This week's challenge was anything that incorporated snowmen or snowflakes. I chose to use both. I had seen this super cute quotation about snowmen on a greeting card made by a member of the cricut messageboards. I LOVED the saying when I saw it and then when I found out this week's challenge I knew I had to use it. I also wanted to try my hand at vinyl tiles because I want to make some for Christmas gifts this year.
I originally designed it on my Gypsy but had to move it to Design Studio for cutting because Gypsy decided she didn't want to work for a little while so I am providing BOTH cut files.
Click here to download the Gypsy cut file.
Click here to download the Design Studio cut file.
I used two different styles of font from the Lyrical Letters cartridge and welded them together on my Gypsy. Lyrical Letters is my FAVORITE font cartridge by FAR! Then I used When It's Cold Outside (seasonal mini cart) for the snowflakes and Snow Friends (seasonal mini cart) for the snowman.
This was SUPER easy to make and turned out just like I'd hoped. On my original cricut expression, I usually use a blade depth, speed and pressure of 2 when cutting vinyl but I recently purchased one of the new colored expressions from walmart and noticed that I had to use 3's all around instead. I believe this is due the the fact that the blade housing on the newer one is plastic as opposed to metal and it seemed to require a bit more pressure. I could be wrong, it's possible that it was just the vinyl I was working with but nevertheless, I ended up using a blade depth of 3, speed 3, pressure 3 for this one in particular. You may have to test your vinyl before hand on a simple shape and a few letters to get familiar with what settings will be best for you. The ultimate goal is to achieve a "kiss cut" meaning that you cut the vinyl cleanly without cutting deep enough to pierce through and cut the backing.
Once your vinyl items are cut you will need to "weed" your vinyl. Weeding is just the process of removing the unwanted portions of the vinyl (for example the holes in the middle of the letters, etc). Some people weed their vinyl before putting it on transfer paper and some do it after. I prefer to weed mine before. Once I've weeded the vinyl, I rub transfer paper over the top and peel away the backing slowly. Be sure to check your vinyl as you peel ESPECIALLY when working with delicate letters. If the vinyl is lifting and not adhering to the transfer paper, rub it down a little more and continue to peel.
Once your vinyl expression and/or shapes are on the transfer paper, simply press them to your tile, rub down thoroughly and peel away transfer paper. Vinyl adheres quite nicely to tile so you won't need much effort to get it to stick.
I purchased this glossy black tile block (12x12) at Lowe's and it is resting on a black wooden picture frame holder from Walmart.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to email me. Enjoy! And thanks for stopping by!
9 comments:
Thank you so much for this Freebie. I want to let you know that I posted a link to your blog in Creative Busy Hands Cricut Freebies Search List, under the Alpha(s),Word Art(s), Word Book(s) post on Dec. 01, 2009. Thanks again.
So totally cute! You have such fun creative ideas!
This is so cute. Thanks for sharing your file and for the great instructions.
What a cutie ... that sentiment is adorable. Thanks for sharing.
Jo Xx
I LOVE that! I know the person you give it to will just love it, too!
Thank you so much for your freebie. You tips for the vinyl were so helpful to make our projects go along so much easier! We made several of these and they were loved by all. Could you please post instructions on how to convert gypsy files to design studio cut file? You are so very creative and your sharing is so much appreciated.
aaaw, that's gorgeous
Hello Jennifer,
The work on your blog is just beautiful. My an author and freelance writer. I was recently scammed by Leanne Bloms for about $470.00 in freelance work - I wrote 92 articles for her and she never paid me. Then, she posted all the articles to an Internet directory. I contacted the directory and had her fired, but I never got my money.
I read about Leanne Bloms at the Cricut message board. I just want you all to know that I too was taken in by this woman.
here is a blog about the situation - I'd appreciate it if you'd let the other ladies at the Cricut board know the web address:
http://leanneblomsisathief.weebly.com/
Thanks,
Heather
I meant, I'm an author - sorry about the typo.
cheers,
Heather (again)
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