Cricut Updates - Good News for Gypsy owners with Cricut Minis

I was working on a few new projects and was awake up to the wee hours.  The blog counter was just a few hundred away from 1.5 million when I finished up.  So...I will be posting the names of the Fourth Blogoversary Celebration winners at some point today.  We do have a few things that have to be done in the morning so it might not be until later in the day.  

For Cricut users - the long awaited updated for compatibility between the Gypsy and the Cricut Mini is finally available.  This information was posted on the Cricut Message Board on Friday.  I know not everyone reads the message boards so I have copied and pasted the info here for you.

I do not own a Mini so I haven't been able to test the update but it seems that it has gone smoothly for most people...sometimes I wait to see if any kinks have been worked out before updating (why these updates are nearly always released on a Friday with no support on the weekend is a mystery to me!).  So - proceed with caution - good luck!

Here is the information:

 Gypsy® device firmware 0227 update – Available 02.09.12
This update includes the following:
Cutting to the Cricut Mini™ with the Gypsy® device:
• The Gypsy device must be updated to the 0227:0234 (0227 firmware and 0234 content) version through the Cricut® Sync program found at www.cricut.com/cricutsync
• The Cricut Mini firmware must be updated to Version .23 in order to communicate with the Gypsy device .
• If the Cricut Mini requires a firmware update, you will be prompted to visit Cricut Craft Room™ to perform this update when the Gypsy device is connected to the Cricut Mini machine. Simply follow the screen prompts to complete the update process in Cricut Craft Room.
*Note: Cricut Mini cannot be updated from Gypsy device.

Cricut Expression® 2 machines:
• This release supports all Cricut Expression 2 machines including those with the 1000 firmware version

Corrects the blue & black screen that some Gypsy® devices were experiencing:
• We strongly encourage ALL Gypsy device users to update their device to the newest version (0227:0234) through the Cricut® Sync program at www.cricut.com/cricutsync for best results.
• This update will prevent the black screen and blue light some Gypsy devices were experiencing; however, it does not repair them.
• If you have a Gypsy device displaying a black screen and blue light, please contact Cricut® support 1-877-727-4288 | Monday-Friday: 7am-6pm MST

Corrects Cricut® cartridge linking issues associated with the following cartridges:
• Pagoda
• Close to my Heart - Art Philosophy Cricut® Bundle
• Celebrate With Flourish
• Everyday Pop-Up Cards
• Cake Everyday Sampler

Gypsy Linking to Cricut Craft Room™ is coming soon!

I did get a chance to try a few test cuts of files that have been piling up in my Silhouette folder.  This type of cut and folded design technique is called "incire" and usually requires a lot of hand cutting using a stencil.

This is how it looks on the back side.  I remember trying to figure out how to do a Design Studio file to make the cuts years ago but I was never able to get a result that I was happy with.  I made some cutting files in the Silhouette software in less than 10 minutes - because I can put lines where I want them and do quick and easy grouping and replicating.  These are just some test cuts but now that I have figured out an easy way to make the files I'll be doing more of them - I love the look!

Have you ever made this type of design?  Spellbinders and several other of the die companies are making dies for these cuts now but of course they only cut one size.  With a file you can make the design any size you like.

Check back later today to find out who will be receiving "happy mail" next week!

I hope you have a great weekend - there may be a little snow here, but then again, maybe not - that's just the way this winter has gone!

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Digital Cartridges and Hello Thursday

Yesterday was "Hello Thursday" - the day when Provocraft announces new cartridges.  There were only two announced - Snow Days and Cricut Font and Basic Shapes.  Snow Days is a seasonal Mini and Cricut Font and Basic Shapes is a digital cartridge that is free with the purchase of the new Cricut Mini machine.  You can check them out on the Hello Thursday page HERE.  Click on the cartridge boxes on the top left shelf to see the "look book" for each cartridge.  Two cartridges may seem like a small number for a Hello Thursday release, however, the new Mini was launched on Monday and there were just twenty digital cartridges released as Craft Room exclusives. 

You can see the Craft Room Exclusives HERE.  The images on the Craft Room Exclusives include some of the often requested categories (such as Greek Letters).  I think the price is high - some sets include only five or six images for $9.99.  However, if there is an image set that you find appealing, it might be a reasonable price to pay.  I used to be happy to pay $10 (with a coupon) for a set of four sizzlits dies which would only cut in one size and did not have layers.

When I checked the Cricut.com site I counted 275 cartridges that are now available as digital cartridges.  You can see them HERE.  This may be good news if you have been trying to find an older or discontinued cartridge, however the prices are full retail prices.  As I understand it, digital cartridges are available to you in the Craft Room and will transfer to your Gypsy for use without a computer or internet access.  The digital cartridges will be added to the Gypsy the next time you run Cricut Sync.  If the images are very new, you might have to wait for an update to add the cartridge to the Gypsy.

If you click on the white shelves in the center of the Hello Thursday page you will see some cartridges that are retiring - however, with the digital cartridge option I am not sure that it matters anymore...

You can see more images and some projects made with the Snow Days and Cricut Font and Basic Shapes cartridges on the Official Cricut Blog. 

(if you are curious about the cut at the top of this post...I'll tell you more about it in a few days)

My hand is healing and we are on our way to Pennsylvania today - I'll try to catch up with email now that I can type a bit better but it may take me a few more days so please be patient.  I do try to answer all emails- if you haven't heard back and it has been a week or more please feel free to send another message - sometimes things get lost in the shuffle!

Have a great weekend!

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Holiday Card and a few other things...

Today my neighbor and I made 72 ornaments for the Christmas tree we are decorating for the Family Trees exhibit at our local museum.  Every year, volunteers decorate about 35 - 40 trees throughout the museum.  Each tree interprets a children's book - some classics and some new.  Some of the authors and illustrators come for a special event in December and many families in the area have a tradition of visiting the trees exhibit every year.

I'll show you the ornaments and the rest of the tree soon - I have to wait until the display goes up next week.  After spending hours cutting and assembling ornaments and doing some essential errands, I had no time left to work on my other projects.  So today I just have a few quick things to share.

First, the card at the top of this post is one that I made last week at the "Card Bar" at our local stamping and scrapping store.  On Tuesdays they set up a make and take project - so I try to go there on Tuesdays to try new things.  This card was made with one of the Hero Arts stamp and Sizzix embossing folder combos that came out this year.  The set is called "Birds N Trees."  There is a large background stamp and a matching embossing folder - you stamp first and then line up the stamped image with the folder to emboss the card front.

Here is a closer view - I didn't get the stamp and the folder perfectly centered but the added texture makes the card more interesting.  We added some bits of glitter on the stars (hard to see in the photo but it is sparkly in the light).

This is the same technique that I tried in the class at CHA last summer.  We made this card with the "Artistic Fern" set and I really liked the idea of using an image that is not specifically made for Christmas for a holiday card.  You can see more about the card at THIS POST from last summer.

Cricut Mini

The new Cricut Mini machine was launched this morning - this machine requires the Cricut Craft Room and an internet connection or the Gypsy to cut and can cut shapes from 1/4 inch to 11 1/4 inches on an 8 1/2 x 12 inch cutting mat.  You can see lots of information about the new machine on the Cricut.com site HERE and the Official Cricut Blog HERE.  As with most Cricut products, the Mini was released through HSN and the bundle offered has some exclusive items included (though the definition of "exclusive" can be a bit confusing - lately most of the "exclusive" items don't seem to stay exclusive very long).

There is also a lot of new content that is digital only and can be purchased and accessed through the Craft Room.  You can see this content in the Craft Room online - click HERE to try out the Craft Room if you haven't already had a chance to check it out.

I don't think I will be buying this machine - I have plenty of Cricuts now and, unless the Craft Room adds more design tools that allow you to create your own images, I'll probably get the Cameo or the Zing as my next new machine.  I really enjoy creating my own designs in addition to just manipulating the cartridge content.  It will be interesting to see how well this machine cuts - I have been very disappointed in the cuts from my E2 and need to call to see if the machine needs to be replaced.

If you go to a lot of crops, the smaller size might be appealing but it is often difficult or expensive (or both) to get internet access at crops.  I'll be interested to hear what you all think about the mini.

One more note for CM StoryBook users...

There is a 30% off sale on Thanksgiving-Autumn content (just click to go the the page - it is listed under "Featured Products" and a little tricky to find).  The sale lasts through November 16th (Wednesday) and Creative Memories is in the Central Time Zone - just so you know which midnight is the deadline!

Sorry for the quick post - with luck I'll have a chance to finish at least one of my Thanksgiving projects tomorrow.  My Dad came home from the hospital Monday and is settling back into his apartment - I can't wait to see him in a few days.  Are you getting your Thanksgiving plans together - the days are flying by for me and we will be leaving for a week the day after Thanksgiving so I have a lot to do before then!  I hope you have a great day!


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