5 Fun & Easy Summer Cricut Joy Projects (+ Preschooler Flashcard DIY)

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

Summer. The days are long, and the kids are out of school. And chances are high that you’ve also been home from work - maybe juggling working and caring for your children? Ya, me too. Keeping them busy and engaged, while limiting screen time to allow you to get work done is not an easy task. And if there is ever a time to pull out the Cricut and create some fun projects with (or without) your kiddos, now is the time.

Today, I’m sharing why I love my Cricut Joy™, specifically five of my favourite Cricut Joy DIY projects that I’ve made at home this summer using Cricut Joy Smart Vinyl™.

5 Fun & Easy Summer Cricut Joy Projects

Vegetable Garden Markers

One of my favourite things about our new house is the backyard. It’s crazy what a little green space can do for your mood. Since moving in last summer, I have been so excited for the girls to finally have a place to get outside and play. But, this new green space also meant that I could build an even bigger and better vegetable garden than the container gardens we had on our condo terrace last summer. So we were able to tell what was what, I created these vegetable garden markers using up cycled paint stir sticks that I simply spray painted white and Smart Vinyl - Permanent in black. I measured the size of the paint stir sticks and created the vegetable labels text (DJ Juicy font) in the Cricut design space app. I applied the labels to the painted stir sticks with Transfer Tape, and once completed, added them to my garden next to the appropriate fruit or vegetable. Much better looking that the generic tags that come from the Garden Centre. 

Wooden Welcome Sign

This wooden welcome sign is one of my favourite Cricut Joy projects to date. Earlier this summer, we added a deck to the back of our house, and to give it some added personality, we created this “Welcome to Our Deck” sign. It was also super easy to make, and with several home update projects already on the go, we had all of the materials we needed already at home. I simply created the text in the design space app (Babette font for "Welcome" and Creative Memories Tiny Treasures - Rubber Ducky font for "to our deck"). My design can be found on Design Space here.

Mailbox Decal

While our front porch is going to be next summer’s focus, I couldn’t help but take our ugly white mailbox and give it some curb appeal by painting it black to match the porch railings. I then personalized the mailbox with “hello” text created in the Cricut design space app using Babette font (easily my favourite cursive font in the app). Once the mailbox was dry, I applied the cut vinyl in the desired spot using Transfer Tape. 

Stemless Wine Glasses

We love to entertain. And while this summer may look a little different when it comes to entertain, I am happy that we have still been able to have those in our bubble over for backyard BBQs. I recently purchased more backyard-friendly plastic stemless wine glasses and decided to jazz them up a little using Smart Vinyl - Permanent in gold. I measured the size of the glasses and created the “cheers” text (Babette font) in the Cricut design space app. I then applied the labels to the outside of the clean glasses uses Transfer Tape. They were very easy to make, and added a little something extra (including lots of compliments and questions about where I bought them) to our backyard get togethers.

Preschooler Flash Cards

These flashcards were one of the first projects I made with my Cricut Joy when schools closed back in March. I was determined to keep the learning continuing, and these super simple flashcards were a great help in doing so. Using construction paper and Smart Vinyl - Permanent, in white, I created a set of capital letter cards and small letter cards. These flashcards could be used for letter recognition, spelling names and/or matching capital and small letters. The flashcards were very easy to create in design space, as the font Cricut Alphabet Circle already existed. I simply printed it on the vinyl, and applied it to the construction paper using the Transfer Tape. I did used two separate colours of construction paper, one for the capital letters and one for the small letters. But if you wanted to up the difficulty, you could use the same coloured paper for all. 

Next up on my Cricut Joy DIY list? Story blocks. Stay tuned to see how they turn out.

The Cricut Joy makes home DIY projects so easy. Unlike other Cricut machines, the Cricut Joy is a compact cutting machine, less than half the size of Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker—making it perfect for people without a dedicated crafting area (like me)! From customized pillows, to personalized glassware and welcome signs, the possibilities are nearly endless with this fun tool.

For the majority of my projects, including those outdoors, I use Cricut Joy Smart Vinyl - Permanent which is water- and UV-resistant, and lasts up to 3 years. Cricut Joy Smart Vinyl also comes in removal and writable, and a variety of different colours, including mattes, metallics, holographic and more. 

Be sure to check out the Cricut blog, where you’ll will find more DIY inspiration and tutorials! Use the hashtag #CricutAtHome when sharing your project on social media - I would love to see what you create!

Do you have a Cricut machine? What’s your favourite project to make? I’d love to hear - I’m always looking for inspiration!

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Easy DIY Piñata - Made with Up-Cycled Materials Found at Home!

Looking to add some excitement to your next backyard birthday party? Check out this easy DIY piñata tutorial, made with up-cycled materials found at home!

Last summer, our daughter’s first birthday party theme was “One in a Melon”. To go with the theme, I decided to create a watermelon shaped piñata. It was really ambitious, I admit. BUT turns out, it was SUPER easy! And not to toot my own horn, but it also turned out pretty amazing and was a smashing success (no pun intended). 

Also turns out, I set the birthday bar REAL high, and piñatas are now a birthday party expectation. 

So, when Berks’ second birthday came around, I decided to go it again and make an ice cream-shaped piñata, because she was “Two Cool”. 

Buying a piñata at a party store can get pricey. Making your own is a cost effective option and not as hard as you’d think. Chances are, you already have all of the materials you need at home. And, it's a good way to repurpose those items destined for the recycling bin - think Amazon boxes, newspapers or flyers and gift tissue paper. 

I will admit, while they’re easy, they do take some time to make. At least 2-3 days. So it does take a bit of pre-planning and can’t be a night before decision. But, they’re so worth it because it will be a hit (ok, pun intended on that one). 

Check out the easy DIY piñata tutorial, and all of the materials you will need to gather from around your home, below.

Easy DIY Piñata Tutorial

Materials:

• Cardboard (i.e. your Amazon boxes)
• Marker or sharpie
• Scissors
• Tape (thicker tape works best)
• Newspaper or flyers
• Large bowl
• Flour
• Water
• Streamers or tissue paper
• Rope
• Screwdriver 
• Sharp knife
• Goodies (i.e. candy - for the inside)

Directions:

1. Repurpose the boxes from all of your COVID Amazon purchases (I can't be the only guilty one?) - Cut two pieces of cardboard, large enough for your design. Using the marker, draw your design and cut it out. Pick a design with less detail. The less detail, the more structurally sound (and easier to put together) it will be. 
2. Using the left over cardboard, cut cardboard strips, which will act as the edges of the piñata to give it the 3D shape. 
3. Using the tape, attach the cardboard strips to one side of the piñata face. Repeat for the other side.
4. Cut the newspaper into large strips. I kept the newspaper folded when I cut so that the strips were two-ply. It will save some time when getting down to the paper mache part of the piñata.
5. Mix up the paper mache goo. You can use traditional plaster of paris, but not everyone has that lying around. Flour and water will work just as well, and chances are, you already have flour in your pantry. Add a little bit of water at a time to get the correct consistency, you want it to be almost pancake batter thin. Add more flour if it is too thin. Flour and water is much more environmentally friendly (and pet safe) as well. 
6. Start paper maching! Dip the double-layered strips of newspaper into the flour-water mixture. Remove any excess with your fingers. Cover the cardboard cutout with a single layer of paper mached newspaper. Allow to dry for 24 hours, flipping every so often to allow each side to dry. By this point, it should be rock solid. If not, repeat with another layer.
7. Before decorating, cut a hole for the candy using a sharp knife. Don’t make it too big, or it will affect the structure of the piñata. It just needs to be as big as the biggest piece of candy or item you will be putting in it. 
8. Add the goodies to the piñata. Once you are done, close the flap. No need to tape the flap shut, the tissue will eventually cover it.
9. Now it’s time to bring the piñata to life and decorate the outside! To do this, you can either use paper streamers or tissue paper cut into strips. When I made the watermelon, I purchased pink paper streamers and green tissue paper at Dollarama. For the ice cream cone, they did not have the colours I wanted in the paper streamers so I bought gold, purple and pink tissue paper (gold for the cone, and purple and pink for the Cotton Candy ice cream, as requested by my four year old).
10. Cut the tissue paper into strips. Using tape, wrap the tissue around the piñata and use small pieces of tape to secure it. Remember to start at the bottom and work your way to the top so that the layers overlap properly. Repeat until the entire piñata is covered, with no exposed newspaper or tape. It doesn’t need to be pretty - the next step will help to blend it all together.
11. Using scissors, fray each layer of the tissue paper to help to blend it all together.
12. Using a screwdriver or sharp knife, poke a hole through both sides of the piñata to be able to hang it. Make sure the hole is about two inches from the edge of the piñata to keep the structure and so it doesn’t fall apart at the rope.
13. Once the rope is added, pick a location to hang it, grab a bat or hockey stick and have fun cracking it open!

*See photo below for detailed photo instructions.

Happy piñata-ing!

Have you ever made your own piñata? I’d love to hear about it!

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DIY Indoor Water Table for Baby

Who else is going a little stir crazy with this weather? One day it's sunny and we're out for a walk, the next it's freezing rain and we're stuck inside.

When we can't get outside, I often find myself scrambling to come up with stimulating indoor activities for the girls. It's always good to have some in your back pocket. 

And because you asked (thanks to an IG story poll), over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing my back pocket indoor activities for both babies and toddlers/preschoolers, starting with this DIY Indoor Water Table for Baby!

One of my favourite indoor play ideas for the littlest in our family is this DIY indoor water table. I'm a water lover, and have thankfully also passed that on to my girls. Morley often tells me she would like to be a mermaid, that's how much she loves the water. This indoor water table was an activity I often pulled out when she was little, so I figured I'd give it a go again for her water-loving little sister.

It's a super simple idea to have in your back pocket when the weather isn't ideal to get outside (or when it is, and you're just looking for something fun) and it can be recreated with materials you very likely already have lying around.

So how did little B like it? Of course, it was a hit. Big sis was also loving it, showing B how to splash and grab the toys.

Benefits of Water Play for Baby:

This water play activity is not only fun, but it gives many opportunities to develop fine and gross motor skills (think hand-eye coordination). It's also an amazing sensory experience introducing them to textures and even temperatures. Plus, it's a great way to help get your babe more comfortable around the water (yes, they will get wet) AND to sneak in a little tummy time without them putting up too much of a fuss. 

Important note: While I say that this water play activity is good for baby, I recommend only doing it for those that are strong enough to push up on their arms and hold their head up while on their bellies. 

DIY Indoor Water Table for Baby

What You Need:

• Large, clean cookie sheet
• Clean, warm water
• Towel
• Baby-safe and water-safe toys (i.e. bath toys, utensils, cups, etc.)

What To Do:

1. Place the towel flat on the floor. Put the cookie sheet on top of the towel.
2. Add enough warm water (not too hot) to cover the bottom of the cookie sheet. (You don't want to to add too much water, it may not stay in the cookie sheet.)
3. Add baby-safe and water-safe items to the water. 
4. Place your babe on their tummy, with their arms in the water (so the edge of the cookie sheet is essentially in their armpits).
5. Have fun watching them splash in the water.

Important note: Remember to NEVER leave them unattended!

Stay tuned for more back pocket indoor activity ideas for babies and preschoolers, coming soon to Instagram and the blog!

What are some of your favourite DIY indoor activities? I'd love to hear!

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