Looking for an easy Cricut project to shake off those winter blues? Grab this FREE penguin SVG and an inexpensive mug and create this cutie in just a few minutes!
I’ve put my Christmas decorations away but am not quite ready for my “every day” home decor. I grabbed some of my holiday greenery and made this penguin SVG mug for my mantel, but this would also make a great gift for a friend who needs a little pick me up this time of year! {FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means I may make a commission on any sales at no additional cost to you.}
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
- Ceramic Mug in white
- Cricut Joy – but this could also be made using the Cricut Maker or Explore Air
- vinyl – I used Cricut permanent in teal, black, tangerine
- Cricut Transfer Tape
- Weeder
- Scissors
- Penguin SVG
optional items:
- Faux Greenery, pine cones, other decorative accessories
- Floral Foam
- Wire cutters
Ordering from cricut.com? Use code CRICUTCREATORS10 for 10% off and FREE shipping on any order over $50. Includes sale and clearance prices, does not include machines (anything with a plug). Cricut items can also be found at HSN, Amazon, and JOANN stores.
Ordering from amazon.com? Then check out my Cricut Tools and Accessories page!
TUTORIAL: HOW TO MAKE a Penguin SVG Mug
Preparing Mug
1. Thoroughly wash mug with soap and hot water and let dry completely before using.
Uploading the SVG File
1. To get your FREE Penguin Mug SVG file simply enter your email address and the download link will be delivered right to your inbox! This will also sign you up for my e-newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time) and you’ll be notified when I release new free SVG files. You’ll never miss a thing!
2. Open Cricut Design Space.
3. Click on the “+” sign to start a new project, opening up a blank canvas. Make sure you have selected the Cricut machine you are using in the top right corner.
4. Click on the “Upload” button from the toolbar and browse your downloaded files to insert the SVG file. The image will appear on the canvas.
5. Click on all the same colored pieces and select “Attach” to secure pieces together for cutting.
6. Maintain the size at 3” high or adjust to fit your mug. To adjust the size, highlight the image and click on the size box in the top toolbar. Change the measurement to suit your mug size accordingly.
7. Change the image color if desired to match with the material color.
Cutting the Permanent Smart Vinyl
1. Select “Make It” in the upper right corner to proceed with cutting.
2. If using Cricut Joy Smart Vinyl, choose “no mat” for cutting.
3. Note the size of the Smart Vinyl needed and cut the length of the vinyl accordingly.
4. Following the instructions prompted on the screen, cut out the vinyl in all of the colors needed.
Applying Vinyl
1. For each color, cut around the whole image with a pair of scissors.
2. Using the weeding tool, peel away the excess vinyl around the cut images and discard.
3. Starting with the penguin body, cut a piece of transfer tape a bit larger in size.
4. Peel away the transfer tape backing and place the transfer tape overtop of the cut image. Gently rub the vinyl to help it stick to the transfer tape.
5. Peel away the vinyl backing, leaving just the penguin body and eyes adhered to the transfer tape.
6. Carefully consider the placement before applying as the permanent vinyl can’t be removed if placed incorrectly. Position the image with the transfer tape on to the smooth side of the mug and press in place.
Tip – If your mug is not a flat surface, cut into the transfer tape (but not vinyl) with scissors to help it shape around the mug.
7. Press the image down with your fingers to help it to stick to the mug.
8. Slowly remove the transfer tape leaving the vinyl image on the mug.
9. Repeat for the other pieces (nose and feet; hat and scarf).
Adding Faux Greenery
1. Insert floral foam inside the mug.
2. Insert the faux greens into the foam starting with the longest piece in the center.
3. Working outwards, fill in with more greens and other decorative accessories until full.
Free Penguin SVG and Easy Cricut Joy Tutorial
Materials
- Ceramic Mug in white
- Cricut Joy – but this could also be made using the Cricut Maker or Explore Air
- vinyl – I used Cricut permanent in teal, black, tangerine
- Cricut Transfer Tape
- Weeder
- Scissors
- Penguin SVG
Optional Items:
- Faux Greenery, pine cones, other decorative accessories
- Floral Foam
- Wire cutters
Instructions
PREPARING MUG
- Thoroughly wash mug with soap and hot water and let dry completely before using.
UPLOADING THE SVG FILE
- Sign Up in the form above to download the Penguin SVG file.
- Open Cricut Design Space.
- Click on the “+” sign to start a new project, opening up a blank canvas. Make sure you have selected the Cricut machine you are using in the top right corner.
- Click on all the same colored pieces and select “Attach” to secure pieces together for cutting.
- Maintain the size at 3” high or adjust to fit your mug. To adjust the size, highlight the image and click on the size box in the top toolbar. Change the measurement to suit your mug size accordingly.
- Change the image color if desired to match with the material color.
CUTTING THE PERMANENT SMART VINYL
- Select “Make It” in the upper right corner to proceed with cutting.
- If using Cricut Joy Smart Vinyl, choose “no mat” for cutting.
- Note the size of the Smart Vinyl needed and cut the length of the vinyl accordingly.
- Following the instructions prompted on the screen, cut out the vinyl in all of the colors needed.
APPLYING VINYL
- For each color, cut around the whole image with a pair of scissors.
- Using the weeding tool, peel away the excess vinyl around the cut images and discard.
- Starting with the penguin body, cut a piece of transfer tape a bit larger in size.
- Peel away the transfer tape backing and place the transfer tape overtop of the cut image. Gently rub the vinyl to help it stick to the transfer tape.
- Peel away the vinyl backing, leaving just the penguin body and eyes adhered to the transfer tape.
- Carefully consider the placement before applying as the permanent vinyl can’t be removed if placed incorrectly. Position the image with the transfer tape on to the smooth side of the mug and press in place.Tip – If your mug is not a flat surface, cut into the transfer tape (but not vinyl) with scissors to help it shape around the mug.
- Press the image down with your fingers to help it to stick to the mug.
- Slowly remove the transfer tape leaving the vinyl image on the mug.
- Repeat for the other pieces (nose and feet; hat and scarf).
ADDING FAUX GREENERY
- Insert floral foam inside the mug.
- Insert the faux greens into the foam starting with the longest piece in the center.
- Working outwards, fill in with more greens and other decorative accessories until full.
LOOKING FOR ANOTHER FUN PROJECT TO MAKE WITH YOUR CRICUT JOY? CHECK OUT THESE CUSTOM TEA TOWELS!
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Beth Kingston
owner at The Kingston Home
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Nancy says
I can not download the penguin svg. Thanks, Nancy
Beth Kingston says
Hi Nancy – what issue are you having? If you look on the blog post you will see instructions #1 (copied below) – you just need to click on the words Penguin image (they are in blue) and then save it to your computer. Hope that helps!
1. Click here to save the Penguin image as an SVG. *Note: not sure how to save an image? Once you’ve selected the SVG image, right-click and select Save or Save As.
Linda says
I received your email today about the farmhouse svg but when I try and get the email for your svg’s they don’t arrive. You are in my contacts but i haven’t been able to get any of your adorable cut files. Is there another way to get the svg’s? I’d love to have them, I subscribed to your email club again but I haven’t received a welcome email saying thanks for subscribing. I’m filling in the box for the svgh’s and I get thanks I’m sending the cut file to you but the actual email with the link for your svg’s doesn’t arrive.
Thank you,
Linda
Beth Kingston says
Hi Linda! We’re so sorry you are having trouble! We just looked in our system and you are not in our SVG database – are you getting our newsletters? We are trying to figure out if everything might be going to spam or if there is some other step we need to help you with. Let’s try this – when you go to this link for the farmhouse rounds:
https://thekingstonhome.com/blog/cricut-joy-projects-farmhouse-rounds-and-free-svg/
And you fill out the SVG box does anything happen? You should get an email generally within 10-15 minutes – can you try again and we will watch for it on our backend and see what happens? We will get this figured out! 🙂