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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Cricut machine?
I'm thinking of getting one but having trouble deciding on which one. I saw an ad for the cricut explore air 2. Reviews seem good. But there are so many out there, I want to make the best choice.
Anyone have one they can recommend? Or tell me which ones to stay away from?
I want to use it for all sorts of crafting. T-shirts, banners, placecards, etc.
Thanks
Message edited 5/26/2017 9:24:12 AM.
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Posted 5/26/17 9:23 AM  |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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Cricut machine?
The cricut air explore 2 is the newest model. The only upgrade that I am aware of between that and the older model is quicker cutting speeds on certain settings. The air is perfectly suited for what you want and is what I use in my business. They are basically the same machine. Another option is to go with the Explore 1 which eliminates the bluetooth feature. For me that is pointless because you still need to be at the machine to load materials. There is an app for IPad that is compatible; to date they have not yet released an app for android. They are currently releasing new design software and it is in beta mode now. I don't use it but have heard from others it is still buggy. With the cricut you will not be able to use it without an internet connection.
Another option is the silohuette cameo. Does the same things but a different machine The cameo does not rely on the internet for usage.
Message edited 5/26/2017 10:05:14 AM.
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| Posted 5/26/17 10:04 AM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cricut machine?
I have the Silhouette Cameo and I LOOOOOOVE it!! Such a great machine!!! I would look into that one too! 
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| Posted 5/26/17 10:06 AM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: Cricut machine?
Posted by jamnmore
The cricut air explore 2 is the newest model. The only upgrade that I am aware of between that and the older model is quicker cutting speeds on certain settings. The air is perfectly suited for what you want and is what I use in my business. They are basically the same machine. Another option is to go with the Explore 1 which eliminates the bluetooth feature. For me that is pointless because you still need to be at the machine to load materials. There is an app for IPad that is compatible; to date they have not yet released an app for android. They are currently releasing new design software and it is in beta mode now. I don't use it but have heard from others it is still buggy. With the cricut you will not be able to use it without an internet connection.
Another option is the silohuette cameo. Does the same things but a different machine The cameo does not rely on the internet for usage.
Thank you so much. This was very helpful
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| Posted 5/26/17 10:18 AM |
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an9elic
♥ HJ ♥
Member since 6/07 3331 total posts
Name:
kristen
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Re: Cricut machine?
Posted by Hofstra26
I have the Silhouette Cameo and I LOOOOOOVE it!! Such a great machine!!! I would look into that one too!
I second the Silhouette machines too! I have a cameo and love it also!
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| Posted 5/26/17 12:11 PM |
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ChristinaM128
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 4043 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Cricut machine?
I have a silhouette portrait (it's a smaller machine, and for what I needed ot for, it has been perfect), and I love it!
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| Posted 5/26/17 2:08 PM |
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mrsdukes
LIF Adult
Member since 1/09 943 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: Cricut machine?
I also have the Silhouette Cameo. I love it, works great!
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| Posted 5/26/17 6:45 PM |
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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9537 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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Re: Cricut machine?
I have the Cricut Expression and the Silhouette Cameo. I have looked into the Cricut Explore and decided against it.
There are tons and tons of blogs that compare the two. The advantage to the Explore is the thickness of the materials it can cut vs. the Cameo. The advantage to the Cameo is the software works offline all the time, so you never have to worry about your internet connection or the site being down.
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| Posted 5/27/17 9:10 PM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Cricut machine?
I have a Cricut Explore Air and a Cricut Cuttlebug. We do a lot of vinyl images and make a lot of cards and I like what they both do. I find the Cricut software easy to use, but it's all I've ever used.
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| Posted 5/28/17 12:18 PM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: Cricut machine?
Thanks everyone.
I think I am leaning towards the cricut in OP. Ive watched a few comparison videos on YouTube and one thing that stuck out was w the cricut, I can create my own designs in Photoshop and upload them to the software at no additional charge. That's a biggie for me because I'll probably do a lot of my own designing.
I think I'll get it as a bday gift to myself in July :)
Message edited 5/28/2017 11:40:01 PM.
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| Posted 5/28/17 11:38 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Cricut machine?
I also have a Silhouette Cameo and have made thousands of things with it, shirts, gifts, party supplies, etc. I do my own designing using the design software, and I also have the Studio Designer where you can trace anything you can imagine. I had a Cricut but returned it. The Silhouette is more user friendly IMO.
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| Posted 5/29/17 2:36 PM |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cricut machine?
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Thanks everyone.
I think I am leaning towards the cricut in OP. Ive watched a few comparison videos on YouTube and one thing that stuck out was w the cricut, I can create my own designs in Photoshop and upload them to the software at no additional charge. That's a biggie for me because I'll probably do a lot of my own designing.
I think I'll get it as a bday gift to myself in July :)
Also look into the program inkscape. It allows you to make all of your own designs outside of the cricut software and then just upload to cut. There are a million YouTube videos teaching how to use the program and the possibilities with what you can do are endless. I rarely use cricuts program to design anything, especially text.
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| Posted 5/30/17 8:00 AM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: Cricut machine?
Posted by jamnmore
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Thanks everyone.
I think I am leaning towards the cricut in OP. Ive watched a few comparison videos on YouTube and one thing that stuck out was w the cricut, I can create my own designs in Photoshop and upload them to the software at no additional charge. That's a biggie for me because I'll probably do a lot of my own designing.
I think I'll get it as a bday gift to myself in July :)
Also look into the program inkscape. It allows you to make all of your own designs outside of the cricut software and then just upload to cut. There are a million YouTube videos teaching how to use the program and the possibilities with what you can do are endless. I rarely use cricuts program to design anything, especially text.
Yea I saw a tutorial with that program in it as well.
I'm a graphic designer so I find it hard to use "other " programs - if that makes sense. I even get frustrated in a word document when I cant just make it do what I want it to do lol
Should I buy the bundle? Or just buy the machine and then buy supplies sep? I saw a few comments where people got the bundle and said they didn't use half the stuff it came with and they would have been better off just buying separate stuff.
Anyone wanna give me a must have list for when I buy this thing?! lol I feel like I'm gonna get it and as soon as I want to make something, I'll be running to the store 4x
Edited because my phone threw words into my response on its own making it impossible to understand lol
Message edited 5/30/2017 9:57:07 AM.
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| Posted 5/30/17 9:55 AM |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cricut machine?
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Posted by jamnmore
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Thanks everyone.
I think I am leaning towards the cricut in OP. Ive watched a few comparison videos on YouTube and one thing that stuck out was w the cricut, I can create my own designs in Photoshop and upload them to the software at no additional charge. That's a biggie for me because I'll probably do a lot of my own designing.
I think I'll get it as a bday gift to myself in July :)
Also look into the program inkscape. It allows you to make all of your own designs outside of the cricut software and then just upload to cut. There are a million YouTube videos teaching how to use the program and the possibilities with what you can do are endless. I rarely use cricuts program to design anything, especially text.
Yea I saw a tutorial with that program in it as well.
I'm a graphic designer so I find it hard to use "other " programs - if that makes sense. I even get frustrated in a word document when I cant just make it do what I want it to do lol
Should I buy the bundle? Or just buy the machine and then buy supplies sep? I saw a few comments where people got the bundle and said they didn't use half the stuff it came with and they would have been better off just buying separate stuff.
Anyone wanna give me a must have list for when I buy this thing?! lol I feel like I'm gonna get it and as soon as I want to make something, I'll be running to the store 4x
Edited because my phone threw words into my response on its own making it impossible to understand lol
Personally I would not get the bundle unless you have no idea what you want to do and want to try lots of different materials to play around. But The cricut brand vinyl is supposedly lesser quality and more expensive than the good stuff, which you can get on sale any day of the week. Not sure about the cardstock as I don't use it often and I already have a ton.
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| Posted 5/30/17 10:00 AM |
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hidingin1516
LIF Adult
Member since 9/15 1009 total posts
Name:
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Cricut machine?
I have the explore. I got the bundle and I use all the tools daily I order vinyl from online as the Cricut brand is expensive in stores cardstock I stock up when micehals has there $2 pack sale.
Mats I would get a bunch. I use the green and blue ones mostly. Butnthey egt dirty quickly and I have learned that when it doesn't cut well the mat is dirty. I love the machine. Sometimes design space is a pain but that's usually not the case.
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| Posted 5/30/17 10:18 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Cricut machine?
I would order your vinyl online, the stuff in the store is too $$$ and doesn't work nearly as well IMO. I have bought both Cricut and Silhouette Brand at Michael's, etc., and I prefer stuff online. Oracle is a good brand. I like the seller Vinyl Elite on ebay for 651 vinyl (651 is waterproof). 631 is removable for walls, etc. Heat Transfer is for shirts. You can also look on Amazon...many choices on there, but check reviews.
If you think you will be cutting fabric, get a fabric blade. Also some extra cutting mats. They don't stay sticky for that long IMO. You can "refresh" them by wiping them down with baby wipes.
Message edited 5/30/2017 10:37:10 AM.
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| Posted 5/30/17 10:35 AM |
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