| The Provo Craft Cricut Expression Cutting | | | | disadvantages over the original Cricut. The |
| Machine is a big hit amongst crafters. It has | | | | Expression is larger and takes more space on |
| already received numerous awards and sterling | | | | your desk or table. If you like to travel to crops |
| reviews from many sources. If you are a | | | | or friends' homes to work on projects, the |
| scrapbooker, teacher, activities director, or | | | | Expression is heavier and more awkward to |
| anyone else who needs to create paper craft | | | | transport. The Expression is also more expensive. |
| projects, you will want to explore the pros and | | | | On the other hand, it allows much more versatility |
| cons of the Cricut Expression. | | | | in your designs. The ability to cut larger items is |
| The Cricut Expression will cut paper, cardstock, | | | | great for creating signage or banners and is |
| vinyl, and even vellum into letters, shapes, | | | | particularly useful to those who need to decorate |
| phrases and other designs quickly and easily. You | | | | bulletin boards or other large spaces. |
| have the option of using a 12''x12" cutting mat for | | | | Cricut Expression...Cutting Edge Technology |
| smaller designs or the 12"x24" cutting mat for | | | | Overall, the Cricut Expression Cutting Machine is |
| larger ones. On the opposite end of the spectrum, | | | | an exciting new option for crafters. It is especially |
| you can cut pieces as tiny as .25", which allows | | | | nice for people who have arthritis in their fingers |
| you to use up all those little scraps of paper | | | | or whose hands are a little shaky. Most crafters |
| you've been saving. A library of lightweight | | | | will find it doesn't take long to make up the initial |
| cartridges filled with thousand of designs is | | | | cost of the Expression in the amount of money |
| available to extend the Expression's versatility. | | | | and time they save by not having to buy or hand |
| Cricut Expression versus the Original Cricut | | | | cut their designs. The price has dropped |
| You might have heard about the Expression's | | | | considerably from the hefty original retail price of |
| predecessor, the Cricut, also affectionately called | | | | $499. If you shop carefully, you can now find the |
| the 'little bug'. The Cricut Expression uses the | | | | Expression for under $300. There is no computer |
| same cartridges and knife blades as the original | | | | or high-tech knowledge necessary to use this |
| Cricut, but allows more flexibility. Because of its | | | | crafty machine, either. You can plug it into any |
| compact size, the original Cricut is only capable of | | | | wall outlet and be ready to start your project. |
| cutting designs about half the size of the ones | | | | You will have to replace the knife blade or cutting |
| you can create with the Expression. The | | | | mat occasionally, and you may want to purchase |
| Expression also has several features not available | | | | additional cartridges to extend your design |
| on the original Cricut, including the ability to change | | | | capabilities. It's not a bad idea to purchase the |
| languages and units of measurements, cut in | | | | optional tool kit, either, to make the paper easier |
| portrait or landscape view, use multiple cuts for | | | | to lift from the cutting mat. Other than that, the |
| thicker materials, or create mirror images using | | | | Expression is almost carefree. Once you own a |
| the flip feature. The LCD screen is another new | | | | Cricut Expression Cutting Machine, it will soon |
| feature that allows you to see exactly what you | | | | become such an integral part of your crafting, |
| will be cutting before you cut. | | | | you will wonder how you ever got along without |
| The Cricut Expression does have a couple of | | | | it. |