5 Little Ways to Use Cricut Joy for Back to School

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

School is just around the corner and with that comes all kinds of preparations. I’m sharing 5 little ways the Cricut Joy can help you create and prepare for the back to school season.

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I am a big fan of DIY school supplies but sometimes I just don’t have to time to create all the cute things! Can you relate? Let me introduce the Cricut Joy.

Cricut Joy is the perfect companion to quickly and easily personalize anything with one cut and one color, in 15 minutes or less. It is fun, functional, and simple to use.

If you already have a Maker or Air 2, Cricut Joy opens additional creative possibilities with unique features and is the perfect companion for quick, mat-free projects and long cuts.

No craft room necessary, this tiny DIY companion travels easily and can set up anywhere. The Joy is Cricut’s smallest smart cutting machine ever! Added bonus, you can cut vinyl, iron on and more without a mat! Cricut Joy has a full suite of brand-new materials that do not require a mat, meaning less to buy, fewer steps, and faster results. New Smart vinyl comes in extended sizes, with up to 20’ repeated cut capability, and no need to switch out multiple mats.

Quite possibly my favorite feature is the Cricut app that is used to power the Joy. No wires, no big computer, just me my phone and quick little crafts.

Here are 5 little Cricut Joy projects that will help you and your kids get ready for school

1. Easy Cricut Joy Card

Handmade cards have never been easier, create an eye popping card with custom phrases for any occasion with your Joy. Here is what you will need to make this card.

Cricut Joy
Cricut Joy card mat
Cricut Joy insert cards

Open Cricut Design Space on the app and navigate to the projects page. Select a card you like, I chose You Got This, and hit Make it.

Here the app walks you through the steps to load the card mat and cut your design. The card blank is inserted into the mat so only the top layer is cut.

When the card is on the mat insert it into the Joy, it will load automatically. Follow the prompts on your screen to complete the cut.

Pull the completed card off the mat and add a colorful insert to the inside of the card. In just a few minutes you have an encouraging card for your child, teacher or anyone in need of a few kind words.

2. Monogram Phone Accessory

As kids get older they move from crayons and cute backpacks, to phones and cool accessories. Help your child personalize her phone with a monogramed holder. Here is what you will need.

Pop socket or similar phone accessory
Smart Vinyl metallic party pink
Cricut Joy transfer tape
Tools: weeder and scraper

Using the app open Design Space and navigate to images. With Cricut Access you have thousands of designs at your fingertips to work with. I chose an L monogram with swirls around it for this project.

Size the image appropriately to fit the accessory, then click make it. Follow the prompts to load the Smart Vinyl into the Joy. No mat necessary, saving you a step and time.

Once the cut is complete, weed the excess and use transfer tape to move the design from the backing to the pop socket.

A custom phone accessory your child will love.

3. Lunch box label

Help kids keep track of their lunch box with a quick label that will help their box stand out. For this project you will use Writable vinyl and a pen, both work easily with the Cricut Joy.

Cricut Joy Writable Vinyl
Cricut Joy Black Pen

Using the Cricut Design Space app, pull up a label you like. I used pre-designed jar labels for this project. On the canvas I chose a writing font and typed my daughter’s name. The text can be manipulated to fit inside the label. Once you have everything situated on the canvas, be sure to select and attach all the pieces so they stay together when you make it.

Follow the prompts to make this label. The Smart vinyl does not require a mat. Load it into the Joy and start with the black pen. When the writing is complete, the app will prompt you to change the tool to the blade.

Do not use transfer tape with writable vinyl, just peel the label away from the backing and stick it to the lunch box. Use a scraper tool to remove any bubbles.

4. Cricut Joy Notebook

Turn a plain black notebook into a custom work of art that kids will enjoy writing in. I worked with my daughter to select words and colors that would inspire her this school year.

5. Cricut Joy Pencil Case

Buy an inexpensive plain canvas pencil case and update it with patterned iron on using your Joy. Save a little money, and your child will get a unique item that has special meaning.

If you like these projects, be sure to pin this post.

So why should you get a Cricut Joy? If you are looking to dip your toe into the world of cutting machines this is the one for you. It’s portable, and powerful and its simplicity will encourage you to keep on creating. There are so many Cricut Joy project ideas, including some work arounds like how to make stickers.

But what if you already have a Maker or Air 2? I do, and I still love my big machine. But for quick projects I love the ease of pulling out my phone and creating something in minutes with my Joy. It’s a great addition to the Cricut family.

You’ve learned 5 little Cricut Joy projects for beginners? Shop here and check out all the amazing materials you can create with.

What would you make first?

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