FriDay September 25, 2014

Posted by ultraroyale , Friday, September 26, 2014 8:57 AM

Friday, September 26, 2014


"More on Cricut Print then Cut"

I have been playing with "Print then Cut" function of Cricut Design Space.
The more I play with it, the more I like it. The big thing is that Provocraft
seems to be hinting that more improvements are in the works. I sure hope
so.

So, yesterday I tried to really given the Print then Cut update a real work
out. So far I have tried out various variations of printing then cutting images
contained in the image gallery and cartridges that I have purchased. When
the image prints out it has a heavy border around the image. Very
disconcerting to start, but, the heavy border is to allow the Cricut Explore
To cut close to the actual image.

The Halloween card shown below was made with the Print the Cut function.
The only item that had me worried was the spider web. It looked like one big
blob of black, but as you can see it cut out alright.

The other items were also cut with the Print then Cut function. The two that
are colored were from cartridges I have. The image of the girl with the
ruffled dress is a digital image that I bought and downloaded. Think of the
possibilities. You could size the image to the correct size, then print the item from Design Space then color it with your favorite coloring medium, mine is Copic markers. Then when you are
satisfied with it, put it on the mat and cut the colored image out. Walla, you
have a perfectly colored image that is cut and ready to use on a card. And,
no hand cutting. Yay!!!!
"Examples of "Print then Cut"
 
 
They have also improved the weld function and added a slice function, which is normally only found on the high end software.
 
Okay, so I guess that's about all for today. If you have any questions, leave it as a comment and I'll answer back.
 
Have a GREAT DAY!!!!
 
 
Bob L.


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Posted by ultraroyale , Wednesday, September 24, 2014 9:49 AM

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

"Review of The Print then Cut function on The Cricut Explore"
 
Provocraft finally released the update for the "Cricut Explore Design Space" Print then Cut function.
 
I have one thing to say "WOW". I have been playing with in all morning and love it. Thank You Provocraft, finally a real advance in how we can use the machine. The Explore with the Design Space software update were well worth the purchase of the "Cricut Explore".
 
 
There are a few thing to do with the new "Print then Cut" function, but the most important is;
 
"Take your time with the Calibration"
 
I had to do the calibration three times before I was satisfied with it. The calibration is very important because this determines how the Explore cut out the image the it printed on your printer. If you do the calibration properly, the cut on the Explore will be just inside of the colored portion of the image that you printed.
 
If you want to see how the Print then Cut works, go to "YouTube" and  find the Videos posted by "Crafts by 2 Print then Cut". Start with the " Update Overview". They have about five (5) videos including one on calibrating the machine.
 
In my opinion the Cricut Explore combined with the Cricut Design Space is one of the best cutting machine that Provocraft has come out with, and I've had all of them. It cuts beautifully and has some of the same functions that some of my high end machines that cost me $700.00 and more. The "Print then Cut" feature is worth the price of the Cricut Explore.
 
Well, I'm off to play some more with the "Print then Cut"
 
Have a GREAT DAY!!!! 
 
Bob L.
 
 
 


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Posted by ultraroyale , Tuesday, September 9, 2014 6:42 PM

Tuesday, September 9th

"Charming"

In my last post, I was extolling the benefits of the "Cricut Explore" for cutting  shapes and mats for the shapes. There is another benefit, in that you can scan shapes that you have cut with you Spellbinder dies an bring them into the "Cricut Design Space" and covert them for use in the program.

To me, that is a real advantage and a money saver.

Now for the card of the day. I usually make between ten to twelve cards per week. I don't have a favorite stamp company, but right now it seems like I am mostly working with "Stampin Up". The stamp set that I used to create today's card is called "Charming". I believe it was in last years catalogue.

But, anyway here is today's card;

          "Charming"                                     


 
 
The stamp set as I stated is a set from last years " Stampin Up" catalogue called "Charming". It is still available as a digital download. The patterned paper from "Close to my Heart" was out of my stash and was just scraps. The crystals are from a store that was closing down.
 
The flower is a solid stamp that I colored with markers, then huffed on it and stamped. The card I would consider and "All Occasion Card", but it is a good mans card.
 
Well, that's all for today I'll post soon.
 
Have a GREAT DAY!!!! 
 
 
Bob L.


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Advantage of Cutting Shapes with the Cricut Explore

Posted by ultraroyale , Saturday, August 23, 2014 11:12 AM

Saturday, August 23, 20914

Good Morning everyone. Wishing you and yours a happy weekend.

In my last post I mentioned that I no longer used dies to cut my shapes for cards. Now I use my "Cricut Explore" and the "Cricut Design Space" to cut all of my shapes, such as hexagon, circles, ovals, and squares plus the mats for the shapes.

The "Cricut Explore" is different then the older  "Expression" or the "Expression2". With the "Explore" you do all of your work online. The software is free and from what I have experienced over the past 6 months, works beautifully.

"My Cricut Explore"
 
 
As you will notice, there is no keyboard or screen, that's because as I stated before the software for the "Explore" works and designs on the internet.
 
Here is what the opening screen for the software " Cricut Design Space" looks like.
 
 
"Opening Screen of Cricut Design Space"
 
 
 
 
The software that you use has quite a few advantages, such as;
 
    1.You are able to import SVG and DFX, JPG, GIF files into the program and cut them. There are  lots of these files on the internet for free.
 
    2. You are able to size your shapes to any size that will fit your card or scrapbook page, then cut you matching mat to leave what ever border you wish. i.e. 1/8", 1/4" or even 1/2"
 
    3. You can link all of your cartridges to your "Design Space" account.
   
    4. You can subscribe for $9.99 a month to use Circuits' image file. There are 25,000 images that you get to use. I do because it keep the cartridge cost in my wallet.
 
I have owned every machine that Provocraft has sold. Honestly this is the only one that I use on a daily basis. By being selective about the cartridges that you purchase, you eliminate the expense of the Spellbinder die.
 
Just as a side point, Provocraft has come out with a new blade for their machines, it is a "German Carbide Blade" that is really sharp and has a way longer cut life.
 
So all in all, I am very satisfied with the Cricut Explore and would highly recommend it.
 
One other point, the Explore has "Bluetooth" capability and works with my Apple Ipad.
 
Have a GREAT DAY!!!!
 
Bob L.
 

 



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My Awakening

Posted by ultraroyale , Tuesday, August 19, 2014 10:05 AM

Tuesday, August 19 2014

It has been almost two years since I have posted to my blog. I have no excuse except pure laziness or motivation. Anyway, I have decided to get back with the program of being creative. It's not that I have not been creating  cards or other projects, it is just that I have not been posting them to this blog.

In fact I have been creating 10 to 12 new cards per week.

The company I was demonstrating for, "Close to My Heart" is a good company to demonstrate for, but I got burnt out. So, I would guess you could call me Company Free.

The card I have posted today is from a stamp set from the now defunct company "The Angel Company". A lot of the stamp sets are still available through a company call "Red Rubber Designs". The set used "Good Timber" is not one of the sets that is available.

But, anyway here is the card that I have to offer today.

 

"Happy Birthday"

 

 

The set used , as I said is called "Good Timber", that's where the tree came from sentiment is from a "Close to My Heart" set.
 
I cut the hexagon out on my Cricut Explore to use as a stencil. Now a days I use the Cricut Explore in "Cricut Design Space" instead of with punches or Spellbinder Dies. You ask why? Because I can get my mats exactly the size I need. I sponged the background using the stencil I made. The birds, were drawn in with a pen. The dots used to break up the white space was done using s dot stamp from "Judikins" It's an old stamp but very useful.
 
Well, that's all for today. I'll post again soon.
 
Have a GREAT DAY!!!!!
Bob L.
 
 


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