Need a little help on machines

[stampinggrlnva]

Hi everyone! I have a question that maybe you all can help me with.

I current have a Cricut Expression and a Silhouette SD. They both serve their purpose, but now I am more into card making now and looking to simplify things. I really like the Silhouette because it can cut images without having to worry about cartridges, yet I like the size of the Expression, but hate having to worry about cartridge changing and toting them around. I would love to be able to do mostly everything from my computer and still be able to cut 12 in wide die cuts and also something with a little deeper cut to it.

I have thought about getting a Pazzles, but that is a pretty big machine, but it does so much. Are there other machines out there like the Pazzles that cut the same area as the Cricut?

TIA
Catherine

[Erin in Okc]

Have you checked out the eCraft? It sounds great, and it starts shipping July 5th:
http://craftwellusa.com/pages/videos
I've been watching it for awhile now. It doesn't use a MAT!! The blades are inexpensive. You can use SD cards with it like on a Slice (not as limited as on the Silhouette SD), or with your computer. When it comes out in July the basic software that you can use to weld, etc., comes free with the machine for a limited time. There is also a software that is $159 that will allow you to design your own images. There is an faq on the website that answers most questions.
Can you tell I'm getting excited about it?

[djuseless]

Before you go and spend money on another machine, have you thought about getting cutting software for your Cricut? I have Make the Cut (MTC) software and I love it! I can use any SVG files and my cricut cartridges. Here is where I bought it:

http://designingwithdiecuts.com/

They have a free trial version so you can play with it before buying it. It is on sale for $58.36 plus you get 6 free cutting files for purchasing it from them. Here's the details on that too:

http://designingwithdiecuts.com/lear...ing-spree.html

There is also a free software available called Inkscape (use version 0.46) that is used to covert your GDS files from your Silhouette to SVG for your Cricut. Here is a link for that:

http://www.pennyduncancreations.com/

Also, I have instructions from a yahoo group that I belong to for MTC that has directions on how to back up your Cricut cartridges so you can use them with MTC. If you are interested in that, please PM me and I will send it to you. You will also need to buy Cricut's Design Studio software to do it but I bought mine on Ebay for $17 with free shipping.

So, to summarize, for about $80 in two different software packages (plus the free Inkscape), you will be able to use all your GDS from your Silhouette and all your cartridges without having to buy and learn a new digital cutter.

If you have any more questions about MTC & Cricut, please feel free to PM me!