I have read the debate, am leaning toward the expression, but.....still have no clear answer. Will the Cricut cake do the same things as the Expression (Paper, fabric, etc.)? I would appreciate any input...thank you!

it seems to me that you shouldn't use the same machine for both papercraft and foodcraft projects for food safety reasons.

it's my understanding that it's the same as the Expression but the parts that come in contact with material are 100% food safe. and it's a shiny, pretty red.

you can use the expression for cake, i have one set of mats, markers and deep housing blade only for food and other set for paper. The cricket cake is 100% food safe but also has a better housing and blade. It can cut things a little thicker also better than expression. you can by the food safe mats and use in either machine, but my understanding that is the only thing that is interchangeable. The is a blog that compares the two. cutting edge cake i think is its name. if you don't buy the cake mats, you have to take the sticky off the regular mat before using it for food.

I found this Comparison online its towards the bottom of the page.

http://www.cuttingedgecakeart.com/blog.php

1. First you need gumpaste. Fondant is too soft and doesn't dry fast enough. If you can't find gumpaste, mix about 1 tbs of gum-tex per lb of fondant.

2. Roll out gumpaste into a thin 'sheet' using pasta machine. You need to get the gumpaste as thin as you can get it without being able to see through it when you hold it up.

3. Let gumpaste dry slightly - just dry enough to hold it's shape but not so dry that it cracks or isn't at all pliable. This is the most important thing about all of this - too wet and it makes it bunch up too dry and it pushes it ....

4. Prepare mat - remove glue form cricut mat OR use the backside of it! OR get a regular plastic chopping mat found a the Dollar store and if necessary cut it down to fit your machine. Lightly 'grease' with Crisco/shortening - this will act as the 'glue' to hold the gumpaste while being cut.

5. If making a small cut, position gumpaste or image 'between' the machines rollers (so that they don't leave a mark on your image). If making a large cut you need to move the middle rollers to the sides.

6. Use any cartridge you have for your cricut to cut out gumpaste images or use any SVG file you have via SCAL or MTC software.

Machine Used: Cricut Expression
Blade: the regular blade (not the deep cut one)
Pressure Setting: settings vary depending on how dense/stiff the gumpaste has gotten - mine is usually set to 4 but I've also used 5. What I do is make a test strip of gumpaste and then play with the pressure setting until it works/I get the result I want.
Speed: is always set to medium (by default) - I just leave it there.

If you search Google and YouTube you will find various methods for cutting gumpaste and for cutting a cool prodcut called SugarVeil. Plus a lady who is selling a video she put together. I've never seen it so can't comment on it's content. And Provo Craft (the company that makes the Cricut) has now built and is selling a version of the machine just for cake decorating. I'm sure others will follow

I wrote this post comparing the Cricut Expression and the Cricut Cake that you might find helpful.
http://joyslife.com/how-the-cricut-cake-machine-is-different-from-the-cricut-expression/

There really is not a different. Linda McClure started the use of the cricut for cakes and she used the regular cricut expression. They stole the ideal from her and came out with the cake cricut checkout her video on you tube. Also google her and go to her website. The cake cricut is just for that company to make money. The cake is just hype. Watch there video also on youtube. People are asking them at the show and they can't really tell them anything different.

I don't know about expressions...but I'm loving my cricut cake! Takes a little tweeking to get it right, but so far I have been doing fine with it!

How about all the copyright or licence fee that they were talking about? Can we avoid that by using SCAL and not the cartridges?

Thank you so much Superjoy

OK - Now to throw a monkey wrench into the mix... Can you use the Original Cricut machine on fondant/gumpaste?? AC Moore has it in sale for $99 & cricut cartridges for about $40. I'm a hobby baker & don"t need to buy the Cricut Cake (yet! ) - but also don't want to buy an expensive paperweight!

If anyone has used or knows anything about using the Cricut Original I'd love to get some feedback!

(Sorry - did a forum search & so much Cricut came up didnt know where to start!)

Thanks in advance!

The creator of this technique, Linda McClure, is now offering classes on it. If you are in the area she is teaching you can sign up to take her class BEFORE you go buy a machine. You will learn all about using all different kinds of electronic paper cutters and software like SCAL and MTC. I know she will be in Rocky Mount, NC in June 2010. You can go to her website and email her for more details. Her site is deseretdesigns.com
Hugs,
Angie B in NC

I'm wondering if in the near future the price of the circuit cake will come down. If the only difference is the food safe issue parts and a longer blade, it seems that the cost to make the circuit cake is the same as the expression. Maybe once the "hype" of the cir. cake wears down the price will come down too.

I bought the cricut cake because it's marketed as being "food safe" and seemed like it might be easier to clean. I do also plan on using it for paper cutting - though I'll use a separate blade and blade housing - and of course the mat that is made for paper cutting. I am not really into scrapbooking but I think making cards for people might be fun.

I think the big difference might be not having to clean the blade after each cut. I used my expression and had to take the blade out and clean it after each et of cuts. Supposedly you wont have that problem with the cake. I pre ordered mine a couple of months ago and am waiting for it to arrive.

I am sorry I didn't know you couldn't put other people's websites on here. Is it okay if I give you my website and you can email me from my contact page? amemoryworthmaking com is mine, once you email me I can then pass along her website. She has been super helpful to me. I am sorry others have had issues. I LOVE the technique she created though and I cannot wait to take the class and soooo close to home!
Hugs,
Angie B in NC

I just thought of another thing you could do...search Google for Deseret Designs or Linda McClure. Her website should come up for you. I hope to see you at her class in Rocky Mount, NC! I can't wait!
Hugs,
Angie B in NC

I want to than everyone for all of their time and input. You all have been very helpful.

I emailed Linda earlier this evening about getting class info <it is no on their home website> I just got a response back from Her husband Jeff:

"The class will be held 10-11June in Rocky Mount. The class costs $400 for the two days, and is going to certify students to be instructors in the Creative Designs method, which Linda invented / developed. It will be very good, with each student having a computer to use, and access to several different types of cutters. I have attached a flyer from the class we are doing in Natchez, MS in May (it's full). Details like location, etc are different but the class will be the same.

We'll have a full description at www dot creativedesignsclasses dot com."

I'm sure that class is going to be loaded with good info... im' just really discouraged of the price. Especially for those looking to take the class to get a feel for the new Cricut...for that cost I can get the Cricut Cake... then research and figure it out...

I don't mean to be so negative.... its just disheartening, i want to support the information and ideas of other cakers and to learn from the best is awesome...but sometimes i feel the costs of some of these classes out there has gotten a little nuts... Am i crazy?

I have the expression and the cake. I love the expressions because it's great on paper. I just used my cricut cake tonight for the second time and I got good results. I think you will like the Cricut Cake.