CRICUT: Tips for using the Simple Pop-up Cards cartridge in Design Space

Have you seen the new Simple Pop-Up Cards cartridge? It has 30 really cute pop-up cards with matching envelopes.

Here's the Congratulations card. I've used the CK Graduate Bear from Kadoodlebug Designs to embellish the front of the card.

If you have the Cricut image subscription you already have access to this great cartridge.

I've been cutting each of the cards and have a few tips that might help when you're creating them!

When you insert the card onto your canvas, all the layers of the card will be grouped together. That includes the envelope and that makes it difficult to size the actual card. Right?

Wrong!! It's actually super easy to size the card!

Select your card from the image gallery and click Insert Images to add it to your canvas.

You'll see both the card and the envelope grouped together.

In the layers panel you'll see each of the different layers. I've circled the two layers that make up the envelope.

Click the "eye" to close those two layers. The envelope will disappear.

Continue to hide the layers until all you are left with is the base card. In most cases, but not always, the base card is the bottom layer in the group.

Now you'll be able to resize the card.

So, what size should the card be? The handbook for this cartridge shows the recommended size for each card. Using the recommended size (or smaller) will ensure that your card and envelope can be cut on a 12x12 mat.

The recommended size will be the height measurement. But the size you set will be dependent on whether the card is a side folded card or a top folded card.

Here's an example. The "I Love You" card is top folded and recommends a size of 5.5". However that's the height of the card when folded.

If you set the height as 5.5" you will end up with a card that is only 2.75" high by 2.12" wide when folded.

If you were to use 5.5" as the width measurement you would end up with a card that is 5.5" wide but the unfolded height would be 14.27". Far too tall for a 12x12" mat.

So to get a top fold card that's 5.5" tall when folded you need to set the height measurement to double the size listed in the handbook.

Therefore, set the height at 11" and your card will then measure approx 5.5" x 4.25".

But what about the envelope? How will you know what size that should be?

Well, that job has already been done for you.

Click on the card then go back to the Layers panel.

Unhide all the other layers in the Layers panel.... and you'll see that the envelope and all the other parts of the card have also been resized in proportion to the card base.

Obviously you don't have to use the recommended size for your card. Just remember to hide the envelopes and any other layers and don't forget to set the size to double the height of your finished card if it's a top fold card.

I've put together this table which lists the cards and what you should set the height measurement.

Image from handbook	Set height as	Finished card size (Width x height)
	11.0"	4.25" x 5.5"
	11.0"	4.25" x 5.5"
	4.25"	5.5" x 4.25"
	8.5"	5.5" x 4.25"
	10"	5" x 5"
	11"	5" x 5"
	8.5"	5.5" x 4.25"
	5.5"	4.25" 5.5"
	10"	7" x 5"
	10"	7" x 5"
	8.5"	5.5" x 4.25"
	8.5"	5.5" x 4.25"
	8.5"	5.5" x 4.25"
	8.5"	5.5" x 4.25"
	8.5"	5.5" x 4.25"
	10"	7" x 5"
	5"	4.25" x 5"
	5"	5.75" x 5"
	7"	4.5" x 7"
	6.25"	5" x 6.25"
	8.5"	5.5" x 4.25"
	8.5"	5.5" x 4.25"
	8.5"	5.5" x 4.25"
	10"	7" x 5"
	10"	7" x 5"
	7"	5" x 7"
	10"	7" x 5"
	10"	5" x 5"
	5"	5" x 5"
	10"	5" x 5"

Don't forget to check the cartridge handbook for some basic assembly photos.

Happy crafting!  ♥

Glass cutting boards - they're in Australia too!

This post is for my fellow Aussie crafters.

As you probably know decorating glass cutting boards with vinyl is all the rage at the moment. But finding those boards here is extremely difficult.

Well, the other day I actually found some! We definitely don't have the variety that the US has, but at least we have some!

Here's what I found...

It measures approx 10" x 8" (25cm x 20.5cm) and has a rough cutting surface. The underside however is smooth.

It does have a pattern stuck to it and because I wasn't sure that I would be able to get it off I only purchased one.

I brought it home and tried to peel the backing off but didn't have a lot of success. I remembered seeing some posts about this in Cricut Lovers Guide to Design Space where it was suggested to soak the board in hot water for a while.

That didn't help much but then I remembered the other suggestion was to spray it with Goo Gone.  I happened to have a bottle of De-Solv-it so I thought I'd give that a try.

With that, a scraper and a little elbow grease I was able to get all of the backing off!

Once I cleaned it up I thought I should put something on it. I used an image called What's Cookin? from the 3 Birds on Parade cartridge. If you have the Cricut image subscription you're in luck because it's included!

If not, it's currently on sale at Cricut.com. And if you only want the one image you can purchase that through Design Space if you're a Cricut Explore owner.

The yellow vinyl is from the Cricut Brights Sampler pack. 

Don't forget, if you're making one of these you need to flip your image as you'll be putting the vinyl on the underside. 

So.... where did I find the cutting boards?

(Just let me get out of the way so I don't get crushed in the stampede)....

Daiso!

If you haven't heard of Daiso they are a Japanese store where just about everything is $2.80!!! Yes! $2.80! ☺

Here's the link to their store locator: Daiso

So if you've been hunting for these cutting boards I hope you have a Daiso near you! Unfortunately they don't appear to sell online. 

Oh, and for the New Zealanders.... there's a Daiso in Auckland. ☺

Happy crafting!  ♥

June Mystery Box

3...2....1... get ready!

The June Mystery box has just been released. The cost of the June box is $29.99 and contains 3 cartridges, 2 materials (that could be vinyl or cardstock and any of the other Cricut materials) and 1 machine accessory.

If you're in the USA this is a great deal!

Don't forget to use the shipping code JUNESHIP to get free US shipping. (Make sure you're logged into Cricut.com. Put in your zip code then select Standard Shipping then put in the shipping code and click Apply.)

Here's my Cricut.com affiliate link to purchase: 

June Mystery Box from Cricut

Purchasing through that link costs no more than going directly to Cricut.com and purchasing. However, the commission that is paid helps pay for our Giveaways and postage (anywhere in the world) in our Cricut Lovers Guide to Design Space Facebook group. 

If you're not a member of our group... why not? We have at least one giveaway every month. ☺ And you'll have help and inspiration from over 14,000 members!

Got a new free card base cutting file coming up soon! 

Hope to have it posted by the end of the week! 

If you're in the middle of the awful wet weather in the US... stay safe and dry!

Happy crafting!  ♥

CRICUT: iPad app news and more

I love the Design Space iPad app! I keep thinking it would be awesome if there was an iPhone app as well.

Because there’s some days when I’m out and about without my iPad (that thing gets heavy once you put a case on it) and I have some free time while I’m sitting waiting for an appointment, or having a coffee.

Once I’ve run out of lives on Bubble Witch 2 it would be fun to play with the app.

Well…….. Guess what?

There’s now a Design Space iPhone app and it’s amazing!

The app now works with

iPhone 4, 4s

5, 5S, 5C

6, 6 Plus

iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4

iPad Mini, Mini 2, Mini 3

iPad Air, Air 2

and even

the iPod Touch 5th Generation!!

Any Apple mobile device that runs iOS 7.1 and above can now use the app!

There's also an update for the iPad app for those that are using that!

The Cricut Product Experts are currently testing the new app and I am now able to share some screenshots and info with you. I don't know the exact release date yet but as soon as I have more information (and I'm allowed to share) I'll let you know!

And for all of the Android users out there who have just thrown their Samsungs at the wall.... your app is being developed too! Cricut haven't given us a release time frame yet, but they have heard your requests and work is well under way! So stay tuned! 

The Adroid app will support:

• Galaxy tablets that support Lollypop, KitKat and Jellybean (wonder if there's a Tim Tam version....) 
• Galaxy phones: S3, 4, 5 and 6
• Galaxy notes 4/5

And it's not just Samsung users that will be able to use the app. While the user experience is optimised for the Samsung Galaxy it should work with all Androids.

So back to the iPhone app...

Here’s some screen shots to give you an idea of what to expect. Keep in mind these are from the Beta iPhone app, so there could be changes before the app is released.

The iPhone app works basically the same as the iPad app. The app detects the device that's being used and reconfigures the user interface. That means that no matter what size screen you're using everything will still fit on the screen.

You'll see the Make it Now projects just as you do on the iPad app and the Web version of Design Space

 

You can set up your Explore straight from the iPhone app

 

Click the menu icon to select from the different Make it Now categories

This is how your screen will look in portrait view. On my iPhone 5 I can see four icons along the bottom.

Turn your iPhone around and your screen changes to landscape mode. 

Now I can see nine of the ten icons.

Click on the Image button and select the Categories menu. You'll see all the different categories of images here.

Or, click on the Cartridges menu and either scroll through the list or type the name of the cartridge you're looking for in the search box.

The Group, Attach, Weld, Slice and Flatten options are found in the Actions menu.

The sizing, rotation, flip and position options are found in the Edit menu.

Click the Text button and type your text.

Then click the Edit button to change your font. You have all the same text options as the Web version. You can even install the same fonts you have on your computer by using an app such as AnyFont.

But, I've saved the coolest feature till last!  

The iPhone app and the new version of the iPad app have an awesome project preview camera. Design your project 

then click on the camera icon. Point your iPhone/iPad towards the wall/cushion/canvas/mirror/anything at all and you will see exactly how your project will look! 

Imagine being able to see what your wall art will actually look like before you cut it out!

There's plenty more in store from Cricut in the coming months! 

The Cricut team are busy working on:

• An offline version of the iOS app
• The Android app
• Larger size Print then Cut
• Print then Cut for the iOS!
• Offset shadows (yes, really!!!)
• Ability to use the Imagine Colors & Patterns cartridges. Also to scale/move the Imagine patterns to fit the image you are using AND the ability to import your own patterns.
• Ability to select from different paper sizes on the Desktop version. (That function is already available on the iPad app.)

What isn't planned:

• Offline version of the Desktop (PC & Mac) app. 

What I'm still waiting for:

• The app to be available in the Australian/New Zealand iTunes stores (as well as everywhere else that needs it.)

Hopefully there's some good news in there for everyone!

Happy crafting!  ♥

This website and its posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product using the link I may receive a small commission.

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Using the link is totally optional! If you don't wish to purchase through the link, you can go directly to the website and purchase from their shop. Please note there is no price difference to you between using the affiliate link and purchasing direct from the website. ☺

Any commission I receive is used to offset the costs of maintaining this website (domain fees etc) and file/photo storage fees for files that I share with my readers. It also goes towards the cost of giveaways and postage at Cricut Lovers Guide to Design Space Facebook group.