Years ago when I started using machines I started out with the Cricut, the orginal one, the one we often refer to as "baby bug". Oh how I loved that little machine! I got it just so I could cut letters for my scrapbook titles...yep that was it, the only reason. I soon found out how much more it could cut, well within the bounds of cartridges that were available and I was totally hooked. I also learned that by using Design Studio I could weld and manipulate shapes into making things that weren't available on cartridges. I spent HOURS making new designs, anything from animals to vehicles to ballerina shoes.
At the time I had two cats that I loved and adored and they loved it when I would start cutting paper. They would jump on the table and watch as the mat went in and out of the machine. I even did a layout of them and this picture because it was something I wanted to always remember.
I don't have the screenshots of all the designs I use to do to use with the baby bug but here is a screenshot I found of the ballerina slipper I made. The image was made with what was available on the George cartridge that came with the machine. I used George for almost all my first designs because it was what I had and what others had at the time.
The baby bug was a workhorse and I have always said I thought it was the moresolidly built than any of the other Cricut machines. Of course the drawback with the original Cricut was the limitation of the mat size, it was 6x12 and there were just some things, such as envelopes that couldn't be cut in one piece.
How does the original Cricut compare to the Explore? Well they are both solid machines and can handle a lot of cutting but the Explore does cut more accurately, can cut larger materials and a wider variety materials. All in all it probably isn't truly fair to compare the machines since the baby bug is the grandfather of the Cricuts and the Explore is the high tech grandchild. But when I think about it I guess if there hadn't been a Cricut all those years ago there wouldn't be an Explore now.
all those cartridges...'i know'! i sold my baby bug, but i still have my 'create'. this one is a little more dignified.
ReplyDeleteI do as well Kat. Thanks for sharing the memories Shirley.
ReplyDeleteHow true! Love all my Cricuts!
ReplyDeleteI kind of miss those 'old days' ! I still have my baby bug, the original expression, about 80 cartridges and my gypsy. My daughter uses the machines now as I 'graduated' to another machine. Loved my Cricuts! !!
ReplyDeleteMy original baby bug sits on the shelf in my craft room and I still have Design Studio on my PC with all the designs you made.
ReplyDeleteSandyR says: I still have my baby bug. Got it in 2006 when they first came out. It was a work horse. Finally got the expression so I could cut larger vinyl pieces. Love them and still use them. I won another machine as well so now I can have a whole bunch of them going at once.
ReplyDeleteI have them all as well. I still use all of the machines including my gypsy. My cricut collection sits proudly on a table (when I turn the power switch on to fire them all up the power dims in the neighborhood). I love them all!!!! Thanks for bringing back the memories of the baby bug and all the scrapbook page titles it created.
ReplyDeleteI also have the Baby Bug and the Expression and over 100 carts. Although I've since purchased another machine, I still use my Expression quite often. My niece is a school teacher and uses the Baby Bug in her classroom. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
ReplyDeleteOh Yes ... I love the Baby Bug. At the time it came out, it opened up a whole new world of creativity with the ability to cut different sizes and all the incredible carts that followed (whew, did I ever invest a lot of money in carts - over 400 of them). I also had Design Studio and had many of those wonderful cuts you made. (Too bad PC stopped supporting the Design Studio program ... I loved using it.) In my opinion, YOU were right up there with the best of them with your creative DS designs ... you definitely have a talent in this area ... I am still amazed at all the things you could create using only the George cart. I miss those good ole days of the "old" Cricut MB ... we had such fun! (Pssst ... I also remember your two sweet kitties ... wasn't one of them afraid of mice?)
ReplyDeleteI also still have my Create. My daughter would use it occasionally when she was at home, and I really didn't think I could much if I tried to sell it. I'm not sure I would remember how to use it if I tried!
ReplyDeleteI started out with the baby bug too Shirley, and I loved it! But it was the size that I didn't love and wanted to be able to cut bigger sizes too. So I sold my baby bug, which I wish I hadn't, but really didn't need it anymore. I think I am gong to love these comparisons you are doing. And I really do love, love, love my Explore! Hugs, Brenda
ReplyDeleteI gotmy baby bug from my husband in June 2006. I remember he brought is home and quickly went and got a snack table to put it on. I had watched a info commercial was when I first saw it. I never even read any instructions He plugged it in and off I went cutting everything I could in every size that night. If I remember right he paid &349.00 for it and no coupon. After that every payday we went and bought 2 cartridges with coupons as you were allowed to use coupons at the beginning. My first bought cartridge was Doodlecharms because of that cute little snowman. But I still want that pink explore. Thanks for posting these memories ,,,,it takes you back in time to the old MB.
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