help with cricut decision

[stampinbuddy2002]

Hi Ladies!

I do not own any die cut machine currently, and was thinking about getting a cricut, but now I'm wondering if I get one if I will ever use all of my alphabet stamps again!! I want the cricut for variety, but after thinking about the ease of making titles, not to mention accents, I'm wondering if I'll ever want to take the time to do things the "old-fashioned" way.

How have you women handled this?

[afancycat]

I think you will use both. I do....just depending on which look I'm wanting! HTH

[karinlm]

I think you will use both as well! I have a CraftRobo and still use my alphabet stamps....in fact, I just ordered a new set of alphas!

As a side thought....have you looked into the CraftRobo or Wishblade? The only downside I have found is it hooks into a computer so if you "scrapbook travel" is my not be the best choice but if you do most of what you do at home its great

[lhayes33]

I still use my alpha stamps all the time, especially for cards. I tend to use my cricut more for the other stuff vs just alpha.

[stampinbuddy2002]

Thanks!

You told me exactly what I was wanting to hear, and I just got back from getting my cricut, now, to spend the afternoon playing!!!

[yytx]

Have fun - i LOVE LOVE LOVE my cricut - used it a bunch to make card candy for a swap!!

[stampinbuddy2002]

After playing with it a bit, I could see how you could make tons of card candy in a snap! Awesome! Now I keep watching ebay for deals on the other cartridges I want!!! lol!

[Skittl1321]

I personally know I would never use it enough to get my money's worth. To me it is a neat novelty but not a must have.

[stampinbuddy2002]

No, it's not a must have, but it sure speeds up the scrapbooking process. Since I can still use all my SU! papers, everything still coordinates, which is why I love SU! Plus the quality of their papers.

[Joeknee]

I got my my Cricut for Christmas. At first I thought "I'm not going to use this" because I am more of a card maker than a scrap booker (Even though I should get on the scrap book ball). I've used it many many times. I dont think that I will be buying a lot of the cartridges because the one that it came with is good for me ~ but I've already used it many times...

It is an expense, but you just have to decide how much you may be using it..

[Suzanne]

I wanted a Cricut, but after doing some research have decided to get a Wishblade instead. The Wishblade is $400, but I will not have to buy any cartridges and I will be able to cut thousands upon thousands of different fonts & images at 1/2" to 8" that I can download for free. The Cricut is at least $199 then at least $59.99 for cartridges, by the time I buy the machine & just 3 cartridges I would have spent $400 anyway. Even DH said to buy the Wishblade which is scary in itself that he would say spend that much for something.

[mooshie_stamps]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzanne

I wanted a Cricut, but after doing some research have decided to get a Wishblade instead. The Wishblade is $400, but I will not have to buy any cartridges and I will be able to cut thousands upon thousands of different fonts & images at 1/2" to 8" that I can download for free. The Cricut is at least $199 then at least $59.99 for cartridges, by the time I buy the machine & just 3 cartridges I would have spent $400 anyway. Even DH said to buy the Wishblade which is scary in itself that he would say spend that much for something.

ooh! and the wishblade will soon be PINK!!

I love my Craft Robo (same thing as wishblade, different software) if you don't mind using a computer, and learning some software I'd deffinatley reccomend CR or WB!
Michelle

[itsallinthecards]

I LOVE my cricut as well. I am newer to rubber stamping but I think I will find use for both. I don't scrapbook, just make cards, invitations, and other items, like signs and picture frames. The cricut has been really handy for those items! I don't buy a lot of embellishments that scrapbookers typically use - it is fun to make them myself on the cricut!

[stampinbuddy2002]

At first, probably in the newness of it all, I started looking at other cartidges, but in reality, probably don't need any more. I just liked the idea of having some variety in my scrapbook titles- not just stamps or stickers, ya know?

[mutnersmom]

I got a Cricut for Christmas and I still use alpha stamps (especially smaller size). Personally, I like the look of both. I have been out of the scrapbook habit for too long, but love making cards. Since getting the Cricut, I am excited about scrapbooking again (and even more excited to use it for cards). I love my Cricut. I've never used any other type of die cut machine, so I really cannot compare them.

[love scrappin]

I have a question!! Does the CRicut cut out whole words or just single letters like the sizzix??

[mutnersmom]

Depending on the cartridge, my alpha cartridge cuts individual letters but has a few phrases that are connected (Thank you; Thinking of you; It's Your Day; I love you; etc.). With the individual letters I especially like the ability to cut the back (shadow) layer as well as the thinner inside layer so you can still have the layered look.

[love scrappin]

oh ok for some reason I was under the impression you could type in a word and it cut out the entire word not just single letters.

thanks for answering!

[mom of Marine]

The cricut will cut out the entire word--the letters will just not be connected. I hope this helps clear that up for you. Forums at Splitcoaststampers

[brookidy113]

Has any one had trouble getting the cricut to cut SU! Paper? I am ...not in love and thinking about selling mine.

[imatbrown]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brookidy113

Has any one had trouble getting the cricut to cut SU! Paper? I am ...not in love and thinking about selling mine.

I did until I adjusted my settings. Somewhere I read the best settings for SU! paper. I'll look and repost as soon as I can. ;)

[yytx]

I haven't had any probs-used it a BUNCH to make a whole whole WHOLE lot of card candy using SU! cardstock... set blade at 5, pressure and speed both also at 5 and no problems... I DID have a little challenge with some of the word phrases in Celebrations and Jasmine, but that was more of an issue with me figuring out how to get it off the mat... what are you trying to cut?

[bonbonstamps]

The Wishblade and the CraftROBO (about $100 less than the WB for the same machine) will both allow you to join the letters together so the letters don't cut out individually. Plus, you can size the letters to any size you want and cut mats for any size you want or as many layers of mats as you want. You can do much more than just letters with the WB and the CR, too. I got my CR for $299 and the shipping was under $20.

[airbornewife]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampinbuddy2002

After playing with it a bit, I could see how you could make tons of card candy in a snap! Awesome! Now I keep watching ebay for deals on the other cartridges I want!!! lol!

You should email Kim, a lady I buy my Cricut stuff from ~ and she nows carries the Cuttlebugs too. The Cricut cartridges are $55. and $4.50 shipping. She has mats/blades/kits, etc... here is her email address: [email protected]
Pam

[nkjohnston]

If I could only have one, I'd stick with the Big Shot since it will take anyone's dies. I have a Cricut, but I still use my Big Shot for teeny alphabet cut-out's. Cricut is very fussy about tiny stuff--blade not sharp enough, paper not stuck down properly, speed, thickness of paper. Drove myself nuts before Christmas trying to get some things done for gifts and wasting paper monkeying around with blades and speed and different thicknesses of paper on my Cricut.

[brookidy113]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yytx

I haven't had any probs-used it a BUNCH to make a whole whole WHOLE lot of card candy using SU! cardstock... set blade at 5, pressure and speed both also at 5 and no problems... I DID have a little challenge with some of the word phrases in Celebrations and Jasmine, but that was more of an issue with me figuring out how to get it off the mat... what are you trying to cut?

It's the phrases in Celebrations that I had trouble with. If the letters were thin at the bottom sometimes the machine would bend them up while cutting. I did have pressure and speed on 5, but I have never adjusted my blade and honestly didn't know I could, so I'll give that a shot. And I totally agree - trying to get the more intricate cuts off the mat is a PAIN. If you do manage to get the words off intact, then you get to peel off the dozens of little extra peices it leaves behind.

I need to play with it some more - I might grow to love it. Right now I just think it's OK. BTW - what is card candy???

[brookidy113]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brookidy113

It's the phrases in Celebrations that I had trouble with. If the letters were thin at the bottom sometimes the machine would bend them up while cutting. I did have pressure and speed on 5, but I have never adjusted my blade and honestly didn't know I could, so I'll give that a shot. And I totally agree - trying to get the more intricate cuts off the mat is a PAIN. If you do manage to get the words off intact, then you get to peel off the dozens of little extra peices it leaves behind.

I need to play with it some more - I might grow to love it. Right now I just think it's OK. BTW - what is card candy???

Actually, not celebrations - STAMPED. The letters are SO skinny.