Cricut, T-shirts, and Heat Transfer Vinyl

So, I haven't posted for months, but it's not because I haven't been crafting (although I haven't been crafting as much).  I just haven't felt like blogging.  With three other people in the house competing for the computer, it's been more trouble than it's worth.  I guess I could blog from my phone, but I hate thumb typing.  I think I see an iPad in my future...I have been taking a few pix though, so I'll try to get some things uploaded.

 I've been experimenting with T-shirts and heat transfer vinyl for a kids' class at church that I am teaching, and Emily designed a T-shirt that she wanted me to make her.  Pretty cool huh?  Don't know why she's interested in hot air balloons all of a sudden but I guess they are pretty.  I ordered 4 colors of vinyl from Expressions Vinyl.  They have very helpful videos for this which are also on youtube.

 I used Cherry Limeade for the letters and Everyday Pop-Up Cards for the hot air balloon.  I only did two layers since this was the first time I ever layered vinyl.  I didn't want to get TOO cute with it!  Also, VERY sad news here, my Gypsy broke!  Insert me sobbing broken-heartedly here!  But Cricut is replacing it for me so insert happy-dance here!  So I resorted to the new Cricut Craft Room.  I have to say, I was not very pleased.  For what I wanted to do, it turned out to be very cumbersome!  Plus, since my carts are linked to my Gypsy, it won't let me link them to CCR.  I guess I can understand why, but still.  Plus, my computer is in the family room and my craft room is in the basement, so I have to haul the Cricut machine upstairs, plug in the USB, etc, etc, blah blah blah, you don't want to hear my tale of woe.  With my G, I can put my CCR files on my Gypsy, take it downstairs, and plug it into my Cricut.

Well, I think it turned out pretty cute, and hopefully next time it won't take all day!  Emily seems to like it.  I hope ProvoCraft sends me my new Gypsy soon.  I love that thing.