Edited to Add : I actually just got my SCAL (sure cuts alot) software in the mail yesterday! I cannot wait to get it up and running. I pride myself in saying I've only purchased ONE cricut cartridge on ebay for 20 bucks! Never again...no more cartridges for me. For those of you, who don't know what SCAL is.....it's a software that allows you to hook your cricut up to your computer, use all of your true type fonts and dingbats, and design you own customized look! It is absolutely fantastic and well worth the $75....the price of one cricut cartridge)!!!
Today's post is all about being frugal.....or cheap, whichever way you prefer to look at it! I love finding ways to prolong the life of items I use everyday. In turn, helping me save money by repurposing or reusing what I already have!
For those of you lucky gals who own a cricut, this thrifty tip is for you. Have you noticed how quickly your sticky mat loses it's "stick"??? Mine seems to go pretty quick and I dread shelling out another 10 bucks for a new mat. Especially since the craft stores don't allow you to use 40% coupons on anything cricut related! Well, have I got the ultimate frugalista tip for you!
This Zig 2 way glue pen (chisel tip) is your new best friend. You probably have some stashed in your supplies. If not, invest a couple bucks in one and save yourself some cash!
All you do is coat your entire mat with this pen. I start at the top and work my way down in straight lines, until the whole surface is covered.
Your mat will be very wet at first....it needs to dry for about 15-20 minutes. After the drying time it should be good as new. Actually, better in my opinion.
See how it sticks to my hand? Whoo-hoo......10 dollars saved! I've had my cricut for a good 6 months and have yet to buy any replacement mats. Another trick I've tried is spraying your mat with spray adhesive. It works ok, but doesn't last long. This is a much better long term solution. I LOVE my cricut, but sometimes get frustrated by all the nickle and diming! The supplies and cartridges for it are a little pricey. But if you get creative you can learn how to get around that and use your supplies to their fullest potential. The instructions tell you to only insert the mat into your machine with the arrow pointed up. Do not follow these silly instructions. Utilize the whole cutting surface by flipping your mat around and cutting equally on the entire surface! Set your machine to cut portrait style instead of landscape and it will start the cut on the opposite side of the mat. These are probably things you've already figured out yourself. But I wanted to share these little tips for the newbies and people contemplating the cricut. It took me a while to catch on to some of these things. Learn from my mistakes and trial and error, people. If I can save you time and money...I'm all over that!
97 comments:
Thanks for the great tips. I haven't used my Cricut much because I can't afford to buy any cartridges. So all I have is the measly first cartridge that it came with.
I will be trying this tip about the mats though.
What great tips!!! Since Santa brought mine I've used it quite a bit. I didn't know about turning the mat, or about the "portrait vs. landscape" thing either. You're a wealth of information today!!!
Thank you soooo much for the great tips. Keep those cricut tips coming, my friend!
I got my cricut for Christmas and I've already bought new blades and mats. I use it all the time thanks for all the cricut tips lately. Let us know some more of your secrets!! Please!
Thank you so much for the tip! I too have a cricut and use it more than I should I'm sure and if I can save $ I am all for it!
Thanks again!
Keep up the great work!
Oh I am SO sending this tip to my sister in law. I borrow her Cricut on occasion so it only seems right.
I am hosting a giveaway and hope you'll stop by.
Great idea! I have used spray adhesive, but you can't really use that inside! BTW, Joanne's will let you use the coupon for "accesories" - not cartridges, but blades, mats, etc. Keep the Cricut tips coming.
I've been thinking about getting one, thanks for the tips !
i love that tip! i hate how the cricut adhesive crumbles. I can't wait until it dies out and I can redo it!!
You're the best, Amanda.
Believe me, if and when I get a Cricut, I'm going to come back and re-read your tips! I don't want it to be "the gift that keeps on costing," you know? Thanks for the info!!
Love you!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.....
I have avoided buying a cricut because of the nickel and diming, but if I can gather and utilize some of these great tips, maybe I will reconsider. Thanks.
This is awesome! I have the smaller, older Cricut and have several mats and was dreading having to buy new ones because they mess up so much because they aren't sticky anymore. I even have this glue pen too! I can't wait to get home now. And I never even thought to turn the mat around. Great ideas. Thanks!!
Thank you for the tip, i was just about to go buy a new mat this weekend but ill try this instead. I dont know if you have look around but i found this website www.craftedge.com and they have a software (Sure-Cuts-Alot) and i think for as much as you can spend on cartridges this seems like a good deal and you can use ANY font you have or have downloaded to your computer. My cousin and i are going to get it, soon i hope. I just thought you might want to take a look. Thanks again for the tips.
Amanda U ARE MY HERO TODAY!!! HA!
I have had my cricut about the same amount of time as you, and I have replaced my mats twice now, (luckily two comes in a pack) I am STOKED ABOUT THIS IDEA, THANKS DOLL! JGG
i can never remember the name of the glue, thank you for showing a pic!! and i didn't know about the portrait setting...but that's awesome.
That is AWESOME! I've been using spray adhesive lightly sprayed on, but this seems much better and less stinky :)
Thanks for the great tips! I buy my cartdridges from www.customcrops.com and www.ohmycrafts.com. They are much less expensive and often have sales and coupons as well.
Thanks for the tips...I still have mine in the box and have not used it once yet but I plan on getting it out before to long...this winter time makes me so lazy.
Please, share MORE Cricut tips! I didn't know about either of these things--I'm a Cricut novice and still learning everything.
~ Sarah
Wonderful!!! Thank you!!! I will try that right away. I'm always looking for tips with my cricut. I got it a couple years ago and I Santa brought me the gypsy this year - love it! But I still only have like 7 cartridges...the things are so expensive. I did come across this site though: www.cricutmachine.com and they had some of their cartridges really marked down around thanksgiving time...something to keep an eye on. Thanks again!
Great info! I am going to try that next time I need a new mat. Just and FYI, Joann's will let you use a coupon on the blades, mats, and housings if they are not on sale! I didn't think they would, but I tried it once and it worked and has ever since!
I'm dreaming of owning one of these babies one day. The funny thing? I use to work for the company the makes the Zig glue when I lived in NJ...the amount of free scrapbook supply I gather on those 7 years was insane. They were a very, very good company (same people that makes Jolee's, stickers, and the Martha line)
You couldn't have posted this in Sept. when I threw a mat out? ;) ;) Great tip...I had no idea you could reuse a mat. I'm really wishing I'd waited to get the larger machine now, but I have 2 friends who own them so I can use theirs when I need something big cut out.
Hey Amanda, I'm a lurker :). Thanks for the tips on the mats...I have a tip for you...you don't have to buy cartridges anymore! Go to scrappingtable.com and you can buy and download the sure.cuts.alot. They are having a sale right now I believe for 64.95 and you can print stuff on your cricut using the fonts you have on your computer! And there are thousands of free fonts you can download on your computer! Check it out!!!
Thanks for the tip! Another way I've used is to grab a baby wipe and rub away at your Cricut mat. Set it aside to dry and voila...a sticky mat!
Please if you can help, I cant get mine to cut. New blades, new mat, tried every setting...it just scrapes the letters or just creases the paper/plastic. Dont know what to do or where to get the info I need.
I also heard that using a baby wipe across the mat will increase it's stickiness...I haven't tried this yet because I have no reason to buy baby wipes otherwise...but who knows...it may work :)
I have been contemplating buying a Cricut but was worried about the on going cost of the mats, etc. Thanks so much for the tips, they are a HUGE help.
Yeah for this tip! Chick, you have to have to have to get Sure Cuts A Lot. It will be some of the best $ you ever spent - especially since you use your cricut so much. I can't rave enough about how much more usage you can get out of your Cricut with this program. I'm sure I've told you b4 but with the software that downloads to your computer, you can even change fonts mid word or letter, adjust the size of each letter mid word, and you space everything out on your paper. What you type and move around on the screen is what cuts out. Plus you use ANY true type font and dingbat. The cost is about the same as a cricut cartridge ($75) and the uses are so endless. It's really amazing. I'm actually hoping to get a new blade and that stiff stuff so I can cut some fabric with mine tonight!
Thanks a million for posting this! :)
Thanks for the great tip. I have gone through so many mats. It is depressing to have to spend that money every month or so.
Thanks for the great tip! I've tried spray adhesive and it didn't work as well as I'd hoped...too sticky.
I love your table cloth!
I do this too and it works for me!!! I also recommend Sure cuts a lot for amyone who wants to save money. I love, love, love this software!!!!!!! Easy peasy!!!! Thanks for the info about portrait and landscape!!!
is this Zig stick an american thing? if not.. i will search our town for it high and low!! i also was told to buy the 12x24 mats and then cut them in half.. then it is a lot cheaper too.
thanks for the other tips i am definitely going to try them out!
I have the cheaper cricut (I think its just called Cricut: Personal Electronic cutter) so I might not be able to, but can someone tell me how to change from portrait to landscape (I do not have SCAL, but wish to have soon)
I would also love more cricut tips and tricks!!
Thanks.
What a great idea! I will try this!
Really-you should quit being so smart! I have used the adhesive, but never the pen. For a while you couldn't find a 12x12 mat in this city to save your life. This little tip would have been super helpful then. Also-never knew about the lanscape button. You are probably one of those smarties who read the instruction manual. Bet you can't guess that I didn't read mine!
Thanks for this tip, I was just about to buy a new mat and now I won't have to, this was so helpful!!
I was just going to look online today for a how to on how to restick my mat. How convenient your post was on my google page! Yay! Thanks for sharing! Love the tips!
PERFECT!! I think I just threw away a mat that lost its stickiness. :( I will use this for my other one that I thought was on its way out.
nanaSewn-have you tried to turned your dial to a deeper cut setting?? It would be one that you would use to cut thicker paper, like cardstock.
Thanks again for the tip!!
Elise
awesome tip!! thank you!!
That is so good to know Amanda! I am going to have to tell my mom about that too - she uses her Cricut all the time. I can't wait to hear more about that software you got. And see what you are making next!
I am thinking about trying to find a different blog designer for our project. I just don't think the one we have now is getting the vision. Do you know of any? I hope to find someone that can work FAST!
Happy Saturday friend!
XOXO
Jen
Great tip! I can't wait to use it. I have bought way too many of those stinkin' mats. Thanks so much! Now I won't have to waste my $$$! =)
I am SO trying this! I too have done the spray adhesive thing...I wasn't too impressed! And I'm all over that software...I can't wait to check it out!
It's Mod Podge Mania at my blog if you have anything you'd like to link up...you always have the best projects!!
You're a GENIUS!!!!!!!
wait wait...does this software 'weld' too?
I currently have a bid on ebay for the design software (yeah, I have 2 hours to go LOL) but if SCAL welds so I can have a complete word I am so retracting the bid!
Let me know - thanks!
Oooh good stuff lady! Please let us know how the scal works out. Keep cricut tip comin!
I found that if you use a Clorox wipe and scrub, scrub, scrub it will restore it to its original sticky-ness! I inherited mine from a woman who thought she had to buy a new one every time so I got it with 193095409 semi-sticky pads, but it works so well! (I can't take credit; a lady in a craft store told me that it removes the "paper lint" that makes it unsticky...)
Enjoy! I found it as a great way to make them sticky again because you already have em in your house!
I want that software! Let us know how it works!!
Holy cow! I did not know about this SCAL thing and am immediately going to google this.
Thank you for the tip about the mat!!!
We LOVE Sure Cuts a Lot! My mom has it and we don't really feel the need to buy any more cartridges. I love how customizable it is!
i am linking this on a new post. GENUIS!
I had heard the spray adhesive tip too and wasn't loving it. But oddly I actually have that exact glue pen! So I will be trying that, thank you.
awesome awesome awesome tip! thank you for sharing! I haven't used my cricut in awhile b/c I need a new mat and am just too cheap to buy one! LOL isn't that awful!
I love you.
love this idea!! thanks :) i've used the spray adhesive before and it just doesn't work great. i'm gonna run to the store and pick one of these glue sticks up!
what a fantastic idea! i used a search engine for ideas (and your blog popped up, now i'm a follower ;) ) because i live in france and getting supplies for my cricket is not easy! i'm paying 12.50€ to have my zig glue stick delivered to my home in 2 days, but i think it's definitely worth it! i hope it works as well as you say it does ;) ;) ;) thanks!
Thank you, my matt is in need of some sticky love. Can you tell me where you got the glue pen?
Thanks for actually showing how you did this and what glue you used! I've read on forums where people said they've done this, but I'm new to Cricut, so I liked the pictures! :)
I soooooo appreciate this tip. I am planning on getting the personal cricut on Tuesday, it is on sale at JoAnnes for 99 dollars.
I have already learned and downloaded a trial version of scal and am so blessed to know all these money saving tips ahead of time.
Laurie
I love your idea...I've had my circut for a number of years...and I've bought one additional set of mats...I find when the stickiness is gone...I wash my mat with soap and warm water....and they are useable again...and stay sticky...
This chickie LOVES a thrifty, nifty tip and I'll be using this one. I don't own a Cricut, but I do have a similar beading mat... Whoopeee!
Thanks for sharing...
Warm blessings,
Spencer
I have done this many times. It works great. I usually have to "wash" my mat before regluing.
I use hot soapy water and a green scratchy pad to scrub it. Rinse well, dry and then reglue.
Thanks for this tip! That's why you need a Silhouette instead of a Cricut! No cartridges! And all the fonts are free! I love mine!
I know this was a while ago but this is a great tip! I had a question about SCAL... I was just looking it up and it said that it doesn't support cricut. Is that true because I hear about all of these people using with their cricut and I am so confused! My email is sarasue33@hotmail.com in case you get this and have any tips about that!
Hey, for an easier way by photo spray in a can! You just spray it over the sticky pad and its sticky again! Just FYI it is really sticky at first!
Thanks for the tip! I own a silhouette but have the same problem with the matts. The only thing is I don't know where I could find the glue you recommend down here in Mexico :/ I'll see what I could use instead!
I have a friend who lets me borrow hers. We bought vinyl from the local print shop to do some projects around my house. It sticks a lot better to items but the only down side is, if it is removed from drywall some of the wall may come with it. Use only on surface where it will remain for a long time. Also, this vinyl is so much cheaper.
Another great tip is to use cheap wet wipes to clean your mats. It picks up the paper fibers and restores the mats. Plus it will not void your warranty.
am I the only one that can't find this glue? I've looked at a couple of different craft stores. Where did you get it??!?!!
Great tips! But, I'd like to note that if you do this, you're voiding your warranty with Cricut. So, if something happens to that precious, precious machine, Cricut can't help you and you'll have to shell out money to buy a new one if you want to continue to cricut!
For the price though, If you go to JoAnns, they DO allow you to use 40% (and 50% when they have them) coupons to make the cost of your mats $5, so only $2.50 per mat.
You can also prolong the life of them by keeping them covered as much as possible. Letting them sit with nothing on them lets dust collect on the mats to make them less tacky. I accidentally forgot to cover my mat once after I used it, and I already couldn't use it the next day.
You don't have to use the Zig two-way glue. You can get Elmer's Repositionable glue stick. It's less expensive. I just rub it on the back of my vinyl. It makes the back of the vinyl a little sticky, but you're peeling it off anyway! I've had SCAL for a couple of years. Best investment EVER!
Do be careful if you decide to re-sticky your cutting mats. If your Cricut is still under warranty doing this can void your warranty.
The bestest resticking for yucky Cricut mats. Mix 1 part Aliene's Tacket Over & Over (Michael's - less than $5) to slightly less than to 1 part water. Mix slowly. Use a sponge paint applicator. Dip in solution and "Paint" the 1 to 1 on lightly, but throughly, let dry (1 hour) and condition by placing your hands all over the mat and cut away! Absolutely amazing stuff.
Found this on Pinterest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QUfPpiw1kU&feature=related
I just had to get new mats and when I got them they had been "redesigned" My board held the sticky less than 5 cuts and it would not hold at all... Who can afford to keep buying mats @ that rate...
I just got the cricut create for couple week because it was on sale and just used it for few times. After I used it only 3 times, the mat is not sticky anymore. I have made some researches online and lucky me I found one comment...she suggested others who only used the mat few time and then it's not stick anymore, to contact the company and yes, I did :) I got the email back from the company today that my new mat is on the way with free of charge! so I think you guys can try it too :) and by the way for my old one...I washed it with mild hand soap and raise it with warm water and then dry immediately...and guess what it's stick again! :)))) So now I have more tip from you in case the stickiness is gone again. Thx!
I'm curious about this software you talked about. I have a Cricut Expressions machine. Does this software work with that machine as well??? That would be so awesome if it did! :)
I have the cricut expression machine. I will be going home TODAY and working on my mat. I have been waiting for them to go on sale so I could get another one. :)
What machines work with that software? I have been trying to bid on the cricut software on ebay but haven't gotten it yet. Does your software work with this machine as well?
Where can you find this glue?? Does Hobby Lobby carry it??
Thank you! I have been having trouble with my mat and sooo did not want to shell out for a new one. I found this on pinterest...so glad I did!
So glad I found this. I use the Silhouette SD so I didn't want to order and wait for anything. I tried this with a similar product (Elmer's Craft Bond Wet & Dry Duel Tip Glue Pen) and it worked great. Thanks for the tip!
LOVE this! Thanks for the tip!
A note about SCAL:
Version 3 no longer supports Cricut. They actually got sued by Cricut so can no longer support the use of it. Anyways, you can actually save yourself even more money by finding a pirate copy of version 1 or 2. Free!! Yeah... illegal too, so use at your discretion. Just thought I'd put it out there for you.
Personally, I think Cricut has enough of my money from the machine alone. I don't think I need to hand over more so I can use a different font... or use a picture that's kind of what I was looking for. No thanks Cricut.
Again: Versions 1 and 2 are compatable with Cricut original and Cricut Expressions. It is NOT compatible with Cricut Expressions 2 as this machine came out after Version 2 of SCAL. (The reason I bought Expressions 1 instead of 2)
I have been doing this for awhile with my cricut cutting mat but I have never thought about putting it up on my blog or anything to share it! But I have made one of my mats work for a good 2-3 years until it was so cut up that I had to get a new one about a month ago :)
I just did this- but it left half my paper on the mat. What did I do wrong and is there any way to salvage my mat??
Using a lint roller works wonders as well.
I do this all the time! I'm with you it's better than a new mat in my opinion! So don't be afraid to try it...it's such a great tip!
I had the same problem as Katie. I just ruined my mat and my paper!? What did I do wrong?
Thanks for the tip!!!!
Thanks! I'm going to use this on my Silhouette mats. I agree about the nickle and diming...Can't we just pay the one flat fee for the machine and get everything else with it?! I do love the Silhouette though because you dont have to buy cartridges.
Great tips! I've had my cricut for several years and haven't bought a replacement matt, like your idea - i use spray adhesive and tape, whatever works. Didn't know about the landscape option, thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!
My mat was ruined too, permanent paper stuck to it from the first batch after doing this. oh well.
A friend just sent me a link to your blog because I warned all my Cricut friends about the horrible new mats that are out right now. They didn't work right out of the package. The paper moved all over the place. I contacted Cricut and they told me to press the paper firmly in place! So I am definitely trying this in hopes of saving my NEW mat! Thanks so much for the tip!
I have a better tip for resticking your Cricut mats and it works like a dream! Get a bottle of Aleene's Tack It Over & Over. Mix 50/50 with water, in a container/lid you won't use again. Mix it throughly, with a sponge paint brush, coat the mat with the solution. Let it dry and vavoom your ready to go! I Love this stuff!
Great idea. You can get these mats discounted 40% off at Joanne Fabric store if you have one where you live.
Thank you so much for the tutorial. I tried it, it worked now I don't have to buy new mats. I have a review board on pinterest and gave you a great review. THANK YOU!
awesome! Thank you so much for sharing this!!
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