Cricut Explorer: First Cuts

Whoo Hooo! My Cricut Explorer arrived today!

The machine is a hefty thing, but it cuts so quietly, and it doesn't make the table shake when it cuts.  I just had to take it for a brief spin, to see how easy it was to set-up.  And it was super easy.  Trying to figure out how to access the free subscription and Anna Griffin stuff was another thing all by itself.  Nothing from the paperwork inside tells you how to access those things.  However, I went to the Cricut Facebook page and scrolled through some comments and found the answer.  Just in case you stopped here, let me tell you that you need to go to circut.com/setup, in order to get the perks promised from HSN at launch.

Now I did cut a few things

This butterfly is barely over two inches and the of the cuts are smooth.

Now this cut I will try again, because I think it was my pulling it off the mat to quickly that made the edges curl and look ragged at the fine points.

The little tiny cut at the base of the tip, did not cut cleanly, but overall I think it's a good cut.

Now of course since I found how to unlock the Anna Griffin content I decided to make the card that appears as one of the make it now projects.  I also used one of  the stamps from the Anna Griffin Chalkboard Stamp set.

I'm really disappointed that I didn't get the tool set with the score tool.  I ordered before the presentation, and didn't realize that the tool set was coming with a different tool  from what was being sold in stores.  So for the card cut above, I had to disengage the score tool function.

I can already tell that using Design Space is going to take a lot of playing around with to get use to.  Well, that's all for now.

HAPPY CRAFTING

LEGALBEAGLEPANDA

TALKED MYSELF INTO THE GETTING THE CRICUT EXPOLRER

What's up my fellow craft people?  If you checked in on the blog for the 2nd Wednesday featuring Cricut Cartridges you have noticed that I missed this month as well.  But in my defense I was clearing a spot for my new machine. 

Yes, Yes I talked myself into buying the Cricut Explorer.  It should be here tomorrow, and I can't wait. Now, if you read my last post you are probably wondering why I bought the machine.  Well here are a few reasons why I'm willing to try it out:

*I like the cut and write/score without having to change out blades or adjust settings.  This new machine has a place to house the blade, and another place to house the pen or scoring tool.

*I have the Cricut cartridges that I want (will buy the new ones I like) and most of my cartridges are already linked to CCR.  So I can buy an individual item if it appeals to me and not have to pay for the subscription. Plus I heard that the subscription can be bought on a month to month basis.  To me this means if I am doing a project that will require the use of cartridges I don't have, for that month I will pay for the subscription.

*Finally, they will allow you to cut and upload your .svg files for free.  I have a lot of .svg files since buying my Cameo, and its good to know I can use those same files on my Cricut Explorer with no problem.

I'm still a little bit worried about the cloud based system, but I figured I would get the machine, and see how it goes.  If after working with the cloud based system for a week or two I see reoccurring problems emerge, I'll just send the machine back.

I will keep you guys posted on how the machine works, troubles or joys and I will let you know how it compares to the Silhouette Cameo.  

Now the 2nd Wednesday review of a Cricut cartridge will definitely be back by April.  I will try my best to do one for March, but I know by April I will back in full swing.

HAPPY CRAFTING

LEGALBEAGLEPANDA CREATIONS 

Silhouette Thursday #5: Rhinestone: using them in the Silhouette Design Studio

It's that time again.  Silhouette Thursday.  This month I wanted to try my hand at how rhinestones patterns can be made and used in the Silhouette software.  I put in a little bit of both regarding the Studio edition and the Studio Designer Edition.  I will probably have another video up showing the project that I'm making using rhinestones later this month.
Click Here to see the video.

HAPPY CRAFTING

LEGALBEAGLEPANDA

What Do you Think of the New Cricut Machine

I'm sure all of you crafter's have heard about the new Cricut Explorer that is going to be making it's debut to the general public  in about a week. We all know that it's going to be on HSN on February 12th, and in stores in March.
I've been watching the videos and looking at other websites and blogs to see what the the general mood is about this machine. It appeared to be mixed, so I figured I add my two cents.
Now I'm not sure that I want to put out the cash for this machine, especially since I can cut SVG files and do print to cut with my Silhouette.  I do appreciate that you will be able to use your cartridges in this machine. Also according to the some responses on the Cricut message board, Cricut will continue to make cartridges that are compatible with older machines.  I don't like the fact that the membership fee you pay which is stated as being priced at $99 per year, only let's you rent the images and you don't really own.  I also wished that the software could be used offline, and still allow you to cut.  Don't get me wrong I understand the use of a cloud based software design, but that means if your Internet is down, there is no designing or cutting for you.
Now I do like the feature of being able to have it cut and write at the same time, without having to change out the blade.  I also like the being able to cut your materials, by just knowing the type (hope that smart dial works well).
Now I will definitely be watching the worldwide launch on HSN, I just don't know if I want to buy, if all of the apps and other perks of this machine are not working at launch.  I would prefer not to need to update my machine right after I buy it. I really curious to see how many extras are given, and what the actual HSN price will be.
I let you guys know if I talk myself into or out of buying.

HAPPY CRAFTING

LegalBeaglePanda