I found where Joann has its cricut cake mini on sale for black friday, debating on if it is something I would use or not!? To those who have one, how many times a month or year would you say you use it? And does it add to your cakes so much that it was worth the money? Since its on sale, I figured if I am going to get one, now is the time! But I don't want to put money towards something I don't need when there are other things I do need, like a stand mixer, just because its on sale!

The cricut cake is the most expensive shelf decoration I own. I used it for a few cakes when I first got it because I was really excited about the possibilities and it looked really cool on HSN. I'm a sucker for informercials. After a month or so, I got tired of lugging it out everytime I wanted to use it (it's HUGE). You have to buy different cartridges at $40 a pop to get more designs.To get shading, or different colors, you have to roll each color out individually and then put it in the machine to cut. The small designs don't come out right. It was just easier for me to hand make all my designs. Just my opinion, but I wish I'd bought a new mixer or edible printer instead.

Mine is a big, expensive paperweight.

I have the expression, and I don't even use it for a paperweight. Only time I play with it is for wedding show displays.
To use it for everyday work is just a waste. I can write on 25 cakes if not more in the same amount of time it takes to roll out, cut and place letters for one cake done on the cricut.

That said, if you do it, I beg you, spend the money on Linda McClure's video. The gumpaste recipe alone will save you from throwing the thing up against a wall.

Thanks guys! That pretty much what I needed to hear to talk myself out of fighting the 5am blackfriday crowds, and spending the money on something that sounds cooler than it really is! I need a stand mixer BAD, think I should use the money towards that instead!

Amazon is having a really great deal on Kitchenaid mixers right now and you don't even have to get up early. I'm thinking about getting the 6qt for $299

I have been hearing a lot of negative feedback from kitchen aide lately, that their gears keep breaking and are not so durable. However, I have been hearing wonderful things about the Cuisinart brand...might need to research both of those some more!!!

I've heard issues from both mixers but I've had my kitchenaid for 10 years and it's only now starting to slow down. I've never tried cuisinart but I apprehensive to spend so much money on a brand I've never had any experience with.

Its the newer models of the Kitchen aid that are supposedly tearing up easily, I guess anytime you buy something that gets used that much with that many little parts you are bound to have something mess up every once in a while! Not only am I looking up prices of the mixers, but replacement parts as well...trying to figure out which may cost more in the long run with maintenance included!

I've had my Kitchenaid for about 6 months now and have used it A TON. I love it. I have had no issues with it. Every product is going to have a few unsatisfied customers, so I'm glad I ignored the reviews and bought the Kitchenaid anyway.

Good info about the cricut. I definitely won't be buying one now.

EEE So nervous about spending the money on a mixer, glad I won't be wasting that could be mixer money on a cricut!LOL

I have burnt out 3 hand mixers this year and decided I needed a good stand mixer was also looking at cricut which has just come out in the uk. After reading so many bad reviews here then they started getting bad reviews in UK I bought stand mixer a monthe ago sooo glad I did get the stand mixer

YES!!! definitively

I love my cricut, have less than 2 months with it and already made 4 cakes using basically cricut appliques. BUT, only consider buying if you a) like working with computer stuff and b) are willing to run your own tests to determine wich media: fondant & gumpaste and settings work for your especific weather conditions

UpAt2am i couldn't agree more! i love my cricut cake, i think it was a great investment. and although it "voids the warranty", i purchased a deep cut blade and paper mat and use it to craft/scrapbook when i'm not working on a cake! its such a multipurpose machine! my boyfriend was hesitant to buy it for me at first but now he says it was well worth the money since i use it for literally everything! i do agree that you have to buy SCAL, i only have three physical cartridges but with SCAL i can cut any image i find online! inkscape helps me break apart images so i can layer and create some really cool stuff. i have several examples of cakes i made using the cricut in my photos if you'd like to take a look =D

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1852327
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1817401

buttttttttttttttt....

if you're between the cricut cake and a kitchen aid, i'd say choose the mixer. i've had my ka for about a year and a half now with no problems. i def use it wayyyyy more than my cricut and idk what i'd do without it! its a life saver when mixing bc and mmf =D

It's what you make of it. As with any product, if you actually take the time to learn and use it, then yeah, it'll work and be great. If you think it's gonna work miracles, you are saddenly mistaken.

I think mixer is on the must list, and cricut, well, its on sale, so I was going to get it...but I think maybe its a "one day" still, its a neat machine, but I just don't think I would use it much, plus I enjoy practicing my piping and cutting out by hand skills..

I was just given a circut cake machine to try out and I was sadly disappointed with it. Glad I got to try it out first without buying. Buy the mixer its a better investment.
Jeanne