Cricut Expression....is it a money saver in the end?

[fakereadhed]

Ask yourself if you are going to make $300 worth of diecuts with it.

I can't justify the cost myself to see it as a money saver. If it's a toy you want and can afford go for it, but it's not a money saver.

 

[Shootme]

I have an Expressions and used it to make freezer paper t-shirts for our coming trip to WDW to celebrate my grandsons golden birthday. The total cost for each shirt was less than $5.00. This is my first posting and could not figure out how to post a picture of them.

 

[soccerchick]

I have an Expressions and used it to make freezer paper t-shirts for our coming trip to WDW to celebrate my grandsons golden birthday. The total cost for each shirt was less than $5.00. This is my first posting and could not figure out how to post a picture of them.

OT - what is a golden birthday? Never heard of that...

I have the original cricut and use it a lot for my crafts, kids' school projects, and even work.

 

[Teacher03]

I love my Expression but it is addictive, so NO, it does not save you money! I find I want every cartridge that comes out, I literally put myself on a cricut freeze for the year; the only thing I am buying for 2010 is mats. However, I do find making my own scrapbook pages, cards, etc. very rewarding. I'm a teacher and use it alot for school. If you're not sure it is something you would use alot, try the smaller one, you can usually find it under $100.

 

[alexandmaddie]

OT - what is a golden birthday? Never heard of that...

I have the original cricut and use it a lot for my crafts, kids' school projects, and even work.

A golden birthday is when you turn the age of the day of your birthday.

For example; my son's birthday is 05/05 so his golden birthday was when he turned five. My daughter's birthday is 03/17 so her golden birthday will be when she turns seventeen.

 

[labdogs42]

I use my cricut almost daily. It is the primary source of DISigns for our T-shirts, when combined with another provo craft product the Yudu. We do not scrapbook (no matter how much we swear we are going to start) or make cards. we bought our machine 2+ years ago and love it.

Michael

How do you use the Cricut and the Yudu together? I have the Expressions and I love making tee-shirts, this could be right up my alley!

I have an Expressions and used it to make freezer paper t-shirts for our coming trip to WDW to celebrate my grandsons golden birthday. The total cost for each shirt was less than $5.00. This is my first posting and could not figure out how to post a picture of them.

I would love to know more about these shirts, too. LIke I said, I looove making Disney tees!

Oh yeah, to answer the original question, no you won't save $ with a Cricut, but you will have a LOT of fun!

 

[Mom2Ben02]

I totally think the cricut has saved me money.

I do not buy carts - I have SCAL. http://www.craftedge.com/products/products.html This is a program that you can use to download any font, dingbat or picture that you find online. I love it. I bought mine on ebay.

I re-stick my mats with Zig Two Way glue...have not bought a new one in over a year.

I use my cricut for party decorations, cards, etc. I buy cheap plain solid color bags and add a design to cute it up.

I do wall words all the time - here is my son's room: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=147411&id=748198071&l=c59fae6c38 I spent next to nothing to do his room - well under $100, including bedding and accessories.

I have sold a lot of personalized favors and things that I decorated with vinyl. I buy my vinyl super cheap from H&H Vinyl Supply - much much cheaper than Provo Craft.

I made a ton of our Christmas presents this year, and nothing looked handmade. It all was personalized with vinyl.

Finally - here is the very addicting message board for the cricut...
http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

 

[estherhead]

My mom bought me my Expression as a present a year ago. I've used it every week since & almost daily. I adore it. I also have Sure Cuts a Lot & Inkscape which allows me to not have to spend money on cartridges. But I also have 20 cartridges which I have spent probably $400-500 on the last year. Most I bought almost immediately. I found some amazing deals on E-bay getting one of my favorites for only $8.00! And I just bought myself the Cars cart, Sesame Street, and Happily Ever After Disney princesses. Each for $34.00, no shipping.

As for stickers, I do still buy stickers but no where near what I was spending. I do scrapbook but I don't make cards.

I have used my Expression for vinyl (I bought a ton of PopDots when Lowe's was clearancing them out for NOTHING!) I've made promotional signs for work. I've made awesome yard sale signs & made a bunch of money off all the traffic we got that day. I've got cool vinyl on my van (personalized & Disney, of course), I decorated my eldest daughter's room with it & spent nothing on it but the bedspread & pillows (my mom donated some old furniture & paint.) And we've done decorations for local school plays & our girl's science projects all with the vinyl.

I can't even tell you how much fun I have and with paper (which I always buy on big time sale) and adhesives, albums, new cartridges, and Sure Cuts a Lot, etc. I probably have spent $1000.00 since November of 2008 when I received it. That is an infinite amount fun had, projects done, and photos enhanced in 15 months of $1000.00.

I just this weekend used it to make a diaper tree as a present. It cost me $5.88 for the diapers at Aldi's and about one hour of time. It was the mom-to-be's favorite present.

So, will it save you money? Doubtful. Unless you subtract from your entertainment fund. Because you won't want to go out to movies anymore! You'll just stay in your basement creating.

My dh moved his keyboards down there so he could hang out with the girls and me! And I moved my 2 year old a bunch of toys in my Cricut room so she would have something to do down there too.

Will you love it? I certainly do! But overall save you money? No way.

 

[WDW Enabler]

How do you use the Cricut and the Yudu together? I have the Expressions and I love making tee-shirts, this could be right up my alley!

Using the cricut, and the marker instead of the blade, and the computer program to merge carts/images. "cut" onto a transparancy the final disign. use that to expose the screen for your screen printing.

Michael

 

[leagirl12]

I think over the last few days of reading your posts and checking out the cricut message board I have decided to take the plunge. It looks like so much fun and DD LOVES to do craft things and I think it will be something fun for she and I to use.

I am planning to order it from HSN in the coming days and do it on FlexPay.

Thanks for all of the responses...please keep sharing any information you can.

 

[Tinkerbelle99]

I dont have a Cricut, but would love one!

I just wanted to add that at a local scrapbook shop here has loads of carts that you can 'rent' out instead of buying. I thought that was a great idea, since there are bound to be some carts that you would probably only use for one project....

perhaps it would make the Cricut and carts more of a deal if you didnt have to always buy the new cart.

 

[nunzia]

I have a few tricks to make the cutting mats last longer. In fact, I still have the original mat the expression came with and I purchased the expression in the summer of 2006.

First, purchase the mats from wal-mart, even 50 cents is a savings. Second, purchase the extra large mat (I think is it size 12x24) and cut it in half. Since it comes with 2 in the package, you end up with 4 mats in total. Third, purchase a can (like a spray paint can) of repositionable adhesive (I found mine at Michaels in the same aisle as the modge podge - about $4-$6/can and it lasts forever. I have had the same can for 2 years). Spray the mat when it starts to lose it's stick. And finally, if the mat starts to lose it's stick, wipe the mat down with a baby wipe. Allow it to dry and it will become sticky again.

Hope this helps someone!

Wow..thanks...
OK..newbie here..you can make stickers with Cricut?

 

[Schachteles]

I LOVE my Cricut...and if you have that and enough cartridges, then you need to get the Gypsy too because that is hands down awesome and the best investment!!!

 

[tommya60]

You can make die cuts with the Cricut, then run them through a Xyron for stickers. DD does this on occasion--I mostly glue them in place on cards/scrapbooks, whatever.

Hmm, I don't like the Gypsy, screen too small for me. I love Design Studio, though--I use it on my lap top, it's sooo great.

 

[jacobsmom]

LOVE my cricut! I used it to make all my Christmas gifts Due to my hubby being laid off it took dollar tree glasses and made them look like a million bucks!! I've decorated and altered all sorts of containers! From making cards and envelopes, vinyl designs for on walls and cake containers, etching glasses--- the possiblities are endless! I LOVE making things that are original AND look "strore" bought!

 

[mrsmarilyn]

I love my Expressions. DON'T buy it from the infomercial, that's the most expensive way. AC Moore and Michaels and WallyWorld throw them on sale periodically, usually around Christmas and Mother's Day.

I love all things Cricut. I've had my Expressions for 2 years. I also have a Cricut Create, and a Gypsy.