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I have NEVER jumped on the die cut bandwagon, so I have a lot to learn. I have used the Sizzix that my friend has at my crops and I like it. I have also seen her use her Cricut.
I REALLY only want to buy one of the two. I am leaning towards the Bigshot because it will emboss too. BUT, what about cost? Those Sizzix alphabet dies are SO expensive! And a cartridge for the Cricut can be bought on sale for around $50, right? And those usually have an alphabet, plus a lot of other things. I'm really getting back into scrapbooking after just making cards for awhile, so the alphabets are a big deal to me.
I love the fact that the Cricut will cut in many different sizes...so if I want to layer flowers in decreasing sizes...I can do that. You also get a big bang for your buck with each cartridge ($50.00 cartridge with hundreds of options verses 2 or 3 dies from Sizzix).
I love the Big Shot because I can cut a lot of materials with it...it works with all dies (so I'm not limited to just Sizzix)...it embosses.
Cons to Cricut...you only really can cut paper. I've tried chipboard with the chipboard setting and it still didn't cut it...had to cut through with an exacto after.
Cons to Sizzix...cost of dies and storage...takes a lot of space to hold a lot of dies.
I love the fact that the Cricut will cut in many different sizes...so if I want to layer flowers in decreasing sizes...I can do that. You also get a big bang for your buck with each cartridge ($50.00 cartridge with hundreds of options verses 2 or 3 dies from Sizzix).
I love the Big Shot because I can cut a lot of materials with it...it works with all dies (so I'm not limited to just Sizzix)...it embosses.
Cons to Cricut...you only really can cut paper. I've tried chipboard with the chipboard setting and it still didn't cut it...had to cut through with an exacto after.
Cons to Sizzix...cost of dies and storage...takes a lot of space to hold a lot of dies.
I hope that helps some.
Thank you! That was helpful.
Does anybody else have anything to add to that?
I had a Sizzix and invested in lots of dies (with those coupons, of course!), but then donated it to the local library when I bought my Cuttlebug. Bigger cutting surface so more die options, and it's lighter and takes up less space. I can use all my sizzix dies, plus emboss better and it's more portable. I would take a die-cutter with a rolling function rather than the press any day.
As far as the Cricut goes... I got to play with the one that came to JoAnn when I was teaching there. Honestly, I wasn't impressed. The papers didn't cut completely through on anything even with a brand new blade, some papers stuck to the cutting plate and tore no matter how slowly I peeled, and I was limited to paper and cardstock. Yes, the variety is great, but I found it too limiting in other ways. Also, the initial cost was just too much. JMO, HTH!
I have original Sizzix, Big Shot, Cuttlebut and Cricut. Yikes...I use the CB most...Cricut has ALL the bells and whistles and extas and I have not had it out in close to a year. That is sad.
Blessings
I have both. I find myself using mainly the BS for card making since I use Nesties, fabric, felt, light chipboard, etc., in it. It's more convenient...no need electricity, easy to take with you. I only use Cricut for scrapbook pages for titles and such!
Remember that the Cricut is coming out with a new blade in October 2008. The new blade will allow you to cut thru chipboard and other materials. This will greatly expand what you can do with the Cricut.
I have both. Do you want electronic or manual? Do you want to be able to manipulate the size of your letters? Do you want to be able to do shadowing on your titles, or other special affects? You'll wnat to consider those things before you pick one or the other.
I agree with dwelch. I love that the Cricut will cut letters and the shadows in many sizes. Check the internet sales and sales at stores like Walmart. Someone mentioned on another thread that they saw the original Cricut on sale at Walmart for $75 and I just picked up a cart there for $20. Is there a LSS where you can try out both?
i have both cricuts and they are the best. soooo many options with just one cartridge! I have never used a bigshot but it just seems way expensive with what it can do compared to the price of the cricut and all that it does. If you want to emboss and use other dies that the cricut doesn't offer, I would get a cuttlebug. I have both and they coexist perfectly in my scraproom. Hope this helps!
Cricut vs. Bigshot-opinions please!
