Scrapbooking

i would like to get one of these two machines.  i saw the cricut on tv and thought it looked super cool!  the cuttle bug i really do not know much about.

here is what appeals to me/what i am looking for:

1) not having to buy 6 sticker sets to spell one word.  that drives me nuts!!  if i could cut out the letters i need on the color paper i want--awesome!!

2) making shapes/decos that i want, again in the colors or paper styles that i want.

3) be able to make cards of various types without having to cut out one million shapes. again, be able to get letters and shapes i want.

which one is worth the money? i like the idea of the cricut being able to cut fabric too.  i love quilting and it seems it would make the patterned ones easier.

so what do you think?? gimmie the good, bad and anything else you think would be helpful!

thanks!!

Make your Stick Figure Family at FreeFlashToys.com

I have the cricut and love, love it.  You can also cut chipboard and vinyl with it.  It is amazing.  I do not know much about cuttlebug or what it can do,  all I can say is I really love the cricut.  Not much help, am I.

Barb

Welcome to the board and Congratulations on the new little one.

Cricut-
* electric die cutter
* it uses either cartridges or a 3 party software program
* depending on which one you get- you can make your cut .25"- 24"
* you have to replace the mats and cutting blades
* Price varies between about $200-300
* cartridges can be expensive
(Black Friday usually is a great day to get the Cricut at a fantasic price.)

Cuttlebug
* Manual die cut
* compact machine
* you buy the dies
* has the ability to emboss
* you can not change the size of your cut outs
* the machine is less expensive
* more portable

I have the Cricut Expression and the Big Shot (it is slightly bigger than the Cuttlebug) I love them both!! I am a card maker/ Scrapper and use them both quite often.

Hello and welcome to the board! 

I have both the Cricut Experssions and the Cuttlebug.  I love them both and use them for different things.  I don't use the Cuttlebug all that often for cutting, I wanted it and use it for embossing.  I do have some dies that I got at really good prices though and now and then use them.

I use the Expressions a lot!  And I really love it! Lisa is right the cartridges can be expensive, but they are often on sale.  I have gotten some great sales on line and in the 'big guy' stores like Joann's, Micheal's etc.  That being said, I must say that the dies for alphabets for the Cuttlebug are pretty expensive and you get what you see.  With the Cricut you can change sizes to fit the project, with the Cuttlebug you can't change.

I think the Cricut has so much more potential for any crafter, but the initial investment is greater.  But in my opinion it is well worth it.

If it were my decision I would choose the Cricut and if you can do it, go for the Expressions.  It has a lot more features than the original Cricut has. 

Like Lisa said Black Friday there are usually some great deals.  I know my husband got mine for me on Black Friday and got a great deal which included 5 cartridges. 

If you decide on the Cricut, just keep your eyes open for sales and also be sure to check out the internet.

Lisa did a great job of "outlining" what each of them is about.

Let us know what you decide, come back and let us know how you like whichever you get too.  If you have any other questions be sure to ask, either now or after you get your machine.