so, i don't scrapbook. not because i don't think they are darling, because they always are. nor because i don't love to ohhh & ahh over them, because i do. but mostly because i don't have the patience for it. in college, i gave it the old college try. i actually managed to scrapbook all four years. but since then, i haven't touched a glue stick. i have tried my hand at the digital form, but, it still doesn't tickle my fancy.
but suddenly, despite my lack my desire to scrapbook, i find myself wanting, craving, even salivating at the mere thought of a cricut. it probably sounds dumb, but it just sounds fun. & even though i'm not a "scrapbooker", i'm sure i could come up with a project or two to put it to good use. so what do you think? anyone out there with a cricut? do you actually use it, or does it just gather dust on some shelf? is it silly to get one, even if i don't scrapbook? which one is the best (there are so many to choose from)? what to you use your cricut for? is it easy to use? is it good to go, the way it comes? or will i have to buy lots & lots of paraphernalia? anyway, i'd love to know your thoughts concerning the cricut while i continue to write my pro/con list & weigh need vs. desire. hmmm... what's a girl to do?
Friday, November 7, 2008
cricut anyone?
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28 comments:
My friend just got one of these and I am like you.....I want one too. They sound amazing. So much to do with them.
i would say if you are going to use it for scrapbooking and paper crafts then go for it...if you want it for vinyl...it doesn't do it justice...go with a vinyl cutter!!! however...i want one myself!!!
I am salivating over these, too. I can think of SO many, many ways to use it besides scrapbooking. I've heard you can even do vinyl lettering with them - but I see the commenter above me doesn't recommend it for that. I'm going to start scouring ebay for a cheap one, I think. I really, really, really NEED one (sheepish grin)
I too could not get into scrap booking- no patience for it. I do do a little digital scrapping but that comes and goes as well. Sorry can't help with your cricut question- I have seen the commercial though and they do look like they do everything but wash your dishes and cook dinner. So even though you are not a scrapper I think you Mrs. Lewis could find plenty to do with it to make it worth the splurge :0)
I bought one about 7 months ago - and to be honest I haven't used it as much as I thought I would. I do love it when I find the time to use it (I do only a very little bit of scrapbooking.) But, it takes up space, takes time to set up if you don't use it much and you will spend quite a bit on cartridges and other attachment/tools. Not to mention on paper. My advice, find a friend who has one and try it out before you commit. There are other smaller machines out there (but not as great machines out there) you may want to look into them first if you aren't a scrapbooker.
i have one. it is fun but the cartridges are so dang expensive! there needs to be an exchange program with those. because it's not like you need them all the time. i got one for my birthday. i have used it to make gift bags for kiddos. i've used it to make thank you cards for birthday gifts. i've used it to make circles for a project i've yet to finish. i've used it for Sunday school projects. it cvan save a lot of time if you need a lot of shapes for a big project. i am not a scrapbooker, by the way. but i do make holiday cards. here's a link to my kiddo bags:
http://abbyroadsammytownusa.blogspot.com/2008/04/crafty-cricut-mamasort-of.html
http://abbyroadsammytownusa.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-toy-for-mommy.html
I haven't used mine nearly as often as I thought I would. I made a garden of flowers for my kids teachers last year with the cricut, and a couple of other minor crafty projects, but that's about it. It typically just sits in my closet in it's nice little bag.
I love my cricut! I got it for my birthday and use it all the time, in fact I've been using it tonight to make Christmas cards. I've used it on them for lettering, circles, scalloped circles, borders, christmas trees etc. I have the design studio software too but haven't really got to grips with that yet! Someone mentioned the cost of the cartridges - I heard there was some software called Sure Cuts A Lot which lets you cut out any true type font or dingbat on your pc so I'm hoping to get that soon :)
If you're not really going to use it for scrapbooking you might want to think about getting the cricut rather than the expression as I only have the cricut and haven't even wanted to use the expression (and I'm a scrapbooker too! lol)
I have the Cricut "personal electronic cutter"...(the smaller model)I got it for Christmas last year and didn't pull it out to use it until this summer to make my baby announcements. I was SOOO glad to have it once I dusted it off as it saved me tons of time with cutting out shapes for me. I've also used it to make cards and it came in really handy. Like you, I used to scrapbook, but I've avoided it the last few years because I just don't have the patience, although, now that I have this thing, I really do intend to get back into it and do baby scrapbooks for my kiddos. It also would really come in handy to make cute handouts for church. I think spending a ton of money on the big one could be overboard if you're not going to use it much, but the smaller model for less $ I think will be worth it for me in the long run. It also came with a cute cartridge that I've gotten good use out of. It IS really cool and honestly I haven't had the time to even check out all it can do... like someone else suggested, maybe try out someone else's before you take the plunge. But it IS a great little machine!
BTW, thanks for commenting back! It probably WAS us at D-Land, we love that place! That's funny. :)
I have the original smaller one. I use it mostly for titles on my scrapbooking pages. My oldest uses it for school projects. I don't know what someone was talking about having to set it up, all you have to do is plug it in?? I keep mine in a carry bag.
I have an original smaller cricut. I love it. I don't scrapbook either but I use it to make cards, crafts wtih kids and help with school projects. Once your kids are older and are in school you'll find you use it a LOT. The kindergarten teachers all know me or know of me because of the posters I have made for the classrooms. It's a lot of fun and worth the money.
I won the SITS girls Cricut and have only used it once but it really was sooo much fun. I'm dying to go out to Michael's with my 40% off coupons and start buying a few more cartridges. Wish I had more time to scrapbook ... it can be used for tons of other projects though - handmade gift tags and all kinds of kids craft projects.
You pretty much summed up my relationship with scrapbooking. I'm anxious to see what your commenters say!
My sister bought the Cricut Expressions(cheapest at Wal-Mart)and a TON of cartridges. Coupons at Michels & Joann's always exclude Cricut so you can't get a discount. That one also comes with the software to put on your PC. She hardly ever uses it so she let me borrow it while she was moving. It's a cool tool, but the novelty wore off quickly. I always wanted one but I was glad I could give it a trial run because I decided it wasn't worth the small fortune.
i was actually going to ask for one for christmas but now after reading all these posts i'm re'thinking it.. i hate scrapbooking...but i really wanted it to be able to do the vinyl... hmm..i have looked into it.. i know at walmart each cartridge your looking at is about $50, the machine itself is $260ish, the computer program if you want to link them together is about $60 then all the little cutters and such.. i added it up and i was gonna be about $400 into it..and that only had 1 extra cartridge.. its a pretty pricey product. i wish there was like some videos online showing what all you could do with it..that may persuade me a little better.
I have wanted one for years and my wonderful guy bought one for me a few days ago. Love it! I don't scrapbook, mostly because I have very little of an attention span. His idea (he's a brilliant guy) was for me to make price tags for my shows. Previously I had been using a hand punch and ending up with sore hands and a lot of wasted paper. The cricut is exciting to use, works fast, and makes me excited to make greeting cards again. :)
i have to say i didn't love it at first, it takes awhile to figure out the different settings, but now i'm constantly using it! i cut vinyl with it alot! it works great! get it, you'll love it.
I was dying to get one and once I did I used it a ton for about a month, and then hardly at all. It's great for a specific project, like christmas cards or shower invitations, but for scrapping and day to day stuff, I hardly ever get it out. The cartridges are expensive (usually the Michael's coupons exclude Cricut products) so you can plan on at least $500 for a decent selection of cartridges. Plus with each project, I usually have to buy a couple of replacement mats.
my neighbor has one! We have gotten together to scrapbook several times and haven't even looked at it! She's had it for over a year and has used it all of once. I'm not sure if it is fantastic or not! Maybe we'll try it soon!
I am like you. I wanted one for the longest time but just could not justify it. I do scrapbook but I was not sure I would use it. It is on my Christmas wish list. Also, there is a website that allows you to rent the cartridges... http://www.crabbycrowcartridgerentals.com/collections/rentals
That looks like a serious and expensive machine.
So funny. I'm not a scrapbooker either, but I totally want one too!
If you like Vinyl... you will love the Cricut!!
I had the Cricut but never sued it so I recently switched to the QuicKutz Silhouette. I would recommend the Silhouette over the Cricut any day. The best thing about is that you can cut any font that you have installed on your computer- so there's no need for buying cartridge after cartridge.
I've used my silhouette for cutting vinyl to put on picture frames or wood boards to use as home decor. I've used to for gift tags, impromptu birthday cards and cookie jar labels. I love it!
I would also look into the Quikutz Silohuette. I don't have one myself, but my favorite little craft store has them and lets us used them. You can do much more with them, and it links to your computer. I would look at that one too!
hey..so i posted here a few weeks back.. since then i got the cricut expression which is regularly $499 online, $289 at walmart..i purchased it for $200 on black friday at walmart. it came with 2 free cartridges..and then right now if you go on cricut.com and fill out a rebate form you get 2 more cartridges free. i haven't been able to use it because It is a gift from my grandma for christmas..haha BUT i've watched the infomercial and it can cut paper, vinyl, fabric..and if you get the thicker blade you can cut and make your own stamps.
I don't know if you ever got a cricut, but I have one and LOVE it!!! I actually didn't mess with it for the first year after I got it, but now I know what a treasure it is.
And forget about buying the expensive cartridges, you would be better served with SCAL (Sure cuts A Lot)..you can downland fonts from the internet and use them with that program. The program is like 80 bucks, but well worth it cause it saves you the cost of cartridges.
I know this post is old so maybe you have already gotten one. (-:
Have had my cricut for 2 years. Didn't use it much at first. Lately I have been using it alot for everything from scrapbooking to cards to school projects. My daughter and her friends even used it to cut out words and decorations for their homecoming float. All the kids wanted to use it. (They called it the critter). My best advice is to shop ebay. I never pay more than $25 for new cartridges.(including shipping) Wish I had found that sooner myself as it would have saved me a ton of money. The machines are also much cheaper and they are brand new in box.
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