Trash to Treasure: How to Make Stunning Cricut Wall Art with Recycled Cereal Boxes!

Learn how to transform everyday recyclables like cereal boxes, Jell-O cups, and paper scraps into gorgeous Cricut-cut wall art with step-by-step guidance.

Discover a sustainable and creative way to craft using what you already have at home! In this DIY Cricut project, we’ll show you how to upcycle cereal boxes, scrap paper, and small containers into a beautiful 3D flower frame wall hanging. With full instructions for using Design Space, cutting tips, and clever assembly hacks, this guide is perfect for eco-conscious crafters who want to save money and reduce waste—while making something beautiful.

✂️ Materials You’ll Need:

• Empty cereal box
• Scrap cardstock
• Jell-O cups or similar small containers
• Glue or glue gun
• Cricut machine & Design Space
• Dowels or bamboo skewers (for stems)
• Optional: markers, paint, or patterned paper for decoration

🖥 Step 1: Design the Frame in Cricut Design Space

1. Open Design Space and start a new project.
2. Create a 5.75" square for the outer frame.
3. Duplicate and resize a second square to 4.25" for the cut-out window.
4. Center-align both shapes and Slice to create a window frame.
5. Duplicate the frame once more so you have two identical pieces.
6. Use the Circle shape (6.25") and weld it diagonally between the frames to form a stylized cutout.

💡 Tip: Rotate your design diagonally to fit larger shapes onto a 12x12 mat when working with cereal box material.

🌸 Step 2: Create the Heart Petal Flower Template

1. Choose a heart shape with a deep “cleavage” from Design Space's free shape library.
2. Resize the heart to 2" by 1.75".
3. Duplicate and flip it vertically. Align the two hearts side by side.
4. Group them, then duplicate and rotate 90° to form a flower cross.
5. Align and Weld all four hearts into a single flower shape.
6. Add score lines through the center (vertical, horizontal, and two diagonal).

🧠 Design Tip: Score lines help with petal folding to give your flowers dimension.

🖨 Step 3: Cut Your Materials

1. Place the cereal box face down on the mat (design side down).
2. Glue decorative paper or painted scraps to the cereal box before cutting to ensure cleaner alignment.

• Two frames (one for the front, one to reinforce the back)
• Multiple heart-based flowers (you’ll need 5 cuts per full bloom)

🌱 Step 4: Make the Flower Stems

1. Cut scrap paper into strips (about 6" x 1").
2. Roll the paper at a slight angle around a dowel or skewer.
3. Secure with glue at the end and slide off the dowel.

🌼 Step 5: Assemble the 3D Flowers

1. Fold each flower’s petals outward using the score lines.
2. Cut away 1, 2, 3, or more petals from separate flower pieces to make layering possible.
3. Curl the petals with a dowel.
4. Layer smaller flower cuts inside larger ones, gluing at the center.
5. Continue layering until you build a dimensional rose.

🖼 Step 6: Assemble Your Wall Art

1. Glue the top frame to the cereal box backing.
2. Glue your Jell-O cup(s) to the frame where flowers will be inserted.
3. Insert rolled stems and glue into place inside the cups.
4. Attach your flowers to the tops of the stems.
5. Add optional decorative touches (leaves, labels, paint, etc.).

✅ More Tips:

1. Use scraps from your stash to decorate the frame before cutting.
2. Save old Cricut mats to cut template-sized frames.
3. Store and organize your projects using upcycled containers.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Crafting doesn’t have to be expensive or wasteful—some of the most beautiful and meaningful projects come from the things we already have around us. This recycled wall art not only brings your creativity to life, but it also gives forgotten items a second chance to shine. Whether you're saving cereal boxes from the bin or turning scraps into blooms, every cut, fold, and glue dot becomes a small act of sustainability and joy. So next time you reach for the recycling, pause and imagine the masterpiece it could become. Happy crafting—and happy upcycling! 💚

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