{"id":32156,"date":"2021-04-09T10:19:03","date_gmt":"2021-04-09T08:19:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thewholesaler.biz\/blog\/?p=32156"},"modified":"2022-10-21T08:28:57","modified_gmt":"2022-10-21T06:28:57","slug":"messy-ink-swatches-vs-clean-cut-files","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thewholesaler.biz\/blog\/messy-ink-swatches-vs-clean-cut-files\/","title":{"rendered":"Messy Ink Swatches vs Clean Cut Files"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are anything like me, you go through different stages in your creative journey. I love making a mess with my inks but there are times when I can quite happily just create a beautiful layout without any ink. For this layout, instead of using my inks to create brushstrokes against the background, I used my Cricut Maker to cut some messy paint swatches out of Celebr8 patterned paper and cardstock. I get the same awesome fun results but without making a mess.<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>
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How to:<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

You can size the paint swatches to fit onto a card, layout, project life card and even use them in your art journals. So much fun just using my Cricut and some stunning patterned papers and cardstock.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Step 1<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

Open Design Space. <\/strong>Click upload on the left side of your screen. Then click upload image.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Step 2<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

Find the image you want to upload. If your image does not have a transparent background you can remove the white around the background by clicking the select and erase tool in the top left corner of the canvas<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Step 3<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

Select how complex your image is by clicking on one of the boxes on the right-hand side, then click upload.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Step 4<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

If you want to only cut the image, select it as a cut file only. Name and tag your image before saving it.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Step 5<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

Click on the images to select them, then add them to your canvas.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Step 6<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

You can now size and move around your images to make them fit onto your cutting matt before cutting them.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Step 7<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

Select the material you want to cut \u2013 either cardstock or patterned paper.<\/p>\n

TIP:\u00a0I used a light grip cutting mat for my patterned paper and a regular grip for my thicker cardstock.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Once your images are cut, carefully remove them from your cutting mat. Remember to peel your cutting matt off your cuts to prevent the cardstock from curling and bending, and not peel the cardstock off the matt. If you need to, use your spatula to remove the cuts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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And now you can create your layout, card or art journaling page! Have fun \u2013 because with Cricut Together we can make anything!<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>