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Sunday 12 October 2014

A New Toy - and some winners....

So look what's found it's way to my house.......



Yes, it's the Cricut Explore. Now back in April I was trying to choose between this and the Brother Scan N Cut, and plumped for the SNC, my reasoning being that I didn't want to spend time on the computer, and the Explore is unusable without computer access....

So what changed my mind? Well, it seems as though every machine requires a computer these days, the Brother needs a lot of messing around with the dreaded computer to upload files for cutting, the Silhouette software sort of defeated me last year, and I kept returning to my trusty Expression with my George cartridge firmly plugged in (I reckon I probably hold the world record for the most cuts done with the George cartridge - oh the  stars and hearts and basic shapes I have cut from that cartridge....

I kept reading glowing reports of the way the Explore cuts, so in the end, curiosity got the better of me, and here it is. I am taken with the thoughtful design of the machine - there are spaces built in to hold your tools, a big plus for me as I am notoriously messy when I craft. You can slide your mat under the machine for storage - and I keep the clear cover under there when the mat is in use - I used to toss it on the floor. Shiny acetate, wood floor = one twisted ankle, one slipped disc, one badly bruised rear end! 




Much more to come in the future no doubt on the fact that it can write, and has a newly released print to cut feature. I like the idea of being able to write a message or sentiment wherever I want on a card - sometimes I see cute sentiment stamps, or a great sentiment on a card in a shop, it will be nice to lift those sayings right onto my own cards.  I will not be doing 'how to' videos on the Explore,  there are masses of very talented people doing some very informative instruction videos on YouTube, but you are going to be seeing the results of my 'eureka' moments! What's more, the software is so easy to use, and I love being able to browse all the images in colour on the computer. I feel re-energized and full of ideas!


 Now this is going to be a very positive post, because I LOVE this machine. Those of you who have followed me for years, know that I don't design as such - welding circles and shapes together to make pretty intricate patterns has never interested me, although I greatly admire those with the skills to do this. No, my interest in die cutting is browsing through shapes until one leaps out at me and I think 'eureka' and then I do my thing with the cut. I like using die cuts with other techniques, so I often cut in white, and colour with my Promarkers, I distress, I sand, I ink, I emboss. The one thing that is paramount is that it cuts well, I don't want to spend hours poking out tiny little bits that haven't quite cut through. The reason I strayed from my beloved expression was the frustration I felt when I was trying to cut two inch high letters and it tore and chewed them up. 

So look at this....... that smallest snowflake is 3/4 of an inch! These were my very first cut, and they lifted right off that mat,  there wasn't a flaw in the cut and all the tiny bits just stayed behind on the mat when I lifted the snowflakes off...



The other thing I wanted to see was if it would cut perfect circles, a pretty basic sort of demand really, but that Expression never got it quite right, the scallops were always just a tiny bit wonky. So I pulled up this image from Paper Trimmings 2


Cut it in black, look at those perfect scallops and circles. I used promarkers in lime zest, lime and lush green, and oasis, cool aqua and duck egg to colour the white layer behind the butterflies, then popped it all up with foam pads


 and added some liquid pearls to the bodies of the butterflies...


Right, so on to a couple of winners 

The winner of the two sets of blending colours from my last Letraset post is


JENNYH

and the original winner of the 24 set of limited edition markers from my 3,000 followers giveaway still hasn't come forward, so I did another draw and the winner is

HELENA (GVENDALEN)



Congrats to you both, email me at enfysc@yahoo.co.uk and I will get your prozes sent to you

See you all tomorrow with another video.....

30 comments:

  1. Woops! Can't see the second name!!

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  2. Looks as if you'll have great fun with your new machine Enfys. Lucky you. Congratulations to the Winners. Hugs Rita xxx

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  3. Congratulations to the winners!

    I just won an Explore in a random drawing and am so excited! (It was on my wishlist but not in my budget, so I've been entering every contest I could find.) I think you and I are alike in that I also don't do much designing and I, too, really like the colorful images in Design Space. And having the software place all the layers on the mat for me is fabulous!

    Enjoy your Explore! I can't wait to see what you create.

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  4. Wow, I'm so happy! Congratulations to other winner!
    Your new machine seems, will be the very useful!
    hugs, Helena

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  5. Congrats on the winners and congrats on your new cricut. I got mine last Thursday but haven't been home to be able to open it. Can't wait.

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  6. I'm so glad that you are happy with your new machine right off the bat, Enfys. Those snowflakes look better and sharper than ANYTHING my Cricuts have ever cut.

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  7. Sounds like you're having a ball with the new machine. Sorry you had such a time with the Silhouette, I absolutely love mine, but if you aren't into "designing" etc this isn't the machine for you. Glad you found something you love.

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  8. Wow what an amazing machine Enfys. Enjoy playing with it. Well done to the latest winners x

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  9. Have lots of fun playing with your new toy Enfys.

    Congrats to the lucky winners.
    Toni xx

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  10. Enjoy your new toy, Enfys. The snowflakes and butterfly panel are looking great.
    Congrats to the winners.

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  11. Oooh! looks a great machine Enfys. I'll have to google to see how much it is. congrats to your winners and also to Vanessa for winning one of these new machines - well done to you all. Pat x

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  12. Thanks for my Letraset win : )
    Have fun with your new machine.

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  13. Congrats to the winners! I'll be curious to see your projects, enjoy the Explore!

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  14. Congrats to the lucky winners. I stand by my trusty big shot but do sometimes wonder if I should go electric. But which one? I can't really afford one, let alone a couple if I pick a lemon. Will follow your adventures avidly. Hugz

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  15. Thank you for the post on the Explore. I've been using my Expression and have been relatively happy with it and can't really see a reason to buy another machine, but am enticed by it's capabilities. I'll be following what you have to say about it!

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  16. I have been debating between an Explore and a Scan and cut for months. How would you compare the cuts despite the computer input? Did you use the scan much on the Brother which seems to be its main advantage over the Explore? Have you imported any files and resized them?

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  17. Looks like a fun new toy you've got - so far I've managed to stay away from any such machine but one never knows..... :)

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  18. I loved reading this post, , lots of information. I have quite a few cutting machines but I don't know that I want to buy another Cricut. Although, the troubles you talk about above are very frustrating with my Cricut that I have had for years- since I started crafting. I also have trouble with the mats, they are too sticky and tear my cut or they arent sticky enough and the paper shifts during cutting... hmmmm, food for thought, thank you so much for your post! xoxo Lizzy

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  19. Glad you are having fun with your Cricut, sorry you didn't get on with the ScanNCut, I live mine.

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  20. Glad you are having fun with your Cricut, sorry you didn't get on with the ScanNCut, I love mine.

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  21. Ahhhh a new machine to follow. I'm excited to see how you get along with it and all the projects you come up with.

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  22. Great post on the merits of the Cricut Explore. I have cut objects so tiny it was difficult for me to adhere them to my cuts. I love the snowflakes! Glad you saw the light....

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  23. Everyone who got the SnC seems to have the computer savvy to run it. I, however, do not;-)
    So if I decide I would like to connect to the computer to cut images, I'll get the Cricut. Thanks for the input. Hugs, Jess

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  24. Oh My!!! you didn't??? you DID...lol
    and how big is your craft room?? does it fit in it nicely....fab card!! as long as your happy and can still make beautiful cards...I'm happy for you!! and would like to see the sentiments cut out too
    enjoy your new toy...cause we'll enjoy everything you make...

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  25. WOW Fabulous you'll do lots of wonderful things with your new machine and hopefully will be showcasing it....many congrats to your winners x

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  26. Maryellen WebberSunday, October 12, 2014

    Wow, a new toy!! Love the snowflakes and the panel you cut out. I'm still breaking in my Expression after working my Original Cricut to death.
    I look forward to seeing your creations from the Explore.

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  27. Good luck and have fun with your new toy! I can't wait to see what creations you share with us. I have one on my wish list, but that's about it. BethAnn M.

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  28. I absolutely love my Explore! I bought at launch and have had so much fun with it. I didn't like the Silhouette software. It was very hard for me to follow and I'm not a stupid person! But it's been easy to learn Design Space.
    Have fun with yours!

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  29. I was reading your post of the 12th
    while I was on the computer with you my daughter came in an sneaked a new explore in the dining room to surprise me for an early birthday present. How lucky am I. I'm usually pretty hard to surprise but this did it.

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  30. Wow ! Can't wait to see what you create ! I've been on the fence whether to keep my Silhouette or go back with Cricut and get an Explore. The program being online is my only draw back. I just hate having to design everything with Silhouette when I have such limited time. I hope you'll have fun !
    Anna N.

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I love reading your comments, thank you for taking the time
Enfys x