cricut cutter?

Samantha - posted on 11/30/2009

Someone else mentioned SCAL but I thought it deserved a 2nd shout out. Go to www.scrappingtable.com to check it out, best money I ever spent... ok maybe not best but still. It's basically a program that turns your computer into a big cartridge so that you can create your own designs, use your fonts and shapes and do just about anything your brain can think up. It's pretty Fabulous (yes with a capital F).

Oh and answering the original question... I LOVE MY CRICUT!

Amanda - posted on 11/30/2009

I simply LOVE my Cricut Expression. I put off buying it for a long time too b/c of the price, but I saved up my pennies and got mine for a super deal at ohmycrafts.com after shopping around a lot for the best price. I got a great bundle from them plus a bunch of extra accessories like extra mats and a blade, a couple more cartridges, the spatula and tool kit (which I highly recommend) plus a craft tote and a few other odds and ends all for about the same price as JUST the Expressing with it's one cartridge was going for at my local Micheals, and that includes the shipping to Canada which wasn't exactly cheap. What finally made me decide to just go for it is that my husband has hobbies too, like the big flatscreen TV, a love for Blue ray disks, the gun safety course, membership to the firing range and his rifle and shotgun. It made me realize that my hobby is just as important to me and I shouldn't feel bad about buying a really good tool that I will use so much. If scrapping and crafting is what you enjoy then this tool is a good investment and very versatile. From scrapbook pages to cards, home decore vinyl, to quilting (yes it CAN cut fabric ladies) there are endless uses.

Denise - posted on 11/28/2009

I say yes it is sooo worth it! You can use it in so many ways to use it. I use it to make cards as well!!

Tracy - posted on 11/28/2009

Cricuts are a lot of FUN!!.. Love mine.. You can get discounted cartridges online like Amazon and ebay.. just look around... You'll love it!! Comes in handy with School projects and lots of others.....

Melissa - posted on 11/28/2009

I was all set to get one at Wal-Mart, but found one on line thru Amazon.com for just $269. It's the Expression, came w/3 extra cartridges and the tool kit. Plus had folks and kids here that said if I ordered it, they would divvy up the cost and pay majority of it....have to wait a few days to get it, but works for me!! Can't hardly wait to start playing when it gets here next week.

Nikki - posted on 11/28/2009

I love it! I use mine not only for scrapbooking, but also for the kids' school projects and even cut out price tags for my crafts when I couldn't make it to the store (we live 25 miles out of town). If you find a few friends that also have one you can trade cartridges which makes it a lot cheaper!

Kim - posted on 11/28/2009

yes balck friday and the weekend after thanksgiving is the way to go. the small cricut was $74.88 at jo-ann's I got mine last year for $99. cartridges were on sale 28.88 as well. never pay more then $30 for a cartridge, I have bought some on e-bay as well and got them for $16-20 each! also there are a lot of webites that have super deals on the cartridges and accessories. ohmycrafts.com they always send e-mails for 20% off.
cricutmachine.com also has good sales and shipping is very resonable. and customcrafts.com get on all the mailing lists and they send e-mails out with all the bargains. I love mine and use it ALL the time.

Margaux - posted on 11/28/2009

I saw 4 of the Cricut Expression cutters at Wal-Mart on black friday morning. Only $188 which seems like a super deal...I didn't get it, but I hope some people were able to take advantage of that great deal! Did anyone purchase one?

Denise - posted on 11/28/2009

I saw the Cricut expression in Wal-Marts ad yesterday for $188 and it comes with two cartridges. I got mine on ebay for around $200. The Michael's in my area all put "not for use on cricut" in the fine print on their coupons. I purchased SCAL so I can cut my own paper pieces and any true type font for free from the internet. I also know there's a free program called Inkscape that allows you to create your own .SVG files that cricut will cut. Myscrapchick on ebay has tons of cute paper pieced files that you can cut on your cricut and they're having a 50% off sale right now. Treasureboxdesigns on ebay also has cute paper piece files.

Lori - posted on 11/27/2009

Soooo - did anyone get a cricut today?!? Michaels was open on Thanksgiving evening and sold out that night.

Harrison - posted on 11/27/2009

My daughterinlaw and her sister have one and they love it! I spotted it on the shopping channel for about $300.00 and this included a few cartridges. I think that it is a good price? My daughter-inlaw' sister purchased her at Micheals with a coupon, and her's was a gift. Both they rave about it! MAking me very jealous!

Margaux - posted on 11/25/2009

I was wondering the same thing! I have wanted the cricut cutter, but have been waiting because it so expensive. It looks so fun though!

Monica - posted on 11/23/2009

Its sooooooooo worth the $$$$! I've been scrapping for years and for the longest time cut out everything by hand. the cricut does it all for you and I LOVE,LOVE the thing! Go for it you'll love it plus it can do more than cut out scrap booking things.

Pegi - posted on 11/20/2009

I have both cricuts. I love them!!!!!!! I just got the gypsy and it is wonderful!

Kylie - posted on 11/20/2009

Hi Sang
I have a Cricut and I love it there are a few different ones about I have the basic one and love it and now use it for every page,saving on buying letters that dont co ordinate with my page anyway everything can match
good luck!

Maria - posted on 11/19/2009

Oh I love scrapbooking! My mom has a cricut and when ever I go and visit her I totally take advantage of it :-) It's so fun to make all the different cut outs! I'm hoping to get one of my own really soon!

Jenny - posted on 11/19/2009

I don't have a Cricut because I couldn't bring myself to spend that much. But I did just purchase a Memory Makers Slice off ebay. I haven't received it yet so I haven't got to test it out. But you might want to look into them. They are smaller and portable and they cost less and the cartridges cost less too. You can watch demonstrations of them on youtube.

Joy - posted on 11/18/2009

If you do go on black friday go really early. A couple of years ago I went and they all sold out in the first minute or two. You don't have to buy ink but you can. If you use the design studio, or gypsy now I'm assuming, you can have the cricut draw images on your paper. I have the ink inserts and design studio but haven't tried it yet.
Good Luck
Joy

Yvonne - posted on 11/18/2009

Mine has paid for itself! I love it!

Sharrie - posted on 11/18/2009

I love my circut....you can watch on Ebay for cartridges too. I got some of my for $15 & $20 each. The Cricut is fantastic

Alyssa - posted on 11/18/2009

OH MY GOD YES!! I love mine. I use it for everything! From scrapbooking to making signs....and I even brought it in for my students at church to play with. It makes scrapbooking even more enjoyable than it already is. After the initial thought process of how I want to lay the page out, it's so simple to just plug my cricut in and cut out everything I need. What an amazing tool!! ............maybe I should be their spokesperson.



It is pricey, but it will be your best friend!!

Paula - posted on 11/17/2009

Have two love them wish I had more time and space.Cricket not only good for scraping its great for all sorts of crafts

Margaret - posted on 11/06/2009

Yyes, they are definiatley worth the many. Two of my good friends have one so I saw no need to buy one yet. If I didn't have such easy access to one, I'd definiatley put it on my christmas list.

Natasha - posted on 11/06/2009

Hi all...I'm thinking of geting the cricut machine this winter. I love scrapbooking and i try to buy all my supplies when on sale!
Also i would like to know if i can make a small home business useing this machine when i get it? any ideas?

Jennifer - posted on 11/04/2009

it's totally worth it!! Look the day after Thanksgiving, they'will be on sale. Michaels , Jo Anns, or Walmart. Look for the adds in the paper.

Susan - posted on 11/03/2009

Instead of a Cricut, I bought a Quikkuts sillouhette machine. I got a great deal on ebay for a refurbishede one. Instead of having to buy all the cartridges, you can use any of the true type fonts already on your computer. You can also purchase individual cut outs from the web site that are very inexpensive. You can also download an update that you can use to scan and cut out any picture or outline you want to cut out. I LOVE it!

Maria - posted on 11/03/2009

Yes I realy think you will get your money's worth as long as you use it small one is good for scrap booking and cards and the larger one is good just about everything even home decor

Kandi - posted on 11/03/2009

My hubby baught me the sure cuts alot so that i could use it with my laptop and cricut and from what I tried of it I love it. Its easy to take when i go to retreats. and I got so many free fonts that I dont need to buy any more fonts or cricut cartridges. The only thing is that you have to have a cartridge in the machine so that it will work. But other then that.. ITS GREAT

Kandi - posted on 11/03/2009

I started with the circut personal cutter which is the smaller one but then upgraded to the expression. It is costly. but in the end I am spending less on thing cause I can make it with the cricut. I also no longer buy the cartridges to go in mine cause I have found some software that allows you to do everything from your computer.. I LOVE IT.. i also recommend it to (the cricut) EVERYONE>.. It was a purchase that was well worth the money and its fun to use. and now that my sons getting older and will be in school in 2 years I am getting more excited because I canat wait to help him with school projects...

Debra - posted on 11/03/2009

If you buy the design package you can connect to your computer and you don't need to buy their cartridges. It's definitely worth it.

Mandy - posted on 11/03/2009

You can buy the Cricut at any craft store. My mom bought mine at Joanns but majority of other craft stores carry them. I have the small one (cuts from 1in to 5.5in. May want to check on Ebay, but make sure it is brand new! They are all made by Provo crafts. I would highly suggest the investment because you will use it ALOT!! Cartridges are easily found on Ebay for a lot cheaper than at the stores! Let us all know if you decide on getting one!

Mandy - posted on 11/03/2009

Quoting Sang:

which cricut is the best? can you tell me the brand and where to buy it?

Vnss - posted on 11/02/2009

totally worth the buy. go get it.

Sang - posted on 11/02/2009

which cricut is the best? can you tell me the brand and where to buy it?

ROSIE - posted on 11/01/2009

Yes it is worth buying ...it all I can say! Love it :)

Jennifer - posted on 10/31/2009

I have one and I love it! I bought it when one of the crafting stores was having a $99 promotion (came with a cartridge too!). Depending on what model Cricut you want and what you plan to do with it, it can be pretty inexpensive, or pay for itself over time.



the best party, if you make good friends scrapbooking (and I'm sure you will), you'll be able to trade cartridges! :-)

Michelle - posted on 10/31/2009

I love mine! I pretty much use it for at least one thing on every page I make!!

Gina - posted on 10/30/2009

Quoting Jennifer:

I know someone who does have one and said it is worth it! I do not have it...but want one...hmmmm maybe a christmas gift to myself? HAHA!

i was thinking the exact same thing lol. my cousin has one so i could borrow her cartridges if I were to get one. :)

Mandy - posted on 10/30/2009

I love my cricut! Have used it for many projects, especially my scrapbooks! I agree with the others on getting cartridges on Ebay...so much cheaper! It's a great investment, you'll be very happy with it! Look through the library of cartridges on cricut.com to decide which cartridges to purchase, very helpful! I love to use the shapes on the cartridges for journaling, looks cute and is a nice place to journal!

Michelle - posted on 10/30/2009

I don't have a Cricut, I have a Klik-N-Kut Groove-E machine. It is more expensive, but has alot more possibilities. I scrap with many Cricut owners, and surprised noone has mentioned Sure Cuts A Lot, better known a SCAL. It is a program that allows you to run your Cricut to your computer to cut most of the fonts and clip art that are on the internet. It is about $80.00, but basically allows you to never need to purchase a cartridge. One of the arguments that make most people hesitant to go this route is that by installing SCAL, it voids the manufacturers warranty. But of all the Cricut owners that I scrap with, none has actually needed to use the VERY limited warranty anyway.

Beth - posted on 10/29/2009

LOVE it! Totally worth it!

Jennifer - posted on 10/29/2009

I know someone who does have one and said it is worth it! I do not have it...but want one...hmmmm maybe a christmas gift to myself? HAHA!

Sang - posted on 10/29/2009

Thanks alot ladies, I cant wait to start. I might wait till Black Friday to buy the cricut.

Sara - posted on 10/28/2009

Check out the variety of machines out there - the prices vary by the features they offer. I have the basic "personal cutter" which I think is usually around $200 regular price. They also have the "expression" which has a large 12 x 12 cutting mat - so if you want to cut letter that are taller than 5 1/2 inches (what the basic machine can do) you may want to get the large machine. There's also a "create" machine - it's the same size as the personal cutter, but there are some special features on it. I forget exactly what those were - when I was looking the base price was $300, and I just couldn't justify getting anything but the cheaper one.

And I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this - you can get ink for the machine, but you certainly don't need to. I haven't seen them in use, but I guess you can get these little "marker" type cartridges that fit where the cutter would normally be. Then you can use the cricut to draw the shapes, and cut them out too if you want.

To use it for basic paper crafting, all you need is the stuff it comes with. Then probably pick up an extra mat (I think they come as a 2 pack) and maybe an extra blade in case you use yours so much it goes dull.

A COUPLE HINTS FOR EVERYONE:
When you get your cutting mat, there is a clear plastic sheet that you are supposed to put over it when you aren't using it. Before you remove that sheet, use a sharpie to write "this side up" on it somewhere. It doesn't seem to have different sides, but if you put the wrong side down on your cutting mat, it will quickly remove a lot of the adhesive on there. Major bummer.
Also - you generally can't use coupons on the machine or cartidges (shop ebay for great deals) but you can use the coupons for the accessories like the spatula and extra mats or blades. I'm talking about the 40% off coupons that JoAnns and Michaels often have.

One more thing - I always use my Creative Memories Adhesive "pen" when I make letters. It's essentially a ball-point "pen" that squirts out adhesive where you "write". I know someone else mentioned the Xyron, but I used a friend's once, and I really didn't like it. The pen is so much easier when those letters are skinny.

Hope this all helps. :-)
Sara

Lori - posted on 10/28/2009

Quoting Sang:

Robin, I dont have one cricut cutter yet and I wish I have one. It cost 399$ at Michael. I want to know more about it before I buy it. What esle do I have to buy with the cricut?

You will want the spatual tool.  It sometimes comes with the cricut, but if not it is around $6.00.  You will get one mat to cut on.  I would buy a set of 2 more.  12x12 mats are $12.00 for 2.  Your machine will come with at least one cartridge - so you have enough stuff to get started if you just add paper!

Lori - posted on 10/28/2009

Quoting Robin:

Hi Sang,
I love scrapbooking, I saw the cricut cutter, isn't it the one that cuts vinyl lettering and etching? I love it. How expensive is it? Wish I had one too!

Robin,

Yes the cricut will cut vinyl and etching material.  You can also cut freezer paper (wrong side up) and iron it onto fabric for a stencil.  It peels off when finished.  You can cut chipboard (will need a different blade for thicker chipboard) and fabric.  The possibilities are awesome!

Don't pay full price - they will go on sale now and then at Michaels for $299.99.  Also, check online at HSN, ohmycrafts.com or ebay.  There are other sites out there, but these are the ones I know by heart!!

Sang - posted on 10/28/2009

Robin, I dont have one cricut cutter yet and I wish I have one. It cost 399$ at Michael. I want to know more about it before I buy it. What esle do I have to buy with the cricut?

Robin - posted on 10/28/2009

Hi Sang,

I love scrapbooking, I saw the cricut cutter, isn't it the one that cuts vinyl lettering and etching? I love it. How expensive is it? Wish I had one too!

Monica - posted on 10/28/2009

I have a cricut and it is my new favorite toy. Yes, the investment is costly at first, but when you start to think about how many sticker sheets you buy that you use only a few of the stickers, the investment is worth it. I also have a xyron to make the shapes into stickers. Some of the letters are very thin. Hope you let us know your choice.

Lori - posted on 10/28/2009

Quoting Sang:

thanks Sara for mention about Black Friday, I totally forgot about that day. I think i will buy it. is there a kind of cricut I should look for or any of it are the same? i dont have to buy any ink for that machine right? thanks

Your cricut will come with one (or sometimes more) cartridges.  Each cartridge has it's own shapes or fonts.  You can see all of them at www.ohmycrafts.com - I have bought several carts from them!!  Watch Michaels for sales on Black Friday!