Another Cricut Question

I have been looking at all the topics on cricuts and I have noticed everyone talking about the expression...

But I am wondering if anyone has the cricut personanl die cut machine and what they think of it? Or is the cricut create a better idea?

I just wouldn't use it enough to spend the money for the larger expression. Although I do want quality from the smaller ones. I am not sure which way to go. A little help would be appreiciated greatly!

My friend has the smaller one and I think it does everything the big one does just on a 6x12 mat instead of 12x12. She seems quite happy with it. Hope this helps(: ~Alisa

Thank you that helps a lot.

One more question... Do you think it is made well?

I have the Personal. I had wanted the Expression, but hubby's dad & girlfriend bought the Personal for me for Xmas.

I've had a few issues with it - had to return the one they bought to Provo & have it replaced. It had something wrong with the electrical. The one I now have sometimes will decide it doesn't want to cut and ends up cutting a straight line along the length. Frustrating.

All of that said, I do love my Cricut & its capabilities. However, had I purchased it on my own, I would have bought the Expression so I could do even bigger die cuts.

I have the small personal cricut and like it very much.

The Expression and Create have features like Center Point and some others that the Personal does not have. All use the same cartridges and everything else but the mats.

well, I think the smaller would probably do if you're not into cutting FULL 12x12 pages.

I've seen some great pages that have been cut using the 12x12 into a lace kind of form. Don't ask me how- I don't have a cricut of any form- I'm a sizzix gal.

Depends on how large of things you want to be able to do- do you want to cut VERY large letters? Full pages? HUGE shapes?

I have a personal cricut and have no problems with it.

All are good machines. All depends on your wants.

This is all very good news... I don't need anything too fancy or too complicated because I just wouldn't use the expression enough to justify my spending that kind of money.

E is always finding other ways to do things but admits it would be a nice addition to my very small operation. He almost bought the Expression right off the infomercial until they told him the price of the package. That caused him some pause because we agreed this hobby would not bankrupt us. My cousin buys everything and hides it from her husband... so much so that he wonders where some of there savings went sometimes. So E made me promise and I agree with him. We agreed the package for the Expression is worth that much... I just wouldn't use it enough.

Electrical problems can happen to any product. I know this from my experience doing what I do. We sent a dishwasher back with issues but recieved a new one and it works perfectly. So I am not worried about that so much.

I just want a functional tool for what I want to do and three carts to expand my capabilities. I read the reviews on this product in several places and so far they have all been positive. I just trust this group a little more than other places. You guys rock!

Thank you for answering my questions. With something like this I worry it won't be as good or made as well as the larger cricut machines. I think I will make a purchase soon and not worry so much. Thank You Again,

All of the Cricut machines are made well. Just like anything else, occasionally someone gets one that doesn't work as well. From what I've heard, Provocraft customer service is pretty good. You do get a year's warranty when you buy it.

The smaller Cricut is the first one that came out. Since then they're added more features. I have the smaller one and love it! I do want the Expression, just to be able to cut in a larger variety of sizes, especially 12x12.

You definitely won't be disappointed no matter which Cricut you choose. If you have any questions specific to any of the machines, you can always try over on the Cricut messageboards.

Wow... I didn't realize there was a cricut board. I'll have to check that out.

I started out with the smalller cricut and used that for awhile. When the E came out, I upgraded to that because I liked being able to cut things out larger. I kept both of the cricuts. My little one to crops with me or when I go for craft shops because I know I will be buying carts and I want to try them,On some occassions, I run then today to finish a project faster.

I was like you, not sure I wanted one. I even went to a crop where someone allowed us to use hers, and liked it okay. Tried it again at another crop, liked it enough to put it on my Christmas List. Santa brought me the Create. I thought, i'll get 2 to 3 basic carts adn that was it.

It's now August, I have 9 (yes 9) cartridges and want more. I will only buy them when they ae on sale. I've been thru several mats and on my 3rd set of blades. And, i use my cricut on almost every lo. So, now i sorta wish i had the expression, but I'm really okay with just the create (6x12 size).

I have them both, and ever since I got my expression for christmas, I havent used my lil bug! The expression just allows me to do more like cut an object backwards so I can have a flourish on both sides of a picture or whatever, and the size is a BIG plus! The disney cartridges dont cut very small so if you use them you will find that theres images you wont be able to cut because the baby bug doesnt allow you to change the mode of either portrait or landscape like the expression.

Thank you all for your advice and information. It has helped me make a more informed decision about what I want to purchase and why.

I plan to shoot for the stars and buy an Expression. E and I have talked about it and we think this is the smarter move. We found some really good deals, with your help, and we are considering our options. We figure if I invest in this now it will absolutely cut the cost of scrapping by far.

I am always looking for that bargain move. I didn't think this was it but now I am sold on it. Buy the Cricut or continue to purchase items easily made by the Cricut? The answer is so easy. Besides I hate purchasing something like thicker's, even though I love them, only to discover I get two uses out of them. Then I am stuck with weird letters and numbers I can do nothing with.

I have seen more bundles offered by more stores and sites, all of them different, but I think I found what works for me. I think, since I am a newbie to this technology, I will end up exactly where I started in this adventure. Because I am a newbie I think the informercial package and price is exactly where I need to be. Going in this direction will allow me to get a very good start without having to turn around and spend more money right away. I think I have "scrubbed" every single web site and retailer that sells this product but no one can match their pricing. I never would have guessed that in a million years. :>)

I checked out the Cricut Create as well, if for some reason I couldn't get an Expression, that would be my next option. Just in case others are listening. I understand a budget and sometimes you are just extremely happy you can even make the purchase at all. Then there are those times you just don't need the largest toy in the toy box.

Personally, I feel the Expression appears to be made better. Looking at the Expression up close you get the sense it was made to work and not suffer from a whole day of use. Using my technical background to guide me, it just appears to be more sound. You can tell the Cricut Create was made more for home use and a few cuts here and there I think. This isn't uncommon really.

All I know is I was a skeptic going into this. I just thought it was another toy for the toy box and I could do without more tech in my life. I work on computers all day long so when I scrap I want to escape my cave. Yet now I feel it is not just another tool. I am counting the dollars I will save and the endless possibilities.

I don't expect to go past the three carts I planned on stopping at, maybe the bug will bite me later, although right now I know exactly what I wish to accomplish with this machine. Past that I want to keep my creations more old school just to relieve my technical stress overload.

Thank you all again, your comments have been so helpful, have guided me to where I need to be, have given me more to think about, and have lead me down the right path to see for myself. I am excited to make my purchase and to expand my bag of tricks!

Happy Scrapping to You All!