Convince me to buy a Cricut

[JandJ]

I'm considering getting a Cricut but questioning how much I will use it. I don't use a lot of paper embellishments now, but I wonder if I made them myself if I would use them more. If you have a Cricut can you please tell me, which one you have, why you love it, examples of what you use it for, how often do you use it, what carts are best, etc. What other die cut machines do you use? TIA!

 

[logan&tylersmama]

first check out the cricut website www.cricut.com look at the message board - there are TONS of ideas - crafts, scrapbooking, cards, home dec. EVERYTHING.
I LOVE my cricut - I use it EVERYDAY - even if it is just for 5 minutes to unwind before or after work. I have 2 boys so they like me to cut out stuff for them. We were on a pig kick this week for my 2 year old son - then he needed a wolf. I use it for school project for my 6 year old son. I make cards and gifts - alot of scrapbooking - you never have to buy ABC stickers again and run out of the same letters. I make my own letters - any size and color - love it just for that alone!!! made a scrapbook page of my son eating cherrios and cut out the letters with cherrio paper.
I havent bought a greeting card in ALONG time - i just make my own.
if you have more questions let me know
I have the expression - started with the smaller one and then sold it to a family member. I currently have 36 cartragies.
Jennifer

 

[HappyStamper]

I know a lot of people love them but die-cutting machines just aren't my cup of tea. I've never been one to use alot of die-cut shapes and I don't mind handcutting titles. I'm a cheapskate at heart and just can't get past how expensive the cartridges are. If I ever break down and spend the money on a machine it will be one that doesn't require cartridges.

 

[shannon1219]

I saw an infomercial last night and bought one on a 30 day trial then 4 monthly payments. They also offered and extra cartridge free and a huge discount on the two Disney cartridges. I am waiting for it to arrive so that I can start working with it to see if I like it or not.

 

[Mrs.Charming]

I LOVE mine!! I used to have the Sizzix but rarely used it because I found it to be a pain even though I loved the way it looked when I made titles with it. The cricut is SOOOOO easy to use! I have the baby bug but have my eye on the Expression. I'm starting to save now

 

[TiggerFamily]

OMG, I can't tell you how much I LOVE my Cricuts. I use it all the time, I use it for scrapbooking, school projects for my kids, signs for retreat I can go on and on. I just bought the Cricut vinyl, I'm going to make a saying for my living room walls with it. Mickey Font is my favorite font. Even if you get the Cricut for just the Disney cartridges it's so worth it. A new Pooh and friends cart is coming out in April. I leave my Cricut set up in my living room that's how much I use it. I have both bugs, I got the small one before the Expressions came out, I wouldn't have gotten the little bug if they BIG E was out, so I'd say buy the BIG E. I know you will love it! Cricut and CM are the two best things to ever happen to scrap booking IMO.

 

[OlderMan]

FWIW...

DW has TWO--the original that uses 6" x 12" paper, and the newer one that uses 12" x 12" paper.

Sad to say, but she LOVES them!!

She's used them to make invitations, Holiday cards, birthday cards, thank you cards, etc.

Our DD's (9 and 11) use them for thank you cards and birthday cards.

DD's have also used them for school projects--lettering for science fair backboards and for a math "game" that one of them did last year.

Just be VERY careful. They can be more addicting than crack cocaine!!

If you have a friend with one, try it out OR, sometimes the craft stores (Joanne's comes to mind) have classes where you can use them, for a nominal fee.

 

[Kim1964]

The Cricut rocks! I have both machines, though I use my Expression almost exclusively now. I held onto my baby bug in case I ever go to a crop (which I've never done, but you never know!). My pages have gotten so much nicer since I started using it. I don't do tremendously complicated pages with tons of stuff on every square inch of the page. Still, I have nicer titles and I LOVE being able to cut letters WHATEVER SIZE I WANT! It's also GREAT to not run out of a letter or a shape....just turn that baby on and cut some more.

My Disney album in particular was really fun to put together using the Mickey carts and Dreams Come True. It's nice to make things the size and color I want.

I also make cards now instead of buying them. People love them! I've used it to cut out shapes and letters for my kids' school projects, too. It's amazing how much neater a presentation board looks with die cut letters!

 

[goofyisinphilly]

I got a Cricut on Friday and I think I am in love. Mine came with George and I got the Mickey Fonts. My DH talked me into going ahead and getting it. He told me that in the years he has known me, he has never seen me do anything other than practice and work. I it is time for me to have fun!

 

[calanniebu]

I think it honestly depends on the type of scraper you are. Take a look at the Cricut Boards and even at our own DIS gallery and see if there are things you would like to be able to do. If you find yourself saying, I want to do that over and over then it might be worth it.

I need to join a die-cut anonymous group b/c I have the quickutz, sizzix and cricut. BUT, in my own defense, I did sell three sizzlit alphabets at my LSS' last yard sale.

 

[JandJ]

Thank you for the great replies!

OlderMan - I'm sure DH worries that it will be as addictive as crack
HappyStamper - I'm pretty cheap too, well let's call it "frugal" and that's pretty much why I've stayed away from it but I'm tired of cutting out Mickey heads by hand, buying embellishments that are just not "right" and the lettering is probably why I'm really considering it.

I had a friend who has one but we don't speak any more (long story - short version she owes me $400 - which would pay for the Cricut!) so I don't have the opportunity to try it before I buy it. I like the idea of a 30-day trial, I'll have to look into that. I think I'd like it but I worry that I'd be all gung-ho for the first few weeks and then get bored with it, but that doesn't sound like the case for y'all. I'll check out that Cricut board and think about it some more. Thanks!

 

[calanniebu]

Do you have AC Moore near by? They've had the Expression bundle (machine + 4 carts) on sale for $319 in stores. My DH bought mine for me during their black Friday sale for $300 for that same bundle. Depending on the size you want to cut and the things you want to do, a little bug may work and the price is less than the expression. I'd let you use mine if you were near

 

[JandJ]

calanniebu - You're so sweet! If we lived closer I'd have a cropping buddy too! No, we don't have AC Moore here, and I wish we did because I read about all the great deals everyone finds there.

 

[Kim1964]

Buying it from the informercial may be more expensive than other methods, so keep that in mind. I paid $125 for my baby bug last May, and $299 for the ACM Expression bundle (with 4 carts) in November.

I'm pretty frugal, too, and I haven't had even one second of buyer's remorse.

 

[JandJ]

Let me ask this - do you have to use special paper or anything like that? I saw something about ink and I know printer ink can get very pricey. I'm wondering what the cost will be beyond the initial purchase and each cartridge? Thanks!

 

[Kim1964]

If you want to cut on the 12 x 24 mats, you have to buy special paper that's big enough, but the 12 x 12 mats don't require any special paper. Regular scrapping paper and cardstock work just fine, though I've read that it doesn't do well with construction paper. It's not a printer so you don't have to buy ink at all. There are Cricut markers, and the ACM bundle comes with a set of them, but they aren't required to operate the machine. In fact, I haven't even opened mine yet.

 

[aroyer]

I absolutely love my Expression. I have never regretted buying it. I have used it for cards, scrapbook layouts, DD's science fair projects, DD's birthday cards. I usually hand make the kids birthday cards and I would use my Quickutz for the lettering. This year, making the cards was such a breeze. While it was cutting, I was busy doing other components of the card. It is just so handy. Try cherishedscrapsandcards.com- she is a member of the Cricut message board community and she has AMAZING customer service and super fast shipping.

 

[4mickey2]

when you go on the cricut boards there is an area for swarms.. where cricuters get together for crops.

take a look around on the boards there might just be a swarm near you. you could go and ask if someone would show you theirs. most of us that have them are more than willing to show you what we've learned
cheryl

 

[DarbyB]

Like all of you, I love my Expression. I teach classes locally and for Creating Keepsakes Conventions, so it helps me with kit preps. Last night I cut out everything for a class in 2 hours. Normally it would take me much longer.

If you are concerned about the costs of cartridges, you might check around your area, my LSS rents them.

So I was able to try out, before I bought to make sure I would like them.

MUST HAVE, other than the Dis Carts, PAPER DOLLS.