How to cut SVG files with your cricut

I often get emails and comments about the cutfiles I find on the internet for you. These cut files are made to cut with your cricut or other die-cutting machine.

• PDF files - for those of you with home printers
• SVG files - compatible with Provocraft Cricut Personal, Cricut Expression & Cricut Create
  The Cricut series cannot cut 3rd party shapes unless extra software is purchased. To enable the ability to cut 3rd party shapes, you must buy and install Craft Edge’s Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) software. This will allow the Cricut to cut files in the SVG format. This software dramatically changes the utility of the Cricut machines. It should be the first addition to anyone’s Cricut machine!
• GSD files - compatible with Xyron Wishblade, Quickutz Shilouette, Graphtec CraftROBO (although due to size restrictions of this machine some templates may be smaller than other actual versions)
  Graphtec CraftROBO. This machine is also sold as the following: Xyron Wishblade and the Quickutz Silhouette. These machines natively use the GSD format but can easily import the DXF format. No additional software is required.
• DXF files - Pazzles Creative Cutter Inspiration, Klic N Kut Element , Groove and Maxx
  These machines can cut both the PDF and DXF formats. Their native format is a proprietary format called KNK

To summarize:

Here are the most common home cutting machines and the suggested format

• Cricut machines: (Must buy SCAL software): SVG
• CraftROBO machines (including Wishblade and Silhouette): GSD
• Klic N Kut Series: DXF
• Pazzles: DXF

Most of the files I find on the internet are SVG files and you need the Sure Cuts A lot program to use these files. It costs the same as on cricut cartridge and allows you to cut all of these great freebie files I find on the internet as well as create your own, when you are ready! Just click the sure cuts a lot image to purchase sure cuts a lot and you can start using the images you find here on my blog and everywhere else you find them!

Big Lots to sell Cricut Cartridges

As if I didnt love this store already, BIG LOTS now has Cricut Cartridges! AND starting Sunday, they have them on sale for just $30 AND if you are a BUZZ CLUB member you earn 20% savings. Click HERE to see the BIG Lots Ad!

*NEW* Cricut Cartridges Announced

New Cricut Cartridges!!!

Forever Young, Heritage, Sentimentals, Songbird and Tie The Knot

Click on the images for a better look then hit your back button to come back here. How exciting, get a looksy at these for yourselves! Expect to see these in late December!

Celebrate the passion and energy of youth! This fashion oriented cartridge is filled with stylized female silhouettes, shoes, clothing, flowers, and accessories. You’ll absolutely love the fifty purses on this cartridge—use them for decorations, party favors, or other projects. With stylish emblems, tags, and words, you’ll be certain to use this cartridge over and over. This cartridge includes: Layer, Emblem, Tag, Word, Purse, and Shadow creative features.



Proudly display your family’s history! You'll love the multitude of houses, fences, vehicles, silhouettes, and other family history shapes on this cartridge. The frames and charms can be used as nameplates or tags for any occasion. This cartridge also includes two decorative fonts with shadows and family history words. This cartridge includes: Word, Frame, Charm, Font, Font Shadow, and Shadow creative features.



I don't have any details on this one



This beautiful font cartridge features a simple but elegant font that can be used for a variety of projects. You’ll love the Creative Features on this cartridge that place the font on bird, birdhouse, and flower shapes. This font cartridge also features several bird related words and phrases.


Capture the magic of weddings! This wedding themed shape cartridge is filled with images such as doves, a church, a wedding ring, and more. The coordinating tags, invitations, and cards can be used for a variety of projects. This cartridge also contains 3D objects that could be used as decorations or party favors. This cartridge includes: Tag, Invitation, Card, Monogram, Monogram Shadow, and Blackout/Shadow creative features.

And check this out! Scrapbook Corner has the new cartridges up and for $40 each. Hurry and preorder yours today!

Fabulous News!!

One of my favorite crafting stores is Hobby Lobby. There aren't any of these fabulous stores here in Delaware, so whenever I come across one in my travels, I end up dropping a pretty dime to stock up on some of my favorites! But, now, Starting January 1st, Hobby Lobby is going to start selling online! Woohooo!!!

When cricut first came out, it was kind of hard to learn all the creative potential of this wonderous machine! If you found your way around okay, good for you, but If you still haven't learned all the cricut can do for you, Now, there is an easy way to learn!

• The entire "Cricut University" with over 45 easy to follow lessons that walk you through how to get the most from your Cricut.
• I will show you how to create 38 projects using 7 different Cartridges!
• I cover ALL THREE Cricut Machines:
• Cricut Personal Cutter ("Baby Bug")
• Cricut Expression
• Cricut Create
• Bonus #1: An Inspirational Gallery of Guest Star and Community Submitted Cricut Projects
• Bonus #2: Free Trial to the Upcoming Above Rubies Studio Membership

I've heard from another cricut blogger that this is a great DVD and worth the $22.97, but if you grab it now, it is yours for only $16.97!
Just click on the DVD image above to be taken to the Above Rubies Studio to find out how you can purchase yours!

Better grab 'em while you can cause when they are gone they will be history. ProvoCraft announced on Nov 24th that they are out of stock of the following limited-edition, seasonal cartridges:

Snow Friends
Very Merry Tags
When It’s Cold Outside

So if you love em and you can buy them, get them now!

DesignStudio Program Updates:

Click here to go get your DS updates

The following is the new Cricut DesignStudio installer. Start by making sure DesignStudio is not running. Next uninstall your current version of DesignStudio. This can be done from the start menu by going to Programs, Cricut DesignStudio, Uninstall Cricut DesignStudio. Then download and run the file below from a administrator account. This will install the new version on DesignStudio. Uninstalling your previous version will not remove the activation information, or any projects saved, from your machine.

Design Studio Changes: (Updated November 2009)

Added Features:

* Converts *.cut files to *.gypsy files.
* Can open and save *.gypsy files.
* Improved reliability of Cricut DesignStudio.

Design Studio Changes: (Updated December 2008)

Reconfigured to make it compatible with 32 and 64 Bit computers, adjusted the firmware, fixed the nudge feature and added the Hide Selected Contours feature.
DesignStudio Font Packs:

Font packs are separate installers that contain new cartridges not included in the installer above. Download and run the program below to add new cartridges to your collection.

DesignStudio Content V091216 Change Log – December 17, 2009

Added support for the following cartridges:

* Love Struck 2010
* Mothers Day 2010
* Easter 2010
* Songbird
* Heritage
* Tie the Knot
* Forever Young
* Sentimentals

DesignStudio Content V091118 Change Log – November 19, 2009

Added support for the following cartridges:

* DC Comics - Batman: The Brave and the Bold
* DC Comics – Superman
* Sweet Treats
* Paisley
* Serenade

Wrapping with scrapbook supplies

CRAFT 3D STAR GIFT-BOX TOPPERS

Designs by Dee Foust

Dee created 3D star toppers from patterned paper to decorate gift boxes wrapped in matching holiday papers. She punched holes in the stars’ bottom points and threaded tinsel through the holes to tie them onto the package.

For a fun touch, attach glass beads and bells with colorful crafts wire, poke the wire through the star tips, and twist the ends.

Download the star pattern.

Featured Project; Favorite Things Envelope

Favorite Things Envelope Make a serious statement about organization with our Thoroughly Modern Designer look. Our gusseted envelopes are the perfect way to keep a few of your favorite and important things put together and in order. And you might as well do it with some serious s SUPPLIES REGULAR | PREFERRED QUANTITY Favorite Things $26.61 | $23.95 Qty:1 Gallery $25.50 | $22.95 Qty:1 Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock $8.33 | $7.50 Qty:1 Thoroughly Modern Gusseted Envelopes $6.61 | $5.95 Qty:1 Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad $6.61 | $5.95 Qty:1 Rose Red Stampin' Write Marker $3.61 | $3.25 Qty:1 Sahara Sand Stampin' Write Marker $3.61 | $3.25 Qty:1 In Color '09-'10 Stampin' Write Markers $19.94 | $17.95 Qty:1 Linen Thread $5.00 | $4.50 Qty:1 Natural Hemp Twine $3.28 | $2.95 Qty:1 Stampin' Dimensionals $4.39 | $3.95 Qty:1 1-3/8 Inch Circle Punch $17.72 | $15.95 Qty:1 LEARN ABOUT PREFERRED PRICING

Beautiful Holiday Bell File

It has a bottom layer: HERE and
a top layer: HERE.
file by SCALE FILES

Todays Featured Video: Mixing Patterned Papers

If you are like me, mixing patterned papers can feel intimidating. It's not an unusual fear for scrapbookers, new and old timers alike. There are so many choices out there and many beginners tend to stick with cardstock and coordinating patterned paper or coordinating lines of paper by the same company.

You really can notice the difference though in a page that boldly mixes patterned paper. Just start experimenting and you will see what goes well together and those that are not so visually appealing.

Tammy mitchell gives us some tips to mixing patterned papers in her video (below). After watching it, you should be less intimidated and more confident when it comes to getting creative and mixing it up a little bit.

To start:
Look for dominant colors in your photos, or a color you would like to draw attention to, use this as a basis for selecting your paper.

First paper - Pick a more neutral, solid-colored background paper. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can even pick a very subtle patterned paper as your background paper.

Second paper - You can go for a bold patterned paper. Feel free to choose a big design but there must be something, usually a color in this bold patterned paper that complements your first paper.

Third paper - Pick a patterned paper that's more subtle so that it doesn't compete with your big, bold patterned paper. The tricky part is where you have to select a patterned paper that picks up something from both the bold patterned paper and the background paper.

So what are you waiting for, start playing with your patterned paper and see what you can come up with!

Todays Featured Blog: Jennifer Zinck

While there are not a lot of samples on her blog, Jennifer has all quality samples to share with you, I didn't find a single sample that I didnt love! Take a look for yourself!

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