Information

[GrannyAllen]

Hi Scrapbooking Friends!

I am just beginning my adventure in scrapbooking and wanted to get some ideas on investing my money. I have completed about ten layouts so far. Some were made with the use of a cricut and some I just used stickers and odds and ends around the house. I enjoyed both. I loved the cricut. I would like to know from any of you how much you enjoy your cricut and if you think it is a good investment?

Thanks,

Granny A

[oceanbreezes423]

I have the Cricut Expression. I have had it about 2 1/2 years, and I would be LOST without it!!!! I use it almost every time I scrap, either to make my lettering, or a cute die cut that fits the page. I think, other then my paper, ( I am addicted to my paper) it was my best investment!!!! Have fun, and welcome to ACOT. You will love it here!

[love2stamp]

I have to agree with Susan, I love my cricut and use it just about every time I scrapbook. Welcome to a cherry on top, lots of great women and ideas, you will love it.

[joannie]

I am another scrapper that couldn't make a LO without the cricut! It'a a GREAT investment!!! Welcome to ACOT!!!

[suewho372]

I don't use my cricut for every layout, I NEEEEED more cartridges! LOL but I do use it alot and have used it for other stuff besides
scrapping!

Welcome, we are happy to have you here!

[mgehrke]

Welcome to ACOT you are going to love it here. I love my Cricut. I want to use it more. I just have to figure out how to make the diecuts. So far I have only used it for lettering. Again I LOVE my Cricut and am so happy I have it. You can usually find them for a great price on Black Friday. That is when I got mine 2 years ago. That is also when you can get cartridges for next to nothing too.

[Indy Scrapper]

I had been watching all those types of machines for a while when the Cricut Expression came out. A scrappy store here was having a class on the Expression so I took the class and that was enough for me to know that was the right machine for me. I bought mine that very day.


I use mine every time I am in my craft room. Unfortunately, my stash of emblishments and stickers now get ignored some as if I don't have an emblishment or sticker, I bet I can find it in the Cricut line of carts and cut what I want.



It is a big investment, but well worth it. Find a couple of basis fonts and look at the Best of Cartridges when trying to decide what ones to buy.



Good luck with you venture. OH and welcome to the wonderful world of scrap, paper scissors!.

[PezKat]

Hello and welcome! In the spirit of the 'season' and balanced opinions, lol - I don't get the hype. I've been scrapping for... almost 20 years? Bought a hand crank die cut machine & dies but rarely use it. I'm happy with my alpha stickers and can't see spending that much money on one tool, ever - maybe if it came with like 10 cartridges, but to then have to buy them as well... definitely not for me. And definitely not a "need" for a beginning scrapper at all in my opinion!

That being said, I know there are great deals on Black Friday so if you were going to buy one that would be the time.

[sherelm]

Someone gifted me a Cricut mini. I have taught classes, and been a scrapbooker for almost 20 years, started in 1996. Well my dear, if I could have back the many hours I've spent FIGHTING the darn thing. . . HATE THAT THING. I realy do not like being bothered with it, and agree - it's just not worth the money, hype, or whatever else everyone thinks of it in my humble opinion.
Invest in a set of scissor and cut patterns out yourself on the internet. You'll triple the savings for other supplies not having to buy the cartridges.

[Queen Mum]

I love my cricut. I have two - a bug and an Expressions. I also have Design Studio on my computer but never use that any more because I have my Gypsy.

[cort]

Someone gifted me a Cricut mini. I have taught classes, and been a scrapbooker for almost 20 years, started in 1996. Well my dear, if I could have back the many hours I've spent FIGHTING the darn thing. . . HATE THAT THING. I realy do not like being bothered with it, and agree - it's just not worth the money, hype, or whatever else everyone thinks of it in my humble opinion.
Invest in a set of scissor and cut patterns out yourself on the internet. You'll triple the savings for other supplies not having to buy the cartridges.

The problem with the cricut mini's and the expression 2 is that they are so computer reliant as well as the whole touch screen thing.

I own an expression (the original one) and from my point of view it's an easy machine to use right out of the box. I work in a store where i had to demo the E2 and about had a melt down because I couldn't figure the thing out...just not as user friendly in my opinion.

I am mainly a card maker...but a few things I can't craft with out are my inks and my non stick craft mat. I use my expression a lot to cut letters...but do i use it all the time..not really.

If you have an opportunity to try the machine before you buy (using a friends or renting time at a local scrap store) I suggest that. that way you can see if it's something you will get the use out of. also go to the cricut website and take a look at the cartridges...are there things on them that you will use? I have about 30 cartridges...collected over about 3 years.

Last but not least...WELCOME to the boards...there is an amazing group here that is always quick to help!

[1grandma]

I have an Expression and like it a lot. But I hardly use it due to the cost of the individula carts. I mean, I just can not afford to buy new carts everytime I want another LO. I do enjoy making alphas with it and have seen other people do amazing things with the cricut. There is a learning curve to it.

[Kari_H]

I have the Cricut Expression and I love it. I recently took it out and started using it again. I used it to cut out the tags in the Christmas tag swap and in most of the LO's I have done lately in my gallery. I logged into www.cricut.com and downloaded the Cricut Craft Room. It is a virtual mat and they have free "cuts" you can use and if you have a cartridge loaded it gives you more options on how to skew the size and shape of things. There's also Craft Room exclusive digital downloads that you can buy for much cheaper than a cartridge. I have bought some Halloween cuts and some pet cuts. Very cool, at least I think so.

This is probably the biggest project I have accomplished with my Cricut - My DD #1's grad board. I bought a tri fold display and made her LOs from baby to graduation that she later took off the board and put in the album I made her.

[jnet]

Hi and Welcome!
I have the Expression and I love it. I can't add anything much to what's already been said. I use mine for titles on almost every layout. I've used it to decorate bulletin boards, lunch bags, layouts, cards, presents, altered items, etc. etc.

[Ayla]

Welcome to the world of scrapping and ACOT! I have the small original Cricut and never use it. Granted I've gone mostly digital in terms of my layouts but I still papercraft a lot and hardly use it. In fact if someone wants it in exchange for the shipping costs and perhaps a small gift card (lol) I'd be happy to send it along!

[suewho372]

Someone gifted me a Cricut mini. I have taught classes, and been a scrapbooker for almost 20 years, started in 1996. Well my dear, if I could have back the many hours I've spent FIGHTING the darn thing. . . HATE THAT THING. I realy do not like being bothered with it, and agree - it's just not worth the money, hype, or whatever else everyone thinks of it in my humble opinion.
Invest in a set of scissor and cut patterns out yourself on the internet. You'll triple the savings for other supplies not having to buy the cartridges.

On that note, maybe the new Silhouette is the way to go....cuts from designs you get on your computer......I know you have to buy some but I think it may print on some that you create yourself on the computer.....

[Indy Scrapper]

The expression was initially thought to be a tool for a class room. A friend of mine teaches preschoolers and she has one in her class room for projects and they use it all the time.


I like to be able to design my own titles for my layouts and cut them out in coordinating cardstock or papers. Sticker letters can only go so far in terms of color and texture, in my opinion. The Cricut Craft room that was mentioned is perfect for someone just starting out with a Cricut. You can design things, weld letters together to make titles, and so much more. You do need to own the cartridge to use the craft room. I doubt I would have bought the Design Studio if the craft room had been there. I also have a Gypsy which allows me to do a lot of creating and designing for my cuts.



The Expression 2 does have a learning curve. My friend Judy bought the 2 and she and I both took a class to learn all the features. The key to most anything new is use. The more you use it the easier it is to use.