You Can Use Your Silhouette to Cut Cricut Images!!

If you're anything like me, you've invested a fair amount into your Cricut cartridges and love so many of the wonderful images. I'll never tire of those sweet Doodlecharms characters! However, now that I have my Cameo, I find that I'm using SVGs more and more.  I love the variety of cuts available and I also love the ease of the Silhouette software.  Although I do continue to pull out my Cricut now and then, I wondered if it was worth it to me to invest in the new Cricut Explore.  I have read some reviews about how much better the Silhouette cuts.  I have to admit that my Silhouette cuts much more cleanly than my Expression.  (Note: I have not tried the Explore so can not make a comparison with that.)  

Earlier today, I was trying to cut the reindeer from Very Merry Tags and was using my Cricut.  I needed the cut to be on the smallish side - 2.75in.  I tried several times using several methods and had no success.  The antlers ripped each and every time. I then wondered if there was a way to use my Silhouette to cut the image so mucked about with things for a bit... and there is a way!! Using Cricut Design Space, Paint and my Silhouette Cameo software, I was able to import the reindeer image and cut it out using my Silhouette.  Here's a photo comparison:

I find that the Silhouette cut is more defined than the Cricut cut.  Plus, the antlers cut out beautifully! I'm so excited to continue to use the Cricut images that I love so much and combine them with the SVGs that I also love to use.

I created a video tutorial which provides instructions on how to use your Silhouette to cut Cricut images.  I humbly request that you demonstrate integrity in using this method to cut only images which you have already purchased.

NOTE: Cricut has had my video tutorial removed from YouTube. I have spoken with a lawyer and there is absolutely nothing wrong with what I am doing. However, it's simply not worth it to "fight" the issue.  If interested in this method, please feel free to email me at smallbitsofpaper@hotmail.com and I'll be happy to send you written instructions.

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Spring Blog Hop

Welcome to the My Craft Spot / Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons Spring Blog Hop!!  We FINALLY have temperatures above freezing - although are due for more snow this week.  I sure could use some spring!!  Perhaps that's why I'm especially excited about this hop.  My Craft Spot has joined with Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons to create Spring and Easter-themed projects.  What a great way to see the fabulous springtime products available from both companies!!  You'll see a variety of cut and graphic files from Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons combined with My Craft Spot stamps.  How fun! 

If you've just arrived from Roberta's creative blog, you're in the right spot!  If you just popped by for a visit and would like to start hopping from the start, please head over to Lisa's blog - Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons. 

When I started thinking of my project, I took one look at the sheep from Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons' Rainy Day Critters set and knew what I wanted to do!  Isn't he SO cute?  After using my Cuttlebug for a bit of embossing, I combined him with the cloud, raindrops and puddle which are also from the Rainy Day Critters set.  My grass was created with one of My Craft Spot's Fancy Edges metal dies. Once everything was cut and assembled, I layered it all on a grey sky background which was created with with Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons' Spring Fling Pattern pack - perfect for those overcast and rainy spring days!

The "April showers bring May flowers" sentiment I used on my card is actually one stamp which is part of My Craft Spot's Butterfly Kisses stamp set.  I just inked the sides separately to use the sentiment both inside and outside of my card.  (The little ...'s were added with a black pen.) I finished things off with a "Goofy Tulip" from Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons' Flower Faces cutting file - although I used the print and cut feature to create it.

How about some blog candy?  Here at Small Bits of Paper, I am giving away a $15US gift certificate to my absolute favourite stamp and crafting supplies company... My Craft Spot!!  For a chance to win, please leave a comment on this post AND let me know your favourite spring flower.  Mine is the daffodil. I will post the randomly selected winner on Tuesday, April 1.  No joke!

$20 Gift Card to

 Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons 

 

$20 Gift Card to
My Craft Spot

There are also prizes available for those of you who take part in the entire hop (which I hope you do!).  For a chance to win the blog hop prizes, you MUST be a follower of each blog and leave a comment on EACH blog. For extra chances to win, you can also "LIKE" Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons on Facebook and My Craft Spot on Facebook. 

Thanks so much for visiting!  Now it's time for you to head over to the talented Shannon's blog - Designs of a Paddymack.  Happy springing... er, hopping!!

Here is the blog hop line up:

Lisa ~ http://prettypaperprettyribbons.blogspot.com/
Ally ~ http://www.rockpapercricut.com/
Roberta ~ http://txscrappermom.blogspot.com/
Kate ~ http://smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com/
Shannon ~ http://designsofapaddymack.typepad.com/
Heather ~ http://housesbuiltofcards.blogspot.com/
Ana Maria ~ http://www.shortycreations.blogspot.com/
Gwen ~ http://thisandthatbygwen.blogspot.com/
Gloria ~ http://gloriasgoofycraftspot.blogspot.com/
Tanya ~ http://www.studio5380.com/
Nicole ~ http://teachdanz.blogspot.com/
Sherrie ~ http://www.sherriescraps.blogspot.com/
Brianna ~ http://bloeffelbein.blogspot.com/
Karen ~ http://kaleidoscopicsparkles.blogspot.com/
Leanne ~ http://www.createdbyleanne.blogspot.com/
Kimberly ~ http://craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.com/

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Cat Treat Box

I had such a wonderful time creating my little lion box for yesterday's My Craft Spot challenge post, I decided to make a cat box as well!  The cat file is from the same Lettering Delights' set as the lion.  There are actually quite a few animals to choose from in the set.

As I was assembling my cat box, I decided to dress her up a bit.  I used two stamps from My Craft Spot's Build a Valentine set to create my "You're purr-fect!" sentiment.  This stamp set is fabulous and contains a number of words and phrases that can be used year round for a variety of projects. 

I also used the Bow - Small metal dies to create the sweet little bow for my cat.  After I cut the pieces, I ran them through my Cuttlebug with the new Decorative Dots embossing folder from Stampin' Up.  I ran the light coloured tummy piece through the Cuttlebug too.  All-in-all, a quick and easy project that makes a fun box for giving little treats!

Don't forget that this week's challenge at My Craft Spot is "Anything goes".  You have until Monday to create anything of your choice in order to be eligible to win this week's prize.  Happy crafting! 

4

Lion Treat Box

This week's My Craft Spot challenge is "Anything Goes"!  Feel free to create the project of your choice to enter for a chance to win this week's prize.

For my project, I used a Lettering Delights' file: Animal Boxes and Bags.  I purchased this set for the cat (come back tomorrow to view!) but love all the animals.  For this week's challenge, I decided to give the lion a go - simply because of his fabulous mane!  This was run through my Cuttlebug to give it a full look of fur!

This box was incredibly easy to put together - although I did make some adjustments once everything was cut out.  I actually cut off the top of the base in order to adhere it to the front as I wanted the head to be part of the opening flap.  I thought it would be more fun that way.  

I used My Craft Spot's Lacy Banners metal dies for the little crest at the bottom.  I thought the edges worked so wonderfully well with the mane.  Inside the crest, I added a little heart cut with My Craft Spot's Small Alphabet metal dies.  (There are a number of sweet shapes in this set too!)

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see what the rest of the design team has created - and then be sure to link up your own "Anything Goes" project! 

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Welcome Baby Boy!

This week's My Craft Spot challenge is "Cute Critters".  I am over-the-moon delighted to announce that I have a NEW nephew!  I made this card to welcome him to this world.

The sweet little zebra is an SVG from Treasure Box Designs.  As I was making a baby boy card, I decided to give the zebra blue stripes. I inked all the edges as I knew I wanted to use a white background.  I embossed the white mat with a hearts folder from HMK Cards.

The little banner was cut using Tiny Banners and Toppers metal dies.  The white layers were then stamped with one of the Pattern Blocks stamps and then layered with letters cut from the Small Alphabet metal dies.

At the bottom of my card, I added a banner cut with one of the Ribbon Banners - Straight metal dies.  I stamped it with a sentiment from the Banner Sentiments set and finished things off with some enamel dots from my wonderful blogging friend, Susie of Susie Craft Happy.  (Thanks again, Susie!)

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the wonderful creations created by the talented design team.  Then, link up your own Cute Critters creation for a chance to win this week's prize!

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Feel Better Soon Tissue Box

It's my turn to share a project at My Craft Spot today - and I'm sharing it here on my blog too!  I've been having far too much fun making little tissue boxes lately and have another one to show you today.  These little boxes are such a sweet way to share some warm wishes when somebody is down.

I used a FREE Kerri Bradford file (available HERE) to create the box itself.  I hand cut the white mat and ran it through my Cuttlebug with a snowflake folder.  The sweet little bear is a Miss Kate Cuttables file (available for purchase HERE).

For my sentiment, I used a Lacy Banners metal die to create the little pennant and added some white gel pen around it.  I stamped the pennant with a sentiment from the Feel Better Soon stamp set.  I then finished things off with some Snow Flurries sequins.

I gave this box to a former student who popped by for a visit.  She's had a rough winter with coughs and colds and I thought this sweet bear would cheer her up a bit!

Thanks for visiting!  Have a fabulous day!       

8

Blog Hop Winner

Thanks to all of you who left such kind comments for me during the My Craft Spot stamp release party and blog hop last week.  It's always a treat to read what you have to say!  Remember that ALL new products are now available for purchase.

After a visit to Random.org, the number 3 (my favourite number!) was generated.  Congratulations to Tisha Sewell of Designs by Tisha.  You have won the NEW Scrapping Life - Calendar stamp set.  Woo hoo!  Tisha, I'll be sending you an email to request your contact information.  Congratulations again!

3

It's Time for the My Craft Spot Blog Hop!!

It's time for the My Craft Spot stamp release party blog hop!  All week, we've been showcasing projects created with the FIVE new stamp sets and THREE new sets of metal dies.  Today, we'll celebrate the full reveal with a blog hop - with prizes at EACH stop along the way!!  Be sure to start out at My Craft Spot.  You'll also be able to see ALL the new products available for purchase today!

For my project, I created a fun little gable box full of treats.  The box itself is from Daniela Cadamosti who has a number of fabulous free files.  You can check her out HERE.  After cutting my box, I stamped it with a Peachy Keen cloud stamp before assembling.

The sweet little pup is from Lettering Delights's eeieeio cut set.  I used one of the Fancy Edges metal dies for the grass border along the bottom of my box.  I used a NEW Tiny Doilies 2 metal die for the "sun" - and stamped it with a sentiment is from the NEW Simply Sentiments stamp set.  I have to say, when I first saw the new release, this sentiment was my favourite and I just couldn't wait to use it.  I use the word "ridiculously" all the time with my children (i.e., have a ridiculously fun day at school, take the dog for a ridiculously long walk, drink a ridiculously large amount of water, etc.).  And what could possibly be better than having a ridiculously amazing day?!

A box just isn't very exciting without a surprise inside, so I filled mine with some Hershey Kisses.  For the bottoms, I used a circle die from the Lacy Banners metal die set (it's the PERFECT size!) and stamped them with one of the fun NEW sentiments from Scrapping Life - Everyday stamp set.

I'm delighted that Kimberly has provided a NEW Scrapping Life - Calendar stamp set for me to give away on my blog.  All you need to do is leave a comment on this post.  I'll announce the winner Monday.

Your next stop is the incredibly talented Tanya of Nonna's Craft Corner.  Happy hopping!

Kimberly

Gwen

Robin

Heather

Karen

Ally

Sherrie

Kate

Tanya

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