Cameo vs Cricut

[1whoscraps]

So I need to either be talked into the Cameo of talked out of it. It's one of those things that I keep thinking about in my mind. Not sure if I really need it, not sure if I don't.

Besides the obvious of not having to buy carts what is the pro to owning/using a Cameo and also if I don't use my Cricut as much as I should would having a Cameo be any different?

I will say most of the times I forgo the Cricut is because the paper piecing for small items sucks and I have a lot of dies to cut the normal shapes so unless I need a ton of them I usually will just use a die because that seems to be more convient and easier for me.

I don't own a lot of Cricut fonts, mostly because they haven't appealed to me.

I hate the sticky mat on the cricut, the frustrations of forgetting to use real dial size or turnin it off.

So I think that's why I don't use my cricut as much as I should.

Now please help me figure out whether Cameo would be a good fit for me or not.

[Susan]

I love my Cameo - but I definitely go it fits-and-spurts about using it.

Mainly because of my space. I don't have a dedicated area to leave it plugged in 100% of the time. I could, but it would involved me finding spaces for other things...and I just haven't yet LOL!

So when I want to use it - I pull it off the shelf under my table and plug it in. Once I've set it up - i tend to use it for quite a while! Before unplugging it and stashing it away...usually because I need to table space for a big project.

That being said - what I have used it most for in the last 12 months is background shapes. I LOVE the 12x12 patterned/scalloped/postage stamp/circle/swirly pages I can cut out IN A SNAP! And when I am using 12x12 pages, I so often will drop openings onto the designs so I can just layer pictures behind them. It makes putting a page together SO FAST!

The software on the Cameo is brilliant! If you have any knowledge of Illustrator, Photoshop, In Design, etc. you will be able to use it from day #1. If you don't' have any practice using those software packages, you will still be up and running in no time. Icon based software {library, new document, cut, paste, fill, rezise, outline, merge, etc.} are a snap to figure out and use. It's very intuitive software...

The online designs change every week - new ones are added every tuesday and I LOVE THEM! I spent 12 months on a subscription plan, and it just expired in December. I didn't renew it, but will take some time off and make myself USE some of the designs I have built up HAHA!

I have had the same mat for 14 months...and I just put in a fresh blade right before CHA to cut out all of our signs from vinyl. The ratcheting blade lets me cut through any kind of paper I have ever wanted to - and the feature to not use the mat is great when cutting vinyl. The print-and-cut designs are AWESOME! Think Echo Park, Basic Grey and KI Memories - print them out, feed them into Cameo and you have custom sized embellishments/accents for your projects.

They give away one free shape a week, and it's always a good, seasonal one. I love that!

I have a Cricut, and only have the one George cartridge that came with it. THe only reason I keep that in the closet is because my son and daughter both know how to use it and can cut out their own letters for school projects, etc. It gets used exactly once a year during science fair projects - hahaha!!!!

PLUS - if you are a guru at Adobe Illustrator, you can do some AMAZING things with simple SAVE AS commands. And if you have .jpgs you want to cut or trace around, or create from, the Cameo software imports and traces like a breeze!

Remember when The Hunger Games debuted in the movie? Karen found a logo of the movie on the internet, downloaded the .jpg and emailed it to me. Within 10 minutes I have it opened in Photoshop - cleaned up a bit {sharpened}, reserved as a .jpg. opened in Cameo, traced and made into a cuttable file and sent back to her!

It's a snap! I think you'd be a natural at it Leslie, and I think you'd take files/images and go over the top with them.

[1whoscraps]

Did you manage a breath in there somewhere..LOL lots of good info and I sincerely thank you for that.

Yeah I use Adobe PS and my son knows illustrator so I am thinking what I couldn't figure out or do he could.

So how big is the footprint for the Cameo. Currently my Cricut (Expression) sits on a shelf in my closet so it's plugged in all the time and ready to use and my guess is I would replace it with the Cameo if I buy one.

And do you have a favorite demo video? I am sure I can find thousands on YouTube but if you had one that you liked that would narrow it down.

So if I get the Cameo I definitely can sell off my Cricuit and carts.

And do I need a laptop or PC connected to the Cameo? Can you tell I am totally clueless on this product.

[scrappykaren]

Wow Leslie, I have been thinking the exact same thing! I also have a Cricut and hate that sticky mat too! I have seen the Cameo in action at my Local Scrapbook Store and the cuts are so clean! I like the idea of not having to store all those carts. I too tend to reach for my dies instead because it is just easier.

I see there would be a learning curve to use the Cameo and I like the idea that you can cut fonts that are on your computer. And not having to use a mat for vinyl would be so neat.

Hmmm! I might have to give this some more thought!

Karen

[crazy4pink]

I have the Cricut and the Silhouette SD. I do not use either very often. I tend to use the Cricut more than the Sil because my Sil has not been behaving very well lately. I probably need to send it in to Lifestyle for a check up because it flips out in the same exact spot! Its like it gets stuck in one place and shakes back and forth.

I am not tech savy so you totally lost me with the creating your own designs and jpegs and whatever it was that you said so I will stick to regular old dies and rolling it through!!

Cindy

[1whoscraps]

Ok doing my research on this from what I can find on the web and if I am correct so this thing does heat transfer cuts? My son is totally into making shirts and at one point I tried to talk him into getting the Yudo (I think that was the name) but he didn't want it...but this looks like you can also do stencils and with some fabric paint you can design your own shirts (Totally thinking of grandbaby clothes now)..and of course vinyl which I admit I wanted to use my cricut more but didn't like the fonts and/or images to use.

I totally like buying ONLY the image I want and not a whole cart...I am begining to think I need to start selling my cricut and carts.

I was telling my dh last night since he asked me what I wanted for my birthday. But I am a nerd and like to research it to the fullest to make sure I am doing the right thing.

[Susan]

Jan 31, 2013 11:21:01 GMT -5 1whoscraps said:

Ok doing my research on this from what I can find on the web and if I am correct so this thing does heat transfer cuts? My son is totally into making shirts and at one point I tried to talk him into getting the Yudo (I think that was the name) but he didn't want it...but this looks like you can also do stencils and with some fabric paint you can design your own shirts (Totally thinking of grandbaby clothes now)..and of course vinyl which I admit I wanted to use my cricut more but didn't like the fonts and/or images to use.

I totally like buying ONLY the image I want and not a whole cart...I am begining to think I need to start selling my cricut and carts.

I was telling my dh last night since he asked me what I wanted for my birthday. But I am a nerd and like to research it to the fullest to make sure I am doing the right thing.

HAHA Miss Leslie - of course I took a breath! HAHA - I'm just big on giving opinions

I have made GOBS of t-shirts - stuff for school events {relay for life, FFA banquets} I have made team shirts for some of the basketball moms, I even made a bunch of CHA t-shirts {Keep Strong and Die-Cut On!} last year. I LOVE the heat-transfer - and so many fonts that I love the most are fonts I have on my computer already, downloaded for free from the internet!!

I also really like doing the rhinestone work on t-shirts and jeans and bags. You Cameo cut the flocked material to make a template, then brush in the rhinestones and do the ironing.

DO IT DO IT DO IT!!!! Dani has a great price, and I think some freebies come with it - a digital disc or something like that. FREE SHIPPING TOO if I am remembering correctly!

[Deleted]

For what it's worth...

I have neither the Cricut or the Cameo, but I have a friend who has accumulated what appears to be nearly every Cricut cartridge that's ever been produced, and she's now getting ready to sell it. Her issues are some that have already been mentioned here...storage v. availability for using, lots of unused cartridges (specialized for one layout/event and never used again, etc.)

She's now also considering the Cameo, but still loves metal dies more. She's not likely to use some of the specialty items, such as vinyl, and doesn't want to "mess with" (her words) her computer.

Based on her comments (and I trust her judgement), I'd be inclined to purchase the Cameo if I were in the market for that type of tool right now, because it seems so versatile.

Is cost a factor? Not just initially, but long-term (replacing worn-out mats, etc.)?

Let us know what you decide!

[1whoscraps]

Thanks ladies for all your help and Susan you know I am going to do it...LOL it's just a matter of time.

I already am pulling all my cricut stuff together and bff has asked to buy some of it. I own a precious Hello Kitty cart and OMG going for $100 on ebay..that is probaby the one thing I would hate to part with.

I have been seeing lots of great inspiration on things people have been using the Cameo for. My only fear is it is computer based and I am not sure how that will affect my overall use of it. DS just now has me relying on using my phone more for everyday stuff...so more just my laziness on my end of it. I do think it will be something I have to get myself to use more and regularly to get into using it {period}

I do see Dani has a nice deal but is out of stock. So since my birthday is offically 3 more months away I need to get rid of my cricut and then buy the Cameo. Hopefully Dani will have it back in stock before end of March (I think his sale ends then)

Oh and do you know if the software license is flexible or whether it's a fixed license? I am hoping to install on both my laptop and home PC.