Creating custom cards is so easy with the Cricut Explore Air 2! I created this “Mahalo” card in less than 20 minutes, and I couldn’t be happier with the end result! It’s perfect for an extra special thank you card, and the best part is that I made it myself!
I’m excited to have partnered with Cricut to bring you this post. They have provided me with a Cricut Explore Air™ 2 machine, along with most of the supplies needed for this project. This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission from purchases made through links on this blog, at no additional cost to you. This allows me to continue providing you with great content.
For this project you will need:
A Cricut Explore Air™ or Cricut Explore Air™ 2 machine
Cricut Design Space™
Cricut Scoring tool
Cricut Retro Script Font
Cricut Access Image #M3DFD1 Flower
Cricut Access Image #M3F354 Pineapple
2 pieces of cardstock of your choice, I used one piece of green, and one piece of white
adhesive – I chose to use 4 adhesive foam squares to create a shadowbox effect
So true story – my router decided to die on the day I wanted to create this project. Cricut Design Space™ app to the rescue! I created this project from my phone – it doesn’t get more convenient than that!
- Start by opening Cricut Design Space™
- Select “Create New Project”
- Select “Shape” and add a square shape. Make sure the shape is unlocked so you can size to a standard A4 size – 5.5” x 8.5”
- Select “Shape” and add a second square, the size you want your cut-out pane to be. Center in the lower half of your card, highlight both pieces and select “Action” and then “Slice” to create the cut-out. Make sure you delete the section you have sliced.
- Select “Insert Text” and select the Retro Script font, included with Cricut Access Fonts. Type “Mahalo” and then highlight your letters, choose “Actions” and “Ungroup” so you are able to move and resize the letters individually.
- Arrange your letters as you choose, making sure they overlap with each other and the edges of the cut-out pane.
- Select “Insert Image” and search for “Luau.” I used a flower image #M3DFD1, which I duplicated, and a pineapple image #M3F354.
- Select the pineapple, and “Layers,” highlight the image and click “actions” and “weld” to preserve the shape of the pineapple without the detail.
- Once you have arranged your images, make sure everything overlaps slightly, or you could have some unwanted cuts on your finished product.
- Highlight all your items, select “Actions” and “weld” and you will be able to tell if anything needs adjusting. If you need to move items around, click “undo” and adjust, then repeat this step until you have the desired result.
- Select “Shape” and insert a score line. You can rotate the line, and center it onto your project. Highlight the line, and the card in your layers menu, and choose “attatch.”
- Select “Shape” and insert a square, resizing it to fit behind your cut-out pane. You can change the color in the layers menu to reflect your finished product.
- Select “Make it Now” and Cricut Design space will walk you through all the remaining steps. You will insert one piece of card stock for your background, followed by another piece of cardstock for your card. Make sure to check the dial, that it’s set on the proper material setting.
- Once you have both pieces cut out, apply the adhesive or adhesive foam squares to the outside corners on the inside of your card, and apply the background, and that’s it!
I plan on making a few of these cards to take with me for gratuities on my next trip to Hawaii, but this would make a great general-purpose thank you card too. Pair it with a loaf of fresh banana bread, or some chocolate covered macadamia nuts for an extra special treat.
So far I have used my Cricut Explore Air™ 2 machine for paper crafts, and to create some t-shirts using Cricut Iron-on Vinyl. I’m looking forward to creating some custom wine glasses for gifts in the near future. What would you make with a Cricut Explore Air™ 2 machine? Let me know in the comments below, and make sure you are following me on Instagram to see what I’m making next!
Pin it for later

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
Loved the card! I’m a huge fan of DIY cards!!! And I can’t believe you actually got to do the whole project on your phone! That’s so cool (and very convenient). I’ve been thinking about getting a Cricut and this post might just end up convincing me. Thank for sharing this awesome project!
Thank you! I was really impressed with how easy the mobile app was to use!