If you recently purchased a new Cricut machine, these easy Cricut projects for beginners will inspire you to jump right in and get started! Whether you have a Cricut Joy, Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker, these easy projects are a great way to get familiar with your new machine.
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The Best Cricut Projects for Beginners
As Cricut newbies ourselves a few years ago, we can remember feeling intimated by our new Cricut cutting machine. We wondered where to start and what all we could make with it. Actually, we even wrote about the 4 things we didn’t know about the Cricut Maker before getting it.
The good news is that there are so many great free Cricut projects and tutorials out there. Since practice makes perfect, it’s best to just jump right in to your first project!
The best beginner projects tend to be those that use one type of material, use free project designs available in Cricut Design Space, and have a fabulous free step-by-step tutorial. Completing some of these great projects will ensure you get comfortable using your Cricut machine and confident in the steps needed to complete a project.
Here is a list of beginner Cricut projects to try, everything from paper to vinyl to iron-on and a few things in between. (And head here for our complete guide to Cricut Infusible Ink). Making any of these great ideas will have you feeling like a Cricut crafting pro in no time!
And if you’re still not sure which Cricut machine to buy, check out our guide to the best Cricut machines for beginners.
Beginner Cricut Paper Crafts
Simple paper projects are some of the easiest ones to start with as you don’t need to worry about transfer tape. Simply pick some cardstock, scrapbook or other paper and get to cutting!
Thanks A Latte Greeting Card
Use your Cricut Joy machine to make beautiful, detailed greeting cards in no time at all!
Check out this project
Greeting Cards
Card making is usually one of the first Cricut projects for beginners because you can make your own cards for any occasion!
Handmade Valentine’s Day Card with Cricut Joy
Try using cricut joy cards to show your special someone how much you care.
Check out this project
Spooky Paper Lanterns
These Halloween lanterns may be spooky, but they’re a simple paper craft to make!
Baby Yoda Puppet
Use your Cricut machine to pre-cut all the pieces for this adorable baby Yoda paper bag puppet.
Colorful Summer Garland with Paper Popsicles
Make your own easy and colorful summer garland using pretty decorative paper cut out with the free popsicle template and SVG file.
Check out this project
DIY 3D Paper Star Candy Box
You can find the template to create this 3-dimensional star in Cricut's Design Space. You just need kraftboard for this simple project idea.
Check out this project
Making A Paper Bow Magnet
Make some pretty paper bow magnets for the fridge with this simple and fun Cricut craft.
Check out this project
Embellishing a Hello Sign with Cricut
One of the easiest ways to use your Cricut machine is to cut out some phrases to use with your other crafts such as we did with this dollar store hello sign.
Check out this project
Make your own Cricut Cake Topper!
Learn how to easily make Cricut cake toppers with just a few paper supplies. You can customize toppers for any occasion!
Easy Cricut Adhesive Vinyl Projects
Once you’re ready to try some Cricut vinyl projects, we suggest the permanent or removable adhevise vinyls. You can apply them to an endless nubmer of surfaces inclusing wood, glass, metal and more. Below are some great projects for the Cricut newbie.
Custom Tumblers and Water Bottles
You can learn how to use your Cricut Explore Air 2 to customize a tumbler or water bottle with a little permanent vinyl.
Mini Canvas Art with Free SVG Sloth File
You can apply adhesive vinyl to many common materials includingcanvas.This sweet little sloth is one of our own designs – simply download the free SVG file to use with your Cricut machine.
Check out this project
Monogrammed Stone Napkin Weights
So pretty! Create elegant monogrammed napkin weights with stones and some glitter vinyl. Perfect for a New Year’s Eve, wedding or bridal shower table setting.
Check out this project
DIY Wood Slice Garden Markers with Cricut Joy
These adorable rustic wood slice garden markers made with the new Cricut Joy are a great way to keep track of what you planted.
Check out this project
Coffee Mug
This is a simple DIY you can make with your Cricut. Personalize a coffee mug for yourself or for a friend.
DIY Anti-Collision Window Decals
Make your own pretty yet functional anti-collision window decals using a Cricut cutting machine and some removable vinyl with this simple DIY.
Check out this project
DIY Coffee Mug for Teachers
Mugs make great gifts for teachers and this DIY coffee mug shows your appreciation. The tutorial also includes free svg files for the project.
Check out this project
Pretty Chalky Painted Mason Jar Flower Vase
Make a simple, farmhouse-inspired mason jar flower vase for holding beautiful seasonal blooms such as these pretty pink peonies.
Check out this project
DIY Galentine’s Day Gift Idea
Cute phrases cut on adhevise vinyl are also a fun way to dress up you favorite materials such as this galvanized bucket from the Dollar Tree.
Check out this project
Beginner Cricut Vinyl Iron-On Projects
There’s no end to the great Cricut projects you can make using iron-on vinyl. The best way for beginner Cricut users to craft with iron-on (also known as heat-transfer vinyl or HTV) is with a simple design on fabric or a flat surface such as wood.
Iron-On T-Shirts
Embellishing t-shirts are the perfect beginner-friendly Cricut projects. Check out this tutorial for a fun rainbow t-shirt DIY with the Cricut Explore Air 2 !
Drawstring Bag
Add a little something special to your drawstring bag using iron-on vinyl and the Cricut Easypress 2.
Check out this project
Iron On Spider Web Art with Free SVG
Create your own unique spider web art using an embroidery hoop and a spider web design in iron-on vinyl with this free SVG cutting file.
Check out this project
Easy Embellished Tote Bags
Turn your old tshirts into a tshirt bag and then use your Cricut to customize your bag with a fun vacation design.
Check out this project
Sock Matching Hack
Use the EasyPress Mini to create this simple and fun sock matching hack
Check out this project
Cork Coasters
Make these personalized cork coasters using iron-on or heat transfer vinyl with your Cricut and heat press.
DIY Fall Tea Towels with Everyday Iron On Vinyl
Make your own Fall tea towels with Cricut Everyday Iron On Vinyl using this All About Autumn SVG cutting file.
Check out this project
Wood Sign
How fun is this silly bathroom sign made using the Cricut EasyPress on wood scraps?
Check out this project
Embellished Women’s Jumpsuit with the Cricut Joy
Making a fashion statement is easy by personalizing a womens’ cotton jumpsuit with a pretty boho floral design with iron-on vinyl.
Check out this project
Mini DIY Happy Easter Banner
Tutorial for making a DIY Happy Easter banner using a Cricut cutting machine and Easy Press.
Check out this project
Labelling Projects
We love to use our Cricut machines to label, organize and personalize. Here are some easy beginner projects to add some order in your home!
Organizing Labels
Use your Cricut Joy to organize your messy pantry by making labels for all of your containers.
Personalized Binder
Glam up and personalize some plain binders with your Cricut Maker and some Shimmer vinyl.
Check out this project
DIY Mason Jar Labels with Cricut Joy Smart Label
Keep your canned goods well organized with easy to use Cricut Joy Smart Label writable vinyl.
Check out this project
Upcycled Tin Can Craft Storage with Cricut
Using supplies from around the house to create modern upcycled tin can storage.
Check out this project
Beginner Cricut Projects with Infusible Ink
Infusible ink sheets are designed to be used with specific surfaces (also called blanks). You cut out the sheets with your Cricut machine in any design and then press them onto your blank with a heat press (similar to the iron-on vinyl). This method is also known as sublimation.
How to Use Cricut Infusible Ink on a Cosmetic Bag
Sharing our experience on how to use Cricut Infusible Ink on a cosmetic bag.
Check out this project
Easy Ceramic Coasters with Infusible Ink
In this step-by-step Cricut Infusible Ink tutorial we show you all the components of the system and demonstrate how to use it with coasters and a tote bag.
Check out this project
Adorable personalized trick or treat bags!
These fun and colorful personalized trick or treat bags made using the Cricut Maker and Infusible Ink will keep the peace in your house this Halloween.
Check out this project
Simple Cricut Crafts with Specialty Items
In addition to paper and vinyl, you’d be surprised by the other types of fun projects that you can make with your first Cricut machine. For example, the Cricut Maker machine can engrave, emboss and even cut wood!
Leather Bookmarks
Use the Cricut engraving tool to engrave words on to a piece of leather that you can then make into a bookmark.
How To Make Faux Leather Earrings With A Cricut
It’s easy and fun to learn how to make earrings with a Cricut Maker machine. You can make them out of lots of different materials, including leather and faux leather. This beginner tutorial walks you through all the steps needed.
Etch Glass
The Cricut makes perfect stencils that you can use to etch glass and make personalized drinking or wine glasses.
Seasonal Gnome Sign
You can use printable magnetic sheets to create adorable gnome magnets that can be changed with each season.
Making a Family Tree Craft Using Cricut Foil Transfer
Create a beautiful and personalized piece of framed art with this family tree craft using Cricut Transfer Foil.
Check out this project
DIY Leather Phone Sleeve
Create a phone sleeve using the Cricut Maker to cut leather.
Check out this project
Felt and Fabric Crafts with Cricut
Felt fabric is one of our favorite crafting materials. We have a whole collection of beautiful felt flower and ornament designs in our shop. Best part? You can use both your Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker machines to cut felt fabric with ease! And with the rotary blade on the Cricut Maker, you can also cut fabric to make these fun Cricut projects.
Candy Bouquet
Make this sweet candy bouquet with felt flowers cut with the Cricut.
Felt Bunny Easter Decor
Create your own easy Easter decorations with this adorable DIY felt bunny craft.
Check out this project
Mini Quilt
Use the Cricut rotary blade to cut through fabric and make this little piece of decor that’s perfect for spring.
Make a Fabric Banner with Cricut Maker
Have you tried cutting fabric with your Cricut Maker? Dont be scared! Follow this step by step tutorial of how to make a fabric banner with the Cricut Maker
Other Creative Home Decor Ideas
Wood Slice Cake Stand
Use an Easy Press 2 to make a rustic and custom wood slice cake stand.
Block Calendar
Make this farmhouse inspired block calendar with the help of your Cricut Explore Air 2.
Night Light
Make a fairy or unicorn silhouette night light for your kids with the Cricut.
Farmhouse Inspired DIY Round Wood Sign
Making farmhouse-inspired round wood signs using a Cricut cutting machine.
Check out this project
Now that you’ve mastered these beginner Cricut projects…
Now that you’re a pro at using your Cricut, check out this beautiful paper flowers photo frame project and these creative Cricut projects to sell.
We also have a whole post on where to find free SVG fonts for your Cricut machine. You can even learn how to upload your own designs into Cricut’s Design Space to make even more fun projects!
Join our crafting community to find more nature-inspired DIYs and upcycled craft ideas. It feels good to repurpose, upcycle and create with nature!
Other Uses for Your Cricut
Not only is the Cricut fun to use for crafting, but it can also support you with your small business, find out 5 ways it has helped us with ours. And if you have a home office like so many of us do now, check out these 10+ Cricut crafts to improve your office. Finally, we have a whole review of the new Cricut Venture here.
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