Introducing Cricut's newest machine - Cricut Explore One!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

If you're new to the wonderful world of crafting -- or even if you consider yourself to be more of a "basic" crafter -- then Cricut's brand new machine is just for you! This nifty new machine is called the Cricut Explore One™ and it's perfect for crafting beginners and basic crafters because it offers a simplified design-and-cut system that is incredibly user-friendly. The Explore One™ actually offers most of the same features as Cricut's other Explore machines, it's just priced lower!

In addition to its affordable price, here are a few other things about the Cricut Explore One™ that you're sure to love:

• It can cut over 60 different materials, from the most delicate materials like vellum to thicker things like leather. It can also cut cardstock, vinyl, fabric, balsa wood, leather, and more…without complicated settings.
• You'll have free access to Cricut's Design Space™ online software and iPad® app so you'll able to design on your computer or your Pad®. You'll also be able to use a Bluetooth® adapter for wireless cutting.
• The Explore One allows you to cut a wide range of shapes and sizes with exceptional precision, from ¼" tall up to 11½" wide x 23½" tall. You just select the material that you're using on the Smart Set® dial. From there, the machine's Cut Smart® technology will deliver a clean, professional cut.
• You can upload your own images and use your own fonts -- for free!
• Each machine comes with over 25 free 1-click projects and 50+ free images to get them started right away.
• If you want to use the machine to write or score, you can easily swap out the cutting cartridge with the Cricut Explore One™ Accessory Adapter and Pen.

The Cricut Explore One™ makes it easy, fast, and affordable for you to explore your creativity and delight your loved ones with personal handmade projects and gifts! And if you purchase your very own Cricut Explore One™ before the end of May - you'll get free shipping when you use code MAYSHIP!

Cricut Flash Sale: 40% Off All Supplies + Free Shipping

Cricut Flash Sale: 40% Off All Supplies + Free Shipping

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Cricut's Flash Sale is going on now! 

This weekend, shop the Cricut Flash Sale and get 40% off all supplies. Stock up on all of those much needed supplies and throughout March, all orders ship for free with code MARCHSHIP (No Minimum!). 

Hurry over to Cricut to catch these savings before they are gone! 

Cricut Explore Artfully Sent Balloon Scene Card

Here is a quick card that I made with my new Cricut Explore and CTMH Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge.   

The Cricut Explore scored and cut the outer card.  Then cut the clouds out the card liner which I then backed with white.

I fastened it with a piece of Flaxen Extra-Thick Twine which co-ordinates with the patterned cardstock.

Here's a really quick video I took with my phone to show how the score and cut feature works.

CTMH products used:

Chalk It Up paper pack

Glacier cardstock

White Daisy cardstock

Flaxen Extra-Thick Twine

Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge

Check out my Close To My Heart website for more information about these products.

Check out the Cricut Explore & Bundles at Cricut.com

They also have the wireless adapter and other accessories available online.

Free shipping with code: FREESHIP35

Cricut Explore Make It Now Card with CTMH Hopscotch Paper

One of the features in Cricut Design Space Software is the Make It Now projects.  There are all sorts of projects available, like cards, scrapbook pages, home decor and vinyl projects just to name a few.

One of my first projects was a Make It Now Birthday Card.  It was really easy - they give you a list of materials and instructions.

The machine cut, scored and wrote "Happy Birthday". I added the liner piece which was also a cut from the project, then went over the Happy Birthday sentiment with a white Jelly Roll gel pen since the silver pen that came with the machine was too light for that colour of cardstock.  Whole project only took a few minutes from start to finish.

You can also customize the Make It Now projects by adding different images from your own cartridges or from the Cricut subscription images.

CTMH products used:

Hopscotch patterned paper & CTMH Sunset solid cardstock

 Visit my CTMH website for more information on these products.

See all the Free Projects in Cricut Design Space

Check out the Cricut Explore & Bundles at Cricut.com

They also have the wireless adapter and other accessories available online.

Free shipping with code: FREESHIP35

Unpacking Cricut Explore

My Cricut Explore arrived on Friday - I was so happy to get it.  My daughter had ordered it through her work so I wasn't able to login to get tracking information. We were expecting it on Monday - so I am going to be doing alot of crafting this weekend.  I'm so excited.

I put off a couple of projects because I wanted to see if this machine would live up to all the hype that I've been hearing the past couple weeks because of the release of the Explore Air on HSN.com   After watching a ton of YouTube videos, joining some Cricut Explore Facebook Groups and playing with the Design Space software, I decided to order the Explore now with the Bluetooth Adapter instead of waiting for the Air to be released in Canada.

Open the box and there is a package of materials in an envelope and instructions for setting up in the smaller booklet.

So you get some cardstock for the starter project and there are a couple sheets of Duck Tape, a sheet of Cricut Iron-on and a sheet of Cricut Vinyl.

The Cricut Explore comes with it's own bag, which is great. I bought a bag for my Expression 2 at the same time that I ordered the Explore. 

You also get a mat, a Cricut pen and the adapter for usb and power supply.

Nice looking machine - very sleek.  

Here it is beside my E2.   They are almost the same size. The E2 looks larger than it actually is.

The Explore has great built in storage.  There is a section on the top and once the top and front open there is a couple hidden compartments for blades, housing and tools. 

Inside the housing on the left holds either a pen or a scoring tool.  And the blade housing is on the right.

While I was waiting for delivery of the Explore I ordered a Score Tool and a Bluetooth Adapter from Amazon.ca.   There is a slot on the right side of the machine for the Bluetooth Adapter and the Score Tool is interchangeable with the pen. 

So that's the unboxing of my new Explore.  

In my next post I will show the making of the included project. 

Check out the Cricut Explore & Bundles at Cricut.com

They also have the wireless adapter and other accessories available online.

Free shipping with code: FREESHIP35