(#Ad) Come with me to check out the new @rona.ca s (#Ad) Come with me to check out the new @rona.ca store in Oshawa! 💛
In case you missed it, certain Lowe’s Canada stores are now RONA+ stores. This means Lowe’s and RONA are combined to give you the ultimate shopping experience. From indoor to outdoor, they have everything you need to update your space with stylish home essentials, or renovate, at affordable prices.
Be sure to check out your new local @rona.en.ca location next time you’re looking to freshen up your home!
#RONA #HomeDecor #DurhamRegion #HomeRenovation #TorontoBlogger
(Gifted) My @sajewellness addiction has reached a (Gifted) My @sajewellness addiction has reached a whole new level – I’m now a member of the #SajeCircle! Unbox my welcome gift with me 🌿🤍. 
This means I’m now a Saje ambassador so I’ll get to try out and share more #SajeWellness with y’all, and I have a new affiliate link! (Linked in bio as always.)
What’s your favourite Saje product?!
#LifestyleBlog #TorontoBlogger #OntarioBlogger #SpreadWellness #Saje #DiffuserBlends #Wellness #PeppermintHalo #SajeAtHome
Summer photo dump ☀️🌸 In typical Kait fash Summer photo dump ☀️🌸
In typical Kait fashion, every year from mid-August to September I forget to post because I get so busy, so please enjoy some of my favourite moments from summer 💞.
#SummerPhotoDump #FlowerPicking #DurhamTourism #SummerVibes #Summer2023 #TwiceToronto #LifestyleBlog #TorontoBlogger #OntarioBlogger
This is one of my favourite clay masks when my ski This is one of my favourite clay masks when my skin is acting up. It's formulated with green tea, kaolin, bentonite and camelia leaf extract and will help clear your pores without stripping your skin of it's moisture. 
Full disclosure: if you don't like the smell of green tea this one might bother you. If you can get past that, it's a great mask.
🍵 Jeju Matcha Clay Pack:
• Non-drying clay mask that applies nicely
• Pore clearing, sebum care, gentle exfoliant
• Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off
Skin type: combo sensitive/acne prone
 #SkincareCommunity #BeautyBlogger #KBeauty #KBeautyProducts #TorontoBlogger #OntarioBlogger #Matcha #GreenTeaMask #Skincare #ClayMask #KBeautyReview
(Gifted experience) Spent the last weekend of summ (Gifted experience) Spent the last weekend of summer at @robintidefarms enjoying their sunflower walk and PYO flowers – they have over 35 varieties! 💐
If you’re clinging onto summer, you’ll definitely want to check them out. We went this past Sunday and the sunflowers looked like they were still going strong, but they might wrap up soon so run, don’t walk! Pick-your-own flowers are available until the first frost.
#SunflowerField #PYOFlowers #PickYourOwn #VisitYDH #GTATravel #DiscoverOntario #TorontoBlogger #LifestyleBlog #FlowerFarm
Iced coffee forever @maritos.coffee. 🧊 ☕️ Iced coffee forever @maritos.coffee. 🧊 ☕️
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Did I wear this pink dress just to take a photo wi Did I wear this pink dress just to take a photo with the cutest lil pink coffee truck @thepinkcoffeetrailer at @vandermeernursery? Why yes, yes I did. 🥰🩷
Made these cute personalized water bottles for my Made these cute personalized water bottles for my friend’s bridesmaids with my @cricut! 🥰
#CricutMade #Cricut #CricutProjects #CricutDIY #DIYBlog #Crafting #DIYWedding #OntarioBlogger #DiscoverUnder4K #CricutCanada #CricutCreator #BridalPartyDIY  @cricut_ca
Cooling off with cotton candy dreams! ☀️🍭🍦
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Cricut Made, DIY, Sponsored · November 12, 2018

Upgrading from the Cricut Explore Air to the Cricut Maker

If you’ve been following my blog for a bit, I’m sure you’re well aware by now that I am Cricut obsessed. I recently upgraded my machine to the Cricut Maker, so I thought I would take some time to introduce you to it and go over some of the differences between it and my Cricut Explore.

If you don’t know what a Cricut machine is, you are seriously missing out. They are writing, scoring and personal cutting machines that work with a wide variety of materials. I’m talking everything from paper, vinyl, adhesive foil, craft foam,  iron-on transfers, window cling and more. In the past, I’ve made everything from iron-on shirts and pillows, gift cards, customized wine glasses, decanters, mugs, coasters, party banners and more. The crafting-possibilities really are endless with a Cricut machine. (Basically it’s magic.) 

The Cricut Maker kicks things up a notch by introducing a rotary blade and an xacto knife blade. These new blades allows the Cricut Maker to cut fabric, chipboard, leather, kraft board, felt and corrugated cardboard. 

Being able to cut thicker materials and fabric is a game-changer for me. I love to sew and let’s be real – the worst part about any sewing project is always cutting the patterns. The fact that the Cricut Maker can cut fabric is huge. Not only is it really convenient, but it’s going to save so much time on any sewing project. My sewing machine hasn’t gotten enough use in the past couple years and I’m really excited to get started on some new sewing projects and utilizing the Maker’s features.

Although I already had a Cricut machine, I was still a little nervous when I was setting up the Cricut Maker for the first time since it does have a couple of different features. (There is nothing worse than getting a new toy and having no idea how to use it, am I right?)

Luckily, one of my favourite things about Cricut is how they have a huge database of tutorials and how-to videos available for not only first-time users, but more advanced features as well. Since the ability to cut fabric was new to me, I watched a lot of videos for fabric-related projects and am feeling prepared for my first fabric-project using the Maker and it’s new features.

If you’re familiar with some of the older Cricut models, you might notice that the Smart Set dial, along with the open button and cartridge reader are no longer a thing. The Maker is bluetooth compatible like previous models, and you can still upload your own designs using the Cricut Design Space. (I’ll explain this a little bit more in my next post when we get to making something with the new machine.) 

Something that I really love about the Cricut Maker (which is also a new feature) is that it comes with a slot that is perfect for your smart phone or tablet, making it incredibly easy to make your designs coming to life by using the Cricut Mobile App. Sometimes it’s the littlest details that make all the difference, am I right?

If you’re wondering how the Cricut Maker stacks up to the previous models feature by feature, I’ve included a comparison chart at the end of this post. In terms of size, both machines are really similar, however the Maker is heavier but this is to be expected as it is a stronger machine given all the new types of materials it can cut.

The Maker retails for $399 on Cricut’s website and is currently on sale for $379. Cricut is currently in Michaels in Canada and is coming soon to WalMart and Costco (hooray!). If you are thinking about getting a personal cutting machine I would definitely recommend that you spend the couple extra bucks and get the Maker over one of the older models if you are like me and like to sew. If you’re primarily going to be doing paper crafts one of the older models should suit your needs just fine. I’m personally am always one to go with the newest model when it comes to purchasing any product that involves technology in the interest of longevity.

 

Cricut machine comparison:

Feature

Explore Air

Explore Air 2

Maker

Smart Set dial for easy material settings   YesYesN/A
Bluetooth for wireless cutting   YesYesYes
Double tool holder for one-click cutting and writing   YesYesYes
Upload your own images for freeYesYesYes
Cut a wide variety of materialsYesYesYes
Design softwareYesYesYes
Works with Cricut CartridgesYesYesNot included
Fast Mode: Up to 2x faster cutting and writingNoYesYes
Rotary Blade for fabricsNoNoYes
Knife Blade for thicker materialsNoNoYes
Scoring Wheel and Double Scoring WheelNoNoYes
Adaptive Tool System for cutting more materialsNoNoYes

Overall, I’m so happy with my new Cricut Maker and am really excited about all of the new features it has to offer.

Do you have a Cricut machine? If so, let me know which one you own! If you have a Maker and have any tips or tricks for working with fabric, or a great tutorial/DIY, I’d love to hear about it. Stay tuned for my first DIY with the Cricut Maker in a few weeks!


This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. While I may have received compensation and/or product mentioned in this post, the opinions and text are all mine. This post also contains affiliate links.

 

In: Cricut Made, DIY, Sponsored · Tagged: Crafts, cricut, DIYs, Explore, Maker, vinyl cutter

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Hi! I'm Kait (pronouns she/her), a Canadian lifestyle blogger from the greater Toronto area living life gluten-free. I'm passionate about supporting local communities and collecting teacups.

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(#Ad) Come with me to check out the new @rona.ca s (#Ad) Come with me to check out the new @rona.ca store in Oshawa! 💛
In case you missed it, certain Lowe’s Canada stores are now RONA+ stores. This means Lowe’s and RONA are combined to give you the ultimate shopping experience. From indoor to outdoor, they have everything you need to update your space with stylish home essentials, or renovate, at affordable prices.
Be sure to check out your new local @rona.en.ca location next time you’re looking to freshen up your home!
#RONA #HomeDecor #DurhamRegion #HomeRenovation #TorontoBlogger
(Gifted) My @sajewellness addiction has reached a (Gifted) My @sajewellness addiction has reached a whole new level – I’m now a member of the #SajeCircle! Unbox my welcome gift with me 🌿🤍. 
This means I’m now a Saje ambassador so I’ll get to try out and share more #SajeWellness with y’all, and I have a new affiliate link! (Linked in bio as always.)
What’s your favourite Saje product?!
#LifestyleBlog #TorontoBlogger #OntarioBlogger #SpreadWellness #Saje #DiffuserBlends #Wellness #PeppermintHalo #SajeAtHome
Summer photo dump ☀️🌸 In typical Kait fash Summer photo dump ☀️🌸
In typical Kait fashion, every year from mid-August to September I forget to post because I get so busy, so please enjoy some of my favourite moments from summer 💞.
#SummerPhotoDump #FlowerPicking #DurhamTourism #SummerVibes #Summer2023 #TwiceToronto #LifestyleBlog #TorontoBlogger #OntarioBlogger
This is one of my favourite clay masks when my ski This is one of my favourite clay masks when my skin is acting up. It's formulated with green tea, kaolin, bentonite and camelia leaf extract and will help clear your pores without stripping your skin of it's moisture. 
Full disclosure: if you don't like the smell of green tea this one might bother you. If you can get past that, it's a great mask.
🍵 Jeju Matcha Clay Pack:
• Non-drying clay mask that applies nicely
• Pore clearing, sebum care, gentle exfoliant
• Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off
Skin type: combo sensitive/acne prone
 #SkincareCommunity #BeautyBlogger #KBeauty #KBeautyProducts #TorontoBlogger #OntarioBlogger #Matcha #GreenTeaMask #Skincare #ClayMask #KBeautyReview
(Gifted experience) Spent the last weekend of summ (Gifted experience) Spent the last weekend of summer at @robintidefarms enjoying their sunflower walk and PYO flowers – they have over 35 varieties! 💐
If you’re clinging onto summer, you’ll definitely want to check them out. We went this past Sunday and the sunflowers looked like they were still going strong, but they might wrap up soon so run, don’t walk! Pick-your-own flowers are available until the first frost.
#SunflowerField #PYOFlowers #PickYourOwn #VisitYDH #GTATravel #DiscoverOntario #TorontoBlogger #LifestyleBlog #FlowerFarm
Iced coffee forever @maritos.coffee. 🧊 ☕️ Iced coffee forever @maritos.coffee. 🧊 ☕️
#IcedCoffee #LifestyleBlog #DurhamRegion #ShopLocalON #TorontoBlogger #DayInTheLife #IcedCoffeeSeason
Did I wear this pink dress just to take a photo wi Did I wear this pink dress just to take a photo with the cutest lil pink coffee truck @thepinkcoffeetrailer at @vandermeernursery? Why yes, yes I did. 🥰🩷
Made these cute personalized water bottles for my Made these cute personalized water bottles for my friend’s bridesmaids with my @cricut! 🥰
#CricutMade #Cricut #CricutProjects #CricutDIY #DIYBlog #Crafting #DIYWedding #OntarioBlogger #DiscoverUnder4K #CricutCanada #CricutCreator #BridalPartyDIY  @cricut_ca
Cooling off with cotton candy dreams! ☀️🍭🍦
#SummerTreats #IceCreamLove #SweetDelights #StayCool #DurhamTourism #SummerVibes #KawarthaDairy #CottonCandy
If you’re looking for a mask that clears your po If you’re looking for a mask that clears your pores without stripping your skin of its moisture then the Red Bean mask by @beautyofjoseon_official is worth trying out!
🫘 Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask:
• Unscented, cooling and gently exfoliates
• Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off
• It doesn’t dry down completely, unlike other wash-off clay masks
• Vegan-friendly
• Available at @YesStyle, @StyleKorean_Global, @SukoshiMart
 #SkincareCommunity #BeautyBlogger #KBeauty #KBeautyProducts #CanadianInfluencer #Skincare #KBeautySkincare #SkincareBlog #KBeautyReview #FaceMask

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