Vinyl Organization

If you don't know, I have a small workspace for my Cricut. I try to find the best ways to organize all my supplies for my Cricut! I've just recently finished my organization for all my vinyl! So, if you have a limited craft space for your Cricut, I recommend you keep reading! 

So first, when you pull out the drawer that contains all of my vinyl, you get this view:

• I've been using Iris Portable Project Case to store my vinyl and I have another one to hold all my Cardstock paper. I absolutely love using the case! It's the perfect size for all the 12"x12" vinyl sheets that I have! 
• I use little tab dividers which I've created to separate my regular (indoor), outdoor, and aluminum vinyl.
• On top of all my vinyl, I keep rolls of vinyl that's too long to fit in the case.                                           

• Right under the case, I keep my heat transfer sheets. Most of them are too long to fit in one of the cases so, I just place them under my vinyl 

   

• I also have a little bin off to the side that contains scraps of vinyl for whenever I do small cut-outs.

    

• Right next to the scraps is my transfer tape for my vinyl

     

I hope this post has helped you with some organization! I will be posting two posts next week! One will be on Wednesday and the other one will be on Friday (at normal time)! The post on Wednesday will be a little part of the project that doesn't involve a Cricut or any cutting machine. So, make sure you come back next week for two new posts!

Might as Well Face it, I'm Addicted to Vinyl

I've just recently made some decorations for my room! I got inspiration for this project on Pinterest! I absolutely loved this idea because if you don't know, I have a ton of vinyl! So, I thought that this project would match it perfectly! This project is a really easy project so, it doesn't require a lot of explanation! So, without further ado, let's get started!

• Materials Needed:
• A Blank Canvas (I just used a piece of wood) - Please remember that if you use a normal canvas or you don't spray paint the canvas, the vinyl won't stick to it very well. 
• Spray Paint (Optional)
• Vinyl (I used outdoor vinyl)
• Weeding Tools
• Transfer Tape

1. Cut-out and "weed" the design
2. Prep and spray paint your canvas and let dry (I did this step because I didn't want a wood background)
3. Put transfer tape over the decal
4. Transfer the decal over and smooth it out making sure there are no air bubbles
5. Peel back the transfer tape and admire what you did

I will be editing this post and be adding some pictures on Monday! I hope you make this or make something close to this! Don't forget to check in next Friday for a new post!

Cute and Simple Water Bottle Design

I haven't been so good lately with keeping up with drinking the amount of water I generally need to drink. So, I found the cute and free SVG on https://lovesvg.com/ (Click Here for a tutorial on how to upload an SVG.) and I thought that it would serve a good purpose! I'm using a glass water bottle that I thought would look well with this project! So, without further ado, let's get started!

• Materials Needed:
• Water-bottle (Preferably a see-through one)
• Outdoor Vinyl
• Transfer Tape
• Glass Cleaner (Or anything to wipe a surface clean)

1. Cut-out design and "weed" the design 
2. Clean off the water-bottle surface with glass cleaner and prep placement
3. Put the transfer tape over the decal
4. Transfer the decal over to the water-bottle and smooth out, trying to get all air bubbles out
5. Last but not least, remove the transfer tape and be amazed by your results!

I hope this post has helped you or just simply inspired you! Make sure you come back next week (On Friday) to see my new post!

How to Give your Cricut Mat More Stickiness

As you know, in order to cut stuff with your Cricut, you have to use a mat. Well, I have five, 12"x12" mats and two, 12"x  24" mats. I've used each of them more than 20 times! They are all sadly losing their stickiness. So, if your mats are doing the same as mine, keep on reading and even if your mats haven't started doing it to you it might still help you in the future! So, without further ado, let's get started!

1. Give your mat a quick cleaning by getting any left-over paper or lint off to the best of your ability!                                                                                                                                             
2. Next, I love using the Zig Memory System Two Way Glue Pen, Carded, Jumbo Tip to re-stick my mat! So, run this over your mat in an even layer and let dry!
   
   
   
3. And now, you've re-stickied your mat! You can tell when your mat is dry by the glue becoming clear!
   

I've re-stickied my mats for the 3rd time now and they are still working perfectly fine! I recommend you buy the  Zig Memory System Two Way Glue Pen, Carded, Jumbo Tip and use it for your mats in the future! It has saved me a lot of money because I've been able to use the Cricut mats over and over again without having to buy new mats! I hope this post has helped you and make sure you come back next week (on Friday) to see my new post!

Transferring a Design Without Heat Transfer

So far, I've done three projects where I use paint instead of heat transfer vinyl! I don't really mind using paint instead of heat transfer. But, I still prefer using heat transfer instead of using paint. However, when you are using this method, if you use fabric, you want the vinyl to be flat because if it isn't flat it'll let your paint underneath the vinyl and cause the paint to spread. So, without further ado, let's get started!

What you will need:

• Vinyl (Doesn't matter what type) & Transfer Paper to transfer the design over to the desired surface (Not required)
• Paint (Whatever paint will bond to your material)
• Sponge Brush
• Weeding tool (To weed the design)
• A bag or whatever surface you're transferring the design onto

1. Prep and cut-out the design
2. Weed the inside of the design                                                                                                          
3. Transfer the design over to the desired surface                                                                                
4. Use paint and a sponge brush to fill the design in (I prefer to use acrylic paint but it also depends on what material I'm using)                                         
   
5. Let the paint partially dry and peel back the vinyl
6. Let fully dry/ cure

Now you have a personalized bag that you didn't have to use heat transfer with! I hope these instructions have helped you with your project or help you with a project in the future! Make sure you come back next week (on Friday) to see a new post!

Uploading Images in the Cricut Design Space

I've uploaded a bunch of free SVG's to my Cricut! At first, it seemed very hard. However, once I did it multiple times it became very easy! So, today I'm going to do step-by-step instructions on uploading cut-outs to the Design Space!

1.You're going to want to log in and open a new space for designing and click the "Upload" button located on the left-hand side mid-way down.

2. Once you appear on the new screen, click on the "Upload Image" button.

3. Click on the "Browse" button and select the image that you want to upload!

4. Edit the image if you need to. Add the "Image Name"(The main title of the image that you are uploading) and add "Tags"(Other ways/names to search the image) 

5. Click "Save". Now, you have officially uploaded an image to the Cricut Design Space!

I hope this post has helped you! Make sure you come back next Friday to see my newest post!

Cricut Pen Sets

I love using the Cricut pens! But, I normally don't use them very often because I don't do a lot of projects that use them. However, I've learned a lot about them as I've worked with them! I mainly use the fine point pens when I have projects that require me to use pens. Here's some information about a couple pen sets with links to buy them!

• 30 Ultimate Fine Point Pens- I've just recently gotten this pen set! I absolutely love using the whole set! There's a big variety to choose from and it also comes with a little stand that the pens can stay on! These are super fine point and are almost like writing with normal pens! I love using these when I'm using a writing font!
• Metallic Pen Set- I've had this set for awhile! This set is not a fine point set. They are pretty colors! However, the metallic color starts to fade after a few uses. The tip on the end of the marker has already started to "fray" and is now less precise when it's writing.
• Variety Pen Set, Black- This set has a variety of thicknesses for pens/markers.This is a good pack to buy to see the difference in each pen thickness! They have five different pens in the pack that vary in thickness but, they're all black.
• Antiquity Pen Set- I've had this pen set for a while! These pens are in the 30 Ultimate Fine Point Pens. But, if you don't feel like getting the whole 30 pack you can get this set which is a 5 pack.

Whenever you are using the pens/markers with your Cricut, you have to use an adapter so your pen doesn't float around while the machine is trying to write. So, Click Here to access the Cricut adapter, it comes with a black fine point pen. Don't forget to check back in next Friday to see the newest post!

Cricut Bluetooth

I recently got a Cricut Bluetooth! I'm still getting used to it! If I had to rate it from zero to five stars, I'd give it a 4.5. Here's why:

• Positives:
• It has a very similar layout as the design space on a computer
• It was easy to set up, plug in, and connect to my phone
• The instructions were clear and understandable
• I'm not having to constantly move my computer from one place to another just to connect it to my Cricut
• It has the same files that I created when I was using my computer
• It has free fonts
• Negatives:
• It won't let you use the font that you used for free on your computer on your phone to cut the file out and vice versa

I strongly recommend you get a Cricut Bluetooth! It is a need if you have a Cricut! Click Here to view the Cricut Bluetooth! Make sure you check back in next Friday to see the new post!

Heat Transfer with Hats

I've just recently used heat transfer on a hat. It wasn't as hard as I thought that it would be but... I still need some more practice! Although I've done a lot of research for doing this and now I'm working on my second one! I recommend that whenever you first start, you but some cheap hats that you wouldn't mind throwing away and also that you've already worked with heat transfer vinyl on other things such as shirts! So, without further ado, let's begin!

1. You're going to want to cut out the design with heat transfer vinyl. (Make sure you mirror the image!)
2. "Weed" the design (Take out the extra pieces that you don't need for your design) 
3. Pre-heat the surface for where you want your design to be on the hat. ( I used the "pointy" end of an ironing board and put a small piece of fabric such as a dish cloth to prop my hat on)
4. Place your design on your hat and place parchment paper over top and iron it on.
5. Iron your design on for about 20 seconds in about 2 intervals and apply pressure while doing so. (Make sure your iron is on the highest setting/ temperature it can be on.)
6. Peel off the sticker sheet from your heat transfer vinyl. (I sometimes prefer to go back over the design again with parchment paper over top of the design without the sticker piece) 
7. After all that's done, BOOM! Your hat has a really cute/ beautiful/ pretty/ handsome/ wonderful/ etc. hat!

Hope you'll come back next week to view the new post on Friday!

Layering Heat Transfer Vinyl

I absolutely love using heat transfer vinyl! At first my layering skills weren't good, at all. However, now I've been practicing and I've gotten better and better at it! I have layered both normal and glitter heat transfer! So today, I'm going to give you some tips on layering both normal and glitter heat transfer.

• For glitter heat transfer:
• To properly do the layers, you will need to use the slice "gadget" in your Cricut Design Space to slice the layers into each other.
• Sometimes if you're laying down the heat transfer on a shirt for example, and if your design has stripes or something that you're able to cut into pieces, it is sometimes better to line up the  design by cutting the stripes into pieces. 
• Place the biggest piece of the cut-out on the shirt first and work your way to the smallest piece. This will help with placement so that you know where on the shirt the design will be.
• The reason why you have to slice the design for glitter heat transfer is because since there is glitter on it, the bonding stuff that's on the back won't be able to bond very well which will cause your design to fall off quicker and easier.
• For regular/normal heat transfer:
• You do not need to slice the design in the Cricut Design Space. However, I still sometimes prefer to do it.
• Whenever you layer normal heat transfer and not glitter, you don't have any guidelines really, unless you cut the design like what you would do with glitter heat transfer, so you just have to estimate it.
• The same as the glitter heat transfer, you have to use the biggest piece first because if you put the smallest piece down first you'll have to cover it up.

To get the heat press that I have, Click Here to view it! Hope you'll come back next week to see a new post on Friday!

Working in the Cricut Design Space

There are a lot of "gadgets" in the Cricut Design Space! I'm still finding out what some stuff is for! With the current Cricut Design Space layout, the "gadgets" are mainly found in the bottom right-hand corner. So without further ado, let me start!

• Slice- When slicing in the Cricut Design Space, you are basically taking the outline from one object overlapping the other object and making a "cut" in both of the objects from the other object's outline.
• Weld- Welding in the Design Space is technically when two objects overlapping each other become one object.
• Attach- Attach is when all objects selected to become a "group" where they are cut out on the same mat.
• Flatten- Flattening objects on the Cricut Design Space is when you have put your design altogether and you select the whole design and flatten all the objects which make the whole design able to print.
• Contour- Contouring in the Design Space is when you are "filling in a space that you want to be filled".

Hope you'll come back next week, on Friday to see my new post!

Let's Talk Heat Transfer!

I love using heat transfer vinyl! I use a heat press when I do my transfers because it has even heating which the vinyl transfer best with even heating.

 I recommend you use a heat press when you are using glitter heat transfer vinyls because it always stays on better and it's a thicker vinyl which requires more pressure and even heating. Click Here to access the heat press that I have! Glitter heat transfer is a thicker heat transfer vinyl and requires more pressure when applying to things which as I mentioned earlier, I recommend that you use a heat press when working with it

When you wash the clothing that you have used heat transfer vinyl on, I don't recommend that you run the clothing through the dryer very often because if you haven't transferred the design very well, it can start to peel up. It can start to peel up again because you are technically re-heating the glue/bonding stuff again and if you run it through the dryer, it won't have pressure applied to it to keep it on the clothing. With this reason, I recommend that you should let it air dry and not run it through the dryer as often.

If you have any questions, don't forget to place them in comments and I will try to answer them! Don't forget to check in next week (on Friday) to see my next post!

Different Types of Vinyl

I absolutely love using vinyl! And there are a whole lot of different types of vinyl! But, I'm just going to list a few!

• Indoor Vinyl- This vinyl is good if it's just used for indoor use, but if you use it outdoor it wouldn't most likely last for more than a week ore two. It also wouldn't last long if you place your design on a water bottle or on a a mug. 
• Outdoor Vinyl- I love this vinyl because I'm able to stick it on almost anything! This vinyl is good for outdoor use! It is also good for putting a design on water bottles but not mugs! I also love using this vinyl for car decals!
• Foil Vinyl- I don't like using vinyl very often because the vinyl scratches easily. I'm not so sure if it's a good outdoor material or not. 
• Heat transfer vinyl- I use this vinyl very often! It transfers onto shirts and stuff like that! I use a heat press (which next week's blog will go into more depth about a heat press) because it transfers the vinyl a whole lot better and it stays onto the shirt a lot better.

There are many more types of vinyl which I will be posting more about in the future! Don't forget to check back in next week on Friday for a new post!

Free Font Downloads

I absolutely love finding new free fonts to use in my Cricut Design Space! I found a couple new monogram fonts so, here they are! They are all fonts except for the resource that I give you for the circle monogram SVG.

1. Circle Monogram 1 - This website has the font to the circle monogram. I prefer using the font rather than the SVG that I uploaded a while ago (Click Here to access the circle monogram SVG)!
2. Left side download, Center download, Right side download - Make sure you download all THREE sides and that you use capital letters!
3. Abstract split font - This font has a fancy background with the letter! And the letter has a split between the center of it!
4. Curly-Cue Monogram - I had this link in my post from last week but, just in-case you didn't see it, this is the link! Use the lower-case letters for the side letters and the capital letters for the center letters!

Here is a link to how to upload fonts to a Cricut machine and a Silhouette machine!

• How to upload fonts to a Cricut machine
• How to upload fonts to a Silhouette machine

More SVG Resources

As the result of the poll that I posted last week, the most voted was some more free svg resources! So here they are:

• https://scarlettrosedesigns.com/collections/freebies - This website has some free designs which are mostly svg's.
• http://svgcuts.com/blog/free-designs/  -This website has cute designs and has a few box templates.
• http://www.getsilvered.com/freebie-svg-files/  -This website has a lot of cute tags to put on gifts and such and it also has some card designs.
• http://www.thelatestfind.com/p/sponsor.html  - This website has a lot of cute frames for monogramming! It also has cute ornament designs. 

Please let me know in the comments if you have any questions about some links! And don't forget to check back in on Friday next week for a new post!

Free Curly Monogram Font Resource

This monogram font is the curly font and underneath it will be a link to how to upload a font to a Cricut machine and also a Silhouette machine!

• Here is the link to the monogram font! In the search bar there I searched monogram and this link will show you the results for it! I used the first one which was the Monogram KK.
• http://all-free-download.com/font/monogram.html 
• This is the link to the instructions for uploading a font to a Cricut machine!
• http://www.craftingintherain.com/2017/06/how-to-use-my-own-fonts-with-cricut.html?m=1
• This link is to the Silhouette machine instructions!
• https://www.thepinningmama.com/how-to-add-fonts-to-silhouette-studio/

Please leave a comment if you have any questions about something!  I will be posting again on Friday next week so don't forget to check back in!

Some Free SVG Files

Over the past month I have found some free SVG files that have come in handy! I will be posting more links to others that I may find! I will include some information about what's on the link if you're interested in them! So... here they are!

• https://craftbundles.com/freebies/ - This website currently has some free designs for Christmas and many more holidays! This is the link to the freebie section! 
• https://www.freesvgimages.com/ - This website has A TON of inspirational quotes and other designs but mostly inspirational quotes!
• https://lovesvg.com/ - This website has ONLY free designs and you can download them in multple different forms (ex: svg, png, jpg, etc.). I was lucky enough to find a free file with the round monogram font! I will have this specific resource in the very next bullet point!
• https://lovesvg.com/2016/08/monogram-love-svg-font/ - This is the link for the circle monogram!

Make sure you check back in on Friday to see my new post!