There is software for the Cricut called Design Studio. It allows you to combine and use templates from any cartridge you have. It does not allow you to use the TT fonts on your computer. The Cricut will only cut out designs on their cartridges. It is limited to using the cartridges that you have. Design Studio just lets you 'see' on your computer the contents of your cartridges and design things using something from each one if you want. I use mine for tags and stickers and things like that. I like the Tags, Bags and Boxes cartridge. Provo has a message board for the cricut and there are people on there that have websites that sell the cartridges. I have never paid more than $40 for one. In the stores they are upwards of $55. Steph has the Wishblade which does hook up to the computer and she can cut any font on her computer. It is way more expensive than the Cricut!

Linda this is the package I got...it was the Todays Special and it was 399.00. I couldn't let it go this time! Release your creative side with the Cricut Expression and YourStory Craft Bundle. Make large die-cuts for classroom decor, scrapbook layouts, signs, banners and much more with the Cricut machine. Bind and laminate your albums, work reports or school projects with the YourStory machine. These 2 powerful systems give you the ultimate in versatility and make personalizing craft projects - large or small - fun and full of life. Cricut Expression Bundle Includes: Cricut Expression die-cutting machine - measures approx. 22"L x 9"W x 8"H Cutting mat - measures approx. 12"L x 12"W Cutting blade 2 full-content Cricut cartridges: "Walk in My Garden" and "Plantin SchoolBook" 3 Cricut solution cartridges "Indie Art", "Home Accents" and "Camp Out" 3 black Cricut color ink cartridges 2 brown Cricut color ink cartridges Yellow Cricut color ink cartridge Red Cricut color ink cartridge Green Cricut color ink cartridge Orange Cricut color ink cartridge Blue Cricut color ink cartridge Spatula tool Power adaptor Instructional DVD - "Getting to Know Your Cricut Machine" User's manual Registration information card Quick start guide YourStory Binding and Laminating Bundle Includes: YourStory binding and laminating machine - measures approx. 19-1/2"L x 7"W x 8-1/2"H Extra large cover - measures approx. 8-1/2"L x 11"W Large cover - measures approx. 8"L x 8 2 medium covers - measure approx. 7"L x 5"W each 4 small covers - measure approx. 6"L x 4-1/2"W each 6 laminating pouches - measure approx. 9"L x 11-1/2"W each 12 papers - measure approx. 8"L x 8"W each 3 sheets of stickers - measure approx. 8"L x 8"W each Cricut Machine Features: Exciting way to cut letters, shapes and phrases in impressive sizes - up to 12"L x 12"W Multi-cut function - easily cut a wide range of materials including vellum, cardstock, poster board and vinyl; cuts up to 4 times over original cut lines Flip function - easily create a flipped or mirrored image cut of the shape you choose Line-return function - create line breaks between each cut for accurate spacing Center-point function - cuts shapes and centers them on a designated point; use on photographs or patterned paper in the landscape mode Fit-to-length and fit-to-page functions - easily set the size of the length of a designated cut; maximizes the size of the shapes on each page Auto-Fill mode - fills page with as many of the characters selected on the display as will fit on the page Quantity mode - lets you choose the number of cuts you want of those selected on the display Paper-saver mode - automatically arranges selections to take up the least amount of space possible on your paper Shadow option - creates a proportionately larger shadow image of each shape you select Mix and match - use a variety of creative features in the same cut; take advantage of the entire library of existing Cricut cartridges Spatula - allows you to remove finely cut images from cutting mat Colorful markers - substitute for cutting blade to draw designs instead of cutting them LCD screen - shows exactly what you're typing Variety of sizes - cut portrait or landscape Easy to use - no computer necessary 4 languages: English, French, Spanish and German; includes metric options YourStory Machine Features: Large, 12"L x 12"W capacity for binding and laminating Great for unique gifts, memory books and a host of paper crafting projects Personalize books, albums and journals Clean binding system Laminate your own photos and important documents (insurance cards, certificates, licenses and reports) Make your albums, presentations and reports look their very best Additional Information: UL and ETL listed Made in China Comes with a manufacturer's 90-day limited warranty Note: The Cricut machine can cut up to a 12"L x 24"W image if used with the 12"L x 24"W cutting mat and with 12"L x 24"W paper (sold separately).

I started with the smaller Cricut when they first came out. I upgraded to the Cricut Expression when that came out (got it for a steal on black Friday at Walmart). Since then they have released the Cricut Make Machine. It does what the Expression does (larger cuts) only in the size of the orignal Cricut. I would highly suggest that one. It is MUCH more portable. I use it all the time to make bulletin boards and posters at work. I have done custom sign work of both business and homeowners. They have come down in price quite a bit. I really like the site ohmycrafts.com they are always having sales and coupons. Also eBay is a good source. If you can wait until Black Friday there are always good deals if that is something you like to do. My sisters are crazy for deals so they love to take my list and run on that day. As far as mats and needles. I can't tell you how long the mats last but it's a long time. Maybe 6-8 months (depending on the deep cuts) as long as you keep them clean you can re-sticky them with spray adhesive. The needles I have replaced maybe twice. I use my machine at least once a week if not everyday some weeks. There are some many tips and tricks out there on YouTube don't think that you can just do a certain few cuts on one cart there are hundreds on every cart. It may not be for everyone but I would think it would be a teachers dream! Any questions please feel free to ask!

So many people with issues with parents...sad. I was loved, I had toys and gifts,dresses, dolls, books, sport stuff, games,I lacked for nothing . But as I got older, I think I tried to "recapture" my childhood. As an adult, I loved antique shows, flea markets, garage sales. Any time I saw something we had in our house growing up, I had to buy it. I even bought too many rose bushes and planted them in my garden, trying to re-create my Grandma's rose garden. I now have a linen closet stacked with doilies and tablecloths I'll never use, sets of fancy glasses too fragile to use, things like that. Oh, and on the funny side, my daughter cleaned out my bathroom just yesterday. She found eleven bottles of Listerine. I don't know, I hate the stuff, it burns... I remember buying one bottle because it did everything, whitens teeth, freshens breath, makes gums healthy, strengthens the enamel. I'm just always looking for something to make me happy.