Cricut Projects

If you're trying to decide whether a Cricut is a wise investment, getting a few ideas for Cricut projects may help you make your decision.

About the Cricut

Pronounced like the bug "cricket", the Cricut is made by popular scrapbooking supply manufacturer Provo Craft. It lets you make a number of shapes or letters from cardstock, patterned, paper, vellum, chipboard, and other materials. It does not require a computer to operate.

There are different sizes of Cricut machines, but all the machines use the same cartridges. The main difference is that scrapbookers who prefer to work on larger projects find the Cricut Expression's 12x24 mat provides the most versatility. Depending upon where you purchase your Cricut, there may also be a difference in the cartridges included with each model.

You can learn more about the Cricut by visiting the Cricut.com.

Ideas for Cricut Projects

Obviously, the Cricut is a wonderful tool for scrapbookers. From creative titles to unique page embellishments, the Cricut is so versatile you can use it on almost every page you create. However, there are a number of other Cricut projects you can complete as well.

Foam Stamps

If you love foam stamps, the Cricut is a fabulous tool for making your own stamps. Cut a sheet of fun foam in the design of your choice, mount it onto a sturdy piece of cardboard or a block of wood, and stamp away!

Handmade Greeting Cards

The Cricut makes card making a snap.

The Cricut is very useful for making handmade greeting cards. When you have a large group of cards to make, such as Christmas cards, thank-you notes, or party invitations, simply cut out your shapes or letters before creating an "assembly line" for your project. To quickly adhere detailed cut outs, run them through a Xyron adhesive machine first.

Handmade Gifts

With cartridges featuring Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, and Sesame Street as well as a number of sports and floral designs, the Cricut is a great resource for making handmade gifts. Here are a few ideas:

Make a ready-to-fill scrapbook as a gift
Decorate a binder, pencil holder, and filing box for a customized desk set
Make a unique wall hanging by combining Cricut die cuts with your favorite patterned papers and special photos of the gift recipient

Seasonal Decorations

When you're on a tight budget, spending money on new decorations for every holiday can seem a bit excessive. However, it's easy to make your own holiday decor using your Cricut and your favorite scrapbooking supplies. Cut large patterned paper hearts to decorate your windows for Valentine's Day. Decorate your Christmas tree with simple paper snowflakes. Hang stars made from glittery cardstock from your ceiling to give your New Year's Eve party a festive look. The possibilities are endless!

Vinyl Wall Décor

Decorate your walls with Cricut vinyl letters and shapes.

If you're looking for unique and affordable wall art, consider using your Cricut to cut vinyl decals. Whether you choose to personalize a child's room with his name, add a butterfly border to your hallway, or decorate your office with a fun quote, the Cricut makes it easy to design special wall decals. All you need is your Cricut machine and Cricut vinyl in the color of your choice.

Fun Home Accents

The same vinyl used to make wall decals with your Cricut can also be used to jazz up other items in your home. For example:

Decorate a glass candle holder
Add interest to a plain wastebasket
Jazz up a mirror with a swirled border
Personalize plastic storage containers to keep your home neatly organized

Children's School Projects

If you have children, teaching them how to use your Cricut is a smart move. Instead of spending hours stenciling letters and shapes by hand, they can make their own die cuts for reports and presentations in just minutes.