​​There’s something so satisfying about taking tired items and giving them a fresh and creative twist. With the help of a cutting machine, these three DIY upcycle projects are as easy to make as they are fun. A plain T-shirt, a worn leather pouch and a vintage artwork all get a stylish makeover with a little imagination and clever cutting machines that do all the heavy lifting. Best of all, these ideas are just the beginning – they’re sure to spark endless inspiration for your next upcycling adventure.

Hands hold open a book in front of a white textured wall. Within the book is an upcycled bookmark created with a cutting machine that says ‘Just one more chapter’ in gold lettering.

‍Upcycle Craft: Turn Old Leather Into a Keyring

Got a leather pouch or bag that has seen better days? Give it new life by transforming it into a stylish key ring or a bookmark.

An assortment of items for upcycling a leather pouch, arranged in a neat pattern on a pale yellow surface. Items include key rings, macrame cord and a Cricut cutting machine and accessories.

What You'll Need 

 Instructions

‍‍A series of images showing how to cut up a leather pouch and prepare the material for cutting using a Cricut machine.

‍Step 1: Using the Cricut Design Space software, create the silhouette for your key ring or bookmark. For a key ring, you’ll need to create a mirrored shape that will be folded over and glued together with a thinner section for the key ring. For a bookmark, be sure to cut a hole at the top for decorating with some macrame cord.

Step 2: Place your strong grip mat into the machine and place your leather onto the mat. If it moves around even a little, add masking tape to the edges to keep it in place.

A series of images showing a piece of leather being stuck down to a cutting mat and being fed through a Cricut cutting machine.

‍ Step 3: Follow the Cricut’s instructions and press play to start cutting.

A series of images showing how to weed the excess material from around the leather piece, then removing this piece from the Cricut cutting mat.

Step 4: Weed the excess material, carefully peeling it away from the outside of the leather around the shape, leaving just your key ring or bookmark piece, then remove it from the mat.

A series of images showing how to glue together the piece of pre-cut leather with the ring threaded on to create a key ring.

‍Step 5: If making a key ring, slide a metal ring over one side so it sits in the middle of the shape, then fold over into one piece. Using hot glue, press the two pieces firmly together to adhere them completely. If making a bookmark, loop a piece of macrame cord through the hole at the top, cut to your desired length, then tease out the ends until fluffy.

A series of images showing how to cut out and iron on details using the Cricut cutting machine and an iron.

‍Step 6: You can add a name or initials using iron-on vinyl and the Cricut machine. Follow the iron-on instructions on your vinyl to apply the extra detail.

Upcycle Craft: Transform a T-Shirt With a Stencil

A person wearing a white upcycled T-shirt with a pink and orange abstract leopard print design.

A stencil and some fabric paint spray can transform that old basic tee buried in your drawer into something you’ll wear on high rotation.

SEE ALSO: Nostalgic Mother’s Day gift ideas

An assortment of items to help with upcycling a T-shirt, arranged neatly on a pale yellow surface. Items include a white shirt, fabric paint, a Cricut machine and accessories.

‍What You'll Need

Instructions

A series of images showing how to prepare a piece of vinyl and feed it through a Cricut cutting machine.

Step 1: Using the Cricut Design Space software, create your design, remembering that you will be using the outside of the vinyl, removing all the smaller pieces inside.

Step 2: Place your mat into the machine and place the stencil vinyl down, measuring out a large piece to fit the design.

Step 3: Follow the Cricut’s instructions and press play to start cutting.

A series of images showing how to weed cut-out shapes from a vinyl sheet to create a stencil.

‍Step 4: Once you have removed the mat, take the vinyl off and carefully weed the shapes inside using the Cricut weeding tool.

A series of images showing how to stick a stencil onto a shirt and spray fabric paint to create a pattern.

‍Step 5: Either using Cricut transfer tape or gently removing it from the backing, take the stencil shape and press firmly onto your T-shirt.

Step 6: Once in place, cover any excess areas of the T-shirt with leftover vinyl or paper towel to protect it from paint splatters, and insert the Cricut cutting board or a piece of cardboard between the layers of the shirt to stop paint from seeping through.

Step 7: Spray your fabric paint in light layers over the stencil. Use a hairdryer to dry the fabric between some layers to ensure the colours don’t all bleed into one another.

Step 8: Use your paper towel to blot away some of the paint as you go, which will prevent it from pooling on the design.

A series of images showing a stencil pattern being extended to cover the entire shirt front to complete the upcycled shirt.

‍Step 9: Once mostly dry, remove the stencil and move it around the tee until you have completed the painting.

Step 10: Apply a very light spritz of paint to cover any little mishaps and blend the design.

A series of images showing a completed upcycled shirt featuring an orange and pink abstract leopard print, being scrunched up, folded up and then laid out flat on a pale yellow surface.

Step 11: Allow the T-shirt to dry completely, then it’s ready to wear!

SEE ALSO: DIY Gift Ideas to Celebrate Life’s Small Moments

A series of images showing a black T-shirt being upcycled using red fabric paint and a black vinyl decal to create a small flower.
With a variety of fabric paint styles and application options available, there’s a world of possibilities and textures to explore when it comes to upcycling your clothes and accessories, like this simple and effective flower design. Even the smallest stencils can have a big impact.

‍Upcycle Craft: Make Over a Vintage Artwork

Hands hang an upcycled landscape painting. The vintage frame displays a painted dirt road and trees, embellished with colourful, playful flowers.

Whether it’s a painting or print you have lying around in the garage or a cool thrifted piece of art, adding colourful vinyl shapes can give it a whole new look worthy of hanging on your wall.

An assortment of items to help with upcycling vintage art, arranged in a neat pattern on a pale yellow surface. Items include an artwork and a Qcut machine and accessories.

‍What You'll Need

Instructions

Step 1: Find your artwork and dream up some ideas to add to the painting to enhance what has already been created.

Step 2: Download the Qcut app and follow the instructions to set up your machine.

Step 3: Either create your design within the app or add images or designs directly from your phone.

A series of images showing how to prepare a piece of vinyl and feed it through the Qcut machine.

Step 4: Place the Qcut mat into the machine, choose your vinyl and cut a piece to size.

Step 5: Press ‘cut’ on the Qcut app and watch while it cuts the shapes for you.

A series of images showing how to weed away excess vinyl from shapes cut in the Qcut machine.

Step 6: Remove the mat and weed away any excess vinyl until only your shapes are left on the backing sheet.

A series of images showing how to carefully place cut-out vinyl pieces onto a painting using the Qcut handling tool.

Step 7: Start placing them onto your artwork and watch the magic take place.

Step 8: Once finished, hang on your wall and enjoy your new masterpiece!

Craft Like a Pro With the Glowforge Aura

Looking to take your DIY game to the next level? The Glowforge Aura Craft Laser has the ability to precisely cut and engrave a huge range of materials, from wood and acrylic to cork, rubber and even chocolate. Imagine creating a personalised hardwood place setting, a gift bag of monogrammed chocolate hearts, one-of-a-kind acrylic earrings or a plywood organiser perfectly sized for your desk – the creative possibilities are endless.

SEE ALSO: The Creative Tech These 4 Artists Swear By