Downloadable Scrapbook Software Review

UPDATE: The following software reviewed no longer supports the Cricut machine. It does work with:

Craftwell eCraft
Black Cat Cougar/Lynx
BossKut Gazelle
Pazzles Inspiration
Silhouette SD
USCutter
Craft ROBO/Graphtec machines including Wishblade (Windows Only)

If you previously purchased Sure Cuts A Lot 2 and wish to use the software with a different cutting machine, you can upgrade to Sure Cuts A Lot 3 for free.

Due to some type of legality (I believe) this brilliant software is no longer available for the Cricut!! Version 1 and 2, while not available, currently have customer support until the end of 2011 (I believe this to be correct but please check directly with Sure Cuts A Lot).

Following is my original lens which I am leaving up believing it to still be accurate information about Sure Cuts A Lot if you are running one of the above craft machines. The link below is still current and will take you to the website.

I am as sorry as anyone to see this turn of events although I hope the following information continues to prove useful.

The absolute best thing that happened to me (and now you too!!) was that I had a motivated and enthusiastic friend. What she shared with me will help you too! She really did her research and recommended a software to me, called Sure Cuts A Lot, that's compatible with the Cricut electronic cutter. While I was drawn to the option I also was considering I should 'stick with' the Cricut brand design studio.

Here's what I found as a list of pro's and con's to using the Sure Cuts A Lot software that I hope will be both educational and interesting to anyone considering their options;

1. Sure Cuts a Lot is available in both Windows and Macintosh versions. I don't know about you, but I LOVE being able to get software that is specific to my Macintosh :). My friend runs Windows and is also happy. The downside is that the Macintosh versions seem to be a little slower on the up-grades... so I'm hanging out for the next improvements a little longer :( UPDATE: Macintosh version has been up-graded since I wrote this. See improvements available below! (VERY exciting!!).

For windows you'll need XP/Vista and for Macintosh OSX (10.4/10.5)

This is a huge plus for Macintosh users as at the time of writing this the Provo craft Design studio doesn't have an Apple version!

2. There are no special cartridges required. This is HUGE. In fact I should have mentioned this first. In my looking and searching on line I came across so many women who said they had spent large amounts on buying different font cartridges for their Cricut cutters only to find them obsolete after purchasing Sure Cuts A Lot. The only cartridge I'll ever need is the one that came in the machine as I can now use the software to cut all my installed True Type fonts on the Cricut machine. No special cartridges required!!! :)

3. The software is compatible with Cricut Personal, Expression and Create machines. You will need a standard USB cable (one flat end and one square end). It's easy to attach to your computer (seriously guys it would have to be for me to be doing it!!!!!!) although you will need some room to move in an already crowded computer room. Being a large machine the Expressions machine I have needs space front and back to feed the paper in and out.

4. Purchase of Sure Scraps a Lot was super easy. It was immediately downloadable and the activation was surprisingly easy in my experience.

5. The software is very simply laid out and features a cutting mat on the screen of the computer that I simply lay out my font /design on electronically. This is noteworthy as it is clearly visible EXACTLY where the design will cut. Time and paper wastage are minimized. The cutting mat lasts longer as I can easily vary where the cutting will take place.

6. Using the software for your cricut machine means that you have the options to weld (or connect) letters together before cutting, manipulate their size, change their proportions, italic, flip or shadow them.

7. Now in case you think this is all happy gushing.... there was some confusion for me as I needed a different firmware than was currently loaded on my Cricut Expression machine. Because I was running Apple, I had to use a PC to upload Provo Craft's Cricut Design Studio free trial version. This easily solved the issue but could potentially be an inconvenience if you don't run PC and run into this problem too.... although most people know someone who does!

8. This could be a pro or a con depending on what motivates you... there is a learning curve to all new things. I'm time poor and am still working my way around different websites to download new fonts and files. I know this is an extra but the tempations..... and they're all available now that I have the Sure Cuts a Lot software.

9. There are HEAPS of helpful YouTube videos available to help you learn everything you need to know and do with your Cricut and Sure Cuts A Lot software.

10. You may experience some frustration if you've spent lots of money on cartridges in the past. The good news is that this software costs about the same price as a new cartridge and you'll never need another one again!

For more information on a really helpful (and somewhat addictive) software to hugely enhance the performance of your Cricut machine then check out Sure Cuts a Lot for yourself at http://downloadablescrapbooksoftware.com

I have recently updated my Mac version to version 2.0. It has certainly been money well spent!

Major improvement is the ability to see the fonts as they will print before selecting them for use (as in a word document when you're browsing fonts). It is also possible to type up your desired letters and then change the font as many times as desired until you have the look you like. Unbelievably this wasn't available in the previous version so the upgrades are extremely appreciated!!

There was an adjustment period as with most new things. I had to re-learn how to weld my letters together which caused some consternation for a while. The upside of this is that I contacted customer support and was delighted at how quickly a response to my problem arrived!

What's New in Version 3?

Sure Cuts A Lot 3 has the same great features of Version 2 but includes support for a variety of electronic cutting machines. While version 3 does not support the Cricut, it does support the following:

Works with Craftwell eCraft
Works with Black Cat Cougar/Lynx
Works with BossKut Gazelle
Works with Pazzles Inspiration
Works with Silhouette SD
Works with USCutter
Works with Craft ROBO/Graphtec machines including Wishblade (Windows Only)

If you previously purchased Sure Cuts A Lot 2 and wish to use the software with a different cutting machine, you can upgrade to Sure Cuts A Lot 3 for free.

I'm big on shopping from home. We often discuss the best scrapbooking stores when my craft group gets together. Unfortunately there are not many stores in my area and while one may be good for something specific it will be another (often in the opposite direction) that has what I need in another area. I believe I get the Best Deals at ScrapbookingAlley.com I can find everything I need all in the one place online.




Quick update on this: I have my supplies shipped to a friend in California (free postage -yay!) and my husband picks them up when he's over there for work. I only just realised the other day when an order was delayed that they don't ship to Australia! Luckily for me the order shipped just in time or I would have had to cancel it (or wait for my husbands next trip over). I apologise if this has caused any fellow Australians an inconvenience!