Monday, May 22, 2017

Customizing My Cricut Explore Air With Holographic Vinyl

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine. This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small financial compensation if you make a purchase using this link

I have had my Cricut for about 9 months now and have shared a ton of projects already, but I wanted to tell you a little more about my Cricut Explore Air since I have had a lot of comments and questions lately. I am also going to show you how to customize it, using the new holographic vinyl!



One of my close friends has had a Cricut for years and until I got my own, I thought it was only for making cards and scrap-booking. Boy, was I wrong! This machine can do pretty much EVERYTHING! You can read about my initial experience using my Cricut in this post: My First Time Using a Cricut.

First things first!

What comes in a Cricut Explore Air Box?

• Cricut Explore Air™ machine
• Cricut Design Space™ online software and iPad® app
• Cricut Design Space™ software & app
• USB cord and power cord
• German carbide premium blade
• 12" x 12" StandardGrip cutting mat
• Accessory Adapter
• Metallic silver pen
• Cardstock sample
• Iron-on sample
• 50+ free projects
• 100+ free images
• Getting started guide

When you open up the box, you have everything you need to get started creating! You just plug it in and get started. It is that easy! This model even works with bluetooth, so you do not have to be connected to your laptop to use the Design Space.

Here is what you will need to customize your Cricut Explore Air:



Cricut Design Space
Holographic vinyl (I used blue)
Transfer tape
StrongGrip cutting mat
Weeding tool
Scraper tool

Step 1: Open up the Cricut Design Space  and use the drop down menu under File to select New Project.

Step 2: Add Text and type your word into the text box. I am using the word "Create." To change the Font, click Edit in the menu on the right hand side. You can choose from a variety of fonts; some are free, others are free with Cricut Access, and some are available for purchase. I chose the Everyday Fonts-Best of Times style because I liked the curled "C."


Step 3: Once you have selected your font, use the handles on the lower right corner of the box to size it to your desired size, based on the measurement of the area you are placing the vinyl. I made mine about 8.5" x 2.5".

Step 4: Click the Go button at the top right of the screen. On your Cricut machine, set the dial to vinyl and press the blinking arrow to load the mat into the machine. Your screen should also reflect the material is vinyl. Press the blinking "C" on the machine to start the cut and watch it go!

Step 5: Once the cut finishes, press the arrow to release the mat. Carefully weed the excess vinyl from around the letters, using a weeding tool.

(Check out my quick video I made, showing this step!)



Step 6: This is where the transfer tape comes in handy. If you do not know what transfer tape is, it is a clear tape with a grid that transfers your word or design from the mat to your piece, while keeping it together. The grid also helps you place it straight onto your piece. For me, this stuff has saved me from messing up many projects! Cut a piece of transfer tape the same size as your vinyl and place it over top. Use a scraper to make sure all the pieces adhere well to the tape and remove it from the mat.

Step 7: Place the tape and vinyl onto your piece. In this project, it is my Cricut Explore Air. Again, use the scraper tool to make sure the vinyl has adhered to the piece before removing the transfer tape.


I repeated the above process after picking a mermaid scale pattern from the Make It Now projects and customizing it to the size I wanted. (I could not resist, with the shiny holographic look!)



The holographic vinyl is gorgeous and photos really do not do it justice. I really want to put this on everything!!


Here are some other projects you can create with your Cricut:


These are just a few...the possibilities are endless! What is your favorite project you have created with your Cricut Explore Air?

Pin it for Later!


This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.



8 comments:

  1. The mermaid pattern is super cute! Mermaids and unicorns are perfect for holographic vinyl!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree! I need to find some more projects to do now!

      Delete
  2. I am in LOVE with this mermaid pattern! It's so trendy right now, too!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is really cute! I got a Silhouette in JANUARY and I still have't taught myself how to use it! I need to get on it. Maybe I can make personalizing it my first project. Thanks for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, you have to try it! I am sure it's about as easy as the Cricut machine is to use. You will have so much fun with it!

      Delete
  4. Love the mermaid pattern! And holographic vinyl!! I didn't know that was a thing! Need!!!

    ReplyDelete

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