Last time we talked about the three different Graphtec models. Today I’d like to share three different models of the Cricut: The Personal Cutter,  Expression, and Create.

Here’s my simple take on these three (popular) machines:

If you don’t want to mess with hooking up a die-cut machine to a computer or you feel like you’re a bit computer challenged then get the Personal Cutter and rely on cartridges. If you want more from your machine or you’re more technical and have space then go for the Expression. Now, don’t be afraid with the words “more technical” because you can still use cartridges BUT you also have the ability to create your own image with their Cricut Design Studio software if it ever comes to that. If you’re short on space though, go for the Create. It does cut a smaller area, a 6×12 mat compare to 12×12 on the Expression, so it all depends on need AND storage space.

Prices on these machines varies and sales come and go, it’s just something you need to keep your eyes open for. It’s the same for cartridges. I’ve seen friends hoarding the whole store’s collection because they were on sale for 50% off.

If I were to choose, and have the funds, I’d go for the Create. I don’t have a lot of room and the price is less than the Expression. I use a die-cut machine now and I rarely go the whole 12×12. But that’s just me. If you’re one who’d like to use a die-cut machine to create laces around a 12×12 paper then go for the Expression. I’m not a huge fan of the Personal Cutter just because I feel limited. There are so many gorgeous templates out there, like this one here for example at TDC’s shop!

If you look at the bottom of the above image it list all the file format that this die-cut template’s compatible with. The Cricut machines use the SVG format. So once you get the machine and the software you’ll be ready to cut any SVG files!! I {HEART} that summer days shapes!!!

Just for eye-candy, I want to share these gorgeous flower samples created using the paper flower template. For $3.99 it’s a steal!!

Oh, here’s another reason to upgrade to the Create/Expression, yes it’s a bit more but you get to pick and choose which file you want to purchase AND you can create your own or use the hundreds of free True-Type fonts out there. I always find that with pre-packaged stuff I tend to only like a handful of the images. So then I’d be paying $50 for five out of the 50 that’s in there. To me that’s just not worth it. I rather spend a few bucks here and there and get the one I want OR, create my own.

Here’s a nice little chart that compares the Cricut to the Silhouette. If you notice too, if you have a Mac, the Cricut isn’t the best for you unless you want to go with the Personal Cutter.

Ok, have a great one! Hope this info was helpful!!

What is it? The Hybrid Chick Caravan is a small team of cardmakers who will participate in various card sketch challenges around the internet using Digichick Designer goodies and traditional scrapbooking/stamping tools and supplies.

How fun is that? If you’re somebody who has a ton of digital goodies, or one who has a couple and wish to use them, or have nothing and want to start incorporating digital goods with traditional stuff, the Caravan IS for you!

There are so many challenges out there and it can be pretty overwhelming, BUT follow the Caravan on our Facebook page as we stop at various sketch challenges and together we can participate in fun and inspirational challenges!

To kick off the Caravan we have chosen to participate in Taylored Expression Sketch Challenge #121.

Not sure what to do?

Visit the challenge site to see what the design teams have done with the sketch. And if that’s not enough to jump start your mojo, check out what each of us have done:

• Sharyn
• LuAnn
• Savitri
• Alice — See hers on Taylor’s site, she’s one of the DT

Create your card based on the sketch. Link your card at the sketch host site (because some sites will offer prizes!!) and also link us up on the Hybrid Chick Caravan facebook page so we can “Oooooo” and “Ahhhhhh” over your cards! (For this first sketch challenge, you can also post the link to your card in the comment section of this post.)

The Hybrid Chick Caravan will be stopping at various sketch challenges approximately every other week so join our facebook group to see where our next stop is.

Facebook is where all of our sketch stops will be posted and where you can link us up to the cards you created while playing along.

And who knows, you may find another addiction….card making!

Although this tutorial focuses on inserting images into a frame, by the time you watch the video, you will learn how to insert an image, resize/rescale, move, and print.

Enjoy!

Now, whether or not you have a father’s day card I’d like to host a masculine card challenge. Masculine cards are always hard for me. I am a ribbon and bright colors kind of girl and toning it down for a more macho feel is really tough.

The fabulous part about a manly card, at least to me, is that it’s a great way to go simple. The guys I know are not into layers and layers of details so I always go the keep it simple route.

While I was perusing TDC’s shop I came upon this most perfect set for a manly card (or a scrapbook): Karla Dudley’s No. 1 Dad.

After messing around a bit in Photoshop I came up with this simple design:

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Karla’s handwriting. Just so fun! Her simple designs are awesome too for hybrid. I can’t get enough of her stuff!!!

In Photoshop I created an 8.5×11 page, divided it in half with a guide and aligned my design the way I want it to print on paper and after I was done I pushed “Print” (I also remembered to put my kraft paper – this one is from Stampin’ Up! – in the paper tray before I printed… I tend to forget sometimes, he he…). To give the card some dimension I added some buttons (which are all over my craft room) and polished it up also with some stamps (Golf Pro stamp at the top left and Woodgrain Silhouette for the sentiment). I used stamps because I love them and I have a lot of them but you can just skip the stamping and add more digital elements to your card. Just keep in mind that unless you have a printer that has a “bleed” option – where you can print all the way to the edge of the paper – you image will be cut at about 1/4″ from the sides. That’s what happened to my dotted line – my printer cropped it.

Oh, I’ve also been loving using twine on my buttons. I love jute and baker’s twine. They’re the perfect size to go through button holes!

Now it’s your turn! Share your creation and get a chance to win the above kit! Just submit a link to your creation here on the blog by 11:59pm (EST) on Friday, July 2nd and one lucky winner will be randomly selected to win. Good luck!

There have been MANY questions asked about which die-cut machine to get. From the hybrid forums I’ve been lurking around at it seems that many of you want to get an electric machine that either takes cartridges and/or can be hooked up to a computer so that you can download/create your own stuff.

I’m not going to into all of them, that’s why I put “part 1″ as my title. If I do, you’d all fall asleep because this post would be a book! Actually to be honest I’d be sick of flipping through websites in one sitting So to start out I will go one: Graphtec.

Graphtec… WHAT?

Now, I probably shouldn’t have written Graphtec. I should have written Silhouette instead because then you’d know what the heck I’d be talking about. But nope, Graphtec it is!

Here’s the scoop… have you heard of Wishblade or Craft Robo? If you haven’t let me show you all three machines:

Wow, do they look similar or not? Yes they do! In fact all three machines were created by one company: Graphtec!

Note: Silhouette and Craft Robo have a newer model and they look the same.

Now there are three companies promoting this one machine. Graphtech sells Craft Robo, Quickutz sells Silhouette, and Xyron sells the Wishblade.

Which is better? Well, machine wise they’re all the same but what you want to pay attention to when you finally buy one is warranty, software, and whatever other goodies that you might find useful for your needs. Of all three, it’s obvious that Quickutz did A LOT to market this machine. First of all, it’s got it’s own fancy site with tutorials, a store full of downloadable goodies, and support. Second of all, you hear it being talked about EVERYWHERE.

But wait, Xyron made a special place for its Wishblade! Also, if you have a Mac, this is the company for you! The drawback is it will cost you an extra $99 to get this Mac software. Bummer!!

I have to say, Graphtec has the least exciting website BUT they do have a nice download area where you can get templates for FREE… well, after you purchase the machine that is

What can this machine do? Well in general you can read all about it on this page… and compare it to the Cricut. All of the machines can print (using your regular printer) your digital images AND cut perfectly after. AWESOME, huh?

Which would I buy? Well, if it was me, I’d go for the Silhouette. I have a Mac but I can run Parallel and install Windows on my Intel Mac machine. IF you don’t have an Intel machine then the Wishblade would be the way to go. Since I can go Mac/PC, I’d choose the Silhouette over the rest based on what I can get AFTER I buy the machine. I love the cute images that I see at the Silhouette store that I can buy.

Now, if you decide to go buy one after reading this or you already have one at home, do you know that there’s a kit here at TDC that’d be perfect for your machine? Check out this Sweet Retweet kit by Melissa Wilson:

This kit contain images with the following format: svg, dxf, ai, png, and pdf format. Perfect for any of the machines above and more!

Ok, so that’s part 1. Next time I’ll compare a couple more machines and see if I’d still get the Silhouette! Until next time!!!

Hiya! It’s Savitri here and today I want to challenge you to create a project (card, scrapbook, altered, etc.) that uses either a shape or different types of shapes and/or punch.

(You know, the one that you got but have never used, ha!)

For your example I created this card that uses shapes AND a couple punches (although you can just use your trimmer to make the squares).

I used a really fun kit by Karen Lewis for this little project: Makin’ Mischief.

Personally I think this kit is great for this masculine card. I always have a hard time when it comes to making a manly card but I think this fits the bill. What do you think? Using dimensionals (Pop Dots or Foam Squares or the sort with varying height) I layered the shapes and the best part of this thing… it took less than five minutes to put together!!

With my 1.5″ square punch I cut the squares and the shapes I hand trim. To trim I recommend a pointed edge small scissors. They’re just easier to handle in my opinion and can cut into little corners. Now, if this card was for a girl, I would most likely add a ribbon. I’m just a ribbon kind of gal and so it’s hard not to add a touch of ribbon. But since this is suppose to be a manly man card I grabbed some twine instead and wrapped it around my card.

Another example is the card below. I used Quirky Twerp’s Gardenologie paper. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this kit!! Just GORGEOUS!

For the flower I used a scallop punch. I punched out 6 pieces, scrunched them up and put together using a brad. To cover up the brad I put a button on top of it. I’m not sure if you notice but the edges has glitters on them. To adhere the glitters I used liquid glue. I brushed the edges of the flower with the glue and sprinkles the glitters on top of it. Let dry and voila.

Do you also see the shapes behind the flower? I just used my trimmer for those.

Let me see what you can do with shapes and/or punch! You can use whatever paper/embellishments. BUT, if you have any desire to try out hybrid, check out this free paper pack. Download the file, extract the folder, open up each image and you can just click print. Or, if you’re a bit more savvy, you can open them up in a software, like Photoshop or the free Gimp, and layer different pieces together and then print. The last is my favorite that way on one piece of paper I can have 2-5 different paper types.

Deadline: March 5 by 11:59 EST.

What will you win? One winner will win the oh so gorgeous Gardenologie kit! Thank you Quirky Twerp!!!!