My Recent Cricut Projects

Life is a little hectic around here, so today's post is short and sweet! Needing to keep this on the short side & wanting to share two of my recent cricut projects makes for the perfect blog post! I've been feeling like crafting all. the. time. Usually, I just feel like baking, but lately all I've wanted to do is craft! I got my cricut for Christmas a couple of years ago and it still gets so much use! It is the very best tool to have on hand!

This first project is one that I've had my eye on for a while! We often include a photo booth in our parties - it's quick to put together and it's easy entertainment! I know I will love having this sign on hand for all of our party needs!

Starbucks Gift Card Thank You's

Today, I'm talking about a little thank you gift I put together for the Bean's dance teachers at the end of the season. But first! I've talked about my cricut before, but when I met with a couple of my friends last week, they said "What the heck is a cricut!?" I never considered how foreign a cricut machine might be to some! This is my cricut machine:

I know there are several different models and makes, but I can only speak for the Cricut Explore Air - it's the only cricut brand machine I've ever owned. That being said, I love it and I have heard equally great reviews about their other cutting machines. Cricuts cut and write. I think they can do more, but I have yet to uncover the other features! I use mine to cut cardstock, vinyl, heat transfer vinyl or regular paper. The machine can also cut fabric which I've thought about using to quilt... maybe one day!

I use my cricut to make card, signs, regular vinyl decal and heat transfer vinyl decals. In the past I have shared how I've used my cricut to make shirts, personalized water bottles, baseball caps, mugs and more! Today, I'm taking about how I used my cricut to make a little thank you gift!

DIY Personalized Water Bottle (with Cricut!)

I have so much content to share with you over the next couple of days/weeks! I know I have expressed this before but there are definitely peaks and pits in blog writing - some weeks I am overflowing with content and some weeks I feel like I have so little to share! I am finally finding my groove with food again (even among all of the current restrictions!) and I am so excited to share some recipes with you soon!

I had a really hard time choosing what to post today (what a luxury!). I know I have some great recipes to share but I just have to put this Cricut project up first! The recipes will come but this easy little diy made my heart so happy and I couldn't wait any longer to blog it!

Mermaid Off Duty Shirt & The Bean's Birthday

On Friday, the Bean turned 14! Ah! Most often, I still think I'm 15 but given our 8 year age gap, I'm definitely no longer 15! We celebrated the Bean's birthday with some quick presents before hopping in the car and heading off for Spring Break! Today, I'm sharing what I got the Bean for her birthday and a little 'how to' for how I made one of her birthday gifts.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Today, I'm sharing a couple little Valentine touches around our house - just easy, festive, fun :) I love putting little touches up when different holidays roll around and Valentine's Day is no different! We don't do anything crazy, but you can definitely find a few extra hearts around our house!

Countdown to Christmas Signs

I started these signs in June. Yes, you read that right - June! I saw something similar on Pinterest and was inspired! I made 10 Christmas Countdown signs in total and I am so happy with the turn out! I have one hanging on our kitchen, but the rest are being given as Christmas gifts.

These signs were actually not that hard to make. Especially because once I did one, it was easy to do nine more! I got all of the wooden signs at the Dollar Store for $2 each and I stained them with a dark stain I had on hand.

Quilting with Quiltologie Mini Mania

I've talked about sewing woes before (maybe I should not call them woes and just call them challenges). I've always loved the idea of sewing, I've just never been able to 'get it.' That is, until very recently when I picked up a little quilting kit to help me get started! When I was in the States most recently, I was at Joann's Fabrics and found a little quilting set called Quiltologie by Mini Mania.

I started working on a mini quilt and I was impressed to discover how much support Quiltologie offers. (I realize that this sounds like a brand deal, but I promise, it isn't! I just really love them that much!). The instructional manual is so easy to understand and really walks you through every step of the process. If at any point I get stuck or confused, there are YouTube videos that accompany each project that I can rely on - so helpful!

Halloween Craft

I did this fun little craft with my first graders on Friday to get our classroom Halloween ready and it worked out so well! There is not much going on in a grade one classroom on Friday afternoons. My kiddos are exhausted from the week, so I typically organize a little craft or game (preferably educationally oriented) for Friday afternoons. This past Friday, the anticipation for Halloween was high and my class was rowdy! It was a loud and busy day but as soon as they got going on this craft, I put some Halloween music on and they were quiet as can be! Here is what we did...

Sewing Tips?

Yesterday, I talked about sewing eye pillows & today, I'm asking (or maybe begging? 😉) for some sewing help! I am pretty decent crafter, but I just have never been able to get the hang of sewing! I have way more busts than I do successes. But I would like to tip this ratio towards more successes with your help!

DIY Eye Pillows

I mentioned these eye pillows on Friday. Today, I'm sharing the step by step process that went into make these eye pillow. Before we start, I should mention - this is a super easy sewing project! I mean, we are just sewing 2 rectangles together then turning them right side out. I am definitely not a sewer extraordinaire and I am open to any tip you have to share with me!

A Beach Bag and Heat Transfer Vinyl Tips

I shared the beginnings of this bag in my favorites last Friday, and in less than a week the bag is done! I've talked a little bit about my cricut design process in the past, so I won't go into too much detail about the design of this bag. However, I have discovered some tricks when working with Heat Transfer Vinyl (iron-on vinyl) that I am very excited to share!

Make & Take: Ice Cream Sundae Kits

On Sunday, my family went out for dinner and I put this fun little ice cream sundae kit together to take along with us! It could not have been easier and the end result was so cute!

My Latest Cricut Projects

The Bean has been scoring big time with all of the cricut crafting I've been doing lately! She requested a shirt that said 'Killin' It' and I said 'huh?' I was confused! She said the shirt needs to be black with an outlined white rectangle with Killin' It written inside. I just followed her careful instructions and the shirt turned out so cute! It came together so easily - I picked up a black shirt from Michael's and used some white vinyl that I already had!

Beach Themed Summer Banner

Happy, happy summer!! I love how much sunlight we get during the summer and I have really been enjoying the longer days! This banner is one of my more recent cricut projects and it's not strung in my house because I actually made it as a gift! This banner was so much fun to make, here's how I did it:

Candy Bouquets

In my Friday Favorites last week, I mentioned that I was working on a fun treat to give the Bean after her dance recital. Well, it as it turned out, The Bean got a candy bouquet but so did her three dance teachers and her favorite dance friend!

This idea came to be as I did not want to give her the typical flowers after her recital, but I wanted to get her something! And I wanted it to be something good and memorable. Well, this girl loves candy, so what better to give than candy!? I did a little Pinterest research then I put my own twist on these fun candy bouquets!

St-Patrick's Day shirts

Every year, my family goes to St-Patrick's day party that some of our family friends host. This year, I crafted up some shirts on my cricut for us to wear! And I love how they turned out! I picked up green t-shirts from Michael's then used white and gold iron-on vinyl to decorate the shirts! I mentioned yesterday that I forgot to take pictures of the cupcake until the were put out on the table, well I forgot to take pictures Of our shirts until the very end of the night too! Apparently this was not a good picture night for me! So, the quality of these pictures are a little rough but they'll have to do until i can get everyone in their shirts again!

The Ocean Made Me Salty :)

I spotted this shirt on Pinterest and I knew I had to have it! I made this shirt using my cricut. I'll be sharing another one of my t-shirt cricut projects this week so I'll talk more about my process then.

Valentine's Cards

Happy Valentine's Day, sweet Readers!! My family went to Vermont this past weekend and I got to do some Valentine crafting with my favorite crafting buddy, Hannah! We relied heavily on Pinterest for some ideas but we had so much fun putting some cards together! I'll walk you through the cards that I made!

I made all of the cards using blank pre-folded cardstock cards. I also used a black Sharpie pen to write on the cards, some markers a hot glue gun, some felt and extra cardstock to decorate the cards.

This card says 'Valtenine... you make my heart soar.' I used yellow cardstock to fold up the mini paper airplane. I glued the paper airplane on with a hot glue gun.

Smooches Y'all

The Bean loves saying 'smooches' - if she's leaving a room she says 'smooches', if you help her with something, she says 'smooches.' So, apparently it's synonymous with many words, and I'm hoping it's a phase because it's not my favorite word. But until the phase is over, I figured I might as well have a little fun with it too!

Popcorn Party Favor

This weekend, a sweet friend of mine celebrated her birthday and I got to help out with the party! I will be sharing little bits of her party this week and I'm starting with the party favors.