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DIY, Fashion, Sponsored
How to use Cricut Infusible Ink on a Sweatshirt
- 12:31 pm
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Back in the fall, I was invited to an influencer breakfast with Cricut, where I had my first opportunity to craft with Cricut products for the first time, and I fell in love. If you’re a long-time reader, you may remember me regularly crafting a few years ago, but after having my third child, I lost my mojo. Well, the Cricut machines make crafting so easy and fun, I’m happy to get my creativity flowing again. I’m so happy to share my very first Cricut project, a Cricut Infusible Ink everyday mom sweatshirt.

Materials

For this project, I used my Cricut Maker machine, Cricut Infusible Ink, Cricut Easy Press machine and a sweatshirt.

Instructions

I’ll be honest; I was a bit intimidated by this project because I heard that the infusible ink was a bit harder to use. I really didn’t want to mess up this sweatshirt that I purchased on Amazon, so I’m happy it came out great and wasn’t difficult at all.

1. I opened up Cricut Design Space on my computer and started a new project. I found a template for wide neck sweaters and then added text. I chose to add “WAKE. MOM. HUSTLE. REPEAT.” but you can customize to anything you want.

2. I opened the packet of Cricut infused ink and selected the pink sheet and placed it ink facing up on the strong grip mat.

3. I selected the option “MAKE”.

4. I checked if the “mirrored” option was on before clicking on MAKE again.

5. The machine then cut out the design after I clicked on the Cricut button.

6. I used my weeding tool to take out all of the excess paper, just leaving the words. This was the most challenging and time-consuming part of the process because some of the letters were popping out, but I was careful and stuck them all back.

7. I added one sheet of the bu

8. I used a lint remover to get rid of any access lint on my sweatshirt so it wouldn’t ruin my design.

9. Next, I heated up my Easypress machine to 385 degrees for 15 seconds; I actually had it on the wrong setting first. When you do this at home, be sure to check the setting for the materials you’re using on the Cricut Heat Guide.

10. I removed the heat transfer sheet carefully and voila, my beautiful design was revealed.

Results

Honestly, the photos don’t do the vibrant, beautiful color any justice, and I’m glad I decided on the infusible ink for this sweatshirt. This is the perfect sweatshirt for a fun casual daily look. I’m excited to style it with midi skirts, jeans, and leggings.

I hope this tutorial is helpful and let me know if you plan to make your own sweatshirt using the Cricut Infusible Ink below.

More Cricut posts:

How to Make a Leather Clutch Bag with Cricut Maker

Cricut Beginner Guide: Machines, Tools and Materials You’ll Need

DIY Minnie Mouse Baby Nursey Mobile
Baby, Mom in Heels, Motherhood, New Mom, Sponsored
What Every New Mom Should Know About Introducing Solids and Diaper Rashes
- 9:33 am
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
What Every New Mom Should Know About Introducing Solids and Diaper Rashes

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash. All opinions are 100% mine.

As this decade ends, I can’t help but to reflect on the three children I gave birth to within the last 10 years and my many experiences as a mom. I was raised as an only child, so I didn’t grow up around babies—actually I had no idea what to do with a baby, so I had to learn on the job. It wasn’t easy especially my days as a first-time mom. But here we are three babies later, and much more confident yet I’m still learning because the minute I start feeling like I figured out everything, I get hit with a challenge that humbles me.

One of the first times this occurred was when my first-born was six months old. I was just starting to feel good about how I was balancing my life as a parent and full-time grad school student. My baby was sitting up and ready to eat solids, so I started introducing her to foods, one new food at a time the way my pediatrician had advised. She would spit out some of it; I would continue to try and even brainstorm different ways to serve her solids to make them enticing to her. Then eventually, she started eating, she would dance in her seat doing a little happy dance when she tasted her food, and I took that to mean that we were on the right path.

After a few days, though, I noticed what looked like a diaper rash developing on her behind. She didn’t have one since her birth, so I was shocked and felt scared when I saw it. I was under the impression I was doing all of the right things, so why was this happening? I changed her diapers frequently and ensured that her behind was always clean, dry and had a layer of protection with diaper cream.

I felt like I had failed and even worse, embarrassed to talk to other moms about the diaper rash. I worried that my baby might be in pain from the diaper rash so we took her in to see her pediatrician, who is a mom of five. She smiled at my husband and I, both of us worried about our first child and told us just a few days of Triple Paste, and it would go away. Honestly, that was the first time I heard of Triple Paste, but not the last time I used it. We picked it up from Target on the way home, started using it that day and the rash started to clear up in less than 24 hours. We were amazed by how fast it worked and it became one of those holy grail baby products that we used over and over with all three of our children. As most of you know, my baby is still in diapers so Triple Paste is still needed around here. I don’t feel the same type of embarrassment or fear again about diaper rashes caused by introducing a new food.

It’s not just transitioning to solids that can cause diaper rashes though if your baby is teething, keep an eye out for a possible diaper rash.

There are so many things no one tells you when you become a mom, and I can honestly say that diaper rashes caused by solids and teething as well as how effective Triple Paste are things every mom should know.

ps: Triple Paste ointment is available at several retail stores, including: Target, Walmart, buybuy BABY, CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid and other fine retailers

Did your baby ever get a diaper rash from solids or teething?

GIVEAWAY: Triple Paste is giving a $150 e-Gift Card from buybuyBABY.com and a Baby Gift Basket to 5 lucky winners! Enter Here: sumlab.com/giveaway”
Holiday, New York City Kids, Sponsored, Things to do
HGTV Santa HQ at Queens Center Mall Experience
- 3:50 pm
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
Before I became a mom, I remember walking past all the families visiting Santa at the mall with their well-dressed kids during the holidays and thinking to myself that one day I will be that mom too. The holidays are different with kids, it’s a little more magical, and although in our home we’re honest with our kids about Santa’s existence, we still love him for a photo opp every year. A few of the moms in our neighborhood here in Queens have been encouraging me to try HGTV Santa HQ at Queens Center Mall for sometime now. They’ve taken their kids a few times and loved it, and since I trust their judgment, I decided to take my toddler this week. It was terrific, and I wanted to share my experience at HGTV Santa HQ at Queens Center Mall for those of you planning to make reservations.

What makes HGTV Santa HQ at Queens Center Mall different?

I’ve been a mom for 9 years now and most Santa visits are basically the same—your family lines up to see Santa, snap a pic, print your photo, pay and go your merry way. HGTV Santa HQ was definitely different from beginning to end. As a modern mom, I love, love, love how creatively HGTV Santa HQ integrates technology into a tradional experience to make it fun for the family.

Naughty or Nice Meter

I was impressed from the moment we started with the Naughty or Nice Meter. I loved seeing my toddler’s name up on the nice list and I could tell from other kids it was really exciting to see their names on the interactive board.

Elf Academy

Next we moved on to the Elf Academy which is the newest addition to Santa HQ. There we transformed into one of Santa’s elves by looking into the Magic Mirror at the Elf Academy using augmented reality. We were able to pick different elves styles as well as different outfits. There are tablets available to create a customized Elf ID with information like name, favorite food etc. that you can text or email to yourself.

Santa Observatory

My daughter loved Santa’s Observatory where she was able to operate Santa’s sleigh and explore more augmented reality vision experiences where you could see Santa’s elves busy at work preparing presents.

After Santa’s Observatory, we moved on to Santa who was waiting with a book to read to my daughter. We went during the week so it wasn’t busy when we went and Santa didn’t rush us off. This was definitiely one of the nicer Santa’s we’ve met and he walked around and greeted everyone.

Overall HGTV’s Santa HQ was a fun way for our family to bond during our holiday visit with Santa this year. I appreciated the state-of-the-art digital technology and the beautiful design. This holiday experience is good mix of fun, family, home, and traditions with the help of some of our favorite HGTV personalities.

Fast Pass

I’m almost ashamed to admit that I’ve stood on line for over one hour to see Santa with my kids in the past. I love that HGTV Santa HQ offers a Fast Pass so we can spend our time enjoying our loved ones during the hoildays and not on a long line waiting. Head here to secure your fast pass and prepurchase a photo package and choose from a 30 minute window to use the Fast Pass. When you purchase it, you can also sign up for text alerts in regards to your Fast Pass.

Location

You can find a Santa HQ location close to you here. As I mentioned I went to Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst, Queens. Here are a few things to know if you want to check out that location:

Where?

Queens Center Mall

You can find Santa HQ on L2 Centercourt across from the Starbucks.

Dates

November 7th, 2019 to Christmas Eve, December 24th, 2019.

Breakfast with Santa PJ Party Event

Breakfast with Santa PJ Party December 7th from 8:00 am -10:00 am in the Food Court (Kids Club). There will be a DJ and a special dance performance from All-Star Studios.

HGTV’s Help Through Holiday Giving Drive

HGTV’s Help Through Holiday Giving Drive is the perfect way to show kids how to give back to the community. You can donate toys

for underserved children during the holiday season. In past years, HGTV’s Help Through Holiday Giving has collected more than

66,000 toys benefiting local organizations such as Forgotten Angel Tree,

Salvation Army Angel Tree, Toys for Tots, and Spark of Love Stuff a Bus.

I hope this information helps your family have a fun experience at HGTV Santa HQ Queens Center Mall!

Find more ideas of fun things to do with kids in NYC during the holidays here!