Cuttlebug vs. Cricut

[caseymae1]

So I am looking into purchasing a die cutting machine/tool and these two are definately on the top of my list...And in a perfect world I would have both but it's not perfect so I must choose...Price out of the picture, which of these two would you purchase and why...If you own one or both, what are their best features? I make mostly cards, but do a little scrapbooking on the side...

So far weiging my decision: Cuttlebug - Embossing Feature. Cricut - Automation (No turning or pushing, it just cuts for you) and variety of dies (and the option to do several sizes per design)

Any and all input will be greatly appreciated!

THX
Casey

[iu97alum]

cASEY i have both now. I got the cricut last summer and LOVE it. But I use it mostly for scrapbooking. The down side is no embossing which is bigger for cardmaking. The carts can be expensive $49-$80 each but you get lots on them. I just got a cuttlebug a few weeks ago and love it but only for the embossing. The die cutting is a little cumbersome for me since I have automation of the cricut. It's a hard choice but I think it depends on your budget and what your main use of the tool will be. I'd be happy to answer any questions...

[ebethneu]

I only have the cuttlebug so that's what I can speak about more. I had said to myself that I was NOT going to get a cuttlebug, that I didn't need it, I never did a lot of embossing.

But then the Nestabilities did me in..........and so I ordered a cuttlebug and I LOVE it! I love having the embossing on my cards in so many choices, tags, shapes, etc. And nestabilities are just the best, reason alone to get a cuttlebug. And in comparison it is cheaper than the cricut.

I have only seen the cricut being used and it just really does nothing for me. The cartridges are expensive and the fonts I see used really dont do a thing for me, I haven't seen any as attractive as what I can download and print.
There isnt anyting about the cricut that makes me want one.

[jhottman]

I have both and love both of them. For card making I would get the Cuttlebug. I love my circut for scrapbooking, esp. the letters. Nice to have all sizes and you aren't stuck with unused letter as with stickers. I really don't care for die cuts with cards.

[kisa31707]

Hi Casey,

I am so bad because I have them both. The Cuttlebug is wonderful because of the embossing folders and the dies cut chip board. However, the Cricut allows you to cut some many things and various sizes. IMO, you can not do with both. :lol:

Get the Cuttlebug now and put the Cricut on your Christmas or Birthday wish list because it is so pricey.

Good luck,
Kisa

Quote:

Originally Posted by caseymae1

So I am looking into purchasing a die cutting machine/tool and these two are definately on the top of my list...And in a perfect world I would have both but it's not perfect so I must choose...Price out of the picture, which of these two would you purchase and why...If you own one or both, what are their best features? I make mostly cards, but do a little scrapbooking on the side...

So far weiging my decision: Cuttlebug - Embossing Feature. Cricut - Automation (No turning or pushing, it just cuts for you) and variety of dies (and the option to do several sizes per design)

Any and all input will be greatly appreciated!

THX
Casey

[stampinchampin]

My neighbor has the cricut and only scrapbooks. I make cards and have the cuddlebug. I love my bug. I thought I wanted the cricut at first but after research, it was more than what I needed and I could not justify the price. I love to emboss with the bug and am getting the nestabilities to use with it as well. Can't wait for those! I do very little die cutting with my bug. Not one of my favorite things for cards.

Good luck in your venture!!

[caseymae1]

I just looked at Provo Craft's website, and I am definately leaning more towards the cricut now...Thanks for everyone's input...I also saw the Nestabilities and have been researching those for a couple of weeks, they definately look FUN! Just have to decide which (or all) sets to get ;)

I used to scrapbook a lot more than I do now, if I was still in the SB mode I would love having the Cricut as well...But it is expensive, and it has a lot of "accessories" that I don't have the room for LOL...I just don't want to spend the money on either of them and have it sitting around collecting dust...I have seen so many pretty cards using the embossing folders w/ the cuttlebug and I think I would use it often, I like details like that on cards, makes it look like a lot of work, with little effort using the machine...

Cuttlebug will be added to my "internal wish list" and hopefully one day soon I'll have one to call my very own ;)

Thanks everyone!!

I am still interested to hear other input about these two machines...Lots of great info already!

[Jaklatet]

I have the Cricut and LOVE it now! I got the Cricut Design Studio so I could get more use out of the Cricut. I love being able to resize all of the shapes and fonts. I also bought Sure Cuts Alot that lets met cut any font I download. It works super! I don't have a Cuttlebug, I have a Big Shot. I had the Big Shot before the Cuttlebug got so popular so see no need for me to get one since I can also emboss with it. I will mainly use the Cricut for scrapbooking and the Big Shot for cardmaking.

[Jillgunter]

I say get the Cricut and maybe when you have some extra money add on the cuttlebug. You can use a coupon on the cuttlebug, and the folders for it are pretty cheap. I have both, got the cuttlebug first and then DH really wanted to get the Cricut lol. I am still practicing using my cricut, I have the expression.

[jent]

LOVE, love,love my Cuttlebug. I got a Cricut for Christmas and have yet to use it. Tried to make a title for my brad assortment storge. Got out my two Cricut cartridges that came with my machine and neither one makes lower case letters. Have no idea why I hadn't noticed that before. I'm sure with all the Cricut lovers on here I won't be added to anyone's favorite list. However, for the money I was shocked at that reality.

The 'bug is easy to use and does so much -- its the best value in the cardmaking world you can find, especially if you can get it with a 40 or 50% off coupon.

JMHO Good luck with your decision.

[Jaxs1971]

I was in the same place recently trying to decide which one to get. I went with the cuttlebug as I do more embossing then die cuts lately. The LSS where I work has a Cricut and I have used a few times with customers.
It's very easy to use but the cartiridges we have seem very limited in the fonts for size and also for lower case. If I did a lot of word titles or such I might be interested in getting it, but for now I'll just use the one at work if I need anything.
I really love my cuttlebug, even more now that I am making my own wedding invitations. :p

[maliamarie20]

Have you used the Cuttlebug with nestabilities to crop photos for scrapbooking? I'm trying to figure out if the dies will work with pictures. I would appreciate any info.
Thanks

[NatesWife]

I have both and I think it depends on how you will use it. I scrapbook, not make cards, so I get the most useage out of my Cricut. I bought the Cuttlebug first with a 50% off coupon, trying to avoid the $$ Cricut. Then I learned how much alphabet dies were.... I digress. Check around - I paid $125 for the original Cricut at AC Moore.