this+that: gratitude . . . break it down

First off,  I’m glad y’all are liking this kit. And believe it or not, even with the frustrations I had, I still enjoyed making it. I love seeing something come together!

You can use this kit with your digital craft cutter (Cricut, Silhouette, etc.)  as long as you can use the cut files of SVG/GSD/DXF. If you are using Cricut, you need to use a program such as Make The Cut (MTC) or Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) to get your computer to talk to your Cricut so it can use the SVG files.

You can create the project digitally. Refer to THIS POST for information on how to do that.

Just like the Halloween kit, due to my current method of distribution I’ve had to make some alternate file-saving choices so I can still e-mail the files to you once you’ve purchased the kit. You will be getting two e-mails with attachments for this kit. Both files come in a zipped format, so use something like WinZip or Stuffit to extract/open the zipped file.

However, this time there are two specific directories containing all the files needed to create the TRAY project as shown using printouts for some pieces and your digital craft cutter for the others. One directory is called “TRAY Print Files” and the other one called “TRAY Cut Files”. I’m going to try this to see if it will help eliminate any confusion.

Normally my kits consist of SVG/DXF/JPG/PNG. This kit will have no JPGs, just PNGs. Also, I needed to keep the file size down by NOT including the printable items as a Print & Cut for Silhouette. Sorry. But almost all of the printables are straight cuts anyway, and those that aren’t I made sure would be easy to cut.

Here’s what you get:

• Two printable composite files in PNG format only. These composite filenames start with “tt” to indicate the “This & That” project.
• One composite file of the cuttable shapes. This composite filename also starts with “tt”.
• Individual cuttable files named according to their style of shape for easier sorting. These files are made for all uses and are not sized and trimmed for the 7gypsies tray.
•  The same cuttable shapes as PNG files (no JPGs) for all you digital scrappers.

Due to file size issues, there are no individual files for the printable images with the exception of the ones that aren’t a full image (e.g., “Witches’ Brew”). You can use the Crop tool in your photo editing software with the composite images if you want to use the pieces individually.

If you’ll notice, there are two button shapes that  you can use digitally or cut as is. Additionally, however, there are the same two designs as squares. You can use a 1″ and a 3/4″ circle punch with those to give you a nice round cut.

All these pieces–which are again, sized and trimmed perfectly for the tray–are separated into the appropriate cardstock colors. This is how you will see it when you pull it up (sans color) into your cutter software. All you need to do is move the unneeded shapes out of the cutting area and cut.

If you are using this file in SCAL/MTC, sometimes the program adjusts the size of this file. Make sure it has a width of 7.6372″.

I would also recommend double cutting your images by simply copying and pasting the image on top of itself in your cutting software. That way you can be assured a clean cut on these small images. I double cut all the time. Another handy trick would be to use vinyl. It cuts nicely, plus you don’t need adhesive. Just a thought.

Here’s a few project tips:
Use photo paper or presentation paper to print your printables at home. I like using Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper (Matte or Lustre) or Epson Premium Presentation Paper (Matte). Or, you could even print it at your local photo developer. I just made sure that the height doesn’t go over 10″, so you should be able to print both files on as an 8×10.

The printable background pieces can only fit into the square for which it was designed.

The “Time” element in the upper middle square aligns with the left of the library card.

Add ribbon around the entire background and tie in front of the birdcage.

The “xo.” half circle element was made to put at the edge of the photo on the top right, however, since it didn’t work with my photo, I put it down on the calendar.

Punch four layers each of red and white cardstock to layer with the “button” shapes to give the illusion of chipboard. Use a hammer and hole punch tool combo to create the “button holes.” I would not recommend using an adhesive that uses tabs either here. Use a Zig glue pen or a tape runner of dotted adhesive. . . use something that does not have a “tab” of adhesive . . . if that makes sense.

Layer the small brown lace pattern with the red rectangle (refer to composite cut file above) and place it just below the brown flourish on the bottom-row square with your own monogram letter (mine is “B”, of course ;) ).

The “bradfords” tag is customizable in that once you bring it into your photo editing software, you can add any name or any phrase even.

Use the circle swoosh design to circle the number of people in your family on the numbers border.

Cut four or five of your monogram and the heart piece and adhere them all together to again give the illusion of chipboard.

The “gratitude” text on the view finder shape is printed on a transparency, trimmed as a circle, and placed on top.  Use a mini binder clip along the left edge and tie some ribbon on it and around to the back.

Since this kit is all about gratitude, it seemed to warrant photos. Because, after all, it’s nice to show what we are grateful for too, right? :) The photos sizes are: (going clockwise from top center)
2.625″ x 2.25″
3.75″ x 1.0625″
2.375″ x 1.1875″
1.6875″ x 1.75″

Again, I get the feeling that all printer tray’s are not created equally, so you may have to trim a fraction off here and there.

I think that about wraps it all up. I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween weekend! Ours started off with rain, but then it went away. Still, not so much in the trick or treating this year. I think we were left with way too much candy. ;)