with the Cricut and so I decided to make a video showing how to do this. Of course, it took a lot longer to make the video and edit it than I thought it would, like most things in life...ha ha! Let me know what you think of it and also if there are other things you would like to see on video! I would love to work on my video skills. I'm praying I am not too dull...