DIY Lunch Notes with Cricut Explore One

As I'm sure a lot of you already know, Michaels recently released a brand new Cricut - the Cricut Explore One.  I had the opportunity to try out the machine to create these adorable Frozen Lunch Notes!

This Cricut comes with the free Cricut Design Space software that allows you to cut printable images, upload your own images and fonts, and has 25+ free 1-click projects and 50+ free images built in.

I decided to make these little lunch notes for my sisters-in-law to put in my nieces and nephews lunches.  My mom always used to put little Suzy Zoo notes in my lunches for me and I adored it.  I still have some of them!  These are most definitely more extravagant than what we had back in the day, but so worth it if you have the Cricut!


I decided to do the multi-layer images because... well, they're fun.  I cut down on the number of colors in them, though... one feature I love about the Design Space software.  You can sort and group the coloreds pieces for cutting.

I also love that the software is cloud-based.  So you can work on your ipad, then finish up on your computer.  It's SO convenient!

Another thing that I find AMAZING about this machine is that it can cut felt AND leather! Whaaaaat?  I will for sure be utilizing that feature in the future.  I have some very cute leather cuff ideas floating around in my head.

 Now of course, I chose some of the most intricately detailed designs available in the Frozen cartridge... just a word to the wise.. don't use these ones unless you're doing them on a large scale.  I did them WAY too small and had to leave some of the details out.  I'm still happy with the result, fortunately... you can still tell it's Elsa and Anna!  What are your favorite projects to use your Cricut for?

Michaels Makers Summit + Free Workshops w/ Creativebug!

I'm sure most, if not all of you are aware that Eat+Sleep+Make was invited, along with the other Michaels Makers, to attend the Michaels Makers Summit in Santa Rosa, California last weekend.

Holy moly you guys.  I had no idea what to expect.  What was waiting for us all, was breath taking!  All of the events took place at The Ranch Above St. Helena.  Look at the photo below for the views.  Crazy, right??  We were perched atop a mountain, a beautiful, curvy, lush mountain in the middle of wine country.  The house where we took all of the workshops was a dream!  Check out the photos, because words cannot do it justice.

They honestly had every last detail planned, down to the throw pillows on the sofas.  Upon arrival we received goodie bags, filled with snacks and random items we might need during the trip, including a Michaels branded portable battery charger and a coloring book and colored pencils!

Even the pool was celebrating with us!

The whole group!  Too bad we couldn't bottle all of the creative energy floating around there and share some of it with all of you.  It was almost tangible.

Yeah, we totally drank an absurd amount of champagne.

The workshops we took with instructors from Creativebug were so far above anything I expected.  We had an absolute blast. 

And GREAT NEWS - Each of the four classes we took are available online for FREE on Michaels.com until 8/22!  You can re-create one or all of our summit projects!

Follow Livia on Instagram @thegreenvase

Follow Yao on Instagram @yaochengdesign

Follow Courtney on Instagram @ccerruti

Follow Annabel on Instagram @littlepincushionstudio

The views from The Ranch were breathtaking... and we were also lucky enough to be able to stop at an overlook of the Golden Gate Bridge before we flew out.  It's so hard to believe that man built that... It's incredible.

If you follow ESM on Instagram, you probably have seen most of the pix below, but I figured I'd share them again here for those that have not seen them.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with Michaels and all the blessings that come along with it.  I made some great friends this past weekend, learned a lot, and left feeling so inspired and rejuvenated.  

Thank you Michaels, Creativebug and SPM for such an amazing experience!

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