This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cricut. All opinions are 100% mine.
Tackle those organization challenges that overwhelm you with simple organization hacks using the Cricut Joy. And the best part? All of these organizing solutions take less than a half hour to make!
Hello, friends! How are you doing? Are you finding things to do to take care of yourself during these challenging times? I’ve always been a crafter, but I feel like crafting has been like my therapy lately… it is such a blessing to have creating as a way to practice self-care. I hope you’re taking time for you.
I’ve also been taking advantage of all of this time at home to tackle some organization projects that have been on my to-do list for what feels like forever. I love me a good organization hack! It feels really good to get some productive work done during these times when we feel so helpless with all that is going on in the world. And even better yet, most of these organizing projects took less than 15 minutes to make with my new little Cricut Joy.
If you’re a Cricut addict like me, you’ve likely heard about the new Cricut Joy machine. If you already have a Cricut machine like I do, you may be wondering why you would need/want a Joy (also like me!) I answered my own question with this one… I never knew how much I needed a Cricut Joy until I got a Cricut Joy.
What is a Cricut Joy?
I will always love my Cricut Maker and Explore Air 2, there are so many amazing things that I can do and make with them. The Cricut Joy has cemented her place in my little Cricut family… she’s like the cool, spontaneous little sister who is super cute and can make stuff a lot faster than her sophisticated big sister. She’s the perfect little sidekick. I can’t wait until I can leave the house again and pack her up in her cute little tote and take her to play at my friends and mom’s houses. She’s so easy to grab and make a quick card or project with (like 15 minutes quick!) She’s so little and portable that she is currently residing on my living room end table… forget about Netflix and Chill, now I can Netflix and Cricut! Now that is living my best life! 😉
What can Cricut Joy do?
It can cut all of the vinyl, iron-on, stickers, labels, paper and cardstock that the other Cricut machines can cut. It also has a line of materials and accessories made just for the Cricut Joy, and some of them cut MAT-FREE! Of all of the amazing features the Joy has, the mat-less cutting is definitely up there as one of my favorites. Any of the Smart materials (Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-on, Smart Label, etc.) require NO MAT… another reason the Joy makes projects so quick and easy to complete. Since the smart materials don’t require a mat, you can also make some extra long projects… up to a 5.5″ x 20’ cut with no need to switch out multiple mats. Can I get an amen on that one!
Can the Cricut Joy write?
Yep, the Joy writes, too! There is a collection of pens and markers to use for all styles of writing and drawing. To keep it small and so portable, there is one total chamber for both the cutting blade and the pens/markers, so Design Space will tell you when to switch them out through the course of your project.
Take a peek at the first organization projects my little Cricut Joy sidekick and I have made so far… do you struggle with any of these same organizing challenges?
IKEA Kallax Iron-on Bin Labels
I’ve had my Kallax for a few years and had yet to get it organized. The before pics are seriously horrifying. Just trust me on that one. 😉 These marked bins keep the mess out of sight and now I know what is where so I can access it easily.
Supplies
- Cricut Joy
- Storage bin iron-on labels cut file
- Storage bins
- Cricut Joy Smart Iron-on in Party Pink and Bright Teal
- Everyday Iron-on in Lilac and Melon
- Cricut EasyPress
- Weeder tool
- Heat resistant tape
- Iron-on Protective Sheet or parchment paper
FYI, unlike other Cricut machines, the Joy is operated 100% by bluetooth! You can create and cut all of your projects from your iOS or Android apps (or you can still use your laptop if it’s bluetooth enabled). I made all of my projects right from my phone, so simple and quick!
How to Make Iron-on Labels for Storage Bins
First, open the iron-on labels cut file in Design Space and customize the labels and size that you want for your storage bins. Click “Make It” in the bottom right corner and the load type menu will appear. Since I used 2 colors of Smart Iron-on and 2 regular iron-on, I selected “Multiple Ways”. If you’re using all of one or the other, you can select that option from this menu.
For each label, click “mirror” and select the load type and material you’ll be cutting. “Without Mat” for Smart iron-on and “On Mat” (on a Standard Grip Cricut Joy Mat) for any traditional, non-smart materials.
Cut all labels.
Weed all of the words (theSmart Iron-on and Smart Vinyl are the easiest to weed ever!)
I like to use the heat resistant tape to keep my designs in place once I have found the perfect position for them on my blank. That way they don’t shift when I’m preheating and I don’t have to reposition them.
Follow the instructions in the EasyPress Heat Guide for the material that you’ll be ironing on to and press.
Allow to cool and peel away the liner slowly. If any of the design lifts with the liner, do not remove. Press again for another 10 – 15 seconds and repeat.
My Kallax looks soooo much better and I don’t have to open and shut every bin looking for what I need.
Hanging Organization Tags
I’m pretty happy with my Cricut supply storage system, but now with all of these fun new Cricut Joy materials I needed an organization system for those. These bins from the dollar store with hanging tags are perfect! The Smart Label Printable Vinyl is amazing… I want to make labels for all the things!
Supplies
- Cricut Joy
- Hanging tag cut file
- Smart Label Printable Vinyl
- Cricut Joy black pen (included with the Cricut Joy)
- Adhesive-Backed Deluxe Paper JGoode Designs Always Spring (this paper collection is just beautiful… every single style! Stay tuned for more projects with this stuff!)
- Scissors
- Ribbon
How to Make Hanging Tag Labels for Storage Bins
Open the Hanging tag cut file in Design Space and customize as desired. Click “make it”. Like the iron-on bins, select multiple ways for the load type… the smart label printable vinyl requires no mat and the adhesive backed paper will be cut on a mat. Select the materials and start with the pen loaded in the machine.
Follow the directions in Design Space for replacing the fine point blade and cutting the next mat.
Once cuts are complete, peel the smart labels off of the liner and center on the hanging tags. Since the paper I used is adhesive backed but I didn’t actually need the adhesive, I just cut around the tag. I love this paper so much I wanted to have it for the tags even though I didn’t need adhesive paper for this project.
Hang the tags on the bins with a ribbon or string.
Card Organizer
I’ve been on a rampage making cards with the Cricut Joy card mat and insert cards. I now have cards for every imaginable occasion so there will be no last minute running to the store when I have a baby shower or graduation party to go to. #habitualprocrastinator. This amazing little card mat makes the most stunning cards in like 2 to 5 minutes. Stay tuned… this incredible card making system deserves it’s own post which is coming soon!
I had all of these new cards I made in a photo box, so when I saw this plastic box with dividers I knew it would be perfect for housing all of my cards. I made tabs in Design Space for the categories of cards I have and cut them out of vinyl with the Cricut Joy.
Supplies
- Cricut Joy
- Greeting card organization labels cut file
- Cricut Joy Smart Vinyl Hydrangeas Sampler
- Cricut Permanent Premium Vinyl in Purple
- Standard Grip Mat
- Weeder tool
- Cricut Joy Transfer Tape
- Divided box/card organizer
How to Make a Card Organizer
Open the card organizer cut file and customize as you’d like. Click Make It. Since I used a combo of Smart Vinyl and premium for this projects, I again selected “multiple ways” from the load type menu. Set your material and load type for each label. Cut.
Weed the negative space from each label and apply transfer tape over each word. Carefully pull the vinyl lining away from the transfer tape and position onto the card organizer dividers. Peel back the transfer tape.
Repeat for each divider and place your cards inside.
I have so many more organization projects that I can’t wait to tackle with my Cricut Joy. I made these cord labels labels last night (still loving these Jen Goode papers!) and next I want to make spice jar labels.
There are so many great ready to make projects that are free with the Cricut Joy (like these Spice Jar Labels).
So, now do you see why you need my spunky little sis Cricut Joy in your life? Ask me any questions you have about the Joy and you can also learn more here. You can buy Cricut Joy now in stores or online!
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