Week 2 - Exploring Cricut Design Space!

This week I sat down and watched a video about 5 different card making techniques for beginners using the Cricut Explore Air 2 machine. This is the exact model that I had so I figured watching a video directly for this machine would be beneficial for me. The creator broke this video down into 5 different steps, each step was a different style of card. Once I had finished watching the video I decided to chunk up the steps and only focus on steps #1 and #2 this week to start things slow for myself. I decided to use the Loom application to screen record myself going through the first two steps on the Cricut design space! So here's the break down:

Step #1 - Creating Basic Shapes
This step walked me through the different shapes that design space has to offer. I was also shown how to adjust the size of the shapes. This step shows you how to cut out very basic shapes that you can add to your card. Through using different shapes you are given the freedom to customize your card in the way that you want to. This step also showed me how to layer shapes together and attach them so that I can make different designs with the shapes that will cut as one piece. So, the first shapes that I worked around with, was developing a balloon shape and some hearts. You can click on the video beside to watch those first steps!  

Step #2 - Cutting Out Words
This step walked me through how to create a text box, pick fonts, edit text and customize that text (bold, italicize, curve, letter spacing, and size). Something that this video taught me that I did not know I could do before was when you are using a script font you can ungroup individual letters, move them closer or father apart and then regroup them so that they can cut together as one piece. Here in the video you can see me complete the second step where I choose a font, resize the letters, ungroup them so that I can adjust them to the proper position and then regroup the letters together!

Putting it all Together
Now that I have created the shapes I want and adjusted the letters so that they will cut together I need to adjust the sizes so that they will fit on the card I have folded. Once I had my shapes and words the way I wanted them I got my card stock picked out and begin the cutting process. Because I have different card stock colours that I am using I have to change the colours of my shapes and words so that I can match them with the correct card stock before I begin cutting. ​Before I load the mat and start to cut I have to make sure my machine is set to cut light card stock so that it has the right cutting pressure and completes the cuts correctly. Once my card stock is set up correctly on the mat I begin the cutting. After all the pieces are cut I carefully pull the pieces off the cutting mat and begin to piece together my card. Using double sided tape and liquid glue I attach the shapes and words onto the front of my card. Once all the pieces are attached I do some finishing touches with my pen to add a bit of extra details and VOILA! My first card is complete! 

The final product!

Changing the colours of my shapes and words to match the card stock.

Card stock is set on the mat and the machine is set to cutting light card stock

All the pieces are off the mat and ready to go on the card!