Cricut Tuesdays with The McSmitty Girl

Hi Everyone!

This week's edition will focus on a technique already tried and true in the paper crafting world long before the Cricut arrived yet the Cricut can do as easily and quickly. The technique is called 'layering'.

Personally I love to layer; I think it gives my project the additional pop of color and dimension whether on a shaped image or with fonts and phrases.

Here are my tips and tricks along with some of my recent layout page (more to be found over at my gallery via the community site) showing you that layering with your Cricut no matter what kind of machine you have, is so much fun to do!


IMPORTANT: You do not need to adjust the size dial when you are layering parts of the one image. All of cartridges are designed so that all images will cut proportionally to each other thus making layering easy and quick to assemble your image. If you use the real dial size, all images will cut out exactly at the size chosen and therefore will not layer properly together.

Tip #1: Try to layer in as many creative features as possible where it is appropriate for your project. Use different colors of cardstock and/or mix in patterned papers with solid cardstock for an unique look. You can apply this tip to all the images on every cartridge (i.e. letters, phrases and shapes)!

Example #1: You see the LO title? Well that was created using a creative feature plus the standard set image found on this particular cartridge and its layering counterpart. I used 3 different colors of cardstock to make this title and love how it just complements my layout page yet pops from it all at the same time.


Example #2: Check out the flower image on the layout. It was layered using 2 patterned papers from the same collection yet in light and dark color. For this page, I chose to layer with the darker color pattern being more dominant but you can choose what ever combination suits your project and style best.


Example #3: Try layering your journalling mats. I've used a basic shape, a circle to complement my page yet chose 3 papers - 2 solids and 1 pattern for that added pop and dimension. Since I've used the same pattern to anchor my photo; I transitioned to the jounalling by using the same patterned paper.

Tip #2: Try to layer different font styles on top of each other.

*In the PDSS Interactive Community I have seen this technique frequently used with amazing results. It was my inspiration point for me to try and document this technique for this week's blog ~ thank-you ladies!

The above tips are the foundation for your layering applications with your Circut. So why not try...

• Using your Cricut Markers to outline your images
• Different cutting materials such as foil, vellum, chipboard or vinyl
• Finding added resources via your scrap pile
• Applying these tips onto other handmade creations such as tags, envelopes and so much more

Well I hope I have inspired you to take another look at layering. At least it worth a try since your Cricut machine is already on and/or in use, right? Layering does not have to basic anymore. Have fun experimenting and until next week... Happy Crafting!