Will I be disappointed with a Circuit Personal?

[pezheadmeg]

Now that I realized my first scrapbook is no where near done and I've already spent way too much at Michael's on stickers, I know I need a my own die-cut machine.

I don't want to put the $400 just yet into the expression. Now, at work I get to use the Gerber, which can basically run images up to 50 yards as long as they're under 30 inches wide. Yes I'm spoiled. I know I can't afford the $15,000 on the massive machine for home. Nor do I have the room to put it.

So I know my options are a Cuttlebug or a Circut Personal. I'm fluent with the commercial version of SCAL, should I just bite the bullet and buy the circuit and then use SCAL instead of cartridges to do my cuts?

Budget wise what is my best option?

 

[GrumpyMom25]

I know nothing about SCAL so I won't touch that part of your post ... I'll leave that for the experts. I bought my Cricut so I wouldn't have to deal with the computer.
All that said ... I love my Expression. Around were I live you can pick one up for anywhere from $250 up. Just checked online and it look like you could get one on walmart.com for around that price. I love my small Bug and will say that I really didn't ever think I would get an Expression. Once the Disney carts came out I changed my mind and picked up a Pink E. I love being able to do the larger cuts and all those little extra features that are on the E. I would pretty much bet that if you got the smaller bug you'd be upgrading sooner than you think. Oh ... and Black Friday is not that far off you may be able to catch a good deal than.

 

[Lisa]

I obtained an E on ebay for $174. It took me awhile, I watched every Expression listing and was about to give up, but my determination finally paid off. I had had my personal cricut for about three/four years and I liked it, but decided I wanted to have the ability to cut 12 x 12 mats.

My first E cut was a pumpkin carving template. Can't wait to do our pumpkins now!

 

[Teacher03]

I got my Expression on Black Friday at Walmart. I believe it was $199. I initially had the personal, but couldn't wait to get the Expression. But you will love either.

 

[disney-akj]

I also got my Cricut Expression on Black Friday last year at Walmart. It was $188 here and that included 2 cartridges. I agree SCAL and a cricut is the way to go. I would, if possible go for the Expression over the smaller model though- just my opinion. It will be a little more expensive of course.

 

[mommy2mrb]

I would get the expression....I bought the baby bug first and then 6 mos later bought the E, the ability to make larger items is worth the extra $$, just keep watching sales. I don't have the SCAL so can't comment on that.
Good luck finding a great deal and happy scrapping!

 

[pezheadmeg]

I was able to use my 50% off coupon at Michael's for the Cuttlebug this am. So I went ahead and bought one for the time being.

And unfortunately due to occupation of choice--I'm at work at 3:30 am on Black Friday--so no shopping for an Expression then. But I'll be on the look-out for specials and E-bay.

Now any advice for not going crazy with cuttlebug accessories?

 

[Teacher03]

Joanns has the expression for $249 this week. I'm not sure what cartridges it comes with, but it might be an option if you don't want to wait until BF.

 

[rskbh00]

I have the Cricut personal, Expression and the new Imagine and love them all! If I were you and had to decide between the personal and Expression I would go ahead and get the Expression. You can get really great deals online (especially eBay) and you can make bigger cuts and have lots more options.

 

[dogcarbon]

when I was buying my E, I bought it from HSN as they had the best price on a bundle and then a new customer discount code of 15%.

Also, a few months ago they still had the same types of bundles too. Not sure what HSN.com currently has.

 

[JandJ]

I have the baby bug and am perfectly happy with it. There are things I know I could cut larger on the E but I'm not in any rush to have one. I work on Black Friday, too, so hitting the stores at the crack of dawn for a good deal is not an option for me.

As for SCAL - LOVE it!! I own 4 carts and don't intend to ever buy another because there are so many free .svg and .scut files on-line to use with SCAL. Google "sure cuts a lot svg files free" and you'll see all the options. There are SCAL kits for purchase, too. You can cut any font already on your computer and any free downloaded font, as well. SCAL has great options and I know I wouldn't enjoy my Cricut as much without SCAL! DH also enjoys designing things for SCAL with Adobe Illustrator, so if there's something I really want he's willing to work on it for me, and I'm very lucky to have that!

 

[beaucoup]

I bought my Expression so I would have to option of using cartridges and use SCAL if I wanted. There are times when a I just want something simple from a cartridge or I might want to spend more time looking for other peoples files or making my own. Just depends on the mood. Another reason for the Expression was the 12x12 mat so I could make 12x12 page overlays.

I've only bought a few cartridges and don't plan on going crazy buying too many more.

My main interest currently is card making. I tried paper scrapping about 10 yrs ago and just couldn't get into it. I want to learn digital scrapping next year.

 

[Mas17]

I have had my Create for almost 2 years now. While I do love it, I so want to get the Expressions. Never thought I would, but love the option of making bigger cuts. I am looking & will probably purchase Black Friday.

Check out Cricutmachine.com. They have the E with 2 carts & other stuff for $219.95 and free shipping. Pretty good deal if you want it now. Cheapest I've found brand new.

 

[wdwmickey]

I got a brand new "E" still in the factory packaging from e-bay for $174 (w/ free shipping , 2 carts and a bunch of other stuff). It arrived last night (3 days after I ordered it). I've been looking for a while and I had a price point I wasn't willing to go over. Can't wait to start making bigger and smaller cuts. The smaller ones for mats, boxes & slide mount embellishments I love my baby bug, but, I was ready to be able to do all the extra things you can do with an "E" that you can't do with the smaller bug.

 

[beaucoup]

I got a brand new "E" still in the factory packaging from e-bay for $174 (w/ free shipping , 2 carts and a bunch of other stuff). It arrived last night (3 days after I ordered it).

Great price.

 

[wdwmickey]

I just used my "E" for the first time and I love it the display screen is amazing and the fact that I can cut so many things at once!!! I wish I'd gotten it sooner