Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Best Cricut Cartridge for Cardmakers of 2010

This is probably one of the toughest ones for me to choose.  Before the fall releases, this category was sewn up by the Just Because Cards cartridge, but now, it's not so clear.  Let's take a look:


Here are the contenders for the category of Best Cricut Cartridge of 2010 for Cardmakers :

1) Cricut Just Because Cards Cartridge: I love this cartridge!  Sure, it's got some quirks to it (which is why I made some videos to help you - see HERE!).  But, the variety of the images and matching word art and envelopes make it one of the easiest cartridges for cardmakers to use.


2) Cricut Birthday Bash Cartridge: At first glance, this cartridge appears to be a bit more geared towards birthday layouts and party planning.  But, there is a whole key of cards on here and there are some fabulous shaped ones!  I made a number of cards with this cartridge and by mixing it up a bit, you'd never guess they came from such a cutesy cartridge.  See below for a brief sampling.






3) Cricut Christmas Cards Mini Seasonal Cartridge: This cartridge has 10 different layered Christmas cards for you to make.  I love the different card shapes, which again could be made for any type of card you wanted.


4) Cricut Paper Lace Cartridge:  This cartridge is perfect for cardmakers.  The icons and word art cut wonderfully at smaller sizes and the lacy backgrounds are perfect for any cards you might want to make. I love the "will and grace" word art and there is also a font on this cartridge.



5) Ornamental Iron Cricut Cartridge: Two fonts on this cartridge and these gorgeous iron backgrounds make this a nice cartridge for cardmakers who need some stunning backgrounds.  Also, the different iron pieces can be broken out to make additional accents.



Let's hear a drum roll, please.....the winner of the Best Cricut Cartridge for Cardmakers is the......











I notice I went through a faux stitching period here with these cards...

OK, this was hard to choose because frankly, I think you need all of these cartridges!  Seriously!  Notice, I haven't recommended all of my choices in any other post (yet...) but these here I am quite partial to.

I ended up choosing the Just Because Cards cartridge because of the image versatility.  But, if I had to go on card shapes alone, I would choose Birthday Bash.  If I wanted elegant backgrounds and word art, I would go with Ornamental Iron and Paper Lace. Elegant Christmas cards....Seasonal Christmas card cartridge. So, see, you really need them all...

What do you think?  Which do you like?  Can't wait to hear.

Want to see all my best Cricut cartridge picks of 2010?  Head over to Joy's Top 2010 Cricut Cartridges for links to more categories!

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55 comments:

  1. Wow how much fun , this cartride is really great. I belive i want this one I never know what to put on cards and this one would give you some good Idea's Thanks for sharing!!

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  2. I don't own any of these carts. LOL BUT.. they ALL look so awesome! You made some VERY cute cards. TFS!!

    Terrie Barroso
    crafteecards.blogspot.com

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  3. I love the Birthday Bash cart. It's whimsical aspects keep it fun and useful for all ages. I don't have your number one choice, but it will be making it on my list of To Buy!!! Thanks for these great posts!

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  4. I think this cart is another one I need. I'm lovin' this line of posts.

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  5. Awesome comparison. The only one I have is Just Because so I'll vote for it but now to narrow down the rest so I know what I need next. Thanks for the informative write up.

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  6. Wow this cartridge is really great looking at your cards make me want it more and more tfs!!

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  7. I don't have any ofthese so thank you for sharing such great card cartridges .... must get a few ... thanks for your awesome BEST series.

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  8. Thanks for sharing. I just added paper lace and birthday bash to my wish list. I never really looked at them before, but they are adorable!

    Lauren

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  9. Just Because Carts is so great - love that word art!!

    Thank so much for these posts - I love reading about all the different new carts and seeing examples from them!

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  10. Just Because was one of the first cartridges I got. I agree it is so useful. I like all the others too!

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  11. I really like the "Just Because", which I do not have in my cartridge collection. One that I do have and love for my cards is "Celebrate with Flourish".
    Thank you for your opinions in the different catagories, this is so helpful.

    Marianne S.

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  12. Now I have a reason to get the 2 carts I don't have! LOL. I didn't even think of those possibilities.

    Thanks for sharing.

    ~Dawn
    http://latenightscraper.blogspot.com/

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  13. I love that cart but also all the others except Birthday Bash as I don't have that one yet. Paper Lace makes the most beautiful cards!

    Great cards to scraplift!

    Linda A

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  14. I don't have any of these. More to add to the wish list. Thanks for the comparison.

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  15. I think Lacy Labels should have been considered as well. It has a variety of 'labels' that you can put your own sentiment on and attach to a card. I use this a lot for quick cards when I don't have time to do a bunch of piece-work.

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  16. I really enjoy seeing what you do with the cartridges and why you like/recommend each one. Thanks.

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  17. I use Just Because Cards a lot! Paper Lace and Ornamental Iron are on my wish list, although I hadn't realized they were so good for cards. And now I think Birthday Bash will be added to the list as well!

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  18. Thanks or the summary, and I agree you really need all of these carts. I don't have them yet but am working on it.

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  19. Okay, all of them have been on my wish list or I wonder if would use that one list...I received the just for cards cart for Christmas and although I haven't had a chance to play with it much yet..I love it..and I love all your cards you showed us here...I really have been thinking about birthday bash whether I would us it enough..and you have convinced me I would...I think they are all on my list now...

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  20. You're b-a-a-d. Just when I was set to make a New Year's resolution that I wouldn't buy one more cartridge, you come up with this list. The only one of these I own is the Just Because Cards. Oh, well, I never have been successful with resolutions anyway.

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  21. Thank you for sharing all year long and bringing samples of what can be done with the cartridges. I have two favorites - Ornamental Iron because of the beautiful swirls and curls, and Birthday Bash - the three Christmas cards you showed with it are adorable! I'd love to pick up the Ornamental Iron one soon.
    Blessings, Donna
    grandma4five

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  22. It is a great cart!!! I also love Birthday Bash!! TFS!! Take Care!!
    Jennie @ http://earthyscrap.blogspot.com/

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  23. This is a great list! I am just happy I have most of these so I don't have to run out and buy more! LOL! Thanks for sharing the card pics... they are all so beautiful. :)
    Lori
    http://got2bcrafting.blogspot.com/
    got2bcrafting at gmail dotcom

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  24. Wow...great list...I 2 love
    Bday Bash and have 'em all except for ornamental iron...but hv others that are very ornate...good choices and I agree I (we) need 'em all.....it's fun 2 used more than 1 cartridge too in designing....love it when U gies do this 2.

    Joan Smith

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  25. I love this cart too!! Its soo easy to make a quick card.

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  26. They all look fabulous loving the the last card "just kickin it"

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  27. I don't own any of these so I must go based on what you showed us and I would pick Just Because cards first because of the word/image combo. I do like the shapes of birthday bash though. TFS!

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  28. Thanks for all the advice and reviews! I don't have an Expression, so I don't think the card shapes would help me that much, whereas the Just Because just seems SO versatile. You're awesome, thanks so much.

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  29. I just picked this cartridge up the other day and I am very excited to use it. It is adorable!

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  30. I choose Just Because Cards. It really has some great cards and I love sending not your ordinary card just because I am thinking of someone! I do think that I will have to the ornamental cartridge though ... just because I might need it.

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  31. I don't have any of these carts, but I would have to choose Just Because! It is so cute, I do love the fancy carts as well, because sometimes, it's nice to have the fancier cuts!

    I think you made an excellent choice my friend!!! Crafty Hugs into the New Year, and I look forward to seeing what fantastic projects you have in store for us!!! You are such a JOY ;) to the community of crafters!

    Lisa Sturgill :)

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  32. I agree, Joy! We need them all! LOL. I have JBC and the Christmas Cards, and just received Birthday Bash for Christmas. I love each of them, and I'm thinking I may need Paper Lace, too. BethAnn M.

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  33. Joy, Love the Just Because Cards! Totally agree, it has great versatility!

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  34. Wow, wow, wow. So many good choices. I love the Just Because cards. Cute images and envelopes too. Can you cut the envelopes with the small Cricut machine?
    I also like the Paper Lace cart. The fonts are wonderful.
    The cards you made with the Just Because Cards cart are darling. I especially love the card with the ewe on it.
    Good job.

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  35. Joy, you have made this VERY hard. I LOVE them ALL! I have to say the second one under birthday bash that says Celebrate really caught my eye.
    Carol
    ottersL@pacbell.net

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  36. LOL! I totally agree, you DO need them all! LOL. I don't know how you are able to pick a winner :)

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  37. Joy,
    I have all of these carts, and love them all along with several others as well. I think Just Because Cards was the most versatile for card shapes and matching envelopes until Christmas Cards (Seasonal Cart) came out. I really love the card shapes it has to offer. As far as the elements that I like to use on my cards, it really varies depending on what type of card I am making. This is where I really like to mix it up. I also like to add demension with spellbinder dies that not only have shape, but also embosses.
    With all the fabulous carts that came out this year I couldn't possibly name a favorite. Between the intrduction of Lite Carts, Imagine Carts, Cake Carts, & the Gypsy, the possibilities are endless. Provo Craft has just out done themselves in 2010. My only hope, is that in 2011 they figure out a way to allow us to cut half an image at a time we could make home decor projects much larger. I also hope they work on the communication problems between our Gypsies and our Imagines.
    Marcie

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  38. hmm tough one - I like lacy things, so I will say Paper Lace.
    But they are all essential.
    Sandra

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  39. Your cards are all so beautiful.Just choosing one is too hard to do. You always do such a fabulous job. Thank you and Happy New Year!
    Mary Ann
    mahuntington@wavecable.com

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  40. THanks Joy this is awesome, thanks for all you do to share with we cricut lovers. I too love JBC, it is such a quick cart to turn out a great card, and wow does it pop with the imagine. However, I had not even considered OI and PL, just didnt think they were my type, might have to change my mind.

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  41. This cartridge has such a wide variety of images. I have to get this one..... "Just Because" it is so versatile. LOL

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  42. Just Because cards is at the top of my want list but I was glad to hear your thoughts on all these orher cartridges. The fact that you use so many cartridges for more projects that their first intended use is something I really enjoy about your posts. You make us think outside the box.

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  43. Well I have to agree with you Joy about you should have them all..... they are all great for different things... I own all of them except for the Ornamental Iron one.... Not sure that is for me... but I LOVE the choices... :o)

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  44. You're killing me here, Joy, because I don't have any of these yet, and I...want...them...all! Seriously, your reviews this week rock! TFS!

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  45. OK just ordered Just Because Cards cartridge thanks to your advice! I'm a novice card-maker, and am looking forward to receiving it! Thanks for the advice.

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  46. I so love Just Because Cards! It is great for when I get a brain block when making cards. Thanks!

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  47. I'm not a cardmaker but I have to say the Just Because cart is my favorite. So many great images that could be used for so many different cards but would also be great for scrapbook pages.

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  48. I just received the Cricut Paper Lace Cartridge for Christmas!! I cannot wait to use it (love that it also has fonts!!!).

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  49. I own none of these carts, but I get the gist of what you're saying. Great job in your exploration!!!

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  50. Yep, Just because cards! So great and love the phrases! But I do a lot of Birthday cards for OWH, so the Birthday Bash one is my most used new one.

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  51. I would think that Just Beacause Cards would be great, but I don't have it. I use Wild Card and the card function of Stretch Your Imagination ALL the time!
    nursiebeth

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  52. I don't have any of those, but I think I will crack and get paper lace very soon. TFS!

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  53. I would love to own the Just Because Card cartridge. It looks like it has some neat designs.

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