? about the Cricut <$100 at Michaels
 

So I thought I wasn't interested in a Cricut ... until it dropped below $100 and I've successfully saved up some money. :)

Now I'm wondering a few things about the basic Cricut machine:

Can it be hooked up to a computer? (I know it says it's not necessary.)

Does the SCAL software work with this model?

Other than the original purchase of the machine, how expensive is it to maintain? (cutting pads, blades, etc.)

Thanks for your help!

The best place to get these answers is at cricut.com. I have the baby bug and it can be used on the computer IF YOU BUY the design studio. As for the SCAL, I believe it does, but not for sure on that and maintaining it is all a matter of how often you use it. My only advice here would be that if your going to use it for multiple things (scrapbooking, cards, home) I would suggest saving your money for the bigger machine. I wish that I had waited until that was available because you have more options with it.

Thanks! I didn't know there was anything called Design Studio, so I'm off to check it out.

I used the original cricut with SCAL and my computer for a couple of years, and it worked fine. My husband recently got me the expression, but I used my little one for a long time with no problems. As for costs, it kind of depends on how much you use it. There are ways to restick your mats. Cricut doesn't recommend it, but I have done that for quite some time too. I use a zig two way to do mine, check out youtube for videos. Works great for me. I do mine a few times before I invest in new mats. Hope some of this helps.

Thanks! After looking at the price of Design Studio (which is out of stock at the moment), coupled with the price of the machine and SCAL, it's a bit more money than I want to get into right now.

Maybe I'll keep an eye out for one used. :)

I don't have any of the software that goes with it I just use the original cricut on its own

That's certainly an option, but I was thinking of the money you could save by not having to buy any of the cartridges (just using dingbats and such) ... However, if you have to purchase $150+ software to do that, it's not saving much money. :)

Sophia - Design Studio software doesn't let you cut images you find on the Internet or downloaded SVG's - it ONLY helps you manipulate images that come on the Cartridges or use your computer fonts.

You want "Sure Cuts a Lot" software or "Make The Cut" software - this lets you download SVG files from all sorts of free places, use dingbats, create your own and use every TT font on your computer.

Sure Cuts a Lot costs $59

Make The Cut costs $59 as well.

Okay, now I'm really confused. Do you have to buy Design Studio to hook up the original Cricut to a computer, or would you somehow be able to use SCAL without it? Thanks!

Sophia, you don't need to have Design Studio. When I got my SCAL, I had to download the trial version of Design Studio (free) to get the proper firmware on my Cricut. I'm not sure if that is the case still, but the website you buy it from would have instructions. Other than that, there is no reason you would need to have both.

Well, that certainly changes the picture a bit ... I'll have to keep an eye out for another good sale on the Cricut!

Thanks for all of your help. As you can tell, I've never seen a Cricut out of the box, let alone used one. I've only seen what other people have done with them, and it certainly interested me. :)

Nope. Like Dixie said, you don't have to have Design Studio to hook it up to your computer. It's just a program in case you want an easier way to manipulate the files on the cartridges. You can use SCAL and MTC without Design Studio.

I got a flyer in my Joann's bag that said the cricut will be on sale for 79.99 sept 26- oct 2

Thanks for the heads-up!! Now, if I could only find a Joann's store nearby that actually carries them. I might have to see how much shipping would be online ...