Sea Turtle Mandala

With warmer weather approaching in our area, it reminds me of the beach — and my love for all things beach related. I just can’t resist adding a few new pieces to my summer decor, and this Free Sea Turtle Mandala SVG is one of my favorites. This design is a perfect way to bring a little coastal charm into your home, and today I’ll show you how you can make your own Layered Sea Turtle Mandala using my SVG and your Cricut.

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Whether you’re a seasoned Cricut user or just getting started, this is a great beginner-friendly project for working with layered 3D designs.

Layered mandalas are so popular right now because they create such a beautiful dimensional effect with just card stock. My sea turtle design combines delicate mandala layers with the charm of a beachy turtle — and you can make it in your favorite coastal colors!

You can either display your 3D Layered Sea Turtle Mandala in a shadowbox, sit it on a shelf, or even frame it to add to your beach house or summer decor. It also makes a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves turtles or the beach.

Supplies Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• My Free Sea Turtle Mandala SVG – Design #1 (available in my free library)
• Cricut cutting machine
• StandardGrip or LightGrip cutting mat
• Card stock in various colors (I like to use shades of teal, aqua, white, and sandy neutrals)
• Adhesive (foam dots, glue dots, or craft glue for layering)
• Optional: Shadowbox or frame for display

How to Make the Layered Sea Turtle

Step 1 – Download the SVG
Grab my Free Sea Turtle Mandala SVG from my free library. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can join and get access to all my free files.

Step 2 – Upload to Cricut Design Space
Open Design Space, upload the SVG, and add it to your canvas. Resize it to fit your frame or display area. For shadowboxes, I typically size it between 8” to 10” wide.

Step 3 – Choose Your Colors
Pick your cardstock colors! This is where you can get creative — I like to use beach-inspired shades like aquas, soft blues, tans, and white.

Step 4 – Cut the Layers
Place your cardstock onto your cutting mat, one color at a time, and let your Cricut do the cutting. Make sure to use the correct pressure and material setting for the cardstock weight you’re using.

Step 5 – Assemble Your Layers
Once all the layers are cut, stack them up in the correct order. You can refer to the design file or my assembly guide. Use foam adhesive dots between layers to create the 3D effect, or use glue if you want a flatter look.

Step 6 – Display Your Sea Turtle
Now your Sea Turtle Mandala is ready! Place it in a shadowbox, frame it, or simply sit it on a shelf as part of your summer beach decor.

This Layered Sea Turtle Mandala is one of those projects that’s not only fun to make, but also relaxing and rewarding. It’s perfect for summer, beach homes, or gifting to your turtle-loving friends.

If you’re looking for more summer crafts, be sure to check out my other free summer SVGs on the blog — I have lots of designs perfect for your Cricut crafting!

Happy crafting,

Carla