Michi Photostory: Cricut Philippines

Showing posts with label Cricut Philippines. Show all posts

October 15, 2026

Halloween Craft Projects: Pumpkin Gift Tags, a Voodoo Doll Pincushion & More

Halloween is the perfect time to get creative with fun, spooky, and adorable crafts! This time, I made a few Halloween-themed projects using my Cricut, including cute pumpkin gift tags, a quirky voodoo doll pincushion, and some mini designs for the Falloween Craft Countdown.

I may not be a fan of scary Halloween designs, but cute and quirky creations? Count me in!

Pumpkin Gift Tags

I spotted this adorable pumpkin shadow box design in Cricut Design Space and immediately thought it would make the cutest little gift tag!

I'm not really into scary Halloween designs, but this cute pumpkin-and-ghost combination? YES! To turn the design into a gift tag, I resized it to just 3 inches and used the Contour tool to simplify a few layers, making the intricate details easier to cut. It took a little tweaking to get everything just right, but I'm so happy with how this tiny version turned out!

Cute, not scary - that's exactly my kind of Halloween!

If you're using a different cutting machine, you can also find the Halloween Pumpkin Shadow Box design by Digital Gems on Creative Fabrica.

This project was my entry for Bee Happy Crafts Weeklies Week 41, and I'm happy to share that I won a ₱300 shop voucher! What a lovely little bonus for a fun crafting project.

Voodoo Doll Pincushion

Who knew an old white T-shirt and some pillow stuffing could become this adorable little voodoo doll pincushion?

For this project, I gave old materials a new life with a little creativity, handmade details, and lots of Cricut magic! I love finding ways to upcycle things I already have at home, especially when they turn into something both cute and useful.

How I Made My Voodoo Doll Pincushion

1. Upcycled an old T-shirt. I used an old white T-shirt as the fabric for my voodoo doll.
2. Customized the design. I chose an image in Cricut Design Space and used the Contour and Offset tools to customize it and create the doll's body shape.
3. Cut the fabric pieces. I used my Cricut Maker 3 with the Rotary Blade to cut the fabric.
4. Added the design. I used my Cricut Maker 3 to cut the voodoo doll design from iron-on material.
5. Pressed the design. I applied the iron-on design to the fabric using my Cricut Mini EasyPress.
6. Sewed everything together. I hand-sewed the pieces to create the doll's shape.
7. Stuffed the doll. Instead of buying new filling, I reused stuffing from an old pillow.
8. Added the finishing touches. I used my Ohuhu fabric markers to bring my little voodoo doll to life.
And voila! My cute, quirky, handmade voodoo doll pincushion was complete!

I submitted this project to Bee Happy Crafts Weeklies Week 42 and the Cricut 30 Minute Haunt Challenge. It was such a fun way to combine fabric upcycling, sewing, and Cricut crafting into one little Halloween creation.

Falloween Craft Countdown

I also joined Craft with Sarah's Falloween Craft Countdown! There were 20 fun craft projects in the countdown, but I only managed to make two of them.

These were pretty simple to make. I just uploaded the SVG files into Cricut Design Space, resized the designs to fit the paper scraps I had on hand, cut the pieces using my Cricut, and assembled them. Easy peasy!

Sometimes, simple projects are just what you need to use up those leftover paper scraps while creating something fun for the season.

Devil Gnomes

Skull Mini Layered Designs

A Little Halloween Crafting Fun

From tiny pumpkin gift tags and an upcycled voodoo doll pincushion to mini layered paper designs, these Halloween projects gave me plenty of opportunities to experiment with my Cricut and use materials I already had.

October 09, 2026

Cricut EasyPress 3 12x10: E05 Error, Replacement Delays & Refund

What started as an exciting 9.9 Sale purchase turned into an almost month-long customer service journey.

I bought the Cricut EasyPress 3 12x10 as another birthday treat for myself, thrilled to find it at an incredible price. Originally priced at PHP 17,500, it was on sale for PHP 6,599. After combining Shop and Shopee vouchers with a credit card promotion, I paid just PHP 3,891, approximately 78% off the original price!

It felt like a deal too good to pass up. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned.

From an Exciting Purchase to a Defective Product

I placed my order through the Bee Happy Crafts Shopee Store on September 8, and the machine arrived the following day.

When I tested it on September 10, I successfully paired it with the Cricut Heat app. However, when I tried to send the temperature settings, an E05 error appeared. The machine would beep, display the error, show a solid red power button, and shut down automatically.

After trying basic troubleshooting without success, I contacted Bee Happy Crafts, an authorized Cricut seller. I submitted my proof of purchase, serial number, and a video demonstrating the problem.

The Replacement That Never Came

On September 15, I was informed that a replacement would be delivered and the defective unit picked up. I completed the 7 Days Guarantee Form, packed the machine and accessories, and sent photos to the store.

But the replacement never arrived.

The following day, I learned that the EasyPress 3 12x10 was out of stock, with no confirmed restock date. I was told that the replacement would proceed once the item became available again.

Hoping for another solution, I contacted Cricut Support directly on September 16 to begin the warranty process.

On September 17, Cricut Support responded that the E05 error couldn't be resolved through standard troubleshooting. I was advised to contact their phone or chat support to check my warranty and discuss the next steps.

On September 18, a Cricut representative reassured me, saying, “No worries about the stock.” This gave me hope that a replacement could still be arranged.

I provided the requested documents and video evidence, and my replacement request was placed under review.

September 22 to October 2: Waiting for Shipping Details

On September 22, Cricut asked for my consent to share my contact and shipping details with its third-party distributor to fulfill the replacement request.

More than a week passed without any updates or a replacement from the distributor. After my second follow-up, I received another disappointing update from Cricut Support on October 2: the replacement was on hold because of a regional stock shortage. My options were to wait for restocking or consider a refund.

After weeks of waiting, I had to decide whether to keep hoping for a replacement or move on.

Choosing a Refund

I didn't want to risk missing the 30-day return window stated in Bee Happy Crafts' return policy, so on October 3, I contacted the store to request a refund rather than continue waiting for an uncertain restock date.

It wasn't an easy decision because I genuinely wanted the larger heat press, especially at such an incredible price. However, I felt it was more practical to get my money back than to wait indefinitely.

On October 6, I received my refund via bank transfer. Finally, the purchase was resolved!

Interestingly, on October 7, Philippine time, I received an email from a Cricut supervisor explaining that they were still coordinating with the local distributor.

The distributor expected new inventory of the EasyPress 3 9x9, but there was no confirmed delivery date. Cricut also offered to discuss alternatives, including a refund.

I informed the agent that I had already received my refund through Bee Happy Crafts because a replacement for my original model 12x10 wasn't available and there was no confirmed restock date.

And with that, my customer service journey came to an end.

What I Learned

Looking back, receiving a defective product wasn't necessarily the biggest problem. What I found most difficult was the uncertainty; not knowing when a replacement would arrive or whether it would be available at all.

Anyway, I appreciate the assistance I received from both Bee Happy Crafts and Cricut Support throughout the process. I'm also glad I eventually got my refund.

This experience reminded me to keep purchase documents and evidence, understand return and warranty policies, and follow up when necessary.

Most importantly, it's okay to reconsider your options when things don't go as planned. Sometimes, the best decision isn't the one you initially hoped for, but the one that allows you to move forward.

Would I Still Buy from Cricut and Bee Happy Crafts?

Yes, I would!

This experience hasn't changed my interest in Cricut products or my willingness to support Bee Happy Crafts. In fact, after receiving my refund, I purchased another item from Bee Happy Crafts and another Cricut product to replace the birthday gift I had originally planned for myself.

One disappointing purchase doesn't erase my previous positive experiences.

A Final Thought

What began as an exciting 9.9 Sale bargain on September 8 ended with a refund on October 6.

I was disappointed that I never got to enjoy the EasyPress 3 12x10, but still, I'm glad I was able to resolve the issue.

I'm sharing my experience not to discourage anyone from buying, but to document what happened and what I learned along the way.

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. We can acknowledge our disappointment, choose the best option available, and move forward.

Now, I'm getting back to what I love most: creating, crafting, and enjoying the products that inspire me.

December 14, 2025

The Empty Chair at Christmas

A week ago, I came across the Cricut 12.12 Challenge: Last Hurrah for 2025, and the moment I read the mechanics, I already knew exactly what I wanted to create. I just kept delaying it, because I knew this project would bring tears to my eyes. In fact, it’s something that has been on my list since last year.

Christmas is meant to be a season of joy, but as the years go by, it becomes harder to ignore how different it feels after losing loved ones. The holidays are never quite the same.

So for this year’s challenge, I made a 3D Empty Chair Shadow Box with the message “Christmas isn’t the same without you.” It’s a gift our loved ones will never receive, but I made it to honor them, to acknowledge that since the day they left, there will always be an empty chair at Christmas.

They may be gone, but I am forever grateful for the memories we shared, our laughter, our stories, and all the small moments that mean even more now. I believe those memories are God’s gentle reminder that their love is still with me, guiding me through every season.

This shadow box has 13 layers, and while cutting, I listened to my comfort song, “Where You Are” by Craig Aven. Here are a few lines that truly capture the heart behind this project:

“Although this year, I have a broken heart
It gives me hope and joy as I remember where you are.
You're with the Son of God
You're with the Prince of Peace
You're with the One we're celebrating
And that thought amazes me.
Sometimes I still break down
Grieving that we're apart
But the sweetest gift is knowing where you are
'cause you're with the Son of God.”

It took me a long time to cut and assemble this shadow box, but I felt at peace and happy when I finished it, and I immediately displayed it in our living room.

If you’re missing someone this Christmas, may you find comfort in knowing that love doesn’t end with goodbye. Even in the quiet moments, God reminds us that those we love are still held in His presence and that hope carries us through every season.

The 3D Empty Chair design is from My 3D SVG website.

December 08, 2025

Cricut 12 Days of Christmas 2025

Crafting My Way Through the Holidays. One Project at a Time

It’s been a while since I last wrote a blog post, and honestly, it’s because most of my time has been spent crafting (no regrets!). Christmas season is officially here, which means two things: my craft table is always messy, and my heart is always full. I’m joining the Cricut 12 Days of Christmas 2025 Challenge for the fourth year, and as always, it’s pushing me to create, experiment, and enjoy the magic of handmade holidays.

Here’s a look at what I’ve crafted so far from Days 1 through 5.

Day 1: Christmas Ornament Challenge
Project: Folk Art Christmas Paper Ornaments

The Cricut Christmas Challenge has begun! For Day 1, I created a set of Folk Art Christmas Paper Ornaments using my favorite medium, cardstock. My Cricut Maker 3, white glitter cardstock, silver and red glitter sheets, glue, and gold string were all I needed.

This project was estimated to take one hour, but I slowed down and let myself enjoy every moment, choosing colors, arranging pieces, and soaking in that quiet crafting joy. Sometimes we rush through the holidays without truly feeling them, but that moment reminded me to pause and appreciate the tiny things.

When I hung the finished ornaments, that familiar spark of Christmas magic appeared. Handmade ornaments are more than décor, they’re memories. And now, these new ones join the collection I’ve made through the years.

The SVG file is part of Craft with Sarah’s Christmas Countdown

Day 2: Christmas Wearable Item Challenge
Project: Snowman Slippers

One thing about me: if a hotel offers slippers, I’m taking them home (don’t judge me!). I usually save them for guests, but this year I thought, why not make them Christmas-ready?

For Day 2, I transformed basic white hotel slippers into a festive wearable item using iron-on vinyl and my Cricut Maker 3. A cute snowman face made them fun, warm, and welcoming. This is such a beginner-friendly Cricut project, quick, simple, and perfect for personalizing things you already have.

The Snowman Face SVG File is from Creative Fabrica

Day 3: Christmas Treat Boxes
Projects: Santa & Reindeer Belly Treat Boxes

These treat boxes have been sitting on my “Things to Craft” list since last year, and FINALLY I checked them off! I started with Santa Claus and Reindeer designs, and although I only made two, it still took me more than two hours, thanks to the usual crafter dilemmas: Should I ink the edges? Add embossing? Add snow to the shoes? The internal debate was real.

I also made a small mistake; Santa ended up on the wrong side, but I owned it. Crafting magic saved the day!

The SVG files are from Digital Gems

Santa Belly Treat Box
Reindeer Belly Treat Box

Day 3: Christmas Treat Boxes
Projects: Penguin, Polar Bear, and Snowman Treat Boxes

Still in the crafting mood, I continued my lineup and added three more designs: Penguin, Polar Bear, and Snowman. They now join Santa, Elf, and Reindeer, six boxes total, each with its own charm and personality.

I mixed different cardstock textures: textured, smooth, glitter, and foil, and the Cricut Maker 3 handled all the writing, scoring, and cutting effortlessly. I used glue and Velcro dots to assemble them, and yes… I also filmed a video (priorities!).

The SVG files are from Crafty Blog Stalker

Day 4: Christmas Card Challenge
Project: Elf Arrival Door Card

In our family, handmade cards aren’t just crafts, they’re keepsakes filled with meaning. So for Day 4, I created an Elf Arrival Door card, complete with an elf head and legs for that mischievous holiday charm.

I added a tiny poem to bring the design to life:

“Through the tiny door, I’ve popped.
My Christmas journey never stops!
I'm here to watch and sprinkle cheer.
Let’s make it a merry, magical year.”

This simple card instantly put a smile on my face, and I hope it brings joy to whoever receives it.

The Elf Door Arrival Card is from Craft with Sarah’s Christmas Countdown and the Elf Head and Legs SVG files are from Printable Cuttable Creatables.

Day 5: Christmas Table Decoration
Project: Gingerbread Felt Utensil Holder

For Day 5, I created a felt utensil holder inspired by a gingerbread gift tag I made last year. I tweaked the design, used a few basic shapes, and suddenly, hello, Gingerbread Utensil Holder!

This was supposed to be an easy project… until I randomly decided to sew it. Spoiler: I’m not good at sewing. But the sewing machine deserved some action, so I stitched the edges anyway. The stitches weren’t perfect, but the result was worth it: cute, festive, and handmade with love.

The Gingerbread Utensil Holder is inspired by Printable Cuttable Creatables Gingerbread Gift Tag.

Day 5: Christmas Table Decoration
Project: Mini Christmas Tree Treat Box Display

I couldn’t resist adding a second project for Day 5, this time a mini Christmas Tree Treat Box that fits perfectly on my small crafting table. Even with limited space, I still love having a little holiday sparkle close by, and this tiny tree was exactly what I needed.

I cut the design using my Cricut Maker 3, added texture with a Christmas Lights embossing folder, and used an Ohuhu glitter marker to highlight the tiny lights. Those small touches of embossing and shimmer truly brought the piece to life.

It’s a simple, 30-minute project that added so much festive cheer to my workspace. Sometimes the smallest decorations make the biggest difference, and this little tree instantly brightened my day!

The Christmas Tree Treat Box is from Digital Gems.

Day 7: Christmas Banner or Garland Challenge
Project: Stylish Sweater Garland

I can finally feel the cold December weather settling in, so for Day 7, I created this super cute Stylish Sweater Garland that brings all the cozy holiday vibes. Think festive sweaters—but make them chic, charming, and definitely not ugly-sweater energy.

I used the Print Then Cut feature in Cricut Design Space, which made this project fun and beginner-friendly. That said, I definitely had a moment when I clicked Make It and Cricut only loaded two sweaters per page.

And of course, me being me, I wanted to maximize my photo paper. So I added extra festive designs, resized a few pieces, and basically played Cricut Tetris to fill every empty space before printing. It took a little longer, but it was completely worth it.

Once everything was printed and cut, I added a bit of dimension using foam tape on a few sweaters and clipped them onto a jute string for that perfect Christmas look. Now I have the cutest festive garland ready to hang on our wall.

The Stylish Sweater Garland SVG is from Bearly Art.

Day 8: Christmas Village Challenge
Project: Gingerbread Village

I spotted this adorable design last month and immediately added it to my “to-make” list. There was just something so charming about the tiny houses and layered details, and Day 8 felt like the perfect time to finally bring this Gingerbread Village to life.

This project encouraged me to slow down and truly enjoy the process. With 30 layers, it took almost two hours to cut and assemble, but watching each layer stack and add dimension was so satisfying. Once the glitter and foil cardstock caught the light, it felt like pure Christmas magic.

I’m so happy with how this little village turned out, festive, sparkly, and absolutely worth the time and patience it required.

The SVG file is part of Craft with Sarah’s Christmas Countdown 2025

Day 10 of 12 Days of Christmas Challenge
Project: Merry Christmas Wall Sign

For Day 10, I took on a project that pushed me completely outside my comfort zone — a 19.5-inch Merry Christmas wall sign. I started cutting and assembling the pieces yesterday and continued again this morning, spending a total of almost six hours to bring everything together.

This project required 17 cutting mats and 12 different types of cardstock, which alone tested my patience and focus. Cutting was smooth using my Cricut Maker 3, but assembling a project this large was honestly nerve-wracking. Every step had to be slow and precise because there was absolutely no room for mistakes.

To make things more challenging, the materials I used were just enough. The Cricut Foil Cardstock is no longer available here in the Philippines, so I had to be extra careful. I even upcycled a cake box for the back support — bawal talaga magkamali, or else baka mapabili ako ng cake nang wala sa oras!

There were moments of doubt when I questioned if I could actually finish it, but I pushed through the fear and completed the project. Seeing it now hanging on our wall brings such a huge sense of relief and accomplishment. This project reminded me that stepping outside my comfort zone is always worth it.

The SVG file is from Craft with Sarah.

Day 11 of 12 Days of Christmas Challenge
Project: 3D Mantle with Stockings Shadow Box

When my son was still a kid, he had one serious concern:

Son: Mommy, we don’t have a chimney. How will Santa Claus get inside the house?
Me: We don’t need a chimney.
Son: No. You buy chimney.

Fast forward to today — we still don’t have a chimney, but thanks to Cricut, I can finally make one.

When I saw this 3D Mantle with Stockings shadow box design, I couldn’t help but think, baka ito na ang kasagutan sa pangarap ng anak ko. Hehehe! He may not believe in Santa Claus anymore, but I absolutely love this project, especially because I was able to personalize each stocking using a Cricut Pen.

This shadow box has 12 layers, so cutting and assembling took a little over an hour, but it was completely worth it. It turned out so charming and festive, and I already know this will be our go-to shadow box display every ber-month.

The SVG file is from My 3D SVG.

Wrapping Up the 12 Days of Christmas Challenge

I’m happy to say that I’ve already completed all 12 days of the Christmas Challenge. Days 6, 9, and 12 were dedicated to collage-style projects, bringing together several creations into one festive showcase.

This challenge has been such a joyful and inspiring experience, allowing me to slow down, create intentionally, and truly enjoy the holiday season. Every project, whether intricate or simple, reminded me why I love crafting with Cricut, one thoughtful creation at a time.

Thank you for following along and sharing in the Christmas magic with me

October 07, 2025

Upgrading to the Cricut Maker 3 After 5 Years — Was It Worth It?

After five years of faithful crafting with my original Cricut Maker, I finally took the leap and upgraded to the Cricut Maker 3. I’ll admit, I was both excited and hesitant. My old Maker still worked well, but after so many projects, some wear and tear, and a whole new generation of features from Cricut, I decided it was time for an upgrade.

Actually, I had planned to buy a machine last December, but I couldn’t decide between the Cricut Joy Xtra and the Cricut Maker 3. Then, in February, the Cricut Maker 4 was announced, so I decided to wait a few more months. Unfortunately, there’s still no news about whether this machine will be available in the Philippines.

I checked Amazon, but the additional taxes were too steep, so I changed my mind.

I watched a lot of videos comparing the Cricut Maker 4 and the Cricut Maker 3, and honestly, the only noticeable difference seems to be the speed. I couldn't wait any longer — kasi naman, my wedding anniversary, Mother’s Day, and even my birthday had already passed, and still, no sign of the Maker 4. So I told myself, Cricut Maker 3 na lang.

Sakto, there was a 9.9 Cricut Sale, so I told my husband about it.

I added it to my cart, and when I saw that the price had dropped to ₱19,999, I immediately purchased it. A few minutes later, I realized it was still September 8, and the sale actually started on September 8 at 8 PM. Toink! Hirap talaga pag inaantok pa.

I missed the ₱999 Cricut voucher, but I’m still happy because I got the machine for ₱18,799, thanks to a Shopee voucher. That’s even cheaper than my old Cricut Maker, which I bought for ₱25,000!

It was delivered the next day, but since it arrived in the evening, I waited until the next morning to unbox it.

Here’s what immediately stood out:

1. The Maker 3 is noticeably faster than my old machine.

2. Matless cutting is a game-changer.

3. The loading system feels smoother and quieter.

4. It came with free Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, Smart Paper Sticker, and Transfer Tape.

The downside is:

1. It doesn’t come with a cutting mat.

2. Smart materials can be pricier.

3. No additional blade, like a rotary blade.

To test the machine, I searched for Cricut Cuties on Cricut Design Space. For the past five years, I only had one sticker on my old Cricut Maker—but now, just on my first day, puro design na agad!