When I hear of a Christmas in July sale, I’m all over it.
Not only can you stock up on gifts for the *real* season {getting a head start is ALWAYS a good idea}, for less. It’s a great chance to buy those items that you’ll need later.
zulily.com is having a wicked Christmas in July Sale from for the next few days. You’ll want to take advantage of this sale now, then in December, come back here and thank me for it!
When offered the chance to the Cricut Expression Personal Cutting Machine a try, the Tammi of 10 years ago jumped with joy.
I used to scrapbook year ago, before I had children. I submerged myself into DIY with much pride in all my creations. Then, the chaos struck and alas, much of this has been pushed aside. The most crafting I get done these days with with the kids, mostly in a huge clean-up after they’ve fostered their own creativity.
Merry Christmas in July to me, I’ve been getting my craft-on with a Cricut Expression and accessories!
Here was the items that I got for review from zulily:
- Black Cricut Expression Machine {no physical cartridges included}
- Cricut tool Kit
- Transfer tape sheet
- Black vinyl sheet
- Stencil material sheet
- Iron on grey sheet
- Iron on white sheet
- Markers set
- Deep cutting blade with housing
- USB port cable
- Idea Book and Gift Card for Cartridges
What is a Cricut Expression anyway?
Cricut Expression Personal Cutting Machine, in simple terms, is like a computer that makes die-cuts.
Back when I did a lot of scrapbooking many years ago, I had manual punches and cutters, which was very time consuming and had limited possibilities for size. With the Cricut Expression Personal Cutting Machine, you can select your image, load your paper, and press a button.
It does take a some reading up and learning to get used to all it’s features, yet that is part of the fun – since it does so much!
- Mix and match creative features in the same cut
- Use the entire library of existing Cricut cartridges
- Cut portrait or landscape
- Mat sizes 12″ x 12″ or 12″ x 24″
- No computer necessary, it takes cartridges
- Change settings such as language and units of measure
- LCD screen that shows exactly what you’re typing for your next cut
This is especially great when you want different sizes and want to make multiple cuts. You can do plenty, even in record time.
Using the buttons on the machine you can choose your selections. The keyboard overlay to the right of center, selects the images available for the cartridge you are using {a soft padded overlay keyboard comes with each cartridge and is specific to each one}. You basically choose your size and format, pick your image and hit ‘cut’.
The tacky mat hold onto the paper or cardstock which you are using, and the mat with paper feeds into the machine for cutting. There are different options for blade length, depending on what kind of thickness you are working with. Getting used to the pressure, speed and depth is a little tricky. Use too much depth and pressure and you’ll cut the mat itself, oops! Before you get started on a project, I’d suggest practicing with the different settings first. For help in learning, I have found the online community at Provo Craft and “how-to” Cricut videos online to be very helpful.
Once the image has been cut, you peel the paper off the mat. Sometimes you can do this yourself with your fingernails, yet Provo also has a set of tools to assist with this, which is so helpful for cuts that have a lot of fine details.
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Great Find at the Christmas in July Sale at zulily.com:
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Disclosure: Product was provided for review purposes, opinions are my own
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Staci says
07/24/2013 at 3:59 pmI have always wanted a Cricut! These machines are amazing! Love the vinyl sticker idea!
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:15 pmIsn’t that cool? I’m going to have a lot of fun with that!
Melissa @ SavingCentsWithSense.net says
07/24/2013 at 4:10 pmI LOVE Zulily – I have gotten so much of my baby girls clothes there! 🙂
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:16 pmThey have such ADORABLE clothes on there! I have my eyes on these right now: http://www.zulily.com/e/mis-tee-v-us-girls-nb-53970.html?pos=4§ion=baby-maternity&sPos=1
LOVE!!!
[email protected] says
07/24/2013 at 4:13 pmOh gosh, my head is about to explode with all the ideas of what I can do with this machine. It’s now been added to the top of my wish list. Guess I’ve got the Christmas bug this month too. 🙂
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:17 pmAwesome, perhaps you can throw yourself a little Christmas in July and treat yourself?!
😛
darci says
07/24/2013 at 4:33 pmso excited! we start our baking exchange so early in the year, I always hate having to pay full price for seasonal baking supplies in the early fall and there’s never any sales in stores that early. going to watch this sale, it’s perfect timing.
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:27 pmOh no, you cannot pay full price for that – take advantage of the zulily sale and save on those supplies. by the way, what are you making this year? 🙂
Tiffany C. says
07/24/2013 at 4:34 pmI’ve always wanted one of these. I’d love to make stickers at home. I can’t believe all the features.
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:17 pmThe kids love making the stickers! So many ideas our there!
Soozle says
07/24/2013 at 4:38 pmI seriously LOVE DIY projects but usually suck horribly at them hah 🙂 I see items like the Cricut at Michaels and dream of the day when maybe I can become a DIY maven 🙂
MAYBE a great sale like this will jump start my path!
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:18 pmDIY and me don’t mesh that well, usually I have a bit of a struggle. Love it when machines like this make it so easy!
Kristina says
07/24/2013 at 4:39 pmI use to have a cricut a few years ago. Loved it. The new one’s seem so much cooler.
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:19 pmIt’s pretty awesome! Perhaps you need a new one Kristina!
🙂
Mariah says
07/24/2013 at 4:43 pmOh! I would love to just play with one of these and see what I could come up with! Wonder where I would find the time!
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:19 pmThe key is making that time for yourself, right?
Stacie says
07/24/2013 at 5:04 pmYou are so crafty!!! Are you planning to use the Cricut machine for your Christmas cards this year?
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:20 pmFor sure! I’ll be able to get such a good head start, plus everyone loves that homemade touch!!
Ellen Christian says
07/24/2013 at 5:07 pmVery cute! I have a Cricut but it isn’t that model. It’s so much fun to play with!
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:20 pmIt is, I love it more than I thought I would. The options seem endless!
Felicia says
07/24/2013 at 5:10 pmI have been debating on buying one, love all that it can do. I’ll have to check out the website!
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:21 pmGrab a cup of coffee and snuggle into the site, there is so much to browse on there. Happy shopping Felicia!
Karen says
07/24/2013 at 5:11 pmI stock up early as well, such a stress saver as you said. thanks for sharing the news of the sale!
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:21 pmYou are very welcome Karen, happy shopping!!
Lauren McKay says
07/24/2013 at 5:13 pmI always check out their kids clothes, yet obviously I need to look around the site more. There’s tons to buy!
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:21 pmThere is! Each time I go, I lust after something else. Great original items on there, with plenty of sales. My kind of site!!
Mrs. B says
07/24/2013 at 6:05 pmThank you for this post! I’m going to admit that I have had my Cricut for almost a year and I still don’t know how to use it. I will check out your other reviews. Who knows, I just may break mines out of it’s box lol
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:22 pmOh, you need to just unpack and play, you’ll get the hang of it quickly!
amanda c says
07/24/2013 at 6:30 pmHow much fun! I would love to have a cricut. There are so many projects around the house I could do.
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:22 pmIndeed, I have many projects in the queue!
The Mom Jen says
07/24/2013 at 6:32 pmVery cool, I miss my scrapbooking days, I have a few friends that use these in their girl scout troops for projects, they are so neat!
Tammi says
07/24/2013 at 8:22 pmGreat idea!!
Jess says
07/24/2013 at 7:20 pmI’ve been doing a little research on these, and it is definitely on my Christmas list now! Thanks for the great insights!
sarah sar says
07/24/2013 at 8:13 pmI have wanted a cricut machine for the longest time ever! But I’ve never been able to justify paying that much for it. Hopefully one day!
Christine O'Connor says
07/25/2013 at 5:48 amnow that is something |I would love to do and the cutting options so cool.
Crissy says
07/25/2013 at 7:58 amI have always wanted one of these things. When the kids get older and I have more time for being crafty, I’m def buying one.
Heidi C. says
07/25/2013 at 8:36 amMy mom would love this! I am all for shopping year-round for Christmas so I am going to look into getting one for her. She will be thrilled!
Judy C says
07/25/2013 at 12:11 pmI would love one of these but it just never seems to be in the budget 🙁 It looks like lots of fun!
ParentClub says
07/25/2013 at 8:00 pmI just got on the make-your-own-card trend this year and I love punches. However, this machine looks like it could do so much more…wow.
Clifford says
07/26/2013 at 6:41 amMy sister has this one, Cricut Expression Personal Cutting Machine and I can not believe the stuff she has created. She’s always been a crafty person but since purchasing the Cricut her photo albums & cards are works of art.
Tammi says
07/26/2013 at 7:27 amIt’s a pretty amazing machine!
MrDisco says
07/26/2013 at 11:36 amthat is the coolest thing ever. I want one!
Shannon (The Mommy-Files) says
07/27/2013 at 12:00 amOh my gosh – I want one of these so bad! Looks so awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Elizabeth Vlug says
07/27/2013 at 5:14 amThat Cricut looks amazing. Endless ideas. Thanks for sharing. Going now to check out the rest of that website, might just have to do a little shopping myself.
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
07/27/2013 at 6:23 amI hope you post what you make I love christmas ideas
Chelsey says
07/27/2013 at 9:16 pmThis is amazing! Think of all the possibilities. This is on my wish list….
Victoria Ess says
08/06/2013 at 12:35 amOh my gosh, I’m overcome with envy! A cricut has been on my wishlist for some time now, and it’s awesome you snagged one for a great deal!
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
08/08/2013 at 11:51 amI dont even scrap book but I would love making cards. gonna thow hints around for this gift.