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Whether you’re new to crafting and designing or have years of experience under your belt, you may be wondering whether a Cricut machine is a worthy investment. While some crafters invest in a Cricut for their business, there are also plenty of ways that this handy tool can be used around the home for DIY projects.
If you’re asking, “what does a Cricut do?” you’re in the right place. Read on to learn more about the different ways you can beautify your home, keep your life organized, and craft thoughtful gifts for friends and family using a Cricut.
What is a Cricut machine?
Cricuts are electronic cutting machines. You may also hear them referred to as craft plotters or die-cutter machines. They are able to cut various patterns and designs with great speed and accuracy, making them very popular with DIYers and professionals alike.
Cricut machines are able to cut designs into various types of materials including cardstock, vinyl, paper, foil, and fabric. Some of the best Cricut machines are even capable of cutting intricate designs into wood, leather, and other thick materials. Wannabe crafters can find Cricuts both online and at brick-and-mortar stores—and even at places you may not expect, such as Lowe’s.
Our Recommendation: Cricut Maker Machine at Walmart for $229
This versatile Cricut is able to cut through hundreds of different materials, comes with a rotary blade and knife blade, and offers 12 different capabilities including cutting, writing, and scoring.
DIY Cricut Projects for the Home
There are tons of cool ways to use a Cricut maker around the home. Once you get one and start experimenting with it, you’re likely to think of numerous ways you can use it to simplify your life or make creative masterpieces. Below you’ll find 12 project ideas to help you get started.
1. Labels for Organization
If you’re tired of never being able to find anything in the pantry, long for a more organized laundry room, or are frustrated that your kids’ toys never make it into the correct bin, try creating custom labels with a Cricut. Attach these labels to the different containers in your pantry, bins, shelves, or any other areas of your home that are prone to clutter or messiness.
2. Party Decorations
Party decorations can get expensive, especially when you need to purchase them multiple times a year for different friends or family members. What’s more, it can sometimes be difficult to find something premade that matches your vision for the occasion.
With a Cricut, you can cut your expenses and turn the designs in your head into reality. Use the machine to craft personalized banners, cake toppers, table and food signs, photo booth props, and even party favors for guests.
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3. Iron-On T-Shirts
Pair your Cricut maker with a heat press machine, and the number of potential projects you can pull off multiplies. Creating iron-on transfers for T-shirts is one popular way to use a Cricut.
- First, create an original T-shirt design, choose one of the premade design options in Cricut’s Design Space, or upload a pattern you found or purchased online.
- Next, size the design using the shirt template in the Cricut software. Prepare and cut the iron-on vinyl using your machine, weed the excess vinyl pieces out of the design, and use a heat press to transfer the design to a T-shirt.
Follow this same process to create custom tote bags, or to transfer patterns to other fabrics using your Cricut.
4. Leather Jewelry
While all Cricut machines are not able to cut leather, the Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore machines can. With these models, you can design and craft leather earrings, bracelets, and other jewelry items. Wear the handcrafted jewelry pieces, give them to a friend, or even try selling them at local artisan craft shows.
5. Greeting Cards
Rather than purchasing a generic (and expensive!) greeting card from the store, take the time to craft a custom card that will convey exactly how special the recipient is to you. With a little practice, you’ll be able to design and make stunning 3-D cards to share birthday greetings, express your love, say thank you, or convey condolences to a friend or loved one.
6. Custom Signs
With a Cricut, crafters can make custom signs for hanging around your home or at weddings or other events. Use your machine to design and prepare vinyl lettering or images for your sign, adhere the vinyl with heat, and add greenery or other embellishments, if desired. Consider all the different ways you can add a personal touch to your home—why not create a sign to welcome guests, or display your favorite quote?
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7. Gift Tags
Make Cricut gift tags using your Cricut cutter to add a more personalized touch to a birthday or holiday gift. The brand’s Design Studio offers several gift tag templates to help you get started. You can personalize these templates by adding your own text and modifying the font and color. Once you’re done designing, print the tags and attach them to your gifts.
8. Personalized Mugs and Tumblers
If you’re searching for Cricut for beginners projects, personalizing mugs and tumblers is a good place to begin. After choosing the perfect font for your text and designing your project, print the design onto vinyl. Then, just use some transfer tape to place the image on the mug or tumbler. Enjoy your creativity as you sip your morning coffee or share it as a gift of custom art for a loved one.
9. Car Decals
DIY car window decals (and decals for the auto’s body!) are another of the numerous projects you can make with a Cricut. Whether you want to advertise a personal business, support your favorite sports team, or write something witty to catch the attention of other drivers, the design possibilities are nearly endless.
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10. Upcycled Furniture
Give an old piece of furniture a new life with an upgraded, updated look. There are a couple of ways that a Cricut can transform your decor on the cheap: The first is to use your machine to cut a vinyl stencil, and then paint over the design to transfer it to the piece. Another option is to create vinyl decals to decorate the furniture, which can be a good project for a child’s room or nursery.
11. Closet Dividers
If your closet is out of control and you want to be able to find things in it again, try using your Cricut to make closet dividers. Separate clothing by season, type, or size—these are especially useful for a child’s closet that may hold several sizes of clothing to grow into. Keep your dividers simple, or make them more elaborate with fancy fonts and images. The design is up to you.
12. Vinyl Kitchen Backsplash
Beautify your kitchen with a vinyl backsplash. A Cricut machine can help you create a variety of designs, including subway tiles, herringbone tiles, hexagonal tiles, and geometric shapes. The best thing about a vinyl backsplash? It is removable. If your tastes change in a few months or you simply decide you’re ready for a change, you can use your Cricut to whip up a new design.
