Cricut machine differences?

[wdwmickey]

I have the baby bug, but, am considering an upgrade since I can get a discount through CM. Can anyone tell me the differences between the baby bug, the "create" and the "expression". I know that the expression cuts bigger pieces. Or would I be further ahead to get a "gypsy" with a discount (what does it do exactly?) or should I just stay with the baby bug and get SCAL? Thanks for any advice, Cheryl

 

[PrincessNancy96]

The create is just a step up from the baby... It will allow you to utilize the portrait feature... It has the flip feature... auto fill .... It's nice.. had this one after my baby bug.. I just got the expression and you have the portrait, auto fill, flip, multi-cut (great for thicker papers or glitter paper), quantity...so if you want to cut out 10 of something and not utilize the auto fill it works great.. I like the expression because I can make things alot larger than before!!!! I do have my create still because w/ DD going off to college in 2 years I figured it would be nice for her to have...

I don't have the gypsy or scal so you'll have to wait on the others to chime in on that...

 

[wdwmickey]

Thanks, Nancy. My DD loves the cricut so I'll need another one when she goes to school too! Just thinking it would be nice to upgrade. Thanks for the info

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I love both upgrades.... the create did what I need..but my mom was determined to buy me an expression (who was I to argue)... I think our oldest daughters are the same age.. Does your oldest graduate in 2012???

 

[wdwmickey]

Yes, she sure does She's very excited to be an upperclassman this year!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

PJ is very thrilled to be the upperclassmen too... She even more excited this year that she is out of school 3 days a week @ 2:20pm....and then 2 days she gets to leave for her college class at a smaller campus site in town but goes til 4 on those days...but it's college credit so she is thrilled about that!! Guess next year, we will be designing like crazy for the senior moments!!! I've already got her Senior photos scheduled w/ a friend! LOL

 

[queenb123]

wow thanks for the info I never know the difference between them either. I have an expression which I got like a year and half ago and have used it like two times..lol.I have about 18 or more carts to.. I'm thinking of getting rid of it maybe. I never have time scrap and when I do I find it easier to use stickers or chipboard.I was wondering about the gypsy as well. Thought maybe if I get that I would use my Cricut more. I figured one day I will have my own room and time for it. Untill then it collects dust kind of sad.

 

[mecllap]

A scrapbooking queen should probably have the expression and a gypsy. I went quickly from the 6 inch machine to adding Design Studio and jukeboxes, and wish I had gone straight for the "E" from the beginning. I resisted the gypsy for awhile because of the expense and the overall system does have some annoying things about it -- it's not intuitive. Read up on the machines and see what they can do by browsing the message boards at cricut.com -- I just showed my DD some of what the gypsy can do and she was pretty much blown away. There is a learning curve with it -- but it's lots of fun. It allows you to combine different sizes, different colors, images from any cartridges that you own all on one mat (one piece of paper, or various scraps) and cut out lots of stuff at once. It takes over the "E" (or smaller bug) and controls everything, so your cartridges and keyboard overlays will be put away. Makes layering much easier, etc. You can use it on airplanes, while waiting for appts, or waiting to pick up a kid after school, etc. and prepare several mats worth of stuff to cut out when you're ready for a session. Getting into the cricut system ends up being a huge monetary investment, but it adds a lot of fun and utility for cardmakers and scrappers.

I haven't used SCAL -- it also has lots of fans, and certainly is a lot less expensive over time. DD was employed at a craft store and we were able to use her employee discount on cricut items on the rare occasions they went on sale, or I wouldn't have gotten into it in the first place.

There are also lots of videos on YouTube showing how to do things with the Gypsy that are very helpful. Just do a search there.

 

[queenb123]

A scrapbooking queen should probably have the expression and a gypsy. I went quickly from the 6 inch machine to adding Design Studio and jukeboxes, and wish I had gone straight for the "E" from the beginning. I resisted the gypsy for awhile because of the expense and the overall system does have some annoying things about it -- it's not intuitive. Read up on the machines and see what they can do by browsing the message boards at cricut.com -- I just showed my DD some of what the gypsy can do and she was pretty much blown away. There is a learning curve with it -- but it's lots of fun. It allows you to combine different sizes, different colors, images from any cartridges that you own all on one mat (one piece of paper, or various scraps) and cut out lots of stuff at once. It takes over the "E" (or smaller bug) and controls everything, so your cartridges and keyboard overlays will be put away. Makes layering much easier, etc. You can use it on airplanes, while waiting for appts, or waiting to pick up a kid after school, etc. and prepare several mats worth of stuff to cut out when you're ready for a session. Getting into the cricut system ends up being a huge monetary investment, but it adds a lot of fun and utility for cardmakers and scrappers.

I haven't used SCAL -- it also has lots of fans, and certainly is a lot less expensive over time. DD was employed at a craft store and we were able to use her employee discount on cricut items on the rare occasions they went on sale, or I wouldn't have gotten into it in the first place.

There are also lots of videos on YouTube showing how to do things with the Gypsy that are very helpful. Just do a search there.

Thanks for all the gypsy info.. something I might look into. I like that I could save things for later. I even have the DS but never used it. I'm an impatient person.

 

[morgansmom2000]

I have the baby bug, but, am considering an upgrade since I can get a discount through CM. Can anyone tell me the differences between the baby bug, the "create" and the "expression". I know that the expression cuts bigger pieces. Or would I be further ahead to get a "gypsy" with a discount (what does it do exactly?) or should I just stay with the baby bug and get SCAL? Thanks for any advice, Cheryl

I use the Expression with SCAL. I love love love SCAL. There is a way to use, um, "licensed" images, but that would be copyright infringement, so you didn't hear it from me

I would recommend the Expression. Just because it has a bigger mat. I can use SCAL (or CDS - I have both), to set up a cut on a mat with different colored papers, etc., and push cut and walk away. It also does multi-cut and has a fill option, as well as a quantity button.

The Gypsy is Design Studio in a handheld portable device. I have one of those too (yeah, I'm spoiled, wanna make something of it?), and I find the screen is FAR too small to work on, personally. I prefer to design in CDS, and then load it to the Gypsy and cut it out with the Expression, because you don't need to fiddle with cartridges. You just plug it in and (as long as you use cartridges you have linked to the G), it cuts!

My almost 17 YO nephew has borrowed the machine to work on various reports...He wants one for when he goes off to college...

 

[wdwmickey]

Thanks for the info mecllap & MM2000 I guess I need to do some you tube research I'm leaning toward the "E" and the SCAL. My eyesight isn't what it used to be and that screen on the gypsy looks really small to me

 

[mecllap]

Here are some paper dolls I made with the E and Gypsy -- doubtful that I would have tried them without the Gypsy:

I was reluctant about the Gypsy because of the small screen, since I'm 65 and use reading glasses. It does have a zoom function that I rarely use. Got used to it fairly quickly and am doing fine with the small screen. Not that I want to sound like a salesperson, but I have found the Gypsy better for me than CDS was on the full laptop screen. (I can putter away on the G while I'm watching TV in my comfy chair).

 

[wdwmickey]

Those are cute!! I may have to go to the LSS and see if they have a gypsy I can play with. I like the idea of being able to "fuse/link" my letters and to see the layout before cutting

 

[mecllap]

Thanks (I got inspired by the "Disneyfied" thread to try the Paper Doll Dress-up cartridge, and it's really fun). Yes, the letter welding is great; that's actually why I got the CDS, but it's easier for me with the G. I haven't tried layout planning on the G, but you can do that. I am not an organized scrapper -- I assemble and add as I go, with little preplanning.

 

[dogcarbon]

you could go with SCAL now and use with your little bug AND even if you upgrade to another Bug, the SCAL program will work.

I love my SCAL program. The SCAL forum is the reason I love SCAL. They are the most helpful bunch I have ever found. You won't get any of the "drama" that sometimes occurrs on message boards. I have been active their for over a year, and have not seen any such actions.

99% of the time I do not design in SCAL. I design my files in Inkscape and save as an SVG file. (Inkscape is free). The SVG files can be used by both SCAL or MTC.

There are other message boards to learn how to use inkscape too. This a rather new forum, but awesome ladies there too.... http://www.inkscapecuttingdesign.com/index.php

Happy cutting!

 

[czycropper]

I'm now part of the Cricut Army (I'm a demonstrator) and after demoing the Expression and Gypsy - it's on my list for birthday & Christmas. I also the Pink Expression that is sold at Michaels and I'm really hoping that I've dropped enough hints to my DH that he'll get it for me

 

[wdwmickey]

You know it's on a big sale this week right?

 

[bella77]

Is the Expression on sale this week? If so, please share the details! I'm in the market. Thanks!

 

[wdwmickey]

The pink expression is on sale for $299 (reg $399) at least that's the price in the Denver area

 

[CityGirlLost]

I have the original Cricut, a gypsy and an Expression. I intended to sell my baby bug when I got the E but then thought I'd keep it to use for crops. I can't get my Gypsy to work with it for the life of me.

The thing I love about the E that I didn't like about the original machine is the variation in sizes you can cut. The original has a wheel that lets you dial your size. You can't cut any smaller than a half inch and the sizes go up in half inch increments to 5.5". It's pretty limiting.

With SCAL, I don't have it but I want it. Do you need DS for it to work? Also, it means you can cut any true type font you have installed on your PC, right?