I joined the MTC family before they pulled the Cricut capability. I bet they had a boom in sales the last few days - I never planned to purchase MTC but with all the hype about the settlement, I decided to check the program out for myself and am SO GLAD that I did. MTC is amazing and I am so excited to get started using it.
Yes, I know I can no longer update my Cricut firmware - but since I don't use cartridges at all there is really no need. I updated to v. 2.34 in order to be compatible with the latest release of MTC and will be content with that for the duration of my Cricut's useful life - it's over 3 years old so I don't really expect it to last much longer.
Been out comparison shopping new cutters so I'll be ready to make a purchase as soon as I can save up the funds. I've got my heart set on a Black Cat Lynx (and Black Cat supports MTC development - I read that they actually sent Andy a machine so that he could write the necessary drivers for it).
Still waiting to hear what the outcome will be for SCAL (since PC has also sued them for the same reasons).
That's it for today - have to get ready for work - but I do have some new files that I'll be sharing soon!
Where I shop for SVG Files:
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Click on Jennifer's picture to visit her fundraising page!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Greek Alphabet
NOTICE: Please go to the SVG tab at the top of my blog for important information regarding SVG downloads.
Someone posted on the svgcuts forum that they would like a greek alphabet to cut things for sororities, etc.
I wasn't sure if everyone realizes that the Greek alphabet symbols are available in many of the Windows fonts that we all have on our computers. To use them you have to utilize the Character Map and copy and paste them into your application. This can be time consuming so I thought I'd put together one file containing all of the upper and lower Greek alphabet symbols converted to svg format.
I used the Book Antiqua font but there are many other styles that you can use - just like there are different font styles for our alphabet.
The download is one file that contains the upper and lower symbol for each letter - I've included the name of each in red text - the red text is not a path and will not cut. Here is a screenshot of what the file looks like when you open it.
Someone posted on the svgcuts forum that they would like a greek alphabet to cut things for sororities, etc.
I wasn't sure if everyone realizes that the Greek alphabet symbols are available in many of the Windows fonts that we all have on our computers. To use them you have to utilize the Character Map and copy and paste them into your application. This can be time consuming so I thought I'd put together one file containing all of the upper and lower Greek alphabet symbols converted to svg format.
I used the Book Antiqua font but there are many other styles that you can use - just like there are different font styles for our alphabet.
The download is one file that contains the upper and lower symbol for each letter - I've included the name of each in red text - the red text is not a path and will not cut. Here is a screenshot of what the file looks like when you open it.
SCAL or MTC - your opinions please?
I have been pondering all of my options in light of everything that has happened with MTC and Provo Craft. I'm really kind of in limbo right now waiting for an official statement from Andy at MTC. I am seriously considering the purchase of a Black Cat cutter but I want to be assured of the future of MTC before I take that step.
I have to state that I was never a cartridge user - think I bought 4 or 5 and I have personally used only ONE of them. I gave all the others to my daughter because she had access to a cricut at some crop nights she was attending. I'm left with Plantin Schoolbook that came with my machine - and when I just need some quick text without welding, etc - I like the font and will use it.
I love the combo of SCAL & Inkscape and have become quite competent at creating the files that I want/need for my pages. Even before the advent of the cutting machines - I made my own intricate paper-piecings rather than purchase stickers and die cuts - I'm just not a "cutesy" scrapbooker. Don't get me wrong - there is adorable stuff and I love a lot of it - it just doesn't fit with my scrapbooking style.
While I wait for an official statement on the future of MTC, I decided to download the trial version of the software and see if I can figure it out. I keep reading how it is more user friendly than SCAL. I don't see it yet - but maybe it's just because I've used SCAL from the beginning.
I will say that the trace feature seems to work very well - I haven't tried breaking any images yet to clean them up and separate them ( I haven't figured out how to do this yet).
I'd love to hear from any of you who own and have used both software applications - which is your favorite and why?
I have to state that I was never a cartridge user - think I bought 4 or 5 and I have personally used only ONE of them. I gave all the others to my daughter because she had access to a cricut at some crop nights she was attending. I'm left with Plantin Schoolbook that came with my machine - and when I just need some quick text without welding, etc - I like the font and will use it.
I love the combo of SCAL & Inkscape and have become quite competent at creating the files that I want/need for my pages. Even before the advent of the cutting machines - I made my own intricate paper-piecings rather than purchase stickers and die cuts - I'm just not a "cutesy" scrapbooker. Don't get me wrong - there is adorable stuff and I love a lot of it - it just doesn't fit with my scrapbooking style.
While I wait for an official statement on the future of MTC, I decided to download the trial version of the software and see if I can figure it out. I keep reading how it is more user friendly than SCAL. I don't see it yet - but maybe it's just because I've used SCAL from the beginning.
I will say that the trace feature seems to work very well - I haven't tried breaking any images yet to clean them up and separate them ( I haven't figured out how to do this yet).
I'd love to hear from any of you who own and have used both software applications - which is your favorite and why?
Sunday, March 13, 2011
WINNER ANNOUNCED!
Before I announce the winner of the TWO PART BLOG CANDY - I want to take a moment to thank EVERYONE who stopped by to visit us during the hop and give a special thank you to all the ladies who shared their incredible talents with us! Also thank you to all of you who have elected to become followers of Notes from the Scrapbooklady - I feel so honored that you have chosen to join me!
I won't keep anyone in suspense any longer - the winner of the prize package is comment number 80:
I won't keep anyone in suspense any longer - the winner of the prize package is comment number 80:
-
The mini book is beautiful. The butterflies are so dainty and pretty. Great job. And thanks for a chance at your great giveaway.-- Pat N. http://patsscraps.blogspot.com/
- March 12, 2011 10:55 PM
Saturday, March 12, 2011
PC Lawsuits - my thoughts
Just stumbled across this link to the actual complaint filed against Craft Edge (on Cricut forum of all places so I'm sure it won't be there long).
So, I'm sure by now that most of you have heard that Provo Craft and Make the Cut have reached a settlement. Until there is an official announcement from either company or the court documents are released, we can't know for sure what the terms are. The word that is circulating on the web doesn't sound good for Cricut owners - apparently any future sale of MTC cannot include support for Cricut machines. You can read more of the details at scrapbookupdate.com. Since Provo Craft filed suit against Craft Edge in January, will SCAL users soon be faced with the same dilemma?
I've done a lot of reading today and it really got me thinking. How many of us purchased a Cricut only after SCAL and/or MTC became available? I know there are a lot of us. I used to demo the baby bug when it was first released - hated it something awful. I said I would NEVER buy a machine that tied me to cartridges and that was so difficult to get the result I wanted. After the Expression came out, I started really thinking about getting one but then my sights turned to something like a Wishblade since it had the ability to cut true-type fonts. About the time I had the money to purchase that machine I stumbled upon the newly released SCAL - within 48 hours I had my Cricut and SCAL and never looked back.
I read several comments today that people would not have purchased MTC or SCAL if Provo Craft had offered a software with similar functionality. Let's be honest - those software platforms probably would have never been developed if Design Studio had been the program that it could have been. Rather than supporting the end-users who buy the machines, PC opted to try to keep them dependent upon pricey cartridges. ETA: According to the filing linked above - PC alleges that Craft Edge violated the EULA of CDS by reverse engineering CDS to create SCAL. I don't know anything about software development - is this the only way this software could have been created?
I know that those of us who spend our hard-earned dollars on the products can't change the outcome of these lawsuits. However, I can send a message through my spending of those $$$. My E is over 3 years old and has started making some protesting noises off and on. I WAS planning to purchase another E while the original model was still available because I was fearful that the version 2 machine would be like the Imagine and not compatible with SCAL. Not now - I am seriously exploring my other options because my next cutter WILL NOT bear the Cricut logo.
I've posted a few poll questions about this topic in the right sidebar - just curious to see how many people are like me - purchased Cricut BECAUSE of the availability of 3rd party software, rarely use a cartridge and will be looking for a new cutter soon ETA: the poll questions have been moved to the Boycott Provo Craft FB page - you can click the link below the logo in the sidebar to take the poll.
So, I'm sure by now that most of you have heard that Provo Craft and Make the Cut have reached a settlement. Until there is an official announcement from either company or the court documents are released, we can't know for sure what the terms are. The word that is circulating on the web doesn't sound good for Cricut owners - apparently any future sale of MTC cannot include support for Cricut machines. You can read more of the details at scrapbookupdate.com. Since Provo Craft filed suit against Craft Edge in January, will SCAL users soon be faced with the same dilemma?
I've done a lot of reading today and it really got me thinking. How many of us purchased a Cricut only after SCAL and/or MTC became available? I know there are a lot of us. I used to demo the baby bug when it was first released - hated it something awful. I said I would NEVER buy a machine that tied me to cartridges and that was so difficult to get the result I wanted. After the Expression came out, I started really thinking about getting one but then my sights turned to something like a Wishblade since it had the ability to cut true-type fonts. About the time I had the money to purchase that machine I stumbled upon the newly released SCAL - within 48 hours I had my Cricut and SCAL and never looked back.
I read several comments today that people would not have purchased MTC or SCAL if Provo Craft had offered a software with similar functionality. Let's be honest - those software platforms probably would have never been developed if Design Studio had been the program that it could have been. Rather than supporting the end-users who buy the machines, PC opted to try to keep them dependent upon pricey cartridges. ETA: According to the filing linked above - PC alleges that Craft Edge violated the EULA of CDS by reverse engineering CDS to create SCAL. I don't know anything about software development - is this the only way this software could have been created?
I know that those of us who spend our hard-earned dollars on the products can't change the outcome of these lawsuits. However, I can send a message through my spending of those $$$. My E is over 3 years old and has started making some protesting noises off and on. I WAS planning to purchase another E while the original model was still available because I was fearful that the version 2 machine would be like the Imagine and not compatible with SCAL. Not now - I am seriously exploring my other options because my next cutter WILL NOT bear the Cricut logo.
I've posted a few poll questions about this topic in the right sidebar - just curious to see how many people are like me - purchased Cricut BECAUSE of the availability of 3rd party software, rarely use a cartridge and will be looking for a new cutter soon ETA: the poll questions have been moved to the Boycott Provo Craft FB page - you can click the link below the logo in the sidebar to take the poll.
Spring Forward - Day 2
I didn't plan to post a new entry for day 2 of the blog hop but I've had an idea for an easter card in my head and I finally found a coloring page that helped me bring it all together- what I was missing was the egg shaped card! So, this morning I created my files and made this card - there are some things I would do differently next time - more contrast for the lettering color so it shows up better, maybe add a foam dot under the center flower and on the bunny, some type of dimensional centers on the flower would be nice and of course, I forgot to dot the eye on the bunny before I took my pics - but all in all, I like the layout of the card and will probably make a few more to send out this year.
You can download the .scut2 file for this below the picture - the password is listed at the top of my blog. And, like the butterfly mini-book available 2 posts below, this file will only be available for the duration of the blog hop!
You can download the .scut2 file for this below the picture - the password is listed at the top of my blog. And, like the butterfly mini-book available 2 posts below, this file will only be available for the duration of the blog hop!
Easter Card Files no longer available for download - Offered only for duration of Blog Hop.
There are a few other ladies who have posted a day 2 project, so, if you haven't yet completed the blog hop or if you just want to check and see who has posted a new project, here is the complete list:
YOU ARE HERE
1. Lora at http://scrpbooklady.blogspot.
YOUR NEXT STOP SHOULD BE:
2. Celeste L. at http://touchedbyabutterfly.
3. Brandi at http://joyfullycreative.
4. Carrie at http://doubleclickconnections.
5. Celeste B. at http://ccscards.blogspot.com/
6. Karel at http://karelj.blogspot.com/
7. Kacee at www.youhadmeatscrap.blogspot.
8. Melanie at www.arkmom-
9. Michelle at http://
10. Patti at http://lilbitcreations.
11. Sue at http://susanascorner.blogspot.
12. Amy Jo at http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.
13. Yolie at http://www.justyolie.com/
YOU ARE HERE
1. Lora at http://scrpbooklady.blogspot.
YOUR NEXT STOP SHOULD BE:
2. Celeste L. at http://touchedbyabutterfly.
3. Brandi at http://joyfullycreative.
4. Carrie at http://doubleclickconnections.
5. Celeste B. at http://ccscards.blogspot.com/
6. Karel at http://karelj.blogspot.com/
7. Kacee at www.youhadmeatscrap.blogspot.
8. Melanie at www.arkmom-
9. Michelle at http://
10. Patti at http://lilbitcreations.
11. Sue at http://susanascorner.blogspot.
12. Amy Jo at http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.
13. Yolie at http://www.justyolie.com/
Friday, March 11, 2011
#100?
Whos' going to be my 100th follower? Send me a screen shot when you join showing you as #100 and I'll send a little something your way!
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