This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
Today’s post is JAM PACKED with Cricut Maker projects using the new tools released in mid-2019. These are beginner friendly and perfect for home decor craft lovers.
Part of the allure of the Cricut Maker is that it can do so much. It can cut balsa wood, paper, fabric, vellum, leather, acetate, and the list goes on and on.
The other perk is that the Cricut machine is designed to be almost fail proof. If the right blade or tool isn’t inserted, it’ll let you know.
The adaptive tool system is 10x more powerful than the Cricut Explore, and overall, the Cricut Maker is a modern day workhorse for crafty people.
If you always think of the Cricut as a cutting machine made for scrapbookers, you need to expand your mind and explore the possibilities of this mighty machine!
You could even use the Cricut Maker to cut out sewing patterns for your craft projects.
Overview of New Cricut Maker Tools
When the Cricut Maker was first introduced, Cricut promised to keep releasing additional tools to make it more useful and versatile for projects and DIY’s.
Earlier this month, they delivered on that promise in a HUGE WAY with four new tools to add to their already robust offerings.
The four new tools are an Engraving Tip, Fine Debossing Tip, Basic Perforation Blade and a Wavy Blade.
They are available with the QuickSwap housing which makes changing tips a less than 5-second process with the push of the button at the top.
I’m going to show you a project idea for each of these Cricut Maker tools in a moment, but here’s a quick summary of what each one does:
- The engraving tip allows you to engrave metal sheets or acrylic sheets for a beautiful, crisp look no matter how detailed or intricate the design is.
- The fine debossing tip (if I had to choose a favorite, it’s this one) allows you to create gorgeous debossed (essentially you’re indenting the paper, much like a letterpress finish) designs on cardstock, leather, and more!
- Basic perforation blade is one of those super practical things that comes in handy when you want to perforate something for a clean and easy tear off.
- The wavy blade gives all your shapes a dainty scalloped finish. It’s subtle and delicate, yet super handy for things like bows!
The tools are available NOW, and I really love them all because they can help elevate even a simple Cricut Maker project to a whole new level. Let’s get crafty.
Cricut Engraving Tip Acrylic Sheet Project
If you all know me, you know I love acrylic and lucite. So when I got my hands on an acrylic sheet that I could use with the Cricut Engraving Tip, I knew just what I was going to make.
One of my seriously popular Cricut home decor projects is the DIY lucite memo board I made, so I decided to make a small desk top version for my daily to-do’s.
DIY Acrylic Desk Top Memo Board
Using the new Cricut Engraving Tip, I created a quick, easy and customized desktop acrylic memo board.
Materials
- Cricut Maker & Light Grip Mat
- Cricut Engraving Tip
- Acrylic Sheet (8.5x11)
- Masking Tape
Tools
Instructions
- In the Cricut Design Space, lay out the design of your choice. Since I had an 8.5x11" acrylic sheet, I made my overall design about 8.25x10.25".
- For this design, I kept it simple and put my name at the top, along with some flourishes in the bottom left and right corners all encased in a simple rectangle.
- I grouped and attached all my design elements together (name, flourishes and rectangle) and then clicked on the "Engrave" linetype in the dropdown menu.
- Next, I put in my engraving tip into the Cricut Maker, and removed the protective plastic on ONE side of the acrylic sheet. To keep it mounted safely on my mat, I used masking tape to hold it in place.
- Before pressing the GO button on my Cricut, I made sure to mirror the design (this happens after you click on "Make It") so that the engraving would be the correct orientation on what would end up being the back of my DIY desk top memo board. Once you've done that, press go on your machine!
- Once it is done, you can marvel at your beautiful engraved acrylic sheet. Remove the tape so you can remove the sheet from the mat.
- Prop the sheet up onto a plate holder, grab a dry erase marker and enjoy!
Notes
Please make sure to secure your acrylic sheet using masking tape to prevent shifting during the engraving process.
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Cricut Debossing Tip DIY Tutorial
The Cricut Fine Debossing Tip is my favorite, and that says a lot because I love all of these new tools. I instantly knew I wanted to create monogrammed tags.
These tags could be for gifts or products if you’re a small business owner like myself- my online home decor shop is open and accepting orders!
Personally, I think the debossing tip would be great for creating personalized and unique custom gifts. You could monogram notecards, invitations, business cards, or use the faux leather sheets to create intricate debossed wallets, coin purses, headbands, keychains, coasters, etc.
I’ll definitely be using this Cricut tool a lot and posting my DIY home decor and gift giving tutorials here. Here’s one to get us started.
DIY Debossed Monogram Tags
Create letterpress inspired monogrammed debossed gift or product tags using your Cricut Maker.
Materials
Instructions
- In the Cricut Design Space, create a 2.25" square and a .15" circle. Align/center the circle horizontally about .25" from the top. Select the square and circle and click "Slice" (you'll have to delete a circle or 2) so the circle becomes part of the square. This shape will be set to a linetype of "Cut".
- Add in a border/design of your choice. My border is 1.95" square and the font I used for the MB is Playfair Display. Attach all of your debossed elements together and click on linetype "Deboss".
- Before proceeding make sure your square is set to "Cut" and your debossed design elements are set to "Deboss" in the linetype dropdown menu.
- Group your tag elements together and copy/paste to fill the page. I easily fit 16 or so on the 12x12 sheet of kraft foil. Send it to your Cricut once you have your sheet loaded onto a light grip mat.
- Your Cricut will prompt you to load your debossing tip FIRST. Once it is done debossing, it will alert you to switch to the fine point blade so it can cut and finish up.
- Here's the final result. All you have to do is weed the small circles and remove the tags from the mat.
Notes
This project will require you to switch tools- your Cricut will prompt you on when to do this. DO NOT UNLOAD your mat until both steps are completed.
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Cricut Wavy Blade Project Idea
I thought long and hard about how I was going to showcase the wavy blade, and it finally came to me…a bow!
The wavy blade creates a delicate, subtle, feminine edge to basic shapes, and it really makes any bow you make with your Cricut Maker that much more girly and frilly.
You can use this blade on paper, cardstock, vinyl, iron-on and even fabric! I made some fabric bow ties using this blade and my leftover Schumacher fabric for Pee Wee’s collars, and I also made these darling pink chinoiserie paper bows that are perfect for DIY napkin rings.
The bow is attached to the clip of a curtain ring (yes, a curtain ring!) using double-sided tape and a gold jewel was affixed to the center for a little pizazz.
Reminder: you need to remember to change the linetype to “Wavy” in the dropdown menu in Design Space for each shape/design you want to have this edge.
Cricut Perforation Blade DIY Project
I am so stinkin’ excited about this project because it seems so foo-foo and extra, BUT hear me out… you could use this same tutorial for a gift card holder, party/shower invitation, gender reveals, placecards or to assign characters at a murder mystery party. Lots of options!
I adore doing tablescapes, and the Cricut Maker is perfect for those sorts of extra little touches that really make an impact.
I couldn’t leave my wavy edged bows all by their lonesomes on my dining table, so I added in this fun pagoda with a built in perforation that reveals a very swanky dinner menu behind it.
DIY Chinoiserie Pagoda Menu Card
Using the perforation blade and my Cricut Maker, I created this fun project idea for a menu reveal featuring a chinoiserie pagoda and florals!
Materials
- Cricut Maker
- Cricut Perforation Blade
- 1 Sheet of Patterned Cardstock (Letter size)
- 1 White Sheet of Cardstock (Letter size for printing on)
- Paper Trimmer
- Tape
Instructions
- In Cricut Design Space, layout your pagoda (or other shape of choice). My pagoda is 7.75" tall.
- Create a rectangle shape that you want to be perforated within the pagoda (or whatever shape you use). My rectangle is 2.5" wide by 5" tall. Click the shape and click "Perf" in the linetype menu.
- Create a circle and a square of equal width. Overlay the square halfway onto the circle, select both shapes and use the Slice tool to create a half-circle to place in the center and towards the bottom of your shape.
- Select the shape and the half-circle together and click on "Slice" so the half circle becomes part of the shape. Make sure the linetype for the shape is set to "Cut".
- Place the perforated rectangle back onto the shape- the bottom of the rectangle should be just above the half circle. (Again, make sure line type is set to perf for this shape only!)
- Load a sheet of patterned cardstock onto the light grip mat and click on Make It! Your Cricut will prompt you to load the perforation blade and then you will have to switch to the fine point blade to finish the cut.
- Create a menu that is 2.75" wide and 5.25" tall. I did this in Word and cut it to size with a paper trimmer, but you could also do this in Design Space using the print and cut feature.
- Affix the menu to the back of the pagoda shape right over the perforated area using tape.
- Now your menu is ready for it's big reveal- a person could insert their thumb in the half circle to start opening it without tearing it.
Notes
This is a two tool project- your Cricut Maker/Design Space will prompt you on when to swap tools. Do not unload the mat until both steps are finished!
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Now you see how useful this tutorial is? DIY gift card holders for Christmas is totally going to be a thing thanks to this chinoiserie inspired Cricut Maker idea.
Here’s a fun little sneak peek of even more changes happening in the dining room, plus here’s a lot of Cricut home decor projects in one space.
I hope you enjoyed these project ideas and tutorials, and now that fall and PUMPKIN EVERYTHING is around the corner, you can bet I’ll have plenty more where this came from.
You may also love these home decor tutorials:
DIY Boxwood Wall Tutorial for Outdoor Masonry
Best Paint for Laminate Furniture
Pink Quartz Master Bedroom Accent Wall
DIY Blue & White Chinoiserie Pumpkin
Homeowners Guide to Black Interior Doors
New Cricut Maker Tools & Project Ideas
5 Chic & Glam Coffee Table Decor Ideas
DIY Artificial Orchid Arrangement
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Becky
Sunday 11th of August 2019
On your tags you grouped them...I thought they needed to be attached? Thank you..you have lovely crafts!
Monica Benavidez
Sunday 11th of August 2019
There's several steps- you'll have to attach them to create the design initially and then group and copy/paste to fill the sheet. That's when grouping them is necessary to make the process quicker.
Floranet
Wednesday 31st of July 2019
Extremely Amazing work!!
Jamala
Thursday 25th of July 2019
I got a complete kick out of seeing what you've created with this magnificent piece of machinery... it really makes me want to get one.. but the realistic side of me knows gosh darn well it'll be a waste.. but.. how about you add these to your line to purchase for those like me who'd rather order something and keep it moving..😊...