Just Relax - Tutorial to make a male themed card using the Cricut Explore

Posted on 25th April 2015 by Angela Dodson
Filed under All Papercraft Tutorials, Seasonal Crafts, Fathers Day Cards, Design Team

Hello, it’s Angela here to share a simple card design with you.  The Team have been working on male themed projects this week and I’ve been playing with black silhouette images, so I’ve combined the two and created this card which has striking black & white contrasts but I also introduced yellow and blue to give a slightly retro feel to it.  To add extra interest to the background I have used the ‘White Seal Embossed’ which is currently on Special Offer.  Alternatively you could use a hammered, leather or other textured or embossed cardstock instead.  All cardstock is of course from Papermilldirect (materials and links at the bottom of this post).

The sentiment of ‘Just Relax’ with the silhouette image of a man would work as a picture for the wall or display piece as well as a card design.  I have created this in Design Space software using subscription and free images, and I can share my project link with you, so that you can cut it too on a Cricut Explore.

When you click the link :  https://uk.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/27213517 you will be taken to the Design Space project and can see the images on the screen already sized for you and the pieces are in the colours I have used in this example.  You can of course resize, re-colour and / or edit this project however you wish for you own needs.

All you need to do is power on your Explore, press ‘go’ and follow the onscreen prompts to load the mat with the selected colours. ( I used Cardstock + setting). When all items have been cut you will have the following:  1 Black rectangle, 1 white rectangle, 3 layers to the male silhouette (4 pieces), and 4 layers to the sentiment (5 pieces).

Apply double sided tape to the back of the white rectangle and mat onto the black rectangle evenly.  Assemble the layered silhouette and layered sentiment wording using your choice of adhesive; I used a combination of double sided tape and cosmic shimmer glue.

Optional step - If you want to add some detail to the shirt you can do this by stamping in colours or as I have done by stamping with versamark ink and a small dotty texture stamp to give just a subtle hint.  I also did the same with the top yellow letters ‘U’ and T’. (you could also cut those letters in a different colour if preferred)

Create a card blank by scoring and folding an A4 sheet of PMD Plain White cardstock, then trim down to your desired card size.  I cut to allow a small white border all around.

Apply double sided tape to the back of your black & white rectangle mat and position evenly onto the front of the card blank.

Next using adhere the completed sentiment wording to the lower part of the card front, this will be stuck down flat.  The silhouette will be a raised element, so add 3D foam pads or tape to the back.

Carefully position the silhouette so that he looks to be sitting on the wording, when happy with position press down firmly.

You now have a simple but effective male themed card with striking contrast and a slightly retro look.  You could also add a sentiment to the top right hand side, perhaps a Happy Birthday or other sentiment or element to personalise it for your needs.

Materials Used:

Papermill Direct card:

Plain White

Black

Sky Blue

Daffodil Yellow

White Seal Embossed (Special Offer)

Double Sided Tape

Cosmic Shimmer Glue

3D Foam Pads

Versamark Inkpad (optional)

Oakhouse Studio Stamps (optional) http://www.oakhousestudio.com/ourshop/prod_3672656-Sunshine-sentiment-and-texture-set.html

Tools:

Cricut Explore

Link to my Design Space File:  https://uk.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/27213517

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