Scrapbookers: would you recommend a cricut, silhouette, or something else?

[rnorwo1]

ive been looking at these electronic cutting machines, but they are so expensive! I was wondering what others used and if you thought it was worth it? Were you able to Get any deals on yours? Also, I only have a chrome book, would these machines/software work with that? I think if I have to buy a laptop also, then that'll price me out for sure.
Thanks for any advice!

 

[Jimsig]

Bought my wife a Silhouette Cameo for Christmas last year and it was recommended over the Cricut from a friend who has a side business she uses her Silhouette for. I got it as part of a bundle from JoAnne Fabrics. It included stuff like some tools, the cutting mat, a gift card good for the Silhouette store, and a bunch of other things. I am not sure if it is compatible with a chrome book.

 

[rnorwo1]

Thanks. I just stumbled across a tutorial and saw that it does need a computer that you can download the software on, so the chrome book won't work. I'll explore other laptop options, but I'll have to find an amazing deal as I wasn't planning on that purchase, too

 

[Jimsig]

Check on line for laptops or even desktops. Tiger Direct seems to have some good prices and you might even look at a refurb lap or desktop their that will suit your needs, especially if all you will prob be using it for is the scrapbooking. Just check what the min sys requirements are and go from there.

 

[pam95]

DH got me a cricut a few years ago. It's nice but there is work involved in cutting and putting together the layers of a piece. I recently started digital scrapbooking and have found that I enjoy that a lot more than paper. It's so much faster!

 

[ImDMous]

I love my Cricut. I have an older Expression 2 machine and it doesn't require any computer to use. You can hook it up if you have one, but it's not necessary. Since you can use it without the computer, it does require cartridges for the shapes/letters.

 

[rnorwo1]

I have one of the cartridge based ones, too, but I don't have many cartridges and I find the ones I have aren't worth the money, since I may only use a few things on it. I like the idea of just having to download exactly what you need. Ok, I'll look around at laptops, but I doubt I can justify that purchase. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[sunflowerfields]

I also have a Cricut Expression 2 and love it. I have access to lots of cartridges as the 4 scrapbookers in my family share. I use it mostly for lettering.

 

[HizMinnie2015]

I recently started digital scrapbooking and have found that I enjoy that a lot more than paper. It's so much faster!

Which program are you using for digital scrapbooking? My sister has one whole room dedicated to scrapbooking, but I'm looking for a good/great digital option.

 

[rnorwo1]

I have a scrapbook going for each kid that I add to each year... There's really no way to do that with a digital one, unless you're just keeping it saved as a project year after year, I assume?

 

[SnowWhite112]

I enjoy using my cricut. I have a very old Cricut Expression, which is nice, but you do need to buy the cartridges for it. If you buy a Cricut Explore, you can pay 10$/month for access to an online library of pretty much ALL of the cartridges! (Except the licensed ones like Disney) Which is a great deal, because each cartridge is at least $20.

 

[pam95]

Which program are you using for digital scrapbooking? My sister has one whole room dedicated to scrapbooking, but I'm looking for a good/great digital option.

I am using My Memories Suite. I bought it last summer. There are kits for sale on the MyMemories website that work directly through the program, or you can buy external kits elsewhere. For Disney-related kits, I like Natalie's Place Designs, Kellybell Designs and Brit-tish Designs. I've found inspiration for Disney themed pages on the Mousescrappers forum.

 

[pam95]

I have a scrapbook going for each kid that I add to each year... There's really no way to do that with a digital one, unless you're just keeping it saved as a project year after year, I assume?

I'm sure you could do it that way. I do separate books for vacation and I do a yearly book that highlights what the kids have done with school and activities. I fell way behind scrapping with paper. I can get several pages done on the computer in the same amount of time it would have taken me to do 1-2 pages with paper. When I'm done with a book, I upload to shutterfly and print when there's a sale on books. I believe there is an option to print single pages as well that you could place in a regular scrapbook.

 

[HizMinnie2015]

I have a friend who buys photo paper and than prints the pages herself. She then adds them to a scrapbook that you would use for paper scrapbooking. I will have to ask how she does this.

 

[Marshmelo]

I love my Cricut Explore!

 

[Jill in Chicago]

first have an honest conversation with yourself. Are you a scrapbook buyer of materials, user of materials or some of each? Be honest. Do you have trouble digging through your stuff just to find something? Are you overwhelmed getting started to scrap because you don't know how to begin? If so do NOT buy one more supply.

Force yourself to sit down and actually create something. Do you spend lots of your time looking up scrapbook supplies/products online or actually scrapping? Is your scrapbook area easy to get to? If it's not, I would concentrate on a specific space you can call your own.

I have done hundreds of pages. Way back when, my pages were in both scrapbooking books and magazines. At that time, I had no cutting system. For years I used lettering templates and cut out titles by hand. I have also used sticker letters, and created my own titles other ways. Currently I have a cutting system that is hand operated. How many fonts do you really need? I have five sets. That's it.

If you are creating every week, making cards, finishing projects sure move forward, otherwise I say wait awhile.

 

[newestkg06]

I got one of the new Cricut with Xmas money this year (paid $199 with the after Xmas sales). Watch for Joann's to have significant sales on the accessories (I got 40% off mats, extra cutter, accessory set, etc.) It has been awesome! I made mickey head tee shirts with our names, Sea world tee shirts, water bottle names, sweatshirts with Disney font on the sleeves and personalized on the chest and I have bunch more ideas! I really love it and have found it relatively easy to use. I looked at the Silouette too, but the consensus seemed to be that the new and improved Cricut (i.e. you don't need cartridges, it is done with your computer and you can find your own pictures and fonts for free!!) is superior. Google Cricut vs. Sillouette and there are a bunch of good articles.

 

[rnorwo1]

I've been considering this purchase for a couple of years. I do have a dedicated space with lots of room. My kids would probably use it for school a good bit, too. I also do not buy lots of contraptions in any area of my life, I'm almost always a "this works fine" kind of person. That being said, I'm not 100% that I'll use it as much as I hope to, who knows. That's why I'm still considering and considering, lol!
Thanks for all the info!

 

[Happyjen27]

I enjoy my old cricut so much. It's still kicking. It's cartridge based, but with a USB if I feel like using anything computery with it. I prefer not to though.

 

[froggibabey]

I LOVE my Silhouette! I love that you don't have to buy cartridges, I love that they give free shapes every week, and have different .50 shapes every week. I love that you can use your own fonts (I just used Sesame Street wingdings to make decorations for my 2 year olds birthday party).

I LOVE IT. It's so easy, and you can use the cricut mats for it too, when they go on sale for 40% off.