5 Projects You Didn’t Know The Cricut Explore Air 2 Could Make

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I love to think outside the box, especially when it comes to crafting, and come up with fun and unique ideas for projects.  It’s probably why I love upcycling and repurposing so much.  That thinking has also translated to crafting with my Cricut, and while we all know how versatile the Cricut Maker is, I’ve made a number of projects that you probably didn’t know the Cricut Explore Air 2 could make.  I thought it might be fun to take a look back at five of my favorites and the unique ways I used the machine and materials.

Cutting vinyl and iron on are two of the most common ways to use Cricut machines and I use mine to cut both those materials all the time!  I love being able to quickly customize a sign or a piece of clothing in just minutes.

The Cricut Explore Air 2 is also capable of cutting so much more and it can really take your crafting to the next level.  Let me show you five of my favorite projects made with the Cricut Explore Air 2.

Cutting Wood Veneer with the Cricut Explore Air 2

Did you know you can cut wood veneer with the Cricut Explore Air 2?  I made a gorgeous monochromatic floral wood veneer wreath using the deep point blade.  The deep point blade has a longer blade than the regular fine point blade and slices through wood veneer without any trouble.

When you select the wood setting on the machine, it automatically makes multiple cuts, ensuring the blade goes fully through the wood.

I used the same technique to make cute wooden bunny napkin rings that add a whimsical touch to an Easter tablescape.

One thing to note when you’re working with wood veneer: be sure to use the spatula tool to lift the wood pieces off the cutting mat.  If you’re not careful, they can snap fairly easily and you’ll be back to square one … and no one likes a crafting fail {wink}.

Cutting Fabric with the Cricut Explore Air 2

Everyone knows you can cut fabric with the Cricut Maker but did you know you can also cut fabric with the Cricut Explore Air 2?  I’ve talked to so many people that have no idea it can do that.  The key is to use bonded fabric.  You can accomplish this easily by applying heat and bond or a similar material to the back of the fabric before you cut it.

Last Christmas, I made upcycled monogrammed stockings out of placemats and they turned out so cute!  I used Cricut patterned fabric but you can use any fabric scraps you might have in your stash or hit up the remnants bin at your local fabric store.  Since they take so little fabric to make, monograms are a great way to minimize waste after a bigger sewing project.

You can customize shirts with an initial or a little flower or add a fabric monogram to a mug {and it’ll even be dishwasher safe if you follow the instructions in that post}.

One of my favorite things about owning a Cricut machine is being able to personalize absolutely anything.

Applying Iron On to Wood

I mentioned above that everyone knows you can use the Cricut Explore Air 2 to cut iron on but did you know that you can apply iron on to wood?

Using the same technique you’d use to apply iron on to fabric, it can be adhered to a wood background. 

Unlike vinyl, the iron on lays really flat against the wood, making it look like it was painted on.  

If you haven’t added a Cricut EasyPress 2 to your crafting arsenal yet, I’d add that to the wish list.  It’s the easiest, most effective way to apply iron on onto any surface, but especially wood.  With the consistent dry temperature, it makes the process foolproof.

Cutting Kraft Board with the Cricut Explore Air 2

Letter boards are so popular right now and I love them!  I have three different ones in my home {not including the ones my younger girls have in their rooms} and I change the messages out all the time.  They’re especially fun for seasonal decorating.

Have you ever thought about adding a personalized element to a letter board by creating your own accessories to pair with the plastic letters?

The Cricut Explore Air 2 slices through kraft board, poster board, and chip board with ease so you can use any of those to create different words or symbols for a letterboard.  Grab your tween or teen and come up with some fun ideas for customizing the boards in your home.

Cutting Aluminum with the Cricut Explore Air 2

I don’t lead a zero waste lifestyle but I do like to recycle some of the trash in our house, especially colorful aluminum soda or drink cans! 

The Cricut Explore Air 2 has no trouble cutting through thin aluminum and I used it to cut flowers from empty aluminum cans then added them to a wreath.

When cutting aluminum, use the strong grip mat to hold the material securely in place and be careful not to cut yourself on the raw edges when handling the cut pieces.

I’d love to know what unique materials you’ve cut with your Cricut Explore Air 2 and what fun projects you’ve made!  Leave a note in the comments or share photos on the Dukes and Duchesses facebook page.