Cricut Craft Room is closing

In case you didn't receive the memo, Cricut Craft Room (CCR) is closing on July 15, 2018.  CCR was built using Adobe Flash which Adobe no longer supports.

That means if you have a Cricut Personal, Cricut Create/Cake, Expression/Cake, Imagine, E2 or Cricut Mini they will no longer be able to be used online with Cricut software.

All of the above, with the exception of the Cricut Mini, can be used as a standalone machine using the physical cartridges.

Cricut are offering legacy machine owners who have not yet upgraded to an Explore $75 off an Explore or Explore bundle from Cricut.com.

To qualify you must be an active Cricut Craft Room user and you must have created your Cricut Craft Room account before April 28.  If you did qualify you should have received an email from Cricut.

There is a lot more information available here: http://inspiration.cricut.com/cricut-craft-room-closing/

For those who own the Personal, Create or Expression (plus the Cake versions) and own Sure Cuts a Lot V2, you will still be able to use your machines with that software. The same applies to the older version of Make the Cut.

Sure Cuts a Lot 4 or Make the Cut V4 does not work with any of the Cricuts.

Happy crafting!  ♥

Wheeeeeeee! 1000 followers!!!

I made it to 1000 followers!!! 

A huge welcome to all my new followers. Hope you like what you find here!!

In celebration of this achievement I have decided that I will no longer require anyone to email me for my files. (Unless I decide to try for 2000 followers! LOL!)

From now on I will put a link to the files in the blog post. I'll also add a new tab to the top of the page so you can easily find any files I'm sharing.

Please remember: The files are for your PERSONAL USE ONLY and should not be shared via upload; email or in any Facebook/Yahoo/Patreon or other type of group/page. 

Please don't take credit for my work and claim it as your own and definitely do not charge for it!. The files are free for you to use in your projects. You don't have to say where you got the file but I sure would appreciate it if you did!

Remember all I ask is that you become a follower of my blog using Google Friend Connect before you download the files.

I have another cut file just about ready to go. Just need to fine tune a couple of things and pretty my sample up!

Sadly, it will be the last file I offer in the Gypsy format. Converting the file to a Gypsy file is fraught with frustration. Nothing seems to transfer over properly and the images don't cut at the size they are supposed to.

For example, for the file I am about to share this is what I had to do:

• Export the CCR file as a Gypsy file
• Open the Gypsy file in Design Studio (not Design Space)
• Save the file as a Design Studio file
• Fix up the sizing and placement problems that occurred during the export process
• Resave the file as a Gypsy file
• Export the file to my Gypsy

Only then did it cut out correctly.  I'd rather spend that time making new files to share! 

At least all you Gypsy owners will now know how to successfully convert my CCR files yourself!!

Stay tuned for the next free file!

(I'm also hard at work on the Art Philosophy cartridge codes...)

On a side note before I go.... The image at the top of this post is from Lyrical Letters. I have had that cartridge since it was released in 2009 (going by the info at Cricut.com) and I have never seen that image before!! If it wasn't for the search feature in Design Space I may never have found it! 

Happy crafting! ♥

CRICUT: Gypsy Linking

PC have advised that the Gypsy Linking process in Cricut Craft Room is currently not working.

They are working on fixing the problem but have not advised how long that might take.

If/When they post that it's fixed I'll update here.

CRICUT: CCR - Using the Autofill feature

Previously published on my Cricut Craft Room blog February 13, 2012 and updated January 9, 2013

Auto Fill is perfect for when you want a full page of a single image, or a full page of grouped images.

This tutorial is in 3 parts: Auto Filling a single object, Auto Filling multiple objects and Auto Filling using multiple mat layers. 

1. To Auto Fill a single object:

Set the size of your object in the Default Height box below the CCR keypad

• Place your image on the mat. It doesn't matter where you place it.

• Make sure your image is still selected (so the handles are showing) and select the Shape Properties tab

• Set the size of the card stock you will be filling using the Auto Fill Width and Height boxes.

The default Auto Fill size is 12" x 12". If your cardstock is smaller than 12" x 12" change the Width and Height figures to correspond with your cardstock size. Eg, for 8½" x 11" you would change the it to Width 8.5", Height 11.0". (Or Width 11.0", Height 8.5" if you want to lay your paper the other way.) 

• Press the Apply button

The mat will now be filled with your selected image. 

2. Using Auto Fill with multiple images: 

• Place your images on the mat in the position you want them to appear after the Auto Fill. If you have multiple mats in your project make sure you put both images on the same layer.

• Select all your objects (Ctrl A if you've only used one mat. Left click away from the objects and drag a selection box around the images) and press the Group button.

You will now see an Edit Group button which indicates that the objects have been grouped.

• Again, go to the Shape Properties menu and set the size of your cardstock in the Auto Fill width and height boxes and press the Apply button

Your page will be filled with your grouped objects.

Each set of objects can be ungrouped if you wish to adjust it. Just click on one and press the Ungroup button. Repeat for each set of grouped objects. 

It's important to place your images on the mat where you want them to cut before you group them. This is how the same page would look after being Auto Filled if the images weren't placed beside each other.

You'll notice that this time there was only enough room to fit 3 groups of objects.

It's also important that you group your objects before Auto Filling. This is the result if you don't group the objects. Only the first object is Auto Filled. You can see the 2 objects that didn't auto fill underneath the object that did auto fill.

3. Using Auto Fill with multiple mat layers.

It's just as easy to auto fill using multiple layers. This makes it super easy if you want one page of the base image and another page of its shadow or any of its other layers. 
First, follow the instructions above to Auto fill your first layer. 

• Once that's done click the New Layer button (the plus sign next to the Layers tab)

The layer that is active will have a light grey tab. (In the picture above that's Layer 2.)

The layer that isn't active will have a dark blue tab. (Layer 1 above.)

• Make sure your new layer is active (by pressing on that tab).

• Add your shadow/layer to the mat and auto fill it.

You now have two mats full of objects ready to cut!

CRICUT: CCR - Copying objects to a new mat layer

Do you want to copy or move images from one mat layer and place them on a different mat layer? Well here's how you do it.

Download a PDF of  this tutorial from here: 

https://www.box.com/s/z77t7d08meyhsiu77m24

• Place your image on the mat

• Click the + button next to the Layer 1 tab.

A new layer (Layer2) will be added to your project.

• Click on your first image to make sure it's selected then press the Copy button on the toolbar

The image will be copied to the clipboard.

• Click on the tab for Layer2 to make it active. (It will turn light grey.)
• From the toolbar click the Paste button 

 
The image will be pasted to Layer 2.

You can see that it worked because the pasted object is a different colour to the original and matches the coloured dot beside the layer name.

If you want to move your image from one layer to another instead of copying it, you can follow the instructions above and simply press the Cut button at instead of the Copy button.

Or.... 

You can follow the instructions above (Copy and Paste) then just go back and delete the image from the first layer after you have pasted it to the second layer.

Copying multiple images 
You can use the same process to copy multiple objects. Just select them all before you click the Copy button. (There's no need to group them.) This even works for images that are on different mats! 

Having problems getting it to work? Keep the following in mind....

• Before you select the Paste button ensure that the correct layer tab is active (light grey)

• Make sure the layer you are pasting to is visible. The eye next to your layer name should be green. (Like the picture above). If the eye is grey your layer is hidden and you won't see your pasted object.  Click the eye to make the layer visible. Once you make the layer visible the pasted image should appear.

Got any questions? Just ask!!

CRICUT: Linking your cartridges

Here's some instructions on linking your carts to your Cricut account.

This tutorial originally published 25/1/2013 on my previous blog: http://www.cricutcraftroomblog.blogspot.com.au/. 

That blog is no longer being updated so please follow me here for any new Cricut Craft Room tutorials.

 

Keep in mind the following:

• Once you have linked a cart to your account you can't unlink it.

• You can only link your carts to one CCR account.

• You don't have to link your carts to cut from CCR.

• Carts that you have already linked to your Gypsy can also be linked to your CCR account. Log in to your CCR account then select Gypsy Link from the Options menu. Follow the instructions from there.

• Your carts don't have to be registered to enable you to link them.

• Your carts don't have to be bookmarked for you to link them.  

• If you purchase a Digital cartridge from Cricut.com it will automatically be linked to your account. 

• If you're using the Imagine, the E2 or the Mini first make sure it is up to date by connecting it to your compute; powering it on and opening Cricut Sync. 

• If you see this message when you are linking a cart, it means it has already been linked to a Gypsy and can't be linked to CCR yet, or it has been linked to another CCR account.

Linking instructions:

• Insert the cartridge you wish to link into your Cricut.
• Highlight the cart you wish to link from the All Cartridges library then click on the Link button 

• Click on the Cricut you are using, then click the Select Device button (or double click the device name)

• Once your cartridge is detected, click the Link Cartridge button.

• You will need to accept the End User License Agreement to proceed. If you don't wish to proceed press the Cancel button.  

Your cartridge won't be linked and you'll be returned to the main CCR screen. Remember, you can still cut with your cartridge without linking it! If you do wish to proceed, click the I Accept, Link Cartridge button

• The linking process will begin

• Once the linking is complete you will see this. Press the Okay button

 

• You will be returned to the main CCR screen. To link another cartridge repeat from the first step.

Your cart is now linked to your Cricut account and you won't have to insert it into your Cricut again to cut when using your CCR account! 

You will still need them if you're cutting directly from your Cricut, so don't give them away or sell them! (That's what you were agreeing to in step 5 above....)

Once you have linked your carts using CCR they will automatically be also linked to your Gypsy the next time you sync it using Cricut Sync. (This only applies once the cartridges have been added to the Gypsy cartridge library after each Hello Thursday content update.) 

Some Digital carts (eg. the single Imagine images) won't be able to be linked to a Gypsy.

CRICUT - CCR Cartridge libraries

Originally published 25 Jan 2013 on my previous blog:  http://cricutcraftroomblog.blogspot.com.au/


There are many different menu options in the CCR Cartridge filter.

So what are they all? Some are fairly self explanatory (eg Cricut Lite) but here's what you'll find in each of those categories.

My Cartridges: The My cartridges library will contain any cartridges that you have physically linked to your Cricut account using CCR, any digital cartridges you have purchased from Cricut.com and the "Cut it for free" cartridges that Cricut.com release weekly. Those free cartridges change each week. When the new free cartridges is added, the old one is generally removed. 

Now that the Gypsy Link process has been released the cartridges that are linked to your Gypsy will also appear in the My Cartridges library. You will first need to run the Link Gypsy program from the Options menu in CCR.   

All Cartridges: Every available cartridge including the Digital cartridges are found in this library. If you don't see any of the Imagine cartridges check the "Show Cricut Imagine cartridges" below the Cartridge filter list.

Cricut Craft Room Exclusives: This will contain all the CCR exclusive Digital cartridges. Digital versions of the regular cartridges won't be found here. They will be found in All Cartridges.  Most of the cartridges in this library can also be linked to your Gypsy. However there are some exceptions eg. the single images. Update your Gypsy and check the All Cartridges library. If a cartridge doesn't appear in the All Cartridges library then it can't be linked to the Gypsy.

Cricut Cake: This library contains the Martha Stewart Cake cartridges and the Cricut Cake cartridges.

Cricut Events: This library contains any cartridge that has been branded an Event cartridge. Eg. Baby Shower and Bridal Shower. Look for the Events label on the cartridge.

Cricut Everyday: This library contains the majority of the Cricut cartriges. Anything that doesn't fit into any of the other categories will be found here.

Cricut Famous Friends: Here you'll find cartridges from Close To My Heart, Creative Memories, DC Comics, Disney, Disney/Pixar, Nickelodeon, Sanrio and Sesame Street.

Cricut Imagine: Yes.... you'll find all the Imagine cartridges here!

Cricut Lite: Here you'll find all the exclusive to Walmart and Cricut.com Lite cartridges. 

Cricut Projects: Any carts branded as Project carts will be found here. Carts such as Giant Flowers and Frame of Mind.

Cricut Seasonals: If you're looking for something for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Spring, Summer etc you'll probably find it here.

Font Cartridges: Any cartridge that Cricut have identified as having a font on it will be found here.

Bookmarks: Here you will find any cartridges that you have bookmarked. Bookmarking is different to Linking. Bookmarking is merely a convenient way of identifying which carts you own. If you haven't Linked those carts you will still need to insert them into the Cricut if you wish to cut from them.

To add to or edit your Bookmarks click on the Bookmarks filter then click the Edit Bookmarks button.

To Add a bookmark scroll through the list of cartridges and click the green Add button beside the cartridge name.

To remove a bookmark scroll through the list of cartridges and click the brown Remove button beside the cartridge name.

When you have finished click the Continue button and you'll be returned to the main CCR screen. 

Your newly bookmarked cartridges will now appear in the Bookmarks filter. 

Wish List: Got a hankering for some new cartridges but aren't ready to purchase them? You can add them to a Wish list so you don't forget. 

Select Wish List from the Cartridge filter then click the Edit Wish List button.

To Add a cartridge to the Wish List scroll through the list of cartridges and click the green Add button beside the cartridge name. You will see every cartridge listed here, even ones you already own and have linked to your account. (You never know when you might want to buy a cartridge for someone else, right???)

To remove a cartridge from the Wish List scroll through the list of cartridges and click the brown Remove button beside the cartridge name.

If you would like to print your Wish List click the Print Wish List button and select your printer. When you have finished click the Continue button and you'll be returned to the main CCR screen. 

CRICUT - CCR - Making your own font shadow

Recently a member from one of the Facebook groups I belong to was trying to make a shadow for one of the fonts on the Extreme Fonts cartridge. Faith was using the letter S from the Little League font. That font does have a shadow but it was a bit too chunky for what Faith was wanting.

Here's the letter with its shadow. First up, the offset size of the shadow was too wide... but more importantly Faith didn't want the black out effect.

She wanted something more like the shadow on this one...

One option was obviously to hand cut the extra bits away but I thought there had to be a better way. And I do love a challenge.... so I set to work and here's what I came up with...

Here's a side by side to compare...

So how did I do it? Well....

I looked at the shape of the letter and wondered whether I could find some shapes that I could weld together to make my own shadow. It's all just angles after all. My first thought was to use squares and triangle from the Cricut Craft Room Basics cartridge. But then I noticed these shapes from the Extreme Fonts cartridge that Faith was using... The best thing was that the angles on these shapes match exactly the angles on the letters...

By rotating, flipping and resizing the shapes I was able to come up with my shadow.

This picture shows all the shapes I used...

I used the top layer as a guide for where to place each shape. You can see the lines on the orange piece that are the edges of the shapes I used....

It took a bit of resizing and adjusting but it worked!

This won't work for every font. In fact I haven't tried it on any rounded font. But it should work for any square font. You just have to find the right shapes to use.

So where did I use this shape?

Right here... I used the Hide Contour feature to hide one side of the brace.

This shape would have been even more useful if it didn't have a point on the left and right!

And here's the different rotations of the wedge shaped piece. Use the Flip Horizontal and Flip Vertical buttons to rotate the shape.

The square shape is resized to both create the shadow and to fill any holes left from using the other shapes.

Things to remember...

Save regularly... There's a lot of shapes on this mat that you don't want to lose when CCR freezes.... because it will freeze....

As soon as you start welding objects in CCR your chance getting a Not Responding error skyrockets.

At that point, you have no option but to close CCR and re-open it. (Which is why you need to save often... don't rely on the Auto Save feature.)

To avoid all the Not Responding errors, I selected Don't Weld on each piece as I placed it. Once I had everything where I wanted it, then I selected Weld.

Once everything was welded I selected it all and Grouped it. This makes it so much easier when you're moving shapes around the mat.

However, if you go to Ungroup it (if you want to adjust any of the pieces) you will again get the Not Responding error. To avoid that, select the image, click the Edit Group button then go back and unweld the shapes.  See.... it really is the welding that's the problem here!!!!

At this point you can actually adjust/move the individual pieces around. You don't have to Ungroup them to do that.... But, if you do want to ungroup....

Once you've unwelded everything press the Exit button.

You can then go ahead and click the Ungroup button and you shouldn't get a Not Responding error.

One last thing to remember.... When you go to resize your finished letter make sure you resize both the orginal letter and the shadow at the same time. That way they'll stay in proportion to each other.

The easiest way to do that is to use Ctrl A to select everything on both layers. (First make sure the Show/Hide layer icon on the tabs is green..... that's the button that looks like an eye....)

Then use the bottom right arrow to resize both layers at the same time.

I have to say, this process would be so unnecessary if CCR had an automatic offset feature.... (like every other design program out there). Then we could apply a shadow (even multiple shadows) to every font and image in the Cricut library.

I think that was everything I wanted to cover.

Hope this is useful to you at some point!

(And no.... I won't do the rest of the alphabet!)