Cricut: How to Make a Traditional Iron-On Advent Calendar
Surprise your little ones with a personalised advent calendar this Christmas! With a blank advent canvas panel, you can add custom names as well as your mini makers' favourite Christmas characters using a selection of Cricut iron-on vinyls.
To make it even easier, we've linked the project for Cricut Design Space in this post. Use our free design, or get creative and make your own!
Project and instructions by Kathi Smith
Cricut Design Space Project Link: Iron-on Advent Calendar
Discover more Christmas Cricut projects here >
Please note: This project contains paid-for content from the Cricut Design Space app. Screen reference images are taken from the Mac version of Design Space. This project can be created on any of the Cricut machines.
You will need
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How to make
* Cricut Maker 3
* Cricut Zen Blue EasyPress Mini
* Cricut EasyPress Heat Resistant Mat 20cm x 25cm
* Cricut Foil Iron-On 12 x 24 Inches in Red, Emerald Green & White
* Cricut Everyday Iron-On 12 x 24 Inches in White, Red & Gold
* Advent Canvas Panel
* Cricut Basic Tool Set
* Cricut Cutting Mats - Size Dependent on Machine
Start by opening the project in the Cricut Design Space app using the project link at the top of this post, or alternatively use this link - https://design.cricut.com/landing/project-detail/5eeba07e51fbf7077ce22436
To access the project, copy and paste the link into your browser, you will be directed to a Cricut landing page, select 'Open' followed by 'Open Cricut Design Space Application'.
The app will open (you may be prompted to log in) and the project overview screen will appear. Select 'Customise'
Once happy with the design, hide the pocket templates using the 'Layers' menu, then click 'Make It'.
Once through to the mat preview screen, check each mat, making sure they are mirrored.
Top Tip: Any of the elements on the mat can be moved around so that they sit closer together. Simply drag and drop where you want them. This enures a more economical use of your iron-on vinyl. Just make sure none of the shapes overlap at all.
Follow the on-screen instructions to cut out the pieces.
Trim your iron-on pieces around the cut shapes and numbers and carefully weed the negative.
Arrange your pieces onto the advent calendar, matching it to your design on Design Space.
Set your EasyPress (you can aslo use the Mini EasyPress) timer to 30 seconds and 170 degress Celsius.
Pre-heat the calendar pocket for 5 seconds before placing the iron-on, then press the design into place for 30 seconds using the timer. Once the timer has reached zero, carefully turn the advent calendar over and press for another 15 seconds on the reverse.
Leave to cool, then remove the clear carrier sheet when it is warm to the touch (do not do this any earlier).
Continue working in this way until all of the Everyday Iron-On pieces of your design are applied to the advent panel.
Top Tip: Start by applying the iron-on vinyl to the bottom pockets first, then apply any layers separately.
Reset your EasyPress for the foil iron-on vinyl. The temperature should be 145 degrees Celsius, and the timer set to 30 seconds.
Preheat the area where you wish to apply the design for 15 seconds, then apply the foil iron-on and press for 30 seconds, then turn over the advent panel and press for a further 15 seconds.
Press and peel off the plastic carrier sheet once cold.
Continue applying the foil iron-on until you have added all of the pieces.
Top Tip: Protect the rest of your already applied pieces by layering a piece of discarded iron-on carrier sheet over the top.
Your advent calendar is then ready to hang and be filled, ready and waiting for the start of December.
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