I have been planning to buy one of these Cricut machines for a long time, but hadn’t yet. Recently the Cricut company sent me one, along with a ton of tools and supplies to go with it, in exchange for sharing what I created on my blog.
I don’t write about products for companies very much, and I only do so when I really like something. Now that I have a Cricut Explore, I wonder how I lived without it.
If you would like a chance to win one for yourself, or a prize pack, check out their contest on the Cricut Facebook page. They are giving away prizes to 70 teachers.
I had a lot of fun making some classroom decor to go with my ocean theme. This year I decided to add some anchors to my classroom and I found an anchor shape on Cricut Design Space.
By the Sea Pennant Banner
The first project I made was a pennant banner to decorate my classroom. On Cricut Design Space, I found a pennant shape, stretched it to the size I wanted, and the design was sent to the Cricut machine to cut.
I wanted to use craft paper for the pennants, so I lined up the paper on the cutting mat (which is slightly sticky to keep the paper from slipping). Then, hit the go button and it cut the shapes I wanted.
Like this:
I was also able to cut out the letters I wanted to attach to my pennants and even choose the font I wanted. This font is KG What the Teacher Wants.
I cut some anchors out of colored card stock and here is my finished banner. (I spread it out on my floor, it hasn’t been hung on the wall yet.)
So fun! I couldn’t help myself so I made some more projects…
Anchor Bulletin Board Accents
I used the same anchor to accent this small bulletin board in my classroom. I usually use this board to post a chart or graph we make together.
Anchor Bucket
I added an anchor to a dollar spot bucket to store my Cricut tools and markers.
I think this is definitely a handy machine for teachers. I’m already imagining what I can create for Fall and Halloween. Don’t forget, if you want to enter for a chance to win one of your own, or a prize pack, go to the Cricut Facebook page.
There’s also a Cricut for the Classroom Facebook Group where teachers share their classroom projects.
Disclosure: I received a Cricut Explore One and supplies. All opinions are my own.
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Love my cricut expression machine and would also love the explore. Use the pens to do your letters. It looks awesome. Have fun exploring!!!!!
Dear Karen – Greetings
You are always awesome in your ideas. My grandson will attend his life’s first day to school on 30th August, 2015. Would highly appreciate if you have some stuff for the beginners. With best of wishes and Good Luck.
You work never falls short of amazing me! Do you recommend a specific Circuit Explore?
The one I have is Cricut Explore One — this is the only one I’ve ever used, so I can’t compare, but it seems pretty awesome to me. 🙂
I don’t have facebook. Is this the only way to get hold of the people for the Cricut machine?
As far as I know, the contest is on Facebook, but here is their contact page: http://us.cricut.com/home/support/contact-us
Hi karen, love ur creativity. Jus. Need some ideas on how to docorate my class to welcome 1+ to 2yrs coming to school for first time in their life. What are the things I need. To put in place for my class to be attractive.
My Explore is amazing! With Eureka math we have to have a lot of hands on materials and it does wonderfully. One lesson I needed light and dark shirts. I found a tshirt design on line and transferred it to my cricut and I cut out all the shirts I needed in all different sizes. I cut out enough for all three classrooms. I had a wedding to help with. I made all the banners with my cricut. It was a big hit all the way!
The cricut explore is amazing!
Dear Karen,
I was thrilled when I got your message about the Cricut Machine. I actually went to buy one at Michael’s and they were gone. My sister had told me about it. She learned about Cricut atin a PD she attended this summer.
Thank you for sharing with us. I always look forward to your innovative ideas.
If
Regards,
Maria
P.S. I would love to visit your classroom one day!