The Cricut simply plugs straight into your power and is ready for use - you don't need a computer to use it. Depending on which font cartridge you have for your Cricut, you can cut some amazing letters in different fonts, and different shapes, in the size that suits you - from 1 inch right up to 5 inches.

The shapes or letters are cut from whatever paper you choose, so the Cricut gives you great flexibility in matching papers, styles and the size to complement your layout perfectly. Titles, tags and embellishments are a breeze!

The Cricut is very simple to use. Just place your paper on the mat provided with the machine, and select the shape or font you wish to cut out, and the size you want. The mat goes into the machine, and comes out with your desired image already cut. To see a demonstration of how the Cricut cuts paper and shapes, see the video titled Cricut: How to Cut Shapes & Paper.

When you purchase a Cricut machine, it comes with one mat, one blade (which is pre-loaded into the machine for you) and a 'George and Basic Shapes' font cartridge. This cartridge allows you to cut all the letters in the George font, and many shapes as well. There are numerous other cartridges that you can buy which can expand the range of images you can cut.

We recommend when buying your Cricut, you also buy an extra packet of mats (there are two in each pack), extra blades and a tool kit. The extra mats and blades are required when your mat runs out of stikiness, and when your blade gets blunt. This will not happen for a while, but if it happens when you are at a midnight crop, it may be inconvenient. The tool kit has various tools that will help you easily lift the paper from the mat, which helps prolong the life of your mat.

A Cricut machine will be the envy of your friends (unless you all chip in and purchase one for your group crops) and is a wonderful addition to your scrapbooking toolbox. And now it will be even easier to use now that you have all the Cricut 'How-To' videos to guide you (who wants to read a boring manual anyway)!