Thursday, April 26, 2018

DIY Fringe Cake Topper with Cricut!

 I'm excited to be back today to bring another installment of the "Create with Cricut Challenge" put on by Amber Simmons and Katie of Clarks Condensed. If you didn't get a chance to see my previous projects for the challenge you can find my felt project here, my cereal box project here, and my burlap project here!

If you're new around here and unfamiliar with the challenge, each month they choose a mystery material for us to create with using our Cricut. Isn't that fun?? This month, the material is tissue paper! It took me awhile to decide what I wanted to attempt to create but with Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, I figured a fun fringe cake topper would be perfect!
Create a DIY Fringe Cake Topper with Tissue Paper and your Cricut Maker!
I was a bit skeptical about how my machine would cut the tissue paper because, well, it's tissue paper, we all know it can be a bit fickle, but to my surprise, it cut beautifully! That's the magic of the Cricut Maker! Have you SEEN the list of materials that the Maker can cut? There are well over two HUNDRED materials and that list is growing every day! And guess what? You guessed it... tissue paper is one of them.

Supplies

<Post Contains Affiliate Links>
Which means, if you buy any of the cool stuff I recommend, you still pay the same price, but I get a small commission. Everybody wins! 
Tissue Paper (I just used stuff I had lying around)
Bamboo Skewers (That way you know they are food safe)
Cricut Maker (it is important that it is the Maker, the Explore will not be able to cut the tissue paper)
Cricut Cutting Mat (I used an older to one to be sure the tissue paper didn't get stuck)
Cricut XL Scraper (optional)
Create a DIY Fringe Cake Topper with Tissue Paper and your Cricut Maker!
 I designed the file for you so all you have to do is go into my project in Cricut Design Space and click "Make It"! Be sure to chose "Tissue Paper" as your material. The machine will then know to use the rotary blade. *PRO TIP*: We all have those Cricut mats that have seen better days. This project is perfect for those old dingy mats. Because they have relatively little stick left, they are perfect for the tissue paper! Just use your scraper tool or brayer to make sure they are down on the mat. Then, you're ready to cut! Watching the machine work and perfectly cut out the fringe is mesmerizing! 
Create a DIY Fringe Cake Topper with Tissue Paper and your Cricut Maker!
Once all of your tissue paper is cut, fold each piece in half so that both fringe ends meet. Open them back up and, using the fold as your guide, add a thin line of glue (the glue pen makes this so much easier and more precise). 
Create a DIY Fringe Cake Topper with Tissue Paper and your Cricut Maker!
 I used my XL Scraper to get right up to the fold to be sure the glue really held. (I seriously use this tool for everything. Everyone needs one.)
Create a DIY Fringe Cake Topper with Tissue Paper and your Cricut Maker!
 Repeat with all of your tassels and you're done!
Tie your twine to your bamboo skewers and you're ready for a fiesta!
Create a DIY Fringe Cake Topper with Tissue Paper and your Cricut Maker!
This fringe can really be used for anything so let your imagination run wild! Although I shouldn't have been surprised, I was to see how well the rotary blade cut the thin tissue paper! As always, I had so much fun with this months challenge! Don't forget to check back next month, when the challenge material is going to be paint chips!

To make this project yourself click HERE


Also, be sure to check out all the other fun projects made in the Create with Cricut  Challenge!




Monday, April 16, 2018

DIY Cactus Teacher Lip Balm with Cricut!

Last week I was part of a Cricut challenge where I created an "End of the School Year Project". I had so much fun with it, that I created another one! The two projects would be great together, OR on their own!

It's no secret that I love cacti, so I decided to keep the cacti love comin' with today's project. By now I'm sure you've seen at least one EOS lip balm project, they're all over Pinterest. I realized I hadn't seen a cacti one though! So... I created one!Create your own Cactus Lip Balm Teacher Gift!
SUPPLIES
Printer (I love this one)
My Design Space File (Which you can find at the end of the post)

I've taken care of all of the work by creating the Design Space file for you, all you have to do is click "Make It"!
Create your own Cactus Lip Balm Teacher Gift!
Once you do, be sure your print settings are correct and that you tell your printer you'll be using photo paper. 
Create your own Cactus Lip Balm Teacher Gift!
YOU GUYS... I have a confession to make. I've never actually used photo paper until this project and O-M-G it makes SUCH a difference! I feel like I've been living under a rock!
 Seriously! Look at the difference! The printable on the left is on regular cardstock, and the one on the right is the matte photo paper. Look at how much more crisp and clean it is!
Create your own Cactus Lip Balm Teacher Gift!
Once you have printed your project, put it on a Cricut cutting mat and load it into your machine. The machine will read the registration marks (the square around your image) and cut it out perfectly!
Create your own Cactus Lip Balm Teacher Gift!
Then all that's left to do is add your EOS ball and you're done!
Create your own Cactus Lip Balm Teacher Gift!
So easy right?? This project can be done from start to finish in a matter of minutes! 

To make the project yourself click HERE.


This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut . The opinions and text are all mine.

Friday, April 13, 2018

DIY Cactus Teacher Gift

Post Contains Affiliate Links
If you buy the cool stuff I recommend, you still pay the same price, but I get a small commission. Everybody wins!
So, I recently became a crazy plant lady... they're inside, they're outside, they're everywhere! I started safe, with cacti and succulents, once I did ok with them, I moved on to houseplants. I've gotta say, I'm pretty proud of the one's I've kept alive thus far. That all being said, gifting a plant isn't always the best gift choice (let's just say, I'm not ready for an orchid yet), but a cactus is pretty foolproof (and super trendy!) so thats how I came up with today's DIY! As we all know, the school year is coming to an end and summer is right around the corner (but don't you dare say the word swimsuit), and while I don't have any school aged children of my own, I still wanted to be a part of the Cricut End of the School Year project challenge put on by Angie from The Country Chic Cottage, my girl Carolina with 30 Minute Crafts, Jen with 100 Directions and Jessica with Mad in Crafts. I may not be a teacher myself but most of my friends are so I always love to see a good teacher gift, and I'm especially a sucker for one that is a play on words. BOOM! That's how this DIY was born... or, grown rather. 
Create your own DIY Cactus Teacher Gift!
Add caption
 I'm pretty obsessed with the way it turned out. I found the talk bubble plant stake in the Target dollar spot (and it was actually only a dollar! I swear I always grab the stuff that is 3 or 5, but not this!). Then, aside from some vinyl and my Cricut Design Space file all you need is a planted cactus!

Supplies

Plant Stake (mine is from Target)
Cactus (Find at your local home improvement store)
Plant Pot
Potting Soil
Vinyl (I used flamingo, mint and black)
Transfer Tape
Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air 2
My Design Space File (can be found at the end of the post)
Create your own DIY Cactus Teacher Gift!
I did the tough part for you and designed the file, all you have to do is click "Make It"!
Once you've cut all three colors, use some transfer tape and attach them to your plant stake and just like that, you're done!
Create your own DIY Cactus Teacher Gift!
Such a fun and easy way to tell a teacher thanks!

To open the Cricut Design Space file click HERE.


Be sure to check out the rest of the awesome Cricut End of the School Year projects!


Wednesday, April 4, 2018

DIY Bride Gift with NEW Cricut Patterned Iron On!

You guys! I'm so stinkin' excited to share today's project with you! It's no secret that I'm a die hard Cricut fan. (See all the proof here). Well, they have been hard at work creating tons of awesome new products and I'm thrilled to share one of them with you today... the NEW Cricut Patterned Iron On! I love Cricut Iron On in general, but this Patterned Iron On is a total game changer! It opens up so many more possibilities! Even though Cricut has a vast selection of Iron On vinyl (like Lite, Foil, Holographic Sparkle, Glitter and the NEW SportFlex!), you were previously limited to just one color at a time, and I know the idea of layering is scary to a lot of crafters (myself included). With the Patterned Iron On though, your designs are now given so much more texture and dimension with the patterns, not to mention, the new StrongBond long-lasting hold! They currently have 9 different sampler packs available, each with 3 12" x 17" sheets... so many possibilities! I personally love that each sampler pack comes with iron on vinyl that compliment each other, so you can use them separately, or together!

I decided I wanted to do use the Natalie Malan Sunset Blossom Patterned Iron On Sampler. I'm all about watercolor right now and those watercolor patterns are just GORGEOUS. As soon as I saw them, I had a million ideas, but first on the list was a custom bride shirt for a friend of mine getting married next month.  
Create your own DIY Bride Gift with NEW Cricut Patterned Iron On!
A few things I noticed about the patterned iron on that sets it apart from from the regular iron on:
  • It lays flat: a lot of times with regular iron on, because it has been on a roll, it has a tendency to curl. The patterned iron on however, doesn't. 
  • The smell: Not gunna lie, when I opened it up, the smell kind of hit me. I'm assuming it's the smell of whatever it is they use to make it "StrongBond", it's like a heavy duty adhesive smell. 
  • Weeding: It weeds a little differently than the iron on you're used to. I can't really say that it's easier or harder, just different. 
  • Carrier sheet: The carrier sheet isn't sticky... at all! This definitely took some getting used to. 

Supplies

Post Contains Affiliate Links
If you buy the cool stuff I recommend, you still pay the same price, but I get a small commission. Everybody wins!
Create your own DIY Bride Gift with NEW Cricut Patterned Iron On!
I started by designing the file in Cricut Design Space. I kept the "Bride" and date separate so that you can replace the date with whatever date you'd like. I do, however recommend welding both together before cutting to ensure proper placement. (Don't you just love the "Bride" font? It's called Emiline and is a Cricut Access font.)
Create your own DIY Bride Gift with NEW Cricut Patterned Iron On!
Once you have the project looking how you'd like, hit "Make It" in the upper right hand corner. This will take you to the mat preview screen. Don't forget to mirror when using any form of Iron On!
Create your own DIY Bride Gift with NEW Cricut Patterned Iron On!
Find "Patterned Iron-On" in the materials menu. 
Create your own DIY Bride Gift with NEW Cricut Patterned Iron On!
With all Iron On, you're going to want to put it face down so your machine can do what is called a "kiss cut" where it cuts the vinyl but leaves the carrier sheet in tact. 
Create your own DIY Bride Gift with NEW Cricut Patterned Iron On!
Once your design is cut, weed it and place it where you'd like on your garment. Then, using your EasyPress (or iron) apply your design. 
Create your own DIY Bride Gift with NEW Cricut Patterned Iron On!

Applying Patterned Iron On

Patterned Iron On is likely a little different from any Iron On that you're used to. Be sure to reference the Patterned Iron On cutting and application settings here, and if you are using the EasyPress and/or EasyPress mat, you can find those settings here.

If using an EasyPress, you're going to want to preheat the area of the material in which you will be applying your cut image for 5-10 seconds. Set your EasyPress to the appropriate temperature and time for your specific garment, mine was 340 F for 30 seconds on the front of the garment, then 15 seconds on the back of the garment, using firm pressure. With Patterned Iron On you're going to want to wait until the design has cooled before removing the carrier sheet. This is what we call a "Cold Peel".

For an Iron, preheat the area of the material in which you will be applying your cut image for 5-10 seconds. Use the cotton setting of your iron for 50 seconds on the front of the garment, 15 seconds on the back of the garment, using firm pressure. And again, wait until the design has cooled before removing the carrier sheet.

And while we are on the topic of application... can we discuss the new EasyPress Mat?!Check out the Cricut EasyPress and the NEW EasyPress Mat!
It's the perfect companion for your Cricut EasyPress! It has five layers and was designed specially for use with the Cricut EasyPress. The durable cover provides thermal conductivity and even heat distribution. A special inner liner wicks moisture to deliver clean, dry heat. The foil membrane reflects heat to your project and prevents moisture vapor transfer, while the silicone foam provides insulation and shields your surface from damaging heat. Finally, the soft, protective bottom barrier seals layers together for flawless results. It really is a match made in crafting heaven!

If you'd like to make this project yourself, click HERE

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...