Dollar Tree Travel Coffee Mugs - Cricut

Cliff Notes:
 This is a Super CHEAP project.  50 cent travel coffee cups from Dollar tree, scrap vinyl.  It is a major pain in the butt to weed.  But I'm not strong on patience.  It would be easier if you use bigger cups, and make the design bigger.

Some have said you can remove the Take It To Go logo with acetate and a magic eraser.  I tried, it didn't go great for me.  (I ended up painting those cups).  I decided to just put the design on the blank side, and leave the take it to go on the opposite side.  

Step By Step How I Did This:

Find the free SVG here - https://all-free-download.com/free-vector/download/starbucks-coffee-0_111169.html

The Starbucks font is Gibson.  You can download it for free here:

http://www.fonts101.com/fonts/view/Uncategorized/48928/Gibson

(Do that now, before you open design space.  If you need to know how to install a font, try this post:  
https://fieldsofhether.blogspot.com/2017/12/all-about-fonts-text-in-cricut-design.html)

Adding Text
Open a text box, type in your text, Choose the Gibson font.


Use The Curve Feature to curve your text.  If it does not fit the way you would like, ungroup your text, and manually move your letters - but in most cases, the curve feature should work great for this!


Now you have two options.  You can cut the letters out of white, and layer them on the green, or you can slice the letters out and let the background of the cup show through.

To slice, select your letters and weld.  You can only slice with TWO items selected at a time.  If you do not weld your letters, you will have to cut one letter out at a time.  If you weld the letters, you can slice them all out of the circle at once.



For these cups, I want a 3 inch decal.  So Select All, Choose Group, then in that top toolbar where it shows the size, type in a 3 and hit enter.



The cups I am using are the 2 for $1 "Take It To Go" Cups from the Dollar Tree.  I am leaving the Take It To Go on one side, and decorating the other side..

For the vinyl, I'm using 651. I buy it on Amazon, because...  free shipping.  I love Amazon prime!  Here's a look at my favorite vinyl, and where to buy it, with price comparisons including shipping costs: https://fieldsofhether.blogspot.com/2017/09/cricut-which-vinyl-do-i-need-where-do-i.html

For transfer tape, I use contact paper from the Dollar Tree.


I like to transfer my designs all at once when possible.  So I transferred the green to the transfer tape, then added the black center to the transfer tape - putting the entire design together before it touches the cup.  When transferring the design, flip the design upside down, and run the scraper tool over the back, then pull the white backing up gently, starting at one corner and pulling diagonally.

Now to place on the cup, fold lightly in half, non sticky sides together.  Not enough to crease, just enough to find the middle. Stick the middle to the cup, then press down one just one side. Once the one side is down flat, flatten the other side.


That's it!  The longest part of this process for me was the weeding.  This really was a pain to weed.   

(yes, I did realize, after taking this pic, that I had put the green ring on the Daleck cup sideways..  I was able to remove it and put it back on correctly.  It takes about 48 hours for the 651 to seal permanently, so it was an easy fix - for the most part)

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My Cricut Projects in 2017


In the last part of August 2017, I bought this magic machine.  I still don't completely understand all that it does - but here are a few of the things I have made with it in 2017!

Drawing with FUN fonts in Cricut

The markers in cricut will do more than just write, with many fonts, they can actually draw!  The pen will still follow the path of the blade, and that will leave you with an outline on many things, such as the cow - but on many of the decorative fonts, the outer lines will all collapse and leave you with just a decorative font great for posters!  Surprisingly, these fonts seem to draw much faster than the writing fonts that I use for writing simple text.

Alternative Markers For Cricut

I rarely use Cricut Brand Markers.  They are almost always the most expensive option, unless there's a really good sale - and the off brands are just as good, if not better.  In addition to off brands made to look and write exactly like the Cricut Brand, a variety of other pens can be used in the machine, no adaptor needed.  For instance, a bic round stic pen works great.  As does the set of jot markers that are 20 for $1.25 at the Dollar Tree.    Here's a look at some of the various pens I've used over the years, in my machine:

Using Text In Design Space


Quick Tips Before We Get To The Long Details:

How To Use Free Fonts In Design Space

You can use any font in design space!  Unlike svgs, you do not upload fonts to DS, rather, you install them on your device, then find them under the "System" tab when choosing a font in Design Space.

Etching Cookie Plates - Christmas Gifts For The Neighbors

Etched Cookie Plates for Our Neighbors

The Cliff Note Version:




 This is one of those projects that I started at 7am, thought I'd be done by 10am, and actually completed around 7pm.  But once I got the process down, it really went fast.  



First I tried to use contact paper from the Dollar Tree as my stencil.  But it was too thin, and too clear to weed.  Then I tried 651, but I got part of it stuck onto a plate before I was ready and it was super hard to remove (even though it takes days to fully cure and be permanent).  Then I tried cardstock - but that's a pain, because the centers of my letters do not adhere, they move around.... and I tried the acetate that I bought for the acetate christmas ornaments (I had bought a pack that was NOT for the inkjet printer) but that was a combination of a pain to weed (clear ) and same as the cardstock, the centers would not stay put.  Finally I went to cricut 631 vinyl, and that worked.  I think a solid colored shelf liner would work for this too.

I could have used the 651. The trick is to place the stencil sticky side up, then place the plate down onto the stencil, rather than trying to place the stencil upside down on the plate.    Once you set the plate down, flip it over and smooth to make sure there are no air bubbles, then remove the transfer paper and add the etching cream.

For the stencil, create a box and slice your monogram out of it.  I added the last names in the split monograms, welded the name with the monogram, then sliced it from either a square, or for the wreath, a circle.

Don't forget to mirror it!  

I used the split monogram files from here:
http://caluyadesign.com/split-monogram-free-svg.html
and the wreath split monograms from here:
http://caluyadesign.com/wreath-monogram-free-svg.html
I have more options for monograms here:
http://fieldsofhether.blogspot.com/2017/11/free-monograms-split-monograms-for.html

Cover with etching cream.  Let sit for 15 minutes.  Scrape off the excess cream, put it back into the bottle.  Then wash off the rest of the cream, and remove the stencil.



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Stocking Stuffer - EOS cards

 
EOS Stocking Stuffer Christmas Cards
Cliff Notes:
I started with the basic reindeer silhouette svg found here.
Upload it into design space, unlocked it, and resized it to 5.034x4.804 - making it slightly thinner than the original, to better frame the round EOS nose.



For the EOS containers, you want a 1.460 inch circle
At the top of the tool bar, under the lock, you can change the size by typing in numbers.



Then I created a 5.5 x 6.9 White rectangle, and sent it to the back.  I added the text "Merry Christmas". Looking at my list of 6  fonts that write in cricut,  (That list now has over 100 fonts to choose from) I chose Simply Glamorous.  Don't forget to switch it to write, over on the far right menu.  

Next select the red nose, and the white background, and choose slice.  This will cut the hole in the white card stock, for the red EOS container to stick through.  You can delete the red and white circles the slice created, I left the red one in the photo above, but you will not want that to cut.

Then last, select the writing, and the white rectangle, and attach.  If you do this sooner, you will not be able to slice.  If you forget to do this, it will not write where you want it on the card.

Here's another example.  I started with this file from Love SVG:

Santa, Snowman & Reindeer Singing
https://lovesvg.com/2017/11/santa-reindeer-snowman-singing-4871/

Ungroup.  Delete the musical notes. Create 3 1.460  circles.  Resize the images until it looks like the circles will work as the "noses".  Then on each image, ungroup, and ungroup, and ungroup until you can delete the noses and rotate and remove the rest of the facial features.  I rotated the snowman's hat too.

That left me with something like this:

The next step takes a bit of time.  It's not hard, but you have to ungroup, ungroup, ungroup...  so that you can slice.  You can only choose slice with two images selected at one time.  So if two images are grouped, and you chose the circle as the 3rd image, it will not slice.  Ungroup, ungroup, ungroup.  At this stage, I decide I did not need the pink face for santa, and I removed that completely.  Once the first slice is done for each face, I regrouped each face, so I can move them around without messing up the design.

Then I repeated the process of creating the rectangles, adding the text, and slicing the "noses" out of the white rectangles as well - leaving me with what you see above.  



These are some other svg files I may try using for this project:
https://lovesvg.com/2017/12/penguin-and-reindeer-4942/
http://svgcuts.com/blog/2012/12/08/reindeer-candy-cane-free-svg/
http://svgcuts.com/blog/2012/12/14/merry-moose-cutie-free-svg/
https://lovesvg.com/2017/11/reindeers-are-better-than-people-4684/
https://lovesvg.com/?s=penguin


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Applying Htv To Flannel Blankets


How To Apply Vinyl To A Flannel Blanket

Since originally writing this post in 2017, I've made dozens of blankets like these.  I've made them for graduations, babies, birthdays, and I've made them for nieces and nephews as Christmas gifts.  They are quick, easy, and inexpensive to make.

If I was selling projects, I'd make these for football players families.  Customize them with the players number and last name in a football...

Little Red Truck Christmas Pillows - Layering HTV

My daughter in laws asked for some throw pillows for Christmas, and I wanted a few for myself here as well.  I have more to make, but the first two designs are done, and I love how they turned out!

The Red Truck svg is free here:

Ungroup, and hide the Noel.  I added our last name in the Bromello font

I did not use the white circles - I liked it better without them.
Don't forget to reverse your design before cutting!  I use select all and flip horizontal rather than using mirror - because that way I am sure it is all done before I start cutting.

I use a plain old iron (literally old - probably 80s model - I bought a couple of good old heavy irons at the thrift store, and love them.  ) a silicone baking mat, and a pillow case.  I sew my own pillow cases - details are here (and it's SUPER easy - a great beginners sewing project) 
First I ironed the pillow case, and stuck the silicone baking sheet inside.  
Then I layered the design on the way I wanted it to look.
Next, carefully pull back the red truck, leaving the black tires, the tree, and the name on the case, in position.  
Cover with parchment paper.  Then Press the preheated iron (I set mine between cotton and wool) down hard one section at a time, for 10 seconds each.  Be careful near the edges where there are seams, try to keep the iron off the seams, so that it sits flat on the design.  
Remove the parchment paper, peel back the plastic htv backing, slowly.  If the edges peel up at all, replace the plastic and parchment paper and press again.

Once pressed, remove the clear transfer tape.
Place the red truck over the tires and tree, cover with parchment paper, and press again.
Hold the pillow up to the light, you should see the texture of the fabric through the vinyl.  

Jingle All The Way is simply the Samantha font, and a jingle bell svg I found free in a google search.  It was a bit of a pain to line up the letters in Jingle and Way - it took several text boxes for each word.  And I used the charactar map to add the extra fancy J, e, and W.  I used Samantha Upright, and made it italic in design space.

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Free Jingle Bell SVG
I layered the red bells on top of the black letters.  The only real problem with this design is the HUGE waste of htv..I think I'd like to try stenciling this in fabric paint. \

A Few Of My Favorite Fonts

A Few Of My Favorite Fonts
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Decorating Soap Dispensers With Cricut

Decorating Soap Dispensers With Cricut

These dispensers are all from the Dollar Tree, and they do not always carry the square ones anymore.  They almost aways have soap dispensers - but recently our stores have been carrying the round ones.

 I spray painted a bunch of them, using Rustoleum spray paint, because I wanted more of the off white, and my store didn't have them.  

Gilmore Girls Ornaments

I found this little glitter tree at Michaels this year.  Be prepared - it's really a glitter tree.  I think you could follow my exact path around Michaels simply by following the glitter..  and after putting it up, everything nearby had a fine coat of glitter on it...  I don't care.  It's my laundry room, it's Christmas, and I LOVE this tree.

The ornaments I started with are from Michaels I think.  Maybe Wal-mart.  They were already glittered - and they were cheap. Although it's SO easy, and fun, to make your own glitter ornaments, white glitter is hard, and I think, if I remember correctly, these were cheaper than the clear ornaments.
Below I describe the fonts and graphics used for each, and the show references for each.


The Gilmore Girls font is thought to be Sackers Solid Antique Roman - and it can be found here:  http://fontsgeek.com/fonts/Solid-Antique-Roman-Regular


This is one of my favorites.  I love how it turned out.

Coffee Coffee Coffee! & None +5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6Kyt9k8bds


Coffee Coffee Coffee is done in the phonto app on my phone:
http://fieldsofhether.blogspot.com/2017/11/how-to-curve-text-in-phonto-for-cricut.html

None: Font- The Skinny
+5 : Font - Milkshake

I Smell Snow
From this scene - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuS5IrQPqFg
Font- Bromello Letter Space -.01

Free Snowflake SVG:
http://digitalartbydani.blogspot.com/2013/12/6-free-snowflakes.html?m=1
https://imagesbyheatherm.wordpress.com/2010/11/17/another-pair-of-snowflakes/

Copper Boom
From This Scene - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN3QokD0qp0
Copper:
Font - Huh Girls, Bold, letter space -1
BOOM:
Font - Messy Marker, letter space .6

I looked at making a No Cell Phones ornament - from the Lukes Diner sign - this site has a free sign you can download and print yourself - http://www.findingstarshollow.com/make-your-kitchen-look-like-lukes-diner-free-printable-no-cell-phones-sign-to-download-and-print-at-home/

Oy With The Poodles & I Jump You Jump Jack
These were graphics my daughter had already converted to use on ornaments on her own tree.  She is using the flat ornaments - which is smart.  These need to be made much smaller than 2x2 for the round ornaments.  Maybe 1.5x1.5 

Oy with the poodles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urkXoKCKNkk
I Jump You Jump - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG1CdNS8OMk

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Find More Free Gilmore Girls SVGS Here: