You still have time to enter the Play at Home Giveaway for a chance to win your own Glittery Vinyl from Cricut!  After you see these awesome projects, you are going to want some, I promise!

The time has finally come for our first round of voting!  Are you so excited?!?!  I know I am.  I am just blown away by the creativity that our contestants have shown through their projects.  All of the contestants were asked to send in two photos and a quick write up about their project that I will post here for you to see.  At the end of this post you will find the voting.  You are allowed to vote for your top 3 favorite projects so keep that in mind as you look at all the projects.

Just so that you are aware, Leisha from Homemade Toast had to forfeit the contest due to some medical issues.  We wish her a very speedy recovery and send our love.  Due to her forfeit, only two other bloggers will be eliminated this round for a total of three so that we can continue on with the next round with the 9 bloggers who receive the highest amount of votes.

Let’s get on with this!  Here are the projects in no particular order and submitted anonymously.  (don’t forget to go vote!)

Mosaic Purse

Personalized Kids Messenger Bag

It took me about 2 seconds to figure out what I was going to make when I saw this glitter vinyl. I’d had this project idea up my sleeve anyway and had been dying to use glitter vinyl heat transfer on something. So I created a Personalized Kids Messenger Bag. Perfect for elementary school aged kids to carry their homework in or it could also be great as a dance bag or soccer bag. It could be made for boys or for girls and personalized in any fun color (and for boys you could just use regular vinyl heat transfer instead of the glittery kind). It’s got a pocket inside for pencils or gadgets and a kids size strap. I love how it turned out!!! (I’m a sucker for hot pink polkadots.)

Ants on Parade Picnic Wreath

When I first got my glittery black iron on vinyl I had a hard time envisioning a spring or summer project with BLACK vinyl. I’m really into bright, fun projects right now, so I was kind of stumped for a few days. Finally it came to me and myAnts on Parade Picnic Wreath was born! I was inspired by a picnic invitation I saw online and I wanted to make a project that really stood out and that people hadn’t seen before. So I ran to the local craft store, picked up some red gingham and got started. The craft store had these great wooden props that I thought would be perfect for my wreath–I picked up a hamburger, hot dog, some mustard and ketchup bottles, and a flipper and attached them to the wreath. I then used my cutting machine to cut out little black glittery ants and I ironed them all over.

My final project touches included adding a white felt bow and adding some ants walking across the middle. It was a really fun project to make and probably one of my favorite projects to date! I think this wreath would be the perfect way to adorn your front door for your next BBQ or outdoor picnic at your house…I’d even go as far to create a tablecloth, napkins, and/or placemats with the same little ants. Or you could make your own picnic blanket in the same style! See black, white and red can be springy too! I hope you enjoy my wreath as much as I do–I think it’s pretty one of a kind! Thanks so much for taking a look at my project!

Anchor’s Away Tote Bag

Do you have plans to hit to the pool or head to the local growers market this summer? Are you going to be celebrating graduations or attending a baby shower? If you said yes to any of these, then I have the perfect project for you! Whether you keep it for yourself or give it as a gift, my cute Anchor’s Away Tote Bag is easy to make, easy to personalize, and can be used again and again! All you need is Provo Craft glittery iron-on vinyl, a canvas tote bag, ribbon, and Heat’n Bond!

The first thing you will need to do is decide on your shape. I chose a cute anchor for the summer, but you could use a graduation cap, initial, team logo, stripes, stars… the ideas are endless! For my bag, I used this anchor shape and printed it on card stock. You will want to use card stock because after you {carefully} cut out your shape it will be thick enough to give you an edge to follow when you cut out the vinyl. Using an Xacto knife, I cut my anchor out of the vinyl. Then, following the instructions, I ironed the anchor onto my bag! *Tip: The clear liner faces up towards you. If it faces down, after you iron it, your anchor will be adhered to your cloth! (I learned the hard way!)* The last step is to iron the Heat’n Bond to the back of both the ribbons for the handles and the ribbon for the inside edge. After ironing the ribbons onto the bag, step back and admire your new cute tote bag; I know I love mine!

Sewing Table Redo

When I first opened the box and saw the Cricut Iron-on I had a moment of panic. I do not have a Cricut or other fancy cutting machine. I do have one nice pair of scissors and an exacto knife. When I can find it. But since I have the scissoring skills of an angry third grader I knew I wasn’t going to be able to do an intricate design.  As I was brainstorming I looked around my house and saw an old sewing table that my neighbor gave me about six months ago. I had been thinking of painting it, staining it, trashing it (?), but had done nothing so it sat in the corner collecting dust and preschool projects. Light bulb. So I sanded it, primed it, sanded again, painted, sanded some more (what?) and then added fabric to the front using Mod Podge.

I discovered through this process that the 70s style sewing machine that this table was made for was a far different shape than my machine. It would have never fit. So in the future I’ll just put my machine on top of the table when I’m sewing and use the inside to store fabric scraps. I took out some of the hardware inside then sanded and painted the wood to give myself a nice little shelf for storage. I may change the function of this shelf when I have a chance to really use the table. Finally, for the perfect touch of bling? The glittery iron-on film which I ironed on to my fabric before Mod Podging it to the front of the table. I printed off “sew.” from my computer, cut the letters out of paper, traced them onto the film, and then cut them out with scissors. In retrospect I probably should have written “sew what?” since it represents my general attitude towards sewing and my disregard for half the instructions that come with every project. I’m sort of a rebel. A rebel who likes puns and has crookedly sewn curtains.

Elephant Shirt

I was so excited when I opened up the package from Provo Craft and saw the iron on vinyl as the secret ingredient for this round and I could not wait to get started.  I have actually had a roll of iron on vinyl for like a year just sitting on my craft shelf, because I was so nervous to try it out. I am so glad this gave me the push to finally make something with this awesome product. Seriously the possibilities are endless. It really wasn’t scary at all. I had one little hiccup cutting some of the elephants the wrong way, but then it ended up being just what I wanted in the end. You know one of those craft projects that turned out better than you even had in your head. I love those. And I love how this shirt turned out.

My very first thought was to make a shirt so I just went with it. I have been in love with the tribal animals, the arrows, triangles and aztec prints that are floating all around the fashion world right now, so I thought why not make my very own one of a kinda Tee with those styles I love. I got the white shirt at target for only $12. I cut the glitter black vinyl into elephant shapes with my cricut {You could also cut the vinyl by hand} and then I used the pre- cut triangles that Provo Craft sent.  Next I laid it out and designed it how I thought it looked best. Followed the instructions and ironed it right on! It really was a quick, easy and fun project. I know you will love trying out the iron on vinyl and making your own.  Seriously isn’t it the cutest shirt you have ever seen. Who doesn’t love elephants?! I am excited to pair it with some fun pants or printed leggins. Go bold or go home I say!

Dry Erase Calendar & Memo Board

A Day at the Beach

I am so excited to share this weeks project with you, I can hardly stand it!  I hope you’ll love it as much as I do.  When I received the 1st package from Provo Craft containing black glitter iron on vinyl I was happy!  I had been wanting to try it for quite a while.  Then I was overwhelmed, there are so many possibilities, what should I do?!!! I decided the best option was to go walk around the store and see what spoke to me.  The 1st thing I found was a big huge sunhat, unfortunately I couldn’t find anything in the iron on vinyl instructions that said if it would work on a straw hat so that had to stay at the store, but – it got me set on an idea.  “A DAY AT THE BEACH!!”   After the sunhat I came across these adorable YELLOW shoes!!!  I knew they were going  to be part of my project.  Next I found a cute beach bag and a matching beach towel.  I bought my items and headed home to figure out what I was going to do with them.

When I got home I opened up Craft Room and was looking through the different beach type images they had for the Cricut and I came across this cute anchor and knew a black anchor on the yellow shoes would be adorable.  I started there and then decided to add *Ahoy* for just a little more beachy feel.  I decided to add the anchor to both the towel and the bag and then added a little blue *ahoy* to the bag to tie it all together.  I will admit that ironing the vinyl on the shoes was a bit tricky with the bend to the back of the shoe but with some patience it wasn’t hard and the 2nd shoe was much faster than the 1st.  The bag and towel were quite quick compared to the shoes and now I’m ready for a day at the beach with my cute shoes, bag, and towel!!!

Super Hero Costume

When I first saw the item to use for this round I was so thrilled.  I knew exactly what I was going to make.  My Daughter has been begging for a Super Hero Costume forever!  And the Glitter Iron-on Vinyl from ProvoCraft is so perfect for this project.  I created a Mask then used the glitter vinyl for the top layer.  ProvoCraft also sent little extra triangles and I cut up the glitter pink vinyl as eyelashes and applied them on top.

I also found a great way to make boots out of duct tape and lacing them with ribbon.  The cuffs are made out of glitter foam sheets and tied with ribbon.  I used eyelets to complete the cuff look.  The cape was the best part.  I designed the background in the Cricut craft room using the Superhero cartridges (Batman and Superman).  There was a lot of welding and reshaping, but it came out fabulous.  The mask is probably my favorite part of the whole outfit, I just love those pink glitter eyelashes!   I’m sure all mom, grandmothers, and great grandmothers will love this idea.  To be able to use something that is so easy and your kids will love and cherish it till the next big thing comes along.

Monogrammed Door & Bird Silhouette Pillow

I love the idea of a front door being as inviting and delightful as what’s inside your home. I also love that I’ve figured out a simple way to cover the oval window in the middle of the door. The first challenge was to use a piece of fabulously sparkled iron-on transfer film to personlize/decorate something.  It’s worth noting that you don’t need a machine to cut your design.  (I actually used a machine for the J ,and a pair of cuticle scissors for the s, the t, the bird and the branches just to see if I could do it–and do it well.)

I decided to use materials and supplies on hand to make it cost effective.  Cost effective and simple?  I’m all for that.  I already had the crates on the porch and the brown piece of material on the door–but I wanted to add more color.  The piece of fabric I used turned out to be the perfect background to ‘pop’ the monogram.  The contrast made the edges so crisp. (Note to self:  the next time you use–and I certainly will–this product, remember that “the film” is the grayish side of the sheet, and “the liner” is the side you can see the sparkles through. I say that for no particular reason.  Except that maybe a girl could get mixed up.  ~smile~)  In another tutorial I will gladly teach anyone the 465 magnificent things you can do with green and brown houndstooth fabric–including a pillow.  I love how it turned out–and have a little bit of a smile hoping you do too.

Brave Inspired Arrow Pouch

My three year old daughter is currently *obsessed* with all things Brave and Merida related. She’s started quoting her favorite parts from the movie and has even recently acquired her very own Merida Bow and (suction cup) Arrow set. She’s over the moon about it! The only downfall we’ve faced is that while she’s mimicking Merida riding her horse at the beginning of the movie, she can’t hold her horse, her bow, and her arrows all at the same time and it’s become quite the issue. Like, we’re talking meltdowns here.

 

When I received the iron-on vinyl from Cricut this week, I knew exactly what I needed to do; I created my daughter her very own Brave-Inspired Arrow Pouch! I know technically it’s supposed to be called a quiver, but the three-year-old dictated what it should be called and I’m letting it slide. I kept my daughter in mind when putting this together, so it’s adorned with ruffles and the trendy triangle iron-ons, but I also made the strap as two separate pieces with hook and loop tape for safety reasons. This way it can easily detach should she get stuck on something. We’re both in love!

 

Aren’t these projects all incredible?!?  Now it’s your turn.  Vote for your top THREE favorite projects.  You will have until Sunday at midnight to vote and the results will be posted on Monday.  Good Luck to all the contestants!