cricut vs. cricut expression?

[mommyoftwinz]

I'm looking into buying a cricut machine for scrapbooking and card making. Anyone have any opinions on which they like better? Is the only difference the size of the paper you can use? Thanks.

 

[GrumpyMom25]

I think a lot of people who start out with the smaller of the Cricut family end up eventually getting an Expression. I'm one of those people. I loved my smaller Cricut but being able to make the larger cuts is really nice. There are also more options on the E ... multi cut, flip (which I've seen people use for designing lettering for t-shirts). I actually bought my E because the larger cuts seem easier on the Disney carts.

 

[mommyoftwinz]

Thank you, I'm leaning towards that one but I don't really have any experience with them so I was wondering if I should just go all out and the get the expression. I'm so excited to get it and start scrapping!

 

[123SA]

Originally I planned on getting the baby cricut - -my DH said no, just get the big one. I am so glad I listed to him. I use the features on the E a lot - -especially the quantity button. I cut out a lot of large items for birthday party decorations and school projects. I use the 12x24 mats too --for decorations or when I am doing a big project and need to cut out a whole lot of one item. For Halloween, I cut out 33 bats for DS7 and DS4's classes. I just loaded it up on the 12x24 mat, hit cut and went to work on something else while the cricut was working. This would take a whole lot longer to complete on the original cricut.

Plus, I think I would hate having to cut my paper to 6x12 -- just one more step in the process.

 

[lsim]

Definately go withthe Expression. It is so worth it. I love the quantity and autofill features.

 

[MamaDrama]

I just upgraded to the E. When I bought my baby bug the E didn't exist yet! I wish I had been able to upgrade sooner. I love all the things the E can do!

 

[GrumpyMom25]

Oh ... I forgot about the quantity button. I used it to make little ghosts for my 2 son's classes at Halloween. I punched holes in them and put a lollipop through. Believe I did about 50 of them. As was set ... just press cut and come back when they are done. I love my pink E.

 

[mommyoftwinz]

Thank you everyone, I'm getting my cricut expression for my birthday. I'm gonna go today to get it! You guys have got me inspired to use it for other things besides scrapbooking. Thanks.

 

[GrumpyMom25]

Congrats! You're going to love it. Don't be intimidated when you get it home. Break into that box and get started! It really is easy to use.

 

[brack]

I think a lot of people who start out with the smaller of the Cricut family end up eventually getting an Expression. I'm one of those people. I loved my smaller Cricut but being able to make the larger cuts is really nice. There are also more options on the E ... multi cut, flip (which I've seen people use for designing lettering for t-shirts). I actually bought my E because the larger cuts seem easier on the Disney carts.

This is how we did it. We still have both because sometimes one is easier to use than the other. Plus the small one travels better.

 

[JJ&JHsmom]

So I have been going back and forth about purchasing the cricut expression, DD told DH that I wanted one and he told me to buy the one I wanted or he would buy one for me!!! He told me he might not get the one I want so I would be better off buying it. Soooo I googled it and went to the website Craft-e-corner.com and ordered the expression with the Plantin cart, 6 other carts, a tool kit, and the design software, I was able to get a ten percent off code and saved over $50. DD says I have to wrap it all up and wait a whole month till my birthday before I can use it, but then again she is in school all dayI'm so excited, I can't wait to try out my new toy. Any tips from those who have the cricut on how to use it?
Thanks.

 

[mommyoftwinz]

So I have been going back and forth about purchasing the cricut expression, DD told DH that I wanted one and he told me to buy the one I wanted or he would buy one for me!!! He told me he might not get the one I want so I would be better off buying it. Soooo I googled it and went to the website Craft-e-corner.com and ordered the expression with the Plantin cart, 6 other carts, a tool kit, and the design software, I was able to get a ten percent off code and saved over $50. DD says I have to wrap it all up and wait a whole month till my birthday before I can use it, but then again she is in school all dayI'm so excited, I can't wait to try out my new toy. Any tips from those who have the cricut on how to use it?
Thanks.

Looks like we're in the same situtuation, I just bought the expression for my brithday. My husband was going to buy it but wasn't sure which one I wanted and which carts. I already opened it and just started playing around with it. I've already been bitten by the bug and will probably go this week to look for more carts. It's great! Enjoy yours and Happy Birthday.

 

[Witchwith3]

I was wondering ... can you use the personal with a computer or only the E?

I'm new to this ... and here

 

[jacksmomma]

I got my baby bug when they first came out about 3 or 4 years ago. I really liked it and then I got the Gypsy. Now I love it, but it is a bit small. I would like to be able to do page borders and whole page cuts. Last Nov. on Black Friday I had the E in my cart and pushed it around for a long time, but sadly it went back to the shelf (and boy am I glad I did, DH lost his job 3 weeks later!). I am thinking of getting one here in a few months. If I get one, it will have to be the pink one. I like the look of it and I want pink journey.

 

[jacksmomma]

Any tips from those who have the cricut on how to use it?
Thanks.

Here are my tips...

When you first start use junk paper. It takes a while to get the hang of all the adjustments (speed, pressure, blade depth, etc.) for me starting with letters and simple shapes was easier than paper piecing. Make sure you have the spatula, it is a must for getting tiny objects off the mat or getting anything off a fresh mat. Speaking of mats, when yours looses its sticky, wipe it down with a baby wipe. That should revive it some. When that no longer works use some re positional adhesive to make the mat sticky again.

 

[laura&fam]

I went ahead and bought the E and I'm glad I did. It seems to have extra features like the multicut, flip, etc. which could be very useful. Also I like not having to cut my paper.

I just went to a beginning cricut class and their tips were:

Store the mat hanging up so stuff doesn't get piled on top of it. If that happens then the sticky will stick to the clear plastic cover and the mat won't be sticky anymore.

Take the blade out and use an alcohol prep wipe to clean it. It's suppose to keep your blade clean and cutting for much longer.

You don't have to load the mat in the way the arrow points. The only reason it doesn't have an arrow on the other side is because the hanging hole is there.

Of course I'm completely new to all this so these could be completely wrong. Maybe someone with more experience could weigh in.

 

[123SA]

I have a really good tip. The clear cover that comes on the cricut mat is NOT the same on both sides, although it surely looks like it is. Before you take off the cover for the first time, write something on it with a sharpie. I usually write the date. Now you know which way is correct. As long as you put the cover on correctly, no sticky will come off onto the cover. It doesn't matter how much stuff you pile on top of it. I have been keeping mine piled under stacks of paper and haven't had any problems.

Just to test it out - - use the wrong side on a little piece of the mat - -you'll see the stick stuff pulls off the mat and sticks to the cover.

 

[123SA]

I went ahead and bought the E and I'm glad I did. It seems to have extra features like the multicut, flip, etc. which could be very useful. Also I like not having to cut my paper.

I just went to a beginning cricut class and their tips were:

Store the mat hanging up so stuff doesn't get piled on top of it. If that happens then the sticky will stick to the clear plastic cover and the mat won't be sticky anymore. Not necessary -- see tip above

Take the blade out and use an alcohol prep wipe to clean it. It's suppose to keep your blade clean and cutting for much longer.Never tried this, but little pieces of fiber do get stuck on the blade occasionally and will interfere with cutting. I will try this.

You don't have to load the mat in the way the arrow points. The only reason it doesn't have an arrow on the other side is because the hanging hole is there. TRUE!

Of course I'm completely new to all this so these could be completely wrong. Maybe someone with more experience could weigh in.

Some comments in red above.

 

[laura&fam]

Thanks!

That explains why the clear cover was sticking like crazy on one mat but not the other.