Saw ad in the paper that all Cricut - machines, cartridges, supplies etc - are 30% off at Hobby Lobby this week.

I've been working with Inkscape and SCAL to make my own custom cookie stencils - can't wait to cut them out and see how they work!

thanks for the info tigerhawk83 and Michaels also has cricut on sale check it out

It's funny, I bought a Cricut Create at Goodwill this weekend for $35...just the machine, no blade assembly, no cartridge, no mats...and then I took it back because I went to see how much all the stuff I needed would be and it was going to be a lot. Now I wish I hadn't returned it.

maybe it will still be there tomorrow

LOL...the ladies behind me in line were fighting over it as I left.

I saw the Cricut Create for $184 at Walmart...figured that once I bought the things it needed including the cartridge, I would have spent that much. If I still have the urge for it when we get our tax refund, I will get it then

I bought an Expression bundle today at BJs: $299.95+tax

http://shop.bjs.com/productName_stcVVproductId81912406VVviewprod.htm?productID=81912406&sc_cid=DF

Includes cutting machine, deep cut blade, 12" x 12" vinyl sheet, 12" x 12" stencil material, 12" x 12" transfer tape and 1 black marker

Best deal that I've found locally because it includes the deep cut blade (runs $29.99 alone).

I then went to Joann's and used my 50% off coupon to buy a double pack of the 12x24 mats for $9.00. You can use their coupons for Cricut accessories, but not machines or cartridges.

I'm looking forward to playing with it next week.

HTH
Rae

I've seen these threads recently and am confused. Isn't this for scrapebooking? How are you using it for cake decorating?

I would like to know as well. I hear cake people talking about it all the time and I am not sure how you use it for cakes. Do you cut a stencil out & trace it or what? Do you use it enough to pay for it? I am very interested.

There is a wonderful video by Linda McClure, sold me on the idea. I saw some great deals on ebay for 250, you got the expression 2 cartiges, mat and tool kit. This is diffently the way to go. I was needing faster than I could buy on line, so I went and got mine at walmart. Spent probably 400.00 easily. I bought 2 of everything, one for paper one for food. But I did buy markers, those are 15.00 each and I bought 5 pkgs. I found a place that rents the cartiges, and it saved me. I did buy the ones I rented on ebay for about 35.00 each, much cheaper than the 60.00 at michaels and walmart. So if you are not impatient like me it is much better on ebay. Here is the link to the video.

http://www.creativedesignscakes.com/

Can you make your own design? I thought these had premade designs in some sort of cartridge thing.

Does anyone know if you can use the Making Memories 'Slice' for gumpaste/fondant like you can with the cricut? Thanks

I'm going to use mine to cut my own cookie and cake stencils. Already have images ready in Sure Cuts a Lot (SCAL) software and just need to start cutting

What is an svg file? Is it part of the Cricut? Sounds as if the Cricut needs the computer or is like a computer? This sound complicated to a computer illiterate like me.

The cricut itself runs on cartridges that have a font and some images on them. The cartridges are pricey running around 70-80 dollars (cheaper on ebay or at craft stores on sale) SCAL (Sure Cuts A Lot) is a computer program you can purchase to use with the cricut. I got in on Ebay for $74.95. It eliminates the need for cartridges (although you need one cartridge in the cricut for it to power on). With SCAL you import svg. files and 'design' things so to speak in there and can cut from there. You can download thousands of free fonts and images to cut with it. You can take any image and transform it in Inkscape ( a free downloadable program) into an svg file to be then cut in SCAL. I know this sounds confusing because I too was extremely new to all these programs but there are an unbelievable amount of tutorials and support on you tube and through craftedge . com (who puts out SCAL) It is surprisingly easy. In less than a week of getting these products and downloading them I had transformed a football logo and cut it out in layers it was amazing. But nonetheless the Cricut does not need a computer and you can buy the cartridges if you would like.

I just bought my Cricut Expression , got it thru HSN (4 monthly payment) I was really surprised how much stuff came with it. 4 cartridges, shuttle, design pro(computer connection)etc.. Now I've jumped in and don't know what to do with all this. Think I overwhelmed. But I did install the Design Pro, I think that is the name of it. I'd love to see pictures of what you can do with this.

I have the cricut from scrapbooking and bought the SCAL and come on that's beyond me I can't get it figured out for nothing and I bought the fonts and images. Talk about illiterate and BROKE..............heheheheheh No really I figured 117.00 for all that as apposed to 89.00 per catridge is way cheaper , the cheapest I've got some catridges for was 39.00