Getting Started with a Cricut Explore Air – First Project Ideas

Thinking about getting a new Cricut Cutting Machine or perhaps you have one and don’t know where to start? Getting started with a Cricut Explore is easier than ever! Today I’m sharing a very easy DIY project to get you started, plus lots of Cricut Project Ideas to get you off to a great start!

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I received my first Cricut cutting machine a few months ago and getting started with a Cricut was so easy and simple that I’ve upped my DIY game by leaps and bounds!

So What Is A Cricut?

A miracle in a box would be my first thought. Really, though, a Cricut Explore Air is nothing less than the easiest way to take a DIY project from wow to WOW! Whether you are brand new to DIY or a creative pro, a Cricut can help you make personalized, professional quality products simply and affordably. 

You can cut and create projects for home decor, parties and events, apparel, and so much more!

Is a Cricut Easy to Use?

As someone who has owned other brands of cutting machines thinking it would simplify my process, let me tell you that I was skeptical. I didn’t have very good luck with another machine, and in fact, it sometimes made things more complicated. With the Cricut, everything was so easy to set up, easy to understand how to get started, and easy to use that I was blown away with how much I could create!

Right out of the box Cricut makes it easy for you to get going by giving you a simple ‘starter project’. They include the materials and directions on getting started with a Cricut, walk you through exactly what to do, and in the end, you get an amazing first project that looks so professional most people won’t even realize you made it yourself!

Look at how great this card looks — all I had to do was plug in my machine and follow the prompts!

Getting Started With a Cricut – A First Project Idea

While there are plenty of Youtube videos to go around on how to actually use your Cricut for different projects, sometimes it can seem a bit of a daunting task to sift through all the potential craft ideas. My cousin has had a Cricut for quite some time and I’ve seen some of the things she has made — even that was a little nerve-wracking as I wondered if I’d be able to do the same.

Once you get into actually using your Cricut though, it really is easy to master. 

Here is a first project idea that I created where you can follow along step-by-step, but scroll down further for a full list of projects perfect for getting started with a Cricut.

DIY Window Clings

The first project I decided to tackle was window clings. Not only are they really easy to make, they can provide a quick and easy solution to holiday decor, sprucing up your bland windows, or even decorating picture frames in a fun way!

Since my kids love to be in on all the DIY fun, they decided that we should do window clings for the upcoming holiday season.

Cricut had provided me with some white/clear cling material, which was perfect for making snowflakes. 

These clings really are easy to make. I think we were done from design to hanging on the window in about 20 minutes or less. 

How To Make DIY Snowflake Window Clings

Use these simple steps, you will be ready in no time!

Step 1) Adhere your Cricut Brand window cling material to your cutting mat, liner side down. I had a 12 x 24 mat so I used that, but a 12 x 12 mat will work just fine as well.

Step 2) On Cricut Design Space, click Create A New Project. Then simply click insert images and search for a snowflake design you like. I used the above-pictured design because it was a very simple design that wouldn’t require any weeding (removing unwanted pieces), and it was a free image this week. Insert the Image into your design. 

Step 3) Adjust the size to your liking. I did a few 9 x 9 snowflakes, a few 6 x 6, and a bunch of 2 x 2 sized flakes so that I’d have a variety. 
NOTE: You can make one size at a time, cut, then go back and do another size and re-cut. Another way is to click on the design and hit the Duplicate button in the lower right-hand side of your screen, this will allow all three sizes to be cut at the same time.

Step 4) Hit the GO button on your screen and follow the prompts. The correct cut setting should be Custom, Window Cling.
In the preview screen, you can move your snowflakes around on the mat so they are exactly where you want them to be cut. This is great because it lets you have less wasted material. 

Once everything is to your liking, hit GO again and follow the on-screen prompts. 

Step 5) Simply remove the mat from the machine, peel off your snowflakes, and you are ready to place them on your window!

Easy Projects for Getting Started With A Cricut

Cardstock

One of the easiest things to use is cardstock. Grab your favorite designs and get cutting with these simple ideas. Any of the designs linked below are just some of the example projects, to search for an easy project for yourself, simply head over to Design Space and see what is available!

Cards

I love making my own cards. Adding a personal touch just makes it mean that much more for the recipient, and with a bit of cardstock, your Cricut, and some of the pre-made designs in Design Space, you can have your own custom cards simply and easily!

This Thanksgiving Card is super easy to make, and the pattern is already made for you so you simply need to follow the instructions right in Design Space and cut!

Invitations

Give your invites a personal touch by designing them yourself! With the Cricut Explore Air you can not only cut out the design, but you can write on the invitations in your preferred font right from the machine as well! This easy Groot birthday card comes with simple to follow instructions right in Design Space.

Coloring Pages

Want to make your own fun coloring pages? It is so easy with the Cricut pens and Explore Air!

Iron On

Start with something simple, like these one color flourishes that take bland winter gloves and turns them into a fashion accessory! After you’ve mastered these, move on to more colors and layers. 

Party Games, Decor, and More!

Want your wedding and/or party to stand out? Try making some fun games and decor with the easy to follow instructions in Design Space. This Hopeless Romantic Tic Tac Toe game is really easy to make and so much fun to play at a party!

These are just a few ideas to help get you started, but there is so much more to be made. You can see a full list of fun ready to make projects right in Design Space or start designing your own project. The possibilities are endless!

More Cricut Craft Inspiration

Head over to my Cricut Craft section for more tutorials and crafting inspiration. Don’t forget to check out my sister site, Rock Your Craft, which has even more crafting fun!

Want a little extra help? Join me in my Cricut Learning Facebook Group!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.