How to Make a Hot Mess Canvas {Cricut Project}

How to Make a Hot Mess Canvas utilizing the Cricut machine. This post contains affiliate links which, when purchased through, add no cost to the consumer but help support this site with a small commission. This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate Program. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you are in any Cricut crafting groups, then I’m sure that you’ve seen the Hot Mess Canvas projects popping up everywhere. It is the current Cricut crafting craze. I’ve tried my hand at it a few times, and it is a definitely a fun project! This is especially true if you enjoy painting since the Hot Mess Canvas involves a paintbrush. But, never fear, this project doesn’t require precise painting skills.

How to Make a Hot Mess Canvas {Cricut Project}

Hot Mess Canvas Project Supplies:

Blank canvas
Acrylic paints
Paintbrush
Cricut machine – I’m using the Cricut Explore Air 2 on this project.
Cricut StandardGrip Cutting Mat
Cricut vinyl
Transfer Tape
Cricut weeding tool
Material to protect your crafting surface

For the canvas, I’m using one of these small canvases from CraftProjectIdeas.

Paint the canvas in varying blocks of color. This is the background of the canvas and the portion that will peak through the final color. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.

Open Cricut Design Space. Create the design within the software and cut it out on the Cricut StandardGrip Cutting Mat with the Cricut vinyl.

Weed the design.

Apply the vinyl on the dried painted canvas with the transfer tape. Press and make sure that each piece of the vinyl is secure.

Paint with the foreground color. Paint carefully on any intricate design elements. Sometimes it is even better to dab with a paint sponge around these element than to paint. Depending on the foreground color that you are using, it may take several coats of paint. The most popular foreground colors are white and black. I used purple for this project, and I’m not sure that it is my favorite! Black and white are definitely the most preferred.