5 Reasons I Love my Cricut Explore

The holidays are coming up and I've never felt more crafty!  I have the ultimate tool sitting right under my desk and it's pretty versatile - the Cricut Explore.  You have seen my posts on using the Cricut's Print then Cut feature to create planner stickers (here, here & here) but there are thousands (upon thousands) of other projects you can do with it.  My current favorite is the easy of use to design my own tabs/divider styles through design space!  Cutting them out from my favorite scrapbook paper with the machine is much easier than doing it by hand.

this post contains affiliate links, please see my full disclosure here.
image used from Circut.com

If you need some more reasons to pick up the Cricut Explore (or the Cricut Explore Air) besides the fact that they are on sale right now keep on reading:

Easy to use

Above all the Cricut Explore and the Cricut Design Space are both easy to use.  You can pick up on how to use and design with Design Space extremely easily.  If you've even used another one of my favorite tools PicMonkey, you'll be able to catch on super quick.  The features are easy to use, you have access to all your downloaded fonts, you're able to change colors quickly, and you can use your own clipart to design.  Creating your own shapes - like planner dividers - is super easy with the weld button.  

Apps + Bluetooth

If you have the Cricut Explore you can purchase a bluetooth adapter to communicate with either your computer or your iPad.  How cool is that?  If you're using this post to convince you that you should buy this thing, if you pick up the Explore Air you get the bluetooth feature included!  Download the app for your iPhone or iPad and design on the go.  You know, after you've eaten all your Thanksgiving turkey you can curl up on the couch and design some Christmas presents before you slip in to a post-feast coma.

Like a Million Cartridges

If you're familiar with the word clip art let me introduce you to the cartridge.  The clip art used in design space corresponds with the cartridges offered by the company.  Think of the cartridge as clipart.  Now that we've got that out of the way - there like a bagillion cartridges.  Each set has corresponding elements to create cohesive designs.  There are even some cartridges with corresponding fonts.  Create to your hearts content.

Smart Set Dial

Not only is there a dial on the side of the machine to take the guess work out of blade depth, but under the custom settings there are so much more!  You can even manage your custom materials to set names for common depths you use for your own materials.  Not to mention you can cut things like leather and balsa wood and then easily set the dial to delicately kiss cut vinyl.

Cut, Write, and Score

Not only is this machine like a one stop cutting shop - but it also writes and scores!  The Cricut Explore (and the Cricut Explore Air) have two different heads - one for the blade and one that you can interchange with either a writing tool or a score tool.  All in one awesomeness!  Write, cut, score, fold, bam you're DONE!

If you're down for a new crafty gadget to add to your creative arsenal, I've got some great news!  Currently the Cricut Explore Air and various Cricut Explore Air Bundles/Starter Kits are on sale through the Cricut website!  Hooray!!!!  Or you could alway suggest the sale price to Santa, I'm sure he'd hear you loud an clear. 

You can also get FREE shipping on your orders using the code FREESHIPNOV (I'm not sure how long the code is good for...so go use it!)

Is there one crafty gadget you are excited about?  Do you have any crafty gadgets on your Christmas lists?

xoxo, Moe

Current Favorite Higher End Crafty Gadgets

If there is one thing I've loved longer than makeup and planners it is craft supplies.  One of my favorite traits about myself is my creativity.  I love that if I have an idea I can execute it - for the most part.  Being able to create anything under the sun means having an amazingly stocked craft room/area.  Honestly, I feel so thankful to be able to have the fun gadgets I have to make nearly anything possible.  I've shared my favorite paper crafting supplies in this post, and I've also shared my favorite craft supplies in this post, but now I want to share my current favorite higher end crafty gadgets.  Some of these could be considered middle end (which makes no sense, I know) rather than high end but if you're an average crafter I feel like these are things you save up for or ask Santa for and don't really pop into a Hobby Lobby and throw money everywhere.

I've been in love with these gadgets since I got them and find them so, so helpful for many different things!

Cricut Explore

I found my Explore on sale at Menard's (a hardware store) of all places.  It was severely discounted and I just snatched it up.  Since owning it I've used it to make stickers, planner dividers, & scrapbooking embellishments.  I'm looking forward to trying to make some vinyl decals and seeing what I can cut with it.  There are tons of free shapes and cartridges to create super simple projects.   There is even a monthly or yearly subscription service so you don't have to buy a zillion cartridges all at once. The Design Space is easy to learn (reminds me of using PicMonkey) and the creation process is really simple.  The Cricut software also has a print then cut feature as well.  I would have never been able to create kiss cut stickers if it weren't for this machine.  I also wouldn't have been able to create small embellishments in various shapes with out a million punches if it wasn't for my Cricut.  The precision cutting is amazing as well - no more uneven planner dividers!

We R Memory Keepers the Cinch

I recently created my own planner using the Cinch and my Cricut Explore.  I never would have been able to bind a little journal like that with out this little contraption.  I was super intimidated by this little machine and just stared at it for a long while.  Turns out it is super easy.  If you're looking to create any sort of memory book or notebook.  It is perfect if you need to make a little notebook in a pinch - like for a gift or something.  But you can also take your time and make a super detailed scrapbook.  It can also double as an A5 size hole punch to punch pages for your planners!  I like it because I can make notebooks super fast.  I'm going to try to make some little notebooks out of Project Life cards as little gifts this year for Xmas.  You can also create a junk journal of sorts and punch in your pictures to create a flip book.

Sewing Machine

I. Love. My. Sewing. Machine.  I don't even do a 10th of the things it is capable of but it is so inspiring to just feel like creating something out of fabric and then being able to.  If I want to sit down and sew something I can...and fast.  Hand sewing would make me get super bored of the project I was working on.  I find that I get bored with a project if I can't see it develop quickly enough.  I've loved using my sewing machine to make a few aprons, my fauxdori, some garb for the SCA, and just general sewing two pieces of fabric together.

Crop a dile Big Bite

This is one of those things where you can justify not picking it up every time you see it in the craft store.  I finally picked one up to set eyelets and punch holes in my fauxdori.  I now think it will be super handy when I want to set eyelets in other crafts - maybe scrapbooking? Who knows?  I haven't really found assorted uses for it yet, but I'm sure I will!

These are my 4 current favorite higher end crafty tools.  Now I can make all the things!

What are your favorite crafty gadgets?  Anything I should try out?

xoxo, Moe

Things I Want to Make // My To-Sew List

I think the best part of our house is the blending of Zach & I together that I see around the whole place.  We share a desk area, we share a workshop space (what will be my ceramics studio & his woodworking area) in the garage, and you know those other parts of the house couples share.  There's a third little work area though that will be all my own - my sewing table.

I'm super excited to find the perfect little table to sit under the window in the spare bedroom - I may have found the best one at Big Lots but we'll see.  I'll also use this room - because the light is so lovely - to photograph our vintage stuff, but for now I'm just day dreaming of my to-sew list.

You may think I want to take on a giant project like a quilt or a dress or something but no.....I like to keep it simple!  Just a few little things & just a few little stitches.  If I tackled a quilt it would never get done....too much work!  I'm a quick fix kinda gal!

a maxi skirt or two - I feel I may need a few in a few colors.  Maybe a few in jersey knit & maybe a few in a different fabric.

more aprons - I used to sew aprons right after I got my sewing machine at the end of college.  I made one for a friend, one for me, & had plans for some for the shop but only ever got one totally finished.  I really want to dedicate a weekend to busting out 5 or 10 & get them in the Five One Six shop.

hem the living room curtains - the one on the door is a bit too long...so it needs to be taken up more than a couple of inches.

sewing placemat keep all thingy - I want to make a little placemat type of thingy that also has some pockets that hang off the side of the table to hold bits of stuff.  My original reasoning behind this was because I was planning on remaking a TV tray as a tiny sewing desk.  But now I think I'm going bigger for my table...we shall see.

pretty sewing machine cover - right now my little sewing machine lives in her carrying case which has protected her from the move but when she's on display I don't want her to get all dusty so a little cover is in order.

a skirt for my table - Because I really like this pin!

nice curtains for the kitchen - I need some sort of curtain combo that will look good over the sink & on the window of the deck door.  This house has too many doors & too many windows!  Too many windows is a good thing though.

a little ironing board cover - my original sewing desk idea was inspired by this pin.  My sewing desk would do double duty as an ironing board.  But what about ironing & sewing?!?!  This ironing board TV tray can slip behind the table or hide somewhere else or be extra space.  Love it!

Right now bits & pieces of my sewing collection are around the house but slowly they are making it into one place and then slowly getting into the spare room.  I can't wait to have a few little projects going on.  I just can't sit still & it's apparent if I need three work areas!!

Do you sew? What projects do you want to work on?  Are you like me & need a million work areas? Am I just crazy?!

xoxo, Moe

Connect on Twitter // Follow on Pinterest // Peep me at Hello Cotton

Dorm Dec Wednesdays: Creating a Space of your Own

I'd really like to be able to keep my room separate from my craft/making area but don't have room in my small apartment to do so.  Right now my room mate & I have both of our sewing machines crammed onto our dinning table under the only over head light in our apartment.  It gets cramped when she's trying to cut & I am trying to sew & vice versa.  There's no place to iron, no place to cut out patterns, etc.  We are both novice seamstresses, have two very different machines, & are doing very different things.

I recently found this adorable blog, Apple Blue where Amanda has created her own little sewing space with an old bookshelf, curtain, & type case.  So awesome!

and also take a look at her chairs:

aren't they perfect?

I definitely don't have room for this in our little apartment, but it's nice to dream.  I am hoping to have a loft bed in my new apartment & have space to create below. 

Do you have a separate space to work?  

PS. Don't forget to check out the link parties in the Side Bar or click here!

Dorm Dec Wednesdays: Tin Can Organization

I love the idea of stacking to take up less space.  In a small apartment, things need to go as high as they can.  I found this cute idea for a craft room, but it would be perfect for any other room in the house:

source

I'd make a dozen & here's how I'll use them:

• In the Kitchen - organize your tall & short spice containers.  Put fruits & nuts in it as well.  We always have nuts like walnuts around in the winter time.  Even granola bars & wrapped pastries would look much better here than in their boxes.
• In the Bathroom - put your make up in different tiers according to what they are, put wash clothes & soaps with in easy reach for guests, add in your toothbrush too!
• In the Bedroom - make a two tiered one for your glasses, change & random jewelry on your nightstand.  Create one for your beau for his watch, lose change & other pocket what-nots.  It would be great for ties if he doesn't have a lot!
• In the Studio - Store bits & bobs like shown in the picture.
• In the Office - store paper clips, pens, note pads, etc. Since its magnetic you can post notes to it for reminders.
• In the Living Room - use it to display decorative accents like the yarn in the picture or store small games like cards or Bananagrams!

These are just someways to translate this craft room decor to every day decor.

Visit the original post here on Better Homes & Gardens.  It calls for a jigsaw & pipes, etc but I think you could do it the same way you would make a cake stand.  Grab some candle sticks while you pick up your tins from the thrift store & some E6000 from the craft store.  Center & glue.   

PS. Don't forget to check out the link parties in the Side Bar or click here!

Dorm Dec Wednesdays: Outstanding Organization & Do-able DIY

First off, I have to say I love stumble upon.  I can find so many unique things that I wouldn't know how to search for myself!  I was stumbling through some blogs today & found some inspiring photos of studios & organization.  Since I am very sure my studio/corner devoted to a bunch of my things will fall inside of my room in an apartment shared with my friend, organization will be key!

Here's some of the inspiring images:

original website: Nest Pretty Things

There will be lots of storage like this.  I love the brightly colored boxes

original from: Anita

And lots of things on a desk like this.  

I already know I am going to be needing some stackable drawers.  

Original from: Heather Bailey

I threw this one in because that chair is gorgeous.

I also have to say that I found these photos at Home-Designing but the links lead directly to blogs & websites, but not  the actual posts.  So I am trying to give the best credit I can.  

In the spirit of these awesome studios I've also found a great organization DIY: Storage Boxes.  I mean, full on DIY storage boxes made of sweat, tears, & cardboard.  Oh & some glue & cute paper.

photo credit: Make it and Love it

This is perfect for storing sheets in a closet buy making the dimensions a bit longer, for storing toys in a playroom, for storing electronics & cords in your den, for storing towels in your bathroom, or stick these on top of your upper cabinets to store other what not that may be in your kitchen.

take this

to this

to these!

photos from Make it & Love it

All you need is extra cardboard, hot glue & glue gun, spare fabric, & some mod podge & you have yourself some home grown storage boxes.  Definitely check out Make it and Love it's blog & the tutorial.  I'm so glad I discovered it.

Hope you're ready for New Years Festivities! Lets ring it in!

PS. Don't forget to check out the link parties in the Side Bar or click here!