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. 

Christmas Pocket Letter and Card featuring Thermoweb and PhotoPlay

It’s Lorrie here with a PhotoPlay meet Thermoweb feature for you.  We have teamed up with PhotoPlay for our recent projects and I couldn’t be more excited.  I just love this “Dear Santa” collection. 

I created a fun pocket letter for you, as well as a quick Christmas Card.
Let’s start with the Pocket Letter.  Are you following this trend?  Pocket letters are so much fun!  The idea behind pocket letters is a cross between a PenPal and a scrapbook.



One creates a pocket letter and sends it to their “pocket letter pal” who sends one back.  They are filled with goodies you can take out and use, or just leave as is.  I, personally, collect mine and store in a 3-ring binder.



Simply start with a 9 pocket trading card sleeve.  Fill each pocket with goodies.  You can see here, I’ve used the PhotoPlay Dear Santa collection.  Using Thermoweb Adhesive Foam Strips and Foam Squares it’s super easy to create a lot of dimension in each pocket.

 

  Thermoweb Zots are perfect for assembling this 3D bow and for adding elements to the outside of the pockets


For elements that you want to lay flat, I prefer the Thermoweb XL tape runner and or the Liquid FabricFuse.  Yes, the liquid Fabric Fuse is perfect on paper and super strong!  I used the Fabric Fuse to adhere the lattice piece to the card below.  It is just perfect to get into those hard to reach, delicate areas.



I want to thank PhotoPlay for allowing us to play with their collections.  I had so much fun with the Dear Santa Collection.  Don’t forget to grab my favorite Thermoweb adhesives mentioned above!

 

Products used shown below

Paris - A Tribute

I created and designed this tribute to Paris with My Cricut Explore using HTV in both Matte and Glitter.  I love how it turned out.  I am happy to share my Design Space File, please use it for PERSONAL USE ONLY Please - Let's not profit from this terrible tragedy!  Here is my Design Space file After posting my shirts I created in Design Space with my Cricut ExploreAir I had so many requests to make people
Shirts... I decided to share the file so you can create your own instead 😀. Here you go: https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/33318801

Baby Shower Card

It's been a little while since I've made a card.  I have the honor of attending a super special baby shower tomorrow.  Baby Hayden was born 4 months early at only 2lbs.  She's doing very well.  I can't wait to attend the shower.  She's still in NICU, but they hope to have her home by Christmas.  I made this super simple, super quick card to welcome her.

Top Ten Reasons to Upgrade to the Cricut Explore - Expression Vs Explore

Hello everyone!
You already know by now I love my Cricut Explore.  I know many of you have used or still use the Cricut Expression.  I wanted totake a moment and put together what I feel are the Top 10 Reasons to make the upgrade.  The Explore truly is a better machine.  It truly cuts so much better.   Watch this quick video and put it on your list for Santa!!  You won't regret it!

Happy Halloween Treat Box with Deco Foil

Hello there!  Lorrie here with a quick and easy Halloween Treat Box using your Halloween papers, some handmade embellishments and, of course, Deco Foils!  I've included a fun printable below for you to make the matching tag and the center of the rosette.
First thing you need to do, is turn on your laminator.   You will want it to preheat for at least 15 plus minutes.
I started with this fun Gable Box.  You can pick one up almost anywhere, or even cut one with your digital cutter.  Next, cut Halloween papers in corresponding sizes to fit the box and adhere with the Thermoweb Adhesive Runner.
Next, assemble the Rosette.  Cut 2 pieces of 1-1/2" x 12" pattern paper .  Score each strip at every 1/2" and fold.  Using a hot glue gun adhere the two pieces end to end, and then again to form a circle.



Next, cut a 1" circle from some scrap paper.  Gather the accordian folded ring into the center and lay flat to form a rosette.  Apply a small dab of hot glue in the center of the top, hold for a few seconds.  Next flip over the rosette and apply hot glue to the 1" circle and attach to the rosette.



Using Thermoweb Large Zots adhere the rosette to the box.
Time to print this fun printable.  Click on the picture to download.  Make sure you print with a laser printer and/or copier.  Your local office supply can do this for you if you don't have one.


For extra fun, print it on pattern paper!



Cut out the shapes. Arrange shapes on the Deco Foil.  I like to make my sandwich with the Deco Foil pretty side down, then apply my shapes face down on top of the foil, this way I can make sure everything is covered and not overlapping.  Run the sandwich though your preheated laminator.



Lift off the Deco Foil and look at the pretty tags!





 




Attach the tag with a pretty coordinating ribbon and the center of the rosette using Thermoweb large Zots.  If you don't have a button maker, you can use the Epiphany Crafts Round 25 Tool, or even just leave it as is.

Don't forget to fill the box with Treats!  You don't really want a "trick",  do you?

 

Happy Halloween!