Changing Hearts...again....

I just can't seem to leave the hearts on the Love Struck cartridge alone!  The cuts as they appear on the cartridge are lovely but you can do so much more with them when you apply some "Design Studio Magic" to create many variations.

I started with this heart (the same heart I used for the etching project on the mirror tile - here is a LINK to that post if you missed it).

This time, instead of hiding the outer line to create a negative space cut, I hid a lot of the center lines to create a solid area.  Remember, to hide a line, left click directly on the line to select it (it will turn pink), then right click and choose "hide selected contour" from the bottom of the drop down menu.

This preview shows the difference between the original cut on the right and the adapted cut on the left.  The cut on the left reminds me of the doilies we used to make Valentines when I was in grade school.  (I imagine kids are still making Valentines with that type of doily).

 After I hid the center lines, I adjusted the size of the heart to fit on the front of an A2 card nicely.

I used the Shape Properties box and entered values that are 3/4 inch less than the A2card size (5.5 x 4.25 inches) to allow a comfortable margin and/or enough space to mat the heart.

When I first cut the heart and placed it on the card base, I realized that I needed the blackout shape to create better contrast and make the design "pop."  I adjusted the blackout to the same dimensions.

When the blackout background is added the interior cuts show clearly.

I had the "love" cut from my Cuttlebug "Love Language" emboss combo set sitting on my table from another project.  I liked the way it looked so I decided to cut the "love you" phrase in solid pink glitter cardstock for my card front.

The cardstock I used for the heart has a tiny bit of green in the design and I originally thought the green card would be best for the base.  When I "auditioned" the two cards, I preferred the look and higher contrast of the blue base.

I wanted to use this Martha Stewart punch around the page set for my card.  I find it a bit frustrating that the proportions of the base cuts to make the punch around the page work do not match up with an A2 card.

I have posted the chart with the dimensions before - here is is again for handy reference (remember you can click on the image to see a larger version).  I think the newer punch sets now come with the guide sheet enclosed.

The 3 1/4 x 5 inch dimension leaves a wider margin top and bottom than side to side.  I decided to move the cuts to the lower area to make an even margin on three sides.

I punched four corners and three sides but I didn't punch across the top because I wanted the heart top to be emphasized.

I trimmed away the excess section of white card.

Once the card was trimmed I was ready to adhere the unit to my card front.

I tied a ribbon around the card front, centering the bow.

I added a heart shape jewel for a bit of sparkle and to fill in the space between the ribbon and the heart top.

 

Someone recently asked about the inside of my cards.  Sometimes I leave them blank or add a simple liner.  For this card, I took a piece of white cardstock cut at 5.5 x 4.25 inches, used the punch on one corner and two sides and adhered the card to the bottom of the card.  This is another way to deal with the mismatch between the punches and the card size.

 

(I was not able to get to the questions and answers today - I think I am coming down with a bit of a bug.  I'll try to catch up with them tomorrow.  Please stay safe if you live in the areas that are getting a big snowstorm tonight - it looks like the storm will miss us for a change...)

Another Valentine

I made this card a couple of weeks ago.  I used the Love Struck cartridge (once again) for the heart but changed it a bit in Design Studio.  I will post all of the details later on Friday - I need to have an early night tonight (but I didn't want those of you who count on the morning emails to find an empty "in" box!).

I also will try to answer some of the questions that I have received through comments over the past few days - there are some that came in direct emails that may be of interest to other people, so I'll do a bit of Q & A.

If you are in one of the areas expecting snow (yet again!) stay safe and warm - I hope you can enjoy some snowed in crafting time!

Lovestruck by Candlelight

I finally completed an etching project!  Over a year ago I bought a large jar of the Armour-Etch cream (with a coupon of course) and put it in a "safe place."  Apparently I outsmarted myself because whenever I thought I'd like to try it out I would look for the jar - I couldn't remember where I put it.  Our house is full of logical places to stash things to keep them away from small children and it must still be in one of them.  I was not prepared to go out and invest in a second jar when I knew that I have one...somewhere....

Fortunately, Mandy, the owner of Scrappy -Go-Lucky in Australia, sent me some new cartridges and supplies for Design Team projects and one of the items in the box was a jar of etching cream.  I used it to etch a mirror tile with a design I created from hearts on the Love Struck cartridge.

Here is one more view of my project from above.  For all of the details, lots more photos and the .cut file (with a bit of an explanation about "Hide Selected Contour") please visit the Scrappy-Go-Lucky blog.


I want to thank all of you who have left such kind comments about my blog during my "Blogoversary Celebration."  I really appreciate any and all feedback about the types of projects you would like me to post.  Don't forget to leave a comment on any post this week to have a chance to receive one of the seven gifts (I usually do three, but seven is my other lucky number and I had four things that I brought back from Italy).  Here is a LINK to the post with the details about the gifts.


I was surprised to find out that there are some of you who read my blog and don't use Design Studio - my goal will be to get you to at least try it.  Remember you can download the trial version and learn all about the software and how it works before you buy it.  You can even cut designs that use only the cartridge(s) that are "native " to your Cricut (George for the Personal, Don Juan for the Create and Plantin Schoolbook and Accent Essentials for the Expression).

Hide Selected Contour meets Love Struck - Magic!

If I have not yet convinced you that you need the Love Struck Cartridge maybe these cards will change your mind!  I used "Hide Selected Contour" to create a variation of one of the images on the cartridge.

I began with this image.  As you can see it is extremely delicate with the tiny leaf cuts all around the edges.

Here is the image after I altered it by hiding several of the cutting lines of the design.

The main outline was the first thing I hid - then I found the extra bits that also needed to be hidden to make the card work.  Remember, to hide a contour you simply select the line (it will turn a dotted red) and then right click and chose "hide selected contour" at the bottom of the pop up menu.

Here is a closer view showing one of the little bits that was also hidden.

This screen shot shows the preview of the card.  I used a rectangle made with the George cartridge to cut the actual card.  If you do not have George, you can substitute any other square from a cartridge that you do own - just change the Shape Properties to match the George rectangle in the design.  (X =1.75, Y =.3, Width = 8.5, Height = 5.5).

I used some Creative Memories cardstock that I had - it is the older size of 10 x 12 inches and I centered it on the mat to be sure the card would fit comfortably.

Here is the card after I removed it from the mat.

The delicate cuts make a lovely inset design.

I cut a piece of lining paper at 8 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches, folded it and adhered it to the back of the card along the fold.

Here is the top view - with the liner the card can have a sentiment or message written inside while the lacy open cut on the front can still be appreciated.

I hate to waste anything and the remainders on the mat looked so pretty that I decided to salvage them for a second card.  I cut a piece of vinyl transfer tape a bit larger than the size of the cuts.

I removed the backing and burnished the tape to the cut on the mat using my large bone folder.

I carefully lifted the tiny cuts with the transfer tape.  It works best to pull the tape back at a 45 degree angle.  If a piece doesn't lift easily, just press down on the tape to pick it up and preserve the design.

I used my Creative Memories Precision Point adhesive (my favorite adhesive for tiny cuts) dotting all of the sections with plenty of adhesive.  (for more info about this adhesive, click the name to go to my CM personal website).

Once the adhesive had dried to clear, I centered the transfer tape on the front of a pink card (using a ruler to help with the placement).  You can see through the tape so this is simple to do.  I used the bone folder to burnish the tiny cuts to the card.

I pulled back the transfer tape at an angle, taking care to be sure that the tiny pieces remained in the proper position on the card.

Here are both version os the card side by side.  I might add a stamped sentiment or some pen stitching but I think the cards look lovely just as they are.

I saw some Valentine's embellishments sitting on my table so I decided to try the small pearl heart at the top of the pink card.  There is a perfect heart shape in the cut design for the pearl heart.

I have been trying this technique with all of the hearts on the Love Struck cartridge and I will share the files over the next week or so.  Tomorrow I have some other things to share (just in case you are getting tired of Love Struck!).  Hide Selected Contour is still my favorite design tool - I hope that it can be added to the Gypsy for the people who don't use Design Studio.

Lace Bird Cut Out A2 Card

Love Struck Again...

I have been working on a couple of big projects today- one in particular will keep me pretty busy for a while....  I needed to take a bit of a break, so I picked up the trial heart cut I made last week when the Spring Mini carts arrived from Mandy at Scrappy-Go-Lucky.  Mandy also sent me some etching cream, Cricut stencil material and Cricut embossing folder kit to create some Design Team projects for the Scrappy-Go-Lucky blog.  I'll be posting the projects over the next few months.

Here is the heart I cut from the Love Struck cartridge.  They are all so pretty - it is very hard to choose a favorite.

I cut the heart at four inches and thought about adding some gems but this heart has a "folk" quality to it and I didn't think the bling was right for the look of the heart.  I wanted more of a Scandinavian, homespun feeling.

I chose a plain white A2 card and then cut a layer just a bit smaller than the top (5 3/8 x 4 1/8 inches) and embossed it with the Harlequin Cuttlebug folder.  This gave it a graphic quited look.

I inked the edges lightly with the "Lipstick Red" ink in this set of Color Box cat's eyes chalk inks.

When I adhere an embossed piece to a card front, I put the adhesive on the card front.  I have learned that if you use the ATG gun or even a tape runner to apply the adhesive to the embossed piece you can flatten the embossing and detract from the effect on the final card.

The heart just fits nicely on the card - but I thought it was too plain.  So...I reached for my trusty white gel pen!

Lots and lots of white dots outlining many of the hearts gave the cut the "spark" it needed.

When I was finished with all of the pen dots, I added foam squares to give the card some dimension.  You need to use the smaller size and pay attention to the placement so they won't show on the front.

The raised heart creates a shadow and makes the card more substantial.  It will still fit in an envelope easily.

 

As I mentioned a few days ago, the heart cuts on this cartridge are so intricate and appealing that you can make a quick and simple card without the need for lots of extra embellishment.  If you missed the post with the screen shots and my first "Love Struck"card, here is a LINK.

I haven't started working with the other two cartridges yet (Easter and Mother's Day) but I would definitely recommend that you take a good look at this cartridge - I think you will be "Love Struck" too!

Here is one last photo of my view from my house today.  We got quite a bit of snow overnight and there was a beautiful "Winter Wonderland" effect in the neighborhood.  Snow is so pretty when you don't have to go anywhere and can just enjoy the view instead of worrying about the road conditions.