Do you love the Cricut???

[Jakesmom504]

Ok, after really looking into this thing, I'm about to go BEG my husband for this and tell him I don't care if it's my bday and Christmas gifts for the next 3 years! It looks so cool and part of the reason I haven't been scrapbooking much over the last few years is because of the time it takes, I'm one of those somewhat elaborate scrapbookers. This seems like it would eliminate a lot of that problem. Am I right? How easy is it to operate? Other than the cartridges does it require you to buy anything else, special cardstock etc to make a really nice layout? Do any images or fonts come programmed in the machine already or do you have to buy the cartridges right off the bat? I'm sorry for all the questions, I just want to know I will love this as much as I think I will! Thanks!

 

[Kim1964]

Yes, I love my Cricut. My scrapbooking has definitely improved as a result of owning it. You have to buy cartridges, the machine doesn't come programmed with them. There are frequent sales from a number of vendors on the cartridges, though, so it is not necessary to pay full price unless you're impatient. Read the Cricut message boards and you'll never miss a sale.

You don't have to buy special paper, though they do sell it. I'm a total technophobe and I have no problem operating it.

 

[Lisa]

LOVE my baby cricut and just added SCAL to expand what I can cut on the cricut. I've always preferred die cuts to stickers so this suits me well.

My husband has commented on how my scrapbooking style has changed since I've gotten my cricut.

 

[Jakesmom504]

Yes, I love my Cricut. My scrapbooking has definitely improved as a result of owning it. You have to buy cartridges, the machine doesn't come programmed with them. There are frequent sales from a number of vendors on the cartridges, though, so it is not necessary to pay full price unless you're impatient. Read the Cricut message boards and you'll never miss a sale.

You don't have to buy special paper, though they do sell it. I'm a total technophobe and I have no problem operating it.

Are the message boards on here or are there message boards just for Cricut?

LOVE my baby cricut and just added SCAL to expand what I can cut on the cricut. I've always preferred die cuts to stickers so this suits me well.

My husband has commented on how my scrapbooking style has changed since I've gotten my cricut.

What is SCAL?


Thanks to both of you for the info, I really appreciate it!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Love it!!!! My big thing was letters, all the boys names end in -an so I was forever running out of those 2 letters. With the Cricut I don't need to worry about that and I can cut them out in different sizes!

and I use it for school projects and the PTO bulletin board.

here is a link to the Cricut message boards

http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/

SCAL is Sure Cuts A Lot, it's a software program for the Computer, Cricut has their own too called Design Studio (not Mac compatible). You hook your Cricut up to your computer and you can weld letters, add shapes from various cartridges together. ETC..... You can only use the shapes and letters of the cartridges you own though.

 

[hopemax]

You will have to buy mats and blades. They are sold in a 2-pack for $10 in most stores. JoAnn's will let you use the 40% coupon for them, so that's where I buy mine. They normally last several months, but I go through mine faster because of the excessive amount of swapping. And Bazzill, especially Bling will make the blade wear out faster. You can extend the life of the cutting mat, by wiping it down with a baby wipe after you are finished using it for the day.

 

[Lisa]

SCAL uses any fonts or shapes you import in, giving you more options to cut, whereas the Cricut Design Studio you can only use the shapes and letters of the cartridges you own.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

SCAL uses any fonts or shapes you import in, giving you more options to cut, whereas the Cricut Design Studio you can only use the shapes and letters of the cartridges you own.

good point, I forgot about that.

 

[ddavis860]

Is SCAL easy to work with? And if I want it on my desktop and my laptop do I need to have 2 programs like with design studio?

 

[Lisa]

Is SCAL easy to work with? And if I want it on my desktop and my laptop do I need to have 2 programs like with design studio?

Being a newbie with it, I found it easy to work with. You can use one program for two different computers. What I liked was I didn't need to purchase CDS to use it. I did need the trial version to update the firmware on my cricut, but I didn't need both systems.

Last night I encountered some problems but that was because I was playing with it, the usual learning curve.

Go download the trial version of SCAL and see what you think.

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

I too love my Bug! It makes things a whole lot easier.

CDS makes thing easier when it comes to cutting from the carts, using all of your paper and welding things together.

SCAL is great for fonts and super easy to use.

My 8yo DD loves using my cricut for school projects and crafts. she has no problem using it.

You'll very much enjoy.

Oh and FYI to all SCAL users. the newest version of the CDS update will block SCAL from being used. theres a message on the craftedge.com forum

 

[sherreis]

Can use Design studio and SCAL?? Just wondering?

 

[goofyisinphilly]

I love my Cricut. My DH bought it for my just as I was really getting into scrapping. I can't imagine doing anything without it now.

Just a note about SCAL. If you use it, it voids the warrenty on your Cricut machine. Also, there is a big new DS update coming out and word has it that if you have SCAL installed on your computer, your Cricut might not work after the update.

 

[Jakesmom504]

Thanks so much for all of your info...this is great and now I definitely want one! I have one more stupid question though , why do you need ink cartridges? I thought the cricut was just for diecutting. I'm obviously missing something here!

 

[Kim1964]

The cartridges we are referring to are the things you buy that plug into the machine that have the different fonts and shapes on them. Sometimes people abbreviate it to "carts", too. There are Cricut markers, too, that you can put where the blade goes to outline something first and then put the blade back in to cut it out.

 

[Jakesmom504]

The cartridges we are referring to are the things you buy that plug into the machine that have the different fonts and shapes on them. Sometimes people abbreviate it to "carts", too. There are Cricut markers, too, that you can put where the blade goes to outline something first and then put the blade back in to cut it out.

Ahhh, ok now it makes sense! Thanks!

 

[kswm30b]

If I could only be allowed one product to use for scrapping, I would chose my Cricut. Yes, I LOVE my Cricut!! You won't be disappointed with it!

 

[Jakesmom504]

If I could only be allowed one product to use for scrapping, I would chose my Cricut. Yes, I LOVE my Cricut!! You won't be disappointed with it!

Yeah, I really want one now! I was told I had to wait until after we get back from our trip, but that's ok I don't mind. I haven't had a chance to look through all of your album but the pages I did see look terrific!