 "Will you use it enough to be worthwhile?" | 2009-08-16 |
| - Reviewed By virginia_allain |
| Here's what my neighbor had to say about it: "I use it some, but the cartridges are expensive and you never seem to have exactly what you want. I have not purchased the Sure Cuts A Lot software that allows you to cut any image and all True Type fonts without cartridges, but I am thinking about it. The main thing I DO NOT like is that when you cut a word (you can "weld" the letters together so it all comes out in one piece) getting glue onto it is really difficult. When I use my Xyron to apply adhesive, it leaves a lot of residue between the letters. My recommendation would be to set aside the $300 and use it to buy lots of Jolie embellishments and other premade items. Check out the SCAL Yahoo forums to see that software before deciding." |
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 "Fun Machine - Pros & Cons..." | 2009-05-26 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2M6YT0N7W14X9 |
CONS:
Don't get me wrong... I really enjoy my Cricut Expression, but there are times when I think it's overwhelming and enjoy using my Cuttlebug more (which has NEVER failed me!) With the Cricut Expression machine, I've done a ton of trial and error. I use all different types of paper (cardstock, construction paper, chipboard, etc.), and each of these require different blades and pressure. It is frustrating to have to do it over and over until you find the right setting. I've wasted quite a bit of paper due to this. I still have yet to master cutting through the thickness of chipboard that I have, even with the deep cut blade. I think I'll give in and just buy thinner stuff.
PROS:
I love that I don't HAVE to buy their Cricut cartridges - I can use the software I downloaded and hook it up to my computer. This gives me endless amounts of different fonts and designs. Although a computer isn't required to use the machine (if you use their cartridges), I find it much easier and less expensive to use the software! The possibilities are truly endless with this machine. I have done some pretty intricate designs that I wouldn't have been able to do elsewhere. I can make my pictures and fonts as big or as small as I want and I love that! I do think the machine is easy to use but it takes some time to learn.
If you would mainly use the Cricut Expressions machine for fonts, I wouldn't recommend it. However, if you're truly looking for unique designs and you have some patience, the Cricut Expressions might just be what you're looking for! |
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| "Nice machine but I expected more for the $$" | 2009-02-23 |
| - Reviewed By chrmed14life |
The machine itself is really great, and fun to have. It comes in rally handy for making all kinds of things. The drawback is that they claim you save money by not having to purchase all the bulky die cuts you would have on hand for scrapbooking, the only part I find true about that is the bulky part. Instead of having single dies, there are several patterns on each cartridge. But as far as saving money, I really do not see it.
The drawback is you have to purchase their cartridges, which are not very cheap; especially of you will only use some of them every now and then. Before I purchased this machine I had a plotter, I purchased this product to rid myself of the bulky plotter. You can guess what is still taking up space in my crafting room, yes it is the plotter.
I think this product would be better if you were able to hook it to your computer, which you can, but be able to use it to access a website with designs on it, perhaps even on a subscription basis, or for one to purchase each design that want to use as they need it, kind of like embroidery designs. Instead, for now you have to purchase cartridges each time you want to do something new.
I cut a lot of fabric for quilting with this machine. That part I really love. I can pick a design, and each one comes out the same as the last, then I can fuse it to a block and stitch around it to keep it on my quilt top. I also use this machine for making tags. I deal in a lot of vintage quilts from estate sales, some come with a story and I am able to print the story and cut it out as a tag to attach with a safety pin to the quilt so my customers know what they are buying. I also integrate this with some of my graphic work. I am able to cut shapes and vinyl to add to projects with my art work to help make things a little more personal and different.
I love this machine, but feel like they need to work a little harder on the pricing of the designs.
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| "Cricut Machine, Great!!! Description, Bad!!!" | 2009-01-06 |
| - Reviewed By User: ATT1O93RJX183 |
| We ordered this for our daughter for Christmas 2008. It arrived very promptly, but not sure we got the extras that we thought we were getting. Description says 2 cartridges, but not which ones. We received one cartridge and a toolkit. Tried Amazon first, told to contact Cricut. We never did get response from Cricut, I read on their website how bad the company customer service department really is in returning emails. GOOD NEWS is that our daughter (who is 20) loves the Cricut Machine and has been using it nonstop to scrapbook. She said "easy to use and does what it claims to". We just hope that we don't have any problems because it sounds like we would get NO HELP FROM CRICUT. |
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 "Best Die Cut Machine for Scrapbooking" | 2009-01-01 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1MVHG371XFQBU |
This is my absolute favorite machine.
I use my expression daily. My children love to have little things cut out for them from fancy words and paper dolls, to pirate ships and castles. (Big and Small)
I love using it for all of my scrapbook pages. From Disney to different fonts. It's all there.
The only qualms I have with this machine are fairly minor. The mats are difficult to find, especially around Christmas.
The mat will lose it's stickyness, which holds it in place for cutting. As it loses it's stickyness, the machine will sometimes "pick up" the item you are cutting and will end up destroying it.
You can only insert the mat one way, according to the directions, which ends up cutting a lot on one area of your mat. Thus losing the stickyness on one side, faster than the other.
You can however change the location of where it begins, thus making it easier to fill up an entire page with litle waste.
The little inconveniences don't take away from this wonderful machine though. A little costly, but well worth it in time saving, versatility, and usefullness.
This machine is incredible. I love my Expression. |
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