It was a gorgeous sunny day in London a couple of weeks ago. I met up with Liz from the Me and My Shadow Blog, and we headed up to the 28th floor of the Millbank Tower to chat to the Cricut experts along with other lots of other bloggers, writers and crafty people.
I loved the view and the day!
We were there to marvel at the new Cricut Explore – launched May 2014 in the UK.
And marvel we really did. Having used the Cricut Mini, I knew both its strength and its weaknesses. So was intrigued to hear what the Cricut Explore could do. The technology of this machine and the software used to create your designs is incredibly cool, and much, much better than I had ever expected!
Let me tell you a little more about it:
The new Cricut Explore design-and-cut machine opens up a world of creativity:
Simple
Precise
Versatile
*
You can see above just some of the fabrics that can used when doing craft on the Cricut in various ways. You can achieve this professional cutting out, by simply using the Cut Smart technology – which varies the pressure and blade depth and speed. There is even a custom option, when you are using different fabrics to the ones listed, for example plywood and foils.
The simple to use dial
With each Cricut Explore, you receive access to the Cricut Design Space – A free online software that lets users design and create their own projects as well as browse and make Cricut designed projects, which can be both free and pay for projects. It gives you the option whilst using the software, to create something entirely new and freshly designed by you. A ‘make it now‘ a completely pre-designed project, or where you have tweaked or personalised an existing project from the bank of 1,000’s. It is completely flexible.
We were very lucky to hear all of the amazing background of the design and creation of Explore by the CEO Ashish Arora. His enthusiasm for the Cricut Explore seemed limitless, and was infectious. We then got to meet and find out more by two American bloggers, Kim from The TomKat Studio and Mandi from Vintage Revivals. Both of these ladies work with Cricut to create fresh designs.
All of the items I photographed were made with the Explore by the amazingly talented Suzie Candlin. Who also demonstrated for us the ‘out of the box’ experience of the Cricut. You really can get to work on project as soon as you get it out of the box, as it contains everything you would need for your first projects.
One thing I can’t wait to try out is the ability to write and cut out in one step. I saw some beautiful calligraphy created by the Cricut, and this is definitely something I’m going to be trying to fool people into thinking I’ve done myself. Though if you’ve seen my handwriting, you’ll realise this might be a push.
As a lifestyle blogger I am itching to start creating some interiors and fashion projects, in fact I already have, but that’s coming up in my next post along with some more detail about the Cricut Explore.
Where to buy:
It is available now, from Amazon and Hobbycraft as well as other large retailers priced £249.99 including VAT.
No-commitment monthly subscriptions to Cricut Design Space (25,000+ images) are available for £7.49 and annual subscriptions can be purchased for £79.99. Individual images from Cricut Design Space also start at 79p per image.
Digital cartridges can be purchased or existing cartridges can also be used to unlock the same artwork through Cricut Design Space.
Coming soon – In the coming months, Cricut will unveil an iPad app that allows users to sync and cut a project to their Explore via Bluetooth technology.
Cricut UK website
Cricut on Facebook
As part of my ongoing relationship with Cricut I have been given a Explore to get crafty on. I was not paid to write this post, and I will, as always, honestly review the item.
That is unbelievably exciting, I can’t believe the range of materials that it can cut. I love the way that it can cut from your own designs as well.
I have one of these on my wish list. I’m desperate to get my hands on one on start to create lots of lovely things.
What a great write up of a brilliant day.
And it was great to see you again.
Cant wait to see what you make with yours.
It was a joy to see you again and it is a great machine.
It does look amazing Amanda (if not a tad scary for the likes of me!)
I must confess I was not overly impressed with the Cricut mini. This however seems to have addressed all of the shortcomings and appears to be a much better machine.
I am not at all crafty but this looks AWESOME! Can’t wait to see what you create!
It is sooooo exciting, isn’t it? Have had lots of fun with mine already!!
This almost sounds too good to be true. It is an amazing piece of kit and it would allow me to make some really exciting and beautiful, unique pieces at home. I would be interested to see how easy to use it is and some more potential projects as it is a hefty price tag
Wow that looks seriously amazing. I’m not a huge crafter but I think that would make me want to be as it does such amazing things
That really does look amazing, and so versatile. I have just starting making my own homemade cards, and am pretty sure that the Cricut would open up so many new exciting projects and ideas for me. Oh if only I had more time!
ooo that bunting made with it is just so sweet! It does look very good – I just need to get my head round the price tag! x
This is definitely going on my Christmas list… Now I just have to be good! 😀
I wasn’t too impressed with the Cricut either as it didn’t cut everything I wanted BUT this looks good, the perfect tool for crafters
What an amazing machine, and the amount of fun you can have with it! And it looks like a printer! I’m going to have to start making an Xmas list now!
I can’t believe how many amazing craft projects you can do with it. And that it cuts all those different materials is just great x
oooh I wish I was creative or at least had time to try – maybe next year.
Okay I admit I had no idea what you were on about, but I really get it now and I might just want one a LOT.
Ohh good to see this in action, I’ve been offered these to review a number of times and always assumed they would be a right faff but it looks excellent. Mich x
Wow! I’m not a crafter, but for those who are this looks like such a valuable tool. Beautiful photos – and what a view from the top! Sounds like a really worthwhile day x