I have both the Cuttlebug and the Cricut (personal size).
I think for embossing purposes, the Cuttlebug rocks. However being able to cut in different sizes (1" - 5-1/2") makes the Cricut an excellent die cut machine. Once the purchase is made, the accessories like the dies are much more economical with the Cricut.
For example:
- One Cuttlebug alphabet is $89.99 full retail. The letters might be about 1" and you have maybe five or six letters per metal die. You can cut just one letter, but you have to cut or tear the paper to place over the letter.
- With the Cricut machine, a cartridge costs between $59.99 (Hobby Lobby) to $89.99 (Michaels) full retail. The Zoo Baloo cartridge has the alphabet plus an animal for each letter as well as a few extras. I can cut out the items from 1" to 5-1/2" so essentially this gives me 10 sizes that I can cut out for each element on the cartridge and I can cut out just ONE letter if I want - and for quickness, I can program multiple cuts (letters, shapes, etc.) and then walk away while the machine cuts this out for me. I also just found out that the Mini Monograms cartridge for the Cricut machine has a scalloped circle, scalloped square as well as a plain circle and plain square.... and again I can cut these in up to ten sizes. And that's just with the personal size Cricut machine. The Expressions Cricut cuts from 1/4" (or is it 1/2"?) up to 24". Yowza!
So... in short, just get both and throw away the comparison list. The Cuttlebug embosses so awesomely that you'll be blown away. Use a 50% off coupon and get it for $39.99.
Kimberly
can you emboss with the cricut?
