What Is A Cricut?

The internet now contains more and more forums on scrapbooking, due in large part to the growing popularity of the Cricut Machine. This machine is considered as one of the most effective tools to cut letters, shapes and phrases, especially for artwork that requires the cutting of intricate paper designs.

In fact, the Cricut machines have become quite popular not only among scrapbooking enthusiasts but also with any individual wanting to create top-quality paper art products. Perhaps the biggest reason for its popularity is the fact that it is very easy to use and you don’t have to be very “techie” to be able to operate it. In this hub you will learn about the 3 different Cricut machines and the features of each.

The Personal Electronic Cutter is the original Cricut machine for home crafting. It swiftly caught the attention of art enthusiasts because of the fact that you just have to plug it in without the need for a computer and you can start cutting your designs. Add to that the fact that each Cricut cartridge comes with over 250 designs available in 12 different sizes and the system becomes a sure hit. An added bonus is that this machine is portable and lightweight at just 7lbs so you can easily take it with you anywhere.

On Ebay they will generall go for about $100-$150. If you have a keen eye though you might catch a good deal on one for under $100!

Another one of the innovative Cricut machines is the Expression. This is a much larger machine and is designed to be permanently stationed at a work table or media room. The Expression is a good choice if you want to cut your artwork in impressive sizes because it comes with a 12” x 24” and 12” x 12” mat. The larger size capability makes it ideal for classroom decorations and signage.

Furthermore, the Expression allows you to mix and match creative features in just one cut, which means you can use the entire cartridge library in one design. It also allows you to cut either in portrait or landscape style and has a new LCD screen that lets you see your next design in the exact way that it will be cut. Good news for enthusiasts is that the Expression comes with the Accent Essentials cartridge, which is a very rare and coveted cartridge. Check here for a much more indepth Cricut Expression Review

One of the best places to buy these guys is on Ebay. You're looking at around $150-$200 for the price.

The third machine in the Cricut collection is the Cricut Create. Many crafters consider this the perfect Cricut machine because it combines the portability of the original with the versatility of the Expression. It is as small and lightweight as the Personal Cutter but still allows you to cut designs from 0.25” to 11.5”. The Create also employs an eight-way directional blade and contains the portrait mode, fit to page mode and auto fill mode that is used in the mass production of cuts. This has a USB port to connect to your PC and run the Cricut design studio software on it also!

On Ebay these guys will sell for around $100. Look out for the real deals that include a bonus or two!

The good thing about the three different Cricut machines mentioned above is that they all use the same cartridges, blades and blade housings. This is very convenient for those who decide to swap one type of machine for another since you won’t have to buy a whole new set of cartridges or blades. And to maximize your enjoyment of the Cricut machine’s functionality, here are a few tips for its use:

• To make mixing and matching designs from different cartridges more convenient, you can use the Cricut Jukebox.

This is an add-on that allows you to use up to six cartridges without having to actually switch the cartridges; you just have to connect the Jukebox to your machine and push some buttons to select the particular cartridge where you want to get your design. You can even link up to three Jukeboxes at once, which means you can use up to 18 cartridges at the same time. Look into other Cricut accessories to explore your options.

• To lengthen the lifespan of your machines blades, always use paper of good quality and use a lint roller in removing any paper debris from the blades.

• As for the proper care of your cutting mats, it is advisable to wipe it with a baby wipe after every use.

• It is also best to always have an extra set of blades and regularly refer to the manual for the correct settings of blade speed, length and pressure.

• For those who can only afford to buy one cartridge at first, the Doodlecharm may be your best bet. It's a favorite of many who are looking for a little scrapbook embellishment.

• And as with any other purchase, make sure to do your research in order to get the best value for your money; and it wouldn’t hurt if you go to stores where you can try the product before making a purchase. For more information check out this hub on Cricut Machines and Cartridges

Now all that's left is to get started on some Cricut project ideas of your very own!