The Cricut Crafting Struggle is Real

My paper crafting journey began shortly after my youngest grandson was born twenty-one years ago. I purchased a scrapbooking kit I found on sale and began with that. A year or so later my sister met someone who sold Creative Memories and we both became fans of that representative, Cyndi Newman, and her products.
 We went to our first crop which is where we became aware of the Cricut Cutting Machine and immediately became fans. My friend Patty was also at the crop and was already using the Cricut and advised us about which cartridges to buy. As soon as we got home we went on Amazon and purchased a used Cricut and the George and Basic Shapes Cartridge.
My first struggle was trying to remove items from the VERY STICKY MAT! After ruining many a cut I learned to pull the mat away from the paper instead of the paper away from the mat. My next and more pressing struggle was trying to understand how to size objects. If I had stopped there I would not be writing this blog. But a wonderful thing occurred. I found Cricut Craft Room online.
There were certainly some struggles with that because of some connection and program configuration issues. That all changed when Ashish Arora became the CEO.
None of this prevented me from buying the next generation of Cricut Machines which was the Cricut Expression. Owning this machine put me on my current path and I am now the proud owner of the Explore Air 2.
You know that the Maker is in my future!!!

STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT EPISODE COMING SOON

First Cricut Class

After a totally frustrating day attempting, and failing, to print the student handouts I led my first Cricut class last night at the Parkville Maryland Joann store. I had three students who were so talented they barely needed my help. We had some struggles with internet connections, but they all creatively used their phones or ipads.
The best part was that they didn't just use the plans in the teaching guide, but made their own unique designs.
My hope is that all of you who have Cricut machines that you still have not taken out of the box will be brave and take the leap to try it out. If you don't want to do it on your own find a class or watch youtube videos.

Cricut Easy Press Guide

Just a quick note to let Easy Press owners/users know that there is a new downloadable heat setting guide. Go to Cricut.com online and scroll down until you find it. You can open it on your computer and/or download it. It is much easier to follow than the one that comes with the press. There are also pictures to enhance the directions and an explanation of the icons used in the instructions.
If you make projects using iron-on vinyl the Easy Press is a great addition to your crafting supplies. It provides even pressure and covers a larger area than your regular iron. If you also get the pressing pad you won't need to set up your ironing board. This is a big plus for me.
I like it so much that I use my press for some of my regular ironing also.
Although it is not listed as an iron on surface, my friend and I ironed vinyl on a piece of wood. I was amazed at how well it turned out. If she gives me permission I will post of photo of it.