Gypsy video - Episode 5 - Wordbook Type 2

I made a Type 2 Wordbook (where the frame dimensions vary and the image can take up the whole frame)
Here are some pictures

The cartridge used were - George and Basic Shapes &  Happily Everafter.

The frame size are 1st frame - 4" x 4" and the kneeling cinderella - 3.5"

2nd frame - 6"(width) x 4" (height) and cinderella going to the ball - 4"

3rd frame - 8" x 4"

 The snapshot of the template file is

As I mentioned in the previous video. I have cut each page 3 times - once for chipboard, once for front, and once for back either flipped or placing the paper with pattern you need face down on the mat.

After that just ink and embellish.

For the images I chose to use cricut markers. (Will show you in the next video )

For the kneeling cinderella I cut one image  ( put in marker once and then cut again) and colored with gel pens but for the other two  I cut thwice - one markered image  and the other with the lacy pattern paper. I snipped down the lacy paper to form just the dress. And then I glued everything down. Inked the edges and added rhinestones,  some decorative chipboard and gold outline stickers (and colored inside them with gel pen). I also made some extra pages - 6 sheets (4x 4) and 6 sheets (6x 4) . Punched everything with bigbites ( cropadile) and added some book rings and ribbons.

Here is the video

Pros and Cons of Cricut Gypsy for new buyer or user

updated on dec 27, 2009 
When one of my friend asked me to email me the pros and cons of gypsy I made this list. Just thought that I would add it here for the rest in case they need it. I will also post a copy on my blog for future use. if I have left out anything please do add. Hope it helps a someone. 
disclaimer *I want to stress that this is just the pros and cons as relates to me *

Gypsy - Build 0158 

Pros

1. Easier to design with the touch screen and can design anywhere and at anytime. As the as says it's in the palm of your hand. To quote a user" It's therapeutical"
2. Can store all cartridges so makes it easy to take to crop - more portable than lugging all the cartridges and also can replace the jukebox- this means also using all my cartridges in one design without having to swap the cartridges in cricut or jukebox
3. Comes loaded with two cartridge - one font - Gypsy font and one shape - Gypsy wanderings (and u get reward points for these two )
4. Can now after the latest update transfer files to and fro between gypsy and DS (though don't know how mac users will manage this. also you need full DS and not trial version for this)
5. Has a multi page option now like DS
6. Can Weld - we need not glue down each tiny pieces in a word - creative possibilities endless as we can join images together.
7. Welding flipped images now possible
8.  Grouping images possible so can apply parameters like size changing etc to a whole bunch of images in one go.
9. Copy and paste a whole group of image possible and can now copy across page (to copy across page - select the image and then go to the new page and tap the copy/paste button). CDS(design studio) users will find this very useful 
10. Can get accurate effects with numpad/10key feature in controlling sizing, rotation, kerning and placement (x and y axis)
11. Mac users can use the gypsy (depending on your Cricut firmware - you still might need PC to update your Cricut for the first time)
12. Virtual mat (like in CDS) makes it easy to lay different papers on a single mat thus saving paper and cutting layers also in one go.
13. Keyword search brings up the images on the keyboard layout
14. Keypad layout now brings the cartridge as help bubble when you tap on it and hold
15. pressing zoom button and then selecting image buttons on keypad now zooms it up to full size though the creative feature buttons still don't have help bubble telling their function.
16. Image can now go out of the mat and is not only visible but can even cut the partial image.
17. It has a new photo application though is more just like a digital photo album  and the photos cannot be brought to the mat.
18. Cartridges are now categorized by all, linked and used (i.e gives the cartridges used in a design) so designing now is easy.

Cons

1. Once cartridge is linked it’s permanent and it can be done only once (in the cartridge’s lifetime) to just one gypsy (but cartridge can be reused on any Cricut as it is as it does not get erased) - so resale value of cartridge if any (not quite sure that we can sell - check EULA for this) - but if you can then you have to disclose that it can’t be linked to any gypsy
2. Policy restriction about selling a gypsy. Please read EULA (end license agreement)
3. Even though settings can be changed for left handers users say it is not completely left hand friendly. For e.g according to one of the users when you scroll through lists you still have to put your left hand over to the right and doing this makes the wrist cover up the screen.
4. No help bubble to name the creative feature in the keypad layout. Have to refer the book.
5. Even though multipage option is now possible - it opens up as a template (you can of course press preview to suppress the template) and since there is no way to turn it off (ie be selective) the mat gets way too chaotic by the time you reach page 5.
6. Cutting time of welding image is proportional to the number of welded image in a mat and also the size of a mat
7. No autofill feature/fit to page/fit to length but workaround possible by copy/paste and sizing features.
8. Hide and contour not possible like in DS.
9. Keyword database not complete. Some cartridges's images do not show up on the database
10. Battery life ? Can it be replaced by provocraft? How long will it last?
11. The power cord doesn't go all the way in when charging and hangs out. User can easily when trying to press it in make the pin fall inside the device as the pin inside does not seem to stand sturdy. (it has happened to more than one user)
12. The device is temperamental at best. Quality  is poor when compared to the cost. Many a G's have been known to freeze while updating or even randomly and has to be sent back to the manufacturer and this process is lengthy if you have linked your cartridges. 
13. The Gypsy has also been known to interfere and mess up the cricut while updating the cricut and rendering the cricut useless. 
14. Each updates done by the company has so far brought more problems with it.

So the pros seem better but getting a working G itself is like a luck of the draw. If its working right then it's a nice device to have. But I live forever in fear when the Gypsy might die out on me .Will it be the next file or the next update?


***Note: For new users
Mercy from cricut gypsy messageboard has a thread which tells you to how to update and install. Here's the link
http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=5553391&mpage=5


#post 2
 

The "When and Why" of choosing a Wordbook Type

I have shown you a little bit of the "How" to do Type 1 WB in previous posts. Now let's look at the "When
When and under What" circumstances would I choose Type 1 over choose Type2 and vice versa?
Let’s see…
Type1 has one central static frame. If I have chose to have that frame in a shape which portrays the central subject it can truly make a powerful impact - a Central Strong Focus . The tabs can then be added as secondary subject for leading the eye. (just like you would in any painting ) with care taken that they don’t vie for attention with the main frame. It’s indeed a powerful tool. So if I have one central storyline  to tell I would probably go for Type 1
or
If you just like one “not so simple shape” very much and want to just go ahead use it as main frame, you would go for Type 1, to avoid the distortion which will otherwise occur when changing the dimension/size of this shape.
While making any Wordbook I would pay attention to the color theme as well. Apart from choosing the general color that goes with the subject I would do one other color selection process as well. Personally I would choose  a Analogous Color for the Tab so that it blends in with the frame.
Use all the tools for the frame to stand out  - color, texture etc.
See http://www.worqx.com/color/combinations.htm   to learn about color

Type 2 - But what if my story is a Progression and has Stages. What if I want to include multiple images to underline the story.  Or just have this cool cricut cartridge and just want to include all the characters like - maybe all the princesses from Disney , or all the characters from Sponge bob. Then I would go for Type 2. Now the Tabs have the center stage.
Now I will keep the main frame a simple shape like a plain  square/rectangle (can also do rounded edged * )  so that
1) It allows for resizing and does not get distorted and
2) Does not distract from the focal point which is now the Tabs -  the multiple images .
We do now want the Tabs to standout and scream - “hey look at me!” so dress them up in such a way by adding glitter or layering them - giving them a texture. In this type of wordbook personally I would go with a Complementary Color theme . This time giving all the works i.e. color, texture etc to the Tabs.

*rounded edge - If you want rounded edge you have to use manual punch. While resizing in gypsy or ds if we turn aspect ratio off and resize then the rounded curve gets stretched too. So to be uniform and aligned you have to use regular punches.

Hmm.. have I missed anything….??? Pondering........there's always another post - ha ha..

The Height key in Gypsy (as in build 115)

The height figures shown in gypsy is the height of selection box and not the image itself. (Same is true for x and y axis)
To check this do this experiment with me.
On your mat first tap on an empty space . Set height to 2 inches and click the actual/real dial size button (the a underlined and striken/overlined). Then go to the keypad overlay and then select a single image - say an owl from gypsy wanderings. The selection box will fit pretty close to your image and height will be pretty accurate. Then without tapping on the mat (directly tap on keypad/keyboard overlay button at the bottom right) go and select a cupcake and pumpkin. Now they are grouped together. Go ahead and change the height of the whole group to 3 inches. Selection box still sits around the images. Fine. But then go ahead and select one image till it gets purple and move it. Tap once on the mat in a clear zone to deselect and then select. Selection box goes around all the images. Check the height in menu .It'll not be 3 inches. Count the grid boxes (each is an inch) of the whole selection box. It'll match the height in the menu. Tap and select just one image so that it turns purple (also note the selection box when you do this - it goes just around this image) and then check the height. This time it will show a different number and 3 inches.
So how does this affect us?
When we are designing  if we place each images individually and move them about (or even nudge it)  and then later decide you need all images in a different size,  so you come back and drag images and group them to change their height in one shot - well you'll be a little off in height. (The box goes around in all four direction touching the highest peaks of the image composite). You have to click on each image and change it's height individually

Gypsy Episode 4 - Open Template feature

Just recovering from flu but decided to go ahead and do the video anyway. You can even see the dark circles under my eyes. Ugh!!
For this project - (I have coined this type of  wordbook  in my previous post as Type 1- where the basic frame has the same dimension throughout.) I used thin weight chipboard which I ripped from DCWV stack. But the approx thickness is equivalent to cereal box and is around .022 inches. Single cut with regular blade and housing. After I cut the extra letters b,a,b,y (2 sizes reduced from the welded original), I versamarked it and embossed it with Zing powder (Buttercup I think). I then added some ribbons on the book ring and on the pages a cute stroller ribbon which I picked up at Michaels. On the front page I made a small frame by using Paisley Nestability. For the wheel I didn't have a scalloped punch but had a punch from the Imaginisce brad maker, so I just punched a pattern paper and layered the wheel.  Later I will pick up some co-ordinating plain card stock and cut just the stroller and add it in between the chipboard pages and further add more embellishments and also finish inking the edges.
Here are the pictures of the wordbook

And here are the videos .

Planning a Wordbook

Creative ideas can hit us “Bong!” in our head (from the right side of our brain) at any time or place but to implement these very ideas we need to use the left side of our brain. We need to have a basic roadmap or in the least a starting direction. “Oh my gosh! What is she talking about. Talk in plain English girl and get to wordbooks !” I’m sure that’s going through the minds of lot of people who are reading this. Have patience - getting to it.
Let’s say I want to make a wordbook. O.K, Good job! But..
Question 1- What is the wordbook about?
(Now we’re getting somewhere so let’s say.. )
Answer 1: I want to make a baby book
Snapshot of my left brain :(ha ha - an edited version - spellchecked and de cluttered) : Baby - stroller, pastel colors, paisleys, scalloped, primary colors too - babies gravitate to those, rattles, toys, o.k. brake brake.
Q2- Who’s going to handle the book/who’s the book for? - mom or baby?
A2 - Mom
Snapshot of my LB - Yes ! I don’t need to be ultra careful about edges. I can go with pastel colors - Hmmm.. something soft that reminds me of how I feel when I touch and smell the baby. yes I want a shape for the main frame as a stroller or rattle. Let me just grab my Gypsy. Hmm. stroller in new arrival looks good and I do have that cartridge. That shape allows me to put a small picture inside. Yep! Main frame is going to be a stroller shape. I don’t want to distort the shape so this WB should definitely be Type 1 (if you’re wondering what type 1 is take a look at my previous post. Note: it’s just my categorization.) same size frame in each page ; tab on pages will be - b, a , b ,y and they'll be staggered. O.k. when the idea is fresh in my mind let me grab get my gypsy and design and after cutting the chipboard let me worry about picking the colors, pages and other elements.
(Phew!! Writing all that down!! Talk about light speed.)
Each question and answer is a clue which brings us one step closer to our objective, solidifying our thoughts and shaping the final look of the wordbook.
So going from there where this path lead me was-
Type 1 WB . Main Frame a stroller shape, tabs staggered - letters b, a, b, y about 1 - 1.5 inch. Color choice - Analogous color theme to give a soft feeling and flow. I want soft green ( neutral color both for boys and girls) , blue and pink . Additional pages (only stroller frames) to add more photos, tags, journal etc. Of course I will try to pay attention to the principles and elements of design and come up with a passable WB. (Will discuss the principles and elements in later posts.) I am in the process of completeing this WB and making the video. Will edit and put up the videos and pictures within this week.

Understanding Wordbooks

The Gypsy board has become as addicting to me as coffee. I just have to go there and see what all the talented gals are doing . While dropping there today I came across a question of what's  a wordbook & how to construct it.
So I decided to tackle the "what" side of question. I originally made slides but decided to post pictures instead of loading in youtube. Don't blame me. I'm a Scrap booker. Love playing with pictures than videos.
Here are the pictures/slides

After constructing the basic framework/skeleton/template usually  with a chipboard you proceed to decorate by pasting decorative papers on top and then add  pictures, embellishments, tags, library pockets etc.just like a regular scrapbookpage and then bind it all with either book rings, binding combs or even just  ribbons.

Before adding the decorative elements, it is would be a wise precaution to decide first where on the page you want to bind, so that you can leave the appropriate margin  for the punch holes and then proceed adding your decorations. You do not want to open a page and see the punch hole right through your favorite picture!!. believe me ! This has happened to the best of us. We get so carried away designing and decorating away and letting the creative juices flow that we forget mundane things as a punch hole and leaving binding margin for the page that before you know it cluckk!! a hole through our favorite picture or our tag!!!

So ponder over it and start a project. I will soon show you on  video how to design both types of wordbooks with a gypsy.

Open template feature not dynamic in gypsy

I noticed this while I was designing a wordbook. I saved a file. Opened it up as template and got around making a file for 1st page. While doing the 2nd page I decided I wanted to change the template a bit. So went back and did changes to original file. Opened the saved 1st page and the 2nd. But nope the change was not reflected. It only uses the version of the file which was saved with the template

So I gathered that the Open template feature is not dynamic across files.

Advantage: You can do N number of changes to original and know the rest of pages are not affected. (does that seem like a advantage to you???)
Disadvantage: If you want the change to be dynamic and reflect across pages   you have to go make new files based on the present template. Waaaa!!!!!


And before you say it -  I tried opening the page file and then from inside the file tried to open template but it just jumped to new mat asking me if I wanted to save this file.


 God!!! My gypsy is making me walk on pebbles  barefoot at that and making me climb harder.......
Will the view from the top be worth it - I wonder

Cuttlebug Sandwich Chart

Note: 
*Can interchange die and paper for every sandwich (if you do then - paper , die facing down). I prefer the option I’ve given as I can place the paper exactly where I want it. 
**Please pay attention to which side of the paper you want up. Helps if you make trial cuts.A
*** At anytime you find the sandwich too tight and you have to push really hard on the handle. Please stop immediately. No breaking the cuttlebug on my watch. 
****Conversely if the sandwich is too easy it might not cut/emboss right so do add shims with extra cardstock.
*****sandwich  order is from bottom layer to the top
Sizzix Dies
B Plate
Die facing up
paper
B Plate
BigZ XL dies (like pop out dies)
Method 1
using 5 x 12 cutting mats from accucut.
(Sizzix bigshot extended cutting pads - 13" x 6.5" - will not fit in the cuttlebug)
You can get the plates at this URL
http://www.accucut.com/Cutting_Plastic5x15br_for_LC_and_XLC_dies-p5158c904-path0.html? 

• accucut plate
• die facing up
• paper
• accucut plate

Method 2 using 4 B plates 

• 2 B plates - arrange 2 plates back to back to fit the whole length of the die 

*lay it in this way - - below the dies and not =. You  just need a single layer covering front to back and do not want to increase the thickness.

• die facing up
• paper
•  2 B plates - arrange the plates back to back to cover the whole die 

Method 3 using 3 B plates

• 2 B plates back to back
• die facing up
• paper
• B plate   at the front end of the die.

 Roll it half way through till you reach the end of the B plate and then switch it/move it to the back and continue rolling.
Quikcutz Die

• A Plate
• B Plate
• Paper
• Die
• C Plate

Quickutz Border Die
Method 1
Use sizzix extended  platform and decorative strips - 13"x 4"

• white thick extended platform 
• decorative strip - plastic plate
• die
• paper
• decorative strip - plate

alternatively you can use the same method  as in cutting bigz die but this time you also have to move/slide the thick white platform A while rolling.
Spellbinders Dies & Nestability
Cutting 

• A plate
• B plate
• Spellbinders die facing up (ridges are the blade)
• Paper or cardstock
• C plate

Note: Here B and C plate can be interchanged but my preference is to have C plate on top as I feel the thicker plate on top will extend the life of the plates. Again a matter of personal choice. Some people find B plates to be easily replaceable.
Embossing 

• A plate 
• 2 sheets cardstock to act as shim. Add extra pieces if needed.
• B plate
• Spellbinders die facing up
• Paper or cardstock
• Spellbinders Tan Embossing Mat or a plumbers rubber gasket sheet from hardware store cut to size
• B plate

Cutting  with Spellbinders Magnetic Placement Mat

• A plate
• B plate
• Spellbinders White Spacer plate
• Spellbinders Magnetic Placement Mat
• Spellbinders die facing up 
• Paper or cardstock
• B plate

Embossing  with Spellbinders Magnetic Placement Mat

• A plate
• B plate
• Spellbinders Magnetic Placement Mat
• Spellbinders die facing up
• Paper or cardstock
• SpellbindersTan Emboss Pad
• B plate

Note: If you want to cut and emboss leave the paper as it is. It sits conveniently in the die. The blade pushes up but doesn’t cut because of the embossing mat/rubber gasket lining material.
Fiskar plates

• A plate
• Fiskar plate with texture facing up
• card stock
• 2 tan embossing mats 
• B plate

Brass stencils

• A plate
• C plate
• cork
• red or tan rubber mat
• card stock
• stencil
• B  plate 

Cricut Embossing folders (not cuttlebug folders but the ones you cut with cricut)

• A plate
• your cricut cut folder with paper
• cardstock shims - 2 to 3 depending on the shim cardstock thickness (start with 2 and then add one more if needed.
• C plate

If you want to leave a gap in the middle of embossing folder in whichever shape you want.

take a cereal weight chipboard and cut it to the size of embossing folder. Then place the shape - maybe an oval from spellbinder etc the chipboard (tape with scoth tape so that it is in place) and sandwich

• A plate
• B plate
• die oval or label any shape
• 2 chipboard
• B plate
• shims if needed

(yep 2 B plate instead of C plate and B plate) If it does not pass through and there is a resistance then discard the 2nd B plate too and use just one B plate and shims.

It may not cut all the way through both chipboards but it will leave an impression for cutting.

So next pass just cut the one chipboard with regular sandwich -

ie

• A plate
• c plate
• die oval or label any shape placed on the imperssion
• 1 chipboard
• B plate

After this is done you get your tool

so then your sandwich will be

• A plate
• B plate
• embossing folder with cardstick inside
• 2 chipboard with cut label or oval placed on top of the embossing folder - taped in place if needed
• shims as required

As mentioned you are free to print and use the chart for personal use.

Data in the above chart was collected both from personal trials and also from other websites. Watch youtube you guys and gals. You can learn almost any thing under the sky.
The letterpress from lifestyles unfortunately does not work in cuttlebug. You can try in the new one. But it does work on big shot as it is a bit wider.

updated: letterpress does not go into the cuttlebug bt can be used with big shot

Hoarding cereal boxes anyone.....???

A funny thing happened to me today morning. When I went to my kitchen to set breakfast for my kids. I saw that  grrr.... the empty cereal box which i saved was gone!!
I yelled - ( blame it on not having had coffee yet) -" Who threw my cereal box?!!!!"
DH - (from the shower) - "Why do you need an empty box?" 
 * note he didn't own right up that he had commited this criminal act - just asked why I needed it for . Men..... !!!!!!!!


(oops - DH reads my blog too
Sorry honey)

I yelled back that I wanted it for my gypsy - to do word books and chipboard cuts


So I wondered ..... Has this happened to anyone else ? Has the gypsy made us all cereal box hoarders............??? 

Shadowing words or matting frames using the gypsy

To shadow words/images or to mat a frame like I have done for the Hoot - Layout (see the previous blog - i welded the frame to owl and mated it with another frame). I follow this procedure
1. Choose the letters (and images) and group them. 
2. Copy and paste and move them down below.
3. Increase the size on one of them by 2 or 3 sizes (using double arrow key).
4. Move the set out of way. 
5. Just as a precaution - Ungroup and Regroup each set separately. 
6. Working first on the smaller set - nudge and move where u want them and weld.
7. Next working on the 2nd set (check if they are grouped and it would help if u went to a larger screen by pressing on the top left arrow shaped silver button) bring them over the 1st set and one by one nudge and lay them where you want them taking care to overlap of course
8. Move the group out of the way of the 2nd set and press weld. *The reason you work with smaller set first is that you can control how much you overlap. If you do the other way you might find that some letters in the smaller set might not overlap and then weld won't be complete 

** If you have shadowed feature on the cartridge you can skip the resizing and just choose that option. 

*** Things to watch out for are - each set should be in a separate group and each letter/image in them should be in blue). If they are not then you might need to press ungroup (all letters turn black) and then press group again and select each letters one one in a set till they turn blue.

Well.. that's for shadowing/matting . Hmmm ... this might very well be my next video topic.

Gypsy Episode 3 - Welding - Rotating and Grouping

Woke up, sent my kids to school and then loaded these videos on YouTube. I used a new editing software. Yet another learning curve ....... Oh! but what fun I had playing with it . Vying for competition with my gypsy.

So here are   a couple of shots of the project I made with it - a scrapbook layout .
I welded the words hoot to the owl and also the owl to a frame. Inked the edges to pop out the elements.
For the brown owl I used white marker to outline and for the frame and paper I inked with distress linen and antique ink to match my page. Then just glued it all up and added some brads. All it needs is a picture and it can then go into my scrapbook.

And here are the videos

Gypsy Episode 3 - Part 1

Gypsy Episode 3 - Part 2

Got a new software and learning the rope

My head is spinning with all the stuff I am learning (still a long way to go) starting from how to use a blog, to learn how to operate the gypsy, to capture videos, to learn a new editing software and then to do at least a passable edit  - bla bla bla.
Sigh!!! that feels so good , just getting it all out or rather bla....gging it all out. Hmm. so relaxed now... yawn.......
have to sleep now. Will load videos tomorrow..........zzzzzzzzzzzz.......

My Cricut settings chart

When using the Cricut with different materials to get optimum results I found that it helped making a chart of the settings and pasting it on my studio wall above my cricut.

I collected the various settings from websites and also from my own personal experience.

So here is the chart I have up on my studio wall.

Settings from Cricut Website

Magnet

 0.35”/0.80mm  - deepcut blade - speed med, pressure max, blade depth 6 and multicut 4

Stencil

0.0155”/0.40mm - standard blade - speed med, pressure max, blade depth 6 and multicut 2

* adhesive backing is repositionable. cover the rest of piece back again.

Chipboard

.059”/0.40mm - deepcut blade - speed med, pressure high, blade depth 6 and multicut 5

Stamp

0.0415”/1.05mm - deepcut blade - speed med, pressure high, blade depth 4 or 5 and multicut 1

Embossing folder

0.0160”/0.41mm - standard blade - speed med, pressure max, blade depth 6 and multicut 2

Iron on fabric

0.023”/0.58mm - standard blade - speed med, pressure high, blade depth 5 and multicut 1

* add iron on transfer to regular fabric set with iron before cutting.

Settings from experience and gleaned from other cricut users

Chipboard settings

A new blade and mat work best

For thicker board like Grafix medium weight I use a old mat which I haven’t discarded then attach it using atg gun and then cut. (have to muticut 8 times)

 .022- this is like a med-heavy cardstock, blade:5-6, pressure:max,

speed: 4, multi cut:2

.024- think cereal box- same as .022, if clay coated, multi cut:3

.028- IDEAL for cricut usage! blade:6, pressure:max, speed: 4-5

multi cut:4

Grafix medium weight chipboard - deepcut blade, speed high, pressure - max, multicut - 8

(to multicut 8 times load mat - multicut with setting 4 then without unloading the mat  press load again and then repeat last)

Paper & speeds

Thin paper -speed  low , blade depth - 3 , pressure - low to medium and multicut 1

Cardstock -speed  low, blade depth - 3, pressure - medium to high, multicut 1

Thicker Cardstock -speed low, blade depth - 3 or 4 , pressure - high or max

Vinyl

kiss cut (i.e not cutting the adhesive backing )

blade depth - 6

speed - 3

pressure 3

Cricut Dan’s recommended setting for vinyl - deep cut blade (angle is important so can also use the deep blade in green housing) , blade depth 4, speed med and pressure medium.


Shrinky dinks
Pressure set to 5
Speed set to 5
Depth set to 5
Multi-Cut set to twice

lots of people ask me where I buy my chipboards from . I get it from either

uline - 12 x 12 and 0.022 thickness - here's the link http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-7909/Pads/12-x-12-x-022-Chipboard-Pads

or if I need just a small amount from

ckresale 0 here's that link http://www.ckresale.com/

** you have permission to copy and use for personal use. Do not upload to your website but you can link my blog to yours.

Gypsy Episode 2 - Welding - Kerning and Nudging

Had a fun day at Archivers making 10 little tags and got to meet my friends . It was pouring cats and dogs. Gusty winds. Well that's Texas for you. One minute it was warm and balmy and the next minute it darkened and wind picked u and then it poured. So got wet.

Came back and gave some snacks to my kids and then to Walmart to get a tripod. Then came back and shot a video about the basics of welding. Decided I'll take some more videos about basic functions, exploring the keys and features and then proceed to using them in projects. So here is the video
 The Gypsy - Episode 2

Navratri - the nine nights - "Golu"

South Indians celebrate Navratri - meaning nine nights by keeping "Golu". Long ago a war was waged for 9 nights- good over evil where good personified as Godess Durga won. So in celebration of the colorful and rich life made possible by this event we can either keep it simple by just keeping a couple of idols of Gods/Goddess on the altar or do it in a grand fashion and arrange lots of dolls (all of them need not be idols of god/godess) on steps We call this as keeping "Golu"
This year I kept the steps/altar and called in friends.
Here are a couple of pictures of the "Golu"

Seed packet experience.

2 weeks back I designed a seed packet from the cricut cartridge Fabulous Finds for my son's auction basket. I used the fit to page button and it came out a little big. Instead of cutting another one. I went ahead and layered the seed packets inside and tied it in a bow and outside I decorated with a cutout and popped it up with a pop dot. This prevented the packets inside from falling out.
So I thought to myself -Is there a better way of doing it for those without gypsy and Design Studio. For those who have PC the answer is -yes. Just download the free CDS. Add the template of the envelope to the design studio. You cannot cut from here but you can add the image and measure the height (increase the image so that the inside portion minus the flaps is the height you want) of the image. Use it on size dial as on the cricut the size dial controls the height of the image. width will be in proportion..

First Webisode Gypsy - Numberpad button

Today I am capturing a video about the number pad feature in the gypsy. Hopefully  I will soon have the video up in the blog

Playing with the Gypsy from provocraft

I recently got the Gypsy from Provocraft at HSN. Though I love it and find it easier to use than the cricut design studio it still has ways to go. My bug has lots of bugs which needs to be fixed.

For everything there is a learning curve and a picture or video is always worth more than a thousand words. To me when I wanted to learn about the Cricut it was mainly people like the pink stamper and others who helped me a lot so that as soon as I got my cricut I started cutting from day One. So as I journey into the world of Gypsy I have decided to to make some videos . Bear with me as this is will be my first video attempts. I am also new to this whole blogging thing. I have taken a page from my dad's book. At the age of 75 he has started blogging and is so successful at it. He has inspired me to start my own blog.