Personalised Pajamas for Father's Day

Disclaimer: The content, thoughts and opinions in this blog are purely my own. I was not paid by Cricut however I was provided with a Cricut Maker, EasyPress2 and other accessories. This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links at NO additional cost to you. I have provided links to the official Cricut store, International and Australian resellers.

My kids absolutely LOVE crafting and they’re always excited to see what I am doing. So naturally I wanted to involve them in my first project with my new Cricut Maker and EasyPress2. As Father’s Day is just around the corner, my eight year old daughter wanted to design a new pajama top for their Dad.

Those of you who have followed me for a while will know that previous to this blog, I have always used a Cricut Explore Air 2 machine with a standard iron for my iron-on projects. As my iron is low heat, I have always just ironed directly on the iron-on without using a separator (like paper/cloth in between, much to the horror of many people). It’s never been a problem for me as my iron does not generate enough heat to melt the plastic however it does take five times longer and much more pressure than if I used a stronger iron or the official Cricut EasyPress machines. So needless to say, when I received the EasyPress2 from Cricut, it was a complete game changer. Firstly, I can use the online Cricut Heat Guide to find out EXACTLY how long I need to apply heat on for, the amount of pressure I need to use, as well as the specific temperature for my fabric.

There are of course many ways to personalise clothing, but to share how we created our Pajama top for Fathers Day, I’ve broken down what we did into three parts;

PART ONE : DESIGN
PART TWO : CUT/WEED
PART THREE : APPLICATION.

Here’s what we used:

Apple iPad Pro (Amazon, Amazon Australia)
Apple Pencil (Amazon, Amazon Australia)
Procreate App (App Store)
Pajama top or oversized shirt (Amazon, Amazon Australia)
Cricut Everyday Iron-On (Amazon, Amazon Australia, Spotlight eBay)
Cricut EasyPress 2 (or Iron) (Amazon, Amazon Australia, Spotlight eBay)
Scissors (Amazon, Amazon Australia, eBay)
Ruler (Amazon, Amazon Australia, eBay)
Weeding Tool (Amazon, Amazon Australia, Spotlight eBay)
Cricut EasyPress Mat (or heat proof surface) (Amazon, Amazon Australia, Spotlight eBay)
Cricut Maker (Cricut, Amazon, Amazon Australia, Spotlight eBay) or Cricut Explore Air 2 (Amazon, Amazon Australia, Spotlight eBay)
Cricut Standard Grip Mat (Amazon, Amazon Australia, Spotlight eBay)
Cricut Design Space (free download)
Cricut Heat Guide (online resource)
The best Dad in the universe (not pictured)

PART ONE : DESIGN

I personally LOVE lettering on the iPad Pro with Procreate, it is so easy to use and is compatible with my Cricut machines. Unfortunately the Apple Pencil and Procreate is only compatible with iOS, so if you are on another platform, the first part of this blog (PART ONE: Design) will not be applicable to you. Instead, you may create your design on paper, scan it and upload it to the Cricut Design Space software.

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A post shared by Liz Tu | Letter Me! (@letterme_au) on Aug 26, 2019 at 4:53am PDT

Part 1 DESIGN : STEP ONE

Using an Apple iPad Pro and Apple Pencil, my eight year old daughter designed her artwork for her dad’s pajamas on the Procreate app.

She used a combination of the monoline brush (included in the calligraphy brush panel on Procreate) and my custom calligraphy brush to create her design.

Part 1 DESIGN : STEP TWO

Once you have completed your design, make the background colour transparent. You can do this by going into the Layers panel, and deselect the Background Colour checkbox.

Part 1 DESIGN : STEP THREE

Select Share and export your artwork as a .PNG file to your iPad.

Part 1 DESIGN : PRO TIP

By creating your design in different layers, you can export your design as separate layers. This may allow you to rearrange your design on Cricut Design Space later on, to minimise the materials you will use and minimise wastage.

PART TWO : CUT/WEED

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A post shared by Liz Tu | Letter Me! (@letterme_au) on Aug 27, 2019 at 5:00am PDT

Part 2 CUT/WEED : STEP ONE

On your iPad/PC open the Cricut Design Space application, and click on New Project.

Part 2 CUT/WEED : STEP TWO

Upload your .PNG image/s. Insert image/s to canvas. If you have multiple .PNG images, arrange the images close together so that you minimise wastage. Measure the size of your garment and resize the image in Cricut Design Space to make sure that your creation fits your garment.

Part 2 CUT/WEED : STEP THREE

When you are ready, click on Make It. Power on your Cricut Maker or other Cricut device and select it as your Assessory. In the top left hand corner, click on the mat icon and remember to turn on Mirror (for iron-on). Click on Continue.

Part 2 CUT/WEED : STEP FOUR

Set Material as Everyday Iron-On. Remember to turn Mirror ON for Iron On projects.

Part 2 CUT/WEED : STEP FIVE

Prepare your Standard Grip Mat by cutting a piece of Iron-On to the size as indicated on Cricut Design Space. Remember to put the SHINY side downwards (the matte side facing up). Insert your prepared mat into your machine and PRESS GO!

Part 2 CUT/WEED : STEP SIX

After the cutting is complete, remove your mat from the machine. Carefully remove your Iron-On from the mat.

Part 2 CUT/WEED : STEP SEVEN

Using a pair of scissors, cut off any excess Iron-On, you may be able to use this for future projects.

Part 2 CUT/WEED : STEP EIGHT

Now the fun part - weeding! Using a weeding tool, gently remove the excess Iron-On and the white space from the inside of letters, revealing the clear/transparent backing of the Iron-On. Your creation should remain on this backing, DO NOT remove your creation from this. If you tried the Pro Tip (above) and have condensed your working space, you may need to use a pair of scissors and cut out your individual pieces.

PART THREE : APPLICATION

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A post shared by Liz Tu | Letter Me! (@letterme_au) on Aug 28, 2019 at 4:57am PDT

Part 3 APPLICATION : STEP ONE

Set up your Cricut EasyPress 2 machine (or iron) on a firm heat-proof surface. I will be using my EasyPress Mat. Using the Cricut EasyPress Heat Transfer Guide select the EasyPress machine you are using, followed by the Heat Transfer Material (Everyday Iron-On) and the base material (our pajama top for Dad is cotton). The Guide tells me that I will need to set my EasyPress to 155 degrees Celcius, for 30 seconds.

Part 3 APPLICATION : STEP TWO

To set up my EasyPress, click on the power button. Next, click on the thermometer button and then using the + or - buttons set the temperature to 155. Next, click on the timer button and again, using the + or - buttons, set it to 30 seconds. Once the heat has reached your desired temperature, the machine will beep and the Cricut button will turn green. You are ready to start!

Part 3 APPLICATION : STEP THREE

Prepare your garment by making sure it is flat, use the EasyPress or Iron on it to heat it up for 15 seconds. Then arrange your design (shiny side up! Your design should be visible through the clear plastic, and should be the right way up). I use a ruler to ensure everything is centred nicely.

Part 3 APPLICATION : STEP FOUR

Once everything is arranged perfectly, place your EasyPress or Iron over your design. Follow the pressure instructions in the Heat Guide (mine said Light Pressure) and click on the Green Cricut button. The countdown begins! Apply pressure, but don’t move your EasyPress around. Once the time is up, remove your EasyPress!

Part 3 APPLICATION : STEP FIVE

The Heat Guide advised me to peel the backing whilst it is still warm. Follow the Heat Guide for your garment. Carefully peel off the backing, and if required, reapply heat and pressure. VOILA, your project is now complete!

For best results: Turn your garment over and apply heat to the reverse. NEVER iron directly on top of the iron on, without the plastic backing. Remember to turn your garments inside out in the washing machine, cold gentle wash works best, and if you are ironing it before wear, turn it inside out!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. It’s a long one, but I hope by breaking it down to three parts: DESIGN, CUT/WEED and APPLICATION, it is simpler to do and understand. Please leave me some comments and click on like if you found it helpful!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY to the most incredible father I could wish for my children, and Happy Birthday to my own amazing father. Thank you for all that you do and have done for us.

Hello Cricut Maker!

Disclaimer: The content, thoughts and opinions in this blog are purely my own. I was not paid by Cricut however I was provided with a Cricut Maker, EasyPress2 and other accessories. This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links at NO additional cost to you. I have provided links to the official Cricut store, International and Australian resellers.

Cricut Explore Air 2 (left) and Cricut Maker (right)

Choosing Cricut

Although I was a late adopter, I’ve now been a part of the Cricut family for a few years, and my Introduction to Cricut blog has been read by tens of thousands of people. Believe me when I say that I am one to do thorough research before committing to a system. As I know that I will be investing in accessories and products for many years to come, I didn’t want to purchase a system and then realise that it doesn’t suit my needs. As I am primarily a Calligrapher, I needed to be sure that the system I chose ticks all the boxes:

Accepts artwork from design softwares (like Procreate) I already use.
There were no additional costs involved with uplaoding my own artwork and projects.
Software (Cricut Design Space) to be able to vectorise my work as accurately as possible.
As most of my work is intricate, machine needs to be able to cut the finest of details (and hairline strokes!).
Accessories and products to be easily accessible and readily available to me (products are available at Spotlight, CraftOnline and Amazon, Amazon Australia, Cricut.com, etc.).
I was able to use my laptop and iPad with the machine wirelessly (via bluetooth) so I didn’t physically need to be next to the machine.

Although not mandatory (but definitely a bonus selling point for me), I wanted the machine to be attractive as it would be sitting in prime position in my studio. Cricut ticked all those boxes, including the aesthetically pleasing part, so I went ahead and purchased an Explore Air 2 with zero hesitation.

Cricut Explore Air 2 VS Cricut Maker - First Impressions

Even though I was 100% content with my Explore Air 2, when Cricut Australia approached me and asked if I would like to try the Cricut Maker, I thought, why not? It could only get better. And it most definitely is. Before now, I’ve mostly only cut vinyl and paper, I hadn’t had the urge to cut fabric or anything thicker than cardstock, but now that I can cut hundreds of different materials, maybe I will! Watch this space!!

From the get go, the build quality of the Maker looks even more robust. The champagne finish on the lid is gorgeous and the storage compartments are very well thought out. When I first inserted the cutting mat, I could already feel the difference in power of the wheels, stronger pull, greater control and precision than that of the Explore Air 2.

One noticeable physical difference between the Explore Air 2 and the Maker is that the Maker does not come with a dial with different settings. All the settings are controlled online, allowing you to select from over a hundred different materials and thicknesses to cut from. The Maker came with two blades; the premium fine point blade, and the rotary blade. I’ve since ordered the engraving tip (it has yet to arrive) and I’m sooooo excited to start engraving on materials like acrylic.

The rotary blade allows the machine to turn the blade rather than “drag” the blade, so cuts are more precise and intricate. Having up to ten times more cutting force means that I’ll be able to cut things like bass wood and balsa wood without cracking or tearing up the surface.

I’ll keep posting more about the Maker as I get more hands on with my new Cricut. Looking forward to sharing so much more with you here.

Shop

Cricut Explore Air 2 : Cricut.com, Spotlight eBay, Amazon Australia, Amazon
Cricut Maker : Cricut.com, Spotlight eBay, Amazon Australia, Amazon

DIY Inspirational Graduation Cap

My friends at Kassa asked me to create this blog for them as Graduation Season is approaching in the USA. I had so much fun creating this DIY Inspirational Graduation Cap tutorial for them that I just had to share it on my page as well!

Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone. Do you feel empowered to inspire and motivate others? What about further inspiring and motivating yourself? Here’s how you can personalise your picture perfect graduation cap.

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A post shared by Liz Tu | Letter Me! (@letterme_au) on Jun 4, 2019 at 5:02am PDT

2,280 Likes, 29 Comments - Liz Tu | Letter Me! (@letterme_au) on Instagram: "To those of you graduating this year, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of..."

What you will need:

Graduation cap (Mine was from Amazon, click here for a link)

Kassa Blackboard Vinyl

Scissors - https://amzn.to/2Z0ad2k

Ruler - https://amzn.to/2JRjExD

Kassa Liquid Chalk Markers

Step One:

Remove the tassel and flatten the cap down

Step two:

Measure the width and height of the cap. Mine was a little larger than nine inches.

Step three:

Cut a piece of Kassa Blackboard Vinyl to the size of your cap. I cut mine 9 inches by 9 inches.

Step four:

Check that the Vinyl fits the top of your cap. Press down on the stud in the centre of the cap and leave a slight imprint on your Vinyl.

Step five:

Noting where the imprint of the centre stud was, cut two lines to form a cross, then carefully, cut a circle out. I cut my circle approximately an inch in diameter.

Step six:

Peel off the backing of the Vinyl and carefully place the hole over the centre stud, and smooth the Vinyl out flat.

Step seven:

As the stud of my cap wasn’t completely centred to my vinyl, I used a pair of scissors to trim the excess vinyl off. Do not be afraid to trim the vinyl to size, but make sure you don’t accidentally cut the cap or the the tassel.

Step eight:

Select your favourite inspirational quote and start lettering using your Kassa Liquid Chalk Markers. I chose one from Elenor Roosevelt and used the silver and rose gold, from the limited edition Kassa Metallic Pack.

Step nine:

Once your chalk has dried (it shouldn’t take more than a minute), re-tie the tassel back into place.

Step ten:

Voila, your graduation cap is complete and you can now wear it with pride. Don’t forget to take photos!

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. – Elenor Roosevelt.

Keep dreaming. Best wishes with the next chapter of your lives.

xx Liz