Playful Pups Layout using Crafts By Two Font Art Tutorial

I made another Font Art title using the Crafts By Two Font Art Tutorial for this layout of last year when we got our new puppy.  

 I followed the tutorial to create the Playful Pups title with the mats behind it then uploaded it to Design Space. Then I went back to Inkscape and followed the same instructions to make the mat layer for the paw print so it would match my title,  then uploaded it to Design Space where I was able to attach the two images together. 

The rest of my images are from Miss Kate Cuttables.

The Dog patterned papers are from Kaiser Craft, Queen & Co and American Crafts and were purchased at my local scrapbook store. 

The layout design is from CTMH Magic How-To Book

The solid cardstock is from Close To My Heart:

Black

White Daisy

Desert Sand 

& Bamboo

I also added some Recollections Burlap ribbon and a Paw Print brad for embellishment. 

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

In Canada? You can purchase the products to make this item on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109.  

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com

Cricut Design Space App for iPhone Now Available

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

I just downloaded the new Cricut Design Space App for iPhone from the App Store.  Love it already!

Even though the screen on my iPhone is small the App is an updated version of the one I have been using on my iPad for the last few months.  I prefer the app to the computer version.  I find it way easier to use.   Now I can work on projects anywhere and then cut when I am ready.

After I downloaded it gave me a few quick pages to scroll through showing how it works.

I logged in and it shows some Make It Now Designs.  

Then I tapped on the icon on the upper left with 3 horizontal lines - that will give you a list of different categories including your saved projects. 

I chose Cards.

Then I selected the We Go Together Card. 

It shows as free on the upper right side because I purchased the Classically Modern Cards cartridge when it came out last month.  

Next, I chose Customize at the bottom of the project screen so it would take me to the Design Screen.  If you look at the upper right you will notice that the square has the middle section highlighted - that is for the Design Screen. 

(left is for projects and the right side is the preview/cutting screen)

I tapped on the Edit icon and the size shows along the bottom. Tap on it again for it to go away.

I did the same for the Layers panel to show up.  

You can see all the icons along the bottom by swiping along the bottom.

Then I tapped Send to Mat at bottom right corner and it came up with my Preview Screen where I can move things around on my mats then tap Go to cut. 

Love it!   So easy to use and will be great to be able to start a design on any of my devices, save and pick up where I left off on another.  I can easily see myself on this a lot since I always have my iPhone with me and spend a lot of time sitting outside while my dogs tear up the yard.

Final Days to Order Cricut June Mystery Box!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

June's almost over - don't miss out on your chance to get this month's Mystery Box at Cricut for $29.99

It comes with 3 Cricut cartridges, materials and a Cricut accessory - over a $90 value.
The latest pictures that I've seen online have had different cartridges than what came in mine.

Get free standard shipping by using the code JUNESHIP when you checkout.

Gotta Love a Bargain on Laminator & Laser Printer for Foiling

I've been pricing out Laminators and Laser Printers because I want to try my hand at Foiling using my Cricut Explore to cut images that I print with a laser printer.

I was expecting to spend in the $150 - $175 range to get started but then I happened to come across a free HP Laser printer on a local Facebook auction site.  I just printed a test page with it and once I get toner for it I think it will be perfect.   I just ordered toner off of Amazon.ca for $11.00 .  Not too shabby and if it doesn't work out the way I expect I can always re-list the printer on the auction site.  I was originally going to order the Brother HLL2320D since they are under $80 at Amazon.ca

I also managed to pick up a Scotch Thermal Laminator last week for $40 and now I just need to order some Deco-Foil.   I can't wait to get started!  

Handmade Pocket Scrapbooking Cards with CTMH Snowhaven

I've got a few projects on the go right now, but I have mainly been working on my album for 2003. 

 Most of the album is already in pocket page protectors and I'm just going through and making or adding pocket cards and some co-ordinating 12x12 layouts.  

Here are the first of my pocket cards to co-ordinate with the layouts that I made using CTMH Snowhaven.   It's a great way to use up all those scraps.  I've added some embellishments with CTMH White Shimmer Trim and some silver twine from my stash.  

I'm working on the next couple of pages of cards and then will go and do my Cricut cuts all at once, using as many of the Teresa Collins cuts as I can to co-ordinate with my large layouts. 

CTMH Products used:

Snowhaven Paper Pack

Whisper Cardstock

Cranberry Cardstock

Slate Cardstock

Cranberry Exclusive Ink

Slate Exclusive Ink

White Shimmer Trim

Be Jolly Hostess Set

  (Hostess Only set - but check back in July or sign up for my newsletter to find out how it can be yours without hostessing a Gathering!)

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

In Canada? You can purchase the products to make this item on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109.  

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com

Get To Know Cricut Explore One & Explore Air

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Want the ability to easily make a personalized wedding gift or perhaps some unique home décor? Then you might find Cricut electronic cutting machines to be the best DIY crafting tool since the sewing machine. 

There are two machines that Cricut currently offers on their site:

• Cricut Explore One™
• Cricut Explore Air™

Cricut Explore One™ 

Cricut Explore One™ is a simple design-and-cut system. It’s versatile, easy to use, cuts very precisely, and is also incredibly affordable. With its irresistibly low price and limitless cutting potential, the Explore One is perfect for a new or beginning crafter. Here are a few notable features of the Explore One: 

Materials – All Cricut machines can cut an unbelievable variety of materials, for example:

• Paper
• Vinyl
• Iron-on
• Craft materials
• Upcycled materials
• Fabric
• Plastic
• Thick materials

Precision - Features Cut Smart™ technology, which allows you to cut a wide range of shapes and sizes with exceptional precision, from ¼" tall up to 11½" wide x 23½" tall. 

Smart Set® Dial - Each machine features a Smart Set® dial, which sets your settings (e.g. speed, pressure, etc.) for you so you don’t have to keep track of them. You just select the material that you're using on the Smart Set® dial and the machine's Cut Smart® technology will deliver a clean, professional cut. 

Images and Fonts - You can upload your own images and fonts for free on all three Cricut cutting machines. 

Cartridges - Both machines work with any Cricut cartridge and have the capability to hold all of your cartridges “virtually” in the cloud within your Cricut Design Space online software. So once you’ve loaded a cartridge, you’ll have it everywhere you go. 

Cricut’s Design Space™ and iPad® app - All Cricut Explore machines work hand-in-hand with Cricut’s Design Space™ (for PC, Mac®, iPad®, and iPhone®) that you get access to for free. 

Cricut Explore Air™

The Explore Air is the whole kit ‘n caboodle. It offers all the impressive features mentioned for the Explore One, but two key things set it apart:

1. It has a dual carriage for cutting and writing or cutting and scoring in one step. If you do a lot of paper crafting, this is the machine for you!
2. It has built-in Bluetooth® capability. You just use Cricut’s free iPad app and design anything you want from your iPad, just like you would on your home computer, but with the convenience of being able to take your projects with you anywhere. Then, you can just wirelessly send your project from your iPad to your Explore Air to bring it to life.

Now that you know a lot more about how Cricut Explore® machines work, I’ll focus next week’s post on how you can design here, there and everywhere with Cricut Design Space. You’ll be blown away by how easy it is.

Until then … Happy crafting! 

Cricut Make It Now "Beers To You" Father's Day Card

Here's a fun Father's Day Card from the Make It Now Projects in Cricut Design Space that I made for my Father-in-law. 

I used CTMH Whisper cardstock for the can, CTMH White Daisy for the accent strips and 

CTMH Topiary for the front of the can.  

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

In Canada? You can purchase the products to make this item on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109.  

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Using Cricut Explore & Duck Tape Sheets to Personalize Harnesses

I finally found a project that I was able to use the green Duck Tape Sheet that came with my Cricut Explore.  I have two dogs - a three year old Boxer and an 11 month old Boxer-cross.  The puppy hates car rides and since he has grown so much I can no longer get him into the kennel that I had placed in the backseat of my pick-up truck.  I actually put out my back twice trying to lift him up.

I was in PetSmart last week and thought I would check out the seatbelt harnesses.  I found them on sale - discounted with my PetPerks and Buy One, Get One 50% off.

One problem, once I got them adjusted was being able to tell the difference. I don't want to readjust if I happen to grab the wrong one.  And the puppy is way bigger than the Boxer.

I took a good look at the Duck Tape sheets and the Iron-on Vinyl that came in the box with my Explore.  I didn't think the harness fabric would hold up very well with the heat from an iron so I decided to go with the Duck Tape sheet.

Since my designs were pretty basic I didn't need any transfer paper.  If you were doing an intricate cut then it would be a little easier to apply.

For the Boxer profile I searched Google images to find a silhouette that I liked.  I uploaded a photo into Design Space and cleaned up the edges a bit and removed the white background.  I've uploaded svg files before but this was my first png file.  It was pretty easy and I had watched a YouTube video by Melanie Lane a few months ago so I had a good idea of what the process would be.

Here's my image - I love the Boxer head tilt!

Here's the Boxer cut out. The only spot where it was tricky was by the ear but it was easy to smooth out once I placed it on the fabric.

I lined it up and slowly peeled it away, smoothing it out as I went so there were no bubbles or wrinkles.  Wasn't too hard, the Duck Tape is thick so I think that helped. 

Applied and all smoothed out.  It even stuck over top of the stitched area towards the bottom.

Here are my finished harnesses.  I found the goofy-looking dog on my Paper Pups cartridge, perfect for my goofy, giant puppy.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Sasquatch Card from Cricut Simple Pop-Up Cards

I was searching all over Cricut when I first saw this image as part of a Make It Now project in Cricut Design Space.
The Simple Pop-Up Cards cartridge hadn't actually been released at the time, though.

The Sasquatch (or Big Foot) is a well known British Columbian icon featured in the Kokanee Beer commercials.

Isn't he cute!!  

The card front design had the trees and the sentiment in Black ink but it didn't stand out from the CTMH Olive cardstock so I went over it by hand a couple of times with a CTMH Chalk Marker. 

I added a strip of CTMH Kraft Cardstock with a piece of Forest scrapbook paper that I have had in my stash since my early days of scrapbooking back in the 90's.   I added a bit of Linen Thread from my stash also. 

Love the Pop-Up!!  I used CTMH New England Ivy cardstock for the base,  the trees were cut from CTMH Olive cardstock and sponged with CTMH Olive Exclusive Ink and the Sasquatch was cut from CTMH Autumn Terracotta (he would also be really cute cut from White Daisy cardstock if you wanted an Abominable Snowman look).

I backed it with a Recollections Forest scrapbook paper that I bought at Michael's recently.

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

In Canada? You can purchase the products to make this item on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109.  

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Speedster Layout

Going through some old pictures yesterday and I found this one of my son that I had taken a few days after he had wiped out on his bike.  He had just turned 6 and was going to be starting grade one not long after I took this picture.  Fortunately, he was wearing a helmet and he didn't lose any teeth, there was just a lot of blood.

Cricut Cartridges Used:

Boys Will Be Boys (Arrows, Phrases, Bike)

Everyday Pop-Up Cards (Band-Aid)

CTMH Artbooking (Diagonal Lines Borders)

Close To My Heart Cardstock Used:

Free To Be Me Patterned Cardstock (retired)

Whisper Cardstock

Lagoon Cardstock

Pear Cardstock

Pacifica Cardstock

Honey Cardstock

Sunset Cardstock

Cranberry Cardstock

Champagne Cardstock

Colonial White Cardstock

White Daisy Cardstock

Black Cardstock

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

In Canada? You can purchase the products to make this item on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109.  

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

My Cricut June Mystery Box Has Arrived!

Wow! That was Fast!!  I placed my order for the June Mystery Box on Wednesday morning and it just arrived - 50 hours later!  Way To Go Cricut!!

Here it is!  I've included the links to individual items that were included if you are interested in looking at the images on the cartridges.  I just checked to see what they were worth and it worked out that I paid the equivalent of the Campin' Critters cartridge so everything else would be FREE! And I got Free Shipping by using the code JUNESHIP when I checked out. 

Campin' Critters Cartridge

The First Few Years Cartridge

Garden Soup Cartridge

Craft Foam, Plush

Washi Sheets, Classic

Cricut USB cable

You can get your Mystery Box here - contents may change depending on how fast they sell. 

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Get To Know Cricut!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

If you’re reading this post, chances are, you’re a creative type. You like to craft, explore your creativity, and share your creations with others. And it’s for people like you that Cricut created their line of personal electronic cutting machines. 

A little known fact about Cricut is that they’ve actually been in business for over 50 years, and their primary purpose has been to develop tools that inspire creativity in people. 

Today, millions of people use Cricut’s award-winning products to create beautiful, inventive, and personal projects. 

So, what is Cricut? Cricut is actually a family of electronic cutting machines that make it possible for you to easily create amazing do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. Well, not totally DIY because Cricut’s incredible machine’s do a LOT of the heavy lifting. 

The two machines that Cricut offers are:

• the Cricut Explore One™ - allows you to cut
• the Cricut Explore Air™ - allows you to cut and write wirelessly

To give you loads of creative freedom and versatility, Cricut developed the Cricut Design Space™, a cloud-based software that works seamlessly with the Cricut Explore® family of machines. 

Design Space gives you access to all of your images and projects from any compatible computer or iPad, so you can design just about anything, anytime, and anywhere. 

Once you’ve uploaded your design (or pre-designed image) to your Cricut Explore cutting machine, you can sit back and watch it magically bring your design to life. 

There are so many interesting things you can make and do with Cricut – which we’ll be sure to cover in a future post. But before we get too ahead of ourselves, it’s best to go over each of Cricut’s machines, what they do, and how they are different. And since I’ve given you quite a bit of info already, we’ll pick up on there in next week’s post!

Until then … happy crafting! 

Cricut June Mystery Box Now Available

The June Mystery Box includes 3 cartridges, 2 materials and 1 machine accessory that any crafter will enjoy.  

The contents are a Mystery,  but they are a $91.94 value! Don't wait! 

Supplies are limited, so buy now!

Free Shipping over $25. Enter JUNESHIP at checkout (standard shipping to continental US only)

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Cricut Simple Pop-Up RV Card with CTMH Wanderful

Here's a card I made with Cricuts new Simple Pop-Up Card Cartridge.

There are so many cute cards on this cartridge - this RV cut was so fun to make.

The outer liner of the card has the "Life Is An Adventure" Sentiment included - all ready for the Explore Air to Print.   

I used CTMH Wanderful B&T Cardstock for the liner.  

I chose the lightest pattern since I needed the Sentiment to show up on the front.  

I decorated the front with one of the Zip Strips that comes with the Wanderful 12x12 cardstock.

I added a piece of Flaxen Extra-Thick Twine along the bottom edge of the Zip Strip with Liquid Glass and used a few Coral Reef Sequins in the bottom corner.  

I used CTMH Gold Metallic Marker in my Cricut Explore to write the "Life Is An Adventure" Sentiment.  This was the first time trying these markers and I was very happy with how well they wrote with the Explore.  

The inside of the card has a fun 3-D effect.  

The door on the RV is scored along the edge so it can open and there is a full back on the RV.  

The back looks as good as the front.  The inner liner was cut from CTMH Honey Cardstock.

I attached a piece of CTMH Thistle Cardstock under the "Onward" cut then carefully added my ATG to the bottom of the card.   I adhered the bottom first - carefully lining it up, then I made sure it was still folded flat and put a bit of ATG on the back of the RV then closed the card base so it would stick to the back of the RV. 

Here is a close up shot of the CTMH Gold Metallic Marker. 

Products used to make this card include:

Cricut Simple Pop-Up Cards Cartridge

Cricut Explore

Scotch ATG Adhesive

Close To My Heart Products:

Wanderful Paper Pack

Gold Metallic Marker

Flaxen Extra-Thick Twine

Coral Reef Sequins

Honey Cardstock

Thistle Cardstock

Liquid Glass

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

In Canada? You can purchase the products to make this item on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109.  

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Cricut Dimensional Paper Art - Feathers Card with Envelope

Playing with Cricut's new Dimensional Paper Art Cartridge this morning.  

I love the cuts on this cartridge - I cut this card at 5.5" tall along with the matching envelope. 

The Cricut Explore scores and cuts the edges of the feathers.

 I just gently pulled up on each cut until I had it the way I wanted it. 

I would flatten it out again before inserting in an envelope, but it would be easy enough for the recipient to adjust to their liking.

I loved the pattern on the front of my card base but decided to make a label

 for the inside so I could stamp my own sentiment on it.  

I sponged the edges of all the cardstock with Bravo Burgundy Ink and added some vintage brads to the front piece. 

 I attached the feather cut cardstock to my cardbase with foam tape.

Products used for this card include:

CTMH Finding The Words Stamp Set

Cricut Dimensional Paper Art Cartridge

Cricut Creative Cards (#M3E753 - label)

Stampin' Up Botanical Gazette DSP (Retired)

Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy Ink & Cardstock (Retired)

Stampin' Up Vintage Brads (Retired)

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

New Cricut Cartridge Available for Subscription Members - Dimensional Paper Art

A new Cricut Cartridge has been added to the Cricut Subscription.   This cartridge is not yet available for purchase.  If you have the subscription be sure to check out Dimensional Paper Art.


If not, check out these awesome cuts by viewing the cartridge handbook.  There are a lot of great individual cuts on here along with some cards and coordinating envelopes.

The Cricut Image Library Subscription is available for $9.99 per month or an annual fee of $99.99.

The subscription options give you unlimited access to over 30,000 non-licensed images*, 743 fonts, and hundreds of projects. Whatever image or project you have in mind, you’ll find it in the Cricut image library. Find images and projects for birthdays, DIY weddings, showers, gifts, and holidays throughout the year.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Cricut Classically Modern Cards - With Sympathy

Here is the first card that I have cut from my new Cricut Classically Modern Cards Cartridge.

As I was going through the handbook this card jumped out at me.   

I went through my Close To My Heart cardstock looking for colours that were a little more subdued since this is a sympathy card - 

usually I am drawn to pastel or jewel tones.   

I used CTMH Ruby Cardstock for the base of the card.

I cut the inner liner from CTMH Goldrush and mounted it to the inside back portion. 

You could also put it on the inside front but 

I like being able to look through the intricate design. 

The leaves were cut from CTMH Olive Cardstock.

The sentiment was cut from CTMH Goldrush and CTMH Outdoor Denim Cardstock.

I sponged the cuts with the same colours of ink to give the pieces a little definition, 

then added a piece of Gold glitter cardstock to the flower from my scraps.

I added a piece of Recollections Burlap ribbon and used 

CTMH Foam Tape to pop the sentiment up from the front of the card. 

You can find more information on Cricut Classically Modern Cards or

 Cricut Explore Air on the Cricut website.

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

In Canada? You can purchase the products to make this item on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109.  

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Crazy for Bacon!

I just couldn't resist!   Cricut announced this morning that they were extending their Flash Sale.

I just bought the new Classically Modern Cards Cartridge by Alexis Mattox because when I was looking at the Handbook I saw there was a Bacon card on it!!

Can't wait to make a card with that! 

And I have some great stamp sets from CTMH that will 

go great with the donut and ice cream images.  

Love it - what a fun cartridge!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.