Too Cheap for a Cricut

Too Cheap for a Cricut

September 27th, 2010 @ 9:08 am by Mrs. Lioness
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Like so many bees before me, I have swooned over the Cricut. In my opinion, it’s just the mother of all crafting tools. For those of you who are unfamiliar, the Cricut allows you to “print” shapes. It basically cuts out special shapes for you with the touch of a button. They even make a special device for cakes. The possibilities are endless, and it can certainly make for some very creative DIY invitations, menus, programs, etc. Not to mention the fact that it makes it much easier to obtain the highly coveted “bracket.”

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The only problem I had with a Cricut was the price. Sure, you can usually find one secondhand. You may even be able to find an awesome coupon. I still had trouble justifying it. As Mrs. Hot Wings mentioned previously, it’s best to keep it simple. Wedding purchases are so often one-time things. We pay vendors so much money for just one day. We spend so much money on a dress that we wear once. I just couldn’t bring myself to buy something like this knowing that I would probably never use it again. Sure, I could make birthday cards for friends…but I know myself and I probably wouldn’t. Fortunately, I found an alternative.

Did you know that Michaels has some pretty awesome sales sometimes? They do. I waited for a sale, and I waited for some coupons. Finally, I received the news that all paper punches were 50% off. I also received a coupon for 50% off of one regularly priced item.

I found these items for 50% off:

Clockwise from top left: 2″ tag punch, 1/4″ heart punch, and fleur de lis embossed border punch

Using the tag punch and the heart punch (along with my mad embossing tools from earlier), I made these for our future invitations:

The little heart just makes me melt a little bit, if I do say so myself.

I also wanted to get a few circle punches, but I couldn’t decide on what size circle to get. Then I found a circle cutter, which kind of works like a compass (sorry if I just gave you terrible flashbacks to geometry class!), therefore allowing you to create circles of all different sizes. This did not count as a “paper punch,” so it was not 50% off. Helloooo 50%-off coupon!

And finally, I borrowed a straight-up paper slicer from a friend.

{all personal photos}

Overall, I saved about $80. Not too shabby! What kinds of crafting tools have you invested in or avoided investing in?

Tags: atlanta, diy, stationery |

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14 Responses to “Too Cheap for a Cricut”

Bee

Miss Brooch (message) 1,721 posts, Bumble bee

I’ve invested in quite a few, especially lately with the making of our Save the Dates. I didn’t get everything on sale, but I was pretty sciced to get the embossing heater 50% off!!

9/27/10 @ 9:23 am (reply)

Member

BeadFloraJewels (message) 80 posts, Worker bee

I have gotten a punch…and I’m not an avid scrapbooker (I don’t scrapbook), so I can not justify a cricut either if I’m going to use it once and not ever again…
however you do make a good point of the dress, flowers, and other vendors. But think, those are photographed…while you found a different way to make tags. Good work.
– I have to go out and get myself a tag punch now.

9/27/10 @ 9:35 am (reply)

Member

tdizzle (message) 191 posts, Blushing bee

Oooh, let me know how you like that circle cutter. I might invest in one too. Luckily, I asked my work if it was okay to take our heavy duty paper cutter home and they let me, so I’m making our own invitations.

9/27/10 @ 9:44 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Elephant (message) 6,182 posts, Bee Keeper

I live for those sales at Michael’s when I need supplies!

9/27/10 @ 9:52 am (reply)

Member

mofthesaints (message) 40 posts, Newbee

Well, I ended up jumping on the Cricut bandwagon after seeing another bee post pics last week of her menu and candy buffet cards! I had thought about getting one before but talked myself out of it but this time I just couldn’t bring myself not too after seeing all the beautiful items she made with hers. So three days later it arrived on my doorstep via UPS and I’m using it now to make thank you cards for my bridal shower. I love it!

9/27/10 @ 10:02 am (reply)

Member

DeaconBride (message) 659 posts, Busy bee

I covet the Cricut or something like it. I am leaning towards one that you hook up to your computer for a Christmas gift. But until then, I have bought every possible peacock stamp that exists. LOL I also bought many shape punches, a regular handle paper cutter, anda rotary paper cutter…so far! LOL I am already a craft person, so I’ll use them.

9/27/10 @ 10:13 am (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Trail Mix (message) 6,328 posts, Bee Keeper

I bought that tag punch and it broke on me after about 3 punches! Not sure if I had a defective one or they were all like that but it was disappointing, for sure!

9/27/10 @ 10:19 am (reply)

Member

bRooklynRocks (message) 3,767 posts, Honey bee

I wish oh, how I wish I could justify buying one. They look so beautiful but the good Lord knows that once the wedding is over, that’s it. I would not be using it, no point lying to myself. I wish I knew a NYC bride with one that would let me borrow it though

9/27/10 @ 10:29 am (reply)

Member

Swiss Miss to Bee (message) 1,004 posts, Bumble bee

Yeah I could not shell out the money for the cricut either! I did however buy that same paper cutter you showed for 10 bucks at Michaels and I’ve used it tons!! I have one regret about a paper tool at Michael’s and that was the hole punch I bought, it’s just a normal crafting one but it gets stuck a lot and is hard to “punch!” I think I woulda just been better off getting one from the school supplies aisle at the grocery store…in fact I may go get it today so I can finish my dang menus!

9/27/10 @ 12:05 pm (reply)

10.

Member

jaydee1125 (message) 453 posts, Helper bee

I don’t know if any one else is aware - but Michael’s lets you use any of the machines (Cricut, Yudu etc ) for $5 on the last Friday of the month

9/27/10 @ 12:12 pm (reply)

11.

Member

OctPumpkin (message) 593 posts, Busy bee

I totally eyed some die cutting machines after seeing some of the magical DIY posted around the Bee with these mighty machines. But I couldn’t bring myself to buy any of them, not knowing if I would REALLY use if after the wedding. BUT I ofen make trips to Michael’s or JoAnn’s and I do not leave home without a coupon!

9/27/10 @ 3:12 pm (reply)

12.