Homemade Cards-A Special Touch

A Homemade Card, like ones I make with my Cricut Machine, gives recipients a special feeling, they know I planned ahead for their special occasion and took the time and care to create a greeting card just for them. I have sent out many of the cards featured in this blog and I get wonderful thank you's back, expressing how nice it was to receive a beautiful and homemade card.


Cutting and Adhesives

CUTTING:

Paper Saving:  I try to save paper as much as I can, especially the patterned special papers I've found. One way I do so is by turning the sticky matt to get the most cutouts on a page. To do so, unload paper and turn the mat end to end.  This way you can "fool" the Cricut machine into thinking there is alot of paper when it thinks it is at the bottom of a page, but you know your shape will fit.

Background Cuts: When you have a special paper but not enough to complete a full background cutout; cut out parts of the background where you have space, the Cricut machine will cut on blank areas but it's ok.  When finished cutting, piece the cutouts together to form a full background, covered by the photo. 

Cutting Tips:  One of the Blogs that I follow has the best advice on how to successfully cut your designs using the Cricut; checkout her Blog Obsessed with Scrapbooking and her cutting guide: Obsessed with Scrapbooking: Cutting Guide.

White Cardstock: To save your beautiful papers for the actual cutouts; buy a stack of white cardstock.  The price is very low and you can cut designs to your heart's content, practicing with size.  I have actually used my white cardstock when I need a pure white paper.

The Blades:  For cutting shapes and designs out of materials other than paper with your Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter Machine, make sure that you designate a specific blade, by that I mean, use only that blade for cloth and the rest for paper.

Cutting Cloth: To successfully cut cloth with a designated blade, make sure you sue a stiff iron-on backing and a clean panel to stick the cloth on for cutting.  It is a bit tricky but can be done.

Cutouts: Once you've designed your card and have practiced the sizes of cutouts with the white cardstock, cut all the shapes at one time.  This makes the process go much quicker.  Also I find writing down the sizes of the cutouts helps for reference purposes. 

Word Sentiments: There are times when cutting out words that the underside of the paper frays and rips a bit on the top side.  If my cardstock is colored on both sides, when cutting out words I use the "Flip" creative key.  This cuts out the words backwards; the underside then remains clean and perfect.   If my cardstock is colored only on one side, I don't use the Flip key and I turn the colored side toward the sticky mat.
 
ADHESIVE:
STAMPIN'UP! 2-Way Glue is a winner! 
I purchased this glue and have loved it ever since.  It doesn't pour out but is on a spongy tip.  When you want a dot or a strip of adhesive you simply push it down once and a blue dot will appear on your cardstock.  Then just slide it along for the strip.  It comes out blue but dries clear and is so neat and tidy to use.  I am able to use it on the smallest and most narrow strips of cardstock.


GLUE DOTS
I also use Zots Clear Adhesive Dots for areas where there is room.  The dots come in various sizes and work really great.





1 comment:

  1. Thank you so much really it s amazing content Thanks for your Hardworking keep it up !

    Win999 Slot

    ReplyDelete

I enjoy comments, they let me know how I'm doing.

Quote of the Day

more Quotes