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Martin Luther King Jr. Day Craft Ideas

Celebrated on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorates the life and legacy of a civil rights leader. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to achieving equality for all people. With a message of hope, his “I Have a Dream” speech inspired a nation and continues to be a source of inspiration to this day.

Some holidays are easier to celebrate than others. For example, July 4th has become a beach and barbeque extravaganza for most families. However, Martin Luther King Jr. Day often gets overlooked as just another federal holiday. Use these Martin Luther King Jr. Day craft ideas to commemorate a leader worth remembering and to celebrate a day that is deserving of being a holiday.

Martin Luther King Jr. Crafts For Preschoolers

For preschool aged children, a great Martin Luther King Jr. craft idea is one that helps them understand what a civil rights leader is. Begin the holiday activities by explaining how being a civil rights leader requires one to take a hard look at the world around them. Upon doing so, discuss what could be changed for the better and how we can make the world a better, happier, and more peaceful place.

Once you have finished the discussion, it is time for the preschoolers to create their very own world. Begin with an 8.5 x 11 inch blue cardstock paper. Lunar blue is a great color choice. Draw a circle as large as the page allows. Then, take a pair of scissors and cut out the circle. You now have the water for your earth. Next, allow your preschool age children to glue pieces of green tissue paper onto their world. These will act as the continents. Keep in mind that this will be an abstract world and the kids can use as much or as little tissue paper as they like.

When they have finished pasting, set aside their perfect little worlds to dry. You will now need an 8.5 x 11 inch red-colored paper. Fold the paper in half lengthwise and widthwise so that you are left with four equal rectangles. In each rectangular space, draw a heart. When you have finished drawing the hearts, use a pair of scissors to cut out each one. Ask each child what they would like to do to make the world a better place and write their words inside their heart. Then, paste the heart onto their world. Just like that, they have created Martin Luther King Jr. Day preschool crafts that will inspire them to make positive change.

Martin Luther King Jr. Crafts For Kids

In the same vein, school aged children can also enjoy a discussion about civil rights leaders and how one can make the world a better place. At this age, you can have a more in depth conversation about inequality in the world today and what we can do to continue in Martin Luther King Jr.’s footsteps. While there are many craft ideas for kids, here is one popular one that is sure to be a hit.

Begin by asking each child what their favorite color is. Once they answer their favorite color, provide them with an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of cardstock paper in the color of their choosing. Next, have them place their non-dominant hand on the sheet of paper. With a pencil, they should begin tracing the outline of their hand. Make sure they trace in between each finger. When they have finished tracing, they can use scissors to carefully cut out the stencil of their hand.

When everyone has completed their hand cut-outs, it is time to start interlocking the hands with each other and pasting them onto a 12 x 18 inch cardstock paper. As you work together to connect the hands, talk about how the shape and color of each hand is different from each other. Explain how differences are what make us special and how we can all still come together as one. This is essentially what Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was trying to accomplish and this visual aid is a great way to bring his teachings to life.

Martin Luther King Jr. Crafts For Teens

Teenagers are old enough to read and appreciate the words of Martin Luther King Jr.’s, “I Have a Dream” speech. Have an open discussion about the things they would have talked about if they had to make such a speech. Talk about the state of the world today and ask them what they would do to leave a positive impact on the world and make it better for the next generation.

After discussing this, you can provide them with an 11 x 17 inch sheet of cardstock paper. The relic gold color works very well for this particular project, but any color will do. Tell them to create their very own vision board that they would use as inspiration for their, “I Have a Dream” speech. Supply them with an assortment of magazines and newspapers so they can cut out words and pictures that inspire them. Use markers and paints to help decorate their vision board.

Encourage them to be as creative as they would like. The beauty of vision boards is that no two boards will ever look the same. Inspiration can be found everywhere and they can translate that inspiration onto their vision boards as they see fit. Once they have finished, you can welcome them to share their creation and the vision behind them.

Martin Luther King Jr. Crafts For Adults

Oftentimes, people mistakenly assume that adults are too old for crafts. On the contrary, crafting provides an escape from the monotony of everyday routine that can be extremely therapeutic for all ages. There is no age limit for creative self expression. In fact, it should be encouraged.

This easy Martin Luther King Jr. craft idea for adults is not complicated at all and will serve as a beautiful decoration for your home. To begin making your handprint wreath, you will need cardstock paper in tan, cream, and black. With a pencil, begin tracing your handprint onto one sheet of cardstock paper. When you have finished, use a pair of scissors to cut it out.

Use that hand cutout as your stencil and trace approximately 15 more handprints. Take your time to cut out each handprint. Once you have all 16 handprints, alternate each color to create a one-of-a-kind inclusive handprint wreath. Hang the wreath on your front door or any other doorway of your home to celebrate equality for all.

Regardless of what craft you decide to make and what age you are, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Just remember to have fun and be creative. When it comes to arts and crafts, there is no wrong way of doing things. Whatever mistake you may think you made just serves to make the project that much more unique.

St. Patrick’s Day Craft Ideas

Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, passed away on March 17th in the fifth century. To commemorate his life, the holiday of St. Patrick’s Day celebrates Irish culture with parades, music and dancing. Interestingly, green was not a color originally associated with St. Patrick’s Day. Introduced in the 18th century, when the shamrock became the national symbol of Ireland, green has since become synonymous with the holiday.

While St. Patrick’s Day is most notoriously known for its partying, it is actually a religious holiday that pays tribute to the rich culture of the Irish. To participate in the day’s festivities, there are many different DIY crafts you can make.

St. Patrick’s Day Crafts For Preschoolers

Commonly associated with Irish folklore, a rainbow with a pot of gold at its end is the perfect arts and crafts idea for preschool aged children. To begin, you will need an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of cardstock paper. Lunar blue is the perfect color choice for this project. Next, use a paintbrush dipped in washable glue to draw rainbow shaped lines across the page. Make sure to use a generous amount of glue.

Provide each preschooler with their own bowl filled with Fruit Loops, or any other type of multi-colored Cheerios. Show them how to place the pieces of cereal all along the lines of glue to create their very own colorful rainbows. When they have finished gluing, use the paintbrush dipped in glue to draw a cloud on one end of their rainbow. Allow them to paste pieces of cotton balls onto the cloud to make it nice and fluffy.

Next, use black marker or black paint to draw a pot at the other end of their rainbow. With a pair of scissors, cut out small coin-shaped circles from a sheet of 8.5 x 11 inch cardstock paper. Galaxy gold is a great color option for golden coins. Provide each preschooler with a glue stick and help them paste as many coins as they would like onto their pot of gold. Just like that, they will have created their St. Patrick’s Day craft.

St. Patrick’s Day Crafts For Kids

One very popular St. Patrick’s Day craft idea for kids is the traditional Irish top hat. To begin, you will need an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of cardstock paper in the color, gamma green. With a pencil, draw the shape of a top hat. Make sure that it’s large enough that it takes up almost the entire sheet of cardstock paper. Next, use a pair of scissors to cut out the top hat shape.

To complete the top hat, you will need to create the famous Irish buckle design. You will need two sheets of 8.5 x 11 inch colored paper, one black-colored paper and one sunburst yellow colored paper. Use your scissors to cut out a black strip of paper and paste that above the brim of the top hat. Next, cut out a square from the yellow paper. Carefully fold the square in half to cut out the inside portion of the square. It can then be glued over the center of the black strip.

The final step in this easy St. Patrick’s Day crafts idea is turning the top hat into an actual wearable hat. To do so, take an 11 x 17 inch sheet of cardstock paper in the same gamma green color. Cut 3-inch wide strips of paper across the entire length of the 17-inch side. Next, carefully measure it around the head of each child and use a pencil to mark the appropriate length. Use a stapler to connect the ends to each other and then staple the top hat onto the front. Now, each child can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the proper attire.

St Patrick’s Day Crafts For Teens

A fun St. Patrick’s Day craft idea for teens involves the iconic Irish shamrock. To begin, you will need a pair of cheap plastic sunglasses. You can purchase these from any dollar store or party store. Very carefully, punch out the plastic lenses from the glasses. Next, take an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of cardstock paper. Gamma green is the perfect color choice to mimic the shamrock.

If you trust your drawing abilities, you can simply draw two shamrock shapes directly onto your sheet of cardstock paper. Make sure that the size of each shamrock is about 1.5 inches larger than each eyeglass hole. If you require some extra direction, you can print out a shamrock design, cut it out, and use it as a stencil to trace one onto your green-colored sheet of paper. When you have finished drawing, use a pair of scissors to cut out both shamrocks.

Next, carefully cut out a circle from the center of each shamrock. Make sure that each hole is large enough for you to see through. It is now time to decorate your shamrock cutouts. To bring the Irish spirit more to life, take a sheet of paper in a lighter green color. Vulcan green is a great color option. Draw tiny little shamrock shapes. Cut them out and paste them onto your larger shamrock glasses cut-outs.

When you are finished, you can paste each large shamrock cutout onto the glasses frame. Press down with force so that the cardstock paper firmly sticks to the plastic frame. Allow time for it to fully dry. Then simply don the St. Patrick’s Day themed glasses and join the parade in style.

St Patrick’s Day Crafts For Adults

Once the kids have finished crafting, what better way to get in the holiday spirit than with a St. Patrick’s Day garland? To begin, you will need colored paper in multiple shades of green. Terra green, gamma green, and martian green are all great color options. Start by drawing one shamrock. You can either freestyle it or you can print one and trace it. Once you have finished drawing or tracing, use a pair of scissors to cut it out. Use your shamrock cut-out as a stencil and trace and cut out at least 50 more shamrocks.

When you have all your shamrock cutouts prepared, take a hole punch and punch a single hole in each shamrock. Take a large piece of green-colored yarn and string each shamrock onto the yarn. Once they are all in place, you can hang your St. Patrick’s Day garland by the entrance to your home, across your dining room, or along your banister railing. Make as many garlands as you would like depending on how festive you’d like your space to look.

Regardless of which craft ideas for St. Patrick’s Day you choose to bring to lif, just remember to have fun. After all, the spirit of the holiday is a joyous one and there is no better way to get in the holiday spirit than with some quality family time spent creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Cricut Layered Cardstock Projects Guide


Cricut cutting machines have become very popular in the crafting world. They allow you to create intricate cut-outs and work on projects that would be too difficult to tackle with just a pair of scissors. The sky is truly the limit in terms of what you can create when combining cricut design software together with the cricut cutting machine.

In fact, there are so many things you can create that you may not know where to start. Oftentimes, we may own a particularly useful machine but not utilize it to its full potential. This is normal because it can take time to discover all the different things you can use it for. This cricut layered cardstock projects guide will show you how to use a truly unique crafting method for your next cricut project. This method is known as cardstock layering or layered cardstock art.

What Is Cardstock Layering?

As its name suggests, cardstock layering is layering different pieces of cardstock paper on top of each other. Doing so achieves a layered look that is almost 3D like in its appearance. While you can technically choose to layer only a few pieces of cardstock, most layering projects utilize lots of layers. The more layers that you choose to incorporate into your design, the more three-dimensional the effect will be.

Not only does layering allow you to create a 3D effect, it is also such a popular crafting method because it lets you include so many ranges of color into your design. Each layer can be a different color and a different shade, which only serves to enhance the overall look of the finished project.

For example, if you wanted to create a gorgeous butterfly image, there is only so much color and dimension you can add if you aren’t using the layering method. When layering cardstock, you can incorporate as much color and depth as you would like to make your butterfly look truly life-like, as if it’s practically about to fly off the paper.

How To Make Layered Cardstock With Cricut

Since layered cardstock projects require a lot of measuring and cutting, a cricut cutting machine is your best option. Ideally, you want to work with the Cricut Maker or the Cricut Explore machines. While it is possible to use the Cricut Joy as well, your designs will be very small and it may be hard to avoid tearing when dealing with intricate designs.

Next, you will need the cricut cutting mat. It is very important that your cardstock paper adheres fully to the mat in order to avoid unclean lines or tearing. To help make sure the paper is fully secured to the mat, you can use a cricut brayer tool. Simply roll the brayer tool over your cardstock paper to make sure it is firmly attached to the cutting mat. Cricut’s premium fine-point blade is also necessary to ensure precise cutting. After the cutting has been done, you will want the cricut scraper tool to carefully lift each individual piece of cut-out cardstock paper off the cutting mat.

Perhaps the most important supply needed for your cardstock layering project is the cardstock paper. Cardstock paper with a weight range of 65 pounds to 100 pounds is ideal. To begin, you will need the Cricut Design Space software. Simply upload your desired design onto Design Space or choose any available layered cardstock design from Design Space itself. If you search online, there are many free templates available to download. Just make sure that the template you choose is for a layered cardstock design.

MATERIALS NEEDED

When your design has been inserted onto your blank canvas, resize it to fit the needs of your particular project. Next, click the “Make It” button at the top right hand corner of the screen. In the dropdown menu underneath each layered cut, make sure to select both the size of paper you are using and the type of paper.

Next, place your cardstock paper onto your cutting mat. Don’t forget to use the cricut brayer tool to make sure that it is firmly adhered to the surface of the cutting mat. You are now ready to load the cutting mat onto your cricut machine. Simply follow the instructions on the screen in Cricut Design Space to begin cutting each layer of your layered project design.

Once all of your layers have been cut, lay them out in front of you in the correct order in which you wish to layer them. When it comes to gluing the layers together, you have multiple options. You can choose to use a regular adhesive to glue the layers to each other or you can use small foam adhesives to attach each layer to each other. The foam adhesives, because they are thicker than a standard layer of glue, will allow you to create much more dimension in your design. The choice is up to you depending on your desired look.

Layered Cardstock Project Ideas

The options are endless when it comes to layered cardstock project ideas. However, endless options can sometimes be intimidating. It can often be helpful to have an idea presented to you. One popular layered cardstock project idea is the butterfly. To find a layered butterfly template, simply search online. There are many free templates available for download. Depending on your level of expertise, you can search for beginner designs or more advanced designs.

You can always choose to pay for designs as well. If you are looking for something very specific and unique, there are plenty of templates available for purchase. It simply depends on your budget and what design you are looking to create. If you’re a true design pro, you can even create your own layered cardstock template.

Incorporate as many colors of cardstock paper as you would like into your butterfly design. One of the reasons why butterflies are such a popular choice for layered cardstock projects is because they allow for the incorporation of so many different colors. Once all the layers have been cut, you can begin assembling the layers. To make the butterfly truly life-like, remember to use foam adhesives for the layers of the butterfly’s wings. This will create a gorgeous 3D effect.

Other popular layered cardstock project designs include flowers, hearts, and animals. In truth, almost anything in the world can be turned into a layered cardstock design. It is a truly unique crafting method, because it allows you to create such intricate and colorful designs without a million different tools. All you really need is a cricut cutting machine, the Design Space software, and some cardstock paper. As stated, there are additional tools which can be useful, but they are not technically necessary.

When you have finished creating your layered cardstock project, you can decide how you would like to display it. Many people like to place the design inside a shadow box which they can then hang on the wall, place above a fireplace mantle, or sit atop a side table. However, you can also choose to use your design for greeting cards or for layered cardstock invitations. What you choose to do with your layered cardstock art is up to you. Just make sure that its beauty gets to be enjoyed by all.

DIY Hanukkah Card Ideas

Celebrate the festival of lights with homemade Hanukkah cards. There is no better way to spread the holiday cheer than with a thoughtful card made by hand. Of course there’s plenty of beautiful cards to be bought, but why not make one by hand? It may seem daunting to make handmade Hanukkah cards, but the process is actually easier than you may think.

The wonderful part of making your own cards for Hanukkah is the amount of personalization you can incorporate into the process. You can tailor each card for its intended recipient and bring a truly joyous smile to their faces. Most importantly, there is no right or wrong when it comes to artistic expression. You can modify each project to match your artistic level and it will still come out beautifully.

Cute Hanukkah Cards

One adorable idea for Happy Hanukkah cards, particularly if you have kids, is to incorporate their handprints into the design. To begin, you will need white cardstock paper, washable paints, and plastic plates or trays. Start by folding the cardstock paper in half widthwise. You now have the framework for your card.

To avoid potential messes, it is best to have a tablecloth protecting the surface of the table you are working on. Open the card and lay it out in front of you horizontally. Choose which color paint you would like to use for the handprints. Blue is a popular Hanukkah color, but you can select any color you wish. Squeeze out enough paint to cover the surface area of your plastic plate.

Next, have your little one carefully dip their entire hand into the paint. They can then place their right hand down on the right hand side of the open card. Their hand placement should put their thumb directly on the folded center line. This step should be repeated for the other side of the card, but they should use their left hand this time and press their handprint down on the left hand side of the card. Once again, their thumb should be placed on the folded center line so that both thumbprints meld into each other.

Take a step back and admire the menorah that has just been created from your child’s handprints. Use gold or yellow paint to draw the flames above each menorah branch. Don’t forget to personalize the card with whatever holiday message you would like to include.

Funny Hanukkah Cards

If witty cards are your thing, there are plenty of ideas for funny Hanukkah cards. One such idea incorporates a popular Hanukkah treat. Latkes, or fried potato pancakes, are a delicious appetizer enjoyed by many. To make your latke-inspired Hanukkah card, you will need a white cardstock paper and a tan-colored cardstock paper. The aged astroparche parchment paper is a great color choice.

Begin by folding your white cardstock paper in half widthwise to create the card. With a pencil, draw three latkes on your tan-colored paper. Simply draw a circular shape with squiggly edges. Next, use a pair of scissors to cut out your latkes. Paste the three latkes onto the front of your card in a stacked design. Underneath, use markers or glitter pens to write, “I love you a latke”. Decorate the rest of the card however you would like.

Vintage Hanukkah Cards

For a more vintage vibe, here is a unique Hanukkah card craft idea. To begin, you will need white cardstock paper and a tea bag immersed in boiling water. Carefully press the wet tea bag against the paper to give the paper an aged look. Once the entire paper has been aged, allow it to fully dry. When it is dry, fold the paper in half to create your card.

Next, you will need eight toothpicks. Glue each toothpick onto the front of your card. Make sure to leave an empty space in the middle, so you should have four toothpicks on one side and four on the other with about an inch of space left between them in the center. Use a calligraphy pen to write “Happy Hanukkah” sideways in that open space. Use a gold glitter pen to draw flames above each toothpick and above your handwritten Hanukkah message for a total of nine flames.

Just like that, you have a vintage Hanukkah card with a unique menorah design. To incorporate that vintage vibe even further, you can carefully drip hot wax onto the envelope flap. Use a dreidel or a Hanukkah coin to press into the wax and create a one-of-a-kind Hanukkah seal.

Hanukkah Pop Up Cards

Pop up cards are sure to make a statement. Their three-dimensional designs are always a treat to behold. To create a Hanukkah pop up card, you will need one sheet of white cardstock paper, one sheet of blue cardstock paper, and a pair of scissors. Begin by folding both pieces of paper in half widthwise. Next, take the folded white paper and cut two slits into the folded side, each slit should be approximately 2.5 inches long and equidistant from each other.

Open the card up and place it vertically in front of you. This particular card will open from top to bottom. Carefully fold the cutout section in the opposite direction so that it is folded outwards instead of inwards, and then fold the top part of the cut-out upwards to create a crease. Next, cut two diagonal lines to create a v-shape at the bottom of the pop-out shape. Do not cut all the way to the point. Leave the bottom of the v-shape attached to the paper.

You now have a pop-up dreidel. Simply draw a letter of the Hebrew alphabet onto the front of the dreidel. You can choose from nun, gimmel, hei, or shin. You can then draw a little stick at the top of the dreidel. Once you have finished, it is time to glue the white cardstock paper onto your blue cardstock paper. Make sure to only glue the parts of the white paper that are not part of the pop-up design.

What To Write In A Hanukkah Card

As you can see, there are plenty of DIY Hanukkah card ideas. However, once you have finished creating the card of your choice, it can be difficult to decide what to write inside. Hanukkah card messages should be festive and joyful to convey the spirit of the holiday. The most popular Hanukkah greeting is the tried and true, “Happy Hanukkah”. However, if you’d like additional ideas on what to say for the actual message, here are some options:

  • Wishing you a spectacular Hanukkah filled with light!
  • Best wishes for a Happy Hanukkah and a merry holiday season!
  • Share the light for the festival of lights!
  • May your Hanukkah be filled with lots of love, light, and happiness!

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to what you choose to write for your Hanukkah greeting card messages. Just make sure to personalize it as much as possible, since that is one of the best qualities of homemade cards for Hanukkah. Just be sure to enjoy the process and spread the festive spirit.

How To Decorate An Envelope

It is commonly stated that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. In this same vein, while what goes inside them always gets a lot of attention, envelopes are often ignored. They are viewed in the same way as cardboard boxes. They are simply a vessel to carry what is inside them. Why spend time on something that will simply be ripped open?

However, that is a gross misconception. The envelope is the first thing a recipient sees. Before they can open it up and get to the card inside, the envelope can be what determines their level of excitement. A beautifully decorated envelope will build anticipation and enhance the recipient’s entire experience.

Easy Ways To Decorate An Envelope

Most people would think to decorate a million other things first before decorating an envelope. As such, it may be tough to even begin the process of envelope decorating. You may be at a complete loss as to how to go about it. While envelope decorating can be done literally any way you would like, here are some easy ways to create a decorative envelope.

If you are sending a Mother’s Day card, use fine-tipped markers to draw an arch of flowers alongside the recipient’s address. Just make sure not to obscure any part of the address so that the card can safely make it to its destination.

Perhaps you’re sending a birthday card to someone who loves all things vintage and enjoys thrift shopping as a pastime. Simply take a tea bag and let it seep in boiling water for a few minutes. Then, take the teabag, tap it against the glass so it’s not dripping too much and use it to paint the envelope. You may need to re-dip the tea bag a few times in order to have enough color to stain the entire envelope.

Allow the envelope to fully dry before writing anything on it. When it has dried completely, use a black calligraphy pen to write both the return address and recipient address. If you want to get really authentic with the vintage vibe, you can carefully drip some red colored wax onto the envelope’s flap and use any coin to press down and create a seal.

Cute Ways To Decorate An Envelope

If you’re looking to add a touch of cute whimsy to your envelope, some ribbon can do the trick. Use a pair of scissors to cut strips of ribbon to fit each edge of your envelope. Glue the strips onto the sides of your envelope to create a truly unique border design. Make sure to also paste the ribbon along the edges of the envelope flap. For a truly original look, combine different prints and colors of ribbon.

If you don’t want to create a border around your envelope, you can also use ribbon to create a rectangular box around the recipient’s address. Don’t have a bag full of ribbons at your disposal? Have no fear, you can use a sheet of light colored paper to cut out a luggage shaped tag that is large enough to write the recipient’s name and address on. Simply glue it onto the center of the envelope and draw a string coming out of the tag.

Want another cute way to further decorate your envelope? Simply take a colored sheet of paper and cut it into a house-sized shape so that it fits inside the envelope, with the triangular portion fitting against the inner side of the envelope flap. Next, use markers or paint to draw small designs all over the cut-out piece of paper. Alternatively, you can use a metallic sheet of paper for a really eye-catching visual.

When you have finished decorating, carefully glue the paper inside the envelope and against the envelope flap. Now, when your recipient opens their envelope, they will be greeted with a cute and unexpected design.

Decorating Christmas Envelopes

One of the most popular seasons for card giving is Christmas time. Holiday cards are in abundance during the holiday season. Make your cards stand out from the crowd with beautifully decorated Christmas envelopes.

Red and green are the two optimal color choices when it comes to decorating Christmas themed envelopes. Begin by printing mini Christmas trees and cutting them out. If you’re more artistic, you can draw the trees by yourself. Once you have written the recipient’s address, paste the Christmas trees all around it. Use tiny pieces of red ribbon to decorate the trees. Alternatively, use fine-tipped markers to draw mini ornaments.

Also commonly associated with the Christmas season are candy canes. The red and white diagonal stripes immediately bring to mind all types of festive activities. To incorporate this idea onto your envelope, begin by writing the recipient’s address. Make sure to write it more towards the right side of the envelope. Once you have done so, use a pencil to draw a horizontal line right above the recipient’s name. Leave about half an inch of space and draw a second horizontal line above the first one.

Next, draw a vertical line to the left of the recipient’s information. Again, leave approximately half an inch of space and draw a second vertical line parallel to the first one. Use a fine-tipped marker to begin drawing diagonal red lines. The space you leave between each red line will act as the white lines.

When you have finished, you will have an envelope that looks as if it’s been wrapped with candy cane ribbon. To make it even more of a statement piece, use red or green ribbon where the lines intersect to create a small bow. If you prefer, you can also draw the bow.

Additional Envelope Decoration Ideas

The options are truly endless when it comes to envelope decoration. To create something truly unique, you can take dried flower petals, break them apart into smaller pieces and glue them onto your envelope to recreate a flower image. You can also use them to create a heart. This delicate feminine decor would be perfect for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day.

If your envelope is black or any other darker color, you can use a whiteout pen to carefully draw any design directly onto your envelope. You can draw snowflakes for a holiday themed card, stars for a child obsessed with outer space, or little ghosts for the lover of all things spooky. This unexpected contrast will be sure to make a statement.

Whatever your design choice may be, you cannot go wrong if you cater it towards your recipient’s likes and interests. Just imagine their faces when they receive the envelope in the mail. With its beautifully decorated exterior, they won’t even need to get to the card to already be delighted with its arrival. Allow your friends and family to take joy in the little moments and get creative with your envelope decorating.

How To Make A Pop Up Card

There are numerous occasions where a heartfelt card can mean so much and brighten someone’s day. While any card is capable of doing that, a homemade DIY card is able to convey so much more than its store bought counterpart. The options are endless when it comes to handmade cards, but a truly unique choice is a pop up card. With a little bit of whimsy and loads of creativity, a 3D card is sure to earn a prime retail spot on the refrigerator.

The Components Of A 3D Card

What makes a pop-up card so special is its capability of bringing a sentiment to life. Equally special is the wow factor that it brings. When most people open a card, they are not expecting it to contain 3D imagery. When that image pops out at them, they can’t help but be surprised and delighted.

It may seem daunting to create a 3D card on your own. You may not consider yourself an artist or the creative type. Don’t let that stop you. Practically anyone can make a pop up card. To begin, you will need cardstock paper, a pair of scissors, and a strong crafting glue.

Handmade Pop Up Card Ideas

The sky’s the limit when it comes to what type of pop up cards you can make. Any idea can be turned into a 3D concept. When it comes to DIY craft projects, there is no right or wrong way to do things. Anything homemade will mean the world to its recipient. Perfection does not need to be a goal.

However, it can sometimes be difficult to come up with ideas on your own. Especially if you’re not a naturally creative type, it can help to work off an already thought out concept. The good news is that there are plenty of handmade pop up card ideas for you to follow.

Pop Up Birthday Card

To make a 3D birthday card from paper, simply choose your desired color of cardstock paper to act as the actual card. Fold it in half to create the base for your card. Next, take a lighter weight white-colored cardstock paper. Trim the edges so that the white paper is slightly smaller than your first sheet of cardstock paper and fold it in half.

Use a pair of scissors to make 4 cuts into the folded side of the white paper. The first cut should be approximately 1.5 inches long. The second cut should be about two inches long, the third one a little longer, and the fourth one the longest. When you have finished cutting, you should be left with three rectangles, ranging in size from small to large. Take each rectangle and fold it upwards and over.

You can now open up the white paper, push each rectangular shape inward, and you will have created a three-tiered birthday cake. To decorate the cake, use small colored paper cut-outs, paints, markers, and even glitter. Don’t forget to add the birthday candles.

When you have finished decorating the cake, you can carefully glue the back sides of the white paper onto your base cardstock paper. As you paste it, make sure that the center folds in each tier of the birthday cake line up with the inner fold of the card. Just like that, you have a pop up card that is sure to make anyone’s birthday brighter. Remember to decorate the front of the card as well.

Pop Up Christmas Card

Another popular time of year for card giving is the Christmas season. It’s always so fun to receive holiday cards in the mail. Why not make it more special by creating pop up Christmas cards? To begin, you will need a sheet of red cardstock paper to act as the actual card. Fold it in half to create your card.

Next, you will need multiple sheets of green colored paper. Either print or draw a Christmas tree onto the green paper. If you choose to print the image, simply print five copies. If you choose to draw, trace the original drawing to create four more trees. Use a pair of scissors to cut them out. Once you have all five trees, fold each one in half lengthwise so that there is a fold separating the right and left halves of the tree.

Take one tree and glue it onto the inside of your card. The fold in the tree should line up perfectly with the inner fold of the card. Now, take the next tree and carefully glue only the center fold onto the inner fold of the tree that is already on the card. Repeat this step until you have used all of the trees. Make sure to leave ample time for them to fully dry. When you are done, open the card to witness a 3D Christmas tree pop out. Decorate the rest of the card however you would like.

If birthday cakes or Christmas trees don’t speak to you, have no fear. There are a plethora of other ideas when it comes to creating pop up cards. For Mother’s Day, you can make pop up flowers. For a kid who loves the snow, you can make a 3D snowman. If you are willing to try, the options are truly limitless.

Easy DIY Pop Up Cards

As evidenced above, creating pop up cards doesn’t need to be complicated. Of course, they can be as intricate as you want them to be, but they can also be as simple as you want them to be. The customization options allow you to tailor each card to your abilities. Just remember not to sell yourself short. You can usually achieve more than you give yourself credit for.

However, if you’re looking for something easy, here is one uncomplicated pop up card that can be used for many different occasions. To begin, choose your desired color of cardstock paper and fold it in half. Next, simply cut out a star or a heart from a piece of lighter weight cardstock paper. Fold the shape in half lengthwise. Carefully glue the edges of the star or heart onto the inside of your card, making sure the folded line matches up to the inner fold of the card. Just like that, you have created a pop up card.

Homemade Pop Up Cards With Cricut

If you own the Cricut machine, you can use it to make pop up cards. With the Cricut Design Space software, you can select readymade templates to use for your 3D card. If you’re a design pro, you can even create your own design from scratch. Once you have either selected or created your design, you can set your Cricut machine to work. It can print and cut out all of the components for your card and all that will be left to do is the actual assembly.

If you are looking to create a large quantity of pop up cards, the cricut machine may be your best bet as it does a lot of the prep work for you. However, you can always turn card-making into a family project and allow everyone to chip in and help. Whichever method you choose, remember to have fun!

Colored Cardstock Paper Guide

The sky’s the limit when it comes to color options for cardstock paper. While it’s always nice to have options to choose from, it can sometimes feel overwhelming when it comes time to make an actual decision. The pressure to decide which color works best for your particular project can put a paralyzing stop to your work before it has even begun. In this colored cardstock paper guide, we will review the most popular colors of cardstock paper and which particular projects they are best suited for.

Cream Cardstock Paper

   

Perhaps one of the most neutral colors available, cream-colored cardstock paper is a best seller for a reason. Its neutrality allows it to match with any decor style or color scheme, while its earthiness offers a warmer tone than traditional white. A popular choice for wedding invitations, cream cardstock paper, with its naturally aged and weathered quality, acts as a beautiful and elegant backdrop to calligraphy style fonts.

The color cream represents feelings of calm, tranquility, and comfort. It is for this reason that it has become such a popular choice for restaurant menus. When patrons are seated and the waiter presents them with a menu, the cream-colored paper will allow them to feel comfortable and at home. Such feelings will only serve to enhance their dining experience.

Another advantageous use of cream-colored cardstock paper is actually for the benefit of the dyslexic community. Children and adults suffering with dyslexia have difficulty connecting the sounds of words with their letters. When reading, they tend to skip over words or mix up the order. Research has shown that people with dyslexia are often better able to read cream-colored lettering or words printed on cream-colored paper.

Pink Cardstock Paper

   

A popular choice for feminine and romantic themes, pink cardstock paper offers a variety of uses. Pastel pink is best suited for baby shower invitations. Its subtle pink hues act as the perfect backdrop for images of baby bottles, carriages, and pacifiers. Reminiscent of the color of a baby’s cheeks, any recipient can’t help but smile when receiving a pastel pink baby shower invitation.

With its soaring popularity, Barbie themed birthday parties are a hit for kids and adults alike. What better way to invite everyone than with hot pink party invitations? Not only can hot pink cardstock paper act as the backdrop for the birthday party invites, it can also be used for RSVP cards, place cards, and party decor. There is no such thing as too much pink when it comes to a Barbie-themed party.

Another great use for pink-colored cardstock paper is Valentine’s Day cards. While red may seem like the obvious choice, pink can be a more feminine and romantic alternative. Better yet, why not mix the two together for a truly unique and colorful display of affection?

Black Cardstock Paper

   

Another popular choice for wedding invitations is black-colored cardstock paper. For those who like to be a touch less traditional and have a bold modern style, black can act as the perfect backdrop. Metallic lettering, particularly foil lettering, can look stunningly sharp against a black sheet of paper. Dare to be different and stand out from the crowd with a wedding invitation that reflects your personality.

It has also become popular to use black cardstock paper for business cards. White or metallic lettering printed on a black business card stands out instantly and is sure to garner interest for the business you are trying to promote.

Yellow Cardstock Paper

   

The color yellow is associated with feelings of happiness and joy. This radiant color is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. A popular choice for birthday invitations, yellow is a gender neutral color that can work equally well for girls and boys. Commonly associated with school buses, yellow cardstock paper is often also used for back to school decor.

While you may not realize it, there is a reason that legal pads and post-it notes are usually yellow. As a bright color, it catches the eye and draws attention. Yellow cardstock paper can therefore act as the perfect backdrop for office notices, announcements, and the like.

Just as cream-colored cardstock paper offers benefits for those with dyslexia, so does yellow cardstock paper. Although not proven to work for everyone, many adults and children suffering with dyslexia can read more easily when the words are printed against a yellow background.

Purple Cardstock Paper

  With its many shades, purple cardstock paper offers a variety of uses. Lilac cardstock paper can act as a romantic yet elegant option for wedding invitations. Associated with feelings of contentment and beauty, it is truly the perfect color choice for a wedding celebration. Additionally, since spring and early summer are the most popular wedding seasons, lilac flower arrangements will pair wonderfully with the color scheme.

More than just a pretty color, purple is also the national color for domestic violence awareness. With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, people unite in solidarity to show support for victims of domestic abuse. For these events, the use of purple-colored cardstock paper for invitations and notices is highly popular. People will immediately associate the color with domestic violence awareness and will understand its message.

Blue Cardstock Paper

  Pastel blue is a great color option for baby shower invitations. Often associated with baby boys, it is also a calming color that encourages feelings of contentment. Another popular use for blue-colored cardstock paper is July 4th barbeque invitations and holiday decor. Associated with patriotism, what better way to get into the American spirit than with some blue-colored decor?

Speaking of holiday decor, Hanukkah is another festive holiday that can be celebrated with blue cardstock paper. Send out your Hanukkah party invitations and decorate your space with cut-out menorahs. The sky’s the limit when it comes to eight days of parties and decorations.

Orange Cardstock Paper

 

  The color most commonly associated with the season of Autumn, orange is a bright and festive color. Representing a time of harvest and change, orange-colored cardstock paper can be used to celebrate the changing of the seasons and the falling of the leaves. Best used for fall decor, orange cardstock paper acts as the perfect backdrop for leaf cut-outs.

Throwing a Halloween party? Use orange cardstock paper for your on-theme invitations. Get in the holiday spirit and create DIY Halloween decor with cut-out pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. Also associated with Thanksgiving, orange cardstock paper can be used for turkey decorations and Thanksgiving meal placeholders.

Red Cardstock Paper

   

A color known to evoke strong emotions, red can be used for a variety of projects. Most commonly associated with Cupid, hearts, and love, red cardstock paper acts as the ideal backdrop for Valentine’s Day cards.

A truly festive color, synonymous with Santa Claus and Christmas, red is commonly used for Christmas cards and holiday decor. Other holidays that also celebrate the color red are all the patriotic holidays which require red, white, and blue decorations. These include Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, and July 4th.

Green Cardstock Paper

   

Another color commonly associated with the Christmas season, green-colored cardstock paper works wonderfully when combined with red cardstock for holiday greeting cards. With various shades to choose from, you can get creative and make DIY mini Christmas trees to hang around the house for a truly festive vibe.

Earth Day and St. Patrick’s Day are another two holidays where the color green is celebrated to its full extent. Whether for party invitations, event notifications, or holiday decor, the options are limitless when it comes to using green cardstock paper.

Metallic Cardstock Paper

   

Last, but certainly not least, metallic cardstock paper offers an elegant option for New Year’s Eve party invitations. Guaranteed to be truly unique and one-of-a-kind, metallic invitations evoke the era of The Great Gatsby and fabulous parties. Choose from metallic gold, silver, and pearl shimmer for an invitation dripping with class.

 

Whatever your preferred color may be, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to the uses for colored cardstock paper. Simply get creative and make sure to have fun!

How To Cut Cardstock Letters

Whether it’s for a birthday party, a graduation announcement, or back to school signs, there are a multitude of ways that cut-out letters can enhance your DIY crafting. Simply drawing the words is always an option, but why not take the wow factor to the next level? Cut-out lettering can enhance all types of decor to create something truly unique and memorable.

How To Cut Cardstock Letters

The simplest way to cut out cardstock letters is by printing the words of your choice directly onto your cardstock paper. Depending on the size of the lettering you want, you may need multiple sheets of cardstock paper to fit the words required for your project. When you have finished printing, it’s time to take a pair of scissors to begin cutting out each individual letter.

If your cardstock paper is lighter to medium weight, an average pair of scissors should suffice to cut out the letters. If you are using a heavier weight cardstock paper, you will need a professional pair of scissors with very sharp blades. Perhaps even better, a razor blade will be able to easily cut through even the most heavyweight cardstock paper. If you choose to use a razor blade, be very careful as you work and make sure to have an extremely thick cardboard layer underneath your cutting area so as not to damage the actual tabletop.

Take your time as you carefully cut out each letter. It’s very easy to slip up and mistakenly cut too far and ruin one of your letters. Should that happen, simply reprint that particular letter and start cutting again. Remember that the best projects can take time and patience. Once you can enjoy your finished masterpiece, it will have all been worth it.

Cutting Cardstock Letters On Cricut

If your particular project requires hundreds of cut-out letters, cutting out each letter by yourself may not be a feasible option. In such cases, a cricut machine would be your best bet. Extremely popular in the DIY crafting world, cricut machines are electronic cutting machines that can cut out lettering and shapes from all types of materials, most significantly in our case, cardstock paper.

To begin, make sure that you have the necessary supplies. You will need a cricut cutting machine, a cricut cutting mat, cardstock paper in the color of your choice, and the Cricut Design Space software. You are now ready to start cutting out your cardstock lettering.

The first step will be opening up the Cricut Design Space software. Once you have done so, select “New Project”. Choose the “Text” option and type the letter or letters you wish to create. Make sure to adjust the size and font of your selected lettering as needed for your particular project. Next, place your cardstock paper onto the cricut cutting mat and load them into the cricut machine. Make sure to adjust the blade depth of the machine according to the thickness of the cardstock paper you are using.

It is important to note that there are a couple of other adjustments you may need to make before allowing the cricut machine to begin cutting. For example, if you are using a lightweight to medium weight cardstock paper, you should choose “Cardstock” as your selected material. However, if you decide to use a heavyweight cardstock paper, you should select “Posterboard” as your material.

Additionally, if the cardstock you have chosen for your project is textured in its design, you need to make sure to use the “Textured” setting on your cricut cutting machine. In a similar vein, if you are using glitter cardstock paper for your letter cut-outs, be sure to select the “Glitter Cardstock” option.

Lastly, there are two primary blade options when it comes to cutting cardstock paper, the fine point blade and the deep cut blade. The fine point blade is best suited for lighter weight cardstock paper. Medium weight and heavyweight cardstock paper will be cut more cleanly and precisely with the deep cut blade.

Once you have ensured that all of the settings have been adjusted correctly according to your unique project specifications, you are ready to begin cutting. For the final step, select “Make It” in Cricut Design Space and press the “Go” button on the machine. Now, simply stand back and watch the cricut machine cut out your cardstock lettering for you. When it has finished, carefully remove the cut-outs from the cricut cutting mat. Depending on how many cut-out letters your project demands, simply repeat the process as needed.

How To Make 3D Letters Out Of Cardstock

While cut-out letters will make a statement all on their own, three-dimensional cut-out letters will truly create a wow factor like no other. While the process may not be the simplest and the work may seem daunting, the end result will be vastly rewarding.

To begin, you will have to upload your template into Cricut Design Space. If you are a design pro, you can create your own templates for each letter as needed. Otherwise, you can simply purchase letter templates that have already been designed for you. Once the design has been uploaded, make sure that all of the inner lines are set to “Score”. Those will be folded and do not need to be cut.

Adjust the size of the letter design as needed depending on your project needs. Once you have made the proper adjustments, you can have your cricut machine begin cutting and scoring your design. If you don’t own a cutting machine, you can simply print the design directly onto your desired cardstock paper and use a pair of scissors to do the cutting and a scoring tool to score the scoring lines.

Once your design has been cut, you can begin folding all of the tabs along the scoring lines. Next, glue the tabs to the bottom of each letter to begin creating the three-dimensional look. Continue to carefully glue each section to each other to complete each 3D letter. This process requires careful and painstaking work, but your precision will pay off when you see the final product. Once each letter has been fully assembled, decorate them as you wish.

When it comes to cutting cardstock letters, the options are truly limitless in terms of what you can create. If it’s a small project, it may be simpler to simply do it all by hand. For larger and more complicated projects, a cricut machine will probably serve you best.

Whichever method you decide to use, remember that there is no right or wrong when it comes to arts and crafts. Personal creativity is not bound by any scientific rules. Just remember to have fun and that Rome wasn’t built in a day. It may take numerous tries for your envisioned project to come to fruition, but all that effort will just make it all the more worth it!

DIY Halloween Decorations With Cardstock & Colored Paper

With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about the fun decorations that come along with the holiday. While a trip to Party City or a local decor store is always an option, DIY Halloween decor creates a much more unique holiday vibe. It may seem daunting to tackle homemade projects, but it doesn’t need to be scary. You don’t need an art degree or the soul of an artist to create festive holiday decorations. On the contrary, literally anyone can get in the holiday spirit and design Halloween decor.

Not only can DIY projects be fun and cathartic, they are also a great way to include the entire family in an activity. Between the various aspects of the project, there can be something for everyone to do, no matter their age. So get ready to have fun and get spooky.

The Halloween Colors

When tackling any DIY project, the first decision should always be about the desired color scheme. What colors immediately pop to your mind when thinking about Halloween? The two most obvious colors are black and orange. Black and orange have become synonymous with Halloween, however it is interesting to note that brown and yellow were originally the two colors associated with the holiday. Brown was for hay and yellow was for corn. Both together celebrated the holiday that took place during the fall harvest season.

In the early 1900s, the infamous jack-o-lantern made its way into Halloween culture and the color orange has become a signature Halloween color ever since. Black quickly overtook the color brown due to its association to the long cold winter and black cats and bats. In fact, orange pumpkins and black cats are perhaps two of the most common images associated with Halloween.

While black and orange may be the two colors most commonly associated with the holiday, green has also become a popular Halloween color. Green signifies witches and goblins and helps lend itself to the eerie and spooky vibes that people love to highlight during Halloween season.

Easy DIY Halloween Decorations

If you have stairs in your home, this is an easy yet fun DIY Halloween decor project that will bring your banister to the next level, quite literally. To begin, you will need an 11” x 17” colored cardstock paper. Make sure to choose the cosmic orange color. Lay the paper in front of you vertically. Fold up from the bottom three times so that when the paper is opened back up, you see three equidistant folds creating 4 panels. Use a scoring tool or the back of a kitchen knife to create deep folds.

Stand the paper on its side horizontally and bring both ends together to create a tall three dimensional standing cube. This will be your pumpkin cube. Use a pencil to draw triangular shaped eyes, a triangular shaped nose, and a jagged smiling mouth. With a pair of scissors, carefully cut out the facial features you have just drawn. Place a slim panel of black colored paper behind your cutouts and tape it in place. You now have the face of your pumpkin ready to go.

Next, take the orange cardstock paper and wrap it around one of your banister railings. Make sure that the face of the pumpkin is pointing in the direction you want it to be seen. Use scotch tape to secure each end of the paper to the other so that the rectangular shape stays intact. To create the stem, wrap a piece of brown burlap around the part of the railing right above the pumpkin. Just like that, you have created a unique Halloween pumpkin without the traditional mess that pumpkin carving tends to bring.

However, one pumpkin cube wrapped around one railing is hardly enough to make an impactful impression. Simply repeat the process until every single railing boasts its own pumpkin. Make sure to either trim down your 11” x 17” sized cardstock paper or use various sizes of cardstock paper to create more visual appeal by having alternating pumpkins in varying heights. It will add more visual interest and prevent your railing from looking too uniform, which can sometimes tend to be boring. In the same vein, get creative with the cutouts for the eyes, nose, and mouth. Create different shapes and have fun.

Another fun DIY Halloween decor project can be orange and black paper garlands. Strung around the home, they will add to the holiday vibe and put everyone in the holiday spirit. To begin, you will need 8.5” x 11” colored paper in both orange and black colors. Start cutting strips of paper lengthwise across the paper. There is no right or wrong size when cutting the strips of paper. It’s up to your individual preference how big or small you want each individual link in the garland chain to be.

Once you have cut all of your strips, take one strip and tape the ends together to create a circle. Then, take the next strip, weave it through the first circle and tape the ends together. Continue this process until the paper garland has enough links and is long enough to drape across the room.

DIY Outdoor Halloween Decorations

If the above mentioned decor ideas are not spooky enough for you, have no fear. Here are other scary Halloween decorations for outside to spice things up even more. Begin with an 8.5” x 14” cardstock paper in the color stardust white. Place the paper in front of you horizontally and bring the right and left side together to create a circle. Use scotch tape to secure the ends together. Next, take an 8.5” x 11” black colored cardstock paper and cut out two small circles for the eyes and one larger oval for the mouth. Paste them onto your white ghost to create a spooky face.

Then, tape strips of toilet paper underneath so that they tangle down from below the ghost’s face. Staple the ends of one strand of black yarn onto each side of the ghost’s face so that you can hang it up on a tree branch. As the wind blows, the ghost will eerily float in the breeze. Create as many as you would like to fill up your front yard with supremely ghostly Halloween vibes. These creative yard decorations will make your home the talk of the block.

Last, but certainly not least, use black colored cardstock paper to cut out shapes of cats and bats. Use green colored cardstock paper to cut out handprint shapes. Make sure to use a pencil to trace the designs before cutting to ensure a neat end product. Tape the cutouts along the exterior of your home to maximize the spooky Halloween spirit.

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to DIY Halloween decor. It can be as simple or as intricate as you would like. The key is to have fun and get in the holiday spirit. If you can do that, you’ve already won at Halloween.

Using Infusible Ink On Cardstock

There are so many different ways to decorate cardstock paper. The more common everyday methods include coloring, painting, and embossing. However, as technology continues to advance, so does the ability to decorate cardstock paper with more nontraditional methods. Cricut infusible ink is one such method. It introduces a brand new way to add your own personal style to any sheet of cardstock paper.

What Is Infusible Ink?

  The average layman may never have even heard the term “infusible ink”. Infusible ink is an entirely new ink transfer product introduced by Cricut. What it does is transfer ink onto your chosen base material. It doesn’t merely place the ink on top of the base material, it infuses the ink into it. This is different from ironing on a design using the heat transfer method because that method simply transfers the design on top of your base material.

When a design sits on top of something, it is prone to peeling, fading, and cracking. However, when a design is infused into a material, it becomes one with it. This means that the designs can stretch and move without becoming distorted. Infusible ink allows you to create permanent designs that will withstand the test of time and the wear and tear of everyday life.

How Does Infusible Ink Work?

The concept of infusing a design directly into the base material is a genius one. It’s easy to comprehend why it is a superior method with which to transfer designs. However, it’s a little harder to understand how infusible ink even works. How do you get the ink to infuse into the material? What type of sorcery is used to achieve this?

Although very different from the iron-on method, the infusible ink method is similar in the way that it also uses heat to transfer your design onto the base material. When high heat is applied to a Cricut infusible ink transfer sheet or to a laser paper colored with infusible ink pens, the ink will transform from a solid into a gas.

The iron-on method will use heat to turn the ink into a liquid which settles onto the base material and dries to form a layer that sits on top. Because the infusible ink turns into a gas, it has the ability to permeate the material before it turns back into a solid. This is how infusible ink is able to penetrate and become part of the base material versus simply sitting on top of it.

Is Infusible Ink The Same As Sublimation?

A common question asked once the infusible ink method was introduced was whether it’s just another fancy name for sublimation. To answer this, we must first understand what sublimation is. What is sublimation? The definition of sublimation is the process in which a substance transitions from a solid to a gas, without passing through the liquid state first.

This is exactly what infusible ink does. This is why infusible ink is the same thing as sublimation. Infusible ink is simply a type of sublimation that utilizes the Cricut machine. Ordinary sublimation requires a sublimation printer, sublimation ink, and sublimation paper. Most people do not have these supplies at home. The infusible ink process allows you to achieve the same results in a more simplified manner.

Can You Use Infusible Ink On Cardstock?

The unique benefits of infusible ink are clear. It is a superior method with which to transfer designs onto your base material. However, what can be used as your base material? While t-shirts are an obvious choice, there may be times you wish to infuse ink onto other materials. Can this be done and how does cardstock play a role in this? In order to understand the process, we must first explain how it can be done.

How To Use Cricut Infusible Ink On Cardstock

There are two ways with which to infuse ink onto a base material. The first is Cricut infusible ink transfer sheets and the second is Cricut infusible ink pens. Each is slightly different in the way they perform.

Cricut Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets

To use Cricut infusible ink transfer sheets, begin by using Cricut Design Space to draw your design. Depending on the type of design or pattern you choose, you may need to mirror the design so that it shows up correctly when transferred onto your desired base material. For example, a buffalo check design would not need to be mirrored but lettering would need to be mirrored.

Once you have your design ready to go in Cricut Design Space, make sure to select infusible ink transfer sheets as your material. After it has been printed, trim the design as needed in order to fit your desired base material, in this case, the cardstock paper. Cover the cardstock paper with butcher paper and use the Cricut EasyPress to heat it up. Once it is preheated, place the infusible ink transfer sheet on top of the cardstock paper, cover it with another sheet of cardstock paper and butcher paper and press down using your Cricut EasyPress machine. Once it has cooled, remove the infusible ink transfer sheet to view your infused design.

Cricut Infusible Ink Pens

To use Cricut infusible ink pens, begin by using Cricut Design Space to draw your design. If you are creating your own design and not choosing a pre-existing template, remember to mirror your design so it shows up correctly on your final product. Load your infusible ink pen into your Cricut machine and allow it to begin drawing your design for you onto laser paper. Alternatively, you can forgo the machine and use the infusible ink pens to draw by hand. If you choose to draw by hand, make sure that you can handle drawing the design backward so that the end product shows up correctly.

Next, you must cover your desired base material, in this case, the cardstock paper, with butcher paper. Use the Cricut EasyPress to heat it up. Now that it is preheated, you can place the laser paper with your infusible ink image on top of the cardstock paper, cover it with another sheet of cardstock paper and butcher paper and press down using your Cricut EasyPress machine. Carefully remove the paper as it will be hot and enjoy your infusible ink design.

It is important to remember that regardless of which base material you choose to infuse your design on, it needs to be white or light in color. If it isn’t, the color will not be clearly visible when it has been infused. Otherwise, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to using infusible ink on cardstock. Get creative and have fun.