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Receiving a fun card is a delight for just about everyone, and an Easel Card is one of the most versatile design options for creating something extra special!
This week our challenge is to make one of our favorite folded cards....the creative Easel Card Basic instructions are to fold a 4.25 x 11 paper in half, and then fold the top piece in half again, creating the easel. (All measurements are flexible to accommodate your desired finished size.) Add your focal point to the front panel, and create a "bumper" on the base...and you have it! This card will fold flat to fit into an envelope, but opens up to delight the receiver!
The Design Team has created a variety of Easel Cards to inspire you, many featuring the charming and fresh designs of My Minds Eye, Quite Contrary collection.
Your CHALLENGE is to create your own EASEL CARD and come back and post it here!! You could be this week's winner! ***************************************** Congratulations to our Challenge winner from Last week .... # 14 Kate Kate, please email BettyBeeDesigns@hotmail.com with your address, so we can send your Cuttlebug Folder prize!!! Also you will be sent the "I AM A WINNER at CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGE" blinkie!!!
Thanks for being with us this week! We have a lot of exciting things coming up, and we want to be sure you don't miss a thing! Become a follower, and subscribe to get email updates!
Let's talk about last month's GYPSY UPDATE (May 28,2010)! Woot woot! It was a doozy of an update too! Here are the features that came with it:
New Features: 1) Added the ability to hide-contours enabling users even greater ability to customize and create new designs. Hide any part of an existing shape to make it your own custom shape. Hidden contours will save when you save your design. 2) Added rulers to the mat screen so users can more readily see the actual size that shapes will cut. 3) The feature keys now show descriptive text and icons to help users make better use of their cartridges without the use of the printed manual. 4) The Photo App is now available for all users. 5) The Gypsy can now be restored in the home of a user in case the user is having trouble with their Gypsy 6) The Gypsy now displays “Busy Syncing…” while connected to GypsySync through your computer to inform users that it is not available for use while it is Syncing. 7) Cartridges can now be added to the Gypsy faster and more reliably than before.
FIVE New Cartridges: 1 - Wall Décor and More 2 - Freshly Picked 3 - Cindy Loo 4 - Mini Monsters 5 - Disney/Pixar – Toy Story
Provocraft has released 28... yes, 28... cartridges just in the past couple of weeks! 24 of them are exclusive to Walmart and are called CRICUT LITES and then 3 more seasonals and a full cartridge called '3 BIRDS ON PARADE' that will be exclusive to HSN. These cartridges have not been added to the gypsy yet, but have been added to Design Studio. We were hoping to see the June update with these cartridges today or tomorrow, but it could be as late as some time next week. That's alot of cartridges to add! I have previewed all of the new cartridges on my blog http://www.cricutcritters.com/, so you can see them there!
Now back to the new features of the gypsy! Here are some quick little videos that I had made showing how some of them work...
HIDE CONTOUR:
Click HERE if you are having trouble seeing the video above or if the video does not fit on your screen.
MAT RULERS:
Click HERE if you are having trouble seeing the video above or if the video does not fit on your screen.
PHOTO APPLICATION:
Click HERE if you are having trouble seeing the video above or if the video does not fit on your screen.
This update gives you BUILD 0191 and you can check on the settings screen on your gypsy what build you are on. If you haven't updated yet (gasp!) because maybe you are not sure 'how' to do it or you are worried about doing something wrong... then don't worry! Here is a video just for you that will walk you through the process! The update itself was also improved and will communicate with you as it is updating!
UPDATING THE GYPSY:
Click HERE if you are having trouble seeing this video or if the video does not fit your screen.
So, grab your GYPSY and USB connector cord and update! It's easy! If you haven't registered your gypsy yet, click HERE to go to the registration page of cricut.com. One question I get all the time is... "If I missed an update or I have a new gypsy that has never been updated, do I have to go back and do all the updates individually?" The answer to that is, "No!". Provocraft has designed the updates to automatically include all updates in one. Easy Peasy!
I will be here all day today and will pull the first TWENTY (20) QUESTIONS from the comment section and answer them here in this post! Have a great gypsy day everyone!!
And as my good friend, Emma always says...
GYPSY HUGS!
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
(1) erin lee creative said... I am having problems with the real dial size function on my Gypsy. I guess it just confuses me for some reason. When I choose my images all together from the cartridge, and it pulls it over to the mat, I have problems making them all fit together...they seem to all be the same size! Then when I go in and change the size of 1 image, I'm not sure how to make the others fit. Sorry if this is confusing but it's driving me crazy!!! On my Expression, it just does the work for me but I can't seem to figure it out on my Gypsy. HELP!
Hi Erin Lee! Well, when working with layers, you really don't want to use the REAL DIAL SIZE button at all. For example: Let's cut a flower that has four layers (Shadow, base, leaf, center). The 'base' is the flower image itself and all sizing is based on that image. So, when you cut the flower out at 4"... the shadow that fits behind it will actually be 4.10" and the leaf might be only 2" in height and surely the center is only 1". Those are the REAL sizes. But, cricut/gypsy takes the guesswork out of it and we cut ALL four images out at 4", because the calculations are already done for us in the cartridge software. When you have REAL DIAL SIZE on... then all four images are going to cut the EXACT same size that is chosen... 4". So, the gypsy is doing it right. You have to turn OFF the REAL DIAL SIZE in order to layer, unless you 'want' to make the calculations. Also, the advantage to the gypsy is we can 'see' how things are going to fit on top of each other and make adjustments accordingly.
(2) fairyrocks said...
I only have the small cricut machine. I have been looking at the gypsy (mooning over it) for sometime now. Would I be better off waiting till I can upgrade to the 12 x 12 cricut to get the full gypsy value? I guess specifically, besides size, what will I not be able to do on the little machine?
Fairyrocks... watch this video and see if this helps! NOTE: There is no longer a 'lock' on the sizing, but this video still shows why a Personal Cricut Owner would want a gypsy.
(3) Anonymous said... I have had my gypsy since last November. I love it BUT I only use it for very Basic things: cart storage, mat placement, search feature, etc. While that is great I would love to learn how to weld and use the layer function. Could you please show me the simplest way and uses for both? Thanks for the help.
I'd like to introduce you to Emma, from My Creative Time. She is one of my 'gypsy gal pals' and has this video that will show you how to weld with the gypsy.
(4) scrappingwest said... I know this isn't related to the current update, but do you have any insight as to when PC is going to put out the Gypsy update for the last two Hello Thursday Releases? (Cricut Lite Cartridges and the 3 new seasonal and HSN cartridges?) Thanks!
We were hoping that it would be released today or tomorrow and it still might be, but I am sure it will be available within the next week or so for sure! I KNOW they are working on it!
(5) The Cakerator said... I have been wanting to buy a laptop to work with my Cricut so I can design my own stuff, and I have heard about the gypsy machine for a while now but had no clue to what it does, are you telling me I can design and cut my own stuff with this gadget?! And upload images too? Like If I want to do a compnay logo can I grap it from online, save it to my cricut and cut? Can this gadget be better than a laptop?
The answer to your question is 'yes' AND 'no'. Yes, you can design your own images, BUT you are limited to the shapes that are on the cricut cartridges that you own in which to make those designs. No, you will not be able to upload images like a company logo from the internet. As a designer, I make my alot of my own images just by using the basic shapes and welding them together. Alot of times, logos can be reproduced on the gypsy, but it will depend on the logo itself.
(6) crazyaboutcricut said... Do you know if there may be an update on adding keywords to the searching in the Gypsy? You have to be so specific, and know just the right word that it makes it hard to find a certain shape sometimes. Also, I just wanted to say thanks and what a great idea you had on how to save our files in the gypsy. I started doing it the way you said to, and it's soooo much easier to find my files, and know why, and what's in them! Thanks Tammy :)
Actually, the search feature on the Gypsy was updated last month. You no longer have to guess the keywords, because it will provide a list of possible keywords for you to choose from! I'm so happy that I was able to help with saving your files! I use that system myself and I agree, it really helps!
(7) CuttlebugCourt said... This isn't a question, but just a thank you! After I got my questions answered over here about the Gypsy, I went out and got one and I LOVE it. I got the green and blue damask sleeve to cover him up :). Your videos have been so great. For those of you with questions, watch all of Tammy's videos and you'll learn super fast! Thanks again, Tammy!
THANK YOU, CuttlebugCourt! It is so nice to know that someone has benefitted from something I did! THAT is my main motivation to do more and I appreciate your support in what I do!
(8) tlcmom said... I was wondering if there is a way to only "use" the cartridges you have installed on the gypsy. I know I can view just the ones I have installed but when I search for something all the cartridges are then showing up when I scroll through what was searched for. Thanks!
The search feature is designed to show you EVERYTHING that cricut offers in what you are searching for. That way you know what is available. The names of the cartridges will be in RED if you do not have it linked to your gypsy.
(9) samantha said... Hi Tammy, When is the gypsy going to be updated for the lites? I check everyday and nothing I checked just a little bit ago and it was checking for awhile and i thought oh boy, this is it!! But NO:( just wondering? Cindy P.S. Do you ever think they will have something like a basic color pallette for people like me who have trouble seeing what a project will look like before cutting?
Sorry Cindy! I know everyone has been anxiously looking for the update, but we must have patience. Provocraft is working on it and I hope to see it any day now. I will definitely make an announcement on my blog when it has been released!
(10) Short Scrapper said... Hi Tammy- Just wondering about the grouping feature. I have been able to group 2 shapes together, but not more than 2. If I want to make a cut file that has several welds on a page and reposition it on the mat, what do I do to get it to work? Thanks -
Let me take you through the grouping steps:
FIRST - Turn the grouping icon on NEXT - Tap each image one at a time until all of them are blue) LAST - Turn the grouping icon off
Try that and let me know if you are still having problems.
(11) Chris Wooten said... thanks tammy, but unless my dd gives me the gypsy back, lol I have to get another one to ask you a question. Did they ever do the giveaway for the gypsy on this blog?
Yes! A sweet lady named Kimmy won the gypsy!
(12) Nicky said... Hi Tammy, If you download someone elses cut file and load it up, is there anyway of telling what cartridge they have designed it in?? I have some old cut files that I have converted through my DS to Gypsy, but I cant find the details that go with them, and therefore dont know which cartridge they used. Hope that makes sense!!! Nicky xx
Yes, Nicky! That makes sense and is a good question! There are two ways to see what cartridges were used. FIRST: Open the file in your gypsy and then tap on an image to highlight it... go to the overlay screen and touch the stylus to the image in the task bar and hold it there... the name of the cartridge will pop up in a floating bubble. SECOND: Open the file in your gypsy... with the file showing on your virtual mat, go to the overlay (doesn't matter what overlay it is) and click on your cartridge library. Up top is a drop down that says "SHOW: All Cartridges"... click on the arrow and choose "Cartridges In Use"...it will show all cartridges used for the file that is on your virtual mat.
(13) Schoolgirl Scrapper said... Hi, Tammy! I know that you can copy/paste on the same page you are on with the gypsy, but I was wondering if there was a way to copy/paste and place the copied image on another layer or another file altogether. (I learned to copy/paste from your fabulous gypsy video! Attention everyone else, buy this video if you are starting out, it is AWESOME!) Thanks in advance for your time and attention!
Awww! Thx Schoolgirl Scrapper! Yes, you can copy/paste from one tab to another within the same file (like I showed on the DVD) by first adding another tab. Go back to the first tab and highlight the image to be copied, go back to the tab where you want to copy the image to and click on the copy icon on the advanced page of the gypsy. It will copy it to the new page. Right now, it is not possible to copy/paste from one file to another. But, you can save a file and open it again to make changes and then save it again using SAVE AS with a different name.
(14) Bobbi said... I know I am too late but I am going to ask and maybe you can answer next time. I am designing a card front on my Gypsy, I took the scroll frame on Mother's Day cart, added a shadow butterfly from the Gypsy cart and a shadow oval from the mother's day cart and then welded. In the oval I added, it is still showing two lines red meaning that they will cut so I tried to click on the hide contour to just hide those two lines and it will not let me. Any suggestions?
No problem Bobbi! You are not too late! Sounds like a great design idea! I have found that sometimes it is the order in which I add and change things to the virtual mat that might make the difference. Try adding the image that has the lines you want to hide first. Hide your contours, THEN add the other images and weld together. It sounds like you 'welded' before 'hiding' and that might be the problem. I always recommend that welding should be the last thing done. The gypsy seems to have to 'concentrate' more on an image when welding is involved (you will see the 'thinking' line at the bottom of the screen). Try that and see if it makes a difference!
In a great big world, very tiny things can make a huge impact! Today we are making giant embellishments by the inch! Each of these fabulous creations features designs only one inch square...
Bonnie McLain
June Houck
Anja Curvers
Sandee Shanabrough
Cindy Royal
Betty Brett
Bonnie McLain
Terrie Bailey
Shantaie Fowler
Bonnie McLain
Ellen Sosnoski
Tracy Pounds
Your challenge is to create your own BIG IMPACT project from small one inch pieces, and your Cuttlebug! Post it here by next Tuesday, 6/30, at 11:59 pm and you could win our prize of the week!!!
Speaking of prizes.....our winner of this week is: #1 SYLVIA
Congratulations, Sylvia! You will be receiving your Cuttlebug folder in the mail, and you will be getting the I AM A WINNER AT CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGE blinkie for your blog!!
Hello Everyone -- Miss Tracy here and I am thrilled to share my "Game Night" project with you! I am the very proud Momma of 5 wonderful kiddos and Family Game Nights have always been a big hit around our house! I just love it when we can all just hang out together and have fun playing games...the big game at our house is 42...our favorite domino game but we enjoy playing cards and other games too. I decided to design a tribute to my wonderful kids by altering an old Scrabble board and embellished it with some wonderful papers, game night pieces, my kiddos photos, and I absolutely love how it turned out...I will treasure it forever!
Here are the products and steps I took in creating this one of a kind altered game board...
I just recently purchased all of the new Tim Holtz Texture Fades (aka embossing folders) and I thought the Bingo Card would be perfect for my Game Board. I took a piece of printed paper (My Family/Fancy Pants) and embossed one corner of it with the Bingo folder in my Cuttlebug. Then, I lightly sanded over it to expose the white core of the paper...
Next, I wanted to add a little more embossed flare so I grabbed my new 12 in. Flower Border embossing folder (Cuttlebug/Provocraft) and embossed a strip of cardstock. To punch it up and bring out the design more, I simply rubbed over the embossed flowers quite heavily with my Distress Ink Pad (Pumice Stone/Ranger). I love the look...
Now...let the Games begin!!! I began altering my Game Board with the embossed papers and some other paper pieces (My Family/Fancy Pants) like so...
Next, I began adding bits and pieces of Game Night memorobilia...
Dominoes and Scrabble Tiles...
Playing Cards, Game Tokens, Dice...
and more fun paper embellishments from the My Family collection...
I think the Journal Card says it all..."Just being together is enough". So true!
Here is what the board looks like with everything added...
To finish off my Game Board, I added pictures of my kids...the pieces of my heart!
If Game Night is popular around your house...then I'm sure you have lots of bits and pieces from this game or that game to create with. I hope this will inspire you to create your very own personal tribute piece to Family Game Night!
One of the most momentous events in our lives is The Day ~ all little girls dream of this event. Some of us even have the whole wedding planned before we hit puberty! Our designers have put together amazing ideas for you, awe inspiring details and little touches that make your wedding unique. They are infused with handmade details with the help of PROVO CRAFT Products: Cricut Expression, Cuttlebug, etc. The ideas found here are ones you will want to look at over and over again...
How to win these prizes? Easy! 1 Become a follower 2 Leave comments for the Design team.. Things to remember…Prizes will be going out directly from mfg. Please allow time frame.
You have until Saturday, June 26th (at 11:59 pm Eastern Time) to leave comments, to be in the drawing for the prizes. Winners will be announced on Monday, June 28th. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!
Please scroll down to see the amazing designs... Thank you, Maggie
BettyBrett
Anja Curvers
Anja Curvers
![cake[1]](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_iO6FFeNibHU/TBaDxHp8sJI/AAAAAAAACmA/WrQigGjDMM8/cake%5B1%5D_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800 "cake[1]")
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