Cricut Tips?

[tinklvr64]

Do any of you have some "tips" that you have found in using your Cricut? I just got a Cricut Expression for Christmas....
Thanks!

 

[WDWMom]

The more detailed the cut, the bigger you want to make it. I have had several pieces get creamed because it was just too detailed and it couldn't cut it small. ALso cut the detailed items as slow as possible.

 

[Lisa]

I recommend opening the cartridge book and playing with the steps provided in the project given.

 

[123SA]

I have tip!!! The clear cover that protects the mats is NOT the same on both sides. Before you take it off your mat, write the word TOP (or anything) so you know which way is up. When the cover is on correctly, it slides right off. When it is on upside down, it tears off the sticky as you remove it.

Before you give up on a blade, check to make sure that nothing is stuck in the housing or on the blade. I have found that Bazzill and glitter cardstock are really hard on the blades -- a blade that won't cut those papers well anymore still does fine on lighter weight or non-textured cardstock and patterned papers

Construction paper ruins your mats and blades.

If you are cutting out something that has a lot of small pieces, I put a small dot on the back of the item so I know which way is up - -it can be frustrating at times to keep playing around with the pieces every which way to get them to line up.

 

[Mischief_Managed]

That's a great tip, Susan, about the cover sheet. I've wondered if they are different - top versus bottom, and have tried both and couldn't figure it out. But did realize that sometimes the sticky went away faster. Could be why! So I will label the new mats' covers I got before I even use them. Thanks!

I have a tip for cutting things with many layers - if you can swing it (afford it), have several mats. Then you can keep the various cuts on the mat, while cutting the next pieces without lifting them off the previous mat. Helps a lot when putting together those things with lots of little pieces. You just take them off the mats as you need them, and then you don't have to worry about orientation or *gasp* losing pieices (like losing Ariel's eyes or Jasmine's earrings - I've done both before getting several mats in the process.) So frustrating to put a character together to only realize later that you needed those little bits that you threw away!

 

[123SA]

That's a great tip, Susan, about the cover sheet. I've wondered if they are different - top versus bottom, and have tried both and couldn't figure it out. But did realize that sometimes the sticky went away faster. Could be why! So I will label the new mats' covers I got before I even use them. Thanks!

I have a tip for cutting things with many layers - if you can swing it (afford it), have several mats. Then you can keep the various cuts on the mat, while cutting the next pieces without lifting them off the previous mat. Helps a lot when putting together those things with lots of little pieces. You just take them off the mats as you need them, and then you don't have to worry about orientation or *gasp* losing pieices (like losing Ariel's eyes or Jasmine's earrings - I've done both before getting several mats in the process.) So frustrating to put a character together to only realize later that you needed those little bits that you threw away!

THat's a good one too. Multiple mats makes it easier.

C'mon -- there are more tips out there --let's hear them!

 

[Marshay]

Ok, this probably is really basic but I'll share ...

1) When working with many small pieces like eyes, nose, mouth, accessories, etc, I put a small different color scrap piece down for each section on my 12 x 12 mat and just move the blade to the next piece of paper to cut. This way I save time by not having to 'unload paper' after just cutting out 2 eyes ... also saves my mat since I'm not putting a large piece of paper down and only cutting a small section of it and lets me use my scrap paper instead of throwing it away.

2) I also cut multiple pieces that are using the same paper color all on one 12 x 12 mat -- even if they are different images or sizes...however, then I write down the size for each so I don't forget (i.e., the blue for Donald's hat is 3" but the same blue to make Goofy's pants is going to be 4" since I'm making a 4" Goofy but a 3" Donald figure.

Hope this makes sense.

 

[tinklvr64]

Thanks for all of the tips.....keep em coming!