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Years ago I had a Cricut cutting machine… and it never made it out of the box. I think I scored a really good deal on it, so I bought it, but then I never used it because at the time I was working full time, and had a lot going on… the usual stuff.
I eventually sold it. But in the years after I kept using my sister’s Cricut for projects. When the Cricut Explore Air 2 was released, I knew I wanted one.
When I received my Cricut Explore Air 2 I was anxious to get started… but I was also overwhelmed. This was not the same Cricut I had purchased years ago. And while I love it, I have to admit, it took me a little while to learn just what this machine was capable of. (Heck, I am still learning!)
So I came up with this cute project to share with you guys today that I love because it also helps you learn how to use a lot of neat features in the Cricut Design Space. These were things that I felt a bit overwhelmed trying to figure out, but once I did, the world was mine for the crafting.
About Cricut Explore Air 2
If you found this post and are thinking about purchasing a new Cricut Explore Air 2 machine you may have a couple of questions. Here are a few things you might be wondering about before you purchase your new Cricut machine.
Do the new Cricut Explores use cartridges?
One of the biggest changes from the original machines to the Cricut Explore series is that you no longer need cartridges. You can create your designs directly in the Cricut Design Space.
But Cricut did everyone a solid. Even though cartridges are not required, if you invested a lot of money in cartridges, they can be used in the Cricut Explore series. Score!
Is the Cricut Explore Air 2 wireless?
I live in a small place, I work from home, and have twin preschoolers. This means I often am working from my laptop in the living room and my Cricut machine is in my office/craft room. It was important to me that if I were to use a Cricut it be wireless.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 is wireless. Not all Cricuts are wireless, so be sure when you are purchasing your machine, if you want it to be wireless, look for the word AIR in the name.
The machine connects via bluetooth to computers, tablets, and yes, even your phone so you can design on your phone on the go, and create your project when you get home.
What is Cricut Design Space? Is it expensive?
I already mentioned that you utilize the Cricut Design Space to create your projects. This is an app that you can install on your computer or devices that helps you create your amazing projects.
When I mentioned the projects I was working on to some friends, I immediately got asked if the Cricut Design Space is expensive.
You can utilize the basic functions of the Cricut Design Space for free.
Yes, you read that right… you can use the Cricut Design Space for free.
I definitely suggest purchasing the membership though. Your membership unlocks a lot of really cool features, and is a pretty minimal cost for what you can do with it. The cost is $95.88 annually ($7.99/month). This will also give you 10% off purchases from Cricut.com
If you have any other questions about the Cricut Explore Air 2, leave them in the comments, and I will answer them either in a reply or another post. Let’s get on to the project!
DIY Conversation Heart Valentine – A Cricut Project For Beginners
With Valentine’s Day coming up I wanted to make a cute project with my Cricut Explore Air 2. I wanted to create something that would help those that may be a little intimidated by their machine or the Cricut Design Space some great practice.
What supplies do I need for this project?
- Cricut Explore series machine (I suggest the Cricut Explore Air 2)
- Cricut Light Grip cutting mat
- Cricut easy weeding tool
- Cricut True Brushed Paper*
- Glue/Spray Adhesive
*If you are new to using your Cricut, I suggest practicing your project on cardstock paper first.
Creating your DIY Conversation Heart Valentine in Cricut Design Space
Here is the deal… I will provide a link to my project that is already in the design space, but if you are wanting to learn how to use Cricut Design Space, I suggest following the steps below and creating this on your own.
What Cricut Design Space skills will you learn from this project?
- Using shapes and fonts
- Duplicating a layer
- Sizing
- Slicing
- Welding
- Grouping
- Layers
- Scoring
- Using custom cutting mode
- Cutting multiple layers
- Weeding (not in Cricut Design Space but you know…)
Create your DIY conversation heart Valentine in Cricut Design Space
Again, if you just want a link to the project, you can skim this part and go to cutting the project. But this project is great for learning how to use your Cricut Explore Air 2 so I highly suggest creating your design yourself if you are just starting to use Cricut Design Space.
You can get the design here. If you do this, simply scroll to the section about cutting your design.
Design this project in Cricut Design Space
The first step is to place a heart shape on your canvas layout. Size it to the size you want for your card.
Duplicate the layer.
Over lap the edges of the heart (this is where your card will fold) making sure to keep them the same size and line them up so they are the same position height wise on the canvas layout.
Once you have them lined up how you want them, select both layers and weld them together. This way if you change the sizing or want to move them, you don’t have to line them up again.
Now duplicate the double heart layer and put it below. This will be the second cut for your inside color of your card.
Now you can add your text. I added “be” and “mine” as separate layers and lined them up how I liked them on the heart on the right (this will be the front of the card).
Adjust the sizing and position how you would like.
I decided that my heart also needed something in the right hand corner, so I placed and sliced a smaller heart out of it.
After you finish positioning the wording, you will highlight the text layer and the heart layer and choose the slice tool in the bottom right hand corner to slice the words out of the shape.
You will then need to delete the text layer, and the second slice result layer.
Once you have finished this, if you have the scoring tool, you can place a scoring line on the hearts where they need to be scored, or I was able to fold them manually without scoring.
Now you are ready to cut.
Cutting your DIY conversation heart Valentine
I used two colors of the Cricut True Brush Paper Cool Water collection. I chose silver for my outside layer with the words sliced out and a teal color for inside.
I happen to have 2 light grip cutting maps (the blue ones) so I placed each color on one. This way the second color could cut while I weeded the first color.
Now, I suggest setting your Cricut Explore Air 2 dial to “custom” but you definitely need to do this if you are using any material not on the dial.
In Cricut Design Space, click “Make It” and choose your material if needed. Be sure to click to see all materials if your material is not listed on the front page.
Follow the instructions in Cricut Design Space to cut your project.
Once your project is cut you will need to weed it. Yeah, I don’t have pictures of this as I am still getting this down myself.
If you are wondering what is weeding, it is the process of removing the cut out image from the sheet of material. For this one I used a Cricut weeding tool.
Once you have weeded both layers, you will need to glue them together. I used a spray adhesive but you can use the adhesive of your choice.
Now simply write your message inside the card and give it to that special someone.
I hope this project helped you learn a little more about the Cricut Explore Air 2 and using Cricut Design Space. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and I will try to answer them for you.
