Newbie and Craft Challenged

[ut*disney]

I am new to this section of DISboards.

I have 7-year old twins and have a TON of photographs, memorabilia, school things, etc. I would like to cherish for many years. I would like to get started scrapbooking. I am VERY craft challenged but am interested in the Cricut. I've been lurking on this board for some time reading the different opinions of the original model and the Expression. If I am going to attempt to do this, I might as well do this all the way. I have seen a ton of Expression bundles offering different things, but I have no idea what the extras are other than the machine itself.

Is there a particular set or bundle I should look for as my initial purchase?

Anyway, I would appreciate your thoughts on the Cricuit you use. What is your preference. Likes. Dislikes. Etc.

Thanks so much!

 

[rlovew]

I have no idea about sewing machines- I have sewn things with my mother and a pattern but not done anything much on my own- although I did inherit my grandmother's machine.

The expression bundles- they normally come with cartridges- you would need to decide which carts you would be most likely to use and then know which bundle might be best for you. I would suggest at least 1 font cartridge with a couple of font styles on it for titles and such- other will depend on what your girls are most involved in.

You might want to try starting out by using the divided sheets- you pout pictures in some pockets, memoriablia in others, and paper wioth journalling/embellishments in others. There are a couple of threads about this styles and I know LindaBabe has showcased an album done this way.

Since you have done sewing- think of the page as a quilt square that you are making- you add pictures, journalling, and whatever embellishments you wish to make a completed square.

Rebecca

 

[PrincessNancy96]

First,

Here is a link to photo sleeve & scrapbooking that RloveW spoke of..... LindaBabe one of our scrappers on the boards showed this to us... I have also done it.. I'll get some photos and post them for you... It helps you use lots of photos, memoriabilia and get done quicker...

this is Lindababe's link: http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gal...12628-blended-scrapbook-spring-trip-2009/?c=t



As for the sewing.. I can sew a button on! So I am of no help!! You might try the Arts/Crafts sections because someone may have asked a similiar question in that forum. It's 3 up from this one in the Creative Community.

 

[ut*disney]

Sorry about posting the question about the Cricut here. Told you I was a newbie to this section. I'll move that portion of my question to the Arts/Crafts section. Thanks.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

No, the cricut here is fine...

The arts/crafts section was more for the sewing/embroidery machine!!!


No worries about where you post...there is always someone around to answer!!!!

 

[ut*disney]

I meant the sewing/embroidery machine.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Whew! Didn't want you to think I was reprimanding you!!!

 

[ut*disney]

Really would appreciate anyone's thoughts on the Cricut Personal, Cricut Expression, Bundles, etc. I'm new to all of this and really would appreciate some help.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I have the create... love it....but may decide to upgrade to the expression in the next year..

I did not buy it in a bundle so I'm of no use there...

I started out w/ the personal cricut and it was great... was able to get carts on sale...and especially during Black Friday sales..

 

[hffmnheidi]

If you're unsure about the machines and scrapbooking, I would suggest taking a basic Scrapbooking 101 class at a local scrapbooking store. The class will probably answer a lot of your questions and most of the staff at the store will be scrapbookers, so they can answer questions after the class. If you're unsure about matching papers, ect... you can always pick up a pre-designed album where you just put in your photos and journal. This might be the easiest option for you if you have a lot of photos and memorablia.

 

[ut*disney]

If you're unsure about the machines and scrapbooking, I would suggest taking a basic Scrapbooking 101 class at a local scrapbooking store. The class will probably answer a lot of your questions and most of the staff at the store will be scrapbookers, so they can answer questions after the class. If you're unsure about matching papers, ect... you can always pick up a pre-designed album where you just put in your photos and journal. This might be the easiest option for you if you have a lot of photos and memorablia.

I'd rather work my way through learning first before actually putting my pictures in the albums than purchasing a premade album. I would like to make this myself.

PrincessNancy:

Thanks for the input. I'll have to see what a *create* is.

My husband is a teacher, so I thought I could make decorations for his classroom as well.

 

[LindaBabe]

I bought an expression bundle - it made a great place to start. I'd buy whatever bundle was the most thrifty choice. My "go to" carts are opposites attract and Mickey Font, although I have a total of about 20, and they all get used occasionally.

I had scrapped for about 10 years before buying a diecutter, and now I have two. The other is the quickutz revolution manual machine. There are others more versatile.

 

[rlovew]

If you want to make things for a classroom I recommend getting the expression as you can make things larger- the create has the features of the expression but the size of the original. In classroom use the quantity buttons and the larger size are the things I find most important. On year I made a bunch of boats that my students wrote homophones on for Columbus Day and used those for a bulletin board but tell the machine to cut out 24 of the boats was much easier than doing them 1 at a time. Since I used bulletin board paper for this I cut it to the 12 by 24 size and they cut out in one set.

Rebecca

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I'd rather work my way through learning first before actually putting my pictures in the albums than purchasing a premade album. I would like to make this myself.

PrincessNancy:

Thanks for the input. I'll have to see what a *create* is.

My husband is a teacher, so I thought I could make decorations for his classroom as well.

The create is the machine in between the personal and the expression..
It allows me to do some of the expression stuff like portrait (cutting), flip feature, fill the page (allows me to cut as many as I want of the same thing).
It still uses the 6 x 12 mats.

The expression might be better for you if you do want to decorate your DH's classroom... this way the items are big enough for the student in the back of the room to see without disrupting class and getting in trouble!

I too did not want to take a class to learn to scrapbook.. I came on the DISboards, read the posts, and asked questions and viola' 5 years later I'm scrapping and love it... I won't waste my money on classes when I can teach myself.., my personal opinion...take it as you want.. Where I am from, only one friend scrapbooks with me... so I scrap w/ my friends via the boards in the challenges and swaps... I do not take any classes or crops around here either because no one offers them...and I have too many kids at home to spend money on myself... I know I can. I just don't...

As you start, feel free to ask questions.. we have all be in your position and we are all willing to lend our expertise, suggestions, advice, trial/error...

 

[ut*disney]

The create is the machine in between the personal and the expression..
It allows me to do some of the expression stuff like portrait (cutting), flip feature, fill the page (allows me to cut as many as I want of the same thing).
It still uses the 6 x 12 mats.

The expression might be better for you if you do want to decorate your DH's classroom... this way the items are big enough for the student in the back of the room to see without disrupting class and getting in trouble!

I too did not want to take a class to learn to scrapbook.. I came on the DISboards, read the posts, and asked questions and viola' 5 years later I'm scrapping and love it... I won't waste my money on classes when I can teach myself.., my personal opinion...take it as you want.. Where I am from, only one friend scrapbooks with me... so I scrap w/ my friends via the boards in the challenges and swaps... I do not take any classes or crops around here either because no one offers them...and I have too many kids at home to spend money on myself... I know I can. I just don't...

As you start, feel free to ask questions.. we have all be in your position and we are all willing to lend our expertise, suggestions, advice, trial/error...

I don't know of anyone that scrapbooks, so I would be doing this from and through you guys.

I really appreciate your help. My husband will be moving to their new school in August, so I want to decorate his classroom over the summer. He is a History teacher and a football and baseball coach.