Help with Scrapbook stuff

[mom2brina]

Just getting started with scrapbooking. Wondering if I should put a cricut on my list or not. Is there another brand or similar type of machine that is cheaper? Where is the best place to buy the cricut (or other machine) from? Any other cool tools I should put on my list?

 

[mello]

I have the little Cricut ("babybug"), that dh got for me on Black Friday a couple years ago at JoAnn's. I like it. I know lots of folks love the bigger Expression, and I would like it for 12" borders, but that one thing didn't seem worth more than double the price for the little one.

Check J's BF ads, along with Michaels, Hobby Lobby & Walmart. So far the only ad I've seen is WM and they have the big Cricut Expression plus two bonus cartridges - I think it's $189 if I'm not mistaken. Not a bad deal.

 

[cjnix29]

My sister has the smaller one, and likes it just fine. She didn't think it was worth the upgrade to the full size one for the difference in price. Before you get too far in, have you tried digital scrapbooking? Much less mess, and much cheaper! I switched several years ago, and haven't looked back since!

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

Really depends on what you want to do. If you just want to cut words the baby bug would be fine. JoAnn had it in the ad yesterday for $49.
If you want to do the paper piecing (i.e. Disney characters) then the expression model is recommend. They are much more expensive.
There are also cutters that you don't need cartridges for since they hook up to your computer. This is what I have on my list. I don't want to worry about cartridges and like being able to cut any true type font.

 

[ekatiel]

My sister has the smaller one, and likes it just fine. She didn't think it was worth the upgrade to the full size one for the difference in price. Before you get too far in, have you tried digital scrapbooking? Much less mess, and much cheaper! I switched several years ago, and haven't looked back since!

THIS!!! Digital scrapbooking is WAY cheaper, you can do it anytime you sit down to your computer, instead of hauling out all the "stuff" you need with regular scrapbooking. You can also use the same papers and elements over and over again since they are digital images. All you need to buy is Photoshop Elements to get you started (PSE 10 is on amazon for $50 right now!-- You might even be able to get an older version cheaper-- I still use 5.0!). Then google "digital scrapbooking freebies" and you'll get a TON of papers, elements, etc for FREE. Here's a link to one great freebie site: http://www.computerscrapbook.com/free-digital-scrapbooking.html. You can also buy papers and elements if you want.
Your pages can look just as good, if not better than traditional scrapbooking, plus you can print them out in photobooks if you want to (select the option to have the "photo" as the whole page). Here's a page I did a few years ago that just happened to be in my photobucket account:

As you can see, you can do neat things like use an altered image as your background page. Anyhow, I'd suggest thinking about digital before you commit to buying all that regular scrapbook stuff!

 

[cjnix29]

I use creative memories software, which I LOVE. But if you start, just find one you are comfortable with. I print my pages for a buck each! You can't print out the pictures to put on a page for that sometimes! Free elements you can use over and over, free fonts (no letter stickers!!!). Plus, if you don't like something, you just delete it, you haven't cut or glued something onto a page that you have to try to carefully peel back to try to use again, hoping you don't rip it.

If you still want to do traditional scrapbooking, one tool I used a LOT was the mini zyron machine. You can put small elements through that will make them sticky to adhere. So much easier than trying to put a taperunner to it.

 

[heartsy77]

I have the large one. I just had to have it and I used it maybe 5x in 2 years. My friend has the small one and she bought the old software called Sir Cuts A Lot, that used Fonts from your PC. She loves it! IMHO mine is to big and bulky to drag to a 3 hours crop!

 

[jacksmomma]

I have the baby bug and it was a great machine to learn on, but if you are going to get too far into scrapping I would go with the expression or imagine. They allow you a much lareger cutting area which is great for boarders, cutting page sized shapes, and large items beyond scrapping. (Signs, wall art, etc.)

On Black Friday, Walmart has the Imgaine on sale for $189, it is the machine that both prints and cuts. $189 is an amazing price for this machine! Micheal's has cart deals and I am sure machine deals, though I do not know the details.

Cricut machines require the use of a cricut cartidge that has shapes and/or fonts that allow you make your creations. Cartridges are normally priced between $59-$89, but go on sale for around $30. (Online retailers are the best places to buy carts as they offer better deals. I have had my Cricut for 5 years and have never paid over $30 for a cart.) There are other machines out there that allow you to use a computer program, either make the cut or Sure Cuts A Lot to cut any jpeg files or computer fonts. Cricut used to support this program but no longer does. If you do not want to have to purchase carts then I would go with a machine other than Cricut.

You should come over to the scrapping section of the boards. You can find us in the creative Community. There are lots of talented ladies over there who can answer your questions!

 

[mom2brina]

Thanks for all of the responses!

I actually have done some digital scrapbooking, but my kids are the ones who are really wanting to do it. They have been asking me to do it with them for over a year now.

After doing some reading and research I've decided to buy the Silhouette Cameo. Honestly, it looks amazing! The craft possibilities are endless. I also like the fact that I can buy designs one at a time (for less than $1) and the possibility of creating my own. How cool is that!?!

I bought some cardstock paper at Micheal's this weekend and we are in the process of setting up our 'studio'. (the old playroom)