Christmas Cards

Last year I got to open my Cricut Explore early to do my Christmas Cards. And then I couldn't decide which design to do- Having the subscription in Design Space gives you so many free options!

Here's what I settled on:

What a mess! 

The candy canes needed a friend, a glitter nosed- friend

Though they are nothing spectacular, I immediately appreciated just how easy it was to create in Design Space. While I had struggled to understand weld and some of the more complex features, cutting a make it now card or just a simple design was SO EASY.








I'm a sucker for glitter and sparkle, so I added some glitter to otherwise basic cards. This year I'm hoping to use my new cuddle bug to really create something fantastic.

And a basic card

Christmas Crafting- uh oh!

My mother is a teacher, and last fall we were looking for cheap ways to make window decorations. I suggested cutting out leaves or snowflakes with the cricut, and she asked if we could do Window Clings.

At the time I only had my Cricut Mini- so I set it up to draw, and we used the stencils from the designs with puffy paint on parchment paper, wax paper, and plastic bags to see if we could make our own window clings.

Spoiler - the only thing that worked was the puffy paint on the plastic bags or plastic wrap. Please don't waste your time on Wax or Parchment papers.

Here are some photos of the process. Stepdaughter assisted, but went more free form. It's really a shame more of these wouldn't come off the paper! They were so pretty!

Mom creating leaves

Emily hard at work on her stars

Valentines Day Cards

Now, we all know the Cricut Explore is a magical thing. But I really love my Cricut in tandem with the Cuddlebug. It was my birthday present this year, and I couldn't wait to use it for Valentines day cards!

Here are a few of the cards I've created (note that the box card design was purchased)

Cricut-ing

When I met boyfriend in January of 2010 I liked him enough,  but when I met his friend Joe's wife and she pulled out her cricut expression and started whipping together birthday decorations I knew I had stumbled into something good.

He got me a cricut mini for Christmas a few years later,  and then Christmas 2014 he upgraded me to the explore.  *swoon*

My Mini hard at work

The mini served me well, but I did not want to invest in a ton of cartridges, and relied on the few I had and the free images that Cricut puts out every month.


My Mini came to me previously loved, and had some issues, I had to buy a deep blade housing for my regular blade just to get cardstock to cut properly. So I never explored Vinyl, or sticker paper, or any other cut-able mediums.

I'm part of a group on Facebook that shares cricut crafts and tricks for the Explore, and it has inspired me to work with new mediums,  something I love doing.  I can't pick just one craft, I have to love and learn them all! 

Unboxing the Explore!

I think that is one of the absolute best parts of the Explore, the Software! The make it now projects in Design Space inspire you to explore the options around you, and to create everywhere! Literally. They came out with an Ipad app, and Android is next. The bluetooth capabilities of the Explore Air (or Explore with adaptor) make creating everywhere a reality. 

I'm so grateful to be part of such a great community - not just of facebook strangers, but of fellow cricuters. We all learn and share together, and I am truly inspired by the creativity around me every day.