Graduation Card Using the Cricut Explore

Have you tried the new Cricut Design Space Beta? I’ve only been using it for a few days, but I’m loving it already. I thought the original Cricut Design Space was pretty good, but the Beta version seems to run more smoothly.

Here’s how I designed the Graduation Card using the new Cricut Design Space Beta. You will notice that the screen looks a little different than it used to. Everything is still there, but it’s more accessibl, making everything easier to find.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I will receive a commission.

Let’s get started with this great graduation card. If you don’t have a Cricut Explore yet, you can Shop their cutting machine collection at Cricut.com.

Using the Images button on the left side of the screen will bring up the search bar for all of the available shapes to cut.

In the search box in the upper right, type in what you’re looking for. You can choose to search Images, Categories, or Cartridges. For this project, I typed in “graduation”. When you scroll, you can see the selection of shapes available.

First I found the Happy Graduation Circle and selected it. Then I scrolled a little farther and found the graduation cap and diploma and selected it. Then hit the bright green Select Images button in the lower right side of the screen. This will insert your selected images into the Design Space screen.

This is what your screen will look like after your images are inserted. In order to design my card, I make a shape the size and shape of the card I want to make by using the “Shapes” tab on the left.

In this case, I’m making a 5.5″ x 5.5″ card. You will notice in the Design Space Beta, the measurements are now in a toolbar at the top, and they also show on the top and sides of my square.

This will help me choose the correct sizes for my other images. You will notice that I didn’t add squares for my mat and the background, but I could have. I cut those with my paper trimmer instead of using the Explore, but it’s a matter of preference.

When you click on the images, you are able to resize them and move them around. I needed to make the graduation cap and diploma a little smaller so they would fit into the graduation circle.

After looking at the image, I decided that I wanted a white circle in the center to add another layer to my card. I find the more layers you add, the more dimension and interest it adds to your card.

I clicked the Shapes button on the left and selected the circle. I dragged it to my card so I could resize it. The circle was under the Happy Graduation circle. To move it forward, I clicked Arrange in the top toolbar and then move forward.

I also clicked on the circle image in the right side panel and changed it to off white. This made it easier to see. I should really get in the habit of coloring my shapes the actual color that I want to cut them.

Instead of cutting square and rectangular mats with my Cricut Explore, I usually cut them with my paper trimmer. To keep from cutting it, click the eye next to square. This will turn this layer “off” from being cut.

Now you’re ready to hit the green Make It button at the end of the toolbar. Once you cut all of the pieces, you are ready to start assembling your card. Here are the sizes of the card base and mats:

5.5″ x 11″ Black Card Stock folder in half. This is the card base.
5.25″ x 5.25″ White Card Stock Mat
5″ x 5″ Orange Card Stock Background

Using a glue pen, attach the pieces of the graduation cap and diploma.
Using scrapbook adhesive, attach the mat and background to the card base.
Attach the Happy Graduation Circle and the center circle to the card.
Attach the cap and diploma with dimensional tap or pop dots.
I stamped Happy Graduation on a thin label and layered it on top of an oval.

Here you can see how the dimensional tape raises the cap and diploma off of the page. It adds a little more interest to the card by adding the extra height.

If you have a Cricut Explore, I hope you are getting your money’s worth. It can be a bit intimidating at first, but the more you use it, the easier it becomes.

If you don’t have a Cricut Explore yet, it’s an awesome crafting machine. It cuts so many different materials. With the many pre-designed projects in the Project Center, you are sure to find an endless list of projects that you’ll love.