This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cricut. All opinions are 100% mine.
Spruce up your front door with the Cricut Maker! Learn how to create this simple painted welcome mat and a DIY wooden sign for Your wreath. So fun and so easy!
Summer is here which means lots of time spent outside! If you’re anything like me, the extra time at home lately has me itching to do all sorts of outdoor projects.
I’ve been working on a makeover of our interior doors recently but decided to take an afternoon to scratch that outdoor project itch with a couple of quick projects on our front porch. After all, the exterior of my front door needs some love just as much as the inside!
If you’re looking for ideas to spruce up your front door this summer, I have two quick projects for you today–a painted welcome mat and a cool DIY wood sign to add to your wreath. Both projects were possible thanks to my Cricut Maker!
Pssst…Cricut is sharing a ton of DIY home decor inspiration this summer! If you need new Cricut project ideas or reasons to get a Cricut, you’ll be blown away by all of the fun decor ideas at inspiration.cricut.com.
Don’t miss these Cricut Basics blog posts:
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3 Big Reasons I Love The Cricut Maker
Before we get to the project tutorials, let’s take a minute to chat about the things that make the Cricut Maker amazing.
1. It’s incredibly versatile
The Cricut Maker is the ULTIMATE smart cutting machine and the most versatile, powerful machine in the Cricut family. The number of materials it cuts will shock you (300, yes you read that right, 300 different materials!). There are nearly endless project possibilities with the Cricut Maker because of its cutting capabilities.
- Cut wood like basswood and balsa wood like the wooden hello sign I added to the wreath you see in this post.
- Cut leather to make projects like these cool leather cord wraps I made (everyone asks where I bought them😉).
- Cut adhesive vinyl to make the pantry labels everyone asks me about non-stop
- Cut iron-on vinyl to make one-of-a-kind T-shirts like this sweet Christmas shirt I whipped up for my kid an hour before the neighborhood party.
- Cut fabric for sewing projects (very handy for DIY face masks!).
- Cut delicate materials like crepe paper, foil, and lace so you can make party decorations for days (if only I would have had a Cricut when I was crafting up a storm for my wedding!).
- Cut chipboard for labels and craft projects like the cute heart gift tags in this photo below.
Check out my full guide the Cricut Maker materials for a comprehensive list of all the materials you can cut with this powerful crafting tool.
2. It’s User Friendly
If you’re new to Cricut then I know these machines can seem intimidating, but I promise you they are not as complicated as they seem!
I will admit to being a little nervous to open up my fancy new Cricut Maker when I first got it, but Cricut literally had me set up and creating my first project within a few minutes! Seriously, your new machine will (practically) hold your hand and guide you through your first project so you can learn the basics immediately.
People also worry a lot about the software being complicated but I promise you it’s not. You can access Cricut Design Space on desktop and mobile (many of my projects have been designed in waiting rooms and on long car rides). There are lots of capabilities to design projects from scratch, but Design Space also has tons of ready-to-make designs. Just search for a project you like and you’re ready to cut!
The actual cutting process is pretty simple as well. The software does an amazing job of stepping you through each part of your project. It will tell you when to load what material and when to switch out the different blades.
3. You Get A lot of value for your investment
Cricut Maker is the most advanced cutting machine out there. That makes it a game-changer for crafting while also making it an investment. I won’t downplay the fact that Cricut Makers come with a larger price tag than likely any of your other crafting supplies.
I 100% believe your Cricut Maker will pay for itself many times over. I’ve saved so much money by making personalized gifts, creating my own custom labels and gift tags, making DIY home decor, and creating fun T-shirts for everyone in my family. And in addition to saving you money, many people also sell their Cricut projects!
Cricut continues to add to the Maker’s suite of tools that unlock new crafting possibilities. You can currently cut, draw, score, deboss, engrave, and create perforations and wavy lines, all with one single machine. It really does everything I’ve thought of so far!
DIY Painted Welcome Mat & Wreath
Now let’s get into a couple of projects so you can see for yourself what the Cricut Maker can do.
Cricut asked me to create one front door decor project for this post but I was having so much fun that I ended up turning the same pre-made design into two different projects. I just couldn’t help myself!
DIY Painted Welcome Mat
Create your own DIY painted welcome mat with cheap craft paint + a Cricut stencil! You can add any phrase or personalization you want and complete this entire project in less than an hour!
Materials
- Cricut DesignSpace Design
- Cricut Removable Vinyl
- Outdoor Craft Paint (Black)
- Round Foam Brush
- Coir Rug
Instructions
- Click here to open the design in Cricut DesignSpace.
- Click "Customize" to adjust the size of the design, then click "Make It" and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Stick your vinyl onto the cutting mat and insert into your Cricut Maker.
- Insert the fine-point blade and click "Go" to begin cutting.
- Weed away the words and leave the negative space attached to the white backing paper.
- Pull off an inch of the backing paper on one short edge and align your vinyl on the coir mat.
- Slowly peel off the backing and smooth the vinyl down onto the mat as you go. Take your time with this step.
- After the vinyl is in position, firmly press it down onto the mat.
- Use a round foam brush to dab the paint onto your design using an up and down motion. Do not brush back and forth or your paint will likely bleed underneath the vinyl stencil. The vinyl may lift up while you work so use a finger to hold it in place while dabbing on the paint.
- After the design is covered with paint, carefully remove the vinyl stencil.
- Touch up the paint as necessary. I dabbed another light layer of paint over the whole design to darken the color.
- Allow to dry per the paint manufacturer's instructions.
Recommended Products
This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for details.
DIY Magnolia Wreath With Wood Sign
This DIY magnolia wreath is an inexpensive project made with craft store stems and a cheap grapevine wreath base. Add a wooden sign (made with Cricut Maker) and some ribbon and you have beautiful front door decor!
Materials
- Cricut DesignSpace Design
- Cricut Basswood (1 Sheet)
- Wreath
- Masking or Packing Tape
- Floral Wire or Crafting Wire (to attach the sign to your wreath)
- Gold Spray Paint
Tools
Instructions
- Click here to open the design in Cricut DesignSpace.
- Click "Customize" to adjust the size of the design, then click "Make It" and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Use the scraper tool to burnish the basswood firmly onto the cutting mat. Secure the basswood on all sides with masking or packing tape.
- Move the white star wheels all the way to the left, insert the cutting mat into your Cricut Maker, insert the knife blade and click "Go" to begin cutting.
- When the first cut pass has been completed, Design Space calculates the expected cut time remaining. The blade will make several passes so this will take some time. Check on it often to ensure the basswood stays stuck to the mat and there are no loose wood pieces that could interfere with the knife.
- After the cut is complete, remove the basswood from the cutting mat.
- If there are parts that didn’t cut all the way through, flip the piece over and use a TrueControl Knife to gently follow the cuts until the piece is free. Protect your work surface with a self-healing mat.
- Carefully lay your wood design on a protected surface and apply a light coat of spray paint.
- Once dry, use thin floral or craft wire to secure your wood design to the wreath.
Notes
For troubleshooting tips, visit https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009431394-Cricut-Maker-Cutting-basswood-with-Knife-Blade
The magnolia wreath I used is a thrifty DIY project. You can see that full tutorial here: https://smallstuffcounts.com/diy-magnolia-wreath/
Recommended Products
This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for details.
I hope you found some new Cricut inspiration today! Check out all of the fun home decor projects Cricut is sharing this summer over at inspiration.cricut.com.
And if you’re interested in getting a Cricut Maker, you can go check it out at Cricut.com.
Looking for more Cricut inspiration? Take a look at these blog posts:
- What materials does the Cricut Maker cut?
- The Complete Guide To Cricut Blades For Beginners
- How To Make Pretty Pantry Labels With Cricut Vinyl
- 25 Personalized Gifts Made With Cricut
- DIY Christmas Shirt For Kids
Have a fantastic day!
