Cricut Tutorials & Craft Ideas – Make Amazing Cricut Projects With Ease! https://www.practicallyfunctional.com Do it yourself! Fri, 25 Jun 2021 18:45:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Cricut Tutorials & Craft Ideas – Make Amazing Cricut Projects With Ease! https://www.practicallyfunctional.com 32 32 12 Dollar Store Cricut Projects You Can Do Today https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/dollar-store-cricut-projects/ https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/dollar-store-cricut-projects/#respond Wed, 16 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/?p=62192 Paper, iron-on sheets, wrapping paper, and accessories (like frames, mugs, and candle holders) are all great purchases at the dollar store. You can even find items like table runners and bunting. Get creative with these ideas without spending a lot of money. You Cricut can help you "upgrade" even inexpensive items and turn them into beautiful crafts.

The post 12 Dollar Store Cricut Projects You Can Do Today was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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Looking for gift ideas and dollar store Cricut projects? Here are 12 great crafts you can make for cheap using dollar craft supplies!


Cutting machines like a Cricut Maker or Silhouette Cameo help you make the cutest gifts for almost no money at all. Dollar store Cricut projects are the best way to spruce up a unique, personalized present for only a few bucks. 

If you’ve never shopped at the Dollar Tree, Dollar General, or another discount store for Cricut supplies, you are in for a treat! You can find so many Cricut-friendly items at the dollar store. They have tons of “blanks” (meaning items that are blank for personalization) as well as items that you can paint or adjust to create a canvas for your Cricut designs. The number of easy dollar store Cricut projects will amaze you!

three photo collage of dollar store cricut projects with words above

If you’re looking for Christmas gifts under $5 or a great birthday present for cheap, a dollar store and your Cricut is all you need. The possibilities will blow you away! Today I’ve rounded up 12 of my favorite dollar store Cricut projects to inspire your crafting.

New to the Cricut? Wondering if it’s right for you? Check out my getting started with a Cricut tutorial first

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How to Find Great Items at the Dollar Store for Your Cricut Projects

Like shopping at a thrift store for Cricut project supplies, you have two options for shopping at the dollar store. The first option is to go in with a project loosely in mind and look for supplies that fit your specific project. The other option is to wander the aisles and wait for inspiration to hit. Unlike thrift stores, the inventory at dollar stores is consistent. Because there are certain items you will almost always find on hand at the dollar store (like picture frames and votive holders), having a loose idea of your project is often a good plan.

Here are some go-to dollar store Cricut supplies to pick up:

(Did you know you can shop at Dollar Tree online?! Same prices and you don’t even have to leave the house!)

  • scissors
  • mechanical pencils (can be fitted with needles and used to weed)
  • protective table covers
  • storage bins and containers
  • paper, including colored, scrapbooking, cardstock, and tracing paper
  • wrapping paper
  • felt sheets
  • foam sheets
  • wax paper, freezer paper, and tinfoil
  • glue

Dollar store Cricut project supplies are often “off-brand” or lower quality than craft store supplies, but most will do in a pinch. It’s also important to consider what you plan to do with the supply. For example, you won’t handle framed artwork nearly as much as a tee shirt. A decorative plate may only go on display during the holidays, whereas a coffee mug may get daily use (making it worth the splurge on good quality heat-transfer vinyl to fancy-up that dollar store mug). 

Put on your creative thinking cap before you go to the dollar store. You’ll be surprised at what you can find to alter with spray paint, glue, or a little DIY effort. Cutting machines like a Cricut or Silhouette Cameo spruce up everyday items and turn them into amazing gifts and personalized mementos. You can upload your own designs to make something truly special. 

As you consider WHAT to make, look through these dollar store Cricut projects to help you find a fantastic and surprisingly affordable gift from supplies at the dollar store!

1. Personalized Mugs (from Practically Functional

closeup of heat transfer vinyl design on ceramic mug on top of plate with cookies and a spoon

How To Use Heat Transfer Vinyl On Mugs

Did you know you can use heat transfer vinyl on mugs?! Learn how to apply HTV to a ceramic mug so you can personalize and customize it however you'd like!
See the full project

Mugs make fantastic personalized gifts! They’re super simple and an excellent Cricut beginner project for those newer to cutting machines. For mugs, I recommend using durable, quality heat transfer vinyl. The cups shouldn’t go in the dishwasher, but they can certainly hold up to regular handwashing. I’ve used heat transfer vinyl on my onesies and Etsy store projects for a long time, but I fell in love after trying it on ceramic mugs. 

As for the mugs themselves, go for inexpensive blanks at the dollar store! You can often find big cappuccino mugs, classic white mugs, or delicate teacups. Look over each ceramic piece for chips or flaws, and wrap them carefully before putting them in your bag. Even at a buck apiece, you still want to get home with your mugs intact!

Don’t miss out on my other Cricut mug ideas:

2. School Supply Organizer (from Practically Functional)

school supplies in clear mason jars organized with washi tape labels

DIY Washi Tape Labels To Organize School Supplies

Learn how to make washi tape labels to organize just about anything! Put the labels on mason jars and use them to organize kids school supplies, artwork supplies, and homework supplies.
See the full project

Mason jars are another dollar store staple. You can often find cute glass jars and containers in the kitchen section, the craft section, and among the home goods. Look for vases, pots, cups, and other containers that could work for personalization.

I used simple mason jars and washi tape to personalize and pretty up some standard canning jars to organize pens, pencils, and school supplies. School supply organizers are a great dollar store Cricut project that looks terrific on a desk. These also make great gifts for teachers, coworkers, and bosses!

3. Holiday Ornaments (from By-Pink)

two homemade christmas ornaments on pine tree background

My First Christmas Ornament Cricut Project

Learn how to make a simple Christmas ornament for a baby’s first Christmas—this Christmas ornament would make an awesome Christmas gift and keepsake.
See the full project

Around the holidays, you can find great blanks at the dollar store! Look for classic Christmas balls as well as flat ceramic pieces that you could use for ornaments. You may also find unpainted wooden or cardboard ornaments for your projects.

When it comes to making holiday ornaments, the sky is the limit. You can decorate jingle bells, balls, or any shape you can find. I love these baby’s first Christmas ornaments from By-Pink. She used Cricut basswood, but you could easily use wooden blanks from the dollar store. From there, it’s all about the lettering, ribbon, and resin finish that you select to make it really special. Or you can make a baby’s first Christmas ornament by filling an empty ball ornament with their hospital bracelet and first little hat.

4. Organizers (from Practically Functional)

Make your own custom storage bins with a cricut joy and smart holographic vinyl

Make Personalized Storage Bins With A Cricut Joy

Make these cute personalized storage bins with a Cricut Joy and Smart Holographic Vinyl; they're perfect for organizing your mudroom or entryway, or organizing kids toys! (The screenshots in these instructions were made using the Cricut Design Space app on an iPhone.)
See the full project

Organizing containers abound at the dollar store. You’ll find bins, baskets, and buckets that you can customize with your Cricut to make them personal and even more functional. Label bins for your pantry, your car, your kids’ toys, and more.

Organizing bins and containers from the dollar store make great reusable gift containers too. If you’re going to give someone a basket of treats for their birthday or kitchen shower, why not make the container part of the present? Use die-cut lettering and images to make the container as special as the gift.

5. Disney Countdown Clock (from Practically Functional)

Make a disney countdown clock cut files available

DIY Disney Countdown Blocks (Plus Cut File)

Are you planning a Disney trip? Count down the days to the magical adventure with this DIY Disney countdown clock—grab the SVG file in this tutorial and make your own countdown clock with your Cricut or Silhouette!
See the full project

Are you or someone you love looking forward to a Disney trip in the near future? Don’t miss this cute Disney countdown clock (the cut file is in the post). Make this cute block day counter with simple wooden blocks you find at the dollar store.

Look for plain wooden cubes, dice, or decorative wood pieces. Paint them solid white and then use them as the base for your countdown clock. This makes an adorable present for kids looking forward to the day when their Disney dreams come true.

5. Fabulous Watering Can (from Practically Functional)

metal watering can decorated with yellow and purple flowers made with adhesive vinyl

Decorate A Watering Can With Adhesive Vinyl

Use adhesive vinyl to personalize and decorate a watering can—this simple project will add color to any boring watering can, and it only takes a few minutes!
See the full project

Call me “extra,” but I love the way simple vinyl designs can really jazz up everyday items. I took this watering can and added some happy flower designs of cute dahlias. It elevates a ho-hum item to something unique and gift-worthy!

Watch for watering cans, flower pots, and other containers at the dollar store. You can makeover practical housekeeping tools into gorgeous gifts that will make any recipient smile. If there’s someone on your list who’s tough to buy for (or who only likes sensible presents), this is an excellent Cricut dollar store project for their next birthday.

6. Jar Candles (from Practically Functional)

mason jar candle holders spray painted in gold with leaf-shaped unpainted area to see candle through

How To Make Silhouette Candle Jars

Make your own silhouette jars with mason jars, vinyl, and some spray paint! Add a candle to make a gorgeous flickering mason jar silhouette luminaries for any occasion!
See the full project

Another great way to elevate common mason jars, vases, and glass containers are to turn them into candle holders! I’ve made several candle projects, and they turn out great every time! I adore the way the candles cast shapes on the wall when lit—it’s so magical!

You can create jar candles for any season or occasion. I’ve made fall-themed candle holders with leaves, as well as snowy Christmas village jars, glittery valentine jars, and shamrock candle holders for St. Patrick’s day (made from upcycled beer bottles)! Watch for any glass containers and blanks at the dollar store and snatch them up! They make perfect dollar store Cricut projects. 

8. Door Hanger (from Daily DIY Life)

Dollar Tree Pizza Pan Fall Welcome Sign

This super fun buffalo check Dollar Tree Pizza Pan Fall Welcome Sign is the perfect quick craft for a chilly fall day.
See the full project

How about a change of pace from the typical wreath? These darling door hangers are made from dollar store pizza pans! I love this example of taking something mundane and turning it into something totally unexpected.

Pizza pans make the perfect base for a door hanger. With some vinyl letters, ribbon, and creative vision, you can create an exceptional wall hanging. Make one for any season, holiday, or just for fun. These would also make pretty gifts for Mother’s Day, Christmas, or a birthday. 

9. Custom Charger Plates (from Fields of Heather)

Painting & Decorating Dollar Tree Chargers

Chargers from the dollar store make great personalized decor—make one for each holiday and switch them out seasonally.
See the full project

Chargers are another excellent dollar store blank you can pick up. These are basically a fancy plate you tuck under your dinner plate for a pop of color. Chargers also make a great base for a cookie plate, a decorative wall hanging, or a dining room centerpiece. 

Look for chargers with a less-shiny finish for the best results, especially if you plan to paint the charger before adding lettering. Light colors with dark lettering or dark colors with light, bright lettering will look the best. I like all the different examples of dollar store Cricut projects in this charger tutorial. 

10. Mini Signs (from Burton Avenue)

Easy Mini Christmas Signs

I found the original mini signs at the dollar store and knew they just needed a little make-over to turn them into something cute for Christmas!
See the full project

How cute are these Christmas mini signs? This is a fantastic example of taking a decorative item from the dollar store and reinventing it for a great DIY Cricut project. You could make all sorts of mini signs for any occasion. 

These wooden blocks were initially little floral signs. Once the crafter removed the original design and covered the blocks in cute fabric, they became festive and fun. I love how even budget-friendly Cricut projects always look so polished and professional. You’d easily pay $15-20 for these at Target or Home Goods.

11. Makeup Brush Holder (from Ever Elegant Designz)

DIY Makeup Brush Holder

Create these gorgeous makeup brush holders! Easy and inexpensive to make—perfect gift idea.
See the full project

You might know a tween or preteen girl who is OBSESSED with all things unicorn. How cute are these DIY makeup brush holders? I think these would make a terrific gift. The designs are fun and fanciful, using glitter and vinyl for this DIY dollar store Cricut project. 

I recommend picking up some cute pens or fun makeup brushes to go along with these little holders. You could easily bundle it together for a cute gift for under $5. If you’re looking for an inexpensive gift for tween girls, the dollar store and Cricut have you covered. 

12. Coupon Organizer (from Practically Functional)

small expandable file folder with the word "coupons" on it on a table with newspaper coupons and scissors

DIY Coupon Organizer With Dollar Store Supplies

Turn a small expandable file from the dollar store into a DIY coupon organizer in just a few minutes—great for organizing coupons, and small enough to take with you to the store!
See the full project

The dollar store often has office supplies. If you happen to see an expandable envelope or file organizer, definitely pick it up! You can use lettering from your Cricut to turn those expandable envelopes into a sweet coupon organizer. 

These organizers are so helpful when you’re rifling through your coupons at the store. I use these for storing receipts and important papers. If you need a gift for a friend, these are a super fit—especially if your friend is budget conscious and practical. I love presents that are usable in everyday life. 

I hope that you give some of these dollar store Cricut projects a shot. It’s amazing how some simple lettering and decoration can make inexpensive items special. Gifts from the dollar store can still be meaningful, useful, and personal. All it takes is a cutting machine and some creativity! 

Want to share these ideas with your friends? Share to Facebook, Pinterest, or send the article by email—just click on any of the share buttons floating on the left, or find them at the top and bottom of this post.

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10 Upcycled Cricut Ideas that Will Blow Your Mind https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/upcycled-cricut-ideas/ https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/upcycled-cricut-ideas/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2020 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/?p=46615 Love shopping at thrift stores? Check out these amazing upcycled Cricut ideas for plenty of inspiration for your next thrift store shopping trip.

The post 10 Upcycled Cricut Ideas that Will Blow Your Mind was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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Let’s go thrifting! I wanted to explore some of the fantastic upcycled Cricut ideas out there. With a simple cutting machine, you can create crafts to sell and gift-worthy items without spending a bundle.

collage of upcycled cricut project ideas made from thrift store items

When you upcycle something, you give it a new life. It’s amazing how an item that’s used, outgrown, or discarded can come out looking like a fabulous treasure with a little embellishment. This is one area where cutting machines like Cricut and Silhouette Cameo shine. With some vinyl, transfers, and cool artwork (either of your own design or pre-made), you can create something beautiful and unique.

If you’re new to cutting machines, I suggest you explore my Cricut tutorials first. Are you trying to decide on the right machine? I’ve broken down a comparison of the Cricut machines to help you weigh the pros and cons. No matter what you choose, there are all sorts of projects at your fingertips. 

Ready to explore some of the best upcycled Cricut ideas? Here’s where to begin. 

How to Find Items for Cricut Upcycle Projects at the Thrift Store

When I go to a thrift store, I often get a little overwhelmed. I’m not sure what to look for—which items are “upcycle” worthy. What do I need or want? So, before we explore these cute upcycled Cricut ideas, I wanted to share a few tips to help you shop.

How to find great items to upcycle at the thrift store:

  • Look for clothes in solid colors or small patterns.
  • Look for items in good (like new) condition.
  • Explore the framed art section for solid frames (even if the art inside isn’t your taste).
  • Watch for mirrors and shadow boxes.
  • Visit the appliance section and look for minimally used items, often still in the box.
  • Pick up containers like storage bins, boxes, and even jars.
  • Look for dishes that are plain, solid, or feature small patterns.
  • Don’t miss linens like extra fabric, tablecloths, lampshades, and even curtains.
  • Seek items with smooth surface areas that are easier to work with.
  • Watch for glassware that’s chip-free with a smooth surface.

I have two main ways of thrifting: either I go in with a project in mind and look for the perfect supplies, or I browse the store and let inspiration jump out. Either method works if you allow your creative juices to flow.

Sometimes having a specific project in mind can pose a challenge, as you may need to be flexible with the availability of items. For example, if you want to make a shadow box or mirror project, you might not find an appropriate item at the thrift store this time around. On the other hand, if you want to upcycle a plain shirt, you will find a wide array of options.

I like to take a combination approach. I go shopping with a few projects in mind, and then, if I find a treasure, I ask myself how I could personalize and upgrade the item. If I find a great deal such as a like-new set of plain mugs, I’ll pick them up, because I know I can use them for a great Cricut upcycle idea. 

When you decide to go thrifting, here is some inspiration to help you in your search for items to upcycle. You could also do these projects with brand new supplies, but giving new life to an old item (at a bargain price) is a lot of fun. Enjoy these awesome upcycled Cricut ideas!

1. DIY Bleach Spray T-Shirt from Practically Functional 

Bleach spray t-shirts are one of my favorite upcycling projects because it’s so easy! All you need is a plain solid-colored top, bleach, spray adhesive, and a vinyl stencil from your Cricut or Cameo. For my shirt project, I used a cute little owl stencil

Bleach spray shirts are an excellent option for groups and teams. If you need a fast way to make cute “uniforms” for a kickball game or camping trip, these are a unique, casual option. Each person can bring their own shirt in a specific color and choose a unique stencil or pick a different color shirt but use the same stencil to match. Kids love these shirts and they make great gifts.

DIY bleach spray shirt with an adhesive owl stencil

Make Your Own Bleach Spray Shirt In Just 10 Minutes!

Have you seen people wearing those fun bleached t-shirts? They are super simple to make; you can make them in under 10 minutes and all you need is a shirt, bleach, water, a spray bottle, and a stencil!
See the full project

2. Dinosaur Fabric Scrap Matching Game from Swoodson Says

How cute is this dinosaur fabric scrap matching game made with an old pair of jeans and Cricut vinyl cutouts? I love dinosaurs, but you could use all sorts of designs for this project. This is a fun spin on the good old fashioned “memory” game and it’s great for kids. 

I really love that this project doesn’t require advanced seamstress skills. Sometimes it’s nice to have a DIY fabric project where you can cut and go. Pinking sheers help prevent the edges from fraying, but you can run a machine around the edge of each “card” to keep them looking uniform. 

Dinosaur Fabric Scrap Matching Game from Swoodson Says

How cute is this dinosaur fabric scrap matching game made with an old pair of jeans and Cricut vinyl cutouts?
See the full project

3. Make Your Own Minnie Mouse Mug by Practically Functional

Let’s talk about upcycling mugs and ceramic items using cutout stencils. I made this custom oversized Minnie Mouse mug using Contact paper stencils (that I made on my Cameo) and ceramic paint. I’ve seen many different takes on upcycled ceramic goods and they always turn out so cool. These items are perfect gifts as well.

Check out these monogrammed plates from Maritza Lisa. Using any pretty dishes and vinyl cutouts (in this case, she used metallic temporary tattoo paper with a Cameo), you can create a modern spin that looks like it came from a designer store. These decorative plates on Creative Bug are another great example. While the dishes aren’t always food-safe, they make great decorations, pretty catchalls, and helpful desk accessories.

DIY Minnie Mouse Mug

Make Your Own Minnie Mouse Mug!

Make a super cute Minnie Mouse mug with enamel paint and a few stencils! Such a great way to add some Disney spirit to your morning coffee!
See the full project

4. Cricut Vinyl Milk Can Project from Typically Simple

The milk can for this project wasn’t purchased at a thrift store, but rather on sale at a craft store. I chose this example, though, because I think it’s an excellent idea for a Cricut upcycle project with an item you could easily find second-hand. 

This project reminds me of my personalized watering can, which is a similar concept. Using vinyl cutouts, you can upcycle metal items like cans and buckets for a unique farmhouse look. If you’re looking for the items at a thrift store, watch for plain pieces with relatively smooth surfaces. I also suggest using outdoor vinyl if you plan to use your project as a flower holder, porch decoration, or in any other spot where it might get wet.

Cricut Vinyl Milk Can Project from Typically Simple

Using vinyl cutouts, you can upcycle metal items like cans and buckets for a unique farmhouse look.
See the full project

5. DIY Vanity Tray and Ring Dish from by Pink

I love how girly and glittery these cute vanity trays are. They would make the perfect gift for a teen girl (or anyone who loves a little sparkle in their life). Small melamine dishes and trays are often an easy-to-find item when thrift shopping. Using vinyl cutouts and pour-in epoxy is a fantastic Cricut upcycle idea. 

If you’ve ever worked with pour-in epoxy resin, you know it is tons of fun. You can use resin to capture all sorts of little things—from beads to glitter and give it an “under glass” finish. Epoxy is ideal for use with jewelry projects and other upcycle endeavors.

DIY Vanity Tray and Ring Dish from by Pink

Small melamine dishes and trays are often an easy-to-find item when thrift shopping. Using vinyl cutouts and pour-in epoxy is a fantastic Cricut upcycle idea.
See the full project

6. DIY Etched Glass from Practically Functional

Another item at the top of my “thrift list” is glassware. Look for jars, pint glasses, plates, and vases. With stencils and glass etching cream, you can create some utterly unique custom gifts and home décor. Etched glass is stunning. Once etched, the glass is food-safe and ready to use. 

Etching cream is inexpensive, and once you try etching, I guarantee you’ll be hooked. You can make monogrammed champagne flutes for wedding gifts. Create custom pint glasses for Father’s Day. Use glass etching on mirrors; create beautiful vases; label upcycled bottles, jars, and containers for storage. The options are limitless.

How To Etch Glass At Home

Etching glassware makes a great personalized gift for weddings, birthdays, holidays, or any occasion, and it's surprisingly easy to do! All you need for this fun customizing project is etching cream, a paintbrush, a stencil, and about 15 minutes.
See the full project

7. Quote for Your Bathroom Scale from a girl and a glue gun  

I chose this inspirational bathroom scale quote as a great example of how some glittery vinyl can add tons of impact to everyday items. For this project, she used a Silhouette Cameo and glitter vinyl (you could also use a Cricut). 

If you check out Etsy, you’ll find an array of vinyl decals for coffee makers, hilarious Instant Pot decals, and decals for KitchenAid Mixers. Most of these were created by using a Cricut or Silhouette and vinyl. So if you have a cutting machine, you can personalize and upcycle almost ANY item. Look for gently used small appliances and let your imagination run wild. Again, I would use outdoor vinyl to protect your project in applications where it might get wet.

Quote for Your Bathroom Scale from a girl and a glue gun

When thrifting, look for gently used small appliances and let your imagination run wild!
See the full project

8. Thrift Store Picture Farmhouse Makeover from Christina Faye Repurposed

Some of the best items to pick up at the thrift store are picture frames. You can often find tons of framed art for $5 or less. When looking at the framed artwork, you might be wondering, “why on earth would I ever buy this?” There is some bizarre thrift store art out there, but when you explore the art section, it’s all about the frames.

Look at this fantastic upcycled farmhouse picture! She used Cricut vinyl to create a cute quote and cow to frame against a fabric backdrop. For less than $5, she made a great wall hanging that would easily cost upwards of $20 at the store. When you go to the thrift store, look beyond that bad art and find the potential. Here’s a further tutorial on eHow for modern twists on upcycled thrift store artwork

Thrift Store Picture Farmhouse Makeover from Christina Faye Repurposed

Look at this fantastic upcycled farmhouse picture! She used Cricut vinyl to create a cute quote and cow to frame against a fabric backdrop for less than $5.
See the full project

9. DIY Table Runner with Foil Iron-On from That’s What Che Said

Foil iron-on is one of my favorite Cricut upcycle materials. I used it for my St. Patrick’s Day shirt, and it elevates plain fabric. For this DIY table runner, she also used foil iron-on to create a beautiful design that would look great on any holiday table.

Thrifting and upcycling holiday items are a great idea. After all, you don’t want to spend tons on holiday décor that you’ll only use for a month or two out of the year (or in this case for Thanksgiving dinner). Table linens are an especially lovely option because holiday table decorations are often pricey. Look for plain tablecloths, napkins, and table runners that you can jazz up with Cricut.

DIY Table Runner with Foil Iron-On from That’s What Che Said

Thrifting and upcycling holiday items are a great idea. Look for plain tablecloths, napkins, and table runners that you can jazz up with a Cricut.
See the full project

10. Cricut Tee with Infusible Ink from Thrift Diving

Let’s explore the more advanced Cricut upcycle ideas for clothing. Heat transfer and infusible ink are truly stunning options that help you create shirts that look completely professional. If you have the Cricut Explore Air 2 and a Cricut Easy Press, you can make some fantastic items. See a detailed, step-by-step process in my infusible ink tutorial, where I show you how to make an adorable kids mermaid tee!

Cricut infusible ink transfer sheets after transferring ink onto a t shirt

How To Use Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets

This article has everything you need to know about using Cricut Infusible Ink transfer sheets!
See the full project

Even if you aren’t ready to invest in the infusible inks, there are many options for heat transfer projects too. Adding lettering to a shirt (like this cute Beatles song shirt) is easy with Cricut iron-on vinyl and the Easy Press (or an iron). I made this iron-on transfer bag with a Cameo and Silhouette heat transfer material. I really love how well heat transfers work on fabric. You can make baby onesies, shirts, bags, and throw pillows. 

Cricut Tee with Infusible Ink from Thrift Diving

Heat transfer and infusible ink are truly stunning options that help you create shirts that look completely professional.
See the full project

The next time you go to the thrift store (or consider tossing out an item that’s lost its luster), consider upcycled Cricut ideas. Could you customize the item to add new life? Would lettering or vinyl designs make the piece special and unique? Get creative and play with your die cut machine!

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Simple DIY “Born In The USA” Baby Onesie https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/diy-born-in-the-usa-baby-onesie/ https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/diy-born-in-the-usa-baby-onesie/#comments Wed, 03 Jun 2020 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/?p=21587 Grab this "Born In The USA" SVG file and make your own patriotic baby clothes or shirts. Perfect handmade gifts for family and friends!

The post Simple DIY “Born In The USA” Baby Onesie was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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Make your own “Born In The USA” shirt or baby clothes with this cute SVG file; grab it here!


I absolutely love this red, white, and blue baby onesie I made for AJ a while ago: it’s really cute and so easy to make! Grab the “Born In The USA” SVG file here, then just cut out the graphics with your Cricut or Silhouette and iron it on to a plain t-shirt or baby onesie. They make great gifts for friends and family!

born in the usa baby onesie with cricut easypress and rolls of vinyl

If you like this onesie, check out some of the other adorable baby onesie tutorials on this site!

DIY Born In The USA Baby Onesie

  • 10 minutes (time spent doing stuff)
  • 10 minutes (time spent waiting around)
  • 20 minutes (total project time)

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

To get started, grab the Born In The USA SVG file below.

If you want a refresher on using heat transfer vinyl, here is a super detailed, step by step tutorial on how to use heat transfer vinyl.

NOTE: You can also purchase these onesies in my shop if you don’t want to make them yourself!

Start by uploading the Born In The USA SVG file to Cricut Design Space. Click the Upload button in the menu on the left, then drag and drop or browse your computer to find the downloaded file.

upload screen to upload born in the usa svg file

Give the image a name and some tags if you’d like, then click the green Save button.

born in the usa svg file upload screen

Select all the layers in a single color and then click the Attach button at the bottom right. Repeat for all four colors.

attaching color groups in cricut design space

Now it’s time to cut it out! Click the green Make It button at the top of the page. On the preview mats screen, select each mat thumbnail and toggle the Mirror switch on, then click the green Continue button.

On the Make screen, select Glitter Iron-On as the material.

material selection screen in cricut design space

Place the heat transfer vinyl onto the Cricut cutting mat with the shiny plastic side down.

place heat transfer vinyl on the cricut cutting mat with the clear plastic backing side down

Follow the on-screen instructions to load the correct blade, then load the mat into the machine. Press the Go button to begin the cut.

When the cut is finished, unload the mat from the machine and carefully remove the heat transfer vinyl from the mat. Weed away the background vinyl, leaving the graphic on the clear plastic backing.

weeding away background heat transfer vinyl before pressing

Preheat your EasyPress according to the Cricut heat guide. Then position the heat transfer vinyl on your blank onesie with the shiny plastic side up.

heat transfer vinyl positioned on a white onesie before pressing

Once the EasyPress is pre-heated, press the onesie for thirty seconds (or whatever the recommended time is in the Cricut heat guide), then flip the shirt over and press again from the back.

cricut easypress pressing heat transfer vinyl on a cotton onesie

Carefully peel away the plastic backing.

Repeat the pressing process for each additional color in the design, making sure the colors on your onesie line up correctly. Once you peel the plastic backing off the final color, you’re done!

born in the usa baby onesie with cricut easypress and red, white, and blue glitter heat transfer vinyl

Want to share this tutorial with your friends? Just click any of the share buttons on the left to share with Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc.!

born in the usa baby onesie with cricut easypress and red, white, and blue glitter heat transfer vinyl
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Simple DIY “Born In The USA” Baby Onesie

Make these cute, simple "Born In The USA" baby clothes for 4th of July or Memorial Day; they make great baby shower gifts for friends and family!
Keyword 4th of july, blue, fourth of july, glitter, heat transfer vinyl, independence day, memorial day, patriotic, red, veterans day, white
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cricut Cutting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 1 baby onesie
Author Jessi Wohlwend
Cost $8

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Click the Upload button in the menu on the left, then drag and drop or browse your computer to find the downloaded file.
    upload screen to upload born in the usa svg file
  • Give the image a name and some tags if you’d like, then click the green Save button.
    born in the usa svg file upload screen
  • Select all the layers in a single color and then click the Attach button at the bottom right. Repeat for all four colors.
    attaching color groups in cricut design space
  • Click the green Make It button at the top of the page. On the preview mats screen, select each mat thumbnail and toggle the Mirror switch on, then click the green Continue button.
  • On the Make screen, select Glitter Iron-On as the material.
    material selection screen in cricut design space
  • Place the heat transfer vinyl onto the Cricut cutting mat with the shiny plastic side down.
    place heat transfer vinyl on the cricut cutting mat with the clear plastic backing side down
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to load the correct blade, then load the mat into the machine. Press the Go button to begin the cut.
  • When the cut is finished, unload the mat from the machine and carefully remove the heat transfer vinyl from the mat. Weed away the background vinyl, leaving the graphic on the clear plastic backing.
    weeding away background heat transfer vinyl before pressing
  • Preheat your EasyPress according to the Cricut heat guide. Then position the heat transfer vinyl on your blank onesie with the shiny plastic side up.
    heat transfer vinyl positioned on a white onesie before pressing
  • Once the EasyPress is pre-heated, press the onesie for thirty seconds (or whatever the recommended time is in the Cricut heat guide), then flip the shirt over and press again from the back.
    cricut easypress pressing heat transfer vinyl on a cotton onesie
  • Carefully peel away the plastic backing.
    Repeat the pressing process for each additional color in the design, making sure the colors on your onesie line up correctly. Once you peel the plastic backing off the final color, you’re done!
    born in the usa baby onesie with cricut easypress and red, white, and blue glitter heat transfer vinyl

Notes

EasyPress temperatures and press times vary from material to material. Check the Cricut heat guide to determine the correct pressing process and temperatures for your specific material.
Jessi signature

The post Simple DIY “Born In The USA” Baby Onesie was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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How To Make A Pinwheel [+ free printable template!] https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/how-to-make-a-pinwheel-template/ https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/how-to-make-a-pinwheel-template/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2020 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/?p=12716 This easy pinwheel craft is so simple to make: just print, cut, and fold the printable pinwheel template (or use the free SVG file in your Cricut!)

The post How To Make A Pinwheel [+ free printable template!] was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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Make a paper pinwheel in just minutes with this free pinwheel template! This easy printable pinwheel craft is so easy to make: just print, cut, and fold (or use the free SVG file in your Cricut!)


Paper pinwheels are the perfect thing for summer; they’re so much fun when the weather is nice! You can set them up on a porch or in a window box to brighten up your view. And pinwheels are easy to make, so you can have the kids help you make a bunch for a block party or barbecue to keep them entertained! Today I’m going to show you how to make a simple pinwheel with just a square of colored paper!

You can use this easy pinwheel template to make pinwheels out of any paper you have laying around the house, or you can make pinwheels with a Cricut or other cutting machine using the free pinwheel SVG file. Both the printable template and SVG file are available for free at the bottom of this post.

Learn how to make paper pinwheels in minutes with this large pinwheel template

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How To Make A Pinwheel

These pinwheels will take you less than five minutes to make, and you can make them in any color you want, or print out the patterned pinwheel templates to make your own fun patterned pinwheels.

Tools You Need To Make A Pinwheel

Pinwheel Materials

  • colored paper
  • bamboo skewers
  • thumbtacks
  • small beads
  • easy pinwheel template (download the pinwheel SVG file or printable template at the bottom of this post)

How To Make Pinwheels With A Cricut

Before you start cutting out the pinwheel, stick the non-pointy end of the bamboo skewers into a small glass of water. Once the skewers soak up some water, it will be easier to push the thumbtack into the skewer to attach the pinwheel, and the wood won’t splinter.

Soften bamboo skewers with water to use as base for paper pinwheels

While the skewers are soaking, use your Cricut to cut out the pinwheel template from a piece of paper. Start by opening Cricut Design Space and uploading the free pinwheel SVG file to a blank project. Here are step by step instructions on how to upload your own SVG file to Cricut Design Space if you need them.

Use your cricut maker to make simple paper pinwheels with free svg file

You can resize the pinwheel template by clicking on it and then changing one of the Size dimensions in the menu at the top. Be sure that the aspect ratio is locked so that the whole thing stays square (if the little lock icon above the Size fields is open, just click it once to lock it again.) You can also duplicate the shape if you want to cut out multiple pinwheels all at once.

Click the big green Make It button at the top right of your screen.

Send pinwheel template to cricut maker

If the preview looks good, click Continue. Select the material you are planning to use, and then follow the on-screen instructions for loading the correct blade into your machine and loading the cutting mat into the machine. Once the mat is loaded, press the flashing Go button to begin the cut.

Cut out paper pinwheel templates with your cricut maker

Unload the mat when the machine is finished, and carefully peel the cut out pinwheel templates off the mat.

Assembling The Pinwheels

If you want to cut the pinwheel template out by hand, carefully cut along the dotted lines, and poke holes using a thumbtack where indicated on the template.

Gather your cut out pinwheel templates, the bamboo skewers, thumbtacks, and small beads.

Bamboo skewers free paper pinwheel templates and pushpins to make paper pinwheels

Take one spoke of the pinwheel and push the thumbtack through the hole from the back. Bend the next spoke over and push the thumbtack through the hole on that spoke as well.

Fold paper pinwheel template to make pinwheels

Continue pushing the thumbtack through each individual spoke until the thumbtack is through all four spokes.

Push the thumbtack through the hole in the center of the pinwheel, then slide the small bead onto the thumbtack at the back of the pinwheel.

Use a small bead as a spacer when making paper pinwheels

Then push the thumbtack into the wet end of the skewer. If you need to, you can gently tap the front of the thumbtack with a hammer. Keep pushing the thumbtack into the skewer until the skewer touches the small bead on the thumbtack.

Attach paper pinwheels to bamboo skewers with a push pin

Soaking the skewer in water should keep the wood from splitting at this point, but if your skewer does split, don’t worry! Just add a small dab of hot glue to make sure the thumbtack stays in place.

Be sure not to cover the bead with glue! The bead helps space the pinwheel away from the skewer, allowing the pinwheel spin freely without getting caught on the skewer as it turns.

And now you know how to make a pinwheel!

Printable pinwheel templates to make paper pinwheels from any color paper

This pinwheel pattern makes it super easy to make pinwheels in any size or color: perfect for 4th of July, birthday parties, and more!

Paper pinwheel craft with free paper pinwheel template
Easy pinwheel template for making paper pinwheels

Free Printable Pinwheel Template and SVG File

Printable pinwheel templates to make paper pinwheels from any color paper
Print

How To Make A Pinwheel [+ free printable template!]

Learn how to make a paper pinwheel in just minutes with this free pinwheel template! This easy printable pinwheel craft is so easy to make: just print, cut, and fold (or use the free SVG file in your Cricut!)
Cook Time 3 minutes
Cricut Cutting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Servings 1 pinwheel
Author Jessi Wohlwend
Cost $2

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet colored paper
  • 1 bamboo skewer
  • 1 small bead
  • 1 thumbtack
  • 1 pinwheel template (available for download on this post)

Instructions

How to make pinwheels with a Cricut

  • Stick the non-pointy end of the bamboo skewers into a small glass of water to soften them.
  • Open Design Space and upload the pinwheel svg file.
    Free paper pinwheel template svg file
  • Resize or duplicate the shape as needed, then click the green Make It button.
    Use your cricut maker to make simple paper pinwheels with free svg file
  • Preview the mat and click Continue if everything looks good. Set the material and follow the on-screen instructions to load the correct blade and load the cutting mat into the machine.
    Send pinwheel template to cricut maker
  • Once the mat is loaded, press the flashing Go button to begin the cut. When the cut is finished, carefully peel the cut out pinwheel off the cutting mat.
    Cut out paper pinwheel templates with your cricut maker

Assembling the pinwheels

  • Take one spoke of the pinwheel and push the thumbtack through the hole from the back. Bend the next spoke over and push the thumbtack through the hole on that spoke as well.
    Fold paper pinwheel template to make pinwheels
  • Continue pushing the thumbtack through each individual spoke until the thumbtack is through all four spokes. Push the thumbtack through the hole in the center of the pinwheel, then slide the small bead onto the thumbtack at the back of the pinwheel.
    Use a small bead as a spacer when making paper pinwheels
  • Then push the thumbtack into the wet end of the skewer. If you need to, you can gently tap the front of the thumbtack with a hammer. Keep pushing the thumbtack into the skewer until the skewer touches the small bead on the thumbtack.
    Attach paper pinwheels to bamboo skewers with a push pin
Jessi signature

The post How To Make A Pinwheel [+ free printable template!] was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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5 Simple Home Organization Ideas With Cricut Joy https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/home-organization-ideas-cricut-joy/ https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/home-organization-ideas-cricut-joy/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2020 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/?p=45703 Looking for quick and easy organization tips for your home? Check out these five simple projects you can do to organize your home using your Cricut Joy!

The post 5 Simple Home Organization Ideas With Cricut Joy was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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

Looking for quick and easy organization tips for your home? Check out these five simple projects you can do to organize your home using your Cricut Joy!


5 simple home organization ideas you can do with a cricut joy

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Organizing your home can feel like a never-ending task, but you don’t have to do it all at once! Tackle things one small step at a time and you’ll find yourself more organized every day.

I love using my Cricut Joy to help me get organized around the house. It’s so small and portable; I can set it up in less than a minute and have it write and cut labels in 15 minutes or less. And I don’t even need a mat to cut stuff! I just plug it in, open up a project in the Design Space app on my phone, load a sheet of material directly into the machine, press Go, and it cuts it out in minutes!

I was a little wary at first about the Cricut Joy since I already have a Maker and an Explore Air. But it turns out the Joy is the perfect complement to the larger machines! I can leave the Cricut Joy on a bookshelf in the living room and it’s cute and unobtrusive. I can set it up on the dining room table when I need to whip up a quick project; no craft room required! I leave my larger machines set up in my home office along with my desktop computer, and when I’m working on a large project I use those, but the Joy is the perfect grab-and-go machine for quick stuff.

Here are five simple ways to organize your home using a Cricut Joy that you can do in just minutes!

5 Simple Home Organization Ideas Made With The Cricut Joy

1. Make a lint bin for your laundry room

The laundry room in our house is TINY! Like, it’s just barely big enough for a washer and dryer next to each other, with about two feet in front of them so the machine doors can open. But you can’t open the door into the house at the same time as the dryer door; the doors run into each other!

There is clearly no room for a trash can in there on the floor, so I decided we needed a wall-mounted trash bin for the laundry room. I snagged a little metal mailbox online and decorated it, and voila: instant laundry room lint bin!

Laundry room lint bin made with cricut joy
Laundry room lint bin made with cricut joy
Print

Make A Laundry Room Lint Bin With A Cricut Joy

This wall-mounted lint bin is perfect for a small laundry room: make it in under ten minutes with a Cricut Joy and Smart Adhesive Vinyl! (The screenshots in these instructions were made using the Cricut Design Space app on an iPhone.)
Keyword adhesive vinyl, cricut design space iphone app, cricut joy, laundry room, removable vinyl, smart vinyl, transfer tape
Cook Time 5 minutes
Cricut Cutting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Author Jessi Wohlwend
Cost $20

Instructions

  • Open the lint bin graphic in Cricut Design Space. Select the graphic and click the Edit button, then change the size as needed.
    Laundry lint bin made with cricut joy resize lint bin design in cricut design space
  • Select "Without Mat" for the load type. (Always use this setting when cutting Smart materials with a Cricut Joy.)
    Laundry lint bin made with cricut joy choose how to load materials
  • Make sure the preview of the cut looks correct, then tap Continue in the lower right corner.
    Laundry lint bin made with cricut joy preview mats
  • Select "Smart Vinyl – Removable" as the material.
    Laundry lint bin made with cricut joy set material to smart vinyl
  • Make sure the fine point blade is loaded into your Cricut Joy.
    Laundry lint bin made with cricut joy load material into cricut joy
  • Load the Smart Vinyl into the Cricut Joy.
    Lint bin made with cricut joy load smart vinyl into cricut joy
  • Tap Go to begin the cut.
    Laundry lint bin made with cricut joy press go to start the cut
  • Tap "Unload" to unload the material from the Cricut Joy when the cut is complete.
    Laundry lint bin made with cricut joy unload material after cutting is complete
  • Weed away any extra background vinyl using the weeder tool.
    Lint bin made with cricut joy weed away excess smart vinyl
  • Trim a piece of transfer tape to the same size as the Lint Bin decal.
    Lint bin made with cricut joy cut transfer tape to size
  • Peel the paper backing off of the clear transfer tape, then position the tape on top of the Lint Bin decal.
    Lint bin made with cricut joy peel transfer tape off of backing
  • Press the transfer tape firmly onto the adhesive vinyl (use the scraper tool if you want), then carefully peel back a corner of the transfer tape. The adhesive vinyl should come off the paper backing along with the transfer tape.
    Lint bin made with cricut joy peel up decal and transfer tape
  • Position the Lint Bin decal on the front of the mailbox and press down firmly using the scraper tool.
    Lint bin made with cricut joy press firmly to adhere decal
  • Carefully peel up the clear transfer tape, leaving the adhesive vinyl decal stuck to the mailbox.
    Lint bin made with cricut joy remove transfer tape
  • Install the mailbox on the wall in your laundry room, and you're done!
    Make a lint holder for your small laundry room with cricut joy

2. Organize the trunk of your car with hanging caddies

If it feels like the back seat and trunk of our car is always a huge mess, try adding some hanging organizers to get things up off the floor and put away! There are tons of hanging shower caddy organizers that have a bunch of large pockets that are perfect for this.

Hang one or two over the back of the seat from the headrest, and you’ve got instant organization! You can have a little section for snacks, hand wipes, tissues, sunscreen, bug spray, snacks, and anything else you can think of. Make some super quick labels with your Cricut Joy and even the kids can help keep things organized because they’ll know where everything goes!

3. Make pantry labels for your containers

With the kids staying home for Quarantine 2020, I realized our pantry needs a bit of organization help! It feels like they are ALWAYS hungry, so I made a quick snack station on the back of the pantry door. I put a bunch of snacks into OXO pop containers, made cute labels with my Cricut Joy, and put them on hanging shelves on the back of the door so that the kids can easily grab a snack when they want one.

Free pantry labels made with a cricut joy and smart label writable vinyl
Make these free pantry labels with a cricut joy and smart label writable vinyl
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How To Make Pantry Labels With A Cricut Joy

Get your pantry organized with these free Cricut pantry labels! The Cricut Joy writes and cuts for you, so all you have to do is peel and stick the vinyl labels on your favorite containers. (The screenshots in these instructions were made using the Cricut Design Space app on an iPhone.)
Keyword adhesive vinyl, cricut design space iphone app, cricut joy, kitchen, organization, pantry, smart label, writable vinyl
Cook Time 5 minutes
Cricut Cutting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Author Jessi Wohlwend
Cost $10

Instructions

  • Open the pantry labels project in Cricut Design Space.
    Cricut joy pantry labels free editable labels
  • To modify the text of any label, select the label, click the Actions button, then choose Detach. Change the text as needed, then select both the label shape and the text, click the Actions button, then choose Attach to reattach the text to the label. Tap Make It when you're ready to make your labels.
    Cricut joy pantry labels detach to edit text
  • Choose your Cricut Joy machine from the list to connect to it.
    Cricut joy pantry labels connect to your cricut joy
  • Select "Without Mat" for the load type. (Always use this setting when cutting Smart materials with a Cricut Joy.)
    Cricut joy pantry labels choose a load type
  • Make sure the preview of the cut looks correct. If the labels aren't efficiently placed you can tap an individual label and rotate it using the rotate handle at one corner. Then position the labels to maximize space on your roll of labels.
    Cricut joy pantry labels rotate and rearrange as needed
  • Once the labels are positioned how you want them, tap Continue in the lower right corner.
    Cricut joy pantry labels mat preview shows required material length
  • Select "Smart Label – Writable Vinyl" as the material.
    Cricut joy pantry labels choose smart label writable vinyl
  • Make sure you have the correct tools installed in your Cricut Joy and the other tools listed under Additional Tools.
    Cricut joy pantry labels load cricut pen to write out labels
  • Load the pen into the Cricut Joy.
    Free cricut joy pantry labels load cricut pen
  • Load the Smart Label into the Cricut Joy.
    Free cricut joy pantry labels load smart label writable vinyl
  • Tap Go to begin the cut.
    Cricut joy pantry labels tap go to begin cut
  • When the drawing portion is finished, remove the Cricut Joy pen and install the fine point blade instead. Tap Go to continue the cut.
    Cricut joy pantry labels cricut joy pauses so you can change the tool
  • Tap "Unload" to unload the material from the Cricut Joy when the cut is complete.
    Cricut joy pantry labels unload material when cut is finished
  • Peel up the labels from the Smart Label roll.
    Free cricut joy pantry labels peel up smart label vinyl
  • Position the label on your container and press down firmly, using the scraper tool if you wish.
    Free cricut joy pantry labels place labels on bins
  • Repeat until all of your containers are labeled, and you're done!
    Make your own free pantry labels with a cricut joy and smart label writable vinyl

4. Organizer your junk drawer with small labeled baskets

Tackle that junk drawer in your kitchen once and for all with some small drawer organizers! Pull everything out of the drawer and group stuff together, like with like. When you’re ready to put it back, grab a drawer organizer, make a quick label with your Cricut Joy, and put everything back inside of labeled organizers.

You’ll be able to find what you’re looking for and nothing will get lost just rolling around in the bottom of the drawer!

5. Make personalized storage bins for your entryway

I’ve been slowly sprucing up our entryway, because it gets pretty crazy with jackets, backpacks, shoes, and everything else! I started with the easy and obvious things like a bench for putting on shoes and some coat hooks so we can hang jackets, backpacks, and purses. And that definitely helped, but I added another piece to the organization puzzle last week and I’m really thrilled with it: I made personalized storage bins for each family member to go under the entryway bench!

The little bins are stylish and totally functional; now there is a place for hats, gloves, scarves, headbands, toys, and any other miscellaneous item that ends up living in the entryway that doesn’t hang well from the coat hooks!

Make your own personalized storage bins to organize your entryway with a cricut joy and smart holographic vinyl
Make your own custom storage bins with a cricut joy and smart holographic vinyl
Print

Make Personalized Storage Bins With A Cricut Joy

Make these cute personalized storage bins with a Cricut Joy and Smart Holographic Vinyl; they're perfect for organizing your mudroom or entryway, or organizing kids toys! (The screenshots in these instructions were made using the Cricut Design Space app on an iPhone.)
Keyword cricut design space iphone app, cricut easypress mini, cricut joy, entryway, heat transfer vinyl, holographic vinyl, organization, smart vinyl
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cricut Cutting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 personalized storage baskets
Author Jessi Wohlwend
Cost $25

Instructions

  • Open the storage bin labels project in Cricut Design Space.
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins free label template
  • To customize the name, double tap a name, then change the text in the edit box that pops up.
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins change text to personalize for your family
  • You can also tap the Text button at the bottom and change the font or font size. Tap Make It when you're ready to send the names to your Cricut.
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins change fonts if necessary
  • Choose your Cricut Joy machine from the list to connect to it.
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins connect your cricut joy
  • Select "Without Mat" for the load type. (Always use this setting when cutting Smart materials with a Cricut Joy.)
    Cricut joy pantry labels choose a load type
  • Tap the green text at the top of the mat preview, or tap the little square mat icon in the top right to open the settings screen.
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins dont forget to turn mirror on before cutting
  • Make sure that Mirror is toggled on. Tap the square mat icon again to close the settings screen.
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins toggle mirror switch on for iron on materials
  • Reposition the names if you want to, then tap Continue in the lower right corner.
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins mat preview shows required material length
  • Select "Smart Iron-On – Holographic" as the material. If it doesn't appear as one of the default choices, tap the green All Materials link to open a list of all materials, then you can browse or search for it.
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins select smart vinyl holographic patterns
  • Tap OK on the warning reminding you to always have Mirror turned on.
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins make sure mirror is on for iron on material
  • Make sure the fine point blade is installed in your machine, then load the Smart Iron-On into the Cricut Joy (making sure the shiny plastic side is face down.)
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins load smart holographic vinyl
  • Tap Go to begin the cut.
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins tap go to begin cut
  • Tap "Unload" to unload the material from the Cricut Joy when the cut is complete.
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins unload your material
  • Cut the names apart with scissors, then weed away any extra background vinyl on each name using the weeder tool.
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins weed away extra background iron on material
  • Plug in and turn on your Cricut EasyPress Mini to the settings suggested by the Cricut Heat Guide. (In this case for Smart Iron-On and Polyester bins I used medium heat.)
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins turn on easypress mini to preheat
  • Position a name on a bin and press with the Easypress Mini following instructions from the Cricut Heat Guide. (In this case I pre-heated for five seconds then pressed for thirty seconds.)
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins press with easypress mini according to cricut heat guide settings
  • Carefully remove the plastic backing from the Iron-On.
    Cricut joy personalized storage bins remove plastic backing
  • Repeat to make as many personalized storage bins as you want, and you're done!
    Make your own custom storage bins with a cricut joy and smart holographic vinyl

Notes

I found these cute felt baskets at Bullseye’s Playground in my local Target. These exact ones aren’t available anymore, but Target has tons of fabric storage bins, and I also found something similar on Amazon.

Want to share these ideas with your friends? Share to Facebook, Pinterest, or send the article by email—just click on any of the share buttons floating on the left, or find them at the top and bottom of this post.

Jessi signature

Disclosure: I received compensation from Cricut in exchange for my participation in this campaign, and my honest discussion of their products. But the Cricut Joy and, really, all Cricut products are seriously amazing and all opinions in this post are 100% my own. I would never write a post about something I didn’t think was useful or interesting for you guys, and Practically Functional will only publish sponsored posts for companies or products I love and believe in!

The post 5 Simple Home Organization Ideas With Cricut Joy was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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10 Super Simple Cricut Maker Projects https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/10-super-simple-cricut-maker-projects/ https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/10-super-simple-cricut-maker-projects/#respond Wed, 04 Mar 2020 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/?p=45606 If you're wondering what you can do with a Cricut Maker, here are 10 great Cricut Maker project ideas that even beginners can do!

The post 10 Super Simple Cricut Maker Projects was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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

10 super simple cricut maker projects that are perfect for beginners

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If you’re wondering what you can do with a Cricut Maker, here are 10 great Cricut Maker project ideas that even beginners can do!

10 Super Simple Projects You Can Make With Your Cricut Maker

3D Pop Up Box Card

This box card is such a simple project to make, but it looks really cool! All you need is a single 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of card stock for the card base and a couple of coordinating card stock colors for the decorations.

The card base is scored with the scoring wheel so that it folds flat and will fit in a standard card envelope, but when you open it up, it pops up into a 3D box! You can change the text inside to say anything you want, and make it your own with your own colors of card stock.

3d pop up box card made with cricut scoring wheel

How To Make A 3D Pop Up Box Card

Learn how to make a 3d pop up box card with the Cricut scoring wheel! This cute card folds flat to fit in a standard envelope and takes less than a half hour to complete – you’ll love it!
See the full project

“Hello I’m New Here” Baby Onesie

This onesie is super quick and easy to make, and it’s a great baby shower gift. It’s super easy to whip up using your Cricut Maker, and any baby will look adorable wearing it!

How to make a hello im new here baby onesie with a cricut easypress 2

Hello I’m New Here Baby Onesie

Learn how to make the cutest "Hello I'm New Here" baby onesie! This homemade baby onesie would make the cutest one of a kind gift for the next baby shower you're invited to!
See the full project

Clear Party Favor Boxes

I love using my Cricut Maker to cut foil acetate; it slices right through it like butter! And the scoring wheel creates clean lines so you get crisp edges for a perfect 3D polygon box. They make great party favor boxes that are super classy and elegant — use them for weddings or parties!

How to make clear party favor boxes with a cricut maker and foil acetate

How To Make Clear Party Favor Boxes

Learn how to make fancy clear party favor boxes in just minutes with a Cricut Maker! Perfect for weddings, baby showers, birthdays, & more!
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Make Your Own Foam Stamps

My daughter loves playing with stamps, but sometimes we can’t find the types of stamps she wants. Luckily, with a Cricut Maker we can make our own. It’s so easy to do she can basically do the whole project by herself, and she’s only 4! The knife blade is perfect for cutting through thick foam, even with intricate curves and details.

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How To Make Foam Stamps With A Cricut Maker

Make your own custom stamps in any shape you want! You just need craft foam for the stamps and basswood to make the base, plus some chunky wooden beads to use as a handle.
See the full project

3D Paper Stars

These shiny paper stars are fun to make and totally customizable! Use them as wall decor, punch a hole in them and make a mobile for a nursery, hang them as a photo backdrop, or anything else you can think of. The double scoring wheel easily makes crisp fold lines that don’t crack, even on coated paper material.

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3D Paper Stars

Learn how to use your Cricut scoring wheel to make these cute 3D paper stars! These make the cutest nursery mobile and are great for holiday crafts too!
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Paper Flower Shadow Box Monogram

My favorite thing about this project is that it’s so easy to customize for anyone or any decor: just pick a few coordinating colors of cardstock, send the design to your Maker, and start making flowers! There are five different 3D flower options and 3 different leaf shapes, so you can mix and match however you want.

Your Cricut Maker can handle even the most intricate details, so it will make quick work of cutting out the flowers. Just let it run in the background while you fold up the ones the Cricut has already cut and you’ll have enough to make your own monogram in no time!

Diy paper flower monogram in a shadow box

DIY Paper Flower Monogram In A Shadow Box

This simple paper flower monogram inside a shadow box is a great wedding or baby shower gift! All you need is cardstock, glue, a shadow box, and a Cricut!
See the full project

DIY Matching Family Christmas Pajamas

Matching Christmas pajamas is a tradition in our family. Some years I buy them, and some years I make them — when I made them last year, my Cricut Maker came to the rescue! The rotary blade was perfect for cutting the fabric in intricate shapes, and it even cuts through fabric with a fusible iron-on backing in one pass!

Diy matching family christmas pajamas made with a cricut maker

DIY Matching Family Christmas Pajamas

Matching family Christmas pajamas are super popular (and very cute)! If you want to personalize them for your family, here’s how to make DIY matching family Christmas pajamas!
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How To Make Baby Softie Blocks

These baby softie blocks are a great beginner sewing project to make with your Cricut Maker; your Maker will cut them out super quickly, and the only sewing required is in straight lines!

Learn how to make your own soft baby blocks with a cricut maker

How To Make Baby Softie Blocks

Make your own soft baby blocks in under an hour with a Cricut Maker! Quick and easy to make, and a great gift for any new mom!
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Personalized Birthday Coupon Book

Coupon books are fun homemade gifts for kids to give and get, and the perforation blade is perfect for making tear-out coupon pages! It’s so easy to personalize the coupon pages that even your kids can do it to make their own DIY gifts.

How to make a birthday coupon book with tear out pages using the cricut maker and basic perforation blade

How To Make A Birthday Coupon Book With A Cricut Maker

Learn how to make a birthday coupon book with a Cricut Maker. Personalize the coupons with your own text, then customize the cover with the fine debossing tip and use the basic perforation blade to make easy tear-out pages!
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How To Make Pillow Boxes

I love this project because you can make this pillow box in any size you want! Make small versions for little Valentines to hand out in class, or make larger versions to hold wedding party favors. The Cricut Maker handles the intricate lace with no problem, and scores the boxes for crisp, clean folds every time.

Learn how to make a pillow box with a cricut maker plus a free pillow box template

How To Make Pillow Boxes With A Cricut Maker

Learn how to make a pillow box with your Cricut Maker in under ten minutes! Plus get the pillow box template so you can make your own exactly like this!
See the full project

Want to share these ideas with your friends? Share to Facebook, Pinterest, or send the article by email—just click on any of the share buttons floating on the left, or find them at the top and bottom of this post.

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Disclosure: I received compensation from Cricut in exchange for my participation in this campaign, and my honest discussion of their products. But the Cricut Maker and, really, all Cricut products are seriously amazing and all opinions in this post are 100% my own. I would never write a post about something I didn’t think was useful or interesting for you guys, and Practically Functional will only publish sponsored posts for companies or products I love and believe in!

The post 10 Super Simple Cricut Maker Projects was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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How To Contour In Cricut Design Space https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/how-to-contour-in-cricut-design-space/ https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/how-to-contour-in-cricut-design-space/#respond Mon, 24 Feb 2020 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/?p=45410 Wondering how to use Contour in Cricut Design Space? Here is everything you need to know about using Contour to turn on or turn off cut lines within a single image, and troubleshooting some of the most common problems with using the Cricut Contour tool.

The post How To Contour In Cricut Design Space was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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Wondering how to use Contour in Cricut Design Space? Here is everything you need to know about using Contour to turn on or turn off cut lines within a single image, and troubleshooting some of the most common problems with using the Cricut Contour tool.


The Cricut Contour tool is one of the five basic design tools that allows you to work with layers inside of Cricut Design Space (the others are Slice, Weld, Attach, and Flatten).

The idea behind the Contour tool is really simple: it’s basically an “on/off switch” for cut lines. The Contour tool allows you to hide portions of an image by showing or hiding individual cut lines within that single image.

The Contour tool has SO MANY uses and you can make some really cool things with it. But it also can be a little frustrating because it has very specific rules that you have to follow before it will work properly. This article will teach you how to turn on or turn off cut lines with Contour, as well as troubleshoot the most common problems when using Contour in Cricut Design Space.

How to use the contour tool in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines

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What does Contour do in Cricut Design Space & why would I want to use it?

The Cricut Contour tool allows you hide portions of an image by “turning off” individual cut lines within the image. This allows you more control of your images and layers so you are not limited to just showing or hiding an entire image.

When you open the Contour window you’ll see all of the cut lines that make up a single image. You can click on any cut line or portion of the image and it will “hide” that area by switching that cut line off. This way you can temporarily hide portions of an image or text without actually deleting anything; you can always go back into the Contour tool later and turn the cut lines back on.

Even though the Contour tool is just basically a simple “on/off switch” for cut lines, there are actually a bunch of pretty cool things you can do with Contour in Cricut Design Space, such as:

  • show or hide details within text or an image
  • pick and choose which parts of an SVG file or Cricut library image you want to cut
  • turn single color images into multi-color images
  • “reverse” an image to create a negative of that image

I’ll go into more detail about those uses after the next section, which shows you exactly how to use Contour in Cricut Design Space (with screenshots!)

How to use Contour in Cricut Design Space

The Basics

Using Contour in Cricut Design Space is pretty simple, but there are a few rules you have to follow.

  • You must be working with just one shape or layer. The Contour button will be greyed out if multiple layers or multi-layer images are selected.
  • Contour only works on images that contain more than one cut line. The Contour tool is designed to show or hide individual cut lines within a “complex” image or shape. Simple shapes (like a square or circle or anything else made with the Shape tool) have just one cut line around the exterior of the shape, so you cannot Contour them. If you need to hide a simple shape, just use the Hide button.
  • Contour does not work on editable text layers. Contour only works on “static images,” so the button will be greyed out if you have an editable text layer selected. You must first Weld the text into a static image before Contour will work.
  • Contouring images is “temporary.” If you hide certain cut lines using Contour, they are just turned “off” so your Cricut will not cut along them, but they are not actually removed or deleted from the project. You can use Contour again later to turn those cut lines back on if you want.
  • Contour does not work on layers that are Grouped, Attached, Flattened, or on multi-layered images. Contour only works on a single layer at a time, so any “groups” of layers, like multi-layered images or layers created when using Group and Attach cannot be Contoured. However, if you select a single layer from within the layer group you will be able to Contour just that one layer. Flattened images also cannot be Contoured because Flattened images are only for use with Print Then Cut. Unflatten any image before Contouring.
  • Contour only works on cuttable images. Contour only works with cut lines. It works with any cuttable image or design found within the Cricut library, or with any SVG file or other image that is uploaded into Design Space and saved as a Cut image. However, it does not work on the printable lines within PNG or JPG files uploaded to Cricut Design Space if the photos are saved as Print Then Cut images.

The Equipment

Technically all you need to use the the Cricut Contour tool is Cricut Design Space, but without a Cricut machine you won’t actually be able to cut out your contoured design! I have shared the file I used for this tutorial below, feel free to use it for practicing.

The Instructions

Start by opening the practice file in Cricut Design Space.

How to use the contour tool in cricut design space to show or hide cut lines in text and images

Imagine you found this cool text image in the Cricut library, but you don’t really like the see-through details in the word “you” and want the word to just be solid instead. That’s what Contour is for!

The image is a multi-layered image: the yellow layer on top and a slightly offset teal shadow layer beneath it. But in order to use Contour we must select just one layer. We only want to hide the extra cuts in the yellow text anyway, so select just the yellow text layer from the Layers panel on the right.

Use the contour tool in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines select one layer

Click “Contour” at the bottom of the Layers panel to bring up the Hide Contour window.

The Hide Contour window shows you all of the cut lines that make up your image in the main window on the left, and then each cut line broken down into its individual shape or “contour” on the right side of the window.

Use the contour tool in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines click contour button

In the screenshot above you can see entire layer in the main preview, plus the following pieces on the right:

  • the outside cut line of the “O” in “you”
  • the outside cut line of the “Y”
  • the outside cut line of the “U”
  • the inside cut line of the “O” that cuts out the center of the letter
  • the “detail” cut line from the inside of the “Y”
  • and the top of the outside cut line of the “E”, the rest is hidden by the “Hide All Contours” button

In the main window on the left, the shapes that are actually cut out of the material you choose (in this case, the letters themselves) are a light grey, and the background of the window is white. The darker grey areas like the center of the “O”s are the “negative” areas, meaning the cut lines around those areas will be cut by your Cricut, but that cut material is meant to be discarded: it’s not “part of the image” even though it will be cut out.

You can turn cut lines on or off by selecting them from the main preview window, or by clicking on the individual cut line image on the right.

Use the contour tool in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines select areas to turn off cut lines 1

When you click on a cut line to turn it off, it highlights the cut line on the right in grey and it greys out the black cut line and shape in the main preview on the left.

Keep clicking on cut lines to hide them until you have selected all of the little cutout details from the word “you”.

Use the contour tool in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines turn off cut lines by selecting areas

Once you have hidden all the parts you want to hide, click the X in the upper right corner or click anywhere in the grey area outside the window to close it.

Now the cutouts in the word “you” are gone and you have just the solid yellow text with a teal shadow behind it.

Use the contour tool in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines text with cut lines turned off

It’s a minor difference, but the Contour tool gives you a ton of control so you can take images from the Cricut Design Space library or SVG files that you’ve uploaded and make them your own!

Use the contour tool in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines in images or text

If you want to put the little cutout details back, just select the yellow text layer again, click Contour, and click on the hidden cut lines to “unhide” them.

What can I do with the Cricut Contour tool?

Show or hide details within text or an image

Contour allows you to take a really intricate design and make it simpler. You can hide lacy details or “turn off” polka dots if you want something to just be solid instead. Contour is a great way to “fill in holes” if you want to nix some of the cut lines and leave a solid outline instead.

The “I Love You” project above is a great example of this use of the Contour tool! Cori from Hey Let’s Make Stuff also has another example of using Contour to hide a few details in a complex flower image.

Pick and choose which parts of an SVG file or Cricut library image you want to cut

If you have a complex SVG file or Cricut image with lots of different shapes in it, you can use Contour to show or hide certain parts of the image. It’s similar to cropping or Slicing the image, but it’s a lot less work, and not permanent!

Erin from Printable Crush took a large Christmas image and hid everything except the poinsettia and snowflakes to make Christmas ornaments.

Megan from The Homes I Have Made took it one step further and used Contour to isolate a small part of a design, then duplicated that isolated part a bunch to make a cool new pattern!

Turn single-color images into multi-color images

One really cool way to use Contour is to turn “flat” single-color images into multi-color images instead! This is how I turned each word in the Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays images into their own colors when making out matching family Christmas pajamas. I basically took the “Merry Christmas” image, duplicated it, and stacked the two copies on top of one another. Then I contoured one copy to hide the “Merry” and contoured the other to hide the “Christmas”. I set them each to different colors and voila: a single-color image turned into a multi-color image!

Sarah from The Simply Crafted Life has a great video on using Contour to turn half of the black stripes in her image into gold stripes to add an extra pop of color to her project.

“Reverse” an image to create a negative of that image

If you have a simple logo or image that you want to make a “negative” of, you can easily “reverse” the image. For example, imagine a stop sign.

Normally it is a red sign with white letters, but if you wanted to reverse the colors, you could easily do it with Contour. Just click Contour, then deselect all of the cut lines, and reselect just the octagon outline and letters that were previously “see-through” to turn on those cut lines.

Use the contour tool in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines create a negative image

Catalina from Daydream Into Reality has another simple example of using Contour to “reverse” a simple heart and hexagon image so the negative spaces are highlighted instead.

How to show or hide cut lines with contour in cricut design space

Troubleshooting common problems with Contour in Cricut Design Space

Why is the Contour button greyed out?

Ok, this is a big one… Contour is pretty finicky, so there are a lot of possible reasons why the Contour button is greyed out.

1. Multiple layers or images selected

Contour only works on one layer at a time. Make sure you have one single layer highlighted in the Layers panel on the right. This even includes single objects that are in a Layer group, like with Group and Attach. If you click on a Grouped image it technically selects all of the grouped layers at once. Click on one of the “child” layers instead of the “parent” Group layer and you should be able to Contour.

Same deal with a multi-layered image. Many images from the Cricut library are single images made up of multiple layers that are grouped together in the Layers panel. Select just the layer you wish to contour instead of selecting the image preview in the actual Canvas.

2. Contour doesn’t work on Flattened images

Contour only deals with cut lines, but a Flattened image contains both cut lines and a “flat” printable image. If you want to hide part of a Print Then Cut image or other Flattened image, you need to Unflatten them back into their individual shapes first. Then after you Contour you can Flatten them again.

3. Your image is “too simple”

Since Contour is designed to turn off cut lines within a single image, the image you are Contouring must be made up of at least two cut lines for Contour to work. Simple shapes that are just a single outline (like squares or any other shape made using the Shape tool) can’t be Contoured; if you want to turn off the cut line around the outside of a simple shape, just choose to Hide the entire layer instead.

4. You can’t Contour editable text layers

Contour only works on static images. If you select an editable text layer, the Contour button will be greyed out. To Contour text, first Weld the text into a single static image, then the Contour button should be active and clickable.

5. Contour only works on “cuttable” images

If you upload a PNG or JPEG and save it as a Print Then Cut image instead of a Cut image, you won’t be able to Contour it for the same reason you can’t Contour Flattened images. Luckily, you should be able to save any file you upload as a cuttable image when you initially upload it, so if you’re having trouble with an uploaded file, try uploading again and saving it as Cut instead of Print Then Cut. Also, any image from the Cricut library that isn’t specifically called a “Printable” image should work with Contour.

My image is really detailed and I can’t click exactly on a cut line in the Hide Contour window to hide it

There are two possible solutions for this problem. First, there is a small “zoom” control at the bottom left of the Hide Contour button. You can zoom in on the main preview half of the window until you can click exactly on the line you want.

Second, you can also just click on the contour shapes over on the right side of the window to turn on or off that cut line.

I don’t even see a Contour button!

If you’re on a mobile device, the Canvas screen might look a little different. Usually you have to click the Actions button and then select Hide Contour, but you can see the details on that in Cricut’s Contour help article.

I want to “un-Contour” my images so I can use them for something else

No problem, Contouring is totally temporary! If you want to undo your Contours you can just open the Hide Contour window again and click on the cut lines you previously turned off. Contour doesn’t permanently remove or change any cut lines, so you can always show or hide them again later.


Hope that helps you understand more about how to use Contour in Cricut Design Space. If you still have questions, ask them in the comments below and I will do my best to answer!

How to show or hide cut lines with the contour tool in cricut design space

Want to share this article with your friends? Share to Facebook, Pinterest, or send the article by email—just click on any of the share buttons floating on the left, or find them at the top and bottom of this post.

Below is a printable version of these instructions; click the large “Print” button to print them out. (It defaults to just printing the text in the instructions, no photos, to save you paper and printer ink!)

If you like this tutorial, leave a review by clicking the stars or by clicking the Review button! That way I know which types of tutorials are most helpful and which I should do more of!

Use contour in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines
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How To Contour In Cricut Design Space

Wondering how to use Contour in Cricut Design Space? Here is everything you need to know about using Contour to turn on or turn off cut lines within a single image, and troubleshooting some of the most common problems with using the Cricut Contour tool.
Cook Time 5 minutes
Author Jessi Wohlwend

Equipment

Instructions

  • Create or open a project in Cricut Design Space with a shape that you want to hide a portion of.
    How to use the contour tool in cricut design space to show or hide cut lines in text and images
  • Select one single layer in the Layers panel at the right.
    Use the contour tool in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines select one layer
  • Click Contour to open the Hide Contour window.
    Use the contour tool in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines click contour button
  • Select the cut line or shape you wish to hide by clicking on it in the main preview area on the left, or by clicking on the individual shape in the list on the right.
    Use the contour tool in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines select areas to turn off cut lines 1
  • "Hidden" cut lines will be greyed out in the preview, and the shape on the right will be highlighted in darker grey. Continue selecting shapes until you've hidden the parts you want hidden.
    Use the contour tool in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines turn off cut lines by selecting areas
  • Click the X in the upper right corner, or click anywhere outside the window to close the window. You will see your Contoured design on the Canvas.
    Use the contour tool in cricut design space to turn on or off cut lines text with cut lines turned off

Notes

Using Contour in Cricut Design Space is pretty simple, but there are a few rules you have to follow.
  • You must be working with just one shape or layer. The Contour button will be greyed out if multiple layers or multi-layer images are selected.
  • Contour only works on images that contain more than one cut line. The Contour tool is designed to show or hide individual cut lines within a “complex” image or shape. Simple shapes (like a square or circle or anything else made with the Shape tool) have just one cut line around the exterior of the shape, so you cannot Contour them. If you need to hide a simple shape, just use the Hide button.
  • Contour does not work on editable text layers. Contour only works on “static images,” so the button will be greyed out if you have an editable text layer selected. You must first Weld the text into a static image before Contour will work.
  • Contouring images is “temporary.” If you hide certain cut lines using Contour, they are just turned “off” so your Cricut will not cut along them, but they are not actually removed or deleted from the project. You can use Contour again later to turn those cut lines back on if you want.
  • Contour does not work on layers that are Grouped, Attached, Flattened, or on multi-layered images. Contour only works on a single layer at a time, so any “groups” of layers, like multi-layered images or layers created when using Group and Attach cannot be Contoured. However, if you select a single layer from within the layer group you will be able to Contour just that one layer. Flattened images also cannot be Contoured because Flattened images are only for use with Print Then Cut. Unflatten any image before Contouring.
  • Contour only works on cuttable images. Contour only works with cut lines. It works with any cuttable image or design found within the Cricut library, or with any SVG file or other image that is uploaded into Design Space and saved as a Cut image. However, it does not work on the printable lines within PNG or JPG files uploaded to Cricut Design Space if the photos are saved as Print Then Cut images.
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How To Flatten In Cricut Design Space https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/how-to-flatten-in-cricut-design-space/ https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/how-to-flatten-in-cricut-design-space/#comments Mon, 03 Feb 2020 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/?p=45408 Wondering how to flatten in Cricut Design Space? Here is everything you need to know about using Flatten to make your Cricut print without cutting, and troubleshooting some of the most common problems with using the Cricut Flatten tool.

The post How To Flatten In Cricut Design Space was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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Wondering how to flatten in Cricut Design Space? Here is everything you need to know about using Flatten to make your Cricut print without cutting, and troubleshooting some of the most common problems with using the Cricut Flatten tool.


The Cricut Flatten tool is one of the five basic design tools that allows you to work with layers inside of Cricut Design Space (the others are Slice, Weld, Attach, and Contour).

The idea behind the Flatten tool is really simple: it flattens multiple images into a single Print layer so that it is ready for Cricut’s “Print then Cut” feature. Flatten removes all internal cut lines, “smushes” the shapes down into one layer, and sets them as a single Print image that will be cut out around the outside of the flattened shape.

The Flatten tool has SO MANY uses and you can make some really cool things with it. But it also can be a little frustrating because it has very specific rules that you have to follow before it will work properly. This article will teach you how to flatten in Cricut Design Space so you can get your Cricut to print multi-layered images without cutting, as well as troubleshoot the most common problems when using the Cricut Flatten tool.

How to flatten images in cricut design space to print only without cutting 2

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What does Flatten do in Cricut Design Space & why would I want to use it?

The Cricut Flatten tool has one basic purpose: to flatten multi-layered images (or multiple layers of single-layer images) into a single printable layer so you can use the Print then Cut feature. (Don’t worry, I’ll cover how to use the Print then Cut feature in more detail soon!)

Most images in the Cricut library are designed to be cut out (unless you specifically choose a Printable Image), so when you layer multiple Cut images on top of one another to make a single image with multiple colors, even if you Attach or Group them, your Cricut will still cut along all of the internal cut lines, slicing your design into pieces.

The Flatten tool removes all of those internal cut lines and flattens all of the colors/layers down into one single multi-colored image layer with a cut line around the outside border of the image. Then you can use Cricut’s Print then Cut feature to print your multi-colored image, then cut it out (without cutting anything on the interior of your image!)

Even though the Flatten tool just has one intended purpose, there are actually a bunch of pretty cool things you can do with the Cricut Design Space Flatten tool, such as:

  • make your own printable stickers or labels
  • turn multi-layered images into a single Print then Cut image
  • unflatten a Printable Image from the Cricut library so it can be cut
  • use Cricut Design Space to make mockups or other graphic designs

I’ll go into more detail about those uses after the next section, which shows you exactly how to flatten in Cricut Design Space (with screenshots!)

How to flatten in Cricut Design Space

The Basics

Using Flatten in Cricut Design Space is pretty simple, but there are a few rules you have to follow.

  • You must be working with at least one shape or layer. You can’t flatten nothing; the Flatten button will be greyed out if no layers are selected.
  • You can Flatten a single layer or multiple layers. Flatten converts an image from a Cut image to a Print image, leaving just an exterior cut line around the outside edge. If you flatten a single layer, it will just turn that layer into a printable image. If you flatten multiple layers, it will combine all of those layers into a single printable image.
  • Flattened layers are no longer editable. Flatten combines everything (all selected layers, shapes, images, text, etc.) into a single Print then Cut layer, so make sure that your text is correct, everything is in the right position, and the colors are the way you want them BEFORE clicking Flatten. After flattening you can work with the single flattened image like any other single image, but you will be unable to edit any of the “components” of the image.
  • Flatten works even if the images are Grouped, Welded, Attached, or multi-layered/hidden. Flatten only deals with the visible images, so when you click Flatten, the final Flattened image will look exactly like it does on the Canvas screen. Anything that was hidden will still not be visible; anything that was layered/grouped/welded/attached will still look exactly the way it did before, just with no cut lines around the interior shapes.
  • The Flatten button becomes an Unflatten button if you select an already flattened image. When you select layers that aren’t flattened, the Flatten button is activated at the bottom of the Layers panel. But if you select something you’ve already flattened or a pre-flattened Printable Image from the Cricut library, the Flatten button becomes a Unflatten button so you can easily undo the action if you wish. (Even after saving your project!)
  • Unflattening an image IS NOT the exact opposite of Flattening. Unflatten separates out the layers so they are individually editable, and it restores the original configuration of the layers in the Layers panel (i.e. hidden, grouped, attached, multi-layered etc.) It also restores the Cut lines for each layer, but the layers are all still printable images (meaning they all still have a “Print” Fill along with the restored “Cut” Linetype.) Basically it takes a single flattened Print then Cut image and Unflattens it into multiple Print then Cut layers. If you want to truly “Undo” the Flatten command, you also have to change the fill of each layer back to “No Fill” so that the images go all the way back to just Cut images instead of Print then Cut images.
  • Flatten works on overlapping OR separate images. Flatten just flattens everything down into a single Print then Cut image. If your shapes are overlapping, they become a multi-colored printable image. If your shapes are separate, they just become separate printable images.
  • Flattening text is the same as Flattening images. The Flatten tool only cares about the visible shapes on the Canvas. It doesn’t matter if the layer contains text, shapes, images, photos, or whatever else; Flatten will flatten it all down into one single Print then Cut image.

The Equipment

Technically all you need to use the the Cricut Flatten tool is Cricut Design Space, but without a Cricut machine and a printer you won’t actually be able to print your flattened design and then cut it out! I have shared the file I used for this tutorial below, feel free to use it for practicing.

The Instructions

How to Flatten

Start by opening the practice file in Cricut Design Space.

How to flatten in cricut design space

This practice file has two different sets of images and text for practicing, but for this initial tutorial we are just going to use the label and “flour” text, so hide the “Have a magical day” and white square layers.

Imagine you are making pantry labels and you want to print them out on printable sticker paper, then have the Cricut cut around the outside of the label shape to make a pantry label sticker.

Select the word “flour” and drag it on top of the label shape.

How to flatten in cricut design space position layers on top of each other

The two layers look correctly positioned, but they are still all Cut layers. If you click the green “Make It” button right now, it will cut out five separate layers (the four separate layers that make up the label, and the text layer) and won’t print anything.

In order to print the entire label + word as one image, you need to use the Flatten tool. And after you Flatten the label, the component layers will no longer be editable, so make sure the colors are the way you want them and everything is positioned correctly.

To Flatten, first select both the label and the word together. You can click and drag a square around the entire label to select both layers, or you can select one image, then hold Shift on your keyboard while selecting the other image. You can also select one layer in the Layers panel, then hold Shift on your keyboard while clicking the other layer.

How to flatten in cricut design space click flatten

Click “Flatten” to flatten the selected layers into a single printable image.

How to flatten in cricut design space image will now print without cutting

When you click Flatten, the layers will all combine into one single Print then Cut “Flatten” layer, and all of the interior cut lines will be removed. (See how the black lines around the outside of the word “flour” and the yellow border of the label are no longer there?)

The five layers that made up that label shape are now one single printable image layer. You can move the layer around or work with it however you like, just like any other single shape layer, but the “contents” of the layer are no longer editable.

And now if you click the green “Make It” button, you’ll see that the label appears as a Print then Cut image on the mat and the material size is automatically set to 8.5×11 printer paper.

How to flatten in cricut design space make cricut print only

If you click the green “Continue” button here, it will send the design to your printer to be printed, then ask you to load the printed design onto a cutting mat and load it into your machine to be cut.

How to Unflatten

As I mentioned earlier, Unflatten is not the exact opposite of Flatten. (If you want to completely reverse the Flatten action you just did, you can always click the “Undo” button and it will undo the last Flatten action.)

If you want to Unflatten something, or if it’s too late to use the “Undo” button to undo the action, you can use the Unflatten button to separate the layers out, then follow the steps below to change the images back to Cut images.

Start by selecting the flattened image and click Unflatten.

How to unflatten in cricut design space

The Unflatten tool separates the flattened image back out into distinct, editable layers, and it also changes the Linetype of each layer back to “Cut”, but if you notice in the screenshot above, the black lines around the word “flour” and around the yellow border of the label didn’t reappear, and in the Layers panel each layer says “Cut | Print” instead of just “Cut”…

This is because what Unflatten does is actually separate out a single Print then Cut image into multiple Print then Cut images on distinct layers; it doesn’t actually “reverse” the Flatten action.

If you click the green “Make It” button now, it will Print then Cut out each of the five layers separately instead of Printing then Cutting the flattened single image.

If you want to fully reverse the Flatten action and make the images back into Cut images, select an image and change the Fill dropdown from “Print” to “No Fill”.

How to unflatten in cricut design space change back to cut

You’ll see the layer change to “Cut” in the Layers panel, and the black line around the image will appear again. The image may also revert back to its original color.

If you want to change the color back the way you had it, click the little colored square next to the Linetype dropdown menu, then select the color you want.

How to unflatten in cricut design space change material color

Repeat this for all of the unflattened layers (including each layer individually of multi-layered images like the Label layer) until your design goes back to looking like it did before you flattened.

How to flatten in cricut design space click flatten

You should be able to see all of the black cut lines around each separate image, and all of the layers should be “Cut” layers in the Layers panel.

What can I do with the Cricut Flatten tool?

Make your own printable stickers or labels

If you want to make stickers or labels with your Cricut, use the Flatten tool to transform multiple Cut images into a single Print then Cut image.

The pantry label project above is a great example of this use of the Flatten tool! Here is another example of using Flatten to make your own stickers.

Turn multi-layered images into a single Print then Cut image

The Cricut Flatten tool is perfect for combining multiple images that are stacked on top of one another so that your Cricut will print them all together without cutting along the interior lines.

The “Have a magical day” image in the practice file is a great example of this use. If you select that image and click Flatten, then try to Print then Cut it, your printer will print the image correctly, but when you load it into your Cricut to cut out, it will cut out each piece of the design separately (i.e. each star, each letter, etc.)

This is because the Flatten tool only deals with the visible layers. The “Have a magical day” image is a single multi-layered image, but if you look at it on the Canvas by itself, it is “see-through”; you can see the gridlines behind each part of the image.

How to flatten a multi layered image into a print then cut image

In order to make it print the image and then make one single cut around the exterior of the whole image, you need to add a shape as a background layer. (And remember, your Cricut will cut out around the outline of that background shape when doing Print then Cut.)

Unhide the white square layer and position it behind the “Have a magical day” image. Now if you click Flatten you will see the image flattened onto a white background; all of the cut lines around the words and shapes will disappear, but the gridlines behind the image will no longer be visible.

How to make cricut print without cutting click flatten

If you click the green “Make It” button now, the image will appear as one single Print then Cut image on the mat and it will just cut around the outside border of the square rather than printing and cutting each piece separately.

How to make cricut print without cutting cricut will print only

This is great for designing a printable image in Cricut Design Space, then using your Cricut to cut it out for stuff like birthday party decorations or greeting cards.

Here’s another example of using Flatten to convert a multi-layered image into a single printable image.

Unflatten a Printable Image from the Cricut library so it can be cut

One really cool way to use the Cricut Flatten tool is actually to not use Flatten at all! Instead, this is a cool way to use the Unflatten tool (the one that activates when you select a printable image that is already flattened.)

Most of the images in the Cricut library are already set up as Cut images, but some of them are specifically designed to be Printable Images. You can find them by filtering for “Printables” when you do a search in the image library.

If you insert a Printable Image into your project, it will already be a flattened image ready to be Print then Cut. But if you’d like to use the image as Cut images instead of printable images, you can just use the Unflatten tool following the directions above to separate the image out into distinct Cut layers.

Use Cricut Design Space to make mockups or other graphic designs

Normally you would Flatten an image so that you can use the Print then Cut feature of your Cricut machine. But this use of the Cricut Flatten tool actually doesn’t use your Cricut machine at all! Some people like to use Cricut Design Space more like a graphic design software than a “send stuff to your Cricut for cutting” software.

If you don’t have access to or don’t want to learn to use another graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Inkscape, etc. you can use Cricut Design Space to create mockups or other graphics. It’s not quite the same because you cannot Export files out of Design Space like you can in other software. But if you get your design looking the way you want it, you can capture a screenshot of your screen and crop the screenshot down to just the graphic you want.

One great example of this is making a mockup of your Cricut Design Space design on a t-shirt. You can upload an image of a blank t-shirt and layer it underneath your cuttable image. Then select them both and click Flatten to remove the black outlines around your cut images, making it look like the design is actually on the blank shirt below!

Obviously there are some limitations to using Cricut Design Space this way (like you can’t export in different file types or specify the file size or dimensions), but in a pinch this is a great way to make mockups or graphics if you don’t want to learn a separate software in order to do it.

Learn how to flatten images in cricut design space to print without cutting

Troubleshooting common problems with the Cricut Design Space Flatten tool

The Flatten button is greyed out

In order to “activate” the Cricut Flatten tool (make it black and clickable instead of greyed out) you have to select something (any shape, image, text, or layer). If you have nothing selected, the button will be greyed out.

I don’t see a Flatten button, just an Unflatten button

If you’ve selected an image that is already flattened, you will see an Unflatten button where the Flatten button used to be. Try selecting a different image or layer that isn’t already flattened and the Flatten button should appear.

My Cricut is still cutting out the insides of my Print then Cut images

There are two main reasons why this might happen: somehow some parts of your image weren’t flattened and are still Cut layers, or there’s no “background layer” behind your flattened image for it to be flattened down on to.

For the first scenario, double check that ALL of the layers that you want to Print then Cut are in ONE single Flatten layer. If there are two Flatten layers, it will Print then Cut each of them separately, so Unflatten them both and then select all of the layers and Flatten into one single Flatten layer.

Also double check that the layers in the Layer Panel say “Cut | Print” and not just “Cut”. If there are some layers that are just “Cut” layers, those cuts may still happen inside of your Print then Cut image. Unflatten your image, then select ALL of the layers and Flatten into one single Flatten layer again.

In the second scenario, if you can still see the gridlines behind your flattened image (like in the “Have a magical day” example above), then you need to add a background shape for your image to “flatten onto.” Unflatten your image, add a white shape and position it behind your image, then select all the layers and click Flatten again. Now you should see the white background behind your flattened image and no gridlines. Here’s a great example of how to add a background before you Flatten.

I want to “unflatten” my images so I can use them for something else

No problem! If you accidentally flattened something you didn’t mean to, you can alway click Undo or press Command/Ctrl + Z on your keyboard to undo the action. Or, if you want to Unflatten a pre-flattened Printable Image from the image library, or if it’s too late to use the Undo button, just follow the instructions for How To Unflatten above.


Hope that helps you understand more about how to flatten in Cricut Design Space. If you still have questions, ask them in the comments below and I will do my best to answer!

How to flatten images and text in cricut design space to print without cutting 2

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Below is a printable version of these instructions; click the large “Print” button to print them out. (It defaults to just printing the text in the instructions, no photos, to save you paper and printer ink!)

If you like this tutorial, leave a review by clicking the stars or by clicking the Review button! That way I know which types of tutorials are most helpful and which I should do more of!

Learn what does flatten do on cricut design space
Print

How To Flatten In Cricut Design Space

Wondering how to flatten in Cricut Design Space? Here is everything you need to know about using Flatten to make your Cricut print without cutting, and troubleshooting some of the most common problems with using the Cricut Flatten tool.
Cook Time 5 minutes
Author Jessi Wohlwend

Equipment

Instructions

How to Flatten

  • Create or open a project in Cricut Design Space with with a multi-layered label that you want to flatten into a printable image.
    How to flatten in cricut design space
  • Select the word "flour" and move it on top of the label.
    How to flatten in cricut design space position layers on top of each other
  • Select all of the layers.
    How to flatten in cricut design space click flatten
  • Click Flatten to combine all of the layers into a single printable image.
    How to flatten in cricut design space image will now print without cutting
  • Click the green Make It button to see the Prepare screen. The label appears as a single Print then Cut image on one mat, and the material size is automatically set to 8.5×11 printer paper.
    How to flatten in cricut design space make cricut print only

How to Unflatten

  • Create or open a project in Cricut Design Space containing a flattened image.
    How to flatten in cricut design space image will now print without cutting
  • Select the image and click Unflatten.
    How to unflatten in cricut design space
  • Select one of the unflattened layers and click the Fill dropdown menu. Change the Fill from "Print" to "No Fill".
    How to unflatten in cricut design space change back to cut
  • Click the small colored square next to the Linetype dropdown menu to change the material color if you wish.
    How to unflatten in cricut design space change material color
  • Repeat until all unflattened layers are "Cut" layers in the correct colors.
    How to flatten in cricut design space click flatten

Notes

Using Flatten in Cricut Design Space is pretty simple, but there are a few rules you have to follow.
  • You must be working with at least one shape or layer. You can’t flatten nothing; the Flatten button will be greyed out if no layers are selected.
  • You can Flatten a single layer or multiple layers. Flatten converts an image from a Cut image to a Print image, leaving just an exterior cut line around the outside edge. If you flatten a single layer, it will just turn that layer into a printable image. If you flatten multiple layers, it will combine all of those layers into a single printable image.
  • Flattened layers are no longer editable. Flatten combines everything (all selected layers, shapes, images, text, etc.) into a single Print then Cut layer, so make sure that your text is correct, everything is in the right position, and the colors are the way you want them BEFORE clicking Flatten. After flattening you can work with the single flattened image like any other single image, but you will be unable to edit any of the “components” of the image.
  • Flatten works even if the images are Grouped, Welded, Attached, or multi-layered/hidden. Flatten only deals with the visible images, so when you click Flatten, the final Flattened image will look exactly like it does on the Canvas screen. Anything that was hidden will still not be visible; anything that was layered/grouped/welded/attached will still look exactly the way it did before, just with no cut lines around the interior shapes.
  • The Flatten button becomes an Unflatten button if you select an already flattened image. When you select layers that aren’t flattened, the Flatten button is activated at the bottom of the Layers panel. But if you select something you’ve already flattened or a pre-flattened Printable Image from the Cricut library, the Flatten button becomes a Unflatten button so you can easily undo the action if you wish. (Even after saving your project!)
  • Unflattening an image IS NOT the exact opposite of Flattening. Unflatten separates out the layers so they are individually editable, and it restores the original configuration of the layers in the Layers panel (i.e. hidden, grouped, attached, multi-layered etc.) It also restores the Cut lines for each layer, but the layers are all still printable images (meaning they all still have a “Print” Fill along with the restored “Cut” Linetype.) Basically it takes a single flattened Print then Cut image and Unflattens it into multiple Print then Cut layers. If you want to truly “Undo” the Flatten command, you also have to change the fill of each layer back to “No Fill” so that the images go all the way back to just Cut images instead of Print then Cut images.
  • Flatten works on overlapping OR separate images. Flatten just flattens everything down into a single Print then Cut image. If your shapes are overlapping, they become a multi-colored printable image. If your shapes are separate, they just become separate printable images.
  • Flattening text is the same as Flattening images. The Flatten tool only cares about the visible shapes on the Canvas. It doesn’t matter if the layer contains text, shapes, images, photos, or whatever else; Flatten will flatten it all down into one single Print then Cut image.
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The post How To Flatten In Cricut Design Space was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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How To Attach In Cricut Design Space https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/how-to-attach-in-cricut-design-space/ https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/how-to-attach-in-cricut-design-space/#comments Mon, 27 Jan 2020 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/?p=45406 Wondering how to use the attach feature in Cricut Design Space? Here is everything you need to know: how to keep text and images in place, attach writing and score lines onto a shape, and troubleshoot some of the most common problems with using Attach in Cricut Design Space.

The post How To Attach In Cricut Design Space was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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Wondering how to use the attach feature in Cricut Design Space? Here is everything you need to know: how to keep text and images in place, attach writing and score lines onto a shape, and troubleshoot some of the most common problems with using Attach in Cricut Design Space.


The Cricut Attach tool is one of the five basic design tools that allows you to work with layers inside of Cricut Design Space (the others are Slice, Weld, Flatten, and Contour).

The Attach tool has two main functions. First, it “locks” shapes and text in place on the cutting mat so you can keep the exact spacing you want. Second, it allows you to “fasten” a writing or scoring layer onto a cutting layer so that the writing or scoring happens “on top of” the cut out shape.

This article will teach you how to attach in Cricut Design Space and how to keep text and images in place when cutting, as well as troubleshoot the most common problems when using Attach in Cricut Design Space.

How to use attach in cricut design space 1

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What is the Cricut Design Space Attach tool & why would I want to use it?

The Attach tool allows you to lock images and text in place so that the placement of the shapes on the cutting mat preserves the same spacing that you see in the Canvas screen of Cricut Design Space. Otherwise Design Space defaults to “paper save mode” and automatically adjusts the spacing. It also allows you to fasten a writing layer or scoring layer onto a cutting layer, meaning you can have your machine score or draw on a material AND cut out a shape all in one pass.

Unlike Weld and Slice, which modify actual shapes, Attach works by “grouping” layers together. It basically creates a “folder” of layers in the Layers panel on the right. The individual shapes, layers, text, images, etc. are all still the same as they were before. The only difference is that your machine sees the Attached layers as one item and does everything (cuts, draws, scores, etc.) on the same mat.

There are some pretty cool things you can do with the Cricut Design Space Attach tool, such as:

  • override “paper save mode” to lock image position on the cutting mat
  • get your machine to Draw on top of a shape and then Cut it out
  • add score lines to a project
  • cut one shape out of another shape
  • make a pattern that’s easy to transfer
  • Attach instead of Slicing multiple images
  • Attach instead of Weld if the images aren’t overlapping

I’ll go into more detail about those uses after the next section, which shows you exactly how to attach in Cricut Design Space (with screenshots!)

How to attach in Cricut Design Space

The Basics

Using Attach in Cricut Design Space is pretty simple, but there are a few rules you have to follow.

  • You must be working with at least two shapes/layers. You can’t attach a single layer; the Attach button will be greyed out if only one layer is selected.
  • Attaching always fastens shapes “down” to the bottom layer. Even though Attach doesn’t change the shapes within your individual layers, it will change the color. If your layers are different colors, the final Attach group will be the color of the bottom layer.
  • Attach works even if the images are grouped, welded, already attached, or multi-layered/hidden. Because Attach creates a “folder” of layers, it doesn’t matter if some of the layers are already Grouped or Attached, or if a layer is hidden or multi-layered.
  • Attach works on overlapping OR separate images. Attach just holds the position of the layer. If your shapes are overlapping, you are “forcing” the cut lines to intersect when your machine cuts. If your shapes are separate, you are “forcing” the machine to preserve the spacing of your images.
  • Attaching text is the same as Attaching images. The Attach tool only cares about the layers in the Layers panel, so it doesn’t even notice if the layer contains text, shapes, images, photos, or whatever else.
  • The Attach button becomes a Detach button if you select an already Attached object. When you select layers that aren’t attached, the Attach button is activated at the bottom of the Layers panel. But if you select something you’ve already attached, the Attach button becomes a Detach button so you can easily undo the action if you wish. (Even after saving your project!)

The Equipment

Technically all you need to use the the Attach tool is Cricut Design Space, but without a Cricut machine you won’t actually be able to cut out your attached design! I have shared the file I used for this tutorial below, feel free to use it for practicing.

The Instructions

Start by opening the practice file in Cricut Design Space.

How to use the attach function in cricut design space

This practice file has images and text to practice three different uses for the Attach function, but for this initial tutorial we are just going to use the “home is where the heart is” images, so you can hide the two star layers.

Learn how to lock the image position on the mat in cricut design space

I’ve already positioned the text and heart shape where I want them in my final project, but if you click the green “Make It” button right now, it shows up on the Prepare mats screen like the screenshot below, all bunched up in the top left corner.

Learn how to lock the image position on the mat in cricut design space so they arent bunched together

By default, Cricut Design Space uses “paper save mode” and positions your images and text on the cutting mat in the way that makes the most efficient use of your materials; basically it bunches them all up into the top left corner so it’s not wasting material.

You can override “paper save mode” by using the Attach function to “lock” your images and text in the exact arrangement you set on the Canvas screen.

To use the Attach function, first select all of the teal images: the word “home” and the heart. The letters “ome” are already welded together into a single image, but the “H” is still its own layer. You can click and drag a square around the entire word to select both layers, or you can select one image, then hold Shift on your keyboard while selecting the other two images to select them all at the same time. You can also select one layer in the Layers panel, then hold Shift on your keyboard while clicking the other layers.

Learn how to lock the image position on the mat in cricut design space select all layers

Once you have all three teal layers selected, the Attach tool at the bottom of the Layers panel should activate (it should be black and clickable instead of greyed out).

Click “Attach” to attach the selected layers.

Learn how to lock the image position on the mat in cricut design space select layers and click attach

When you click Attach, the layers will all “fasten” down to the bottom layer and all of the layers will be “grouped” together in an “Attach folder” in the Layers panel on the right.

In this example, the images themselves weren’t modified at all, but all three layers have been moved into an “Attach folder” in the Layers panel. If the original layers had been different colors, they would all become the color of the bottom layer when attached.

Now select the two yellow text layers and click Attach again.

How to lock the image position on the mat in cricut design space

Now you have a second “Attach folder” in the Layers panel, and you can move each folder around or work with them however you like, just like any other single shape layer.

And now if you click the green “Make It” button, you’ll see that the spacing you have set up on the Canvas screen is preserved on the Prepare screen.

Learn how to lock the image position on the mat in cricut design space so the spacing stays correct

The arrangement of the yellow text is the same as it was on the Canvas screen, and if you look at the teal thumbnail on the left, you’ll see that “Home” and the heart are also locked into position on the cutting mat.

What can I do with the Cricut Attach tool?

Override “paper save mode” to lock image position on the cutting mat

The Cricut Attach tool is perfect for holding your images and text in the same arrangement when cutting. By default, Cricut Design Space uses “paper save mode” when cutting, which means it rearranges all of your shapes to make the most efficient use of your material (basically by clustering them all up into the top left corner of your cutting mat). But if you want to “lock” images in place on the cutting mat, you can use the Attach tool to override “paper save mode”.

The “Home is where the heart is” project above is a great example of this use of the Attach tool. If you need to arrange your text and shapes in a certain way in Design Space, use the Attach tool to hold the images in place when cutting!

Get your machine to write on top of a shape and then cut it out

You can also use Attach to “fasten” a writing layer onto the cutting layer beneath it. This is great for having your Cricut write on top of a shape AND THEN cut it out.

This star and writing layer is also in the practice file I shared earlier.

Attach writing to images in cricut design space

The text layer is already in a writing font, meaning your Cricut will automatically Draw the letters with a pen rather than cut them out. But if you send this file to your machine as is, the Prepare screen will look like this:

Attach writing to images in cricut design space so it is not on separate mats

The text will be drawn on one mat, and the star will be cut out on a separate mat.

To prevent this, select both the text and star layers. You can click and drag a square around the entire star to select both layers, or you can select one image, then hold Shift on your keyboard while selecting the other image to select them both at the same time. You can also select one layer in the Layers panel, then hold Shift on your keyboard while clicking the other layer.

Attach writing to images in cricut design space select both layers

Once you have both layers selected, the Attach tool at the bottom of the Layers panel should activate (it should be black and clickable instead of greyed out).

Click “Attach” to attach the selected layers.

Attach writing to images in cricut design space select layers and click attach

When you click Attach, the top text layer will “fasten” down to the bottom star layer, and both layers will be moved into an “Attach folder” in the Layers panel on the right.

The text and star images themselves weren’t modified at all, but the text is now “attached” to the star below it in the Layers panel.

And now if you click the green “Make It” button, you’ll see that the text has been “attached” to the star so that both the “Draw” action and “Cut” action happen on the same mat on the Prepare screen instead of being on two separate mats.

Attach writing to images in cricut design space writing and images on one mat

Now if you click “Continue” the machine will ask you to load a pen as well as a blade and will write out the text on your material, and then cut out the shape, all in one pass.

Here’s another example of using Attach to fasten drawing lines onto a cute gift tag.

Add score lines to a project

Similar to attaching writing to a shape, you can also use Attach to “fasten” score lines onto the cutting layer beneath it. This is great for making cards with a score line down the middle, or making any sort of 3D shape or box.

These score lines and star are also in the practice file I shared earlier.

Attach score lines to shapes in cricut design space

I used this image to create these 3D paper stars, and the score lines are already positioned correctly on top of the star. But if you send this file to your machine as is, the Prepare screen will look like this:

Attach score lines to shapes in cricut design space so they arent on two separate mats

The score lines will be made on one mat, and the star will be cut out on a separate mat.

To prevent this, select all of the score lines and the star. You can click and drag a square around the entire star to select all of the layers, or you can select one score line, then hold Shift on your keyboard while selecting the other lines and the star to select them all at the same time. You can also select one layer in the Layers panel, then hold Shift on your keyboard while clicking the other layers.

Attach score lines to shapes in cricut design space select all layers

Once you have all of the layers selected, the Attach tool at the bottom of the Layers panel will activate (it should be black and clickable instead of greyed out).

Click “Attach” to attach the selected layers.

When you click Attach, the score lines will “fasten” down to the bottom star layer, and all layers will be moved into an “Attach folder” in the Layers panel on the right.

The score lines and star themselves weren’t modified at all, but the score lines are now “attached” to the star below them in the Layers panel.

And now if you click the green “Make It” button, you’ll see that the score lines have been “attached” to the star so that both the “Score” actions and “Cut” action happen on the same mat on the Prepare screen instead of being on two separate mats.

How to attach score lines to a shape in cricut design space

Now if you click “Continue” the machine will ask you to load a scoring stylus or scoring wheel to do the scoring part, then pause and have you switch to a blade to finish cutting out the shape, all in one pass.

Cut one shape out of another shape

Another cool way to use the Attach tool is to cut a shape out of another shape, or make specific “holes” inside of a larger shape. If you layer smaller shapes on top of a larger shape and then attach them all together, the Cricut will cut the smaller shapes and the larger shape out of the same material, making “smaller shaped holes” in the large shape.

This is really similar to Slicing an image to make new shapes, except that instead of generating new shape layers like Slice does, Attach just forces the two shapes to be cut out on top of one another.

If you layered a smaller circle on top of a larger circle and then Sliced them, you would end up with two smaller circles and one “donut” ring, all on separate layers. If you Attach them instead, you end up with one smaller circle inside of the “donut” ring, and they are stuck together in the same “Attach folder.” (Your machine will cut the circle and donut exactly as shown on the Canvas screen.)

Make a pattern that’s easy to transfer

The Attach function is perfect for making patterns or designs that are easy to transfer, especially if you’re using vinyl. After creating a pattern by duplicating and rearranging shapes and images, this blogger used Attach to lock them in place on the cutting mat. This way she didn’t have to transfer, rotate, and line up each shape individually into the final pattern on her dresser.

Attach instead of Slicing multiple images

You can also use Attach instead of Slice if you have multiple images that you want “sliced” out of another larger image.

A great example of this is using Attach to make scrapbook pages. Layer your shapes and text on top of a large square, select all of them, and click Attach. The Cricut will “slice” those images out of your square when it cuts, and then you can layer pretty paper or photos behind the square to make a fun scrapbook page.

Attach instead of Weld if the images aren’t overlapping

In the Weld tutorial I mentioned that you can Weld images that aren’t overlapped if you want them to all be attached into a single layer and held in position. But technically you should use Attach to do this instead of Weld.

If you remember from the Slice tutorial, you can only slice exactly two layers at a time. But what if you have something like the American flag where you’d like to “punch out” 50 stars from a single background shape? No one wants to have to Slice out 50 individual stars! This is the perfect time to Attach the 50 stars and background shape all together so that the stars are automatically cut out of the background shape.

How to keep text in place in cricut design space

Troubleshooting common problems with the Cricut Design Space Attach tool

The Attach button is greyed out

In order to “activate” the Cricut Attach tool (make it black and clickable instead of greyed out) you have to select at least two shapes or layers. If you only have one image selected the button will be greyed out.

Cricut Design Space keeps rearranging my text and images when it cuts them out

Ah, yep, that’s what Attach is for! Cricut Design Space sees each layer as its own individual shape, regardless of whether the layer is text, a shape, a photo, an image, or something else. Even if you arrange them in a certain way on the Canvas (like making a pattern of heart, then star, then heart, etc.), Design Space doesn’t automatically assume you want those shapes cut out in that exact order or with that exact spacing.

If you select all the layers you want held in place (text, images, shapes, whatever…) and click Attach, it will “tell” Design Space that you have arranged those objects in a certain way and want them to be cut out of a single material exactly how you have arranged them. That way when you go to cut, you will see a mat with all of your shapes laid out exactly the same way you laid them out on the Canvas screen.

I can’t get my Cricut to draw on top of the shape it cuts out

Ah, yep, that’s ALSO what Attach is for! Just like with trying to keep your image spacing the same when you cut, Cricut Design Space sees each layer and image as its own individual shape. Even though you might arrange them in a certain way on the Canvas (like putting a text layer on top of a shape), Design Space doesn’t automatically assume you want to draw on top of that shape.

If you select the draw layer and the cut layer and click Attach, it will “tell” Design Space that you want those two actions to happen on the same layer or material. That way when you go to cut, you will see a mat with both “Draw” and “Cut” on it and your text will be on top of your shape instead of separating them out into two different mats.

I can’t get my Cricut to make score lines on the shape it cuts out

Ah, yep, that’s ANOTHER THING that Attach is for! Just like with trying to get your machine to draw on top of a cut out shape, Cricut Design Space sees each score line and image as its own individual shape. Even though you might arrange them in a certain way on the Canvas (like putting a score line on top of a shape), Design Space doesn’t automatically assume you want to score that shape.

If you select the score lines and the cut layer and click Attach, it will “tell” Design Space that you want those two actions to happen on the same layer or material. That way when you go to cut, you will see a mat with both “Score” and “Cut” on it and your score lines will still be positioned on top of your shape instead of separating them out into two different mats.

I want to draw on a shape AND hold all my shapes in the same arrangement

No problem; Attach works on as many layers as you want, and it even works on things that are already grouped or attached!

If you have a bunch of individual shapes and layers, just position them where you want them, select ALL the layers, and click Attach. If there is a drawing layer on top of a shape layer, it will attach those two AS WELL AS attach any other separate shapes all together into a single “Attach folder”. Here is a great example of attaching text and separate images all in one go.

If you already have some attached or grouped layers and want to attach them even further, that’s no problem either. Every time you click Attach, it takes all of the selected layers and attaches them into an Attach folder. If you select something that’s already attached, it just nests that first Attach folder inside of the new Attach folder, and so on.

(I haven’t actually tested to see how many nested Attach folders you can get in one Design Space file, but I’ve had at least five with no problem!)

I want to “un-attach” my images so I can use them for something else

No problem! If you accidentally attached something you didn’t mean to, you can alway click Undo or press Command/Ctrl + Z on your keyboard to undo the action. Or, if you select an Attached image, the Attach button at the bottom of the Layers panel becomes a Detach button.

If you click Detach it will separate the layers back out into their own distinct layers.


Hope that helps you understand more about the Cricut Attach tool in Design Space. If you still have questions, ask them in the comments below and I will do my best to answer!

How to use cricut design space attach feature

Want to share this article with your friends? Share to Facebook, Pinterest, or send the article by email—just click on any of the share buttons floating on the left, or find them at the top and bottom of this post.

Below is a printable version of these instructions; click the large “Print” button to print them out. (It defaults to just printing the text in the instructions, no photos, to save you paper and printer ink!)

If you like this tutorial, leave a review by clicking the stars or by clicking the Review button! That way I know which types of tutorials are most helpful and which I should do more of!

How to use cricut attach to keep the same arrangement when cutting
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How To Attach In Cricut Design Space

Wondering how to use the attach feature in Cricut Design Space? Here is everything you need to know: how to keep text and images in place, attach writing and score lines onto a shape, and troubleshoot some of the most common problems with using Attach in Cricut Design Space.
Cook Time 5 minutes
Author Jessi Wohlwend

Equipment

Instructions

Using Attach to lock images in place on the cutting mat

  • Create or open a project in Cricut Design Space with multiple shapes or text that you want arranged in a certain way when the machine cuts them out.
    Learn how to lock the image position on the mat in cricut design space
  • Select all of the images, shapes, or text that you want cut out of a single color.
    Learn how to lock the image position on the mat in cricut design space select all layers
  • Click Attach to attach the layers into an "Attach folder" in the Layers panel on the right side.
    Learn how to lock the image position on the mat in cricut design space select layers and click attach
  • If there is a second color or material in your project, select all of the images, shapes, or text that you want cut out of that color, then click Attach; you will end up with another "Attach folder" in the Layers panel.
    How to lock the image position on the mat in cricut design space
  • When you go to cut out your project, all of your Attached layers will be locked into place on your cutting mat in the same position as you see them on the Canvas screen.
    Learn how to lock the image position on the mat in cricut design space so the spacing stays correct

How to attach writing to a shape in Cricut Design Space

  • Create or open a project in Cricut Design Space with a drawing layer and a cut layer/shape.
    Attach writing to images in cricut design space
  • Position the drawing layer on top of the shape layer, then select both layers.
    Attach writing to images in cricut design space select both layers
  • Click Attach to "fasten" the writing in the drawing layer onto the shape in the cut layer below.
    Attach writing to images in cricut design space select layers and click attach
  • When you go to cut out your project, you’ll see that the text has been “attached” to the shape below it so that both the “Draw” action and “Cut” action happen on the same mat instead of being on two separate mats.
    Attach writing to images in cricut design space writing and images on one mat

How to attach score lines to a shape in Cricut Design Space

  • Create or open a project in Cricut Design Space with score lines and a cut layer/shape. Position the score lines on top of the shape layer.
    Attach score lines to shapes in cricut design space
  • Select all of layers and click Attach to "fasten" the score lines onto the shape in the cut layer on the bottom.
    Attach score lines to shapes in cricut design space select all layers
  • When you go to cut out your project, you’ll see that the score lines have been “attached” to the shape below it so that both the “Score” actions and the “Cut” action happen on the same mat instead of being on two separate mats.
    How to attach score lines to a shape in cricut design space

Notes

Using Attach in Cricut Design Space is pretty simple, but there are a few rules you have to follow.
  • You must be working with at least two shapes/layers. You can’t attach a single layer; the Attach button will be greyed out if only one layer is selected.
  • Attaching always fastens shapes “down” to the bottom layer. Even though Attach doesn’t change the shapes within your individual layers, it will change the color. If your layers are different colors, the final Attach group will be the color of the bottom layer.
  • Attach works even if the images are grouped, welded, already attached, or multi-layered/hidden. Because Attach creates a “folder” of layers, it doesn’t matter if some of the layers are already Grouped or Attached, or if a layer is hidden or multi-layered.
  • Attach works on overlapping OR separate images. Attach just holds the position of the layer. If your shapes are overlapping, you are “forcing” the cut lines to intersect when your machine cuts. If your shapes are separate, you are “forcing” the machine to preserve the spacing of your images.
  • Attaching text is the same as Attaching images. The Attach tool only cares about the layers in the Layers panel, so it doesn’t even notice if the layer contains text, shapes, images, photos, or whatever else.
  • The Attach button becomes a Detach button if you select an already Attached object. When you select layers that aren’t attached, the Attach button is activated at the bottom of the Layers panel. But if you select something you’ve already attached, the Attach button becomes a Detach button so you can easily undo the action if you wish. (Even after saving your project!)
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The post How To Attach In Cricut Design Space was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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How To Weld In Cricut Design Space https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/how-to-weld-in-cricut-design-space/ https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/how-to-weld-in-cricut-design-space/#comments Mon, 20 Jan 2020 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/?p=45404 Wondering how to use the Cricut weld tool in Design Space? Here is everything you need to know, from what weld means and how to use it to create shapes and connect cursive letters, to troubleshooting some of the most common Cricut Design Space welding problems.

The post How To Weld In Cricut Design Space was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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Wondering how to use the Cricut weld tool in Design Space? Here is everything you need to know, from what weld means and how to use it to create shapes and connect cursive letters, to troubleshooting some of the most common Cricut Design Space welding problems.


The Cricut Weld tool is one of the five basic design tools that allows you to work with layers inside of Cricut Design Space (the others are Slice, Attach, Flatten, and Contour).

The Weld tool takes multiple shapes and “merges” them together into a single shape/layer, leaving just the “exterior” outline of the original shapes. But even though the concept is simple, there are tons of cool things you can do with it!

This article will teach you what weld means in Cricut Design Space and how to connect letters and images, as well as troubleshoot the most common Cricut Design Space welding problems.

How to weld images and letters in cricut design space

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What does weld mean in Cricut Design Space & why would I want to use it?

The Weld tool allows you to “join” multiple images or shapes together to create a single shape. It combines multiple shapes into a single shape by finding all overlapping or intersecting cut lines and removing them. This leaves just the exterior cut path (i.e. the “outline”) of the new “merged” shape.

There are some pretty cool things you can do with the Weld tool in Cricut Design Space, such as:

  • make custom shapes
  • connect letters from a script font to make them cut as one piece
  • simplify a design into fewer “pieces”
  • Weld so you can Slice multiple images at once

I’ll go into more detail about those uses after the next section, which shows you exactly how to weld in Cricut Design Space (with screenshots!)

How to weld in Cricut Design Space

The Basics

Using Weld in Cricut Design Space is pretty simple, but there are a few rules you have to follow.

  • You must be working with at least two shapes/layers. You can’t weld a single layer; the Weld button will be greyed out if only one layer is selected.
  • Welding always merges shapes “down” to the bottom layer. If your layers are different colors, the final Weld Result will be the color of the bottom layer.
  • Weld works even if the images are grouped, attached, or multi-layered/hidden. Design Space will automatically ungroup or un-attach any grouped or attached layers when you weld them.
  • Hidden layers will disappear after welding. If you want to keep any hidden layers of a multi-layer image, be sure to unhide them before welding.
  • Weld only works on overlapping images. Your shapes must have overlapping or intersecting cut lines for Weld to combine them into a single shape.
  • …unless you purposely are trying to weld images that aren’t touching. If your shapes aren’t stacked on top of each other, welding them will basically just “merge down” the top shape into the bottom layer without actually modifying the shapes themselves.
  • Welding text is the same as welding images. The Weld tool doesn’t treat text any different from any other image or shape, regardless of whether you are welding an entire word or you’ve already ungrouped the text to letters.
  • Welding is permanent and can’t be undone. Once you save your project after welding, it can’t be reversed. But obviously if you just welded something by accident you can alway click Undo or press Command/Ctrl + Z on your keyboard to undo the action; just click Undo before saving!

The Equipment

Technically all you need to use the the Weld tool is Cricut Design Space, but without a Cricut machine you won’t actually be able to cut out your welded design! I have shared the file I used for this tutorial below, feel free to use it for practicing.

The Instructions

Start by opening the practice file in Cricut Design Space.

How to weld in cricut design space combine two shapes to make a new shape

Select the rectangle shape and drag it over the triangle so that it creates an arrow. Make sure the rectangle is overlapping the triangle at least a little bit.

Then select both shapes. You can click and drag a square around the entire arrow shape to select both layers, or you can select one image, then hold Shift on your keyboard while selecting the other image to select them both at the same time. You can also select one layer in the Layers panel, then hold Shift on your keyboard while clicking the second layer.

Once you have two layers selected, the Weld tool at the bottom of the Layers panel should activate (it should be black and clickable instead of greyed out).

Click “Weld” to weld the selected layers into a single layer.

How to weld in cricut design space overlap two shapes

When you click Weld the top layer will “merge” down into the layer below and both shapes will become part of the bottom layer.

In this example the overlapping cut lines were removed and the teal rectangle “merged down” into the yellow triangle, resulting in a yellow arrow.

How to weld in cricut design space click weld to attach them

The new welded layer will be renamed “Weld Result” and you can move it around or work with it however you would like, just like any other single shape layer.

What can I do with the Cricut weld tool?

Making custom shapes

The Cricut weld tool is perfect for making your own custom shapes by combining two standard shapes, or even images from the Cricut library. The arrow project above is the perfect example of turning two standard shapes into a custom shape using Weld.

Here’s another cool example of turning three triangles and a square into a Christmas tree!

How to connect letters in Cricut Design Space

You can also use Weld to cut out fancy script sayings with your Cricut.

Normally when you type text into Cricut Design Space (even if you choose a script font) it separates out each letter and puts space between the letters. Even if you detach the letters and move them together so that they overlap like a single word in cursive, the Cricut will still cut all of the letters out individually. This is where Weld comes in handy!

The practice file I used above for the arrow example also has some text for you to practice connecting letters.

Open the practice file in Cricut Design Space.

There should already be a text layer with the word “hello” written in it, but if not, just click the Text tool and type a word in a new layer. I used the Elizabeth font from the Cricut library for this (free with Cricut Access) but you can use any script font you’d like.

How to weld in cricut design space how to weld letters

Select the text layer by clicking on the text itself, or by clicking on the layer in the Layers panel. Once the text is selected the Font Edit toolbar should appear at the top of the screen underneath the normal Edit toolbar.

Click the dropdown icon under the “Advanced” menu in the Font Edit toolbar, then select Ungroup To Letters.

How to weld in cricut design space separate into letters

This will split your text into five separate layers: one for each letter.

Get rid of the space between the letters by selecting each letter individually and moving it so that it slightly overlaps the previous letter.

NOTE: You can also get rid of the space between the letters by selecting the text and then reducing the “Letter Space” number in the Font Edit toolbar. This will automatically move the letters closer together, and it usually works pretty well. But it doesn’t allow you to move one letter closer together than another letter, so I always just end up Ungrouping the letters and moving them manually anyway to “perfect” the look of the final word.

How to weld in cricut design space move letters to overlap

Once all the letters are overlapping and positioned where you want them, select the entire word. You can click and drag a square around the word to select all of the letter layers, or you can select one letter, then hold Shift on your keyboard while selecting the other letters to select them all at the same time. You can also select one layer in the Layers panel, then hold Shift on your keyboard while clicking on all the other layers until all of the letters are selected.

Once you have at least two layers selected, the Weld tool at the bottom of the Layers panel should activate (it should be black and clickable instead of greyed out).

Click “Weld” to weld the selected letters into a single shape.

How to weld in cricut design space how to connect letters on cricut

The cut lines in between the overlapping letters will disappear and you’ll be left with a single “shape”: just the outline of the word “hello”.

Learn how to connect letters in cricut design space

Just like with welding images, the new single layer will be renamed as “Weld Result” and you can now move it around or work with it just like you would any other single shape.

Simplifying designs into fewer “pieces”

If your design has multiple shapes, but you want them all to be cut out of a single material, or even merged together to be one single cut piece, the Cricut weld tool is perfect for that!

Here is a great example of combining text and a shape into a single cut image using Weld.

The arrow and hello examples above are two more great examples of welding with overlapping shapes. But you could also weld multiple images or words together even if they aren’t overlapping…

For example, let’s say you draw a heart shape using the Shapes tool, add text using the Text tool, and find a butterfly image you want to cut out from the Cricut image library. All three of those shapes are separate layers, and potentially three different colors, which means three different mats when you cut. But if they are all supposed to be cut out from a single material, you can Weld the three layers together, even if the shapes don’t overlap.

Just position the shapes where you want them, select all the layers, and click Weld. All three shapes will automatically merge down to become a single layer, simplifying your design from three layers and colors to one single layer!

Weld so you can Slice multiple images at once

Another reason to weld shapes that aren’t overlapping is so that you can use the Slice tool to slice multiple images at once.

If you remember from the Slice tutorial, you can only slice exactly two layers at a time. But what if you have something like the American flag where you’d like to “punch out” 50 stars from a single background shape. No one wants to have to Slice out 50 individual stars!

Here is a good example of welding multiple stars together to create a single “image” so the stars can be punched out of a background shape all together in a single Slice.

Troubleshooting common Cricut Design Space welding problems

Parts of my letters disappeared after welding

The most common welding problem in Cricut Design Space is that sometimes Weld fills in the center of a letter when welding a word. It doesn’t happen consistently, but when it does it’s super annoying! This can happen even if there wasn’t an overlapping shape covering the letter.

The best way to fix this issue is to resize your word and make it really big before welding. Sometimes you’ll notice a weird overlap or spacing issue that you didn’t see before when the font was smaller and you can move the letters around to fix it. And sometimes I think the software just loses a little bit of the details in the lines when welding, so making the font bigger before welding always helps make sure the detail is preserved. After you’ve successfully welded your GIANT word together, you can size it back down to whatever size you need.

The Weld button is greyed out

In order to “activate” the Cricut weld tool (make it black and clickable instead of greyed out) you have to select at least two visible shapes or layers. If you only have one image selected, or one of your layers is hidden, the button may be greyed out.

My hidden layers disappeared

If one of the images you selected was grouped with a hidden layer, that hidden layer will disappear after you Weld. Welding only deals with the visible shapes, so hidden layers don’t affect the shape of the welded image, and they (along with all other selected layers) are “merged down” into a single Weld Result layer after welding.

If you still want those hidden layers, ungroup them or unhide them before welding, and make sure they aren’t selected. Then they will still be there after welding.

My text is no longer editable

The Cricut weld feature only deals with visible “shapes.” Even though, to the human eye, text is made up of letters and words, to Design Space it is just the shapes of the letters. After it finishes welding, everything is converted into a single “Weld Result” image, which is just the outline of all the welded letters. This means even that even though it still looks like a word made up of letters to us, Design Space now sees it as one single object.

If you want to still have an editable text layer after welding, just make a copy of your text layer and set it aside. Then, after the text layer is welded and converted into a shape, the copy will still be editable.

I made my project and now I want to “un-weld” the images so I can use them for something else

Yikes…welding is permanent! If you accidentally welded something you didn’t mean to, you can alway click Undo or press Command/Ctrl + Z on your keyboard to undo the action. But once you save your project, the weld can’t be reversed this way (or any other way!)

If you think you might need those shapes separately as well as welded, make a copy of the shapes and set them aside BEFORE you Weld them. Then you can weld one copy together for your project and still have an un-welded version to work with later.


Hope that helps you understand more about the Cricut Weld tool in Design Space. If you still have questions, ask them in the comments below and I will do my best to answer!

Learn how to weld images and connect letters in cricut design space

Want to share this article with your friends? Share to Facebook, Pinterest, or send the article by email—just click on any of the share buttons floating on the left, or find them at the top and bottom of this post.

Below is a printable version of these instructions; click the large “Print” button to print them out. (It defaults to just printing the text in the instructions, no photos, to save you paper and printer ink!)

If you like this tutorial, leave a review by clicking the stars or by clicking the Review button! That way I know which types of tutorials are most helpful and which I should do more of!

What does weld mean in cricut design space
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How To Weld In Cricut Design Space

Wondering how to use the Cricut weld tool in Design Space? Here is everything you need to know, from what weld means and how to use it to create shapes and connect cursive letters, to troubleshooting some of the most common Cricut Design Space welding problems.
Cook Time 5 minutes
Author Jessi Wohlwend

Equipment

Instructions

Using Weld to create custom shapes

  • Create or open a project in Cricut Design Space with multiple shapes or letters.
    How to weld in cricut design space combine two shapes to make a new shape
  • Select one of the shapes and position it so that it is overlapping the other image.
    How to weld in cricut design space overlap two shapes
  • Select both images and click "Weld". You will end up with a single layer containing the welded image.
    How to weld in cricut design space click weld to attach them

How to connect letters in Cricut Design Space using Weld

  • Create or open a project in Cricut Design Space and add text in a script font.
    How to weld in cricut design space how to weld letters
  • Select the text and choose "Ungroup To Letters" from the "Advanced" dropdown menu in the toolbar at the top of the screen.
    How to weld in cricut design space separate into letters
  • Select each letter individually and position it so that it is overlapping the previous letter.
    How to weld in cricut design space move letters to overlap
  • Select all of the letters at once and click "Weld". You will end up with a single layer containing the welded word.
    Learn how to connect letters in cricut design space

Notes

Using Weld in Cricut Design Space is pretty simple, but there are a few rules you have to follow.
  • You must be working with at least two shapes/layers. You can’t weld a single layer; the Weld button will be greyed out if only one layer is selected.
  • Welding always merges shapes “down” to the bottom layer. If your layers are different colors, the final Weld Result will be the color of the bottom layer.
  • Weld works even if the images are grouped, attached, or multi-layered/hidden. Design Space will automatically ungroup or un-attach any grouped or attached layers when you weld them.
  • Hidden layers will disappear after welding. If you want to keep any hidden layers of a multi-layer image, be sure to unhide them before welding.
  • Weld only works on overlapping images. Your shapes must have overlapping or intersecting cut lines for Weld to combine them into a single shape.
  • …unless you purposely are trying to weld images that aren’t touching. If your shapes aren’t stacked on top of each other, welding them will basically just “merge down” the top shape into the bottom layer without actually modifying the shapes themselves.
  • Welding text is the same as welding images. The Weld tool doesn’t treat text any different from any other image or shape, regardless of whether you are welding an entire word or you’ve already ungrouped the text to letters.
  • Welding is permanent and can’t be undone. Once you save your project after welding, it can’t be reversed. But obviously if you just welded something by accident you can alway click Undo or press Command/Ctrl + Z on your keyboard to undo the action; just click Undo before saving!
Remember, you can also get rid of the space between the letters by selecting the text and then reducing the “Letter Space” number in the Font Edit toolbar. This will automatically move the letters closer together, and it usually works pretty well. But you still have to select the word and click Weld or the letters will still be cut out individually even though they appear to be overlapping.
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The post How To Weld In Cricut Design Space was written by Jessi Wohlwend and appeared first on Practically Functional.

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