Cricut Expression 2 - Beyond The Basics (Part 1)

I've been looking forward to today for a while (It's Wednesday evening right now).  A couple of weeks ago I had planned a "Cricut Day" with some friends. We all planned to bring our Cricuts and I was going to share some tips and tricks with them. So yesterday I went through and refreshed my memory on all the functions of the Expression 2. My friend Sherry got an E2 for Christmas. She's such a sweet lady. I knew it was going to be a good time. 

Yesterday was funny. I'm going through all the functions and I start getting excited remembering how much it can do even without Craft Room. I was like a little kid. So today... we got together and started cutting. I introduced them to Cricut Craft Room and shared with them the Free cuts of the week. They loved it! They aren't really big on computers so it may be a while before they use CCR... but they loved everything about it. 

We had a limited amount of time and I did end up spending way too much time with customer support. One of the girls had an Expression that was frozen up so I ended up calling and they walked me through getting it going. While I hated being on the phone... I am glad that they have a great support that was able to get her machine up and running again. But because of all that... I didn't really end up having enough time to get pictures of the things we cut. I got one. LOL

My good friend Sherry brought some vinyl and wanted to decorate her E2. We designed this in Craft Room. We used Gypsy Font for the lettering and we used Cindy Lou and for the flower. We welded these together to make it all cut out as one image. After this we cut two more flowers from Cindy Lou and put them on the grey sides. We also cut some cute images from Create A Critter and the Free Images of the week. Those hearts are super cute. 

We cut some more vinyl on the Expression using Birthday Bash and Pet Shop. I didn't get a pic of this on the vehicle but this is what we cut. 

It's pretty simple. She cut the fonts out in this really great metallic creamy color and the pugs out of black and put them on her back car window. It turned out super cute. A bit big... but still super cute. 

Here's something really cool. I have the Cricut monthly subscription. And while I already owned Create A Critter... EVERYTHING else we cut out today was either from the subscription or from the Free weekly cut. That's just amazing to me. I love it. Absolutely LOVE that!!!

Well... I started telling you most of this story not only to share the few projects we made. But also to let you know I created a quick video last night as well. We covered the Basics in my first three CE2 videos. So now it's time to go Beyond the Basics. Below you will find Part 1. We cover page 1 of the "tools" button. I'll be adding more videos covering the next pages over the next few days. So make sure you subscribe to my channel and follow along. 

Happy Crafting!

How To Calibrate Your Cricut Expression 2

YEAH! It's Friday!!!! Anybody have any awesome plans scheduled for this weekend? It's going to cold here in Southern Indiana so all my plans are going to be indoors. Well… except for Sunday. We are going to a Super Bowl party/surprise birthday party. That should be fun. 

Well.. I had a question posted on one of my YouTube videos so I thought it was easier to do a super quick video and show you how. I know I had to think about it when asked. She asked how to calibrate the Cricut Expression 2. And if she wondered… and I had to think about it… I figured there are others that would like to know as well. So…. Here we go….

Quick and Easy….

1) Turn on your machine.

2) Tap on the circle button in the top right hand corner that looks like a wrench. This is your tools settings.

3) Below the circle buttons there will be two arrow. Click on the one pointing to the right. You will tap through four times till you get to the last page. 

4) In the top right hand corner there is a rectangle with a plus sign in it and a stylus/pen. Click on this button. 

5) Follow the on screen instructions.

The End! Your machine is now calibrated. I would do this anytime you've moved the machine a lot or if it's been sitting for an extended amount of time. 

Pretty easy right? Well… If you are more of a visual learner… here's your video. It's barely over a minute long. Hope this helps. 

Access Cricut Free Images

Happy Monday!

Well… it is Monday when I'm typing this. I have a feeling I won't be able to get it completed and posted until late Monday evening. So you probably won't even see it till Tuesday. LOL

Anyhow… Happy DAY!!! 

I was cruising around Cricut.com today and was looking for the Weekly Free Images. It's actually a pretty cute digital set. I'm hoping that tomorrow I can make a few cards to put back in my stash. 

This weeks free images come from the Movie Night Digital Set. It contains the following images.

These images are available to design with at any time. But you are able to cut with them for free during January 21 - January 28th. I'm posting this kinda late… so HURRY!!!

Here's some cute ideas that Cricut has put together on how to use this set. I think the card would be great for using to give a movie gift certificate or gift card to someone. I'm hoping to make a few tomorrow… or even tonight… and put back in my stash.

Click on the image to take you to Cricut.com and scroll to the bottom of the page for more great projects using this weekly free image set. 

OR…. you can watch the video below and I will guide you through the process of finding the weekly images. This is a great incentive that Cricut gives us each week. I think it's the perfect way to get our creative juices going and make great projects without having to invest in a lot of cartridges. 

Any suggestions on my next video? I'd love to hear from you!

Happy Crafting!!!!

Cricut Expression 2 Video Tutorial Series

Hey Cricut Lovers!

Around two and a half years ago (May 2012) I started a video series on the Cricut Expression 2. It is an amazing machine... but I happen to think ALL of the Cricut mahines are amazing. So what sets this machine out from the rest?

Well...lets start from the beginning. I started my love of Cricut machines with the very first introduction at the Summer CHA in Chicago back in 2005. Over the years I've purchased each new machine. The only Cricuts I have not owned are the Cricut Cake and the Cricut Mini. As a proud and very excited new owner of the Cricut Explore I can say there are definitely some advantages of the Cricut Expression 2.

I was reading some comments on my YouTube videos today and one thing popped out at me. I have several friends that love the Cricut. And many that are not computer.... savy... I guess you'd say. They have no desire to learn about Cricut Craft Room or Design Space. And as some comments show... there are still many crafters that don't want to be connected to the internet or a computer. For this reason I believe that the Cricut Expression is very special.

Personally... I'm in love with my new Cricut Explore. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! It's absolutely amazing. But the Expression 2 is also pretty amazing. The E2 has many capabilities all by itself. No need for a computer or internet access. Don't get me wrong... plug that puppy into a computer and use Cricut Craft Room with it and your definitely going to have a multitude of more options. But not everyone wants to be connected. And... being able to unplug from the internet and computer allows you to take your machine to crops, friends house and other events. I also have some friends that live in places that their internet is limited. So they need to have the ability to disconnect. The E2 is the perfect solution. 

So lets get back to my video I created back in May 2012. If you are a subscriber to my YouTube channel you'll find many more videos on Cricut Craft Room than the E2. But even after creating that first E2 video that long ago... it's still relevant today. ALL of my Craft Room videos are now out of date due to updates to the software. But there are no updates to the E2 that change anything. So today the 2012 video is just as relevant. 

Many people have learned about Cricut and ran out and purchased the  machine. I hear way too many times that they have never used it or used it once or twice. Most of the time.. it's just simply because they don't know how to use their machine. This is precisely why I started making videos about Cricut. I have had an early love for the Cricut Bug and I wanted to share my excitement. I wanted to create videos that would empower my fellow crafters to make the  most out of their investment and get these amazing machines into action. 

In this series I wanted to start with the basics. But I did use a cartridge that really stood out to me as one of the best cartridges I owned. That is Close To My Hearts Art Philosophy Cartridge. 

This cartridge has so many possibilities. But where I started was from the cartridges handbook. In every Cricut handbook there is a starter project. And that's what I used for my tutorial. It's actually a great project to start with. It's simple yet has elements of paper, stamping and 3D projects. The roses are so fun to make. 

So...here is the video series that I started all those years ago. Nothing has changed. This is the original video from May 2012. I hope you will learn the basics of the machine and be able to start using it. 

You can click HERE to take you directly to my YouTube channel to all three videos or click on each individual video below. 

In Part 1 I go over the basic functions of the CE2. Here you will learn what each button does. 

#18 Cricut Expression 2 Video Series - #1 The Basics (Part 1)

In Part 2 we take what you learned in Part 1 and put it into action. We actually take the lessons we learned in the first video and create a project so you can actually make something. 

#22 Cricut Expression 2 Video Series - #2 The Basis (Part 2)

In Part 3 we actually have cut all the project pieces from the 2nd video and will assemble the card. Most of this video is just basics of card making. But the making of the 3D flower is very helpful on this project.  

#23 Cricut Expression 2 Video Series - #3 The Basics (Part 3)

I hope you enjoy these videos and that you will get your machine out and create!

Happy crafting!

Cricut Expression 2 Video Series... Part 3

Hello my Cricut family. Just a quick post here. I'm so glad to finally get this Part 3 of the Cricut Expression 2 video series uploaded to YouTube. It's been a long time coming. Now that I got that all taken care of I can finally get on to more videos. I think there is a lot more we can still learn about the CE2. I look forward to sharing more videos with you.

I am excited to bring a new video series to you as well.... the Cricut Explore Series is coming soon!!! Do you  know what that means??? Yep... I got one for Christmas. YEAH!!! And I absolutely LOVE it. But... I love all my bugs. So I won't be abandoning any of them. This is going to be an exciting year.

Here's your video. Hope this series inspired you to get your Cricut out and make something. 

Happy Crafting!!!

Cricut Expression 2 Video Series PART 2… FINALLY!

Wow! You may recall that a while back I FINALLY was able to get my iMac working. I spent several days on the phone with Apple Support and was able to fix a lot of issues I had been having. There were multiple issues but basically the thing just wasn't working right. With issue after issue I just walked away from it and stopped using it. It was the computer I used for my blog and for editing videos… so after that my ability was limited. As far as videos were concerned… I was done. I had no way of uploading and editing videos. I had actually already made a video on the Cricut Expression 2. I absolutely love Cricut Craft Room, but I also realize that not everyone has access to a computer or even wants to work that way. I made a video and divided it up into three parts. I was able to successfully upload the first one. However… thats as far as I got. At least… till I got my iMac working. While sorting through the files and deleting junk… I found the other videos.

If you watch my CCR videos… You'll notice that they are somewhat outdated. I taped them when there was a previous version of the software. The E2 video doesn't rely on any software on the computer so it is still very relevant.

So here it is… FINALLY!!!!

Cricut Expression 2 Video Series - #2 The Basics (Part 2)

I hope it's helpful. I appreciate your patience. :)

Part 3 will be uploaded soon. 

More Signs With Cricut and Vinyl

Lately I've been using my Cricut Expression 2 and Cricut Craft Room to make custom signs and frames. Here is a collection of just a few that I've made. 

I've used a couple different methods to make my creations. The large "Welcome" frame is a 10x20 frame that I upcycled. It was a frame I picked up free that was getting thrown out. I simply painted it black and took everything out but the glass. I used Cricut Craft Room to create it and cut it out in black vinyl. Using the transfer paper made placement on the glass much easier. 

For most of the signs I simply used the same method above. But on the small black signs I tried something different. I used the vinyl to cut out the words. Then I used the negative from that on boards as a stencil and painted them using craft paint.

Watch for a video tutorial on how to do this technique to make your own signs. And if you are lucky enough to have the new Cricut Explore... the font options are ENDLESS. I can't wait to get mine!!!

Until next time... Happy Crafting!

Cricut Expression 2 Video Series

YEAH!!! Finally! I'm so excited! I was able to get my latest video uploaded to YouTube and it's ready to go. I  had to ship my Cricut Expression 2 Anniversary Edition off to Provo Craft to fix. They couldn't fix it so they sent me a new one. Of course there are no more Anniversary Editions but they sent me a brand new E2. I got it back a couple of weeks ago and last week I made a couple of videos... only problem... I couldn't get them uploaded to YouTube. First my iMac died. That's where I edit all my videos and upload them. Then the software that I USED to love on my laptop wouldn't work. Finally I was able to edit the video and upload it... but for some reason it wouldn't work. My DH finally fixed my iMac and today I was able to upload to YouTube. YEAH!!! I actually already had Part 2 of this video filmed and edited. But that file is corrupted and unable to be saved. SOOOO.... I'm working on a re-make of Part 2 today. I've got it filmed and now I just need to edit and upload. Wish me luck! And enjoy the video.

Now is a good time to make any special requests or suggestions. This video series is going to include all the features of the E2 and will be complete with a project. If there is anything that you would like for me to work on or anything you want me to make sure I include... now is the time to let me know. I look forward to your comments and feedback!

Cricut Expression 2 Video Series - #1 The Basics (Part 1)

Dont forget to leave a comment here on my blog or on YouTube!