Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Creating the "over the top" Valentine


Welcome to a snowy Wednesday in my part of the world.  The school cancellations started yesterday afternoon and there is a prediction for over a foot of snow so it seems like a good day to craft!  If you are visiting my blog for the first time, I hope you will find lots of interesting and helpful information.  At the top of the right column you can click to subscribe by email or follow this blog if you want to keep up with my projects and tutorials.  To see the steps for assembling this card, please visit the Everyday Cricut blog at THIS POST.


This fancy Valentine was made using a design on the Reminisce Accents cartridge.


I started with this frame element and realized that it would create an interesting pattern if I added another frame rotated 90 degrees and welded the two together.


I repeated the process of copying, pasting and rotating 90 degrees with the shadow layer and also with the shadow blackout layer.


Here is the location of the shadow blackout on the keypad.  Once you have chosen your size (in this case five inches) you should not change the value on the slider bar to be sure that the layers will fit properly.


I added a couple of squares to the mat to represent the card base and first layer.  These will not be cut with the Cricut - they are just in the file to help with the previews to visualize the colors.


When I did the color preview I realized that there needed to be better contrast to make the words "pop!" 


I added an extra ring at the top (this is from the George cartridge) and decided that the colors would work.


Answers to some more questions...

Karen (and others with new computers) - If you have Design Studio installed on an old computer and want to transfer it to a newer computer you should go ahead and download the trial version from the Cricut.com site.  There are step by step directions on how to do this at THIS POST on my blog, along with a video.  Do not install the version on the CD - it is out of date and won't work at all on a Windows 7 computer.  You can try to use the serial number (found on the CD envelope) to activate the software but you will most likely have to call Customer Service for help in transferring the program.    If you get through right away it will only take a few minutes to complete the process.

Here is the contact information - I would call rather than email as it can take a while to get an email response.

Cricut® support hours
Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (MST)
Cricut® support: 801-932-1144
toll free service phone: 877-7CRICUT
fax: 801-794-9001
email: support@Cricut.com

KTbirdiegirl said...Wonderful projects! The recipient will certainly feel special! I had a thought, you could cut the letters L - O - V - E and adhere them to the individual candies and arrange them in the block fashion. I think I've seen postage stamps designed that way. TFS.
Kathryn

That's a great idea - I thought about adding initials to the candy bars for a special person but  I also like the twist on the famous painting and sculpture by Robert Indiana.

The bags I used for the candy holders are small ziplock bags from the craft store.  My bags were sized about 3 x 4 inches.  You can adapt the design of the topper to fit whatever bags you find - that is one of the beauties of working with the Design Studio or the Gypsy.

One more note - The Reminisce Accents cartridge is sold exclusively through independent Creative Memories consultants.  I am a consultant and, if you do not have a local consultant, I would be happy to help you.  Here is a LINK to the page on my personal website where you will find the Cricut cartridges (Reminisce Accents and Cheerful Seasons).  You can order from the website and have your items delivered directly to you anywhere in the US.

Here is a sneak peek at tomorrow's project - it is another sweet one...


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29 comments:

  1. Diane- This card is "Over the Top" I absolutely love it. Thanks for the wonderful projects you show us.

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  2. Hi Diane! What a happy way to start the day! Thanks gor all the DS info. It always helps me to 'see' the process.

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  3. Wow! Gorgeous card!! I need to get this cart!!

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  4. That is an absolutely beautiful card. I tend to love all the elaborate types with flourish. I got Design Studio for Xmas but haven't used it yet. Looks like your site will help me a lot. You are very talented!

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  5. Diane: this is really "out of this world" in addition to being over the top. What a beautiful design! I plan to try to make it for my daughter and sil's 20th anniversary card.

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  6. I am going to simplify the bags o' candy project from yesterday as I have 8 children (my own plus my god-children) coming for a babysitting co-op sleep-over on Saturday. I am going to cut the bag toppers and wrappers ahead of time, but let them decorate and assemble the bags. I'm so excited about the project I went out in our -1 degree weather w/ 8 inches of snow to get the supplies!!! THANK YOU for sparking my creativity and helping me entertain 8 KIDS ages 1-10.

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  7. Well this is my kind of card lots of pretty swirls and bling, this is coming to you from Flood ravaged Brisbane in Australia although I am not effected but a lot of people are.
    www.shelleysland.blogspot.com

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  8. I really love this card, love all the layers and the swirls of it.
    Kim xXx

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  9. I think this is the card I'll have to copy for DH for V-day. Awesome!

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  10. Your card turned out beautifully. I can definitely see making this.

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  11. Beautiful design card. I love it. Thank you for your detail 'how to'.

    marjorie_brundage at sbcglobal dot net

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  12. This is a beautiful Valentine card - thanks for the visual instructions.

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  13. while I don't have all the tools to make this card, it is still a wonderful inspiration to make something similar! Thank you for sharing it!

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  14. Wow I love all the layering here! I can never picture it that way and so would have done two layers at most! Thanks for showing me the "outside the box" look!

    Kris in Alaska
    funamom at yahoo dot com

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  15. This is a beautiful card, however my design studio is down due to a computer problem soooo I will have to admire yours. Really a lovely piece of work. Thanks

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  16. The card is beautiful...thank you for sharing. Thanks for the tips on Design Studio with new computers.

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  17. This card is so beautiful!! I love all the layers. I tend to stick to simple cards with not so many layers but you have given me inspiration to try it out!
    Hugs,
    Stephanie

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  18. Your card is beautiful! Thank you for your detailed instructions on your projects. It gives me hope that I can create them too.

    Carol
    aka cyimbugbitten
    bugbitten at hotmail dot com

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  19. beautiful card - great inspiration - thanks for sharing!!

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  20. Will add this cart to my "must have" list! Beautiful, simple but elegant.
    TFS
    slomomomcbl@gmail.com

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  21. The card is beautiful....and after reading theru this post, it reminds me that I need to update allmy Cricut products and software!

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  22. Your card is gorgeous! I love the Reminisce Accents cartridge - it has soooo many great cuts.

    Jess (aka Sparksgal)
    ncscrapper77 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  23. Great card, really like the font style.
    Cherylann (prinkles)
    prinkles@woh.rr.com

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  24. Such a beautiful card. TFS Diane.

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  25. this was the first post I had read of yours...way back on Wednesday. Since then I have read loads, and learned SO much! THANKS!!!

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  26. Really nice project! I have ideas in my head and you make me think I can do it! Thanks

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