I bought the cricut on a whim today. It was on sale at Joann and I figured I could always take it back. I really don't know THAT much about it, but it seems exciting and I want to keep up! But trying to do some research on how to use it, I am feeling overwhelmed! Is this going to be hard to learn to do?

I don't think it's hard to learn but it does take time and lots of practice.

There are a lot of videos on using it. I'm going to JoAnn tomorrow to pick mine up. The Wal Mart where I live also has it at same price but minus the sample cartridge. Did Joann have a good selection of cartridges? I have picked some out by looking online but need to narrow my selection down.

I have had mine for two weeks and JUST took it out last night to use it. I absolutely LOVE it.... Cut a 4 inch "A" monogram for the front of a cake and it cut perfect the first time. Followed the suggestions and rolled my fondant out and put in the freezer for 30 minutes or so. I have been intimidated by actually taking it out for 2 weeks now thinking it was going to be majorly complicated but its great. Just read the booklet and follow the directions! Can wait to see the amazing things I can create with it!

I think the most important thing is to understand the medium, whether its fondant or gumpaste you will be cutting. These mediums must set up to cut well. I don't like fresh fondant or gumpaste right out of the box or just made. By this mean, I roll my fondant out after kneading it well. Roll out pretty thin and let it set . I don't put mine in the freezer, some people do. Nothing wrong with this. Then I cut my designs. I love my cricut, but I think understanding how it should feel, really made a differents for me. I think some people who haven't work with fondant or gumapaste alot , will have the most frustration. So take your time, be patience and have fun. It will work with time and playing. Good luck

Thanks! I am just scared! My DH I am sure can help me with the technical stuff. I keep seeing more and more stuff like "make the cut" etc and it just opens up a whole other area I don't know about!

Once you use it you will be hooked! One thing I learn is that the smaller the cut the hard it is to transfer/move stuff, for example phrases that are sort of connected but other than that IT ROCKS!!!!!!

Almost embarrassed to say this but I got the Cricut Expression with the deep cut blade kit for Christmas and the Make the Cut for Mother's Day and the Cricut is still in the box and I'm completely intimidated by the MTC!!! I don't know where to start but I have to bite the bullet and figure it out soon, I know it could save me hours and hours on designs!!!

Mine just came, and I can't wait to "play" with it!!! I have been reading all the posts so hopefully this will help. I feel like a kid at Christmas! LOL

If you do a google search there are lots of tutorials for Make The Cut

I'm really confused now. I was leaning toward buying the Expressions because I wanted to also be able to do paper projects if needed. After researching I see you can cut paper with the Cricut Cake, and it is easier to clean. With there being only a $50 difference in price, should I go ahead and get the Cake version since it is food safe? I want to buy one tomorrow and I guess I would like someone else to make my decision or should I say someone else to blame. HaHa.

Look at it this way, cakers have been cutting fondant & gum paste way before the cricut cake came out on the expression, and you know they cut paper on that too. Moreover, lots of us ( thanks to Sharon Z.) use computer paper to smoothen our cakes. The provo craft people have to tell you not to use non edible material on the cricut cake to cover their butts. And you can use your deep cut blade in the cricut cake machine, but you can't use the cricut cake blade in the expression because the casing is to large. Personally I went with the cricut c.

I have a quick question.....if I want to cut paper or chipboard in my cake cricut do I need to switch to a different blade? (like the regular one in the Expression)

Yes, I have heard the cricut blade does not work as well as paper, so you should use the other blades for this job. As far as wood I have no idea.

Thanks. So if I buy the Cricut Cake today instead of the Expressions as I originally planned, I should buy an extra deep cut blade and some of the sticky matts made for the Expressions? The store I will be purchasing this at is an hour away, so I don't want to make any mistakes and have to go back.

I get all confused with cricut and Scal, can Scal be used with the Cricut Cake, I don't have any of the cricut, but I am thinking about buying one... feeling intimidated too, since I am so new at all these.

Exactly. And through in the Cricut Cake Tool Kit while you are at it! I love mines! Happy shopping!

I absolutely love my cricut cake! When I first took it out to try I didnt read all the directions, so I just wasnt getting it. After I read the directions and started to play, I fell in love =) I was only using gumpaste, havent tried fondant yet. I was feeling kinda wasteful though. So I decided to reuse the gumpaste after it was on the cutting mat with Crisco. I kneaded all the Crisco in with the gumpaste and found that I got a smoother cut. Anyone else reuse the gumpaste after it was on the mat?

Thanks, I can't wait to buy it and try it today.

I bought my cricut cake a couple of weeks ago and absolutely love it! It is a little intimidating at first but after reading the book and playing with it, I use it every chance I get. Don't think I will regret buying it. Good luck!

Well I watched the video that came with it today. It was somewhat helpful. I wish they had shown how to do more than just one cut example!

Ok, ok I'm so close to buying this. What else do you have to buy aside from the machine? Someone told me you have to buy the mat separately? Or is it included? Also, are some cartridges included or do you need to buy those too?

I'm just thinking that this $300 machine is great, but I'll end up spending another $100 on getting it to work .

Mine came with everything needed, video to show you how, mat, blade, book and cartridge. Very happy with mine.

Thanks..I'm getting closer to getting this!

I just started using mine and it's great! There is definitely a learning curve, though, so you have to practice a lot.. I've ony tried those icky frosting sheets and Wilton fondant so far. I rolled out the fondant on the cutting mat (not super thin), let it sit for 10 minutes and then cut using high pressure and medium speed. Came out looking good.

okay, I have moved to getting it out of the box LOL! I noticed that my "blade assembly" does not look like the one they picture in the manual. Mine is just white and it doesnt have numbers on it. Did they change it or am I missing something?

The other thing I was trying to figure out. You can cut a bunch of images at one time right? It seemed like if I changed the quantity or size of one, it changed it for all of the ones I loaded on there.

I also really dont understand what mix and match means.

FedEx just delivered my Cricut Cake. It was like looking at your newborn for the first time, well pretty close. I opted to buy mine through Walmart because the closest Joann did not carry it in the store and Micheals would not honor Joann price because they claimed the Cricut Cake they carried was specialy made for them. WalMart was actually cheapest and free shipping to your local store. I went ahead and paid the extra money ($20) to have it shipped to the house so I wouldn't have the hassle of going to Walmart to pick it up. It was supposed to take 7-10 days but got here in 2 days. I guess I live near a distribution center. Can't wait to play with it. If only I wasn't in charge of my 8 year olds end of the year party today.