This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cricut. All opinions are 100% mine.
When my daughter, Remi turned one I started feeling stressed out by the lack of order and chaos in her playroom. I spent hundreds of dollars on customized clothing and items from small shops and I wanted to find something that I'd be able to easily customize things with myself. I came across Cricut and started researching their machines. I didn't take the plunge for quite some time because I truly wasn't sure if I would use the machine enough to make it worth the price tag and honestly wondered if I could take the time to learn how to use it with a busy toddler. Finally, I got the Cricut Maker, and it is easily one of my favorite things ever! Today I am addressing my 5 favorite things about the Cricut Maker and how it totally transformed my crafting with ease!
1. THE SOFTWARE
One of the things I was most worried about when I got my Maker was figuring out the software and all of the outs and ins of each project. With a busy toddler, I wasn't sure I'd have the time to study everything I needed to know to fully operate the machine. I was relieved when I found out that Cricut had its own software to help assist with any project called Cricut Design Space. Cricut Design Space is extremely easy to use and comes conveniently marked with a built-in ruler, graphics, fonts, and even images that can be cut and easily adhered to anything at the touch of a button. Design space is also handy for last-minute friendly reminders such as mirroring a text before cutting iron-on vinyl for a shirt so you don't forget and end up wasting material.
2. IT'S THE HOLY GRAIL OF DIY'S
The Cricut Maker truly is the holy grail of DIYs. I have always loved doing DIY's not only to save money but also because it allows me to customize items exactly to my liking. The maker is amazing for adding an extra personal touch to many items you make or might find at the craft store. I've made some super easy DIY's so far such as cards, custom makeup bags, and decals for cups and cars. I even made a cute little towel for my daughter's play kitchen. The middle picture below shows a centerpiece for my farmhouse table that my mother in law made by hand and added mason jars to. I went to my local craft store and added floral to the piece. I felt like it was still missing something so I pulled up good ole design space and cut out some vinyl to add our last name to it. It was a simple touch but I felt like it added so much to the centerpiece and I have gotten so many compliments on it!
3. CUSTOMIZED GIFTS
Is it just me or are homemade, customized gifts the best?! I have always loved anything with my monogram added to it or gifts with a special thoughtful touch from my loved ones. One of my favorite things is to also give gifts and I just so happened to receive my Cricut right before Father's Day this year. My Dad and I have always had a special bond, but with this being the first Father's day we were together in person since we live across the country I wanted to do something extra special. I kept thinking and got the idea that I wanted to make him a custom shirt. I arranged what I wanted the front to say and then cut it and Ironed it on with my Easy Press 2. I then decided that I wanted to add the grandkid's names to the back. My daughter, Remi is the only grandchild currently but I thought it would be the perfect keepsake to print all the grandkids names in different fonts and as each additional grandchild born in the future, I will add on their name to the back! The first two photos below are my dad's shirt and the third shows the shirt my daughter and I made for my husband! She LOVED helping with it and it was a great activity for us to do together.
4. HOW VERSATILE THE MAKER IS
A huge reason I really wanted the Cricut Maker was because of how many things it is able to cut. The knife blade on the Maker cuts wood, chipboard, fabric, and even leather. There is even an engraving tool attachment that I cant wait to get my hands on! My daughter recently turned two and for her birthday we decided to update her room and I really wanted to make a name sign to go on her door! I first went to a local craft store and found a wooden sign that matched her room perfectly. Next, I opened Design Space and selected a text I liked for her first name and a different font for her middle name. I wanted a more 3D effect so I chose a thicker material versus just painting her name straight onto the sign. I liked the contrast between the two different fonts so I measured my sign and taped the 2.0mm chipboard on my strong grip mat. Keep in mind that wood and thick materials take longer to cut through, so it's not a bad idea to start your project and go work on something else for a while as it has several passes to cut through it well. When it was done cutting I painted the letters with black acrylic paint so that they would pop on the white sign. A good tip is to always paint the edges of the letters before you paint the face as it will give it a more professional look and keep your mess to a minimum. When your letters dry attach them to your sign with wood glue. I used a ruler to help with alignment.
Once I added the letters onto the sign I realized it needed something more so I hopped back onto Design Space and cut out a pattern for paper flowers. These were so easy to make and the perfect addition to her sign! All you need for 3D paper flowers is cardstock, foil, a marker, or tool to help form the flowers and a hot glue gun, as well as foam dots or cardboard. After you cut the layers out you take the marker and curl the edges to get the flowers so they have a 3D effect and not just lay flat. I then hot glued each layer from large to small with a tiny piece of cardboard in between each layer so they would stand out more. I hot glued them to the sign when I finished. I loved them so much that I actually made more for her birthday party decor! Its fun to play with different colors and switch paper up for more contrast!
5. HOW MUCH MONEY IT SAVES
I simply can't ignore the amount of money that my Cricut Maker has saved me! I know that I will utilize it so much in the future as Remi gets older for school projects, all the shirts I've made for Remi's play clothes and have sent as gifts, labels, cards, gifts, and adding her name or monogram to pretty much everything- haha! I honestly feel like if you are a mom, a Cricut Machine is a must-have. I still have a ton to learn but it has been such a fun hobby for nap time and just to get away for a while and create. I still have so much to learn but am incredibly happy with all that I've put together in these short few months. If you are on the fence about getting a Cricut Machine, just do it! Feel free to leave a comment or message me with any questions you might have.
My only regret is that I didn't get one sooner!
XO,
SIERRA
-mamahacks
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