Wine glass box FREE Design Space cut file

Today I have a free Design Space cut file for you!

Update: SVG version now available. See link at the bottom of this post.

Have you etched a wine glass as a gift for someone?

Well, here's a box for you to package your finished project in. This box is made entirely of free shapes from the Design Space image library.

And because stemless wine glasses are so popular now you'll find a cut file for both stemmed and stemless glasses.

And I've included 3 different lid styles!

The box is very easy to assemble. Just remember to only cut the pieces you need.

You can either hide the parts you don't want to use in the Layers panel, or just click on the layers you want to cut when you get to the cut screen.

The box section is in two parts so that it will fit on 12" x 12" cardstock.

The stemmed box when assembled is 3.25" x 7.25".

The stemless box when assembled is 3.25" x 5".

Here's what you'll see when you open the project.

If you want the glass shape to be cut from the box be sure to select the entire box and the glass and click Attach. If you don't want the glass shape to cut (so you can use it for any other purpose) you can hide it in the Layers panel.

You can add any shape to the box. Just remember to attach it!

Please feel free to use this cut file for packaging products you sell.

However, please don't share or sell the cut file. Please send your friends to this blog to get the cut file themselves. Thanks!

Here's the link to the Design Space file.  https://design.cricut.com/landing/project-detail/63db14a673062c43748e31c8

Here is the link to the SVG version: Wine glass gift box (This link goes to the Cricut Explore, Maker and More Google drive. You must be a member of that group to get the SVG.)

I have lots more free files available in my Facebook group Cricut Explore, Maker and More.  

Click here to join: www.facebook.com/groups/cricutexploreandmore

Happy crafting!  ♥

CRICUT: Using Kadoodle Bug Designs Print then Cut images in Design Space

You may have seen Melissa's cute Kadoodle Bug Designs SVG's over at http://kadoodlebugdesigns.com/shop/. Melissa is a member of Cricut Lovers Guide to Design Space Facebook group and recently reached out to me for some beta testing help.

This week Melissa is releasing a new line of layered images that she has created to work with Cricut Design Space. They're called Print then Cut Cuties and are so much fun to use!

Melissa has found a way around the problem of the layers not coming into Design Space at their native size. I've put together the following tutorial to show you how to use these gorgeous designs.

The image I'm using is called Pumpkin Moose Peeker.

When you purchase the files they will come zipped. Make sure you unzip the files before trying to use them in Design Space. Make a note of where you saved the unzipped files. 

1. Open Design Space and log in, the click the Create New Project button

2. Click the Upload Image button

3. Click the Basic Upload button

4. Click the Continue to Step 1 button

5. Click the Browse button and locate the Kadoodle png files that you saved earlier

6. Click on the first of the png files and if necessary click Open

7. Select one of the 3 Image options. These files work great with all three options. From habit I used the Complex Images option.

8. If you see a blank screen it probably means you need to zoom out. Keep clicking the zoom out button until you see the image.

9. You should be able to see a white bar at the top and bottom of the image. That bar is there to keep the proportions of the images intact when importing into DS. Don't click anywhere on this screen. As it's a png file it already has a transparent background.

Just click the Continue to Step 2 button.

10. Make sure the 'Preserve original image within shape' option is checked.

11. Change the name in the Image name box if you wish and you can also create a Tag. Creating tags allows you to do a search using that word at the Insert Image screen later.

12. Click the Save Image button

13. Repeat the same process for each of the layers in that set.

14. When you have done that you'll see all the layers ready to be inserted. Click on each of the images to select them then click the Insert Images button.

15. All the layers will be placed on top of each other on the mat. And because of the white bar at the top and bottom of the images they are all sized in correctly. (Because the bar is white it doesn't print, but it does cut.)

Next you need to resize all the images to suit your project. Keep in mind the maximum image size for Print then Cut. Currently that is:

Chrome: Height 8" x Width 5.5"
Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer: Height 8.5" x Width 6"

The white bar in the image below is slightly wider than the image itself, so when setting the size the width will be sized to that measurement. Which means that if I set the width at 5.5" (the maximum that Chrome can Print then Cut) the image itself will only be approx 3.75" wide.

Michelle is looking at that and by the time you are using these files it will most likely be sized to the same width as the image. Michelle is also looking at whether the 'Size circle' needs to be there. That's there from an earlier version of the Print Then Cut testing. 

16. Click the Select All button, then from the Edit panel type in the width you want your images to be (keeping in mind the above.)

Make sure you don't click the Lock proportions button or the height won't be sized correctly.

The Mat Preview button will appear (it may take a while as there are multiple layers)

17. Click the Print and Continue button

18. Click the Properties button on the Print dialog box

19. Select your Paper source, Paper type and Quality then press OK

20. Press OK at the Print box

21. When your printing is completed you're ready to load each printout onto the mat. Make sure you take note of which layer is ready to be cut. The order they came out of the printer should be the order that they are cut.

When you have finished cutting, remove the layers from the mat and discard the sizing circles and the top and bottom bars.

Use pop dots between the layers and you'll end up with something like this:

And here's all his layers!

Have fun with the cuties!

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.

I only participate in affiliate programs for products that I use and love.

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. 

I have affiliates with Cricut.com and InLinkz ♥

CRICUT: Design Space - Designing while you're cutting

Back with another quick tip...

Over at the Cricut Lovers Guide to Design Space, we have seen several of our members saying they wish they could still design while they're project is being cut.

Well... you can!

You might not know that you can have Design Space open twice on your computer. And you can be logged into the same account on both!

You can either use two tabs in your browser window both with Design Space in them, like this:

Or you can open Design Space in your browser then use Ctrl N to open another browser window and open Design Space there.

Or.... you can open Design Space in two different browsers and swap between them. e.g. I sometimes have Design Space open in Chrome and again in Firefox.

So now, while your Explore is cutting out your project, you can still be designing something else!



Happy crafting!  ♥

How to Take Your Art into the Next Dimension with Cricut (sponsored post)

(sponsored post)

It started out as a doodle, something small, casually tossed in the margin of your grocery list. But somehow this graphic element took over and before you knew it, it became the decorative element to everything in your world. Unfortunately all those minute details that you added make it virtually impossible to transform it into the third dimension. Not true. If you can print it, you can cut it with the Cricut Explore machine.

Now with the newest feature of the Cricut Explore machine, you can choose your image (either your own or one of 50,000+ in the Cricut Design Lab), flatten the image and then click 'Go'. Once printed, the Cricut Explore machine works its magic to bring your 2-dimensional idea into the 3rd dimension.

Take a look at this super short instructional video (less than 4 minutes) and see just how easy it can be… 



Need a free shipping code for Cricut.com? Free Shipping on orders $31+ with code HALLOWEEN31

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.

I only participate in affiliate programs for products that I use and love.

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. 

I have affiliates with Cricut.com and InLinkz ♥

CRICUT: Explore - saving paper with Print then Cut

It's time I started blogging some Explore/Design Space tips....  here's my first one!

Saving paper when printing small images with Print then Cut.

There's a couple of ways you can do this depending on how big your image is.

For something that only uses approx 1/4 of a sheet of 8.5 x 11 I cut my cardstock in 1/4's and use temporary adhesive (I used a Scrapbook Adhesives E-Z Dots repositionable tape runner) to adhere one piece to the corner of a sheet of plain copy paper. 

I insert that into the printer tray (you'll need to work out which way it needs to go in - face up/face down etc) and send that to the printer in the usual way from Design Space.

If printed perfectly! And the registration marks were in exactly the correct position and the correct size for the Explore to find them. 

For bigger images, you can use half a sheet and print it the same way. Or on my printer I was able to load the half sheet into the rear paper feed slot. 

I was also able to just place it in the regular paper tray without adhering it to copy paper, but that can jam the printer. (It did for me once out of about 5 attempts. 

But I have to say... I have never had so many paper jams with a printer than I have with this Epson 7620... So it could just be my printer.)

Happy crafting!  ♥

CRICUT: Print then Cut maximum size

There have been many questions relating to how big images can currently be when using the Print then Cut feature in Design Space.

The maximum size is 5.5" wide and 8" in height if you're using the Google Chrome browser.
The maximum size is 6" wide and 8.5 in height if you're using Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer.
The maximum size for the iOS apps is 6.5" x 9"

www.facebook.com/groups/CricutExploreAndMore

Happy crafting!  ♥

CRICUT: Print then Cut is live!

Today the long awaited Print then Cut was launched!

You'll find lots of new images in the library that are instantly ready for Print then Cut. Which means all you have to do is place them on your canvas, resize to your liking and hit Go! If you need to you can purchase the image right there.



The easiest way to find the Print then Cut images is to open the Filter and click Printables.

Lots more to come!



Happy crafting!  ♥

CRICUT - Design Space new features

Hi everyone

I'm so happy to let you know that Print then Cut will be launched the week of September 22nd, 2014!

I've been lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to beta test the new features for the last couple of months and I'd like to quickly go over them here!

(Make sure you join us on Facebook for up to date info of 

when the new update will be launched!)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/CricutExploreAndMore/

So, obviously the biggest new feature is the Print then Cut. So what does that actually mean?

Quite simply, you'll be able to take pretty much any image (Cricut or imported) into Design Space, print it out then have the Explore cut it!

When it's released you will be prompted to install a new Design Space plug in. You'll also need to do a firmware update on your Explore.

Once that's done you'll do a calibration of your Explore. Don't worry... it takes you through it step by step!

There are even lots of images that are "Print Ready" available. Just click Insert Images, then with All Images selected click on the Filter and check the Printables box.

Select an image, resize it then press Go and follow the instructions. It's that easy!

Keep in mind that currently Print then Cut is limited to 8.5" x 11" so you'll have to keep your image smaller than that to stay within the registration marks. You will get an error message if your image is too big.

If you don't want your image printed as one flat layer, just click on the Unflatten button

Some of the layers will be separated so you can give your project some dimension.

When you're at the Mat Preview screen you'll see a Settings button in to top right corner.
Click on that and you'll see the option to "bleed".

Bleed prints a border around your image which allows for more precise cutting. 

So, what else is new in Design Space?

You'll find there are new icons in the Layers box.

Slice

A great new addition to Design Space is the Slice tool.

Remember all those times you've wanted to cut something off or out of an object? Well, now you can!

You can turn a circle into a semi-circle. Or create a frame by placing one image on top of another. (Previously achieved by using Weld).

Using the Slice tool I was able to create this swing card.

I'll have a full tutorial soon on how to create this card! 

Weld

Not a new tool, but the way Weld works has changed.

Previously if you placed one image inside another image and welded, the smaller image would be cut out of the larger image.

Now if you do the same process the smaller image is fully absorbed into the larger image. 

So how do you achieve the same result as the old weld? You use the slice tool instead!

Overlapping images and welding still works in the same way though.

Flatten

Take any image and turn it into a one layered printable image. Then cut around that image.

(It's a bit hard to see but the image on the right will print as one layer.)

Here's what the Mat Preview looks like when the above image hasn't been flattened.

All the layers are separated and cut as you're used to.

Here's what the Mat Preview looks like when the image has been flattened.You can see the registration marks on the Mat Preview.

You can see that there's two layers showing. The first layer will be printed and then the Explore will cut around it. The second layer is a cut only layer and is the shadow for this image. Cutting it is totally optional.

Don't like flat images? No problem. You can still use the Print then Cut feature to print each layer then cut it.

Instead of clicking Flatten you can go to the Layers menu and change the Cut icon to a Print Icon. You can see in the picture below I have changed the first 3 icons to Print icons so far.

When finished this is what your Mat Preview will look like. Once you press Print and Continue all three mats will be sent to your printer to be printed and you will then place them one at a time on the cutting mat.

A great feature of changing the cutting icon to a printing icon is that you can change the colours of any or all of the layers. Just click on a layer in the Layers box then select the colour you want from the Custom Color Picker.

Detach

Not a new tool, but the Detach option has been added to the Layers box so you don't have to go digging for it in the drop down menu when you right click on an object.

What else?

Well, now when you click on an object and hold an arrow key down on your keyboard the image will keep moving. No more click click click click....!

And.... for those of us that don't live in the USA, Print then Cut works perfectly with our A4 paper! 


That's all for now... but stay tuned for more in depth tutorials!




Happy crafting!  ♥