Get the scoop on the Cricut Joy machine, and see how to make thank you cards with the Cricut Joy. This post contains affiliate links which, when purchased through, add no cost to the consumer, but provide a small commission for this site in order to bring more Cricut craft ideas and tutorials.
As the owner of a Cricut Maker, I initially wasn’t sure what place the Cricut Joy would have in my craft room. I watched the launch videos for the Cricut Joy, and I thought that it was super cute, but I wondered how it would play a part in my everyday crafting. One of my favorite things about partnering with Cricut is that I get to try out new products and give my readers an honest opinion of what I think about the products, how I would use them, and for whom I recommend them. I’m happy to be doing that today for the Cricut Joy, so read on for the scoop on the newest machine to join the Cricut family!
What Is the Cricut Joy?
The Cricut Joy is the newest machine to join the Cricut line of machines. It is a cutting machine, and it cuts a variety of materials. It boasts of creating quick projects in 15 minutes or less, particularly those that can be made with one cut and one color.
How Does the Cricut Joy Differ from the Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air 2?
The Cricut Joy cuts fewer material types than the Cricut Maker; however, the Cricut Joy has unique features that make it an ideal machine for those in the craft cutting market who do not need a vast array of material capabilities. These features include:
- The Cricut Joy does not have a cord that connects it to a computer; it works solely through Bluetooth connection.
- The Cricut Joy is compact and portable. It is the smallest Cricut machine, and it can fit in a cubby or in a corner on the counter. No craft room? No problem with the Cricut Joy!
- The Cricut Joy does not require a mat for all projects. I’m using a mat for the card projects below, but for vinyl projects, no mat is needed. This also further contributes to the machines’s portability. . Not having to transport a mat, combined with the smaller material size, makes the whole system compact and portable.
- The Cricut Joy allows for longer cuts. This is something that I am excited about. The new Smart Vinyl comes in extended sizes for up to 20 feet! I have always shied away from longer vinyl cuts, and the Cricut Joy helps with this.
- The Cricut Joy has its own set brand-new materials that do not require a mat, meaning less to buy, fewer steps, and faster results.
Do I Need a Cricut Joy, Even if I Already Have a Cricut Machine?
Any doubts that I had about the Cricut Joy were erased when I started making cards. I’ve shared with you all in past posts about how I purchased my first Cricut machine to make custom greeting cards. The Cricut Joy returned the “joy” that I originally had making greeting cards! The process was quick and easy, and I made several greeting cards in minutes. I personally like the smaller size of the machine, and I like not having additional USB cords to store or lug around.
Even though I already have a Cricut machine, the serious hobbyist crafter will find the Cricut Joy a fabulous addition to their craft room. The Cricut Joy speeds up the process of making smaller projects. For instance, I had already created several thank-you cards with the Cricut Joy in the time that it normally would have taken me to set up my other Cricut machine! Those who transport their Cricut machine for crafting nights, etc., will like the machine’s portability and ease of use. It is a great machine to teach first time Cricut crafters the ropes!
How to Make Thank You Cards with the Cricut Joy
Here’s how to make three different thank-you cards with the Cricut Joy. They are fast and easy to create!
Thank You Card Number One
Supplies:
Open up the Thank-You card design in Cricut Design Space. Click “make it.” Following the Cricut Design Space prompts, place one of the Cricut Joy cards onto the Cricut Joy Card Mat.
To do this, peel off the clear protective sheet from the top of the card mat. The backside of the card goes underneath the top portion of the card mat.
Fold the front of the card onto the “sticky” portion of the card mat.
Follow the directions in Cricut Design Space to load the card mat into the Cricut Joy and complete the cut.
Carefully peel the card from the “sticky” mat portion. Remove the card.
Scrape the front of the card mat to clean it.
Take an insert piece from the Cricut Joy Insert Cards pack. Place it in the diagonal slots. Use a bit of glue around the edges to secure it.
Thank You Card Number Two – With Sincere Gratitude
Supplies:
Open up the “With Sincere Gratitude” Thank-You card design in Cricut Design Space. Click “make it.” Following the Cricut Design Space prompts, place one of the Cricut Joy cards onto the Cricut Joy Card Mat.
To do this, peel off the clear protective sheet from the top of the card mat. The backside of the card goes underneath the top portion of the card mat.
Fold the front of the card onto the “sticky” portion of the card mat.
Follow the directions in Cricut Design Space to load the card mat into the Cricut Joy and complete the cut.
Carefully peel the card from the “sticky” mat portion. Remove the card. Scrape the front of the card mat to clean it.
Take an insert piece from the Cricut Joy Insert Cards pack. Place it in the diagonal slots. Use a bit of glue around the edges to secure it.
Thank You Card Number Three – Thank You Floral Card
Supplies:
- Cricut Joy Machine
- Cricut Joy Insert Cards
- Cricut Joy Card Mat
- Cricut Joy Pen – Please note that the Cricut Joy Pen is different from a traditional Cricut Pen. Due to the length, a regular Cricut pen will not work. A Cricut Joy Pen must be used.
- Cricut scraper
Open up the Thank-You Floral card design in Cricut Design Space. Click “make it.” Following the Cricut Design Space prompts, place one of the Cricut Joy cards onto the Cricut Joy Card Mat.
To do this, peel off the clear protective sheet from the top of the card mat. The backside of the card goes underneath the top portion of the card mat.
Fold the front of the card onto the “sticky” portion of the card mat.
Follow the directions in Cricut Design Space to load the card mat into the Cricut Joy. Note that this card requires the Cricut Joy Pen to be loaded first!
Once the drawing is complete, Cricut Design Space will prompt to change out the Cricut Joy Pen for the blade. Place the blade in the housing and complete the cut.
Carefully peel the card from the “sticky” mat portion. Remove the card. Scrape the front of the card mat to clean it.
Take an insert piece from the Cricut Joy Insert Cards pack. Place it in the diagonal slots. Use a bit of glue around the edges to secure it.
The Cricut Joy is available in store and online. See it online at Cricut.com!
Still looking for more Cricut crafts? Check out my Cricut project page!
