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Cricut Expression & Design Studio Software
By Helen | January 28, 2008
At the Scrappetizer Crop this weekend, I played with the Cricut Expression and the Cricut Design Studio Software. Wow - the things I could do with them.
The installation of the Cricut Design Studio went smoothly. I have a Dell laptop running Windows Vista. I followed the directions and installed the software without any hiccups.
Using the Cricut Design Studio software you have control over the sizing of the images. For example, on the Cricut Accent Essentials Shape Cartridge there is a wonderful flourish. I was able to get the flourish to be exactly the size I wanted it to be to suit my layout. I was also able to turn the flourish to get more of them on one sheet.
Later on in the weekend, a cropper had a very long title to cut out. The Cricut Expression presented an error message “too many characters”…so, we went to the Cricut Design Studio Software. No more “too many character” messages. We were able to put in the whole title and size it to fit across the top of the page. The letters ended up being a size that you would have been able to select using the size wheel.
Topics: Cricut, Notes from Helen |


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January 28th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Glad you didn’t have any issues with installing the Design Studio. My install didn’t like my business contact manager for outlook so I had to deactivate it. provo craft has a long way to go to make the installation go smooth for all computer environments.
Once installed though the THINKING you can do are UNBELIEVABLE. Yes I love the fact that you can enlarge the item or font past what the dial size will let you manually.
I love the fact that you can share the .cut files.
So if you spend all day creating a beautiful cricut creation you can share it so your friends don’t have to spend all day re-creating it
Gorgeous layouts, I love that paper from CTMH.
Glad I purchased it from you so I can jump right in and use it.
Love the cricut accents really make the page pop:)
January 29th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Laura - thank you for reminding me that I can share the *.cut files. I have posted those so you can cut multiple flourishes at one time. We can cut some at SDV!
March 21st, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I have just bought the design studio, & no I didn’t have any problems. My query is- has any one found a way to copy & paste welded images. When I do it I have to copy & paste each element, which means I’m not getting them the same. I like to cut a full page & have several welded images that are the same on a layout.
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:06 am
Lesley - I’m hoping that in one of the upcoming updates there will be the ability to “group” a set of items for copying and pasting them. I’ll keep this in mind as I’m playing with the CDS (Cricut Design Studio Software) to see if I can come up with something.
March 27th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
That’s great. I look forward to the day. I shall update very regularly in the hope!
September 7th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
can anyone tell me where I can get some already done page layouts using the cricuit expression? I am not creative…and I need other peoples ideas. thanks
Are there any good websites to go to?
October 2nd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Hi all,I need help.I have the cricut expression machine and I want 2 buy the design studio.I downloaded the free 2 try before you buy and for some reason I cant get it 2 work.I have windows xp.I was told I had 2 update my machine,firmware version 1.1?Can someone help before i buy this?Thanks
December 8th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Hi–I’m just starting with my new expressions machine and curious we are very active in equestrian events and really need anything related to the horse business. Is there a software available to take shapes and objects we have on our computer and make the expression machine cut it out?
Thanks! Karen
December 16th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I agree with Karen. When will we be able to cut our own original JPEG or other graphic designs with the Cricut?
December 16th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Karen & Eugene,
There’s a software package called Sure Cuts A Lot. I haven’t used it; however, I’ve read that it can be used to cut fonts and dingbats. You’ll find more information here:
http://www.craftedge.com/