artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,388 
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Post by artbabe on Dec 27, 2022 17:45:15 GMT
I'm going to be super lazy with this one.
Between Christmas money and my bingo earnings ($110!) I'm going to finally buy myself a Cricut. I had one of the old cartridge ones but I haven't gotten around to desticking my cartridges.
I do not want to make t-shirts or work with vinyl. I just want to cut out paper diecuts and titles for scrapbook pages.
Which one would you get? The cheapest one? Is it worth it to go up in price? Would it really matter if all I want to do is cut cardstock?
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,434
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Post by scrapnnana on Dec 27, 2022 17:58:33 GMT
Based on what you said, I would recommend the Cricut Explore Air 2. It’s a good machine. It will give you the width for cutting titles, but not have bells and whistles you don’t need and probably wouldn’t use. Those bells and whistles really add to the cost. It cuts close to 12x12, but if you want larger die cuts (such as a larger background shape for a 12x12 layout), then the Explore Air 2 would do everything you need.
Another option is the Cricut Joy, which would work well for titles, but will limit the size of your die cuts. If, however, you do mini albums, 8.5x11 inch albums, or somewhere in between, it will probably meet your needs, or at least most of them. It is the least expensive, and takes up the smallest amount of table space.
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Post by papersilly on Dec 27, 2022 18:43:51 GMT
costco has a great sale going right now for the Maker. i think it was $249.00. i saw it a couple of days before xmas so the sale should still be running. the website has it for $269 but the warehouse price is always lower.
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Post by jjpeapea on Dec 28, 2022 12:45:26 GMT
I agree on the Explore Air 2. I very much enjoy using mine. You can download the Design Space software for free right now and start playing with it. To use the content of your cartridges you can contact Customer Service - they will tell you to take photos of the fronts and backs of your cartridges and they will link them to your account.
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Post by mikklynn on Dec 28, 2022 14:02:37 GMT
I am very happy with my Cricut Explore Air 2.
YouTube is the best source for turorials. You could watch a few before you purchase.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,434
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Post by scrapnnana on Dec 28, 2022 14:53:45 GMT
costco has a great sale going right now for the Maker. i think it was $249.00. i saw it a couple of days before xmas so the sale should still be running. the website has it for $269 but the warehouse price is always lower. , just fyi, the Cricut Maker does far more than just cut paper and card stock. If you want to cut fabric, leather, balsa wood, and other thicker materials, then I’m sure it’s worth the price. However, if you are a paper crafter and not interested in branching out to non-paper materials, you would probably be paying more for extra capability that it sounds like you wouldn’t actually ever use. |
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Post by disneypal on Dec 28, 2022 15:06:48 GMT
I just want to cut out paper diecuts and titles for scrapbook pages. Honestly....if you are going to be using it for scrapbooking only (and perhaps cards) - I'd go with the Cricut Joy. Since it is small, it doesn't take up much room. It is portable and affordable and 100% perfect for scrapbook titles (You can cut up to a 6" x 12" title) and die cuts. |
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Post by papersilly on Dec 28, 2022 15:11:33 GMT
artbabe , just fyi, the Cricut Maker does far more than just cut paper and card stock. If you want to cut fabric, leather, balsa wood, and other thicker materials, then I’m sure it’s worth the price. However, if you are a paper crafter and not interested in branching out to non-paper materials, you would probably be paying more for extra capability that it sounds like you wouldn’t actually ever use. That's true. No sense in getting the Maker if you don't need the extra stuff. In that case, Joann is having a sale on the other Cricut machines too. the Explore Air may suit OP's needs for her first foray into the next gen Cricut machines. |
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,388
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Post by artbabe on Dec 28, 2022 15:12:42 GMT
Thank you so much everyone! Those answers were exactly what I needed. Thank you.
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Post by rymeswithpurple on Dec 28, 2022 23:13:43 GMT
Late to the party, but I also love my Explore Air 2!
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Post by hoopsfn on Dec 29, 2022 15:22:09 GMT
Thanks for asking this question artbabe. I don't have an electronic cutter either and have been looking at the Silhouette Portrait although it's still pretty pricey. From the answers given it looks like the Cricut Joy might be the perfect answer. You all have made it much simpler than the promotional information that I've been wading through. And I like the price much better than the Portrait. Thanks. |
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Post by jjpeapea on Dec 29, 2022 15:44:59 GMT
hoopsfn Definitely go directly to the Cricut site and download the Design Space software and try it out before you consider it. You can design a project or two. Then you'll know if you are happy finding your way around it.
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PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,955
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Dec 30, 2022 6:19:23 GMT
I also don't own an electronic cutting machine & can relate to your dilemma. I exclusively scrapbook & have considered a Silhouette Cameo 4 to cut cardstock backgrounds, large word titles, & other oversized images not available/possible with dies for 12x12 layouts, but am uncertain how often I'd realistically use the machine to justify its storage space, learning curve, etc.
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Post by hoopsfn on Dec 30, 2022 15:20:12 GMT
Thank you jjpeapea. I'll make time over the holiday to check out the Cricut design space. Something to do on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Coz' my life's exciting like that.  |
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,388
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Post by artbabe on Dec 31, 2022 16:54:48 GMT
So I bought the Cricut Explore Air 2, as was suggested. It is supposed to arrive this week. I also bought a case for it, some mats, and weeding tools. I have weeding tools somewhere but I have no idea where- I haven't seen them for a few years.
I have no idea how to hook it up to the computer but I'll figure it out. I'm excited to mess with it.
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Post by riversong1963 on Dec 31, 2022 17:00:27 GMT
So I bought the Cricut Explore Air 2, as was suggested. It is supposed to arrive this week. I also bought a case for it, some mats, and weeding tools. I have weeding tools somewhere but I have no idea where- I haven't seen them for a few years. I have no idea how to hook it up to the computer but I'll figure it out. I'm excited to mess with it. Go to YouTube, and search for Jennifer Maker. In fact, here's a link to her channel: www.youtube.com/@jennifermaker. She has tons of free classes, and she is a very good instructor. Her videos will take you from unboxing and setup to advanced projects (when you're ready). I have an original Cricut, an Expression, Explore Air, Cake Machine, Maker, and now Joy. I'm still learning the Joy, but I'm finding it very easy because I've had Cricut machines for many years. I think you made the right choice. Have fun! |
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Post by scrapmaven on Jan 2, 2023 17:29:45 GMT
scrapnnana was so helpful when I was in this same position a few weeks ago. Thank you for your info, because it really helped. I bought the JOY, because I just wanted to do cards and titles. However, I'm also going to do some cute jar labeling. The Joy has been perfect for me, but I think I might upgrade to the Explore at some point.
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Post by refugeepea on Jan 2, 2023 18:14:32 GMT
To use the content of your cartridges you can contact Customer Service - they will tell you to take photos of the fronts and backs of your cartridges and they will link them to your account. I didn't know this! I have a few cartridges. My Expression is still working fine and thought I'd be out a lot of money once it dies. |
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,388
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Post by artbabe on Jan 2, 2023 18:20:29 GMT
It just arrived this morning. I'll set it up evening this week. Thank you for the Jennifer Maker suggestion.
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Post by riversong1963 on Jan 2, 2023 21:45:58 GMT
It just arrived this morning. I'll set it up evening this week. Thank you for the Jennifer Maker suggestion. Oh, good! If you have any questions, I’d be happy to help. Have fun! |
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