Diaper Bag Baby Shower Favors

I made these for my daughter-in-law's baby shower using New Arrival cartridge. Diaper Bags were cut at 4 inches using the shadow feature for the black paper and normal for the pink. A 2 inch rattle using the shadow feature for the white and normal for the top layer. The top layer of the rattle was embossed with Pinky Pink embossing powder and was topped off with Yummy for Your Tummy Stampin Up stamp.

Cutting Vinyl

Cutting Vinyl - Do not remove the paper backing from the adhesive side of the vinyl. Position the vinyl (paper backing side) on the mat. Smooth out the vinyl with your fingers, especially at the edges. Load the mat with the vinyl on it into you Cricut. Set your blade at 3 and the pressure dial to 2. You only want to cut the vinyl but not the backer. If you cut the backing it will be harder to tear the backing off. If your settings are correct, the blade will have cut through the vinyl but not the paper backing. Try a test on a small piece before inserting your vinyl. Program your Cricut with the pattern or letters you want to cut and press "Cut." Once the blade has finished cutting you can now unload the paper and peel up the leftover piece of vinyl from the mat leaving only your design. Press a piece of clear contact paper onto the design. Using either your finger or a bone folder smooth the contact paper to the vinyl and try to get out the bubbles that form and peel away the backer. Only the vinyl will be stuck to the contact paper. Press the contact paper to the wall mirror or anything flat. Rub your fingernail over the vinyl and peel back the contact paper carefully. Smooth out those bubbles and there you have it, a vinyl transfer!

Paper Tearing

Paper Tearing - A few things to check. Pressure: If you are using a heavy weight paper set the pressure dial to high. If you're using a thinner paper set the pressure dial lower. Speed: should be slower for more elaborate designs. Mat: always make sure your mat is clean and sticky. Blade: If you are using a heavy weight paper set the blade on 6 and lower for thinner paper. When you get the right settings for the paper you are using make a note of it (I keep a diary of tips in a small book so I can refer to it easily.

Using Cricut Markers

Using Cricut Markers - Most people think the markers are for shading or coloring in their cut. They are used for outlining or shading images. To use your markers: Set the speed dial at 3 and the pressure dial at 2. If you are looking for a thicker or more bold outline you can always set the pressure dial at a higher number (the higher the number the thicker or bolder the outline will be. Select an image and depress the “cut” button. When your marker is finished drawing and you would like to cut the image, carefully remove the marker (I place a piece of paper under the marker) so it doesn't make a mark on the paper and carefully reinstall the cutting blade. Depress the "Load Paper, Repeat Last and Cut" buttons and the image you just drew with the marker will now be cut out. Your cut out image should now be outlined by the marker color.