Looking for advice from the pro's

[lizavance]

I do traditional scrapbooking and have done pretty well with my 12 x 12 printer and a small fortune in supplies from my favorite vendors. I have really enjoyed looking at the swaps you do - you guys are amazing - my brain just doesn't work that way - creativity wise. My wonderful hubby has offered to buy me a cutting machine for my birthday and I am thinking about the Cricut or one of the machines that can be hooked to my computer (Mac laptop & PC desktop) like Pazzles or Silhouette. I like the idea of using any font on my computer instead of having to use the images/fonts someone else has chosen. I also hate the idea of having to constantly buy more cartridges to get new images.

If you use a Cricut, Pazzle, Silhouette - what do you love and hate most about it?
Can you smoosh together letters on the Cricut to make words?
What does the Gypsy do and what do you love and hate most about it?
Does anyone have a machine that both prints and cuts?

Help! I've looked at all of their websites and am sooo confused!

 

[mycutiepatooties]

I have a Cricut. I like it because I can use the cartridges. I'm not so computer savy to find and trace images and use other programs that will make the images cut. So the cartridges are nice to have. I stock up on new ones when they go on sale for 35.00 or less.

I did also buy Sure Cuts A Lot 2 and that enables me to "smoosh" the letters together and cut any fonts--none of which can be done on a Cricut alone. I know people on here have the Cricut Design Studio and Gypsy so they'll come along and post I'm sure.

 

[morgansmom2000]

I would suggest a Cricut, with SCAL, instead of Design Studio. You can weld in SCAL and use any and all fonts on your computer, dingbats, and pretty much any image you can "trace" in the program.

There are TONS of free files out there, and people will make them for you (if you ask on forums). This is my favorite spot for free (and pay!) files, and they have loads of easy to follow tutorials, SVGCuts

Here are some items I've made using SCAL.

Invitations to my daughter's 10th birthday party.

The title and coke bottle were made in SCAL.

The hat was made in SCAL.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[NemoMom07]

I love my cricut!!!! Like MM2000 suggested you can even go farther with your creativity with SCAL. I have design studio and use it a lot to make my swap pieces or personal pages. I also have a gyspy. At fist it was okay, but it has been a life saver since my computer crashed. I still have been able to work on my swapping stuff using my G. When I use my cricut I never use it with just the cartridge anymore. I am either using SCAL, design studio, or my gyspy and cutting with the cricut. I could not imagine going make to cutting with just the cartridge and the cricut. I have no idea how I even did it when I did. I can believe I waited so long to get design studio.

 

[lizavance]

I would suggest a Cricut, with SCAL, instead of Design Studio. You can weld in SCAL and use any and all fonts on your computer, dingbats, and pretty much any image you can "trace" in the program.

There are TONS of free files out there, and people will make them for you (if you ask on forums). This is my favorite spot for free (and pay!) files, and they have loads of easy to follow tutorials, SVGCuts

Here are some items I've made using SCAL.

Invitations to my daughter's 10th birthday party.

The title and coke bottle were made in SCAL.

The hat was made in SCAL.

Good luck with your choice!

Your elements are AWESOME! You have helped make my decision a lot easier, especially since SCAL is available for MAC.
How do you get the images from the computer to the Cricut?
Which Cricut machine do you use?
It said SCAL worked with all 3 and I am trying to decide what are the benefits of each besides portability and size of item to cut. Any advice?
Do you use the Gypsy?

Thank you for all of your great input.

 

[lizavance]

I love my cricut!!!! Like MM2000 suggested you can even go farther with your creativity with SCAL. I have design studio and use it a lot to make my swap pieces or personal pages. I also have a gyspy. At fist it was okay, but it has been a life saver since my computer crashed. I still have been able to work on my swapping stuff using my G. When I use my cricut I never use it with just the cartridge anymore. I am either using SCAL, design studio, or my gyspy and cutting with the cricut. I could not imagine going make to cutting with just the cartridge and the cricut. I have no idea how I even did it when I did. I can believe I waited so long to get design studio.

Thank you for the great input!
What is the additional benefit of design studio?
How do you get the data into the Gypsy and then into the Cricut?
Which Cricut machine do you use?

 

[morgansmom2000]

I have an Expression. The program tells the Cricut to cut. You need to have a cartridge in there (any cartridge works, so whichever you get with your machine will be fine).

I have a Gypsy, but it just was updated to read across Design Studio to Gypsy without losing hidden contours, so I haven't really used it. I really like using CDS on the laptop. I plan to design in CDS and then attach the gypsy and cut with the Cricut.

I have a document I created with instructions on how to use images from the computer to SCAL. PM me your email address and I'll send it to you.

 

[jacksmomma]

I have a cricut and a gypsy. I love them both! As Nemo said, I could not imagine the using the cricut without the G now. The G is a handheld device that allows you to place your cuts anywhere on the scrapping mat. It allows you to see what you are cutting before you cut it and use any carts that you have at anytime. You can weld things together also. It is nice because it is portible. Many times I have layed in bed and designed a page to be cut the next day (love that!). I have not used SCAL, but lots of people love it. I heard at one time some users were having issues with it locking up their Cricuts. Not sure if this is accurate or an issue anymore. Maybe someone else can speak to that.

 

[hffmnheidi]

I have just the basic Cricut machine with none of the "extras" and I find that the basics work just fine for me for the amount of time that I am using it. I would say start with the basics and work from there.

 

[baseballmom51]

I do not have a cricut, I have a wishblade. I think the learning curve on the wishblade is insane and it took me forever. That being said I can weld anything together, and cut any dingbat or font that I like without paying extra. But it took time.

Sometimes I wish for a Cricut because I could use 12x12 paper in it for a border.

I would say Cricut is better way to go since my friends cut their items in a fraction of the time that I do it.

Have fun whatever you choose.

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

I bought the Silhouette about a year ago and LOVE it!

The Pros:
-- it welds letters (you know, the smooshy thing with letters!)
-- it cuts all the fonts from my computer, plus all the free online ones
-- it is easy to do a "get outline" to take a picture from online, trace, and cut.
-- it also cuts dingbots easily
-- if you want something quickly, you can buy it from the online store for 99 cents, instead of buying an entire cartridge for $30 - $50 dollars.
-- the learning curve was fairly easy, not a total just turn it on and go, but not bad.
-- each week the online store has one free download file.
-- if you spend time searching, their are many sites that have free files to download.
-- It easily makes shadows or mats for your titles or pictures.
-- price wise, I have not put out one extra penny since buying the machine (ok, I was lucky that my machine came with a $25 download card, but I still have money left on that) I bought mine on E-Bay for under $120. To me this was why I bought this machine, I wanted flexability in my cutting and not a lot of additional money flying out the door.

The Cons:
-- honestly, not much other than what you would have with any machine. The mat needs to be cleaned and re-glued. So far, even with all the swaps I participate in, I have not needed additional blades.

Here are a few scrap pieces I have made with the Silhouette:

The "S" was a free on-line font. The log boat was a coloring page and I did a simple outline for it and I did a shadow of the S.

The one was cut on the Silhouette as well as the shadow. The inch worm was a file purchased from their online store for 99 cents.

This is an example of everything done by the machine. The crayon I had purchased. The monkeys and sorry piece I created through outline. What I think is cool about the machine is it will do a shadow of all the pieces, so my mat had spots for the monkey arms, etc.

"EPCOT" was a dingbot from a Disney fan website and super easy to do.

And last, this was created by me. I was able to type the words "Wish Big", add some flourishes, "weld" them together, and create a shadow mat.

Good luck and have fun with whatever you purchase! (sorry I can't figure out how to make all my pics the same size!)

 

[lizavance]

I bought the Silhouette about a year ago and LOVE it!

The Pros:
-- it welds letters (you know, the smooshy thing with letters!)
-- it cuts all the fonts from my computer, plus all the free online ones
-- it is easy to do a "get outline" to take a picture from online, trace, and cut.
-- it also cuts dingbots easily
-- if you want something quickly, you can buy it from the online store for 99 cents, instead of buying an entire cartridge for $30 - $50 dollars.
-- the learning curve was fairly easy, not a total just turn it on and go, but not bad.
-- each week the online store has one free download file.
-- if you spend time searching, their are many sites that have free files to download.
-- It easily makes shadows or mats for your titles or pictures.
-- price wise, I have not put out one extra penny since buying the machine (ok, I was lucky that my machine came with a $25 download card, but I still have money left on that) I bought mine on E-Bay for under $120. To me this was why I bought this machine, I wanted flexability in my cutting and not a lot of additional money flying out the door.

The Cons:
-- honestly, not much other than what you would have with any machine. The mat needs to be cleaned and re-glued. So far, even with all the swaps I participate in, I have not needed additional blades.

Here are a few scrap pieces I have made with the Silhouette:

The "S" was a free on-line font. The log boat was a coloring page and I did a simple outline for it and I did a shadow of the S.

The one was cut on the Silhouette as well as the shadow. The inch worm was a file purchased from their online store for 99 cents.

This is an example of everything done by the machine. The crayon I had purchased. The monkeys and sorry piece I created through outline. What I think is cool about the machine is it will do a shadow of all the pieces, so my mat had spots for the monkey arms, etc.

"EPCOT" was a dingbot from a Disney fan website and super easy to do.

And last, this was created by me. I was able to type the words "Wish Big", add some flourishes, "weld" them together, and create a shadow mat.

Good luck and have fun with whatever you purchase! (sorry I can't figure out how to make all my pics the same size!)

You're pieces are great! I looked at the Silhouette website and I don't think that it works with a Mac. Otherwise this sure sounds great. I will investigate further. Thank you for the input.

 

[lizavance]

I have a cricut and a gypsy. I love them both! As Nemo said, I could not imagine the using the cricut without the G now. The G is a handheld device that allows you to place your cuts anywhere on the scrapping mat. It allows you to see what you are cutting before you cut it and use any carts that you have at anytime. You can weld things together also. It is nice because it is portible. Many times I have layed in bed and designed a page to be cut the next day (love that!). I have not used SCAL, but lots of people love it. I heard at one time some users were having issues with it locking up their Cricuts. Not sure if this is accurate or an issue anymore. Maybe someone else can speak to that.

Does the Gypsy have it's own software or will I need to purchase some? Also can you use the Gypsy with your own fonts?

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

You're pieces are great! I looked at the Silhouette website and I don't think that it works with a Mac. Otherwise this sure sounds great. I will investigate further. Thank you for the input.

You are correct, right now it doesn't work with the Mac. Late summer or early fall they will be coming out with new software to make it Mac compatible.

 

[disney-akj]

I love the cricut expression because it cuts 12 x 12. Plus the screen shows you what you are cutting so you don't accidently cut the wrong thing (because with the smaller cricut I would get distracted by my kids or talking and hit the wrong button.)

I also second SCAL. It is fairly affordable and so MANY MANY fonts to choose from instead of buying several different cartridges. Plus it shadows, welds, triple mats, etc. Plus you can cut downloaded images or phrases off the web for free. If there is a cricut cartridge that you really like, then you can still buy it and use it as well. I know I hardly touch the font cartridges anymore though because of SCAL. I do use the paper dolls, life's a beach and cartridges with a lot of images more often though.

 

[rlovew]

I don't think the cricut works with the mac either- I may be wrong but if you are looking at Mac compatability make sure and check this before buying- I thought Buffy mentioned that recently.

 

[disney-akj]

SCAL is available on MAC. I would think that the cricut would still cut with SCAL on the MAC, because the cricut cuts through the SCAL computer program. I just don't think the cricut DS works on the MAC. I could be wrong though because I don't own a MAC? I would look into carefully like the PP stated. Good Luck

 

[labdogs42]

I have the Cricut Expression and I love it. And I still use just the cartridges with it! I'd like to get either the Gypsy next or maybe SCAL. I had a Wishbalde a long time ago and I HATED it. The learning curve about killed me. I used Inkscape with that. I hated Inkscape, too. so, given that info, is SCAL easier to learn than inkscape? Is it easy to weld and shadow things with the Gypsy? That's all I really want to do. Help!

 

[morgansmom2000]

You can use SCAL to trace images and you don't need Inkscape at all. It works great!

 

[Cooz14]

Do you know which dingbat the epcot one was? I did a search for it and couldn't find it.

Thanks!!