Very few things test a crafter’s vision like weeding tiny pieces of vinyl. The Cricut BrightPad Go is a vinyl weeder’s best friend! See how to use it and make an easy farmer’s market tote with the Cricut BrightPad Go. This post is sponsored by Cricut. All opinions and text are my own.
I have a confession to make: my eyes aren’t what they used to be. Getting older combined with a job that requires constant contact with a computer screen has not been kind to my eyesight. Most of the time, it’s not a big deal. But when I’m crafting with small pieces? That’s a different story.
Vinyl crafting is one of my favorite ways to use my Cricut machine. With vinyl crafting comes weeding the vinyl. Depending on the size and intricacies of the design, it can sometimes be difficult to see which parts of the design to weed. The type of vinyl can also increase the weeding difficulty level. I find glitter vinyl to be more difficult to weed than regular vinyl.
A few years ago, I started using a Cricut BrightPad when weeding vinyl. It helped alleviate eye strain tremendously. It has been my go-to friend for Cricut project help. Recently, Cricut improved their Cricut BrightPad and introduced the Cricut BrightPad Go!
Cricut BrightPad vs. Cricut BrightPad Go
What are the differences between the original Cricut BrightPad and the Cricut BrightPad Go?
- The Cricut BrightPad Go is cordless. The original Cricut BrightPad is not.
- The Cricut BrightPad Go has a rechargeable, built-in battery. It holds 2+ hours of power. The original Cricut BrightPad does not have this.
- The Cricut BrightPad Go has 5 LED Brightness settings. The original Cricut BrightPad only has 3.
- The Cricut BrightPad Go has a screen hardness of 6H. The original Cricut BrightPad has a screen hardness of 4H. The screen hardness refers to the screen’s resistance to being scratched.
Both are lightweight. Both have a non-slip base.
Easy Farmer’s Market Tote
Let’s make an easy farmer’s market tote with the Cricut BrightPad Go.
Supplies
- Cricut machine– A Cricut Maker model or Cricut Explore Air 2 model machine will work for this project.
- Cricut StandardGrip Mat (Though if you are using the Cricut Maker 3, you may not need a cutting mat. Use the proper materials that you need for your specific machine).
- Iron-on Vinyl
- Cricut weeding tool
- Cricut BrightPad Go
- Blank canvas totebag
- Cricut EasyPress
- Cricut EasyPress mat
- Measuring tape
How to Make
Begin by measuring the canvas tote bag. Measure the space where you want the design to go. Jot down this measurement.
Open Cricut Desice Space. Create your design or click here to use the one that I used for this project.
After creating or choosing a design, resize the design to fit within the space that you measured at the beginning of the project.
Send the design to the Cricut machine. Be sure to mirror the design before cutting on the StandardGrip cutting mat!
Now it’s time to pull out the Cricut BrightPad Go.
Place the vinyl on the screen of the BrightPad Go. Choose the brightness setting that you need based on the type of vinyl, intricacy of the design, and your eye comfort level.
Use the weeding tool to remove any unneeded vinyl.
Now it’s time to get the iron-on vinyl on the canvas bag with the Cricut EasyPress. My go-to reference for this is the Cricut EasyPress Heat Guide. I use this to make sure that I’m using the correct heat temperature and correct process for the heat-transfer material and base material that I am using. Don’t complete a project without checking this invaluable reference first! I also have a handy guide on How to Get An Iron-on Vinyl Project Right the First Time that I recommend reading.
Following the instructions in the Cricut Heat Guide, adhere the iron-on material to the canvas tote bag.
Looking for more Cricut tutorials and tips? Check out my Cricut Project page!
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