Social Distancing, Creating With Friends and My Cricut

In this time of "social distancing" when so many are learning to adapt, what have you been doing in life? 
Do you find yourself quite comfortable being home more? For those who view their home as a comfort and a haven perhaps you like me are swimming in new ideas, whether it be thinking about what I will do when I am able to get out more or in ideas for my next NEW endeavor. I confess, I am a creative junkie. Even when I'm not creating I am looking for new ideas... yes I am a Youtube and Pinterest junkie. I am fortunate to have sweet friends who are always on the lookout for  opportunities to help me in my addiction to create, ha-ha!.

A while back I updated my old Cricut  which I hardly used to a Cricut Explore Air 2 since these sweet friends bought an extra at a warehouse sale (in case I wanted it ;) 

Chip checks out our Italian Soda Bar

The first project I used it for was to help decorate my house when I hosted a WHITE ELEPHANT party after Christmas. Thank you Diane for all the help you gave in cutting the darling little Elephant banner (sorry I don't seem to have a pic) and the signage for my Italian Soda Bar. They turned out soooo cute! 


I have been determined to learn how to use  the functions in Cricut Design Space and the settings on the Cricut so I will get better use out of the machine. Lucky for me I have some awesome friends (thank you Diane and Jennifer (you don't know me but yes we're friends ;) I have shared so much time with you both. Because of you and many other youtube friends I already have a very long list of items I want to create and with that in mind I really need to know how to best use this machine!
Here is a part of my list:
  1. HTV some shirts for my grandkiddos (Fiona loves Hamilton The Musical, Luke is so-ooo into gaming), the littles anything Peppa Pig and the older ones I'm still thinking. 
  2. A vinyl decal for our wall, a gift for DH, sh-hhhh!
  3. A fun No Solicitors sign for my DIL...any suggestions for a quote?
  4. A pantry project, labels.
  5. A vinyl quote for my craft space wall.
  6. Family Name signs for extended family...a cool Christmas gift! 
The list is much longer but it becomes like making resolutions in the New Year so let's just stop there ;)

Since my larger goal right now is to learn how to use  the functions in Cricut Design Space and the settings on the Cricut I have been in Youtube classroom mode. I have found Jennifer Maker to be so helpful, if you read this a huge THANK YOU to you! 
Here is some of what I have learned and practiced so far...
  • How to ATTACH things and why I might need to. (Score lines need to be attached to the project you are scoring or it simply won't score on the project ;)
  •  I found that the GROUP/UNGROUP feature is great when editing text to keep it all together.
  • I found out the importance of WELD after I cut out my Soda Bar letters.The script letters each cut separately,ok WELD before cutting.
  • I've played with the SLICE feature and have a project saved in Cricut Design Space.  I learned that Slice only does two layers so if there are more, simplify by FLATTENING...AND once FLATTENED and saved you cannot reverse. 
  • I learned the difference between an IMAGE and PATTERN and how to use PATTERNS. 
  • SVG defined and how to make my own...this is definitely ongoing. 
I've got many more things to learn and I am finding that the best way for me to learn is watch something visual then then do what I watched. All in all, the "shelter at home" directive has certainly created opportunity for me to get familiar with my machine although my counter and kitchen table have been much more cluttered <sigh>...sacrafices have to be made ha-ha!

Have you a favorite Youtuber or Facebook Group for interacting and learning? If so please share in the comments! 


On Being RESILIENT