{Cricut Maker} Easy Key Fob Tutorial + GIVEAWAY

*** Cricut provided me with all the materials in the picture below in exchange for a product tutorial. 

All thoughts are mine and are not influenced by anyone else. ***

I have a fun tutorial for you today using my Cricut Maker --  Key Fobs!  They are quick to make, perfect for fat quarters or scrap busters and easy to give as a gift!  They are super easy to make, but even quicker when you use your Cricut Maker.   Be sure to read all the way to the end because 5 lucky readers are going to win one of the Key Fobs pictured above!!

Materials Needed

• Fabric, such as Cricut Designer Fabric Samplers
• Extra Firm Stabilizer (sew-in)
• {Easy} Key Fob Pattern
• Fray Check
• Key Fob Hardware Sets (1")
• Pliers
• Iron
• Pins
• Blind Hem Foot (optional)
• Cricut Maker*

Time:  30 minutes, including Fray Check drying time.

* If you do not own a Cricut Maker (yet..), measurements are given below the picture in Step 1.

Step 1: Open the {Easy} Key Fob Design in Design Space

Main fabric: 10" x 3 15/16" (L x W)
Stabilizer: 10" x 15/16" (L x W)

(fabric is cut just a scant under the nearest inch so when folded, it is not wider than the hardware kit)

Then click "Make It". 

 (The pink rectangle is your fabric and the white rectangle is for your stabilizer.)

Step 2:  Place your extra firm stabilizer on the pink (fabric) mat.  Click Continue.  Under Set Material, select Ultra Firm Stabilizer.

Load your mat and cut your material.  Remove from mat.  Set aside.

Step 3: Repeat process with main fabric, making sure to edit the Material to Medium Fabric (cotton).  

Tip:  Place your fabric face down (not like I did, face up...lol)

Step 4:  Fold the fabric in half, wrong sides together, matching the long edges.  Press.

Step 5: Unfold.  Place the stabilizer along the fold.  Take the long, raw edge and fold towards the middle, covering the stabilizer.  Press.

Step 6:  Repeat with other side.   Fold again along the original fold.  Press.  

Step 7: Pin along the edges to keep the edges even.  Sew along the double fold edge first, with a 1/8" seam allowance.

Your width should be 1" after it's all folded up.

Tip: Use your blind hem foot to keep your topstitching super straight!!

Step 8: Sew along the opposite edge with a 1/8" seam allowance.  Leave the short ends raw.

Step 9: Apply Fray Check to short, raw ends and let dry, per package instructions.

Step 10. Bring short ends together and insert into the Key Fob Hardware.  Using a pliers, gently press the hardware together, enclosing the raw ends.  (To avoid scratching your hardware, wrap pliers in tape or place a scrap of fabric between the pliers and hardware.  

Step 11: Attach metal ring and keys!

That's it!!  You are finished!

Isn't this so easy?!  The Cricut Maker makes it even easier!! The cuts are perfect and done in mere seconds.  I can't wait to see yours!  Join the Linky Party -- through April 13th, 2018! 😊

An InLinkz Link-up

G I V E A W A Y     T I M E

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Introducing the {Cricut Maker}

*** Cricut provided me with all the materials in the picture below in exchange for a product review. 

All thoughts are mine and are not influenced by anyone else. ***

For the past few months, I've been doing some behind the scenes product testing so I could give a comprehensive review on the Cricut Maker, the newest cutting tool to join the Cricut line of products.  If you recall, I had the chance to try the Cricut Explore Air 2 last summer and absolutely loved the ease of using it!!

When Cricut contacted me late last year, I honestly thought Christmas came early!!  I had wanted to purchase the Maker for my birthday (day after it released) but..... I decided my girls needed desks for homework instead so I used all my "fun" money for that and then had no Maker money left ....  womp womp.  So I was incredibly excited to be included on this campaign!!!  Then more so, when the package above arrived at my door!  #rosegoldfordays

What is the Cricut Maker?

The Cricut Maker is the ultimate smart cutting machine.  It has an adaptive tool system which allows the machine to precisely know where to cut, which direction and with the exact pressure needed.  There are several blades available -- allowing you to cut anything from tissue paper to balsa wood, and pretty much everywhere in between.  The most useful tool for me though is the included rotary cutter blade which allows you to cut fabric,  including the most delicate of fabrics!!  This is the first machine that doesn't require the fabric to be bonded which is a big deal.  You can literally cut anything (pretty much).

 This machine will grow with you too.  Because of its Adaptive Tools System™; you can upgrade your machine with new tools in the future instead of upgrading your machine!

Initial Thoughts:

Holy moly, this machine is so gorgeous!  It looks sleek and modern and in the hottest color at the moment... rose gold.  As you flip open the top, the front opens up as well.  Inside the front tray are hidden compartments for holding extra tools.  There are also two holders on the top left.  I use the deeper holder for my Cricut pens and the more shallow one to hold my rotary blade when it's not in use.  There is a slot on top to hold your phone or tablet and has a handy USB port available to charge your device at the same time.  Cricut really took the time to think through all the details.

Why do I need it for sewing?!

Raise your hand if you've had to cut out small pieces by hand for sewing?   Sewing for my girls and their dolls, I am always cutting small pieces.  I also like to be precise and the Cricut Maker makes it sooooo easy to be precise - down to one one hundredth of an inch.   Seriously, I try to hand cut out rectangles, hold them up and they are definitely not perfect.  This machine is perfect for quilters, children's clothing makers, and even bow makers!  Imagine cutting 10 bows at once?!   EEK.  The cutting space is 12" x 24" so I can even cut bodice's out for my girls (as soon as I figure out how to upload it properly ...  lol    I have an idea.  Stay tuned!)

The Cricut library contains many patterns that are ready for you to cut your fabric and then sew, but with Design Space, you can also make your own or upload your own.  My first week with the Maker, I made bias tape!!  I love that I can put in exact measurements in Design Space (makes those cutting charts quick to cut!).

Design Space is extremely user friendly.  When I first used Design Space last summer, I literally had my project coming together in minutes.  It's that easy to figure out.   Plus, you can access Design Space on your tablet/phone when you're out running errands, or sitting in car line.

Another neat feautre is the fabric marker (sold separately) to mark seam allowances or draw on your fabric (to embroider for example).  How cool is this?  I am all about precision.

Not only is it useful for cutting fabrics, you can use it for iron-on, vinyl, paper, and so much more. I am a preschool teacher during the day so each month, I cut all of my materials for my bulletin boards with my Maker (sadly I don't have any pictures). Iron-on is another favorite of mine. I love adding that personal touch in a really short amount of time.

Cricut also has a stylish sewing accessories kit and it is seriously the sharpest I have ever used. The seam ripper and I are BFFs and she never lets me down!

What comes in the box?

Cricut Maker™ machine, Rotary Blade + Drive Housing, Premium Fine Point Blade + Housing, Fine Point Pen, FabricGrip™ Mat 12" x 12", LightGrip™ Mat 12" x 12", welcome book, USB cable, power adapter, Cricut Access™ free trial membership, 50 free ready-to-make projects, including 25 sewing patterns, materials for a first project. MSRP: $399.99

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Crisp Petals Fabric Collection by Natalie Malan Studio

*** This fabric was provided to me in exchange for posting on social media.  

All thoughts are mine and are no way influenced by anything other than my daughter's love for this dress that is actually her sister's.  HA!! ***

OH.  MY.  GOODNESS.

{insert a million heart eye emojis here}

Y'all!!!  I'm SO in love with this, I can barely find the right words so bear with me ... lol

I was contacted in late January by Natalie Malan to be an influencer for her latest collection that just hit stores.  Of course, I love to sew all the pretty things so I was all in!  The fabric collection is called "Crisp Petals" and the print I chose is just one of the 20 included prints.  These floral inspired fabrics are gorgeous in real life.  In the listings, you'll find the story behind the fabric collections Natalie creates.  It'll touch your heart, for sure.

With the help of my oldest daughter, I selected Brisk in Ballet Slipper.  We thought the soft pink floral would be perfect for her Easter dress.  As much as I loved other prints in the collection, sometimes, I prefer to let the fabric shine on its own.

Of course, to showcase a gorgeous fabric, the perfect pattern must be chosen.  Despite the hundreds of patterns I already own, many of which I have sewn, I chose to add a new pattern to my growing collection.  Only this time, I actually sewed it up!!  HAHA!  The Sonora Dress by Lil Luxe Collection is a-m-a-z-i-n-g!!  (and surprisingly fast to sew!)

This pattern had my heart from the moment it released.  The double circle skirt provides the maximum twirl and the perfect gathers in between twirling.  The optional flutters and the two ways to tie the straps add interest to the back, making it pretty all the way around.

Gosh, this back is dreamy and the different hues of the pinks make it even prettier.

This twirl is everything!!  The skirt is 2 1/2 yards and is worth every single inch!  This is a 6x height which is the maximum height you can squeeze out of normal quilting cotton.

Those of you who have followed my sewing at all know that this is definitely not my oldest daughter.  Funny story.... As I was gathering all the necessary items for the photo shoot, one of her shoes was missing.  I frantically turned the house upside down looking for it with no luck.  I tried buying her new shoes and nothing fit.  ACK!!! The warm weather was only for a day or two and then it's right back to cold and rainy.  Luckily, my youngest daughter (2 years younger) has the same measurements as my oldest, except for a 2" height difference.  She happily agreed to model her sister's dress for me and the crisis was averted.  Whew!!!

Thank you Natalie Malan for this gorgeous fabric!  This collection is so soft and feminine.  Check here for the stores that carry Crisp Petals!

------- {Testing, Testing} ------- Lahaina by Little Lizard King

I simply cannot wait for summer!

As I write this post, we had an early release due to falling snow -- apparently snow in mid-March in NC means the world may be ending.... but I am sitting here dreaming of SUMMER as I write about Little Lizard King's newest release, Lahaina, which releases tomorrow March 14th.   Lahaina is a faux wrap dress with two different ruffle options on the knit bodice (single or double ruffle) and two ruffle options on the skirt (single or double ruffle option).  The skirt can be sewn in both knit or woven.  There is also an optional sash.  This pattern covers sizes 12m-14y!

As soon as I saw the call for testers, I asked my youngest what she thought.  "I WANT IT!!"  As I picked the options, I involved her in the process.  At 7, it helps her feel in control of what she is wearing and of course, I don't end up choosing the wrong options.  She did not want ruffles or a sash on the bodice, but she did want the double ruffles on the bottom.

I shopped my stash for the fabrics and came up with these whales for the skirt, a pink and white gingham for the ruffles, pink and white stripe cotton lycra for the bodice and navy cotton lycra for the binding.

If you haven't tested a pattern before, the majority of the test is perfecting the fit.  Before we attach the skirt, we post "in progress" pictures of the bodice.  My bodice fit well across the chest, but several of us were too small in the armscyes.   Mine was definitely wearable, but not perfect.    Jane quickly got to work updating the bodice.  While I waited to decide about using my first bodice, I moved onto the skirt.  As I finished the skirt, my perfectionist ways would not, could not allow me to use the original bodice.  Luckily I had just enough stripes left to resew.  I am so glad I did!!!  The new armscye is perfect and will definitely still fit my daughter in the summer.

I was able to use my coverstitch on my arm binding which made me fall in love with it all over again.  I seriously love that machine!!!  I also highly recommend using the clear elastic along the bottom of the bodice before attaching your skirt.  I have zero waviness and my bodice will always hold its shape.  It's seriously magical.

I will be writing a tutorial in the near future about "extreme" size blending.  My daughter wears a 3 width and a 6 height.  I have fine-tuned my size blending over the last year especially and noticed some mistakes I was making before.  Let me know below if you are an "extreme" size blender!

Little Lizard King 

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