The ability to collaborate with other users is definitely one of the great benefits of owning the Cricut Design Studio. Anyone who designs files can save them on their computer and many choose to post them on the internet, allowing others to download and use their designs as well. Once you start browsing other people’s work, you will be amazed at the incredible work of these generous and talented Cricut users.
These are some of my favorite resources for browsing and downloading Cricut Design Studio cut files:
This is a very nice blog where anyone can send and download files for personal use. Some of my favorites that I have already recommend here on Scrapbooking-Die-Cutters are Zzz Mesh, Goofin Around, Jack-o-lantern, BobbyJack Monkey, Hello Kitty and Disney Land word book.
Some very very nice and complex designs here! I’m particularly fond of the Father’s Day Slider Card, the Pop-up House Card and the Album In A Box (with the little flowers on the front). More files are added regularly, so don’t forget to check back often.
I’ve prepared a nice round up for you today, on what seems to be a very popular topic. Today’s post is all about design using Accent Essentials Cricut cartridge.
This cartridge is very useful because it does not pertain to a specific theme or occasion, meaning the shapes are neutral and can be used all year round. It is is all about symbols and it includes the shadow and shadow blackout creative feature that might be useful for layering cutouts. Most are basic shapes detailed with different patterns.
There are a lot of variations of snowflake-like stars and a number of swirling shapes that can be used for the final touches of a project the paper craft artist is working on. Most of the swirls from the Accent Essentials cartridge have paisley designs that are reminiscent of art nouveau and rococo school of design.
A Few Accent Essentials Tips
If the user already has a font cartridge, these swirls can be layered on top of the first letter on a page for a faerie tale effect.
Because of the elegance of these embellishments, they would be perfect for adding a touch of femininity.
Color themes that would likely work would be golds, silvers and pinks. However, there are some neutral colors that can be pulled off depending on the background paper selected for a specific scrapbook.
It would be especially ideal for accenting photographs that needs to be highlighted. Using loud designs can be overpowering and can take the emphasis away from the desired photo.
This has also been proven to be applicable to wedding scrapbooks and debutante’s scrapbook as seen from what other users did.
In this video Mona, from cupcakecreations, shows how the use of the Cricut Expression to make a decorative paper purse for holding standard cards. A written version of this video can be found on her blog cupcakescreations.blogspot.com.
These videos from CustomCrops show how step-by-step instructions on how to make lots of creative stuff with your Cricut. She uses a couple of different cartridges, including Accent Essentials. Watch her videos below and make sure to check out the “related videos” section on her youtube page for parts 1 and 2 of each project.
Have you already seen the Gold Cricut Expression? Check it out! This photo was taken at the CHA Provo Craft Booth. Can you just imagine how much those gold cartridges go for?? Someone said it looked like they took C3PO apart… lol
Gold Cricut Expression
P.S.: I don’t know who took this photo, so if you do please drop me a line so I can give proper credit!
Do you know you can use gel pens with you Cricut machine?
Robyn, from The Pink Stamper, has posted a video showing how to use the “Sure Cuts A Lot” software with the new Cricut Gelly Pens. You can buy pen sets at Scrappy-go-Lucky from AUD$ 25.00 to AUD$ 70.00
This idea is not new though… There’s a post back from january (sorry, don’t remember where..) about using cheap tiny gel pens from Target. All you have to do is wrap some paper and tape around a pen and you’re good to go! You have to test it a couple of times to get it right size, but it works!
A couple of days ago a friend of mine bought the Cricut Design Studio and was having a hard time trying to install it. She asked me about it and did a quick search on Google to help her.
It turns out I found a number of bad reviews about this software, in several sites including Amazon, of people who felt ripped off! I was taken aback, because I think it’s a great program.
The worst part is, people are giving bad reviews because they were hoping the Design Studio would allow them to cut any shape from any cartridges, if those they don’t own.
Come on, this is just naïve… While I have to admit that the product description in some sites may be a bit misleading, it’s common sense that Provo Craft would not give away all designs like this! People would never ever have to buy cartridges again, than what? They’re still a company and they want to make money.
I can’t believe people really expected to get all cartridges for about $40….
To make things clear once and for all: you can only cut shapes from cartridges that you OWN!
So yesterday I wrote an article and submitted it to goarticles. It’s pretty much a short review with a note explaining this confusion, so maybe future customer will read it and buy the software for the right reasons.
You can read it here, or leave me a comment if you think I left out something important and I’ll edit it later.
Instructions: The attached cricut file cuts out progressively larger triangles with various boarders on the bottom. I used the George cartridge and then used the cuttle bug to add some winter themed embossed patterns on the shapes. Once you cut out all of the shapes, begin attaching the largest triangle to the back and work your way up. The card looks complicated but is easy with the cricut.
