Using The Cricut With Gum Paste

Decorating By SharonK1973 Updated 20 Oct 2010 , 8:39pm by cloetzu

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SharonK1973 Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 3:21am
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I finally got around to practicing on my cricut and this is what I got....I am now so excited!
LL

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tlreetz Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 3:29am
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BEAUTIFUL!!!! How this do you have to roll it and do you need to let it dry slightly before cutting it??

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SharonK1973 Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 3:50am
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I rolled it to about the thickness I would for rose petals. What I found out is that once I put it on the cricut mat, I can roll it on there even thinner!

Also, for those of you trying to get the sticky stuff off your cricut mats, try this... it worked great for me and was SOOOOOO much easier:

spray even coat of WD40 on the tacky surface. Let sit 3-5 mins. On a flat surface, just scrape off with bench scraper. Everything comes off!!!!!!!! Of course you then need to wash your mat thoroughly. But then again, you would have to do that anyway!

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Bakingangel Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 4:03am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ptanyer



FYI: on the DVD Linda says that you need to cut off the little rubber rings where the cutting mats gets pulled in. But instead of cutting mine, I just rolled it to the left to get it out of the way. That way they are still there if I want to go back and do paper again.

.




Karensue see Ptanyer's msg above.


Maranda Yes the Cricut can be used for scrapbooking after using it for gumpaste pretties. I plan on having a designated mat for gumpaste. The blade can be removed and cleaned. Regular ink pens can be snapped in as necessary and then switched out with the pens filled with Americolor airbrush inks.

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tmr137 Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 4:22am
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Hello everyone. I was just on overstock dot com and they have this sale going. Quickutz Silhouette SD Digital Craft Cutter + $25 Gift Card and only 2.95 for shipping.

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Bakingangel Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 4:26am
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Sharon -- Glad it worked for you! Thanks for sharing and posting a pic.

Juliefes -- You're awesome! Thanks for the info. and links!

Miranda -- Sorry I misspelled your name. icon_redface.gif

Let's keep the sharing going! thumbs_up.gif

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miny Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 4:37am
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Thank you for the pic SharonK, that came out beautiful! Now let me ask you something, if you need to add some color do you color the GP before or airbrush it after? Well the answer for this scrolls is very easy because probably it will be only one color but what if it's a multicolor character or something different? TIA

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Juliefes Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 4:43am
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The Silhouette, Craft Robo and Wishblade are basically the same cutter. The older Silhouette can be found on sale for about $99.00. It cannot be operated using the SD card without a computer. The same is true for the Craft Robo and Wishblade. These machines have a maximum cutting width of 7.8" using its basic native software. Using the Funtime software, the maximum width is 7.4". Maximum length is 39" or as long as your cutting mat. The Funtime software is much better than the simple software that ships with these cutters.

Many people are upgrading from these cutters to the Cricut, because the Cricut has a greater cutting pressure that allows you to cut chipboard and thicker media. These cutters handle printer paper, scrapbook paper, and light to medium card stock. When new, they will cut up to 70 lb cardstock in a single pass, but after some use, papers like Bazzill and Die Cuts with a View may require two passes to cut all the way through.

These cutters cut about the same speed as the Cricut. Any of these cutters should be able to handle thin gum paste without a problem.

Julie

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Juliefes Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 4:56am
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See Elizabeth Eder's lovely Scherenschnitte designs at
http://www.basteln-mit-elisabeth.de/buch/2-mandal.htm
http://www.basteln-mit-elisabeth.de/scherens.htm

These designs can be transformed to cutting files for use on paper or gum paste.

Julie

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Maranda_V Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 7:04am
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Awesome. Thanks for the info.

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Mikel79 Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 12:12pm
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A Question about the Cricut??

I have asked "Santa" for the Cricut =) =)

I think I read somewhere in this thread that the Gum Paste has to set a little before you cut it. My question is, when you have your final product cut and ready to place on the cake, is the Gum Paste still "pliable" to be placed on a ROUND cake?? I am worried if it is to dried, that the Gumpaste will crack...

Thanks,

=)

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Juliefes Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 10:46pm
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I was able to use a pen with edible ink to draw on some gum paste today. Then I cut the same design using the Gazelle cutter. Here are some insights from my experiment.

I greased the back side of a regular Gazelle cutting mat using Crisco. The Crisco also made it easier to handle the sticky gum paste, and the rolling pin did not stick to the gum paste.

I used the back side of the mat to actually roll out the paste, so that I did not need to transfer the rolled paste before cutting.

All the gum paste should be rolled out to the same consistency and thickness. This makes for more even cutting.

The gum paste seemed to be very moist. I put it through the cutter using the pen first. This gave the paste a little time to dry. By the time I was ready to cut the thinly rolled paste, it did not feel wet, but it was still soft.

Do a small test run with pens before tackling a larger project, to determine the best pressure and pen height in the folder.

Test the blade setting, speed and cutting pressure on some scrap dough before starting on a larger project. Smaller portions of the design cut fine. I lifted the small inside cut pieces away from the main design using an X-acto blade. It worked well.

I extended my cutting blade to the depth of the thickness of the gum paste. When the blade was scratching the surface, I lifted the blade in the holder a bit, and that helped. If I were using the Cricut, I would have just retracted the blade slightly. I could have done that with the Gazelle, also. When the cutting was finished, the back side of the project looked smoother than the front. I think it would be good to plan to use that underside as the outside on the cake. The cut design would be easy to spritz with water while the design is still on the mat, and carefully lift the cut design to place the spritzed side against the prepared fondant on the cake, so it will stick well.

I used my regular mat scraper to lift the cut design, and it did not stick to the greased mat. Crisco was a good choice, as it lubricated the paste, hands, and rolling pin, kept the paste in position during cutting, and made it easy to remove the cut design from the mat.

This project was about 7" round. I think my next project will be a lacy design for placing around the sides of a round cake. Design selection for cutting gum paste is important. I need to make sure that there are not hairline-thin portions in the design. The Funtime software that I am using makes it very easy to thicken any thin lines in the design.

I don't make many cakes, but my daughter observed my experiments with great interest, as she often needs to decorate cakes for her three girls and other close family members. She is intrigued with the potential. I look forward to practicing more, next time making my own gum paste, mixing colors into the gum paste, and cutting some more elaborate designs.

I encourage anyone who decorates lots of cakes to give it a try using digital cutters.

Julie

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Bakingangel Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 11:31pm
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Mikel - the drying part is before putting it through the cutter. But if you're making a large plaque like design you would lay it flat to dry completely after cutting. As for side designs, you would have to test how much the design should dry in order to handle it without distorting or breaking the gumpaste.

I would like to find a way to use fondant for the side decoration so it can be cut easily without being removed first.

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Juliefes Posted 16 Jul 2009 , 11:55pm
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The instructions posted at the BossKut Owner's Forum for cutting clay (posted by Jules) may work for cutting fontant, if it has a clay-like consistency. Instead of using the cutter blade, she used a piercing tool to slide through the clay. She put her clay through her pasta roller to make it no thicker than the 3rd setting. She used the slowest speed, and lowest pressure. The piercing tool tip should be raised so that it does not come in contact with the mat. You could probably use an embossing tool with a thin tip or an embroidery needle to get the same effect. The Pazzles Inspiration piercing tool should work in the Cricut. I used the Scrap-Savvy piercing tool in the Gazelle.

Julie, [email protected]

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ptanyer Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 1:44am
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Okay ladies and gentlemen - I finally got all my software installed and updated and working. A fellow CCer pm'd me and asked about cutting a bullmastiff in the same set up as the Duke Blue Devil cake I did by hand (posted in my photos). She sent me a black and white drawing provided to her by her customer. I saved the photo on my computer and then used SVG Factory to convert it to a SVG file and then imported it to Inkscape and edited it a little and saved it as a SCUT file. Then opened it in SCAL and set it up to cut and tried it out on paper.

I cannot tell you how wonderfully happy and giddy I feel right now! I love it..I love it...I love it icon_lol.gif It worked exactly like the DVD showed and just like I imagined and hoped it would.

Here is a photo of the cut still on the cutting mat. I am really happy with it (guess I said that already didn't I?)..LOL

Pam
LL

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Bakingangel Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 3:51am
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Ptanyer - WOW! I just bet you are excited!!! I AM! This is getting better all the time!

Did you put Design Studio on your Expression as well as SCAL? I have some things I would like to do like you did with the dog. I'm nervous because I am so computer challenged. I hope I can figure out how to navigate and do all the neat things possible.

Keep having fun!

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ptanyer Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 12:52pm
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Design Studio and SCAL are computer software programs you install on your computer, not the Cricut.

You don't have to buy Design Studio to use the Cricut. Cricut was designed as a stand alone product that allows you to cut designs using specially designed cartridges that you buy. But Design Studio allows you to connect your computer to the Cricut and within the computer software, you can manipulate the images, etc that are found on the cartridges and then cut using the Cricut. There is a Design Studio trial version that you can download and use to upgrade the firmware contained in the Cricut itself in order to allow the computer software to communicate with the Cricut. Of course the trial version has its limitations and you might like to purchase the regular Design Studio (that's what I did).

SCAL is computer software that allows you to import images, etc. into it's software and cut your own designs (or designs you get from others). No need for the Cricut cartridges unless there is a design you especially want off one. If that is the case, you wouldn't need SCAL, you would just use the Design Studio.

The best advice I can give is to read, read and read online. Cricut has a forum, SCAL has a forum. Youtube has lots and lots of videos on using SCAL and the Cricut. Yahoo has groups and all kinds of things. I sat for several hours the other night reading forums and following links and found all kinds of info on other uses for the Cricut - such as using mini-gel pens to draw things on paper and then cut the shapes out, embossers, special cutting blades. Now most of these I watched were for regular use of the Cricut and not food related, but it shows how things are developing for use of the product and can give you ideas of how you might do things food related.

Also, sometimes Photoshop tutorials will show you how to do things with graphics and fonts that might be able to eventually be converted to a .SVG file to import into SCAL and then converted to a .SCUT file to cut with Cricut. Sounds complicated at first, but take your time and bookmark computer pages you like so that you can go back and look at it. I have been printing off some of the things I really like and putting it in a notebook so that it's right at my fingertips when I am looking for an idea, or a how-to.

Most of all-----have fun icon_lol.gif

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Bakingangel Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 8:10pm
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PTanyer - Thanks for all the information. Like I said, "I'm computer challenged and know it! icon_lol.gif Sometimes it is plain torture for me. I have a "love/hate" relationship with computers!. I don't know anyone who can show or explain how to do "computer stuff". You are very kind to have taken the time to explain things. I will follow your advice.

Just answered the door bell...My Expression is finally here!!!! Off to play for awhile!

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ptanyer Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 11:11pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bakingangel

...Just answered the door bell...My Expression is finally here!!!! Off to play for awhile!




You are very welcome icon_biggrin.gif

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ptanyer Posted 19 Jul 2009 , 1:07am
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For those that still use the Cricut cartridges (and I still do for some things), I just got AC Moore's new ad which starts tomorrow and all Cricut cartridges are on sale for $39.99! That is over half price!

There is another thread going on about using gumpaste with the Cricut. Wish there was a way to combine them and continue the sharing.

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cake_o_rama Posted 24 Jul 2009 , 5:44pm
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I ordered the DVD but haven't gotten it yet. Anyone know what cartridge is used for the scroll designs like in the brown cake with the brown scrollwrok?

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jmlawren Posted 24 Jul 2009 , 10:13pm
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Quote:
Quote:

I ordered the DVD but haven't gotten it yet. Anyone know what cartridge is used for the scroll designs like in the brown cake with the brown scrollwrok?




I believe that's the storybook cartridge, according to another poster in one of the cricut posts. I'm also waiting for my Dvd; it's taking forever!

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loulou2 Posted 25 Jul 2009 , 1:35am
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Watch for Hobby Lobby when they offer 2 catridges for $89.99. Sign up to get the ad emailed to you @ www.hobbylobby.com

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ATCakes Posted 25 Jul 2009 , 5:56am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cake_o_rama

I ordered the DVD but haven't gotten it yet. Anyone know what cartridge is used for the scroll designs like in the brown cake with the brown scrollwrok?


Where did you order the DVD from? I ordered mine from Linda's website Late on friday and got it on monday.

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jmlawren Posted 25 Jul 2009 , 12:06pm
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I ordered it on Monday off her website, and I'm still waiting!

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ptanyer Posted 25 Jul 2009 , 12:15pm
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I ordered mine on a Sunday and got it the following Saturday. She has been really great in customer service and the hold up is probably the mail. Maybe it will come in today's mail.

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Briarview Posted 25 Jul 2009 , 7:39pm
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I ordered mine and had it within the week and I live in New Zealand. Very prompt service and I just love the DVD. It's taking longer to get my Deep Cut housing so I haven't had a chance to try out her recipe on the Cricut. Unfortunately not the suppliers in my area and when I asked at some of the Scrapbooking shops no body had heard of the Cricut.

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luv2bake6 Posted 26 Jul 2009 , 6:51pm
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I'm having a problem with sizing fonts on SCAL. I need small decorations and fonts but when i make them smaller, they distort or letters get jumbled. Is there a trick to this?

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ptanyer Posted 26 Jul 2009 , 7:22pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by luv2bake6

I'm having a problem with sizing fonts on SCAL. I need small decorations and fonts but when i make them smaller, they distort or letters get jumbled. Is there a trick to this?




Did you check the settings on your Cricut? Are they showing distorted or jumbled on your SCAL screen?

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luv2bake6 Posted 26 Jul 2009 , 7:31pm
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Yes, they are showing jumbled on the scal screen. It's almost as if the fonts can only go so small. I'm trying to get them to fit cookies.

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