What Are Your Favorite Cricut Cartridges?

What are your favorite Cricut cartridges? That is a question that I get asked a lot, and unfortunately, it is also a question that I have a difficult time answering. My favorites depend on many different things - the time of the year and whether any holidays are around the corner and the type of projects I am working on. Also, if my craft project is a gift (such as a card), my answer may be dependent on the person who will be receiving the present.

Overall, though, my favorite carts are considered the "full cartridges", as opposed to the limited edition seasonal minis and the Walmart exclusive Lite carts. Full carts have six different creative features and seemingly endless options for die cutting.

Many not only include images, but also fonts and phrases. These can be used together to create themed scrapbook pages and other projects. They also may include shadow and blackout features, which are essential which your cutouts need a little extra "oomph" to help them stand out on the page. They also may include layering features, which adds personality to an other flat, one-dimensional die cut. Speaking of one-dimensional, some of the full cartridges also allow you to cut three-dimensional items, such as boxes and paper houses.

Several full Cricut cartridges were released in 2010, but in my opinion, these are a few of the best:

Happy Hauntings - The die cut machines from Provo Craft have been around for several years, and during that time, users had been requesting a cart for Halloween. Well, in 2010, they finally got their wish! This one contains some great images, as well two full font sets, and some great 3D items, including a spooky tree and a haunted house.

Create a Critter - The name of this cart says it all! With Create a Critter, you can create adorable cats and dogs, woodland creatures, and so much more. These cutouts are perfect for scrapbooking pages of little ones at play, and for making cards especially suited for children.

Simply Charmed - I love this cart because it can make die cuts for just about any celebration, any holiday, any reason! In my opinion, it's always a good thing when this much versatility is offered. I think that is why Stretch Your Imagination and Doodlecharms were so popular in years past, and why I predict this one will be the same.

Of course, your list may be completely different than mine! I guess that is why there are so many different Cricut cartridges available - we all have different tastes and different needs. What may appeal to me may not appeal to you - and vice versa. So feel free to disagree with me. However, if you do, post your favorites for 2010 below...

Cricut Stretch Your Imagination Cartridge

If you are looking for a do-it-all cartridge that you will reach for time after time, then check out the Cricut Stretch Your Imagination cartridge. It really does a little bit of everything - celebrations, holidays, the four seasons - it's all there.

However, you don't have to take my word for it, when a picture is worth a thousand words...

Featuring designs by David Walker Studios, this is one of my favorites. Will it be one of yours? Make sure you also check out its creative features, which will keep you happily scrapbooking and card making for hours on end. Features include layers, silhouette, card, card frame, shadow and blackout.

FIND OUT MORE:

Cricut Stretch Your Imagination Handbook

Loads of unique project ideas featuring the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge

Cricut Paper Dolls Cartridge

Get in touch with your inner child with the Cricut Paper Doll Dress Up cartridge! Sure, it's fun to play with, but just think of the scrapbook layouts you can make with this one. I often hear complaints that there are no good Halloween cartridges, but this one takes the cake in that department!

Want to find out more? First, check out the types of die cuts you can make with this one...

This cartridge, with designs by Cara Bradshaw, has several creative features that are perfect for accessorizing your little paper people, including headwear, three other accessories, and blackout. There is also a "tabs" creative feature, because who wants to play with paper dolls if their clothes don't have tabs to keep them on!

MORE RESOURCES:

Cricut Paper Dolls Handbook

Project ideas using the Cricut Paper Dolls Dress Up cartridge

Cricut Jasmine Cartridge

If you are looking for a calligraphy-style font, then you owe it to yourself to check out the Cricut Jasmine font cartridge. Especially popular for embellishing wedding and anniversary layouts and cards, this font is both elegant and classy.

See what I mean...

This font, designed by artist Cecilia Harris, can be embedded in an oval, diamond, or charm, simply by using the included creative features. You can also spice it up a little using the italic, shadow or shadow blackout options.

CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES:

Cricut Jasmine Handbook

Message board for the Cricut Jasmine font cartridge

Cricut Celebrations Cartridge

The Cricut Celebrations cartridge is a must-have for anyone who likes to party. From creating your own custom invitations and party decorations to the perfect scrapbook layouts featuring favorite pics of the big event, this cartridge with designs by Rob & Bob Studios should be in your collection.

Here is a sample of the types of die cuts you can create:

With the six included creative features (tag, banner, card, border, shadow and blackout), this is a versatile cartridge that will allow you to create an endless amount of designs. And if you happen to have the Design Studio Software, you will have an even greater variety of cutouts that you can create.

MORE RESOURCES:

Cricut Celebrations Handbook

Get inspired by seeing how others have used the Cricut Celebrations cartridge

Cricut Accent Essentials Cartridge

The Cricut Accent Essentials cartridge comes exclusively with some models of the popular Expression machines. Although many users have requested that it be sold separately, Provo Craft has not yet released it for individual sale.

With designs by Rob & Bob Studio, this one is on everyone's wish list! Here's a picture of the different die cut shapes that it can create:

There's a lot of variety there, wouldn't you agree!

Did you know you can cut vinyl with your machine? Many people like using vinyl to create cutouts for decorating the interior walls of their home. This particular cartridge is great for that use.

MORE RESOURCES:

Cricut Accent Essentials Handbook

Project ideas using the Accent Essentials cartridge

I would love to hear about what you think of this one! Make sure you leave a comment before you go...

Cricut Animal Kingdom Cartridge

Old McDonald + Noah's Ark = Cricut Animal Kingdom!

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

I could keep going, but I think a picture is worth a thousand words...

Like the other cartridges, this one also comes with some great creative features. There's the standard shadow and blackout features, but you can also make a bookmark or border. You also can make a die cut of just the head or of the animal's sound.

As you can see, the Cricut Animal Kingdom cartridge is a fun one. If you don't have it yet - well, what are you waiting for!

MORE RESOURCES:

Cricut Animal Kingdom Handbook

Idea-packed message board featuring the Animal Kingdom cartridge