Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
Over a decade ago, I began making scrapbooks and Cricut was a well-known name back then. As a leader in the crafting industry, they are constantly creating amazing products that make scrapbooking, card making, and
paper crafting more fun, more progressive, and more intricate.
I just received the
Cricut Explore, a design and cut system that completely trumps every other paper crafting tool I've ever used. There is so much this machine can do that it's almost intimidating, but the Cricut Explore is actually really easy to use. I am a visual learner, so I found their YouTube videos most helpful!
This
electronic cutting machine, combined with their online design software, helps me create amazing DIY projects that go far beyond scrapbooking. They offer hundreds of ready-made projects, a library of over 50,000 images, plus I can upload any image of my own that I want to use. I can also completely create a design from scratch on their software.
It's wide enough to accommodate 12x12 paper on the Cricut mat that slides through the Cricut Explore. It features a multi-layer creation system where each layer of a project is cut from different color papers, then assembled for a finished project. For example, I can create an orange jack-o-lantern with a brown stem, green leaf, black mouth, and yellow eyes; then the Cricut Explore cuts each component on different sheets of colored paper and I just assemble the finished design!
The Cricut Explore also has the ability to cut and write in one step. The inner cartridge holds a blade on the right hand side and can hold a marker on the left hand side. Their design program allows me to tell the Cricut Explore what I want it to do. It can even cut a box and score fold lines. I'm only just beginning to grasp everything it can do, but I'm having so much fun!
My very first project was Halloween Tags for a candy display I'm putting together. Using the Cricut Design Space, I used their free images from their library to create six tags with Halloween images on them. I can easily edit, resize, and even add my own text if I want in their Design Space. Then with a click of my mouse, I printed it on my printer, and set it on the Cricut cutting mat.
The Cricut Explore cut every single one of my images perfectly and quickly. The cutting mat is slightly sticky so that it can hold the paper. The Cricut Explore can cut more than just paper! It can cut vinyl, stickers, cardstock, iron-on, fabric, leather, poster board, and much more. I am just blown away by all that it can do!
Cricut also offers tons of great tools that help me create and I love this flat one that helps me easily remove my cut cardstock from the cutting mat. To make my Halloween tags, I next made a tiny hole in the top of each tag and strung embroidery thread through the holes. I tied each one around different sizes of mason jars to create my display. I can fill them with candy or even use them to serve drinks at a party! Check out my
Halloween Candy Display!
Visit www.cricut.com today and see how easily you can create one-of-a-kind projects of all kinds. I am so thrilled with my Cricut Explore and promise to share more of my projects as I create them! Be sure to follow all their social media accounts for great crafting ideas, tutorials, and more.
Oh me! Those Halloween tags are too cute! Thank of all the different holidays tags you could make! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty cool machine! Those Halloween tags are just adorable! I could think of a ton of ways to use them :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a cool gizmo to have. Those tags came out nice.
ReplyDeleteWow, I hadn't heard of this before now. That's a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThis thing is pretty cool. The tags look super cute.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend that owns a Cricut, and there are so many neat projects she is doing. I will have to let her know about this one, this would be fun if you were making up gift tags for Halloween or even the holidays.
ReplyDeletethose tags are super cute, wish I had stuff like this when I was a kid
ReplyDeleteI love your project with the tags and the mason jars, it will make a great candy display for Halloween!
ReplyDeletekimberlybreid at hotmail dot com
I've been curious about Cricut, and now I see how useful it can be.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have one of these for some arts and crafts I make. I have so much stuff already tho, lol I just need to organize it and finish some projects! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a cool machine!!! There is nothing ya can not do with them! I love these Halloween tags !
ReplyDeleteYour tags are very cute. These would be a nice touch for gifts and such!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I love the tags you made, this would be great for making tags for Christmas presents too.
ReplyDeleteI have seen so many people use a Cricut to make great things! The tags are cute!
ReplyDeleteI would love to let my kids make their own gift tags for Christmas
ReplyDeleteThis machine is a crafters dream! For rizzle!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I would go crazy making things with this product!
ReplyDeleteThese tags are so cute! I would love to have a Cricut! I'm going to sign up to win!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea and these tags are so cute. I can see making so many different items with one of these Cricut cutters.
ReplyDeleteThose tags are adorable! I love that you can do so much with the Cricut Explore.
ReplyDeleteThose are soooo cute! I have always avoided papercrafts because me and scissors are a bad combo.
ReplyDeleteThese tags look like so much fun to use to decorate for Halloween. I'm sure it would make great tags for Christmas too.
ReplyDeleteSo adorable!
ReplyDeleteI can think of so many things to make with this. What fun!
ReplyDeleteWow, those are really nice! Christmas ones would be great.
ReplyDeletevery cute, this machine could be used many ways. I love making crafts and this would come in very handy.
ReplyDeleteYour tags are beautiful
ReplyDeleteI love this! I could make so many awesome things with this, especially around the holidays. Loving the features!!
ReplyDeleteOkay....this is officially the coolest crafting tool I have ever seen Those tags look downright professional! I cannot even begin to count the different things I would make if I had one! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI can think of so many things to make with this. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteThese are adorable! What a perfect tag for teacher gifts!
ReplyDeleteI love the tags' I love how you used the too.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how they can do that print then cut thing. Looks like magic to me. ha ha
ReplyDeleteThese tags are so cute! I love them. They make perfect gift tags.
ReplyDeleteI would love to do something similar to use for Christmas. So cute!
ReplyDeleteI love to do crafts! I have wanted one of these machines for years now but just haven't been able to do it. Maybe one day!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing machine to have! Love the tags - a great idea for birthday-party-favor bags, too!
ReplyDeleteI love your tags, I really need one of these. There are just so many things you can do with one.
ReplyDeleteCute! I love the jar idea. I would love to use this to make Christmas gifts!
ReplyDeleteThose tags are awesome! My daughter makes home made gift every Christmas and this would be so awesome for her to make her tags and labels.
ReplyDeleteI love those tags. I would love to make spice jar labels and other kitchen labels to get my kitchen organized.
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute! My mother in law uses hers to make cards. She gives them for holidays and even sells them
ReplyDeletenathansmommy619(At)Aol(dot)com
These tags are so cute and using them with the jars is a great idea! Plus, the cricut machine seemed to cut out the images smooth and clean.
ReplyDeletealwaysneedhim4evr@yahoo.com
DeleteThose are adorable! I can't wait to see what you will make next!!
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks like a great machine to have for crafting. I can think of a lot of projects I would love to tackle. I really like your Halloween tags. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletetrishden948(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love that you can't print from your computer and then take to the machine and it recognizes where to cut. The ideas are limitless on what you could do with this feature.
ReplyDeleteThese are cute and add a nice touch to holiday creations.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
This looks like such a good machine to help the craft -challenged get good results....I don't mean you those are great! I mean me my daughter always wants to make stuff and with this we could!
ReplyDeleteThese are super cute Halloween tags. I need a Cricut so I can make cute things. It is on my wish list for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteShelia S
What a neat idea! These tags are great! I love how you can make so many different things with the Circut machine.
ReplyDeleteThose cuts are so intricate!
ReplyDeleteThose are cute tags.
ReplyDeleteThese are adorable!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE when a company has "how-to" videos available for this type of product. Now only does it let you see HOW the product works but, it can inspire new ideas.
ReplyDeleteThose tags are so cute. Might borrow the idea for my next Halloween party.
ReplyDeleteThose tags are adorable! This would make great tags for the upcoming Xmas holiday season, I'd imagine.
ReplyDeleteI've watched videos comparing the old and new Cricuts, and the new version sounds awesome. I'm envious of you. I'd love one myself.
ReplyDeleteThe tags are adorable and would be great for treatbags!
ReplyDeleteThe tags are neat. This machine is amazing. There are so many projects you cand dot with it.
ReplyDeleteThose are wonderful and I bet I could modify them to attach to my Christmas baked goods giveaways.
ReplyDeleteI want one of these for making decorations for cakes. Stencils and stuff.
ReplyDeleteThis is super cute and I imagine tags could be made for Christmas with this as well!
ReplyDeletethis machine looks too legit! I love all the options
ReplyDeleteThese jars are adorable!! I'd love to try this and maybe fill them up with candy!
ReplyDeleteI can think of so many wonderful things that my children and I could create with this. I love the tags.
ReplyDeletejweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
The tags are great and colorful. This machine can do some pretty awesome things. It would be great to make tags for Christmas and all the other gifts throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteThis would make paper crafting so much easier!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very cute craft, I'd love to use it for holiday gift tags.
ReplyDeleteOOOh , you said the magic words : FREE IMAGES. Love that not everything needs to be purchased.
ReplyDeleteThis are so cute and sooo easy! I keep thinking of all the times I have spent printing, coloring and cutting with an exacto knife! Very cool!
ReplyDeleteTags are really neat. It is such a versatile machine and one can do so much with it!
ReplyDeleteLove these cuts! Adorable little tags!
ReplyDeleteNice way to do all sorts of things. My friend would love this.
ReplyDeleteslehan at juno dot com
I love the size and that it can do so many fun things
ReplyDeleteI like the pumpkin's googley eyes.
ReplyDeletetimothyj228@gmail.com