CRICUT EXPRESSION MACHINE - REVIEW

I have heard of the cricut machines for quite some time.  We even pitched in and bought my mother in law the smaller cricut and then a year or two later got her the cricut expression!  Everyone I have ever talked to loves their cricut machine! 
For a long time I have been tempted to get one - especially because you can get one on Black Friday or other various sales through out the year for $175 or right around that price (for the Expression).  From what I have heard if you buy the smaller machine you will just end up wanted the bigger one so you might as well buy the Cricut Expression to start with.
I have not bought one in the past due to a few reasons.  I always wondered if it would be a pain to use, how much I would use it, and how I would afford the Cricut Cartridges.  Well I finally caved and decided to do a cricut review and let you all know if it is worth the costs and if it is difficult to use!

Like I have told you all before I am HORRIBLE at reading instructions - I will read them to put things together or install software, etc......  Reading a big pamphlet of instructions with a page or two on each thing I want to learn is a little to much for me!  So, as you can guess the first time I used the Cricut I was truly a little overwhelmed.  However, I took it over to my mother in law's tonight and her & my sister in law showed me some tricks and made it all look like a piece of cake!  The turned down the speed dial and explained when you are cutting vinyl it should be on a slower speed.  They set the pressure - and I already had the blade set to a 2 because a friend had told me for vinyl to set it there.   I also learned it works much better if you are using software to click "Weld" this will make the letters blend together & cut out smoother, better, and connected.

So for the use of the Cricut my verdict is that it is well worth the money!  I love all that it can do - I can now cut out my own Vinyl Wall Quotes, Cut out titles for my sons report, customize what you are cutting out, change the size, etc.  This machine is amazing and your money will be well spent if you choose to buy one!

Now on to the bad news - I still can't see myself spending $40 on a cricut cartridge (from what I have heard they usually range from $20 - $60.  So really if you wanted 10 different font cartridges and 10 different design ones you would spend anywhere from $400 - $1200 on these little cartridges - that is where the money is at!  The machine does wonders for such a fair price and usually comes with a cartridge or two.  The cartridges on the other hand I do not feel are a reasonable price and if I had to go out and buy these I probably wouldn't use my Cricut Machine as much as I would like to! 

Back to more good news!!!!  Well I have found a way to avoid spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on the cartridges!  For now I will just leave you with the fact that I LOVE THE CRICUT EXPRESSION MACHINE - But DO NOT Love the idea of buying cartridges!  If you want to know the solution make sure to check back - I will be posting my review and giveaway for that within the next day or two!!!!  You won't want to miss it so check back or sign up for e-mail updates so you know when it is posted!



Disclosure - I was not paid or compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own & were not influenced in any way.