It’s been a little quiet around here the past few days, sorry for that. But I have a fantastic reason for it… if you follow me on Instagram you know exactly what I’ve been up to. I was in Salt Lake City, Utah for the product launch of the brand new Cricut Explore™! You guy’s know that I’ve been a Cricut user for years, so when they invited me out for this launch I was over the moon. Of course, the first thing I did was calculate how many weeks I would be since the cut off for flying is 34 weeks. Luckily I was 30/31 weeks and cleared by my doctor the week before to fly!
After I checked into the hotel and took a little nap it was time to check-in to all the Cricut festivities. I walked up to the ballroom to see a life-size Cricut card.
The theme of the event was all about destination and travel!
When I walked into the room I saw a huge wall full of large Instagram photos. We then were asked to find our Instagram photo and put our polaroid with it.
They chose my DIY Painted Spring Pillow as the Instagram photo.
It was time for dinner and we walked in and we were all wowed! From the place settings to the tablescapes–it was all amazing.
We started off dinner with a good old round of BINGO. Do you see how close I was to being able to call BINGO!?!! I had 5 different chances and all I needed was one more number! So close yet so far away.
After dinner, Cricut CEO, Ashish Arora, took the stage. The moment we had all be waiting for.
Jon and I had brainstormed for the past few months on what this big announcement could be. We both guessed a new machine a new machine and I guessed maybe being able to finally use JPG files. We were both right.
Without further ado, here is the brand new Cricut Explore™!
Cricut CEO, Ashish Arora share with us on Monday night the video you just watched above. I’ve watched it at least a handful of times and every time I watch I still get goose bumps!
Cricut Explore™: from inspiration to creation in just a few clicks.
Introducing the new Cricut Explore™ design-and-cut system! The Cricut Explore™ system blends an electronic cutting machine with Cricut Design Space™, the free online design software, to help you make polished DIY projects. Create by using the hundreds of ready-to-make projects, the 50,000+ images from the Cricut® library or by uploading your own images. You can even use the Cricut® cartridges you already own! Available on HSN in February and in stores March 15!
During the keynote speech, Ashish stressed that we as a community would change the way DIY is done, and to be honest, I truly believe that. This new machine is revolutionary to the die-cut world.
They have been working on the Cricut Explore™ and Cricut Design Space™ for over 2 years! They have worked and re-worked this machine (as you saw above) to make sure it is exactly what the end user will want and need.
3 reasons you’ll love the new Cricut Explore™
1. Easy – Say goodbye to complicated materials settings. Now you can get the perfect cut on nearly any material—just turn the Smart Set™ dial. You can even create custom settings for different materials.
2. Precise – Cricut Explore™ features Cut Smart™ technology. With 11 patents pending, Cut Smart™ technology lets you cut a wide range of shapes and sizes with exceptional accuracy.
3. Versatile – Make just about anything you can think of! From home décor to fashion and accessories, Cricut Explore™ will help you make projects that show off your imagination.
Easy, Precise, and Versatile. That’s what the new Cricut Explore™ is all about!
The box comes with a “start here” packet.
Project material samples are also included in the box. Cricut created 3 sample projects for each of those samples so the user can test the materials.
Included in the box:
- Cutting blade and housing
- Drawing/writing pen and adapter
- 12″ x 12″ StandardGrip Cricut® cutting mat
- Storage bag
- Power cord
- USB cord
- Black and jade Cricut® Cardstock
- Silver Cricut® Vinyl
- White Cricut® Iron-on
- Duck Tape® sheets
The new machine even has an area where you can store your cutting blades and accessories after your done using them.
They also have a spot on top of the machine where you can store your tools while your creating! Pure genius if you ask me.
Cricut Explore™ cuts a wide variety of materials, including paper, cardstock, vinyl, iron-on, poster board and fabric, making it the most versatile electronic cutting machine for DIY projects. They had the butterflies shown above so that way we could see all the different types of things this new machine can cut.
We got to listen to the amazing Anna Griffin talk about her business and her partnership with Cricut.
For the afternoon sessions they had three different rooms with “make and takes”. My favorite room was the California room.
We got to make Iron-On Vinyl beach bags!
Here I am in the New York room with a few of my favorite blog friends in real life; Balancing Home, Number 2 Pencils, and A Pumpkin and a Princess!
After a full morning of classroom training, I finally had my chance to give the new Cricut Explore™ and Cricut Design Space™ a try.
One of the things I’m over the moon about is the fact that you can now upload PNG’s and JPG’s right into Cricut Design Space™. You can also upload SVG files. It was just decided yesterday that this option will be made free just like the JPG and PNG files are made free for all machine users. The first thing I did was upload some football logos from the internet and then I grabbed our alma matter’s logo. It’s so hard to find clothing and baby clothing at that. So I made an iron-on vinyl logo for a baby onesie for our baby!!! I’m so excited–the sky is really the limit now.
At dinner that night, I had the chance to speak with Ashish again and take a photo!
So you might be wondering when the new Cricut Explore™ is available? March 15, 2014 and pre-sale begins on HSN! I’m not gushing over the new machine and software because Cricut flew me out, I honestly am in love with the new product and can’t stop smiling when I tell people about it!
Will you be buying a Cricut Explore™ when they come out?
Disclaimer: Their are affiliate links in this post. I received my trip for free; however, I was not required to blog about the event. As always I love Cricut and all opinions are my own!
Comments & Reviews
Lynne says
Can the Cricut Personal cut vinyl?
Katie says
Hi Lynne, All Cricut’s can cut vinyl. The newer machines have “smart” capabilities meaning you don’t have to set pressure. The Cricut Personal you’ll have to learn what settings you need to cut specific material on!
Joanne Dunn says
New to the Cricut world. I’m excited to get started, I created an account and paid for the full first year of use of Templets, and such. I don’t know where to find the basics instructions. I have lots of questions, Example: the Mats have a clear cover does that stay on when cutting out your project. Do the color sheets go under the clear plastic, and won’t the machine cut the clear sheet is that ok? I really wish this machine came with a How to use for us first-timers. A step by step project.
I want to make Iron T-shirts, I’m not sure how this all works. Any direction or help is greatly appreciate.
Katie says
Hi Joanne, thanks for your comments and sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner (on vacation). You take the clear protective sheet off the mat and place your paper/vinyl/etc on top of the sticky mat. Do not put the plastic back on top of the material plus mat.
For iron-on check out all my projects here. I try to show each project step-by-step. Feel free to email me at sewwoodsy@gmail.com if you want/need any other assistance!
Lisa webb says
I did not catch where you can use older cartages??
Katie says
Hi Lisa, There is a hidden (very sleek) slit where you can place your older cartridges in the machine. Then when your in Cricut Design Space you can use your images/fonts from the cartridge and not be charged!
Linda says
Now my only complaint, is the web only software access. Which means, If you don’t have internet service, or Cricut ever decides to stop supporting it’s web site, you’ll have an expensive paperweight.
I would like to see a stand alone Software, that loads onto my computer, so I can run this machine and cut my designs, without accessing Cricut website, or Logging onto the internet. That would be awesome, and I hope Cricut gets a downloadable software upgrade soon. This would have been a deal breaker, had I known this before I purchased the machine. I’m happy with the machine, but not the lack of stand alone software to run the machine.
I found this on a post on cricket machines. can you explain this. I would hate to spend this kind of money for a paperweight.
Katie says
Hi Linda! Cricut recently launched a non-web based app so you can design without the use of internet! If you subscribe to their email list you should have received the email! Definitely worth checking it out!
Linda says
is there any place we can go too and see pictures of what designs are included with the cricket air?
Katie says
Hi Linda, you can create an account for free on Cricut Design Space and then browse all the options. No pictures will come with the air you will need to purchase the monthly subscription!
Paula De Priest says
Why do some letters like o p d b when welded the middle doesn’t cut out of these letters sometime? I have deleted and started over but it didn’t help. The d was still solid in the middle.
Katie says
Hi Paula, I’ve found that you have them to close together that’s why the middles weld close. Try spacing it out a little more and you’ll see that they won’t weld the middle. It took me a while to figure that trick out! Good luck!
Michele Osterman says
Hello, I was wondering if anyone knows the watts for the explore? Trying to do a craft fair and I have a generator that is battery operated.
Katie says
Hi Michele–I don’t. Maybe call Cricut customer support!
Jodi says
Question, My sister lives in another state, and has an older cricut and cartridges. I’m all new to this, and just received my New Cricut Explorer One. I want to know if I borrow one of her cartridges that she uses on a regular basis, and link it to my machine, can she still use it on her machine when I return the cartridge? Hope you can answer this for me. I work full time, and cricut customer service is only open to 6 p.m. which doesn’t help me. Thanks.
Katie says
Hi! Yes you can do that; however, if your sister ever upgrades to a new machine and has access to Cricut Design Space she will not be able to link her cartridges to her account. She would have to manually put them in every single time–which is a pain once you have access to Design Space. So ultimately you can only link one cartridge to one account and then after that you must use it manually. I personally would pay the $9.99 a month to have access to all the fonts and cartridges. Plus you can now upload your own images and system fonts. Hope that helps answer your question!
JUDY says
HELP! There was an error that occured during the update to the firmware. Now the power button STAYS RED. i unplugged everything but that didnt help. is there a way to fix this or do a hard reset? This is only the 2nd time im using my cricut explore
Katie says
Hi Judy, not sure–I’ve never had that happen. I would definitely contact Cricut customer service if you haven’t done so already.
stacey gutierrez says
Hello, I just purchased this and was wondering how to cute an image from the center of the page?
Katie says
Hi Stacey, I’m not sure if I understand your question. You can simply drag and drop the image to the center before your about to cut. Hope that is what you’re asking?!?!