Getting Started With Cricut - By Project

Getting Started With Cricut - By Material Type

The first thing I try to tell everyone when they first get a cricut is "don't try to learn it all at once."

What you need to know to make a t-shirt is so different than what you need to know to make a card.  What you need to know to cut a felt flower is completely different than what you need to know to make a print then cut sticker.  

But where do you start for each of those things?  Here.  Start here.

  I don't have tutorials for each of those things, but I do know a lot of bloggers and crafters that I trust, so when I don't have the answers, I'll direct you to them.  

First - 

The Absolute Basics You Will Want To Know For Every Project Type:

 



Things like what is an svg, why you do NOT need to pay for Cricut Access, and a few other absolute basics.   

 


Now On To The Resources By Project Type:

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Most of the time, hand cutting these will be SO much faster and easier.  But using a cutting machine can be helpful for the detailed centers, and for the templates for hand cutting

 


A rotary blade often works best for faux leather projects, but for years, I used a Cricut Air 2 [still my favorite machine] and cut faux leather often. The Above link shows the settings I used for various types.

 

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

 


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MISC CRICUT PROJECTS
[Coming Soon]

 

 Making Door Mats

 

Wood Projects With Cricut


 Making Tumblers

 


 


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BASIC TIPS & TUTORIALS
Overviews, Quick Tips, Basic Tutorials

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FONT & SVG ORGANIZATION & STORAGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Using Vinyl With Cricut

Tips, Tricks & Tutorials For Using Vinyl with Cricut

When you cut vinyl with a cricut, you are essentially making a sticker, or decal. Once it is cut, and weeded, you will want to use a "transfer tape" to transfer the decal to the item you are placing it on.  I like Dollar Tree Clear Shelf Liner [contact paper] for transfer tape.  

Once the vinyl is on your item, there is no need to seal it!  Often sealers will cause the vinyl to peel.

For best results, leave the vinyl on your item for at least 48 hours before washing it.

Below the section of tips is a section of various projects I've made with vinyl over the years, including links to tutorials and svgs when possible.

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Tips For Using Vinyl
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How To Use Transfer Tape

My favorite Transfer Tape 
Is Dollar Tree Contact Paper





Light Up Weeding Tools



 Some users prefer a light pad - you can buy them for about $20 on Amazon.  To see if they might work for you, try putting your cell phone in a rubbermaid shoe box, or something similar, with the flashlight on on your phone.  If that sort of light box works for you, you may like a light pad.  Personally, I prefer a good overhead light.


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Some Of My Vinyl Projects
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Wedding Signs

 


 

I didn't use an svg for my own canisters, I just used the the Collonar Font and typed the text.   These canisters are from the Dollar Tree - find them in the kitchen aisle.
The Vinyl is from Amazon - Frisco brand.  I am loving this stuff!  https://amzn.to/2D0EKUW


 









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This Is My Parade Candy Bag

 

Free svg download at bottom of post

Full disclosure - I did not actually make this.  This afternoon I designed this to make a parade candy tote for my grandsons, but when my daughter in law picked the kids up, she told me she changed her plans..  so the kids won't be going to the parade with us.  I guess could make this for my husband..  LOL!

There are two svgs.  One is all in one, like the photo above.  The second one I split, to make it easier to change the colors
First resize to something like 9 wide, so you can see better.
Then ungroup.

Then select everything on the right by dragging your cursor across  - once it is all selected, change the color, then choose attach.
Once you have the red attached, and the blue attached, then move the blue over 

Here's a quick video [no sound, no talking] showing all of the above:


In the video, I flip the svg horizontal.  I do that with all of my htv projects, so that I do not have to remember to click the "mirror" button on the next screen.  

I'm very likely to forget to mirror.  But If I flip the design before I save it, then it's ready to be cut from htv.

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See the Index Of Tote Bag Posts, here: