Cricut Expression: More Than Just Scrapbooking

The Cricut Expression die cut machine from Provo Craft is normally thought of as just a scrapbooking tool, but it has many more uses than that. It can cut 12" x 12" or up to 12" x 24" making it easy to make signs, banners, and more with the Cricut. The original blade for the Cricut can cut paper and vinyl and the deep blade housing can cut magnet material, chipboard, and acrylic for making stamps. The Cricut Expression can help you decorate your home on a budget and create unique, personalized, one of a kind gifts.

Vinyl wall quotes are very popular right now. The Cricut Expression is able to easily cut vinyl with the regular blade housing. You can cut vinyl for the wall or to make a car window decal. You can even use the vinyl to personalize an ornament, tile, or anything else. Settings will vary depending on which vinyl you use, but generally use blade depth 3 and medium pressure to cut vinyl without cutting the backing. Weed, or remove the excess vinyl, and keep just your quote or image. Use transfer paper to life the quote from the backer paper and transfer to the wall object. Peel off your transfer paper.

The Cricut Expression can also cut vinyl for glass etching or painting. Cut the vinyl as directed above, but weed out the letters or image and keep the background. There will essentially be a hole where the image is that you want to be etched or painted. Again use the transfer paper to transfer the vinyl to your project. Follow the directions on your etching cream or use acrylic paints for non food surfaces.

The deep blade housing will cut chipboard as well. Chipboard can be used to make custom albums and also for decorations. Holiday decorations can be made using chipboard and cutting the same shape or letter from patterned scrapbook paper and attaching it to the chipboard. You can decorate a tree or wreath with your own custom shapes or letters. To cut chipboard it's best to secure the chipboard with tape on all four sides and use blade depth six and maximum pressure. Multi cut and a slow speed will also help.

The Cricut Expression can be a big help in making signs, banners or bulletin boards for a school or church. You are no longer limited by what is available in the store. You can cut your own letters so you can have exactly what you need. Images can be made by paper piecing different colors in layers to create an image.

The deep blade housing for the Cricut Expression can also be used to cut acrylic to make your own stamps. You can now make a stamp of virtually any image. When combined with Sure Cuts a Lot the possibilities are nearly endless. You can create your own set of alphabet stamps or shape stamps for the kids to use and learn with.

The power of creating with your Cricut Expression is only limited by your imagination. If you were hesitant to buy the Cricut thinking you wouldn't get much use out of it, consider all of the projects you can do with one machine. I can't think of another machine that is so versatile in the home or for schools and churches.