Cricut question???

[maslex]

I just recently decided that I MIGHT want to get the cricut. Well, I definately WANT it but I just don't have the $$$ for it right now.

But, my mom has one and I saw how it worked just last week. She then told me about the Cricut Expression? I know this is for 12x12 papers and such.

1--But can someone tell me the difference between the regular one and the expression one?

2--Is it worth it to pay the difference for the expression?

3--Are the cartridges more expensive for the expression?

4--Can you use cartridges in both?

And where's the best place to purchase one?

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

1) the differences are the size paper you can cut. With the small one it's up to 6x12 and with the big E it's 12x12 or 12x24. There are also additional features on the big E like centering on an image to cut,. fit to page (fills the whole paper with the image), auto fill will fill the whole piece of paper with the image you select. say 2 inch stars, it will fill the whole page with 2 inch stars, maybe 24 or so.

2) It depends on what you want to do. You re limited in size when it comes to the small bug. Especially if you want to do detailed images such as the Disney princesses. They are tough to do on the small bug. If I had it to do over, I would have just gotten the Big E, I can always drop the size down to the small bug but on the small one I can't go up.

3 and 4) the cartridges and the blades can be used for both machines. As well as the Design Studio software (you need a PC for that though, not Mac compatible).

Best place to purchase? Probably ACMoore when it's on sale. I heard Walmart is going back up on their prices. Do not buy it from the infomercial, they are charging a ton of money.
Check out www.Cricut.com they have a great forum too and you can read about all the carts and see examples. They also have the handbooks for the bugs and the carts in their products section.

let us know if you have anymore questions.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

btw, you are pretty close to me if you ever want to meet up and try out my Expression.

 

[PamCo88]

I just recently got the cricut and now wish I had just bought the big one. I have been trying out the george cart that came with it. Not extremely fond of it, I like my letters a little fatter so they are easier to work with. I also got the mickey shape cart but haven't tested out those yet. Hopefully by the end of the week I can use it enough to give a better answer.

Bought as XMas gift (I had to wait to open until I could find my scrap table)

 

[Raenstoirm]

I think all your questions have been answered, but i thought I would chime in here and say, regardless of which bug you buy you will not be disappointed!

 

[uratoon]

I wish I had waited and bought the big one also! Some of the characters are tough to put together when they are so small!

Hubby told me if I could sell it, we would buy the big one, but everyone I know who scrapbooks already has one.

 

[labdogs42]

I have both the big and little one, both purchased at AC Moore when they had their great sales. I got the little one for $139 and paid $319 for the E bundle that came with 4 cartridges and a set of the pens. I can see uses for both machines. The little bug is portable and easy to take to crops, the big bug, not so portable. The big bug has more options, but the little bug is great, too!

 

[toverly]

I have the baby bug and love it. I can't seem to do a page without it. Coordinating the letter paper with the page pulls everything together. From a scrapbooking standpoint, I can't see the investment in the larger one. I attend alot of crops and take it along. If you have a room and don't go to crops, it might be worthwhile or if you are a teacher or make alot of signs.

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

I just recently got the cricut and now wish I had just bought the big one. I have been trying out the george cart that came with it. Not extremely fond of it, I like my letters a little fatter so they are easier to work with. I also got the mickey shape cart but haven't tested out those yet. Hopefully by the end of the week I can use it enough to give a better answer.

Bought as XMas gift (I had to wait to open until I could find my scrap table)

If you want your letters a little fatter you can select the shadow feature and that cuts them out a little fatter.

I cut mine out in one color the regular way and then select Shadow and cut them out again. THen I glue the thinner letters on the shadow.