This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
How I Knew I Needed To Become An Organizer
I’ve been a “crafter” ever since I was a kid. For as long as I can remember, I was always creating something. My mother is an elementary school teacher, and I always loved going with her to the “teacher store” (as I called it) so I could play with the die-cut machine. I loved punching out letters and pictures, then I’d go home with my paper bounty and label everything in my room with them. Should’ve known then that I’d become a professional organizer, huh?
That die-cut machine brought young-ish me into the world of scrapbooking, and I learned how to make albums by watching hosts do product demos on QVC. It was a little bit later that I heard about some elusive thing called a Cricut that cut out words and pictures like the die-cut machine did, but on its own. No struggling to chomp down a big lever and aligning four layers of wood and foam. I wanted one SO bad, but I never got one. Until now.
Here I am, a grown woman, living out that teenage dream of cutting out vinyl letters and sticking them on things. Wait, that wasn’t your teenage dream? Oh…
Did you get a new Cricut machine for Christmas? There’s a new post that has you covered for how to set it up, get started, and everything you need to know as a beginner. Click here to read it!
Taking Cricut Maker For A Test Run
I recently partnered with Cricut to try out their new Cricut Maker and test some home organization methods with it. Oh. My. Gosh. Y’all. My labeling game has just upleveled times ten. I may never break out my old label maker again.

Design Space
I watched all the YouTube videos and read all the manuals and talked to all the Crafters on Twitter. I was ready. I got that bad boy hooked up and paired with my computer (and my phone and my iPad, because I’m a nerd like that) and immediately dove into the creation process. Cricut Makers work with a program called Design Space. It’s essentially a way to visualize what you’re going to print by seeing it on a virtual cutting mat. It was super easy to navigate once I figured out the measurement process, and I was already into the printing process in less than ten minutes.
Printing
I knew I wanted to make some labels to dress up my craft closet makeover project, so after a few test runs of random printing on cardstock, I jumped right in and loaded up the vinyl. I wanted to make big, bold, dramatic words for my storage containers, but I also wanted it to look clean and minimal. After I picked out the font and measured the containers, I just typed the words I wanted to use into Design Space and hit the big C button on the Maker. And just like that, this sweet angel of technology was doing all the work for me while I sat back with a bag of Panera chips and a cup of coffee. (Classy snack, right?)

Prepping Vinyl Labels
Ok, I’ll be honest, in my naïve little mind, I thought I could just peel off the vinyl and slap it on the containers in a few minutes. While the installation process was very easy, it did take a bit of time to master. First you have to peel off the outer layer of vinyl from around your cut letters with an adorably tiny spatula, then you’ve got to use this little tool called a weeder that looks like a dental scraper to get the rest of the inner pieces out of the letters. I had a little help from Cricut’s BrightPad, which is probably my favorite accessory because it makes these C+ eyes of mine function like an A-.
**I would say I’m excited to use it again, but my artist son has already stolen it from me for sketch practice. Side note, if your kid loves to draw, better get two of these or you won’t have yours for long. I’m about to order another this weekend for that very reason.
Read More: Small Linen Closet Organization With Cricut



Applying Transfer Tape
After the letters are the only thing remaining on the vinyl backing, you’ve got to put transfer tape on top of the vinyl letters and smush down with a scraper, as if you’re installing that giant 6ft tall Incredible Hulk Fathead in your son’s room. (Come on, I know my kid isn’t the only one that jumped on the Fathead bandwagon.) Then you pull off the backing and finally stick the letters on the container. All this was really easy and I had no problems at all, until I started trying to remove the transfer tape. That took a few trial and error runs before I figured out how to peel it off without ripping anything. But by the time I got to container number 3 of 6, I had it down pat and I was rolling along.
Read More: Small Linen Closet Organization With Cricut
My Craft Closet Organization System With The Cricut Maker
Ta-da! Who would’ve thought a closet full of fabric scraps, strips of paper, pieces of yarn, and an arsenal of imitation dental tools could be this pretty? But here’s the deal, although I’m all grown up and haven’t touched a scrapbook in years, I still love doing crafts. And so does my kiddo. I create a lot of DIY organizers for my home, and I help my organization clients create things for their homes as well. So this closet is always getting some action, at least once a week.
I can’t stand to not be able to find something when I need it, so a slurry of containers and bins was a non-negotiable for me. I started with an adjustable closet system and added shelving at various heights to hold containers and equipment.

And for my brand new Cricut Maker and all its fancy accessories and supplies, I picked up this rolling cart to store it all. The drawers are perfect for keeping all the rolls of vinyl, fabric, ribbon, charging cords, and various craft supplies. And since the Cricut Maker has its own built-in storage for its tools, I was able to use the rest of the drawers for things like paint brushes, washi tape, hot glue guns, and adhesives.
See what I store inside every drawer of this cart in this updated blog post.
I really like that cart because I can just roll it straight out of the closet when I want to use it without having to pull out all the stuff from shelves. I’ll be real with you, that Maker is hea-vy! If I had to drag it out of a closet from a high shelf every time, I probably wouldn’t use it very often. Since it’s on a cart with wheels, I never have to pick it up at all. And everything I need to get going is right underneath.
**Update** Here’s The Cart I Used:

What’s Next For The Craft Closet?
The removable wallpaper really added a fun and unexpected pop of color to the closet, and the vinyl labels on the containers give it a sense of class without being too “labely” (Is labely a thing? Because if not, it is now.). I plan on using the Cricut Maker to print smaller labels for the drawers on the cart, as well as adding some numbers to my paper boxes. I’m also thinking I may pop a small pegboard in one section as well, but I’m not really sure if that’s needed.
Either way, keep an eye out on my blog and Instagram for more Craft Room progress!
Read More: Small Linen Closet Organization With Cricut

My Honest Opinion Of The Cricut Maker
Here it is BFF’s, my honest opinion of the Cricut Maker. Before you go thinking I’m going to give it tons of love because this is a sponsored post, step back a second, because they said I’m allowed to tell you whatever I think. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Truthfully, whether Cricut and I had partnered on this project or not, I really only have awesome things to say about the company and the machine.
The prep process was super easy, the installation was a breeze after a bit of trial and error, and the result is absolutely flawless. I can’t wait to practice a little more on other areas of my house, and once I’m a seasoned pro, you better believe I’ll be hauling this bad boy to my client’s houses to turn their pantries into Pinterest phenomenons.

While I’ve only practiced with paper and vinyl, the Cricut Maker actually cuts fabric, too, and I’m really excited to make some cool things with leftover fabric I’ve got stashed away. And you can do so much more than just adhere labels onto plastic containers (although if you’re hanging with me, I hope your end game is to use the Cricut to organize your house).
You can add embellishments to clothes, pillows, wood, glass, and practically anything non-porous. You can also make some awesome paper crafts, gifts, and open up that handmade Etsy shop you’ve always dreamed of. I’m very impressed with the wide range of capabilities of this machine. It has far exceeded my expectations, and is so much more than a fancy die-cut machine for scrapbookers.

I’ve already got a full page of things I want to make with the Cricut Maker, so get ready to see some sweet labeling systems on the blog soon! (Think linen closets, laundry rooms, and kids’ storage!)
If you’ve got a Cricut machine of your own, get excited, because I’ll be sharing all the templates and labels I make for free with anyone who’d like to use them. And if you don’t have a Cricut yet, Girl, you need this. For real, this is the secret ingredient to every single one of the organization photos you’ve pinned lately.
Read More: Small Linen Closet Organization With Cricut

Where To Snag A Cricut Maker
You can pick up a Cricut Maker at most major craft stores like Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and JoAnn’s, as well as Walmart and Amazon. (And hey Canadian Buds, while you can only shop at Michael’s right now, I’ve got the inside scoop that you’ll be able to get the Maker from Walmart and Costco soon!) But the best place to get one is directly from the Cricut website. They tend to have the best deals, run sales often, and sell bundle packs like this one that comes with literally everything you need to start making tons of projects. I have the Champagne model, for reference, but it also comes in blue and rose.
I received the bundled package with the extra tools and materials, and I really think that is the easiest route to go. There are so many different tools and project materials available through Cricut and I think one could easily get overwhelmed when trying to decide what to buy first. I highly recommend getting a bundle so you don’t have to stress over what you’ll need to buy separately. The experts at Cricut have paired up these bundles with the best starter pieces so you can get your feet wet without panicking from material overload.
Did you get a new Cricut machine for Christmas? There’s a new post that has you covered for how to set it up, get started, and everything you need to know as a beginner. Click here to read it!

Your Turn To Weigh In
Do you have a Cricut machine? Or were you the teen that always dreamed of having one like I was? Flip-flopping on whether it’s worth the investment? I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions, as well as some tips from Cricut veterans who’ve been making stuff since day one. Let’s get the conversation started below in the comments and chat about all things Cricut.
Prefer a weekly chat? Subscribe to my free Cricut newsletter for even more projects, reviews, and hacks every Wednesday.
**Update: Here’s The Link To The Cart I Used For The Cricut Maker**
See what I store inside every drawer of this cart in this updated blog post.

Want More Cricut Inspo?
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Want More Craft Room Setup And Organization Tips?
The next semester of The Organized-ish Craft Room is open! This is my self-paced workshop-style training for how to plan, set up, organize, and maintain your craft space, no matter how big or small it is. If your craft room (or closet, or dining room nook) needs some serious organization, this course is for you. Enrollment fills up quickly, so grab your spot while you still can.
bikrgran says
What a great idea! But, I’ve got enough YARN to FILL your closet, and enough fabric to fill it, again. Still, it will help to label the containers, especially the ones that aren’t clear. THANKS!
Brad - Admin says
Glad to help!
Ashley says
Hello. I had asked and few questions regarding text size for your craft room labels. I am just wondering if you could clarify the font you used. In the comment section u said the font was creative memories cheerful seasons font. I’ve b3en trying to find it in design space but I’m not having much luck. Maybe it was called something else?? Thanks so much n
Lela Burris says
Hi, yes that is the font I used. It was removed from Design Space in a recent update, but is available to purchase separately online and upload into Design Space.
Ash says
Hi. Thanks for the great tutorial. I was wondering if you could share the font name as well as the size for the craft room labels that you made. I bought bins like this but struggling with font sizing. Your labels are sized perfectly. Thanks so much.
Lela Burris says
Hi! I used Creative Memories Cheerful Seasons font. And the trick for sizing fonts is to cut out a sheet of scrap paper that fits the space of the container you want the font to fit in. Then measure that paper, and size your text in design space to be that same size as the paper. I’ll do a tutorial of that on IG @lelaburris tonight for you.
Amanda says
Hi,
Where can I find the free labels for this? I looked under the freebies but I didn’t see it? Getting ready to organize my craft room 🙂
Lela Burris says
Hi, the labels are in Cricut Design Space, not my website. As long as you have a Cricut cutting machine and Design Space on your computer already, just click the link in this blog post and you’ll be transported right to it. You can also search Lela Burris in Cricut Design Space and you’ll see it, and all my other templates.
Barb Leonard says
Beautiful room! So organized. I’m jealous. I just got my cricut maker. It’s still in the box because I’m thinking how I want to set it all up. I have that cart but was wondering if there will be enough room for it? I’ve heard that you should have 10 inches in front and in back of the maker. What do you find when you’re crafting? Thank you.
Lela Burris says
Honestly I don’t have that much space in front or behind my Maker and I’ve never had any problems. I’ve been using mine on the cart for almost a full year, and as long as you move the cart out to the floor and there’s room for the mat to move, you don’t need any extra “table” space. I think that 10” guideline is actual clearance space so the mat can move back and forth. I haven’t taken my maker off the cart the whole time. You’ll be good to leave it there.
Katherine says
Hi Lela, I am getting a Cricut for Christmas and came across this post for storage. I was reading through the reviews for the cart on amazon and had a few questions. Is the top of the cart really study? Has it bent or have you had to reinforced it any? If so, how? Is it still super stable even though you move it in and out of the closet? Also, do you have any problems with the drawers not wanting to open/close correctly with the weight of the Cricut? Lastly, can you post pictures of how you have the inside of the cart organized? Thanks for your help!
Lela Burris says
Hi Katherine! I’ve had this cart for a full year now and no reinforcement was needed for the top. It hasn’t bent at all and I haven’t had any issues with the drawers. It moves around very easily on hard floors but not as great on carpet. And there’s a video in my Instagram highlights @lelaburris that shows every single drawer and what’s inside. 🙂 Make sure you get the brand I linked to though, because there are other brands that look just like this one, and I bought one to test it out (mainly because it’s cheaper) and it was complete garbage. Very flimsy and smaller than the one I bought originally. Hope that helps!
Katherine says
Thank you so much for the response!! I’m excited to order it and get everything set up! Love your blog by the way!
Lela Burris says
Thank you so much! Show me how you have it all set up once you get it situated. I’d love to see!
Sarah S. says
If you didn’t order your cart yet, I found it today at a good discount and ordered one for myself. ?https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/751382-honey-can-do-12-drawer-clear-rolling-storage-cart.html
Lela Burris says
That’s great! So glad you found it on sale! You’re going to live it.
Dawn says
My daughter has the Silhouette, little cheaper than cricut, but does alot of the same things. We have used it to make wall decals, cards, and much more.
Lela Burris says
The Silhouette is great too! I haven’t made any cards yet but my son has and his turned out great. I’m excited to try that during the holidays this year.
Nikki Ward says
This is very helpful, thank you!!! What size are the plastic storage containers?
Lela Burris says
Hi Nikki! They are 25qt bins from Sterilite. I got them from the Dollar general, because the mint color is exclusive to them and I liked it much better than the basic white or gray lids. Hope that helps!
Vikki beltz says
I have the expressions 2. Is it outdated? I can’t find any programs for it
Lela Burris says
I’m not very familiar with the Expressions 2, but if you’re looking to upgrade, I’ve got the Maker and I’m in love with it! The less expensive Explore Air is really great, too.
Cassi F says
Great write up. I too LOVE my Cricut. I recently moved into a new home & my craft space has been drastically reduced. I do have a dedicated closet & a roller cart for my machine already. I’m very interested in the shelving you have installed in the closet. Any resources & tips for instillation would be so helpful. I also see so have bins for fabric & sewing machine. I’d really appreciate any help you can offer.
Lela Burris says
Hey Cassi! The shelving I used is the Rubbermaid Configurations set. Here’s a link for the kit I used, and it’s super easy to install and rearrange. Hope that helps! https://amzn.to/30wG648
Stacy Thomas says
How do you store your 12×12 paper? I’d like a cart with drawers that I can put vinyl and paper in but these drawers look too narrow? Thanks!
Lela Burris says
Yep, the drawers are too small for the paper. I store mine in a briefcase file folder that I bought on clearance at Hobby Lobby in the scrapbook section. It’s like a square briefcase but the inside has lots of pockets. Are you on Instagram? Send me a DM @lelaburris and I’ll send you a pic of it.
Sharon says
I have an older cricut… can I do vinyl with that?
Lela Burris says
Hi Sharon! I think all Cricut machines, no matter the age, will cut vinyl. I’d check the Cricut site for your model just to be sure, and I’d use Cricut’s brand of vinyl, but I’m 99.999999% positive you’re good to go on a vinyl project.
Sharon Thomas says
I have the Maker and love it. Does your cart allow you to use the Maker on it or do you have to put the Maker on a larger surface?
Lela Burris says
I leave it on there all the time. I just roll it out to the nearest outlet and plug it in. It works perfectly on the cart and I haven’t found a need to take it off yet.
Angie says
Where did you get the cart you use for your Maker?
Lela Burris says
Hi Angie! I got it from Amazon. Here’s the link to the product there: https://amzn.to/2MTQBrK