Did you get a new Cricut machine for a gift and have no idea where to start? These easy Cricut projects for beginners will have you up and making with your new Cricut and make great practice for more advanced Cricut projects!
I remember the feeling of a stare-down with my new Cricut machine several years ago. It sat in its box and tempted to me to open it but I was intimidated and scared that my projects would fail and that I would wish I had asked for a different gift. I already felt bad thinking about what I would say when my mom asked me how I like my Cricut machine and I would have to shamefully reveal that it was still hiding in its box.
I wish I had just started and realized that I was going to learn right off the bat from whichever Cricut projects I attempted. I’m not gonna lie, I’ve had some fails along the way but they are a minuscule percentage compared to all of the Cricut projects that have come out exactly as I intended them to.
One thing I wish I had when I first broke my Cricut out of the box was the foresight to know which types of projects were the best to start with. The kind of easy Cricut tutorials that would be attainable for a Cricut newbie like myself. That’s what I hope to do for you with this post.
If you didn’t get a Cricut machine but you’re thinking about buying one for yourself, ohmygoodness do it! You will become obsessed like every other Cricut-er in the universe! If you’re unsure of which machine to get, you can find the key differences between a Cricut Explore and a Cricut Maker here and you can see the unique features of the Cricut Joy here. The “best” Cricut machine is truly dependent on what you want to use it for primarily.
Getting Started with Your Cricut
Step 1: First things first… open up that box! I promise that it won’t bite you or judge you for your lack of experience. I have learned some of my best techniques and made some of my favorite projects by happy mistakes.
Step 2: Make sure you have the basics to get you started with your beginner Cricut projects. For a Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore, you can find my must-haves here (just omit the knife blade, basswood and fine debossing tip if you don’t have a Cricut Maker). Find my must-haves for the Cricut Joy here.
Step 3: Check out the Cricut Access subscription options and choose which you think you would need. I highly suggest a subscription so that you don’t have to pay a la carte prices for all of the images you will use for your projects. You can learn more about Cricut Access and why you need it here.
If you need further convincing that your Cricut is easy to use, you can find some more pretty compelling points here. 🙂
50 + Easy Cricut Projects for Beginners
Another thing I wish I had when I started… a compilation of easy Cricut tutorials for every material type. If that’s your wish, too, you’re in the right place! We have beginner adhesive vinyl projects, easy iron-on projects, beginner Cricut Maker project ideas and so on and so on. Whatever you’re looking to make, we have it here. Enjoy!
Easy Cricut Adhesive Vinyl Projects
For your first project(s), I recommend starting with Adhesive Vinyl and simple, single-layer designs (you can see my first ever Cricut project here!) Since you can remove vinyl easily, you won’t have any worries about “ruining something” (that concern is part of what held me back in getting started with my Cricut). These are some fun Cricut vinyl ideas to help get you creating!
Cricut Iron-on Projects Perfect for Beginners
Iron-on (also referred to as HTV or Heat Transfer Vinyl) is such a fun way to customize soooo many things. You can apply iron-on to wood, cork, cardstock, felt, shoes, socks, napkins, pillows, of course clothing and so much more. To ensure even and consistent results (and therefore eliminate or at least minimize the chance of mistakes), using an EasyPress is key. Fear not, if you do make a mistake, you can Heat transfer vinyl remover on many materials to remove the design.
Beginner Cricut Papercrafting Projects
Cricut machines first came into popularity among scrapbookers; the paper crafting possibilities are limitless!
Beginner Infusible Ink Projects
If you have Cricut newbie anxiety, Infusible Ink is probably not the very first project you will want to try with your new Cricut. There is a bit of a learning curve but if you’d like to give it a go, just make sure to follow the directions exactly and using an EasyPress is an absolute must. You can read more details about Infusible Ink here.
Cricut Maker Projects for Beginners
Did you get a new Cricut Maker under the tree this year? Check out these easy Cricut Maker tutorials to get creating with my favorite Cricut machine!
Easy Cricut Joy Project Ideas
Are you the proud new owner of a Cricut Joy? These are some great projects that you can make with the unique and exclusive materials to the Joy!
Beginner Cricut Tutorials with Miscellaneous Materials
There are countless other materials that can be cut with your Cricut machines. These are some great projects to get you started with some of them.
Are you ready to get started with your Cricut? If you have any questions along the way (or just want to share your creations with me, I love when you do that!), please never hesitate to hit me up! You can email me directly at lydi@lydioutloud.com or tag me on social (@lydioutloud).
If you’d like to see all levels of Cricut tutorials, beginner to advanced, you can browse through all of the Cricut projects on my site here.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Cricut-ing, I promise you will wish you got one sooner. 🙂
Sandra says
Hello! One of the links, i.e., “Cricut Maker” is no longer good.
Thank you for sharing your talent here. I’m a new CM owner, and I definitely need your tutorials.
Lydia says
Hi Sandra! I’m SO sorry! I’ve taken time off from blogging and just checked in on messages. Thanks so much for your kind words! The links should be fixed now. I hope you’ve found some of my tutorials helpful! 🙂
joanie says
can’t wait to try some of these
Jane says
These are awesome! I’m buying a Cricut next weekend!