Cricut- accessories?

[wesleycrusher]

DH is getting me the Cricut Explore Air 2 for Christmas.  I plan to mostly use it for scrapbooking our Disney trips.  I'm looking for things to tell the ILs to get me for Christmas and are there other accessories or things I want to go with the Cricut?  Is it worth it to get cartridges?

[Dramaphile]

The Explore doesn't require cartridges (although it does have a slot for them), so unless they are ones you really love, it's probably just one more thing to store. There are tool bundles you can buy for the cricut, if you don't have all the cutting mats and weeding tools and things. Or maybe something to store your cricut and supplies in? or maybe they can gift you a year membership to Cricut access?

[Dramaphile]

Upon further investigation, it also looks like only certain cartridges can be used with the Explore...

[aprilz81]

I have the Explore Air (original) and while I don't do a lot of paper crafting here is what I would put on your list:

-blue cutting mats (not super sticky and works great with paper)
-crafters glue with fine point tips
-adhesive "tape" runners
-Cricut pens (you can use the machine to write too!)

With the Explore machines you can upload your own images that you find online (google, crafting sites, etc.) and download different fonts so you don't "need" cartridges. You can also buy individual images, fonts and digital cartridges online with Cricut if you want. If you have old cartridges you can still use them, but in a different way than the old machines. You link the cartridges to your Cricut account and from that point on you don't need to insert the cartridge to use the images, they are loaded in your account.

Do you have a Cuttlebug? That is great for paper crafting, it is an embossing machine that adds texture to the paper to add a little "pop" to the layout. I think the maximum embossing size is 4x6... The machine comes with a few embossing folders and you can buy more online and at most crafting stores. As long as the folder fits in the machine it will work, even if it isn't Cricut brand.

[wesleycrusher]

Dec 6, 2017 8:42:08 GMT -6 aprilz81 said:

I have the Explore Air (original) and while I don't do a lot of paper crafting here is what I would put on your list:

-blue cutting mats (not super sticky and works great with paper)
-crafters glue with fine point tips
-adhesive "tape" runners
-Cricut pens (you can use the machine to write too!)

With the Explore machines you can upload your own images that you find online (google, crafting sites, etc.) and download different fonts so you don't "need" cartridges. You can also buy individual images, fonts and digital cartridges online with Cricut if you want. If you have old cartridges you can still use them, but in a different way than the old machines. You link the cartridges to your Cricut account and from that point on you don't need to insert the cartridge to use the images, they are loaded in your account.

Do you have a Cuttlebug? That is great for paper crafting, it is an embossing machine that adds texture to the paper to add a little "pop" to the layout. I think the maximum embossing size is 4x6... The machine comes with a few embossing folders and you can buy more online and at most crafting stores. As long as the folder fits in the machine it will work, even if it isn't Cricut brand.

Thank you, this is so very helpful as a starting point for what to look at!

I don't have a cuttlebug, I've never really gotten into embossing...I only ever scrapbook our Disney trips, so I usually buy the paper and anything extra from stores or from etsy/ebay so I didn't have to make things myself.

What do you use your Cricut for?  I'm sure after I get it I will branch out.

[aprilz81]

Dec 6, 2017 9:09:04 GMT -6 wesleycrusher said:

Dec 6, 2017 8:42:08 GMT -6 aprilz81 said:

I have the Explore Air (original) and while I don't do a lot of paper crafting here is what I would put on your list:

-blue cutting mats (not super sticky and works great with paper)
-crafters glue with fine point tips
-adhesive "tape" runners
-Cricut pens (you can use the machine to write too!)

With the Explore machines you can upload your own images that you find online (google, crafting sites, etc.) and download different fonts so you don't "need" cartridges. You can also buy individual images, fonts and digital cartridges online with Cricut if you want. If you have old cartridges you can still use them, but in a different way than the old machines. You link the cartridges to your Cricut account and from that point on you don't need to insert the cartridge to use the images, they are loaded in your account.

Do you have a Cuttlebug? That is great for paper crafting, it is an embossing machine that adds texture to the paper to add a little "pop" to the layout. I think the maximum embossing size is 4x6... The machine comes with a few embossing folders and you can buy more online and at most crafting stores. As long as the folder fits in the machine it will work, even if it isn't Cricut brand.

Thank you, this is so very helpful as a starting point for what to look at!

I don't have a cuttlebug, I've never really gotten into embossing...I only ever scrapbook our Disney trips, so I usually buy the paper and anything extra from stores or from etsy/ebay so I didn't have to make things myself.

What do you use your Cricut for?  I'm sure after I get it I will branch out.

Oh, and they do have some Disney cartridges that you may want to put on your list.  I don't think you can buy Disney images individually from Cricut, but I might be wrong, I've never used them.

You may want to ask for the Cricut "scoring tool" that will put a scoring line to neatly fold paper (especially useful if you want to make cards)

I use my Cricut to make birthday banners, farmhouse style signs, stencils to etch glasses, vinyl projects (shadow boxes, floating frames, etc.) all sorts of stuff! 

There are two great Facebook groups "Cricut Design Space" and "Off the Mat" that can show you ideas of things you can make with the Cricut when you are ready to branch out from paper.  Off the Mat has a lot of people who craft for profit but lots of pictures and how-to info.  Cricut Design Space is focused a lot more on using the software to make things.

You can create a Cricut Design Space account to play around with before you actually have your machine, it is web based so as long as you remember your username and password you  can use it to cut with any compatible machine (even if it isn't yours).  So if you have time  go ahead and start playing around so you can learn features!

[aprilz81]

Here is the scoring tool I was talking about: scoring stylus

This is also useful, but not really necessary until you do something other than paper crafting... Cricut Tool Set

Cricut Pens--other pens & markers fit too, but I tend to use these the most, just be sure to store them tip down so they don't dry out: Cricut Pens

Cricut Blue Cutting Mat (light grip): This is great for paper

Your machine will come with a green mat that is a lot more sticky than the blue. If you use the green mat you will want to take your hands (or a clean tshirt) and press your hands/shirt all over the mat a few times to get the worst of the sticky off before you use it with paper. Sometimes thin paper will just shred when you use the green mat if it is brand new. Another tip... When you go to remove the project from the mat, flip the mat over (paper side down) and then peel the mat from the paper instead of peeling the paper from the mat. This will help minimize the paper curling up as it comes off the mat.

[wesleycrusher]

aprilz81 you are amazing! thank you!

[aprilz81]

Dec 6, 2017 10:46:26 GMT -6 wesleycrusher said:

aprilz81 you are amazing! thank you!

You're welcome!  Let me know if you have questions I'll do my best to answer, but in the meantime request to join those groups and get familiar with the terminology and see what everyone does!

[shitsngiggles]

Auntie Tay and Troytube on YouTube are good resources.

Dafont.com to download new fonts.

Get the scraper tool, it is really good for getting the tiny pieces of paper off the mat.

[unicornofthesea]

I see tools are mostly covered... Just wanted to add that this is the brand of paper I use. Sometimes michaels will put it on sale 5 packs for $10.

It comes in 8.5x11 so if you need anything bigger you'd have to buy some 12x12, but this is a great price to stock up and have lots of colors on hand.

[unicornofthesea]

If you have any other questions lmk!

There's a huge group on FB you should join. Cricut lovers guide to design space.
Everyone is great at answering questions and sharing ideas 😁