How to Restick your Die Cutting Mats

Hello everyone!  It’s Lorrie here, and I don’t know about you, but if you use a die cut machine, whether it’s a Silhouette Cameo, Cricut Explore, Sizzix Eclips or any of the other die cut machines out there, nothing is more frustrating that a mat that has lost it’s stickiness.  I’m going to show you how easy it is to get those mats back in tip top shape and prolong the life of your mats.

First you want to wash the mat with dish soap and water in the sink.   Sometimes if my mat is really, really dirty, I will use goo gone and then dish soap, but a good washing with dish soap and a sponge is generally all you need.

Next you want to hang your mat , or lay it somewhere flat, to dry.  Make sure it is completely dry before moving on to the next step.

For the next step you want to protect your work surface with newspaper, or even work outside.  Using painter’s tape, masking tape or any kind of removable tape, carefully tape off the edges of the mat just outside the grid lines.  This prevent adhesive getting on the mat where the rollers hit the mat in your machine.

 Now, meet your mat’s new best friend:

Spray N Bond Basting Adhesive.  You can find it at your Local Walmart, Joann's, Hobby Lobby, Michaels.  It's in the Fabric or sewing section.

 

Holding the can 6-8″ above your mat, keep your arm moving and spray an even coat over the mat.  The more you spray, the more sticky it will be.  I prefer a light coat when using the mats for paper.  You can always apply another layer if it isn’t sticky enough for you.

Simply remove the painter’s tape and you’re done.  The mat will be ready to use immediately.

Cricut Cheat Sheets

I have created several Cricut Cheat Sheets designed to serve as a quick reference for everyday tasks in Design Space.

Cricut Cheat Sheets
You can download all of the cheat sheets separately, or all in a single download here 

Introducing Cricut Education

Hello everyone!  I wanted to take a minute and let you know, that I've consolidated a lot of my Cricut Education videos, cheat sheets, and related tutorials to one blog.    You can find it here http://Cricuted.blogspot.com   Please take a minute to look around.  I will be regularly updating the blog.  Don't worry, my Content will still be listed here as well.

Christmas Pocket Letters

I have been making Christmas Pocket Letters. 

 I have been making A LOT of Christmas Pocket Letters.....

 I may have gone overboard making Christmas Pocket Letters.....

 But once you have all those yummy Christmas papers and embellishments out and spread around your craftroom.....

 It's hard to stop.

 So, I didn't stop.  I kept making Christmas Pocket Letters....

 and then I said... that's it.  I'm finished making Christmas Pocket Letters.....

 and then this happened.....

 and this....

 and, this.....

and... I think... NOW, I'm done making Christmas Pocket Letters

 Here's a video in case you'd like to see a close up of some of these

A Christmas Card with the Cricut Explore

It's been awhile since I made a Cricut Tutorial.  I created this card the other night on my Ipad while watching TV.  I was too tired to cut and assemble, so I waited till the next morning and pulled it up in Design Space on the computer and decided to make a tutorial.  I just love the fact that Cricut Design Space allows you to create on one device and pick up where you left off on another.  Just one of the great advantages of the online feature!

Here's a video tutorial to show you how I created this card.