April 2020 – Try It – Like It

How to Etch Celebratory Champagne Glasses

These basic champagne glasses from the Dollar Store were given an upgrade with Etchall Etching Cream and then decorated with Alcohol Inks. They make the perfect pair for celebrating a special occasion or for everyday use. You could change the color combination to suit your needs like school colors for a college graduation party, or for wedding colors.

This post and photos contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through any link, I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.
Any supplies used may be given to me free of charge, however, all projects and opinions are my own.

Materials:

2 champagne glasses
rubbing alcohol
paper towels
alcohol inks
masking tape
plastic bag
spray finish

Directions:

To begin, remove any labels and clean the glasses using rubbing alcohol.

Then cover the desired area (the stem) with etchall Etching Creme, wait 15 minutes, remove excess back to the container, and then wash.

The etching is done.
The result is very elegant, and you could stop right here.

The alcohol inks I chose to use.

Turn the glass upside down.
Drop a small drop of ink at the stem of the glass and let it run down.
Continue until you like the look.

Here is an up-close look at the glass.
Notice I put a “ring” around the top of the stem in silver.

I purposely didn’t let the ink cover anywhere near the drinking lip of the glasses.
I covered them in a plastic bag and taped it in place.
Placing it in my spray box, I sprayed it with a sealer and let it dry.
(you may need a few light coats)

Remove the taped bag and your glasses are ready to celebrate with!

Recommended etchall Products
(affiliate links to Amazon)

Biblical Paper Fortune Cookies

These Biblical Fortune Cookies are easy to make and fun to share. I suggest making them and then putting them in a dish on your dinner table. Choose one each night, open the cookie and then find the corresponding Bible verse in your Bible and read it out loud to your family. Then have a discussion about the meaning of the verse and how it relates to you personally. This is a great family activity and fun for kids to make something they can share with the entire family.

Materials:

scissors
tape
printable sheet (linked below)

Directions:

Download and print the following printable.

Printable Download

Cut out all the pieces.

To fold, follow the video tutorial below.

finished fortune cookies

Three Quick and Easy Things to Make with the Cricut Joy

Three fun projects made with the Cricut Joy.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cricut for Cricut. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was so excited to open the Cricut Joy. I have the Cricut Maker and I have used other Cricut machines as well. I like the ability to cut long pieces of continuous material but I am most excited about the Card Mat and Insert Cards. I also like the portability of the Cricut Joy. While the Cricut Joy is small, it is a mighty machine capable of cutting vinyl, a variety of papers, and cardstock as well as draw with pens.

First I want to share with you the unboxing of the Cricut Joy.

The following three projects were quick and easy to make with the Cricut Joy. Each project uses different materials with the Cricut Joy. I was able to test
out the flexibility and range of materials. The first project I made with the Cricut Joy was an insert card.

I made the above birthday card for my husband’s birthday. I needed something to give him and since we are sheltering at home, I wasn’t able to go out and get him anything, so I made him a card. I used the Cricut Insert Card design and was able to make a quick and easy card. You can see the entire tutorial at the following link. [Birthday Card]

The second project I made with the Cricut Joy used Smart Iron-on. I made a cat shirt for my daughter. We recently adopted two kittens, and I thought what an appropriate shirt! I altered an image from Design Space and quickly made this shirt. I didn’t even need to use a mat. I just loaded the smart iron-on vinyl directly into the Joy. This would be a really easy way to make a last-minute gift. See the entire tutorial at the following link. [Cat Shirt]

The third project I made with the Cricut Joy utilized its ability to draw. The Cricut Joy comes with a black pen which I used. I also received Smart Label materials so I decided to make labels for a craft tower I had. I still have more labels to make because I haven’t settled on all the drawers’ contents but it will be easy to do that because I saved the file I made in Design Space. The program walked me through the steps of loading the pen for drawing and then the blade for cutting. Using Smart Label materials I didn’t need to cut it down to size or use a mat. I just loaded the materials into the Cricut Joy and hit go! You can see the entire tutorial and access the label file I created here: [Labels]

I can’t wait to use the continuous cut with vinyl and make a growth chart for my girls. Right now we have the marks on a wall next to our kitchen. I would like to make the charts so they can take them with them when they get older and move on. I have the wood on order but it hasn’t arrived in time for this post. So be sure to look for that tutorial in the future.

Cricut Spring Sale

Now through 4/25, Cricut is launching their Spring Cleaning Flash Sale, featuring 40% off select materials and accessories, and Explore Air 2 Machines at their lowest price ever of $179.99! In addition, snag a Maker Machine for $329 or a BrightPad for $49!

Cricut.com is offering Free Economy Shipping on orders $99+ with code SHIPAPR or APRSHIP, and Cricut Access Members receive free shipping on orders through 4/30.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through any link, I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.
Any supplies used may be given to me free of charge, however, all projects and opinions are my own.

Save 40% off Select Materials! Valid through 4/25

Save 40% off Select Accessories! Valid through 4/25

Explore Air 2 Machines at Their Lowest Price Ever – As Low as $179.99! Valid through 4/25

Maker Machines Starting at $329! Valid through 4/25

Brightpads Starting at $49! Valid through 4/25

Save up to 75% off Materials & Accessories Clearance! Valid through 4/25

Cricut Access Only: Save 40% off Select Mats! Valid through 4/25

Labeling My Craft Supplies with Cricut Joy

Along with the Cricut Joy I received Smart Label Vinyl. I wanted to give it a try and I had a tower of craft supplies that I had been using but hadn’t gotten around to labeling them. Since they are rather new, I haven’t fully settled on all the drawer contents but the ones I have, I decided to label them. Using the Cricut Joy made it really easy and I can go back and create more labels in the same design whenever I want since I saved the design. The Cricut Joy drew the words and then cut the label shapes all in one file. It was really nice loading the label materials without the need for a mat or having to cut down the label material beforehand. I just loaded the Smart Label materials and set the file to go.

Materials:

Directions:

I created the simple label design in Design Space using the rectangle tool and the free Cricut font Drescher Grotesk BT Std Roman. If you are interested in the file you can access it here: [Lablels]. I could have filled in the text but I really like the look of the letter left as an outline.

I loaded the Cricut Joy with the Smart Label materials and switched out the blade for the Black pen that came with the Joy machine. Design Space walked me through the steps making it really easy to know when to switch tools.

Here the labels are printed and cut, ready to peel and place onto my craft drawers.

Here are the drawers full of materials but no labels.

And here are the drawers with the labels in place. I like that they are easy to read but not overpowering. Although the vinyl is permanent, I could easily move the label if I placed it on crooked. I found taking the drawers out made it much easier to get the labels on straight.

Suggested Cricut Joy Products

A Set of Square Stickers to Print

A set of square stickers to print out and cut. They would be great for your planner, crafting, or to seal a letter. The file is a free PDF file. Which one is your favorite?

squarestickers Download

Blessings – A Fairy Garden Greeting Card

Being a part of the Rinea Foiled Paper Design Team, I post on their blog twice a month. Today I have a collaboration project between Rinea and poppystamps. The tutorial and walkthrough process video is available. You can see the entire post at the following link. [Blessings card]

Use the following affiliate linking discount code JANETTRIESCHMAN at Rinea for a 10% off savings.

Making a Cat Shirt with Cricut Joy

We recently adopted two new kittens, one for each daughter. Even though they are fun and playful, my daughter was having a down day. So, I decided tomake her a cute shirt to commemorate her new kitten. I used my Cricut Joy and Smart Iron-on Glitter along with the cat image from Cricut. I am not sureif it brightened her day but she did like it!

Materials:

Directions:

I purchased the image below from Cricut and then using the contour tool, I removed the facial elements. If you would like that image you can access thealtered image here: [cat image]
Cat#MBE4EB86
I loaded the Joy with Smart Iron-on face down.
After weeding, I placed the image on the shirt.
tip: iron a slight fold in the center of the shirt, fold your iron-on in half and crease.
Now you can align the center of the shirt with the center of the image easily.

I used the heat setting and time recommended by Cricut’s heat setting guide.
330 degrees for 30 seconds on the front and then turn over and 15 seconds on the back.
Cold peel.

And here she is wearing her new shirt!

Suggested Cricut Joy Products

Making a Birthday Card with Cricut Joy

It was my husband’s birthday and with the recent Corona Virus I wasn’t able to go out and purchase items for him but I was able to make him a birthday card thanks to the Cricut Joy. I searched Design Space for an appropriate image and I really fell in love with the above image. It was really quick and easy to make.

Materials:

Directions:

I purchased the following image for use with the Cricut Joy.

Happy Birthday Card#M10AC4464

Loading the card mat into the Cricut Joy.

The finished card.
I added a piece of Rinea Gold Foiled Paper under the cut image and glued it in place to enhance the text.

Suggested Cricut Joy Products

Love All Hate None Free SVG

In light of all that’s going on in our country and in the world, April’s free SVG theme is INSPIRING QUOTES. I don’t think there’s anyone who couldn’t benefit from a bit more positivity right now. So here is my submission for this month, Love All Hate None. Hopefully, you can find the perfect use for this saying whether it be a shirt, tote, towel … whatever. Maybe you could even make something to gift to a friend or loved one and share the idea of positivity. And don’t forget to see all the other free SVG files available at the bottom of this post.

loveall Download

Check out all the other great designs at the links below.