Newbie Cricut user ~ HELP!

[chocovrdmicears]

I finally got some time open and play with my new Cricut that Santa brought today. I spent 3 hours setting up my new craft area and 5 minutes after opening my new toy I am already in tears.

I cannot for the life of me load the little green cutting tool into the machine properly!!! I loosened the little screw, swung open the place where the cutter is supposed to go, but i cannot get it in there.
There are 3 'sections' of the cutter. The top where the number settings are, the middle and then the more narrow bottom (with a little ridge between the middle and bottom) . I am assuming that it is supposed to be held by the middle section. But when i put it in the holder and try to close it and retighten the screw, it won't line up or fit. The bottom thinner part fits in there, but of course after you close it and tighten the screw its loose and shakes so I know its suppose to be held in there in the middle. I have the black arrow facing me but I can't get it to fit like the picture shows in the manual?
Am I making any sense? What am I doing wrong? I know it must be simple but I can't figure it out.Please, does anyone have any thoughts on what the heck I am doing wrong!

 

[Lisa]

Oh honey, don't cry. Take a tissue, blow your nose, take a deep breath and let's try again.

The latch is supposed to go around the middle green band. (I ran upstairs and checked mine). Unscrew the entire thing, open up the latch, put the cutting blade in, close the latch, and rescrew. Make sure the blade is down and not up.

Hope this helps.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I almost lost it my first time trying to put in the blade too.
I didn't realize that the screw was holding the arm closed. I didn't know the screw loosened and then swung to right while the arm then swung to left. I too tried to push that stupid green thing down inside the little bitty hole. Once I figured the swinging apart, then it made sense and I really did smack myself in the forehead. Hurt too.

But I can now say that I've changed my blade successfully.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

you guys are too sweet....thank you for talking me off the ledge!
I went back upstairs (after getting a tissue) and I decided I was going to be a little aggressive with the thing...I swung it open, positioned the cutter in the middle and gave it a little 'push' and it snapped right in!
So if anyone reads this and is having trouble too...you need to sort of push it in a bit until it snaps in, then you can close it up and screw the thing closed.
Thanks for the kind words and support! It is greatly appreciated!
I cannot wait for tomorrow when I now can actually 'play' with my new toy.