When I hear of a Christmas in July sale, I’m all over it.
Not only can you stock up on gifts for the *real* season {getting a head start is ALWAYS a good idea}, for less. It’s a great chance to buy those items that you’ll need later.
zulily.com is having a wicked Christmas in July Sale from for the next few days. You’ll want to take advantage of this sale now, then in December, come back here and thank me for it!
When offered the chance to the Cricut Expression Personal Cutting Machine a try, the Tammi of 10 years ago jumped with joy.
I used to scrapbook year ago, before I had children. I submerged myself into DIY with much pride in all my creations. Then, the chaos struck and alas, much of this has been pushed aside. The most crafting I get done these days with with the kids, mostly in a huge clean-up after they’ve fostered their own creativity.
Merry Christmas in July to me, I’ve been getting my craft-on with a Cricut Expression and accessories!
Here was the items that I got for review from zulily:
Black Cricut Expression Machine {no physical cartridges included}
Back when I did a lot of scrapbooking many years ago, I had manual punches and cutters, which was very time consuming and had limited possibilities for size. With the Cricut Expression Personal Cutting Machine, you can select your image, load your paper, and press a button.
It does take a some reading up and learning to get used to all it’s features, yet that is part of the fun – since it does so much!
Cricut Expression Features:
Mix and match creative features in the same cut
Use the entire library of existing Cricut cartridges
Cut portrait or landscape
Mat sizes 12″ x 12″ or 12″ x 24″
No computer necessary, it takes cartridges
Change settings such as language and units of measure
LCD screen that shows exactly what you’re typing for your next cut
This is especially great when you want different sizes and want to make multiple cuts. You can do plenty, even in record time.
Using the buttons on the machine you can choose your selections. The keyboard overlay to the right of center, selects the images available for the cartridge you are using {a soft padded overlay keyboard comes with each cartridge and is specific to each one}. You basically choose your size and format, pick your image and hit ‘cut’.
The tacky mat hold onto the paper or cardstock which you are using, and the mat with paper feeds into the machine for cutting. There are different options for blade length, depending on what kind of thickness you are working with. Getting used to the pressure, speed and depth is a little tricky. Use too much depth and pressure and you’ll cut the mat itself, oops! Before you get started on a project, I’d suggest practicing with the different settings first. For help in learning, I have found the online community at Provo Craft and “how-to” Cricut videos online to be very helpful.
Once the image has been cut, you peel the paper off the mat. Sometimes you can do this yourself with your fingernails, yet Provo also has a set of tools to assist with this, which is so helpful for cuts that have a lot of fine details.
Cartridges? Oh, the options are limitless, there’s over 350 Cricut cartridges available. They are all themed as well, so you have specific ones for fonts all the way to ‘school’, ‘wedding’, ‘sports’, ‘new baby’ etc. To start, I got some basic cartridges, for fonts and then fun ones for birthdays. I’d suggest the ‘Simple Cards’ cartridge, as it has some great templates for basic cards for all occasions.
I feel I’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to everything that the Cricut can do, yet I’m very excited to try out all its features. For now I have made cards for Father’s Day and birthdays. I’ve also cut alphabet and simple images for the girls to use with their crafts. They like to use them as traceables in many of the pictures they make for family and friends.
One feature that I cannot wait to try out, is making my own vinyl stickers. I got vinyl sticker sheets in the package {again, see the list above}, yes, you can MAKE your own wall vinyl art for your home and car!
The Cricut Expression can also cut through stencil material, magnetic material, and flocked, heat transfer fabric. This extends the use to Halloween, when making costumes too! Also, you can buy cartridges to make gift boxes and personal banners and signs … really, you can create things you never thought you could with the Cricut Expression Personal Cutting Machine! From holiday cards and seasonal décor to gift ideas and home décor – this machine is tops!
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Great Find at the Christmas in July Sale at zulily.com:
Christmas Crafting Collection from $7.99 – 7/24 – 7/29
Get a jump-start on your winter wonderland! We’ve gathered some of our favorite festive crafts to introduce some good cheer to your home and loved ones come December. From customizable stockings, stickers and needlepoint artwork to Sizzix tools and thank-you notes, this merry medley makes spreading the spirit a snap.
Christmas in July: Home Décor – 7/25 – 7/29
Jump-start your winter wonderland! We’ve gathered some of our favorite holiday décor items to introduce some good cheer to your home come December. Spruce the spruce and deck the halls with this merry medley of Santa figurines, snowmen signs, ornaments and pillows that gets every onlooker into the joyful spirit.
Christmas in July: Trim the tree 7/25 – 7/29
Jump-start your winter wonderland! We’ve gathered some of our favorite festive tree trimmings to introduce some good cheer to your home come December. Spruce the spruce with this merry medley of college-themed ornaments and classic Christmas figurines that gets every onlooker into the joyful spirit.
Christmas in July: Textiles 7/25 – 7/29
Jump-start your winter wonderland! We’ve gathered some of our favorite festive textiles to introduce some good cheer to your home come December. Spruce the space and deck the halls with this merry medley of college-themed stockings, tree skirts and colorful pillows that gets every onlooker into the joyful spirit.
Christmas in July: Toys up to 50% off – 7/25 – 7/29
Don’t ho-ho-hold your breath any longer! Christmas may be around the corner, but we’ve gathered our favorite finds from the North Pole. From roller coaster tables and deluxe play kitchens to riveting ride-ons, plush toys and games, this merry medley ensures your precious angel will be wide-eyed with surprise come December.
Christmas in July: Girls’ Apparel up to 60% off – 7/25 – 7/29
We’ve gathered some of our favorite festive frocks and holiday accessories to outfit your sugar-plum fairy come December. From red and green bows and ruffle pants to candy cane tees and Santa leggings, this merry medley preps your little ones for photos, pageants and more Christmastime events.
Christmas in July: Boys’ Apparel up to 60% off – 7/25 – 7/29
We’ve gathered some of our favorite festive apparel sets and holiday accessories to outfit Santa’s littlest helpers come December. From Brown Bear John Johns and bodysuits to Grinch tees and comfy reindeer pajamas, this merry medley preps your little ones for photos, pageants and more Christmastime events.
Christmas in July: Door Decorations 7/25 – 7/29
Get a jump-start on your winter wonderland! We’ve gathered some of our favorite holiday doorway décor to introduce some good cheer to your home come December. From holly doormats and snowflake garden flags to yuletide planters, this merry medley makes spreading the Christmas spirit a snap.
Christmas in July: Baking from $5.49, 7/25 – 7/29
Get a jump-start on your winter wonderland! We’ve gathered some of our favorite festive baking essentials to introduce some good cheer to your home come December. From cookie cutters and cookbooks to pans, platters and stainless steel bowls, this merry medley makes whipping up the Christmas spirit a snap.
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Disclosure: Product was provided for review purposes, opinions are my own
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48 Comments
I have always wanted a Cricut! These machines are amazing! Love the vinyl sticker idea!
Oh gosh, my head is about to explode with all the ideas of what I can do with this machine. It’s now been added to the top of my wish list. Guess I’ve got the Christmas bug this month too. 🙂
so excited! we start our baking exchange so early in the year, I always hate having to pay full price for seasonal baking supplies in the early fall and there’s never any sales in stores that early. going to watch this sale, it’s perfect timing.
I seriously LOVE DIY projects but usually suck horribly at them hah 🙂 I see items like the Cricut at Michaels and dream of the day when maybe I can become a DIY maven 🙂
MAYBE a great sale like this will jump start my path!
Thank you for this post! I’m going to admit that I have had my Cricut for almost a year and I still don’t know how to use it. I will check out your other reviews. Who knows, I just may break mines out of it’s box lol
My sister has this one, Cricut Expression Personal Cutting Machine and I can not believe the stuff she has created. She’s always been a crafty person but since purchasing the Cricut her photo albums & cards are works of art.
That Cricut looks amazing. Endless ideas. Thanks for sharing. Going now to check out the rest of that website, might just have to do a little shopping myself.
I have always wanted a Cricut! These machines are amazing! Love the vinyl sticker idea!
Isn’t that cool? I’m going to have a lot of fun with that!
I LOVE Zulily – I have gotten so much of my baby girls clothes there! 🙂
They have such ADORABLE clothes on there! I have my eyes on these right now: http://www.zulily.com/e/mis-tee-v-us-girls-nb-53970.html?pos=4§ion=baby-maternity&sPos=1
LOVE!!!
Oh gosh, my head is about to explode with all the ideas of what I can do with this machine. It’s now been added to the top of my wish list. Guess I’ve got the Christmas bug this month too. 🙂
Awesome, perhaps you can throw yourself a little Christmas in July and treat yourself?!
😛
so excited! we start our baking exchange so early in the year, I always hate having to pay full price for seasonal baking supplies in the early fall and there’s never any sales in stores that early. going to watch this sale, it’s perfect timing.
Oh no, you cannot pay full price for that – take advantage of the zulily sale and save on those supplies. by the way, what are you making this year? 🙂
I’ve always wanted one of these. I’d love to make stickers at home. I can’t believe all the features.
The kids love making the stickers! So many ideas our there!
I seriously LOVE DIY projects but usually suck horribly at them hah 🙂 I see items like the Cricut at Michaels and dream of the day when maybe I can become a DIY maven 🙂
MAYBE a great sale like this will jump start my path!
DIY and me don’t mesh that well, usually I have a bit of a struggle. Love it when machines like this make it so easy!
I use to have a cricut a few years ago. Loved it. The new one’s seem so much cooler.
It’s pretty awesome! Perhaps you need a new one Kristina!
🙂
Oh! I would love to just play with one of these and see what I could come up with! Wonder where I would find the time!
The key is making that time for yourself, right?
You are so crafty!!! Are you planning to use the Cricut machine for your Christmas cards this year?
For sure! I’ll be able to get such a good head start, plus everyone loves that homemade touch!!
Very cute! I have a Cricut but it isn’t that model. It’s so much fun to play with!
It is, I love it more than I thought I would. The options seem endless!
I have been debating on buying one, love all that it can do. I’ll have to check out the website!
Grab a cup of coffee and snuggle into the site, there is so much to browse on there. Happy shopping Felicia!
I stock up early as well, such a stress saver as you said. thanks for sharing the news of the sale!
You are very welcome Karen, happy shopping!!
I always check out their kids clothes, yet obviously I need to look around the site more. There’s tons to buy!
There is! Each time I go, I lust after something else. Great original items on there, with plenty of sales. My kind of site!!
Thank you for this post! I’m going to admit that I have had my Cricut for almost a year and I still don’t know how to use it. I will check out your other reviews. Who knows, I just may break mines out of it’s box lol
Oh, you need to just unpack and play, you’ll get the hang of it quickly!
How much fun! I would love to have a cricut. There are so many projects around the house I could do.
Indeed, I have many projects in the queue!
Very cool, I miss my scrapbooking days, I have a few friends that use these in their girl scout troops for projects, they are so neat!
Great idea!!
I’ve been doing a little research on these, and it is definitely on my Christmas list now! Thanks for the great insights!
I have wanted a cricut machine for the longest time ever! But I’ve never been able to justify paying that much for it. Hopefully one day!
now that is something |I would love to do and the cutting options so cool.
I have always wanted one of these things. When the kids get older and I have more time for being crafty, I’m def buying one.
My mom would love this! I am all for shopping year-round for Christmas so I am going to look into getting one for her. She will be thrilled!
I would love one of these but it just never seems to be in the budget 🙁 It looks like lots of fun!
I just got on the make-your-own-card trend this year and I love punches. However, this machine looks like it could do so much more…wow.
My sister has this one, Cricut Expression Personal Cutting Machine and I can not believe the stuff she has created. She’s always been a crafty person but since purchasing the Cricut her photo albums & cards are works of art.
It’s a pretty amazing machine!
that is the coolest thing ever. I want one!
Oh my gosh – I want one of these so bad! Looks so awesome! Thanks for sharing.
That Cricut looks amazing. Endless ideas. Thanks for sharing. Going now to check out the rest of that website, might just have to do a little shopping myself.
I hope you post what you make I love christmas ideas
This is amazing! Think of all the possibilities. This is on my wish list….
Oh my gosh, I’m overcome with envy! A cricut has been on my wishlist for some time now, and it’s awesome you snagged one for a great deal!
I dont even scrap book but I would love making cards. gonna thow hints around for this gift.