Crafting with a Cricut
I have found a new creative and crafty side of myself, thanks to a local crafter in Summerside. Jenn Rankin, a full-time daycare operator, has made a sanctuary in her craft room. Rankin has always had a creative side. Her mom was into painting and needlework when Rankin was younger. Eventually she got bitten by the crafting bug as it were and started crafting party banners and other neat things. That’s when the Cricut (a die-cutting machine) came into her life.
Rankin’s Cricut Explore Air can cut vinyl, faux leather and other materials, allowing for an array of cool creations.
I had so many questions for Rankin.
Question: How would you say using a Cricut has changed your crafts?
Answer: It was huge. It was almost like an upgrade. I can decorate pillows, tea towels, make personalized gifts ... it broadened my crafting horizons.
Q: Give me a quick rundown, how does it all work?
A: It works electronically. I operate from the app on my phone and pay about $10/ month for Cricut Access which gives me thousands of images to choose from. But I also can create my own designs from within the app which lets me do it anywhere. Then once you have a design, you send it to the machine, put a piece of vinyl on a cutting mat, press the button and it cuts out what I’ve made. (Rankin uses various kinds of vinyl including the kind to make iron-on decals and adhesive vinyl which mean stickers; so cool!)
Q: What is your favourite thing to make with the Cricut?
A: Probably my wood signs. The anniversary signs I make are nice, and they’re popular these days. I also love making the paper flowers. I can make a huge paper flower or small ones.
Q: You talk about it being a place to come to after a long day. How would you say crafting and having this sanctuary has impacted your mental health?
A: It’s been very impactful. Both of my kids are grown, my husband can get busy, and crafting can keep away the loneliness and it just makes me so happy.
Q: Where did you learn your Cricut crafty ways?
A: Everything I needed to learn, I learned on Youtube. It shows you all these different techniques. But I’ve also been able to learn things by talking to people in Facebook groups.
Q: How would you describe the popularity of this kind of craft?
A: It’s super popular now. Even in town (Summerside) I’ve noticed there are people creating and selling their items. But it’s growing because people want stuff made or personalized. Like when there’s a baby born in the family or for one of the families that have their kids and they have a onesie I made. It’s a great feeling.
Interested in seeing Rankin’s projects? Follow Jenn’s Front Porch on Facebook. Heaven knows I follow it and am in awe of all the cool things she creates.