Tools of the Trade - Part 1

I use several machines for my creations and I would like to introduce you to them.

The first one I’m going to show is you is my Cricut machine. The Cricut cuts a range of different materials and is so versatile. I use mine to make several of my creations like my chalkboards and glass Christmas decorations.

The Cricut is programmed from your computer or tablet using the online software called Cricut Design Space. You can download projects from Cricut’s vast library, upload your own images or you can even draw some more basic images with the basic shapes tab. The Cricut will cut 100 different materials including paper, card, vinyl and even cork and bonded fabrics.

I have the Cricut Explore which is actually now quite old! There have been a couple of newer models since I bought mine and the new Cricut Maker looks amazing, with a greater range of materials that it can cut as well as being faster and having more power to cut. I love my Cricut Explore though and I have never struggled to make anything with it. What I love the most about the Cricut machine is the flexibility of being able to design my own projects and upload them. I have made some lovely artwork for gifts, greetings cards for family as well as some fancy dress masks for a party we went to once! Of course, you don’t need a Cricut machine to produce a lot of these projects, you could cut out by hand or if you have a die cutting machine, that would work too. You just can’t beat the accuracy of the Cricut machine, especially if you are planning to make a project more than once.

What experience do you have with your Cricut machine? What do you like to make with yours? Please comment below, I would love to hear from you!

For those of you with Cricut machines, I am working on a little project for a St Patrick’s Day make, which I will post later in the week! Watch this space!