If you’re into crafting, design or working with interesting materials, a Cricut machine might be the right tool to add to your scrapbook room.
The brand-name machine from Cricut, Inc. creates die-cuts. Basically, you choose or create an image on your computer, then it gets sent to the machine. The Cricut cuts out your design from the material you have chosen. That material can be anything from paper, vinyl, fabric, craft foam, sticker paper or balsa wood to faux leather.
Here’s an image of the EasyPress 2 model, posted on the Cricut Maker’s Instagram at @officialcricut:
You can create so many exciting projects with the help of a Cricut! Form letters for your scrapbook pages. Make handmade cards, holiday decorations or stencils for painting. Add coloring to appliques or design wall decals. And if you run out of ideas, Cricut also has an online software called the Cricut Design Studio. Through that software, you can put together more complex creations and really get crafting.
Cricut machines work over WiFi or by using Bluetooth and are managed by a computer, tablet or smartphone. In addition to cutting out shapes and designs, Cricut also offers a drawing feature. You can load a marker into the Cricut so it will sketch your design.
You’ll find a number of current options on the market, including the Cricut Explore One, Cricut Explore Air, Cricut Explore Air 2, the Cricut Maker, Cricut EasyPress 2 and the Cricut Cuttlebug Die Cutting & Embossing Machine. Each machine comes in at different price points and the features vary. If you’re in the market for one, you should take a look at the different features that each offers and decide from there.
For example, the Cricut Maker could be the best machine for the crafter that is looking to use different types of materials — this one can cut everything from quilts to leather to balsa wood. The Cricut EasyPress 2 can heat up really fast — in less than 60 seconds — and could be the perfect machine for a crafter on the go. The Cricut Explore Air 2 is the best machine for users who want to apply their own images.
Here are some projects people have posted, showing off how they’ve used their Cricuts. This one’s from @letsmakecutethings, displaying customized, handmade makeup bags:
This one’s from user @mamamakesdo, showing off some cute water bottles with die-cut wording:
And these bridal party boxes get an upgrade from the Cricut Explore Air 2’s capabilities. Image is from @dezigns_for_you:
Are you inspired to get crafting with the Cricut yet? We can’t wait to see what you create!
About the Author
Haley Velasco lives in New York City, where she works as a digital publishing editor at The Wall Street Journal. She also has written for The New York Times, USA Today, Life & Style and more. More.
