Help for a cricut newbie!!!!!!!

[KiwiMouseGirl]

So scrappers, I am going to invest in the infamous Cricut machine. I've been eyeing it up for ages now and have finally decided to take the plunge! I will be making a scrapbook for a family (off the dis) who have recently returned from their trip, and will also be scrapping my own once I get a chance. I'm planning on obtaining all the Disney themed cartridges to keep in my collection for future use, but have a question about how the cartridges work.

Say i want to cut out a mickey mouse? Do I insert blank white cardstock and it prints the colours for the seperate componants and then cuts them out, or do I have to try and colour match my cardstock for the componants, and it cuts it out I have been wondering this for a while now and thought I should get it cleared up before I buy my machine

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Yes you have to color match each layer of the image. So red for the shorts, yellow for the shoes, black for the body, etc. Then you build the image from the base up.
I will forewarn you now Characters are hard and can't be cut really small. We have found 4 inches to be the best minimum size, especially for the princesses.

 

[Reddy]

if you are wanting to print then cut around then you might want to look into the Cameo instead of the cricut -- since you haven't got the machine yet I thought you might want to know that there are other machines out there so you should look at all the possibles
I"m getting the cameo when my cricut dies

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

Thanks guys! I'm sure i'll get the hang of it once I use it! Does the cameo do Disney? I really want to use it to put the character images in, and was going to use some of your files too reddy I've had a quick look on the shillouette online store and can't see any Disney characters or anything on there :/

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

Just found this link. Has anyone used bazzill cardstock for Disney die cuts before and can vouch for the correctness of this? haha!

http://www.scrapbook.com/tips/doc/41519/311.html

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

Thanks guys! I'm sure i'll get the hang of it once I use it! Does the cameo do Disney? I really want to use it to put the character images in, and was going to use some of your files too reddy I've had a quick look on the shillouette online store and can't see any Disney characters or anything on there :/

Well if that's the case you will have to choose between cameo and cricut. Cricut will only use the carts and images in craftroom or cds.

Cameo has the ability to use scal as well as their studio software. Scal is what reddy uses to make/cut her files and others like them.

Scal is no longer compatible with cricut unless you can find and older version somewhere on the net but only scal3 is available from craftedge-its maker.

Yes that bazzil list is accurate/correct. I love bazzil, use it as much as possible.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

From what I understand too.. the Expressions2 does NOT work with the CDS (cricut design studio).. it will work with their craftroom and the gypsy.

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

So the cameo is the only one able to print reddy's images? Im officially torn now! Haha!

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

So if I were to get a cricut expression and this version of SCAlL http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sure-Cuts-A...221?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ccb34d5d5

...I could use cartridges AND reddys images?

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Unfortunately the cricuts are not compatible for SCAL any more, from what I understand...

I believe you would have to go with the CAMEO for the SCAL to work... I'm sure the SCAL experts around here will be around to answer your question 100%...

 

[dogcarbon]

So if I were to get a cricut expression and this version of SCAlL http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sure-Cuts-A...221?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ccb34d5d5

...I could use cartridges AND reddys images?

Your Cricut needs to have one of these firmware (copied from that ebay auction):
CricutTM Personal - Firmware v1.1 -1.34
• CricutTM Expression - Firmware v2.1 – 2.43
• Cricut Create -- v1.51 - 1.54
• Cricut Cake-- v1.51 - 1.54, 2.3


If the Cricut has a newer firmware (and anything new being sold does) then SCAL 2 will not work.

If you want the ability to cut things other than what is on the Cartridges, such as any font on your computer, or any of Reddy's files, or any other SVG file available for free or purchase.... then you do not want a Cricut. There are other cutters, such as a Cameo. A cameo does require you to have a computer, while a Cricut does not.

For a price comparision, a Cameo is usually listed at $270, but at Oh My Crafts they usually have a code/coupon to bring the price down to $202-223 + shipping ($15). They have usually have a waiting list aka, a pre-order with a shipping date. And they have been known to go over that date. So, if you are in a hurry, you may not want to order from them. Time=money.
So, with the Silhoutte product, you never have to buy another cartridge, just images, if you wish.

Also, Silhoutte is coming out in Nov (projected date) with a smaller cutter called the Portrait, and Amazon has it listed as a pre-order with a price under $150 http://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-SILHOUETTE-PORTRAIT-Portrait/dp/B009GZUPFA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349436877&sr=8-1&keywords=silhouette+portrait

 

[Iris]

I will agree with others and recommend another machine other than Cricut. When I purchased my Cricut, it was compatible with both SCAL and MTC as I use both as well as Design Studio and cartridges. Then when all of the issues between Provo Craft and Craft Edge started, SCAL was no longer compatible but those of us that already had the machines and software could continue. I have never updated my cricut since that time but I haven't purchased any new cartridges either so I have no need to update my Design Studio.

When my expression dies, I will switch to Cameo. You can download the silhouette software and play around with it to get an idea. I do find that there is more of a learning curve but hopefully when the time comes, I will know how to use it well with the Cameo. You will have to purchase the Designer Edition Software for importing your own SVG files like the ones that Reddy creates.

Just my opinion regarding the smaller Cameo Protrait that is coming out...I would go with the bigger machine. I first purchased the cricut and found that I really wanted to make bigger cuts that only the expression could do. Especially when I wanted to make 12 x 12 boarders. I regretted getting the smaller machine and was happy when my husband got me the Expression instead. Again, this is just my opinion but you may wish you had the larger machine.

 

[3pletprincesses]

my cricut died a few months ago and the new cricuts don't work with my scal. I ended up buying a used cricut for cheap on ebay to be able to use scal. Now I'm looking for something else. Although I like my cricut, I love my scal even more. I'm loking at buying another machine but I'm not sure which one yet.

so to answer your question, no a new cricut would not work wiht that scal software you found on ebay.

 

[morgansmom2000]

Just to clarify one point. None of the machines print AND cut. You would print on your printer, and then put it into the machine to cut. Jin has some tutorials on her blog, along with reviews of cutters.

HTH!

 

[morgansmom2000]

Oh, and a point on Bazzill. Bazzill does NOT cut well in a Cricut (I only have a Cricut so I can't speak for a Cameo). It tears and shreds and is an overall mess most of the time. (A basic shape is fine, but intricate cuts are horrible). I find American Crafts and Core'Dinations paper to be similar in texture, but cut so much better than Bazzill.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Bazzill, but I prefer to use the AC or Core'Dinations paper in the Cricut.

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

Oh, and a point on Bazzill. Bazzill does NOT cut well in a Cricut (I only have a Cricut so I can't speak for a Cameo). It tears and shreds and is an overall mess most of the time. (A basic shape is fine, but intricate cuts are horrible). I find American Crafts and Core'Dinations paper to be similar in texture, but cut so much better than Bazzill.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Bazzill, but I prefer to use the AC or Core'Dinations paper in the Cricut.

Interesting... I havent had any issues in mine. Thats normally what I cut. THe core'dinations does do wonderfully though. but whatever Joanns sells now as open stock paper just shreds. hoping soon I wont have to worry about paper from the store.....

 

[morgansmom2000]

Interesting... I havent had any issues in mine. Thats normally what I cut. THe core'dinations does do wonderfully though. but whatever Joanns sells now as open stock paper just shreds. hoping soon I wont have to worry about paper from the store.....

There are certain Bazzill textures that just don't work in the Cricut for me. It makes me a little crazy so I'm learning to avoid it all together to save my sanity

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

There are certain Bazzill textures that just don't work in the Cricut for me. It makes me a little crazy so I'm learning to avoid it all together to save my sanity

but I thought we were all a little mad here.

 

[morgansmom2000]

but I thought we were all a little mad here.

Well, there's and then there's I hope I'm more than

 

[Reddy]

OK so it is not just me that has problems with JoAnn's paper
I do like Micheal's packs of black & white paper