Craft Edge

Thanks, Todd! That sounds about like what I'm interested in. I'm excited about doing all kinds of custom order vinyl to differentiate between what's available in stores in our area. Just saw a post from a while back about iron-on transfers for shirts & stuff, so may check into that too. Did I read that the SCAL software only works with the Cricut? I saw the Expression @ Wal-Mart today for, I think, $248 and then the SCAL is about $75, does that sound about right?

Rhonda

I outgrew the personal Cricut in about a week after I bought SCAL. Look on Craigs List. I got a super deal on mine, brand new, still in the box -from Craigs List. Some one had a baby and had no time to play with her new Christmas present so I snapped it right up!

When I bought my E, the best deal around was thru HSN (the home shopping network). And search for a 15% off code for a 1st time buyer. And you can usually do the flex pays if that helps your budget and cash flow.

My package/bundle deal came with 4 carts, some vinyl, many extra blades, some etching cream, and other stuff. I like getting the carts at first so I could LEARN what the E could do.... mainly thru watching YouTube videos, and recreating what they were doing on the screen with my E.

Then I took the plunge into SCAL. There is a learning curve with SCAL and with Inkscape, and 99% of the time I design in Inkscape (free program) and save as an SVG file to import into SCAL.


Edited to add:
This is the bundle I bought:http://crafts-sewing.hsn.com/cricut-exp ... cm=ct|3360 and I see the price is $380-ish with $20-ish for shipping.... so $400 - 15% ($60-ish) so it makes it $340-ish.

And it also comes with the deep blade housing (30) markers(15) and the tool kit(20) too... so for me, the price difference between the Walmart one with one or two carts vs this one is the real deal.

Lucky you, lindamac! I did wonder if I would wish for a bigger cutting area if I bought the small Cricut.

DogCarbon, that sounds like a plan I need to follow. My husband keeps telling me to slow down and do a little research before I buy anything, so you guys are helping me show him that I'm actually listening to him (rare in our household !) I will show him the link that you posted 'cause that definitely sounds like a good deal. Do you use the markers much with your machine? There are so many tools and ideas that I had not even considered that I'm seeing on this forum. Love it! I also need to go to YouTube to check out some tutorials.
Rhonda

I looked on Craigs List for Las Vegas last night and some one had an Expression with three cartridges for $150 so you can get some great deals. I'm sure they get snapped up fast.

I too was a newbie to Cricut .. and just purchased my first one last year.. I went with the cricut expression and wasn't sorry I did.. The prices of the expression have come down in price big time....I bought mine at walmart.. for 150 dollars less that Michaels was charging... I could have gone with the smaller cheaper priced one but I thought what the heck.. What if I grew to love the cricut and then regret not buying the bigger one... I'm not sorry with my decision...
This is the best place you can come to for help and answers to any questions you may have.. The members are fabulous.. I'm not sorry I found this place..

If you can wait until Black Friday, Wal Mart usually has the Expressions on sale for around $200.00.

Hey Newbie,
Just a thought to help get you off on the best way for help on this forum, this is really important if you need help in a hurry, Please view this thread
http://forums.surecutsalot.com/viewtopi ... =6&t=13088

also are you from Ohio?

I know that it is a lot of money to spend at once, but it is so worth it. It is the best (most fun!) purchase I have ever made. I am doing a wedding this weekend, and I made all of the favor boxes, invites, etc. So it is possible to earn some of that money back. Save up for it if you have to, and don't look back!

Hey all! Back to look over your replies to my post...I hate how real life interferes with fun stuff like this. Three kiddies in school, busy weekend stuff, and I'm just now coming back to look over stuff. Talanhart, I don't think I can wait til Black Friday Too long. It's killing me that I don't have a new toy NOW! Butterfly, I will check out the help that you suggested. I wanted to fill in more on my profile, just couldn't figure it out No, I'm not from Ohio. Way further south, down Georgia way, home of extreme heat and gnats! Pennsylvaniakate, yet another idea to delve into with a cricut! That kind of project sounds fun. Gotta talk my hubby into the machine & SOON. Talk to you all soon. Hopefully I will have something to play with this week. I'll keep you posted.