Hello Crafting Friends,
Have you ever considered buying a Cricut Explore Air 2? If you are a Scrapbooker, or you like to make Cards, you have probably heard of a Cricut Machine already. You may already own one. Perhaps you would like to find out more about these clever machines, what makes them unique and how they can make your Scrapbooking and Card Making Processes more streamlined and creative? If you haven’t heard of these machines and are completely new to them keep reading to find out more!
Today I am sharing a Review of the Cricut Explore Air 2. I am brand new to this machine. I used to have a Cricut about 12 years ago and I mainly used it for cutting out titles in my Scrapbooking pages and cutting out little pictures off the cartridges. Let me tell me these machines have come a long way since back then. I am amazed at their capabilities today. The Cricut has really given me that excited feeling!! That crafty itch. The “I just cant wait to make something and use it feeling.”
Cricut Explore Air 2 Review
Cricut has kindly sent me this machine to review. But, let me assure you, the opinions in this Review are all mine. I will be following this review with monthly updates on how I am using the Cricut and projects and I am so excited to get into these projects!! I’m going to be making Christmas Cards, Labels for my Craft Room and Stickers!!! So I am very keen to learn all I can about this machine and how to make it work for me in a time efficient and successful manner. See my video review here:
What Can the Cricut Explore Air 2 Do?
To understand this machine I think it is easiest to discuss what the Cricut Explore Air can do. At the most basic level a Cricut Machine is a cutting machine. It cuts out words and pictures from paper, vinyl, sticker sheets, fabric and even wood, if you have the correct blades and attachments. The machine is capable of cutting up to 100 different types of materials!! If you are curious to see all the materials a Cricut can cut hop on over to this list here.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 Can Draw on Paper
The Cricut can also draw onto paper with a drawing pen and then cut out these images. I got my Cricut to draw a Mandela Colouring In Page. It was fascinating to watch how this machine methodically drew this design!
The Cricut Explore Air 2 Can Cut Paper
The Cricut is very well know for its ability to cut Card Stock. There are so many creative projects that involve cutting, including the making of Paper Flowers. I had a lovely time creating these two Peonies using Cricut cut pieces of coloured card stock. They turned out to be so pretty!
The Cricut Explore Air 2 Can Print and Cut
The Cricut can allow you to print onto your normal printer and then cut out the printed images or designs as well. This is an amazing time saver! If you aren’t a fan of fussy cutting then this feature would certainly interest you.
How Do I make it Work?
The Cricut Machine links to the Cricut Design Space App or Program on your computer or on your phone/ipad. You go to your computer or device and choose what you would like to cut. Then your device connects to the Cricut and cuts out your design onto your chosen material. It’s pretty incredible what technology can do these days!
Cricut Design Space
Cricut Design Space is free to use and it is the only way to operate the Cricut Machine. There are some free projects in Cricut Design Space, but most of them require purchasing. The other option is to subscribe monthly. With a Subscription you have access to all the projects in Cricut Design Space. The first month is free to trial and then after that the cost of the monthly subscription is $13.99.
Is the Cricut Subscription worth it?
I chose to purchase the Cricut Monthly Subscription because I really want to get the most out of using my Cricut Machine. I want to have access to all the Cricut Design Space projects, fonts and images so that when I create with my Cricut my creativity isn’t limited by what I have not purchased. For beginner Cricut users I would recommend subscribing, at least for the first few months on using your Cricut. This will allow you to become confident with the machine’s capabilities and make creating projects easier. As you become more familiar with uploading your own designs and images I think you could then stop your subscription down the track if you were not using it as much as you were in the beginning.
My Hesitations were Quickly Solved
I had a few hesitations when it came to thinking about should I look into adding a Cricut Machine into my craft room. I am happy to say after a weekend playing with my new Cricut I look back on them now and wonder what I was thinking! Why did I doubt myself?
Firstly, I was concerned that my technological skills would not be up to the level of using the Cricut. This was not the case. After asking my nine year old to connect my new machine to my lap top (which he did in 5 minutes) I was happily rolling out my first Cricut Projects.
Secondly, I was concerned that learning the Cricut was going to take me a lot of time. Again, this was not true. I learnt how to use the Cricut and how to use Cricut Design space in a weekend. I am actually amazed at how simple it was to get my machine connected and use the machine.
Thirdly, I wondered how long it would take me to make a project…well, guess what the set up process shows you how to create a project instantly! I didn’t choose to make that project, but I quickly went into Cricut Design Space and chose a few other projects that I went on to make. My confidence grew with each project. My skills grew rapidly with each project. I was completely sold with what this Cricut Machine could do!
Finally, I just simply doubted myself. Could I work this machine? Could I create Cricut projects? Well I most certainly can work this machine and I can create Cricut Projects and you will be able to as well! They are fun and easy to create. All the design work is completed, its just click and cut and put it all together. I was making Cricut projects in no time and having a great time doing it too! I know that you will have the same success that I did. So don’t doubt yourself. Allow yourself some learning time and create with confidence!
Future Projects
Stay tuned for my next Cricut Projects coming soon. I am super excited about creating some Christmas Cards, organising my craft room with labels and making some stickers!!
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If you found this Review helpful, why not pin it for later?
I hope you found this review helpful. Especially if you are considering adding a Cricut Machine to your craft room. Let me know if you need any help or assistance.
Have a lovely, crafty day.
Alicia
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