Susan Neal
I was going through an old photo file the other day and stumbled across this priceless gem…
Twenty-one years ago my husband gave this card to me for my birthday. I think, more than anything, this photo/card (he was ahead of his time!) says more about him as a Dad than a husband.
He was always doing things with the boys…stuff moms just don’t do, and I have countless pictures that are proof of his mad dad skills.
Here’s another one that just makes me laugh! Emma is now 17 and Ethan is 18, and frankly not much has changed in the personality department (except for the thumb-sucking!). I actually made this awhile ago for an issue, but will be giving it to him this year. I know he’ll get a kick out of it.
To create this swivel card, I used a great die-cut from the Cricut’s Going Places Cartridge (the earth) and a brad. You can download this sentiment (and the one below) here if you’d like to re-create it.
Anyone who knows me knows I am a big fan of die-cuts. I just can’t help thinking how impossible most of these cards would be without the variety of die-cutting systems I have.
I just got a new cartridge for my Cricut called “Life is a Beach” and I’ve been dying to try it. When I saw this “Big Kahuna” shark, I knew it would make a perfect Father’s Day card from the kids this year since we were just in Hawaii.
I’ll be posting several more Father’s Day cards I’ve made over the years on my blog, so if you still need some inspiration, please check them out.
And just when you thought I was not doing a giveaway…
Perfect for the men (or women) in your life who play baseball, I’m giving away one Baseball Solutions Cartridge from Cricut. Just convince me you love die-cutting as much as me and you might win!
One lucky winner will score a home run with this fun Cricut cartridge!
Good luck!
Sue, Paper Crafts Pro
75 comments
Comments feed for this article
June 17, 2009 at 5:24 am
Ramona West
First in again! I just discovered die-cutting a few months ago and now my studio is completely stocked! I can’t STOP! I have cut just about everything that can be cut and made so many things. I LOVE IT! It is so great. I bought a cuttlebug a couple years ago when everyone started talking about them. I just got the Big Shot and I love it too. Someone asked me was I gettign rid of my cuttlebug and I looked at them like they were crazy! LOL! Cricut…I am coming after you!!!
June 17, 2009 at 5:36 am
jpscraps
I just got a Cricut for my birthday & I love it. I haven’t had enough time to play with it though as we’re painting and all my scrapping stuff is put away for now.
June 17, 2009 at 5:43 am
Kate
Just got a cricut and what a difference it has made in my layouts and cardmaking! Such a timesaver…would love to win.
June 17, 2009 at 5:54 am
Cass
I don’t own a die-cutting machine, yet, but it is certainly on my wishlist!
June 17, 2009 at 6:06 am
Leigh Ann Baird
Love die cutting! I especially love the ability to cut more than one letter at a time when I’m making a title for a scrapbook page!
June 17, 2009 at 6:16 am
Janet B
I enjoy die cutting. It’s a great way to add a spark to whatever I create–whether it’s a card, a layout, or an altered item. I also love demo-ing these items in my classes at my LSS–I can share my addiction with others……..and draw them into the die cutting vortex…..mwuhhhhaaaaaaaa (evil laugh)
June 17, 2009 at 6:23 am
sara
I love, love, love my cricut. I haven’t had it for very long and am still learning how to use it but I have been so happy with all it can do. Thanks for the chance to win!
June 17, 2009 at 6:24 am
Summer Braxton
I started as a stamper, but when the baby came along I had to start scrapping…. I already had all the supplies. On my very first page, I stamped the title and cut out all 10 letters by hand. Never again!! The next week, I had a cricut. Now, 2 years later, I have 2!! I don’t think I’ve made a paper project without it since. I even use it to decorate my home!
June 17, 2009 at 6:47 am
Lori R
What cute cards! I have a Cuttlebug and I also just bought a Cricut this year……I love all the great possibilities!!
June 17, 2009 at 6:52 am
Gabriela Duclos
I started with a sizzix…. remember the big red ones and fell in love with the ease and practicality of it. No more running out to get a letter A or a silly circle. Today I have replaced that die cutting machine with a beautiful Expression. I am still in love with the ease and practicality of it. It is so easy to use and it provides so much.
I would love to win this cart… my seven year old just started baseball and I can foresee many layouts in our future. Thanks for the chance!!!!
June 17, 2009 at 6:53 am
Patty W
OH my… I love the card hubby did for you ! Mine has made me hand made cards too! Once he even had a pop up heart in it! Too cute!
Love the earth card and may have to try that one!
thanks and I do desperately need more inspiration!
June 17, 2009 at 7:14 am
Kay
Yes, I don’t think I could make it without my die cutting machine(s)! They make me very, very happy! ;o) Kay
June 17, 2009 at 7:19 am
Susan N. Moore
I love die cuts! I use them on cards frequently. I would love to know more about how to make diecuts have more depth to them, instead of just looking flat on a page. Your cards look wonderful, and they have a nice light touch to the sentiments as well. Thanks for the chance to win!
June 17, 2009 at 7:29 am
Marty
I was the first one in the “neighborhood” to get a Cricut and I have loved it. I love the alphabets most of all but I just love the convenience of it. I take it to crops and use it with the kids at home. Love it!
June 17, 2009 at 7:31 am
Carol H
I love my die cutting machines. I have a cricut and a sizzix. I love being able to cut the titles for my scrapbook pages with the cricut and especially love it now that I have a deep cut blade that will cut through more things. You can do some amazing things by layering the die cuts–not just as the original shape. I wouldn’t give up my spellbinder dies for anything though they have opened up a whole new world in papercrafting. Thanks for the chance to win–my grandson is in to baseball so I know I could put it to good use.
June 17, 2009 at 7:32 am
Laurel
I love die cutting! Check out my blog and you will see I use my cricut all the time! My favorite tool ever!
June 17, 2009 at 8:18 am
Lillian Child
Okay … the baseball die cut is an awesome way to make some masculine cards – which I find are the hardest to create. I would even invest in a Cricut machine if I were to win this prize drawing. It’s been on my wish list for over a year now, but with the economy as it is, I’ve had to cut back on my crafting dollars. But a girl can DREAM, can’t she??!!
June 17, 2009 at 8:19 am
Jingle
These are so cute! I would love to die cut only I don’t have a means by which to do it at home quite yet. I’m working on it, though….
June 17, 2009 at 9:00 am
Heather Ippolito
I too am in love with a die-cutting machine!! I have the Cricut and I don’t know what I’d do without it. Being able to cut letters and numbers in any shape and size make journaling (which I despise) a much cheerier task!! I’ve recently begun doing cards and my Cricut is now working over-time. Thanks for the chance to win a new cartridge!!
June 17, 2009 at 9:30 am
Marlena Megerian
I own a die cutting machine and I use it on most of my projects.I love the way that I don’t need to cut out the shapes free- hand and also that it is very fast and versitile.Thanks for a chance to win this carteridge.
June 17, 2009 at 9:32 am
maryD
I love my die cutting machines so much that I need all different choices. I have my Cuttlebug and the new Slice. But the Cricut is my most difficult becuz I don’t have enuff variety in my cartridges. So I definately need this very masuline tidbit. Masuline cards are a real challenge for me so having this cartridge would be a dream come true.
Thanks for the chance to win!
June 17, 2009 at 10:23 am
Jenny
Oh how I love my cricut!! We are working on building a house and in the new house I get a scrap room. ; ) When I get that me cricut will not be stuffed in a closet so I know I will use it even more that I do now. I love this cart would be great to have. Thanks for giving us a chance at such a great prize.
June 17, 2009 at 10:26 am
Elizabrth S.
I just love my die cutting. Whenever I see something new I have to check it out and hopefully I will be able to buy it.
I just the card your husband made you for your birthday!! It was so thoughful and clever of him. You die cut of the world is something that I think I will have to look into.
Thanks for sharing your cards!!
June 17, 2009 at 10:27 am
Michelle Bertuzzi
I tried to convince myself that I wouldn’t need a Cricut but I see all the inspiration everywhere!! The more I see it, the more I want it.
I have a big shot and wishing out loud to my husband for a Cricut on my birthday.
This would be an awesome first collection!
June 17, 2009 at 10:48 am
bck
Great cards!!!
I love my Cricut Expresssion and am constantly finding uses for it! I do tend to use my BIGKick more though. Just love those Spellbinder’s Nestabilities!
June 17, 2009 at 10:56 am
Michelle A.
I just discovered die cutting & I am lovin it… so fabulous! Would love to win this cartridge…thanks for the chance!
June 17, 2009 at 11:02 am
Bernice
I don’t have a Cricut yet but I am dying to get one (and my husband sure knows it!). Hopefully I’ll win this cartridge because, well, if I have the cartridge, I GOTTA get the machine to go with it, right?
June 17, 2009 at 11:25 am
jan farnworth
i love using my cricut it one of my most favorite items i own. It even more awesome when you combine it with the design studio. Just about every layout i do or card contains something i diecut. Either with my cricut or my cuttlebug between the two i think i got my bases covered.
June 17, 2009 at 11:52 am
Tifany D.
I love my Cricut! My son is just now loving anything to do with baseball, so I’d love to win that cartridge…pretty please!!!
June 17, 2009 at 11:54 am
Christina
Oh die cutting is awesome. I’ve been using the Cricut & love it. The baseball cartridge would be great since my bf is a die-hard (pun intended) Mets fan!!!
June 17, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Adrienne F
I love the impact you can make with die cuts. My favourite thing to do with them is layer them up and give them LOTS of colour!!
June 17, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Debbie
I’m a perfectionists and that’s why I love my Cricut…now I cut perfect letters and shapes for the church bulletin boards, scrapbook pages, cards, home decor, and on and on!
June 17, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Heather
I LOVE using my Cricut machine. My mom and I swap cartridges but we don’t have this one yet. I would love to win it so I can share it with my mom!
June 17, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Laura T.
LOVE – LOVE – LOVE my Cricut … and that beach cartridge is awesome. I don’t have the baseball one, but would be perfect with my son starting T-ball this Fall.
June 17, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Rona
Cute card – I have that Life’s A Beach Cartridge and it has not gotten enough use yet!! My hubby is a baseball fanatic!! I would love that cart!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
June 17, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Debbi
Would love to win this cart. Zillion pictures of my grandson playing baseball, two grandsons coming behind him, one granddaughter ready to play T Ball and I’m a die hard St Louis Cardinal fan. Don’t you think I realllly need this? I do.
June 17, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Melissa
I love my die-cuts. As my 7 year old son would say, “Mom, don’t you think maybe you are a little obsessed with that?” I own the cuttlebug, quickutz and cricut all in the name of a good die cut. I love seeing what I can make with them. I love seeing what my kids make with them. They make me happy.
p.s. above mentioned 7 year old plays baseball. hint hint. *Ü*
June 17, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Nicole
Die Cuting machines have to be one of the greatest inventions. I got my 1st die cutting machine about 2-3 months ago and I love my Sizzix Sidekick. I dont know how I scrapbooked without it. I use my sizzix for everything beside the fact that its cute and pink the die cuts come out perfect. They have die cuts for every occasion. I have even found websites to get my sizzlits for great prices. I’m building up my die cut library.
My next must have tool is a Circut ( I dont think u understand how bad I want one). I’ve watched the Circut presentations on QVC(yes,more then once) and I’ve watched the infomercials that come on late at night sometimes. I want to know how to use it as soon as I get one.
The thing is we are getting married this August so we are definetly on a buget ( man putting together a wedding is expensive, but I cant wait for the day) So after the wedding I’m going to put the Circut in my budget and buy one. Cant wait and I will tell everyone how it goes.
Thanks for giving me a chance to share. Oh luv the World Father’s Day card. Great Job!!!!!
June 17, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Naz
I love die cutting—I first got addicted to it from just random ads I would receive in the mail…I would use them as templates and then there was the cuttlebug…then finally the cricut. I’ve stopped buying punches and just been using my cricut from small projects to large ones…love it!
Thanks for sharing the pics and the cards!
June 17, 2009 at 2:56 pm
~Shari
Do I LOVE die-cutting??? Do I LOVE die-cutting!!!!
Monday was my birthday – my celebration of choice was to take the day off of work – and to play with my Cricut……INCLUDING continuing a Christmas project I started a couple months ago. (My family thinks I’m certifiable.)
~Shari
June 17, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Heather
Just this past Christmas I was lucky enough to receive the Cricut machine…can you say time saver! Prior to owning this wonderful machine I would draw, hand cut and piece together my own paper crafts. This is such a time saver to cut and paste. I also love to create new things with the cutouts….like a paisley design makes a cute butterfly when paired up or a pumpkin stacked up design can become a peanut if you cut off the arms and stem.
June 17, 2009 at 3:51 pm
CB
LOVE the Father’s Day “world” card…totally going to lift that one for my hubby’s Dad’s day card…lucky I have that Cricut cartridge! *blush* Along w/ 9 other ones…I always have to buy one when it’s on sale …and I don’t think I want to count how many Sizzix and QK dies I have. YES, it is addictive! Thanks for the chance to win the cartridge!
June 17, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Marie
I just got my Cricut not too long ago so I am getting the hang of it. I can always use a new cartridge to practice with!
June 17, 2009 at 4:53 pm
LeAnn
If you doubt I LOVE die cutting……just let me list my inventory
Cricut Expression
Cricut Original
Pazzles Inspiration
Big Shot Express
Cuttlebug
Wizard
Tag-A-Long
Plus SCAL and 50 cartridges. However, the baseball solutions cartridge is one I DON’T have!
Thanks for the opportunity
June 17, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Lynda aka arlsmom
I am a diecut junkie…I pretty much use my Cricut for almost every project I make…haven’t cut out a cirlce in months since upgrading to the Expression…sad but true…I even made lables for the back of my daughter’s doors that say “towel” and “robe” with my machine…I know…get a life right…but I love my machine!
June 17, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Laura Stewart
I love die cutting
June 17, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Jen H
With a son and daughter both in baseball, I spend a lot of time at the fields and taking pictures. I could definitely use this cartridge!
June 17, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Heather
I DON’T have a Cricut, but one of my BEST friends does-she lives in Canada and the cartridges are Tres expensive there. She would LOVE me to win this as I would send it to her-get ALL THE CREDIT and have free little worlds made and mailed to me ANYTIME I ask!
I DO have a Cuttlebug, QuicKutz, Sissix, Sidekick & Zippie’Mate with all kinds of dies. I have also BORROWED (wink-wink) a Silhouette to try out my skills on…does that qualify as having a To DIE for obsession?
June 17, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Yvette
Love die cuts too much. I got the cricut, slice, sizzix, quickutz and still looking at the cuttlebug and Nestabilities.
Is that too much??
June 17, 2009 at 8:29 pm
denise
I got a Cricut two christmas ago. It is the last gift that my mother got for me and one that I treasure, as we lost her this past November. Her comment to the anyone listening in our house was there she goes again, whenever she heard the whirling noise. I will miss hearing that comment, and will think fondly when ever I use my Cricut.
June 17, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Susan Neal
No Yvette, that isn’t too much.
It never, ever, is. I’ve also been eyeing those nestabilities for a while, but haven’t taken the plunge yet. One day soon. Sue
June 18, 2009 at 12:43 am
Elaine
Love love love the cards!!!! Especially the one from 21 years ago!! I would never have the patience to cut out these things….which is why I have a Cricut!!!
BUT I don’t have this cart….I do have kids – 18 and 13 and guess what I have pictures of them doing??? PLAYING BALL!!! DANG, this is meant to be…and by the way it would be fun to see what kind of card you’ve gotten since the modest blindfold one!
June 18, 2009 at 6:57 am
shannon
OMG! I got the cricut for Christmas and now am the envy of all my scrapbooking pals! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I use it for EVERYTHING! I don’t know how I ever survived life or crafting life without it! It is almost my lifeline in creating!
June 18, 2009 at 8:26 am
ivy
i HAD to have the cricut when it 1st came out and begged hubs to get it for me (which he ovingly did)!
June 18, 2009 at 8:49 am
Angela
Who doesn’t love die-cutting. I love using the cricut, and the best is that you can use it for so many different sizes AND vinyl!
June 18, 2009 at 8:52 am
cards4ever
I have two die cutting machines ( Cricut and Quickutz squeeze) ane use them on all of my projects. They so made paper crafting a lot more fun and faster.
June 18, 2009 at 8:54 am
Monika/buzsy
I NEED this! I just got my Cricut machine and having 3 boys (including Daddy) in my life this would be just perfect! DS just finished baseball season.
)
June 18, 2009 at 9:02 am
alicia
I love die cuts and my new cricut. Since i only have one cartridge I could REALLY use this one!
June 18, 2009 at 9:15 am
terriavidreader
Well, I can play Don Quixote but I don’t believe I can top your enthusiasm for diecuts! Maybe I can come in second?!
June 18, 2009 at 9:52 am
Julie O.
Very cute card!!! Oh my!! What a fantastic giveaway!!! Hmmmmmmmmm….to convince you how much I love the cricut and the cartridges……does it count that I have stood in line at several CHA’s for HOURS at a time to create their gorgeous make-n-take??? LOL!! I would LOVE to win this cartridge and it would make my machine very happy. Thanks for the chance!
June 18, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Lee Anne
Sue,
Thanks so much for the cute earth card idea. I totally CASEd it just now. I don’t have di-cut machine, but I used some patterned paper that looks like the earth. I’m all finished with it and just noticed that “whole” on your free printout is spelled “wole”. I knew you would want to know. I may just give it to him anyway and see if he notices! Thanks again for all of your free downloads. I just found them.
Lee Anne
June 18, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Aimee
love my cricut and still can’t get enough use out of it…
June 18, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Sara Peatross
I love love die cuts! I couldn’t wait to get the old red sizzix when it first came out and I have upgraded ever since then. I just love all the options in dies now. I think it’s awsome that you can create an embellishment that matches your layout and your card every time.
June 18, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Susan Neal
Lee Anne! Thanks for letting me know…my goodness, must have been in a hurry when I did that because I really do know how to spell “Whole”! LOL Would love to see your version of the card. Want to email it to me?
June 18, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Janet Zeppa
I love die cutting! I have a cricut,cuttlebug and a wizard.
June 18, 2009 at 8:49 pm
sadie
I am a softball junkie as well or more so a cricut junkie. I just wanted to say you do have mad skills. Your are very creative and where I just won a prize last week I just wanted to say Thanks and what an inspiration you are to all of us out there. thanks for all the classes at Roberts’ clinton….
June 19, 2009 at 2:24 am
Carol Cabezas
OMG- i love it when i see die cutting being showcased in the PaperCrafts magazines! My darling cricut is my very best scrapping buddy; i owned the original and now own the expression; and I’m chirpie!
Thanks for the opportunity to win this cartridge!
June 19, 2009 at 6:43 am
Sherri Thompson
I love die-cutting because I can customize my cards and layouts. My favorite way to use die cuts is to use a large die cut (4″-5″) for the front of my card and then the matching blackout image for the back. Then I just adhere the two die cuts together at the top. I also love embossing folders (my favorite is CB’s Swiss Dots) to give my cards subtle texture. Thanks for the chance to win!
June 19, 2009 at 7:04 am
Lee Anne
Susan,
I’d love to email you my card. Let me know what to do!
Lee Anne
June 19, 2009 at 8:22 am
Tiffany
I absolutely love my Cricut Expression! I hate cutting anything even a straight line
, but my Cricut makes me look like a cutting wizard. My neighbor was so impressed that she bought one too. Since I got my Cricut, everything I create has something cut from my Cricut. I don’t know how I ever created anything without it! I would love to win the baseball cartridge…I would use it to make something special for my son and his teammates this summer.
June 19, 2009 at 10:51 am
Susan Neal
Lee Anne, please send it to PCProSue@mindspring.com. Thanks!
June 20, 2009 at 4:55 am
Wendy
Susan, It is nice to know that you love die cutting. My husband teases me he tell everyone that I go to bed early so that I can get up in the middle of the night to make cards on my cricut machine. He said when he is looking for me at 3 am I am cutting out shapes and makes the cutting sound. He is too funny.
June 20, 2009 at 10:19 am
NWFlamingo
ODE To Die-cutting
Oh Cricut, Oh Slice you are different but nice!
Oh Wizard, my first, you make my heart burst!
Oh Big Shot, and Tag-A-Long, the BIG and the LITTLE,
I’m happiest most when with these gizmos I piddle.
Oh… bad poetry, but are you convinced I like die-cutting as much as you?
June 21, 2009 at 9:48 am
Lynn M
So I got a Cricut Expression for Christmas, and I am totally in love with it….however, I only have the cartridge that it came with
I know, sad isn’t it…. So as you can see, if I’m to be much more creative, I totally need that cartridge!!!
June 23, 2009 at 4:08 am
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