\u00a0<\/p>\n
GETTING STARTED WITH THE CRICUT<\/p>\n
(This page contains affiliate links.)<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s go over some of the basics. Some of this you may already know and some info may still be new to you. Follow along at your own pace. Tomorrow we\u2019ll start your FREE email course!<\/p>\n What can I cut with my Cricut?<\/b><\/p>\n Paper|Vinyl|Cardstock|Bonded fabric|Poster Board|Craft Foam|Cork Board|Wax Paper|Aluminum Foil|Washi Sheet|Washi Tape|Wrapping Paper|Construction Paper|Parchment Paper|Duct Tape|Window Cling|Leather|Faux Leather|Canvas|Magnetic Sheet|Cardboard|Birch Wood|Chipboard|Bonded Felt<\/p>\n With the Cricut Maker you can cut all of the above and also any fabric your little heart desires without bonding it first. You can also cut Basswood and Balsa Wood.<\/p>\n \n<\/p> What blade does what?<\/b><\/p>\n The Cricut Explore series uses mostly the fine point blade but you can also use the deep point blade and the bonded fabric blade. The deep cut blade is more for the wood and foam material. The bonded fabric blade is for bonded fabric (although I still cut this with the fine point blade and it works just fine for me).<\/p>\n The Cricut Maker uses the same blades as the Explore series along with a rotary blade and the knife blade. The rotary blade is used to cut fabrics that are not bonded. The knife blade is used for wood, foam and cardboard.<\/p>\n \n<\/p> What are the different mats for?<\/b><\/p>\n Light Grip<\/a> (blue mat) is used for light cardstock, printer paper, notebook paper and vellum<\/p>\n Standard Grip<\/a> (green mat) is used for both heat transfer vinyl and adhesive vinyl, cardstock, washi and window cling. If you\u2019re unsure what mat to use, use this one. It works on almost everything.<\/p>\n Strong Grip<\/a> (purple mat) is used for thick cardstock, glitter cardstock, poster board and bonded fabrics<\/p>\n Fabric Grip<\/a> (pink mat) is used for all fabric that is not bonded.<\/p>\n \n<\/p> Do I need a subscription to Cricut Access?<\/b><\/p>\n Well, technically no, you don\u2019t NEED it but I bet you\u2019re going to WANT it! Most of the videos I\u2019m going to show you over the next 4 days use images and fonts only available with Cricut Access. I have the premium membership.<\/p>\n Cricut Access Fonts<\/a> $60\/year or $6.99\/mo<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Unlimited access to over 400 beautiful fonts<\/span><\/p>\n \n<\/p> Cricut Access Standard<\/a> $96\/year or $9.99\/mo<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Unlimited access to over 400 beautiful fonts<\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Unlimited use of over 30,000 covet-worthy, cut-ready premium Cricut images, including exclusive designs<\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>10% savings<\/span><\/b>\u00a0on licensed fonts, images, and ready-to-make projects<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>10% savings<\/span><\/b>\u00a0on all product purchases on cricut.com, including machines, accessories, materials, and more<\/span><\/p>\n \n<\/p> Cricut Access Premium<\/a> $120\/year (no monthly billing option)<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Unlimited access to over 400 beautiful fonts<\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Unlimited use of over 30,000 covet-worthy, cut-ready premium Cricut images, including exclusive designs<\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>10% savings<\/span><\/b>\u00a0on licensed fonts, images, and ready-to-make projects<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>10% savings<\/span><\/b>\u00a0on all product purchases on cricut.com, including machines, accessories, materials, and more<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Up to 50% savings<\/span><\/b>\u00a0on designer fonts, images, and ready-to-make projects<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Free economy shipping<\/span><\/b>\u00a0on orders over $50<\/span><\/p>\n \n<\/p> What kind of Vinyl do I need?<\/b><\/p>\n There are a few different kinds of vinyl. You have adhesive vinyl and heat transfer vinyl (HTV). Your best choice for adhesive vinyl is Oracal. They are simply the BEST! Oracal offers 651 (permanent outdoor grade vinyl) and 631 (interior\/decorative vinyl). 651 us used most often for car decals, wood projects and decal stickers for tumblers and cups. 631 is used most often for wall murals and interior decorating. For HTV I\u2019d go with either Siser, Cricut or Happy Crafters brands. HTV is used on any kind of fabric.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Where do I buy vinyl?<\/b><\/p>\n Okay guys, I\u2019m going to share a big secret with you here. I\u2019m not really a big fan of the Cricut adhesive vinyl. I LOVE almost all things Cricut (even though they\u2019re usually a little more expensive) but their adhesive vinyl is just not one of them. The Cricut iron on vinyl is great though. So, where do I get my vinyl? All over the place lol. I\u2019m a deal shopper so I\u2019m going to link a couple different places to get Ah-Mazing vinyl and Ah-Mazing deals.<\/p>\n Amazon<\/a>! As far as adhesive vinyl goes I stick to Oracal 651 for all my solid colors. I buy all of my Oracal 651 on Amazon and since I have a prime membership, it ships free, SCORE!<\/p>\n (The bundle I have linked for Amazon doesn\u2019t offer prime shipping but I linked it anyways because it gives you a good assortment of colors at a great price AND it comes with a swatch book showing you all available Oracal 651 colors including their names and sku numbers making ordering from any dealer in the future super easy!)<\/p>\n Happy Crafters<\/a>! I get all of my HTV and patterned vinyl from Happy Crafters.\u00a0 <\/span>If you\u2019re not sure what to get from them then I highly recommend the HTV Subscription Box<\/a>. They\u2019ll send you a box FULL of fun stuff and you\u2019ll get a good variety of different HTV materials so you can explore and try it all out.<\/p>\n \n<\/p> What tools do I need?<\/b><\/p>\n The Cricut tool list goes on and on and ON. I\u2019m going to link ONLY the tools I actually use every day.<\/p>\n Cricut Tools Basic Set<\/a> I use every single one of these tools almost daily (except the scissors but if you\u2019re working with fabric, they\u2019re great!).<\/p>\n