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Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 6/30/2009
Posts: 4
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Location: Boston, Ma
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Hello all,
I'm thinking about buying a cricut expression and need your help. I've watched all the videos online that acmoore has and I've been to the cricut website. It all looks so great, however, I already own a xyron personal cutter but I can't find the adhesive cutting mats anywhere in the retail stores. What is the availability like for the cricut cutting mats and do they really last the 25-40 cuts like they advertise? How often do you really have to replace the blades. I am looking for the honest truth! The good and the bad!
THanks,
Kendra
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Location: Virginia
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scrappykendra wrote: What is the availability like for the cricut cutting mats They are readily available in craft stores (ACM, M's, HL) and in superstores as well as online. scrappykendra wrote:and do they really last the 25-40 cuts like they advertise? Yes, unless you use construction paper...but you can "re-sticky-ize" them! scrappykendra wrote:How often do you really have to replace the blades. Depends on how much you use it & what you cut. I will say the major drawback is that coupons can't be used on ANY Cricut products so you have to watch for sales. I can understand stores not allowing the coupons for the machines and even the carts but the accessories? That kind of stinks.
Self proclaimed "Serial Crafter" I scrap, bake, decorate, make cards, crochet, cross stitch, love photography, quilt, embroider, needlepoint, and HOST: Card Making Challenge - Ongoing, Spring Potholder Swap, Think SPRING Scrap Swap, Spring Cleaning Scrap Round Robin COME JOIN THE FUN! Proud Navy Wife, Homeschool mom of 4, Wilton Method Instructor, Certified Red Heart Ambassador, DMC Mentor, and CERTIFIED Fiskateer #5624.
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Location: Elon,NC
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i have to agree with cr8..i think the accessories should be include in coupons maybe not the carts ....but you can find them onsale at different places but remember that ACM will match the prices...you can also do so much with the cricut...
Loving Life
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Location: Baltimore, MD
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I have had my mats since last December and still using them. I only had to change my blade once because the one that came with the machine was dull. You will be happy to have one. I have the regular Cricut.
Frndly1 says Lets Get Creative.
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Location: Baltimore, MD
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I've had my Cricut Expression since December 2007 and have replaced the blade only once. If you get the Cricut Expression, you sure won't regret it.
"Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:31
Fiskateer #6393 Creative Memories Consultant CM ID #86333985
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Location: New Jersey
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Kendra, you've come to the right place for advice. The mats for the cricut are pretty easy to find. Wal-mart has the best price for them. I've had my cricut for about 2 years now and I only bought 1 set of mats. I restick my own mats and they're as good as new. Just to warn you however, if you re-stick your mats you will void your 1 year warranty on your cricut. With that being said, my machine is over a year old and I restick my mats all the time and I have never had a problem doing it. When your mats aren't sticking too good take a baby wipe and clean your mat. Let them air dry overnight and that will bring a lot of the stickyness back. After a while of doing this the mats won't be sticky anymore so then you can restick your mats. I use a jumbo tip Zig pen. Use the pen to go over all the sticky part of the mat. Be careful not to stick the part of the mat that the rollers catch. Let that dry over night and they will be good as new. To extend the life of my mats I also use all the parts of my mat. You don't have to load the mat into the machine by the same side. Flip the mat over and load in the other side. If I have a small piece of paper I will place it on my mat wherever it's most sticky and then use the navigation arrows. I use a separate mat when I'm using glittery paper because the glitter wears the stciky down on the mat faster. I usually work with 2 mats and alternate them. The blade question will depend on what you're cutting (thick cardstock, thinner paper, etc.) and the blade depth that you use. Make sure you clean any bits of paper that get stuck in the blade housing and on the blade itself. After I use glittery paper, I clean my blade and the bottom of the blade housing. The glittery paper does make a mess but I love using it. ;) Let us know what you decide. There is a learning curve with the cricut but once you get the hang of it, it's a great machine to have. You can get a lot of tips and help here and at the cricut board.
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