Tuesday, September 28, 2010

My Imagine and Lessons Learned

My Imagine was delivered late Thursday and it has been a rollercoaster ride. I put on my big girl Cricut panties and unloaded the box, albeit with some major anxiety. My dear husband (DH) arrived home and started to help with the calibration process. We calibrated it three times with no luck, but thanks to patience on the part of my DH ( by the way I have none) and this amazing blog post and video by More Than Favors we got the job done. Please take a minute to read this post on advanced calibration. It will save you some tears, I promise.

I thought I would share some of the lessons I learned the hard way!

Double check when you are using the load last feature with anything but a 12 inch by 12 inch paper setting. I did not double check the screen and now I have a permanent inked flower on my new cutting mat. Yikes.

Make sure that your cartridges are firmly in place. I couldn’t figure out why mine were not being recognized. Duh!

If you use thick glossy photo paper ( I used Kirkland’s professional glossy inkjet photo paper from Costco) be sure to increase the pressure to five and change the setting to glossy. Also remember to set the blade at 6. Also the drying process takes a little longer with glossy paper, so be patient. I wasn’t and thought there was something wrong with my machine so I tried to remove the paper. Bad move… I had to shut off my machine and start over.

I am still learning, but have grown to love my new Imagine. It is truly an amazing machine and the print quality is outstanding. Also it cuts better than my v1 or my expression. I know since I repeatedly tested the machines using the same paper and same cut. I am also thrilled that I figured out how to print a sentiment anywhere on a card or page.Check out this video if you want to learn.

Posted below are my first two cards.

For this card, I printed the layers compressed and then added a couple of clouds and pop dotted the bird. I like that I can choose to add only a couple of layers and still get a nice look.



For the inside, I used the square shape and flood filled with a paper from Just Friends. I made this card before I discovered how to print the sentiments anywhere on a card.



This card is printed using Nursery Tails and glossy photo paper. I printed the layers compressed and added a couple of butterflies. For the inside I reduced the size of the outside layer and flood filled the rectangle. I used the Wild Card cart for the sentiment, flood filled and cut. The coordinated digital paper makes life super easy. I wanted to weld the card together with my DS but instead I created a small card and glued it to the outside cut. It doesn’t look as professional as a welded card, but it works at least until the Gypsy software is updated.







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12 comments:

Dianne said...

I really like how your cards came out. I have been playing with mine, and to be honest, have been a little disappointed in the print quality. You said the 2nd card was on glossy paper. Was the first card also on glossy paper? I printed out the same image and mine pales by comparison (literally AND figuratively). Thanks for the video on printing sentiments... I will try that this weekend.

Linda Kaiser said...

The first paper is on regular white card stock. To you have your print setting on best. Is their any chance you are printing on draft quality?

Hope this helps.

Ohhh Snap said...

Beautiful!! I'm looking forward to the time I can get an Imagine even more now. Thanks for sharing the technique. I'll be sure to tell my sister who has one :D.bi

Linda Kaiser said...

OOPS! I am redoing the last comment with correct grammar. Do you have your print setting on best? Is there any chance you are prining in draft mode. I need coffee. Can you tell?

Linda

Good luck.

Dianne said...

I think it is on best quality - I'll double check when I get home. I was using some white paper I bought at Michael's that was a pack of white cardstock by Recollections. I was afraid to use Bazzill (bumpy) because my mat is one of those that's not real sticky!

Linda Kaiser said...

I used Bazzill and it worked great. Hope this helps.

Suz said...

Those are some of the best photos I've seen for Imagine projects! Really pretty. (almost) makes me want one, but my Expression is too new. DH would have a heart attack.

Linda Kaiser said...

Thanks Suz. I love love love my Expression and will still be using it a lot!

Linda K

eskiesmom said...

Linda, it's wonderful to read nice things about the Imagine. So many people have condemned it with out giving it time to learn the ins and out. I'm so glad that I've found your blog. Thanks for the great tips.

Denise said...

They are so cute. I can't wait to get my Nursery Tails cartridge replacement. The Imagine was not reading the cartridge.
I bet you are having all kind of fun.

Denise

scraps-4-ever.blogspot.com

Craft Me This said...

I am glad to hear from you, that we can use glossy paper. On special cards and things I am hoping it will have a little more umph in the color. The color on my Imagine always looks I will say subdued! Is that how the color is or just mine? Thanks so much for the info.

Linda Kaiser said...

Pack Leader: Paper does make a difference. I love the glossy paper because of the great shine.

I am also planning on experimenting with different papers. I found that the results using different white paper varies. I am loving the Bazzill textured white paper that I bought at my local scrapbook store. Different papers have different saturation levels so the brightness of the colors will vary. I would love to hear what other people are using!

Linda

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