Cricut Explore vs. Cricut Expression Cut Comparison

Hello! It's here, IT'S HERE!!! :) Here is the picture I snapped with my phone last night when I took my new Cricut Explore out of the box. :) I knew that when I got the machine, I wanted to do some comparison cuts with it and my trusty old Cricut Expression. I was always disappointed in the way a circle and a scalloped circle cut with my Expression, so I knew that is what I would compare. I also compared an intricate scalloped circle design. I used some of THIS cardstock from Walmart to really put both machines to the test with not so great cardstock. Here I cut this design from the Cindy Loo cricut cartridge...

I cut them both at the same size {4 inches}, but the Explore did a much better job. The Cricut Explore is a much more detailed cut. Look at the little heart on the bird's head. The scallop around the outside is more even. What I found with all the cuts I made, is that the Explore actually cuts true to size. The Expression cuts everything just a little bigger than the actual size selected. {No this wasn't a sizing/real dial size mistake by me...I know my way around a Cricut} ;)

I used the Cricut Craft Room Basics cartridge for my circle and scalloped circles cuts. I cut the circle at 2 inches with both machines. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the Expression cuts a wonky circle. And again, it's bigger than the circle the Explore cut. 

Here is where you can really see the difference! I cut both at 2.25 inches. Look how perfectly the Explore cut! Again, the Expression's cut is wonky, and those scallops look terrible. 

In addition to being extremely impressed with how the Explore cuts, I am in LOVE with the Design Space program you use with it. It is incredibly simple to use. And the best part??? You can cut SVG's with it! I've already loaded all my SVG's into Design Space, and if I can do that, you KNOW it's incredibly simple! ;)

So there it is. My 2 cents on the new Cricut Explore. And if you feel the need to get one yourself, it's on sale again for $199 HERE at Walmart. :) {that's where I got mine}

♥ Nikki ♥

Birthday Wishes

My new Sew Easy tool that I ordered from HSN came the other day and here is the first card I've made with it. Since my beloved PaperTreyInk Kraft cardstock is SUPER thick I did have to re poke the holes, but it was still easy! I used twine from The Twinery for my stitching. The card base is from Lacy Labels and the bird is from Cindy Loo. The sentiment is from PaperTreyInk.com.

***TIP ALERT***

Have a Sew Easy? Grab it and shake it...Hear that??? That's the needle that comes with it! Hehehe Pop the top open to get it out. It's blunt so you won't stab your fingers while gettin' your stitch on. ;)

♥ Nikki ♥

I'll be back tonight with another sneak for MarketStreetStamps.com