Have you really pushed the limits with your Cricut Maker yet? Making custom cake stands out of wood or custom cake stands out of chipboard is easier than ever. Utilize the Cricut Knife Blade in a way you never thought before.
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I, like many other mothers, enjoy making a birthday party better than ever. I don’t like to spend that much money buying custom things that will most likely never get used again. Creating this custom cake stand using my Cricut Maker was one of the most genius things my friend could have ever thought of.
When you’re making your own custom cake stand with the Cricut, you have to look at the dimensions of everything. Your cake, the width of the shape, your cut allowance on the material, and the thickness of the material.
Begin by pulling up the shape that you want to cut. Look for a shape that has a wide bottom and straight line for stability.
The top doesn’t have to be as wide because we’ll square it off to make a flat surface for the tray. To do that, move your object to the latitude and longitude of 0.
Click on the shapes on the left-hand side and add a square. Click on the lower left lock and then set your square to about 2” tall and an inch or two wider than your shape.
This will create a flat surface on the top of your shape and then you’ll duplicate it.
Measure the thickness of your material. Some will already be labeled for you on the box or use a ruler. Select the shape icon again and add another square to your canvas.
Click on the lock to unlock your square and size it so that it is wide enough that both pieces will interlock.
When using the chipboard and some My Minds Eye cardstock, I used the width of .1”. You want the height of your small line to be a smidgen over half. This custom cake stand was 10” high so my squares were .1×5.3”. Duplicate that square.
The thickness of the Cricut Chipboard is 2mm or.08″
Now use one shape and have one square centered towards the bottom of the shape and the other square centered on the other shape on the upper portion. Use your slice function again like when we made our shape originally flat.
There are additional clouds on this cake stand because it would be pretty wobbly without it. Just adhere two to each portion of the base to create a squared up leg of the DIY cake stand.
Adhere your material to your Strong Grip Cricut by using some painters tape or masking tape. Just whatever you have around that will also peel easily off your material. Move your star wheels all the way to the right before you load your mat into your Cricut Maker.
After you’ve hit your load button, make sure your Knife Blade is in the Adaptive Tool System and hit Go!
This certain cut took me about 3 hours. This rocket ship cake stand does not have a bunch of weird angles, they’re all pretty straight. When you cut the cake plate area, that cut will maybe be 4 minutes because it is just a simple circle.
How so I glue Cricut Chipboard?
I’ve gone over this a few times and have learned that you cannot mix dry adhesive with a wet adhesive. I ran all of my cardstock through my Xyron Creative Station and then adhered it on top of my chipboard.
To adhere to the smaller peg pieces to the larger chipboard cake stand, use some hot glue and use it on the edges and then adhere the edges to the corners of the base.
My Knife Blade cut through my Cricut Maker!
Yes, this can happen. You need to pay attention to your cuts because some cuts may not need all the 20 passes. The Cricut Maker has had instances where it started cutting into the mat and then into the machine.
This is not normal but I also don’t know how Cricut will warranty the machine in those cases. Just watch your shape throughout the cut and even closer as the cut comes towards to the end.
Can you modify the Cricut Knife Blade settings?
No. Cricut Knife Blade material settings are not yet modifiable. This is because Cricut does a lot of research on the back end of the Makers materials and these are the settings they’ve used and tested.
I love creating party decor and so when Cricut released the Knife Blade, I knew I had to make myself a Cricut cake topper. We put together an Outer Space Party to celebrate my nephew turning 11. See how easy it is to make your own cake topper with Cricut.
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I have loved the versatility that my Cricut Maker has given me and I especially love creating things that I normally would buy but wasn’t the aesthetic I was looking for. I’m able to make my own pretty fast and to me, it’s more practical because I have everything I need here at home.
You’re going to, first of all, need a Cricut Maker. Cricut released their Maker’s in August 2017 at a party that was beyond all parties. They have since been released in a few different colors like blush and blue but my trusty champagne color is perfect and gets the job done.
Begin by securing your 3/32″ basswood to a strong grip mat. I use some painters tape or masking tape to hold it on there securely. When you use the Cricut Knife Blade, you want to be sure that your project will not shift as your cutting. The tape helps prevent that. Next, load in your Cricut mat into the Cricut Maker.
Send your Cricut Design Space file to cut and choose basswood from the menu of materials and then it’ll show you to load your Knife Blade and select go.
Can I use Bluetooth with the Cricut Knife Blade
Yes, but it’s a little tricky. Cricut recommends using the USB cable to hook from a desktop to your Cricut Maker to avoid a call that can interrupt or even a game that can interrupt your cut. This is why the Knife Blade is not available on their mobile app.
I use Bluetooth to my Cricut Maker because my desktop computer is in the hallway and my Maker is in my bedroom and a hassle to move each time. I have only had one issue where it thought my Cricut was done but it was just a long pause so I had unloaded it and it wasn’t cut all the way through.
Don’t think that you cannot ever use Bluetooth with your Cricut Knife Blade, you can but there are risks involved so be aware of that.
What kind of adhesive can I use with Cricut Chipboard and Wood?
You have two choices but you cannot mix the two. You can use a dry adhesive like a Xyron Creative Station or a wet adhesive like Mod Podge. This method is mainly for the Cricut Chipboard but it’s a rule I follow so I don’t ruin other projects.
I prefer to use my Xyron Creative Station with Cricut Chipboard or with any wood cutouts. It won’t leave a sheen or brushstrokes on my project and keep my Cricut cake topper clean.
This really depends on your design. I can cut a circle in a matter of 3 minutes because it has that one line to follow and it doesn’t need to lift up and rotate the blade. My spaceship Cricut cake topper and stars took about 65 minutes.
Because it can take up to 5-6 hours to cut something, this is also why Cricut tells you to use the USB cord. Believe it or not, this cut was pretty fast and so I didn’t need to lug my Maker near my computer to be sure it wouldn’t cancel or shut down on me.
After I cut all the pieces for my wooden Cricut cake topper, I cut the same images out of cute outer space cardstock from My Minds Eye along with some glitter cardstock and orange cardstock for the mini window. Run them through my Xyron Creative Station and began adhering them to the wood.
I used this same method of making the window float as I did on these 3D rockets. Lay the thread on the back of the silver glitter cardstock and then adhered that as my first layer of the wooden Cricut cake topper. Then lay the second layer of the printed cardstock.
For my wooden stars, I did the same thing. Just lay the glitter cardstock over the wooden Cricut cake topper and set it aside.
How to make an Outer Space Cake
You’re going to need an 8″ hemisphere cake pan and any cake mix you like. Bake the cake according to package instructions and then allow it to cool completely.
I then took some black gel food coloring and added a small amount to my white frosting. Frost your cake and then you’re going to want to stick some black candy melts to resemble the craters on the moon.
Place your Cricut Cake Toppers into the cake and serve. What child isn’t going to love this space party?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
Create the coolest 3D Paper Spaceships for your next Outer Space Party. It’s the perfect addition to your tablescape and really easy to put together. And find out why I love my Xyron Creative Station.
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I have had the honor of being on Xyron’s Design Team the last 9 months and today is my last project of the year for them. I’m going to be having a space party next week and so I wanted to add some space decor to the table to coordinate everything. These 3D paper spaceships are perfect!
What is a Xyron Creative Station?
A Xyron Creative Station is a crafting adhesive that turns your paper into an automatic sticker. It comes in a 5″ size where you can use the 3″ and 5″ refills or a 9″ size which you can use the 5″ and 9″ refills. There are several kinds of cartridges you can find from permanent to removable adhesive or create somelaminated magnets or just laminate without heat.
Xyron is one of my favorite companies to use when I have small pieces I need to adhere to something. Usually, I will cut an item that is really detailed and a liquid glue just can’t seem to work very well and often times it soaks the fine cardstock and then you lose the details in your project.
This is by far the most versatile Xyron item but it well worth the investment. If you’re really just looking to make tiny pieces into stickers, the 1″ sticker maker is perfect for that. I found, though, that after I purchased my 1″, I moved to a 3″ and then to a 5″ and now I just use my 9″ Creative Station for everything.
Give your past crafts a look and see what Xyron product would be most beneficial to you.
How to make your 3D Paper Rockets
I used my Cricut Maker and created a file in Cricut Design Space. For these paper spaceships, I used my Cricut Knife Blade and some 2mm thick chipboard. Begin by opening the file and getting your paper set out.
I used this “Blast Off” line paper by My Minds Eye and it has the perfect holographic pattern and a minimalistic space theme. I’ve got the matching napkins and a little moon cake that I cannot wait to show you!
So I began by cutting out my 3D spaceships with the chipboard. I created this file in Cricut Design Space and created a slit that was .1″ wide so that it was wide enough to have the chipboard snug with the scrapbook paper adhered. After I cut matching pieces out of cardstock and my stars, I ran them through my Xyron Creative Station.
How do I make a piece of paper float on a craft?
Begin with the stars. Cut a piece of twine or fishing wire about 3.5″ long. Lay your string on the back of the star and adhere the other side over it. You’ll have two halves put together with a string in the middle. This will help create a floating look on your 3D paper spaceships. Place the star in the middle of your chipboard spaceship piece and then lay the cardstock over the chipboard. This will secure the star so that it is actually “floating” on your paper spaceships. Place the other cardstock over the coordinating pieces of chipboard and then place the two slits together so it is standing straight.
These DIY Harry Potter socks are perfect for your next Harry Potter party. Create the perfect Harry Potter party favor and attach the free Harry Potter printable.
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I’ve partnered up with LEGO to bring your next Harry Potter party to a whole new level. Create your very own Harry Potter socks and attach the LEGO Harry Potter printable to the top of the bag. Manage your own Mischief with these Mischief Managed socks made with your Cricut.
I don’t know if I’ve ever admitted that I’m addicted to any LEGO game and LEGO Harry Potter is my favorite of them all. I can’t decide if I like the Harry Potter years 1-4 or Harry Potter years 5-7 but they’re amazing. They’re even more amazing when you can be the only player in a family of 6. But now you can buy them both at the same time and you know I bought it again for my XBox One.
To make your Harry Potter party favors, cut the Mischief Managed picture with your electronic cutter. Be sure to mirror your image before it cuts. Lay your socks upside down on your surface. The opening will be on the table and the hole will be away from you.
Pay attention to your sock position so that you can get your Mischief Managed socks facing the correct way. I use an EasyPress Mat but you can also use a folded towel. Use a surface that will help distribute even heat and won’t bend. Ironing boards are not ideal to use with the EasyPress. The middle easily bends and won’t allow you to get an even pressing. I use a wood board because that is what I have for my blogging backdrops. You can use your countertop but some materials will pull the heat from the EasyPress and the temperature will drop.
Once you’ve pressed your Mischief Managed socks, go ahead and fold them and place them into your cellophane bag. It’s easier if your cellophane bag is flat so that you won’t have issues when you go to staple your Harry Potter treat topper on.
More Harry Potter Party Ideas
I love LEGO’s and they’ve been a favorite of my boys. Malakai even loves the smaller LEGO’s and that works great for his small motor skills. I have yet to figure out a LEGO storage situation in our house though.
These Harry Potter socks are the perfect party favor. I’ve been having lots of Harry Potter fun with my Luna Lovegood confetti and I’m working on more felt ornaments for our Harry Potter Christmas tree to go along with Hedwig. Grab the free printable for personal use only below.
Did you know that you can make your very own custom printed napkins at home using the Cricut EasyPress 2? I got a chance to sample the 6×7″ EasyPress 2 and I can’t say enough good things about it. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
This past August, Cricut held an event called Mountain Make-a-Thon and it was so much fun to just be with other creative people making creative things with our Cricut. At the Cricut Mountain Make-A-Thon, they announced they were coming out with a new and improved version of their original EasyPress. This time the EasyPress 2 comes in 3 different sizes, 6×7″, 9×9″, and 12×10″.
This smaller EasyPress 2 makes it my third so I guess you can say that I’ve got some EasyPress experience. I love the small size and it’s perfect for making your own custom printed napkins.
Absolutely, you can! You’re going to want your setting to be around 250°F and press for around 10-15 seconds. Because these were napkins, I was able to use the new EasyPress Mat that is designed for the 6X7″ model. If I was using cardstock, I would want my EasyPress 2 and Mat to be larger than my paper so I don’t make any dents in my paper project.
How do you make Custom Printed Napkins with your EasyPress 2?
It’s really simple. You’re going to want to go into Design Space and create a file and be sure that it is sized to fit onto your napkin. Load your Everyday Iron-On into your Cricut machine and don’t forget to reverse your image!
What is the difference between Cricut Iron-On Lite and Cricut Everyday Iron-On?
Cricut has reformulated their old Iron-On Lite. The Everyday Iron-On is something that I noticed a huge difference in quality when I compared it to the Iron-On Lite. It releases easier from the carrier sheet and it gives you a better result. It also comes with the StrongBond Guarantee. Which means that if you use the Everyday Iron-On as instructed and you’re not satisfied with the results, they’ll replace it for free.
How do I use the Cricut EasyPress 2?
This part is probably the easiest of this whole thing. You’re going to want to weed your image and leave what you want to press on to your custom printed napkins on the carrier sheet.
Preheat your EasyPress 2 to 250ºF. The new EasyPress 2 heats up a lot faster than the original and it can now go up to 400ºF. Keeping your EasyPress 2 on the Safety Base is also important so that other items can remain protected.
Place your napkin on to the EasyPress Mat. Place your image on to your napkins and then press for 10-15 seconds. Remove your Everyday Iron-On while your image is still hot. Some HTV is a cold peel process so be sure to read all the manufacturers instructions.
Allow your custom printed napkin to cool and then you’re set to go on with your party!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
These DIY Princess Crowns are made perfect by using your Cricut machine. Create them in minutes and have your princess enjoy her party in style. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
I loved preparing for this easy Princess Party. It was made complete by making this easy DIY Princess Crowns. Create them out of glitter cardstock and see how easy it is to cut with your Cricut machine.
You’re going to begin by opening the Cricut Design Space File above and setting your Cricut machine to Glitter Cardstock (get more information on this below). Load your glitter cardstock on to your mat and cut, select finish on your computer and set aside.
Next, select to cut your image again but this time mirror the image. Load your coordinating paper on to your mat and then cut again.
Run your cardstock images into your Xyron Creative Station right side up. This will turn your images into stickers and then you can sandwich them together. If you’re using wet adhesive, set it aside to dry. Connect the ends of your DIY Princess Crown together and use your easy craft adhesive. Use two clips to secure the ends together so that it will ensure that they’ll stay adhered.
You can connect some elastic to the paper princess crowns by using a hole punch or stapler. Or you can use these paper princess crowns as place card holders.
How do I cut Glitter Cardstock with my Cricut?
Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore have different looks in Design Space when it comes to choosing your materials.
If you have a Cricut Maker, you’re going to want to click on the ‘Choose More Materials’ link and it will pull up all that the Cricut Maker has been tested to cut. Just choose Glitter Cardstock and then press the Go flashing button on your Cricut Maker.
To cut glitter cardstock on your Cricut Explore, set your smart dial to ‘Custom’ and then the drop-down menu will include Glitter Cardstock. Select that and then press the Go flashing button on your Cricut Explore.
This Magical White Chocolate Unicorn Bark is absolutely going to make you earn brownie points for such beautiful food. Grab the easy instructions on how to make it below. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
You absolutely loved my Unicorn Pancakes, take it a step further and make this magical White Chocolate Unicorn Bark. Load it up with sprinkles and handmade Unicorn horns and you’re set for the perfect Unicorn party.
Begin by making your Unicron Horns our of the pink fondant. You’re going to want to take a piece the size of a bouncy ball and then roll it out and taper it at the edges. Bring the two ends together and then twist. Set them aside to dry.
How do I temper chocolate in the microwave?
Next, place a piece of parchment paper on top of a baking sheet. You’re going to want to temper your white chocolate and that can easily be done in the microwave.
To temper chocolate in the microwave, begin with about 2/3 of your chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. You’re going to want to heat in 30-second intervals and stirring between each rotation. Once your chocolate is almost melted completely, add in your other 1/3 of chocolate to help bring the heat down.
To warm your chocolate, just microwave in 10-second intervals until it returns to the same consistency. But this recipe, we won’t worry about that.
Pour your melted white chocolate over the parchment and then spread with an offset spatula. You can absolutely just use a silicone spatula but I love the way and offset spatula spreads so use that if you have one. Next, warm your purple candy melts in the same fashion as the chocolate or go here to see how I’ve done it in the past.
Pour the warmed purple candy melts over the white chocolate bark and then swirl with a toothpick to create your white chocolate Unicorn Bark.
Now the fun part! Pour your sprinkles over the warm Unicorn Bark and then place your fondant unicorn horns all around and let it firm in the refrigerator.
How do you break chocolate bark?
The last step is the break the Unicorn Bark. To break my chocolate bark, I took the parchment paper off of the pan and then dropped it on my countertop. You can use a knife too. Just do whichever you prefer.
I love to serve this in some parchment bags or just pile it on a plate and allow others to serve themselves. Either way, you definitely have a hit on your hands with this white chocolate Unicorn Bark.
Make this magical unicorn bark for your next unicorn party. It's the perfect addition to your unicorn dessert table.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate bark, unicorn, unicorn recipe
Author: Lindsay
Ingredients
4ozready-made white fondant
2ozready-made red fondant
Cornstarch for rolling
2cupswhite chocolate
1cuppurple candy melts
3tspcoconut oildivided
1cupsprinkles of your choice
Instructions
Start by lining a cookie sheet with wax paper. Cover your fingers in cornstarch, as well as your clean working surface (this will avoid any sticky messes). Fold both fondant colors and knead together, creating a pink-marbled look and roll 12-15 fondant spheres, about ¼ of an inch in diameter.
Roll each sphere into a long strip, about 1 inch in length.
Slightly fold over your strip and start twisting. Once you reach the end of the twist, pinch the tip. This will act as your unicorn horn. Gently place your fondant creations on your lined baking sheet.
Line a rectangular pan with wax paper. Add white chocolate and 2 tsp of your coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in thirty-second intervals until completely melted. Mix and pour into your lined pan.
Next, add purple candy and 1 tsp coconut oil into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in thirty-second intervals until completely melted and pour over your melted white chocolate. Use a fork to blend the white chocolate and the purple candy to create a marbled look.
Top your bark with sprinkles and your fondant horns. Let set in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and break off into pieces.
These cactus cake pops will look perfect on your dessert table for your next party. Celebrate a fiesta or Cinco De Mayo with this easy recipe to recreate. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
What kinds of parties can I throw with these Cactus Cake Pops?
These cactus cake pops can be recreated for your next birthday party. They’re perfect for Cinco De Mayo, a Southwestern theme or just a Cactus themed party. This cactus party food is the perfect addition.
Prepare your buttercream frosting and then add a few spoonfuls to the side. Color the larger amount of buttercream with your Kelly Green color and then color the smaller amount with the red food coloring.Crumble your white cake into a large bowl and add three tablespoons of the green buttercream that you’ve prepared. Mix it well and then form an oval shape then press down on the bottom. Press your sucker stick into the shape and then place in the freezer to harden for 15-20 minutes. After the shapes have set, use your Wilton tip #47 to pipe green strips down the shape. Use your Wilton tip #131 to create the red flowers at the top. Place the white sprinkles on your cactus cake pops to act as the needles. Serve and enjoy! They’re so adorable for a lot of themed birthday parties but these cactus cake pops are sure to make an appearance sooner than later.
Have the most stylish party on the block with these Cactus Cake Pops. Made with vanilla box cake mix and easily created.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cactus cake, cake pops
Servings: 10cake pops
Author: Lindsay
Ingredients
vanilla cake, box mixmake the recipe as two 8" cake rounds
2sticksbutter, softened
4cupspowdered sugar
2-3tbspmilk
1tspvanilla extract
Kelly Green gel food coloring
red gel food coloring
white sprinkles
Instructions
Crumble your cake into small bits and place in a bowl. Using a stand mixer, mix butter, confectioners’ sugar, milk, vanilla on medium speed. Gradually increase to high and beat until completely smooth.
Place a small amount of the frosting in a bowl and color it red. Color the rest with the Kelly Green gel food coloring.
Put 3 tablespoons of the green buttercream into your bowl of cake crumbs and mix.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Form your cake into a cactus shape and then place the sucker stick into the shape. Let set in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes.
Once set, use Wilton tip #47 to frost each cake pop with green buttercream in an upward motion (ie.: vertical strips). Insert white sprinkles on random spots.
Using Wilton tip #191, frost flowers on top with red decorating frosting.
How to make a cake topper with your Cricut
After I cut matching pieces out of cardstock and my stars, I ran them through my Xyron Creative Station.
Place the star in the middle of your chipboard spaceship piece and then lay the cardstock over the chipboard. This will secure the star so that it is actually “floating” on your paper spaceships. Place the other cardstock over the coordinating pieces of chipboard and then place the two slits together so it is standing straight.
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
How do you make Custom Printed Napkins with your EasyPress 2?
What is the difference between Cricut Iron-On Lite and Cricut Everyday Iron-On?
How do I use the Cricut EasyPress 2?
Allow your custom printed napkin to cool and then you’re set to go on with your party!
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
How to make an easy Princess Crown
Connect the ends of your DIY Princess Crown together and use your easy craft adhesive. Use two clips to secure the ends together so that it will ensure that they’ll stay adhered.
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
Supplies for Unicorn Bark
Next, warm your purple candy melts in the same fashion as the chocolate or go here to see how I’ve done it in the past.
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
Crumble your white cake into a large bowl and add three tablespoons of the green buttercream that you’ve prepared. Mix it well and then form an oval shape then press down on the bottom. Press your sucker stick into the shape and then place in the freezer to harden for 15-20 minutes.
After the shapes have set, use your Wilton tip #47 to pipe green strips down the shape. Use your Wilton tip #131 to create the red flowers at the top. Place the white sprinkles on your cactus cake pops to act as the needles. 
Serve and enjoy! They’re so adorable for a lot of themed birthday parties but these cactus cake pops are sure to make an appearance sooner than later.
