Mixed Media Sign Using the Cricut: Tutorial and Freebie

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I was inspired the other day by an image I saw. It was cut from like newspaper into the shape of a tree and then had hearts dangling off of it. I decided I wanted to create something similar using my new Cricut.

I however wanted to mix up the media elements. For this project I used the following:

10x13 frame with a back mat in it
Pink paislee Moonstruck cardstock (Find it here)
Red self adhesive vinyl (I use Oracle 631)
String
White cardstock
Tree cut file (Free gift to you - download it here)

So, and please don't mind the fact that I am not a super good drawer in Illustrator, I started out drawing a tree in Adobe Illustrator. There were some free images of trees to use in Design Space, but none were what I wanted.

Because this was all drawn as a vector, it was super easy to save it as an SVG. Also this tree file is available for free. Click here.

Next I uploaded my tree cut file into design space. I then added 3 hearts to go with it. One for each of my kids.

Now I couldn't figure out a way to not have the Cricut freak out on me because I was changing the material type while in the middle of a project so I first cut the tree out on the pretty cardstock paper. Make sure to use the light cardstock setting if you are using the cardstock linked form above.

After the cut of the tree was done and I removed it from the standard grip mat, I went back into Design Space and added the hearts to hang from the tree. After they were in just the right spot I delete the tree so that only the hearts would cut.

I attached my red vinyl to the mat, switched to vinyl and cut the 3 hearts out.

Now it was time to assemble my piece.

Position your mat over the tree for good placement. I started out with just a little adhesive to place the tree onto the white cardstock.

Then I cut 3 strings to hang from the tree. I placed them and the hearts on (be sure to put one end of each string behind a heart) and then glued the string to the tree.

Once finished, I framed it all up.

After looking at the final piece I do think the bottom right was too bare. I would have probably started with running the white cardstock thru the Cricut and used the writing feature to put all my kids names on the print as well.

Below you can see it done that way.