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Monday, January 3, 2011

Because I once was a newbie...

I received a question through Facebook the other day:


I remember the first time I used my Cricut to cut out an image that was not from a Cricut cartridge. I had offered to make cutouts for my twins' 1st Grade teacher because I have an extensive cartridge library and thought that there would be no problem cutting whatever that she needed for use in the classroom. Of course, the first thing that she asked for would be something that was not available from ANY of the cartridges. She wanted the Wild Things. Uh-huh...like Max and the Wild Things from "Where The Wild Things Are"!

I remember being really excited that she finally asked me to cut something with my Cricut, and then being dumbfounded at what she wanted to be cut. Where in the world was I supposed to find the Wild Things?

I asked around the Cricut Messageboard and no one had any idea where to get the cuts. I wasn't ready to let Mrs. M down and so in desperation, I bought Sure-Cuts-A-Lot (SCAL). Bear in mind that this was back in Oct 2009 and Make-the-Cut was not available. SCAL was the only 3rd party software that could work the Cricut. I struggled with SCAL and I forced myself to learn Inkscape and in the end, even though I gave up Time so that I could give Mrs. M the Wild Things, I think I gained so much more.

Cutting an image that did not come out from a Cricut cartridge was like finding a secret door to a new world. What have I done? Did I really just do that? How was it even possible? But...it wasn't in the cartridge!  

Then it hit me.  

Wow! As I stared at the cutouts on the mat I realized that I had just unchained myself and walked right through the doors of creative liberation. I was no longer limited to cartridges. I felt like I could cut ANYTHING that I wanted. After all, I did cut out the Wild Things, right? 

In Dec, Make-the-Cut happened and after 5 mins of trying it out, I decided that it was the program I have been waiting for. I have not looked back since.

What has all of these got to do with Anna's questions?

Well, I am going to start a series of super easy projects for those of you who are trying to learn how to use Lettering Delights with your Cricut. I will show you how you can cut out a LD image with Make-the-Cut and in the process I hope to answer all of Anna's questions. If you have any questions on using Lettering Delights, please post in the comments section below. Tell me what you want to see so that I know what to show you. 



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23 comments :

  1. Josie0602January 3, 2011 at 2:19 AM

    I am so excited that you are going to do this series! I would love to see how you make cuts with Lettering Delights!

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  2. UnknownJanuary 3, 2011 at 3:11 AM

    What a wonderfully inspiring story! I have not yet purchased a third party software, and appreciate your opinions on which to buy (when my spending moritorium is up!) I can't wait to *unchain* myself! I'm going to follow your series, so I'll know exactly what to do when I get it! If you get a minute, please stop by my blog at http://karelj.blogspot.com I have a new challenge posted (with a great prize), my first ever Design Team Call is up and I'm looking for 4 more bloggers for my *I Have A Dream* blog hop! I'd love to have you join in the fun! Thanks for having such an amazing blog. I love stopping by! karelj

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  3. terriJanuary 3, 2011 at 3:43 AM

    Thanks for your article on using Lettering Delights and the Cricut. I've been using that site for quite a while now and love it. I use the program, Scal, instead of Makes the Cut. Are you familiar with that program? Any tutorials for that, or is it just like the Makes the Cut program?
    www.project4-thopler.blogspot.com

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  4. GaTechGalJanuary 3, 2011 at 5:18 AM

    Jin, I think a really helpful tutorial would be when do you choose to cut a shape out and paste it on top, and when do you cut out a shape to let the color from a layer underneath come through. I've been working on that with the lovely Matryoshka dolls.

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  5. Shawn MoschJanuary 3, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    You could probably do a DVD on this and sell it!

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  6. Cricutting WendyJanuary 3, 2011 at 6:56 AM

    That's great! I am pretty new having only had my cricut for about 4 months but I have a trial version of Make the Cut. I saw someone on a blog say they fried their Cricut using either SCAL or Make the Cut and so I chickened out and haven't used it. Do you know if that is a common thing? I would be really excited to cut anything I want.

    Cricutting Wendy

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  7. Linda VanorioJanuary 3, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Jin,

    This is a great idea!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait!

    Linda

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  8. TabithaJanuary 3, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    OH Thanks Jin, you know I have been playing with the MTC but still haven't cut anything. I think I am intimidated. LOL Sounds crazy. I have watched you video as well. I can't wait. Thanks so very much!

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  9. Meagan NielsonJanuary 3, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Jin,
    How amazing are you? I am so very excited about this. I wish I had this when I first started. I can't tell you how many people I have told about Under A Cherry Tree, Make The Cut, Cricut and Lettering Delights. I am so excited to tell them what you are doing. I know that I have so much to learn. You are an amazing teacher and make everything so clear to me. I can't wait. I hope that you will show how to clean up the doodlebats that need a little help. I have installed Inkscape and am loving it, but still trying to figure things out. Thank you so much for sharing your many wonderful talents with us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Meagan

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  10. CathyRoseJanuary 3, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    Oh thanks so much for doing this series. I just got my Cricut and SCAL for Christmas and I need some lessons for sure! I am hoping that I can follow along without buying more software.

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  11. bakscrapJanuary 3, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    I am so excited! I just purchased and downloaded MTC last week. I have NO IDEA where to begin! Thanks in advance. Beth

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    This is great!!! Can't wait to learn more. I have heard of MTC but have no idea how it works and i'm not that cpu saavy but I have found some images at Lettering Delights that I would love to try and hope that after your tutorials I'll feel more confident that this is something I can learn to do as well. Right now I just don't "get" any of it. lol! Thanks, really look forward to this!!! -Sam :-)

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  13. SandyJanuary 3, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    I just got my Cricut E and Make The Cut. I have not played with it much and look forward to your tutorial. I am scared of my cricut hehehe

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  14. BeauJanuary 3, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    Hello, I bought Make the Cut recently, linked from your site. I am so interested in learning how to do a print and cut, like how the Cricut Imagine does? Can that be a future tutorial. Love your blog!!!

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  15. radrnJanuary 3, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    Wow!!! What a great story, and, what perfect timing. I got a Cricut and MTC from my sweet husband for Christmas. I've been playing around with it and feel like a kid in a candy store! I did a happy dance tonight after my first successful vinyl cut. I can't wait to learn more especially from someone so talented. Thanks!

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  16. LilyJanuary 3, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    You are the best! I've had my cricut for some months now but I'm still a little afraid of it. I love all your projects and am always amazed by your work. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this for us. Again, you are the best!!!

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  17. PaulineJanuary 4, 2011 at 4:09 AM

    I am SO EXCITED!!! I just got MTC for Christmas and don't know where to start:) I can't wait to learn from you. Thank you.

    Happy New Year.
    Pauline

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  18. MMeowsx2January 7, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    My cricut is 2 yrs old and i have haven't cut with it yet. Layering and CDS was so confusing. I can't wait to learn this exciting craft

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  19. Whitney CantrellJanuary 13, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    I just downloaded the demo version and I am so excited to see what I can learn. I have had SCAL for over a year now and I am still confused. I thought I would give MTC a try and I was delighted to find your site to teach me!

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  20. Nedine, Craft Lounge CreationsFebruary 20, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Thanks so much for your blog! I was wondering if you can scan in an image and cut it from MTC?

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  21. Jin YongFebruary 20, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Depending on the quality of the image, it is definitely possible to scan and cut with MTC. You will have to use Pixel Trace in MTC to trace the image and then Cut.

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  22. Ceci V.August 3, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    I am going to start learning from you. Too bad I have SCAL :( but I think I could find the same shortcuts from MTC on my SCAL software.

    Thank you Jin!

    PS: I wonder if there is a video of you showing us how to use the fonts as cut out?

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  23. VeronicaJuly 19, 2013 at 4:40 PM

    I wish these programs still worked with the Cricut machines! Our school is doing a Where the Wild Things Are theme this year and I got so excited when I saw your post thinking I could make my own. I guess I'm a couple years too late. :(

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