Three Little Things to Make with Cricut Joy

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cricut. All opinions are 100% mine.

Cricut recently released a new machine, Cricut Joy! I love this machine because I don't have a craft room, so having a smart cutting machine that is small and portable works really well in my tiny workspace in the corner of my bedroom. No need for mats plus a smaller machine and materials makes storage really easy. I am easily able to plug in my machine, connect through bluetooth, and start making!

Along with the Joy, I also have a Cricut Maker machine, which has its own cool features. However, the Cricut Joy allows for unique creative possibilities. I am so excited to share a few simple projects with you and hopefully inspire you to create with Cricut Joy as well!

BABY ONESIE IRON-ON

My first project was a Smart Iron-On project for my newborn son. I wanted to make him a cute onesie with this beautiful patterned Natalie Malan Aquamarine Smart Iron-On I found. The only other supplies needed for this project are the blade and the Starter Tool Set.

I designed a simple "Baby Bee" file using a bee image and font available in the design space. I especially love this design because my husband and I are beekeepers, my son's name is Bennett (Baby "B"), and at my bee themed baby shower, we referred to him as "Baby Bee." How perfect is that?!

You can find my "Baby Bee" file here.

Helpful tip #1: When it comes to Iron-On projects, don't forget to select "mirror" when reviewing your project (as pictured below in Design Space).

Helpful tip #2: Remember to place the Smart Iron-On sheet face down.

One of the Cricut Joy machine's coolest features is that mats are optional! You simply feed the Smart Iron-On sheet directly into the machine. This makes it cheaper, faster, and simpler to create beautiful things. Check out the brand-new materials specifically for this machine that do not require a mat here.

Using the tools in the starter tool kit, I gently peel away the extra pieces around the cut image.

Helpful tip #3: For a cleaner transfer, preheat the fabric before placing your design (as shown in the image below). Although I only have an iron, using a Cricut EasyPress is the ideal way to transfer an Iron-On image.

Once it is pressed and has cooled completely, gently peel away the tape to reveal the finished product!

This project came together in only about 15 minutes. The material is so easy to load and the design space is super user-friendly. It walks you through each step of the process.

JAR LABELS

The second project I made with my Cricut Joy was a honey jar label using Smart Label Writable Vinyl. Smart vinyl comes in extended sizes, with up to 20’ repeated cut capability. That means no switching out mats, making things faster, cheaper, and simpler.

Although we have only been hobby beekeepers for a year and a half, we hope to harvest some honey this summer! If all goes well, the bees will be thriving and there will be more than enough honey for us to take some. I've been wanting to design honey labels for a long time now, and the Smart Label Writable Vinyl inspired me to finally do so!

I was able to create the image using a hexagon shape, an image of a hexagon pattern, an image of a bee, and font all available in the Cricut Design Space.

You can find my honey jar label file here.

I used an infusible ink marker, which is meant to be used on a fabric base, but I loved the yellow color and tested it to make sure it wouldn't bleed or smear on the Smart Label material. The other materials needed for this project are a fine point pen in black and the Cricut Joy blade.

Another great feature of the Cricut Joy is that it only has one tool clamp. When you begin a project, Cricut Design Space tells you what material and tool to load in the machine. With this particular project, it began with the yellow infusible ink marker (as pictured above) and it prompted me when a tool change was required. You simply change out the tool, Press "go," and it continues the next step of the design.

Check out the Cricut Joy-compatible pens here.

Next, the black fine point pen is loaded.

And finally, the fine-point blade is loaded.

Smart Label Writable Vinyl is my favorite of the materials specifically for Cricut Joy. I plan to use it to label honey jars, homemade jam jars, pantry organization labels, and so much more.

GREETING CARD

Another quick and easy project with the Cricut Joy is greeting cards. Cricut Design Space has tons of cute card designs and there are so many cute insert card sets available.

This was a project that I was able to do with the help of my three-year-old son. He has really been missing his babysitter during this social distancing time, so we decided it would be a fun activity to make a cute card to mail to her.

The materials needed are the card mat, insert cards (we chose the cream and gold insert cards), and the blade.

After much deliberation, my son decided on the Elephant Confetti Card. We figured it would cheer up anyone who might be feeling down during this difficult time, and it would be so cute with the gold card insert.

The card mat is very simple to use and is exclusively for use with Cricut Joy machines.

Once the design was cut on the cream card, I removed it from the card mat and inserted the gold paper into the slots in each corner, resulting in this cheerful little card!

These projects were so much fun to make, and I especially loved being able to design the "Baby Bee" onesie and honey labels. Cricut Joy is the perfect compact smart cutting machine. In my opinion, the exclusive Cricut Joy materials is what sets this machine apart.

My favorite things about Cricut Joy from doing these projects:

- projects can easily come together in a matter of minutes

- the machine is easy to store and quick to set up

- the new Cricut Joy materials that don't require a mat are so easy to use (and are so cute!)

- the card mat makes card making so easy

- the Cricut Joy projects available in Cricut Design Space are so cute and inspiring

Check out cricut.com to learn more about this machine!

https://cricut.com/en_us/cricut-joy-products.html?utm_campaign=cj&utm_medium=referral_influencers&utm_source=kathrynkempler.blogspot&utm_content=CricutJoy_pfp&utm_term=

The Cutest Romper and Bonnet

I have spent an embarrassing amount of time perusing the Cricut Design Space library of sewing projects. There are so many to choose from! They have things like stuffed animals, baby clothes, doll clothes, all sorts of bags, quilts, and even pet accessories.

I decided on a romper and bonnet (two separate projects) to make an adorable matching set.

Romper project found here
Bonnet project here
Images Source

Once I selected my project, I connected my Cricut Maker to my computer and clicked the "Make It" button.

I was then walked through all the preparatory steps. First, I inserted the washable fabric pen and the rotary blade into the adaptive tool system. 

Then, I place my fabric of choice (a mystery cotton/polyester fabric) onto the FabricGrip mat. To make this easy, I cut my fabric into 12x24 pieces so they fit perfectly on the mat. 

Feeding the mat into the machine is done with just the press of a button. 

Sewing Kit Ready for business!

I've selected my project! Now I am getting everything ready for cutting. Behind my computer screen you can see the fabric pen and rotary blade inserted in the adaptive tool system.

Once I fed the first mat into the Cricut Maker, it makes all of the marks and cuts and prompted me when to release the mat. It is then ready for the second mat, so I just repeated these steps five times and I had all the pieces for a bonnet and romper marked and cut and ready to go!

Bonnet pattern pieces and interfacing

Romper pattern pieces and elastic references

Each project gives you an estimated amount of time and difficulty level. The bonnet was easy and the romper was intermediate. Each took 1-2 hours.
The step by step instructions give detailed directions and drawings to show each part of the assembly process. They are easy to follow, especially with all of the marking made by the machine.

Bonnet finished! 

The front of the romper with back/side elastic in
and top stitching complete

The facing on the inside front piece of the
romper. Such a clean way to finish seams -
and comfortable for the baby!

Both the bonnet and romper called for a few feet of double fold bias tape. It was used as elastic casing and to finish off a raw seam. This was really easy to make. With my manual rotary cutter, I cut long strips of fabric 1.25" wide on the bias. I then pressed the double fold and had perfect, matching bias tape for my project.

Almost done! just needs the crotch seam sewn, elastic in each leg, and closures!

Elastic casing sewn in

The last part of the assembly is the closures. The instructions call for velcro, but I chose to use buttons and button holes instead!
I recently learned how to sew buttons on with my machine, so I love sewing them on as often as I can. Plus, I think the yellow buttons add a special something to the romper.



When I am cutting a project by hand, I always forget to transfer pattern markings, which slows me down and requires me to refer back to the pattern multiple times. With the Cricut Maker, I don't even have to think about it anymore. The washable fabric pen came out with a little bit of water once it was all finished. Plus, the pattern pieces were perfectly cut, so sewing everything together was easy and resulted in the most perfect little outfit.

I am so in love with this romper and bonnet set! This might be my go-to baby shower gift from now on. This particular one, however, is going in my "too-cute-to-give-away" box!

The Cricut Maker Machine

My love for creating certainly doesn't end with clothing. I also love home decor DIY projects. 

When I was introduced to the Cricut Maker, I was blown away by how versatile it is! Not only does it make so many paper and vinyl projects, it has applications to make everything from quilts to leather clutches. It even cuts balsa wood! It's amazing all the things this machine can do. It is the perfect "toy" for a creator, and, along with my sewing machine, I can make virtually anything!

The Cricut Makers has an adaptive tool system, which means you can switch out the type of blade and/or marker depending on what materials a project calls for. 

Isn't it beautiful!? I have mine pictured with the essential tool set and the sewing kit

The first material I worked with on my Cricut Maker was paper. In the Design Space, I was able to personalize a card stock flag banner for my son's 1st birthday party and I was so happy with how it turned out!

The essential tool set has all the tools needed for paper projects. The machine also has compartment that fit all of these tools perfectly.

My Cricut Maker with the essential tool set

In the Design Space, there are hundreds of projects to choose from. You even have the option to add your own images to create your own project. 

One project from the library immediately caught my eye: the leather tassel keychain!

When you select a project, the Design Space gives you step by step instructions on how to load your materials into the machine, what mat to put your materials on, and what blade to use. This project calls for the 12x12 strong grip cutting mat and the deep cut blade.
Once the project is cut (so fun to watch!), it then gives you steps on how to assemble the cut project. The tassel keychain only needed a key ring and a hot glue gun.

It now hangs proudly on my diaper bag! 

The library of sewing projects includes patterns from Simplicity and Riley Blake. It makes sewing patterns super simple because it cuts and marks the fabric for you. The sewing kit has all the essentials for sewing projects. 

My Cricut Maker with my sewing kit

I was nervous to use this machine when it first arrived. I was a bit intimidated. However, as soon as I started to explore, I learned how user-friendly the Cricut Maker and Design Space are. 

The Cricut Maker comes with all the basic tools to get started. it even comes with the materials needed for your first project.

I have so many plans for my Cricut Maker. A few projects I can't wait to get started on are vinyl canister labels for my pantry, a leather clutch, greeting cards, a stuffed dog, and all the baby clothes!

Pom Pom Sleeve Tee

I have been so in love with the awesome detail of this tee lately:

Source

The clothing pieces I gravitate towards are usually solid colored and simple, yet have a unique element in the detail or silhouette. This top is a perfect example of that. Its a simple, ivory knit t-shirt with a slightly flared sleeve and multi-colored pom pom trim. 

When I realized I might be a few months too late in noticing this top, I started to keep an eye out for the perfect pom pom trim to create my own. I found that most of the options out there are small, solid color, and cheaply made. I checked Amazon, Joann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, and couldn't find anything that I would use for this remake. 

One day as I was searching the internet, it dawned on me to check Etsy. The first trim to catch my eye was this:

Source

Have you ever seen a more perfect match in your entire life?! I couldn't believe I had found an identical pom pom trim to use in my remake. 

So I bought myself a yard! I only wish I had bought 10+ yards for various projects like adding trim on kitchen towels. 

My sister in law Rachel brought me to a sewing night with her sewing blogger friends. Once a months a few local bloggers get together to chat about projects and patterns, eat treats, and do some project prep. While there, I made the pattern for this much anticipated top. The next morning, I cut out the fabric.
I started with assembling the sleeves because I was so excited about the pom poms.

I attached the sleeve, pom pom trim, and the flounce with the serger

Top stitched with blush pink thread

When I went to assemble the bodice, I noticed I made a huge, stupid mistake: I cut out two bodice back pieces and no front piece and didn't have enough fabric to re-cut the bodice front.
I did my best to reshape the extra back piece to closely resemble the front piece. However, the shape was not exactly as I planned and will result in a looser fit.



Once I attached the neckband, I wore the mostly finished project to a graduation party. I was too excited to wait until it was finished. The shape of the top turned out better than I expected. It was not as loose as I thought it would be. The heavy weight of the fabric helps, though. It has such beautiful drape that a loser fit still looks really nice.
Also, after 3 years of being apart, my dress form and I are finally reunited! Together, we are unstoppable.

After the party, I came home and finished the hem and topstitching.

Close up of the top stitching on the flounce at the hem

Close up of the topstitching at the neckline

Sleeve detail

Usually as I make something, I hit a point where my excitement plummets and I don't love the end result nearly as much as I had hoped. Well, that was not the case with this one! It might be my favorite top I've ever made. I've worn it twice now and I've received a few compliments already.
I will most definitely be wearing it every day for a while.