Crafting for College (Professor Edition)

Last week I shared an updated version of my post on what your professor wants you to know before your college semester begins.  This week I am sharing a craft that today's professor may be working on this fall. 

I know that I am a little late to the game, but I am finally getting a sign to put up to let everyone know that I am in a Zoom meeting or class.  (Anyone who has been in these video conferences knows what happens when visitors, roommates, spouses and children do not know that you are on camera or have your microphone on!) Of course, you know me- I have to make a craft project out of just about anything and this is no exception.

The step was to find the supplies I needed to make this quick and super easy craft with my Cricut.  In fact, I dug deep in my stash to find most of the supplies I used here. I have been cleaning out and reorganizing my craft room this summer and realize that I need to use up the materials that I already have before going back to the store.  

The one exception is now one of my favorite crafting tools.  I recently found this silicone painting mat at Walmart in the Back to School section.

I am sure that it was intended for children's projects, but it is just the right size to protect my work surface from my sloppy painting and gluing.   

I recycle plastic apple sauce and fruit bowls after my snacks and use them to hold paint for small craft projects.  The bowl fits perfectly in this corner space. The silicone holds it tight so it does not tip over.  

The sponge brush, from Dollar Tree, the ones from Target are better, but again- using what is in my stash- fits perfectly on the brush holder and keeps the mat from getting more paint on it. 

The mat cleans up very easily with a baby wipe (another favorite craft supply!).

I used an "artist canvas" from the dollar store for the sign, again from my stash.  I did cover the canvas with a couple of coats of white paint.  

I then went to Cricut Design Space and put together the sign.  The Zoom logo was downloaded from the internet, but I found a similar text, "David Hadish Biblical", which when bolded looks similar to the Zoom logo.  The video screen is from Design Space.  I used dollar store vinyl to cut the images.  It is not my favorite, but is inexpensive and works perfectly for this type of project. I also use it for paper crafts when I want to use a special font and do not want to have to mimic the spacing or the letters are too small for me to cut from paper. 

While Cricut has a special setting for Dollar Tree vinyl, it does not work for me. After far too much Googling and experimenting, I discovered that the Washi setting works best.  I also use the clear adhesive shelf paper as transfer paper.  I know it is a controversial topic (yes, there is controversy in crafting!), but I am not a fan of Cricut vinyl or transfer paper.

Here is the finished version hanging on my home office door.  Unfortunately, when I first moved into this house I placed a Velcro type Command strip on my door so that I could change out signs, wreaths, etc. for different occasions. Since then, it has been my experience that Command strips do pull off the paint.  I put one of those strips on the back of this sign and it holds solidly to the door. If I were to set up for decor again, I would use Alien Tape.  It is strong, and does not pull the paint off of my walls.  

Please note: while I have discussed a few products in this post, please know that I do not officially endorse any products and I do not receive compensation of any kind from anyone.  

After finishing the sign, I took the design and "flattened" it in Cricut Design Space. This allowed me to print out another version on cardstock.  After running the printout through the Cricut to cut off the excess, I "laminated" it using the same contact paper that I used as transfer paper.  I am going to take this one to school and use it on my office door there.  

I just calculated how many years I have been going back to college- whew!  When I started all those years ago I could never have imagined going to school via video over a computer! Crazy!

Regardless of whether you, your friends or family members are going back to school or not, I hope you have a wonderful fall! 

Thanks for stopping by today! 

~Cynthia