Memories Frame - Home Decor Cartridge

I have been doing several projects using the Home Decor cartridge - primarily because I can use it in Design Studio and, for me, "a day without Design Studio is like a day without sunshine!" I really enjoy combining elements and making new variations of the designs. I also can accomplish results that are not possible using the cartridge with the Cricut machine alone.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, this Cartridge can be previewed in complete detail by looking at all of the cuts in the Design Studio program. You can do this with just the trial version of the software but you really should upgrade to the full version and start having some fun! (You can design with all the cartridges in the trial program but can only cut with the cartridge that is "native' to your machine - George for the Original Cricut, Don Juan for the Create and Plantin Schoolbook and Accent Essentials for the Expression).

In case you do not have even the trial version of the software on your computer, I am including a photo of the images as they appear on the pamphlet packaged with the cartridge. Solutions cartridges have only two creative features, shadow and blackout, and there is not a full booklet included with the cartridge.




The photo in the cartridge pamphlet is really tiny - you can click on this photo to enlarge it for a better view.



When you open the cartridge, don't forget to save the two chipboard brackets for another project (you know I hate to waste anything!).



I started this design by inserting the word "Memories" on the cartridge inside the leafy frame - this frame is one of my favorites and I am sure I will be using it a lot. In the photo above you can see the basic cut. I created this as an "adjustable" design so I can use it at various sizes.



Next, I created a shadow for the frame, adjusting the proportions of the shadow on the cartridge to fit my adjusted design. I cut this in a darker shade of brown.



I decided that the word "Memories" was too subtle so I cut another layer for the word in the darker brown I used for the shadow. I like the look of this darker layer better - the design appears more balanced.



I decided to try filling the center area of the frame. The cartridge blackout option does not fill in the entire central area. By using the "hide selected contour" feature, I was able to create a blackout version of the full frame. In the photo above, you can see it with the lighter "Memories" word (no layer added).



Here is the page with the darker layer added to the word and the blackout version of the frame.

If you would like this file you can download it using the link below. Several people have asked for files for a few of my other Home Decor examples and I will try to post those soon.

For those who have asked about classes, Jen and I are teaching a basic card class on Thursday and another Getting Started class on Friday - check the Let me Show you How to Do that blog for details.

Memories Leafy Frame (A)