If you have been using a Cricut and have just basic knowledge of your computer (which I assume you do, since you are reading this blog!), you may be ready to venture into the world of creating your own images to cut using your electronic cutting machine.
By using some of the available software products with your Cricut, you are no longer limited to the images only available on cartridges. You won't have to buy any cartridges other than the first one that came with your machine. And once you learn the software, and link your computer by cable to your Cricut instead of (or in addition to) your printer, your scrapbooking cuts are limited only by your imagination and your time.
For about a year or so now, I have been using, first, Sure Cuts A Lot ... and then Make The Cut. Both were relatively simple to use and have pros and cons. NOW I've discovered "Fairy Cut" software designed with Cricut users in mind. I first saw it mentioned on a European scrapbooking website; intrigued, I sent an e-mail to Fairy Cut offering to use it and review it here for you. My e-mail was promptly answered ... wow! ...
I downloaded Fairy Cut, and within 5 minutes I was cutting my first card, and posted it to my Valentine's Day Cards Blog Hop! The cards I am showing here are the cards I made one morning, from scratch to finish -- including learning the software -- in less than 4 hours.
My honest opinion is that FAIRY CUT is the easiest-to-use, intuitive programs of all the Cricut cutting software available on the market today. I've used them all and prefer Fairy Cut.
Fairy Cut is compatible with the Cricut Personal, Cricut Create, and Cricut Expression; it is not yet compatible with Cricut Imagine but (and here's a BIG plus for me), Fairy Cut has incorporated a Print and Cut feature, with and without crop marks, so you can easily use your regular printer and Cricut cutter without having to invest in a Cricut Imagine or its expensive cartridges!
Fairy Cut's program is built on same "platform" as the software used with professional graphic programs like those that run Pazzles Inspiration and Bosscut Studio. It imports .wpc and .pdf images alike. And it has a "freehand" design feature, correction tools, and a library of images that make creating unique images EASILY a snap. REALLY!!
Here's another plus: Fairy Cut's tutorial videos are some of the best out there. You can access them via http://www.fairycut.com/, or through YouTube (Search: Fairy Cut Software).
On my blog here, I've posted on a separate page my favorite Fairy Cut video; you can find it by going to the top right corner of my blog where it says "Requested Tutorials". The second one down is the YouTube link to the video that shows how to make a card with lattice patterns. Truly very easy to follow.
Another Fantabulous Asset: My NEXT favorite thing that Fairy Cut has done is provided a full PDF version of its training manual. You can download the manual by clicking the Fairy Cut logo at the top of this blogpost. It's 70 pages ... very detailed with lots of illustrations that are very easy to follow. It's a terrific reference tool to this VERY powerful program that allows the inner creative Goddess (or Fairy!) come out in each of us.
And LASTLY ... I always save the best for last! ... Fairy Cut has given me one free software license (a $99 value) to give away to one of my loyal followers!
TO WIN this great blog candy:
1. Submit a comment to this post, answering this question: What image would you most like to cut that you haven't found on a Cricut cartridge?
...and...
2. Be or become a follower to this CardMonkey blogsite. I plan on making my FairyCut cards a regular feature on Fridays -- "Fairy Cut Fridays" ... and I hope it will be interesting and intriguing to you. Come along with me while I uncover all of the possibilities in this great new software.
One follower will be chosen at random by Fairy Cut, using Random.org, on Monday, January 31, so please leave your comment not later than Sunday 1/30 at midnight Eastern Standard Time. Winner will be announced here and contacted via e-mail to access your License Number and Access Code at Fairy Cut.
THANK YOU to William Rodier at Fairy Cut for making this gift available to one of my followers, and for providing me my copy of the program so I could use and review it for you. Guillaume, j'adore ce logiciel!
