Next week, Cricut will release three new things. A new machine, an updated version of the Design Space and an upgrade to the iPad app that allows you to design on the go (the current app only allows you to cut the Make it Now projects).
A new Cricut Explore machine, the Explore Air will debut on HSN on Wednesday, February 18th at 12:01 a.m. (Eastern Time). You can sign up for reminder emails about the presentation on HSN HERE. Anna Griffin will be launching the machine on HSN. There will be three exclusive Anna Griffin cartridges bundled with the machine. You can see Anna's sneak peek video HERE. Be sure to read the entire post to find out how to enter contests to win some great prizes - someone will win an Explore Air!
If you already own an Explore, you can purchase the wireless adapter and you will be able to use your current machine wirelessly with an iPad or from your computer if it has bluetooth capability (if not, you can purchase an inexpensive adapter for your computer as well). The new machine simply has the wireless capability built in - otherwise it is the same as the Explore I purchased a year ago at the initial launch (except it is a pretty shade of blue).
For those of you who love the Anna Griffin content and already own an Explore machine, the three Anna cartridges that come with the new machine will be available to purchase separately, bundled with a wireless adapter, from HSN.
The MSRP of the new machine is $299.99 and the Explore Air bundle will be "Today's Special" so there could be extra flex-pays or a shipping deal.
You can see some new videos introducing the Cricut Explore Air on the Official Cricut You Tube channel HERE. There are lots of helpful videos teaching you all about using the Explore on the Cricut channel so take some time to watch them if you want to learn more.
The next exciting new release is the new version of the iPad App that allows you to design your own projects. As a Cricut Product Expert, I have been testing this app and I love the convenience of picking up the iPad when I have an idea and then continuing to work on a project from my computer. I can take the iPad to my craftroom and cut wirelessly - so much simpler than carrying my laptop up and down the stairs.
I received a new Explore Air machine from Cricut a couple of days ago and it was extremely simple to set it up. I was able to use the iPad to get started cutting in just a few minutes. I'll be sharing more details about the app in future posts. The app will be available in the iTunes store sometime next week - keep an eye on the official Cricut page to see when the release is announced.
The app is free and you can use it with an iPad 2 or newer (the iPad mini will work too). If you don't have a wireless adapter for your Explore you will need one to make it work with the app - if you buy the new machine the wireless capability is built in and you do not need the adapter.
At this time the app is available only for the iPad, there is not an Android version.
Finally, I have also been testing the new Design Space 2. There are a number of changes that make it easier to use and the design and user interface matches the iPad app more closely so you can switch back and forth very smoothly. You can start a project on the iPad or on your computer and then switch and pick up where you left off - since your projects are stored in the Cloud they are always available, wherever you go and from whatever device you are using.
The Design Space 2 is free and will be available to everyone sometime on February 17th. There are many improvements in functionality and the program is faster and more reliable. I'll be posting some highlights over the next few days to help you get prepared for the changes.
Please note this announcement from Cricut:
Given the magnitude of the upgrades and to ensure the best experience moving forward, we will need to take Design Space, Cricut.com and Cricut Craft Room temporarily offline on Monday, February 16th from 6:00 am MST through 11:59 pm MST.
Monday is the President's Day holiday so if you have the day off and were planning to craft you should plan ahead and do all of your cutting over the weekend. Then you can assemble your projects on Monday. during the outage. Please note that Design Space, Cricut Craft Room and the Cricut site will all be offline on Monday. Your existing projects will be converted during the outage and they will work with Design Space 2.
This is a closeup of the top of the box for the Cricut Explore Air. Ever since I bought my Explore (last year at the HSN launch) I have been pleased and amazed by the accuracy and intricacy of the cuts. They truly are "ultra-precise" and I get a thrill every time I see a perfect tiny circle cut by these machines!
I used the "Glitzy" glitter cardstock from DCWV to see how well this new machine would cut - and it cut the design beautifully. When I lifted the medallion from the mat, nearly all of the tiny shapes stayed on the mat. A machine that cuts cleanly like this can save you so much time if you like to make intricate projects. I remember carefully poking out tiny pieces on cuts I made on other machines. Try to see if you can spot how many pieces did not stay on the mat (leave a comment to tell me how many you think are missing...). The pieces that lifted with the design were clinging by static and they were easily brushed away.
This design is cut at 3 3/4 inches so some of the design elements are very tiny.
The Explore Air cut this design perfectly. I am tempted to try cutting it at an even smaller size - I think the machine could handle it!
I think I'll be using this for a Valentine card - there is still time to make a few more cards before tomorrow...
Please let me know if you have questions that I might be able to answer about the new machine and upgrades to the programs. I am very excited to see these changes and I think there are even more things to look forward to over the next year as Cricut keeps improving and adding features.
I am happy that my original machine and the adapter I purchased for it are not obsolete - but I do like the pretty blue color of the new Explore Air!
Have a great Friday! I hate to mention it, but we are in for yet another big snowstorm (possibly a blizzard) this weekend. It doesn't seem possible to find room for more snow but I guess we will have to find a way.
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Your doily is beautiful, and I can only find 1 piece missing from the mat. I just received my Explore for Christmas, so I am still "exploring" it's capabilities! You have provided so much great information in your blog, and your reviews of the Explore really helped me to make the decision to get one. I have enjoyed my Expression, and my E2 and Gypsy very much, and also use my Imagine (yes she still works). Thank you, and stay warm! BethAnn Marczak
ReplyDeleteHi BethAnn - thanks for the compliments! I love using the Explore - it makes things so easy. Like you, I have many machines and I am still printing papers with my Imagine! Can you believe that another foot of snow is headed this way - I will stay in and craft as long as we have power. Happy Valentine's Day!
DeleteI could only spot 3 "cling ons”! I, too, am always amazed at the precise cuts I get from my Explore. Thanks for the info on the updates! Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteHi Carol - You got it - there are 3 tiny pieces that lifted with the cut and I wasn't being particularly careful when I took it off the mat. I didn't even notice until I looked at some of my photos. Great things are coming with the updated Design Space - you will love it!
DeleteI see one little piece that needs to be popped out of your doily! Remarkable! Although I have to say, I don't enjoy scraping all of the little pieces off my mat either! I think of you often throughout this horrible winter and hope you are staying safe. Hey - how long have you been sharing this file with subscription? I have been a subscriber forever - not sure where to look for it on my very unorganized computer. What would it be called? Thanks, Cap!
ReplyDeleteHi Avra - It's amazing how cleanly the Explore cuts. I use a big putty knife to help scrape the mat, I'll have to remember to take a photo of it to share next time I am clearing the tiny cuts. The file was sent to all of my subscribers when I switched to the current email delivery provider last year. I checked and it was sent out to you on both June 8th and 9th, 2014 (there was some overlap as I consolidated my list). The file title is "Capadia Designs - Lace and Pearl Medallion.svg" so look for that in your computer. If you can't find it, send me an email and I will send you the link.
DeleteI only spotted 2! I am soooo tempted to get this and get rid of my old Explore!
ReplyDeleteHi Donna - there are three and they are very hard to spot! No need to get rid of your current machine - I cut the same doily file with my original Explore with the same great results. Just get the wireless adapter if you don't have it already so you will be ready for the iPad app. Then you can spend money on the new Anna content (which will be sold separately bundled with the adapter) or anything else that you want to try! Of course, if you just have to have the blue color....
DeleteThanks Diane your reviews are always spot on and informative. Love your doily. I dounf 3 pieces that did not stay on the may.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Nana Donna on your sharp eyes - there are three tiny pieces that lifted with the cut - not bad at all! I am happy to know that you find my blog helpful - you have been a long time Cricut friend and reader.
DeleteTwo, I spy two pieces!! It's gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheryl for the nice compliment. There are actually three bits that lifted with the doily and they were easy to brush off once I realized they were clinging to the cut.
DeleteI see (I think!) only 3 tiny pieces that lifted off of the mat. Incredible!
ReplyDeleteWendy - you got it right! I am so impressed with the way this machine cuts. It makes it fun to try to come up with designs that push the limits and so far I have had great success with the tiniest of cuts.
Deletei think i see only 3 pcs. this is incredibly beautiful. i don't think i ever got your file since i knew i'd never be able to cut it with my machines. even my cameo, 'i don't believe' has this capability! i still don't own the explore. i'm more on the fence about having to learn another software when it took me a long time to learn the sil. design studio.
ReplyDeleteHi Kat - you are right, there are three tiny pieces that lifted with the cut. You would have gotten the file via and email on June 8th or 9th last year since you are a long time subscriber. If you can't find the link, let me know and I will email it to you. The Explore and the Cameo both cut well but the Explore makes things so easy. All of the "thinking" about the layers and colors is done by the program - you just choose your images and the machine figures out how to cut them. The Cameo software is more complicated and you can design very complicated things with it but it does take some time to figure out. The Explore is really "plug and play" and if you have come to grips with the Cameo software I don't think you would have any trouble at all using the Explore.
DeleteHow do you weed all those tiny pieces? Is there a "trick" to help us?
ReplyDeleteI didn't need to "weed" - I just lifted the cut away from the mat when the machine was finished (it helps to pull the mat away from the paper cut to keep it from curling. The bits that are left on the mat are easily scraped away with a Cricut spatula or a plastic putty spreader. If I cut this in vinyl I would probably lift it off the backing rather than "weeding" it since the design is very interconnected and will keep the shape. Then I could put it on some transfer tape to apply it to a surface. I hope that helps!
Deletei'm edging a wee bit closer to getting this. haven't leaped yet, but it wouldn't take much coaxing. what i pad do you use with yours? this would have to be another purchase for me.
ReplyDeleteKat - I have been using my husband's iPad which is a couple of years old. Anything iPad 2 or above will work so anything but the very first iPad is fine. The mini will also work - it just depends if you want a larger screen. Maybe you could find an older one for sale from someone who upgraded?
Deletei looked. i do not have your doily, yes, please, i would love to have it and try cutting with my cameo. i'm sure i didn't download it. if i do get the explore air, i will most certainly give it a go and compare.
ReplyDeleteI will email you the link. I think the Cameo will cut it just fine - I don't remember if I tried this file on the Cameo. You might have to do a little bit of poking out for some of the smaller inside shapes - depends on your mat, blade and settings...
DeleteSomehow my comment didn't publish so I'm going to try again. I saw only 3 spots on the daily (and had to uncross my eyes afterward 😁). I also want to say how much I appreciate your reviews and instructions. You are always so thorough. I wish Cricut would come out with Android versions since I have a Kindle and don't plan to get an iPad. I'm sure there are others, too. (Maybe you could pass this on to them.) But I am looking forward to checking out the update to Design Space. Stay safe during the storm!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day. Beautiful doily.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your details and info. It's amazing only 3 pieces remained..gotta love it!
Do you know when the iPad app will not have to be on line to use the app? I heard they were going in that direction. I don't always have wifi and would love to use it.
I'm not on Facebook but I read there is an explore event on Tuesday - an hour long for questions and answers. Are you attending? If so could you give us non-Facebook people an update after the event?
Thank you!!