Cricut Maker 3 bundle giveaway

This week we are giving away a Cricut Maker 3 bundle over at Cricut Explore, Maker and More Facebook group. One lucky group member will win a Maker 3 bundle of their choice. (MRSP up to $678.87 USD).

It's easy to enter. Just post a new project that you haven't posted in our group before that uses only Cricut images and fonts. 

Open to group members in the US and Canada (except Quebec) only. 

You'll find all the entry details here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/CricutExploreAndMore/posts/3360238117566238

Happy crafting!  ♥

Cricut Design Space updates

December and January saw some updates to Design Space for Desktop.

December's update (v7.23) included a new way that you work with fonts as well as an expansion to Collections. 

You'll find my overview of those changes here: 

You'll find the full release notes for this update here: https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/10630260699927-NEW-Release-Notes-2022-12-12

 
Today's update (v7.25) fixed the problem of small images being difficult to be selected due to the bounding box handles getting in the way. 

This update makes it easier to move small images/text around the canvas by turning off the bounding boxes when they are so close that they would touch. When the bounding boxes are visible on small images/text it makes it difficult to hit that sweet spot in the middle of the image and it's resized or rotated in error.

Without the bounding boxes the tiny images are easy to select and move around your canvas. Turning the bounding boxes back on is as easy as clicking the zoom in button at the bottom of the canvas.

You will see a message at the bottom of your canvas the first three times you make an image small enough to remove the bounding boxes. After that you'll no longer see that message.

You'll find the complete release notes for this update here:  https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/11470916934039-NEW-Release-Notes-2023-01-17

Happy crafting!  ♥

Cricut product launch - 2x2 Card mat and new card sizes

Those of you with the Cricut Joy will be familiar with the Cricut Card mat. Since that was launched Cricut were inundated with requests for a similar product for the Explore and Maker range of machines.

Cricut listened and today have launched the 2x2 Cricut Card mat!

(For those of you who purchased one from a retail store earlier than they were supposed to be sold - functionality to use the new mats will be added to Design Space later today!)

(This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. This is at no extra cost to you.)

You can now multiply your card making by cutting up to four cards at once! You can purchase the new mats here.

2x2 card mat pack of one: Currently unavailable @ 30/6/22

2x2 card mat pack of five: https://cricut.pxf.io/AoVgRa

Don't forget to use my promo code CEMM22 to save 10% on materials/accessories purchases over $50.

Along with the new 2x2 card mat Cricut have also launched a new range of card sizes in both Insert Cards and Cutaway cards. They have created a new sizing system (R = rectangle S = square) and now have 5 sizes for you to choose from:

R10 - 3.5 in x 4.9 in (8.9 cm x 12.4 cm)

R20 - 4.25 in x 5.5 in (10.8 cm x 14 cm)

R30 - 4.5 in x 6.25 in (11.4 cm x 15.9 cm)

R40 - 4.75 in x 6.6 in (12.1 cm x 16.8 cm)

S40 - 4.75 in x 4.75 in (12.1 cm x 12.1 cm)

Along with new card sizes they have also added new pack sizes. Now you can purchase some of their most popular cards in packs of up to 42 cards! Here's just a sample of the new packs.

You can see the new range of cards here:

Cutaway cards: https://cricut.pxf.io/0J7GRN

Insert cards: https://cricut.pxf.io/ORQYyP

Stay tuned for lots more info on the new 2x2 card mat. If you have any questions - feel free to head over to my Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/CricutExploreAndMore and ask in the comments on my post there. I'll be happy to help!!

Happy crafting!  ♥

Cricut Hat Press and Cricut EasyPress 3

Have you seen the new heat presses that have just been released at Cricut.com?? 

Available today are the Hat press and the EasyPress 3 - 9x9" and 12x10". (12x10" is currently showing out of stock but should be available soon!)

Don't forget to also check out the bundles!

(This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. This is at no extra cost to you.)

US SHOP: 

Hat Press: https://cricut.pxf.io/e4MeVQ - $149.99

EasyPress 3 (9x9): https://cricut.pxf.io/15Lyqz $199.99

EasyPress 3 (12x10): https://cricut.pxf.io/Zd1L9z $249.99

Strong heat resistant tape: https://cricut.pxf.io/0J7yLN

Trucker Hats: https://cricut.pxf.io/6b9nrm

Ball Cap (packs of 3 or 12): https://cricut.pxf.io/RyjZvv

CA SHOP:

Hat Press: https://cricut.pxf.io/GjBOz2 - $199.99

EasyPress 3 (9x9): https://cricut.pxf.io/Jr0OEv $279.99

EasyPress 3(12x10): https://cricut.pxf.io/gbKqZX $349.99

Strong Heat resistant tape: https://cricut.pxf.io/EaXOoD

Trucker Hats: https://cricut.pxf.io/2rqyxA

Ball cap (Packs of 3 or 12): https://cricut.pxf.io/vn3QRL

Hope to have a video up by tomorrow - if it ever finishes uploading from my phone!!

Happy crafting!  ♥

Cricut Joy Cutaway Cards

Cricut Joy owners or those thinking of purchasing one... 

Cricut have just launched a new way for you to create cards with Cricut Joy Cutaway Cards.

(This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. This is at no extra cost to you.)

I have a video here showing how to use them: 

Here's some more info from the Cricut blog: 
Introducing Cutaway Cards for Cricut Joy

You'll find the five currently available packs here with more to come: cricut.pxf.io/0J7GRN

Thinking it's time to buy a Cricut Joy? You can get one here: https://cricut.pxf.io/yR3jdG

Don't forget to use my Cricut Promo code CEMM22 to save 10% on materials and supplies purchases over $50. Cricut Access discounts also apply! 

Happy crafting!  ♥

Brights Mystery Box including a Sunflower Cricut Cutie

It's Mystery Box time!! Look away if you like surprises. 

This box is exclusive to Cricut Access members in the USA and Canada and includes a Cricut Cutie!

(This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. This is at no extra cost to you.)

You can purchase your Mystery Box for $59.99 here: 

US shop here: SOLD OUT

CA shop here: SOLD OUT

Not a Cricut Access member? You can purchase Access first then save 10 - 20% off your Mystery Box.

Cricut Access USA store: https://cricut.pxf.io/LPqOv0

Cricut Access Canada store: https://cricut.pxf.io/x93rxy

Here's what's in the box:

🔸 Fine Point Pen Set - Sorbet

🔸 Cardstock Sampler - Sensei 12x12 (24 sheets)

🔸 Everyday Iron-On Sampler, Neon Glowsticks 12x12 (3 sheets)

🔸 Glitter Cardstock Sampler - Pastels 12x12 (10 sheets)

🔸 Infusible Ink - Bright Bow Fairytale

🔸 True Brushed Vinyl Sampler - Brights - Perm. Matte 12x24 (3 sheets)

🔸 Weeding Tool Set Holographic Iron On - Sorbet Sampler

🔸 Cutie - Sunflower

These mystery boxes are usually available for approximately one week from launch. Hope you manage to nab one! 💗

Happy crafting!  ♥

Cricut Bright 360 LED lamp review

By now you've probably seen photos of the Cricut Bright 360 Ultimate LED lamps that were launched in January 2022. 

Cricut sent me the Floor lamp version to test and today I'm sharing my honest review.

**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

 

The lamp comes in two models - a Floor lamp, and a Table lamp. You can see them here: https://cricut.pxf.io/QOrAq6

If you have plenty of desk space the Table lamp would be the way to go. I seem to run out of space very quickly when I'm in making mode so the Floor lamp suited me better. 

The table lamp doesn't require clamping to the desk which means it can easily be moved around. 

Ease of Assembly

The lamp was quick to assemble. There are only three pieces to assemble and each piece snapped together easily.  (The table lamp comes in two pieces.)

 
Something to note is that once assembled, it's permanent. It cannot be disassembled.  (That's one less box to keep!!)

 

 

Sturdiness

The base of the Floor lamp is just over 5kg/11 lbs so this lamp isn't going to be easy to knock over!

The total weight once assembled is 6.7 kg (14.8 lbs). 

The total weight of the table lamp is  3.9kg (8.7 lbs)

Adjustability

The light swivels very smoothly. Just take hold of the head and move it up, down or around. 

It can be rotated parallel to walls (i.e. a range of motion of 270 degrees). 

It should not be rotated to point upward to the ceiling. Doing so may cause the internal wiring to snap and the lamp to stop functioning.

Heat emission

The LED lamps give off very little heat. After having it on for over an hour the lamp was barely warm to the touch. 

Brightness

The floor lamp is adjustable up to 3000 lux and the table lamp up to 1500 lux.

Lux describes how intense or bright the light is that falls on a particular surface area. 

I found that I had to turn it down from its brightest setting after a while to avoid eye strain. I had the head of the lamp above eye level though. If I position it lower than my eye level I don't have that same problem. And of course you can easily lower the brightness level of the light too. 

I wasn't able to find out the Lux details for my OttLite so I can't compare.

Shadows

I need really good lighting when I'm taking photos of my finished projects and filming assembly videos. Shadows are a big no-no.  Below you'll see photos taken using just my ceiling lights, my existing OttLite and the Bright 360. 

There were no shadows over my projects when using the Bright 360.  The OttLite cast a faint shadow. That could be because the lamp was closer to my desk (its maximum height is only 14.75") than the Bright 360 Floor lamp which I had at its maximum height of 56".  (The Bright 360 table lamp has a maximum height of 27".)

I also noticed that the glare off the glitter cardstock was noticeably less using the Bright 360 compared to the OttLite. Again, that's probably because the OttLite is much closer to my project. 

Both models of the Bright 360 can light up to 4 sq ft of workspace. 

Weeding

I created a project using Cricut Patterned Iron-on. The cut lines were almost impossible to see even with the OttLite.  But with the Cricut 360 Bright I could at least see the lines enough to figure out where to weed. 

I did a second weeding test, this time using Cricut glitter iron on. The OttLite and Cricut 360 Bright gave me similar results. But the Cricut BrightPad (on the right) was the clear winner in this case. 

General info:

Cricut Bright 360 Lamps have multiple LED bulbs in the lamp head. They have been tested to last over 40,000 hours. The LEDs are not replaceable, but by my calculation if I used the lamp for 24 hours per day, 7 days a week it would last for me for 4.5 years. So I don't think I'll need to be replacing it any time soon! 

The lamps are currently only available in the US and Canada. They are dual voltage so can be used with a power adapter in other countries, but there would be no warranty on your purchase if something goes wrong. 

Overall, I really like the quality of this lamp. I'll be using it for all my assembly videos from now on.

It's sturdy and really easy to move around. The sliders make it super easy to adjust the brightness level and to change between  warm (2900K), daylight (4400K), cool (5200K), and everywhere in-between!

I think if you're a Cricut crafter, sewer, embroiderer, jewellery maker or knitter and your current lighting isn't working for you, you'll find it to be a great improvement!

The MRSP of the Floor lamp is $249.99 and the Table lamp is $199.99.

If you purchase from Cricut and are a Cricut Access subscriber you will receive 10% off your purchase. 

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Happy crafting!  ♥