Getting a Cricut About This Page:

[Tonichelle]

Originally Posted by DisneyDaddy

Don't forget a supply of the adhesive pads
The paper can shift a lot when cutting if the adhesive gets
weak.

there are ways to prolong their stickyness.

[GingerJ]

Originally Posted by Tonichelle

Ginger, I'm going to start calling you my cricut guru! LOL

All part of the service, no charge!

Originally Posted by Tonichelle

I see there's a USB port on the back of my cricut, do I have to get a program for it to work with my computer or what is it for?

Somebody help me on this if I get it wrong, but: I think on the baby Cricuts, it's so you can use the Gypsy originally. You might also be able to design on Cricut Craft Room, and connect with your computer to download the commands, but I don't know if that's also functional on the older machines. I used the USB port to update the software on my Expression 2 when I got it, then set aside the USB cord and forgot about it!

Ginger

[Carousel96]

I believe the USB port is also for the Design Studio hookup.

You can use the software on the computer to merge items (to make a one-piece shadow background, for example) or rotate images (for more size flexibility) but you somehow have to hook that up to your machine to cut. I just bought Design Studio with my birthday money but haven't tried it yet.

[Carousel96]

I see Ginger already pointed you to mycutsearch.com.

Great site -- I love it!

[queen2]

I love mycutsearch.com. If you go to advance search & click on any word you will find a lot more images.
Good luck

[TinkNTiggFan78]

I have had a Cricut for many years.... I have read through this thread and would like to help and suggest some things to help you.

Originally Posted by GingerJ

Right now, I'm thinking about the Sure Cuts A Lot software; my sis-in-law says she never buys font cartridges any more, since SCAL can cut any font you have on your computer. The tutorials on YouTube look interesting.

If you DO NOT already own Sure Cuts A Lot, DO NOT BUY IT. The program no longer supports Cricut. Provocraft, the maker of Cricut, sued both Sure Cuts a Lot and Make the Cut a couple years ago. Since the lawsuit settlements, neither companies sell their program that works with the Cricut. Previous owners before the lawsuits still have working programs.

BUT your SIL is right.... with either program, there really is NO NEED to purchase Cricut cartridges. There is an AWESOME lady who converts Disney images to SVG's so you can cut them with these programs. Reddy's Ramblings

Originally Posted by Tonichelle

I see there's a USB port on the back of my cricut, do I have to get a program for it to work with my computer or what is it for?

The USB is used to hook your Bug up to your computer. So you can use Design Studio (which I personally hate) or the new Cricut Craftroom, which is free... just go to Cricut.com/craftroom, register for an account, then you can go in and play with all the cartridges Cricut makes. There are lots of tutorials out there that will teach you how to use the program. HOWEVER, while you can design with ALL the images, you must OWN the cartridge in order for your Bug to actually cut your project. You can also purchase DIGITAL CARTRIDGES on Cricut.com as well. Almost all the carts ever released are in CCR... some are actually exclusive only to the program. CRICUT BASICS (I believe is the name) is a FREE digital cart available for everyone to use....

Originally Posted by DisneyDaddy

Don't forget a supply of the adhesive pads
The paper can shift a lot when cutting if the adhesive gets
weak.

Pretty sure CUTTING MATS was referred to here. You will need at least a couple of these. They do last pretty long, but will wear out. BUT you CAN RESTICK your mats... I have a set of 8 mats I've rotated out over the past 2 1/2 years.... I use Crafters Companion Stick Away, then Stick & Spray. Takes me 10 mins to clean and restick my mat. Some people use Zig 2 Way glue, but that takes drying time as it's liquid glue and I can't be bothered. When I'm in crafting mood, I need instant drying so I can get back to creating ASAP. This video explains how to restick your mat

Custom Crops - Crafter's Comp. Stick & Spray Reposition Adhesive

Originally Posted by GingerJ

Somebody help me on this if I get it wrong, but: I think on the baby Cricuts, it's so you can use the Gypsy originally. You might also be able to design on Cricut Craft Room, and connect with your computer to download the commands, but I don't know if that's also functional on the older machines. I used the USB port to update the software on my Expression 2 when I got it, then set aside the USB cord and forgot about it!

ALL Cricut machines can be used with CCR (or again, design studio), so yes, each machine has a USB port. BUT you will need to UPDATE your machine. You will need to download the FREE version of Design Studio from the Cricut website to update your firmware of the machine. There are instructions to do this when you download. You can play around in Design Studio to get a feel of what CCR is like (there are many differences, but it may help you to do so anyway) BUT if you try to CUT with the free version of Design Studio, you will get lines cut through your entire project.

____________________

More tips, Just By using the cricut machine and carts alone, you are VERY limited. You can not join letters together (called welding) to make one cut which everyone seems to like doing. You can only cut individual letters, etc. Since the baby bug doesn't have a screen what you are really cutting, it's confusing sometimes to learn and get the right sizing. With CCR, you can see everything on your screen. But as you learn, you'll find ways to cut down your cutting time.

Here are some projects, Disney related, that I've made over the years....







This one was cut with SCAL..... The Toy Story logo was one of the first images I converted after learning so it's not perfect, but it worked!!!!

[Carousel96]

As to the mats, I do like to keep one that's in "less sticky" mode. It's better for cutting velum. The full strength adhesive is too strong and the paper tears instead of removing.

TinkNTiggfan -- thanks for the pics. I may be asking you for advice on mixing elements from different cartridges. Right now, I'm just thrilled about the option to make a one piece shadow background.

[TinkNTiggFan78]

Originally Posted by Carousel96

As to the mats, I do like to keep one that's in "less sticky" mode. It's better for cutting velum. The full strength adhesive is too strong and the paper tears instead of removing.

TinkNTiggfan -- thanks for the pics. I may be asking you for advice on mixing elements from different cartridges. Right now, I'm just thrilled about the option to make a one piece shadow background.

Yes, brand new mats are the worst for tearing your cuts if you're not careful. So when I open (again, been 2 1/2 years since I"ve done that), I always put my hands all over the mat, over and over to take away some of the stickyness. I've heard of others using a NON LINT CREATING piece of fabric and sticking on and removing once.

I will try to help in any way I can.

[GingerJ]

Originally Posted by TinkNTiggFan78

If you DO NOT already own Sure Cuts A Lot, DO NOT BUY IT. The program no longer supports Cricut. Provocraft, the maker of Cricut, sued both Sure Cuts a Lot and Make the Cut a couple years ago. Since the lawsuit settlements, neither companies sell their program that works with the Cricut. Previous owners before the lawsuits still have working programs.

BUT your SIL is right.... with either program, there really is NO NEED to purchase Cricut cartridges. There is an AWESOME lady who converts Disney images to SVG's so you can cut them with these programs. Reddy's Ramblings

Carolyn, Thanks for the info! I do remember hearing about the dust-up between the Cricut folks & SCAL (and Cricut sounded pretty darned unreasonable!), but I didn't know how that ended up--guess I just assumed they worked out something where you could do non-Cricut things with the machines. I'm glad you cleared that up before I picked one up!

Thanks also for chiming in on Design Studio--I'd forgotten about that. I bought it a year or so ago, mainly so I could "weld" letters together. I got disgusted and quit once I figured out I wouldn't be able to make a shadow that would be exactly right, since I was basically doing the welding letter-by-letter and wouldn't be able to match it with the shadow, other than just making it bigger and hoping the proportions were right. TMI, yeah, sorry.

Ginger

[tcmary]

Sitting in my basement is the Cricut and Xyron I purchased years ago from QVC when Lisa from Creating Keepsakes was on the air. The Cricut I've used about 4 times and the Xyron a few more times than that. After reading everything here, I'm thinking it's worth getting them out to try again.