I actually get asked this question a lot and the answer really depends on what you are going to use it for. I’m going to do some pros and cons on what I consider to be the top 3 personal cutting machines (Cricut Expression, Silhouette, and eCraft) and I hope that will help Lisa (or you!) make an educated decision on which one might be best.

When you’re looking for a machine there are a few things you want to consider:

• Price-not just the initial cost of the machine, but what will it take to continue to use your machine.
• Size
• Images-can you use your own images or are you bound to pre-selected images or fonts?
• Computer compatibility-do you need other equipment to make the machine work?

The Big 3

Cricut Expression

This is the machine that I have the most experience with. I’ve used all of them but this is the one I have in my home (disclosure: I did not have to purchase this machine). You can find other Cricut machines that are bigger or smaller, more expensive or less, but the Expression (in my opinion) is the most versatile and user-friendly of their line.

Silhouette

The Silhouette cutting tool is one that I have used just a few times while attending the Craft & Hobby Trade Show. While I won’t be able to attest to all of its features, I can give you a good run down of what it is like and the basic features.

eCraft by Craftwell

I’ve been following this machine since it first debuted at the CHA trade show in 2009. In fact, I’ve already written a few blog posts about it which you can find here and here. Now that they’ve hit the market, there are a lot of improvements and I got to mess around with their latest version last summer. Again, I don’t own one of these machines so all of my comments are from minimal usage and general knowledge of the genre of machines.

Price

The price varies greatly and the thing to look for are bundles. The more extras, the more it will cost. Usually these bundles can save you a lot of money. However, make sure they are things you would actually use (like images, extra mats, blades, etc…).

Expression $200+

Silhouette $189+

eCraft $289+

Ongoing Costs $$$

Mats

The Cricut Expression and Silhouette use mats. These mats don’t last forever. You can find packs of 2 (Cricut)on sale regularly at craft stores or online for $6-7 (great sale price) on up.  The mats come in two sizes: 12 X 12 or 12 X 24. The larger sizes cost double. Silhouette mats are smaller and more expensive ($20 for 2). I’ve heard some people cut down the Cricut mats to use in their machines.

The eCraft does not need a mat.

Blades

Each machine needs blades. For the Cricut, the cost isn’t too bad (around $5 for 2) and they don’t need to be replaced too often if you’re not cutting out super thick items like chipboard or fabrics. The Silhouette blades are more expensive to replace ($30). eCraft packages their replacement blades in 10 packs that cost around $15.

Images

Cartridges are a big expense for the Cricut. You can find some for around $25 but most will be in the $40-$80 range. I discuss cartridges and other image options more in detail below, but know that they can add a major expense.

Silhouette uses downloadable images (free or small fee) or you can design your own.

eCraft uses SD cards that are pre-loaded with images and can be anywhere from $25-$40. They also have downloadable images available for a small fee.

I go more in depth on the images in that section below.

Raw Materials (paper, vinyl, chipboard, etc…)

Those costs will vary. However, because Lisa is specifically looking to cut vinyl, I will say that not all vinyl is created equal. There will be some trial and error involved. I’ve always had good luck with the Provo Craft vinyl but it is one of the most expensive. It comes in two 12 X 24 sheets (convenient to use with the Cricut mats) but the color selection isn’t that great. I have a hard time finding it in stock at my local craft store. It retails for around $10. You’ll also need vinyl transfer tape which also costs around $10 for four 12 X 24 sheets.

The Silhouette is a smaller machine so any 12X12 paper or vinyl will be too large and need to be trimmed. They do sell their own vinyl and heat transfer (9″ X 10′) but it isn’t always available in the larger craft stores. However, they have an amazing selection of colors and features (flocked vinyl!) at their online store.

The eCraft isn’t held back by a mat so it can cut any length. They sell long rolls of paper and vinyl (12″ X 10′) for around $16.

Size

Expression 21″ X 7″ X 7 3/4″  You will also need an open space of approximately 2 1/2 feet so the mat (more for the 12X24 mats) can go in and out of the machine during use.

Silhouette 16 inches long by 5.5 inches deep and 4.5 inches tall This machine is small but it has to be connected to a computer to work. Keep that in mind!

eCraft 24″ wide by 8.5″ deep by 2.5″ high (18″ deep with paper tray) The thing I love about this one is that it is flat.  Even though the overall footprint is the largest of the machines, the fact that it is “short” makes it seem more sleek.

Images

Expression

The Expression is a cartridge based system. You buy preloaded cartridges full of images and/or fonts. Cricut has some really talented designers because their cartridges are full of great images for a variety of different styles and occasions. For someone that doesn’t want to worry about designing their own images, they most definitely have the best selection.

If you like to work with your own images and custom fonts, you aren’t totally left out if you have a Cricut. There are a few software programs you can buy that will allow you to cut images and fonts not found on Cricut cartridges. The most popular is Sure Cuts A Lot. It retails for around $75 and you need a computer to be able to use it with your Cricut. You also need to be able to hook up your computer to your Cricut to cut the images. If you use software like this, consider your Cricut warranty null and void. This is 3rd party software so consider yourself warned. However, I know a lot of people that use this program and have had no issues.

Silhouette

The machine comes with computer software that you can use to access their online store. You can download designs there iTunes style or use your own fonts and images from your computer. If you’re computer savvy, this could be a great way to get images. With the plethora of free fonts and images to be found, you can get a lot of bang for your buck using this machine.

eCraft

eCraft images come pre-loaded on SD cards (like you probably have in your digital camera). In my opinion, they have the worst selection out of the three and their images aren’t that great. But, they are a newer company and I’m sure they’ll be adding more designs in the future.  One thing I do like is that they test all of their images. It won’t let you cut an image too small for it not to work.

If you want to use your own designs, you need to use their software.  It seems fairly easy to use and they are also coming out with a mobile app soon so you can even design on the go!

Computer Compatibility

The Expression is designed to be a stand-alone cutter. You need a plug and a tabletop. Should you want to use the 3rd party software, you will need to hook up your computer to your Cricut (it has a usb port).

You need to have a computer to use your Silhouette. From their website, here are their specific requirements:
- Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7
NOTE: The Silhouette software is not compatible with Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows versions earlier than Windows 2000
- Pentium III 600 MHz or faster
- 128 MB of RAM (256 MB recommended)
- USB 1.1 Port (or higher)
- Approx 186 MB of memory (not counting additionally purchased images)

If you don’t have a laptop, you’ll also need space near your computer for your machine.

The eCraft doesn’t need a computer unless you want to use the software to add your own images. It is similar to the Cricut in that regard. One added feature is that they are adding a rechargeable battery so if you want it to be even more portable (crops, ease of use at home), you can add that.

Recommendations

I commend you all for reading this far! Phew. That’s a lot of info. You can see that they each have their pros and cons. Here are my quick and dirty recommendations.

Get the Expression if:

• you aren’t very computer literate
• you don’t want to design your own images
• you want products and ideas readily available

Get the Silhouette if:

• you are good with a computer
• love to design your own images
• will be doing a lot of custom work
• you don’t mind that it only cuts up to 8″ wide

Get the eCraft if:

• you hate cutting mats
• you don’t mind shopping online for accessories and images
• you are computer literate enough to use their software
• love the idea of unlimited cutting length

Which one would you get? Or, would you use one of the other options available? I’d love to hear your comments on the subject.  If I didn’t already have a machine, can you guess which one I would buy?

I’ve had almost a week with my Cricut Imagine now and I’m still figuring out some things but I thought I’d share my first thoughts.  The video is a little long.  It includes a bit of a tutorial on how to use the machine and then shows how I made some paper dolls.

The beginning includes a basic overview of the machine. At around the 2 minute mark, I start adding images and using the screen. At 6:26, you’ll see loading the mat, printing, and cutting. The finished items are shown at 9:20.

The GOOD

• High quality printing using HP technology and inks
• Touch screen is intuitive and easy to use
• Perfect for cartridges that have a lot of layering as it saves time since you don’t have to change out your papers
• Quick way to make your own scrapbook paper and embellishments to match
• Uses the same blades and cartridges as other Cricut products

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

• Ability to save your work
• More design flexibility (across all Cricut products)
• Mats, mats, mats!
• Could use more designs and images on the Imagine Art cartridges
• SIZE! This thing is really big
• Cost. I have yet to price the printer cartridges  and find out how long they last. But, that will be an added expense

OVERVIEW

Should this machine replace your Cricut Expression? Probably not. The ability to print and cut is a nice feature but for me, it doesn’t justify going out and getting a whole new machine. This could be just the type of machine that avid scrapbookers would want but for the crafting I do, it is a bit redundant to have this and an Expression.

For the ease of use and high quality production, I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars. It lost points on the size, my mat problems, and the fact that for me, it isn’t quite different enough from the Expression to make it worth the upgrade.

What do you think about the  Cricut Imagine?

The Cricut Imagine was a gift for attending their gala during the Craft & Hobby trade show. I have not been compensated for this post and the opinions are my own.

Working with these Canvas Corp tags was a lot of fun.  I like the fact that they are a blank canvas, just waiting for you to create.

The design and products that you use are all up to your imagination.

This was a fun and easy project.

My supplies included fabric, mod podge, black paper, & my cricut machine.
I measured the fabric to fit on the canvas tag and then glued it down using mod podge.

While this was drying I cut out the letters in the word family using my cricut machine.

Next I put each letter on top of the fabric/canvas tag.

I covered the letter with Mod Podge and left to dry overnight.

I tied several pieces of black fabric together and clipped on the canvas tags using the tiny clothes pins from Canvas Corp.

I love the way the project turned out.

I would recommend these canvas tags to anyone that enjoys crafting.

These products were provided to me (Christy) to try out.  I was not paid for this review.

Guess what?  I’ve got some of my projects in the Dinotalk Scrapbook Invitational contest.  Could you take a moment and vote for me or one of the other participants?  We are competing to win $100 gift card for us and $100 gift card for the charity of our choice.  Many of you know that my oldest son has autism.  If I win, I would donate my prize to the Autism Family Network.  It is an organization that provides support and help to families and friends of people with autism.  I can’t tell you what an amazing resource that has been for me and my family.

This is one of the projects I made for them a few months ago. It is still one of my favorite projects. Dinotalk products are really fun because you get to record a message. On this project I used some rub-on letters to write out the word “Play”. The picture I chose gives that word a double meaning because it shows my kids playing and also gives you a hint that if you press the frame, you’ll hear a message. You’ll just happen to hear my kids say, “We love you, Grandma & Grandpa!”.

You can vote for this project by emailing CN-3 to contest@dinotalk.com.

This was another frame I did for them.  I doodled on it a la Zentangle.  I used a Sharpie poster paint marker directly on the frame and it looks great!  I pretty much want to zentangle everything now.  I’ll be doing another post about that later.

This next project will also be part of another blog post, but wanted to show you since it was also a entry in the invitational.

This is a recordable paper greeting card and when you open it up it says, “It’s so fluffy I’m gonna die!  It’s so FLUFFY!“.  It’s a shout out to Agnes from Despicable Me and if you haven’t taken your whole family to see that movie yet…DO IT!  So cute.  My kids loved that movie and my daughter listened to this card at least 30 times before I packed it up for the trip to Chicago.

I hope you’ll take the time to vote for your favorite for this contest.  It’s for a good cause and it will give you a good idea of all the great things that you can do with the Dinotalk Naked collection.

I received all of the Dinotalk products featured here for free but was not compensated in any way for this post or my opinions on this product.  Those are all mine.

He threw in the Cricut logo for good measure.

Here is a performance that he did at a different event.

We left the night feeling inspired, uplifted, and happy! Provo Craft does a great job with their product launches and I can’t wait to get my hands on the new Imagine machine when it will show up at my house in a few months! The product is supposed to be in stores in October.

Several years ago, President Gordon B. Hinckley (of the LDS Church), gave a talk where he outlined what are now known as “The Six Be’s”.  He later added a few more but I decided to use the original six for this project.

Using my Gypsy, I laid out all of the text (from the Simply Sweet font cartridge).  To make it big enough for my wall, divided the saying into two parts. The first bit of text goes until “Be humble”.  I used brown vinyl, my Cricut, and a 12″ X 24″ cutting mat.

This photo gives a little more perspective on the size.  It is on the wall by our dining room table and is a nice reminder for our family to see several times a day.  I’m planning on adding some flourishes to the corners or maybe a frame around it, but I’m having a hard time deciding which ones.  So, for now, I’m leaving it be until inspiration strikes.

Click the link if you need a reminder on how to cut and apply vinyl using your Cricut.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

THE PROCESS:

1. Measure your mousepad.  Mine was 7.5″ X 7.75″.  Using my Gypsy and my Cricut, I cut out a frame background shape with those approximate dimensions.  This particular shape is from the Songbird cartridge.  I cut it out using the Provo Craft black vinyl.

2.  Because this was one solid piece of vinyl, I didn’t bother using transfer tape.  I just applied it to the top of the mousepad like a giant sticker.

3.  I cut out “toolulu.com” using green vinyl.  I set the letters to cut at 1.5″ tall.  I used the Simply Sweet cartridge.  HINT: there isn’t a “.” on this cartridge.  I set it to cut out “toolulu!com” and then just didn’t use the top of the exclamation point.

4.  You’ll definitely want to use the transfer tape if you’re doing a design like this one.  I show how to cut and apply vinyl in a video post I did a few months ago.

5.  Use your mousepad!  I tested out the mouse I was using on vinyl before I applied it to my pad to make sure it would work.  Vinyl is a nice, smooth surface and works well.  If you’re planning on adding a lot of different layers, you’ll want to keep those along the outside of the mousepad so it doesn’t interfere with the main path of the mouse.

This is a really fun project because it is quick and non-permanent.  If I decide I don’t want a Toolulu mousepad anymore, I can just peel of the vinyl and add on something else!

I personalized the bucket for each girl using my Cricut Expression.  I cut out letters using the Simply Sweet font cartridge.  I can’t remember the exact size I used but it is around 1″.  I cut them out of green vinyl.  It only took me a few minutes to add the names to the buckets and it was well worth it.  It added a nice little touch to the party favors.  A little personalization goes a long way!

We filled each bucket with some lip gloss, nail polish, a brush, some ponytail holders, a hairband, and a flower clip (made by Wendy).  These four and five year old girls loved it all!  They had such a great time.

I can’t wait to see what Target has waiting for me this week!

I used my Cricut and my Gypsy to make this iron on applique for my daughter’s St. Patrick’s Day t-shirt.  Using the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge that came with my machine, I manipulated the letters using my Gypsy to make them all one image.  If you don’t have a Gypsy (or software that will allow you to do this with your Cricut), you could just cut out the individual letters and iron them on one at a time.

Cutting fabric with the Cricut is easy.  I cut a 12″ X 12″ piece of fabric and line the back of it with Heat n Bond.   A roll of that stuff lasts a long time!  I then place my prepped fabric on my Cricut mat.  I keep my pressure set at max and lower my speed to medium.  I keep my blade set at 6.  I used a cotton fabric and it cut like a charm.

She really loved wearing it and showing everyone that she shouldn’t be pinched today!