50 States USA Scrapbook
50 States Scrapbook
I just love this album that I found on twopeas. The gal who made it, lairdoglen, made a scrapbook of all the states she has visited and plans to visit using the 50 States Cricut Cartridge. My husband and I are planning to take our kids to all 50 states (maybe even buy an RV to do it in!) before they get into junior high so this album is definitely on the to do list!
Link for more detail on the 50 states scrapbook by lairdoglen.
Where to Buy Cricut?
The following stores usually carry Cricut if you happen to have one near you:
- Michael’s
- Hobby Lobby
- JoAnns
I don’t really care for the chain craft stores, it raises my blood pressure just to walk in the door! And my local scrapbook stores have all closed. So I usually do my scrapbook shopping online. Unfortunately none of my usual online scrapbook stores carry Cricut. But I have found the best deals on ebay! Especially if you’re buying a lot of cartridges at once, you can really save some money. There are some links to start you off at the lower right hand side of this page if you’re shopping for Cricut or Cricut cartridges.
How to use the Cricut Design Studio
I recently came across this review on the internet of an instructional ebook that teaches you to use the Cricut Design Studio. I am intrigued because I don’t have the Design Studio yet and I am a bit worried about learning how to use it.
When I first got the Cricut Design Studio, I was so excited!! I already had my beloved Cricut machine, and I knew the Design Studio would make it even better and more useful. Using the Cricut as a standalone piece of equipment was so simple and straightforward, I expected the Cricut Design Studio to be the same. WRONG! I stumbled around with the program, tried to figure it out on my own with the help of the manual, no dice. It was just too confusing. Usually these kinds of things come easy to me so I really think it is a less than user friendly manual. Fortunately one of my friends recommended I learn how to use the Cricut Design Studio from an expert! I purchased the ebook below and the difference was night and day. This is what the Cricut Design Studio manual should have told me! Once I bought this ebook, I was up and running in a very short amount of time and accomplishing all kinds of cool new skills like welding, cutting multiple mats, welding within a frame, and a lot more. There is even an hour of video tutorials to help you out. Everything you need to know to take full advantage of your Cricut machine!
I don’t want to give away all the info in this wonderful manual out of respect for the author, so please check it out for yourself here. The cost is minimal and there is a money back guarantee.
So what say you folks? Has anyone else tried this ebook? I would love to hear some feedback. It looks super helpful… I think I’m putting it on my wish list along with the Design Studio Program!
Cricut Joys of the Season Christmas mini scrapbook
Merry Christmas Mini Album using Cricut Joys of the Season Cartridge
This adorable Christmas mini album has me totally inspired to dig out the Christmas pictures from last year! MandaPanda used the Cricut Joys of the Season cartridge to create this scrapbook. Inside the theme is the Twelve Days of Christmas — page one say s”A Partridge in a Pear Tree”, page two says “Two Turtle Doves”, etc. So cute and definitely has me in the mood to scrapbook this morning!
link to MandaPanda’s Christmas mini scrapbook: http://gallery.lifetimemoments.com/showphoto.php?photo=179610
How Does the Cricut Die Cut system work?
The Cricut is a cartridge-based personal cutting system. It is similar to a printer in that you put the paper in and then it comes out. But that’s where the similarities end. With Cricut, you put the paper on a cutting mat, slide the cutting mat in, and then set the Cricut to cut what you want. The built-in computer guides the knife to cut out the shape(s) or letter(s) you have selected. When it’s done cutting, you have a custom made die cut ready to use in scrapbooking, card-making, or any other project you can imagine.
What can it cut? The original Cricut machine cuts letters/shapes/phrases ranging from 1-inch to 5 ½ -inch tall, as well as titles and borders as long as 11-inch. The Cricut Expression cuts images up to 23.5″ wide. The Cricut can cut paper of almost any thickness, from vellum to cardstock up to .5 mm thick. You can use any brand of paper or you can also purchase papers from Provocraft (the manufacturer of Cricut), that are especially designed to work with the Cricut machine.
What is the Cricut Expression?
Since this blog is going to be about Cricut Ideas, you’d better know what a Cricut is! Pronounced like “cricket”, the Cricut is a personal diecutting system. Used for cutting out diecut shapes and letters, it is a standalone system that does not need a computer to operate. My personal favorite is the Cricut Expression, which cuts paper up to 24 inches wide. It’s perfect for cutting full size scrapbooking paper (12×12), which is my primary use. I also purchased some vinyl to make letters for the wall to put up a quote but I haven’t accomplished it just yet. Someday!
Unlike some diecutting systems such as the QuicKutz Silhouette that depend on your computer, the Cricut Expression (and the other Cricut machine) is a stand alone unit. It doesn’t use fonts on your computer, it uses fonts and shapes that come on separate Cricut Cartridges. There are a lot of different cartridges with tons of fonts (alphabet styles), shapes, etc. So many alphabets in a ton of styles and designs. There is also the Cricut Design Studio which allows you to connect your Cricut machine to your computer. I don’t have that yet but someday!!
Starting this new blog up
The purpose of this blog is basically that I wanted a place to save all the Cricut ideas I come across so I don’t forget them. It will be a great place to turn back to for inspiration when I have scrapper’s block or something in the future. Also I wanted to explain what Cricut is for those who haven’t caught the bug yet for this fabulous machine. And quite frankly my husband and kids just don’t understand my enthusiasm for scrapbooking so I gotta talk about it somewhere!! 
Also I am pushing myself to be creative in some way each day and think of a new idea… maybe it will help to justify to my dh all the $$ I’m spending on Cricut cartridges on eBay haha.
