EDITED 4/19 - MY LUCKY WINNER IS LYNDA P! Thanks for all the kind comments!!
Hey everybody! How are you doing? How was your Easter? We had a super mellow day at home (of course) and watched tv and crafted most of the day. I made a spaghetti dinner! What a weird Easter - one we will remember. I was so sad not to be able to go to church and sing and see the beautiful flowers and all the cute kids in their nice outfits. Easter's my favorite holiday and this one just passed on by with no fanfare. Next year for sure will be so special! I hope you're doing well at your house and keeping busy and staying healthy.
I have something REALLY fun to show you today! A new toy in my craft room - A Cricut Joy Machine! YEAH! The amazingly generous folks at Cricut sent me an awesome package full of goodies to try out, experiment, review and share with my followers. These items were a gift to me as a blogger, and my opinions are all my own. This is the newest machine in the Cricut lineup and it's smaller and easy to tote around with you. And, as I discovered, so easy to use, and perfect for my crafting needs!
Overall my impression is a ten out of ten! I am not a 'technology' crafter. I admire all the gorgeous things people create with their machines. But I am more of a hands on crafter/creator. That being said, the new Joy machine is the right fit for my craft room. I can use it with my phone (more on that below), It's small and easy to store and use, it's cute :-), there are so many materials: vinyl, paper, labels, iron ons, and I can make everything that I want to make! CLICK HERE to see the entire Joy collection! Here is my set up all displayed on my craft cart...
It's so fun! And check out that awesome carrying case! Perfect for bringing to a crop or to a friend's house. In the photo you can see the machine, the carrying case, the tool set, pens, vinyl, cards and cutting mats. For us card makers, there is a specific mat that helps you cut out card fronts - genius!
Cutting mats and cards!
When you first unbox the Cricut Joy you will see the machine, the power cords, and an envelope with instructions and test papers! Literally, you just plug it in! The blade is already inserted and ready to rock and roll.
To get started I downloaded the Cricut Design App onto my iPhone! So easy. The app is very intuitive to use and I was making cuts in less than five minutes. Inside the welcome envelope there is a sheet of vinyl and a sheet of paper for you to practice on. You design your project and the app walks you through the cutting process. I was worried that this part would be hard - but it was not!! Inside the app there are all kinds of graphics and designs. You can buy a membership to access all of the graphics or you can buy one at a time. Also, there are plenty of free svg files on the web for us to access.
This was my first project on some grey metallic vinyl! SO beautiful! Each graphic can be sized up or down to the correct size for your project. LOVE it!
Up next I wanted to cut a butterfly out of the enclosed paper... Again, less than five minutes, and I'm cutting out a beautiful butterfly! Here is another photo of the design app. There is a grid and you pinch/zoom to make the image bigger or smaller. You then choose your material and cut!
Beautiful!
And here it is! You use the tools to 'pick' out the small details in the cuts and reveal the image. So intricate and yet perfect on the first try. I was truly impressed and excited to make this. I've been intimidated by this whole process and it could not have been better.
Next I cut out some letters in permanent vinyl and put the word 'create' onto my stamping mat! Looks fun! I feel like now I'm going to customize all the things in my room!! Yeah!
Next up - I made a card! Here is the card mat with the card front tucked inside the top layer. The card packs come with cards, inserts (cool unicorn insert here) and envelopes. Really simple to create multiple cards.
One cut and there you have a pretty birthday card! Voila! Tuck that pretty shimmery paper inside and you're done. Boom.
Now I had some confidence going in using my machine so I made my favorite project of them all! Customized drink tumblers!! I had ordered these tumblers on Amazon for this purpose while I was waiting for my Cricut Joy to arrive. I found a cool graphic and cut it out with the Permanent White Vinyl. For this project you will use Transfer tape to remove the vinyl from the backing, lift it, and transfer it to the tumbler. I LOVE THIS! I have always wanted to be able to make stuff like this. There's not stopping me now! It says Coffee Craft & Repeat! I made a pink one and a blue one.
I cut another butterfly from vinyl and put it onto the front of a yellow metal tin.
For Valentine's Day my husband bought me a Cricut EasyPress Mini to make iron on projects! (I also use it for my cross stitching projects) Now I can use my Joy and the iron on transfer materials to do iron ons. Stay tuned for those projects to come. Yeah!
Here are my cool tumblers!! Like seriously, how fun is this???
In this photo you'll notice that there are marker pens! The markers fit into the slot in lieu of the blade and you use them to write onto your projects. Fun and perfect to use with the label maker materials or to write on your card projects. I didn't try this out yet, but I can't wait to! Also, notice on the packaging, everything says Cricut Joy so you can't make a mistake and buy the wrong materials! Love.
I want to take a minute to share the things I love about my new Cricut Joy! I feel like now I have the creative tools to make customized things like cups, mugs, t-shirts (iron on materials), labels, and cards without it being a big undertaking. I can pop the machine out of the case, plug it in, and create. I like that I can design on my phone via the app and save projects for later. So if I'm sitting in line, or in the car, I can create a project and save it for when I get home and then cut! (It works via bluetooth connection). I love all the different materials. The Cricut Joy has specifically made materials that you just feed into the machine without a mat. Wow. That's cool. No way to mess it up! I am super impressed with my Joy machine. I would definitely recommend it for card makers and crafters or all types. So far I do not see any negatives - All of the projects I've shown here in my post were the first cut, first time trying it out.
As a fun treat for this post, I thought I would give away the pink tumbler I made! So one lucky winner will receive this Coffee Craft & Repeat cup for your craft room! To enter to win, please leave a comment on this post with an idea I should try with my new Cricut Joy - or an idea that you've already tried with your Cricut!! Enter before 4/18/20 at midnight PST. I will draw one random winner and email that winner next week. Good luck!
Thanks for coming by today and sharing in my excitement about my new tools! CLICK HERE to see all the Joy products! I would suggest if you're interested to buy it directly from the Cricut site. They have everything in stock (some things are already hard to find other places) and super fast shipping. The price is the same everywhere right now also. And, as I'm typing this, there is free shipping!
CLICK HERE or on the graphic below to see the supplies I used today to create my projects! (Affiliate links used). I will be back soon with a fun card with supplies from The Greetery! Take good care! XOXO
Wanda, I’m very impressed with your review! Looks like the uses are endless. Besides cute baby onesies and tee-shirts for any age, tote bags would be cute, too. I’d love initials for my iPhone case. You could label everything from your craft room to your pantry and hubby’s garage. Enjoy and thanks for sharing this detailed post.
Posted by: Kathy Mc | 04/17/2020 at 08:15 AM
Enjoyed your review; years and years ago I was all about Cricut and a member of the Cricut Circle Club and all that, but ended up being quite unhappy with Provocraft and vowed never again on their products, but you are one of my fav bloggers and if you like it, then perhaps I should reconsider! It sounds like it might be really fun to have and use. TFS!
Posted by: Sam Burnett | 04/15/2020 at 10:48 AM
Being stuck inside right now, perhaps some window decals to brighten your neighbors day? I own 3 Cricut machine, but I LOVE the size of that one!
Posted by: Bethany Hardy | 04/15/2020 at 07:46 AM
Darling tumbler! I'm one of the last getting new "big" items and then wonder what took me so long. How about making stencils?
Posted by: Vikki H | 04/15/2020 at 07:18 AM
What a brilliant little machine. My son have a big one but I'm not allowed to use it....hihi
Love the pink cup and can't wait to see what else you make. Wonder if it can do Cork ? for letters etc.
Stay safe and hopefully the spring has arrived with it's beauty in bloom and birds singing and the sunshine to make us feel better in your parts of the world too x
Posted by: Maria Alder | 04/15/2020 at 04:40 AM
So excited. Just bought the Joy and love it. Love your cups. I’ve labelled my double insulated cup and made labels as well.
Posted by: Jean Barber | 04/15/2020 at 12:08 AM
This is AWESOME!! And my suggestion you already did: the tumblers!!! I love when I see personalized tumblers. Love them!! Can’t wait to see what else you come up with! Thank you!!
Posted by: Alessandra Loiacono | 04/14/2020 at 07:08 PM
Your cups are darling. I've never owned a Cricut nor have really never seen one work in real life. I love the look of the lettering that you've done. I'd like to see you do some more card applications. Thanks for the chance to win.
Posted by: Mutzy Mia | 04/14/2020 at 05:57 PM
I also got a joy and love it! I love the way it makes cards. I would like to see all the things that you can do with vinyl!
Posted by: Debbie M | 04/14/2020 at 05:45 PM
So much fun!!, love all these projects, they’re so cool! The butterflies and coffee cups turned out fantastic!!
Posted by: Jamie | 04/14/2020 at 01:35 PM
Wanda, so many darling ideas! I have wondered about this machine. Thank you for sharing! How about some cute iron on’s for a kitty tee or on a mask for you?
Posted by: Jules | 04/14/2020 at 12:58 PM
Cutest cup ever ~ perfect for SUMMERTIME! I would use it when I go to my new favorite place to eat ~ The Backyardo, my own backyard LOL. I like to label things, so this cutter you are using would take labeling EVERYTHING to new heights! Take good care :-)
~Karen
Posted by: Karen Burns | 04/14/2020 at 12:18 PM
WOW.. what an amazing little machine! The possibilities are endless. I would like to see kitchen decals. I need ideas!
Thank you for the chance to win such a cute tumbler!
Stay safe!
Posted by: Martha H. | 04/14/2020 at 11:56 AM
How fun. I would like to see a tote bag and labels for kitchen and craft room.
Posted by: Sue D | 04/14/2020 at 11:43 AM
Oh my gosh -- that pink cup is the CUTEST thing ever! I think you should make everyone on your Christmas gift list a cup in their favorite color (and with words that apply to them). Happy to see that the new Cricut is easy to use -- maybe I'll get adventuresome! Great post, as always.
Posted by: Barbara Beutnagel | 04/14/2020 at 11:13 AM
Cute projects, Wanda and your instructions are so clear. I’ll bet you could make some stencils or masks. 😁
Posted by: Shelley | 04/14/2020 at 10:43 AM
Good morning- this machine is the cutest and the color!!! So pretty! Can’t wait to see what else you make!!! I’m thinking a sign for your desk that you share with LUCKY! Like “Lucky’s side” lol. Thanks for sharing!
dmdevout (IG)
Posted by: Lynda Paredes | 04/14/2020 at 10:31 AM
How fun is this? I still have my original Cricut purchased when I retired (2008) I also have about 20 project packs. Although I only get it out for my granddaughters it is still cool to watch it cut. This little beauty is pretty awesome! I think you should cut out the shapes of all your crafts. Crochet, cross stitch,etc. I know the containers probably are labeled but you could add some pretty decals to them also. A ball of yarn in all your favorite colors! You go girl, I know it will be as awesome as those super cool cups...
Posted by: Anne Sturgeon | 04/14/2020 at 08:59 AM
How about making different size butterfly’s in vinyl and place them on a window or car window? Your cups are cute!
Posted by: Rosa M. Vasquez | 04/14/2020 at 08:13 AM
Your projects with the Cricut Joy are so cute. Thanks for sharing your learning process. It doesn't look as difficult as I thought it would be. Maybe you could create a cute summer themed banner for your craft room or a custom shirt to commemorate our quarantine time. Take care and stay healthy!
Posted by: Amy Cooley | 04/14/2020 at 06:18 AM
You did a great job on the cups- they're pretty & fun! I still have an old cricut that I never use. It became too challenging for me, but this one looks much easier. I love cutting out the letters, you could customize font & size for cards, scrapbooking etc. Good job Wanda!
Posted by: Donna M. | 04/14/2020 at 05:25 AM