Slce(by Making Memories) vs. Cricut (by ProvoCraft)

Nov '09 Hallie05

I've really been wanting to get a die cut machine and am trying to decide between the Slice by Making Memories and the Cricut by ProvoCraft. I think I'm leaning toward getting the slice simply because of the lack of $ at the moment. Which is really a better deal?
Nov '09 Sweet1

Hey Hallie, I actually own both. I too bought the slice first because of $$ but I was soon disappointed. The design cards are cool, and less expensive then the Cricut carts, but the functionality of the machine itself is not what the Cricut is. To use the Slice you have to choose each letter and size by pushing the buttons on it multiple times. I know, doesn't sound like a big deal but try creating a 12 or 15 letter saying. It takes 20 or more minutes. With the Cricut you can cut 12 characters at once! If you purchase the Expression (I know, even more $$$) you can cut even more characters at once. Just something to think about.
Nov '09 SheCre8s

RE: Sweet1: Hey Hallie, I actually own both. I too bought the slice first because of $$ but I was soon disappointed. The design cards are cool, and less expensive then the Cricut carts, but the functionality of the machine itself is not what the Cricut is. To use the Slice you have to choose each letter and size by pushing the buttons on it multiple times. I know, doesn't sound like a big deal but try crea...

best deal cricut and sure cuts alot then you never HAVE to buy carts. I recently sold my cricut carts because I dont use them now that I have SCAL and can cut whatever I want for free.
Nov '09 Drpayne

RE: SheCre8s: best deal cricut and sure cuts alot then you never HAVE to buy carts. I recently sold my cricut carts because I dont use them now that I have SCAL and can cut whatever I want for free.

love my cricut expression
Nov '09 Mn36

RE: Drpayne: love my cricut expression

My daughter has the cricut and loves it but stopped buying the carts becuase our local scrapbooking store has them ALL and rents them out like a library or you can use them at a scrap day in the store. Isn't that great!
Dec '09 Hallie05

RE: SheCre8s: best deal cricut and sure cuts alot then you never HAVE to buy carts. I recently sold my cricut carts because I dont use them now that I have SCAL and can cut whatever I want for free.

What is SCAL?
Dec '09 Iuplori

RE: Hallie05: What is SCAL?

SCAL stands for "Sure Cuts a Lot" and is software on your computer that speaks to the cricut. You can cut a ton of fonts and shapes that are already on your computer or download what you're looking for, eliminating the need for tons of cartriges. Check out the demos at scrappingtable dot com.
Dec '09 -Jenn-

RE: Iuplori: SCAL stands for "Sure Cuts a Lot" and is software on your computer that speaks to the cricut. You can cut a ton of fonts and shapes that are already on your computer or download what you're looking for, eliminating the need for tons of cartriges. Check out the demos at scrappingtable dot com.

Don't bother with the slice (my opinion!) I have both the baby bug and the big bug, and I love my expression!!

You can cut anything up to 12x24 inches, and there is so many functions the machine does that makes things so easy! Like I was doing my christmas cards, and I need 36 snow flakes cut out, so I chose my image, chose the size, and pushed a button (I don't remember what it's called sorry) and it filled the whole mat with the image and size I wanted! so so easy! I do recomend investing in the cricut design studio. I love being able to put my diecut on the "mat" on my screen where ever I want it, and see the stuff before I cut it out. It's really helpfull for when i'm trying to cut things out that I want on different colors of papers! for sure check it out!

Be carefull with the SCAL. I know people think it's amazing, and i've actually never used it (other then the trial) but if you use it, then it will ruin your warrenty that you get with the purchase of a brand new machine, and I've heard of issues of messing up your machine. so just be careful and do your research!!

Before making any big purchase, do your research! look at the cost of the cartridges, and how much the machine is, what sizes the machines will cut, and the prices of the mats and other functions the machine has... remember... you get what you pay for.

I know you didn't ask about this... but I have to throw it in. I bought a pazzles inspiration a few months ago and I love it!!!! yes, it's a lot more expensive, but you don't need cartridges, and you can cut any font on your computer, and ANY image out on the web!! plus you can design your own images to cut out, which you can't do with the cricut. so check out other stuff then just the slice and the cricut

Hope that helps!
Dec '09 StarsNSparkles

RE: -Jenn-: Don't bother with the slice (my opinion!) I have both the baby bug and the big bug, and I love my expression!! You can cut anything up to 12x24 inches, and there is so many functions the machine does that makes things so easy! Like I was doing my christmas cards, and I need 36 snow flakes cut out, so I chose my image, chose the size, and pushed a button (I don't remember what it's called so...

I have the silhouette, which is probably like the pazzles...but a lot cheaper! I've had it since May of this year and I use it on almost every single LO I create! You just hook it into your computer and it cuts all the fonts and gsd files from your pc and internet. No carts ever!!!
Dec '09 J3Mel

RE: StarsNSparkles: I have the silhouette, which is probably like the pazzles...but a lot cheaper! I've had it since May of this year and I use it on almost every single LO I create! You just hook it into your computer and it cuts all the fonts and gsd files from your pc and internet. No carts ever!!!

SCAL talks to your cricut the same way design studio does. The only way Provo Craft would know you were using SCAL is if you tell them. I have SCAL 2 now which includes a function where you can actually trace jpeg files and make your own cut files. Plus there are hundreds of sites offering free .svg files now and fonts and dingbat files make your choices limitless.

I still have a few cartridges that I use and like also because they are basic shapes, fonts etc and I don't have to search on my computer for what I want BUT SCAL certainly makes it easy to find images you won't use a lot......I don't use a lot of Christmas stuff, so instead of buying a cartridge I'll use once or twice a year, I download the images.

Enjoy whatever you decide on........I've saved a lot of money on scrapping supplies with my E because I make a lot of embellishments rather than buying a lot of stickers/embellishments for a theme, using a few out of the pack, and then having all those partial packages lying around. For me, it made up for the difference in price to get the Expression.
Dec '09 Flutterbye0419

RE: J3Mel: SCAL talks to your cricut the same way design studio does. The only way Provo Craft would know you were using SCAL is if you tell them. I have SCAL 2 now which includes a function where you can actually trace jpeg files and make your own cut files. Plus there are hundreds of sites offering free .svg files now and fonts and dingbat files make your choices limitless. I still have a few cartrid...

i have a baby bug, and love it... i am only 1 month into ownership and am already thinking about saving up for an e so that i can do the bigger cuts! love my bug!
Dec '09 Klawsonrn

RE: Flutterbye0419: i have a baby bug, and love it... i am only 1 month into ownership and am already thinking about saving up for an e so that i can do the bigger cuts! love my bug!

I use my cricut expression almost every day ... literally. My kids teachers want one ... everyone I know wants one after they see what I can do with it! Even my roomie who doesn't have a crafty bone in her body thinks it's amazing. And, I bought mine on HSN.com and used easy pay over five or six months I think it was.

HTH!!!!
Dec '09 Westrope18

RE: Klawsonrn: I use my cricut expression almost every day ... literally. My kids teachers want one ... everyone I know wants one after they see what I can do with it! Even my roomie who doesn't have a crafty bone in her body thinks it's amazing. And, I bought mine on HSN.com and used easy pay over five or six months I think it was. HTH!!!!
klawsonrn Said:
I use my cricut expression almost every day ... literally. My kids teachers want one ... everyone I know wants one after they see what I can do with it! Even my roomie who doesn't have a crafty bone in her body thinks it's amazing. And, I bought mine on HSN.com and used easy pay over five or six months I think it was.

HTH!!!!

I might have to message you when I get mine!..if you don't mind..lol.. I am not creative at all (ironically because both my parents are amazing artists)
Dec '09 AmyK75

RE: Westrope18: klawsonrn Said: I use my cricut expression almost every day ... literally. My kids teachers want one ... everyone I know wants one after they see what I can do with it! Even my roomie who doesn't have a crafty bone in her body thinks it's amazing. And, I bought mine on HSN.com and used easy pay over five or six months I think it was. HTH!!!! I might have to message you when I get mi...

Keep an eye out on HSN they offer a pretty good deal on a bundle with the Cricut Expression and they offer the ez pay so you can spread it out for 4-5 pmts on your debit card (sorry I don't do the credit card thing anymore)