Which Cricut Machine Should You Buy?

There are three models of the Cricut machine, popular personal die cutters made by the Provo Craft company. With three good options, it can be difficult to decide which one to buy. Should you start small and buy the original Personal Electronic Cutter? Or is the Expression model worth the extra investment? How does the Create, the hybrid model currently being exclusively sold by Michael's Craft Store, stand up against the other two machines?

In a number of ways, all three die cut machines are the same:

All three models are cartridge-based.
You can only produce cutouts based upon the cartridges you own. Each cartridge comes with a keyboard overlay, which is used in selecting specific cuts. The cartridges are not machine-specific - they can be used in any of the three models.

Basic operation of all three machines is the same.
If you own the Personal Electronic Cutter, you will have no problem operating the Cricut Expression or Create (and vice-versa). Why? Well, the basic operation of all three die cutters is the same.

Here's a quick rundown of the process. After plugging in the selected cartridge and corresponding keyboard overlay and turning on the machine, you are ready to start making die cuts. Materials, such as paper or cardstock, are placed on a special cutting mat, which is then loaded into the machine with the press of a button. With another press of the button, the selected design is chosen. All that's left is to select "Cut". The machine does the rest of the work.

All three Cricut machine models use the same accessories.
It was already mentioned that the cartridges are not machine-specific, but this is also the case with most of the other accessories. It does not matter which model you own - the replacement blades, inks, different tools, such as the Cricut spatula, and Design Studio software, can be used with any model. The one exception is the cutting mats. The machines accept different sizes of the mats, and you must get one that is compatible with your specific machine.

Now that you know how the Cricut machines are similar, you are probably wondering how they are different. They vary in several ways:

The size of die cuts produced by each machine are different.
The Personal Electronic Cutter has the capability of making cutouts ranging from 1 inch to 5-1/2 inches in size, in half inch increments. The Create can produce die cuts ranging from 1/4 inch to 11-1/2 inches in size, in quarter inch increments. The Expression gives users the most versatility, producing cutouts from 1/4 inch to 23-1/2 inches in size, in quarter inch increments.

They weight and size of the machines vary.
The Personal Electronic Cutter and Create are both small, portable machines. These models are good for crafters who like to take their projects on the road, and create scrapbook layouts and other projects in group settings. They are also suited for those who do not have a specific area in their home set aside for crafting, because these die cutters are easy to pack up and put away in between uses. The Expression, on the other hand, is much heavier and larger. If you have a crafting room or corner, and do not have the concerns of moving it frequently, it's a good choice.

The three Cricut machine models have different modes and functions.
There are several different modes and functions. For example, the fit to page mode will automatically adjust the size of the die cut based upon the size of the material loaded in the machine. The center point function allows you to align the cutting blade over the center of the material, so that the cut is made around it. The Expression machine has the most versatility as far as the availability of modes and functions. Next in line is the Create, and third place goes to the Personal Electronic Cutter. More information can be found regarding these modes and functions in the machine handbooks, which are available in PDF format on Cricut.com.

The price is different for each model.
The Personal Electronic Cutter is the most inexpensive Cricut cutter, with a suggested retail price of $299.99. The Create is $100.00 more, at $399.99, and the Expression is $499.99. Please note that all three machines can be purchased at significant savings. Many retailers run special sales or have a lower everyday price than the suggested retail price. It's a good idea to shop around when buying your first Cricut machine.

This article was written by Dawn Hall. Find out more about Cricut, including additional information regarding the Cricut machine models, on her website and blog.

Printable Crafts - Creative Arts and Crafts to Do at Home

Printable crafts are a great idea for a rainy day at home with the kids. Let's face it though, you don't have to be a kid to enjoy doing crafts. The list of possible crafts is endless. Below there are a few favorites that you might be interested in.

Origami is a traditional Japanese form of art, a technique of folding paper into different shapes or ornaments representing forms such as those of flowers or animals. The online printable will have an image with lines of where the item should be folded. There are printables available online for all different skill levels. Most offer simple directions.

A mobile is a hanging sculpture created from ornaments, string and sticks. Mobiles can be made of many things. Printables will often be ornamental shapes or pictures. The printable crafts available online will sometimes require you to add your own string or sticks.

Paper Dolls are paper representations of characters or humans. These dolls are usually cut out and put in a stand. The printables for paper dolls work better if printed on a heavy paper or card stock. The paper dolls usually will include changes of clothes or accessories to make play time more imaginative and exciting.

Coloring Pages are available in abundance. These pages can be fun but can also be educational. There are many pages that are "workbook" pages that will require a child to complete a lesson or skill. Some coloring pages are offered as complete coloring books. This option is great for keeping children busy during long car trips. Themed and level appropriate activity books are also available. These usually include coloring, reading, math, science and some kind of social studies skills.

All crafts come in a variety of seasonal choices like pumpkins, christmas ornaments and turkeys. Some crafts are colored some require coloring. Other crafts may require additional supplies such as glue, string and scissors. If your child is in love with a particular character that they have seen on television or in books. These character sites often offer crafts specifically themed to that television show or character. This offers an additional bonus of saving money by not having to purchase the "specialty" craft and coloring books from the store.

When searching the internet for printable crafts, be sure to use only reputable sites. You should not allow your children to search for the crafts by themselves because there are many sites that offer adult themed crafts that are not for children's eyes. There are sites that are specifically geared toward printables for teachers. These sites offer a great selection and can usually be trusted.

There are many other printable crafts available on the internet. When searching the internet, phrase your search query to include specific theme key words. There are many that will suit your particular situation.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about printable crafts, please visit Fun Arts and Crafts Ideas for current articles and discussions.

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Homemade Wrapping Paper

Make your own wrapping paper by buying inexpensive paper used to prepare packages for mailing. It comes in rolls and can be found wherever mailing supplies are sold.

Decorate the paper with rubber stamps, sponges dipped in craft paints, or raw potatoes cut in half lengthwise and carved into Christmas shapes by imprinting Christmas cookie cutters into them and then slicing away the extra potato around the imprint, similar to the appearance of a rubber stamp.

Dip the imprint into craft paint and have fun designing your wrapping paper! Try a combination of brown wrapping paper and twine in the place of ribbon to give your packages a rustic appeal.

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer, mom, and owner of four home and family web sites. For scrapbooking, card making, gift-giving ideas, and more family memory-making activities, visit http://www.crafty-moms.com.

Creating Your Christmas or Hanukah Scrapbook

We hear the phrase “holiday season” beginning as early as October 1st, yet, when it comes to creating scrapbook albums, I often see photos from just the one day of Christmas, or the 8 days of Hanukah.

This year, create your album for the entire season. What does this mean? When do you start your shopping and planning? My kids have always created a wish list for my mom and dad. Make a copy of these wish lists and add them to your scrapbook.

Once you begin your shopping, take photos of the bags and bags of goodies you have purchased. There have been years where I’ve looked in my trunk and just laughed at the amount of bags I have inside. Some years I have bought gifts for teachers, for coworkers, for my family and for the many gift exchanges I’m involved in.

I’ve always done my gift wrapping either during the day when the kids are at school or at night when they are asleep. Take a few photos of the gifts all being wrapped.

Most years, my kids and I bake. We bake for classmates, for coworkers, for those who provide us wonderful service during the years and for the many parties we seem to attend during the “holiday season”. Take photos of your baking process. Consider including a few recipes from your baking in the scrapbook. Copy the recipes onto acid free paper.

Are you having any type of dinner at your home? Again, snap some photos of the grocery list, the preparations and again consider adding a few of your dinner recipes.

Do you put decorations in your home? I have seen absolutely beautiful homes, both for Christmas and for Hanukah over the years. Take photos of your home without guests in it. Then take photos again when the house is filled with people, noise and great food.

Opening presents is a highlight for children. In addition to taking photos of everyone opening their gifts, save some of the wrapping papers for your scrapbook. Save just a little bit as it will yellow.

If you receive cards from family and friends, consider laminating the cards and adding them to your scrapbook. If the card itself it not acid free, it will over time yellow and crack, which is why I suggest laminating them.

This year when you consider your holiday scrapbook, consider the entire season, not just the one or eight days.

Article by:
Audrey Okaneko has been scrapbooking for several years. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at www.scrapping-made-simple.com

Finding The Time To Scrapbook

Click Here for the Ultimate Fast Start Scrapbooking Guide. A Step By Step Guide To Creating Beautiful Layouts!

I had someone tell me yesterday that she had given up scrapbooking as she just couldn’t find the time anymore. I asked if she could find 30 minutes once or twice a week. She said with some planning, she could find 30 minutes a few times per week.

Often we think of scrapbooking as a start to finish project requiring several hours of our time. However if we begin to think of scrapbooking in 30 minute increments, we can complete albums and still have time to be mom, work, cook etc.

Start by choosing a theme and choosing photos. Your first half hour will be nothing more than choosing photos.

Your next half hour slot will be choosing papers. Choose both background papers and cardstock to mount your photo. You may not be able to choose paper for the entire album in this one sitting, but you can begin to choose the papers you’ll be using for your scrapbook.

Cropping the photos is your next step. Again, you may not finish all photos in one sitting but you can certainly start the cropping process in one 30 minute segment.

Next comes the mounting of the photos. This can be done in the car while waiting for carpool. This can be done while your older child is taking a bath and you are just waiting. This can be done while waiting in a doctors office.

Journaling and embellishments are the last step in putting together your scrapbook. Journaling again can be done most any time and any place. Choose how you will journal. Then write on the paper of your choice.

Choose your embellishments. These can be added in one 30 minute segment. By creating your scrapbook in steps and in 30 minute fragments, you’ll find you do have the time to complete a scrapbook and have a lasting memory.

Article by:
Audrey Okaneko has been scrapbooking for several years. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at www.scrapping-made-simple.com

Scrapbooking Made Easy

Fabulous Scrapbook Pages In Minutes. Fabulous Scrapbooking Pages That Are Simple And Fast.

The thought of scrapbooking can be overwhelming if you have never tried it before. With the ever-growing supply list of scrapbooking accessories, it’s easy to get lost. Use these four simple steps for scrapbooking made easy:

Step 1: Gather your photos. If you’re like most, you have photos stored throughout your house. Locate all your pictures that are in boxes, drawers, and wherever else you stash them. Gather every picture you’ve ever taken and make one big pile.

While gathering photos, this is the perfect time to have any digital pictures printed. If you’ve been saving them on a disk, waiting for the right time to have hard copies made, this is the time! If you have rolls of film that’s waiting to be developed, take those with you, too.

Step 2: Sort through all photos. Now that your photos are all together in one pile, it’s time to sort. This is the most overwhelming part of scrapbooking that tends to discourage people from creating their scrapbook. Seeing all your precious memories in one heaping mound can feel intimidating. Don’t let it scare you! This step could take up to a few weeks, depending on the size of your picture pile. So take a deep breath and dive in.

There are many ways you can sort your photos. The main idea is to group your pictures together by themes or dates. Some examples of different sort piles you might create are summer vacations, sports activities, school programs, holidays, family outings, birthday parties, etc.

Don’t worry about the number of photos are in each pile. Don’t try to make rhyme or reason of your piles either. It doesn’t matter if you have more photos in one pile than another. Just sort your pictures by theme.

Step 3: Determine your starting point.Now that all your photos are sorted, it’s time to find your starting point. First, you should determine what kind of scrapbook album you would like to make. Look at your picture collections. Do you see some sort of overall theme? Do you have tons of vacation photos?

Think about what kind of categories you may have to work with. If you have a child, you might start by creating a scrapbook that includes her pictures from birth to age five. Alternatively, if your family travels frequently, you might consider creating a family travels scrapbook and include photos and mementos from your journeys.

Step 4: Focus on one page at a time.You are finally ready to begin creating your scrapbook! You have a scrapbook theme and a group of photos to include in your scrapbook. Coordinate your photos with matching page sets, stickers, paper punches, etc. Don’t forget to write your memories on each page with your photos. Concentrate on creating one page at a time and in no time at all, you will have a completed scrapbook.