While we are no longer making active post of Cricut projects on this blog as of 8/1/2013, we invite you to use it for continued die cut inspiration as we will leave the blog up for viewing. Happy Cricuting !

Thursday, November 15, 2012

November Special Guest Designer - Kristen Swain

Please give a big welcome to our November Special Guest Designer - Kristen Swain. 
Kristen was a former Circle Blog DT member and also currently designs for Northridge Publishings Cricut Magazine.  We are so pleased to have her on Cricut FANatics Blog today.

Hello you all! Kristen Swain here from Blankety Blank Blank. I just have to tell you, I miss our Cricut Circle Blog so much! I was always so inspired by the other team members,we felt like a real family,  and let me tell you, working with the new cartridges was so much fun! But life is full of change and I am loving working for Northridge Media on the Cricut Magazine.

I was wondering, what can I share? I have so many ideas and thoughts about using the carts. But I have been reflecting lately on using my supplies better, getting more use from papers and wasting less. Let's face it. Crafting is costly. I'll be honest. I get too overwhelmed with looking at online stores to actually buy anything. I know, I'm a shopping reject, but I start out loving everything, then I ponder, do I really need this, by then, I've spent 2 hours looking and I end up not buying anything. I'm hopeless! (or a cheapskate) I also really love certain colors of paper, and patterned paper. So when I have something I really love, I try not to hoard it, but use every last little scrap, since I'm so limited in my online buying. So that's when I decided that I would share a couple of cards made entirely of scraps.

I looked through and found two half sheets of cardstock- 6x12, and folded them in half for my card base. Then I sorted through my patterned paper and cardstock and pulled out some nice bright colors.
                                              
One thing I think that helps me the most in using my scraps, is that I use Cricut Craft Room exclusively now. I love that I can see the images so much better on my laptop or computer screen. I can place cuts anywhere on the mat, and I can see exactly what size paper I will need to create a cut. So, I can add a 2x2 piece of paper and get a cut from it, using up more smaller scraps and wasting less. See what I'm saying?

Now, I know, my cards aren't seasonal. But they could be. Change the colors out to be orange, rust, brown, sage, sunflower, tans and you could change the greetings. Happy Fall, Autumn you glad I wrote, Give Thanks. They could also make great birthday cards. Change the How's life to .. Happy Birthday Chick. Change the Celebrate Life, to just Celebrate. It's all about the basic idea. Don't like apples? Use Preserves to cut a Pear, a Banana, or a Plum. Don't want to use the Chick, change it up with Create a Critter and make a snake, squirrel, or a  bunny.
 

Thanks for having me today! I hope you enjoy my cards!  Kris
 
Cricut Info & Supplies Used:
Designed By:  Kristen Swain
Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Craft Room, Circut Expression2.
Cricut Cartridges Used: Preserves, Create A Critter
Other Supplies Used: Papers from various manufacturers like- My Mind's Eye, Echo Park, SEI, American Crafts and Imaginice. Buttons/twine are craft supplies.Foam tape, black pen, Fiskars Cloud deco scissors. Greeting stickers by SRM Press, punch ( 1.5 circle) marvy.
 
Cut Details:
Preserves- cut <Apple3> at 2.75 inches. <Apple3-s> at 1.98 inches and <Apple4-s> at 1 inch (2x)
Create a Critter.- <Chick> at 2.5inches, <Chick>Layer1, Layer2, Layer3 at 2.5 inches

22 comments:

  1. Adorable cards! I love that they were made completely from scraps.

    If you ever need help with the shopping issue let me know as I seem to be a pro at it! ;)

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  2. So sweet, Kristen! Love your sunny cards. What a nice surprise to see you here!

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  3. Kris - Love your happy scrappy cards and your tips on getting the best out of every piece of paper! Nice to see you here and great to see your cards!

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  4. Thank you for taking the time to be a guest designer on the Fanataics blog. We have missed you. I love the chick card too cute. Great job. The apple card is so pretty. Thanks again love your cards.

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  5. Love your cards and the fact that they were both from scraps! So happy you were able to guest design for the Fanatics Blog!

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  6. love the cards....miss the cricut blog too....

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  7. It's always great to see your beautiful work Kristen! These are such great cards - I really love the idea of being frugal and trying to really use up the scraps.

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  8. Beautiful cards. I love the bright colours!!

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  9. Thank you so much for being a guest designer this month! Your cards are wonderful, no matter what the season. I too love that they are created from scraps. I have a hard time tossing even the smallest of scraps as even a one inch scrap becomes an inchie! Thank you for stopping by and sharing.

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  10. Hi Kristen -- I love your bright, cheerful cards -- they make me smile!!

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  11. So good to "see" you again. I like your cards today and appreciate the motivation to get creative and alter the colors to be seasonal. Great project.

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  12. wonderful tips on using scraps to create such lovely cards Kristen. Thank you for sharing with us today ! Come back soon if you can !

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  13. Very cute, love the colors.

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  14. Great cards, love the colors used.

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  15. Very cute, love the colors.

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  16. very cute card! and love the way she used scraps! Thanks for visiting with us!

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  17. Thank you so much for guest designing Kristen! Love both of your cards and it's amazing they were created from scraps! I try to use every last piece of the papers I love too! And it's true, Sara can teach you how to shop! Hope to see you back here again!

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  18. I love the colors and both of your cards. I appreciate the versatility in the card designs.

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  19. Loved your card and thanks for pointing out the versatility by just changing out the sentiment! Glad you came by for a visit!!

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  20. Hi Kristen! Long time no see. Miss you and your creativity. Thanks for another inspirational card.

    LindaV
    TheTulipCollector

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  21. How wonderful to see a post from Kristen again! I love the cards! Thanks for posting on our blog!

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