How To Use The Kit
You can use this kit with many of the digital craft cutters out there, such as Silhouette, Pazzles and Cricut. Anything that can use an SVG/DXF/AIv8 file. If you are using Cricut, you’ll need to use something like older versinos Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) or Make The Cut (MTC). These programs allow you to use SVG files with your Cricut.
And if you don’t have a digital craft cutter? No worries. You can create it digitally! THIS POST has some great information on how to do that.
Distribution and Use of the File
I’ve had to make some alternate file saving choices with my This & That kits due to my current method of distribution so I can still email the files once you’ve purchased the kit. You will receive one email with one attachment. It comes in a ZIP file, so use something like WinZip or StuffIt to extract/open the zipped file once you’ve saved it to your hard drive. If you are on a Mac, you can double-click the ZIP file and it will open automatically.
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 other pieces. One directory is called “TRAY Print Files” and the other is called “TRAY Cut Files.”
Normally my kits consist of JPG/PNG along with the SVG/DXF/AIv8. This kit only has PNG files and no JPGs. Also, I needed to keep the file size down by NOT including the printable items as Print & Cuts for Silhouette. But most of the printables are straight cuts, so they should be easy to work with.
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.
- Two composite files of the cuttable shapes. These composite filenames also start with “tt”.
- Individual cuttable files named according to the descriptive 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 crafters.
Due to file size issues, there are no individual files for the printable images (in the composite files), with the exception of the ones that aren’t a full image (e.g., the “Today” icon). Use the Crop tool in your photo editing software with the composite printable files if you want to use them individually.
The two printable composite files look like this.
These files you print on your printer and trim using a paper trimmer or scissors as needed. Most of these are the background pieces for the slots of the 7gypsies tray.
The files are both under 8×10, so if you’d like to take thems to a photo developer, you can do that. Make sure they do not size the image to fit in the 8×10 area–it needs to be left as is. If you need to confirm the size, the first file is 7.57″ wide and the second file is 7.6″ wide.
I also included a generic PNG versions of the Button card and the Sweet Peas image so that it doesn’t contain the word “spring fling” or “Bradford Seed Co.” This way you can customize them if you’d like for this project or other uses. Additionally, I included the full version of the Receipt image without the items listed so you can use it as a journaling item for any project.
The two cuttable composite files like this, but not in color.
These are the files you’ll use with your cutter (Silhouette, Cricut, Wishblade, Pazzles, etc.) to cut your cardstock pieces and layer with the pieces above in your 7gypsies tray.
All these pieces–which are sized and trimmed perfectly for the tray–are separated into the appropriate cardstock colors. This is how you will see the two files when you pull them up into your cutting software (no color though). All you need to do is Ungroup/Break the image and/or move the unneeded shapes out of the cutting area and cut.
Some of the other software programs, like MTC or SCAL, may adjust the size of the image when importing. If this occurs, resize it proportionally. The first file has a width of 7.23″and the second file has a width of 7.87″.
Here’s a few more project tips (also refer to yesterday’s post for ‘how to’ tips):
- Use a 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, take it to your local photo devleoper.
- The printable background pieces can only fit into the square for which it was designed.
- Double cut your images by copying and pasting the image on top of itself in your cutting software. That way you can be assured of a clean cut, especially on the small images. Another nifty trick is to use vinyl. It cuts nicely, plus you don’t need adhesive.
- If this is your first time working with a This & That kit, HERE is some information on the magnets I use so that I can easily swap out the pieces all year long.
Where to find the tray.
While there are many places you can purchase the tray, you can find it on the 7gypsies website HERE. I purchased mine from Archivers. Note: I’ve discovered that all printer tray’s are not created equally, so you may have to trim a fraction off here or there. I usually set the back piece in its square first just to see if I’ll need to trim anything off.
So now it’s the first of April. I can now say “Zach comes home this month.” No more “in xx months”. No more “in xx weeks”. We’re on days now–like in 12.
On that note, back to getting his room in order so Dan can get it all repaired and repainted this weekend. :)
Have a beautiful weekend!
So happy for you that he'll be home this month! I know there will be much love and celebrating going on!
Can't wait to get my tray together!
Hope you and Dan have fun decorating this weekend. I've always found that decorating with a loved one is the BEST time for reminiscing about "The Olden Days" (i.e. when WE were YOUNG!) Enjoy your Homecoming with Zach! I'm SO thrilled for you! Love from Scotland xo
Well, our conversations are more about "what do we do with all this garbage!" rather than fondly reminiscing. lol
How many shirts can one kid own anyway? Do you have any idea how much laundry I've been doing for the past two days??
And don't EVEN get me started on all the plaid shorts.
holy cannoli.
12 days?!!! Wow. You may find hidden treasure in that room. I really don't think he will care what it looks like, he will just be glad to be back to his own room for sure.
Sooooooooo Happy for you Miss. Kerri… YAY ZACH IS FINNALLY COMING HOME…XO
Okay… been reading your blog for awhile… this set has pushed me over the edge! I just bought a letter tray – can't wait to get it and get it all decorated!
GOOOO WENDI! :)
You're my BFF Kerri! LOL I love all your work! :D
You're too cute Michele. :)
Thanks!