Vinyl Graduation Gift

I went to a graduation party for a good friend's daughter who was also a part time helper in my home daycare over the past two years. She is going to NW Missouri State to study education. I wanted to get her something special to take with her to college. Her comforter is black, hot pink and white so I used that as my color pallet.

I purchased some plastic storage tubs in clear and hot pink. I also found a dry erase board that is a mirror and a photo board. I picked up a few odds and ends as well.



I started with hot pink and cut out an A for Allison and a butterfly to stick on the clear tub. I used Nursery Rhyme for the font and Home Decor for the butterfly. When cutting vinyl, set your blade to 3. If you are not using a gypsy, set your pressure and speed to 3 as well for a kiss cut. A kiss cut is where the blade cuts through just the vinyl, not the backing.





After you cut your vinyl, you need to weed the extra vinyl away. To do this, I use my Cricut dental tool.



Once you weed the extra vinyl away, you need transfer tape or clear contact to pick up your image and transfer it to your project. I use my scraper tool to burnish the vinyl onto the clear contact paper. Cindy McVey taught me to "lint up" clear contact paper so it is not too sticky. You just wear your favorite pair of jeans and stick the contact paper to your lap a couple of times. This is similar to playing patty cake with your brand new cricut mats to get some of that stick off!!



Very carefully pull contact paper off of the vinyl backing and then smooth it on your project. Then I use my scraper to burnish the vinyl and carefully peel the contact paper off.





Here are the rest of the items I personalized with vinyl. I am kicking myself for not taking a photo of the gift all put together!! I decorated two large pink containers and 2 medium pink containers. I did have a bit of trouble getting the vinyl to stick to the memo board (I hope it stays!!) but soon it will be filled with photos!

I added a set of plastic buckets that are good for bathroom totes or small personal items. I put some things my son needed for his dorm room (tide pen, air freshner, hand sanitizer, clorox wipes, etc.) along with some tissue paper and the card. She loved it!