Yes, you read that right. I'll never buy another font cartridge for my Cricut ever again, because I can now use any font I have on my computer and my Cricut will cut it. I know you want to know how, so I'm going to tell you. Girl Genius hooked me up with this software called Sure Cuts A Lot and it is A-Mazing.
I cut that vinyl in the picture above with the software, and then I put it on my minivan. I know.
Mattie Cake asked me that same question. She said "Who puts that on their car??????"
Freaks like me, that's who.
I used to have the Creative Memories logo on my van with all my contact info, but I'm thinking I might stop doing the Creative Memories thing this summer. Plus, the web address was out of date so it had to come off. And in the interest of being able to find my van in a parking lot full of mini vans, I needed something on mine that will enable me to find it quickly when I forget where I park. Because I do that on a regular basis. I have navigation issues.
Anyway, I'm thinking that no one else is going to put Control Freak on their mini van, so I'm pretty safe.
Anyway, that's neither here nor there. What I really want to show you is that Janae not only hooked me up with this cool software, but she taught me how to cut vinyl on my Cricut. And I went a little crazy.
I've been cutting vinyl for my classroom. It's perfect for the titles on my white boards. I loooooove it.
I even put my name outside my classroom door. I. LOVE. IT.
Next I want to cut some vinyl sayings to put around my house. I'm thinking "PICK UP YOUR CRAP!" is going to be first.
Would that be too tacky?
Seriously. I feel I should warn you though, that this software might not be for you. Before you buy it, go and read this blah blah about how it could void your warranty and stuff. It's too late for me, because I've already used it, but I haven't had any problems with it and my Cricut did not blow up, so I'm a believer. I'm the kind of person that jumps first and asks questions later though.
Reckless. Impatient. Naughty.
Probably not the best example. Most definitely not qualified to give you Cricut advice.
Of course Cricut doesn't want you to buy the software because then they can't sell their $70 font cartridges to you. I'm thinking four Cricut font cartridges cost about the same as a new Cricut though, right? And I've already used two different fonts off my computer, so I've already saved half the cost of the money I would need to replace my Cricut if it should happen to blow up because I used the not-Cricut software.
I like to rationalize.
Has anyone else used this software? Does anyone have any words of caution about using it? I'd love to hear what experiences other people have had with it, so leave a comment if you have something to share.
Or if you just want to tell me how stooooooopid I am for using the not-Cricut software.
NOTE: Here's a link a just found with some excellent money-saving Cricut tips.
NOTE: Here's a link a just found with some excellent money-saving Cricut tips.
26 Comments:
You know I don't have a Cricut, but now I'm thinking I may just have to go buy one just so I too can put "PICK UP YOUR CRAP!" on the wall in my house. Brilliant idea!
I have a cricut and also this software. Hubby bought it for me about a year ago and I LOVE IT! I haven't figured out how they can say it voids the warranty. The software is only linked to your computer not your machine. I haven't had any problems with my machine after using it either. The carts still work like normal. I, also, will never buy another font cartridge again. Hooray. I went a little crazy with the indoor vinyl though. Hubby has threatened divorce if I put anymore words on the walls. Hahaha But I love it.
I have a Quikutz Silhouette and I am able to use ANY font on my computer. That is one of the biggest reasons that I purchased it over the Cricut.
One of my favorite features is the print-and-cut. You can print clipart on your printer and then the Silhouette will cut it out for you.
Also their downloads are only 99 cents per item. Way CHEAP and I can pick and choose what I want.
Depends on what type of crafting you do, my friend LOVES her Cricut and I LOVE my Silhouette. They are so similar and yet so different!
I really want a Cricut, so I can put vinyl lettering on everything. I could make my own signage for my car, instead of paying an arm and a leg for crappy vinyl lettering from some other *&*%$& place.
Yes. I need one.
That looks very dangerous for a fellow control freak like me:-)
I have heard really great things about sure cuts a lot, and there are many fellow bloggers like you that giveaway free designs and fonts they've made. I haven't tried it yet because we are mac users and it didn't get very good reviews, so I'm hoping to get a little net-book and load my embroidery machine softwrae and sure cuts alot on there. You know my very own crafts computer. Woohoo! I love this lady's ideas..http://cleversomeday.wordpress.com/
You can also download fonts for free and the program will upload them and cut them out same with images and shapes. I love it and will not buy another cart.. again unless they come way down in price.
Oh my goodness I am dying over here! That was hilarious! "Pick up your crap!" Even hubby liked that one :)
I wanted a Cricut...but hubby saw how much they were and how much the cartridges were and needless to say I am living the Cricut through peeps like you!
this is AMAZING I have never heard of this program ever and here i am the idiot still buying cartriges lol. I can't wait to find out more. Thank you sooooo much!
True American industiralism at work. Competition is what makes prices come down. I'll bet we will see some price reductions thanks to stuff like this. Hooray!
Side note: I do have a friend who used this software and her cricut DID burn out on her.I don't know if they were connected but She was still able to send it back and have it fixed. Though, I doubt she was volunteering the info that she had been using their competitor's program.
I love the window decal! I want one!
Just a little FYI, there is another program called "make the cut" that some people like better than Sure Cuts A Lot. I haven't ever used either though. I eventually will purchase one of the two, but I don't do many font cartridges as it is.
Computer geek helped me and told me to make sure to turn everything off before you disconnect from your computer. Shut all your programs down and turn off cricut and then disconnect. I haven't had any problems. :)
I've seen that van. I think you must work at my kid's school! Now I feel like I know a famous person.
I'm all for putting "pick up your crap" in every room in the house....and in the car. Love it.
And I'm sure you already know this, but www.kevinandamanda.com has TONS of cute fonts and doodles all for free. I want that software!
I have a cricut and the scal software. Love both.
Your warranty on the cricut is only a year and I've had mine much longer than that anyway.
I haven't had ANY problem.
I think you should do the "pick up your crap" It would be great in the family room when the home teachers come....awesome.
I think you should start making signs in vinyl and when you stop selling Creative Memories stuff you can open an etsy shop and sell "pick up your crap" signs. :-P
Although I'm a fan of weird signs... I have a speed limit 70 miles sign (authentic old highway sign I found back in the bush at my Grandpa's farm) in my basement... My son's room is designed around his "Pirates don't take baths" sign and my laundry room door says "Laundry Room. Drop your drawers here" on it. it's even funnier because it's in my main entrance way. heh.
As always, I love your posts.
Thanks for checking out my blog! Felicia B (pto pres) is my sil. and my kids are in K, 3, and 5. Maybe you'll get my Alex next year!
I would sooo put control freak on my car too!! Great idea!!!
SO impressive!! You are such a genius!! I want a cricut so badly!!! Love all the stuff you have made. If you do a "pick up your crap" sign I would love one also. Coming from another control freak I love the sign on your car!
I'd love to see a tutorial on how to cut the vinyl. You could demonstrate it by cutting "Pick up your crap".
please?
and thank you.
amy
Dear Twin...i mean Jill,
I love you for this. I love you for many reasons, but for this, I especially love you. Thank you.
Amy
Which cricut would you recommend for a newbie? :) I want one now...thats so neat! Im an organized freak, as yourself...so I could see this being my favorite household tool :) oh the possibilities :)
Ashley, Your e-mail address isn't attached to your profile, so I hope you'll check back here for my answer. I would get the BIG Cricut, the Cricut Expression. If you get the smaller one, you'll only end up wanting the bigger one later.
OMGoodness!! I just found your blog and I am Rolling on the floor with laughter! I am a MAJOR control freak and will be "scraplifting" your car sign - hope that is ok. Thanks for all the great posts.
I just figured out what cricut was....and NOW I WANT ONE! I am going to ask for one for Christmas...so...would you recommend Expressions or Imagine? I couldn't tell for sure...but it seemed like Imagine has everything Expressions has but more...maybe it is newer...? I don't know... Also, I am mostly interested in cricut for the vinyl...although I think I would love it for scrapbooking and classroom stuff...but I SOOO want to decorate with more words. Anyways...is it difficult to cut the vinyl? I have a mac...do those font programs mentioned work on macs? what tools do I need in addition to the actual cricut? I am sooo excited...I hope to hear from you soon! my email address is hollyjeanjackson@gmail.com
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