Birth Announcement Stuffed Animal With Cricut EasyPress Mini

Create a birth announcement stuffed animal with the Cricut EasyPress Mini. These make the perfect baby gift!

If you saw the Baby Milestone Blanket I shared last month, you probably remember me saying there are several things I’ve done with baby #4 that I’ve wanted to do with our first son. But either time, or my lack of creativity at the time, prevented me from doing it. This birth announcement stuffed animal is something I’ve wanted to make with each one of my kids and I can’t believe how EASY it was to make! I think I’m going to order 3 more stuffed elephants so each of the kids can have one!

They were super affordable too! The elephant itself I found on Amazon for less than $10, there is a pink and a grey option. I was able to use iron-on scraps to make the name and stats so I was out less than $10 for the whole project! And it took less than 10 minutes to make from start to finish!

Using The EasyPress Mini To Personalize Stuffed Animals

I’ve been playing around with the new EasyPress Mini for a few weeks and last week I shared a post that has Everything You Need To Know About the Cricut EasyPress Mini. I really am loving how versatile this little guy is and my project list for it is never ending. The EasyPress Mini is perfect for these small projects and I am constantly surprised at how much power is packed in such a little machine.

It only took about 2 minutes to get to temperature and it stayed at temperature through all four presses on the ears of this elephant. Like it’s EasyPress 2 big brothers, the heat plate carries constant heat so no matter where I’m pressing (even the tiniest of corners by the elephant head) I had no problem getting the iron-on to stick. You can read more about what the EasyPress Mini can do and more project ideas here.

How To Make A Birth Announcement Stuffed Animal

I did the hardest part (and really it wasn’t that hard) for you already. You can open this Design Space Canvas and change the birth stats to the birth stats of the baby you’re making this for and your half way done with making your birth announcement stuffed animal!

To make your larger initial you’ll want to add the first initial (J for ours) and add a rectangle. I used the Times New Roman font for this one. Line up the rectangle and letter and align center horizontally.

Next, you’ll want to slice the two designs and remove everything but the two parts of the initial.

Lastly, add the name to the center of the initial and align horizontally again.

Let me show you how EASY it is to do the rest below!

SUPPLIES:

Elephant Stuffed Animal

Iron-On Vinyl (I used Everyday Iron-On in Blush, Sky and White)

StandardGrip Mat

Weeding Tool Set

Cricut Maker or Explore Air 2

Cricut EasyPress Mini

EasyPress Mat (8×10 size works great)

When ordering on Cricut.com, use code FRUGAL10 to save 10% and score FREE shipping on $50+ orders (excludes machines). That’s on top of the 10% discount Cricut Access members get automatically!

DIRECTIONS:

Open this design in Design Space and change the birth stats and name.

On the next screen make sure you mirror each mat.

If you are using the Air 2 machine, change the dial to iron-on. If you are using a Maker, select iron-on from the drop down menu.

Load your iron-on shiny side down on the StandardGrip mat and load into Cricut machine. Cut out designs.

Weed excess vinyl using weeding tool.

Turn EasyPress Mini on and preheat to the second level (press the power button to turn on and then press two more times to get to the right temperature. I found the temperature setting I needed on this chart from Cricut.

Place one ear of the elephant on the EasyPress mat and preheat it for 5 seconds with the EasyPress Mini.

Place first layer of iron-on vinyl on ear and center.

You’ll do the birth stats and letter initial on each ear first.

Press with EasyPress Mini for 25 seconds with medium pressure and move around slowly.

Slowly peel plastic backing from ear.

Line up second layer of iron-on vinyl (ovals and the name) over the first layer. Place the plastic backing from the larger design over the second and first layers and press again for 25 seconds with medium pressure.

Slowly peel both layers of plastic backing.

If you were to buy one of these they cost $25+ but you can make your own for under $10!! I’ve said all the baby projects I’ve made this year are my favorite but this one really might be my absolute favorite! It was SO easy (and affordable) to make and it turned out just how I had imagined. What’s your favorite project you’ve made?

If you’d like to check out more ways you can use your Cricut check out these posts! Need help with your Cricut? Join our Cricut Support Facebook Group!