DIY Wire Rings

I wanted to purchase some wire rings but then thought (as I usually do) "I should make it myself!" haha

Unlike other hobbies I pick up, I already had all the supplies except the wires. I started looking at different rings on Pinterest and found this tutorial. I still don't know if I did it right but I love it!

Humor Mug Game of Thrones and Crochet

I've been wanting to do a mug like this for a long time. It's pretty much the same way I make all the mugs such as the DIY Crochet Humor Mug. The only disappointment (and not a big deal) is the next episode of Game of Thrones was the episode where "Winter is here" and not "Winter is coming" anymore! haha

I've only seen the "knit faster" versions of mugs, tanks and tote bags but I am a crocheter at heart even though I love knitting too. I really wanted to same font as the show and I like that in "Crochet" the distinct "O" is in the word.

"I Can't Adult" Mug

I made this for a co-worker as a birthday gift from our unit. I recall mentioning the funny quote to her once and she thought it was so funny so I thought she might appreciate it :)

Most days I feel like this.... ha-ha

For instructions on how I made this, check out the DIY Crochet Humor Mug tutorial I provide for another mug I made.

Teacher Appreciation Mug

Last year, my boys were in preschool and I crocheted little cup cozies for a Starbucks cup. In the cup were fillers and gift cards.

This year, my oldest is in Kindergarten and I decided to make a cup using my Cricut for his teacher. He's on a track system at school so he's actually off track right now but I'll be dropping off the gift.

I used permanent vinyl I purchased from Amazon. I saw this cute quote on Pinterest: "Teaching tiny humans is exhausting" and the font had little hearts to dot the "i" so I knew that's what I wanted. I searched for the font online. 

Update: I was later contacted by Wee Structed and apparently, this was originated from them. They have such cute products like this!

If you're interested in the process, please see my DIY Crochet Humor Mug post.

DIY Crochet Humor Mug

I purchased my Cricut for my birthday 6 months ago and I'm not just making a mug. I've been busy picking up new hobbies like Knitting. 

I've had this Dollar Tree mug for some time now. I was going to use a sharpie to decorate it but decided it would be perfect for my first (non HTV) vinyl project).

I found the "Hooker" file online and cleaned it up in Photoshop. I used my iPhone to pull it up on the Design Space app and print! LOVE the wifi feature on the Explore Air. Now I wish I didn't return the iPad I bought myself last year. It would be easier to work in than my iPhone 6 Plus. I guess it could be worse. It could be an iPhone 4 haha!

Materials used:

Cricut Explore Air 

Paper Cutter

Mug

Vinyl

Scissors

Contact paper (from Dollar Tree)

Cutting mat and tools

and I used my iPhone's Design Space app (there's no laptop in my craft room)

I saved the project from my desktop and pulled it up on my phone. After I measured the vinyl, I placed it on the mat (film side down) and cut the picture of the yarn and the "hooker" word.

After weeding, I transferred it to the contact paper

Carefully, attach to the mug. Use the flat piece that came with machine to smooth out.

"Yarn" Canvas Tote Bag

This is one of the 3 things I "Yarn" on. I put the exact same "Yarn" font on a mug and tank top.

I JUST Love it!

I used the cricut explore air and iron on vinyl. LOVE LOVE LOVE! I mean, who doesn't love Yarn? HAHA

I also made matching 

Tank Top
Yarn Coffee Mug

"Yarn" Tank Top

I purchased tons of tanks when I made my girlfriend's Personalized Bridal Tanks. I decided not to return it since I may use it for other projects.

I put the same font "Yarn" vinyl on a mug and canvas tote. I need one on a tank too! 

My Yarn Obsession 

Coffee Mug
Canvas Tote Bag

"Yarn" Mug

I've been on a hunt for a nice mug to put vinyl on. And I found this at our local Walmart. It was alone on a shelf where it didn't belong. I took it to the price scanner and it was $1.25. What?! $1.25? I wish there were more!

Check out the Tank Top and Canvas Tote Bag I made using the same "Yarn" font!

For a tutorial, check out the DIY Crochet Humor Mug that says "Hooker" on it. 

Who isn't obsessed with Yarn?!

"Yarn" Tank Top
"Yarn" Canvas Tote Bag

Valentine's Card with Lollipop

I've been wanting to do this card for some time now but the daycare my oldest attended before didn't celebrate anything. I guess the policy was in place to protect other's beliefs, etc. Whatever. Anyway, now that he's a kindergartner, I finally got to make it!

This is the photo we used. I had him hold up his hand so I can stick a lollipop in it after I made 4x6 prints. A couple of slits with an Exacto knife and stick in the candy! 1 cm seemed perfect for the stick. It was big enough to slide through and small enough to be snug.

He really loved the idea and helped me put stickers on the back of the lollipop so that it wouldn't slide out.

DIY Shirt with Cricut Explore

I've been on a mission to clean up my craft room. I purchased a Cricut Explore Air for my birthday back in September and I haven't been able to use it. It sat under my computer desk (in the family room) where my youngest can reach. I've tried and it's like some magical call for him to come running over and just touch everything.

I'm excited to post some photos of my craft room once i'm done. For now, I was able to make enough room for the machine to make a shirt for my son's 3rd birthday. He's 3 tomorrow. The saying "time flies..." really hits me whenever one of my kids have a birthday. You start to look back at the previous year and wonder how you got here so soon.

It was late at night and all the kids just went to bed. I didn't re plan making this. I found a white T shirt I bought (god knows when and why). I knew I had blue vinyl too so I went to work! Since i've only used it with my computer, I thought it would be a challenge to do it on my iPhone but it was sooooo easy to set up! I already created the file in Photoshop and uploaded the files to Design Space on my desktop so all I had to do was open the app and set it up and cut! LOVE LOVE LOVE! 

He always has this squinty fake smile haha!

I sent him to preschool in his new shirt. Last night, I made these little treat bags for his friends at school... I didn't want to bake so this seemed easy enough. I had to go on my lunch break to go buy the cookies from the store! I know, so last minute!

DIY Back Drop for Cake Smash

I was so excited to get a baby girl for my next cake smash. Her outfit was pink and gold so I thought I'd do something with streamers but with textures... So I added lace and pink pom pom yarn (which I purchased on clearance and knew it would come in handy!)

I used 2 different shades of pink streamers (even though the photo looks the same), lace, twine, & yarn. 

The lace was too wide so I cut that in half....

I just tied them to the twine...

Add some tissue fluff balls and balloons and you're set! Here's how I made the Smash Cake.

DIY Bunting is always an easy go-to for backdrops :)

Here's some more from the session... she's just so adorable!

DIY Floral Crown

I had a senior session coming up and I really wanted to make a floral crown. I've been wanting to make one for a long time but just haven't gotten around to it and usually a photo shoot will inspire me to actually start making it happen! I found tons of tutorials but mostly, I wanted to look at different photos to see what I liked best.

I grabbed a few things at first and ended up at Joann's for more floral stuff. Luckily all the fall items were 60% off (scored!). I already have the wires and wire cutter & floral tape. I had thicker wire to use for the base (i'm not sure how long I've had that). 

I measured my head and gave it another inch so it would fit once I place the flowers on. 

There were tips about laying your floral items out before assembling. Since I had no idea what I was doing, the photo is not everything I used.

My first attempt was a disaster. My 14 month old was with me and he was tearing up the place (I should know better) but I had to take him with me to my craft room. He keep grabbing the flowers from me. unraveling my floral wires, throwing things at me.... etc. What was suppose to be a quick project ended up being 30 minutes long and barely half way done.

When I finally had time to do it alone on the weekend, my creative juices were flowing better! I ended up making two different ones because I didn't know what my senior was wearing or if she'd even like it...

I started with my largest flower. I used floral wire to attach the flowers and then wrapped it with floral tape. 

As you can see, half way through, I just added leaves... it wasn't my original plan but I really like it this way once I was done. It was probably the best choice since the flowers were huge.

I was pretty happy with the results even though it looked huge on my head. I always thought I had a big head but I guess I don't. I was so worried but when I put it on Miss D's head, it was perfect! The best part was she like it and she looked so great in it too ;)

Success!

Another one I made using fall colors. This one wraps all the way around with flowers.

 

DIY Shirt (Name Tag)

I recently made DIY bridal tanks for my friend's bridal shower (using freezer paper). I had Vinyl that I wanted to use to make a shirt for my son. I upgraded my Cricut Expression to the Explore. I haven't used it much but I LOVE IT! It was a birthday gift to myself ... and TODAY is actually my birthday! I took the day off. Had lunch with my husband (alone for once) and unloaded a few rounds at the shooting range. After picking up our oldest, I decided it was time to start on the shirt. I saw this tutorial online recently and have been dying to make one! 

I found a name tag on Design Space for $0.99 cents. Ugh hello!?! The whole point of me purchasing the Explore was so I can upload my own images! So, I searched online and found some random one and edited it in Photoshop so that it was the right file (for where it will cut). Here's the link to it (hope it works!). 

I had my son sign his name on a white piece of paper and also made that a digital file in Photoshop. I checked out a couple of tutorials online from PHLEARN & Jack Lewis (random search) on how to make an electronic signature.

I'm so happy with how it turned out! 

I used Design Space to create the design, cut it on the Cricut Explore (mirror image option) and ironed it onto a shirt I bought from Walmart for $2.

What I used: 

T-Shirt
Iron On Vinyl
Iron
Cricut Explore

What I did:

So... Once I got the files (signature and name tag) onto my computer, I uploaded it to Design Space. I followed the instructions on the vinyl...

Create design in Design Space. Mine was about 4x7 inches. His shirt is boy's 6-7. 

What I didn't know (only used this twice) is that you have to choose the "cut" option which is the scissors icon. When I uploaded the files, it was on print as default.

The liner (shiny) side is placed down on the Cricut mat. Set the Explore to Vinyl (love this option!). When cutting iron on vinyl, you need to check the "mirror image" option so it's the right side when you iron it on. 

Then you "weed" out any white parts you don't want to iron. 

Place vinyl side down on the shirt (shiny side/liner on top). 

Set iron to Linen/Cotton and turn OFF steam. 

Use another fabric between the vinyl and iron. Press for 25-30 seconds and turn around and do the same on the back.

Peel off the liner.

I'm still learning how to use this but I have no doubt that I will LOVE it.

I don't know why I still expect him to "stay still" when I ask HAHA

Looking at me through his binoculars.

He said he was a monkey... I'm not convinced.