Tuesday 20 August 2013

Tentative steps with the Cricut Mini


Using: Art Nouveau for leaves and acorns, French Manor for birdcage and Lovely Floral for the sentiment with a background of Dylusions 

Good Morning all my crafty friends, is it just me or is Blogger being a pain this week, it seems so slow and half the time just won't open when I go to peoples blogs, anyone else had the same?

A few weeks ago I alluded to a new machine from Cricut that I had been asked to have a play with, well the machine arrived when we were on holiday and over the weekend I got to have a proper play and make a few cards.

I have to say my initial thoughts are that it punches well above it weight - literally. The Cricut Mini is very streamlined and far lighter in weight than any I have used before, but it's real appeal is the Cricut Craft Room where all your designing is done on a virtual mat on your computer screen. That part is not unlike the Design Studio offered as an add on with all Cricut machines, but the big difference is that you don't need cartridges any more as they are all there in the virtual Craft Room, listed by both name and also with a search facility.....................for example if you want a butterfly, just type that in and it will show you all available and what cartridges that are on.


Using Martha Stewart Elegant cake for leaves, Close to My Heart for 3D flowers and border Celebrate with Flourish for sentiment

It has the weld facility so you can join several letters or elements together to cut as one and a clever text box where you choose your font, type the word and it creates the word/s all lined up accurately to weld if required, click cut and you are done.............those of you who have used any die cutting machine will know that lining up letters can be so frustrating.................and for people with dexterity problem like me it's a godsend. 

I am very lucky that Cricut have given me access to all cartridges so I am totally lost for choice but I am very slowly trying to familiarise myself with what's available and discover exactly how many, but it looks to go into hundreds. What is for certain no matter what you style of crafting there is something to suite.

My efforts so far are very basic whilst I get to grips with the available elements, but I will be sharing many more projects with you as I incorporate them into my daily crafting.

Any questions about the machine please do drop me a mail and I will do my best to help.

64 comments:

Sarah said...

Oh my word....fabulous, what more can I say!? How wonderful for you to have 'access all areas' so to speak, I guess the family won't be seeing you for a day or two!! xx

Jackie said...

Two gorgeous cards, the top one is stunning :o)
Jackie xx

Lau W said...

Wow your machine seems to be super !!!
And your cards, OMG, beauties, love the both, excellent work my dear friend !
xxx

Anonymous said...

Just like the Explore, dream, travel card, I love the colours on the dream card! Colour, texture, setting. It does make you dream...A kind of warm romantic vintage feel. A black an white movie kind of atmoshpere, sitting on a balcony of a big stone mansion, moonlight, soft music and a glass of wine.
Greetings,
Debbie / Daqa

Andreja said...

Wow, what a gorgeus cards you made! And what a pretty bird house :-))
Hugs, Andreja

Anonymous said...

oh wow, very cool new toy, Brenda! I have the old black Cricut, and love it! So I would imagine the new machines would be ace!

Love your cards, ArtPhilosphy and Art Nouveau are great cartridges, as are the cake cartridges! I find them most useful!

I really must get back to Cricutting myself, But there's So little time, with so much Stargate to watch lol!!!

Merry said...

Two very lovely cards you have created Brenda. Love the colours and the birdcage on the first and the way your border drops in the second. :-) Hope your day is good.

rachel said...

absolutely wonderful - especially that first card Brenda - love the colours and the cage - well everything really - gorgeous xx

Kelly Lloyd said...

Hello Brenda that's machine sounds fab. Lucky you getting to play with all those elements etc.
business very slow for us at the moment so crafty purchases are out of the question for me at the moment but fingers crossed I may be able to invest in one in the future.
The cards you have made are stunning.
Hugs Kelly

Paula (PEP) said...

Looks like you're in your element with this little gadget. I particularly like the boldness of that second example & the deep Bargello effect you created.
Paula (PEP)

Paula (PEP) said...

PS - yes have had some difficulties with loading pages.
PEP

Wendy L said...

Sounds abit beyond me Brenda but your cards looks lovely, xxx

Anonymous said...

hi brenda, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a lovely comment! i love your designs! a machine can do wonders can't it? i don't have one yet, but you're making me want to get one haha. hope your well.
xxxxxxx
Mimi

Sue said...

It sounds like a wonderful machine! Your card is wonderful. I love the flowers and gorgeous colours.
Sue xx

Sue said...

whoops! totally missed the first card! That one is stunning too, such a wonderful design and gorgeous colours
Sue xx

ALI said...

Beautiful cards Brenda.

Misiówa i Spółka:-) said...

Hi Brenda,fantastyczne kartki.przecudne, beautifulcardgreetings:)))

zub momi said...

Absolutely awesome cards! Love the first one :)

Michelle J M said...

Two beautiful cards Brenda. Those little acorns are so sweet! The yellow and navy of the second one is such a lovely combination of colours. Lucky you to be able to play with the new machine. It sounds amazing although I don't understand too much about the ins and outs of these machines but it seems everything is possible! I really like that you can make your own words which is very handy. Michelle x

Crafting Queen said...

Two super cards, love the colours in the first one.

Tanya said...

Fantastic cards Brenda, they're gorgeous! I love the autumnal feel of the first one - so pretty :D I'm actually kind of looking forward to autumn this year, I really hope we get some great colours on the trees :) Love the second card too, that embossed leaf background is gorgeous :D

Tags xx

Mrs.B said...

You've created two beautiful cards with your new machine Brenda, LOVE, LOVE the pink one, stunning - and if that's your first play - well I can't wait to see what fabulous creations you'll come up with.
Avril xx

Gerrina said...

Nodoubt that you will master the mini cricuit very quickly; the work here looks already great! Love the first through the combi of autumn and late summer colours and images! Inky greetings, Gerrina

Jane said...

Gosh that sounds space age Brenda...the idea of putting words together is fantastic. Both these cards are really gorgeous. Hope you are getting this gorgeous hot summer sunshine x

Karen Petitt said...

Both are so different and so beautiful! I love the inky and painted background on the first. The lovely die cuts and colour pops on the second - looking foward to seeing what else you create! Karen x

Jacqui's little piece of England said...

two lovely cards Brenda xx

Unknown said...

Love this yellow card! Absolutely stunning projects!

iReneM said...

Oh my word, Brenda!! These two cards are utterly gorgeous in their different ways.
I adore the texture and colours of the first and the elegant style of the second.
Brilliant examples for your first try with your new baby.
I'm now kicking myself for not putting my name down for your 'Special Candy' giveaway, aaaaggghhh.

x

Pat said...

Two beautiful cards Brenda, I love the first one the colours are just gorgeous.

Pat xx

McCrafty's Cards said...

Both cards are beautiful Brenda, I like the cage and colours on the first card, the embossing and the flowers on the second.
Kevin xx

AnyOldCraft said...

3 attempts and I can finally leave you a comment.
So yes blogger is being a royal pain in the rear.

Stunning cards Brenda and lucky you.
My favourite is the first one.
Not only because you are using one of my favourite dies but also the colour scheme.
STUNNING.
Loving the texture effect on the birdcage.
Have a wonderful week hun.
*hugs*

Unknown said...

Wow Brenda, you lucky girl you!! Your cards look no less than stunning, but I can imagine the possibilities are endless and a little overwhelming. But reading this and looking at your stunning cards, I'm so happy I did enter your candy. I was in doubt whether or not to do so, since I didn't really know if it would be something for me, but now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed. Hugs Frea

Marianne said...

Great cards Brenda.... and wauw ; what a machine. Perhaps I will have to do some reading about this cricut mini.
You made such a beautiful sentiments with it. Love it!
xxx Marianne

Lisa Jane said...

ooh i love the yellow and black card so striking and also for obvious reasons lol
Lisa xx

Marlies said...

Two beautiful cards Brenda! I love the vintage look on the first and the sencond is very elegant. Both are fantastic! hugs, Marlies

Marianne's Craftroom said...

Wow these are fab, especially the top one, love birdcages

Lorraine said...

Two gorgeous cards Brenda. I love the design on the second card and all the fabulous texture and colours on the first.
That cricut machine sounds fab!
Lorraine x

Kathleen said...

Well I thought the first card was brilliant, lovely colours and the leaves looked really autumnal, fabulous art work.
But the navy and gold are fantastic together, the machine looks very interesting, I did have to smile to myself as probably the last word I would want to type in is butterflies. I have actually just given my Cricut away to my Niece, her and her Daughter (6) love it but I bet she would love one of these new ones more, well done you.

Kath x

Paper Profusion said...

Gosh - I've no experience with Cricuts but what you produce looks fabulous. I am blown away by the beauty of the top gilded pink card - it is completely stunning Brenda. Nicola x

scrappymo! said...

Wonderful card Brenda! You are one lucky girl to be abler to access all those cartridges! Have fun playing and enjoy making more of these gorgeous cards to tantalize us with!

Nikbee said...

Gorgeous cards. I love the top one.
Nikki x

Crafty Loops said...

These are beautiful cards Brenda. This new Cricut sounds really interesting. I don't have any type of cutting machine, other than my wee green die cutting cuttlebug......bless my wee green bug, it got totally tortured during my 8 months of making my brothers wedding things, lol. It nearly popped its clogs....or should that be its roller! Lol. I was never so close to buying an electric cutting machine in my life! My arm was killing me at the end of all the embossed invites, and cut out and embossed favour pillow boxes etc!! But this looks like a great wee machine. I take it that its handier having the cuts on your computer then? In any case, I love these cards, they are beautiful. Lee x

Sally H said...

Two stunning cards, Brenda! Love them both. Glad the little machine is so pleasing for you. Hope it is a big success x

Mervi said...

Fabulous samples Brenda, love the background on the first one, mixed media styled.
And fabulous machine too;-))m

Bridie said...

Oh I love the autumnal elements and the black and yellow card looks very striking too.

Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting on my blog



Happy Crafting!



Bridie@BGPayne Crafts

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Brenda, I was having trouble yesterday with Blogger as well and actually other sites, I thought it was our service out here. Gorgeous cards, especially LOVE the top one, all the texture and layers of colour... I'm drooling :) Have a great day, Shirleyx

mamawcindy said...

I Love visiting your Blog, Love seeing your latest Creations. Both of your Cards are Beautiful! Thanks for Sharing! :0)
cindys-greencricut.blogspot.com

The Old Parsonage said...

What fun for you?!! Love the cards - they soo remind me of fall and I'm really looking forward to that!! The cards are gorgeous!

Have fun!

May said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda, This machine sounds fabulous been after one for sometime... My friend adores hers too.....I like the fact it's lightweight...Hugs May x x x

Janice said...

Impressive! Love the sound of your new toy and your brilliant makes. Jx

Words and Pictures said...

Great cards... especially that first one. It's absolutely exquisite - the colours, the stencilled and embossed texture, and all those wonderful little acorns - I completely love it!!
Alison x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Two fantastic cards, I especially love the first one.

Shylaashree said...

beautiful cards brenda, love the yellow flowers and bird's cage

SusanLotus said...

Your cards are no longer just beautiful cards.
Some of them are Pices of Art.

Have a nice day!
Hugs!
Susan

Danica said...

I love your background and card is gorgeous.
Hugs Danica

Anonymous said...

hi brenda, my updates seemed very slow from blogger this week. these two cards are gorgeous and the first one is very stunning!
linda

Anonymous said...

hi brenda, my updates seemed very slow from blogger this week. these two cards are gorgeous and the first one is very stunning!
linda

KandA said...

Wow, these are two really stunning cards. Love the colours and designs of both xx

Marianne said...

I'm loving the results so far, Brenda. I especially love your first card.

Rossella said...

Both beautiful but the first one is my favourite today
Rosie x

Lindsay Craftymonster81 said...

These are both so stunning, I am totally in love with the first one though, the colours are just so gorgeous and love the autumnal feel to it
Lindsay xx

Rhonda Miller said...

Both of these cards are fabulous.

Lynn (delphinoid) said...

Beautiful card! I love the colours you've used. X X

Urška said...

I love it.