Hi Ladies.....remember me ?

I've been on the boards but haven't swapped in probably a year. I am traveling 4 days a week for work and things get crazy. But I'm only traveling to Manhattan now (I live in NJ) so I have time at night in hotel and on weekends at our camper so I'm going to venture into this one I think! I finally got to some pages last weekend for the first time since last August
So when you say 'altered letter' do you mean use a purchased letter and alter it or can they be done entirely on cricut, and then embellished. Also, for the 2" letters is the idea that they will be very eclectic when spelling the word out since 3+ people will make up the word? Can patterned paper be used.
Quite excited to have stumbled on this!
Maria